“Home sweet home!” beamed Father Al Rockers, as he welcomed photographer Jay Soldner to his room. He took down from its place of honor a photograph to share with him, which featured he and Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher meeting Pope John Paul II, now a saint. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
OLATHE — It was a long time coming.
But when, on July 30, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann walked into the luncheon for retired priests at the retirement center he dedicated just last year, no one could doubt it was worth it.
Vianney House resident Father Anthony Williams chats with Archbishop Naumann in one of the common spaces of the retirement center. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
One of the signature achievements of the “One Faith. One Family. One Future . . . in Christ” capital campaign, Vianney House is now brimming with activity — and full of residents.
Father Harry Schneider still helps out at different parishes, especially weekends at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park. But when he gets home, “I’ll just read,” he said. “I like to sit outside on the patio. The Olympics are on now, but usually I don’t watch anything. I’ll just read. I read a lot.” LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
The quarterly luncheon that occasioned the gathering was organized by minister to priests Father Francis Hund. Sponsored each quarter by CORE (Celebrating Our Religious Enthusiastically) and others, all retired priests are invited.*
Father Bob Hasenkamp has put the patio in his new digs to a different use, creating a garden where he grows flowers and several varieties of tomatoes that he shares with friends and his fellow residents. Of his new apartment and its amenities, he said, “Oh, it’s nice. I really like the space. The openness of it. Big walk-in closet. It’s very convenient; everything’s available.” LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
The day featured midday prayer, fellowship and, yes, a feast from Jack Stack BBQ.
Several of the priests even invited our photographer into their rooms for a peek. Enjoy!
“Very nice, very, very comfortable,” is how Father Ray Burger describes his apartment, where he has on proud display a family photograph from his childhood years. “Fourteen kids,” he says as he points in succession to his six sisters that became nuns and his two brothers — Bob and Frank — who also became priests for the archdiocese. When asked what was on the daily agenda for Msgr. Burger, he promptly responded: “Nothing! When you’re 90, you don’t have to do anything!” LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
*CORE is funded by Serra Clubs from both the archdiocese and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri.
To view more photos from the luncheon, click here.
