by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Since the moment he was installed as archbishop in 2005, there was rarely a dull moment in the life of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.
“The one thing everyone should know about Archbishop Naumann,” said Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, “is how dedicated he is.
“He’s a prayerful man, but he’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He keeps an incredibly rigorous schedule, and he’s everywhere.”
A major priority of Archbishop Naumann’s ministry was Catholic schools.
Leaders in education said his support made a significant impact on the vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“He just made time by being present, by going,” said Kathy O’Hara, superintendent of schools from 2003-19.
“He talked about the importance of Catholic schools,” she continued, “and how they were one of the best ways the church had to help parents pass the faith on.
“With his words and his actions, he was always very supportive.”
Faith in education
During a typical year, Archbishop Naumann visited every archdiocesan high school twice — once to celebrate Mass and another time to lead eucharistic adoration.
“All-school eucharistic adoration is one of the most beautiful days we have at St. James Academy [in Lenexa],” said St. James president Andy Tylicki.
“To see students surrounding Archbishop Naumann in prayer at the altar is a special scene,” he continued. “Those days have a lasting impact on our students and staff.”
Afterward, the archbishop would sit down with a small group of students.
“He gets to see what the students are doing at the school, what their successes are, what their challenges are,” said Vince Cascone, superintendent of archdiocesan schools.
“He talks with them about what the next steps are after they graduate high school and talks to them about the faith,” he added.
The archbishop opened his home each year for Mass and dinner with the high school presidents and principals, said Tylicki.
“The conversations we have those evenings are always so fruitful,” he said. “You can tell he cares deeply about his schools and the people that work in them.”
Archbishop Naumann also spoke openly with students during his grade school visits.
“It’s really enjoyable to see him interact with the students and for them to be able to talk with and ask questions of their shepherd,” said Cascone.
“I think he loves that more than anything,” he added. “His mom was a teacher. He has such a love for Catholic education.”
Archbishop Naumann’s dedication to passing on the faith through education was evident to Stephen Minnis, president of Benedictine College in Atchison.
The archbishop frequently attended the college’s Symposium on Transforming Culture, fireside chats with theology and philosophy majors, and the Baccalaureate Mass.
He also brought the school’s OCIA students into the Catholic Church on Divine Mercy Sunday.
“When you have an archbishop that is as active as he is, and especially as active on campus as he is, I think it demonstrates a lot,” said Minnis.
And the students cherished those visits, he added.
“They have more interaction with Archbishop Naumann than they probably do their own bishop in their own diocese,” said Minnis, “because he’s here more and he’s personal to them.
“And I think our students are proud that the archbishop loves Benedictine College and loves them and cares for them. It really means a lot.”
Opportunities for all
Michael and Patty Morrisey, leaders of the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) for years, were always impressed by Archbishop Naumann.
“During our time with [the] archbishop,” said Michael, “he made it abundantly clear that if there was anything he could do to assist us in moving the Catholic education mission forward, all we had to do was let him know.
“If his schedule allowed, he was always there supporting the mission.”
Since 1997, CEF has distributed more than $33 million in scholarship awards for K-12 students so they can attend Catholic schools.
The archbishop eagerly joined the mission to “ensure that Catholic education is not an elitist opportunity in the archdiocese,” said Michael.
He “had a soft spot in his heart” for those less fortunate, said Patty. “He is a larger than life man that has the ability to relate to all around him.”
Providing a faith-based, higher education for students who might not otherwise have access is the mission at Donnelly.
“And Archbishop Naumann has been incredibly supportive of this mission and of our work,” said Msgr. Swetland. “Quite frankly, I don’t think Donnelly would be here as a college without the support he gave it over the time that he’s been archbishop.”
The archbishop regularly visited Donnelly, attended board meetings and was present for special events like graduations and the school’s annual SHINE fundraiser.
With the archbishop’s support, Donnelly transformed its campus and has grown steadily over the years. Its largest class of 133 graduated last year, and 106 of those young men and women were first-generation college students.
The diploma they receive is a ticket to a brighter future.
“That is transformative for the families and individuals involved,” said Msgr. Swetland, “because it really is an entry into American economic and social success.”
Archbishop Naumann has also played a role in the growth of Benedictine.
“When he became the archbishop, we had 900 students,” said Minnis. “And now it’s 2,200.
“We’ve built 14 new residence hall buildings, six new academic buildings, a new dining hall, a new student recreation center. All of these things happened after he became the archbishop.”
Up to the challenge
Archbishop Naumann faced his fair share of challenges over the years, said Cascone.
“He has a way of addressing it with a level of calm,” he said. “He’s been through so many different situations and scenarios, and he’s very good at looking at the big picture.”
O’Hara said the archbishop was always prayerful in how he handled issues.
“He’s not afraid to make the right decision even though it might be difficult and it might bring a lot of negative attention,” she said. “I think he’s courageous in that way, and I also think that’s a sign of humility.”
Both superintendents looked up to the archbishop as a leader.
“He was just extraordinary in that he was supportive, trusting, respectful,” said O’Hara. “It was an absolute joy to be able to have that experience with him.”
He was also a good listener, willing to change his mind after considering her input, she said. And he was respectful.
“He never, ever made you feel like you had really messed up,” said O’Hara, “even if you made a really big mistake.
“He always treated you with respect and dignity even when you probably could’ve done a better job.”
Heart of a father
When it comes to a moment with the archbishop that stands out, “I think I’ll remember this forever,” said O’Hara.
After a regional Catholic school Mass at Hayden High School in Topeka, Archbishop Naumann was standing in the hallway outside the gym.
“There was a mom there with a little tiny baby who was asleep,” said O’Hara. “The mom was talking to the archbishop and holding the baby.
“The archbishop put his finger down to touch the baby’s hand, and the baby was still sort of asleep but felt that touch and wrapped his hand around the bishop’s finger.
“And the bishop just stood there gazing at the baby and had the most tender look on his face. It was like everything else around him melted away.
“He really has a heart for children.”
O’Hara said the archbishop generously gave his time to the people around him.
And he always had a great sense of humor, she added.
“He can go from a meeting that’s very serious discussing very serious things,” she said, “and walk into another event and make a comment that’s humorous to break the ice.
“He was so wise.”
Personal impact
“My faith has grown so much just by being able to work with him and being able to work in the archdiocese that he has had such an impact on,” said Cascone of Archbishop Naumann.
“I often step back and [think] I am so blessed to be able to sit here and work with him, to sit here in adoration with him, to be [at] Mass with him, to let my faith grow alongside such a wonderful and holy man,” said Cascone.
For Minnis, working with Archbishop Naumann for the past 20 years has been a gift.
“He’s been an unbelievable mentor and friend to me,” said Minnis. “Him being the archbishop has been not only a blessing to the college, but a blessing to me personally.
“I’m just very honored to be in his archdiocese.”
