January 2013 - Good News newsletter

January 2013

Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Attn: pastors and lay leaders
This newsletter will be published monthly and is also available as a double-sided single sheet PDF file that may be printed and inserted into your parish bulletin or placed in the vestibule or other public place for distribution.  We encourage you to contact us with questions and to submit relevant information to include in this newsletter.

Getting the message to those who need it
New My House sharing cards are available starting in January to make it easy for priests and laypeople to spread the good news about this important healing work in our diocese.  Brochures are also available for distribution.

My House Anti-Pornography Initiative Making New Progress
In 2007 Bishop Finn issued a pastoral letter on the issue of pornography titled, “Blessed are the Pure in Heart.”  The letter provided both clear teaching on this issue and recommendations of what Catholics can do to help those who lives have been hurt by this epidemic. As a result, our diocese began the As For Me and My House initiative (also called My House) to protect families from pornography and provide resources for healing and recovery.

My House is in the process of expanding the number of support groups and has created a new helpline.  Licensed therapist Michael Ciaccio has begun working with the initiative to bring his expertise to this work of healing and hope.  We interviewed him about some of the recent developments with the My House apostolate.
What does My House do/offer?
The My House Initiative offers sound, Catholic one-on-one counseling and group work for men and women struggling with the effects of pornography.  It also helps families become aware of the dangers and educates on ways to keep pornography out of our homes.
What is your role? 
My role as the therapist is to be the “gatekeeper” for the confidential groups by conducting an assessment on a potential group member.  I also offer additional counseling services for the couple or the individual wife or husband.
What led you to do this work? 
After struggling with this issue on my own and finding freedom through the My House Men’s Group conducted by Sam Meier through the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS, a desire grew within me to help men and women struggling with this issue.  I am in the process of obtaining professional training in the Sexual Addiction Treatment Program at Mid-American Nazarene University to more effectively help those seeking freedom.
What do we know about pornography’s effects on men and women? 
The effects on the brain and psychology of a man can destroy his perception of an intimate, meaningful relationship.  More and more wives call my office because of the traumatic effects (feeling of being cheated on) of the disclosure from their husbands due to their use of pornography.
How would you say to the skeptics out there who say a little porn is not a big deal? 
I would ask them how their sex life is.  There is a strong correlation between men who watch pornography and a decreased pleasure from sexual intercourse.  Instead, more intense and sometimes violent pornography ends up being more pleasurable.  This spirals into isolation and loneliness as the spouse is often left to the wayside.
Is there really hope for someone who wants to find freedom and healing from this? 
A priest once told me, “There is always hope.”  The freedom and healing from this is real through a spiritual and sound, psychological perspective.  This initiative’s holistic view of the person is based on theology, psychology and science.  There is always hope.
Michael Ciaccio, M.S., P.L.P.C., answers the My House helpline (816-808-6544) and offers private counseling as part of the My House initiative.  He also offers counseling services including therapy for married couples and individuals.  He is featured on the Catholictherapists.com website atwww.catholictherapists.com/ciaccio/.

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Bishops Urge Catholics To Pray, Act in the New Year
The U.S. Catholic bishops have launched a pastoral strategy addressing critical life, marriage and religious liberty concerns. The five-part strategy or call to prayer was approved by the bishops in November and is set to begin after Christmas.  Campaign components include monthly Eucharistic holy hours in cathedrals and parishes, daily family rosary, special Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses, fasting and abstinence on Fridays, and the second observance of a Fortnight for Freedom.
Read more at www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-212.cfm.

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Resources from the USCCB www.foryourmarriage.org

More children = less happy: True or False?
Featured article for January: Do Children Really Make A Marriage Less Happy?

Events Calendar

January 9-February 26, 2013
Church of the Nativity, Leawood, KS
Wednesday evenings 6:45pm-9:00pm
Coping With Life Alone
Beginning Experience of Greater Kansas City Area
This program is for those who have been confronted with the loss of a spouse through death, separation or divorce.  It is designed to help them through the early stages of grief and loss when adjustment is very difficult.
Contact Kim for more information (816) 739-4733.
www.beginningexperience.org

Saturday, January 12, 2013
St. Andrew’s Parish, Gladstone
7:00AM - 3:00PM - Price: $30 (adults), $15 (teens)
Deepen Your Faith
Speakers: Dr. Ralph Martin and Fr. Michael Gaitley
Celebrate the Year of Faith & learn how to better evangelize in daily life.

Dr. Martin is the President of Renewal Ministries, Director of Evangelization at the Sacred Heart Seminary for the Detroit Archdiocese and serves as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization.

Fr. Michael Gaitley, author, and member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception authored two best-selling books, Consoling the Heart of Jesus and 33 Days to Morning Glory.



January 18-19, 2013
God’s Beautiful Plan for Love & Sexuality
Annual Conferences for Men, Women & Teens

Men of Valor – Women of Virtue – Youth 4 Truth

Men of Valor—www.kcvalor.com
Women of Virtue—www.kcvirtue.com
Youth for Truth—www.truthkc.com
Prince of Peace & College Church, Olathe KS
Speakers include Christopher West, Mark & Debbie Laaser, Leah Darrow, and more!  Youth 4 Truth concert featuring For King and Country.
Join us for this annual event designed to equip men, women, and teens with God’s beautiful design for sexuality, marital intimacy, and sexual integrity.  Receive resources & tools to support you and your family in standing strong.
Details and Registration: kcvalor.eventbrite.com
Questions? kcvalor@gmail.com or call 913-738-7766


January 26, 2013, 7:00pm
St. Patrick’s Parish, North Kansas City
“NFP and the Virtue of Hope”
Hosted by: Couple to Couple League of KC
Speakers: Dino and Cathy Durando
All who are interested in the blessings that Natural Family Planning brings to married life are invited to attend a reception hosted by the Couple to Couple League of KC.  Enjoy an evening of wine & cheese and new or renewed friendship with couples who share your appreciation for NFP.  Highlighting the evening will be a presentation by the director of the Office of Family Life of the Diocese of Kansas City—St. Joseph, and his wife on the gift that NFP has to offer our world in these challenging times for marriage. Please RSVP by January 18th to Bill & Margie Stump at 816-436-7145 or wpalcher7@gmail.com, or to John & Shannon Rasmussen at 785-749-1015.  Suggested donation is $10 per couple.  For more info about NFP, go to www.ccli.org or to live-the-love.org.

February 10, 2013, 9:00am Mass, reception follows, free
Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, KS
Worldwide Marriage Day Mass and Celebration
Celebrant: Archbishop Joseph Naumann

February 16, 2013
Men Under Construction
Speakers:  Mike Sweeney (KC Royals),  Dcn. Alex Jones, Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers), Fr. Gregory Lockwood
Register www.ksmuc.org