Monday, 18 July 2011 10:23

Here is an update of the work underway at the campus of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the mother church of the Diocese of Wichita. For more information visit OurWichitaCathedral.org:

Cathedral Rectory

Robl Construction has completed the outer shell of the new Cathedral rectory at 440 N. Topeka Street. Doors and windows have been installed, and interior construction has begun. The four-bedroom house is expected to be complete this fall.

The house will be a home for three priests within walking distance of our Cathedral, St. Joseph Pastoral Center and Chancery offices. A wheelchair-accessible guestroom will also be available to visitors like seminarians, other priests and priests’ family members.

A portion of the unfinished basement will include reinforced storage for parish archival materials as needed.

Social Hall/Former gym

Ventilation ducts for heating and cooling units are being installed for the first time since it was built in 1922. The former gymnasium floor has been removed and new concrete subflooring has been poured. The social hall is expected to be completed this fall and will be used as a worship space during the renovation of our Cathedral church.

Future Gathering Space

The former rectory has been removed. Crews will spend the next few weeks preparing the foundation that will house a new underground, energy-efficient heating and cooling unit to serve the entire campus.

St. Joseph Pastoral Center

The roof has been replaced. Crews have begun demolition on the interior space that will house Catholic Charities, the diocesan office of Hispanic Ministries and parish religious education.

Cathedral Church

The roof has been replaced. A new ramp entrance is open on the west side of the building with limited handicap accessible parking directly south of the church. Additional parking is available daily at The Lord’s Diner and on the southwest corner of Central and Broadway for weekend Masses.

Friday, 01 July 2011 10:43

From Independence Day until the week before Christmas, Bishop Michael O. Jackels will spend his every weekend getting to know more members of our diocesan family.

He will share the TOGETHER Vision with more than 14,000 families in 31 parishes during the next 24 weeks, inviting each family to share responsibility for the mission of the Church.

“These parish visits are a key part of the TOGETHER Vision because of the first two goals: to strengthen the sense of family or oneness in our diocese and to deepen our practice of stewardship as a way of life,” Bishop Jackels said. “The parish visits allow me as the bishop, to be physically present at every Mass, in every parish, to say to every parishioner in the Diocese of Wichita: We are a family. ”

The bishop is asking each member of our diocesan family to do two things: pray for the spiritual and material success of the TOGETHER Vision and make a sacrificial gift in support of true needs in our diocese.

“The faithful of our diocese have already pledged more than $20 million toward seminarian education, Catholic formation programs and our Cathedral campus renovation,” said Mike Wescott, director of development for the diocese. “But we still need your support to form nearly 50 seminarians each year, to help our struggling Catholic schools and our religious education programs. And we still need your help to repair the buildings on our Cathedral campus that serve thousands through liturgy and community outreach.”

The bishop has already traveled nearly 6,000 miles to speak at every Mass in 59 parishes during the past year. He’s been welcomed into rural and urban parishes with prayers, songs and gifts of support for the TOGETHER Vision, and he’s left parishioners with a greater sense of their responsibility for the mission of the Church.

During the month of May, the parishioners of Mary Queen of Angels in Fort Scott demonstrated their connection to our mother church and our diocesan family as they prayed for favorable construction bids for the renovation of our Cathedral campus.

In February, parishioners of St. Anthony in Wichita reinforced the first two goals of the TOGETHER Vision by cancelling all of their Sunday Masses, so that they could celebrate one Mass together as a parish family followed by a multicultural luncheon where parishioners presented the bishop with family contributions to the TOGETHER Vision.

And throughout the past year, hundreds of Catholic school and Parish School of Religion students have demonstrated their understanding of and support for this vision through songs, prayers, posters and actual buckets of money for the future of our diocese.
“The TOGETHER Vision will not end,” Bishop Jackels said. “This vision for the future of our diocese is not over with the beginning of our Cathedral campus renovation, and it will not end with my last parish visit on Dec. 18. The goals of this vision will live on with each of us sharing responsibility for the mission of the Church.”

You can pray with the bishop: Go to TOGETHERvision.org to pray for the spiritual and material success of the TOGETHER Vision with Bishop Michael O. Jackels.

Where will Bishop Jackels visit next?
Bishop Michael O. Jackels continues his TOGETHER Vision visits. Here is a schedule for the next few weekends.
July 9-10: St. Francis of Assisi, Wichita
July 16-17: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Wichita
July 23-24: St. Mary, Newton
July 30-31: Sacred Heart, Halstead

Friday, 17 June 2011 13:20

An Evening with Seminarians was held Friday, June 3, at Our Lady of Lourdes Field House in Pittsburg.

It was the second time the diocesan seminarians traveled to Pittsburg for an evening to acquaint themselves with the faithful of Southeast Kansas.

Father Michael Simone, director of vocations for the Diocese of Wichita, said the event is designed to allow parishioners to get know the men studying for the diocese “in a more personal way and to become more aware about the great things happening in our vocations program.”

There are five seminarians from Southeast Kansas including one from Caney, he added.

“It is great to see so many people excited about our seminarians,” Fr. Simone said. “This excitement shows that the people of God are open to praying for and promoting vocations in our diocese. This excitement plays an important part in recruiting our next generation of priests!”

Friday, 17 June 2011 12:48

Father John Sherlock, Cathedral’s rector, describes the occasion as humbling, hopeful

On Friday, June 10, more than 70 representatives of our diocesan family gathered on the lawn of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate another milestone in the TOGETHER Vision.

“This is definitely a humbling occasion but a very, very hopeful one as we begin this project of renovation of our Cathedral,” said Fr. John Sherlock, Rector of the Cathedral, as he kicked off the groundbreaking and blessing for the renovation of our Cathedral campus.

The groundbreaking marks the start of an 18-month renovation, but Bishop Michael O. Jackels explained how our Cathedral Campus project reflects support for an overall vision for the future of our Diocese.

“The beginning of the repair and update of the buildings on this campus (is) only part of the story.” Bishop Jackels said. “We’ve been promoting a vision, something that will continue on well after the date that we celebrate the renovation and update of these buildings – a vision to see ourselves as a family, a church family, a diocesan church family and to see each of our responsibility in helping with the family chores.”

The bishop said that each person who has contributed to the TOGETHER Vision has invested themselves in our Church family.

“They see their responsibility to take care of the chores, and so our goals of building up the sense of family, of community, and seeing ourselves as responsible for the work of the family are really bearing fruit.” Bishop Jackels said.

The bishop blessed the grounds and prayed for safety of the hundreds of workers who will repair and update our Cathedral and the buildings that surround it.

“None of this would be possible without the people in our parishes,” Bishop Jackels said. “But certainly none of this would be possible without the help of God.”

The renovation of our Cathedral campus has a total project cost of $16.8 million and is expected to be complete in the winter of 2012.

Thus far, the TOGETHER vision has received more than $20 million in gifts and pledges toward the renovation of our Cathedral Campus, Catholic formation programs and the education of our seminarians.

“Your support is still needed,’ said Mike Wescott, director of development for the diocese. “You can still make a gift in support of the renovation of our Cathedral campus. And you can make a gift in support of our future priests, our struggling Catholic schools, and faith formation in Parish Schools of Religion.”

For the latest information on the renovation of our Cathedral Campus, visit www.OurWichitaCathedral.org.

Thursday, 09 June 2011 08:42

By Chris Riggs
Catholic Advance

Those attending the ordination of four men to the priesthood Saturday, May 28, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception may have initially thought Bishop Michael O. Jackels had picked up the wrong talk on his way to the Cathedral.

He began giving those attending an update on the TOGETHER Vision instead of reflecting on the priesthood and the ordination of the four men sitting directly in front of him: the Rev. Mr. Marco de Loera, the Rev. Mr. Daniel J. Duling, the Rev. Mr. John P. Fogliasso, and the Rev. Mr. Jeremy S. Huser.

“Thanks be to Jesus and his holy Mother, and to all the diocesan faithful,” Bishop Jackels announced, “I am pleased to report that we will be able to begin work in mid-June on the repair and update of the Cathedral, the mother church of our diocese.” He added that he will continue to visit parishes and prospective donors for the rest of the year to continue sharing his vision of the TOGETHER Vision:

• To see that we are members of a parish and a diocesan church family;
• To see that just like in a family we all bear a share of responsibility for the chores of our church family, contributing to its welfare;
• To see our need for programs of on-going faith formation and for priests.

“These goals take time, even a lifetime,” he said.

Friday, 03 June 2011 09:27

By Coryanne Graham
Diocese of Wichita

Years of planning, countless prayers and the overwhelming support from across our diocese are moving one piece of the TOGETHER vision forward.

The renovation of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and its surrounding buildings will begin on Monday, June 6.

“The happy combination of a low bid and adequate funds on hand will allow us to be responsible stewards and begin this renovation while construction costs are low,” said Bishop Michael O. Jackels. “Thanks be to Jesus, his holy Mother, and to the diocesan faithful.”

Simpson & Associates, of Wichita, was the low bidder for the main campus construction, while Robl Construction, of Wichita, is the general contractor for a priests’ residence at 440 N. Topeka.

“We consider it a huge honor to be able to put our gifts at the service of the Cathedral,” said Bob Simpson, president of the commercial construction firm. “We’re just humble that we’re able to sink our teeth into such a beautiful project.”

The 18-month project will have a total cost of $16.8 million and will revitalize, renovate and update the buildings on our Cathedral campus, which serves thousands through liturgy, formation and social services. The construction will include the main campus construction; a priests’ residence; furnishings, as needed throughout five buildings; decorative painting in the church; sculptures; landscaping and professional fees.

The renovation is expected to be complete in the winter of 2012.

Cathedral parishioners showed an outpouring of support for the renovation with a high percentage of parish families contributing more than $1 million toward the renovation.
“Thus far our diocesan family has generously supported the renovation of our Cathedral campus, seminarian education and Catholic formation programs, with a total of $19.7 million in gifts and pledges to the TOGETHER vision,” said Mike Wescott, Director of Development for the Diocese. “Your prayers and financial support for the future of our Diocese are still needed.”

Wescott says donors can still make a greater impact with their donations through a $500,000 Mabee Foundation Challenge Grant. The Mabee grant will nearly double all donations toward the renovation of St. Joseph Pastoral Center on our Cathedral campus.

Additional funds are also still needed for the education of our seminarians and the formation of children and adults through the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School Fund and the St. Maria De Mattias Endowment.

“Faith formation and the education of seminarians are ongoing needs that we must continue to support.” Bishop Jackels said. “There will never come a time when we no longer need to worry about teaching our faith, and there will never come a time when we have no need to send seminarians off to be formed and educated.”

Bishop Jackels continues visiting each parish to share the TOGETHER vision with every parishioner at each Mass. This weekend he will preside over Masses at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Wichita.

“As I have traveled this past year, I have been humbled and inspired by the support for our Cathedral campus renovation but also through the sense of communion in the Church, our practice of stewardship and the demonstrated importance of educating future priests and promoting faith formation programs,” Bishop Jackels said. “Please continue to pray for the spiritual and material success of the TOGETHER vision.”

Details of what ministries will be housed in the renovated building are online at http://ourwichitacathedral.org.

Daily Mass

Daily Mass will be celebrated in the church during the first stage of construction and will move to the social hall once that portion of the renovation is complete.

Campus ministries

Throughout construction, portions of our Cathedral Campus will be closed to visitors, but the ministries and services will continue.

The Cathedral Parish office and many of the services of Catholic Charities have already moved to temporary office space. For the latest information on the renovation of our Cathedral campus, visit OurWichitaCathedral.org. The following ministries have been temporarily relocated during construction of our Cathedral campus. (For more information about the renovation, go to OurWichitaCathedral.org.)

• Cathedral Parish Office has moved to 442 N. Emporia. Office hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Contact: (316) 263-6574 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Immigration & Refugee Services will soon move to 532 N. Broadway. Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday with Walk in Days on Wednesday. Contact: (316) 264-0282
• Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry has moved to 241 N. Indiana. Office Hours: Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Wednesday 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: (316) 262-8898
• Catholic Charities Executive Director, Cynthia Colbert and her assistant Mindy Albrecht, move to the lower level of Sacred Heart Hall at Newman University on June 6-7. Contact: (316) 264-8344, ext. 1271
• Catholic Charities Office of Human Resources moves to lower level of Sacred Heart Hall at Newman University on June 6-7. Contact: (316) 264-8344 ext. 1251
• Catholic Charities Director of Operations, Tonya Knipp, will move to the lower level of Sacred Heart Hall at Newman University. Contact: (316) 264-8344, ext. 1254
• Community Counseling and Adoption Services remain on our Cathedral Campus at 425 N. Topeka. Office hours: Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Contact: (316) 263-6941
• Foster Grandparents Program staff has moved to the Adult Day Services building at 5920 W. Central Ave. Office hours: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: (316) 264-8344 ext. 2105
• Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry staff has moved to 1518 N. Broadway. Office hours: Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: (316) 269-3919

For the latest information about our Cathedral Campus Renovation, visit www.OurWichitaCathedral.org for videos, construction details, Cathedral history, parking, Mass details, artwork, or making a donation.

Friday, 20 May 2011 11:41

The ladies of the Magdalen Altar Society have issued a challenge for other parish groups to follow their lead.

The roughly 75 members of this east Wichita altar society raised $5,000 in their annual Bazaar last November, and in a recent vote decided to donate the money to the TOGETHER vision.

“Our purpose is to service the altar, and we believe our responsibilities include not only the altar at our own parish but the Cathedral’s altar as well,” said Connie Anderson, president of the Magdalen Altar Society.

Anderson said they were inspired by Bishop Jackels when he discussed the TOGETHER vision in his April parish visit.

“Bishop Jackels consistently encourages parishioners to first care for their immediate family, next to care for their parish family, and then he asks that we each consider a gift to the TOGETHER vision in support of our diocesan family,” said Mike Wescott, Director of Development for the Diocese.

The Magdalen Altar Society has cared for their parish with past donations, and members felt it was time to support our diocesan family through the TOGETHER vision.

“We hope our contribution generates interest and enthusiasm from other parish altar societies throughout the Diocese,” Anderson said.

Friday, 20 May 2011 11:36

A conversation with Bishop Michael O. Jackels

On May 28, four men – God willing – will be ordained priests to serve in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, devoting their lives as servant leaders, teaching and forming the baptized.
This comes just a day after one more man takes a step closer to priesthood as he is ordained to the diaconate.

Here in the Diocese of Wichita we are truly blessed to have many young men pursuing priestly vocations with nearly 50 discerning a call to the priesthood each year.

We value these men trying to grow in their conviction that God is calling them to the priesthood. The glory of God is when we serve to benefit others, and a seminarian is a good reflection of that.

One minute, he’s a man seeking the ministrations of a priest for himself. The next minute others are calling him Father; offering him bread and wine and asking in return to be fed with the Holy Eucharist; confessing their sins to him in hopes of receiving absolution; looking to him for an example of how to imitate the mind and heart of Jesus so as to make progress on the pilgrimage to heaven.

Every Catholic benefits from the young men educated to serve as diocesan priests; indeed, we need priests to fully practice our faith.

Support, prayer and enthusiasm surround priesthood in general and seminarians in particular. Thanks to the generosity of the Catholic faithful, we have been able to pay the tuition, room and board for young men studying for the priesthood.

Our financial support gives a young man the freedom to go into the seminary (and to leave if he feels called to step out) without worrying about the costs. We sacrifice for these young men as they prepare for a lifetime of sacrifice for us.

Please continue to pray and support those young people who are discerning God’s will and pray for the men who will be ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood in the coming week.

Goals of the TOGETHER vision
• Strengthen the oneness between parish and diocese.
• Deepen our practice of stewardship as a way of life, sharing responsibility for the mission of the Church.
• Invite everyone to help fund seminarian education, Catholic formation programs and a renovation of the Cathedral campus.

Friday, 20 May 2011 11:33

Four to be ordained to the priesthood May 28, one as a deacon on May 27
By Christopher M. Riggs
Five men will be ordained next weekend by Bishop Michael O. Jackels at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Wichita. Four will be ordained to the priesthood and one to the transitional diaconate.

Friday, 15 April 2011 09:00

A Conversation with Bishop Michael O. Jackels

Love Jesus.

It’s a simple message but an important one.

Love Jesus.

It’s a call to action that we sometimes forget or forget to embrace.

You can memorize everything in the catechist of the Church, each prayer and every aspect of Church law, but you must love Jesus or you are not really a catholic Christian.

Jesus taught us about love, and at Easter we celebrate His love for us. We were all lost, slaves to sin and death having no hope of heaven, but Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed himself. He loved us so much that He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the grave in order to open the gates of heaven for us.

He loved us, and He commanded us to love one another as he loved us.
One aspect of the TOGETHER vision is to support Catholic formation programs by fostering love through knowledge. You can’t love what you don’t know.

The St. Maria De Mattias Endowment and the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School Fund enable children and adults across our Diocese to grow in their faith by furthering their knowledge of Jesus, so that they may love Jesus – and in loving Jesus, love and serve others.

Throughout our lives (and not just during the Lenten season) we are challenged to deepen our relationship with God. Just as we make plans for our day, plans for our weekend or plans for our vacation, we can plan to further our knowledge of Jesus and share our love of Christ through our service to others.
So, love Jesus. Then measure your love for Jesus by your love and service for others.

Learn more about the St. De Mattias Endowment and the St. Drexel Fund.

Goals of the TOGETHER vision
• Strengthen the oneness between parish and diocese.
• Deepen our practice of stewardship as a way of life, sharing responsibility for the mission of the Church.
• Invite everyone to help fund seminarian education, Catholic formation programs and a renovation of the Cathedral campus.

View more photos from the bishop’s parish visits in the photo galleries.