How am I connected to the Cathedral campus?

The Cathedral campus serves every Catholic in the Diocese of Wichita as well as many non-Catholics in our Diocese through the liturgy, formation and services that flow from this campus. The Cathedral is the mother church of every parish in the Diocese, a model as far as how the liturgy is celebrated, the educational outreach and the services that are present.

A few examples:

  • MASS: The Cathedral belongs to every Catholic in the Diocese. Our mother church draws hundreds to its daily Masses and five Masses celebrated each weekend. Click here for a Mass schedule.
  • ORDINATIONS: New priests and deacons are ordained at the Cathedral by the bishop. From here these young men go forth to serve in parishes and ministries across the Diocese.
  • CHRISM MASS: Every year representatives from each parish in the Diocese celebrate Mass at the Cathedral with the bishop as he blesses the sacramental oils, and the priests of the Diocese renew their vows. Those representatives return to their parishes with the oils necessary for sacraments and their renewed, recommitted priests.
  • WEDDINGS: Families from all over the Diocese choose our historic Mother Church to celebrate weddings. In 2008, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception celebrated 51 weddings.
  • SERVICE TO POOR: Catholic Charities Help Center distributed food to nearly 6,000 families in 2008. The service provides food, parenting classes and financial consultation and shares community resources to individuals in the Wichita and Pittsburg, Kan. areas.
  • CATHOLIC FORMATION: The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, located in the Cathedral school building, works with individuals and parishes throughout the Diocese to educate Hispanics on the stewardship way of life. Classrooms on the Cathedral campus are shared by the Cathedral Parish, Catholic Charities and the office of Hispanic Ministry for Catholic formation classes.
  • RITE OF ELECTION: Every year catechumens from each parish gather with their sponsors at the Cathedral for this rite at the beginning of Lent to swear before the bishop that they are ready to be initiated into the Church.
  • FOSTER GRANDPARENTS: The Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program is based on the Cathedral campus, but the program touches the lives of thousands through outreach in 81 schools, daycare centers other programs while enriching the lives of senior citizens.
  • COUNSELING SERVICES: Catholic Charities Community Counseling Services makes counselors available in several parochial schools that could not otherwise afford a staff counselor, offers adoption services, pregnancy counseling services and marriage enrichment for individuals across the Diocese.
 

Which buildings are included in the renovation?

The nearly-100-year-old Cathedral church is just one piece of a campus-wide renovation. The mother church of our Diocese reflects the community of the faithful in the Diocese of Wichita.

The Cathedral school building, which was built in 1920, houses the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, parish religious education and many of the services of Catholic Charities, including the Help Center (providing food, case management and financial counseling to the poor), Community Counseling Services (providing adoption services, pregnancy counseling, marriage enrichment and family support across the Diocese), the Foster Grandparent Program (mentoring children and enriching the lives of senior citizens) and Immigration Services (providing interpreter services, immigration paperwork and consultation).

The Cathedral gymnasium was added to the school in 1922. The gym along with its adjoining kitchen, conference rooms and classrooms are used by parish and diocesan groups seven days a week for faith formation, meetings, luncheons and social functions.

The building that houses parish offices and rectory was built in 1923 and at one time served as the Chancery offices of the Bishop. This building is a priests' residence and office space. It houses some historic artifacts owned by the Diocese and often provides the only space for wedding parties to prepare for ceremonies.
   

Why must the renovation happen now?

If we do not do something now, we risk losing the use of parts of the buildings on the Cathedral campus.

   

What are some of the problems on the Cathedral campus?

  • Water damage in the Cathedral church and school building has led to peeling paint, rotting wood floors and damaged ceilings.
  • Persons with disabilities are currently able to access only one ramp entrance to the church and have difficulty entering tight spaces in bathrooms and confessionals. And without an elevator, persons with disabilities cannot access upper floors in any of the campus buildings.
  • The current heating and cooling system fails to keep the buildings on the Cathedral campus at a comfortable temperature and often makes so much noise, it is difficult to hear the celebration of Mass. Some radiators in classrooms are not even in working order.
  • The choir loft has a dangerously low railing. There is not adequate space for musicians and instruments to stand clear from the edge, and the balcony has only one stairwell access.
  • Outdated wiring throughout the campus can be a fire hazard.
   

Who will benefit from this renovation?

Our entire Diocese and the surrounding community will benefit from the renovation of the Cathedral Campus.

  • Each Catholic celebrating Mass at the Cathedral – whether it is daily Mass, confirmations, Christmas Mass or a wedding Mass – will benefit from a quiet and efficient heating and air conditioning system and increased visibility within the church.
  • Individuals with disabilities will be able to access the entire campus. Currently confessionals, restrooms, the altar, the choir loft and classrooms are difficult or impossible to navigate for those with disabilities.
  • New facilities and a renovated social hall will make the Cathedral campus ideal for wedding parties and diocesan functions that follow special Masses like Chrism Mass, ordinations or Anniversary Mass.
  • The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry will be better able to serve individuals within the Cathedral school building improved security and universal access.
  • Catholic Charities will be better able to serve nearly 22,000 men, women and children each year in newly-renovated facilities on the Cathedral campus.
  • Repaired and updated classroom space will be used for faith formation by the Cathedral Parish, Catholic Charities and the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry.
  • Repaired and updated conference rooms will continue to be available for use by diocesan organizations like the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Serra clubs and Daughters of Isabella.
   

How will the TOGETHER vision impact Catholic Charities?

The TOGETHER vision will allow Catholic Charities to better serve individuals and families by updating buildings on the Cathedral campus to meet current building standards. Some of the services on the Cathedral campus include: The Help Center (formerly known as Emergency Services), Immigration Services, Marriage enrichment, pregnancy counseling, adoption services and the Foster Grandparent program that benefits seniors and children across our community.

TOGETHER will not impact the daily operating budget for any programs within Catholic Charities. The portion of the TOGETHER vision that includes the renovation of the Cathedral campus is a special appeal. Gifts to the special appeal are extraordinary giving – above and beyond ordinary giving.

   
Office of Development and Planned Giving + Diocese of Wichita + 424 Broadway Wichita, KS 67202 + 316.269.3917 + development@catholicdioceseofwichita.org
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