the register - salina diocese

Shufflingspring

fundraisersSchools around diocese

adjust efforts. Page 3, 5

Waiting Teacher gives

students adviceas they wait,

prepare to receivetheir First

Communion.4

Bishop’sAnnualAppeal

Faithful supportannual fundraiser.

Page 6

the RegisterJune 26, 2020salinadiocese.org C A T H O L I C D I O C E S E O F S A L I N A

By The RegisterSALINA — New or chang-

ing assignments will affect15 priests in the Diocese ofSalina this spring and sum-mer.

Father Andy Hammekeand Father Joshua Werthhave been named co-voca-tion directors, which was

effective April 20. The remainder of the

changes will take effect July1.

Sacred Heart High Schoolin Salina will have FatherFred Gatschet and FatherAndrew Rockers teachingreligion classes.

Father Norbert Dlabal

will come out of retirementand return to westernKansas, this time to Atwoodand Herndon.

A few minor changesinclude reassigning parishclusters, such as combiningSt. Andrew Parish in Abi-lene with St. John Parish inHerington, St. Philip Parish

in Hope and St. ColumbaParish in Elmo.

Additionally, a priestfrom the diocese of Gaylord,Mich., will assist at St.Joseph Parish in Hays andat the Comeau CatholicCampus Center (please seebiography of FatherMatthew Cowan on p. 12).

Clergy changes announced; affects 17 priests, 22 parishes

Clergy assignments can be found on page 3. Priests’ biographies and other related stories may be found on pages 12-13.

CatholicCharities’ July

18 annualfundraiser

moves online

By Karen BonarThe Register

FORMOSO — On June 8,the population of For-moso grew by one whenGayle and Caleb Mahin’sthird child, Warren, was

born.“It wasn’t until we had kids that I

was like, ‘Thank God that I’m here,’”Gayle said. “(Before kids), I foughtmoving to the country.”

The young family are members ofSt. Edward Parish in Belleville, 20miles east of their rural home in thesmall, north-central Kansas town.

WHILE THE FAMILY IS NOW com-fortably settled in rural Kansas, it’snot where Gayle pictured her life adozen years ago.

Her aversion to small-town life wastied to moving to Mankato as a sixth-

grader.“I had culture shock,” she said of

the change from Sterling, Colo. toMankato. “(In Mankato), there wereprobably only 13 in my class in sixthgrade. I probably had 400 in my classin Colorado.”

She dreamed of eventually return-ing to Colorado.

“I loved the mountains. I loved Col-orado,” she said.

Gayle attended Wichita State Uni-versity, and said the bigger cityappealed to her.

“I love the city life,” she said.“There was so much to do.”

Gayle said she didn’t make regulartrips back to Mankato until her grand-father became ill.

“My grandma was alone after hepassed away,” she said. “I slowly start-ed having more appreciation forsmall-town life, but I never wanted togo back. I didn’t think there wasopportunity.”

She pursued a master’s degree insocial work at the University ofKansas in Kansas City and Lawrence.

“Once I decided on a master’s insocial work, I never felt I couldbecome successful or have a job Ienjoyed in a small town,” Gayle said.“I thought I had to be in a city to besuccessful and find a job I like andenjoy.”

And she was right — for a time. Her

Rural life grows on small-town mom

Please see APPRECIATION / Page 10

By The Register

SALINA — The CatholicCharities of NorthernKansas fundraiser will takea new platform this year,going entirely online.

On Saturday, July 18, at 7p.m., the 2020 AnnualFundraiser for CatholicCharities will be streamedlive on Catholic Charitieswebsite, www.ccnks.org.

While the annual eventtypically draws about 250people to Salina, unknowngathering restrictions sur-rounding the COVID-19pandemic prompted theAnnual Fundraiser Commit-tee to move the 15th AnnualFundraiser online, so itcould be attended by every-one in the diocese.

“The Annual Fundraiseris the main source of fund-ing for Catholic Charities,”said Katie Platten, interimexecutive director and for-mer board president ofCatholic Charities. “We hadto find a way to make thisevent happen this year. Ourexpenses have drasticallyincreased due to ourCOVID-19 relief efforts, andwe are currently seeing aspike in people needing rentand utility assistance.”

WITH FOOD INSECURITYand evictions intensified bythe coronavirus, Eric Franksaid canceling this year’sCatholic Charities AnnualFundraiser “was not anoption.”

Many of the people seek-ing assistance at CatholicCharities “have never askedfor help before in theirlives,” Frank said. “Theylost their jobs or had areduction in income, andthrough no fault of theirown, they now find them-selves unable to providefood and other basic neces-sities and are at risk of

Please see GREEN / Page 15

Photo by Karen Bonar / The RegisterGayle Mahin moved to rural Kansas during middle school, and never thought she’d return to north central Kansas to raise a family.She is pictured with husband, Caleb, and children (from left) Hazel, Warren and Drake near their home in rural Formoso on June 17.

2 June 26, 2020 The Register, Catholic Diocese of Salina, salinadiocese.org

The Register, Catholic Diocese of Salina, salinadiocese.org June 26, 2020 3

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The Register (USPS 397-740) is published the fourth Friday ofthe month by the Catholic Diocese of Salina, 103 N. Ninth,

Salina, KS, 67401-2503 and is mailed to all registeredparishioners in the diocese. A $25 annual subscription isrequired for all others. Periodical postage paid at Salina,

Kansas, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to

The Register, P.O. Box 1038, Salina, Kansas, 67402-1038.Our next issue is dated July 24.

Deadline for news is June 29.Deadline for advertising is June 29.

Mailing label updatePlease make the correction on this form and return to:

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Attach old mailing label hereand print the corrected information below.

the RegisterOfficial newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Salina Vol. 83, No. 6

Publisher: Most Rev. Gerald L. Vincke, Bishop of Salina Editor: Karen Bonar, [email protected]

Advertising/Circulation: Brenda Streit, [email protected] Manager: Jennifer Hood, [email protected]

P.O. Box 1038, Salina, KS 67402-1038(785) 827-8746, Fax (785) 827-6133

salinadiocese.org/the-registerSupported by an endowment established by Msgr. Raymond Menard (1912-2006),

editor of The Register, 1944-1971 and 1975-2006. Email:

The Holy Father entruststhe Apostleship of Prayer topublicize his prayer inten-tions for the good of theworld and the Church.

Universal IntentionOUR FAMILIES . Wepray that today’sfamilies may beaccompanied with love,respect and guidance.

Apostleship of Prayer1501 S. Layton Blvd.Milwaukee, WI 53215-1924www.apostleshipofprayer.org

J U L Y P R A Y E R I N T E N T I O N

B I S H O P ’ S C A L E N D A RJuly 2020

7-10 Seminarian trip12 Baccalaureate Mass for Thomas More Prep-Marian

High School, 11:30 a.m., Immaculate Heart ofMary, Hays

18 Catholic Charities Annual Fundraiser (online)26 Confirmation, 1:30 p.m., St. Nicholas of Myra, Hays

Confirmation, 6 p.m., St. Mary, Queen of Angels,Russell

OFFICIAL

VOCATIONS DIRECTORSFather Joshua Werth and Father Andy Hammeke as Co-Vocations Directors.

PASTORFather Norbert Dlabal will come out of

retirement. He is assigned Pastor ofSacred Heart Parish in Atwood andAssumption of Mary Parish in Herndon.

Father Fred Gatschet will continue as therector of the Cathedral and St. Joseph inBrookville, but will also teach at SacredHeart High School.

Father Jarett Konrade, Pastor of St. JohnParish in Beloit and SS. Peter and PaulParish in Cawker City.

Fr. Gnanasekar Kulandai, HGN, pastor of St.Francis Xavier Parish in Junction City.

Father David Michael, HGN, Pastor of OurLady of Perpetual Help Parish in Goodlandand Holy Ghost Parish in Sharon Springs.

Father Soosai Rathinam, HGN, Pastor ofSacred Heart Parish in Esbon, St. TheresaParish in Mankato and St. Mary Parish inSmith Center.

Father Damian Richards, Pastor of St.Nicholas of Myra Parish in Hays and St.Francis of Assisi Parish in Munjor

Father Randall Weber, Pastor of St. AndrewParish in Abilene, St. John Parish inHerington, St. Philip Parish in Hope andSt. Columba Parish in Elmo.

Father Don Zimmerman, Pastor of SS. Peterand Paul Parish in Clay Center and St.Anthony Parish in Miltonvale.

PASTORAL CARE: PARISH CHANGESFather Daryl Olmstead will no longer be the

pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish inCawker City but will remain the pastor ofSt. Boniface Parish in Tipton, St. MaryParish in Downs and St. Aloysius GonzagaParish in Osborne.

Father Mark Wesely will continue as pastorof Immaculate Conception Parish inMinneapolis and St. Patrick Parish inLincoln, with the addition of St. MaryParish in Glasco.

PAROCHIAL VICARFather Matthew Cowan, currently a priest of

the Diocese of Gaylord, Mich., asParochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish inHays and the Comeau Center at Fort HaysState University.

Father Peter O’Donnell, Parochial Vicar of St.Andrew Parish in Abilene, St. John Parishin Herington, St. Philip Parish in Hope andSt. Columba Parish in Elmo.

Father Ryan McCandless is still assigned asthe chaplain at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, but will also be theweekend assistance at Immaculate Heartof Mary Parish in Hays.

Father Andrew Rockers, Parochial Vicar ofSacred Heart Cathedral and St. JosephParish in Brookville. He is also assignedas a teacher at Sacred Heart High Schoolin Salina.

The following clergy appointments are effective April 20, 2020:

The following clergy appointments are effective July 1, 2020 :

Most Rev. Gerald L. VinckeBishop of Salina Diocese

Witnessed byFather Keith Weber

Chancellor

By Allison OchoaThe Register

When Kansas govern-ment officials imposedstatewide restrictions toslow the spread of theCOVID-19 pandemic inmid-March, school officialsfrom the Salina Diocese’sCatholic schools had to wor-ry about more than just howto complete the school year.Volunteers and staff frommany of the Diocese’sschools scrambled to alterplans for their spring andearly summer fundraisers,some of which were sched-uled to happen only daysafter Gov. Laura Kellyissued declarations thatshuttered schools and can-celed large gatherings.

The annual auction tobenefit St. John CatholicSchool in Beloit was sched-uled for March 21. Whenthe restrictions were imple-mented by the state, schoolvolunteers had just oneweek to change the eventfrom an in-person Mass,dinner and auction affair toan online-only auction.According to Principal Mar-cy Kee, the switch wouldnot have happened withoutthe help of a team of volun-teers and the auction ser-vice the school uses for theannual event.

“It was a lot of work inone week, but thank Godthey were able to do whatthey did,” she said. “Itworked out really well, andwe had more bidders for theauction than we would’vehad if we’d just held theevent in the gym.

“It was different thisyear, but we did very well.”

THE 37TH ANNUALSacred Heart Charity Auc-tion to benefit Sacred Heart

Jr./Sr. High School in Sali-na was also intended to beheld on March 21. ReneeThompson, the school’scommunication and eventscoordinator, said the deci-sion to move ahead with theevent with changes to thelogistics, was difficult butpositive.

“Our chairs for the event,Dahx and Colleen Marrs,were on a spring break tripwhen this happened so wewere calling them askingwhat they felt we shoulddo,” she recalled. “After alot of discussion, we decid-ed, ‘We’ve already goteverybody geared up for itso let’s do it!’”

Thompson said the workrequired to move from anin-person gala to an eventheld totally online waseased slightly by the factthat they had alreadyplanned to have the silentauction portion of the fes-tivities online.

“But now that we couldn’thave our live event, every-thing had to be online,” shesaid. “We really had to takeall the little details intoaccount, but everyonepitched in, and we got itdone!”

Like other schools’fundraisers, tickets to theCharity Auction were soldahead of time, limiting thenumber of people whowould be attending in per-son, however with thechange in plans for theevent, Thompson said thecommittee had to get cre-ative with the way peoplecould participate.

“We decided to open it upto anyone and everyone,and we emailed all of ouralumni with the log-ininformation for the auc-

Schools in SalinaDiocese adjust

annual fundraisers

Please see SCHOOLS / Page 5

MAY AND JUNE ARE usu-ally full of celebrations,from Mother’s Day and firstCommunions to proms,graduations and weddings.These events are rich inmeaning for individuals andfamilies, representing per-sonal accomplishments andobstacles overcome, theinvestment of effort andresources, intergenerationalbonds and the hopes andaspirations of the young.

Milestones like these aremarked by rituals and time-honored traditions, and theyare often surrounded bymuch pomp and circum-stance. But they can also beweighed down by expecta-tions which are nearlyimpossible to satisfy — find-ing the wedding dress ofone’s dreams, coming upwith the best prom proposalever, or snapping the perfectphoto as graduation caps aregleefully tossed in the air!

Obviously, things are dif-ferent this year. In this sea-son of pandemic, manyexpectations will be leftunfulfilled, many dreamsdeferred. Although our

experience of proms andgraduations is mostly limit-ed to our youthful memo-ries, we Little Sisters haveour own rituals and tradi-tions, many of which wehave been forced to sup-press during the pandemic.

Some Sisters were forlornat the thought of not beingable to celebrate Holy Week,the most significant time ofthe liturgical year. For oth-ers, having to care for dyingresidents from behindmasks, face shields and iso-lation gowns has been a dis-tressing experience.

As Little Sisters, we havelong-held traditions sur-rounding the care of thedying. We keep vigil withthem, taking turns to main-tain a prayerful and sup-portive presence at theirbedside until God takesthem to himself. We take

pride in creating what weconsider the ideal ambiancein a dying person’s room —from gentle touch and spe-cial sheets to soft music andlighting, fresh flowers andhospitality carts stackedwith snacks for familymembers. The sacrament ofthe Anointing of the Sickand a regular rhythm ofrosaries and other devotionsare also central to this tra-dition. After death, weprayerfully prepare theirbodies for burial and helpthe families to plan theirwake and funeral.

IN MANY CASES THESEtreasured rituals have beenimpossible to maintain dur-ing the pandemic. With therequired isolation precau-tions, fewer Sisters and staffon hand due to illness, andin some cases without thepossibility of the sacraments,we just have not been able toensure the same level of per-sonalized care that we usual-ly expect of ourselves.

Recent events in our min-istry, as well as the experi-ence of young people I

know who are graduatingthis spring, have led me toreflect on the burden ourexpectations place on us.We’ve grown accustomed tobeing in control and makingthings happen, to doingwhatever it takes to fulfillour expectations. The pan-demic has forced us to real-ize that we are not really incharge and that we cannotcontrol events on a globalscale or sometimes even inour own household.

It’s legitimate to mournthe highly anticipatedmoments we’ve missed outon and feel robbed of due tothe pandemic. It’s valid togrieve over our inability tocare for others like we usuallydo. But the virtue of Christianhope should keep us fromallowing our personal hopesand aspirations to be dashed.Humble trust in God’s provi-dence should help us toaccept our own poverty andto find the silver lining in ourcurrent situation.

Let’s embrace themoment in which we findourselves — for God haspermitted these circum-

stances and he is waiting forus to recognize his presencein them and to use them tothe best of our ability togrow deeper in faith, hopeand love!

Many milestones will gouncelebrated during thesemonths of pandemic, butlet’s be creative in makingmemories that will be cher-ished even more than if ouroriginal plans had gone offwithout a hitch! Let’s helpthe young to become thenext great generation by ris-ing to the unique challengesof this moment in history!

Thinking about the unful-filled expectations of thesepast weeks, I find solace inthe words of one of the ear-ly Christian writers, “Do notbe always wanting every-thing to turn out as youthink it should, but ratheras God pleases, then youwill be undisturbed andthankful in your prayer.”

I pray that you will findreasons to be thankful inthese difficult days. Sister Constance Veit is director of com-munications for the Little Sisters of thePoor.


AS YOU PERUSE THROUGHthis issue of The Register,you might pause and won-der, “Why did Karen spendtime focusing on the cen-sus?”

It’s true, at first glance,something seemingly boring(like the census) mightseem out of place in thepages of a Catholic newspa-per. When someone men-tioned it to me as a storyidea toward the end of2019, I dismissed it, too.Yet as I let the idea simmerat the back of my brain, Irealized that the census isthe perfect opportunity toexplore stories I’ve had onmy “to do” list for ages!

I was a reporter at theHays Daily News in EllisCounty for three years, and

during that time, I heardplenty about the “braindrain” from westernKansas. Residents grow upin rural or small communi-ties, but after college, neverreturn to live or work intheir small hometown.

It was an idea thatintrigued me, but I neverhad the time or opportunityto write.

Similarly, I have heardfor many years that num-bers of Catholics are declin-

ing, and many are asking,“How can we keep youth,young adults or even olderadults in the Church?”

A geek at heart, I loveplowing through piles ofdata to see what they tellme. I also love to spin thewheels of a microfilmmachine ... I can’t explainquite why, but it’s oddly sat-isfying!

ONCE I REALIZED thatmaybe the census wasn’tsuch a bad idea after all, Istarted digging. I found somuch, in fact, that it won’tall fit into this issue of thenewspaper. I have plans tostart in this issue, andspend the next few issuessharing and exploring other

stories relating to ruralKansas*.

That’s one thing I loveabout journalism ... as story-tellers, we have the opportu-nity and challenge of taking amundane topic and seeing ifwe can apply it to the lives ofour readers. Did I succeed inthis issue? Maybe. Maybenot. You tell me!

I feel compelled to alsoconfess I’d been procrasti-nating filling out the census(anyone else in the sameboat?). I made the assump-tion that it was a long,drawn-out process. In thecourse of interviews for thispaper, I realized it was onlynine questions, and theydidn’t even ask anythingthat felt too personal, like

income level or religiousaffiliation. In all, it took meabout eight minutes (I knowthis because I did a Face-book live video of me fillingout the census form — itwas riveting — ha! ha!).

SO, please sit back, enjoya few stories ... and if youhaven’t already, please fillout your census form!

* I have an asterisk here, becausewhen I originally interviewed andphotographed the Hagler family, itwas the end of February ... my “plan”was to start the census stories in theMarch issue, but COVID-19 threw allof those plans out the window! WhileI hope and plan to include more sto-ries, it feels difficult to become tooattached to plans, as they seem to beconstantly changing these days!

Karen Bonar is the editor of The Regis-ter and a parishioner of St. Mary, Queenof the Universe in Salina.

The census provides a chance to pause, look at our region

Finding God in the pandemic

IF YOU’VE EVER READ thiscolumn, you’re probablyaware that we’ve put ourhome up for sale threetimes over the past severalyears. First, we tried for saleby owner (FSBO), and thatdeal fell through. I didn’tunderstand why it shookout the way it did, especiallygiven fervent prayer by meand my trusty band ofprayer warriors.

Next, we enlisted the pro-fessional help of a realtorwho came highly recom-mended. Again, I activatedthe prayer tree and askedfriends to storm heaven. Inaddition to the St. Josephstatue we originally buried,I borrowed one from myfriend Rosemary since she’sa devout Catholic, and Ithought her statue woulddeliver better results.Apparently, however, itwasn’t our time to move.When that realtor didn’t

work out, we took a sixmonth pause to catch ourbreath.

Thinking the third timewould be a charm, weenlisted the help of anotheracclaimed realtor. Prayerensued. I requested anotherhouse blessing (as if thefirst one 15 years ago hadworn off) and our deaconkindly acquiesced. Thistime, however, I changedmy prayer up a bit.

My prayer went some-thing like this: “Please, God,let this buyer be the one.But let your will be done,God, not mine.” (Admitted-ly, I still put holy water onthe front doorknob.)

No buyer. No sale. Weembraced God’s will,thanking him for our won-derful home and ourbeloved neighbors. Werepainted, redecorated andsettled in.

FAST FORWARD TO MAY1. I was mowing the yardand I noticed a car circlingthe street. The driver pulledup alongside me, so I shutoff the mower.

Nutshell version: “Sorryto bother, but I wondered ifyou might be willing to sellyour house,” she said.

I was confused. I told herthere are two other houseson our street for sale.

She shared that she wasinterested in our housebefore, but the timing wasn’t right. Her realtorsuggested that she ask if wewould entertain her request,even though it wasn’t on themarket.

I talked it over with myhusband, and we agreedthat we would be willing tosell, but only based on par-ticular stipulations. Theyviewed the house 36 hourslater, made an offer the nextday, and asked to expediteinspection, appraisal andclosing. By the grace of God,it all worked out and within21 days, start to finish, wewere out of our home withall of our possessions instorage and living at mymother-in-law’s, thanks toher kindness.

The buyer’s family washappy, as she’s expectingher fifth child this monthand her husband will soonbe deployed again. It seemsas if both of our prayerswere answered in God’s per-fect timing. God is good. Allthe time — even when histimeline looks differentfrom ours.

I circled back to the May

1 entry in my “God Calling”devotional:

“Delay has to be —sometimes. Your lives areso linked up with those ofothers, so bound by cir-cumstances that to let yourdesire have instant fulfill-ment might in many casescause another, as earnestprayer, to go unanswered …Delay is not denial — noteven withholding. It is theopportunity for God towork out your problemsand accomplish yourdesires in the most won-derful way possible foryou.”

I share this not to brag,but to witness that God isglorified in all things. I’mlearning that God’s plansare bigger than mine, andhe doesn’t disappoint.Patti Lamb is a freelance writer fromPlainfield, Ind. Her columns appear inThe Criterion, the newspaper of theArchdiocese of Indianapolis.

God’s timing can be mysteriousPatti LambArchdioceseof Indianapolis

SisterConstanceVeitLittle Sisters of the Poor

KarenBonarRegister editor

tion,” she said. “The nightof the event, three of uscame up to the school andwe hosted a Facebooklivestream event. Weshowed off the auctionitems, and we did some triv-ia. Several of our schoolfamilies and supporterswatched together fromhome, and then they couldcall in or post comments.We still got some of thatpersonal feel and someinteraction, and we receivedgood feedback about thoseefforts.

“Most pleasing to us,though, is that we hadalumni in other states whowere able to get online andbid,” she added.

Those who had alreadypurchased tickets coulddonate the cost of their tick-ets toward the “ItemlessItem,” an auction listingthat raises money for thepurchase of specific itemsfor the school, or they couldreceive a refund. Thompsonsaid most ticketholderschose to make the donation.

Overall, “Our base netprofit was just a little lessthan last year, but peoplewere very cooperative andopen to the changes,” shesaid.

FOR THE FAMILIES OF ST.Andrew Elementary Schoolin Abilene, the Race forEducation fundraiser lookeddifferent than expected, tak-ing on a virtual element, butit has proven to be a suc-cess.

“We included a COVID-19 update in the mailingexplaining that we would bemaking adjustments,” Prin-cipal Christina Whitehairsaid. “The note explainedthat we were going forward

with the event, but familiesfacing difficult financial cir-cumstances were asked tooffer prayers for our schoolthis year instead of a finan-cial gift. We kicked thefundraiser off live on ourFacebook event page. Wehad students complete theirwalking/running with theirfamilies on their own andsubmit photos to our Face-book event page.

“To date we have raisedover $13,000. We are verygrateful for the wonderfulsupport during difficulttimes.”

FOR OTHER SCHOOLSacross the diocese, staff andvolunteers made the diffi-cult decisions to postponespring fundraisers.

“Our largest fundraiserfor the year — our schoolauction — was scheduled forMarch 28 but had to bepostponed,” said ShawnAugustine, Principal of St.Francis Xavier CatholicSchool in Junction City. “Itwas difficult not having thisbecause it is always such afun event, and it typicallyraises approximately$100,000 each year whichis a crucial part of ourschool budget. Our currentplan is to hold it in lateOctober or early November,but if we are unable to, dueto the pandemic, we willlook into having a smallervirtual auction then and alive auction in late March orearly April (2021).”

FATHER LEO BLASI, pas-tor of Sacred Heart Parishand Sacred Heart GradeSchool in Plainville, and St.Thomas Parish in Stockton,said the school’s threeannual fundraisers have allbeen postponed.

The Spring Carnival,

originally scheduled to takeplace on April 26, has yet tobe rescheduled, “But if wehave it, it will be live andin-person,” Father Blasisaid. “There may be anoption for placing onlinebids, but that is not settled.

“Our auction is normallyin July, but because we areconcerned with donationsduring the shutdown, wehave postponed it. We arelooking at the new year as apossible reschedule date.We are having our June golftournament, but we didhave to push it back severalweeks.”

TMP-MARIAN JR./ SR.High School’s annual Auc-tion for Christian Educa-tion, originally scheduledfor April 24, has beenrescheduled for July 17 and18.

“We waited until the firstof April to decide, just notknowing what was going tohappen,” said Troy Ruda,TMP-Marian AdvancementDirector. “We were sold out[of our 500 tickets], but itwas fairly easy to push thepause button.”

Ruda said the challengesin rescheduling the event —the school’s largestfundraiser — included theuncertainty of how thingswere going to play out withthe pandemic and its relat-ed restrictions, as well asthe scheduling of otherfundraising events held byFort Hays State Universityand the local school district.

“We didn’t want to stepon anyone’s toes,” he said.“We worked with represen-tatives from FHSU and USD489 to make sure we founda solution that accommo-dated everyone. We alsowanted to give peoplebreathing room between thetime the state opened upand us having a large-scaleevent. We felt comfortablethat we could have it inJuly.”

Rescheduling the auctionto the middle of the sum-mer presented one morechallenge in that the AlBillinger Fieldhouse, the

location for the annualevent, is not air condi-tioned. Ruda said the schooland volunteers have takensteps to ensure attendeesare physically comfortableboth with the expected hotweather and social distancerecommendations.

“We will have temporaryair conditioning in thebuilding for everyone’scomfort level, and we’ll beusing these temporary unitsfor the school’s graduationceremony the week prior aswell,” he said. “We will alsobe a little more spread outthis year, using the canteen,the gym and the wrestlingroom for the event.

“We feel very comfortableworking within the stateand Ellis County HealthDepartment guidelines forthe auction.”

Ruda said TMP-Marian isplanning to return to thenormal schedule for theauction in the spring of2021.

WHILE THEIR ANNUALschool auction and dinnerevent was moved fromMarch 28 to Sept. 19, St.John’s Catholic School inHanover is also anticipatinga return to a normalfundraising schedule in the2020-21 school year. Fornow, though, this year’srescheduled event will takeplace with only minorchanges to the original plan.

“We are in the planningprocess to see if we’llchange the theme,” saidAmanda Cook, St. John’sSchool Principal. “Our origi-nal theme was ‘March Mad-ness!’”

Cook said the past andcontinued generosity of theschool’s supporters haspositioned the school tobrave the change with littleconcern.

“We have a very support-ive community who goesabove and beyond for ourschool,” she said. “Peopleunderstood [the need topostpone]. Thankfully,we’ve been very blessed inpast years so we can with-stand the change.”

The alteration in plansfor the auction also led tochanges in other fundrais-ing events for the school.Cook said the St. John theBaptist Parish holds abazaar to benefit the schooleach September. Now withthe rescheduling of the auc-tion, volunteers are workingto reimagine the event.Plans include a spinoff ofthe original event to be heldin June that will feature atake-out meal that can bepicked up curbside.

BETH SHEARER, DIREC-TOR of Stewardship andDevelopment for the SalinaDiocese, says it is importantto remember that despitethe pandemic, the desire togive is still strong.

“We have all beenimpacted by this situation,but people continue to care,and when they want to showhow much they care, theygive,” she said.

Noting anecdotal evi-dence that she has heardlocally as well as from hercolleagues across the coun-try, Shearer said philan-thropists are looking forways to make an impact. Itis now up to the organiza-tions to share their needs.

“Don’t be shy about shar-ing your needs,” she said.“Our mission goes on andso does our need for fund-ing. If you’re not asking,you’re not giving people theopportunity to help.”


Diocese of Salina CFOThe Diocese of Salina is accepting resumes for theposition of CFO.

The Chief Financial Officer directs and oversees allfinancial activities for a very busy organization.

Scope of work has oversight for 86 Catholic parishes,Catholic Charities, the Salina Chancery Finance Officeand 15 schools covering 31 counties in Kansas. Thisrole is responsible for monthly financial reporting,providing expert analysis of reports and data, audits,internal controls, asset management and advising theBishop in financial matters.

Position Requirements

• BS Business Administration or Finance (MBA and/orCPA desired). • Minimum of 10 years of accounting and financeexperience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.• Expert level skills and experience in financial analysisand budgeting.• Able to strike a balance between managing the day-to-day finance function and strategic planning andimplementation. Healthcare contract experiencepreferred.• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Experience/knowledge of Catholic organizations, non-profits, parish and clergy strongly preferred.

To request a full job description or to ask questionsabout this opportunity, please email Kim Hoelting, HR

Director at [email protected]. EOE.

Diocese of Salina: Catholic Charities Executive Director

To request a full job description or to ask questions about this opportunity, pleaseemail Kim Hoelting, HR Director at [email protected]. EOE.

The Diocese of Salina is acceptingresumes for the position of ExecutiveDirector of Catholic Charities of NorthernKansas.

The Executive Director oversees andmanages all activities related to theministries of Catholic Charities. As the leader, strategic planning andexecution of the vision/mission are a toppriority. This role includes oversight forthe daily operations, 15-20 programs,grants, marketing, fundraising, visibility in31 counties and the utilization of asupport team of 25 in 3 locations withinthe diocese. The position reports to theChancellor for the Diocese and worksvery closely with the Catholic CharitiesBoard of Directors.

Position Requirements

BS Business Administration or SocialServices related fields of study ispreferred. Prefer a minimum of 5+ years of non-profit leadership experience, with budget,fundraising, asset and supervisorymanagement.Strongly prefer experience with deliveringservices to those most in need.Preference will be given to thoseapplicants with a work history related tothe social mission/teachings of theCatholic faith. Excellent verbal and writtencommunication skills needed for thiscollaboration with other non-profits,parish/clergy and visibility in the 31counties served by the diocese.

Schools adjusted fundraisers in a variety of waysFrom page 3

It was difficultnot having this

because it is alwayssuch a fun event,and it typically

raises approximately$100,000 each yearwhich is a crucialpart of our school

budget.

“

”Shawn AugustinePrincipal, St. FrancisXavier, Junction City


By The Register

SALINA — Peopleacross our diocesecontinue to give

generously to the Bishop’sAnnual Appeal — Call toShare. To date, more than$1.4 million has beenpledged and will make a dif-ference in parishes andministries across the dio-cese.

Keep watching for the“Call to Share Gifts inAction” graphic in The Reg-ister. This is a visualreminder of the programs

and ministries supported bygifts to the Bishop’s AnnualAppeal.

Call to Share is one of theprimary ways that mostCatholics in the Diocese ofSalina participate in themission of the diocese. Thisannual appeal is a yearlyopportunity for Catholics tocontribute directly to theministries of the diocese,which then serves the localparishes.

The goal for the 2020Bishop’s Annual Appeal is$1.6 million. Gifts given toCall to Share help: formseminarians to becomepriests, provide retirementand healthcare for localclergy, provide ministriesthat help evangelize, edu-cate youth and adults, offeradministration and aid forstudents in the 15 localCatholic schools, and pro-vide a diversity of otherministries. Nearly 90 per-cent of the funds raised arespent on programs thatdirectly benefit individualsand every parish. The other

funding helps the generaladministrative operations ofthe diocese.

Gifts to the appeal makea difference. All donors arejoining in partnership withthe diocese to provide theservices that enhance andsustain Catholic life in localparishes. Furthermore,donors are extendingChrist’s service and lovebeyond the diocese, to thenation and the world.

GIFTS CAN BE PLEDGEDor given any time beforeDec. 31. While everyone isinvited to make a gift, it

might not be feasible foreveryone right now. It ishoped that those who cangive will do so.

Pledging over time maymake a gift more comfort-able. Electronic gifts can bemade through the diocesanwebsite at https://salinadiocese.org/development/bishops-annual-appeal. Formore information or tomake a gift of appreciatedstocks, IRAs, or commodi-ties, contact Beth Shearer,Director of Stewardship andDevelopment at (785) 827-8746, ext. 42, or [email protected].

Faithful across diocese pledge more than $1.4 million to appeal

By Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Speakingat a special U.N. discussionabout racism and police bru-tality, a Vatican officialrepeated Pope Francis’recent remarks: “We cannottolerate or turn a blind eyeto racism and exclusion inany form and yet claim todefend the sacredness ofevery human life.”

Speaking about demon-strations in the United Statesfollowing the killing ofGeorge Floyd by police, PopeFrancis also said, “At thesame time, we have to recog-nize that violence is self-destructive and self-defeat-ing. Nothing is gained by vio-lence and so much is lost.”

Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic,the Vatican’s permanentobserver to U.N. agencies inGeneva, shared the pope’swords June 18 as the U.N.Human Rights Council heldan “urgent debate on currentracially inspired humanrights violations, systemicracism, police brutalityagainst people of Africandescent and violence againstpeaceful protests.”

“Racial discrimination in

all its forms is absolutelyintolerable,” ArchbishopJurkovic told the meeting.“All members of the humanfamily, made in the imageand likeness of God areequal in their inherent digni-ty, regardless of race, nation,sex, origin, culture or reli-gion. States are called to rec-ognize, defend and promotethe fundamental humanrights of each person.”

Michelle Bachelet, U.N.high commissioner forhuman rights, introducedthe discussion by notingthat “since the killing ofGeorge Floyd at the handsof police in Minneapolis lastmonth, a wave of massiveprotests has surged forward— not only across everystate in the United States,but also in dozens of coun-tries in Europe and allaround the world.”

Floyd’s death, an “act ofgratuitous brutality,” shesaid, “has come to symbol-ize the systemic racism thatharms millions of people ofAfrican descent — causingpervasive, daily, lifelong,generational and too often,lethal harm.”

The killing of Floyd, anAfrican American, at the

hands of a white officer,Bachelet said, “has becomeemblematic of the excessiveuse of disproportionateforce by law enforcementagainst people of Africandescent, against people ofcolor and against indige-nous peoples and racial andethnic minorities in many

countries across the globe.“We need schools and

universities that are free ofbias; economies that givetruly equal opportunitiesand fair treatment to all;political institutions that aremore responsive and inclu-sive; justice systems whichare truly just.”

Racism in any form is intolerable, Vatican official says at U.N. hearing

Sacred Heart — ColbyELEMENTARY TEACHER

DescriptionSacred Heart Catholic School is seekingan Elementary teacher for the 2020-2021school year.

SHS will provide a strong academicprogram with emphasis on Christianvalues. The students who attend ourschool are the most important peopleassociated with our institution. Allstudents deserve the right to succeed. Itis the intention of the school toencourage positive self-esteem in orderfor this goal to be accomplished. The

individuality of each person is respectedand his or her potential is fosteredthrough a program with good, well-rounded classroom instruction.Spiritual guidance, good classroomcurriculum, personal attention and therecognition of the educational programoffered at Sacred Heart Catholic School inColby. We are committed to serving eachstudent in the best possible manner withGod as our main focal point.

Benefits include a single health insurancepolicy, leave for personal & illness.

View more information and fill out a professional application, please visitwww.sacredheartcolby.com/school

Submit a resume, college transcripts, credentials, three lettersof reference, current Kansas teaching license:

Kara Herrman585 N. French Ave.

Colby, KS 67701

If you have questions or needsome clarification, email

[email protected] or call(913) 575-6176.

Sacred Heart — ColbyPRINCIPAL

Sacred Heart Elementary School inColby, Kansas is seeking to fill theposition of Principal.

Qualifications:Demonstrated commitment to thedevelopment of Christian spirit and aCatholic community of faith within theschool environment. Master’s degreein Education Administration andsupervision with experience inadministration and teaching. Activemember of the Catholic Church.

Preference given to candidates whohave ability to communicate and workcollaboratively with and excellent staff.Competitive salary and benefitscommensurate with credentials andexperience.

Submit a letter of interest,resume, three letters ofreference and universitycredentials to:

Kara Herrman585 N. French Ave.

Colby, KS 67701

If you have questions or needsome clarification, email

[email protected] or call(913) 575-6176.

Send news and photos [email protected]


A R O U N D T H E D I O C E S E

By Mark PattisonCatholic News Service

WASHINGTON — A bak-er’s dozen of Catholic orga-nizations, from dioceses toreligious orders to CatholicCharities affiliates, havesigned on to a joint state-ment urging all to take partin the 2020 U.S. census.

“We affirm the right of allpeople to participate in the2020 census and remaincommitted to helping ourneighbors be counted,” saidthe statement, issued March26 by the group Faith inPublic Life. “All people,regardless of race, religionor immigration status haveGod-given dignity and it isimperative that our govern-ment counts every personliving in this country.”

The Catholic signatorieswere part of a larger multi-faith effort to encourageparticipation in the decen-nial census, which is a con-stitutional mandate.

The Leadership Confer-ence of Women Religious,one of the signatories, haslong been part of Faith inPublic Life’s “Faithful Cen-sus” initiative, said SisterAnn Scholz, a School Sisterof Notre Dame, who isLCWR’s associate directorof social mission. LCWRalso has signed on to theCensus Bureau’s NationalPartnership Program, sheadded.

“We’ve been spreadingthe word about the criticalimportance of the 2020census count,” Sister Scholzsaid.

In messages being sentbefore Census Day, April 1,to LCWR members, SisterScholz said LCWR wants tomake the point that “weknow that in past censuses,millions of people of color,children and immigrantshave gone uncounted.”

“We believe this under-count,” she continued, “hasresulted in systemic injus-tice resulting in underfund-ing of resources that we alluse, like schools, hospitals,critical infrastructure and —a new twist that’s going outin my emails ... we thinkthat it’s even resulted in theunderpreparation for criti-cal health emergencies likeCOVID-19.”

SISTERS SIGNALING theirsupport for the U.S. census

“reflects our faith, and itreflects our belief in the lifeand dignity of each andevery person. Catholicteaching is grounded in theabsolute dignity of each andevery individual,” SisterScholz said.

“God counts us. Certainlywe can do no less in ourdecennial census. We’reeach made in God’s imageand endowed with God’sspirit. No matter our creed,our race, our gender, ourimmigration status — we’reworthy of being counted,”she added.

“A full and accurate countlays the foundation for ahealthy democracy andhealthy communities. Bycompleting the census andencouraging our communi-ties to do so, we claim our

rightful political representa-tion in Congress and fulfillour responsibility to ourneighbors and to future gen-erations,” the Faith in PublicLife joint statement said.

Mail from the CensusBureau was sent to millionsof U.S. homes March 12.Inside the envelope was adistinct 12-character codethat would allow the recipi-ent to complete the brief —five to seven minutes —census questionnaireonline. Residents also maycomplete a census form byphone or mail.

Information is availableonline at https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond

Due to COVID-19, thecensus self-response phaseconcludes on Oct. 31.

Catholic organizations urge communities to respond to U.S. census


Your response matters.This is the simple mes-

sage going out across thecountry as city, county andcommunity leaders areencouraging all residents tofill out the 2020 Census.

“People don’t understandyour county and city fundingis tied to the census. Thefederal funding countiesreceive is tied to the censusnumbers,” said KimReynolds, the executivedirector of Cloud Corp., Con-cordia, as well as the chair ofthe Complete Count Com-mittee for Cloud County.

Reynolds, who is aparishioner of Our Lady ofPerpetual Help in Concor-dia, moved to town morethan two decades ago.

“A lot of programs ourpeople use like school lunchprograms are tied to federalmoney (via populationcounts),” she said. “In thecounty we average above 55percent of students who areon free and reduced lunch-es, so we need those dollarsto help with the schoollunch programs.”

It’s not only schoolbreakfast and lunches. Thefederal government givesgrants for housing, specialeducation, Head Start, Med-icaid, community facilityloans, sewer replacement,street replacement, housingrehab … and the list contin-ues, she said.

“It’s not out of greed thatmotivates us,” Reynoldssaid. “As a community andas a county, we look at thecommunity. We are think-ing about the people weknow that utilize these pro-grams. Having a cut in thatfunding could be detrimen-tal to a household.”

AS THE CHAIR OF THEComplete Count Committee,Reynolds said she has beencoordinating with 15 othersthroughout the county to

promote census responses.For 2020, Reynolds said

the census is urging resi-dents to input the informa-tion online, and the localComplete Count Commit-tee made preparations withthe local library. The groupwas prepared to hit theground running, but theFrank Carlson Library inConcordia closed March16.

“The 60 and older popu-lation were calling saying, ‘Idon’t have computer access,I always went to thelibrary,’” Reynolds said.

Reynolds had the phonenumber handy to direct res-idents to call the informa-tion in (1-800-923-8282).Additionally, the censusquestionnaire was mailed toevery household. They raninto another snag, however,with the mail.

“They don’t deliver thequestionnaire to P.O. box-es,” Reynolds said. “A lot ofpeople get their mail at theP.O. Box rather than theirhome.”

There are two “popula-tions” that Reynolds saidare often undercounted: theyoung and the elderly.

“If that baby takes abreath of air on April 1, thencount ’em,” she said. “If theyhaven’t been born prior toApril 1, then they would notbe counted this year.”

Reynolds said she thinksthe population age 65 andolder can tend to be skepti-cal about items they receivein the mail.

“That age group is target-ed so much by scammers, Ithink they are concernedabout whether or not it’strue,” she said.

ACCORDING TO CENSUSdata, the population ofCloud County peaked in1890, with more than19,000 residents. The popu-lation rose and fell for sev-eral decades, but since1940, has experienced asteady decline.

This trend is one seenacross rural Kansas, saidXan Wedel, the state data

center lead at the KansasState Data Center at Insti-tute for Policy and SocialResearch at the Universityof Kansas in Lawrence.

“The northwest Kansasregional population in 2010was 96,833. This was sixpercent lower than the2000 Census,” shesaid. “Current populationestimates indicate contin-ued population loss formost counties except Ellis,Logan and Wallace.”

The Institute for Policyand Social Research consid-ers northwest Kansas as 18counties: Cheyenne, Rawl-ins, Decatur, Norton,Phillips, Smith, Sherman,Thomas, Sheridan, Graham,Rooks, Osborne, Wallace,Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellisand Russell counties.

She terms the populationshift “urban migration.”

“We had a lot of farm-based jobs before 1940,”Wedel said. “As our farmsgot larger and larger, theyneed fewer people to oper-ate them because of mod-ern technology. With lessdemand in rural employ-ment, people move tourban areas with moreemployment opportuni-ties.”

In 2010, she said, morethan 50 percent of thestate’s 2.8 million peoplelived in five counties: John-son, Sedgwick, Shawnee,Wyandotte and Douglas.

“We have 105 counties,but more than half the peo-ple live in five of them,” shesaid. “There’s almost a mil-lion people living in the top

two counties.”

WHILE MANY RURALareas in Kansas have shrunkin population, Riley andGeary counties, home toJunction City, Fort Rileyand Manhattan, have expe-rienced consistent growth.

Jason Hilgers, the DeputyCity Manager of Manhattan,is also a parishioner of St.Thomas More in Manhat-tan. The population of Man-hattan and Riley County, onthe eastern edge of the Sali-na Diocese, has increasedby 15 percent or more inevery decade since 1910.

“Population factors arecentered around the univer-sity and Fort Riley,” Hilgerssaid.

For many years, the 1stInfantry Division washoused at Fort Riley. Hesaid it moved away in 1995,then returned in 2006.

“It impacted us from aneconomic standpoint,”Hilgers said. “Manhattan isan entitlement community,and we get $500-600,000annually for communityblock grants.”

The city pushed hard in2010 to reach all of itshouseholds, with the goal ofreaching a population countof 50,000 residents in thecensus.

“If you’re under 50,000residents, then you competeat the state level with othercities that are under 50,000for funding,” he said. “Get-ting over the 50,000 thresh-old has resulted in millionsof dollars from the federalgovernment for our city.”

While the trend has beenhistorically increasing, hesaid the numbers could dipfor the 2020 census.

“We have roughly 20,000students, give or take,”Hilgers said. “It’s grownfrom 2000 to 2016, and thelast four years, there weredeclines (in enrollment).”

Universities are being

Census participation essential for all communities

Please see POPULATION / Page 8

Photo by Karen Bonar / The RegisterKim Reynolds, a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church inConcordia, is the executive director of Cloud Corp in Concordia,and works with economic development. She is working toencourage all residents to participate in the census.

June 22-28 has beendesignated as a time to“Call for the Count,” a

week-long, concentratedcampaign to promote self-

response to the 2020Census.

RESPOND TO THE CENSUS:

my2020census.gov1-800-923-8282

Self-reporting concludes Oct. 31.

more competitive to attract students, he said.“You can get reciprocal tuition at Oklahoma

State and in Arkansas,” Hilgers said. “They’relooking to honor in-state tuition (for studentsfrom Kansas). There are financial breaks totravel to those schools.”

With this knowledge, Manhattan is diversi-fying as it recruits businesses.

“We can’t sit back and rest on our laurels,”Hilgers said. “It takes real effort (to recruit newbusinesses). We’ve focused on becoming moreattractive as a community — to attract faculty,staff and other industries to Manhattanbecause it’s a very competitive world outthere.”

WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS, REYNOLDS SAIDthey are supposed to be counted in the city orcounty where they attend college, not theaddress where their parents reside. For stu-dents who live in dormitories, she said theuniversity takes care of the paperwork.

Yet this year provided unforseen complica-tions when state universities announced the clo-sure of on-campus classes on March 12 and 13.

Census day was April 1.“The census said the college kids are to be

counted in the city or county where theywould have been if the shutdown did not hap-pen,” Reynolds said. “The problem is, howev-er, that everything shut down and sent thekids home mid-March.”

ANOTHER ASPECT THE CENSUS AFFECTS ISvoting districts.

Allen Dinkel is the city manager in Junc-tion City, but was born west of Schoenchen inEllis County.

“When I was born 64 yeas ago, there wassix congressional districts,” he said, andadded Kansas is down to four seats in theUnited States House of Representatives (thereare 435 members total).

“If we don’t grow or don’t get accuratecounts, we risk dropping to three congres-sional districts,” he added. “Going from four

seats to three would be a big deal. The “BigFirst” (District) would get even bigger.”

Reynolds said losing seats is a possibility.“In 2010, states like Illinois and Iowa and

Missouri lost a congressional seat,” she said.“Those are Midwest states. When you’re look-ing at losing representation at the federal lev-el, that’s huge for your state.”

Wedel said Kansas had eight seats in theU.S. House of Representatives from 1894-1934. Due to population decline, the state losta seat in 1930, 1940, 1960 and 1990.

“If rural Kansas doesn’t respond to the cen-sus, they’re giving up their voice,” she said.

CURRENTLY, ALL RESIDENTS ARE encour-aged to fill out the census form that wasmailed to their house, Reynolds said. The sur-vey is also available online at my2020census.gov.

Right now, she said the “self reporting”phase is still ongoing.

As of June 22, the self-response rate inKansas was 65.4 percent; the national self-

response rate was 61.6 percent. While the overall response rate is strong in

Kansas, the response rate is lower in morerural counties, such as Cheyenne County,where the self-response rate is about 53 per-cent, with 19 percent of residents utilizing theonline submission option. In contrast, SalineCounty has almost a 71 percent response rate,with more than 55 percent of residents sub-mitting their information online.

Wedel said COVID-19 has slightly alteredthe census timeline. Normally, census workerswould be visiting homes that have notresponded during the summer months. Thecensus is typically wrapping up by July 30,but this year, the self-reporting deadline hasbeen extended to Oct. 31.

Wedel said the census has been whittleddown to nine questions.

“They used to ask income and job and whattime do you leave for work and ‘Do you havecomplete plumbing facilities in your house,’”


ATWOOD — Withdeep ties in RawlinsCounty in northwestKansas, Andrea andJordan Hagler nev-

er considered any other location tocall home.

“I just love it here. I grew up outin the country, I love the country,love our community and I love ourchurch,” said Andrea, who is 34years old. “It was important tocome back.”

Her husband grew up about 15miles south of Atwood.

“There is something about thefarm life that was engrained,” Jor-dan said. “If you grow up that way,you just know you want to comeback.”

“I love the wide open spaces,the country, the farm life,” Andreachimed in.

Her great-great grandparentssettled in rural Beardsley, near St.John Nepomucene Church.

Jordan’s family moved toKansas because of the church.

“His great-grandpa on theKanak side came out from Wiscon-sin to St. John’s to measure thealtars to be built,” Andrea said,adding the great-grandfatherworked for Josef Svoboda furni-ture company. “He went back toWisconsin, built the altar, andcame back to install it. When hewas back, he met a local girl in thearea, and that’s how that side end-ed up here.”

The main altar and side altars ofSt. John Nepomucene Church— which are still in use today— were built by Jordan’s ancestors.

AS WITH LOVE OF THE LAND,faith was woven through the fabricof their childhoods.

“The way we were brought up,we prayed together before everymeal, said morning and eveningprayer together, prayed the rosarytogether,” Andrea said. “Faith isjust a way of life. It was somethingthat was instilled in me as a kid.”

The couple’s 4-year-old son,

Aidan, built block on the livingroom floor as Andrea continued.

“It’s the same thing withAidan,” she said. “We take him tochurch with us, pray before everymeal, pray morning and bedtime.He enjoys praying.”

The couple’s son is a sixth-gen-eration member of the parish;Andrea and all four of her siblingswere married in the church, andshe is still an active parishioner.

JORDAN AND ANDREA MET dur-ing high school and began datingduring his senior year at AtwoodHigh School. The duo attendedKansas State University in Man-hattan and Northeastern StateUniversity in Tahlequah, Okla.,where they studied optometry.

They each had an interest in themedical field, and it was importantto find something that would meldtheir rural background with pro-fessional interest.

“I was debating between med-ical school and optometry school,knowing I wanted to come back toa rural area,” Andrea said. “Mysenior year in college, I was in thechoir loft (during Mass) and one ofthe doctors got a call and had togo to the ER on Christmas Eve. Ididn’t want to be on call 24/7.”

Which is why optometry felt likea more attractive option than fam-ily medicine.

“If I wanted to live in a big city,I probably would have gone themed school route, but in a ruralarea, optometry was more appeal-ing to me,” she said.

As they progressed throughschool, they remained committedto returning to their rural roots.

“Even optometry school, all theother kids knew they would go tobig cities. They were like, ‘You’re

going to western Kansas whenyou’re done?’” Jordan said. “Manytaking the board (exams) weregoing to Kansas City and Wichita.

“The mentality was that youhave to go to a big city to make

this work. We were the only onestaking the boards who planned towork west of Hays.”

While the vastness of the plainscan seem empty to some, withemptiness between rural commu-

nities, the couple said it works intheir favor. The duo works forVision Source, with five doctors insix offices: Atwood, Colby, Oakley,St. Francis, Goodland and Burling-ton, Colo.

“In a strange way, it’s been abetter opportunity,” Jordan said.“We don’t get as influenced by theWalmarts.”

June 26, 2020 98 June 26, 2020 The Register, Catholic Diocese of Salina, salinadiocese.org

Fast facts:Census 2020Residing Rural Atwood couple chooses to return

to hometown to work, raise family

Photo by Karen Bonar / The RegisterAndrea and Jordan Hagler met during high school at Atwood High School, and moved back to their hometown upon completing their college studies. The couple lives in Atwood with their 4-year-old son,Aidan. “I think it’s the attitude in high school. (They) want to go out and do something big with their lives. They think in a rural area it can’t be done — that you have to go to a big city and that there aremore opportunities in the big city. We just love it back here. It’s all we ever wanted to do since high school — come back to the area.

Please see COUPLE / Page 10

• The U.S. Census is required by law (U.S.Constitution, Article 1, Section 2) and hasbeen conducted every 10 years since 1790.

• The Census Bureau includes every personliving in the U.S. — regardless of citizenshipor immigration status. Residents are countedat the address where they usually live andsleep.

• Population numbers derived from thedecennial census are used to distributeover $6 billion in federal funds to Kansasevery year.

• Every uncounted person costs the state ofKansas approximately $2,082 in federalfunding.

• If 1 percent of the Kansas population isuncounted in the 2020 Census, the state ofKansas could miss receiving nearly $604million in federal funding over a 10-yearperiod

• Census data is used to determine federal,state and local voting districts.

• Government, businesses and otherstakeholders use census data forinfrastructure and transportationplanning; emergency preparedness, disaster relief, education funding, health tracking anddisease control, and a multitude of otherthings.

• Businesses and government agenciesconsider population trends when choosingplaces to locate, which in turn boostseconomic growth.

• As the census is only a once-every-10-years process, it is crucial to get the countright. If Kansas is under counted, we will beshortchanged for a decade.

• Under current federal law, the bureaucannot share census responses identifyingindividuals with the public or other federalagencies, including immigration authoritiesand other law enforcement, until 72years after the information is collected. Source: kansascounts.org

Atwood population1900 4861910 6801920 9191930 1,1061940 1,4081950 1,6131960 1,9061970 1,6581980 1,6651990 1,3882000 1,2792010 1,194

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population could result in financial loss for communities, representation loss nationallyFrom page 7

Please see CENSUS / Page 10

first job after college was inGrand Island, Neb., whereshe worked as a schoolsocial worker for the alter-native middle school.

“I fell in love with it,”Gayle said. “Caleb was will-ing to do whatever he need-ed to do to come to GrandIsland. It wasn’t until later,as I got older, I grew more inappreciation for my grand-ma and small-town life.”

WHILE CALEB LEFT HIShometown of Courtland toattend college at Fort HaysState University, returninghome was an option hewanted to keep open. Hetalked about the desire toreturn home with the guysin his graduating class.

“Ten of us talked and saidit’d really be cool if wecould move back home andmake it work,” Caleb said.“A lot of those guys hadfamily farms to go back to. Iwas jealous, because theyhad something to go backand take over.”

Because Caleb had nofamily farm to draw himhome, he began exploringother employment optionsnear his hometown. OnEaster weekend of 2010, hesaid he asked Gayle’s grand-ma about how she beganworking in crop insurance.

“She was 80 then andstill running the little cropinsurance agency all by her-self,” he said. “A couplemonths later, she had metaking my test to getlicensed.”

He began selling cropinsurance with Loretta, inaddition to a few other jobs.

CALEB WAS WARMING TOthe idea of returning to ruralKansas, but Gayle was not.

“We had been dating for

awhile, and I thought thingswere getting serious andwas excited about ourfuture,” Caleb said. “Gayleaccidentally texted meinstead of one of her friendssaying, ‘This guy wants tomove home to podunkKansas, and I don’t think Ican make this work.’”

As the couple continuedto date, and as her grand-mother eventually gave thebusiness to Caleb in 2013,Gayle said her perspectiveabout small-town livingbegan to shift slightly.

“Once we got serious andengaged, I knew somethingwould have to change,” shesaid. “He was still willing togo to Colorado, but I knewhis heart was at home. Hehated the city. He wouldhave been miserable. Oncewe got to the serious pointof wanting to have kids, weknew we needed familynearby to support us.

“I guess it comes down towhen you love someone,you have to do what’s bestfor both of you, not be self-ish about it.”

The couple wed in 2013,and Caleb split his timebetween Courtland andGrand Island, where Gayleworked for the first year oftheir marriage.

As the couple becameserious about moving torural Kansas, Gayle said shewanted a little space fromthe communities they grewup in — Mankato andCourtland.

“I didn’t want peopleknowing my business ornoticing if the bathroomlight was on in the middleof the night,” she said.

They looked at a three-bedroom house on the out-skirts of Formoso.

“I looked at this houseand was like, ‘I could neverlive in Formoso, are you

kidding?’” Gayle said. “Iturned this house downmultiple times.”

Yet eventually, theybought the house and madeit home.

ONE STRUGGLE CALEBsaid the small communityfaces is dilapidated proper-ties.

“There are so many hous-es that have fallen in andhave been abandoned andnot been cared for,” he said.

A prime example was thehouse down the road fromthem. While run down, ithad a solid structure androof.

“I wanted to save thathouse from further deterio-ration — to try and stop thetrend of all the housingthat’s been abandoned andnot cared for. I thought wecould turn it into a rentalhouse and save a nice prop-erty from falling in,” hesaid. “Then Gayle broughtup the idea of a huntingcabin. That’s why we wentdown that road. Wethought, ‘We’ll try it out fora year, and we can rent itout or sell it.’”

With a rural location andfew hotels, Caleb said thehouse gets plenty of visitorsthrough VRBO or Air B&Bwebsite bookings.

“It’s a little different typeof lodging that people cancook and do their laundry,”he said. “Like their own lit-tle home.”

He and a friend are cur-rently working on improve-ments of another propertythat they will similarly list;and Caleb and Gayle man-age another Air B&B prop-erty in Formoso for a familymember.

WHILE ONCE GAYLE FELTlike success hinged on alarge population, she cur-

rently works as a virtual fit-ness and nutrition coach,connecting with clientsonline.

“You can make anythingwork any place,” she said.“You can be successful any-where ... if you are willingto put in the work! We’vehad so much support fromthe community and ourfamily. It’s made it a loteasier.”

A convert to Catholicismwhile pregnant with theiroldest, Gayle said Caleb’sfamily was a model for love,support and faith.

“His family is amazing.They showed me what afamily is and does for eachother,” she said. “I wantedto be united in faith withmy husband. I admired hisfamily’s morales and val-ues. They modeled thingsfor me that I never saw as akid.”

But it’s something she’sworking to provide for herown children, Drake, 4,Hazel, 2, and newborn War-ren.

“I think small-town life isreally beneficial. I feel likeit’s a safe place to raisekids,” Caleb said. “Every-body pitches in to be surekids are doing what they’resupposed to and being safeand looking out for eachother in that way. I feel likethe whole community helpsraise the kids.”



Appreciation of rural life grew slowly over time

“There’s a big need in therural areas,” Andrea added.“It’s kind of a blessing.Nobody (from our college)wants to come out to thisarea, and we want to.”

With an aging populationin northwest Kansas, Jor-dan said it’s important tomaintain medical access inthe rural communities.

WITH A POPULATION OFABOUT 1,200 residents,Andrea said the communitymakes efforts to retain itsyoung adults. Toward theend of her high schooltenure, someone from com-munity development visitedher class to talk about ruralopportunities.

“They asked if anyonewanted to come back (toAtwood after college),” shesaid. “I was the only one

who raised my hand.“I think it’s the attitude

in high school. (They) wantto go out and do somethingbig with their lives. Theythink in a rural area it can’t

be done — that you have togo to a big city and thatthere are more opportuni-ties in the big city.”

Andrea said Jordan knewthe local optometrist.

“I knew there was one inthe process of retiring herein Atwood,” she said.

“They said, ‘We’ll beready to bring someone newon by the time you’re done

(with optometry school),’”Jordan added.

The couple was able toreturn to their hometown,and work in the community.Andrea works in Atwood,Colby and Oakley, whileJordan maintains officehours in Atwood, Colby andGoodland.

“We just love it backhere,” Andrea said. “It’s allwe ever wanted to do sincehigh school — come back tothe area.”

Both grew up on a familyfarm.

“We both grew up farm-ing, and we still like tofarm, even though we’re eyedoctors,” Jordan said.“Some people have bigambitions and want to getaway from the ‘boring,’ butI think you can see thebeauty in the small or sim-ple stuff if you know whatto look for.”

Couple set sights on returning to rural KansasFrom page 9

Formoso population 1910 4531920 3741930 3811940 2931950 2711960 1921970 1801980 1661990 1282000 1292010 93

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

I think it’s theattitude in high

school. (They) wantto go out and do

something big withtheir lives. They

think in a rural areait can’t be done —that you have to go

to a big city and thatthere are more

opportunities in thebig city.

“

”Andrea HaglerAtwood resident

Photo by Karen Bonar / The RegisterJordan Hagler examines a patient’s eyes in the Vision Sourceoffice in Atwood on Feb. 25.

From page 1

From page 9

Censusresponses areconfidential

she said. “All of those ques-tions were pulled out of thedecennial census after2000. In 2010, we had thesimplified version.”

The questions includenames and ages of those inthe residence, as well as ifthe home is rented, ownedfree and clear or has amortgage.

“All responses are confi-dential, it is safe (torespond),” Wedel said.“Under law, the data is con-fidential for 72 years. It isillegal for the CensusBureau to share this infor-mation, even with others inthe federal government.”

The questions surround-ing income, religious affilia-tion, etc., are now in TheAmerican Community Sur-vey, she added.

“I WOULD REALLY LIKEpeople to know how impor-tant the census is, and howit affects programs that arevital to our community andour residents’ survival,”Reynolds said. “This isn’tabout the government try-ing to track down where youlive and what nationalityyou are. It’s just, ‘Let usknow how many people livein your household so we canfund programs accordinglyto how many people live inyour community.’”

Wedel said it’s importantto have a full view of thestate.

“The census really paintsa picture of who we are.Every household we miss isa missing pixel in the pic-ture,” Wedel said. “This iswhy it’s so important tocount everyone and countthem in the right place.”

TOPEKA — The 2020Kansas Legislative sessionended in disappointment.Three state representativesfrom the Diocese of Salinasided with the Kansas abor-tion lobby in successfullykilling the most importantlegislation of our generation— the Value Them BothState ConstitutionalAmendment for Life.

“Kansas is no longer pro-life,” laments Chuck Weber,executive director of theKansas Catholic Conference,the voice of the KansasCatholic Bishops on mattersof public policy. “Social jus-tice begins with the right tolife. Without this amend-ment, laws protecting pre-born babies and mothers incrisis will almost certainlybe eliminated.”

Kansas’ Supreme Courtruled our 1859 Constitutioncontains a nearly unlimitedright to abortion, eliminat-ing the legal basis for nearlyall abortion-related lawsincluding parental consent,clinic licensing, informedconsent statutes and tax-payer funding bans.

The Value Them BothAmendment states thatabortion is not a constitu-tional right, restoring toKansans, through electedlegislators, the ability toregulate abortion. Legalexperts affirm an amend-ment is the only way tomake Kansas pro-life again.

The two-phase processrequires that both state leg-islative chambers adopt theamendment by a 2/3 major-ity. Every Kansan, regard-less of party affiliation, maythen vote on the amend-ment. Republicans Rep.Don Hineman (R) ofDighton, Rep. Tom Phillips(R) of Manhattan and Rep.Bill Pannbacker (R) ofWashington joined every

Democratic state legislatorto prevent Kansans fromhaving a voice on this criti-cal issue.

Rachel Sweet, lobbyist forPlanned Parenthood inKansas expressed her grati-tude to the Democrats andRepublicans who supportedthe abortion industry, “I amgrateful to the legislatorswho stood up today, nomatter their reasoning, toreject this bill…”

Weber said there were nolegitimate explanations orexcuses for voting ‘no’ —particularly for those whoclaim to be pro-life.

“If you are pro-life, youvote ‘yes,’” he said. “If youwant unlimited, un-regulat-ed tax-funded abortion inKansas, you vote ‘no.’ Noneof the excuses offered justi-fies a ‘no’ vote becausenothing is worse than help-ing the abortion industrykill more babies in Kansasand destroy their mother’slives.”

VALUE THEM BOTH andMedicaid Expansion wereclosely connected. TheCatholic Bishops of Kansassupported Medicaid Expan-sion, but only after the pas-sage and protection of ValueThem Both by the Legisla-ture. Due to the StateSupreme Court’s ruling,Medicaid abortionsfinanced with Kansas tax-payer dollars, will almostcertainly happen.

“If Medicaid Expansionpassed without the protec-tion of the state constitu-tional amendment,” Weber

said, “the problem of tax-payer-funded abortion wasprojected to be even worse.This has been documentedin other Medicaid Expan-sion states, and it wouldalmost certainly happenhere.”

Weber said if Value ThemBoth had passed, the logjampreventing a vote on Medic-aid Expansion would havebeen broken, and it wouldhave likely passed.

“The 2020 LegislativeSession was a disappoint-ment on many levels with afew legislators preventingaction on important issues,”he said.

THE KANSAS CATHOLICConference will continue towork tirelessly for the ValueThem Both amendment. Onone level, Kansans willweigh in on the ValueAmendment by helpingdetermine who is elected tothe legislature this August(primary) and November(general election). Onlywith authentically pro-lifelegislators will Value ThemBoth pass during the 2021legislative session.

“Above all,” Weber said,“let’s increase our prayersfor all elected officials dur-ing these trying times.” TheKansas Rosary Crusade,approved by all the bishopsof Kansas, is a powerfulspiritual tool. Learn more atwww.KansasRosaryCrusade.org.

Chuck Weber is hosting in-person oronline interactive “Zoom meetings” forgroups of any size. Contact him with arequest or question at: [email protected]

Sign up for policy updates from theKansas Catholic Conference by going towww.KansasCatholic.org and clickingthe link for email updates. That link alsoleads to an online tool for finding outwho your State Senator or Representa-tive might be and how to contact them.The Kansas Catholic Conference will alsobe conducting a nonpartisan voter regis-tration drive in parishes.


Q What is the biggestdeterrent for youngpeople considering a

vocation to priesthood orreligious life?

A It seems that althoughthere are a variety offactors that would

keep a young man fromentering the seminary, (i.e.celibacy, financial difficulty,fear of the unknown) thefactor that ranks No. 1 inrecent studies continues tobe parental disapproval.

I have spent some timereflecting upon why thismight be. I think in our cul-ture today, we can becomequite self-focused, and weoften forget the way ourwords and actions deeplyaffect those around us. Inaddition to this, it’s easy toget caught up in the questfor earthly happiness andforget about the fact that weare pilgrims on a journey toeternal happiness with Godin heaven.

FOR EXAMPLE, HOWmany married couplesreflect regularly on theirvocational responsibility todo everything within theirpower to help their spouseget to heaven? This is partof the call within the voca-tion of marriage, and it’seasy to allow the urgentissues of our daily lives tokeep the question of “salva-tion of spouses” on the backshelf.

In this same thread is thetopic of parents who woulddiscourage their childrenfrom pursuing a vocation topriesthood or religious life.I’m sure most parents whowould fall into this categoryare most often purely moti-

vated by a desire for a suc-cessful and happy life fortheir children. However,there is obvious confusionin our world as to what willprovide that happiness; andI think sometimes parentstoo quickly buy into theworld’s equation for suc-cess.

DO WE EVER CONSIDERthe deeper repercussions ofsuch an act of discourage-ment? For example, what ifGod is calling your child topriesthood or religious lifeand you influence him/herto say no? Not only are thesouls of our children affect-ed in rejecting God’s call intheir life, but also think ofall the people that God hadplanned to influence andeven bring to salvationthrough the words andactions of his priest or reli-gious sister or brother.

Once again, I bring it upas an opportunity for reflec-tion for ourselves, for ourchildren and for our grand-children. What are we doingproactively to make surethat our own children andgrandchildren are open toGod, wherever he may becalling them? God forbidthat we should ever discour-age a young person fromgiving his/her life totallyand faithfully to JesusChrist and his Church.

Father Jarett Konrade is the pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Church in Hays. E-mail questions to him at [email protected] or write him at P.O.Box 1038, Salina, KS 67402.

FatherJarettKonradeDiocese of Salina

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ChuckWeberKansas Catholic Conference

D E A T H SWayne Lee Bennett, 32, of

Greenville, S.C., formerly ofJunction City, died April 8, 2020.Private services were held April24 by Father GnanasekarKulandai, HGN.

Gary Lee Eddy, 73, of Junc-tion City, died May 14, 2020.Graveside services were held byFather Gnanasekar Kulandai,HGN, at St. Mary’s Cemetery,Junction City.

Jolene K. Emmel, 68, ofConcordia, died May 25, 2020.Funeral Mass was celebratedMay 29 by Father David Metz atOur Lady of Perpetual HelpChurch in Concordia. Burial wasin St. Concordia Cemetery, Con-cordia.

Esther Marie Fink, 73, ofJunction City, died April 12,2020. Graveside services wereheld April 23 by FatherGnanasekar Kulandai, HGN, atHighland Cemetery.

Leola Gottschalk, 95, ofHays, died May 26, 2020. Funer-al Mass was celebrated May 29by Father Brian Lager at St.Joseph Church in Hays.

Lupe Jordan, 98, of Manhat-tan, formerly of Junction City,died May 15, 2020. FuneralMass was celebrated May 21 byFather Gnanasekar Kulandai,HGN, at St. Francis XavierChurch in Junction City. Burialwas in the Kansas Veterans’Cemetery, Fort Riley.

Carmen Kiser, 70, of Junc-tion City, died March 24, 2020.Funeral Mass was celebratedwas April 30 by FatherGnanasekar Kulandai, HGN, atSt. Francis Xavier Church inJunction City. Burial was in St.Mary’s Cemetery, Junction City.

Melinda Lang, 96, of Hays,died May 5, 2020. Funeral Masswas celebrated May 9 by FatherJarett Konrade at St. Nicholas ofMyra Church in Hays.

Damien Paul St. Julien, 39,died May 9, 2020. Funeral Masswas celebrated May 20 byFather Gnanasekar Kulandai,HGN, at St. Francis XavierChurch in Junction City. Burialwas in St. Mary’s Cemetery,Junction City.

Kurt Leistner, 73, of Junc-tion City, died May 7, 2020.Funeral Mass was celebratedMay 23 by Father GnanasekarKulandai, HGN, at St. FrancisXavier Church in Junction City.Burial was in St. Mary’s Ceme-tery, Junction City.

Betty J. Mattas, 87, of Wil-son, died Feb. 21, 2020. FuneralMass was celebrated Feb. 24 byFather Tony Kulandaijesu at St.Wenceslaus Church in Wilson.Burial in St. Wenceslaus Ceme-tery, Wilson.

Judith Ann (Jody) Moloney,82, died April 17, 2020. FuneralMass was celebrated April 21 byFather Peter O’Donnell at St.Francis Xavier Church in Junc-tion City. Burial was in VineCreek Cemetery, Ottawa.

Marcel Antione Nader, 36,of Junction City, died March 25,2020. Graveside services wereheld April 6 by FatherGnanasekar Kulandai, HGN, atHighland Cemetery, JunctionCity.

Florine M. Sanders, 94, ofHays, died May 13, 2020. Funer-al Mass was celebrated May 18by Father Jarett Konrade at St.Nicholas of Myra Church inHays.

Katherine L. Weber, 94, ofOakley, died May 17, 2020.Funeral Mass was celebratedMay 21 by her grandson FatherRyan Weber and nephews,Father Kevin Weber and FatherKeith Weber at Immaculate Con-ception Church in Grinnell. Bur-ial was in the Immaculate Con-ception Cemetery, Grinnell.

Eddie Whitney, 96, of Nor-ton, died May 22, 2020. Agraveside service was held byFather Dan Sheetz at the NortonCemetery, Norton.

Father Norbert Dlabal hasbeen the retired the retiredpriest in residence at SevenDolors Parish in Manhattansince 2019.

He was ordained June 10,1972, at St. Wenceslaus Churchin Wilson by Bishop Cyril Vogel.In 1972, he was namedparochial vicar at ImmaculateHeart of Mary Parish in Hays. In1976, he was parochial vicar atSt. Robert Bellarmine Parish -St. Isidore Catholic StudentCenter in Manhattan. From1976-87, he was director andco-director of Vocations. In1980 he was chaplain ofstudents at Marymount Collegein Salina. In 1981, he wasnamed pastor of Seven DolorsParish in Manhattan. In 1983, hewas named chaplain of St.Robert Bellarmine Parish - St.Isidore Catholic Student Centerin Manhattan. In 1991, he wasnamed pastor of St. BonifaceParish in Tipton and SS. Peterand Paul Parish in Cawker City.In 1997, he served as amissionary in Peru. In 2002, hewas named SacramentalMinister at St. Elizabeth AnnSeton Parish in Salina. In 2002,he was named Pastor of OurLady of Perpetual Help Parish inGoodland and Holy GhostParish in Sharon Springs. In2015, St. Francis of Assisi in St.Francis and St. Joseph in BirdCity were added as parochialadministrators. In 2018, he wasthe priest in residence at SacredHeart Cathedral.

Father Fred Gatschet hasbeen the rector of Sacred HeartCathedral since 2019.

He was ordained May 22,1993, at Seven Dolors Church inManhattan by Bishop GeorgeFitzsimons. In June 1993, he

was named Parochial Vicar atSacred Heart Cathedral inSalina. In June 1999, he wasnamed to the Comeau CatholicCampus Center in Hays. From2001-12, he taught religion classat Thomas More Prep-MarianHigh School in Hays whilecontinuing at the CCCC. From2013-19, he was the parochialadministrator of St. JosephParish in Hays.

Father Jarett Konrade hasbeen the pastor of St. Nicholasof Myra Parish in Hays and St.Francis of Assisi Parish inMunjor since 2015.

He was ordained May 28,2005, by Bishop Paul Coakley atSacred Heart Cathedral inSalina.

In 2005, he was namedparochial vicar at St. Mary,Queen of the Universe Parish,Salina and was the chaplain anda teacher at Sacred HeartJunior-Senior High School inSalina.

In 2008, he was named full-time director of the Office ofPriestly Vocations withresidence at St. John the BaptistParish in Beloit.

In 2011, he was namedparochial administrator of St.Wenceslaus Parish in Wilson, St.Joseph Parish in Dorrance andSt. Mary Parish in Holyrood. Hecontinued as director ofvocations and Boy Scoutdirector.

In 2012, he was named to St.Robert Bellarmine Parish - St.Isidore Catholic Student Centerin Manhattan. He continued asdirector of vocations and BoyScout director. He was directorof vocations until 2014.

He served as the associate

Biographies ofreassigned

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& CREMATORY

By The Register

Father MatthewCowan will movefrom the GreatLakes in northern

Michigan to the GreatPlains of Kansas to serve asa priest for the Salina Dio-cese.

“Both sides of my familyhave small dairy farms andso it was interesting to com-pare the size differencebetween some of the farms Ipassed in Kansas,” FatherCowan said of a trip toKansas.

He is assigned asparochial vicar of St. Josephin Hays and will assist atthe Comeau Catholic Cam-pus Center at Fort HaysState University.

A native of Petoskey,Mich., Father Cowan wasordained June 28, 2015, byBishop Bernard Hebda.

IT WAS DURING HIS

freshmanyear at Michi-gan Statewhen FatherCowan saidGod prompt-ed him toexplore apriestly voca-tion.

“I dis-cerned religious life withthe Jesuits and Francis-cans,” he said. “After ayear or two, it becameclearer I am not called tolive as a religious priestand shortly after wasaccepted by the Diocese ofGaylord (Mich.) for dioce-san seminary.”

Being a missionary wassomething that presenteditself later in his discern-ment process.

“Shortly before priestlyordination, I had a tug onmy heart that made it seemas though at some pointduring priesthood I would

be open to a missionaryterm,” Father Cowan said.“I assumed it would be in aplace like Alaska or North-ern Europe, however, wemust simply try and doGod’s active will and followwhere that leads.”

HE HAS BEEN TO KANSASa few times and enjoyed theexperience.

“The people I’ve met inKansas seem very clear-minded and polite anddown to earth, whichreminded me of somethingI’ve always liked about thegreater Midwest,” FatherCowan said.

In addition to his priestlyvocation, Father Cowan saidhe enjoys reading, hunting,fishing, hiking and camp-ing.

“Kansas itself has itsown beauty and the rollinghills were larger than Iexpected,” he added.

Michigan priest assigned to Hays

FatherMatthewCowan

Please see BIOGRAPHIES / Page 13

chaplain of the Comeau CatholicCampus Center at Fort HaysState University in Hays from2015-19.

Heralds of Good NewsFather Gnanasekar Kulandaihas been priest administrator ofSt. Francis Xavier Parish inJunction City since 2020.

He was ordained in 2009.He joined the Salina Diocese

in 2013 and was namedparochial vicar at ImmaculateHeart of Mary Parish in Hays. In2014, he was named pastor ofSacred Heart Parish in Atwoodand St. John NepomuceneParish in Beardsley andAssumption of Mary Parish inHerndon.

Father Ryan McCandlesshas been the parochial vicar ofSt. Joseph Parish in Hays,associate campus minister ofthe Comeau Catholic CampusCenter and the chaplain of St.Thomas More-Marian PrepJr./Sr. High School in Hayssince 2019.

He was ordained June 3,2017, by Bishop EdwardWeisenburger at Sacred HeartCathedral in Salina.

In 2017 he was namedparochial vicar / asst. chaplainof St. Robert Bellarmine Parish-St. Isidore Catholic StudentCenter in Manhattan.

Heralds of Good NewsFather David Micheal has beenparochial vicar at St. John theBaptist Parish in Beloit since2016.

He was ordained a priestApril 24, 2010, in Melavalady byBishop Antonisamy Francis,Bishop of Kumbakonam.

In 2015, he was namedparochial vicar at Heart Parish inColby.

Father Peter O’Donnell hasbeen the pastor of St. John theEvangelist Parish in He rington,St. Philip Parish in Hope and St.Columba Parish in Elmo since2017.

He was ordained May 22,2010, by Bishop Paul Coakley atSacred Heart Cathedral inSalina.

In 2010, he was namedParochial Vicar at St. Mary,Queen of the Universe, Parish inSalina. In 2012 he was namedparochial vicar at ImmaculateHeart of Mary Parish in Hays.

In 2013, he was namedparochial vicar at St. FrancisXavier Parish in Junction Citywhile studying for canon lawdegree via online courses

In 2017, he concluded hiscanon law studies at St. PaulUniversity, Ottawa, Canada.

He has also worked on themarriage tribunal since 2017 andwas named the diocesanarchivist in 2018.

Father Daryl Olmstead hasbeen pastor of St. BonifaceParish in Tipton, SS. Peter andPaul Parish in Cawker City, St.Mary Parish in Downs and St.Aloysius Gonzaga Parish inOsborne since 2015.

He was ordained June 7,1975, at St. Mary, Queen of theUniverse, Church in Salina byBishop Cyril Vogel.

In 1975, he was namedparochial vicar at ImmaculateHeart of Mary Parish in Hays. In1980, he was named associatecampus minister at St. RobertBellarmine - St. Isidore CatholicStudent Center in Manhattan.

In 1981, he was namedpastor of St. John the EvangelistParish in Logan and St. MaryParish in Densmore (part of asix-parish team ministry project— St. Joseph Parish in NewAlmelo, Sacred Heart Parish inOberlin, Immaculate ConceptionParish in Leoville and SacredHeart Parish in Selden).

In 1983, he was part of afour-parish ministry team, pastorof St. John the Evangelist Parishin Logan, with St. Joseph Parishin New Almelo, ImmaculateHeart of Mary Parish in Hill Cityand St. Mary Parish inDensmore.

In 1985, he was namedpastor of SS. Philip and JamesParish in Phillipsburg, along withSt. John the Evangelist Parish in

Logan and St. Mary Parish inDensmore. In 1991, he wasnamed pastor of SS. Phillip andJames Parish in Phillipsburg andSt. Francis Parish in Claudell.

In 1995, he was namedpastor of Our Lady of PerpetualHelp Parish in Goodland.

In 2002, he was namedparochial vicar at St. John theBaptist Parish in Beloit and St.Mary Parish in Glasco.

In 2003, he was namedpastor of St. Theresa Parish inMankato, Sacred Heart Parish inEsbon and St. Mary Parish inSmith Center. In 2005, he wasnamed pastor of St. Nicholas ofMyra Parish in Hays and St.Francis of Assisi Parish inMunjor.

Heralds of Good NewsFather Soosai RathinamSoosaimari was ordained inDecember 2006. He was aparish priest in India for sevenyears before accepting his firstassignment abroad in the SalinaDiocese.

He arrived in the diocese inAugust 2013, and was namedparochial vicar at St. Mary,Queen of the Universe, Parish inSalina. In 2014, he was namedparochial administrator of St.John the Evangelist Parish inHerington, St. Phillip Parish inHope and St. Columba Parish inElmo. In 2017, he was namedparochial vicar of Sacred HeartParish in Plainville and St.Thomas Parish in Stockton. In2018, he was named parochialvicar of St. John the BaptistParish in Hanover, and assistedat St. Augustine Parish inWashington and Sacred HeartParish in Greenleaf, withresidence in Washington.

Father Andrew Rockers hasbeen pastor of Our Lady ofPerpetual Help Parish inGoodland and Holy GhostParish in Sharon Springs since2019.

He was ordained May 30,2015, at Sacred Heart Cathedralby Bishop Edward Weisenburger.In 2015, he was named parochialvicar at Sacred Heart Cathedraland St. Joseph Parish inBrookville, Chaplain at SacredHeart Junior-Senior High Schoolin Salina. In 2017, he was namedparochial vicar of Our Lady ofPerpetual Help Parish inGoodland and Holy Ghost Parish

in Sharon Springs, St. Francis ofAssisi Parish in St. Francis andSt. Joseph Parish in Bird City.

Father Damian Richards hasbeen the pastor at St. John theBaptist Parish in Beloit, St.Theresa Parish in Mankato, St.Mary Parish in Smith Center,Sacred Heart Parish in Esbonand St. Mary Parish in Glascosince 2015.

He was ordained June 6,1992, by Bishop GeorgeFitzsimons at Seven DolorsChurch in Manhattan.

In 1992, he was namedparochial vicar at ImmaculateHeart of Mary Parish in Hays. In1994, he was named parochialvicar at St. Francis Xavier Parishin Junction City.

In 1995, he was namedpastor at Sacred Heart Parish inAtwood and St. Mary Parish inHerndon. In 2006, St. JohnNepomucene in Beardsley wasadded.

From 2005-15, he was theDiocesan Moderator for theSalina Diocesan Council ofCatholic Women.

In 2006, he was namedpastor of St. Boniface in Tipton,SS. Peter and Paul Parish inCawker City. In 2010, parochialadministrative duties of St.Aloysius Parish in Osborne andSt. Mary Parish in Downs wereadded. In 2012, he was namedpastor of St. Aloysius Parish inOsborne, St. Mary Parish inDowns and SS. Peter and PaulParish in Cawker City.

He also is the chaplain forEngaged Encounter for theDiocese (2001 to present) and isthe spiritual director for theCursillo movement in theDiocese (sine its inception).

Father Randall Weber hasbeen the pastor of SS. Peterand Paul Parish in Clay Centerand St. Anthony Parish inMiltonvale since 2014.

He was ordained May 25,1991, by Bishop GeorgeFitzsimons at Our Lady ofPerpetual Help Church inGoodland.

In 1991, he was namedparochial vicar at Seven DolorsParish in Manhattan. In 1993, hewas appointed parochial vicar ofSt. Francis Xavier Parish inJunction City.

In 1994, he was appointedpastor of St. Francis of Assisi

Parish in St. Francis, St. JosephParish in Bird City and St. JohnNepomucene Parish Beardsley.

In 1998, he was namedpastor of St. John the EvangelistParish in Herington, St. PhillipParish in Hope and St. ColumbaParish in Elmo.

In 1999, he was namedpastor of St. Andrew Parish inAbilene; in 2003 he wasappointed canonical pastor ofSt. Michael Parish in Chapmanwhile continuing as pastor of St.Andrew Parish in Abilene.

In 2004, he studied CanonLaw at Catholic University,Washington, D.C.

In 2007, he was appointedVicar General with residence atthe Cathedral rectory.

In 2012, he was namedpastor of ImmaculateConception Parish inMinneapolis and St. PatrickParish in Lincoln whilecontinuing as vicar general.

Father Mark Wesley hasbeen pastor of ImmaculateConception Parish inMinneapolis and St. PatrickParish in Lincoln since 2014.

He was ordained June 5,1993, at St. Andrew Church inAbilene by Bishop GeorgeFitzsimons.

In 1993, he was namedparochial vicar at St. Mary,Queen of the Universe, Parish inSalina. In 1994, he was namedparochial vicar at Seven DolorsParish in Manhattan.

In 1997, he was namedpastor of St. Francis Parish inBird City and St. JohnNepomucene Parish Beardsley.In 1999, he was named pastorof St. John Parish in Herington,St. Philip Parish in Hope and St.Columba Parish in Elmo.

Father Don Zimmerman hasbeen the pastor of St. AndrewParish in Abilene since 2019.

He was ordained June 2,1973, at St. Michael Church inCollyer by Bishop Cyril Vogel.

In 1973, he was namedparochial vicar at St. Mary,Queen of the Universe, Parish inSalina.

In 1976, he was namedpastor of St. Peter Parish inAurora, St. Anthony Parish inMiltonvale and St. Peter Parishin Meredith.

In 1978, he was namedpastor of St. Ignatius LoyolaParish in Kanopolis, St. JosephParish in Brookville and St. MaryParish in Holyrood. In 1982, hewas named pastor of St. EdwardParish in Belleville, St. IsidoreParish in Cuba and St. GeorgeParish in Munden.

In 1990, he was namedpastor of Immaculate Heart ofMary Parish in Hays. In 2002, hewas named pastor of St.Thomas More Parish inManhattan. In 2015, he wasnamed rector of Sacred HeartCathedral in Salina.

He retired in 2017. In 2018, he was named

parochial administrator of St.Andrew Parish in Abilene.


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By Joanne WardCatholic News Service

METUCHEN,N.J. — Mayis the monthmany eagerly

await because it is the timemany children receive firstholy Communion. Sadly,this year the coronavirushas made pastors postponethis momentous milestonein the spiritual lives of wait-ing first communicants.

Not wanting her youngstudents to think they havebeen forgotten, ColeenD’Amato, who has beenpreparing her 78 boys andgirls to receive Jesus intotheir hearts sacramentally,decided to talk to them viasocial media.

In a heartwarming mes-sage to the children, D’Ama-to, who has served for thepast three years as parish cat-echetical leader at Immacu-late Conception Parish inAnnandale, N. J., told herclass: “I know that you havewaited and longed to receiveour Lord’s Most PreciousBody and Most PreciousBlood in the holy Eucharistand you will.”

She acknowledged theyhad done a lot of prepara-tion for the sacrament andmany parents had plannedparties and family get-togethers for their specialday, but now everything wasput on hold because of thecoronavirus.

Continuing, D’Amatosaid, “Sometimes it’s hardto wait for something wereally want, but you aregoing to have to be patient.”She then posed a question,“Being patient can be hard,can’t it?”

“I struggle with that,too,” she added.

Having gotten the atten-tion of her boys and girls,D’Amato then told them,“The good news is as muchas you’re waiting to receiveJesus in the Eucharist,Jesus can’t wait to meet youthere either.” She said thatwhile they are waiting they

should pray to Jesus andask him to help them bepatient.

The catechist then wenton to give the children somechallenges. She had senttheir parents links to pic-tures of chalices and hosts.

“Pick the one you likebest and color it as best asyou can, cut it out and hangit on your bedroom win-dow,” she instructed.“When you wake up eachmorning and see your pic-ture, I want you to say aspecial prayer to Jesus, andeach night before you go tobed, I want you to say thatprayer again,” she added.D’Amato had sent theprayer to the parents.

“Jesus, I trust you and Iwill be patient while I waitto receive you in first holyCommunion. Jesus, I loveyou. Jesus, I adore you.Jesus, I trust you. Amen,”was the prayer D’Amatowrote for the children tokeep by their bedside andsay daily.

She said she had coloreda picture of a host and chal-ice and showed them whereit was on a window in herhome office. “Every time Icome in here, it reminds meto pray for you,” she said.

SPEAKING AGAIN ABOUTher challenges to them,D’Amato asked the children

to send her a picture oftheir artwork, telling themif they wanted, they couldbe in the picture. She saidshe planned on doing some-thing special with the art-work and would share itwith them the next timethey were together. Sheended her special messagesaying, “Be patient, knowthat Jesus loves you, knowthat we all miss you atchurch, and we’ll see yousoon to celebrate. Godbless.”

Asked how she decided tosend her special message,D’Amato said once parisheswere closed and publicMasses and events canceled,she began thinking abouther students who were toreceive sacraments thisyear.

“One of the blessings ofparish catechetical leadersis that we are always happyto share our ideas with eachother,” she said.

She explained that hermessage for her Facebookpost and prayer “was a com-pilation of ideas” gleanedfrom other parish catecheti-cal leaders, and email dis-cussions with Carol Masco-la, director of the Metuchendiocesan Office of Disciple-ship Foundation for Chil-dren, “as well as throughvarious national and inter-national faith formation and

youth ministry groups onFacebook.”

“I put all of the ideastogether,” she added, “andshaped them into what Iwanted to get across to myown first communicants,through my own personalityand my own personal rela-tionship with Christ.”

A CATECHIST FOR MOREthan 20 years, D’Amato not-ed that in addition to talk-ing to her first Communionclass, she hoped to evange-lize their families as well asothers who might see hermessage, which she sharedon her personal Facebookpage and was posted on herparish’s and even the dioce-san Facebook pages. Shewanted people to know theywere loved. The responsewas unexpected.

“I was surprised by howmuch I touched people thatwere not getting ready toreceive communion for thefirst time,” she said. “Manytold me, ‘I really miss Jesus.I really miss receiving Jesusin the Eucharist.’”

“I, too, really miss receiv-ing Jesus, and I think that’strue for all of us that areCatholic,” stated D’Amato.

From the reaction shehas received to her heartfeltmessage viewed by far morethan just her first Commu-nicants, it seems that onceparishes are opened and thefaithful return to Mass,many may receive Jesus asif it were their first time,too.

Catechist has special message for children waiting for first Communion

CNS composite; photo courtesy the Harris and Marquez familiesCrosby Harris and Constantin Marquez are seen with their firstholy Communion art. Coleen D’Amato, the students’ religiouseducation instructor, invited the students to color photos of thechalice and host, and to pray as the second-grade students waitto receive their first Communion.

Jesus, I trust youand I will be patient

while I wait toreceive you in firstholy Communion.Jesus, I love you.

Jesus, I adore you.Jesus, I trust you.

Amen.

“

”Coleen D’Amato

By The LeavenArchdiocese of Kansas City

TOPEKA — Many crucialissues will be in play duringthe upcoming election. WillCatholics be engaged asfaithful citizens, or will theybe MIA — Missing InAction?

The Kansas Knights ofColumbus and the KansasCatholic Conference areteaming up to conduct asummer non-partisan voterregistration drive. Catholicsneed to keep in mind that,in order to vote in the Aug.4 primary, they need to beregistered by July 14.

“The Catholic voice isvery often missing from thediscussion of ideas and pub-lic policy today,” said ChuckWeber, executive director ofthe Kansas Catholic Confer-ence. “We do what we canat the statehouse, but it isthe Catholic in the pew whohas a much more effectiverole to play.

“[Catholics telling] elect-ed representatives how theyfeel about various issues iscrucial. Additionally,Catholics can and shouldplay an active part in deter-mining who serves in thosecapacities. The first step isregistering to vote.”

INFORMATION ABOUT theregistration drive will begiven at parishes throughpulpit announcements andsocial media. Those whowant to do online voter reg-istration can go to: KansasCatholic.org.

“The upcoming electioncycle will be crucial forissues touching on the sanc-tity of life, religious libertyand the dignity of thehuman person,” said Vin-cent Schiffiano, an incom-ing junior at BenedictineCollege in Atchison, mem-ber of the Knights ofColumbus, and summerintern at the conference.

Conference, Knightsurge Catholics toregister to vote



B A P T I S M SLochlan Taran Clay Base,

son of Kenyon Base and ManonPecher, was baptized May 16,2020, by Deacon Larry Erpeldingat St. Thomas More Church inManhattan.

Colt Weston Clark, son ofPatrick and Shanna Clark, wasbaptized May 16, 2020, byFather Jose Kumblumkal, CMI,at St. Francis of Assisi Church inNorton.

Wrenlee Jean Hunsicker,daughter of Riley Hunsicker andTori Tebo, was baptized May 17,2020, by Father Dana Clark atSt. Mary Church in Ellis.

Mikaela Nicole IvyCrankshaw, daughter of WilliamCrankshaw and Manon Pecher,was baptized May 16, 2020, byDeacon Larry Erpelding at St.Thomas More Church inManhattan.

Shyloh Claudette MarieCrankshaw, daughter of WilliamCrankshaw and Manon Pecher,was baptized May 16, 2020, byDeacon Larry Erpelding at St.Thomas More Church inManhattan.

Lilah Faithe Jacobs,daughter of Kellen and EmilyJacobs was baptized May 24,2020, by Father Jose

Kumblumkal, CMI, at St. Francisof Assisi Church in Norton.

Aidyn Joseph Kinderknecht,son of Adam and AshleyKinderknecht, was baptized May17, 2020, by Father JarettKonrade at St. Nicholas of MyraChurch in Hays.

Liam Gabriel Nashi Manima,son of Serne Manima andAshely Moeller, was baptizedApril 21, 2020, by DeaconWayne Talbot at St. ThomasMore Church in Manhattan.

Trace Michael McKee, sonof Jance and Taylor (Weinland)McKee, was baptized May 29,2020, by Father Richard Daiseat Sacred Heart Church inColby.

Liam Noa Michel Pecher,son of Manon Pecher, wasbaptized May 16, 2020, byDeacon Larry Erpelding at St.Thomas More in Manhattan.

Scarlet Rae Schroeder,daughter of Joshua and Megan(Dinkel) Schroeder, wasbaptized May 31, 2020, byFather Nick Parker atImmaculate Heart of MaryChurch in Hays.

W E D D I N G SBart Ginther and Trinity

Reuber were married June 6,2020, at Sacred Heart Church inAtwood. Father Norbert Dlabalwitnessed their vows. Parents ofthe bridegroom are Bregette(Leibbrandt) Ginther and the lateMark Ginther. Parents of thebride are David Reuber andPatty (Stephens) Horinek.Witnesses were Blake Gintherand Hilary Chvatal.

John Anthony Wienck andLinda Jean Nelson weremarried Jan. 18, 2020, at SevenDolors Church in Manhattan.Father Kerry Ninemire witnessedtheir vows. Parents of thebridegroom are Ivan and IreneWienck. Parents of the bride areLeland and Erma Nelson.Witnesses were Grant McKayand Shannon Brinkman.

losing their homes. Thepeople in our diocese needhelp now more than ever.

“Our generous donors arethe reason that CatholicCharities has been able tostep up and help so manypeople through this crisis.They are the heroes that areproviding life changing helpto families in need.”

15TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

This year’s fundraiser istitled the “Green Tie Cele-bration.”

Platten explained thatgreen is the color of hope.

“We decided on the titlebefore COVID-19, but inlight of the devastatingimpact it has had on fami-lies, promoting a theme ofhope at the live event iseven more important now,”she said

Catholic Charities hasworked hard to make it easyfor everyone to access thelive event on the website(www.ccnks.org) fromcomputers, tablets, phonesand smart TVs.

“The way we are gather-ing may have changed, butwe are looking forward to agreat night celebrating ourdonors, showing them howtheir donations are at workand the grateful people whohave been impacted by theirgenerosity,” Platten said.“There will also be somespecial guests, an auction, abig surprise at the end anda great deal of fun packedinto the event.”

The event, which beginsat 7 p.m., will conclude by 8p.m.

Supporters are encour-aged to register atwww.ccnks.org to getupdates, view auction items,

access to signature greencocktails and recipes andreceive a reminder beforethe event begins.

$100,000 MATCH

Knowing that financialassistance is needed nowmore than ever, anonymousdonors have offered a$100,000 donation match,Frank said. Each donationmade to Catholic Charitiesnow through July 18 will bedoubled.

“The $100,000 donationmatch is such a blessing,” hesaid. “Even though mostpeople have been able toreturn to work, there werethousands of local peoplewho were unable to work formultiple weeks. Many arestill in a financial pitfall andneed help to avoid eviction.”

During the COVID-19 cri-sis, Catholic Charities hasbeen a vital resource tostruggling families in ourdiocese. The Mobile Out-reach Vans traveledthroughout the 31-countiesdistributing boxes filledwith food; basic essentialslike toilet paper, soap,shampoo, detergent, tooth-paste and deodorant; aswell as clothing and infantand adult diapers.

During one of their busiestweeks, Catholic Charities pro-vided food for more than8,500 meals, distributed bagsof hygiene items to 231 fami-lies and distributed diapers to74 moms.

“I couldn’t believe those

statistics were from just oneweek,” Platten said. “Everyday, our employees are onthe front lines, making surethat people’s basic needsare met.

“(But) none of these vitalservices would be possiblewithout our generousdonors.”

An executive order thatshielded people from evic-tions, foreclosures and thedisconnection of utilities,ended on May 31. It is expect-ed that there will be a sharprise in homelessness. As oneof the few agencies that pro-vide rent and utility assis-tance throughout the SalinaDiocese, Catholic Charitieshas seen a recent spike in thenumber of people needingfinancial assistance.

“There are only threehomeless shelters that allowfamilies in our diocese, andspace is very limited,” saidPlatten. “Our communitiesare not equipped to helpfamilies if they becomehomeless, so it is importantto keep them in theirhomes.

“I worry most about howthis is affecting the children.This is traumatic for them,regardless of age. They needthe stability of sleeping intheir own beds in the com-fort of their homes.”

GREEN TIE CELEBRATION

As sign of the unifyingmessage of hope, people areencouraged to wear greenduring the Green Tie Cele-bration on July 18.

Catholic Charities wouldlike supporters to send pic-tures of “at home celebra-tions” that can be shared onthe live streaming event.Additional information isavailable at www.ccnks.org.

Registration for the eventand the auction bidding willgo live on July 1.

There will be four live-auction items during theJuly 18 event; bidding forthese items begins July 1.An additional item is dinnerwith Bishop Jerry Vincke atthe home of Jeff and MaryThompson. Tom and KatiePlatten will co-host the din-ner. This item also goes liveon July 1, with the cost of$1,000 per person and islimited to the first 20 peo-ple who make a reservation.To reserve your seat, visitwww.ccnks.org or contactJeanie Warner at (785) 825-0208 [email protected]. Dateand details are available onthe website.

Donations and bids forauction items are acceptedthrough July 18. All dona-tions will be doubled, up tothe $100,000 match.Checks should be mailed toCatholic Charities, P.O. Box1366 Salina, KS 67402 oronline at www.ccnks.org.

‘Green tie’ fundraiser to focuson hope during difficult times

From page 1

Send news and photos [email protected]

By Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY —Pope Francis hasapproved a mira-

cle attributed to the inter-cession of Father MichaelMcGivney, founder of theKnights of Columbus, clear-ing the way for his beatifica-tion.

While the Vaticanannounced May 27 thatPope Francis had signed thedecree, it did not announcea date for the beatificationceremony.

During the COVID-19pandemic, previously sched-uled beatification Masseshave been postponed.

For beatification, the Vat-ican requires proof of a mir-acle attributed to the candi-date’s intercession, unlessthe candidate was martyredfor his or her faith.

A statement from theKnights of Columbus said,“The miracle recognized ascoming through FatherMcGivney’s intercessioninvolved an unborn child inthe United States who in2015 was healed in utero ofa life-threatening conditionafter prayers by his familyto Father McGivney.”

Meeting with the board ofdirectors of the Knights ofColumbus in early February,the statement noted, PopeFrancis said the organizationhas been faithful “to thevision of your founder, Ven-erable Michael McGivney,who was inspired by theprinciples of Christian chari-ty and fraternity to assistthose most in need.”

“Father McGivney hasinspired generations ofCatholic men to roll up their

sleeves andput their faithinto action,”said SupremeKnight CarlA. Anderson.“He wasdecadesahead of histime in givingthe laity animportant

role within the Church.Today, his spirit continuesto shape the extraordinarycharitable work of Knightsas they continue to servethose on the margins of

society as he served widowsand orphans in the 1880s.”

Father McGivney wasborn Aug. 12, 1852, theeldest of 13 children born toPatrick and Mary LynchMcGivney in Waterbury,Conn.

In 1877, he was ordainedin Baltimore by ArchbishopJames Gibbons for thethen-Diocese of Hartford,Conn.

He fell ill during aninfluenza epidemic and diedAug. 14, 1890, probablyfrom complications of pneu-monia and tuberculosis.



Memorial Day blessing in Abilene

Courtesy photo by Dan MortonFather Don Zimmerman prays during the Mass where the newly refurbished Crucifix andstatues at the Abilene Cemetery were blessed by Bishop Jerry Vincke May 25 on MemorialDay.

Beardsley First Communion

Courtesy photoYouth at St. John Nepomucene Parish in rural Beardsleyreceived First Communion May 23. From left are catechistJolene Reeh, Andy Hanson and Father Joseph Asirvatham.Andy is the son of Brian and Jacque Hanson.

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Pope clears way for beatification of K of C founder

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