Southwest Kansas Catholic December 20, 2020 Vol. XLV No. 17

Page 1 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine The Word Became Flesh

By The Most Rev. JOHN B. BRUNGARDT Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City

hristmas Eve, Day, and the weekend of the Holy Family are four- consecu�ve days this C year. What gi�s do we receive from , Mary and Joseph during these solemni�es? • we receive from Jesus the gi� of Himself as Savior, who is“Wonder- Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace”(Isaiah 9:5). • we receive from Mary her gi� of the Word made flesh: Mary“gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). • we receive from Joseph the gi� of his many examples of obedience: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Ma�hew 1:20-21). As these feasts bring us hope and joy, we are impelled to follow the Christ Child more sincerely. What gi�s do we give God during this Holy Season? We give our valuable �me to listen to the Word of God in Sacred Scripture. We give our humble devo�on to the Sacraments. We give our compassionate service to our family and others, especially those people most in need of our love. Let us ask our Newborn Savior Jesus to assist us in our struggles in this life, as He prepares us for eternity. May the Lord abundantly bless you this Christmas. May Jesus show His love to you beyond measure! + Bishop John

“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Page 2 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine This beau�ful portrait INSIDE THIS ISSUE was taken by Nicole Cur�s of Pra� on a Sunday NEWS FEATURES COMMENTARY a�ernoon in February of Christmas in Ellinwood, 5 2018. “I only remember announces Year The Word Became this one instance when all for St. Joseph, 33 Christmas Concert at Flesh, 2, By Bishop John four of our children fell Homeless make Windthorst to air on PBS, 6 Brungardt asleep on my lap at once. I ornaments for Va�can Church treasures find new Mater Amabilis, 4 took this picture and edited it with the PicsArt Christmas tree, 37 life at cemetery, 8 By Bishop Emeritus app because it was a Different looking Sister Patricia Mae Stanley Gilmore sweet moment I wanted to na�vity brings hope, dies, 9 Whom shall I fear? 26 document and remember.” Honoring Our Lady, 10 Nicole has been married to 38 By Le�zia Magri Brandon for 10 years; the U.S. Adopts rule The Star Singers con�nue The Journey of the family lives on a farm in protec�ng freedom of to inspire in Poland, 40 Magi,27 Pra� County where they religion, 43 Could the rare Christmas By Dave Myers are members of Sacred Heart Parish. Brandon Prison ministry during Star visible this December A Miracle at raises ca�le and farms, the pandemic, 45 be the ? Ravensbruvk, 30 while Nicole work as an 42 By Corrie ten Boom accountant in Pra�. SPANISH 49-57 OBITUARIES 58-59 PUZZLES 60-61 Page 3 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Pray it; learn it; live it! Mater Amabilis “The love of God was revealed to us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might have life through Him” (1 John 4:9). Most Rev. Ronald M. Gilmore Bishop Emeritus “Love One Another as I Love You.” Catholic Diocese of (John 15:12) Dodge City Pastoral Plan Outline for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City 2020-2025

To Evangelize with Joy – Proclaim Christ’s love to all. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all na�ons.” ardinal Newman wrote a li�le work called (Ma�hew 28:19) MEDITATIONS ON THE LITANY OF LORETO. To Catechize in the Catholic Faith with Diligence – On this feast of Our Lady of Loreto, in this Form all as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Season of Advent, it will not be amiss to “Guide me by your truth and teach me, for you are God C page through that gem of a book. my Savior” (Psalm 25:5) The Litany is a form of prayer much loved in our To Build Community with Love – Church. Known as the Litany of Loreto (because of the Unite all in a hope-filled rela�onship with God and one another. remnant of the holy house in the Italian Cathedral “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21) there), or, more simply, as the Litany of the Blessed To Pray with Devo�on – Virgin Mary, this prayer lists the many �tles given Mary Worship the Father, through Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit since the �me of her death. One of those �tles is as a community and individually. MATER AMABILIS, Lovable Mother. Newman writes: “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks” ‘There was a divine music in all (Mary) said and did … (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) in her mien, her air, her deportment, that charmed To Serve with Compassion – every true heart that came near her. Accompany all in the Lord,especially the poor. “Her innocence, her humility and modesty, her “Serve one another through love.” (Gala�ans 5:13) simplicity, sincerity, and truthfulness, her unselfishness, her unaffected interest in everyone who came to her, her purity … it was these quali�es which make her so On the cover lovable. This is one of the beau�ful stained glass windows at Immaculate “Were we to see her now, neither our first thought Heart of Mary at Windthorst, a structure long since nor our second thought would be, what she could do closed as a parish, but u�lized for Christmas and Easter concerts, for us with her Son (though she can do so much), but Windthorst anniversaries and other ac�vi�es. our first thought would be, ‘Oh, how beau�ful,’ and our In 1989, the structure was added to the Na�onal Register of Historic second thought would be, ‘Oh, what ugly hateful Places. It has since been well maintained by the Windthorst Heritage creatures are we.’” Associa�on. There is nothing selfish in that prayer. Not ‘what she The windows were created in the Munich studios of the St. Louis could do for us, with her Son.’ Our a�en�on is directed company, Emil Frei and Associates. They were installed in 1916. outside ourselves, beyond ourselves … to them, to her, to Him, and to the sheer beauty of her in His Father’s plan. That’s the magic of Advent, the ‘divine music’ in Published Semi-Monthly by the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City. all she said and did, this Mother like no other. And the All material in this newspaper is copyrighted 2020. divine music in all He said and did, this Son like no Publisher ... Bishop John B. Brungardt other, that’s the magic of the Incarna�on. Editor ... Dave Myers May these closing Advent Days, and these coming Adver�sing Manager... Tammy Lampe Christmas Days, be filled with his Peace … a Peace like no other. Business Manager ... Daniel Stremel, CPA The Southwest Kansas Catholic • P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801 “Her innocence, her humility and Phone: (620) 227-1519 • Facsimile: (620) 227-1545 modesty, her simplicity, sincerity, and email: [email protected] • website: dcdiocese.org/swkscatholic Service of Editors truthfulness, her unselfishness, her Msgr. A.J. Felling Byron Hull Margaret Klenke Tim Wenzl unaffected interest in everyone who came 1966-1971 1971-1974 1974-1990 1990-2000 to her, her purity … it was these quali�es

Page 4 Dec. 20, 2020 which makeSouthwest her soKansas lovable.” Catholic News Magazine Christmas in Ellinwood

Students from St. Joseph School in Ellinwood presented a Christmas Concert Dec. 9 at St. Joseph Church. The concert is available on Youtube. For informa�on on obtaining a DVD of the concert, contact the school at 620-564-2721. Click here to view the concert on Youtube

Page 5 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Christmas concert at Windthorst to air on PBS The Dodge City Community College music department presented “Midwinter Carols” at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at Windthorst Dec. 7. The holiday concert will be aired on Smoky Hills Public Television on Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 25 at 9 p.m. Located on the open plains of Kansas, Immaculate Heart of Mary was added to the Na�onal Register of Historic Places in 1989. It has since been well maintained by the Windthorst Heritage Associa�on.

Local Masses broadcast on Facebook Many local parishes your obliga�on to a�end con�nue to live-stream Mass if you are sick or their Mass on Facebook suscep�ble, or are in and/or their local webpage. contact with those who are. The Masses are recorded, Those who a�end Mass and can be viewed at any should wear a mask to �me. Check your local protect others, avoid parish Facebook page, or touching doors and non- call your parish for family members, and should informa�on. Bishop John maintain a distance of six Brungardt con�nues to offer feet from those of other special dispensa�on from families. Photo by Tim Wenzl

F��� Go�’� ��e��n�� ���� � c�n��e� �ha� sof��� ���ea� ����� �l�� a� C��is�ma�… m�� y�� �������n�� ��� w�n��� o� �i� ��i��n� l��� a� H� ��i�e� y�� ��r�u�� ea�� d�� �� ��� c���n� �e��.

St. Mary of the PlainsAlumni Association P.O. Box 416 Dodge City, KS 67801 www.stmaryoftheplainsalumniassociation.org

Page 6 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Do you Marienthal know who created youth learn the first Na�vity about the Scene? Hint: He’s Nativity the name- sake of the Youth from St. Mary’s Holy Parish created Christmas Father in mobiles using s�cks and ! cut-outs of the Holy Family, See more the animals in the manger on Page and the Three Wisemen. 28. They also learned lessons about the Advent wreath and the other religious symbols of the season.

‘Bishop Nicholas’ pays visit to Jetmore children

Photos courtesy of Sr. Catherine Therese Paulie

On Dec. 6, elementary students from St. Lawrence Parish in Jetmore were learning about the saint of the day. There was no chimney but down the stairs came Bishop Nicholas, much to the surprise of the students! He visited each of the classes, bringing a small sack filled with a dowry for each.

Page 7 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Church treasures find new life at cemetery

he original cornerstone of St. Mary’s Church in For centuries bells have been named, usually a�er Marienthal, da�ng to 1909, and a bell that hung in the steeple are being refurbished for Catholic saints, and blessed with holy oil. The name inclusion in a new memorial wall being built at “Catharina” may be a reference to both St. Catherine St. Mary Cemetery. and to Russian Empress Catherine the Great, who in TThough construc�on has ceased for the winter, plans are to build a curved 60-foot wall and include the 1792 invited Germans to se�le along the Volga River. cornerstone and bell, along with a new bronze crucifix molded from the one currently displayed at the cemetery. In 1976, when the original St. Mary Church was razed for the new church, the cornerstone and bell were sold at auc�on and purchased by parishioner John Berning. A�er his passing in 2009, parishioner Ed Simon purchased them again at auc�on in 2010 in order to preserve the history of the parish and area. The bell includes the name “Catharina” on it. For centuries bells have been named, usually a�er Catholic saints, and blessed with holy oil. The name “Catharina” may be a reference to both St. Catherine and to Russian Empress Catherine the Great, who in 1792 invited Germans to se�le along the Volga River. Descendants of those Volga Germans came to Western Kansas in the mid-1800s. The name “Marienthal” means “Mary’s Valley” in German.

Page 8 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Sister Patricia Mae Stanley, CSJ, former SMP director, dies She was the former Director of Computer Sciences at St. Mary of the Plains College

ister Patricia Mae Stanley, CSJ, 86, former director of EDS in Dallas, Tex., Chabot Computer Sciences at St. Mary of the Plains College, died University, Hayward, Calif., SNov. 6, 2020. Father Joe Gile celebrated the Mass of and Creighton University, Chris�an burial at Resurrec�on Chapel at Mr. St. Mary Convent. Omaha, Neb. Burial was in the convent cemetery. She served the Sister Patricia was born Jan. 8, 1934 in Ashland to George congrega�on as an elementary and middle school teacher for 32 Edward and Bertha Ford Stanley. Her educa�on began in Indiana years in Kansas, Colorado, and California before transi�oning to a public schools where the family lived un�l World War II began. college teaching career. She began teaching computer science at Her father was inducted into the army making it necessary for the St. Mary of the Plains College in 1983 and served on the faculty family to move back to Kansas where her mother had rela�ves. un�l the college closed on 1992. She accepted a posi�on at St. She a�ended St. Joseph School in Ashland, and St. John the Mary College in Leavenworth un�l 1996 when she was elected to Evangelist in Eldorado. a posi�on on the Congrega�onal Leadership Team. In 2000-2002, Sister Patricia, a convert to the faith, was bap�zed April 20, 1946 she helped the Diocese of Wichita begin the set-up of their seven miles east of Ashland in St. Mary’s Church, Sitka. Following computer network, then worked solely with the Congrega�on IT the comple�on of elementary school, she entered the Department un�l her death. Congrega�on of St. Joseph in Wichita, comple�ng high school at Sister Patricia was a woman of many interests. She was a Mt. St. Mary’s. Sister Patricia received the habit in March 1949 member of the Kansas Wildflower Society, par�cipa�ng in many and made final profession July 26, 1955. hikes with groups to iden�fy and photograph many Kansas plants, She obtained her B.S. from St. Mary of the Plains College in par�cipated in Audubon Society bird counts, and was interested in Dodge City, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of family genealogy as a member of the Daughters of the American Evanston, Ind., in 1988, with addi�onal computer training from Revolu�on. Seeking the Prince of Peace ByDONNA WITTLIF Peace." Zacharias prophesied that he would"guide "For unto us a child is born, unto us a our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). Angels son is given; and the government shall said that on earth he would bring"peace among be upon his shoulder: and his name shall men"(Luke 2:14). be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty Jesus, our Prince of Peace, said,"Peace I leave God, Everlas�ng Father, Prince of Peace" with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the (Isaiah 9:6). world gives, give I unto you" (John 14:27). Peace.The word is on everyone's lips. No, Jesus didn't come to give us the peace the Governments arbitrate for it, soldiers die world is searching for. The world can never give us for it, and people everywhere pray for it. the peace of Christ, for He gave His life to reconcile As Joseph Conrad said, "What all men are us to God through the cross. Without His sacrifice, really a�er is some form, or perhaps only we would be alienated from God. Through Jesus, some formula, of peace." The only we have access to God, and we are fellow-ci�zens trouble is, they're not looking for peace ofthehousehold of God (Ephesians 2:18-20). in the right places. Yes, unto us a child is born. Through Him, we Permanent peace cannot be found on have peace with God, and no one can take it from this earth. The peace that soothes us. He is Wonderful, our Counselor, our Mighty God human spirits and heals their souls who is with us, our Prince of Peace. Through Him comes only from God. More precisely, it all things in earth and in heaven have peace with came from God as a baby born in a manger. God (Colossians 1:20). He is the only formula for The prophet Isaiah called him the "Prince of peace. Page 9 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Honoring Our Lady

his year, celebra�ons honoring Our Lady of TGauadalupe, the patron of the cathedral in Dodge City, were greatly limited due to the covid pandemic. On this page are photos from past events, which honored the Holy Mother on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12. Celebra�ons o�en begin the day before, last into the night, and culminate in a late night Mass.

In the photo at upper le�, actors re-create the story of Juan Diego and Our Lady during the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City. The feast celebrates the appearance of the Holy Mother to the Aztec Indian peasant, Juan Diego, on Dec. 9, 10 and 12, 1531, asking that a shrine to her be built to her on the spot where she appeared on Tepeyac Hill near modern day Mexico City. In an audience with the bishop to share the Holy Mother’s request, Juan Diego opened his cloak, le�ng dozens of roses fall to the floor and revealing the image of Mary imprinted on the inside of the cloak—the image that is now venerated in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The feast celebrates the appearance of the the next page for an Mother to the Aztec Indian ar�cle about the Tilma, peasant, Juan Diego, on Dec. and some fascina�ng 9, 10 and 12, 1531, asking theories about images that a shrine to her be built behind the image. to her on the spot where she Click here for a video appeared on Tepeyac Hill documentary on the �lma near modern day Mexico City. of Our Lady of Gaudalupe Page 10 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Analyzing the Tilma ur Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico as the pregnant Mother of God to Blessed Juan Diego, and Aztec Indian, on ODecember 9, 10, and 12, 1531. She le� a Miraculous Image of her appearance o his cactus fiber cloak, or �lma, which s�ll exists today for all to see in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Our Lady came to offer faith, hope an consola�on to the oppressed na�ves of Mexico and to reconcile then with their Spanish rulers. She put an end to the bloody human sacrifice of the Aztecs and converted ten million na�ves in the next 10 years!

Analyzing the Tilma The Image of Our Lady is actually an Aztec Pictograph that was read and interpreted quickly by the Aztec Indians.

THE LADY STOOD IN FRONT OF THE SUN: She was greater than their dreaded sun-god "Huitzilopochtli". HER FOOT RESTED ON THE CRESCENT MOON: She had clearly vanquished their foremost deity, the feather serpent "Quetzalcoatl." THE STARS STREWN ACROSS THE MANTLE: She was greater than the stars of heaven that they worshipped. She was a virgin and the Queen of the heavens for Virgo rests over her womb and the northern crown upon her head. She appeared on December 12, 1531 for the stars that she wore are the constella�on of stars that appeared in the sky that day! THE BLUE-GREEN HUE OF HER MANTLE: She was a Queen for she wears the color of royalty. THE BLACK CROSS ON THE BROOCH AT HER NECK: Her God was that of the Spanish , Jesus Christ her son. THE BLACK BELT: She was with child for she wore the Aztec Maternity Belt. unknown property of the surface and substance of which it is THE FOUR-PETAL FLOWER OVER THE WOMB: She was the "Mother made. of God." The flower was a special symbol of life, movement and deity- According to Kodak of Mexico, the image is smooth and feels the center of the universe. like a modern day photograph. (Produced 300 years before the HER HANDS ARE JOINED IN PRAYER: She was not God but clearly inven�on of photography.) there was one greater than Her and she pointed her finger to the The image has consistently defied exact reproduc�on, cross on her brooch. whether by brush or camera. THE DESIGN ON HER ROSE COLORED GARMENT: She is the "Queen Several images can be seen reflected in the eyes of the Virgin. of the Earth" for she is wearing a map of Mexico telling the Indians It is believed to be the images of Juan Diego, Bishop Juan de exactly where the appari�on took place. Zummaraga, Juan Gonzales-the interpreter and others. And then there's what Modern Science has to say about The distor�on and place of the images are iden�cal to what is the �lma: produced in the normal eye, which is impossible to obtain on a The image, to this date, cannot be explained by science. flat surface. The image shows no sign of deteriora�on a�er 450 years! The �lma The stars on Our Lady's Mantle coincide with the or cloak of Juan Diego on which the image of Our Lady has been constella�on in the sky on December 12, 1531. All who have imprinted, is a coarse fabric made from the threads of the maguey scien�fically examined the image of Our Lady over the cactus. This fiber disintegrates within 20-60 years! centuries confess that its proper�es are absolutely unique and There is no under sketch, no sizing and no protec�ve over-varnish so inexplicable in human terms that the image can only be on the image. supernatural! Ar�cle courtesy of Our Lady of Microscopic examina�on revealed that there were no brush strokes. Guadalupe Parish, Macedonia, OH The image seems to increase in size and change colors due to an Page 11 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Help wanted: Posi�ons available at Catholic Chancery Chief Financial Officer he Catholic Diocese of Dodge City is accep�ng resumes Tfor the posi�on of CFO. The Chief Financial Officer directs and oversees all financial ac�vi�es for the organiza�on. Scope of work is the administra�on of the temporal goods of the diocese, budge�ng, and financial repor�ng in accordance with Canon law. Addi�onal oversight of staff and the administra�on of employee benefit programs, property and liability insurance, investment programs and accoun�ng assistance to the 48 parishes located in the 28 southwest Kansas coun�es. This role is mandated by Canon law and is responsible for monthly financial repor�ng, providing competent analysis of reports and data, and providing counsel to the Bishop on finance related ma�ers. Posi�on Requirements BS Accoun�ng or Business Administra�on (CPA and/or MBA desired). Minimum of five years of accoun�ng and finance experience, with at least three years in an administra�ve role. Expert level skills and experience in budget planning and analysis. Ability to successfully manage mul�ple func�ons on a day to day basis. Ability to supervise and collaborate with finance and ministry staff and to develop crea�ve strategies to address budget planning challenges. Excellent verbal and wri�en communica�on skills. Experience/knowledge of Catholic organiza�ons and non- profits preferred. Must be a prac�cing Catholic in good standing with the Church. To request a full job descrip�on or to ask ques�ons about this opportunity, please email Tammy Lampe, HR Director at [email protected]. To apply, please submit a le�er of applica�on, resume and salary history. EOE Photo by Gentry Heimerman Secretarial, database, accoun�ng services he Catholic Diocese of Dodge City is support. Spanish) preferred. Tseeking a full-�me staff person to assist Proficient in Excel, Word, Publisher and Also, preferred candidate shall with secretarial, database and accoun�ng Power Point and experience with demonstrate apprecia�on and support ac�vi�es. Quickbooks. Must possess high level of understanding of the Roman Catholic Under the supervision of the Director of a�en�on to detail with strong analy�cal Church and its teachings. the Curia this posi�on will assist with all and organiza�onal skills. For addi�onal informa�on and to apply: aspects of the donor system for the Minimum Educa�on: AA in Bus/admin, Email cover le�er and resume to Diocesan database (Donor Perfect) as well Accoun�ng, Communica�ons, Public [email protected] or mail to Diocese as assis�ng with accounts payable and Rela�ons and at least one year’s experience of Dodge City, A�n: Human Resources, 910 accounts receivable ac�vi�es. with computer databases and spreadsheets Central, Dodge City, KS 67801. (620) 227- In addi�on, this posi�on will assist the required. Excellent verbal and wri�en 1534. Development Director with secretarial communica�on skills (bilingual English/ re you interested in providing help and crea�ng hope Afor people in need? Catholic Chari�es of Southwest Kansas is looking for individuals of goodwill to join us in our mission of honoring human poten�al through service, advocacy, and invita�on, in the spirit of the Gospel so that every person experiences hope and fulfillment. Our Values: DIGNITY & RESPECT: We strive to treat others with fairness, jus�ce, and compassion. SERVICE: We strive to meet the needs of others. ADVOCACY: We speak on behalf of others. HOPE: We believe that there will be posi�ve change. COLLABORATION:We work with others to strengthen and support our communi�es. Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas was established more than 50 years ago to serve the people in the 28 counties of southwest Kansas. We currently have offices in Dodge City, Garden City and Great Bend and we work with and for people of all faiths. We are looking for people who feel called to make our communities a better place by serving those in need. We currently have openings for three posi�ons: FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST: will help those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness to locate resources that can assist them with obtaining adequate housing. This posi�on will also handle Disaster Case Management Services in the event of a disaster in our area. IMMIGRATION SERVICES CASE MANAGER: Provide assistance with the Naturaliza�on process with emphasis on Case Management to individuals within the Southwest Kansas area. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION: This person serves as the steward of the finances of Catholic Chari�es of Southwest Kansas including the management and development of resources for the benefit of the agency and the people served by the agency. This person will also have responsibility for the administra�ve staff, working collabora�vely to provide accurate and �mely informa�on in regard to effec�vely repor�ng and processing financial reports, compliance, and internal control systems. Addi�onally, this posi�on serves Catholic Chari�es with exper�se in financial affairs that include accoun�ng, data systems, risk management, opera�onal efficiency, real estate ma�ers and various legal ma�ers, and financial analysis of the financial condi�on of the agency and the opera�onal controls related to each agency program. Addi�onal informa�on about each job and applica�on process is available through the respec�ve links above.

"We are dealing with human beings, and human beings always need something more than technically proper care. They need humanity. They need hear�elt concern. Those who work for the Church's charitable organiza�ons must be dis�nguished by the fact that they do not merely meet the needs of the moment, but they dedicate themselves to others with hear�elt concern, enabling them to experience the richness of their humanity." – Benedict XVI

Page 13 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine ‘100 Nativity Scenes at the Vatican’ exhibit ByHANNAH BROCKHAUS firemen put together a na�vity scene that sits inside an old fire a�can City (CNA) - Among the novel�es of this year’s “100 ex�nguisher. VNa�vity Scenes at the Va�can” exhibit is the inclusion of a Some of the na�vi�es were made by schoolchildren. miniature honoring the Christ Child. The display also includes poinse�a plants and large signs with The small statue of the pon�ff is part of a piece that recreates the quota�ons from Pope Francis about the significance of the na�vity. scene of March 27, 2020, when Pope Francis stood in a rainy and The new loca�on of the exhibit, under the colonnade, is where empty St. Peter’s Square to pray for an end to the coronavirus some homeless people spend the day. At night, many more sleep pandemic. around the outside edge of the colonnade in sleeping bags or tents In addi�on to Pope Francis and the Child Jesus in a manger, the if they have them -- or on top of cardboard to protect them from model depicts the front of St. Peter’s Basilica and the miraculous the cold stone. crucifix of the Church of San Marcello al Corso. “Everyone will be able to stop and admire the beauty of many The annual na�vity scene display began in 1976. Before 2018, the na�vity scenes from different parts of the world and understand na�vi�es were exhibited in Rome’s . This is the how much love and imagina�on have been put into the crea�on of third year that the display is under the leadership of the Va�can. the manger scene,” a press release from the Pon�fical Council for But this year, for safety reasons, the na�vi�es were moved from a the Promo�on of the New Evangeliza�on said. building near the Va�can to the open air, under a part of Bernini’s “If we are experiencing a feeling of sadness or loneliness, let us famous colonnade, which embraces St. Peter’s Square. Wooden approach the crib and look at the Baby Jesus who wants to be displays hold the na�vi�es and protect them from the elements. welcomed. Then we too stretch out our arms, hold him and we will Space limita�ons mean the exhibit is slightly smaller this year. feel less alone,” Fisichella told Va�can News. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who leads the Pon�fical Council for the The New Evangeliza�on office, which organizes the exhibit each Promo�on of the New Evangeliza�on, told CNA that there were year, said that “Christmas is the light that comes into the world to around 70 na�vi�es set up for viewing. dispel the darkness of evil.” Some of the na�vity scenes come from other countries. In “These Christmas holidays, it would make no sense to look away addi�on to tradi�onal Italian manger scenes, there are those that as if the drama�c moment that the whole world is experiencing did have been handmade with more unusual materials, such as paper, not exist. Faith requires us to look at reality and give meaning to straw, stones, and even type from a typewriter. what happens in personal history and in humanity,” it said. Most of the scenes included have been displayed also in previous The display was opened to visitors Dec. 13 and will close a�er Jan. years, but there are a few new ones for 2020. For example, Va�can 10. See more photos

A miniature Pope Francis honoring the Christ Child at '100 Na�vity Scenes at the Va�can' Dec. 16, 2020. At right, Va�can firemen put together the na�vity scene which sits inside an old fire ex�nguisher. Page 14 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 15 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Support for Catholic Schools, Inc. Support for Catholic Schools, Inc.: For the last two years the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City has been partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Wichita to provide scholarships to eligible students a�ending Catholic Schools within our diocese. To date we have several students a�ending Catholic schools in Dodge City, Ness City, and Garden City with scholarships amoun�ng to over $300,000. Funding for this program so far has been from generous stewards from the Wichita diocese. If our Catholic schools are important to you, I am asking you to please consider a gi� to the Support for Catholic Schools, Inc. By dona�ng you are eligible to receive a 70% Kansas income tax credit that can be applied to your Kansas state income tax liability. For more informa�on on Support for Catholic Schools please contact: Daniel Stremel, CPA, CDFM, Director of Finance [email protected] (620) 227-1517. Click HERE for the flyer. Engaged Encounter Engaged Encounter: Michael and Lindsay Mazouch are the contacts for Engaged Encounter in this diocese. The EE program is in need of young Catholic Couples who have been married at least 7-8 years to help with the Encounter weekends. If any priest knows of such a couple, please phone Michael or Lindsay at 620-792-6290. Their email address is [email protected].

Page 16 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Catholic Charities 2020 Annual Appeal Called to be Messengers of Hope ho could have imagined the disrup�on and loss our communi�es and world would experience in 2020: COVID-19, wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, poli�cal and racial strife, unemployment and more. That no one is immune places us in automa�c solidarity with one another. As our agency strives to assist those in need, we, too, feel the impact and we are doing our best to find new ways to Waddress greater needs with fewer resources. For example: While we may be called upon to address the needs of one or two small disasters in a typical year, with COVID-19, we are s�ll responding to one long con�nuous disaster. Last year, Catholic Chari�es distributed $10,642 to individuals affected by disaster; this year we've given almost $75,000 to those affected by the pandemic … so far. For 18 years, we have supplemented funds with our Annual Charity Wine Tas�ng Event, but this year the event was canceled for health and safety reasons. Last year we greeted people in the office with encouragement and a warm smile; this year, we respond by phone, Zoom, Telehealth, masks, and doorstep deliveries even as our own staff members juggle illness, quaran�ne, and virtual home school for their kids. We con�nue to assess and respond to the needs of individuals for whom life is hard right now. Health crises. Unemployment and underemployment. Broken hearts, broken lives. This is especially tough with Christmas coming on. Last week, a single mother with four children wrote: "I became unemployed due to COVID back in March and remain on unemployment. I [am] wondering if you had any programs available for help with Christmas for my children?" It’s into this kind of darkness and hopelessness that God speaks:"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. … "The people For a child is born to us, a son is given to us!" (Isaiah 9: 1-6) As followers of Christ, we are called to be messengers of this Hope that Jesus came to bring. who walked in When the darkness threatens to overtake us, we shine with whatever we have and remember that the darkness is not forever. When we light a candle, string our houses with lights, or plug in darkness have the Christmas tree, we declare to the darkness: “A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5). This year, please give the gi� of hope and shine your light in the seen a great darkness with a generous and compassionate gi� to the Catholic Chari�es Annual Appeal. A prayerful gi� of any amount can be exactly what someone needs to get through the month, or to light; Upon provide a li�le bit of Christmas for their children. The thought that someone cares can bring just enough hope to carry someone through to a new day. those who lived From all of us at Catholic Chari�es, we pray that God bless you and your family with an extra measure of comfort, joy and hope throughout this advent season. in a land of Deborah J. Snapp, LBSW Execu�ve Director gloom a light Teen Moms; has shone. … Marriage; Finance;Natural For a child is Disasters; born to us, a ADOPTION;Prison son is given to Ministry;Drug us!" Abuse – Isaiah 9: 1-6 Counseling

Page 17 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Catholic Charities 2020 Annual Appeal Called to be Messengers of Hope

Teen Moms; Marriage Support; Financial Guidance; Natural Disasters; ADOPTION; Prison Ministry; Drug Abuse Counseling Page 18 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 19 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Are you struggling to feed your family? Catholic Chari�es of SW Kansas is here to help

n 2019, nearly 15 percent of all Kansas households were unable to provide adequate food for one or more household members. I Catholic Chari�es want to change that. One of the programs that works to combat food insecurity is the Supplemental Nutri�on Assistance Program (SNAP). In 2017, SNAP li�ed 3.4 million people out of poverty. And yet, many families who could be receiving benefits do not know that they even qualify for the program! What is the Kansas Food Assistance Program? The Food Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) helps people with li�le or no income. It provides benefits to eligible individuals and families to buy nutri�ous food, even vegetable plants and seeds from local grocery stores. Who is Eligible for the Program? - Persons who work but have a low income, and those who do not work, may be eligible. - You and anyone who lives in your household and eats with you. - Household members do not have to be related to be considered part of the household. Photo by M.T El Gassier - Able-bodied persons, age 18-49, without children, who work or a�end an approved training program 20 hours per week, or qualify for an exemp�on from work ac�vity. The Food Assistance - Persons age 60 and older and persons with disabili�es. - Disabled persons include those receiving Supplemental Security Income, Social Program (formerly Security disability payments, certain veterans disability payments, disability known as the Food re�rement benefits for a permanent disability and railroad disability. How Do I Purchase Food with My Benefits? Stamp Program) helps Monthly benefits are provided on a Kansas Benefits Card that looks and acts like a debit card. Simply swipe your card at the store when purchasing food, and the cost people with li�le or no is electronically subtracted from the card account. income. It provides How Much Income Can I Have and S�ll be Eligible? The amount of assistance you receive is based on your household's size and benefits to eligible income a�er deduc�ons (net income). Your total income, before taxes or any other subtrac�ons, is called gross income. Deduc�ons for things like housing costs, child individuals and families support payments, child-care costs, or monthly medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled people may be allowed. to buy nutri�ous food, The amount le� over a�er these deduc�ons is your net income. If your household even vegetable plants includes a person who is 60 or older or is disabled, only the net income limit must be met. If you are close to the income limits, go ahead and apply. and seeds from local For more informa�on go to h�ps://catholicchari�esswks.org/services/economic- assistance/food, or call (620) 227-1562. grocery stores.

For more informa�on go toh�ps://catholicchari�esswks.org/ services/economic-assistance/food, or call (620) 227-1562.

Page 20 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Pastoral Ministry Formation Classes for Spring 2021 Course on racism co-instructed by

Academy Award recipient Kevin Wilmont Father Bob Schremmer THEO 2023 Theology of the Church (English) 3 hour core course Levels of Participation Instructor:Fr. Robert Schremmer Course Descrip�on: Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral The Church can be brimming with life, filled with love, Ministry mo�vated by compassion, serving the poor and outcasts, only The degree student par�cipates in the if it can become a community with servant leaders with open classes, does assignments, takes exams willingness to let the future unfold in the power of the Spirit and receives grades and credit from of God. Liturgy and ritual, especially Eucharist, provide the Newman University. The degree student powerful presence of God unfolding within Jesus Christ. As may complete a degree with a Pastoral Kevin Willmo� over past centuries, there is an opportunity for the chaos we Ministry major; or the degree student currently experience both personally and globally to open us who already has a college degree may up to the Church’s mission to become and to nurture a earn a second major (degree). dynamic web of rela�onships in which all humanity can find Diocesan Diploma in Pastoral itself part of the wondrous whole that is the Body of Christ. Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6, 13 Ministry Saturday mornings The student pursuing a Diocesan Diploma 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon par�cipates in the classes, does the assignments and takes the exams. The THEO 4881 Is Fr. Frank a racist? 1 hour course (English) student is enrolled at Newman University Instructor: Fr. Frank Coady with Kevin Willmo� as a special student. The student receives Father Frank Course Descrip�on: grades and college credit for the courses, Coady Racism is notjust asin;it is sin. It par�cipates in that but does not pursue a degree with a original aliena�on from God and from each other that is Pastoral Ministry major. PMF provides allegorized by our first parents in the Garden as well as by the Personal Enrichment grounding in Tower of Babel. It is the desire for separateness, for The student reads the assigned materials comparison between the sexes and the races. We are called and par�cipates in the classes, but is not scripture and to a con�nuing conversion: the call to restore the original obligated to complete wri�en theology for the unity as well as to long for and work for the ul�mate unity assignments or take exams. The personal laity as they which is the Kingdom. enrichment student does not receive become Conversion is an ongoing process. We are periodically college credit for the courses. called to a deeper awareness of our sin. Likewise, we are Church in Partnership increasingly called to deeper conversion: le�ng go of current a�tudes in Diocese of Dodge City responsible for the order to make way for reconcilia�on with God and with God’s Diocese of Salina life and ministry of people. Newman University the Church. The course will, with non-judgment and humor, help us to see our own failures so that we can not only be healed but Pastoral Ministry also be agents of reconcilia�on. For more informa�on Forma�on equips Kevin Willmo� is Professor of Film at the University of or to register: par�cipants to Kansas. He is also a filmmaker and writer. Last year, he won fulfill the roles to an Academy Award for the screenplay for BlackKlansman. His Go to www.dcdiocese.org/ current coopera�on with Spike Lee, Da 5 Bloods, is available which they are on Ne�lix. He grew up in a mixed neighborhood in Junc�on pastoral-ministry-forma�on called by their City, and graduated from St. Xavier High School there and Or contact: bap�sm and for Coleen Stein, Coordinator from Marymount College, Salina. He earned the MFA at New which their gi�s York University. He lectures widely in the U.S. and Europe. 620-227-1538 Feb. 3, 10, 24, Mar. 3 P.O. Box 137 and the needs of Wednesday evenings Dodge City KS 67801 the �mes challenge 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. [email protected] them. Page 21 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Around the Diocese Bishop Gilmore, Jacqueline Loh present winter podcast series Fall into the Light Please join us Twice Monthly Through April 2021 on podcast or youtube: Join Grace that Reigns and a EXTRAORDINARY www.gracethatreigns Special Catholic Guest twice TESTIMONIES OF PRAYER, .com or h�ps:// a month for the next five renewingyourwonder months this winter, as we FAITH, .podbean.com or offer inspiring tes�monies of AND MIRACLES go toYoutube and hope and healing to help type in the search Renew your Sense of Wonder. window, “Grace that reigns society”. Grace that Reigns Tes�monies/sharing www.gracethatreigns.com Introduc�on and discussion, Listen to the A sign below November and celebrates and JANUARY 13 & 20 Bishop Ronald Gilmore and December podcast honors the many FEBRUARY 10 & 17 Jacqueline Loh by going to h�ps:// heroes who work in healthcare, MARCH 10 & 17 renewingyourwonder Physical Healing .podbean.com/e/fall- each day pu�ng APRIL 14 & 21 Spiritual Healing, into-the-light- their own lives at Emo�onal Healing episode-1/ risk to serve others.

Page 22 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 23 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 23 Oct. 25, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Protecting God’s Children If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child in Repor�ng Abuse or Misconduct Kansas and the child is in immediate danger, call of a Catholic Bishop 911 or local law enforcement. To report sexual abuse or related misconduct If you have suspicion a child is being abused or neglected, make a confiden�al report to Kansas by a Catholic bishop, you are encouraged to Department for Children and Families Protec�on contact law enforcement. To report such abuse Report Center, 800-922-5330 or to the KBI Hotline, or misconduct* to the Church, contact the 800-KSCRIME (800-572-7463), or by emailing Catholic Bishop Abuse Repor�ng (CBAR) service. [email protected]. CBAR is a third-party repor�ng service that If you suspect sexual abuse by Church gathers and routes reports to the appropriate personnel, in addi�on to making a report to the Church authori�es for inves�ga�on. To make a proper civil authori�es, contact Charles Befort, report in English or Spanish, go toh �ps:// the diocesan Review Board representa�ve who reportbishopabuse.org or you may call 800-276- receives and follows up on reports. His contact 1562. *CBAR was designed to respond only to informa�on is [email protected], 620-285-3219. complaints against bishops for issues related to In addi�on, Mr. Befort will offer the help of the sexual misconduct. If you have any other kind of Assistance Minister, whose goal is to be a complaint about a bishop, such as parish Photo by Jordan Whit/Unsplash listening ear and to promote healing. assignments, church closings, etc., please • • • address these directly to your bishop.

HEALTH& The Review Board is a consultative body of Awareness Sessions (see below) lay Catholics and one priest representative who The Catholic Diocese of Dodge City requires all WELLNESS advise the Bishop in his assessment of allegations employees and volunteers who work with of sexual abuse, reviews diocesanpolicies for children to par�cipate in a Protec�ng God’s dealing with sexual abuse of minorsand offers Children awareness session. advice on all aspects of sexual abuse cases Through the Diocesan Awareness Sessions retrospectively and prospec�vely. TheAssistance Minister’s role is to aid in the pastoralcare of and other educa�onal efforts of the diocese, all persons who claim to have been sexuallyabused as people of the diocese can learn how to discuss minors by clergy or other churchpersonnel, different aspects of abuse — including sexual. whether the abuse was recent or occurred many Please check upcoming issues or visit years in the past. dcdiocese.org/safe-environment for updates. No�ce of credible allega�on received

ishop Brungardt has been no�fied by the Diocese of Syracuse, If you have suspicion a child is being abused or neglected, make a BNY of a substan�ated allega�on of sexual abuse of a minor by confiden�al report to Kansas Department for Children and Families Father Thomas Joyce. Protec�on Report Center, 800-922-5330 or to the KBI Hotline, 800- Father Joyce served at St. Mary of the Plains college from Aug. KSCRIME (800-572-7463), or by emailing [email protected]. 1981-Nov. 1982 and at Sacred Heart in Larned from February to If you suspect sexual abuse by Church personnel, in addi�on to August 1983. making a report to the proper civilauthori�es, contact Charles The allega�on of abuse occurred prior to Father Joyce coming to Befort, the diocesan Review Board representa�ve who receives and the Diocese of Dodge City, while he was an incardinated priest of follows up on reports. His contact informa�on is [email protected], Syracuse and when he was assigned as a faculty member at Bishop 620-285-3219. In addi�on, Mr. Befort will offer the help of the Ludden High School in Syracuse, NY. Assistance Minister, whose goal is to be a listening ear and to If you were sexually abused or know of anyone else who was promote healing. sexually abused by Father Joyce or any other priest, deacon or The Review Board is a consulta�ve body of lay Catholics and church personnel, please contact Mr. Charles Befort, the one priest representa�ve who advise the Bishop in his diocesan Review Board representa�ve who receives and follows assessment of allega�ons of sexual abuse, reviews diocesan up on reports. His contact informa�on is [email protected], 620- policies for dealing with sexual abuse of minors and offers advice 285-3219. You may also make a report by emailing on all aspects of sexual abuse cases retrospec�vely and [email protected]. or calling the KBI Hotline, 800-KSCRIME prospec�vely. The Assistance Minister’s role is to aid in the (800-572-7463). pastoral care of persons who claim to have been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other church personnel, whether the abuse f you suspect abuse or neglect of a child in Kansasand the child was recent or occurred many years in the past. Iis in immediate danger, call 911 or local law enforcement.

Page 24 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 25 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation: ‘Whom shall I fear?’

“The Lord is my light and my the book of Psalms tells us that “Am I mee�ng someone? I revived? By looking for him salva�on: whom shall I fear?” in every corner of the earth and should believe that through among us. He has promised to (Ps 27:1) era of human history, people that person, God has be there where two or more hortly a�er Mariana’s have experienced the darkness something to tell me. Do I are united in his name (Mt birth, the doctors told of pain, fear, doubt and have a job to do? This is when 18:20). “Susthatshehada loneliness. Furthermore, I con�nue to trust in his love. “Let us have an a�tude of severe malforma�on of the circumstances have seemed, at Something makes me suffer: I mutual love, as described in brain and that she would never �mes, like an ‘enemy’ believe that God loves me. the Gospel, when we meet be able to walk or talk,” wrote conspiring to frustrate people’s Something fills me with joy: other people who live the Alba, a young Brazilian mother. dreams for the future. God loves me. word of life. Let us share our “My husband and I felt that God The author is probably a “He is here with me, he is experiences, and we will was asking us to love her just as person falsely accused and always with me. He knows enjoy the fruits of his she was, and we threw abandoned by all while everything about me and presence: joy, peace, light ourselves – so to speak – into awai�ng judgment. Uncertain shares my every thought, and courage. He will remain God’s arms, entrus�ng our about the future, this person every joy, every desire. He with each one of us and we future to him.” nonetheless relies on God who shares all my worries and will feel him close to us and “Mariana lived with us for has never forsaken his people every challenge I face in life. at work in our daily lives.” four years and simply le� a during �mes of trial and “How can this faith be - Le�zia Magri message of love with everyone tribula�on. He knows of God’s she met,” Alba con�nued. “We libera�ng ac�ons and will find never heard her say the words light and secure shelter in him. ‘Mommy’ or ‘Daddy;’ but in her Because this person is aware silence, she spoke through the of his fragility, he opens up to This is an opportune time shining light that emanated God and trusts in him, from her eyes. welcoming God’s presence in to rekindle our trust in the “We could not teach her to his life. He confidently awaits take her first steps, but she the final victory prepared by the love of the Father, who taught us to take the first steps unimaginable pathways of in loving, in giving of ourselves divine love. to love. She was a gi� of God’s The Lord is my light and my wants the happiness of his love for the whole family. We salva�on: whom shall I fear? could summarize all that she This is an opportune �me to children. God is ready to was in a single sentence: love is rekindle our trust in the love of not always explained just with the Father, who wants the take upon himself all our words.” happiness of his children. God is Something similar is ready to take upon himself all worries (1Pt. 5:7) so that happening to each one of us our worries (1Pt. 5:7) so that we today: when faced with the are not closed in on ourselves we are not closed in on impossible task of governing but are free to share our light our en�re existence, we need and hope with others. light — even just a �ny glimmer As Focolare founder Chiara ourselves but are free to — to show us the way ahead Lubich wrote in a Gospel and the steps to take today, commentary in July 2006: “The share our light and hope towards the salva�on of a new word of life guides us on the life. path from darkness to light, with others. The Lord is my light and my from the ‘I’ to the ‘we.’ salva�on: whom shall I fear? “It is an invita�on to revive This ancient prayer found in faith: God exists and loves me.

Page 26 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY The journey of the Magi

e’ve o�en been moved by the beau�ful “Well, I suppose --” and wondrous story of the birth of “Good. We’ll supply you with some Tang, a few Christ. granola bars. You’ll be all set.” By DAVE MYERS W Editor But within this story, there is rela�vely li�le The three wise men went on their way, smiling at wri�en of the journeyof the magi. We know that their good fortune. they came from afar -- somewhere in the vicinity “That Herod was really nice,” Casper of the Orient, which narrows it down to about a said, munching on the granola bar, which in those “That Herod bazillion square miles. Some local scholars have days was made of tree bark and sand. was really nice,” theorized that they came from “somewhere in the “I was all nervous and everything at first, but Jetmore area, around Fi�h Street.” then I felt, you know, okay.” Casper We know from scripture that the three men “But did you no�ce his twitch?” asked said, munching learned that a star would lead them to the place of as they made their way across the dunes. “Every Christ’s birth. There are some schools of thought �me we men�oned the boy king he jumped on the granola that indicate they may have read about this in around like a German step dancer. That struck me bar, which in their local newspaper. My own theory, based on as odd.” both the subject material and the accuracy of the “Yeah,” Balthasar said. “And he kept breaking those days was report, it that it was a Catholic newspaper. into maniacal laughter, even when nobody said made of tree Together, Melchior, Casper and Balthasar, along anything funny ... Or maniacal.” bark and sand. with their camels -- which we read in “Ma�hew” The three spoke for a long �me about what they were named Mike, Horace and Carol -- ventured in should do and finally came to a decision. They “Iwas all the general direc�on of Bethlehem. But before determined that they didn’t believe that Herod nervous and finding the child Jesus, they first found themselves meant to worship Jesus. in an audience with King Herod in Jerusalem. In fact, they decided that he meant the child everything at Let’s you and I go now to the interior of King harm. They decided to keep secret the place of first, but then I Herod’s palace: Christ’s birth. Since learning of the three wise men’s quest to As if to confirm their suspicions, that night they felt, you know, find the boy to be born “King of the Jews,” Herod’s each had a dream in which an angel of the Lord okay.” stomach had rarely been s�ll. An irritable guy, he said, “Smart move!” “But did you had an irritable stomach. This was long before Meanwhile, back at Herod’s castle: “They Mylanta, but they did have Tums, though. actually believed that I mean to worship the Christ no�ce his King Herod had hatched a plan. He told his child, and that I don’t mean him any harm” he twitch?” assistant, Phil Burns, to fetch , to told Phil, laughing maniacally before clutching his which Phil replied, “Will do.” belly. Melchior asked “Gree�ngs!” King Herod said upon their arrival. “Tums -- now!” as they made “Welcome to my palace! Phil, fetch some drinks. I Several nights into their long journey, the three think there’s some Bosco in the cabinet by the kings looked into the sky and saw that the star that their way across sink.” they followed was par�cularly bright; In the the dunes. “ from Orient are,” Balthasar said, distance, Balthasar spied a village reflec�ng the “Every �me we the others nodding in agreement. light from the star. “Oh … um … Herod am I,” Herod responded. The three men trembled. Under the brilliant men�oned the “Welcome my palace to.” light, warmed by its glow, would be the Christ boy king he “Why are you talking that way?” Casper asked. Child. They made their way toward the village “You started it,” Herod replied as Phil brought in un�l, suddenly, Melchior came to a halt. jumped around a tray of Bosco-flavored drinks. “Never mind. “How could I have even imagined that we were like a German Listen. I heard about your quest and was hoping worthy to gaze upon the Christ child?” he asked. “I that when you find the child, maybe you could let mean, who are we to be called to this glorious step dancer. me know so I could come and … and … worship journey? Three simple men bearing simple gi�s.” That struck me him. Yesssss, worship him. Not harm him or “Melchior, you don’t understand,” said Casper. as odd.” anything like that. Juuuust worship. That’s really “The Savior was not put on this earth to acceptour the only thing on my agenda – only to worship. …” gi�s; He is the gi�!”

Page 27 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY Pope Francis shares the joy, beauty of the Christmas creche

Last year, Pope Francis wrote an wherever it has fallen into Apostolic Le�er on the meaning and disuse, it can be importance of the na�vity scene. He rediscovered and revived.” signed the Le�er during his visit on The Gospel origin of Sunday a�ernoon to the Italian town of the crèche Greccio. Pope Francis recalls the ByVATICAN NEWS origin of the Christmas reccio is the mountain village crèche as related in the where Saint Francis of Assisi Gospels. “Coming into this Gcreated the first crib scene in 1223 world, the Son of God was to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Pope laid in the place where Francis returned to the town on Sunday to animals feed. Hay became deliver his Apostolic Le�er en�tled, the first bed of the One “Admirabile signum”. who would reveal Himself An enchan�ng image as ‘the bread come down The La�n �tle of the Le�er refers to the from heaven’.” The na�vity “enchan�ng image” of the Christmas scene “evokes a number of crèche, one that “never ceases to arouse the mysteries of Jesus’ life amazement and wonder”, writes the and brings them close to Pope. “The depic�on of Jesus’ birth is our own daily lives”, writes the Pope. itself a simple and joyful proclama�on of Saint Francis’ crèche in Greccio A sign of God’ tender love the mystery of the Incarna�on of the Son Pope Francis takes us back to the Italian Pope Francis explains that the Christmas of God”, he says. town of Greccio, which Saint Francis crèche moves us so deeply because it A living Gospel visited in the year 1223. The caves he saw shows God’s tender love. From the �me of “The na�vity scene is like a living Gospel there reminded him of the countryside of its Franciscan origins, “the na�vity scene rising up from the pages of sacred Bethlehem. On 25 December, friars and has invited us to ‘feel’ and ‘touch’ the Scripture”, con�nues Pope Francis. local people came together, bringing poverty that God’s Son took upon Himself Contempla�ng the Christmas story is like flowers and torches, writes the Pope. in the Incarna�on”, writes the Pope. “It se�ng out on a spiritual journey, “drawn “When Francis arrived, he found a manger asks us to meet Him and serve Him by by the humility of the God who became full of hay, an ox and a donkey.” A priest showing mercy to those of our brothers man in order to encounter every man and celebrated the Eucharist over the manger, and sisters in greatest need.” woman.” So great is His love for us, writes “showing the bond between the The meaning of the crèche the Pope, “that He became one of us, so Incarna�on of the Son of God and the elements that we in turn might become one with Eucharist.” Pope Francis reflects on the meaning Him.” The start of the tradi�on behind the elements that make up the A family tradi�on This is how our tradi�on began, na�vity scene. He begins with the The Pope hopes this Le�er will con�nues Pope Francis, “with everyone background of “a starry sky wrapped in encourage the family tradi�on of gathered in joy around the cave, with no the darkness and silence of night.” We preparing the na�vity scene, “but also the distance between the original event and think of when we have experienced the custom of se�ng it up in the workplace, those sharing in its mystery.” With the darkness of night, he says, yet even then, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town simplicity of that sign, Saint Francis God does not abandon us. “His closeness squares.” Praising the imagina�on and carried out a great work of evangeliza�on, brings light where there is darkness and crea�vity that goes into these small he writes. His teaching con�nues today shows the way to those dwelling in the masterpieces, Pope Francis says he hopes “to offer a simple yet authen�c means of shadow of suffering.” this custom will never be lost “and that, portraying the beauty of our faith.” Con�nued on following page

Page 28 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY The joy, beauty of the Christmas creche Con�nued from previous page The landscape The Pope then writes about the landscapes that o�en include ancient ruins or buildings. He explains how these ruins are “the visible sign of fallen humanity, of everything that inevitably falls into ruin, decays and disappoints.” This scenic se�ng tells us that Jesus has come “to heal and rebuild, to restore the world and our lives to their original splendour.” The shepherds Turning to the shepherds, Pope Francis writes that, “unlike so many other people, busy about many things, the shepherds become the first to see the most essen�al thing of all: the gi� of salva�on. It is the humble and the poor who greet the event of the Incarna�on.” The shepherds respond to God “who comes to meet us in the This beau�ful and detailed Na�vity Scene stands inside the historic Immaculate Infant Jesus by se�ng out to meet Him Heart of Mary at Windthorst, a Catholic church structure long since closed as a with love, gra�tude and awe”, he adds. parish, but u�lized for Christmas and Easter concerts, Windthorst anniversaries and The poor and the lowly other ac�vi�es. The presence of the poor and the lowly, In 1989, the structure was added to the Na�onal Register of Historic Places. It has con�nues the Pope, is a reminder that since been well maintained by the Windthorst Heritage Associa�on. “God became man for the sake of those The windows were created in the Munich studios of the St. Louis company, Emil who feel most in need of His love and who Frei and Associates. They were installed in 1916. ask Him to draw near to them.” From the to put it into prac�ce. stands Gospel, writes Pope Francis. “The Magi manger, “Jesus proclaims, in a meek yet by her side, “protec�ng the Child and His teach us that people can come to Christ by powerful way, the need for sharing with Mother.” Joseph is the guardian, the just a very long route”, but returning home, the poor as the path to a more human and man, who “entrusted himself always to they tell others of this amazing encounter fraternal world in which no one is excluded God’s will.” with the Messiah, “thus ini�a�ng the or marginalized.” The Infant Jesus spread of the Gospel among the na�ons.” Everyday holiness But it is when we place the statue of the Transmi�ng the faith Then there are the figures that have no Infant Jesus in the manger, that the na�vity The memories of standing before the apparent connec�on with the Gospel scene comes alive, says Pope Francis. “It Christmas crèche when we were children accounts. Yet, writes Pope Francis, “from seems impossible, yet it is true: in Jesus, should remind us “of our duty to share this the shepherd to the blacksmith, from the God was a child, and in this way He wished same experience with our children and our baker to the musicians, from the women to reveal the greatness of His love: by grandchildren”, says Pope Francis. It does carrying jugs of water to the children at smiling and opening His arms to all.” The not ma�er how the na�vity scene is play: all this speaks of everyday holiness, crèche allows us to see and touch this arranged, “what ma�ers is that it speaks to the joy of doing ordinary things in an unique and unparalleled event that our lives.” extraordinary way.” changed the course of history, “but it also The Christmas crèche is part of the Mary and Joseph makes us reflect on how our life is part of precious yet demanding process of passing The Pope then focuses on the figures of God’s own life.” on the faith, concludes Pope Francis. Mary and Joseph. The Three Kings “Beginning in childhood, and at every stage “Mary is a mother who contemplates her As the Feast of approaches, we of our lives, it teaches us to contemplate child and shows Him to every visitor”, he add the Three Kings to the Christmas Jesus, to experience God’s love for us, to writes. “In her, we see the Mother of God crèche. Their presence reminds us of every feel and believe that God is with us and who does not keep her Son only to herself, Chris�an’s responsibility to spread the that we are with Him.” but invites everyone to obey His word and

Page 29 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY A miracle at Ravensbruck By Corrie ten Boom know many people who trust the because she has a bad cold." Lord for their eternal safety, but have I shook my head and walked way. Ino faith for the cares of every day. Very shortly a�er, I was standing by the They do not see that their daily window when I heard someone call my problems are the material from which name. I looked out and spo�ed a friend Lord Jesus builds His miracles. of mine, another prisoner, who worked When I was in the German in the hospital. concentra�on camp at Ravensbruck, "Here you are," she said in ma�er-of- one bi�er winter morning I woke up fact tone. "Take it. I bring you a li�le with a bad cold. My nose was running. present." I opened the parcel, and Back in Holland I would have been able inside was a handkerchief! I could to adjust to a cold, because I would hardly believe my eyes. "Did Betsie tell have a �ssue or a hankie to blow my you? Did you know I have cold?" nose. But in the concentra�on camp, She shrugged. "I know nothing. I was and with out a hankie, I felt I could not busy sewing handkerchiefs out of an old stand it. piece of sheet, and there was a voice in "Well, why don't you pray for a my heart saying, ‘Take a hankie to hankie?" my sister Betsie asked. Corrie ten Boom.’ So, there is your gi�. I started to laugh. There we were with From God.” The wonderful thing about the world falling apart around us. We That pocket handkerchief made from praying is that you leave a were locked in a camp where an old piece of sheet was a message thousands of people were being from heaven to me. It told me that world of not being able to do executed each week, being beaten to there is a Heavenly Father who hears, something, and enter God’s death, or put through unbearable even if one of His children on this realm where everything is suffering – and Betsie suggests I pray planet prays for a �ny li�le thing like a for a hankie! If I were to pray for hankie. Not only does He hear, but He possible. He specializes in the anything, it would be for something big, speaks to other of His children and says, impossible. Nothing is too great not something li�le like that. "Bring a hankie to Corrie ten Boom." for His almighty power. Nothing But before I could object, Betsie Why should I worry, when I can pray? began to pray, "Father, in the name of We are God's children – His own is too small for His love. Jesus I now pray for a hankie for Corrie, children. ― Corrie Ten Boom

To Evangelize with Joy – Proclaim Christ’s love to all.“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all na�ons.” (Ma�hew 28:19) – From the Pastoral Plan for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City Who was Corrie ten Boom? CNA – Devout Chris�ans, the ten Boom family The ten Booms were sent to Scheveningen par�cipated in the resistance against the Nazis by Prison in Holland, where 84-year-old Casper ten sheltering both Jews and non-Jews who sought Boom died soon a�er being captured. Elizabeth refuge. At the �me of the family’s arrest in 1944, and Cornelia were then sent to Ravensbrück the Gestapo carefully searched the family’s house concentra�on camp in Germany in September but did not discover the two Jewish men, the two 1944. While Elizabeth died in the camp, Corrie Jewish women, and the two members of the was released due to a clerical error in December Dutch underground hidden behind a false wall in 1944. Corrie’s bedroom. A�er the war, Corrie ten Bloom wrote about According to witnesses, Casper ten Boom was her and her family’s work in the book “The Hiding asked by his captors if he knew he could die for Place.” She began a worldwide ministry that took helping Jews. He replied, "It would be an honor her to more than 60 countries. She died in 1983 to give my life for God's ancient people." at the age of 91.

Page 30 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY

e can easily lose Ten ways to keep sight of the true W meaning of Christ in Christmas Christmas, and before BySTEPHANIE RECK message. This can be a great way to share long end up stressed and o many of us can get lost in the the birth of Jesus Christ with others. overwhelmed from the hustle and bustle of buying gi�s, 7. Make a birthday cake for Jesus. You Sa�ending par�es – at least in typical can even sing happy birthday to Jesus. barrage of things to get years – and preparing our homes for 8. Find ways to give back to others by done before December family that we forget to keep Christ at the your �me and/or resources. You can even center. We can easily lose sight of the true show the love of Christ to your neighbors 25th. It is important to meaning of Christmas, and before long by baking them homemade treats. slow down, balance your end up stressed and overwhelmed from 9. Keep focused on what Christ has done the barrage of things to get done before in your life by wri�ng or saying five things schedule, and reflect on December 25th. It is important to slow that you are grateful for daily. why this day even exists. down, balance your schedule, and reflect 10. Watch the Na�vity Story and choose Through my own on why this day even exists. other Christmas movies that you can Through my own experience with trying watch that incorporates Chris�an values. experience with trying to to manage visi�ng all my rela�ves, buying As we enter into this �me of celebra�ng manage visi�ng all my a gi� for everyone, and preparing my the birth of our Lord, may you be home for family visits; I simply got lost in reminded to include Christ in your family's rela�ves, buying a gi� for the busyness of it all. I will share with you fes�vi�es. Teach your children and talk to everyone, and preparing 10 �ps on how to manage your �me and them about why Christmas is celebrated. keep the focus of Christmas. When I was growing up all I really knew my home for family visits; 1. Set aside a special �me to pray and about Christmas was Santa and ge�ng I simply got lost in the read with your family the Christmas story gi�s. Santa was the main focus and what I busyness of it all. I will in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20. would get for Christmas. I went to 2. On Christmas Eve, start a tradi�on of Christmas Eve Mass with my family, but share with you 10 �ps on taking family Communion together as a we never discussed why we did that and how to manage your �me way to remember Christ's death and the importance of going. It was not un�l I resurrec�on. (Please note that in the last was in my 20s that I came to realize the and keep the focus of issue, local Catholics were urged to a�end meaning of Christmas. Christmas. Christmas morning Mass rather than the What about you? What Christmas Christmas Eve “midnight” Mass, in order tradi�ons do you have that keep Christ at to substan�ally decrease the midnight the center? Mass crowds while s�ll amid the pandemic.) 3. Set up a na�vity scene in your home or front yard as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Put up Christ centered decora�ons and ornaments through your home, and place lights on your Christmas tree to symbolize the "light of the world." 4. Play Christ-centered Christmas music as a way to focus on Christ and the miracle of His birth. Secular Christmas music is fun, but too much of it can take the true meaning away from Christmas. 5. [Safely] a�end a Christmas service at your church, and worship the Lord for sending His son into the world for us. 6. Send Christmas cards with a spiritual

Page 31 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine COMMENTARY

These days, we could all use a good laugh. Please enjoy these in the spirit in which they are intended! – Dave Myers

any of you will remember the Art Linkle�er transmission of divine knowledge. Mprogram, “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” On this The Carmelites fall into silence and slow, steady par�cular occasion, Mr. Linkle�er approached a 7-year- breathing. old boy whose dog had died. He told the teary-eyed lad, The parish priest, who is hos�ng the others, goes to the “Don’t be sad because your dog is up in heaven with basement and replaces the fuse. God.” The boy responded, “Mr. Linkle�er, what would God want with a dead dog?” Man: What is a million years like to you? God: Like one second. he children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic Man: What is a million dollars like to you? Telementary school for lunch. At the head of the table God: Like one penny. was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and Man: Can I have a penny? posted it on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is God:Just a second. watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip priest was driving and gets stopped for speeding. cookies. A child had wri�en a note, "Take all you want. A The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest’s God is watching the apples." breath and then sees an empty wine bo�le on the floor of the car. n old Irishman, McDougal, had a loyal and faithful dog He says, “Father, have you been drinking?” Awho died. McDougal went to his parish priest and “Just water,” says the priest, fingers crossed. asked, "Father, could you say some prayers in Mass for my The trooper says, “Then why do I smell wine?” The dog?" The old pastor said, "McDougal, you know very priest looks at the bo�le and says, “Praise be to God! He’s well that we don't pray for animals at Mass. Why don't done it again!” you go down to that Bap�st church and ask them? I'm sure they'll do it." "Well, ok, Father, I think I'll do just that. Oh, by the way, do you think they'll be offended if I offered them $5,000 to pray for my dog?" Father exclaimed, "Why, McDougal, you never said your dog was Catholic!"

uring a Eucharis�c Congress, a Dnumber of priests from different orders are gathered in a church for Vespers. While they are praying, a fuse blows and all the lights go out. The Benedic�nes con�nue praying from memory, without missing a beat. The Jesuits begin to discuss whether the blown fuse means they are dispensed from the obliga�on to pray Vespers. The Franciscans compose a song of praise for God's gi� of brother darkness. The Dominicans revisit their ongoing debate on light as a significa�on of the

Page 32 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Pope Francis announces A Year for St. Joseph

It’s difficult to find a portrait of any saint smiling. But here you can clearly see the joy in Joseph’s face as he gazes upon the boy Jesus. Pope Francis has announced a year celebrating the saint in honor of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the Universal Church. The year began Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope.

Read the Holy Father’s Apostolic Le�er in its en�rety by clicking here.

Catholic In addi�on to the decree, Francis issued wrote. ATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has an apostolic le�er dedicated to the foster “St. Joseph reminds us that those who Vannounced a Year of St. Joseph Tuesday father of Jesus. appear hidden or in the shadows can play in honor of the 150th anniversary of the The pope explained in the le�er, en�tled an incomparable role in the history of saint’s proclama�on as patron of the Patris corde (“With a father’s heart”) and salva�on.” Universal Church. dated Dec. 8, that he wanted to share some In his apostolic le�er, Pope Francis The year began Dec. 8, 2020, and “personal reflec�ons” on the spouse of the reflected on the fatherly quali�es of St. concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph, describing him as beloved, tender decree authorized by the pope. “My desire to do so increased during and loving, obedient, accep�ng, and The decree said that Francis had these months of pandemic,” he said, no�ng “crea�vely courageous.” He also underlined established a Year of St. Joseph so that that many people had made hidden that he was a working father. “every member of the faithful, following his sacrifices during the crisis in order to The pope referred to the saint as “a example, may strengthen their life of faith protect others. father in the shadows,” ci�ng the novel daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s “Each of us can discover in Joseph -- the “The Shadow of the Father,” published by will.” man who goes unno�ced, a daily, discreet the Polish author Jan Dobraczyński in 1977. It added that the pope had granted and hidden presence -- an intercessor, a He said that Dobraczyński, who was special indulgences to mark the year. support and a guide in �mes of trouble,” he Con�nued on following page

Page 33 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION The Apostolic Le�er, A Year for Patris Corde St. Joseph Con�nued from previous page ope Francis has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” beginning PDecember 8, 2020. The Holy Father made the announcement in an declared Righteous Among the Na�ons by Yad Apostolic Le�er en�tled “Patris corde”. Translated “with a father’s heart”, Vashem in 1993 for protec�ng Jewish children in “patris corde” is how Joseph the carpenter from Nazareth loved his extra- in World War II, “uses the evoca�ve image special boy Jesus, writes the Pope. of a shadow to define Joseph.” In his le�er, Pope Francis says Joseph “reminds us that those who “In his rela�onship to Jesus, Joseph was the appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father: he watched history of salva�on”. over him and protected him, never leaving him to It is Joseph’s “ordinariness” that made the papal leader want to write go his own way,” the pope wrote. about him as the months of the global COVID pandemic passed – “when Francis said that the contemporary world required we experienced, amid the crisis, how our lives are woven together and examples of true fatherhood. sustained by ordinary people, people o�en overlooked”. “Our world today needs fathers,” he wrote. … “It “People who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines, or rejects those who confuse authority with on the latest television show, yet in these very days are surely shaping the authoritarianism, service with servility, discussion decisive events of our history,” the Pope writes. with oppression, charity with a welfare mentality, “Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning power with destruc�on.” personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to The pope added: “In every exercise of our provide essen�al services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and fatherhood, we should always keep in mind that it women religious, and so very many others. They understood that no one has nothing to do with possession, but is rather a is saved alone … ‘sign’ poin�ng to a greater fatherhood. In a way, we “How many people daily exercise pa�ence and offer hope, taking care are all like Joseph: a shadow of the heavenly Father, to spread not panic, but shared responsibility?” he asked. who ‘makes his sun rise on the evil and on the “How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust’ our children, in small everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis (Ma�hew 5:45). And a shadow that follows his by adjus�ng their rou�nes, looking ahead and encouraging the prac�ce of Son.... prayer? How many are praying, making sacrifices and interceding for the “In the Gospels, St. Joseph appears as a strong good of all?” and courageous man, a working man, yet in his Recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, Joseph was the husband heart we see great tenderness, which is not the of Mary, the virgin girl divinely chosen to conceive Jesus by the Holy virtue of the weak but rather a sign of strength of Spirit. spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, Pope Francis says Joseph “reminds us that those who appear hidden or for genuine openness to others, for love,” he said. in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salva�on. During an apostolic visit to the Philippines in “A word of recogni�on and of gra�tude is due to them all.” 2015, the pope explained why he kept an image of The le�er goes on to make a careful examina�on of the kind of father the saint on his desk. Joseph was, with extended paragraphs thatexplore him as: beloved; tender “I would also like to tell you something very and loving; obedient; accep�ng; crea�vely courageous;working and “in the personal,” he said. “I have great love for St. Joseph, shadows”. because he is a man of silence and strength. On my The Pope says his le�er aims “to increase our love for this great saint, table I have an image of St. Joseph sleeping. Even to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church! his zeal”. The second of these – “the intercession of saints” – highlights a Yes! We know that he can do that. So when I have a fundamental difference between Catholic and Orthodox Chris�ans and problem, a difficulty, I write a li�le note and I put it Protestants. underneath St. Joseph, so that he can dream about “Indeed, the proper mission of the saints is not only to obtain miracles it! In other words I tell him: pray for this problem!” and graces, but to intercede for us before God, like Abraham and Moses, “In life, at work and within the family, through and like Jesus, the ‘one mediator’ (1 Timothy 2:5), who is our ‘advocate’ joys and sorrows, he always sought and loved the with the Father (1 John 2:1) and who ‘always lives to make intercession Lord, deserving the Scriptures’ eulogy that for [us]’ (Hebrews 7:25; cf. Romans 8:34),” writes Francis. described him as a just and wise man,” he said. “The saints help all the faithful ‘to strive for the holiness and the “Always invoke him, especially in difficult �mes and perfec�on of their par�cular state of life’. Their lives are concrete proof entrust your life to this great saint.” that it is possible to put the Gospel into prac�ce.” – Kylie Beach Page 34 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 35 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Art which transmits truth and beauty gives joy

The Crea�on of Adam (Italian: Creazione di Adamo) is a fresco pain�ng by Italian ar�st Michelangelo, which forms part of the Sis�ne Chapel's ceiling, painted c. 1508– 1512. It illustrates the Biblical crea�on narra�ve from the Book of Genesis in which God gives life to Adam, the first man.

ByHANNAH BROCKHAUS pandemic,” he said. a�can City (CNA).- When truth and beauty According to Francis, there are three “Creation Vare transmi�ed in art, it fills the heart “movements” of ar�s�c crea�on: The first is with joy and hope, Pope Francis told a group experiencing the world through the senses amazes us by its of performers on Saturday. and being struck with wonder and “Dear ar�sts, in a special way you are amazement, and the second movement magnificence ‘guardians of beauty in our world,’” he said “touches the depths of our heart and soul.” Dec. 12, quo�ng St. Pope Paul VI’s “Message In the third movement, he said, “the and variety, while to Ar�sts.” percep�on and contempla�on of beauty “Yours is a lo�y and demanding calling, one generates a sense of hope that can light up at the same time that requires ‘pure and dispassionate hands’ our world.” capable of transmi�ng truth and beauty,” the “Crea�on amazes us by its magnificence making us realize, pope con�nued. “For these ins�l joy in human and variety, while at the same �me making us hearts and are, in fact, ‘a precious fruit that realize, in the face of that grandeur, our own endures through �me, unites genera�ons and place in the world. Ar�sts know this,” the in the face of that makes them share in a sense of wonder.’” pope stated. Pope Francis spoke about the ability of art He again referred to the “Message to grandeur, our to ins�ll joy and hope during a mee�ng with Ar�sts,” given on Dec. 8, 1965, in which St. music ar�sts taking part in the 28th edi�on of Pope Paul VI said ar�sts are “in love with own place in the the Christmas Concert in the Va�can. beauty” and that the world “needs beauty in Interna�onal pop, rock, soul, gospel, and order not to sink into despair.” world. Artists know opera voices are performing in the benefit “Today, as always, that beauty appears to concert Dec. 12, which will be recorded in an us in the lowliness of the Christmas crèche,” this,” the pope auditorium near the Va�can and broadcast in Francis said. “Today, as always, we celebrate Italy on Christmas Eve. Due to the coronavirus that beauty with hearts full of hope.” pandemic, this year the performance will be “Amid the anxiety provoked by the stated. recorded without a live audience. pandemic, your crea�vity can be a source of The 2020 concert is fundraising for the light,” he encouraged the ar�sts. Scholas Occurrentes Founda�on and Don The crisis caused by the coronavirus Take a virtual Bosco Missions. pandemic has “made even denser the ‘dark Pope Francis thanked the music ar�sts for clouds over a closed world,’ and this might tour of the their “spirit of solidarity” in suppor�ng the seem to obscure the light of the divine, the benefit concert. eternal. Let us not yield to that illusion,” he Va�can Museum “This year, the somewhat dimmed urged, “but seek the light of Christmas, which Christmas lights invite us to keep in mind and dispels the darkness of sorrow and pain.” by clicking here. to pray for all those suffering from the

Page 36 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION This year’s Vatican Christmas tree has ornaments handmade by the homeless

By COURTNEY MARES wood using instruc�onal videos because of Abruzzo. a�can City (CNA) – Reaching a height of the pandemic. Among the statues is a figure of an Vnearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. She said that most of the ornaments were astronaut, which was added to the na�vity Peter’s Square this year is adorned with made by people in Slovenia, including some at the �me it was created to celebrate the handcra�ed wooden ornaments made by young children, but the homeless in Rome 1969 landing on the moon, Alessia Di the homeless, as well as children and other and Slovenia were also involved in the Stefano, the local tourism minister, told adults. cra�smanship. EWTN. Before the Christmas tree ligh�ng “They really enjoyed their workshops so In recent years, the Va�can’s na�vity ceremony Dec. 11, Pope Francis said that he they made their own designs,” Šegula told scene has been made of different materials, wanted the Christmas tree and na�vity EWTN. “And that was the main goal -- that from tradi�onal Neapolitan figures to sand. scene in St. Peter’s Square to be “a sign of we bring also joy and the Christmas spirit to A more tradi�onal Italian na�vity scene hope” in a year marked by the coronavirus the house of homeless people in Rome,” she with moving figures is also displayed in the pandemic. said. bap�stery chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica. The “The tree and the na�vity scene help to Slovenia donated the Christmas tree as a painted angels from the chapel’s grand create the favorable Christmas atmosphere symbol of gra�tude for the Va�can’s support mosaic of the bap�sm of Jesus in the Jordan for living with faith the mystery of the Birth of the country’s independence movement River appear to hover above the scene’s of the Redeemer,” the pope said. on the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s wooden manger, which is surrounded by “In the na�vity, everything speaks of ‘good independence from Yugoslavia. poinse�as and a long row of kneelers for poverty,’ evangelical poverty, which makes “John Paul II ... understood very well the pilgrims who wish to contemplate the us blessed: contempla�ng the Holy Family situa�on in that �me, what was going on, na�vity in prayer. and the various characters, we are a�racted not only in Slovenia or Yugoslavia at that “Angels Unawares,” the image of the Holy by their disarming humility.” �me, but also in Europe. So he understood Family in the migrant sculpture in St. Peter’s The massive spruce tree in St. Peter’s the big changes that were going on and he Square, has also been illuminated for the Square is a gi� from Slovenia, a Central was really personal, very much involved and first �me for the Advent and Christmas European country with a popula�on of two engaged in the process,” Štunf said. seasons. million people, which also donated 40 “Slovenia is actually recognized as one of Both the tree and na�vity scenes will be smaller trees to be placed in the offices of the greenest countries in the world. … More displayed un�l Jan. 10, 2021, the feast of Va�can City. than 60% of the Slovenian territory is the Bap�sm of the Lord. Jakob Štunf, Slovenia’s ambassador to the covered by forests,” he said, adding that this On Friday, Pope Francis met with a Holy See, told EWTN News that Slovenia is tree could be considered a gi� from the delega�on from Slovenia and from the also sponsoring a Christmas meal at the “green heart of Europe.” Italian region of Abruzzo involved in the homeless shelter near the Va�can. The tree from Slovenia’s Kočevje forests is crea�on of this year’s Christmas displays in “We decided also to give one special tree 75 years old, weighs 70 tons, and is 30 St. Peter’s Square. … to the structure for the homeless people, meters tall. “The feast of Christmas reminds us that which is next to St Peter’s Square. We will It was lit Dec. 11 in a ceremony led by Jesus is our peace, our joy, our strength, our provide for them also a kind of special meal Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello and Bishop comfort,” the pope said. for that day, so we can express also kind of Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president and “But, to welcome these gi�s of grace, we our connec�on with them in this way,” the secretary general of the governorate of need to feel small, poor and humble like the ambassador said. Va�can City State respec�vely. At the characters in the na�vity.” The homeless were also involved in ceremony, this year’s Va�can na�vity scene “I express my best wishes to you for a making some of the ornaments for the was also unveiled. Christmas feast full of hope, and I ask you to Va�can Christmas tree, according to Sabina The na�vity scene consists of 19 larger bring them to your families and all your Šegula, the Va�can’s florist and decorator. than life-size ceramic statues made in the fellow ci�zens. I assure you of my prayers Šegula helped to train 400 people to help 1960s and 1970s by teachers and alumni of and I bless you. And you too, please, pray make this year’s ornaments out of straw and an art ins�tute in the Italian region of for me. Merry Christmas.” Page 37 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Va�can Christmas display ‘a sign of hope’ during pandemic

A detail from the monumental Na�vity scene of the Castelli. By the way, if you think the scene looks a li�le odd, you’re not alone. Click here for a story on responses to the scene. Photo from YouTube ByHANNAH BROCKHAUS also considered an object of contemporary art that has its a�can City (CNA) – Back in November, the Va�can roots in the tradi�onal processing of castellana ceramics,” the Vannounced the details of the 2020 edi�on of the annual Va�can press release said. Christmas display in St. Peter’s Square, intended to be a sign Only a few works from the fragile 54-piece set are of hope and faith in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. displayed in St. Peter’s Square. The scene includes Mary, “This year, even more than usual, the se�ng up of the Joseph, the Child Jesus, the three Magi, and an angel, whose tradi�onal space dedicated to Christmas in St. Peter’s Square “loca�on above the Holy Family is meant to symbolize its aims to be a sign of hope and faith for the whole world,” said protec�on over the Savior, Mary and Joseph,” the a press release from the Va�can City Governorate. governorate said. The Christmas display “wants to express the certainty that In recent years, the Va�can’s na�vity scene has been made Jesus comes among his people to save and console them,” it of different materials, from tradi�onal Neapolitan figures to said, “an important message in this difficult �me due to the sand. COVID-19 health emergency.” Pope John Paul II started the tradi�on of displaying a The unveiling of the na�vity scene and ligh�ng of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square in 1982. Christmas tree took place Dec. 11. Both will be displayed un�l Pope Francis last year wrote a le�er about the meaning and Jan. 10, 2021, the feast of the Bap�sm of the Lord. importance of na�vity scenes, calling for this “wonderful This year’s tree has been donated by the city of Kočevje in sign” to be more widely displayed in family homes and public southeast Slovenia. The Picea abies, or Norway spruce, is places throughout the world. (See the ar�cle in this issue.) nearly 92 feet tall. “The enchan�ng image of the Christmas crèche, so dear The Christmas scene for 2020 is the the “monumental to the Chris�an people, never ceases to arouse Na�vity scene of the Castelli,” consis�ng of larger than life- amazement and wonder. The depic�on of Jesus’ birth is size ceramic statues made by teachers and alumni of an art itself a simple and joyful proclama�on of the mystery of ins�tute in the Italian region of Abruzzo. the Incarna�on of the Son of God,” Pope Francis wrote in The na�vity set, made in the 1960s and 1970s, “not only the apostolic le�er “Admirabile signum,” meaning “A represents a cultural symbol for the whole of Abruzzo, but is wonderful sign” in La�n.

Page 38 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Va�can’s ‘Angels Unawares’ visits Brooklyn

“Angels Unawares” is on display at the Va�can, le�, and at Grand Army Plaza in New York, right.

By DEBORAH CASTELLANO and racial backgrounds, the LUBOV bronze sculpture spotlights the “We have realized that we are on he Holy Family in “Angels three figures of the Holy Family, the same boat, all of us fragile Unawares” has been Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Tilluminated in Va�can City, The work, according to a press and disoriented, but at the same and Brooklyn. release from the Va�can’s On Sept. 29, 2019, on the 105th Migrants & Refugees Sec�on, �me important and needed, all World Day of Migrants and highlights the meaning of of us called to row together, each Refugees, the work of the Christmas and recalls that Jesus, Canadian ar�st and sculptor along with Mary and Joseph, of us in need of comfor�ng the Timothy Schmalz was unveiled by were forced to flee to save his life Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. and migrated to safety in Egypt. other.” – Pope Francis An iden�cal cast of the same The illumina�ons across the sculpture is “visi�ng” the Grand pond are a gesture of twinning Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New which the current �me of York. First unveiled on Dec. 8, the pandemic needs, when all Feast of the Immaculate around the world are wai�ng, Concep�on, it is illuminated in a interconnected and seeking similar way to the Va�can’s. hope. On Friday Dec. 11, the Va�can Pope Francis, during his inaugurated this year’s Na�vity extraordinaryUrbi et Orbi ina scene and Christmas tree. At the pouring St. Peter’s Square, same �me, the Holy Family — praying to end the pandemic, on amongst the migrants and March 27, 2020, reminded: “We refugees of all �mes in the have realized that we are on the “Angels Unawares” sculpture– same boat, all of us fragile and was illuminated. disoriented, but at the same �me Depic�ng a vessel with nearly important and needed, all of us 150 migrants and refugees from called to row together, each of us historic periods, different cultural in need of comfor�ng the other.”

Page 39 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION The Star Singers continue to inspire in Poland

‘Do not let yourself be overcome by the pandemic and do not stop helping missions and missionaries’

or almost 30 years, in Poland, on Saint Stephen’s Day problems. “Children are always the most needy, emphasizes (Boxing Day), the children of Childhood are sent Sister Monika. They need help paying for their school uniforms Fby their parish priests to bring the Good News and the and going to school. They also need help with their studies Christmas Blessing. Sharing the joy of Jesus’ birth, they talk because the schools do not use the same language as the one about the needs of their peers in mission countries, asking for they speak in their tribe. They need a well with clean water prayers and support. because they o�en get sick from drinking dirty water. Above all, “Usually they went to homes, hospitals, schools, hospices and children who are born with some deformi�es need care and nursing homes … This year everything is different. The pandemic surgery, because a different appearance for the Masai is a sign of has prohibited us from visi�ng, but the li�le missionaries never a curse and therefore a death sentence”. give up!”. This is what Sister Monika Juszka, RMI, Na�onal Since the beginning of Advent, the Star Singers in Poland have Secretary of the Pon�fical Society of the Holy Childhood (POSI) been following the Advent calendar with the Masai: the children in Poland, told Agenzia Fides. learn every day a curiosity about the life of this people and “We have sought – and are s�ll seeking – other ways of undertake a simple but specific ac�on for them that is carrying out our ac�on – con�nues Sister Monika -. Like every suggested. “A�er preparing material for the na�onal and year, the children and their animators dedicate �me, effort, Catholic press (ar�cles, photos, commercials), we started a talents, and skills to prepare the costumes, the star, and the global campaign in the mass media to promote the Star Singers scenes. They want to present them in churches, or in front of and to raise awareness of the needs of Masai children – explains churches, during the Christmas holidays, spread it through social sister Monika to Fides -. We have also started an online media, and of course present them in their families, all to help fundraiser in collabora�on with a Catholic crowdfunding portal, the children of the Masai people who are the protagonists of where dona�ons can be made from all over the world for the this year’s missionary ac�on”. Masai youth. All this in order not to allow ourselves to be The Masai live in Kenya and Tanzania. They are very brave, overcome by the pandemic and not to stop helping missions and hardworking, joyful, and colorful, but they struggle with many missionaries!”.

Page 40 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 41 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Is the rare ‘Christmas Star’ visible this December the Star of Bethlehem?

“The shepherds in the fields where it was dark, where they didn’t have city lights, they knew the sky. What was it the Magi saw that everybody else didn’t see?” Consolmagno asked.

Brother Guy Consolmagno at the Va�can Observatory in Italy on Nov. 22, 2013.

Photo by Marco Gandolfo/CNA

ByHANNAH BROCKHAUS asked. “No one knows for sure what the star was, and un�l we ome, Italy (CNA) - The “Great Conjunc�on” of Jupiter and have a �me machine where we can go back and interview Saturn taking place this month -- dubbed the “Christmas Ma�hew with a video recorder, no one ever will know for sure!” RStar” -- is a pre�y sight, but it is impossible to know for sure He recalled that the Star of Bethlehem itself was not the focus if it has any connec�on to the Star of Bethlehem, a Va�can of the account, but at whom the star pointed. astronomer said. “The important thing to remember is that the Star of Bethlehem On Dec. 21, the planets Jupiter and Saturn will appear a tenth of is just a small part of the infancy narra�ve in Ma�hew’s Gospel. a degree apart in the night sky, something called a “Great The point of his story isn’t the star. It’s the baby,” he said. Conjunc�on.” “Whatever the Magi would have seen ... it was something that This conjunc�on happens approximately every 20 years, but this nobody looking at the sky would have no�ced, but they did,” year the two planets will appear the closest they have been in Consolmagno told the CNA Newsroom podcast in December almost 400 years. To the naked eye, they will look like one, bright 2019. star, thus earning the nickname the “Christmas Star.” “The shepherds in the fields where it was dark, where they Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., told CNA that the conjunc�on of didn’t have city lights, they knew the sky. What was it the Magi Saturn and Jupiter doesn’t have a religious significance, but saw that everybody else didn’t see?” Consolmagno asked. “nonetheless, it is a pre�y sight that everyone should have a look “The Magi are seeing something in the sky which is interpreted at.” in terms of astrology. Now, astrology is specifically forbidden in The Jesuit brother is an astronomer and director of the Va�can the Hebrew Scriptures,” he explained. “It was being used as a Observatory, which has research sites outside Rome at Castel reason to worship the stars rather than God, and as a way of Gandolfo and in Tucson, Arizona. denying human freedom.” To see the conjunc�on, he recommended looking just a�er He said that you can download a program on your computer sunset for Jupiter, “the bright ‘star’ low to the west; nearby is a which tells you the posi�on of the stars and roll it back to April of fainter ‘star,’ Saturn.” the year 6 B.C. What you will see is “all of the planets rising with All of December, “Jupiter will be creeping closer to Saturn,” he the sun.” explained. “On Dec. 21, they’ll be so close together that your “And our understanding of what the ancients thought of naked eye won’t be able to tell them apart.” astrology is they thought this would be significant, but you could Some astronomers have theorized that this conjunc�on of the only know that it’s happening if you’ve calculated it, because the two bright planets could be what the three “wise men from the sun is there! You can’t actually see the planets,” he said. East” saw in the sky and followed, leading them to find the Child “And this is a rela�vely rare event, it all fits,” he con�nued. “Is Jesus, as recounted in St. Ma�hew’s Gospel. that really what Ma�hew was talking about? I don’t know. It’s fun “Is this really what the Star of Bethlehem was?” Consolmagno to play with the idea.” Page 42 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION U.S. cabinet departments adopt rule protec�ng organiza�ons’ religious freedom rights

By CHRISTINE ROUSSELLE ac�vi�es,” said a Dec. 14 release from unfairly imposed upon the religious ashington D.C. (CNA) Nine the Department of Educa�on. liberty of the organiza�ons. For instance, federal agencies announced “Religious liberty is a bedrock religious organiza�ons who received WMonday a new rule aimed at founding principle that this federal money were required to have protec�ng the First Amendment rights of Administra�on consistently “any religious ac�vi�es by the religiously-affiliated organiza�ons. demonstrates its commitment to organiza�on be separated in �me or The Departments of Educa�on, vigorously defend,” said Secretary of loca�on from any services directly Jus�ce, Homeland Security, Labor, Health Educa�on Betsy DeVos Monday. funded with federal money.” and Human Services, Housing and Urban “At the Department of Educa�on, This is now no longer the case. Development, Agriculture, and Veterans we’re con�nuing to ensure faith-based “This final rule also clarifies that Affairs, along with the Agency for organiza�ons, including faith-based religious organiza�ons do not lose Interna�onal Development, will now ins�tu�ons, do not give up their First various legal protec�ons because they ensure that organiza�ons receive equal Amendment rights as a condi�on of par�cipate in federal programs and treatment in programs their par�cipa�ng in taxpayer programs,” she ac�vi�es,” including the right to departments support, regardless if they said, adding that her department “will accommoda�on and conscience are affiliated with a religion. con�nue to ensure faith-based protec�on, said the Department of The new rule was wri�en in response educa�onal providers are treated Educa�on. to the May 2018 Execu�ve Order 13831 equally alongside their secular “This final rule ensures equal “Establishment of a White House Faith counterparts.” treatment for faith-based organiza�ons, and Opportunity Ini�a�ve.” Earlier dra� “Under this Administra�on, religious consistent with the Cons�tu�on and rules were published in January. Nearly discrimina�on in educa�on is never other federal law,” said the department. 100,000 comments were received from tolerated,” said DeVos. “It removes requirements in prior the public, members of Congress, and According to the release, this rule regula�ons that placed unequal burdens other organiza�ons regarding the new “preserves most of the exis�ng on religious organiza�ons, cast policy. regula�ons governing par�cipa�on of unwarranted suspicion on them, and The rule “clarifies that religious religious organiza�ons.” were in tension with their religious organiza�ons do not lose their legal Previously, religious ins�tu�ons which liberty rights.” protec�ons and rights just because they par�cipated in federal programs were par�cipate in federal programs and subject to policies which cri�cs say

Page 43 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Film chronicles life and legacy of Father Patrick Peyton, 'The Rosary Priest'

Father Patrick Peyton. Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Family Ministries

CNA Staff County Mayo, Ireland, grew up praying hear. he life of Fr. Patrick Peyton, an the rosary with his family. As a young The show even a�racted Irish-American priest who traveled man, he had a strong desire to be a contemporary film star Bing Crosby, a Tthe world hos�ng hundreds of religious priest, but was rejected by Catholic who frequently played a priest rosary rallies and encouraging families to several orders. He then decided to move on screen. pray together, is the subject of a new to Scranton, Pennsylvania and sell real “With [Crosby’s] name on it, it really film now available for online purchase. estate. His father made him promise to got the na�on’s a�en�on,” Father Willy The documentary-style film “PRAY: The remain faithful to God. Raymond told CNA in 2018. Raymond is Story of Patrick Peyton”, includes Unable to find employment in his the current Holy Cross Family Ministries footage of Peyton, who lived from 1909- desired field, Peyton was hired as a president and previous director of Family 1992, as well as interviews with those janitor by the local cathedral, and his Theater Produc�ons, both founded by who knew him. dreams of priesthood were reawakened. Peyton. Peyton’s radio and then It is produced by a company of Peyton entered Holy Cross Minor television and film projects also included Peyton’s own founding, Family Theater Seminary in 1929 to become a stars like Grace Kelly, Ronald Reagan, Produc�ons, which provides community missionary priest. Lucille Ball, and Frank Sinatra. for Hollywood Catholics and produces In 1938, Peyton had professed Along with promo�ng prayer in his family-friendly content. One of its most temporary vows with the Holy Cross radio shows, Peyton held more than 500 recent films includes The Da�ng Project, order but had not yet been ordained “Rosary Rallies” around the world - from and the program Catholic Central when he was diagnosed with advanced Peru to the Philippines to Papua New provides short, informa�ve films geared tuberculosis. He was encouraged by a Guinea - earning him the �tle “The toward young people. priest and mentor fervently to ask the Rosary Priest.” According to his obituary During his life, Peyton became well Blessed Virgin Mary for a cure. By 1939, in the New York Times, Peyton traveled known as a passionate advocate for the he was sure he had been cured, and his to six con�nents, and his evangeliza�on rosary and family prayer; “the family health returned. In 1941, Peyton was programs are thought to have reached that prays together stays together” ordained a priest. Because of his an es�mated 27 million people. became one of his signature phrases. miraculous recovery, which he credited to A�er years of promo�ng the rosary, “Fr. Peyton has the ability through his the intercession of Mary, he felt called to Peyton’s health was failing and he went message and through his intercession to spread devo�on to the Blessed Mother. to live with the Li�le Sisters of the Poor work on the level of our individual A�er World War Two ended, Peyton in California. He died at the age of 83 on families, but also to work worldwide,” began a radio show in New York to pray June 3, 1992. His last words were “Mary, Father David S. Marcham, vice in thanksgiving for peace. His show My Queen, My Mother.” postulator for the Cause of Venerable reached wide audiences with his In 2017, Pope Francis recognized the Patrick Peyton and director of the Father passionate calls for family prayer, and it heroic virtues of Fr. Peyton, declaring Peyton Guild, told CNA in 2018. featured prominent public figures, from him “Venerable.” The priest’s Peyton made use of T.V. and radio President Harry Truman to New York’s informa�on is currently under review for broadcasts to spread his message Archbishop Spellman. A strong further advancement toward encouraging family prayer and the proponent of the rosary and a firm canoniza�on. rosary. believer in its power, Peyton had each Peyton, who was born and raised in guest pray the rosary for the world to H�� �� ���� ��� R�����

Page 44 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION How Catholics are carrying out prison ministryduring the pandemic ByPERRY WEST said. chaplain is doing mul�ple services,” he “Ini�ally at the very beginning of the said. s the pandemic has severely pandemic, all of our people got thrown The archdiocese has ins�gated a few restricted gatherings and out. Whether they were paid or le�er programs to help volunteers keep Avolunteer opportuni�es, Catholic volunteer, they were all just blocked in contact with inmates. Based on a book dioceses throughout the from going in, and ministry just came to by Father William Watson, he said it will and Canada have had to rethink prison a grinding halt. We pivoted and came up connect a volunteer and inmate, who ministries. with some crea�ve responses” wants “to develop their faith while Catholic Church said the Now, paid employees are allowed to they're in the ins�tu�on.” pandemic restric�ons have barred enter, but volunteers are s�ll barred “We've had success with that. We're volunteers from accessing prisons or from accessing the prisons. He said also venturing into a li�le bit more introduced heavy limita�ons that have Catholic officials have con�nued to specific stuff. We're embarking on altered religious and non-profit services. create new means to provide community another program. It's called the ‘Forty The safety measures have halted and spiritual nourishment to Catholic Weeks: An Igna�an Path to Christ with volunteer access and o�en suspended or inmates. Sacred Story Prayer,” he said. minimized access to the outside He said some chaplains have wri�en Co�on emphasized the importance of programs. It is an isola�ng experience, Chris�an reflec�ons or made YouTube providing support and spiritual said Joe Co�on, director of Pastoral Care videos of songs or stories to share with nourishment to inmates. & Outreach for the Archdiocese of the prisoners. He said, for the juvenile “What we know for certain is that Sea�le. system, the archdiocese partnered with being Christ in the world means going to “I think jail and prison life is hard an answering service so they could post the margins, going to the periphery, enough as it is when everything is an 800 number so inmates could have a going to the places where pain and normal and func�oning normally. To safe space to talk. suffering is,” he said. have reduced programming, increased Bob Buckham, the coordinator for “We know from Jesus' example and restric�ons, reduced access to people prison ministry in the Archdiocese of from the gospel, that Jesus makes a that are a posi�ve healing presence in Vancouver, told CNA that it has been beeline to anybody that is in those your life, … I think it's rough. I think it even more difficult for his archdiocese to places of extreme distress, extreme increases loneliness, it increases anxiety. access prisons. He said they have over trauma, extreme pain, and suffering. I think the programs that we run provide 200 volunteers, who have not been able There is an urgency in God's mind to a nice reprieve, ” he told CNA. to enter prisons since mid-March. move towards those people in those Co�on said the archdiocese operates He said Mass is not readily available to situa�ons to bring out God's healing, in nine Department of Correc�on prisoners either. Due to the prisons, seven-county jails, one tribal jail, restric�ons, the only ins�tu�ons a special commitment center, one permi�ed to have Mass are federal deten�on center, and an those with Catholic chaplains. immigra�on deten�on center. He said all There are about three or four of these facili�es have access to Mass full-�me Catholic prison since the archdiocese has a contract with chaplains out of the 14 the Department of Correc�ons, but the ins�tu�ons involved in the services may be infrequent. archdiocese’s prison ministry, he Previously, the archdiocese’s prison said. ministry hired either contractors or “If they're coming to chapel, recruited volunteers to provide normally we could have 20, 30. resources, community support, and Now, if they are coming to religious services, such as Mass or Bible chapel, only five guys are study, to the inmates. allowed in at any one �me. … “The pandemic has most affected our Then they have to leave. So it inside ministries or our chaplain in the either means that not too many actual jails and prisons themselves,” he guys are receiving Mass or a

Page 45 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Owners and Staff James Kennedy, CPA Robert Neidhart, CPA Patrick Friess, CPA John Hendrickson, CPA Jeremy Appel, CPA Bridget Nold, CPA Jennifer Denison Tyler Woods Chasity Farr Armando Rubio Staci Brock Tomi Williams Shelby Gamblin Hope Williams Kaden Stein

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Page 46 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine WORLD / NATION Facebook reveals powerful le�er from 107-year-old Irish woman about her ba�le with the covid blues

Ireland resident Nancy Stewart wrote a le�er to give And that’s a very important thing to say. If you are feeling people a sense of hope during the pandemic. At 107, she has low, make sure to try call someone or even go for a walk. I outlived her husband, twin daughters, and numerous also ask God to help me if I’m feeling low. This is a hard �me friends. Yet, she is ever thankful for God’s gi�s in her life. for everyone but please make sure you keep yourself well appreciates life's challenges. and wear your mask. If you keep healthy, your mind will stay healthy too. To Anyone Who Needs a Reason to Keep Going: Keep talking to one another. All my life I have always y name is Nancy Stewart and I was born on the believed in cha�ng and drinking tea and saying a prayer or a 16th of October 1913. This weekend I turn 107 decade of the rosary and it has got me through. This is our Myears of age. moment to keep our faith and to keep believing that Imagine turning 107 in a world pandemic. This definitely is everything will turn out ok. something very unusual even for me and all I have been We must try to make sure we leave nobody behind and through. I live in Clonard in County Meath and have lived in also that we don’t lose sight of each other. This is a moment my home for over 83 years. for humanity to step forward to take care of the other. We I lost my husband in a car crash in 1989, and lost my twin must mind ourselves but we must also mind all those daughters, Margaret in 2007 to motor neurone [ALS] and around us. Look up and smile even if you have your mask Anne in 2010 to u�er heartbreak of losing her sister. I’ve lost on. all my friends throughout the years, which comes with living Your eyes will smile and that might be all someone needs so long on this earth. to keep going. No good deed ever goes unno�ced so try I’m very lucky to s�ll have three daughters Kathleen, your best to keep being good. We are not here to live for Mary, and Olive, and one son, Finian, and I have 84 ourselves but to live for each other. grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great- I can’t believe I’ve made it to this age, I only feel like I’m grandchildren. 50, but now that I’m here, all I can say is please God I’ll be I have faced many heart-breaking moments and also have here for my next birthday. We must always look forward. I seen many hard �mes in our country witnessing world wars, can’t believe I’m the oldest person in Ireland living in my division in our people and numerous sad �mes for our own home, I don’t feel that old. na�on. When God wants me, he will come take me but for now I I write to you today to send you my love and to offer you will keep enjoying my life, I’ll keep loving my family and I’ll my prayers. We are in a very difficult �me at the moment in keep saying my prayers day by day … oh and not to forget our country, in our lives and in our world. But I reach out to ea�ng lots of good wholesome food is my �p. Good food you in this le�er to offer you hope, faith and belief that and lots of tea is my secret to a long life as well as keeping everything will be OK in the end. posi�ve as best we can. We must always look forward and We are in another stage of this ba�le against the virus but hope for the best. we will get through this. Like everything I’ve been through Thank you for thinking of me in your prayers and your since the day I was born in 1913, no ma�er how bad things thoughts and I promise I will think of you in my many have got, I’m the living proof that we can survive and in rosaries I say every day. years to come, this will just be a distant memory. Thank you so much for reading my le�er also and I hope I I have a great faith and it has helped me keep posi�ve have, in even a li�le way, helped you feel less alone in this throughout the struggles I’ve met. I thank you for keeping moment. There is always hope and once we keep talking to your faith and for keeping your resilience strong, through one another, no day will seem empty and we can get this hard �me. Sadly for the moment, we can no longer through this together. It only takes a small candle to take stretch out to a friend and embrace them nor can we call to away the dark and in each of us, we can be that light in the each other’s houses. world. But I’m here to share my story. I have been in lockdown in This hard �me will indeed pass like all the rest and all that my house since March, alongside my granddaughter Louise ma�ers is that we helped each other through. and even though it has been a tough �me, we have got Many blessings and much love, through it together. We drink tea. We say prayers. We bake. Granny Nancy We laugh. We make phone calls. I can even video call lots of Clonard my family and friends and am making new friends everyday Co Meath. that God gives me on this earth.

Page 47 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Catholic Diocese of Dodge City Send a note Seminarians 2020 - 2021 of support toour seminarians! lease take the �metosenda Pnote of support to our seminarians and let them know you are John Stang Eric Frieb praying for them! When Theology III Theology I Father Mark Brantley Prince of Peace, Great Bend St. Ann, Olmitz was a seminarian, he expressed how he had received so many le�ers of support that it le� his fellow seminarians from much larger dioceses and archdioceses looking on in amazement. Adam Urban EstebanHernandez John Stang, Adam Pre-Theology II Pre-Theology I Urban, Joshua Cathedral, Dodge City Cathedral, Dodge City Becker: St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Eric Frieb, Esteban Hernandez: Kenrick-Glennon Josh Becker Carson Haupt Jonathan Lemus Seminary, 5200 Spirituality Year College IV College I St. Joseph,Scott City St. Joseph,Scott City Cathedral, Dodge City Glennon Dr, St. Louis, MO 63119 Office of Priestly Vocations Carson Haupt: 620-227-1533 / [email protected] www.dcdiocese.org/vocations Concep�on Seminary College, P.O. Box 502, would like to tell you: come out of yourselves to proclaim the Gospel, but to do this you must Concep�on, MO Icome out of yourselves to encounter Jesus. There are two ways out: one towards the encounter with Jesus, towards transcendence; the other towards others in order to proclaim Jesus. These two 64433 go hand in hand. If you only take one of them, that is no good! I am thinking of Mother Teresa of Jonathan Lemus: Calcu�a. She was a fantas�c sister.... She was not afraid of anything. She went about on the roads.... This woman was not even afraid of kneeling for two hours before the Lord. Do not fear to step out 910 Central Ave, of yourselves in prayer or in pastoral ac�on. Be brave, in order to pray and in order to go and Dodge City, KS 67801 proclaim the Gospel.” – Pope Francis in a2013 address to seminarians

Page 48 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Una revista de no�cias de la Diócesis Católica de Dodge City La Palabra se hizo Carne oche Buena, Día de Navidad, y el fin de semana Santa? Damos nuestro valioso �empo de la Sagrada Familia, son cuatro días para escuchar la Palabra de Dios en la consecu�vos este año. ¿Cuáles son los regalos Sagrada Escritura. Damos nuestra que recibimos de Jesús, María, y José durante humilde devoción a los estas solemnidades? Sacramentos. Damos nuestro de Jesús recibimos el regalo de El mismo como servicio con compasión a nuestra N Salvador, quien es“Concejero-Admirable, Dios- familia y a los demás, Fuerte, Padre-Que No Muere, Príncipe de ” (Isaías especialmente a aquellas personas 9:5). más necesitadas de nuestro amor. de María, recibimos el regalo de la Palabra hecha Carne: Pidámosle a nuestro Salvador María“dio a luz a su hijo primogénito. Lo envolvió en Recién Nacido Jesús que nos ayude pañales y lo acostó en un pesebre” (Lucas 2:7). con nuestras luchas en esta vida, Por Obispo John B. de José el regalo de sus muchos ejemplos de obediencia: mientras que nos prepara para la eternidad. Brungardt “José, descendiente de David, no tengas miedo de llevarte Que Dios los bendiga en abundancia esta a María, tu esposa, a tu casa; si bien está esperando por Navidad. ¡Que Jesús muestre Su Amor sin medida! obra del Espíritu Santo. Tú eres el que pondrás el nombre al hijo que dará a luz. Y lo llamaras Jesús, porque el salvara “Y el Verbo se hizo carne, puso su �enda entre a su pueblo de sus pecados” (Mateo 1:20-21). nosotros, y hemos visto su Gloria: la Gloria que A medida que estas fiestas nos brindan esperanza y alegría, somos impulsados a seguir al niño Cristo más sinceramente. recibe del Padre el Hijo único; en él todo era ¿Qué regalos le vamos a dar a Dios durante esta Temporada don amoroso y verdad”(Juan 1:14). + Obispo John

¿Qué regalos le vamos a dar a Dios durante esta Temporada Santa? Damos nuestro valioso �empo para escuchar la Palabra de Dios en la Sagrada Escritura. Damos nuestra humilde devoción a los Sacramentos. Damos nuestro servicio con compasión a nuestra familia y a los demás, especialmente a aquellas personas más necesitadas de nuestro amor.

Page 49 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Mater Amabilis ardenal Newman escribió una interés no afectado por todos los que se acercan a pequeña obra �tulada ella, su pureza… fueron estas cualidades las que la MEDITACIONES SOBRE LA hicieron tan adorable. LETANÍA DE LORETO. En esta “Si la viéramos ahora, ni nuestro primer fiesta de Nuestra Señora de pensamiento ni nuestro segundo pensamiento sería Loreto, en este �empo de lo que podría hacer por nosotros con su Hijo C Adviento, no estará mal hojear (aunque puede hacer tanto), pero nuestro primer esa joya de libro. pensamiento sería: 'Oh, qué hermosa, 'y nuestro La letanía es una forma de oración muy querida segundo pensamiento sería,' Oh, qué horribles en nuestra Iglesia. Conocida como la Letanía de criaturas odiosas somos '”. Loreto (debido al remanente de la santa casa en la No hay nada egoísta en esa oración. No 'lo que catedral italiana allí), o, más simplemente, como la ella pudo hacer por nosotros, con su Hijo'. Nuestra Letanía de la San�sima Virgen María, esta oración atención está dirigida fuera de nosotros mismos, enumera los muchos �tulos otorgados a María más allá de nosotros mismos ... a ellos, a ella, a Él y Obispo Emeritus desde el momento de su muerte. Uno de esos a la pura belleza de ella en el plan de Su Padre. Esa Ronald M. Gilmore �tulos es MATER AMABILIS, Madre Adorable. es la magia del Adviento, la "música divina" en todo Newman escribe: lo que dijo e hizo, esta Madre como ninguna otra. Y “Había una música divina en todo lo que (María) la música divina en todo lo que Él dijo e hizo, este dijo e hizo ... en su semblante, su aire, su Hijo como ningún otro, esa es la magia de la comportamiento, que encantó a todo corazón Encarnación. verdadero que se acercaba a ella. Que estos úl�mos días de Adviento, y estos “Su inocencia, su humildad y modes�a, su próximos días de Navidad, esten llenos de su paz ... sencillez, sinceridad y veracidad, su desinterés, su una paz como ninguna otra. “Había una música divina en todo lo que (María) dijo e hizo ... en su semblante, su aire, su comportamiento, que encantó a todo corazón verdadero que se acercaba a ella.” Saludar a nuestros seminaristas

John Stang, Adam Urban, Joshua Becker: St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Eric Frieb, Esteban Hernandez: Eric Frieb Jonathan Lemus Adam Urban Carson Haupt Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, 5200 Glennon Dr, St. Louis, MO 63119 Carson Haupt: Concep�on Seminary College, P.O. Box 502, Concep�on, MO 64433 Jonathan Lemus: 910 Central Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801 Esteban hernandez Joshua Becker John Stang Page 50 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Formación del Concierto de Navidad en ministerio pastoral Windthorst se emitirá en PBS

THEO 2023: Teología de la Iglesia THEO 2023 Theology of the Church in Spanish (3 hour course) Primavera 2021 Instructor: Sister Angela Erevia Descripción del curso: Descripción del curso: Un estudio de la naturaleza de la Iglesia como se ha entendido a través de los siglos. El curso comienza con el Nuevo Testamento, progresa por medio de los Padres de la Iglesia, examina la Eclesiología del Va�cano II y concluye con un estudio de teologías de la Iglesia del post-Va�cano II. Course Descrip�on: A study of the nature of the Church as it has been understood through the centuries. Foto / Tim Wenzl The course begins with the New Testament, progresses through the Fathers of the l departamento de música de Dodge City Community College presentó Church, examines the ecclesiology of E“Midwinter Carols” en la iglesia Immaculate Heart of Mary en Windthorst el 7 Va�can II and concludes with a study of de diciembre. El concierto navideño se transmi�rá en Smoky Hills Public post-Va�can II theologies of the Church. Television el 20 de diciembre a las 3 p.m. y el 25 de diciembre a las 9 p.m. Ubicado Domingos por la tarde (Sunday en las llanuras abiertas de Kansas, Immaculate Heart of Mary fue agregado al a�ernoons): 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos en 1989. Desde entonces ha sido bien Fechas de clases (Class dates): Enero 17, mantenido por la Windthorst Heritage Associa�on. 24, 31, Febrero 7, 14, 28, Marzo 7, 14, 21 Ubicación: (Loca�on): Si�os de televisión interac�va en todas las diócesis de Dodge City y Salina (Interac�ve Television Sites Difusión de misas locales en Facebook throughout Dodge City and Salina Dioceses) uchas parroquias locales dispensa especial de su obligación de Cost: con�núan transmi�endo en vivo asis�r a Misa si está enfermo o Curso de 3 horas para crédito Msu misa en Facebook y / o su suscep�ble, o si está en contacto con universitario (3 hr. course for college credit) página web local. Las misas se registran y quienes lo estén. Aquellos que asistan a - $150.00* se pueden ver en cualquier momento. Misa deben usar una máscara para Curso de enriquecimiento de 3 horas (3 Consulte la página de Facebook de su proteger a los demás, evitar tocar puertas hr. course for enrichment) - $75.00* parroquia local o llame a su parroquia y personas que no sean de la familia, y *No incluye libro de texto (*Does not para obtener información. El obispo John deben mantener una distancia de seis pies include textbook) Brungardt con�núa ofreciendo una de los de otras familias.

Page 51 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Los tesoros de la iglesia encuentran nueva vida en el cementerio

a piedra angular original de la Iglesia de Santa María en Durante siglos, las campanas han recibido el nombre, Marienthal, que data de 1909, y una campana que generalmente de santos católicos, y han sido colgaba del campanario se están renovando para bendecidas con aceite santo. El nombre "Catharina" incluirlas en un nuevo muro conmemora�vo que se está construyendo en el cementerio de Santa María. puede ser una referencia tanto a Santa Catalina como a LAunque la construcción ha cesado para el invierno, los planes la emperatriz rusa Catalina la Grande, quien en 1792 son construir una pared curva de 60 pies e incluir la piedra invitó a los alemanes a establecerse a lo largo del río angular y la campana, junto con un nuevo crucifijo de bronce Volga. ley ”en alemán. moldeado a par�r del que se exhibe actualmente en el cementerio. En 1976, cuando se demolió la iglesia de Santa María original para la nueva iglesia, la piedra angular y la campana se vendieron en una subasta y fueron compradas por el feligrés John Berning. Después de su fallecimiento en 2009, el feligrés Ed Simon los compró nuevamente en una subasta en 2010 para preservar la historia de la parroquia y el área. La campana incluye el nombre "Catharina". Durante siglos, las campanas han recibido el nombre, generalmente de santos católicos, y han sido bendecidas con aceite santo. El nombre "Catharina" puede ser una referencia tanto a Santa Catalina como a la emperatriz rusa Catalina la Grande, quien en 1792 invitó a los alemanes a establecerse a lo largo del río Volga. Los descendientes de esos alemanes del Volga llegaron al oeste de Kansas a mediados del siglo XIX. El nombre "Marienthal" significa "Mary's Valley" en alemán.

Page 52 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Honrando a Nuestra

ste año, las celebraciones en honor a Nuestra ESeñora de Guadalupe, la patrona de la catedral en Dodge City, fueron muy limitadas debido a la pandemia de covid. En esta página hay fotos de eventos pasados, que honraron a la Santa Madre en la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, el 12 de diciembre. Las celebraciones a menudo comienzan el día anterior, duran hasta la noche y culminan con una misa nocturna. En la foto de arriba a la izquierda, los actores recrean la historia de Juan Diego y Nuestra Señora durante la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Dodge City. La fiesta celebra la aparición de la Santa Madre al campesino indio azteca, Juan Diego, los días 9, 10 y 12 de diciembre de 1531, pidiendo que se le construya un santuario en el lugar donde apareció en el cerro Tepeyac cerca de la moderna día Ciudad de México. En audiencia con el obispo para compar�r el pedido de la Santa Madre, Juan Diego abrió su manto, dejando caer al suelo decenas de rosas y revelando la imagen de María impresa en el interior del manto, la imagen que ahora se venera en la Basílica. de Guadalupe en la La fiesta celebra la aparición de Ciudad de México. la Santa Madre al campesino indio azteca, Juan Diego, los días 9, 10 y 12 de diciembre de 1531, pidiendo que se le construya un santuario en el lugar donde apareció en el cerro Tepeyac Haga clic aquí para ver un cerca de la moderna día Ciudad video documental sobre la de México. �lma de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Page 53 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine ¿Está luchando por alimentar a su familia? Catholic Chari�es of SW Kansas está aquí para ayudar

n 2019, casi el 15 por ciento de todos los hogares de Kansas no pudieron proporcionar alimentos adecuados para uno o más miembros del hogar. E Catholic Chari�es quiere cambiar eso. Uno de los programas que trabaja para comba�r la inseguridad alimentaria es el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP). En 2017, SNAP sacó a 3,4 millones de personas de la pobreza. ¡Y sin embargo, muchas familias que podrían estar recibiendo beneficios ni siquiera saben que califican para el programa! ¿Qué es el Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria de Kansas? El Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria (anteriormente conocido como Programa de Cupones para Alimentos) ayuda a las personas con pocos o ningún ingreso. Brinda beneficios a las personas y familias elegibles para que compren alimentos nutri�vos, incluso plantas y semillas de vegetales en las �endas de comes�bles locales. ¿Quién es elegible para el programa? - Las personas que trabajan pero �enen ingresos bajos y las que no trabajan pueden ser elegibles. - Usted y cualquier persona que viva en su hogar y coma con usted. - Los miembros del hogar no �enen que estar relacionados para ser considerados parte del hogar. Foto / M.T El Gassier - Personas sanas, de 18 a 49 años de edad, sin hijos, que trabajan o asisten a un programa de capacitación aprobado 20 horas por semana, o califican para una exención de la ac�vidad laboral. El Programa de Asistencia - Personas de 60 años o más y personas con discapacidad. - Las personas discapacitadas incluyen aquellas que reciben Ingresos de Seguridad Alimentaria (anteriormente Suplementarios, pagos por discapacidad del Seguro Social, ciertos pagos por discapacidad conocido como Programa de veteranos, beneficios de jubilación por discapacidad por discapacidad permanente y discapacidad ferroviaria. de Cupones para ¿Cómo compro alimentos con mis beneficios? Alimentos) ayuda a las Los beneficios mensuales se proporcionan en una Tarjeta de Beneficios de Kansas que se personas con pocos o ve y actúa como una tarjeta de débito. Simplemente deslice su tarjeta en la �enda cuando compre alimentos y el costo se restará electrónicamente de la cuenta de la tarjeta. ningún ingreso. Brinda ¿Cuántos ingresos puedo tener y seguir siendo elegible? beneficios a las personas y La can�dad de asistencia que recibe se basa en el tamaño y los ingresos de su hogar después de las deducciones (ingresos netos). Su ingreso total, antes de impuestos o familias elegibles para que cualquier otra resta, se llama ingreso bruto. Se pueden permi�r deducciones para cosas compren alimentos como costos de vivienda, pagos de manutención infan�l, costos de cuidado de niños o gastos médicos mensuales de más de $ 35 para personas mayores o discapacitadas. nutri�vos, incluso plantas y La can�dad que queda después de estas deducciones es su ingreso neto. Si en su hogar semillas de vegetales en las hay una persona mayor de 60 años o discapacitada, solo se debe cumplir con el límite de ingresos netos. Si está cerca de los límites de ingresos, con�núe y presente la solicitud. �endas de comes�bles Para obtener más información, visite h�ps://catholicchari�esswks.org/services/ locales. economic-assistance/food, o llame al (620) 227-1562.

Para obtener más información, visite h�ps://catholicchari�es swks.org/ services/economic-assistance/food, o llame al (620) 227-1562.

Page 54 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica El Papa Francisco anuncia un Año para San José AGENCIA CATÓLICA DE NOTICIAS Francis dijo que el iudad del Va�cano - El Papa Francisco mundo contemporáneo anunció el martes el Año de San José en requería ejemplos de Chonor al 150 aniversario de la verdadera paternidad. proclamación del santo como patrón de la “Nuestro mundo de hoy Iglesia Universal. necesita padres”, escribió. El año comenzó el 8 de diciembre de 2020 y … “Rechaza a quienes concluye el 8 de diciembre de 2021, según un confunden autoridad con decreto autorizado por el Papa. autoritarismo, servicio con El decreto decía que Francisco había servilismo, discusión con establecido un Año de San José para que "cada opresión, caridad con miembro de los fieles, siguiendo su ejemplo, mentalidad asistencial, pueda fortalecer su vida de fe diariamente en el poder con destrucción”. pleno cumplimiento de la voluntad de Dios". El Papa agregó: “En cada Añadió que el Papa había concedido ejercicio de nuestra indulgencias especiales para conmemorar el paternidad, siempre año. debemos tener en cuenta Además del decreto, Francisco emi�ó una que no �ene nada que ver carta apostólica dedicada al padre adop�vo de con la posesión, sino que Jesús. es más bien una 'señal' El Papa explicó en la carta, �tulada Patris que apunta a una mayor corde ("Con corazón de padre") y fechada el 8 paternidad. En cierto de diciembre, que quería compar�r algunas modo, todos somos como "reflexiones personales" sobre la esposa de la José: una sombra del San�sima Virgen María. Padre celes�al, que "hace salir el sol sobre malos y buenos, y “Mi deseo de hacerlo aumentó durante estos meses de que llueve sobre justos e injustos" (Mateo 5:45). Y una pandemia”, dijo, y señaló que muchas personas habían hecho sombra que sigue a su Hijo ... sacrificios ocultos durante la crisis para proteger a otros. “En los Evangelios, San José aparece como un hombre “Cada uno de nosotros puede descubrir en José, el hombre fuerte y valiente, un hombre trabajador, pero en su corazón que pasa desapercibido, una presencia diaria, discreta y vemos una gran ternura, que no es la virtud del débil sino un oculta, un intercesor, un apoyo y un guía en �empos de signo de fortaleza de espíritu y capacidad de preocupación. , angus�a”, escribió. por la compasión, por la genuina apertura a los demás, por el "S t. José nos recuerda que quienes aparecen ocultos o en amor ”, dijo. las sombras pueden jugar un papel incomparable en la Durante una visita apostólica a Filipinas en 2015, el Papa historia de la salvación ”. explicó por qué tenía una imagen del santo en su escritorio. En su carta apostólica, el Papa Francisco reflexionó sobre las “También me gustaría contarles algo muy personal”, dijo. cualidades paternales de San José, describiéndolo como “Tengo un gran amor por San José, porque es un hombre de amado, �erno y amoroso, obediente, tolerante y silencio y fuerza. En mi mesa tengo una imagen de San José "crea�vamente valiente". También subrayó que era un padre durmiendo. ¡Incluso cuando duerme, cuida de la Iglesia! ¡Si! trabajador. Sabemos que puede hacer eso. Entonces, cuando tengo un El Papa se refirió al santo como "un padre en las sombras", problema, una dificultad, escribo una pequeña nota y la citando la novela "La sombra del padre", publicada por el pongo debajo de San José, ¡para que pueda soñar con eso! En autor polaco Jan Dobraczyński en 1977. Dijo que otras palabras, le digo: ¡reza por este problema! ” Dobraczyński, quien fue declarado Justo de las Naciones por “En la vida, en el trabajo y en la familia, a través de las Yad Vashem en 1993 por proteger a los niños judíos en alegrías y las tristezas, siempre buscó y amó al Señor, Varsovia durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, "u�liza la mereciendo el elogio de las Escrituras que lo describían como imagen evocadora de una sombra para definir a Joseph". un hombre justo y sabio”, dijo. “Invoquenlo siempre, “En su relación con Jesús, José era la sombra terrenal del especialmente en los momentos di�ciles y con�en su vida a Padre celes�al: lo cuidó y lo protegió, sin dejar que siguiera su este gran santo”. propio camino”, escribió el Papa.

Page 55 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Cavidad en Ellinwood

Los estudiantes de la escuela St. Joseph en Ellinwood presentaron un concierto de Navidad el 9 de diciembre en la iglesia St. Joseph. El concierto está disponible en Youtube. Para obtener información sobre cómo obtener un DVD del concierto, Haga clic aquí para ver el concierto en Youtube SI USTED SOSPECHA ABUSO Si usted sospecha abuso o descuido de un prospecJ vamente. a su obispo. menor en Kansas y el menor está en un Un Ministro de Asistencia ayuda con el Todas las acusaciones son consideradas peligro inmediato hable al 911 o al cuidado pastoral de las personas que hechas de buena fe. Una acusación verosímil departamento de policía local. afirman haber sido abusadas sexualmente es definida como una acusación que, basada Si usted J ene alguna sospecha de que un cuando eran menores de edad por un en los hechos de la acusación, cumple unoo menor está siendo abusado o descuidado miembro del clero u otro miembro del más de los siguientes puntos: No es haga un reporte confidencial al personal de la iglesia, sin importar que el específicamente negadaoes aceptada/ Departamento de Kansas Centro de Reportes abuso haya ocurrido recientemente o admiJ da por el acusado; es corroborada con Para Protección de Niños y Familias, 800- muchos años atrás. otra evidencia o por otra fuente y/o; involucra 922-5330 o al KBI Hotline, 800-KSCRIME múlJ ples acusaciones. Los hechosylas (800-572-7463), o mandando un correo Denunciar Abuso o Mala circunstancias que hacen que una acusación electrónico a [email protected]. Conducta de un Obispo Católico sea verosímil pueden variar de caso a caso. La Si usted sospecha abuso por parte del Para denunciar abuso sexual o mala determinación de que una acusación es personal de la iglesia, aparte de hacer un conducta relacionada por un obispo católico, verosímil no es equivalenteala reporte a las autoridades civiles, por favor se les anima a contactar a la policia. Para determinación de culpabilidad en un comuníquese con el Señor Charles Befort, un denunciar tal abuso o mala conducta* a la procedimiento criminalode responsabilidad representante del Consejo de Revisión que Iglesia, contacten al servicio del Catholic en un procedimiento civil. recibe y da seguimiento a los reportes. Su Bishop Abuse ReporJ ng (CBAR). CBAR es un Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios información de contacto es servicio imparcial que recoge y enruta La Diócesis requiereatodos los [email protected], 620-285-3219. También, informes a las autoridades católicas empleadosyvoluntarios que trabajan el Señor Befort ofrecerá la ayuda del apropiadas para la invesJ gación. con menoresaasistiralas sesiones de Ministro de Asistencia cuya meta es de ser Para hacer un informe en inglés o español, conscientización de Protegeralos Niños alguien que escuche y fomente la sanación. vaya al hÕps://reportbishopabuse.org o de Dios. Estas sesiones de El Consejo de Revisión está compuesto por ustedes pueden llamar al 800-276-1562. conscientización están disponibles en católicos laicos y un sacerdote que aconsejan *CBAR fue diseñado para responder ambos inglésyespañol. Son conducidos al Obispo en su evaluación de cada acusación solamente a quejas contra obispos para por gente de nuestra Diócesis de abuso sexual, revisan las políJ cas problemas relacionados a la mala conducta especialmente entrenadas como diocesanas para tratar con el abuso sexual de sexual. Si ustedes J enen otro J po de queja facilitadores. Las sesiones se publicarán menores y ofrecen asesoramiento sobre acerca de un obispo, tal como en las parroquias, escuelas, el períodico todos aspectos que involucran casos de nombramientos a la parroquia, cierres de Southwest Kansas Catholicyla página abuso sexual tanto retrospecJ va como iglesia, etc., por favor diríjanse directamente electrónica de la Diócesis.

Page 56 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine La Voz Católica Rezadlo; aprenderlo; ¡Vívelo! El Plan Pastoral ofrece orientación, especialmente en �empos di�ciles.

¿Cómo amamos a todas las personas como Dios ama, de una manera prác�ca? La Iglesia Católica ha enseñado durante 2000 años que ponemos en prác�ca este amor divino evangelizando, catequizando, construyendo comunidad, orando y sirviendo. Les presento nuestro Esquema del Plan Pastoral para la Diócesis Católica de Dodge City para 2020-2025. Este bosquejo (abajo) es el producto de dos años de discusión y oración por parte de sacerdotes, personal Por DONNA WITTLIF de la cancillería y los fieles de la diócesis. Los animo a meditar y orar con este orque un niño nos ha nacido, un hijo nos Bosquejo del Plan Pastoral. Sea nutrido por los siete versículos de las Escrituras. es dado, y el gobierno estará sobre su Conmovido por las enseñanzas de la Iglesia Católica a través de los siglos. "Phombro; y se llamará su nombre Déjate inspirar por Jesucristo el Resucitado: ¡Él te ama más de lo que puedes Admirable, Consejero, Dios fuerte, Padre eterno, pedir o imaginar! Príncipe de paz" (Isaías 9: 6 ). Paz. La palabra está en boca de todos. Los “Miren cómo se manifestó el amor de Dios entre nosotros: gobiernos arbitran por ello, los soldados mueren Dios envió a su Hijo único a este mundo para que tengamos por ello y la gente en todas partes reza por ello. vida por medio de Él”(1 Juan 4:9). Como dijo Joseph Conrad, "Lo que todos los hombres realmente buscan es alguna forma, o quizás sólo alguna fórmula, de paz". El único problema es que no buscan la paz en los lugares “Amense unos a otros como yo adecuados. La paz permanente no se puede encontrar en los he amado”(Juan 15:12). esta �erra. La paz que calma los espíritus humanos Esquema del Plan Pastoral y sana sus almas proviene solo de Dios. Más Diócesis Católica de Dodge City precisamente, vino de Dios como un bebé nacido en un pesebre. 2020-2025 El profeta Isaías lo llamó el "Príncipe de Paz". Evangelizar con gozo - Proclamen el amor de Cristo a todos. Zacarías profe�zó que "guiaría nuestros pies por camino de paz" (Lucas 1:79). Los ángeles dijeron “Vayan, pues, y hagan que todos los pueblos sean mis que en la �erra traería "paz entre los hombres" discípulos” (Mateo 28:19). (Lucas 2:14). Catequizar en la fe Católica con diligencia - Jesús, nuestro Príncipe de Paz, dijo: "La paz os Formen a todos como tes�gos fieles de Jesucristo. dejo, mi paz os doy; yo no os la doy como el mundo la da" (Juan 14:27). “En tu verdad guía mis pasos, instrúyeme, tú que eres mi Dios No, Jesús no vino a darnos la paz que el mundo y mi Salvador”(Salmo 25:5). busca. El mundo nunca podrá darnos la paz de Construir comunidad con amor – Cristo, porque Él dio su vida para reconciliarnos con Dios a través de la cruz. Sin Su sacrificio, estaríamos Unan a todos en una relación llena de esperanza con Dios y alejados de Dios. A través de Jesús, tenemos acceso unos con otros. a Dios y somos conciudadanos de la casa de Dios “Que todos sean uno” (Juan 17:21). (Efesios 2: 18-20). Sí, para nosotros nace un niño. A través de Él, Orar con devoción – Adoren al Padre, por medio de Jesucristo tenemos paz con Dios y nadie nos la puede quitar. y en el Espíritu Santo como comunidad e individualmente. Él es Maravilloso, nuestro Consejero, nuestro Dios “Oren sin cesar y den gracias a Dios en toda ocasión”(1 Poderoso que está con nosotros, nuestro Príncipe de Paz. Por medio de él todas las cosas en la �erra y Tesalonicenses 5:17-18). en el cielo �enen paz para con Dios (Colosenses Servir con compasión – 1:20). Él es la única fórmula para la paz. Acompáñen a todos en el Señor, especialmente a los pobres. Page 57 Dec. 20, 2020 “Sírvanse unos a otrosSouthwest con amor” Kansas Catholic(GálatasNews 5:13). Magazine Obituaries MARINA (SUPPES) MUNSCH, 95, of John Back; and Angela and Jeff Scheck; his sons, Enrique Marquez, Cesar Marquez, and Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, died Nov. stepchildren, Jeri and John Golightley; Joey Jose Marquez; daughter, Noemi Marquez; 16, 2020. Born to Peter and Chris�na and Bev Cur�s; and James and Jonita Cur�s; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; (Herrman) Suppes in Liebenthal on June sister, Mary Jean Hirsh; brother, Michael five sisters; and two brothers. Father Tim 18, 1925, family and friends referred to her Meyer; six grandchildren; eight step- Hickey presided. as “Bubba” (German for doll) as a child. She grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, RANDY JOE “BUBBA” BRUNGARDT, 57, of fondly recalled a�ending the community’s and three step-great-grandchildren. Father Garden City, died on Nov. 25, 2020. Randy and helping the local nuns Bernard Felix presided. a�ended Russell Child Development Center with chores during her childhood. She LINDA LOU (SANCHEZ) ROUSH, 76, of the in Garden City and Parson State Training married Edwin Munsch on May 19, 1947. Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Center. He returned to Garden City and was She proudly assisted with the war effort Dodge City, died Nov. 26, 2020. She a�ended a client at Bethphage and later Mosaic. He through her employment as a spot welder St. Mary of the Plains High School and St. worked on maintenance and making belts at with the “Rosie the Riveter” women's Mary of the Plains College, where she Mosaic. He is survived by his parents, Donald workforce in Wichita. She held con�nuous maintained a 4.0 grade point average. In J. and Be�y Ann Brungardt; sisters, Viola employment within the Ness County 1964 she was recognized as a Junior for Benne� and Wendy Beltran; brother, Jeremy Hospital’s Laundry Department for 45 “Who’s Who Among Students in American Kells; 23 nieces and nephews; 48 great- years, serving 42 years as Department Universi�es and Colleges”. She graduated nieces and nephews; and 12 great-great Supervisor. She served as a Eucharis�c Summa Cum Laude in 1966. In 1973 she and nieces and nephews. Condolences may be Minister, visi�ng individuals at the hospital her siblings were recognized with the St. posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com and their homes. She is survived by a son Mary of the Plains Family Award for their MARY S. GARCIA, 77, of St. Mary Parish, and three daughters, Mike Munsch, Vicki outstanding achievements. She was a Garden City, died Nov. 18, 2020. Mary was a Herrman, Be�y Knoll and Christy Healzer; compe��ve so�ball player, also earning the lifelong southwest Kansas resident. She met daughter-inlaw, Debbie Munsch; sister, recogni�on as Captain. She played William “Bill” Garcia in 1961 and they Elsie Haberman; brother, Gilbert Suppes; compe��ve so�ball un�l her mid-40s. She married four years later on Feb. 20, 1965. 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; sang with Sweet Adeline’s and the church She worked as a paraprofessional in the and two great-great-grandchildren. Father choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Wichita). Dodge City and Garden City school districts Pascal Klein presided. Linda was a member of Gamma Lambda for a total of 33 years. She touched countless ANITA STANG, 100, of Prince of Peace Sorority, earning the 1979 “Woman of the students with her encouraging words. Parish, Great Bend, and former Victoria Year”. At different �mes, she served Beta Survivors include her husband, William resident, died Nov. 30, 2020. She was born in Sigma Phi as City Council President, M.Garcia; children, Jeffrey Garcia, Derrick, Catharine, Kans. to Jacob A. and Elizabeth Treasurer and Secretary. While taking care of William Aaron Garcia, and Bri�ani Varela; (Staab) Schmidt. She married Albert Stang her father in Dodge City, Linda served in the seven grandchildren; and siblings, Rosie on June 10, 1946. He preceded her in death Re�red and Senior Volunteer Program. She Arriaga, Fred Sanchez, John Sanchez, Robert on March 3, 1976. She was a CNA at St. also volunteered as a lector at the Cathedral Sanchez, and Teri Valencia. John’s Nursing Home in Victoria, and at the of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Linda is survived VICTOR FREDERICK OBERLE, 91, of Hadley Hospital in Hays for many years. She by her son Kenneth; grandsons Ryan and Immaculate Concep�on Parish, Claflin, died was a volunteer for the Senior Companion Reed Roush; their mother Kim Roush; sisters Dec. 5, 2020. Victor married Mary Rose Program in Hays for many years and was Victoria (Vicky) Smith, Dianne Sanchez and Wondra April 14, 1953. She survives. Victor recognized as Senior Companion of the Year. sister-in-law Marilyn Sanchez. owned Oberle Sand and Gravel Co., which he She belonged to the Victoria Daughters of FELISA GARCIA, 79, of St. Mary Parish, operated from 1977 un�l his re�rement in Isabella. Survivors include one son, Dr. Garden City, died Nov. 22, 2020. On Jan. 31, 1991. He served his country during the Patrick Stang; two daughters, Marilyn 1959, she married Tony Garcia, Sr. Felisa Korean War, in the U.S. Army 216th Chemical Pflughoe� and Ruth Brunts; one daughter- worked most of her life as a sales clerk at Division, from 1950 to 1952. Survivors in-law, Ruann Stang; three grandchildren Christopher and Banks, Conrads, and Li�le include his wife, Mary Rose; one son, Ray; and four great-grandchildren. Britches. Survivors include two daughters, two daughters, Patricia Schmidt and JERRY ROGER MEYER, 84, of St. Bernard Chris Garcia and Stephanie Grantham; a Chris�ne Robl; 11 grandchildren; 15 great Parish, Belpre, died Nov. 27, 2020. He was brother, Gregory Mujica; four grandchildren; grandchildren; and one brother, Paul Oberle. born in Larned, the son of Paul Bernard Sr. and seven great-grandchildren. Father Jacob Father Terrance Klein presided. and Chris�ne Mary Gales Meyer. A life�me Schneider presided. AGNES RABE, 93, of St. John the Bap�st area resident, he was a re�red farmer and JOSE JESUS MARQUEZ, 74, of St. Anthony Parish, Spearville, died Dec. 3, 2020. She stockman. He was a member of the Knights of Padua Parish, Leo�, died Nov. 25, 2020. married Marvin Rabe on Jan. 5, 1954. He of Columbus. On June 4, 1960, he married He married Elvia Varela on May 8, 1967. Jose preceded her in death on April 27, 2001. She Lahoma Hancock. On Dec. 19, 1990 he was a hardworking man, having devoted belonged to the Willowdale D of I and the married Bonita Cur�s; she survives. Other more than 40 years to his career at Spearville D of I. She is survived by her eight survivors include his children and their Whitham’s Feedyard where he ran the mill. sons, Terry, Gary, Randy, Tim, Kevin, Kenny, spouses, Janell and Al Troyer; DeAnn and He is survived by his wife, Elvia Marquez; Con�nued on following page

Page 58 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Obituaries Con�nued from previous page Tom, and Bob; 15 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren. Father John Forkuoh presided. JOE Q. MARTINEZ, 88, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Nov. 30, 2020. Joe grew up in Dodge City and served in the United States Navy. On Feb. 28, 1953 he married Stella Blea. Joe worked construc�on for many years and re�red from Winter Livestock. Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years, Stella Mar�nez; a son, Tim; five daughters, Rachel Holguin, Connie Marquez, Cindy Ruiz, MaryAnn Holguin, and Rose Chilcoat; a sister, Kate Carmona; 28 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren. KATHRYN JEAN RICHMEIER (HACKER),of great-grandchildren. Kathryn dabbled as a community with the migrant families that Garden City, died Dec. 6, 2020. She married business woman, venturing in businesses came to help the farmers during harvest. Elmer Richmeier on August 7, 1952. He like Country Cousins Clothing store, the She organized numerous banquets for her preceded her in death. She was a mother to Haylo� Foolery (a gag gi� store), and church and the Knights of Columbus. She six children, Deann and David Crase, Terry assisted her daughter Deann in the startup cleaned Saint Mary’s every Saturday with and Tracey Richmeier, Sherri Nichols, of Ka�e’s Coffee Break all a part of Garden her daughters requiring them to remove Rebecca Greenwood, Debra Richmeier, and City’s history. She also worked at the Deli the dried-up gum placed under the pews Janet and Richard Knoll. She was a at Dillons. She would organize migrant every Sunday. Father Warren Stecklein grandmother to 26 grandchildren; a great- families to gather together to sing presided. grandmother to 25; and she had two great- Chris�an songs, share her faith and build

The SKC has requested all funeral homes in the region provide the Southwest Kansas Catholic with obituary lis�ngs for people of the Catholic faith who have died. All lis�ngs are printed free of charge, but must be edited for space. If you see that a lis�ng has not been included, contact the funeral home, call the SKC at (620) 227-1519, or email [email protected]. Or, you may send the lis�ng to the email address above, or to SKC Obituaries, P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Chapel of the Na�vity at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Dec. 8, 2020

Catholic News Agency

Page 59 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine G������’� C��������

ACROSS Presenta�on 2 1 American 44 Courteous Unconsciousn Cancer 46 Sandwich ess Society (abbr.) fish 3 Mix 4 Rebound 48 Inclined 4 Head cover 9 Ki�en's cry 49 Swelling 5 Stage of life 12 Reserve 50 Seasonal 6 Assess Officers wish (with 8D) 7 Musical Training 52 Manta produc�ons Corps. 54 Resound 8 See 50A 14 Biblical 55 Squash 9 Bethlehem Greek word 59 Young visitors for love Women's 10 Li�le 15 Hook part Chris�an Mermaid's 16 Na�ve Associa�on love ruler 62 Drink 11 West by 17 Christ's quickly north disciple 63 Urgent 13 Brisk 18 Against requests 15 "Blind as a 19 Opera solo 66 Women's __" 21 Fickle magazine 20 Throb 23 Replace a 68He 22 Air (prefix) striker survived the 24 Eagle's 26 Sailor's yes Great Flood nest 27 Bethlehem 69 Howdy 25 Lip visitors 70 Strong 27 Carve 31 Sleeps cord 28 Bethlehem 34 Florida City 51 __ of Babel 61 Dog food brand 36 Jinx 71 Turf bad guy 35 Sco�sh people 53Iamthe__andthe 62 Central nervous system 37 Canal 72 Improvise 29 Expatriate 38 Doubter Omega 64 Boxer Muhammad 38 Brand of a speech 30 Deepness 40 Darken 55 Scat! 65 Weep cold remedy 73 Man's best 32 42 Draw 56 Courtyard 67 Electroencephalograph 39 Waterless friend Discon�nue 45 Biblical weed 57 Good grief! (abbr.) 41 Suggest DOWN 33 Cook 47 Pallid 58 Place for the wicked 43 1 Exist vegetables 50 Biked 60 Lump

Wordsearch and Crossword "Copyright © by Cliff Leitch, The Chris�an Bible Reference Site, www.Chris�anBibleReference.org. Used by permission." St. Michael’s Mindbenders St. TEASER THE FIRST: What do the following words have in common? Sebastian’s FUSION, VENT, CAVE, CORD, DENSE, FIRM, FRONT, FUSE Soduku TEASER THE SECOND: The day before two days a�er the day before Filla number in to tomorrow is Saturday. What day is it every cell in the grid, today? using the numbers1 to 9. TEASER THE THIRD: (Below) Move You can only use four matchs�cks and make the image each number once in point the opposite direc�on. each row, each column, and in each of the 3×3 boxes. Used with permission from Sodukuo�heday.com.

Page 60 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Wordsearch: The Beginning ScriptureReadings Sunday, Dec. 20 2020; 1 John 1:5-2:2 / Fourth Sunday of Advent Ma�hew 2:13-18 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 14A, 16 / Romans 16:25- 1 John 2:3-11 / Luke 27 / Luke 1:26-38 2:22-35 Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 Wednesday, Dec. 30, Songs of Songs 2:8-14 2020 or Zephaniah 3:14-18A / 1 John 2:12-17 / Luke Luke 1:39-45 2:36-40 Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 Thursday, Dec. 31, 1 Samuel 1:24-28 / Luke 2020 1:46-56 1 John 2:18-21 / John Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1:1-18 2020 Friday, Jan. 1, 2021; Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Solemnity of the Blessed Luke 1:57-66 Virgin Mary, the Mother Thursday, Dec. 24, of God 2020 Numbers 6:22-2 / 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, Gala�ans 4:4-7 / Luke 14A, 16 / Luke 1:67-79 2:16-21 Friday, Dec. 25; Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021; CHRISTMAS Memorial of Saints Basil Mass Readings for the Great and Gregory Christmas Vigil Mass Nazianzen, Bishops and Isaiah 62:1-5 / Acts Doctors of the Church 13:16-17, 22-25 / 1 John 2:22-28 / John Ma�hew 1:1-25 1:19-28 Abel, Adam, Antelope, Apples, Birds, Blackberries, Blueberries, Christmas Eve Mass Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021; Brazen, Cain, Canaan, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Created, Darkness, Readings The Epiphany of the Lord Deer, Earth, Enoch, Enos, Firmament, Fishes, Gazelle, Giraffe, Isaiah 9:1-6 / Titus Isaiah 60:1-6 / Grass, Heaven, Japheth, Jared, Lamech, Light, Moon, Noah, 2:11-14 / Luke 2:1-14 Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6 / Plants, Raspberry, Sabbath, Seth, Solomon, Stars, Watermelon, Christmas Mass Ma�hew 2:1-12 Waters, Wickedness Readings at Dawn Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 Isaiah 62:11-12 / Titus 1 John 3:22–4:6 / "Copyright © by Cliff Leitch, The Chris�an Bible Reference Site, 3:4-7 / Luke 2:15-20 Ma�hew 4:12-17, 23-25 www.Chris�anBibleReference.org. Used by permission." Christmas Day Mass Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 Isaiah 52:7-10 / 1 John 4:7-10 / Mark Hebrews 1:1-6 / John 1:1- 6:34-44 Tim Wenzl’s ‘Catholic Place Names in 18 Wednesday, Jan. 6, Kansas’book available online or by email Saturday, Dec. 26, 2021 2020; St. Stephen’s Day, 1 John 4:11-18 / Mark “Catholic Place Names in Kansas” by Feast, First Martyr 6:45-52 Tim Wenzl, is a 145-page book ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-5 / Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 chronicling more than 300 Ma�hew 10:17-22 1 John 4:19–5:4 / Luke communi�es and geographic sites Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020; 4:14-22 bearing a nameassociated with the The Holy Family of Jesus, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 Catholic faith, in par�cularnames of saints, , cardinals, bishops, Mary and Joseph 1 John 5:5-1 / Luke priests, monks, and friars; religious Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or 5:12-16 sisters, nuns, explorers, fron�ersmen, Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 / Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 and ordinary Catholics. Colossians 3:12-21 or 1 John 5:14-21 / John This amazing gaze�eer documents the Colossians 3:12-17 or 3:22-30 establishment of Catholic se�lements in Kansas, and how many Catholics Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17- Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021; contributed to the history of the state. 19 / Luke 2:22-40 or Luke The Bap�sm of the Lord Contact the author at 2:22, 39-40 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Or [email protected] Monday, Dec. 28, 2020; Isaiah 55:1-11 / ACTS for an autographed copy for $24 (includes postage). Can also be Feast of the Holy 10:34-38 or 1 John 5:1-9 / purchased on amazon.com or Innocents, Martyrs Mark 1:7-11 barnesandnoble.com. Page 61 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine FIRST: Each can have the prefix CON- to form a new word. SECOND: Friday. The “day before tomorrow” is today; “the day before two days a�er” is really one day a�er. So if “one day a�er today is Saturday,” then it must be Friday. THIRD: ANSWERS

Page 62 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Gentry Peterson

Pray for Peace

Page 63 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Olmitz, LaCrosse, Kinsley, Larned and St. John councils

SKYLER TEBO Olmitz, LaCrosse, Kinsley Larned and St. John councils (785) 259-5563 Ransom and Ness City councils

Ransom and Ness City councils

Page 64 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Page 65 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Mgr. Daniel Herrmann

Place your ad in the Southwest Kansas Catholic newspaper, and get a free color lis�ng in the Southwest Kansas Catholic Online News Magazine. Call Tammy, (620) 227-1534 or tlampe@ dcdiocese.org. Pray for Peace

Page 66 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Former releases Va�can Christmas cookbook CNA Staff new cookbook offers recipes, some more than 1,000 years old, that have been served at the Va�can during Athe Advent and Christmas seasons. “The Va�can Christmas Cookbook” is wri�en by chef David Geisser, who is a former member of the Va�can’s Swiss Guard, along with author Thomas Kelly. The book offers stories of the Va�can’s own Christmas celebra�ons, and includes 100 Va�can Christmas recipes. The book pays special a�en�on to the Swiss Guard, the small military force that has guarded popes for five centuries. “It is only with the coopera�on and assistance of the Swiss Guard that we are able to present this compila�on of special recipes, stories, and imagery inspired by the Va�can and set in the glory and wonder of the Christmas season,” the book’s Tax Preparation forward explains. Computerized Gerald Vogel “We hope that it brings some comfort and joy to all. With Bookkeeping Service 116 S. Main gra�tude and apprecia�on for their service to fi�y popes Farm Accounts and the Church of Rome for more than 500 years, we Individual Accounts Cimarron, KS 67835 855-3888 dedicate this book to the Pon�fical Swiss Guard of the Holy Small Business Services See.” 800-203-8437 and Tax Planning “The Va�can Christmas Cookbook” offers recipes like Veal Chanterelle, Egg Williams Soufflé, Venison in Fig Sauce and deserts like Cheesecake David, Gingerbread Plum Parfait, and Maple Cream Cake. “The Va�can Christmas Cookbook” includes stories about the tradi�on of the Swiss Guard Christmas Watch and recalls observed by popes of centuries past. This cookbook is the sequel to David Geisser’s “The Whatever is beautiful, Va�can Cookbook,” which was endorsed chef Michael Whatever is meaningful, Symon and actress Patricia Heaton. Geisser began his cooking career working in European Whatever brings you happiness ... gourmet restaurants. He gained interna�onal recogni�on at May it be yours this Holiday Season the age of 18 when he wrote a cookbook under the �tle “Around the World in 80 Plate.” And throughout the coming year. The author spent two years in the Swiss Guard and wrote his third cookbook, “Buon Appe�to.” In his Christmas cookbook’s introduc�on, Geisser said he was excited to share his experiences in the Va�can’s kitchen, the Guard, and the season of Christmas. www.swaimfuneralhome.com “When my friend, Thomas Kelly, proposed a Christmas sequel to ‘The Va�can Cookbook’ that we collaborated with Dodge City Cimarron 620-227-2136 620-855-3221 many others to create four years ago, I thought it was a wonderful idea,” he said. Sublette Montezuma “The collec�on of many new and classic recipes, 620-675-8006 620-846-7689 surrounded by the splendor of the Va�can and enhanced by the stories of the Swiss Guard, was worthy of its �tle. I welcomed the opportunity to take that same concept and infuse it with the Christmas spirit and all the meaning and glory of that special season. It seemed a perfect fit to me.”

Page 67 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Protection from Coronavirus

oly Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas. HWe fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our na�on and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protec�on of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this �me of trial and tes�ng, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be pa�ent and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protec�on, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen. Page 69 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine This just in ... Baby Jesus Debuts at Kansas Statehouse for 2020 Christmas Season Thomas More Society and American Na�vity Scene Help Keep Holiday Christ-Centered Editor’s Note: Here’s a bit of news that came in moments Thomas More Society has ensured that ci�zens who privately before our deadline. fund religious displays on public property are accorded their right to do so as guaranteed by the 1st and 14th Amendments ecember 16, 2020 – Topeka, Kansas) Baby Jesus will of the United States Cons�tu�on. A permanent federal makes His debut at the Kansas Statehouse this injunc�on banning discrimina�on against religious speech DChristmas season. Beginning at 10 a.m. (Central) on ensures that the Christmas crèches are protected from December 17 and remaining through December 30, a erroneous applica�ons of the widely misunderstood concept tradi�onal Chris�an crèche will be on display on the second of “separa�on of church and state.” floor, at SW 8th & SW Van Buren in Topeka. The Thomas More Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society President and Chief Society, a na�onal not-for-profit law firm, has teamed up Counsel, echoes the importance of displaying the Na�vity again with the American Na�vity Scene to help keep privately Scenes, especially in a year such as 2020. “The Christmas funded manger scenes in the public square for Christmas. message bears secular as well as religious significance, as it “We are excited to share our Christmas message with the highlights the hope and miracle of birth and new life, the public, as the Cons�tu�on allows us to do,” said Thomas Olp, inherent dignity of each and every human being,” stated Thomas More Society Vice President and Senior Counsel, Brejcha. about the Capitol na�vity scene. “More than just an The following state capitols featured a Na�vity Scene in opportunity to share our faith, it is a chance to invite 2019: Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, everyone to seek peace on Earth and goodwill to all – Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachuse�s, Michigan, something we all need at the end of a difficult year,” he Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, added. New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, WHAT: Christmas Na�vity at the Kansas Statehouse South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and WHEN: December 17, 2020, through December 30, 2020 Wisconsin. Addi�onally, Christmas 2020, will feature manger OPENING: Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 10 a.m. displays in Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nevada, New (Central) Mexico, and West Virginia, with newly par�cipa�ng states s�ll WHERE:Kansas Statehouse, SW 8th & SW Van Buren, being added. Topeka, KS 66612, second floor About the Thomas More Society MAP: h�ps://�nyurl.com/ydgqrntz The Thomas More Society is a na�onal not-for-profit law ONSITE CONTACT: Geralyn Windholz, 913.406.2298 firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and The Thomas More Society serves as legal counsel for religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, Omaha, and na�vity displays across America and collaborates with the Fairfield, NJ, the Thomas More Society fosters support for American Na�vity Scene. Defending freedom of religious these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services speech and the free exercise of religious faith in the public from local trial courts all the way up to the United States square, these pro bono a�orneys assist na�vity scene Supreme Court. For more informa�on, visit sponsors. They equip ci�zens with the knowledge and support thomasmoresociety.org. they need to successfully display crèches in venues that About the American Na�vity Scene qualify as tradi�onal and designated public forums. The American Na�vity Scene is dedicated to the display of “Privately funded Christmas displays are legally allowed in na�vity scenes in every state capitol in America during the tradi�onal public forums such as state capitols, county Christmas season. The commi�ee ships na�vity scenes, which complexes, or city hall lawns,” explained Ed O’Malley, have been donated by an anonymous benefactor, to ci�zens president of the American Na�vity Scene. “We are commi�ed throughout the United States who wish to give witness to the to our goal of keeping Christ in Christmas across the na�on.” true meaning of Christmas by se�ng up a privately funded The mission of the American Na�vity Scene is to place a crèche in a public forum. The Thomas More Society provides na�vity display within or directly outside state capitol the organiza�on with legal help in securing permits and buildings across America. This Christmas season, there are 34 defending challenges as needed. Visit manger displays scheduled to be erected at state capitols, up americanna�vityscene.com. from 27 in 2019. Pro bono work by the a�orneys at the

Page 70 Dec. 20, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic News Magazine