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Southwest Kansas “He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might, he increases strength.” atholic -- Isaiah 40:29 TheC Newspaper of the Diocese of Dodge City dcdiocese.org/swkscatholic Vol. XLV No. 7 June 7, 2020 Celebrating joyfully, safely A masked Father Jim Dieker celebrates the Feast of Pentecost at St. John the Baptist Parish in Meade. Bishop John Brungardt recently allowed public Masses to resume at all but a few parishes, with restrictions. (See the June 7 print issue or the May 24 online issue). “Catechize in “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Catholic down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation Faith with and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause Diligence” them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.” IT was A battle -- Isaiah 45:8 unprecedented in the annals of history, at least annals that didn’t include battles in which priests from different dioceses took part in a PASTORAL PLAN FROM BURMA game of Family Feud via Zoom on PeACe, JUSTICe Bishop June John’s 7, 2020 series continues with love: A refugee story Facebook during a pandemic. PopeSouthwest offers prayersKansas forCatholic U.S. Catechize in the Catholic Faith with Diligence ou cannot love whom you do not know,” a bishop this reality: “… truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21). told me years ago. Sure, we can love everyone This catechesis is a life-long activity. We do not Yin a generic sense. His point was that the better “graduate” from our faith formation as children or we know someone, the more we love him/her. If this is youth. I travelled to the Vatican in January to meet true for a spouse or a friend, it should be true for God. with the various Congregations, learning about Pope The bishop was describing how important catechesis Francis’ plan to evangelize. Our priests meet together is: the better we know the Lord, the more we can love several times a year for conferences and workshops. and serve Him. Our diocese has many catechetical offerings, such The second theme of our Pastoral Plan for the as Pastoral Ministry Formation. Our parishes have diocese is “To Catechize in the Catholic Faith with interesting classes and groups to assist. A wealth of Diligence – Form all as faithful witnesses of Jesus online videos, podcasts, curricula, and articles for Christ.” Our key scripture is “Guide me in your formation are available. Check into some of these The Most Rev. truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior” resources. John B. Brungardt, (Psalm25:5). Catechesis is to teach and learn about “He began to teach them” (Matthew 5:2). Let us Bishop of the God and His plan for our life, to form our children, listen to the Great Teacher, our Risen Savior Jesus Catholic Diocese of youth, adults and to be formed ourselves in the Christ. Let us grow in the knowledge of our Catholic Dodge City Catholic Faith of Jesus Christ. Jesus said: “I am the Faith, in order to better know, serve and love God. way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Truth is Our Ascended Lord will help us, He loves us more not a “what,” but a “who:” Jesus. St. Paul wrote about than we can ask or imagine! Pastoral ow do we love all people as God loves, in a practical way? The Catholic Church has taught for 2,000 years that we Hput into practice this divine love by evangelizing, catechizing, building community, praying, and serving. I introduce our Pastoral Plan Outline for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City for 2020-2025. This outline (below) is the product Plan of two years of discussion and prayer by priests, chancery staff, and the faithful of the diocese. Outline I encourage you to ponder and pray with this Pastoral Plan Outline. Be nourished by the seven scripture verses. Be moved by the teachings of the Catholic Church through the ages. Be inspired by Jesus Christ the Risen One: He loves you more than you can ask or imagine! + Bishop John “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). • • • “Love One Another as I Love You.” (John 15:12) 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 nations.” (Matthew 28:19). A To Catechize in the Catholic Faith with Diligence – Form all as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. “Guide me by your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior” (Psalm 25:5). B To Build Community with Love – Unite all in a hope-filled relationship with God and one another. “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21). C To Pray with Devotion – Worship the Father, through Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit as community and D individually. “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). To Serve with Compassion – Accompany all in the Lord, especially the poor. e “Serve one another through love.” (Galatians 5:13). 2 June 7, 2020 Southwest Kansas Catholic Farmers and ranchers in Kansas can If you have severe anxiety... • In this time of isolation and fear, it’s normal to experience now apply for financial assistance anxiety and worry. If you, or someone you care about, are feeling through USDA’s Coronavirus Food overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, contact the Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Assistance Program Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517). gricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus • For information about suicide prevention, visit Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct A SpeakingOfSuicide.com, or, if you are having thoughts of payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- application and a payment calculator are now available online, 273-8255. and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff members are available • If these fears have led to a reoccurrence of opioid, drug via phone, fax and online tools to help producers complete or alcohol abuse, visit https://ckfaddictiontreatment.org/, or applications. The agency set up a call center in order to simplify how call (785) 825-6224. they serve new customers across the nation. “We know Kansas producers are facing a tough time now, and we are making every effort to provide much needed support as quickly Spread the Word: SKC online as possible,” said David Schemm, State Executive Director for FSA Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the SKC has printed an 8- in Kansas. “FSA is available over the phone and virtually to walk you page, limited run issue to provide a continued presence in local through the application process, whether it’s the first time you’ve churches. Please help spread the word that this extended- worked with FSA, or if you know us quite well.” length, full color magazine style issue of the Southwest Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020. CFAP, Kansas Catholic is available online and free to view at www. Continued on Page 30 dcdiocese.org/swkscatholic. Protecting God’s Children COVID-19 he Catholic Diocese of Dodge City requires and other educational efforts of the diocese, all Tall employees and volunteers who work people of the diocese can learn how to discuss Resource page with children to participate in a Protecting God’s different aspects of abuse — including sexual. Catholic Charities of South- Children awareness session. Please check upcoming issues or visit dcdiocese. west Kansas has started a CO- Through the Diocesan Awareness Sessions org/safe-environment for updates. VID-19 Resource page on their website at https://catholic- IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE charitiesswks.org/2020-pan- If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child in In addition, Mr. Befort will offer the help of the demic-response. Kansas and the child is in immediate danger, call Assistance Minister, whose goal is to be a listening “As we become aware of 911 or local law enforcement. ear and to promote healing. resources, this is where we If you have suspicion a child is being abused or The Review Board is a consultative body of lay will pass them on to you on neglected, make a confidential report to Kansas Catholics and one priest representative who ad- this webpage,” read a state- Department for Children and Families Protection vise the Bishop in his assessment of allegations of ment. “You can find informa- Report Center, 800-922-5330 or to the KBI Hot- sexual abuse, reviews diocesan policies for dealing tion about COVID-19, financial line, 800-KSCRIME (800-572-7463), or by emailing with sexual abuse of minors and offers advice on assistance, resources for food, [email protected]. all aspects of sexual abuse cases retrospectively employment, counseling, and If you suspect sexual abuse by Church per- and prospectively. insurance, and information in sonnel, in addition to making a report to the The Assistance Minister’s role is to aid in the multiple languages for immi- proper civil authorities, contact Charles Befort, pastoral care of persons who claim to have been grants and refugees. We will the diocesan Review Board representative who sexually abused as minors by clergy or other continue to post resources as receives and follows up on reports. His contact church personnel, whether the abuse was recent they become available to us, information is [email protected], 620-285-3219.