Michael Morrisey is the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation. You can reach him at (913) 647-0383 or send an email to him at: mmorrisey@archkck.org.
by Michael Morrisey
To start, I hope the recent summer months were enjoyable for you and your family. I have missed you during the past three months. I am sure you feel the same.
To remind you, I am one who likes to play games. So, with this very special edition of this year’s article series, I am going to discuss one game and play another in the same article. I know. They said it could not be done. But here we go.
How many of you play chess? I see by the show of hands that we do have some intellects in the crowd. Our brief chess game conversation today will be focused on bishops. To make sure we are together, chess bishops are characterized and have move capabilities as follows: Bishops usually gain in relative strength toward the endgame; the bishop has no restrictions in distance for each move; more experienced players understand the power of the bishop; and a player possessing a pair of bishops has a strategic advantage.
And now, what you all have been waiting for . . . our bishop and archbishop trivia game:
• Who was the first bishop in this diocese?
• Which bishop was the first to administer the entire state of Kansas?
• Who was the first bishop to have the position during different times in Kansas and Missouri?
• Which bishop founded the first high school in Topeka?
• At the start of the Great Depression, who was leading this diocese?
• Who founded the first diocesan newspaper?
• Which individual founded Donnelly College? (OK, a hint — his last name starts with a “D.”)
• Who was the first archbishop in this archdiocese?
• The beginning of Savior Pastoral Center took place under whose guidance? • Our 10th bishop is a native of which windy city?
• Who is our current archbishop? (If you can’t answer this one, go back to my chess game, third point.)
As I prepared for this writing, it became very evident that one common theme for the 11 shepherds of this diocese is their commitment to Catholic education. From the mid-1800s to today, that direction has not changed!
With this article, I cordially invite each of you to this year’s Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus dinner on Oct. 20, where we will be honoring bishops and archbishops, past and present, for their support of Catholic education over the years.
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will be accepting the “Angels Among Us” award on behalf of the others. Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher will also be joining us as we celebrate Catholic education. The other nine shepherds will be smiling, looking down from above, on this very special evening.
P.S. To make sure we are together, we definitely have a strategic advantage with our two bishops: Archbishop Naumann and Archbishop Emeritus Keleher!
Further, we will give you trivia game answers and announce the winner on Oct. 20.
All proceeds from this event will provide scholarships for children in need!
