The Southwest Kansas Register Commentary December 8, 2013 Page 5 Living as though heaven were opened eing a great lover of words, I felt in- By Mary this time through that vocational lens. Imag- life, clean away some of the debris, some of Bstantly drawn to a passage I recently Sharon Moore ine saying: I should live as though heaven the chatter, some of the preoccupation with, came across: “You should utter words as were opened in my ways of living and as possibly, a need to be needed. though heaven were opened within them Awakening though I did not decide how I would live, but To carry Buber’s insight further, we in- and as though you did not put the word into Vocations as though Life itself had entered into me. deed do not put the words in our own mouths; your mouth, but as though you had entered In real Christ-centered life we do not get we do not put the vocational plan together. the word.” to be “deciders” We are lifelong discerners, We do not and cannot will ourselves into This remarkably insightful and sensitive reading the subtle movement and prompt- holiness. With great humility and anticipa- passage from Jewish philosopher Martin ings and invitations of the Holy Spirit in tion we enter into what we sometimes cannot Buber (quoted in Madeleine L’Engle’s book every circumstance. see and surely cannot escape: God’s own Walking in Water) rings true as a vocational We also could say: I should act as though generous and indisputable willing of our imperative for us today. real Christ-centered life. The bar indeed is heaven were opened within my actions. I fullness of life in Christ. We are stewards As a writer I could also say: You should raised high. To stand in the place of Jesus should love as though heaven were opened of the great treasure of divine life within write words as though heaven were opened himself is no small thing. The threshold within my acts of compassion, and mercy, us. We are stewards of each day entrusted within them.” As though heaven itself were for commitment to living wholeheartedly and heartfelt presence to the one who needs to us. We are stewards of each encounter, opened. As though heaven were revealed. As for the Lord is so high that many people to encounter the Lord’s love. and stewards of each invitation given to us, though the Word itself was revealed. just walk away. What we understand of this baptized life uniquely, to enter more fully into Christ, to As though? Actually, in our vocational This temptation to “just walk away” was which we live, incarnational to the core, is enter more fully into the Word himself. living we move far beyond the “as though” something Jesus warned against frequently this: When we act heaven in fact is opened. to a living reality: We do not live as though in his teachings. He understood how pow- When we love and express compassion and Mary Sharon Moore, founder of Awak- we were somehow supposed to “be like erful the pull within the human heart to real presence to another, heaven in fact is ening Vocations, works with individuals Jesus,” no matter how popular that phrase hold back on real commitment, to keep a opened. We become the living, breathing, nationwide in spiritual and vocational di- and way of thinking might be. We actually low profile, to just not get involved. We intentional revelation of the reign of God. If rection. Her book, Anointed for a Purpose, are anointed full-strength in the Holy Spirit experience this vocational temptation in you are wondering what your vocation is, this examines the anointed life of vocational to stand in the place of Jesus himself. That’s our own day, too. Real vocational living is is it! You cannot mistakenly wander away response to God’s calling. Visit www.awak- how deeply he has entrusted his mission costly. It demands tremendous courage, and from your calling, so deeply embedded is the eningvocations.com to order this and other to us. This full-strength anointing is the sometimes is downright inconvenient. Spirit of the living Christ within you. If you vocational and parish resources, or call shocking thing about real Christian life, So we could look again at Buber’s words, have a hard time finding God’s calling in your 1.888.687.2046 (Pacific). Do I know the most overused word in the English language? Absolutely. doubt,” “you bet,” “of course,” “for sure,” words, his actions, and his attitude sure that it is what God wants.” If you By Father Wesley or simply “yes”? should reflect that. What I’m saying is (or a young man you know) have these Schawe But our obsession with “absolutely” can that it’s OK for a man to apply to the thoughts on your mind, that’s a pretty Director, go too far if we think that the answer to seminary saying, “I’m pretty confident good indication of God’s will. Can the Office of Priestly every question has to be definitive or else this is where I should be—this will seminary help you to confirm that? Vocations we can’t answer it at all. And nowhere is help me to know for sure,” or “I know Without a doubt…you bet…for sure. this a greater danger than when it comes that this is what I want. I need to make to asking God’s will for your life. If I were to ask 200 young men, “Does God want you to be a Catholic priest?” perhaps hy is it that everywhere we turn zero would respond, “Absolutely.” And Wthese days, there’s only one way to that wouldn’t be a surprise to me. Nor answer a question in the affirmative? does it really bother me. I don’t think I could have said, “God absolutely wants • Are you going to the basketball me to be a priest,” until I was a few years game Friday night? Absolutely. into the seminary. • Reporter: Is there a connection And there’s the danger. A guy might between human activity and think that maybe God wants him to be climate change? a priest. He might say, “There’s a part Scientist: Absolutely. of me that believes the priesthood is • Can I borrow your air compressor where I should be.” But if a young man to pump up my tire? Absolutely. waits to apply for the seminary until he • Are the Kansas City Royals is absolutely sure that God wants him to going to make the playoffs next be a priest, then chances are he’ll never year? Absol…Hopefully (let’s apply. not get too carried away). What he probably doesn’t realize is that the seminary exists exactly for that I’m not sure how or why we’ve lost our purpose: to help a man discover whether creative ability with synonyms. What’s or not the priesthood is what he was made wrong with responding, “without a for. That’s why the seminary is not just a 1 or 2 year program. That’s why a man doesn’t make any promises when he first arrives. That’s why I probably had 35-40 If a young man waits guys in my class at different stages in the seminary, even though only 20 were to enter the seminary ordained. Hardly anyone arrives with Jacob until he is absolutely 100% certainty about their call. But it’s Schneider his time in the seminary that will help a sure that God wants man to reach certainty—whether that is yes or no. him to be a priest, I’m not saying that someone should “I’ve been watching TV all my life. be halfhearted when he goes, or simply I was born cable ready.” then chances are he’ll have an “I’ll give it a try” attitude. Every seminarian should arrive with the firm never go. intention and desire to be a priest. His “He mirado la televisión toda mi vida. Yo nací cable-preparado.” Page 6 December 8, 2013 The Southwest Kansas Register John Michael Talbot brings music, ministry, laughter to Pratt mission ‘Let the old self die, so the new self can rise up in Christ’ ou may have heard John Michael YTalbot’s music; you may have read his books; and you may even know that he’s the founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, headquartered in Arkansas. What you probably don’t know -- but which was made abundantly clear at the one-night mission at Sacred Heart Church in Pratt Nov. 17 -- is that he has a great sense of humor. In- terspersed throughout his hauntingly beautiful music, between the prayers and the preaching, were laugh-out-loud commentaries – some- times to share a message, and at others just to bring a smile to the filled church. “No, the guys from ‘Duck Dynasty’ aren’t here,” he said with a smile as he first stood at the ambo with his guitar in hand. Talbot sports a long, grey beard and wears a brown cassock representing the monastic community he started. At one point he asked everyone to stand up and rock back and fourth to the music: “Hold each other’s hands -- you can use Purell later. What a great symbol of your unity in the Lord. ... One of the things we’ve got to learn to do better in Catholic churches is sing! It’s so easy. … I go to parishes all across America. … I know what the churches are like in America. Photo courtesy of John Michael Talbot “And we are terrible singers,” he said, smiling. “All across the world Catholics are singing. In Africa they’re singing! In India they’re singing. In Asia they’re singing. Even in Latin America. … But in North America and Western Europe they’re not singing….” Well, maybe not loudly anyway, or with a great deal of zest. “We need to sing so that they can hear us in Dodge City!” he said. Talbot’s been singing since he was a boy -- since before he toured with Mason Proffit in the early 70s with his brother, Terry. The band opened for John Denver, the Doobie Brothers, and others; Talbot was also a talented banjo player; Earl Scruggs called him the “best banjo player” he’d ever heard. But on this night, the banjo stayed home, and it was Talbot’s guitar and beautiful voice that filled Sacred Heart. In the 90-minute pre- Supper servers for Pratt’s Sacred Heart Church sentation, Talbot spoke of healing, which he parishioners and guests during Catholic singer said for most of us had to do with emotional John Paul Talbot’s visit were: left to right, Arlene and thought patterns we get into that “can be Garland, Ruth Menzer, and Jan Merz. very unhealthy.” Photo above by David Myers; at right by Charlene Scott Myers “You have to let them die so we can rise up, a new person in Christ,” he said. “We can be healed. Jesus can do that every day, if we simply turn to him and let go and let God. Let the old self die, so the new person can rise up in Christ.” He stressed the importance of revitalizing the Catholic Church, of reaching out to others as Pope Francis has urged, of taking part in the “New Evangelism,” being an example of Christ to everyone around you.

Special thanks to all the organizers who helped bring John Michael Talbot to Sacred Heart, in particular Sacred Heart DRE Erin Crouch, an associate of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.

A brief, 25-minute podcast from the event, as well as several color photos, can be ac- cessed and downloaded from www.dcdiocese. Photo by David Myers Photo courtesy of John Michael Talbot org/register. At left, John Michael Talbot uses the help of Father Floyd McKinney to stress the importance of the homily. Above, Tal- bot concludes his presentation by praying with ministers from different denominations at Sacred Heart Church in Pratt. The Southwest Kansas Register December 8, 2013 Page 7 Mark Roth to serve diocese as Director of Development Dighton native to help ensure that parishes, schools build strong financial base

iberal resident Mark Roth is the new While the specifics of the job descrip- full-time Director of Development for tion are being drawn out, Roth anticipates L Knights of Columbus the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City and will spending a lot of time on the road visiting Past State Deputy begin his ministry on December 16. Previ- with schools, parishes, endowment boards, Mark Roth, who for ously, development activities were handled Knights of Columbus councils, and other 16 years served as by Eric Haselhorst who will continue as the groups across the diocese. He will also visit vice president of the Stewardship Director for the diocese. with potential donors, assist with estate and First National Bank of After a development summit held last planned giving presentations, write grants, Liberal, will start as year, attended by pastors and laity from and educate people about the needs of the Development Direc- various Catholic organizations and coun- Church in southwest Kansas and beyond. tor on Dec. 16. Roth is cils in the diocese, the recommendation One of the first projects will be to imple- an avid guitarist and to pursue a full-time development director ment a data base management system for outdoorsman. was given. Catholic Extension Society has the diocese. provided a three-year grant of more than “Mark brings the personal characteristics $130,000 to help finance this new ministry we were looking for in our Development position. Director – namely, ministerial commit- Dan Stremel, Finance Director for the ment and the willingness to succeed, as diocese, said, “The development summit well as the business and people skills that was the beginning step in pursuing a full- are needed to share our mission with the From Bishop John B. Brungardt time development position. Our long-time people of the Diocese,” said Stremel. I’ve supporters in ministry, Catholic Extension known Mark for several years now and am e are pleased to have a native son Illinois tornadoes), the seminarian fund, Society, saw the value in having a full- excited to work with him as we continue Wof the diocese, Mark Roth, as our our Catholic Schools, Catholic Social time development director too and have to enhance ministry to the people of the new full-time Director of Development. Service or other ways to assist those in responded favorably to our request for diocese”. Mark brings a wealth of experience need, you decide to put the parish, dio- financial assistance”. Roth, Past State Deputy for the Knights of to assist parishes, institutions, and the cese, or other charity in your will, etc. Roth, a native of Dighton, has served as Columbus, sees his new position as a way diocese in the extraordinary stewardship We thank the Catholic Extension So- Vice President of the First National Bank to live out his Catholic faith more. of tithe/alms. We are often called to an ciety and many generous and sacrificial of Liberal for 16 years. He has been mar- “I’m really excited and ready to get extra generosity, a benevolence that is donors here in the diocese for provid- ried for 33 years to Lila, who was born and started,” he said. When he served as state “above and beyond” our ordinary shar- ing resources for this expansion to our reared in Kinsley. They have two grown deputy for the K of C, Roth attended Kan- ing in the collection basket each Sunday. development efforts. children: Philip, who is married to Kimberly sas Catholic Conference gatherings where Some examples of extraordinary Our Loving Lord has blessed us with and serves in the Air Force; and Amanda, he met with the Kansas bishops, sharing stewardship of tithe/alms: the parish many gifts; He asks us to share our who lives in Kansas City with her husband, thoughts and ideas, and listening to their or diocese has an appeal for a build- financial resources with enthusiasm and B.J. input. ing project, giving to relief efforts for a joy. “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Roth earned his Bachelor of Science His new job, he said, will be an extension natural disaster (the Philippines or Sandy Corinthians 9:7). Degree in Business Management from of that – getting out into the community, hurricanes, the Haiti earthquake, the + Bishop John Brungardt Newman University in Wichita. Part of his sharing ideas and listening to others, all job will include helping diocesan entities with the intent of growing a financial base -- including schools, parishes, and members on which parishes and other Catholic enti- Like thousands of of the curia -- develop strategies that will ties can thrive. senior religious, Sister provide financial stability for all ministries “I’m very excited to get out and meet of Divine Providence of the people of the diocese people and to get involved.” John Margaret Walsh, 76, has spent her life serving others. Today, Protecting God’s Children she and some 34,000 elder Catholic sisters, The Diocese of Dodge City requires Hotline for victims brothers, and religious all employees and volunteers who work of sexual abuse order priests benefit with children to participate in a Protecting If you or someone you know may have from the Retirement God’s Children awareness session. been a victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Fund for Religious. Through the Diocesan Awareness Ses- any employee of the Diocese of Dodge City, Your gift provides sions and other educational efforts of the you are asked to contact Mr. Dave Snapp, funding for prescription diocese, all people of the diocese can Fitness Review Administrator: (620) 225- medications, nursing learn how to discuss different aspects of 5051 work; (620) 225-2412 home; or email care, and more. abuse -- including sexual abuse -- with [email protected]. You always have children and how to teach them to protect the right to directly contact the Department themselves. To schedule an awareness for Children and Families, 1-800-922-5330. session, call (620) 227-1500. Watch this Please give to those who Sexual misconduct report forms are avail- space or go to dcdiocese.org and scroll able on the diocesan website, at www. have given a lifetime. down for updates. dcdiocese.org/safe-environment. Kansas farmers’ helplines • Kansas Rural Family Helpline, toll cultural lenders and USDA agencies resolve Retirement Fund free, 866-327-6578: Provides confidential, disputes in a confidential and non-adversarial short-term emotional support, advice, and setting outside the traditional legal process. qualified referrals directly to rural families • WORKs -- Work Opportunities for for Religious struggling with an unmet emotional, medi- Rural Kansans, toll free, 866-271-0853: cal, financial, or legal need. Helps farmers, ranchers, and their fami- • Kansas Agriculture Mediation Services, lies to make a transition from farming and hrough our parish and Todiocesan donate: commitment to stewardship, this toll-free, 800-321-3276: Helps farmers, agri- ranching to non-farm employment. Tcollection for the RetirementNational Fund Religious for RetirementReligious Officeis supported through sacrificial gifts you3211 place Fourth in Streetthe offering NE basket each Sunday. If you wish to make a specialWashington gift of support, DC 20017-1194 please send that gift Problem gamers’ hotline Make your check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious. clearly marked to the Catholic Chancery, P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, Do you think that you, a friend or loved es can be devastating when it spirals out Or give at your local parish. one may have a gambling problem? Prob- of control. Help is available. Call (800) KS, 67801. Your gift will be sent directly to the United States Con- lem gaming is one of the most destructive 522-4700, or visit www.ksgamblinghelp. ference of Catholic Bishopswww.retiredreligious.org to benefit the Retired Religious disorders people face, and the consequenc- com. Coming from Mercedes

Page 8 December 8, 2013 The Southwest Kansas Register Otro Camino a imaginación es un Agresor no de almas, no de Justicia, no manda nuestras mentes tam- Te dije, por ejemplo, Len algunos modos. Es fuerte de Amor. No puede hacer esto baleándose. En efecto, dicta lo y amenazante. Limita lo que porque ninguno de nuestros que podemos pensar y lo que no que tu alma no tiene realmente puedes hacer. sentidos puede experimentar podemos pensar. Censura lo que forma, tamaño, color, Te dije, por ejemplo, que tu estas cosas. “Un hombre justo” piense que es irreal. alma no tiene forma, tamaño, podemos experimentar, sí, “una Pero, el punto es que “eso” peso; bien podría color, peso; bien podría decir mujer justa,” podemos experi- no puede pensar en absoluto. No decir que tal cosa es que tal cosa es inconcebible. Tú mentar, sí, pero no la esencia de sabe nade de pensar pensamien- podrías insistir que tal cosa no la justicia, la esencia del amor. tos, solo sabe de formar imá- inconcebible. Tú po- puede ser. Y es debido a que tu Estos son tomados por la mente, genes. Los conceptos son más drías insistir que tal imaginación ha dictado lo que tu no por la imaginación. allá de su alcance y tan sumari- mente puede aceptar. No puede decir nada sobre amente los avienta para afuera. cosa no puede ser. En verdad, el alma no es in- las realidades espirituales, de Nuestras mentes perezosas, flojas Y es debido a que tu concebible, sólo es inimaginable. cualquier manera. No las puede por falta de uso, le permite limi- La imaginación no lo puede rechazar. No las puede aceptar. tar nuestro entendimiento de lo imaginación ha dicta- imaginar, por supuesto: ya que Debe de dejar en paz y “esto,” la que es real. Por lo tanto, hacemos + Obispo Ronald M. do lo que tu mente las imágenes sólo son parte del imaginación lo odia hacer. lo que los demás hacen. Cedemos Gilmore mundo material y la imaginación Así que se hincha de orgullo y ante al Agresor. Porque nos evita puede aceptar. se limita a ese mundo. No puede nos asegura de su propia impor- el problema de pensar. Obispo Emeritus formar imágenes de las reali- tancia. Se pone directamente de Dodge City dades espirituales: no de ángeles, en nuestra cara. Es fuerte. Nos Misal en español, otros textos litúrgicos aprobados por los obispos Por Patricia Zapor La versión española al misal. relativamente fácil, dijo el obispo Cisne- Catholic News Service del Misal Romano El obispo Anthony B. Taylor de ros a Catholic News Service en octubre. ALTIMORE (CNS) -- se convertirá en Little Rock, Arkansas, dijo que el Misal Él explicó que no hay una contraparte BLa primera edición la única versión Romano parece inconsistente en cuanto internacional en español del Comité estadounidense del autorizada para uso a referirse a lugares estadounidenses Internacional de Inglés en la Liturgia, el Misal Romano en en Estados Unidos. usando nombres en español o en inglés. cual supervisa las traducciones inglesas español se acercó Actualmente, sacer- El obispo auxiliar Octavio Cisneros de usadas mundialmente. No obstante, no más a estar dotes u obispos escogen Brooklyn, Nueva York, quien preside el todos los países de habla hispana produ- disponible una edición española entre subcomité de liturgia española para el cen su propia traducción del misal, en quizás cualquiera de las versiones comité de culto divino, explicó que algu- gran medida debido a los recursos que el año aprobadas para uso por la nos nombres traducidos se usan rutinari- eso requiere, dijo el obispo Cisneros. entrante, conferencia episcopal de algún amente, como “Nueva York”, mientras México y España tienen cada uno el suyo ya que país. que otros, como Pittsburgh, en el propio propio, mientras que el de Argentina es los obispos Antes de votar casi no hubo para el beato Francisco Javier Seelos, no una colaboración con Chile y otros países de Estados discusión entre los obispos sobre la lo son. de la región sureña de América del Sur. Unidos apro aprobación del Misal Romano de México La edición mexicana del Misal Ro- El de Colombia fue un proyecto conjunto baron el 12 de noviembre varios pasos como el texto central para uso en Estados mano, que será lanzada este noviembre, con Ecuador. hacia la adaptación del Misal Romano Unidos. Este fue aprobado 193 a 11 con se basa en la versión latina del 2002 de la En otros lugares las conferencias epis- mexicano para uso en este país. cuatro abstenciones. Los propios que se tercera edición típica, traducción que se copales escogen uno, tal vez adaptándole La traducción del misal tendrá los usarán para adaptar el misal incluyen cel- convirtió en la base para la versión ingle- propios para santos y otras celebraciones Propios de la Misa para el calendario ebraciones estadounidenses tales como el sa del Misal Romano presentada para uso nacionales. Esto es lo que la USCCB estadounidense y podría ser publicado tan 4 de Julio y Acción de Gracias, así como en Estados Unidos hace dos años. acordó hacer. Una vez que la edición pronto como el otoño del 2014. días festivos de santos estadounidenses Con la aceptación de las adaptacio- estadounidense del Misal Romano esté En otros asuntos litúrgicos, los obis- y por lo menos un día de fiesta asociado nes del Misal Romano mexicano por la disponible, esa será la única traducción pos aprobaron una traducción del Orden con cada país de América Latina. Conferencia Estadounidense de Obispos al español aprobada para uso en Estados de Confirmación y adaptaciones para el Antes que el inciso fuera aprobado por Católicos (USCCB), estas ahora serán Unidos. Orden de Celebración del Matrimonio votación de 200 a 1 con una abstención, enviadas al Vaticano para su aprobación. El obispo Cisneros dijo a CNS que el después de un corto debate sobre la dife- un poco de discusión brotó sobre cuándo Puesto que el texto principal ya ha fue Misal Romano estadounidense podría rencia entre las palabras “casamiento” y usar las traducciones al español de topón- aprobado por Roma, juntar las adaptacio- estar listo tan pronto como el otoño del “matrimonio”. imos estadounidenses en las adaptaciones nes con un misal ya terminado debe ser 2014.

El Kansas Rural Family Helpline Línea especial para víctimas de abuso sexual l Kansas Rural Family tentes, referencias calificadas EHelpline es una línea tele- de manera confidencial directa- Si usted, o alguien a quien usted conoce ha sido fónica de ayuda sin costo para mente a familias rurales que víctima de abuso sexual por algún clérigo, o cualquier la población rural de Kansas. estén atravesando por dificul- empleado de la Diócesis de Dodge City, por favor Es un programa de servicio tades emocionales, médicas, comunicarse con el Sr. Dave Snapp, Fitness Review directo dedicado a ayudar financieras o legales. Administrator: (620)225-5051, o (620)225-2412, o al con las necesidades de las Estos servicios también se en- correo electrónico [email protected]. Conserva familias rurales de Kansas. cuentran disponibles en español. siempre su derecho de comunicarse directamente a Este programa provee ayuda Nuestro número telefónico sin Social Relief Services, 1-800-922-4453. emocional, consejos compe- costo esel 1-866-327-6578. Sesiones de conscientización Línea de ayuda para jugadores con problemas La Diócesis requiere a todos Estas sesiones de consci- Las sesiones se publicarán en ¿Piensa que usted, un amigo enfrentar, y las consecuen- los empleados y voluntarios entización están disponibles las parroquias, escuelas, el o un ser querido tal vez tiene cias pueden ser devastadoras que trabajan con menores a en ambos inglés y español. períodico Southwest Kansas un problema con el juego? cuando se sale fuera de control. asistir a las sesiones de con- Son conducidos por gente de Register y la página electrónica Problemas con el juego es uno Hay ayuda disponible. Hable scientización de Proteger a los nuestra Diócesis especialmente de la Diócesis. www.dcdiocese. de los trastornos mas destruc- al (800) 522-4700, o visite Niños de Dios. entrenadas como facilitadores. org/protectingchildren. tivos que una persona puede www.ksgamblinghelp.com.