Love, virtue at the center of CYO Convention

The Register

Salina — Nearly 400 youth from across the diocese gathered March 22-23 for the annual CYO Convention.

This year’s theme was “Come As You Are,” and included nationally-recognized speakers Paul J. Kim and Sarah Swafford.

Both speakers wove the theme of love and virtue throughout their presentations.
Known for his beatboxing and straightforward talk, Kim fielded questions and dolled out advice Saturday afternoon.

“Love is willing the good of the other,” he told the crowd. “That doesn’t sound romantic, does it?

“If you think about it objectively, it wills the good of the other person, and it means it has nothing to do with how you feel, how they feel, or that one hot moment. It is about truly willing what is authentically good for this person.”

Yet in culture, it’s easy to confuse love with other emotions.

“There’s another four letter word that starts with “L” and looks really good from far away,” Kim said. “It’s called lust. Lust is using the other. Whereas love wants to build the other person up, even to sacrifice one’s own desires, to build that person up, lust is all about using that person and taking from them whatever is necessary to get the most amount of pleasure and then move on. You all are in high school. Have you ever seen this play out in relationships?”

In relationships, it can be easy to ask the question “How far is too far?” Kim said.

“Let me answer that in a simple way: It’s the wrong question,” he said. “It’s like asking ‘How much trouble can I get in before I’m really in trouble? It’s like driving on the wrong side of the highway thinking ‘How much can I play chicken before we get in a terrible accident?’ ”

He posed the question to the students of who one day wishes to be married.

“If you think you’re called to marriage, guess what? Your future spouse is out there somewhere,” he said. “But let me break it down for you this way: They’re not dating you right now; they’re probably dating someone else.

“If you have any sense, it should make you at least a little bit bothered that your future spouse is being played and used by a dude who has no interest in making some sort of lifelong commitment to this girl. He just wants to have fun.”

Swafford calls this the “Cycle of Use.”

“In our world, men will emotionally manipulate women, get them where they’re most vulnerable to get what they want,” she said. “And women will take their sex appeal, their body, because they know they can offer it, to get what they want, which is to feel loved or wanted or feel desired.”

Read more ...

All are invited to help support Call to Share appeal

Salina — If not you – who? If not now – when?

At all Masses April 6 and 7, Catholics who had not yet responded, were invited to make their commitment to the 2019 Bishop’s Annual Appeal – Call to Share. The $1.4 million appeal directly touches everyone in the diocese.

Call to Share, announced in mid-February has received commitments of almost $1.2 million, or nearly 86 percent of goal from 2,690 families, or about 15 percent of registered families.
“I wish to share my deepest gratitude to all who have already made a sacrificial pledge to the Call to Share appeal,” Bishop Jerry Vincke said. “Respectfully, every family is encouraged to participate to its ability and make a gift of personal significance, knowing that every gift allows us to meet critical needs of our Church.”

Support of the appeal works in direct and indirect ways to touch every family. Often, people mention the work of the appeal doesn’t impact them.

In the most direct of way the appeal touches each person. Support of the formation and care of the clergy accounts for nearly 50 percent of the goal of Call to Share. Together, through these gifts, the diocese educates seminarians to prepare for ordination and service to the faithful as pastors and other administrative leadership positions. It ensures those priests who have often served in multiple assignments are assured of a retirement deserving of their­­ decades of service.

Further, support to 15 Catholic schools works to help ensure K-12 education is available to the children. Many Catholics grew up in a period where Catholic school was an expectation supported by families with and without children of their own.

“Nearly 90 percent of the funds we raise are spent in direct benefit to individuals and parishes in every corner of the diocese,” Bishop Vincke said. “The remaining balance is what we collectively need to support general diocesan administrative operations, as well as our endeavors to establish a new communication office and focus on evangelization.”

All families are asked to prayerfully consider the importance of the Church, its role in the family and the difference it can make through a gift that works with thousands of others to address these needs.

For more information contact Beth Shearer at (785) 872-8746 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also make a pledge or gift online at https://salinadiocese.org/development/bishops-annual-appeal.

Hays teacher honored

Hays — Teresa Schrant, who has taught for 37 years at Holy Family Elementary School in Hays, received the Distinguished Teacher Award at the Kansas Association of Independent and Religious Schools (KAIRS) Conference Feb. 11 in Topeka.

Schrant, who began her career in 1981 when HFE was St. Joseph’s School, dedicated her career to faith-filled work and initiatives over the years. She made an effort to bring liturgical and cultural events to the school; these events have become part of HFE’s tradition and heritage. Examples include the annual Pet Blessing in October, Mary’s Baby Shower in December and Pancake Races in February.

Additionally, Schrant creates beautiful scenes in the school trophy case that correspond to liturgical and seasonal times of the school year. She also organizes the school spelling bee annually during Catholic Schools Week. Another project Schrant undertakes is photographing the students and special events throughout the school year and assembles a beautiful photo book of her fourth graders’ school year experience.

“Schrant is a teacher leader in our school building that supports the needs of students and staff while helping create a culture of excellence with fun and celebration sprinkled in appropriately,” HFE principal Rachel Wentling said.

The KAIRS organization represents 35,000 students in Kansas and hundreds of teachers. Schrant’s award was nominated and represented the educators of the Salina Diocese.

Post-abortion Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat will be May 17-19

Salina — Abortion and its aftermath has a more prominent spot in the limelight lately, due to the recent release of the “Unplanned” movie in March.

Abortion touches the lives of many, and the Salina Diocese offers an opportunity for healing Rachel’s Vineyard retreats. The next retreat weekend is May 17-19.

“Anyone that has been touched by abortion can attend,” said Tina Schrick, who coordinates the retreat. “We have had women who are post abortive, fathers of the baby, grandparents of the baby aborted.”

While the retreat is hosted by the diocese, she said those of other religious affiliations are welcome to attend. Mass and Reconciliation are offered for the Catholics, and spiritual direction is offered to the non-Catholics.

The retreat began in the Salina Diocese in September 2002. Since its inception in the diocese, 24 retreats have been conducted. In all, 106 women have attended and memorialized 162 babies.

“This ministry is important for women that need the healing from abortion,” Schrick said. “Often the women feel as if a part of their very selves has died. This ministry starts the healing.

“The weekend is a very special process designed to help the women experience the mercy and compassion of God. It is also an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of anger, shame, guilt and grief. The weekend provides a confidential and nonjudgemental safe environment.”

The retreats are held once or twice a year, depending on the number of referrals.

“There are many broken souls needing help from the decision of abortion,” Schrick said. “They need the grace from God, they need to feel the love Christ.”

Often, the weekend brings healing to attendees.

“During the weekend I have seen a dynamic change happen with the participants; beginning as closed participants to very opened and healing,” Schrick said. “We offer a reunion time with the participants and they share how their lives are different and better. Many have shared how the weekend healed relationships.”

The cost of the weekend is $50, but a scholarship is available for those with financial hardship. For more information, please call 1-877-447-4383 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..