Bishop Carl A. Kemme told the five men ordained to the priesthood that he could not propose a greater example and model for their priesthood – other than Christ – than Father Emil Kapaun.
“Just as Father Kapaun could not have known what awaited him after the day of his ordination, you cannot predict what lies ahead for your priestly service,” Bishop Kemme said Saturday, May 23, to the five young men sitting in front of him in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita.
“If, whatever it is, you meet it with the same desire to serve, as Father Kapaun did, then you too will receive what he received, the grace to give it all. It is only when we give of ourselves, as Jesus did, as Father Kapaun did, that our priesthood has any real value, any real meaning.”
Bishop Kemme said he prays that the newly ordained priests will be so selfless and virtuous in service that they will be known as priests of the same caliber as Father Kapaun.
“If that is the legacy you leave behind, then after what we hope will be a long, fruitful, and joy-filled ministry as a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, God will bring to fulfillment what he has begun in each of you today.”
Bishop Kemme said the five – Fathers Devin Burns, Josh Evans, Curtis Hecker, Zach Pinaire, and P.J. Voegeli – were an indescribable gift to the Diocese of Wichita.
“These men come from the heart of our local church, born and raised here, and today raised to a dignity of which no one can ever claim to be worthy. They are chosen for a participation in a ministry that will have far reaching consequences which go well beyond the borders of our time and this place, a ministry that will find its completion in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Bishop Kemme thanked the Rev. Mr. Gabriel Greer at his ordination the evening before for his willingness to serve the church.
“As a deacon, Gabe, you will be a constant reminder to us of the sacramental presence of Christ the servant. We pray you will find great happiness in this ministry as you deepen it with the passing of the years.”
Although, God-willing Greer will be ordained a priest next year, Bishop Kemme said, “we nonetheless carry our call to diaconal service with us. In other words, we priests never really stop being deacons, though our priestly and in my case episcopal ministries occupy our attention and focus.
“But we nonetheless must always carry in our hearts the desire the church has for you today, to live as a servant, ordained as such, in imitation of the one who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for the many.”
Bishop Kemme said Greer’s ordination demands a gift of total self. “That is why they promise lifelong celibacy consecrating themselves in the totality of their being as a living sign here on earth of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The promise of obedience and respect deacons give to their bishop is always done in collaboration with the bishop and never apart from him, Bishop Kemme said. “Deacons receive their ministry from the bishop who is the visible sign of the fullness of ecclesial life and communion. The ministry of the deacon serves this communion. It is for this reason that the bishop alone imposes hands on the deacon and not the priests or deacons.”
Until he is ordained to the priesthood, Bishop Kemme said to Deacon Greer: “Be a faithful deacon, a holy deacon, a deacon whose heart beats with love and the desire to build up Christ’s Body, the church here on earth.”

Where are the new priests going?
Here are the Wichita parish assignments of the newly ordained: Fr. Devin Burns, St. Margaret Mary; Fr. Josh Evans, St. Francis of Assisi; Fr. Curtis Hecker, Blessed Sacrament; Fr. Zach Pinaire, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; and Fr. P.J. Voegeli, St. Catherine of Sienna.

The diocesan Office of Faith Formation has developed a mobile device app that will make it easier for youth and adults to learn about and to register for OFF programs.
“The real purpose behind the app is to be able to allow – especially youth – to recognize the various Office of Faith Formation opportunities they have at the diocesan level for the formation of their faith,” according to Father Jarrod Lies, director of the office.
One of the biggest challenges the office has, he said, is the dissemination of information. “One of the biggest handicaps that the office has is simple knowledge. The OFF is supposed to be a service and support to the diocese, to parish priests, to youth ministers, catechists, and to youth themselves. And the only support that you can give is the support that is known.”
Father Lies said the app makes the office’s programs and events more accessible. “With a quick look they can see nearly 24 different events and programs that we are able to offer here.”
The app has two purposes, Father Lies said: for information and for registration.
“So, if a youth or a minister or pastor is interested, they can just push the button that goes straight to the website information on it, and there’s also various parts that can be registered through that particular app as well. And so in a world of apps, it’s probably one of the most efficient ways for people to learn at a quick glance what the office has to offer.”
The app took about four months of prayer and work to complete, he said.
Alyssa Standridge, the office’s secretary and receptionist, took the lead in coordinating its development.
“The app has been more work than what was originally understood and she has done a marvelous job working with the different app developers, with Google, and iPhone as well, to be able to bring it about,” Fr. Lies said.

Bishop Kemme makes three priest changes
Bishop Carl A. Kemme has announced three presbyteral appointments effective July 1:
The Rev. Bernard X. Gorges, pastor, St. John in Clonmel, in addition to his current assignment as pastor, St. Peter, Schulte.
The Rev. Thomas M. Hoisington, priest in service to the pastor of St. John in Clonmel and St. Peter in Schulte with residence at St. John in Clonmel in addition to his current assignment as chaplain of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters of Wichita; rescinding his previous appointment as chaplain of the Catholic Care Center, Wichita.
Rescind the appointment of the Rev. Andrew H. Kuykendall as pastor of St. John in Clonmel, who will remain as chaplain of the Catholic Care Center, Wichita.

Bishop Kemme’s calendar
Here is Bishop Carl A. Kemme’s calendar for the next month.
June 19-21: Steubenville of the Rockies, Denver
June 24: Confirmation Mass at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Name Parish in Winfield
June 25: Harvest House anniversary Mass and luncheon
June 27: Fiat Mass and lunch
June 27-28: Parish pastoral visit to St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Schulte
July: Limited meetings and public appearances
July 5: New rector installation Mass at Cathedral in Wichita
July 19: New pastor installation Mass at Church of the Magdalen in Wichita
July 23: Camp Totus Tuus, Lyons
July 25: New pastor installation Mass at St. Anthony in Wichita
July 26: New pastor installation Mass at St. Michael in Girard

St. Joseph nurses reunion Aug. 15
The St. Joseph Nursing Alumni will have a reunion Saturday, Aug. 15, in the McNamara Education Center at Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph in Wichita.
A luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. and a reception at 1 p.m.
Additional information is available after 5 p.m. by calling (316) 648-4338.

Salina Diocese Catholic Men’s Conference Aug. 8
The fourth annual Salina Diocesan Men’s Conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Parish in Russell. The conference is open to all men including high school juniors and seniors.
Tom Peterson from “Catholics Come Home” will speak about “Our World Needs Catholic Heroes” and “Confession Ignites the New Evangelization.”
Peter Herbeck from Revival Ministries and EWTN’s Crossing The Goal will speak about Freedom Found In Jesus Christ” and “Men on a Mission.”
The conference costs $35 for men and $15 for students, before the July 28 deadline. To register, visit www.salinadiocese.org.

Formation for marriage mentor couples June 27-28 at St. Joseph Pastoral Center
The diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life will offer Mentor Couple Formation weekends for married couples who wish to be part of the Marriage Preparation Process in their parishes.
Mentor couples, with their personal examples and life journey, assist the engaged and newly married, and play a key role within a comprehensive marriage preparation process. The purpose of this formation is to equip couples with a deeper understanding of the sacrament of marriage and improve their ability to convey to particular life skills essential for a healthy and happy marriage.
The first weekend is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the St. Joseph Pastoral Center, 437 N. Topeka in Wichita.
To learn more about becoming a mentor couple, contact your local parish or call (316) 685-5240.

Calendar to pray for priests or seminarians available at website
Those who wish to pray for the priests of the Diocese of Wichita may visit the Vocations page of CatholicDioceseOfWichita.org.
At the lower right of the page is a small calendar with the name of a priest or a seminarian for which the visitor can pray. The window also contains a Google calendar link to place the calendar on a personal Google calendar, and a link to subscribe or download the calendar.

St. Dymphna meeting monthly in Hutchinson
The St. Dymphna Hope through Faith Group meets monthly at one of the three Catholic Churches in Hutchinson.
The group serves parishioners with mental disorders and helps members find support and acceptance in the church, helps them to become more engaged with the church, and supports them in getting to Mass and receiving the sacraments.
For more information or meetings times and location, contact Bea at (620) 665-5163.

Struggling with same sex attractions?
Have you had these feelings for so long…keeping them hidden, afraid to speak out? Where do you go now?
The Diocese of Wichita offers spiritual support and fellowship for men and women with same sex attractions who are striving to live chaste lives.
Contact iNeedHelpFather@gmail.com or the Office of Marriage and Family Life at (316) 685-5240.

Team coordinating youth stewardship
A group of seminarians and college students are spending much of their summer helping others give of their time and talent in the Diocese of Wichita.
A Prayer & Action team will spend the summer coordinating weeks of service projects for college age and high school youth throughout the diocese.
The team visited St. Patrick Parish, Wichita, June 7-12, and will visit St. Joseph, McPherson, and St. Andrew, Independence, later this month and through mid-July. About 250 in total will participate in the mission activity of prayer, community, and service.

St. Patrick School principal, students in Kingman part of TV game show
A spotlight will shine once again on St. Patrick Catholic School in Kingman. This time the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classes will be the stars.
Principal Bob Lyall was contacted by the show to participate as a “satellite” school for the FOX network’s “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” game show hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy.
A film crew arrived Jan. 22 to tape Lyall, school representative Hayley Hughes, and the rest of the students. But, the only questions they had to answer were about St. Patrick School.
The students are a part of the June 30 airing of the game show because one of the contestants in the studio made it to the $10,000 level. St. Patrick School will win $10,000 if the contestant answers correctly. If not, the school wins $1,000.
Lyall said he believes St. Patrick’s was chosen to be a part of the game show because of the school’s National Blue Ribbon Award and his Terrell H. Bell Award, both from the U.S. Department of Education.
No photos were allowed to be taken during the taping.
Will St. Patrick School win $10,000?
The game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” in which St. Patrick’s School in Kingman is featured will air at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, on FOX, which broadcasts in the Wichita area on channel 24, and on channel 4 on Cox Communications cable.

Summer 2015 Totus Tuus teams
Here are photos of this year’s Totus Tuus catechetical teams who will be visiting parishes throughout the Diocese of Wichita along with the camp team. They are named front row, from left.

Spiritual Life Center Theology Institute for adult religious studies begins Sept. 26
The Spiritual Life Center Theology Institute is accepting registration for classes beginning this fall. The Theology Institute is an adult religious studies program offered by the center as part of its mission to serve the Diocese of Wichita in the area of adult faith formation.
• The Institute will consist of six sessions per academic year, three in the fall and three in the spring. Each session will consist of four, one-hour classes: scripture, morality, prayer, and church history.
• Each class will include a reading list and written assignment or project. Students who complete two full academic years – a total of four semesters and 12 individual sessions – will earn a Certificate of Completion issued by the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.
• The Spiritual Life Center will record classes so as to be able to accommodate students that wish to complete scheduled courses but who are unable to be present.
Scholarships are available for those in need.
The dates for the fall semester are Sept. 26, Oct. 31, and Dec. 12. Each Saturday session will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with Mass and lunch included. Registration for the entire semester is $75, which includes lunch on all three Saturdays. The classes for the fall semester will be as follows:
Scripture: “Reading Sacred Scripture from the Heart of the Church, ” by Joshua Bitting. The class will introduce students to the beauty of reading Sacred Scripture with the mind and heart of the Church through the lens of Christ crucified and risen.
Morality: “Sources of Catholic Ethics: Scripture, Natural Law, and Philosophy,” by Bo Bonner. The class is an introduction to Catholic ethical thought.
Prayer: “Liturgy: Praying with the Church at Prayer,” by Sr. Loretta Beckius. The class will take the participants to a deeper understanding of the mystery of the redemptive work of the Trinity accomplished through the sacred liturgy of the Catholic Church.
Church History: “From Apostles to Councils,” by Dr. Joshua Papsdorf. The course will cover key moments in the development of the early church and Christian thought culminating in the formulation of the Nicene Creed.
To register for the Theology Institute, visit www.SLCwichita.org. For more information, contact Dusty Gates at dgates@slcwichita.org or (316) 744-0167.

Explore K-States’ St. John’s Heritage Edition Bible at the SLC on June 22
A special program about the St. John’s Heritage Edition Bible owned by the Kansas State University Library will be presented by KSU’s David Carter at 7 p.m. Monday, June 22, at the Spiritual Life Center.
In 1998, Saint John’s Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. The bible unites an ancient Benedictine tradition with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium.
Conceived to mark the third millennium of Christ’s birth, The Saint John’s Bible witnesses to the glory of God and thus is fulfilling its mission to proclaim through scholarship and art, the salvation of Christ to the world. Just as the Bible set the direction for the first 2,000 years of Christian history, the purpose of The Saint John’s Bible has been to shape and guide the Christian message for the third millennium. The Bible takes a Catholic approach to history, which sees the Christian tradition as a continuum of salvation involving past, present, and future.
Furthermore, because Benedictines define theology as faith in search of understanding, the monks see the natural and human sciences as informing biblical interpretation; the more we know about creation, the more we can know about God’s love for all creation. We can see such openness to the world reflected in the calligraphy and artwork of The Saint John’s Bible.
On Monday, June 22, the faithful will have the opportunity to view and handle a volume of the Bible. Carter will make a presentation of one volume of the St. John’s Heritage Edition owned by the K-State Library.
It is a museum-quality, full-sized, limited-edition reproduction of the original hand-written, hand-illuminated Saint John’s Bible. There were only 299 volumes of the edition printed and each seven-volume set costs approximately $140,000 to purchase.
The presentation will begin at 7 p.m., and will last approximately one hour. Carter will be available after his presentation to answer questions and to make sure anyone who wants to examine the Bible is able to do so. There is no charge for the program. Visit www.SLCwichita.org for more information and to register.

Fr. Jim Weldon to make presentation about St. Bonaventure July 15 at SLC
Fr. Jim Weldon will deliver a presentation about St. Bonaventure July 15 as a part of the Spiritual Life Center’s “Dinner with the Doctors” banquet series.
At “Dinner with the Doctors,” participants will enjoy a meal and pleasant conversation in the Main Assembly Room, surrounded by the center’s collection of icons depicting the doctors of the church. A doctor of the church is a canonized saint who has had the honor of being named doctor by a pope or ecumenical council for the extraordinary contribution of his teaching to the living doctrine of the church.
After the meal participants will hear a presentation on one of the doctors of the church, in commemoration of his official feast day. Participants will learn about the lives and teachings of the doctors of the church, and honor them by celebrating their lives in one of the most traditional ways; in the context of a shared meal.
Bonaventure legendarily received his name after an exclamation by St. Francis (“O Buona Ventura” or “Oh good fortune”) after the boy recovered from an illness after being cured by Francis. Bonaventure was awarded his doctorate at the University of Paris on Oct. 23, 1257, along with his friend St. Thomas Aquinas.
There is a famous story of Thomas visiting Bonaventure’s cell while he was writing the life of St. Francis and finding Bonaventure in ecstasy. “Let us leave a saint to work for a saint,” said Thomas as he left the room.
When the envoys of Pope Gregory X arrived to present him with the cardinal’s hat, they are said to have found Bonaventure washing dishes outside. As the story goes, Bonaventure asked them to hang the red hat on a tree until his hands were free to accept it.
When his body was moved 160 years after his death, it was found to be incorrupt, and his tongue was reported to be “as red as it was in life.”
Dante described Bonaventure as one of the saints in heaven, and has Bonaventure speak in several cantos of Paradiso, which was written shortly after his death, but over 150 years before his canonization. It was said that no canonization was ever more ardently or universally desired than that of Bonaventure, and he was finally canonized on April 14, 1482.
Join us for Dinner with the Doctors at the Spiritual Life Center Wednesday, July 15, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The cost is $15 per person.

Special presentation about John the Baptist June 23 at the SLC
Dusty Gates will lead an evening workshop about John the Baptist from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita.
John the Baptist is identified by Jesus as the greatest of all men born of woman. John heralds the coming of Christ in a powerful way, and his keen insight into the identity of the Messiah is at once crystal clear, and yet also somewhat clouded. But he, like Jesus, was rejected and murdered, despite and even because of, the message of salvation he offered to the world.
Participants will learn: Why was he silenced by his contemporaries? What was his significance in the Gospel? What personal struggles did he have with his understanding of his savior, and with the role given to him by the Lord?
The workshop will be presented Tuesday evening, June 23. There is no cost, but donations will be accepted. Visit www.SLCWichita.org or call (316) 744-0167 to register. Pre-registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome.

SLC’s 24 hour silent retreat to end with a bang on July 4
A silent retreat provides an opportunity for one to hear the answer of this perpetual question of our lives: “Now what?”
The Spiritual Life Center is hosting a 24-hour silent retreat July 3 and 4 facilitated by Father Ken Van Haverbeke. In three short conferences participants will explore how to see God’s loving faithfulness in every moment of our lives, how to become more aware of his Presence, and what a difference it can be to others in our lives.
The 24-hour silent retreat will provide an opportunity to get away from the often hectic pace of everyday living. It will afford a chance to relax and give undivided attention to the interests and concerns of one’s spiritual life. This one-night retreat includes short group conferences, time for personal reflection and prayer, and Mass – all in an atmosphere of silence.
The retreat will begin Friday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. and conclude with Mass on Saturday, July 4, at 4 p.m. Retreatants will be home in time to see – and hear – fireworks! The meals will be simple and self-served. A donation of $50 for the weekend is suggested.
Simplicity, solitude, and silence are common themes to a person exploring life’s questions. Our willingness to settle into some time of silence opens a path for the Lord to speak. Spending time in the Lord’s own company allows us to find gifts in silence that surprises us.
For more information either go to www.slcwichita.org or call (316) 744-0167.

The celebration of the Fortnight for Freedom in the Diocese of Wichita will take place from Sunday, June 21, to Saturday, July 4, a time when the church’s liturgical calendar celebrates a series of martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power – St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.
According to Vatican II’s “Dignitatis Humanae,” religious freedom includes freedom of worship, but it also includes the freedom for private individuals to live their faith in the workplace and to advocate in the public square those truths and values that flow from faith.
Moreover, authentic religious freedom includes the freedom of churches and church organizations to conduct their schools, social services and other activities in accordance with their beliefs and teachings.

Activities scheduled for this year’s ‘Fortnight For Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness to the Gospel’
June 21: 6 p.m., Fortnight for Freedom begins, pray a rosary for the intention of religious freedom, and for all fathers. Ask God to guide them to be good and loving role models for their children.
June 22: 6 p.m., Patriotic Rosary Walk at Spiritual Life Center, Wichita.
June 23: Fast and pray on behalf of the fundamental right to religious freedom
June 24: Pray for the success of those organizations and companies in litigation fighting for Religious Freedom. Learn more at www.becketfund.org .
June 25: 6 p.m., Freedom Picnic Horseshoe Shelter Sedgwick County Park: Enjoy patriotic music, old fashioned games, food and fun. Bring lawn chairs and your own picnic dinner.
June 26: Noon, attend Fourth Friday Rally for Religious Freedom, Life and Defense of Marriage
June 27: Pray for an end to the challenges to religious liberty in countries where Christians are being persecuted or killed. Learn more at www.usccb.org
June 28: Holy Spirit, Goddard, Holy Hour for Religious Freedom and Defense of Marriage followed by Litany for Freedom and light reception
June 29: Celebrate Marriage Day: Suggested Reading: “The Defense of Marriage and the Right of Religious Freedom: Reaffirming a Shared Witness.” Can be found on USCCB website.
June 30: Pray a rosary or other prayer for those who have and are serving in the military protecting our freedom
July 1: 6 p.m., Diocesan Mass for Religious Freedom at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, celebrating Blessed Junipero Serra
July 2: Host a Catholic movie night at your house, invite friends and family
July 3: Meatless Friday, write to your legislators in support of religious freedom
July 4: 9 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church followed by patriotic rosary and homemade cinnamon rolls, 311 S. 5th St., in Colwich.

Foundation for NU’s science and health programs
WICHITA – Newman University has received a $250,000 gift from The Goebel Family Star Lumber Charitable Foundation to support the university’s science and health care profession educational programs.
“The Goebel family and Star Lumber have a long history of support for Newman University, and this latest generous gift will have major impact for our students,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D.
“Star Lumber is such a great community-minded company that we feel very blessed they continue to show such amazing support for Newman and our mission,” Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston said, “We look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”
The $250,000 gift is part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to Wichita and its outstanding educational institutions.
The Goebel Family Star Lumber Charitable Foundation operates with the philosophy of giving back to its community by using 8 percent of pre-tax operating profits from Star Lumber & Supply to serve its community.
Newman University and the Goebel family’s foundation have enjoyed a strong partnership – one that has thrived and grown throughout the years.
The affiliation goes back more than a half century. The first major gift was to help build Ryan Library, which was completed in 1971 on the campus of what was then Sacred Heart College. Since 2001, the foundation has provided annual scholarships and student support. Star Lumber and Supply Inc. was also inducted into the Newman Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 for its longstanding support of Newman University athletics.
“For over 75 years, the Goebel family has been active in the Wichita area and is committed to higher education and the benefit it has on the community,” said Foundation Board Member Bob Goebel. “We are honored to support Newman University’s health sciences with this gift and cherish the close ties we have with this wonderful institution.”
Want to see video, hear comments?
To see video highlights of the check presentation and comments by Goebel and Newman Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Chemistry David Shubert,visit www.tinyurl.com/newmanstar.

‘Dinner with St. Bonaventure’ set for July 15 at the Spiritual Life Center
Fr. Jim Weldon will give a presentation Wednesday, July 15, about St. Bonaventure as a part of the Spiritual Life Center’s “Dinner with the Doctors” banquet series.
At “Dinner with the Doctors,” participants will enjoy a delicious meal and pleasant conversation in the Main Assembly Room, surrounded by the center’s collection of icons depicting the doctors of the church. A doctor of the church is a canonized saint who has had the honor of being named doctor by a pope or ecumenical council for the extraordinary contribution of his teaching to the living doctrine of the church.
After the meal, participants will hear a presentation about one of the doctors of the church, in commemoration of his official feast day. Those attending will learn about the lives and teachings of the doctors of the church, and honor them by celebrating their lives one of the most traditional ways; in the context of a shared meal.
Want to learn more about Bonaventure? Dinner with the Doctors will be held at the Spiritual Life Center Wednesday, July 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per person.

St. Benedict retreat next weekend
The Spiritual Life Center announces a new overnight retreat format that will begin next weekend. “A Retreat with Saint Benedict,” will be held Friday, July 10, through Saturday, July 11, with Fr. Ken VanHaverbeke.
The new retreats are designed around a particular saint and his or her teachings.
Participants will learn more about St. Benedict, the father of western monasticism. Topics will include balancing work and prayer, intentional living, and praying with the psalms.
The retreat begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and concludes at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, but all are welcome to stay through Sunday for private prayer and reflection.
Cost for these new mini retreats are $40. Register for the program by visiting the Spiritual Life Center’s webpage at www.slcwichita.org or by calling (316) 744-0167.

Grief ministry series offered again beginning Tuesday, July 7, at the SLC
The St. John the Evangelist Grief Ministry, a group for people grieving the loss of someone close, will host a series starting next week.
Sessions will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning, July 7. Carol Weigand will facilitate the series. Anyone who would like to start a grief ministry in their parish as well as those who are grieving the loss of a loved one are welcome to attend.
The cost for this series is $35, which includes a Griefshare workbook. Participants are not required to attend all sessions, but to come to as many as are needed. Once they have a workbook, they may attend grief groups sessions at the SLC indefinitely at no additional cost.
Each grief ministry session includes a video seminar and group discussion. A Griefshare workbook assists participants with note taking, journaling and grief study. The videos feature top experts on grief recovery, dramatic reenactments about living with grief and real-life stories of people who have experienced losses like yours.
During the small group discussion time, those attending have the opportunity to interact with others who have experienced a recent loss, learn about their experiences and share your own.
A former participant in the group said, “I got encouragement from this group. We cried, laughed and grew in our faith. Hope and joy was evident on everyone’s face in a picture we took at the end of class.”

Serenity Prayer Retreat July 17-19
The Spiritual Life Center will host a Serenity Prayer Retreat July 17-19, led by Phillip St. Romain.
The “Serenity Prayer,” by Reinhold Neibuhr, is a favorite of many who find in its famous first three lines a discerning approach to life. Most people do not know that the prayer continues, expressing guidance for daily living, trust in divine providence, and hope in a loving God. The retreat will use the entire prayer as a basis for teaching and reflection about how to live more fully by entrusting our lives to God’s care.
St. Romain is the author of “Reflecting on the Serenity Prayer,” (Liguori Publications, 1997), and currently works with the Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend.
The cost of the weekend is $165 for single occupancy; $138 per person for double occupancy. Early Bird Registration by July 6, is $145 for single occupancy; $120 per person for double occupancy. The commuter cost is $100. All registrations includes a $50 non-refundable deposit.
Register by visiting www.SLCWichita.org or calling the Spiritual Life Center at (316) 744-0167.
Check-in is Friday, July 17, begins at 6:30 p.m., with the first conference at 7:30 p.m. The retreat concludes at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 19.

Workshops to help domestic violence victims July 14, 16
Catholic Charities is offering a free Within My Reach relationship education workshop for survivors of domestic violence Tuesday, July 14, and Thursday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room 207 of the St. Joseph Pastoral Center, 437 N. Topeka St. in Wichita.
The workshop will help domestic violence survivors learn communication tools and how to work on having healthier relationships. Some of the topics discussed are Communication Danger Signs, The Seven Principles of Smart Love, A Look at Past and Present Relationships and What is a Good Relationship.
Participants meet in small groups but they can also take advantage of one-on-one guidance and community referrals from a family support specialist, if needed.
Classes will be facilitated by trained domestic violence and sexual assault advocates. Food will be provided, but child care and transportation are not provided. For more information or to register, call Keri McGregor at (316) 264-8344 ext. 3113.

George Sevick joins Cana Counseling
George Sevick has joined the counseling team at Cana Counseling at Catholic Charities, a ministry of the Diocese of Wichita.
Sevick, a parishioner of St. Mary Parish in Derby, is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist with over eight years of experience. He has a background in treating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, marital and relationship discord, attention deficit disorders, developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders, men’s issues, and issues with sexuality.
He has significant experience with special needs children and child behavioral problems, as well as assisting parents in developing different skills for working with their children.
Sevick is available for appointments July 6. Counseling is available under commercial insurance plans, Medicaid, and private pay using a sliding fee scale.

Bishop Kemme’s calendar
Here is Bishop Carl A. Kemme’s calendar for the next month.
July: Limited meetings and public appearances
July 5: New Rector Installation Mass at Cathedral in Wichita
July 19: New Pastor Installation Mass at Church of the Magdalen in Wichita
July 23: Camp Totus Tuus, Lyons
July 25: New Pastor Installation Mass at St. Anthony in Wichita
July 26: New Pastor Installation Mass at St. Michael in Girard

Salina Diocese Catholic Men’s Conference Aug. 8
The fourth annual Salina Diocesan Men’s Conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Parish in Russell. The conference is open to all men including high school juniors and seniors.
Tom Peterson from “Catholics Come Home” will speak about “Our World Needs Catholic Heroes” and “Confession Ignites the New Evangelization.”
Peter Herbeck from Revival Ministries and EWTN’s Crossing The Goal will speak about Freedom Found In Jesus Christ” and “Men on a Mission.”
The conference costs $35 for men and $15 for students, before the July 28 deadline. Afterward the cost is $40 and $20. All food is included. To register, visit www.salinadiocese.org.

St. Joseph nurses reunion Aug. 15
The St. Joseph Nursing Alumni will have a reunion Saturday, Aug. 15, in the McNamara Education Center at Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph in Wichita.
Additional information is available after 5 p.m. by calling (316) 648-4338.

Plaque honoring Fr. Kapaun to be dedicated July 11
A bronze plaque honoring Father Emil Kapaun will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at VFW Post 6958, located at 420 W. Santa Fe in Marion.
The public and veterans are invited to attend.
After the dedication, those attending will be invited to discuss a proposed campaign for a county-wide memorial for Father Kapaun and all the other veterans of the county to be erected at the Marion County Lake.
Father Kapaun was a priest of the Diocese of Wichita who died in 1951 in a North Korean prisoner of war camp. His cause for canonization is currently under investigation by the Vatican.

Sr. Kathleen Marie Carr marks 50th jubilee of first vows
Sister Kathleen Marie Carr, a Sister of Charity, will celebrate 50 years in religious life this summer.
Sister Kathleen taught history, religion, social studies, and theology at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in Wichita. Later she ministered in Iowa and Oregon.
Sister Kathleen Marie Carr was born in Seattle and entered the BVM congregation on July 31, 1965. She professed first vows on Feb. 2, 1968, and final vows on Feb. 2, 1974.
She is among eight golden jubilarians who will gather in the Mount Carmel Motherhouse Chapel in Dubuque, Iowa, on Aug. 2, 2015, for a liturgy of thanksgiving.
To send a congratulatory message to a sister on her jubilee, visit www.bvmcong.org/whatsnew_jubs.cfm.

Calendar to pray for priests or seminarians available at website
Those who wish to pray for the priests of the Diocese of Wichita may visit the Vocations page of CatholicDioceseOfWichita.org.
At the lower right of the page is a small calendar with the name of a priest or a seminarian for which the visitor can pray. The window also contains a Google calendar link to place the calendar on a personal Google calendar, and a link to subscribe or download the calendar.

Charismatic group to meet bimonthly at NU
The Lord of Hosts Prayer Group, a charismatic prayer group, meets the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in St. John’s Chapel, Sacred Heart Hall, at Newman University, Wichita.
It is sponsored by the Wichita Diocesan Charismatic Renewal. Fr. Jim Weldon is the moderator.

STA scout donates 150 backpacks for homeless
James Marshall donated 150 backpacks filled with supplies Tuesday, June 23, that were to be given to the homeless who visited The Lord’s Diner in Wichita.
Marshall, a member of Troop 520 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Wichita, coordinated the donation of the backpacks and supplies for his Eagle Scout Service Project.
He said he was inspired by a video he saw online of a couple giving backpacks to the homeless. “I decided to do it on a larger scale,” he said.
In each backpack are baseball caps, T-shirts, a water bottle, a bandanna, socks, rain ponchos, sunscreen, sunglasses, an LED flashlight with batteries, miscellaneous personal care items, and a prayer card signed by volunteers who packed the bag.

Derby students win national competition
DERBY – Two St. Mary’s Catholic School students placed in a national letter writing competition for students in second through fifth grades.
Thomas Klosterman took first place among all second graders. Abby Butler took third place among all third graders.
The competition is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman History Organization which hosts the national “Dear George Washington” contest. The contest promotes good citizenship and helps students learn and think critically about what was going on in the United States when it was founded.
The students received $100 and $50 respectively. All participants received a certificate and book. The school received a History Education box.
Another student, Kadi Stithem, represented St. Mary’s and Kansas in the National History Day National competition in Washington, D.C., in June with her exhibit on Dr. Irene Pepperberg, who studied African Grey Parrots to prove animal intelligence. Kadi placed 13th in a field of over 100 of the top competitors in the country.

Volleyball clinic for girls set for July 9-10
A free volleyball clinic for girls entering the sixth grade will be held at St. Joseph Parish, 139 Millwood, in Wichita.
The clinic will teach basic volleyball skills Thursday, July 9, and Friday, July 10, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. For more information, call Tony at (316) 304-1652.

St. Patrick School principal, students in Kingman part of TV game show
A spotlight will shine once again on St. Patrick Catholic School in Kingman. This time the fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes will be the stars.
Principal Bob Lyall was contacted by the show to participate as a “satellite” school for the FOX network’s “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” game show hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy.
A film crew arrived Jan. 22 to tape Lyall, school representative Hayley Hughes, and the rest of the students. But, the only questions they had to answer were about St. Patrick School.
The students are a part of the July 7 airing of the game show because one of the contestants in the studio made it to the $10,000 level. St. Patrick School will win $10,000 if the contestant answers correctly. If not, the school wins $1,000. The broadcast was originally scheduled for June 30 but that date has been preempted.
Lyall said he believes St. Patrick’s was chosen to be a part of the game show because of the school’s National Blue Ribbon Award and his Terrell H. Bell Award, both from the U.S. Department of Education.
No photos were allowed to be taken during the taping.
Will St. Patrick School win $10,000?
The game show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” in which St. Patrick’s School in Kingman is featured will air at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, on FOX, which broadcasts in the Wichita area on channel 24, and on channel 4 on Cox Communications cable.

The Office of Faith Formation will offer a series of “Echoing Christ” catechist formation and certification events throughout the diocese beginning in the fall.
Echoing Christ is a one-day catechist formation event that provides catechists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to hand on the faith. The Saturday event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes lunch and a time of Eucharistic Adoration.
The event is primarily intended for catechists teaching grades pre-kindergarten through high school, although it is open to all catechists. Each Echoing Christ event includes dynamic talks, opportunities for prayer and reflection, discussion and sharing with other catechists, and practical resources and ideas for teaching children and youth.
There are four levels:
• ECHO One is for new or beginning catechists or those who would like a good general overview.
• ECHO Two is for second year or above catechists and those who have attended ECHO One.
• ECHO Three is for third year or above catechists or those who have attended ECHO Two.
• ECHO Four is for fourth year catechists or those who have attended ECHO Three.
ECHO One will be offered Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Wichita. ECHO Two will be offered Saturday, Aug. 29, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Andover and Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Francis Parish in St. Paul. ECHO Three will be available Saturday, Jan. 23, at Saint Vincent de Paul and Saturday, Feb. 20, at St. Patrick Church in Parsons.

Want to be an ‘echo’ for Christ?
Online registration is now open for all of the above dates at the Office of Faith Formation website: www.CatholicDioceseofWichita.org/faith. Registration for each Echoing Christ event is $15. For more information, please contact Joshua Bitting at bittingjo@CatholicDioceseofWichita.org or (316) 269-3940.

Registration for this year’s Summer Catechetical Summit, the former Catechetical Fair, is now open for English and Spanish speaking catechists and catechetical and youth ministry leaders in the Diocese of Wichita.
With the theme, “The Parish: A Family of Families,” the event will highlight the importance of seeing the church as God’s family. The theme was inspired by Pope Saint John Paul II, who said, “The parish remains the pre-eminent place for catechesis. It must rediscover its vocation, which is to be a fraternal and welcoming family home.”
The summits’ keynote speaker is John Bergsma, professor of Biblical Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of the book “Bible Basics for Catholics.” He has a Ph.D. in scripture and is a popular teacher at Franciscan University, where he was twice voted faculty member of the year by students. Bergsma will give talks on the Bible and salvation history as the “family story” of Christians.
The summit will be offered in two locations, where lunch will be served for participants:
• Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Wichita, Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., with Mass at 8 a.m.
• Saint Andrew Parish Hall, Independence, on Sunday, Aug. 23, from noon to 4 p.m.
Those attending will have the opportunity to participate in several breakout sessions, including sessions on elementary faith formation, middle and high-school faith formation, family and intergenerational catechesis, and catechist spirituality. Tracks will be offered in Spanish.
A new feature this year is grade-level sharing sessions for catechists to share ideas and teaching strategies with others. There will also be sharing sessions for those involved with confirmation and First Holy Communion preparation.
Joshua Bitting, program coordinator in the Office of Faith Formation, encourages all catechists to attend this special time of renewal and formation.
“It is so important for all of us to take time to be refreshed and renewed for the work of sharing the faith. The more we allow ourselves to grow in our knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus, the more we will be able to share that with those we teach,” he said.

Concert tickets for Friday evening available separately
The 2015 Midwest Catholic Family Conference will be held August 7-9 at Century II Convention Center in Wichita.
The annual conference is entering its 16th year because it has something that sets it apart from other conferences according to Kevin Regan, director of the event.
“We are a family conference. That is, we have children programs starting at three years old, middle and high school programs, young adult programs, two concurrent adult talks going on. It covers all aspects of the family, from a single person to a grandparent. Anything you gain from this conference is not only for yourself but for your friends, family, and community.”
As in previous events, the conference features talks from a variety of speakers and provides an opportunity for daily Mass, confession, rosaries, and Eucharistic adoration.
Regan wanted to highlight a special event at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening, Aug. 7, when singer Matt Maher will perform. Maher is a well-known Christian artist who has been a part of events such as World Youth Day. He will also sing at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in September in Washington D.C.
Attendance to this concert is covered by registration for the conference, but individual tickets will be sold online for those who are not registered for $15 before July 31, or for $20 at the door.
“Walk-ins are welcome! It’s a great opportunity for anyone looking for something to do on Friday,” Regan said.
The Matt Maher concert is sponsored by Catholic Charities. Several other diocesan entities are sponsoring parts of the conference.
The Office of Marriage and Family Life is sponsoring Simcha Fisher, blogger and author of The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning.
Dr. Pia De Solenni, a theologian, ethicist, and cultural analyst, and Dr. Elvira Parravicini, who works with infants who have been diagnosed with life-limiting conditions, are both sponsored by the Respect Life and Social Justice Office.
The Young Adult Program is sponsored by the Office of Faith Formation and the Persons with Disabilities Program is sponsored by the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities.

Haven’t signed up yet for the MCFC?
Visit www.CatholicFamilyConference.org to register for the weekend, to view a schedule, or to learn more about the other presenters or vendors for the weekend.

Bishop Kemme will present statement to the Vatican in November
The Diocese of Wichita is closer to possibly being able to refer to its native son, Father Emil Kapaun, as Blessed Father Kapaun.
Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, the postulator for the cause of canonization for Father Emil Kapaun, visited the Chancery in Wichita Friday, June 19, to review the progress the diocese has made on the alleged miracles related to Fr. Kapaun’s cause and to give an update on what else the diocese needs to do.
Fr. John Hotze, who is overseeing the work for the Diocese of Wichita, met with Ambrosi, a Roman canon lawyer and an expert in the field of canonization, as did Bishop Carl A. Kemme. Ambrosi was assisted by Nina Bartulica, who translated for Ambrosi.
After visiting with Bishop Kemme and Father Hotze, Bartulica said information about two alleged miracles is being reviewed. “We expect that these will be closed soon and ready to be sent to Rome for further examination by the Congregation of the Causes of Saints.”
She said she and Ambrosi discussed the progress of the positio with Bishop Kemme and Father Hotze.
“That is what we are doing in Rome now. Since we are completing the positio now, this is the most active time that we are working on this cause in Rome.”
Although the work on the cause continues in Wichita, Father Hotze said, Bishop Kemme is scheduled in early November to present the “positio” to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. A positio, short for positio super virtutibus, or statement on heroic virtues, is a collection of documents used in the process by which a person is declared venerable.
Bishop Kemme will present 45 copies of the positio which will be compiled and written by Ambrosi. Those in the Vatican involved in the process will review the positio and in due time – perhaps after requesting for more information from the Diocese of Wichita – make a recommendation to the pope for beatification.
Although the diocese has been working on the cause for years, Father Hotze urges the faithful to be patient.
“I know people are antsy,” he said. “But this is typical. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has hundreds of cases from throughout the world. It may seem to be taking a long time, but in terms of the church and the way things have to be done, it’s pretty much on schedule.”
Father Kapaun is a priest of the Diocese of Wichita who, as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, was taken prisoner during the Korean War. He died in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea in 1951.

The Catholic Church consistently and clearly teaches that marriage can only exist between one man and one woman.
In spite of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the state’s authority to prohibit marriage between persons of the same sex, the Catholic Church will continue to proclaim its teaching, while at the same time always respecting the dignity of persons who experience same sex attraction.
The welfare of children, who deserve both a mother and a father and the foundation of a stable society, demand and call for the dignity of marriage between one man and one woman who by God’s design and the natural order complement each other.
+ The Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme
Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita

Presentation and open forum on education Aug. 4 at the SLC
By Dusty Gates
August is back to school month and a good time for parents and students to set goals for the upcoming year.
With that in mind, I will present an evening conference, “Who Needs Education,” Tuesday, Aug. 4, on the proper goals of education from a Catholic perspective, focusing on the common mistakes we make as parents, teachers, and students, even with the best intentions.
The evening will also provide the forum for parents, grandparents, teachers and students (as Christians all of us fall into the last two categories, by the way) to share ideas as they seek the answer to the question, “Who Needs Education?”
The church teaches that parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children (CCC 2223). But what does it mean to educate? The modern world tends to say that education means to prepare someone for useful employment. The ancient church tends to say something very different!
Contemporary educational goals such as expertise, specialization, and productivity strike most of us as laudable goals of an educational curriculum. To some degree, they can be. But these goals can also be devastating to an education when they overreach the more important goals of whole person development, creativity, citizenship, and faithfulness.
For example, how many people who attend a “liberal arts” college or university really know what the “liberal arts” are, or truly desire an education in them? How many teachers employed by these institutions (which also include primary and secondary schools) truly have the necessary ability, interest, and commitment needed to pass the liberal arts on to students?
Most of us, even when we give lip service to the idea of a well-rounded education, are primarily concerned with one that is merely practical. And “the standards of the two kinds of education (liberal or practical),” as one author put it, “are fundamentally different and fundamentally opposed.”

Monthly Mass with children July 23 at the Spiritual Life Center
Caregivers and their small children are invited to the monthly “KidsPrayToo!: Mass with Children” at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at the the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita.
During the Mass, Fr. Van Haverbeke will speak especially to the littlest among us. The program gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to teach their children without worrying about disturbing other Mass goers around them.
All families are invited to pack a lunch to enjoy in the SLC’s dining room or courtyard afterwards. Participants may wish to bring a picnic blanket to enjoy lunch on the grass. No registration is necessary.

Retreat about St. Dominic Aug. 7-8 at the SLC
Fr. Ken Van Haverbeke will lead a mini retreat based on Saint Dominic and his teachings Aug. 7-8 at the Spiritual Life Center.
During “A Retreat with Saint Dominic,” participants will learn about the founder of the Order of Preachers. Topics include Living in the World, But Not of the World; Preaching and Evangelization; and Contemplative Living.
The retreat concludes at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon, but all are welcome to stay through Sunday for private prayer and reflection.
The cost for this mini retreat is $50. Register by visiting the Spiritual Life Center’s web page at www.slcwichita.org or by calling (316) 744-0167.

Fr. Van Haverbeke to lead series July 22-29 at SLC on ‘Walking Your Children Back to Church’
Fr. Ken Van Haverbeke will address the heart-troubling topic of family members and friends who have left the Catholic faith on two separate occasions in July.
Part one of the series begins on Wednesday, July 22; at noon or at 7 p.m. Part two will be presented on July 29 at the same times.
Father Van Haverbeke will use encouragement from Scripture and the saints to give practical advice to attendees.
Want to attend?
The suggested cost is $20 to attend one of the presentations at both sessions of the series. Please visit www.SLCWichita.org or call (316) 744-0167 to register. Pre-registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome.

St. Patrick School in Kingman wins $10K
St. Patrick Catholic School in Kingman won $10,000 for being a part of a TV game show July 7.
The fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes were a “satellite” school for the FOX network’s “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” game show hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy.
A film crew arrived Jan. 22 to tape Principal Bob Lyall, school representative Hayley Hughes, and the rest of the students. But, the only questions they had to answer were about St. Patrick School.
The school won the money because one of the contestants in the studio made it to the $10,000 level and answered correctly.
Principal Lyall said St. Patrick’s was likely chosen to be a part of the game show because of the school’s National Blue Ribbon Award and his Terrell H. Bell Award, both from the U.S. Department of Education.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd courses planned at three sites
New Catechesis of the Good Shepherd faith formation courses for children ages 3-12 will be offered in the Diocese of Wichita this fall.
Parts I and II of Level I will be offered at St. Mary Parish in Derby on the following dates: Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Nov. 23-24, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, and May 14.
For additional information on this course, contact Marcia Helten at ateach93@cox.net or (316) 722.7205.
St. James in Augusta will be hosting a Level II, Part I and II, course on Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Nov. 14, 23-24, Jan. 9 and 23, Feb. 6 and 20, March 5, April 2 and 23, and May 31.
A Level I, Part I and II course is being offered in St. Paul on Aug. 1, Sept. 9, Oct. 10, Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, March 12, April 9 May 7, June 6 and 10.
For information on the Augusta and St. Paul courses, contact Francie Casey at francie5@mail.com.
For more information about the program, contact either Helten or Casey.

Monthly Mass with children July 23 at the Spiritual Life Center
Caregivers and their small children are invited to the monthly “KidsPrayToo!: Mass with Children” at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at the the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita.
During the Mass, Fr. Van Haverbeke will speak especially to the littlest among us. The program gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to teach their children without worrying about disturbing other Mass goers around them.
All families are invited to pack a lunch to enjoy in the SLC’s dining room or courtyard afterwards. Participants may wish to bring a picnic blanket to enjoy lunch on the grass. No registration is necessary.

Bishop Kemme’s calendar
Here is Bishop Carl A. Kemme’s calendar.
Bishop Kemme has limited meetings and public appearances during the month of July.
July 19: New pastor installation Mass at Church of the Magdalen in Wichita
July 23: Camp Totus Tuus, Lyons
July 25: New pastor installation Mass at St. Anthony in Wichita
July 26: New pastor installation Mass at St. Michael in Girard

Candidacy for Holy Orders Aug. 2 in the Cathedral for 18 seminarians
The Reception of Candidacy for Holy Orders by diocesan seminarian candidates for theology will be celebrated with Vespers at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2.
Father Michael Simone, director of the diocesan Office of Vocations, said the ceremony will be conducted in Wichita rather than at the seminarians’ respective seminaries to highlight the diocese’s continued need for vocations to the priesthood, to educate the lay faithful, and to allow the priests of our diocese, prospective seminarians, and families of seminarians witness this step of the priesthood.
The seminarians scheduled to receive candidacy this year are Kurt Pauly, Paul Wagle, Matt Siegman, Andy Beugelsdijk, Derek Thome, Jimmy Schibi, Nic Jurgensmeyer, Matt Davied, Isaac Coulter, Brian Carrillo, Michael Brungardt, Brian Bergkamp, Jorge Lopez, Andrew Labenz, Ed Herzog, Adam Grelinger, Kyle Dugan, and J.D. Betzen.
Candidacy is one of the significant steps seminarians take before receiving Holy Orders. The rite emphasizes two main promises which the candidate makes to the bishop: “To complete preparation so that you will be prepared to assume ministry within the Church,” and “To prepare yourselves in mind and spirit to give faithful service to Christ the Lord and his body, the church.”
A steak dinner for the seminarians sponsored by the Serra Club of Wichita is planned after the event.

Salina Diocese Catholic Men’s Conference Aug. 8
The fourth annual Salina Diocesan Men’s Conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Parish in Russell. The conference is open to all men including high school juniors and seniors.
Tom Peterson from “Catholics Come Home” will speak about “Our World Needs Catholic Heroes” and “Confession Ignites the New Evangelization.”
Peter Herbeck from Revival Ministries and EWTN’s Crossing The Goal will speak about Freedom Found In Jesus Christ” and “Men on a Mission.”
The conference costs $35 for men and $15 for students, before the July 28 deadline. Afterward the cost is $40 and $20. All food is included. in the cost. To register, visit www.salinadiocese.org.

Alleged Fr. Kapaun miracle part of TV series on Aug. 9
A miracle attributed to the intercession of Fr. Emil Kapaun will be part of an upcoming television program.
TLC is introducing a new television series, “Answered Prayers,” an hour long six-part show hosted by actress and producer Roma Downey which explores contemporary miracles.
One of the stories to be featured will be that of Chase Kear, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Colwich. In 2008, Kear suffered a severe head injury from a pole vaulting accident and was not expected to live. However, he recovered in what his family and doctors describe as a miracle. Kear’s story is being considered as a possible miracle for Father Kapaun’s cause for sainthood.
The series uses recreations and interviews to tell the stories of those who have experienced what they believe to be miracles. Other stories be told throughout the series include a boy who was buried for hours, and a pastor who was stabbed 37 times.
Want to see Chase Kear’s story?
“Answered Prayers” will begin airing on Sunday, July 26 at 9 p.m. The episode which presents Kear’s story will air Aug. 9, episode. Watch a preview for the series at tinyurl.com/chasemiracle.

St. Joseph nurses reunion Aug. 15
The St. Joseph Nursing Alumni will have a reunion Saturday, Aug. 15, in the McNamara Education Center at Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph in Wichita.
A luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. and a reception at 1 p.m.
Additional information is available after 5 p.m. by calling (316) 648-4338.

Deadline today for St. Joe, Ost, golf classic at Cherry Oaks
The 11th annual St. Joseph, Ost, Golf Classic will be held Saturday, July 25, at Cherry Oaks Golf Course in Cheney.
The event is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Check-in begins at 7 o’clock.
The cost is $100 per person. Half of the fee is tax-deductible and includes a green fee, cart, snacks, lunch, refreshments, prizes, and awards.
The deadline is July 17. For more information or to register contact Eva at (316) 444-2548 or 208-9144.

Resurrection Cemetery expanding
By Don McClane
It’s time for Resurrection Cemetery to grow.
The Catholic cemetery in northwest Wichita was established in 1967. The mausoleum was constructed the following year, and is now completely sold out.
“We’re building a new one,” said Director of Cemeteries James Sheldon in an interview last week. “It will go north of the existing cemetery, right off of Maize Road. The new one will have about 288 burial options for people, and accommodate that many burials in caskets, and 128 cremation niches.”
The diocese has been working with the engineering and architectural firm Ruggles and Bohm on the land work design and landscaping for the cemetery, and with the Ingram Mausoleum Company on the mausoleum design.
“We’ll finish the designs this year, put it up for bid, and build as soon as this winter or next spring,” Sheldon said. “We’ll do the land work first, and then the mausoleum, and we’ll complete the mausoleum some time next year.
“The new land area, the traditional grave area, will allow upright tombstones, whereas the rest of Resurrection is just flat marker tombstones,” he said. “The families have asked for that.”
Sheldon plans to sell mausoleum spaces and grave reservations this fall, contacting one parish at a time giving the parishioners an opportunity to purchase at the pre-construction prices.
“The pricing will be similar to our existing pricing, which is very competitive within the Wichita area,” he said. “I think it’s anticipated and looked forward to by a lot of people, especially allowing upright tombstones.”
The mausoleum will be called “Holy Family Mausoleum,” Sheldon said. On the front of the structure will be depictions of Mary and Joseph, with Divine Mercy and Jesus the Good Shepherd in the interior corridor.
The project will be financed by pre-sales and by an endowment.
“We have an endowment we can use for the construction, and then pay back the endowment from the sales of the mausoleum spaces,” Sheldon explained. “So, it’s kind of like we’re borrowing from ourselves and then paying it back into our endowment.”
“People are really interested in the cemetery,” he observed. “It’s kind of strange for some people, but really it’s kind of fascinating, too. People are curious about it and what’s going on.”
McClane is production manager for the Catholic Advance.

Natural burial area gets a natural cross
The Natural Burial Area at Ascension Cemetery in Wichita has a cross befitting the area.
Jim Sheldon, director of Cemeteries for the Diocese of Wichita, said he wanted a rustic cross for the “green” section of the cemetery, located east of the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita.
“I wanted a rough, chainsaw type cross at the cemetery and Greg Eck, a longtime cemetery employee said, ‘I can make one.’ So he did.”
Eck used Osage Orange hedgerow wood from the cemetery tree line for the cross. Sheldon said unlike many woods, Osage wood is durable in contact with the ground because of its density and ability to withstand insect attacks.
“The cross will last many years,” Sheldon said.
Eck added that he is proud of the cross and happy to be able to put his mark on the cemetery.