Thursday, 15 March 2012 15:54

Work is up in the air – literally – at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Painters are scurrying up and down and around the maze of scaffolding that has filled much of the interior of the mother church of the diocese.

Jed Ellis, supervisor for Evergreene Architectural Arts, arrived in Wichita a couple of weeks ago to paint sample areas from which the Cathedral Art and Environment Committee could choose. Now that plaster has been repaired and the paint scheme has been chosen, more artists are arriving to assist Ellis. About five artists will be working into the summer on the Cathedral interior.

Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson Construction Service, said the balcony, which is being expanded, is back in place at the back of the church. Finishing work progresses in that area.

“We’re working underneath, installing the confessionals and the wood framing that goes with it,” he said, adding that this week they should be pouring concrete for the baptismal font.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012 16:04

By Fr. John Lanzrath

In the last three years, Bishop Michael O. Jackels has been leading us as a diocesan family in a vision, a way of life. We call it TOGETHER: We gather. We learn. We serve.

As the Bishop has stated many times, this is a Christian vision and way of living life. Over these last several months, one of the fruits and spiritual graces that I have experienced watching our diocesan family respond to this invitation is that we are a diocesan family. We are one.

Though 90 parishes throughout the 20,021 square miles of Southeast Kansas exist in the borders of our diocese, we are ONE family of God. We are one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

I wonder if the season of Lent becomes for us too often a time of spiritual introspection, in which we look at the state of our spiritual life, but in a way that is isolated from others. “I am going to give this up for Lent,” or “This Lent, I am going to do this...” But do we see that our acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving need to be seen in relationship to others?

By denying self, carrying my cross and following the Lord to the Kingdom of God, I am not only growing in holiness as an individual disciple, but as a member of the Body of Christ. My acts of Lenten practice are not for me, but for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Lent is a season that we are to live TOGETHER. We do this as a Body of Christ, many members, with Jesus Christ as our head. May the 40 days of this season of Lent prepare us as a diocesan family to rejoice at the Resurrection on Easter Sunday morning! We walk this journey, not alone.

And may our hearts burn within us as they did within the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when the Lord spoke to them on the road. TOGETHER - We live this vision as disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fr. Lanzrath is chancellor of the Diocese of Wichita.

Thursday, 02 February 2012 15:44

The statues that will dominate the east and west transepts of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception are taking shape.

Sculptor Rip Caswell, who works from his studio in Troutdale, Ore., was commissioned to create two heroic size bronze sculptures as part of the cathedral renovation project. The two sculptures, “Mary and Joseph” and “The Crucifixion” will face each other from the east and west alcoves of the cross-shaped cathedral. The statues are scheduled to be installed in late August or early September.

The first piece, “Mary and Joseph,” depicts a pregnant Mary with her hand on her womb and Joseph as a supportive father figure and husband standing behind her. Mary is looking across the cathedral to a scene of the Crucifixion.

“We’ve made some bold departures with this piece,” Caswell said.

Traditionally, Mary’s pregnancy was hidden or portrayed as barely showing, he said. Joseph has been characterized as older, benign, and in the background. Caswell says he sees a wave moving in churches across the country now to tell the traditional stories, but with a new angle, with a fresh perspective.

“Culture and society have changed,” he said. “Churches still want commissioned works to be of the highest quality and to remain true to doctrine, but they want them to reflect a more genuine portrayal of life and of the things with which we can all relate. Realism is back.

“With this sculpture, we’re celebrating Mary’s pregnancy – we’re celebrating motherhood. We show Joseph as a strong, solid, and protective man, very much in love with Mary.”

The second sculpture, the Crucifixion, with a larger-than-life figure of Christ, “Will be powerful,” Caswell said.

“The cross will appear to come right out of the floor. People will be able to walk around it, look up into Jesus’ face, and even touch his feet. In the Book of John, it talks about Christ willingly sacrificing himself on the cross. He was in control at every moment. He will be looking down, but his face will not appear as a victim. I will create his face to reflect a sense of calm and peace.”

Caswell added that the wood for the cross will have special meaning because it is being shipped from Israel.

Monsignor Robert Hemberger, Cathedral Arts Committee chair, said, “Mary and Joseph” in the west transept and the “The Crucifixion” in the east, will give an impression as though there is a conversation taking place between the crucified Jesus and his mother.

“She and Joseph are standing here with the child and Mary has a distant look in her eyes, looking toward the future,” he said.

Monsignor Hemberger said one of the reasons Rip was chosen as the sculptor was he took the project so seriously.

“He understood what we were looking for and he had an intuitive sense for our vision. We were struck by his attention to detail. Historical accuracy is important to him. I’m just delighted by the beauty of what he’s created with Mary. Her face is astoundingly beautiful – it’s just amazing.”

Both sculptures are one fourth larger than life size. Mary is 7-feet, 1-inch tall. Joseph stands 7-feet, 8-inches tall. Caswell used more than 500 pounds of clay to create the Mary and Joseph sculpture, alone.

Barbara Riggs, a member of the first master’s of theology graduating class at Newman University, Wichita, said visual imagery was used in the church from the earliest times, as Greek and Roman converts continued their artistic traditions in their new faith.

“In eras when most of the faithful were illiterate, art had a teaching role, communicating the faith both through two- and three-dimensional representation,” the Cathedral parishioner said.

“Humans are sensory people, and the world communicates to us through sensory input – especially visually,” Riggs said. “As the world increasingly crowds our senses with pictures of various worth, Christians must include religious imagery in life, if only to compete with the prevailing culture.”

Friday, 20 January 2012 09:57

By Christopher M. Riggs

Work crews began pouring the concrete floor in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception last week.

As they finish the floor and steps, they are preparing the church for the paint crews that will arrive in mid-February. The decorative painting will begin on the inside of the central dome of the Cathedral after scaffolding is assembled under the dome, which is 94 feet above the floor.

Patty Zimmerman, a representative of the Chicago office of Evergreene Architectural Arts, said their work will take about eight months. She anticipates a completion date for their artwork by September.

Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson Construction Service, said the balcony area, which is being brought forward and expanded, is still in the structural phase. “We are putting in the wood joist and rebuilding the wood floor,” he said.

Work is in full swing underneath the Cathedral, as well. Baalmann said workers are installing new ductwork and are running new hydronic lines in the space.

The slab for the gathering space just east of the Cathedral has been poured, he said, and structural steel was to have been trucked in this week. “We will start erecting that on the north side first, which is the two-story side, and we will be working our way south.”

Mechanical work in the basement under the gathering space is about 55 to 65 percent complete, Baalmann said.

Crews began pouring footings at the entrance of the St. Joseph Pastoral Center last week and masonry work will follow. The new entrance will have an elevator with access to all three floors.

Thursday, 05 January 2012 15:26

Last January the Mabee Foundation issued a challenge to the faithful of the Diocese of Wichita. And on Dec. 19 our diocesan family officially met that challenge.

The Tulsa-based foundation had offered a half-million-dollar grant if the diocese could raise the balance needed to renovate St. Joseph Pastoral Center by Dec. 31, and the deadline was met with room to spare.

“So many individuals and groups rose to this challenge,” said Mike Wescott, director of development for the diocese. “The Mabee grant enabled donors to make an even greater impact with their contributions while also helping us provide critical repairs and renovations to the former Cathedral school building that houses many of Catholic Charities’ outreach programs.”

The St. Joseph Pastoral Center renovation was budgeted to cost $3.8 million of the $16 million Cathedral campus renovation, which is part of the diocesan TOGETHER Vision.

The TOGETHER Vision has raised more than $25 million so far toward the renovation of our Cathedral Campus, seminarian education and Catholic formation programs. But the goals of the diocese-wide effort were bigger than any fundraising effort.

“There is no end to the TOGETHER Vision because it is about much more than fundraising,” said Bishop Michael O. Jackels.

The bishop personally challenged our diocesan family to strengthen the unity between parish and diocese and to deepen our practice of stewardship as a way of life in addition to funding true needs in our diocese.

In the coming weeks and months we will continue to find the messages of the TOGETHER Vision in our parishes, in the Catholic Advance and in our diocesan community. And we will continue to find opportunities to embrace the TOGETHER Vision as we gather for worship, learn and teach our faith, and serve others for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Want more info?
Do you see yourself in the TOGETHER Vision? Have you embraced it? Have you applied it to the day-to-day practice of your Catholic Faith? For more information, go to www.TOGETHERvision.org.

Thursday, 05 January 2012 15:12

By Coryanne Graham, Diocese of Wichita

When Bishop Michael O. Jackels visited Holy Savior Catholic Church on Thanksgiving weekend, he was given one more reason to be thankful.

The inner-city parish family had been learning about the TOGETHER Vision and praying for its success. And on Nov. 27 they were ready to contribute their share – like several parishes had before them.

Holy Savior’s parish family illustrated their understanding of the stewardship way of life with a sacrificial and proportional gift in love of God and neighbor.

Donna Douglas and Michael Birzer, co-chairs of the Holy Savior Pastoral Council, presented the bishop with a gift to the TOGETHER Vision equal to 5 percent of the parish’s annual ordinary giving.

Bishop Jackels had invited each parish to consider a gift earlier this year, but they were never required to contribute to the TOGETHER Vision.

Birzer said the council had discussed making a parish gift during several meetings. There was never a question of whether the parish would make a gift but how and how much. After months of discussion, Birzer said they decided to give the largest gift they could.

“We wanted it truly to be a sacrificial gift,” said Father Jim Billinger, Holy Savior pastor.

Thursday, 15 December 2011 17:03

By Christopher M. Riggs

The company working on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception renovation proved it can tear things down, now they are proving they can put things back together.

Devin Carter, superintendent with Simpson & Associates, said last week that the sanctuary and transept floors have been removed in the Cathedral and that footings for the new altar, the stairs, and ramps have been poured. He added that stem walls that will support the sanctuary floor would soon be poured.

Workers are or will soon be crawling around in the attic of the Cathedral to rewire lights for the ceiling, he said, adding that lights will be installed in the next few weeks.

Much of the activity in the Cathedral in the next month will be in the altar and apse area where the radial steps will be formed, Carter said. In another month workers will install steel to support columns for the expanded choir balcony.

Friday, 02 December 2011 11:05

By Christopher M. Riggs

Ben Green is getting two big gifts in December. Not only will he be ordained to the transitional diaconate, he will be ordained in his home parish.

Green, a seminarian studying at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., will be ordained on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Holy Cross Church in Hutchinson. Ordinations are usually held in the mother church of the diocese, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, but because the Cathedral is in the process of renovation, he will be ordained at his home parish.

“My bishop, vocation director, and the people of the diocese have been very patient with me as I discerned my vocation, it will be good to give back,” Green wrote via an email message from the Mount.

The seminarian, the son of John and Catherine Green, said being ordained at Holy Cross brings his life into a full circle. “My parish was where I first felt my call to the priesthood and the people have been tremendous in supporting me. I am very happy that my bishop is willing to ordain me there.”

Friday, 02 December 2011 10:55

Three remember the Church with their gifts

By Coryanne Graham, Diocese of Wichita

There are few Catholics in the Diocese of Wichita today who can say they were around when our Cathedral was first dedicated in September of 1912.

Congregation of St. Joseph Sister Cecilia Bush, Frank Schneller, and Walberga “Wally” Blick will celebrate their 100th birthdays in 2012 as our diocesan family celebrates the 100th anniversary of our Cathedral. And each one has chosen to recognize their ties to the ministry of the Church in a special way.

Each one has made a gift to the TOGETHER Vision.

Sister Cecilia Bush

Sister Cecilia Bush made a gift to the TOGETHER Vision.

The 99-year-old nun is known for her career in education throughout the Diocese of Wichita, her years as editor of the Catholic Advance and her work with young seminarians and priests.

She was a teacher for more than 30 years in four different schools throughout her career. But the years Sister Cecilia spent at St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Wichita were always special to her.

“It was the best nine years of my life,” she said in a 2009 interview.

Sister Cecilia left quite an impression on her students as well.

In 2010 two Cathedral High School alumni began a seminary burse to honor their former teacher, and they invited the sister’s friends and former students to join them. The burse is an endowment fund that helps pay for the tuition, room and board of young men studying to be priests for the Diocese of Wichita.

To date, 53 donors have contributed to the Sr. Cecilia Bush, CSJ, Seminary Burse. And their gifts will continue to help seminarians in the Diocese of Wichita perpetually.

Walberga “Wally” Blick

Wally Blick has made gifts to the TOGETHER Vision.

Wally and her husband, Edward, were unable to have children of their own when a cousin, Fr. Michael Lies suggested another priest might be able to help them adopt a child.
Father Blackledge made regular trips to Ireland and had helped place Irish orphans with loving families here in Kansas in the past.

Wally remembers just before Father Blackledge left for Ireland, he asked the Blicks if they were hoping for a boy or a girl. They hadn’t talked about it, but Edward responded, “One of each.” He later told Wally that once she got one, he knew she would want another. “Might as well ask for both now,” he had said.

And so Father Blackledge returned from Ireland with twins: Michael and Mary Blick.

Decades later, the twins have children of their own. And Wally is still so grateful to the priest that helped her become a mother that she wanted to help support future priests.
“When we adopted Michael, I said well, maybe he’d be a priest,” Wally said. “Since he didn’t become a priest, I’ll do this.”

Walberga Blick began a seminary burse in memory of Father Blackledge, and then she began two more seminary burses. One burse is named for her parents, Charles and Rosa Lies, and another is named for Edward’s parents, Nicholas and Anna Blick.

Those three burses will perpetually honor Wally’s loved ones as they continue to support the education of seminarians through the interest accrued by each burse.

Frank Schneller

Frank Schneller made a gift to the TOGETHER Vision.

Frank and his wife Margaret were active in the Church. Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and their three children attended Catholic schools. When news broke of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 Frank remembers how his wife rushed to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to pray.

Margaret passed away in 2002, but throughout their 65 years of marriage, faith and parish life were important to Frank and Margaret. And so, Frank chose to remember the Church through his estate plan. He included the Church in his will.

“Now is the time of year when a lot of people think about the charitable contributions that are important to them,” said Mike Wescott, Director of Development for the Diocese of Wichita. “But any time is a good time to reevaluate your will or make a gift in support of something you care about.”

Contact the diocesan Office of Development at (316) 269-3900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to learn more.

What is a seminary burse?

A seminary burse is an endowment fund that is used to pay the tuition, room and board for seminarians in the Diocese of Wichita. Anyone can set up a seminary burse in honor of a loved one with as little as $1,500 or make a contribution in any amount to an existing burse. To learn more, contact the diocesan Office of Development at (316) 269-3900.

Thursday, 27 October 2011 11:16

Masses to begin this weekend

By Christopher M. Riggs

Mass-goers will get an inside look at the new, almost-complete Good Shepherd Hall this weekend.

Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson & Associates, said last week that it will take about two more weeks before the floor tiling in the hall is complete. “So for the first weekend of Mass, half to three-quarters of the floor will be done, and we’re hoping by the next weekend Mass it will be all done,” he said.

The wallpaper and sound panels for the hall are still on backorder, Baalmann said, and a bit more trim still needs to be installed. The restrooms on the second floor won’t be completed for another week, although the kitchen area will be ready for its temporary role as a vesting sacristy.

The concrete has been poured for the basement of the new gathering area just east of the Cathedral, he said, and the installation of structural steel for the first floor has begun.