John Shelby Spong C atholic

Southwest Kansas For Unto Us a Child is Born! Unto us a Son is given!

NewspaperC of the Catholicatholic Diocese of Dodge City www.dcdiocese.org/swkscatholic vol. LIII, No. 17 Sunday, December 23, 2018

“Thank you, Jesus, for salvation! ... We recall His humble and poor beginnings as a Babe in a manger. At times we are poor: spiritually, physically, or emotionally. We take hope that, as Jesus taught, ‘Blessed are you poor, yours is the kingdom of God!’” -- Bishop John Thank you, Jesus!

hank you, Jesus, for salvati on! We prepare for the celebrati on of the birthday of our Savior Jesus Christ. We recall His humble and poor beginnings as a Babe in a manger. At ti mes we are poor: spiritu- The Most Rev. ally, physically, or emoti onally. We take John B. Brungardt, hope that, as Jesus taught, “Blessed are Bishop of the Catholic you poor, yours is the kingdom of God” Diocese of Dodge City (Lk 6:20). This Christmas, let us refl ect on the joy of salvati on. who needed to be cured” Thank you, Jesus, for the abundant gen- (Luke 9:11). This Christmas, erosity and sacrifi ce of the people of the let us ponder the Christ diocese. I just completed my Vibrant Min- Child’s healing touch in our istries appeal “Thank You Celebrati ons.” I lives. gave my grati tude at the weekend Masses Be assured of my prayers of each of our 48 parishes. Such an for you and your loved ones outpouring of fi nancial charity for works this Christmas season and of mercy, Catholic faith formati on, and beyond. Thank you, Baby priests and seminarians! “Give thanks to Jesus, You love us more the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures ing of my brain tumor. Many thanks to steroid drug for over fi ve months, with no than we can ask or imagine. forever” (Psalm 118:1). This Christmas, let you for your prayers and support during returning of the original symptoms. Jesus A joyous Christmas to you! us pray about the happiness of giving. my recovery. My last MRI test showed “received them and spoke to them about Thank you, Jesus, for the conti nued heal- improvement, and I have been off the the kingdom of God, and he healed those + Bishop John Page 2 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic

Angelic voices lifted in song The lasting of passing things JETMORE - The ord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendor of sanctuary of the Father: Lord have mercy. St. Lawrence LWe use that Invocation for the penitential rite from Church was time to time, and especially in Advent. Verbum Caro filled with angels factum est, we used to say. That is at the heart of the Dec. 2 as the Christmas season, as it is at the heart of the Christian elementary faith. school religious You understand the human frame, well enough, the education articulation of its parts inside and outside, the working of students its soul and mind and freedom: you understand flesh. presented a But it is much broader than that. It includes our kin- program on the ship with all created things. It also means success and Bishop Emeritus first Sunday of failure, therefore, sickness and health too, accident and Ronald M. Gilmore Advent. Smaller circumstance and blind fate. Family, work, relationships, groups took the whole web of our lives: all that is there too. All that Another Way turns presenting is flesh too. vignettes All the things of entitled: The Final Prayer for Thursday of the first week of Ad- “This Child vent has these words: flesh are pass- Will Be Called … even now, as we walk among passing things, ing things. But You teach us by them Emmanuel,” note the stun- “The To love the things that do not pass away, Annunciation The things of heaven. ning thing the of Mary,” “A Incarnation tells All the things of flesh are passing things. But note the Savior Is Born,” us: you teach us and “The Visit stunning thing the Incarnation tells us: you teach us by of the Magi,” them. The things that pass away are raised on high, and by them. The with the angelic now have a priceless role to play. Because he became things that pass flesh, he can come to us in the things that pass away. He choir lifting their away are raised voices in song does ask us each day to Come to him, in this way. between each. So, love the passing things of your life, but love them on high, and now in the Lord. They are the way we come to him. They have a priceless Photo by Tim are the privileged way he teaches us to love the things Wenzl of Heaven. May the Christmas Feast and the Christmas role to play. Season teach you by them, the lasting by the passing. The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 3 Christmas Memories Stringing popcorn and forming a tinfoil star By LISA RIDDER little money to spend on Lisa Ridder is the Christmas and decorations. Director of Religious We strung popcorn and Education at St. Mary cranberries and used Parish, Marienthal. cow tags as Christmas Veselé vánoce hristmas memories ornaments. We also (Merry Christmas) ... ahhh. I can’t help fashioned a star out of Cbut smile thinking tinfoil and cardboard to Memories of a of all our Christmas adorn the top of our little memories. At the time, tree. some didn’t seem that Even though it was just ‘Slovak’ Christmas funny, but we did truly the four of us—Tom and I, By REGIS LOPATA enjoy them all. our unborn child and our Regis Lopata is the RCIA Director at Sacred Heart of Jesus O n e o f t h e m o s t Border Collie Abe—and Parish in Larned. He is also an Associate with the Order of St. memorable would be Tom we were away from both Benedict. and my first Christmas as our families, it is one of our s a child, my fondest memories of Christmas were a married couple. He was a student at Colorado State favorites because we were blessed to be able to spend related to Christmas Eve, which was celebrated in our University and I worked for the University; we were our first Christmas together as a new family and start Ahome with extended family members on my mother’s expecting our first child the middle of January. our own memories and traditions! side. These family members included my grandparents, With both of our families being in Kansas (and A few days after that first Christmas, our oldest child a bachelor uncle, and an aunt and uncle with their three travel out of the question), we worked together to Calli was born, and we have been blessed with four children. The Christmas Eve dinner consisted of foods and implement Christmas traditions that we would be more children: Sarah, Lane, Joseph, and Nevaeh, and traditions that did not occur at any other time of the year. missing out on back home. we have had many wonderful Christmas’s since that I am of Slovak descent, and the meal consisted primarily That was the Christmas of 1990 and that winter very first one! of Slovak foods. The dinner started with each family was an extremely cold one. We lived in an old As I look back at our first Christmas, I realized that member receiving an oplatki, which is unleavened bread farmhouse southeast of Loveland, Colorado and just as Advent is a time for preparing, I was preparing like the communion host (the spelling of Slovak items is spent most of the winter trying to keep our pipes for Christmas—I was preparing to join the Catholic approximate). from freezing. Church, and I was preparing to give birth to our first The oplatki were white or pink rectangular wafers with We had been married for about a year and had child. Christmas images on them (about 3” x 6”), and we ate them with honey. My grandmother would make a sign of the cross on each child’s forehead with honey just prior to eating. A quiet time of gratitude After the oplatki,langosh was served. This was similar to By Trish Keller anointed one. a pastry with lekvar on it. Lekvar is a prune jelly, and was Trish Keller is a parishioner at St. Dominic Parish in Garden Urgent cardiac problems accompanied by the frequently consumed in our home, although langosh was City. She has served as an instructor for the Pastoral Ministry inevitable complications and long hospital stays only served on Christmas Eve. Lekvar is absolutely delicious. Formation Program and is an RCIA catechist. dominated Doug’s life for many months. So, Christmas The course consisted of soup, which was either Kouzade he plan was for a quiet Christmas. No more needed to be a quiet one. We had a convalescent in or a fresh mushroom soup. Kouzade is a dried mushroom traveling to out-of-town grandparents in a van the house, one sustained—and to my mind, kept alive soup with sauerkraut juice. It is very dark brown in color, Toverstuffed with kids, luggage, and gifts. —by God’s intervention through the Church. and tasted really bad to me, so the fresh mushroom soup As of the last few years, the last of those beloved In three different hospitals in three different states, was always my choice. After this, the main dish consisted of grandparents, God willing, are at rest in the perpetual ministers, both lay and ordained, anointed his hands bobalky, which is very small dough balls drenched in melted light. Now, the kids are near-adults who travel to us by and his head, united our prayers with those of others butter and mixed with sauerkraut or dried cottage cheese. train and plane. My husband and I have become the across space and time, and nourished his spirit with My mother would also make some plain bobalky in butter, ones who wait for grown children to come home. the Eucharistic bread. which was for my youngest cousin. Bobalky was one of my The same and different – that was Christmas 2017 Eventually, through converging circumstances that favorite foods, although it was only served on Christmas for our family. only God is privy to, a new heart became available Eve. Mom would also fry some fish and shrimp, which was We still watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” and shouted, via transplant from an unknown donor, whose death served with the bobalky. We did not consume meat with the “Atta boy, Clarence!” We still attended St. Dominic’s brought another life. An incarnation of sorts that can dinner, although even as a young child I was given a small 10:30 Mass and belted out “Joy to the World.” We still only be pondered in the ... well, heart. amount of wine to drink. Dessert consisted of a huge variety opened presents, laughed, and ate. To be sure, food and presents and Christmas music of cookies. Different was being able to sleep in—no more small and movies make up the skin of Christmas—what we After the meal, the family would gather in the living room children awakening in the small hours, eager to check see and think of first. But below the surface, from the for the opening of Christmas presents. Actually, we had to their stockings. muscles and bones and blood, come the vitality of wait for the food to be put away and all the dishes washed, Most different, though, for this quiet Christmas, this day and season—God’s taking shape and form in dried, and put away before we opened presents. The was gratitude for the living presence of our anointed Christ. In 2017, that different and quiet Christmas, our preparation of the meal, and the cleaning up afterwards was, one: the Christ—the anointed one fundamentally and family felt most keenly gratitude for Christ’s continuing of course, done by the women of the family. The wait for most certainly—but also, my husband Doug, the thrice- incarnation in the Church that sustained us. the opening of gifts seemed interminable for a young child. Gifts would be opened by age, from the youngest to the oldest. Since I was the youngest or second youngest after the birth of my cousin, I was the first or second to open my A child’s sacrifice gifts. When all the gifts were opened, the family would visit for a short period of time before the other family members By FATHER JOHN FORKUOH returned home. Father John Forkuoh is the pastor at the parishes of St. John the After a period of rest, we would dress in our finest clothes Baptist, Spearville, St. Lawrence, Jetmore, and St. Anthony, Hanston. for Christmas Midnight Mass. Actually, in my family it was y best memory about Christmas was when I was 12 years and the midnight Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Catholic Church. my older brother and friend refused to wear his new pair of Incense was always used for this liturgy, and the priest Mshoes because I did not get a new pair for the Christmas. would walk up and down the aisles while waving the censor. Christmas was a joyful celebration and we always looked forward to The entire church would be filled with incense, which always it. Our parents would buy us new clothes, shoes, socks and even gave us made me feel sick when I was a young child. After returning new haircuts. One Christmas my parents bought a pair of shoes from the city for me and it didn’t fit (items home, which was very late at night, we would gather in the bought from stores could not be returned even now). kitchen for more cookies and a drink. When I was older, I had to wait for the following Christmas to get a new pair of shoes. And my older brother would not wear the drink was cream sherry. The family would visit for a his new pair of shoes until I got mine the following year. period of time before retiring for the night. Even after many I still remember the great and loving sacrifice my brother and friend made. years, thinking of Christmas Eve brings back very pleasant God bless George, my brother. memories of a wonderful childhood. Step back with me, if you will, to a time when a young whipper snapper named George W. Bush was in office, Pope John Paul II was still our pontiff, I had a Labrador named Sarah, and my brain was still fully functioning.

Page 4 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic Commentary The story of the Christmas Mole A day for everyone ’m one of the lucky ones who will mole home. “Fernwood decided y dad’s family were deeply devout Baptists. Inever forget the joy and the magic of “Meanwhile, above his little that from that day Dad converted to Catholicism when he my childhood Christmas. dwelling under the sands, a donkey forward, he would Mmarried my mother, a conversion that I remember it like it was yesterday. carrying a weary pregnant woman share his story in began when he had that magical epiphany, that Each Christmas Eve, me, my brother and being led by a haggard, hopes of delivering a joyous realization that Christ was truly present in and sisters were told the story of the bearded man trundled along, a message of hope to all the Eucharist. “Christmas Mole.” I’ll never forget bright star lighting their way,” those who felt badly He dove head-first into the Catholic Church. my mom telling the story—her two Mom said softly. on this, the most holy Growing up, I remember celebrating a Mass in our youngest boys each sitting on a knee, My sisters tensed up, having By Dave Myers of days, the day of the basement. Mom and Dad became integral parts of my older sisters curled up by my heard the story before. Editor birth of our savior!” our parish, participating in and hosting all sorts of dad.... “Suddenly the donkey tilted “Why would anyone feel programs and events. “A long time ago, in a desert far, deeply to the right, his front leg having bad at Christmas?” my sister asked. As a family, we would sit down together on many far away, there lived a mole named fallen through some sort of hole, “Well, it’s a time when we’re supposed nights singing songs from the church hymnal. Fernwood,” Mom said as an artificial twisting his ankle! Oh, no! to be happy! Everything around us is Dad taught eighth grade catechism, and later fire crackled softly in a festive cardboard “’Ow!’ the donkey said. ‘What the telling us to be happy, the music, the volunteered with the Archdiocese’s Hospice fireplace. heck, man?’ decorations …. And when we aren’t program, and for several years would become friends “A mole like the one growing on “Mary would have tumbled off of happy despite all that, it makes us with people who were in the later stages of a terminal Davy’s nose?” my brother asked, the donkey (whose name was Sven) if even sadder! Sometimes we feel guilty illness, sitting with them, talking, sharing, helping. innocently. Joseph hadn’t quickly reached out to about things that happened in the past. Later still, this deeply devout Catholic began “No, this wasn’t a mole like the one support her. Sometimes we feel sad because we are sponsoring refugees, not caring whether they were growing on Davy’s nose,” Mom said as “‘It appears to be a mole hole!’ alone, or because we or someone we Catholic, Christian or, as was the case with many of she pointed to the mole that I’d later Joseph said to Sven. love is sick. them, Muslim. have removed amid excruciating pain. “‘Well that’s just great!” Sven said, “Fernwood caused the Holy Family While our Muslim friends don’t celebrate Christmas, “It’s the kind of mole that lives in the painfully. to suffer even more those last miles Dad taught me that Christmas certainly celebrates ground! “’Uh, oh,’ Fernwood uttered after a to Bethlehem, yet the Savior’s mission them! He taught me that Christmas celebrates all “Fernwood lived beneath the sands of giant hoof came crashing through his was to take that guilt away, to make those whom our Loving Lord came here to save. Jerusalem, not far from the birthplace home, squashing his living room table. Fernwood feel joy ... to feel loved! He taught me that God so loved the world, that he of Jesus. Even though he was just a ‘This can’t be good.’ That’s the gift of Jesus’s birth! sent his son to die for us. He so loved all of us. Not mole, he’d heard about the upcoming “Undeterred, Joseph, filled with “C’mon, children!” Mom said after just Catholics. Not just Americans. Not just people birth of the savior!” the love of God and the power of the finishing the story. “Let’s sing!” And of one color. If Jesus loved each and every one of us “How’d he hear about it?” my older unborn Savior, carried Mary on one we’d all sing in celebration of the great enough to die for us, what does that tell us about how sister asked. “I thought it was secret!” shoulder the rest of their journey to gift of God: the birth of our Loving and we should be treating one another? Dad knew the “Well,” Mom told us, “it seems the Bethlehem, and Sven on the other. Forgiving Lord, God’s Son, Jesus. answer, and he lived it every day. -- Dave Myers mole had a mole who’d joined the This is noted in the book of Matthew, shepherds, earning their trust and which reads, ‘Joseph carried Mary and Inherit the Mirth By Cuyler Black sharing the good news!” Sven the Donkey after Sven hurt his leg “Didn’t the shepherds know he was stepping into a mole hole.’ (Mt 1:26) a mole?” “As for Fernwood, well, he felt “They knew he was a mole, but what terrible. So terrible, in fact, that he they didn’t know was that he was a unpacked his bag, put his socks back in mole!” his sock drawer, and cried.” “Mommy?” I asked. “Was the mole’s Mom paused to let the moment sink mole like my mole?” in. “No, Davy ....” “What happened to Fernwood?” I “Did the shepherd have a mole?” asked. “Did he die?” “Yes. I mean, no! We’re talking about “No, heh, heh. He didn’t die. But he two kinds of moles, here, Davy. A little did stop eating. And he never came out animal, and a long-term clandestine of his mole hole. spy recruited to get access to secret “That is, until several days later when intelligence.” he heard a familiar trundling across the “But which is the one on my nose?” desert sands above. “Neither one, Davy. Yours is an “‘Could it be?’ he asked his stuffed unsightly blemish which you will one mouse, Little Carl. Oh, no! What if they day have removed amid excruciating step into his mole hole again? Fernwood pain.” darted to his door and poked his head “Oh.” out. There came the same couple, but “So, anyway, Fernwood decided this time with a tiny babe! Even Sven was that even though he was just a mole, okay, although he walked with a cane. he would follow the star to Bethlehem “Fernwood was so happy! Why had so that he could pay homage to the he wasted so much time feeling so bad newborn King. He packed his little mole about himself? He was so loved by God bag, careful not to forget a change of that God sent his son, the newborn socks, and prepared to leave his little King, so he could be forgiven!

Official Newspaper Bishop John B. Brungardt Published Semi-Monthly by the Publisher Catholic Diocese of Dodge City. All David Myers material in this newspaper is Editor copyrighted 2018. Tim Wenzl The Southwest Kansas Catholic Advertising Manager P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801 Daniel Stremel, CPA Phone: (620) 227-1519 Business Manager Facsimile: (620) 227-1545 Service of Editors email: [email protected] Msgr. A.J. Felling 1966-1971 website: dcdiocese.org/ Byron Hull 1971-1974 swkscatholic Margaret Klenke 1974-1990 Tim Wenzl 1990-2000 The Southwest Kansas Catholic Commentary December 23, 2018 Page 5 Christmas giving will help those who are most in need Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas launches annual appeal s I sit down to appeal to you for funding for our agency this year, I am mindful of the weary Apush and pull of emotions and contentiousness that has consumed the news and airwaves for most of this past year. In spite of all of the noise, a few themes emerge: Love for family and the desire for our children and grandchildren to be safe, happy, and free to pursue dreams and ambitions is the same driving force that moves some to build walls, and others to climb over walls. Our desire for strong communities and self- By Debbie Snapp sufficient individuals and families is the same driving Executive Director, force that moves some to call for tougher work Catholic Charities of requirements for those needing assistance, while Southwest Kansas others call for systemic change to remove barriers that keep people down. Our desire for a just world is the same driving force “Sometimes we provide intensive case management so that a homeless mother that moves some to advocate for less government achieves permanent housing and better income. Sometimes, we spend months control while others advocate for more government providing one-on-one counseling so that an individual can cope a little better with the safe-guards to protect the most vulnerable. At Catholic Charities, we are so keenly aware of the struggles and anxieties of life; or so that a teen mom can make the difficult decision struggle. The issues that keep people and communities about whether to parent her child or to create an adoption plan; or so that an addict from being their best are complex. We know that can face his or her demons and make amends with family, friends and co-workers. lasting change does not happen with band-aids and quick-fix approaches, but with the daily, committed, Sometimes, we teach classes about financial literacy, managing a home, nurturing a compassionate, in-the-trenches work with those in child, or adopting a child.” -- Debbie Snapp need. Some of the people we work with are indeed challenged to make life-style changes and better choices. Others need instruction because they simply do in and day out. Regardless of the struggles swirling around not know what they do not know. And still others—perhaps us, we strive to get to the heart of the matter: Honoring our senior neighbor or the little girl next door—have been human potential through service, advocacy and invitation,

Ways to Donate treated unfairly and they need a voice that is louder than in the spirit of the Gospel, so that every person experiences their own. hope and fulfillment. By Phone Sometimes, we provide intensive case management so Today, as we do every year at this time, I write to ask you Call (620) 227-1562 that a homeless mother achieves permanent housing and to support this work with a prayerfully generous financial M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST better income. Sometimes, we spend months providing gift. BY MAIL one-on-one counseling so that an individual can cope a little Your gift helps us to stay focused on the persistent, Mail check or money order to: better with the struggles and anxieties of life; or so that a hopeful, in-the-trenches work that makes a lasting impact teen mom can make the difficult decision about whether to in the lives of people and families who need help—the kind Catholic Charities parent her child or to create an adoption plan; or so that an of impact that leads to strong communities, self-sufficient 906 Central Ave addict can face his or her demons and make amends with individuals and families, and a just world. May God bless Dodge City KS 67801 family, friends and co-workers. Sometimes, we teach classes you for your generosity. ONLINE about financial literacy, managing a home, nurturing a child, https://catholiccharitiesswks.org or adopting a child. Debbie Snapp This is the kind of work we do at Catholic Charities, day Executive Director, Catholic Charities of SWKansas The goods of society think often, these days, about the And still more goods I take for granted: they slip off the grid and then more things s p a c e . I t i s t h e phrase “the goods of society.” The lifelong benefits of a good education. happen and they lose what little they had space between the I I like the word “goods.” And I like Connections. The ability to speak up and including hope and they can’t keep up and beautiful gospel of the word “society,” too. It means our life to trust that, for the most part, my words the cracks in the pavement are ready to Jesus whom I believe, together, like family. will be heard, that I will be respected, and swallow them alive, where, I have to ask, and a pernicious spirit What are these goods of society? They taken seriously. did humanity go? which chews at the are the good things, I sense, that make a life But from where I stand, the “goods of When I work and earn my keep, it is edges of my soul, feel whole, that give shape and rootedness, society” which I gratefully enjoy look a lot because I have a home and the means to perhaps at the edges possibility and meaning. like privilege. Instinctively, I know that this bathe and feed and care for myself, and of your soul, as well. Jesus might refer to these goods as the is not right. Privilege is a separator, not a healthcare and reliable public transit and I live, and maybe you By Mary goods of the kingdom, the goods of the Land of creator, of community. early education for which my parents paid do, too, in the tension Sharon Moore the Rightside Up, where everyone, everyone, Living the fullness of life should not and higher education for which, in part, between the ideal of Poor, Like Jesus lives to full measure their image of God. be a privilege available to some. Society my state’s taxpayers generations ahead humanity fully alive They are the good things, I discover, that includes more people than those who of me paid. and the reality of humanity gasping for air. for many people are simply vanishing, good can always pay their way. Inclusion in I have breathing space to feel inspired. I live with the burden of these goods things I take for granted … the human community should not be a I have connections and voice and the of society, which I have gained not on … Like a place I call home, with a bed, a monetized commodity. But increasingly it means to show up and contribute to the my own. I live with the sobering duty kitchen, a bathroom, clear running water, a is. And this, I declare, is morally wrong. larger conversation. I have systems in place and irresistible invitation to share justly, place to store and refrigerate and prepare When I am housed and fed and protected that keep me hopeful and encouraged and generously, joyfully, of what has been given my meals. A place that keeps me cool in from the elements and able to seek medical feeling positive each day. unbidden to me. summer and cozy in winter. care and to get easily around my town I have looked in the eyes of my peeps on More goods I take for granted: Access and able to reap the benefits of education the street and listened to their stories and (c) Mary Sharon Moore, 2018. All Rights to healthcare and the means, thanks to and connections—and my peeps Lyla wept with them and prayed with them and Reserved. Mary Sharon Moore writes Medicare, to pay for it. Goods like mobility, and Stephen and Tamara and Richard held their leathery hands and seen the gaps and speaks nationwide on the nature both physical and over distances, thanks to and Rachel and Ron and Lisa and Isaiah where teeth used to be. of God’s calling in our times. Visit public transit. All goods of society. are not, because things happen and then So I live in a morally uncomfortable marysharonmoore.com Coming Monday

Page 6 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic How to stay stress-free during the holidays — and all year long By STEPhANIE RECK for others. Having unrealisti c expectati ons t’s that time of year again when “Nobody for yourself and others can lead to the hustle and bustle of the holiday sent me a disappointment and depression. Iseason is upon us. This ti me of year Christmas 10. Start a new traditi on for your family, more people suffer from depressive such as taking communion and reading the episodes than at any other ti me of the card today. I Christmas story from the Bible. year, usually brought on by stress, anxiety, know nobody 11. Focus on the reason for the season. and sadness. likes me. Why Keeps things in perspecti ve. For the last couple of years, I have had do we have to 12. Try and not reminisce of how many challenges during this ti me of year. things were before, this can lead to For one, my parents divorced and now have a holiday discontentment; instead focus on what is they are remarried with separate families, season to good in your life now. my grandparents passed away and I was emphasize it?” 13. If you have suff ered a loss or have extremely close to them, my only child is -- Charlie Brown gone through something tragic, be gentle now my prodigal waiti ng to come home, on yourself. Don’t compare yourself to and I have been estranged from several yourself mentally by not complaining and mind off your situati on. others and what they are doing or what family members because of addicti ons and speaking negati ve things over yourself and 6. Step away from all the craziness of they have. This may mean getting off mental health issues. others. the season and do something for yourself of Facebook and looking at everyone’s Needless to say, the holidays can be 2. Don’t try and keep up with everyone like, take a warm bubble bath or watch seemingly perfect life. This also may stressful. Maybe you can relate. Have you else’s spending and busyness. Do what you an old Christmas movie. Do something mean that you are not up to going to suff ered the loss of a loved one, recently can do, and ask God what you should be enjoyable. every Christmas program, party, or family been divorced, are you taking care of elderly involved in. 7. Start a grati tude list, and every day event. parents, or maybe even a sick child? 3. Learn to say, “No.” Strike a balance write out (5) things that you are thankful What can you add to this list? Will you with meeti ng needs of others and your for. CHOOSE to focus on what you do join me and share your ideas, it could help needs. Set boundaries with diffi cult people. have. Tips on how to avoid stress someone else, and please pass this on to You don’t have to meet the demands of 8. Take it one day at a time. Do not others who need encouragement. 1. Take care of yourself physically by others. Do what is best for your family. project outcomes to situati ons before they exercising and getti ng rest when needed, 4. Be a blessing to someone else, or to happen. and spiritually by spending daily ti me with Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC is several people. 9. Let go of ALL guilt. Don’t place the founder of Hope Ministry. She is the God. Pray! Enjoy the silence so that you 5. Pray for others who may be going unrealisti c expectati ons on yourself. Let may hear the voice of God! Take care of author of, “Disciplining Your Mind 30 Days through a diffi cult ti me, it can take your go of expectati ons that you might have to a Bett er You!” Are you fi ghti ng depression? HELP is available! Remember that you don’t have to cope help. mediately. healthcare or basic necessities such as with depression alone—there is always U.S. Nati onal Suicide Preventi on Life- Kristi n Brooks Hope Center Hopeline: housing and food by directi ng you to local help available. Hotline staff ers are trained line: 1-800-273-8255. If you are having 1-800-784-2433. This hotline can help you services. to handle calls like yours and off er you thoughts of suicide, call this number im- cope with a range of depressive feelings. Check with your doctor: If it’s not an veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 emergency, and you’re batt le of depres- (press 1). Responders understand the sion isn’t necessarily associated with the unique experiences of veterans. holidays but is ongoing, check with your United Way helpline: 1-800-233-4357. doctor. He or she can prescribe medicati on They can aid you in locati ng a therapist, that may help. Healing From The Pain By TONy GRATER You can recover from the divorce, Take the blade away from your wrist, You can beat the addicti on, Remove the noose from around your You can overcome the abuse, neck, You can heal from the pain... Put the cap back on the pills, Take the barrel out of your mouth, God has a plan for you. Come in from the ledge... He loves you, He’s waiti ng for you. No divorce is that awful, Let Him into your life, No addicti on is that unbeatable, Put your faith in His Son, No amount of abuse is so unbearable, And He can deliver you from it all... No amount of pain is so agonizing... That you should leave it all behind, Tony Grater is a self-described husband, And shatt er the lives of those who love father, believer in Christ, metal head and you... sports fan. Arti cle reprinted with permission from faithwriters.com.

“Our Lady was the most wonderful wire. She allowed God to fi ll her to the brim. By her surrender ‘Be it done to me ac- cording to thy word’,] she became ‘full of grace.’ The moment she was fi lled by the current, by the grace of God, she went in haste to Elizabeth’s house to connect the wire, John, to the current, Jesus. As his mother said, ‘This child, John, leapt up with joy at your voice.’ Let us ask Our Lady to come into our lives also and make the current, Jesus, use us to go round the world, especially in our own communiti es so that we can con- ti nue connecti ng the wires of the hearts of men and women with the current, Jesus.” -- St. Mother Teresa It should have been expected when discussing centuries-old attitudes toward women, yet the Oct. 26 Scripture Day, presented by Father Raymond Collins,

The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 7 The story of two ‘white-knuckle’ journeys By Jerry Ousley Emperor, Caesar, issued a mandatory tax ourneys can be very fun or very that required everyone in the Roman dangerous. I remember a journey Empire to travel to the city of their birth Jmy son, Jeremy and I took one to be registered. winter. He was a senior in high school You can read the story in Luke 2:1-5. I and had been accepted into Valparaiso call it a “white knuckle” trip because not University in Valparaiso, Indiana. We live only did they have to be careful in her in southern Indiana about 35 miles due delicate condition, but they had to watch north of Louisville, Kentucky. Valparaiso out for bandits, snakes, wild animals and is in northern Indiana about 50 miles from all kinds of treacherous dangers to travel Chicago, Illinois. from Nazareth, located in northern Israel, Under normal circumstances (and by to Bethlehem, located in southern Israel. normal I mean warm weather suitable for Joseph walked while Mary rode on the back traveling), the trip took about four to five of a donkey. hours. However, it was in the middle of It wasn’t an easy journey. I’m certain that the winter. The reason for the journey was they were tempted to complain about the that an orientation had been scheduled. It situation. Isn’t it just like the government wasn’t mandatory, but he really wanted to make such a requirement with no to attend. consideration for the people? He and I had planned to go, but frankly But behind the scenes, this trip was it began snowing that day. The more it ordered by God Himself. He had moved snowed the more I didn’t want to go and “...Not only did they have to be careful in her delicate the Roman Emperor to do this so as to tried to talk him out of it. But as I said, he condition, but they had to watch out for bandits, snakes, navigate the couple to the place spoken really wanted to go. Deb, Megan and one of of in prophecy as the city of birth of the Deb’s sisters had been shopping that day, wild animals and all kinds of treacherous dangers to travel Messiah. It all worked out for the good, but and we had to wait until they got home so from Nazareth, located in northern Israel, to Bethlehem, isn’t it wonderful that God orchestrated we could drive the better car. the moving of an entire empire for the sake If I remember correctly, it was about located in southern Israel. Joseph walked while Mary rode of a poor, insignificant couple? four o’clock that afternoon before they on the back of a donkey.” This Christmas realize that God has arrived home, which meant (again under things under control for those who are normal circumstances) that it would be For certain it was a “white knuckle” wheel. But we made it! called His people. It may seem as though eight or nine o’clock that evening before trip. The road would get nearly clear for In the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph everything is going wrong. It may seem as we arrived. We had reserved a motel, but I a couple of miles, then we’d hit a stretch took one of those “white knuckle” trips. though the roof is caving in on you. But just was more than willing to cancel. When they of nothing but pure ice. If it hadn’t have She was due to deliver the child Jesus at as He took care of this poor couple, He is got home he still wanted to go even though been so treacherous, it would have been any time. Wouldn’t you know it, the Roman also taking care of us. it hadn’t stopped snowing, so we went. nearly comical. The trip wasn’t too bad until we got When we’d get to the stretches that north of Indianapolis. It was beginning to weren’t so bad, the traffic would speed up get dark, and then the snow increased. to 70-plus. But not us; nooooo, we stayed The road conditions grew worse and worse at grandpa speed because we never knew and consequently so did the highway. We when we’d suddenly hit one of those bad slowed down, way down. Now I’ve got to stretches. When we did, many of those tell you that I don’t take chances on slick vehicles that had passed us were now off roads. the road on either side. The Interstate speed limit was 70 miles We didn’t count, but I’d bet during per hour, but folks, old grandpa Jerry here the course of the trip we passed 100 was only going about half that speed. The vehicles or more that had spun off the goal was to get there, not to get there road because they didn’t want to reduce quickly. I always figured that it was better their speed. It was nearly midnight but we to get there late than not to get there at arrived at our motel where my son had to all! pry my cold stiff fingers from the steering

Photo of the Week Finding cheer amid war Telegraph Wardens do their best to keep up the Christmas cheer in a bunker beneath a central London cinema during the Bombing of Britain in the Second World War. Page 8 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic The night Charles Dickens was visited by the Spirit of… the Virgin Mary?

WTN n the famous novel A Christmas Carol, the main character The spirit had the form of EEbenezer — Scrooge I is visited one night by three spirits that eventually lead him to a woman and was draped having a spiritual conversion of sorts. What few people know is that the author in blue, “as the Madonna of that book, Charles Dickens, claimed to might in a picture by have had a nightti me spiritual encounter of his own. Raphael,” Dickens And who was the supernatural visitor? It just might have been the Blessed Virgin later wrote. He didn’t Mary. recognize the person, and Dickens was not a fan of Catholicism (or evangelical Protestantism, for that the fi gure said nothing, matt er). But that didn’t mean he wasn’t religious but simply looked at him himself. It’s not clear whether he adhered with deep compassion. more closely to Unitarianism or Anglicanism, Charles Dickens and a painti ng of the Virgin Mary but there’s a story that when his son was getti ng ready to leave on a trip to Australia, wanted to “most solemnly impress upon night and morning. I have never abandoned that, if this was indeed a real vision and he gift ed him a copy of the New Testament, [him] the truth and beauty of the Christi an it myself, and I know the comfort of it.” not just something of his imaginati on, he saying “it is the best book that ever was, or Religion, as it came from Christ Himself.” He Then, one dark night in 1844, he had a was visited by none other than the Blessed will be, known in the world.” conti nued: “Never abandon the wholesome strange supernatural experience. Virgin Mary. He also wrote a note to his son saying he practi ce of saying your own private prayers, In the midst of his sleep, he says he was Here’s the account as he wrote it in a visited by some sort of spirit. The spirit had lett er to his biographer: “[I want to] most solemnly impress upon you the form of a woman and was draped in “Let me tell you of a curious dream I had, blue, “as the Madonna might in a picture last Monday night; and of the fragments of the truth and beauty of the Christian Religion, by Raphael,” Dickens later wrote. He didn’t reality I can collect; which helped to make it recognize the person, and the fi gure said up… In an indisti nct place, which was quite as it came from Christ Himself. Never abandon nothing, but simply looked at him with sublime in its indisti nctness, I was visited deep compassion. by a Spirit. the wholesome practice of saying your own Cut to the heart, he started to implore “I could not make out the face, nor do I private prayers, night and morning. I have the spirit to leave him some evidence of recollect that I desired to do so. It wore a blue her appearance to him. When she gave no drapery, as the Madonna might in a picture never abandoned it myself, and I know the answer, he asked a much bolder questi on, by Raphael; and bore no resemblance to “What is the true religion?” any one I have known except in stature… comfort of it.” The fi gure remained silent sti ll, so he It was so full of compassion and sorrow for -- Charles Dickens, in a lett er to his son. started to off er possible answers. First he me… that it cut me to the heart; and I said, asked if one’s religion really matt ered as sobbing, ‘Oh! give me some token that you long as one lived a good life. Sti ll no answer. have really visited me!…’ Then, despite his disdain for all things “‘Answer me one… questi on!’ I said, in an Catholic, he asked, “perhaps the Roman agony of entreaty lest it should leave me. Catholic is the best? Perhaps it makes one ‘What is the True religion?’ As it paused a think of God oft ener, and believe in him moment without replying, I said – Good more steadily?” God in such an agony of haste, lest it should Finally the woman answered: “For you go away! – ’You think, as I do, that the Form it is the best!” Suddenly, she vanished, of religion does not so greatly matt er, if we and he awoke with tears streaming down try to do good?’ his face. “‘Or,’ I said, observing that it still So who was the woman? hesitated, and was moved with the greatest At least publicly, Dickens speculated that compassion for me, ‘perhaps the Roman the woman was his aunt Mary Hogarth, Catholic is the best? perhaps it makes one who had died seven years earlier and to think of God oft ener, and believe in him whom he had been close. But in his own more steadily?’ ‘For you,’ said the Spirit, recounti ng of the vision, the woman “bore full of such heavenly tenderness for me, no resemblance to any one I have known that I felt as if my heart would break; ‘for except in stature.” So that doesn’t seem to you it is the best!’ make much sense. “Then I awoke, with the tears running The fact the woman didn’t identify down my face, and myself in exactly herself makes it harder to determine her the conditi on of the dream. It was just identi ty with certainty. But several details dawn.” from the story – her blue clothes, look of compassion, and insistence he become The preceding article was provided by Roman Catholic – make it seem fairly likely Churchpop.com, a subsidiary of EWTN.

“Every mother, when she picks up the young life that has been born to her, looks up to the Heavens to thank God for the gift which made the world young again. But here was a mother, a Madonna, who did not look up. She looked down to Heaven, for Bishop Fultan J. Sheen this was Heaven in her arms.” The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 9 Counting down to a new year an you believe it? ahead, and now is the ti me backing us up, nothing much can come out commitment, a deeper love and a deeper We are about to to start anti cipati ng, planning of our plans. worship of the Lord. If you can get this Center into a New and preparing for a bett er Simply put, now is the time to start right, all other things will fall in place, and Year. It seems like just and more glorious year. seeking the face of God for strength and you will have abundant testi monies and yesterday that we started It is time for quiet and clear directi on for the coming year. Now is greater results in the New Year. this year. Wow! Time sober refl ecti on. It is ti me the ti me to let go of the pains and hurts of As the days go by, the clock ti cks away, fl ies! to take inventory of your life this year. And now is defi nitely the ti me to and you count down to a New Year, What are your thoughts this year and start putti ng seek God’s mercy and favor. remember to also count the blessings you as this year draws to an down plans for how to grow Start believing God for a bett er tomorrow; have received from God this year. Enter the end? What are your and flourish in the New a bett er year. As you look forward to seeing New Year with thanksgiving in your heart. expectati ons? The truth Year. another year, understand that God is far Go ahead and celebrate God’s faithfulness. of the matter is that a And it all begins with Jesus. more interested in what you do today and He has been faithful to you this year, He large percentage of He is the reason for our how your tomorrow turns out, than He is will undoubtedly be faithful to you in the people have not given a existence, the Author of our in your past. So forget those things that are New Year. serious thought to the By TESh NJOKANMA lives, the One who sees the behind and reach forward to those things Wishing you a blessed, fruitful and New Year. While some are beginning and end of every that are ahead in the coming year. prosperous New Year. sti ll wallowing in the losses, setbacks and year all at the same ti me. He is the One The central focus of all your planning disappointments of this year, some others who knows what each year has in store for and preparati on as this year draws to an Tesh Njokanma is a lawyer and writer are busy gloati ng over their achievements us, our families, church and nati on. We can end and as you get ready to step into with more than 15 years experience as this year. plan from now ti ll tomorrow, we can have all another New Year, should be how to make a magazine editor. Tesh is married with Irrespecti ve of how this year has turned the grandeur ideas for the New Year, but if Jesus your all in all; how to have a deeper children and is based in Lagos, Nigeria. out, I am sure we all want a bett er year God is not in those plans; if He is not solidly

“[Jesus] is the reason for our existence, the Author of our Pope’s December Intenti on lives, the One who sees the beginning and end of every year In Service of the all at the same time. He is the One who knows what each year Transmission of Faith has in store for us, our families, church and nation. We can That people, who are involved in plan from now till tomorrow, we can have all the grandeur the service and transmission of ideas for the New Year, but if God is not in those plans; if He faith, may fi nd, in their dialogue is not solidly backing us up, nothing much can come out of with culture, a language suited to the conditi ons of the present ti me. our plans.” -- Tesh Njokanma

Donati ng to the ministries of the Church through Charitable IRA rollovers By MARK ROTh standard deducti on. For 2018, the standard Director of Development deducti on is $12,000 for singles, $18,000 f you are age 70.5 or older, you can make for heads of households, and $24,000 for direct contributi ons—up to $100,000 married couples fi ling jointly. Iannually—from your IRA to qualified Doesn’t Ha�e Other charitable organizati ons without owing any De���tion Do�nsi�es income tax on the distributi ons. This break Even if you have enough other itemized may be especially benefi cial now because of deductions to exceed your standard Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changes that deduction, taking your RMD and aff ect who can benefi t from the itemized contributi ng that amount to charity has deducti on for charitable donati ons. two more possible downsides. Co�nts To�ar� Yo�r RMD First, the reported RMD income might A charitable IRA rollover can be used increase your income to the point that to sati sfy required minimum distributi ons you’re pushed into a higher tax bracket, (RMDs). You must begin to take annual certain additional taxes are triggered RMDs from your traditi onal IRAs in the year and/or the benefi ts of certain tax breaks you reach age 70.5. If you don’t comply, are reduced or eliminated. It could even you can owe a penalty equal to 50 percent cause Social Security payments to become of the amount you should have withdrawn taxable or increase income-based Medicare but didn’t. (Deferral is allowed for the initi al premiums and prescripti on drug charges. year, but you’ll have to take two RMDs the Second, if your donati on would equal a next year.) large porti on of your income for the year, So, if you don’t need the RMD for your your deducti on might be reduced due to the living expenses, a charitable IRA rollover percentage-of-income limit. You generally can be a great way to comply with the can’t deduct cash donati ons that exceed RMD requirement without triggering the 60 percent of your adjusted gross income tax liability that would occur if the RMD for the year. (The TCJA raised this limit were paid to you. from 50 percent, but if the cash donati on Doesn’t Re��ire Ite�i�in� is to a private non-operati ng foundati on, You might be able to achieve a similar the limit is only 30 percent.) You can carry tax result from taking the RMD and then forward the excess up to fi ve years, but if contributi ng that amount to charity. But it’s you make large donati ons every year, that more complex because you must report the won’t help you. RMD as income and then take an itemized A charitable IRA rollover avoids these deducti on for the donati on. potenti al negati ve tax consequences. And, with the TCJA’s near doubling of the For more informati on contact: standard deducti on, fewer taxpayers will Mark Roth, Development Director, benefi t from itemizing. Itemizing saves tax at 620-227-1535 or email at mroth@ only when itemized deducti ons exceed the dcdiocese.org. Page 10 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic Celebrating Christmas during the Great Depression The Christmases of the Depression were nothing like the The following is reprinted with than gift s of whimsy. permission from SeniorAdvisor. Most everything that was received over-commercialized, buy-ti ll–you-drop Christmases of today com. as gifts was either homemade or o you remember getting homegrown, too. Mothers and where kids drown in toys. But you have to wonder, which oranges in your stockings grandmothers made dresses and were really the bett er Christmases? Dfor Christmas? Turns out, aprons for girls from flour sacks. there’s history behind that. Boys got socks and maybe gloves; A kid during the Great Depression perhaps a really lucky boy got a was happy to get a single orange scarf, one that was hand knitt ed. In in a Christmas stocking – yes, other words, there wasn’t fl uff and an orange. Getting an orange bling; the gift s were handcraft ed for was a big deal because oranges practi cal purposes. weren’t affordable during the Decorations for the tree, if the rest of the year. Other treats in family had one, were handcraft ed stockings were bananas, nuts too. They might be paper ornaments; and candy. hand carved wood ornaments and If the kids were really maybe candles. fortunate, there may have been The routi ne for the day of Christmas a toy such as a doll; or a toy may have gone something like this: wagon for the very youngest. You would have gotten up and The Christmases of the then checked to see what presents Depression were nothing like there were and opened them. Then the over-commercialized, everyone would have gott en dressed b u y - t i l l – y o u - d r o p and went to church, either walking Christmases of today where or going in a mule-drawn wagon; kids drown in toys. But you where appropriate. After church, have to wonder, which you would either go home or to a were really the better relati ve’s house for Christmas dinner. Christmases? The men would sit around and play The Great Depression cards; the women combined all the lasted more than 10 years food everyone brought and cooked (from 1929-1939) with – usually chicken was the main nearly 25 percent of the course. The kids played, of course. Taken in 1936, the capti on accompanying this photo reads: “Christmas dinner in the home of Earl American labor force The cleanup was completed by the Pauley. Near Smithfi eld, Iowa. Dinner consisted of potatoes, cabbage and pie.” without jobs. women. Then some more visiti ng When the economy with each other, and everyone went Let us pray collapsed, so did the home. Christmas was about family for all those b a n k s , a n d m a n y and what you did have; and being factories ended up grateful for it, not griping about who lack the shutting down. The what you didn’t have. basic necessities Middle Class became Gift s were made by hand, and great poor by the calamity, thought was given into the making of life this and the poor became of a gift . People were self-suffi cient Christmas season, desperate. To help because they had to be or they and as well as for feed the hungry, soup their families didn’t survive. kitchens and bread Families during the depression those whose lines were started up had it difficult, and they were material wealth for the impoverished. grateful for food and shelter. They Needless to say, also appreciated having family has diverted them practically no one and sharing ti me together during from a deeper had any real money. the holidays. Each family at a meal So Christmas gifts contributed what they had to love for God and became gifts of Christmas dinner, so it could be God’s people. necessity rather shared by everyone. Local priest, DRE to lead trip to Holy Land ather Aneesh Parappanatt u, MSFS, Jesus. parochial vicar at the Cathedral of On the fi ft h day, the group will travel FOur Lady of Guadalupe Parish in to Qumran—ruins of the ancient Essene Dodge City, and Norma Alvarez, Director of sett lement in whose nearby caves the Dead Religious Educati on, will lead a tour of the Sea Scrolls were discovered, and will then Holy Land from May 25-June 4, 2020. take a cable-car to the top of Masada—the “Our hope in adverti sing the event so far scene of the epic stand by the Jewish Rebels in advance is that people who otherwise at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome couldn’t aff ord to take the trip can begin nearly 2,000 years ago. saving their money,” noted Alvarez. The tour group will also visit the Sea The journey will include visits to Jerusalem, of Galilee from Tiberias to Capharnaum, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Via Crucis, including the Mount of Beati tudes, which Gethsemane, Dormiti on, Nati vity Church, commemorates the Sermon on the Mount. Capernaum and Tel Aviv. On days 9 and 10, the group will visit Nazareth, The group will visit the Garden of the with dinner and an overnight stay in Galilee. Gethsemane, the scene of Jesus’ agony, Day 11: Back to USA from the Holy Land. betrayal and arrest, as well as the Upper All expenses are paid, except for lunch Room, the site of the last supper. On Day and trip insurance. The cost is $4,000. 4, the group will visit Bethlehem starting For more informati on, go to Proximotravel. with the Basilica of the Nativity and the com, or call (855) 842-8001. See the PSA at Grotto, venerated as the birthplace of the top of the next page.

ather Aneesh Parappanatt u, MSFS, parochial vicar AD at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Fin Dodge City, and Norma Alvarez, Director of Religious Educati on, will lead a tour of the Holy Land from May 25-June 4, 2020. “Our hope in adverti sing the event so far in advance is that people who otherwise couldn’t aff ord to take the trip can begin saving their money,” noted Alvarez. The journey will include visits to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Via Crucis, Gethsemane, Dormiti on, Nati vity Church, Capernaum and Tel Aviv. All expenses are paid, except for lunch and trip insurance. The cost is $4,000. For more informati on, go to Proximotravel.com, or call The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 11 Sister Elaine Osborne, OP, remembered for her artistry

ominican Sister of Peace Elaine Osborne, OP, (Frances Jeanette), D79, died Oct. 28, 2018 at the Great Bend Motherhouse. Sister Elaine, one of two children, was born in 1938 in Shattuck, OK, to Helen Tillemans and Edward McClain Osborne. Elaine entered consecrated life in 1954 as a high school student, and faithfully lived her vows for more than 60 years. Sister Elaine earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Educati on from Marymount College and a Master of Arts in English from Oklahoma State University. She spent 25 years teaching elementary and junior high students in Kansas and Oklahoma. She took a great deal of joy in sharing her love of writi ng with them, making sure her that fi rst graders had a solid foundati on and a love of learning. A poet and writer, Elaine was a consistent and creati ve parti cipant in the development of the Dominican Cluster, which ulti mately led to the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. She was also the Great Bend representative to the Dominican Communication Network, and among the first communicators to form the OPCOMNET in 1995. Sister Elaine might be best remembered for her own writi ng. She spent many years at the Pilgrim House of Praise writi ng and in the Communicati ons Offi ce in the Great Bend Motherhouse, where she served the founding and present Congregati on as its communicator for more than 30 years. Her work can be found throughout the writi ngs of the Congregati on, including its Consti tuti on and several annual reports. From her childhood, Sister Elaine was connected and passionate about Earth and nature. It was a constant theme in her writing, and her personal journals featured not only writi ngs, but lovely pencil drawings. She delighted in any opportunity to commune quietly in God’s creati on, and to record it in her poems and writi ngs. A Vigil service for Sister Elaine was held on Oct. 30, 2018 at the Great Bend Motherhouse. The Funeral Mass was held Oct. 31. Sister Elaine Osborne was laid to rest at the Sisters’ Resurrecti on Cemetery in Great Bend. Memorial gift s in Sister Elaine Osborne’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Offi ce of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH, 43219 or KNOW YOUR LIMITS submitt ed securely at oppeace.org. Page 12 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic Honoring Our Lady he Cathedral of Our Lady of of his visit with Our Lady, the bishop was Guadalupe reverberated with the understandably doubtful, and asked for a Tboom! boom! boom! of several large sign from the Virgin. Juan opened his tilma drums as dance troupes from across the (cloak) and flowers spilled out onto the diocese converged Dec. 11-12, the Feast of floor, revealing a depiction of the Blessed Our Lady of Guadalupe, both to entertain Mother. several hundred onlookers, and (most of all) Festivities, which included a 10:30 p.m. to honor the patroness of the diocese. Mass, went on into the night, with The evening began with a recreation dancers honoring Our Lady in the Holy of the story of St. Juan Diego, the Indian Family Social Hall until the early hours of the peasant who was entreated by the morning, Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Virgin Mary to construct a church on Guadalupe, and then again throughout the Tepeyac Hill. When Juan told his bishop Feast Day in the main reception area. The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 13

a Catedral de nuestra Señora de Guadalupe estuvo viva con música, alabanza y tambores el 11 y 12 de diciembre mientras Lcomparsas de bailarines trajeron al escenario varios cientos de espectadores en honor a la patrona de la diócesis. La velada comenzó con una re-creación de la historia de San Juan Diego, el campesino indio que fue mandado por la Virgen María para construir una iglesia en la colina de Tepeyac. Cuando Juan le dijo a su obispo de la visitación de la Virgen, el obispo fue comprensiblemente dudoso y pidió una señal de la Virgen. María instó a Juan Diego a recoger flores para presentar al obispo en su tilma o poncho. Cuando lo hacía, una imagen de Nuestra Señora se apareció en su tilma, convenciendo al obispo que había ocurrido un milagro. La Festividad, que incluyó una Misa a las 10:30 p.m., entró en la noche, con bailarines en honor a Nuestra Señora en el Salón Social de la Sagrada Familia hasta las primeras horas de la mañana del 12 de diciembre, la Fiesta de nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y luego otra vez durante todo el resto de su Dia Santo.

Photos by Norma Alvarez and Dave Myers ¡Gracias, Jesús!

¡Gracias, Jesús, por la salvación! Nos pre- paramos para la celebración del cumpleaños de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo. Recordamos sus humildes y pobres comienzos como un bebé en un pesebre. A veces somos pobres: espiritual, física o emocionalmente. Tenemos la esperanza de que, como Jesús enseñó, ”Felices los pobres, porque el reino de Dios les pertenece”(Lc 6,20). Esta Navidad, reflexionemos sobre la alegría de la salvación.

Page 14 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic ¡Gracias, Jesús! Gracias, Jesús, por la salvación! Nos preparamos para la celebración del cumpleaños de nuestro ¡Salvador Jesucristo. Recordamos sus humildes y pobres comienzos como un bebé en un pesebre. A veces somos pobres: espiritual, física o emocional- mente. Tenemos la esperanza de que, como Jesús enseñó, ”Felices los pobres, porque el reino de Dios les pertenece”(Lc 6,20). Esta Navidad, reflexionemos sobre la alegría de la salvación. Gracias, Jesús, por la abundante generosidad y sacrificio de la gente de la diócesis. Acabo de com- pletar mis “Celebraciones de Agradecimiento” de la Petición Ministerios Vibrantes. Expresé mi gratitud en las Misas de fin de semana de cada una de nuestras 48 parroquias. ¡Tal efusión de caridad económica para las obras de misericordia, la formación en la fe Por Rev. John B. católica, y los sacerdotes y seminaristas! “Den gra- Brungardt, cias al Señor, porque es bueno, porque es eterno su Obispo de la amor” (Salmo 118,1). Esta Navidad, oremos por la Diócesis Católica felicidad de dar. de Dodge City Gracias, Jesús, por la curación continua de mi tumor cerebral. Muchas gracias por sus oraciones y apoyo durante mi recuperación. Mi última prueba de RMN mostró una mejoría, y he dejado de tomar el medi- camento esteroide durante más de cinco meses, sin reflexionemos sobre el toque sanador del este tiempo de Navidad y después. Gra- que volvieran a aparecer los síntomas originales. Jesús Niño Jesús en nuestras vidas. cias, Niño Jesús, Tú nos amas más de lo que “los recibió y les hablaba del reino de Dios y sanaba Tengan la seguridad de mis oraciones podemos pedir o imaginar. ¡Que tenga una a los que lo necesitaban” (Lucas 9,11). Esta Navidad, por ustedes y por sus seres queridos en feliz Navidad! + Msgr. John, Obispo

Danzantes de Leoti honran a Nuestra Señora

a comunidad de habla hispana de la iglesia San Antonio de Padua de Leoti, honro a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe con los tradicionales danzantes matachines el Ldomingo, 9 de diciembre, después de la misa en español semanal. Los danzantes fueron bendecidos por el Padre Tim S. Hickey, pastor, antes de danzar. Después, más de 150 personas incluyendo miembros de la comunidad en general de Leoti, se reunieron en el salón parroquial para comida y compañerismo. Parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Leoti honored Our Lady of Guadalupe with the traditional matachines dancers on Sunday, Dec. 9, following the weekly Spanish Mass. The dancers were blessed by Father Tim S. Hickey, pastor, prior to the dance. Afterwards, more than 150 people, including members of the Leoti community at large, gathered in the parish hall for food and fellowship.

¡Que tengan un bendito y santo y Navidad! The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 15 ‘Así que, ama las cosas pasajeras de tu vida, pero ámalas en el Señor’ eñor Jesús, tú eres el Verbo hecho carne lo tanto, la enfermedad y la salud también, el ajeras. Pero noten la cosa asombrosa que nos ¡Gracias, Jesús! y el esplendor del Padre: Señor ten accidente y la circunstancia y el desti no ciego. enseña la Encarnación: nos enseñas a través Spiedad. Usamos esa Invocación para el Familia, trabajo, relaciones, toda la red de de ellas. Las cosas que mueren son elevadas a rito penitencial de vez en cuando, y especial- nuestras vidas: todo lo que hay allí también. lo alto, y ahora ti enen un papel invaluable que mente en Adviento. Verbum Caro factum est, Todo eso también es la carne. desempeñar. Porque él se hizo carne, puede solíamos decir. Este es el corazón del tiempo La oración fi nal del jueves de la primera se- venir a nosotros en las cosas que pasan. Él de Navidad, y también es el corazón de la fe mana de Adviento ti ene estas palabras: nos pide cada día que vengamos a él, de esta cristiana. manera. Tú enti endes el marco humano, lo sufi ciente- ... incluso ahora, mientras caminamos entre Así que, ama las cosas pasajeras de tu vida, mente bien, la arti culación de sus partes dentro las cosas que pasan, pero ámalas en el Señor. Ellas son el camino + Obispo Emeritus y fuera, el funcionamiento de su alma y mente y tú nos enseñas a través de ellas por las que llegamos a él. Son la manera privi- Ronald M. Gilmore la libertad: tú enti endes la carne. a amar las cosas que no mueren, legiada en que Él nos enseña a amar las cosas Pero es mucho más amplio que eso. Incluye las cosas del cielo. del Cielo. Que la fi esta de Navidad y el ti empo nuestro parentesco con todas las cosas crea- de Navidad te enseñen a través de ellas, lo que das. También signifi ca el éxito y el fracaso, por Todas las cosas de la carne son cosas pas- perdura con el paso del ti empo. El Papa Francisco pide a la Virgen de Guadalupe por los hijos en peligro de no nacer NA -- El Papa Francisco pidió a la hoy, a vosotros aquí presentes, a “Confí o a la Santí sima Virgen de Guadalupe, cuya memoria celebramos Virgen de Guadalupe, cuya fi esta vuestras familias y, de modo parti cular, hoy, a vosotros aquí presentes, a vuestras familias y, de modo parti cular, Clitúrgica se celebra este miércoles a aquellos que están esperando el 12 de diciembre, su intercesión por las nacimiento de sus hijos”. a aquellos que están esperando el nacimiento de sus hijos”. familias sin hijos y la protección de los Recordó que “San Juan Pablo II niños que aún no han nacido o que se encomendó a su materna protección la encuentran en peligro de no nacer. vida y la inocencia de los niños, sobre Durante el saludo a los peregrinos todo de aquellos que están en peligro de polacos, al fi nalizar su catequesis no nacer”. durante la Audiencia General celebrada “Por su intercesión, en este ti empo en el Aula Pablo VI del Vati cano, el Santo de Adviento –concluyó–, pedimos el Padre hizo una referencia especial a las don de la prole a las familias sin hijos, familias que están esperando hijos. el respeto a la vida concebida y la “Confí o a la Santí sima Virgen de apertura de los corazones a los valores Guadalupe, cuya memoria celebramos del Evangelio”. Protegiendo a los Niños de Dios La Diócesis requiere a todos los em- pleados y voluntarios que trabajan con Reportando Abuso menores a asisti r a las sesiones de con- Si usted sospecha abuso o descuido de un scienti zación de Proteger a los Niños de menor en Kansas y el menor esta en un peligro Dios. Estas sesiones de conscienti zación inmediato hable al 911 o al departamento de ¡Grati s! están disponibles en ambos inglés y policía local. Si usted ti ene alguna sospecha español. Son conducidos por gente de de que un menor esta siendo abusado o nuestra Diócesis especialmente entre- descuidado haga un reporte confi dencial al nadas como facilitadores. Las sesiones se Departamento de Kansas Centro de Reportes publicarán en las parroquias, escuelas, el Para Protección de Niños y Familias, 800-922- períodico Southwest Kansas Catholic y la 5330. página electrónica de la Diócesis. www. Si usted Sospecha abuso por parte de Ver foto, dcdiocese.org/protecti ngchildren. personal d la Iglesia, aparte de hacer un página 1 reporte a esas autoridades civiles, por favor PASOS PARA CREAR UN comuníquese con el Señor Charles Befort, Por MERCEDES DE [email protected], 620-285-3219. Si usted AMBIENTE SEGURO LA TORRE o alguien que conoce pudo haber sido n niño con 1. Conozca la señales de advertencia abusado/a por parte de personal de la Iglesia, auti smo 2. Controle el acceso comuníquese con el Señor Befort. Puede U interrumpió la 3. Vigile todos los ministerios y hacer un reporte a la Diócesis en nuestro programas siti o web. 4. Esté al tanto del comportamiento El formulario para hacer su reporte lo puede de los niños y jóvenes encontrar en la siguiente dirección: 5. Comunique sus preocupaciones www.dcdiocese.org/safe-environment. PORQUE DE TAL MANERA AMÓ DIOS AL Ver sus direcciones MUNDO, QUE HA DADO en la A SU HIJO UNIGÉNITO, página 8. John Stang Austi n Habash Tyler Saucedo Eric Frieb Carson haupt Esteban Jonathan PARA QUE TODO hernandez Lemus Por favor tomen un momento para escribir una carta de apoyo a nuestros semi- AQUEL QUE EN ÉL ¿Tienen un minuto? naristas. Ellos han expresado lo grande que es para ellos saber que hay alguien CREE, NO SE PIERDA, pensando en ellos y orando por ellos. John STANG, St. John Vianney Eric FRIEB, Concepti on Seminary College MAS TENGA VIDA Austi n HABASH Theological Seminary Carson hAUPT P.O. Box 502 1300 S. Steele St. Esteban hERNANDEz ETERNA. Tyler SAUCEDO Denver, CO 80210 Jonathan LEMUS Concepti on, MO 64433 -- John 3:16 Page 16 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic

LIFE ISSUES FORUM An expression of total self-giving he Bible is very clear about the virtue of chastity and the evil of being unchaste. The sixth Mark your calendars for 2019 March Tcommandment states clearly: “thou shalt not commit adultery”. for Life in Topeka, Washington, D.C. Adultery is understood as a person who is married being unfaithful to their marital vows by becoming March for Life invite you to prepare for the Jan. 16-20 March for Life in Washington, D.C., sexually intimate with a person other than their and/or the Kansans for Life march in Topeka, Jan. 22. See below for more information, spouse, or a single person having sexual relations with including who to contact to reserve your space. a married person. Persons who are civilly divorced are still morally January 16-20, 2019 — Washington, D.C. bound to their spouse and commit adultery if they By Father become sexually intimate with someone who is not Ted Skalsky Trip includes: their spouse. There are several references in the New Bus transportation — Hotel for two nights — “Life is VERY Good Testament to the evil of fornication, which is understood as someone who is Rally” — Holy Mass — March for Life — Sightseeing not married engaging in sexual relations with another unmarried person. St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians (5:19-20), lists a series evils, which Seating is limited, so reserve your space now! he calls “the works of the flesh”. Among them are fornication, impurity, and For more information and registration, licentiousness. He then adds: “I am warning you, as I warned you before: contact Tom or Lisa Ridder, (620) 375-2100 or email [email protected] those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 6:18-20, speaks of fornication as a sin against our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Revelation (also called Apocalypse) there is a reference to Tuesday, January 22, 2019 — Topeka “...the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators On the 46th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade ... their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). For High School and College Age to Stand-up for the Value of Human Life If one accepts the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God, one must acknowledge the importance of living chaste lives, and the evil that one Pro-Life Pilgrimage with Holy Mass, Other Prayer, Public Witness commits when one fails to live chastely. For more information and to register, contact Gayla Kirmer, (620) 227-1525 (Scripture quotes are from the Revised Standard Bible translation, which Or email: [email protected] regarded as the most faithful to the original languages.)

WhenWhen it comes it comes to yourto your to-do to-do list, list, When it comes to your to-do list, putputput your youryour future futurefuture first. first.first.

DecisionsDecisions made made in the in past the pastmay mayno longer no longer be what’s be what’s best Decisionsbestfor the for future. the made future. To in help the To helppastkeep keep mayeverything noeverything longer up tobe up date,what’s to date, EdwardbestEdward Jones for theJones offers future. offers a Tocomplimentary helpa complimentary keep everything financial financial upreview. to review.date, Edward Jones offers a complimentary financial review. A financialA financial review review is a greatis a greatopportunity opportunity to sit to face sit faceto to face Afacewith financial withan Edward an review Edward Jones is Jonesa financialgreat financial opportunity advisor advisor andto sit and face to developfacedevelop strategies with strategies an Edward to help to Jones helpkeep keep yourfinancial yourfinances financesadvisor in line and in line with developwithyour yourshort- strategies short- and long-termand to long-termhelp keepgoals. goals.your finances in line with your short- and long-term goals. To findTo find out howout howto get to yourget yourfinancial financial goals goals on track,Toon findtrack, call out callor visithow or visitto today. get today. your financial goals on track, call or visit today. ToddJimTodd J Armatys Armatys J Armatys LloydLloyd Davis, Davis, CFP® CFP® FinancialToddFinancial Advisor J Advisor Armatys FinancialLloydFinancial Advisor Davis, Advisor CFP® . . . Financial. Advisor Financial Advisor 210 E 210Frontview E Frontview Suite BSuite B 1904 Broadway.1904 Broadway . DodgeDodge City, KS City, 67801 KS 67801 Great1904 GreatBend, Broadway Bend,KS 67530 KS 67530 210 E Frontview Suite B 620-225-0651620-225-0651 620-793-5481Great620-793-5481 Bend, KS 67530 Dodge City, KS 67801 620-793-5481 620-225-0651 1-800-432-8249 R.T. R.T.McElreath, McElreath, AAMS®R.T.AAMS® McElreath, FinancialAAMS®Financial Advisor Advisor www.edwardjones.comwww.edwardjones.com Member Member SIPC SIPC . Financial. Advisor www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC 103 West.103 West6th 6th Scott 103ScottCity, West KS City, 67871 6th KS 67871 620-872-3188Scott620-872-3188 City, KS 67871 620-872-3188 The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 17 The Clergy Abuse Crisis: Didn’t We Fix This? A look at the progress the Church has made — and where we go from here Editor’s Note: Bishop John Brungardt has asked that including legal fees, civil suits and the like. It is money spent may.” It seems those words were inspired by the Spirit. the SKC continue to bring articles and commentary about solely on education and prevention of child abuse. They certainly are applicable today as well. the ongoing priestly abuse crisis to the fore in the ultimate Moreover, allegations indeed are being reported to civil In the child-protection program of the Dallas Charter, hope that never again is a child or adult a victim of abuse, authorities, and anyone with a substantiated allegation of the bishops did what was right. They crafted a program and that those who have been abused can seek healing in child sexual abuse is removed from ministry for life. The second to none. Whether they are given public approval the Loving Lord. Pennsylvania grand jury report is proof of the point: 44 or not, it was, and still is, the right thing. We pray that percent of the priests mentioned in the report were dead, the Lord “who began [this] good work … will continue to By Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti and all the living priests with substantiated allegations had complete it” (Phil 1:6). Msgr. Rossetti is an author, educator, licensed psychologist been dismissed from ministry. What the grand jury gave us McCarrick and the Seminarians and expert on psychological and spiritual wellness issues was a long list of dead and defrocked priests. The U.S. bishops The situation surrounding Archbishop Theodore for Catholic priests pledged themselves to zero tolerance, and they fulfilled it. McCarrick, the former cardinal-archbishop of Washington, n 2002, the U.S. bishops adopted the Charter for the Most important, today’s data clearly show that incidence D.C., has added a new public dimension to the crisis. He Protection of Children and Young People, which has of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in the United was accused of sexually exploiting seminarians, even Ibecome known as the Dallas Charter. I was privileged States has plummeted, starting in the mid-1980s when the as a bishop. These events were reported to have been to assist their committee in its drafting. After excruciating Church began dealing with this issue. The John Jay “Nature known to some in the hierarchy years ago. Recently, he months of wilting media coverage, they adopted a series and Scope” study found that about 4 percent of clergy had was accused of abusing a minor as well. When the latter of strong child protection steps: mandatory reporting, sexually abused minors from 1950 to 2002. This number surfaced, Pope Francis removed him from ministry. He zero tolerance, background checks and mandatory child- reportedly has dropped to less than 1 percent. Similarly, directed him to live a life of prayer and penance, and to safe education. They also committed their dioceses to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) cooperate with the remainder of the canonical process. having a victim assistance coordinator, safe environment at Georgetown University published statistics of alleged I have found that priests are particularly angry about coordinator and an expert review board with prominent offenses by Catholic clergy. CARA noted that this chart is this. They are more upset than I have ever seen them. lay membership. not likely to shift significantly with the passage of time, Priests are particularly angry at least for two reasons. Since then, allegations of abuse of a minor in the despite the typical delay of victims in reporting. First, many of us have our own stories to tell of troubles Catholic Church in the United States are reported to the Commenting on this plunge in allegations, CARA said, in seminaries, particularly in the 1960s through the 1980s. civil authorities. Any person, including a priest, known “Incidence of abuse today is rare.” From sexual to theological wrongs, seminaries were not to have abused a minor will never minister again in the Data show that the child-protection efforts of the Catholic always the houses of formation they should have been. Catholic Church. All clergy, as well as any person who Church are working. We must continue to promote and Having worked with many U.S. seminaries in more recent works with minors, is subject to a background check and improve these efforts. Given the recent searing public years, it seems that these abuses largely have been must receive safe-environment training. Church leaders criticism, it would be easy to give up and say, “What’s the cleaned up (though not all). But the scars remain from the have a group of lay experts to help them deal with cases. use?” In truth, education and prevention do work. But our prior tumultuous years, and the McCarrick case opened Victims have a dedicated person to contact, most often a goal is not just zero tolerance, but also zero abuse. Until up these old wounds. female social worker, to be their advocate and to shepherd every minor is safe, our work remains incomplete. Second, priests find it particularly appalling that a them through the healing process. A Frozen Narrative bishop would abuse a seminarian. The seminarians are Is It Working? Today’s public conversation is stuck in a frozen narrative. our young, and they are the future of the priesthood. Did the Dallas Charter work? The U.S. Conference of The pervasive feeling that the bishops have done nothing They are the ones who will take our places when we are Catholic Bishops’ Office for Child and Youth Protection about child sexual abuse and simply covered it up and too old to continue. Priests find it equally appalling that informed me that, since 2003, 4 million children and moved abusers from parish to parish no longer is true. It is such a person would have been appointed a cardinal. This 2 million adults have gone through the Church’s safe- disheartening for the thousands of child safe-environment is very upsetting to priests. environment training program. I just returned from my workers in the Church to have their efforts all but ignored Perhaps this experience is a good reality dose for us annual priest convocation in Syracuse, New York, where in the public forum. priests. Parents are enraged when their children are a roomful of priests and deacons received the updated I recently agonized with a newly appointed bishop who is abused. It is hard for chaste and celibate men, who do not child-safe training. Anywhere in the United States, if you trying to do the right thing in child protection. He realized have children of our own, to understand fully the primal ask assembled priests if they have received the safe- that whatever he does, it will be criticized and cast in a wound caused when parents’ children are harmed. For environment training, every hand will go up. negative light. He looked at me and said in so many words, parents, child abuse shatters their basic identity as parents. Since the Dallas Charter was adopted in 2002, the U.S. “I can’t win.” Perhaps it is similar to us in the McCarrick case. The abuse bishops have placed a strong emphasis on protecting Our first thought might be, “This is not fair!” But of seminarians shatters our identity as priests. Part of what children, and studies have shown a great improvement whenever I hear such things, the voice of my saintly it means to be a priest is to protect our own young — our since then. mother rings in my ears: “Life is not fair.” Every public seminarians. In this case, we failed. Since 2002, criminal background checks are accomplished figure knows that they are first tried in the media, and The focus of the Church’s protection program has on every seminarian, priest and also every layperson such hearings very often are not fair. Politicians have to been on protecting minors. As we enter this new phase, who works with minors. I recently asked a couple of toughen their skin when they enter the public arena. So we will need to expand our protection efforts to include seminarians if they went through such a check. They both must Church leaders — bishops and priests alike. seminarians and other adults who place their trust in us. nodded. I asked, “Were you fingerprinted?” Again, they Shortly after the 2002 crisis, I was given the privilege of Moreover, it is clear that some in the hierarchy failed to both nodded, and one said he had been fingerprinted addressing the 300-plus assembled bishops of the United respond adequately when information about McCarrick’s three times. States. I reflected much and prayed intensely about what I problem began to surface. The bishops of the United States The USCCB’s Office for Child and Youth Protection also would say. I mentioned a number of things, but my central have no authority to discipline each other, but they do have noted that, since 2004, the Catholic Church in the United point was this: “Do not try to craft a policy in order to win the ability and, at times, the obligation to communicate States has spent $400 million on child protection. Last public approval. You are unlikely to get it. Rather, do what with those who do (the Holy See, for example). year alone, the Church spent nearly $35 million. This is not is right because it is right, and let the chips fall where they To be continued in the next issue Protecting God’s Children he Catholic Diocese of Dodge City requires all employees Abuse Hotline Tand volunteers who work with children to participate in If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child in Kansas, and the Steps to create a a Protecting God’s Children awareness session. child is in immediate danger, call 911 or local law enforce- Through the Diocesan Awareness Sessions and other ment. safe environment educational efforts of the diocese, all people of the diocese If you have suspicion that a child is being abused or ne- 1. Know the Warning Signs can learn how to discuss different aspects of abuse — includ- glected, make a confidential report to the Kansas Depart- ing sexual abuse — with children and how to teach them to ment for Children and Families Protection Report Center, 2. Control Access protect themselves. 800-285-3219. 3. Monitor All Programs Next Awareness Session: If you suspect abuse by Church personnel, in addition to 4. Be Aware (Behavioral and Marienthal making a report to those civil authorities, contact Charles Physical Signs) Saturday, Jan. 5, 2018; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Befort, [email protected], 620-285-3219. St. Mary Church, 208 N 2nd St., Marienthal You may submit a report to the diocese. 5. Communicate Your Concerns Contact Person: Lisa Ridder 620-379-4427 Report forms are available at www.dcdiocese.org/safe- Facilitator: Sharon Stuart 620-225-5164 environment. A����� C������� T������� C���������, ����.

Page 18 December 23, 2018 oBItUarIeS The Southwest Kansas Catholic ANN FERCKING, 80, of St. Dominic Parish, Garden Murdie. He served in the Nati onal Guard and was City, died Dec. 2, 2018. She was born in Dodge City, a Chemical Sprayer for Phinney’s Limited. Survivors the daughter of Julius and Helen Coval Dumler. include his wife, Charlene Konrade; daughter, On Feb. 13, 1956 she married Roy D. Fercking; he Michelle Limon; sister, Leonna Johnson; numerous preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2010. Survivors nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Jinx. include: daughters Deandra Proehl and Rhonda Father Bernard Felix presided. Griffi n; son Rod Fercking; 11 grandchildren; and 14 ALvIN E. LIChTER, 90, of St. Ann Parish, Olmitz, great-grandchildren. died Dec. 6, 2018. He was born in Olmitz, the son KATHRYN “KATHY” ANN PRIDDY, 73, of Holy Spirit of John A. and Lillian (Mauler) Lichter. He was a Parish, Coldwater, died Dec. 3, 2018. She was born Korean War veteran, serving on the front lines with in Topeka to Hugh Hall and Irene M. (Firestone) the United States Army as a sergeant, receiving Priddy. She is survived by daughters Susan Dunne the Bronze Star and Korean War Service Medal. A and Heather Dunne; brothers Larry Priddy, Jim lifeti me Olmitz area resident, he worked for Thies Priddy, Tom Priddy, and Craig Priddy; one sister: Company of Great Bend, the Helium Plant, Barton Martha “Marty” Minihan; and numerous nieces, County Highway and MAC Truck. He was a member nephews, cousins, and other relati ves. Father Kola of the Knights of Columbus; he also coached Prakash presidied. the Olmitz Little League for 10 years. On Aug. JOhN W. KISSLINGER, 86, of St. Aloysius Parish in 31, 1955, he married Mariett a A. Ohnmacht; she Ransom, was born to Herman and Catherine (Flax) preceded him in death on June 29, 2016. Survivors Kisslinger. He served in the United States Army, include: three children, Terry L. Lichter, Brenda A. and worked as a farmer, stockman and mechanic. Dreiling, and Lynn A. Lichter; sisters, Rosemary On June 2, 1955 he married Barbara Ummel. She Linn and Mary Evelyn Linenberger; sister-in-law, survives, as well as children Judy Montgomery, Lorett a Southard; six grandchildren; and several Linda Sti th, Ronald Kisslinger, Myron Kisslinger, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Father Don Bedore Brenda Montgomery, Harold Kisslinger, and Dorothy presided. A Blessed Gideon; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; KENNETH “BUTCH” J. GLEASON, 77, of the nine great-great grandchildren; and his sisters Regina Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge Schuster, Rosett a Healy, and Berniece Blakely. City, died Dec. 6, 2018. He was born in Spearville, Christmas MARy ANNA URBAN, 94, of Sacred Heart Parish, the son of Raymond and Francis (Dvork) Gleason. Larned, died Dec. 7, 2018. She was born in Penalosa, He was a horse trainer most of his life and had Kans., the daughter of Bernard and Anna (Geris) also worked for Coca-Cola and the City of Dodge & Happy Ebenkamp. She was a homemaker, a clerk at J.C. City. Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Linday; Penney in Larned, and also worked in the banks children, Jamie Schmidt, Steve Koontz, Wendi in Wichita and Cunningham. She was a member Barlow and Heather Gleason; a brother, Danny New Year of the Altar Society. She volunteered at the food Ray Gleason; sisters, Connie Jo Orrison, Sharon bank and shared her ti me visiti ng with elders of the Esquibel, and Pat Palmer; 10 grandchildren; three community. On August 5, 1946, she married Gilbert great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and G. Urban; he preceded her in death on Feb. 28, 2016. nieces. Father Wesley Schawe presided. Survivors include: son, David; three daughters, Linda Have a great 2019! Urban, Janice Pardoe, and Barbara Carveth; a sister, OBITUARY POLICY P.O. Box 416 Martha Strong; seven grandchildren and three great- Obituary listi ngs are printed free of charge. Due Dodge City, KS 67801 grandchildren. Father Bernard Felix presided. to the limited space available, they must be edited Visit us at ROBERT LyLE MURDIE, 70, of Sacred Heart Parish, for space. If you noti ce that a listi ng has not been stmaryoftheplainsalumniassociation.org Larned, died Dec. 8, 2018. He was born in Great included, call 620-227-1519 or email skregister@ Bend, the son of Leon and Nellie Mae Halfman dcdiocese.org. SMP Alumni Association Site of Bapti sm of the Lord nears reopening as landmines cleared ERUSALEM (CNA) -- Churches at the Jsite along the banks of the Jordan river where Jesus is believed to have been baptized could reopen within a year, following progress on a project to clear thousands of landmines and other ordinance from the locati on. Catholic Scouts from In a statement released Dec. 9, the Israeli government and internati onal anti - throughout the diocese landmine workers praised the progress of eff orts to clear explosives from the Interested in earning your holy site. Located about 10 km east of the city of religious emblems? Jericho, the site is held to be the locati on of Christ’s bapti sm by St. John the Bapti st, as officially evacuated by the Israeli government recorded in the New Testament, and is considered one in 1970, includes a Catholic chapel belonging to QUEST 2019 of the holiest places for Christi ans in the Holy Land. It is the Franciscans, Greek and Ethiopian Orthodox also widely held to be the locati on where the Israelites monasteries, and Greek, Romanian, Syrian, Russian, Feb. 15-17 crossed the river Jordan following the 40 years in the and Copti c Orthodox churches. desert aft er the Exodus from Egypt. It is also believed Work to clear the site began in March, 2018, and is to be the place where the prophet Elijah was taken being conducted by the HALO Trust, an internati onal bodily up into Heaven. anti -landmine charity, the Israeli defense ministry, While pilgrims have been able to visit a small and the private company 4CI. area along the river bank, a wider zone of 250 Five churches that belong to the Copti c, Greek, acres, which includes churches of several diff erent Russian, Romanian and Syrian orthodox churches Christi an denominati ons, has been off -limits for are sti ll believed to be booby-trapped, as is a plot of For more informati on: nearly 50 years. land belonging to the Armenian Orthodox Church. Dave Geist 620-430-2123 [email protected] Around 3,000 anti -tank landmines were laid by The project is expected to take a further eight Brenda Jensen 620-225-0336 the Israeli military during its confl ict with Jordanian months to a year to complete, at which ti me the forces during the Six Day War in 1967. The area, buildings will be returned to Church authoriti es. The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 19 S�������� R������� Called & Gift ed Workshop Jan. 12 Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018; Fourth Sunday 1 Jn 2:29–3:6/Jn 1:29-34 of Advent Jan. 4, 2019; Memorial of Saint What are your gifts Micah 5:1-4/Hebrews 10:5-10/Luke 1:39- Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 45 1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42 of the Holy Spirit? Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 Jan. 5, 2019; Memorial of Saint John Second Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11, 16/Luke 1:67- Neumann, Bishop t’s true that the Lord works in into a part of India from Nepal,” Cesnik 79 1 Jn 3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51 Imysterious ways, but other ways said. Readings for Vigil Mass for Christmas Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019; Epiphany of the aren’t quite so mysterious — although This is where Maggie’s charism of faith Isaiah 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/ Lord they may require a bit of detective came in: “At only 18, she travelled to Matt hew 1:1-25 Isaiah 60:1-6/Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6/ work. Nepal to see why so many children were Readings for Midnight Mass for Matt hew 2:1-12 Take the charism for example. impoverished.” Christmas Monday, Jan. 7, 2019 “Charisms” are spiritual gift s given by As a result of a long civil war, some one Isaiah 9:1-6/Titus 2:11-14/Luke 2:1-14 First John 3:22--4:6/Matt hew 4:12-17, the Holy Spirit. On Jan. 12, 2019, you are million children had been abandoned on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018; Christmas 23-25 invited to examine what your charism the streets. One day she met a girl who Readings for Mass at Dawn Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019 may be. The Called & Gift ed Workshop was supporti ng her family by breaking Isaiah 62:11-12/ Titus 3:4-7/Luke 2:15-20 First John 4:7-10/Mark 6:34-44 will take place beginning at 8:30 a.m. rocks in a river and selling bags for a Readings for Mass during the day Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 and concluding with 5 p.m. Mass at dollar. Isaiah 52:7-10/Hebrews 1:1-6/John 1:1- First John 4:11-18/Mark 6:45-52 the Heartland Center for Spirituality, “Maggie realized it would cost less 18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019 3600 Broadway in Great Bend. Lunch is than $7 to send her to school.” Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018; Saint First John 4:19--5:4/Luke 4:14-22 provided. The event is free. One child became fi ve, then seven Stephen, fi rst martyr Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 The day-long program presented and more. Before long, Maggie wrote Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Matt hew 10:17-22 First John 5:5-13/Luke 5:12-16 by the Catherine of Siena Insti tute of home for her baby-sitting money Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018; Saint John, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 Colorado Springs is designed to off er — $5,000 that she used to buy a plot apostle and evangelist First John 5:14-21/John 3:22-30 parti cipants a litt le help in determining of land. She came home and raised First John 1:1-4/John 20:2-8 Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019; Bapti sm of the just what are their charisms. $20,000 and built a home in which she Friday, Dec. 28, 2018; The holy Lord “The charism of faith,” Deacon Mark and a couple house 40 children. The Innocents, martyrs Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Luke Cesnik explained, “is not the virtue of community joined her to build a school, First John 1:5--2:2/Matt hew 2:13-18 3:15-16, 21-22 faith that we all hope to practi ce. It’s a and a high school is now in the works. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 gift of extraordinary faith, the unusual All of this amid the terrible violence of First John 2:3-11/Luke 2:22-35 Hebrews 1:1-6/Mark 1:14-20 trust in the love, power and provision of an ongoing civil war. Dec. 30, 2018; Feast of the holy Family Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 God, and a remarkable freedom to act on “Now that’s extraordinary faith,” said of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Hebrews 2:5-12/Mark 1:21-28 this trust.” Deacon Cesnik is from Corpus the deacon. Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/ Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 Christi Parish in Tucson. While most parti cipants of the program Col 3:12-21 or Col 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, Hebrews 2:14-18/Mark 1:29-39 A charism is not to be confused with won’t be going off to Nepal to serve the 21-24/ Lk 2:41-52 Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019; Saint Anthony, a talent or skill. Charisms may include poor, by closely examining their lives, Dec. 31, 2018 abbot “giving” – people who fi nd great joy in they are either given a good idea of what 1 Jn 2:18-21/ Jn 1:1-18 Hebrews 3:7-14/Mark 1:40-45 or sharing their ti me or treasure. There is their charism(s) might be, or the tools to Jan. 1, 2019; Solemnity of the Blessed Matt hew 19:16-26 the charism of hospitality – those who do so in the days and weeks to follow. It virgin Mary, the Mother of God Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 derive pleasure in providing a welcoming was a mystery that parti cipants of past Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/ Lk 2:16-21 Hebrews 4:1-5, 11/Mark 2:1-12 atmosphere for others. Some rare few workshops have found worth searching Jan. 2, 2019; Memorial of Saints Basil Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 have the charism of healing. for a soluti on. the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Hebrews 4:12-16/Mark 2:13-17 Maggie Doyne was just a teenager Registration deadline is Jan. 3. To Bishops and Doctors of the Church Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 when she decided to visit India. “She register, contact Coleen Stein 620-227- 1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28 Isaiah 62:1-5/First Corinthians 12:4-11/ noti ced that many children were pouring 1538, [email protected]. Jan. 3, 2019 John 2:1-12 Pastoral Ministry Formation charts new course(s) For more informati on on these courses, Dodge City and Salina Dioceses *Price quotes do not include books. To take this class for credit, one needs or to register, go to www.dcdiocese. Cost - 3 hr. course for college credit THEO 4881 RCIA Kansas! to have parti cipated in a Called and Gift ed org/pastoral-ministry-formati on, or call - $150.00*; 3 hr. course for enrichment Celebrati ng the Rites (1 hour course) Workshop. The Workshop would be Coleen Stein, (620) 227-1538, or email - $75.00* Presenter: Father Tim Piasecki benefi cial for those not taking it for credit. [email protected]. *Price quotes do not include books. Coordinati ng Instructor: Father Robert The Workshop guides one to recognize gift s THEO 1003 Introducti on to New ThEO 4881 The Why and how of Schremmer given by the Holy Spirit through bapti sm Testament (3 hour course) youth Ministry (1 hour course) Students will study and experience and confi rmati on. These gift s enable one Instructor: Father Reggie Urban Instructor: Gentry Heimerman their RCIA rites; seek bett er to accomplish things for God above and This course focuses on the literature, From Joseph, to Timothy, to Esther understanding of the focus and goal; be beyond your natural abiliti es. theology and history of the New (who won a beauty contest, then equipped to go forth celebrati ng them Topics include steps needed for Testament. Students will explore saved a nati on), God engaged young with the people of their parish. discernment of spiritual gift s; clues one questi ons of authorship and criti cal people in big ways to do even bigger The class is presented by Catherine of needs to follow God call; the way charisms methods of biblical interpretati on things. Approaching Youth Ministry as a Sienna Insti tute. can work together uniquely in one’s life; from within the perspecti ve of faith. missionary disciple leads one to both the *This course is one of the 1-hour release of control to welcome charisms. Jesus’ questi on, addressed to his “why” and the “hows” of youth ministry. courses needed to obtain the Diocesan Class Time - Wednesday evening: Jan. disciples, “Who do you say that I *This course is one of the 1 hour Certi fi cati on in Liturgical/Youth Ministry. 30; 6 to 9 p.m. am?” provides the theological center courses needed to obtain the Diocesan Class Times - March 22 and 23 Locati on - Interacti ve Television Sites. of the New Testament studies. Certi fi cati on in Youth Ministry. Locati on - Heartland Center for To enroll in this class for credit, you will *This course is one of the 3-hour Class Times: Jan. 23, Feb. 20, Mar. 20, Spirituality, Great Bend need to have parti cipated in a Called and courses needed to obtain the Diocesan Apr. 10; Wednesday evenings - 6 to 9 Cost: 1 hr. course for college credit Gift ed Workshop (see arti cle above). Certi fi cati on in Youth Ministry. p.m. - $65.00* 1 hr. course for enrichment Cost: 1 hr. course for college credit Class Times - Jan. 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, Locati on - Interacti ve Television Sites - $25.00* - $65.00*; 1hr. course for personal 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16; Saturday mornings - throughout Dodge City and Salina Dioceses *Price quotes do not include books. enrichment - $25.00* 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon Cost - 1 hr. course for college credit THEO 4881 Navigati ng Charisms (1 hour) *Price quotes do not include book. Locati on - Interacti ve - $50*; 1 hr. course for enrichment - Coordinati ng Instructor: Father Robert Television Sites throughout $25.00* Schremmer You can now send an electronic greeti ng directly to our seminarians by KNOW YOUR LIMITS NEW! visiti ng www.dcdiocese.org/vocati ons, where you will fi nd a simple form KSgamblingHelp.com to fi ll out and send electronically. No registrati on is required. 800-522-4700 Page 20 December 23, 2018 adVantage The Southwest Kansas Catholic GABRIEL’S CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Version of the Bi- ble 7 5 Wealthy biblical 8 9 10 11 12 Call us today at the following locations: land Bucklin: 620-826-3848 8 ___ of Songs 13 14 9 Benedicti ne ti tle Cimarron: 620-855-3185 11 Recent pope, aff ec- 15 16 Dodge City: 620-227-3196 ti onately 17 18 19 Garden City: 620-276-7671 13 The feast of St. Al- phonsus Liguori is the fi rst Ness City: 785-798-2237 of this month Syracuse: 620-384-7800 14 Paul preached in ___ 20 21 22 23 24 Minor www.kellerleopold.com 15 The false prophet 25 Zedekiah made himself 26 27 two horns out of this (I KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Kings 22:11) 28 29 16 There was no room here 30 31 32 INSURANCE 17 Prayer of supplica- 33 34 35 36 ti on Making a difference for life 20 Occupati on of Luke, the Evangelist 22 “Bring Flowers of 37 38 the ___” www.wordgamesforcatholics.com 27 Bread of the Pass- over DOWN 12 Catholic actor named aft er 28 Peter cut this off the soldier 1 Moved by God his comedian father of the high priest 3 Church musician, at ti mes 18 Chapter and ___ 29 “___ homo” 4 Jesuits’ mott o (abbr.) 19 Shroud city 30 “Though the just ___ seven 5 Commander of the army 21 The Catholic ___ times, they rise again” (Prov who was made king over Israel (1 23 Savior 24:16) Kings 16:16) 24 AKA Galilee (Jn 6:1) AN EED DARIN REED, TYLER MEYER, D R , FICF 32 Script conclusion? 6 Call lett ers for the Vati can 25 Home of St. Teresa (785) 472-2139 offi ce FICF FICF 33 OT historical book radio stati on 26 Satan (785) 531-0135 cell (785) 726-4899 offi ce (620) 546-1566 35 Mother of Mary 7 “So the king ordered Daniel 31 Brother of Cain Ellinwood, (785) 259-2335 cell Kingman, Seward, 36 Wise Men to be brought and cast into the 32 “___ to us a child is born” Hoisington, Olmitz, Ransom, Sharon Sharon, Willowdale, St. 37 John wore clothes made ___ den.” (Dan 6:17) 34 A substi tute for Isaac Russell, Clafl in, Springs Leo, St. John, Pratt , Dan- from this animal (Mt 3:4) 10 The Feast of the Annuncia- Ellsworth Dan Ree�, FICF ville, Medicine Lodge, 38 Act of Contriti on word ti on is the 25th of this month (785) 472-2139 offi ce • (785) 531-0135 cell Kiowa, Greensburg Ellinwood, Hoisington, Odin, Russell, Clafl in, and ST. MICHAEL’S MIND TEASER Ellsworth councils. Ty�er Meyer, FICF TEASER ThE FIRST: 1. Edgar is the police offi cer. whose recipe was invented by his (620) 546-1566 Five recipes were printed in last Brenda isn’t the fi refi ghter. or her grandmother, submitt ed Kingman, Sharon, Willowdale, St. Leo, Pratt , Danville, Medicine year’s January/February issue of 2. Dan (whose recipe was the sausage casserole recipe. Lodge, Kiowa, Seward, St. John, and Greensburg councils. “Ingestion Weekly” magazine. invented by his cousin) is neither 5. The one who submitt ed his or Each recipe was submitt ed by a the electrician nor the surgeon her mother’s quiche recipe, who Geor�e S�ine��i diff erent person, invented by a (who submitted the recipe for isn’t Carl, isn’t the electrician. (785) 726-4899 For more diff erent female relati ve of that pancakes). Marienthal, Tribune, Dighton, Scott City information on person, and each person has a 3. Carl isn’t the man whose The questi on is: GEORGE SPINELLI a career with the SHAUN different occupation. The five recipe was invented by his sister. Who submitted the calzones Knights of people are two women named The sister isn’t the one who recipe, whose recipe was invented (785) 726-4899 LINENBERGER Darin Ree�, FICF Marienthal, Tribune, Columbus, Audrey and Brenda and three invented the turkey scallopine by his or her aunt, and who is the contact George (785) 301-2676 (785) 726-4899 offi ce • (785) 259-2335 cell Dighton, Scott City offi ce men named Carl, Dan, and Edgar. recipe. plumber? Ransom, Sharon Springs councils Spinelli at Here are some facts: 4. Audrey, who isn’t the one (785) 726-4899. (785) 623-8716 cell Sha�n Linen�er�er La Crosse, Olmitz. Larned, Belpre (785) 301-2676 offi ce • (785) 623-8716 cell Each Soduko puzzle consists of Larned, La Crosse, Belpre and Olmitz councils a 9x9 Sudoku grid containing areas surrounded by gray or Dan Or�one� dott ed lines. The object is to fi ll (620) 260-0962 all empty squares so that the Garden City, Plains, Liberal, Ulysses, Ingalls, Elkhart, Johnson, numbers 1 to 9 appear exactly Hugoton, Lakin, Syracuse, and Satanta councils once in each row, column and Ty�er Br���e�an odUKo 3x3 box, and the sum of the S numbers in each area is equal (785) 475-4128 S St. Francis, Goodland, Colby ’ to the clue in the area’s top-left corner. Reglas De Sudoku: He�tor So�er, FIC DAN ORDONEZ HECTOR SOLER, TYLER BRUGGEMAN Cada fi la debe contener los (785) 569-1466 (620) 260-0962 (785) 475-4128 números a parti r la 1 a 9 Cada FIC eBaStIan Great Bend council Garden City, Plains, (785) 569-1466 offi ce St. Francis, columna debe contener los Liberal, Ulysses, . S Goodland, Colby números a parti r la 1 a 9 Check out our website! kofcinsuranceks.com Ingalls, Elkart, John- Great Bend t

S Cada cuadrado 3x3 debe conten- son, Hugoton, Lakins, Syracuse, Satanta er los números a parti r la 1 a 9 Check out our website! • • • kofcinsuranceks.com Reprinted with permission from www. sudokuoft heday.com/ The Southwest Kansas Catholic AdVantage December 23, 2018 Page 21

Priests on the Prairie

Jan. 4, 1858 - Dec. 23, 1918 Father Francis Joseph Hartmann ather Francis Joseph Hartmann was born in Bavaria, Germany, on Jan. 4, 1858. He attended St. Francis De FSales Seminary in Milwaukee, Wis. He was ordained for the Diocese of Leavenworth by Bishop Louis Mary Fink, OSB, on April 21, 1882. He was appointed as the first resident pastor at St. Teresa, Hutchinson in 1882. He erected St. Agnes Church at Castleton Hoefer the following year. In 1885, he built Holy Trinity Church at Stained Glass Little River. Father Hartmann was appointed first resident pastor at • Restoration of Antique Stained St. Joseph, Liebenthal, in 1889. His missions and stations and Painted Glass included: St. Anthony at St. Theresa in Wichita County; • Custom Designed of New Dighton in Lane County; McCracken in Rush County; Scott Stained Glass Windows City and Modoc in Scott County; and Holbrook, Ness City, Customer Care and Ransom, all in Ness County. During this pastorate, his only Quality Craftsmanship assignment in the Dodge City territory, he built a frame parish house (1889) and started the parochial school (1890) at Liebenthal. 1-800-663-8020 During this pastorate, his In 1892 Father Hartmann transferred to the Archdiocese of 910 S. Main • South Hutchinson Chicago. His assignments in Illinois were served at St. James, only assignment in the Dodge Visit our website; View our job sites Richton; Holy Cross, Stockton; ad St. Mary, Maple Park, with City territory, he built a frame www.hoeferstainedglass.com the mission at St. Peter, Virgil Centre. parish house (1889) and started Father Hartman died Dec. 23, 1918. He is buried in St. John the parochial school (1890) at the Baptist Cemetery, Joliet, Ill. Liebenthal.

www.dcdiocese.org/archivist-diocesan/necrology

Angelus to Xavier Catholic Place Names in Kansas Obvious & Obscure A book by Diocesan Archivist Tim Wenzl

Aubry - Eight geographic locations in Kansas were named for Catholic French Canadian Francois Xavier Aubry. Aubry was a merchant and freighter, a trailblazer and an explorer of the American Southwest. His name was attached to two communities in Johnson and Hamilton counties, a time-saving route along the Santa Fe Trail that extended through Hamilton and Stanton counties into the Oklahoma Panhandle, a fort, a spring, an irrigation ditch and lake, all in Hamilton County, and a hill, Mount Aubrey in Kearny County. Francois Xavier Aubry was born on Dec. 3, 1824, near Maskinonge, Quebec Province, Canada. When he was 21, he was freighting goods to Santa Fe from Independence, Mo. The return trip from Santa Fe usually took 24 days, but Aubry established speed records in 1847 of 14 days, and eight days and 10 hours in 1848, earning him the nicknames of “The Telegraph” and “Skimmer of the Plains.” In 1851, Aubry discovered an alternate route to a portion of the Cimarron branch of the Santa Fe Trail cutting 52 miles off the journey. In addition to shortening travel, the shortcut had two additional benefits: it was more accessible to water and was safer from Indian trouble than the regular Cimarron Cutoff. Writers have credited Aubry’s speed riding and his system of allocating fresh mounts along a route as the inspiration and model for delivering mail by the Pony Express, albeit six years after his death. In 1853 Aubry made a California to New Mexico trip mapping a route along the 35 parallel for the feasibility of building a railroad connection to the Pacific. This too became a reality, also after his death. On Aug. 18, 1854, Aubry died at the age of 29, mortally wounded with a Bowie knife in a saloon in Santa KNOWING the is one thing Fe, N.M. The New York Daily Times article about Aubry’s death included these words: He lived ten lives BIBLE in half of one. His adventurous life lasted nine years; And in this short space of time he became known KNOWING the as a hero throughout North America. Available now at Amazon.com and Catholic/Christian bookstores. Mail order available through the AUTHOR is another Cathedral gift store by contacting the author at [email protected]. A surprise birthday meal party was given aft er Spanish mass for father Francis khou Nguyen and Louis the Spanish music director. Many more.

Page 22 December 23, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic adVantage

Be of service Complete Family Vision Care • Most Single Vision Glasses to others in 1-2 Hours • Specialty Contact Lenses • Certifi ed Optician on Staff

208 W. Ross, Dodge City, Ks. Se Habla Español 620-225-6500 www.vkoptometry.com Toll free 866-456-EYES (3937) Word Search

SAINT BERNADETTE www.wordgamesforcatholics.com E B X S R V I S I O N D W Z R

G P L R U L H E Q Y Z B O S Q Theology and A L U E C S S P R I N G U K G Methods of Ministry M E K Q S B E H U V C O C M A Pastoral Ministry I D O S D S P D Q O R E H O O Formati on R M D Q J W E Y R I L K A E F dcdiocese.org/pastoral- ministry-formati on G I R M W Z R D B U V I P S R Coleen Stein: L R Y Q R A Q U L Z O W E Q A (620) 227-1538 I A Z Y U Z O I L A F L L O N ANSWERS P C Y R R S S X L T D V N C C U L B Z F A Y M S I T Y U X E U E J Y C X S G F R R R N H Q F S D F H N E O U R E P Y I E T Q H O I A C C R P O E A A P D V G T P M I N C O R R U P T APRIL FRANCE PILGRIMAGE BLESSED LADY INCORRUPT ROSARY

CHAPEL LOURDES SOUBIROUS

m o c . s c i l o h t a c r o f s e m a g d r o w . w w w

S Y R R O S L E M A

C CURE MIRACLES SPRING

A E T E A

L FEBRUARY NUN VISION I G A M N N A B R H C I

V R E R U L L A F C

R A E E C C E I Largest

B D E N E V A E L N U

D Selection of

I E I A S

H Catholic Gifts & Books

T S E R A R R O T C O

D in the Midwest

Z U H E S E

R S N O I T A C O V N

I RELIGIOUS GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS:

N O R I N N I R

P O R A I S A G U A Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA & Wedding

I I P J R M O D G N O S

L V M M R N

R I H P O Y A U O D I

are you suddenly hungry, too? hungry, suddenly you are 6601 TROOST AVE. • KANSAS CITY, MO 64131 Editor’s Note: Editor’s

Is it just me, or or me, just it Is M-F 8:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm calzones. (816) 363-2828

submitt ed his sister’s recipe for for recipe sister’s his ed submitt Keller Real Estate & Insurance Agency Visit our online catalog at:

Edgar the police officer officer police the Edgar 1101 Williams Great Bend, Kansas www.idonnelly.com scallopine.

his cousin’s recipe for turkey turkey for recipe cousin’s his

Dan the fi refi ghter submitt ed submitt ghter refi fi the Dan FOR SERVICE CALL

pancakes. 620-792-2128

his grandmother’s recipe for for recipe grandmother’s his 800-281-2128 (Ks only)

Carl the surgeon submitted submitted surgeon the Carl

her mother’s recipe for quiche. for recipe mother’s her website — www.kelleragency.com For information about opioid

Brenda the plumber submitt ed ed submitt plumber the Brenda

sausage casserole. sausage addiction or to seek help, visit https:// submitt ed her aunt’s recipe for for recipe aunt’s her ed submitt ckfaddictiontreatment.org/, or call

Audrey the electrician electrician the Audrey (785) 825-6224.

The only possible scenario is: scenario possible only The • • •

plumber. For information about suicide

aunt’s recipe, and Brenda is the the is Brenda and recipe, aunt’s recipe, Audrey submitted her her submitted Audrey recipe, prevention, visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com,

Edgar submitt ed the calzones calzones the ed submitt Edgar or, if you are having thoughts of suicide,

FIRST: call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Don’t forget Mark’s little appeal flag

The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 23

Pope Francis: The History of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ he song, “The Twelve Days Old and New Testaments. Never forget of Christmas” is an English The three French hens stood for TChristmas carol. From faith, hope, and love. to smile, even 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics The four calling birds were the in England were not permitted four gospels of Matthew, Mark, to practice their faith openly. Luke, and John. when life is hard Someone during that era wrote The five golden rings By Elise Harris this carol as a catechism song for represented the first five books of atican City (CNA) - For Pope young Catholics. It has two levels the Old Testament, which describe VFrancis, one of most needed of meaning: the surface meaning humankind’s fall into sin and the virtues of modern time is hope, which plus a hidden meaning known only great love of God in sending a is something he said must never be to members of the Church. Savior. abandoned no matter how hard life Each element in the carol The six geese a-laying stood for gets, and which is often expressed in has a code word for a religious the six days of creation. the simple act of a smile. reality which the children could Seven swans a-swimming Referring to the “dramatic moment” remember. To fit the number represented the sevenfold gifts of Israel’s exile in the desert, Pope scheme, when you reach number of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Francis said Dec. 7 that this time was nine, representing the Fruits of Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, especially hard for the people because the Holy Ghost, the originator Contribution, Leadership, and they had lost everything, and felt combined six to make three, taking Mercy. “abandoned and without hope.” the six fruits that were similar: the The eight maids a-milking were The desert is a difficult place to live, fruit in each parenthesis is the that the eight beatitudes. he said, but noted that it is precisely was not named separately. There Nine ladies dancing were the inside the desert that the people of are actually Twelve Fruits of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Israel are able to walk in order to Holy Ghost. Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience return “not only to their homeland, The “True Love” one hears in [Forbearance], Goodness but to return to God, and to hope and the song is not a smitten boy or [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, The partridge in a pear tree represents Christ. smile again. girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because Modesty, Continency [Chastity]. “When we are in darkness and truly Love was born on Christmas The 10 lords a-leaping were the difficulty the smile doesn’t come, Day. The partridge in the pear tree Ten Commandments. The “True Love” one hears but there is the hope that teaches us also represents Him because that The eleven pipers piping stood to smile on that path to find God,” bird is willing to sacrifice its life for the 11 faithful Apostles. in the song is not a smitten Francis said, noting that one of the if necessary to protect its young The twelve drummers drumming trademarks of those who break by feigning injury to draw away symbolized the 12 points of belief boy or girlfriend, but Jesus away from God is “the absence of predators. in The Apostles’ Creed. the smile, the smile of the hope of According to Ann Ball in her Christ, because truly Love finding God.” book, “Handbook of Catholic Original Source: Father Calvin Perhaps these people know how to Sacramentals”: Goodwin, FSSP. Printed with was born on Christmas Day. “have a good laugh” or make jokes, The two turtle doves were the permission from Catholic Tradition. but they are missing the smile that only God knows how to give, the Pope continued. Life, he said, “is often a desert, it’s hard to walk in it, but if we entrust ourselves to God, it can become beautiful and wide like a highway. “It’s enough to never lose hope, it’s enough to continue to believe, always, despite everything,” he said, noting that often when we find ourselves in front of a child, “there is a spontaneous smile because a child is hope.” “Let us also smile even if it was a difficult day, because we see the hope.” Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present for his Wednesday general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. Hope, he said, is needed “so much in these times that appear so dark, in which at times we feel lost in front of the evil and violence that surrounds us, in front of the pain of our brothers and sisters.” Noting how many can feel lost, discouraged and even “powerless” in front of a darkness that seems like it will never end, the Pope stressed that “we mustn’t let hope abandon us, because God with His love walks with us, He doesn’t leave us alone,” but has instead “conquered evil and opened to us the path of life. “Let us therefore teach hope, let us look forward faithfully to the coming of the Lord, and whatever the desert of our lives, it will become a flowery garden.” The Southwest Kansas Catholic December 23, 2018 Page 24 ‘The Holy Family was once a family of immigrants and refugees’ The following are excerpts from articles continent north and south. local bishop, but to the poor peasant immigration reform. The wrangling has by Archbishop Charles Chaput of the All of these titles are true and richly Juan Diego. Her tenderness to the poor been going on for many years. And the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. deserved. But they can sometimes is something we need to remember this result is always the same: gridlock and ary of Nazareth has always had obscure the human reality of Mary’s Advent, because our Christian faith is mutual recrimination. a special place in the heart of life: a young woman of the rough more than a set of ideas or beautiful For more than a decade the U.S. Mthe Church. She is theotokos, Galilean hills, pregnant, with a seemingly words. It’s meant to be lived. It’s meant to Catholic bishops have pressed repeatedly the “God-bearer”; Scripture’s greatest implausible story before her marriage transform our thinking and our actions. for just and sensible immigration policy human witness of courage, humility to Joseph, who gave birth to her child in [The recent] separating [of] children reform. Each of our major political parties and grace. This is why Catholic life has the cold in a stable far from home and from their parents caught illegally has faulted the other for inaction, and honored her through the centuries in then, hunted by Herod, was forced to entering the country – was both stupid each – despite its posturing and alibis so many different ways: Our Lady of flee to Egypt. Mary – our mother; the and destructive, and the storm of anger it – bears a generous portion of the blame. Consolation; Mother of Sorrows; Mother mother of the Church – had an intimate sparked, warranted. ...We need to remember that the Holy of Mercy; Our Lady of the New Advent; understanding of suffering, flight, The worst part of this story, however, Family too was once a family of immigrants Queen of Heaven; Virgin Most Pure homelessness and uncertainty. is that it’s simply the latest chapter in an and refugees. And we need to treat the — and in a special way, Our Lady of At Guadalupe, Mary appeared not endless and often hypocritical struggle by undocumented among us with the mercy Guadalupe, patroness of America, one to the rich or powerful, or even to the both political parties over the details of and justice we expect for ourselves. National Migration Week, Jan. 6-12 or nearly a half century, the Catholic Church Fin the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2019, “Building Communities of Welcome” draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another. Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends. To do so, we will look at the important role that foster care plays in the lives of unaccompanied immigrants and refugees, highlight MRS’ Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees, and examine local initiatives that are making important contributions in this regard.