John Shelby Spong Southwest Kansas The Catholic Church in Kansas History Diocese archivist pens book on Catholic place names in Kansas Page 7 CNewspaper of the Catholicatholic Diocese of Dodge City www.dcdiocese.org/swkscatholic Vol. LIII, No. 16 Sunday, December 9, 2018 Autistic child provides lesson to papal audience Advent Set out in haste The Most Rev. John B. Brungardt, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City e celebrate the sec- ond Sunday of Advent Wtoday. We prepare for the coming of the Lord on Decem- ber 25, in the Eucharist, and at the end of ti me. I refl ect on the power- ful and meaningful prayers used at Holy Mass this season. For exam- ple, the collect (opening prayer): Almighty and merciful God, Vati can Media / ACI Prensa may no earthly undertaking (Español, Pagina 9) In an att empt to reign in her wild child, also so free in front of God?” he added. hinder those who set out in uring a General Audience at the the boy’s mother approached the podium He then off ered prayers for the child, haste to meet your Son, Vatican on Nov. 28, one very to apologize and collect her son. She adding “Let’s ask the grace [of God] that but may our learning of Dexcited litt le boy stole the limelight, reportedly explained to the pope that her he may speak.” heavenly wisdom breaking through crowds to play and roll son is mute – and to the surprise of crowds, Notably, the boy and his family came gain us admittance to his around at the pope’s feet. To the horror of Pope Francis told the mother and security from the pope’s homeland, Argenti na. As company. his mother, the boy managed to get free of to let the child conti nue playing. the presumably very embarrassed mother Who lives and reigns with you her clutches and ran onto the podium. The “This child cannot speak. He is mute. But he exited the stage, Francis smiled and could in the unity of the Holy Spirit, child ran on for a closer look – and began can communicate,” the pope told the crowd be seen leaning towards Bishop Georg one God, for ever and ever. pulling on the sleeves of a Swiss guardsman of hundreds. “He is free, free and unruly. But Ganswein, whispering that the boy “is and playing behind the ponti ff ’s chair. he is free. He made me think of myself. Am I Argenti nian. Undisciplined.” -- Reuters We “set out in haste” to welcome Jesus, with enthusiasm and love. We put Jesus fi rst, not Sister Veronice Born, other worldly things. A new litur- OPEN WIDE gical season is a ti me for me to CSJ, dies at 87 rededicated myself to the Lord, as He comes in history, mystery, and majesty. I ask for Jesus’ help OUR HEARTS in putti ng aside my selfi shness, my laziness, my failures to love. — the enduring call to love — “In the Gospel this Sunday John the Bapti st tells us to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ (Luke 3:4). He is talking not about the babe in the manger but about the adult U.S. Bishops release pastoral Christ soon to begin his public ministry. This prayer presents our lett er against racism response to Christ’s call to join ALTIMORE— The U.S. that have re-emerged in American his company” (from the USCCB Conference of Catholic society in the last few years,” read website). BBishops (USCCB) have a statement by Bishop Shelton Let us join Christ this Ad- released a pastoral lett er, “Open J. Fabre, of Houma-Thibodaux, vent, and set out in haste to Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call Chairman of U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc meet Him daily in our lives this ister Veronice Born, 87, entered eternal life to Love, A Pastoral Lett er Against Committee Against Racism and Advent and beyond. Our Savior Nov. 30, 2018 in Marian Hall at Mt. St. Mary’s Racism.” Chair of the Sub-committee on will be with us, He loves us so SConvent, Wichita She was born the seventh “The entire body of bishops African American Aff airs within the much! of 11 children to John Philip Born and Anna Frances felt the need to address the Cultural Diversity Committ ee. + Bishop John Paulie in Parsons on Jan. 15, 1931 and given the name topic of racism, once again, aft er “Pastoral letters from the full Christi na Mae. She att ended elementary school and witnessing the deterioration of body of bishops are rare, few and For more Advent resources, see the beginning of her secondary educati on in St. Paul. the public discourse, and episodes far between. But at key moments usccb.org/advent. She entered the Congregation of Sisters of of violence and animosity with in history the bishops have come Conti nued on Page 2 racial and xenophobic overtones, Conti nued on Page 11 Page 2 December 9, 2018 The Southwest Kansas Catholic The fire of prayer:to trust, to watch, to wait he fire of prayer has been a day. He remakes us into Advent- Many do not feel anything in that prayer is Dry because the Lord is Tstranger to me for many years. Catholics. prayer: having no fire, they have no beyond anything you can sense, or An old and dear friend wrote Do not be surprised that there is warmth, no comfort, no expansion imagine, or feel, or rest in. When that to me the other day. It was often nofire in that waiting-prayer. of spirit, no consolation. Do not be these powers seem to fail you, a simple statement of fact. But Many do not see anything in that surprised if your communion with they are really taking you to that it was also a plea for recognition, prayer: having no fire, they have Him is a communion with the Unfelt, same cliff, and that same Mystery perhaps, maybe a cry for help. He no new insight into God, or into a communion with the Dry. beyond it. is not alone, I suspect. You may be Faith, or into Church, or into self. Your prayer is Dark because the So be not surprised. And, espe- there too. Do not be surprised if your com- Lord is beyond anything you can cially, be not discouraged. The fire Our prayer changes as we grow munion with Him is a communion sense, or see, or say, or understand. may not be there, but the Maker Bishop Emeritus and age. We move to a simpler, with the Unseen, a communion When these powers seem to fail of Fire is. Prayer is about him, and Ronald M. Gilmore more silent, often wordless, prayer. with the Dark. you, they are really taking you to what he wants for you. He is invit- We find ourselves waiting for the Do not be surprised that there is the edge of the cliff beyond which ing you to trust, and to watch, and Another Way Lord to come. And, to come each often nofire in that waiting-prayer. there is only the Living God. Your to wait. Sister Veronice Born From Page 1 St. Joseph in Wichita and received the Special Education Class in Wichita in merging the CSJ Health System with St. Duran. In addition to her Sisters in habit August 15, 1946, professing first vows one classroom at St. Anthony’s School Francis Hospital and the Health System of her Congregation, survivors include her July 29, 1945 and final vows July 26, 1952. for two years, ultimately expanding the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. brothers Alban Born (Janice), William Born With a Normal Training Certificate, her space and staff to the Cathedral School. From 1992-2000, she was elected and (Patricia), sister-in-law Jolene Born and teaching ministry began with kindergarten Eventually the program soon outgrew that served eight years as President of the numerous nieces and nephews. and lower elementary grades. She then space so the program was moved to the Congregation of St. Joseph. After leaving Homecoming was Thursday, Dec. 6 acquired a B.S. in Education from St. Mary former Christian Academy and renamed office she moved to Dodge City, assisting with the Wake/Vigil Service. The Mass of of the Plains College in Dodge City. Holy Family Center. The program also Bishop Gilmore with diocesan activities. Christian burial was Dec. 7 in Resurrection Her interest in special needs children developed into helping parishes make In 2014 until present, she moved to Chapel at Mt. St. Mary’s Convent, began when Bishop Mark K. Carroll their buildings and services accessible Mt. St. Mary’s Convent, continuing her Wichita. Memorial contributions in her asked for someone to be trained in to all, the elderly as well as those with ministry to others though the prayer name may be made to the Retirement Special Education. She then acquired a special needs. apostolate. Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph or to M.S. in Special Education from St. Louis During this time she was also on the She was preceded in death by her Dear Neighbor Ministries, Inc. at Mt. St. University. General Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph parents, brothers Paul, Harold, Donald, Mary’s Convent, 3700 E. Lincoln, Wichita, Sister Veronice began the first and was instrumental in the process of John H., sisters Loraine Cox, and Rosemary KS 67218. Got a Wishing you minute? and yours a blessed Send a John Stang Austin Habash Tyler Saucedo Eric Frieb Carson Haupt Esteban Jonathan Hernandez Lemus and holy Christmas he people of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge prayers and support of the people back home! City are awesome! Back a few years ago when Please take a moment to send a letter of support Advent and card or TFather Mark Brantley was in seminary, he had to our seminarians who, if it be God’s plan, will one several letters from well-wishers pinned to his bulletin day serve as a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge letter of board.