Thursday, 19 July 2012 13:28

Catholic Charities launches ‘Love Letters from Kansas’ program
The state’s four Catholic Charities’ agencies have launched “Love Letters from Kansas,” a public awareness campaign that includes English and Spanish television and radio spots, news stories, promotional materials, and a website, www.KansasLoveLetters.com.
The campaign will promote Catholic Charities’ Marriage for Keeps program that focuses on stabilizing families in crisis and strengthening families for life.
Catholic Charities of Kansas received a federal grant last October to expand programming for singles, dating couples, engaged couples, and married couples in Kansas. As a result, Within My Reach and Within Our Reach workshops are now available in Dodge City, Garden City, Great Bend, Salina, Wichita, Pittsburg, Manhattan, Junction City, Ft. Riley, Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City.
Want to hear more about Love Letters?
To learn more about the Love Letters from Kansas campaign, to obtain campaign promotional materials, or to enroll in a workshop, contact Patricia Houston at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , at (316) 712.6045, or www.KansasLoveLetters.com.

Cornerstone Ridge to add 80-bed skilled nursing unit
WICHITA – Via Christi Villages plans to begin construction soon on an expansion at Cornerstone Ridge Plaza at 3636 N. Ridge Road in west Wichita. The new 80-bed skilled nursing unit will consist of all private beds in four 20-unit neighborhoods.
“We know that there is a demand for such a facility in the west part of Wichita,” said Jerry Carley, president and CEO, Via Christi Villages. “There are not many skilled nursing beds in that part of town.”
Carley noted that the skilled nursing unit adds to the continuum of care at Cornerstone Ridge Plaza which presently has 60 assisted living units.
The expansion will occupy 6.5 acres of an available 15 acres of land. Once completed, the project will create 115 new jobs. Construction on the 72,000 square foot facility could begin as early as late June with a completion date of October 2013.

Catholic Charities to host meetings about changes in immigration policy
Catholic Charities, a ministry of the Diocese of Wichita, will provide guidance at several upcoming meetings to some undocumented immigrants in response to recent changes in national immigration policy.
As the result of a recent executive order, undocumented youth 15 years old and younger who have lived in the United States for over five years will be allowed to apply for temporary lawful status and work authorization.
Catholic Charities’ David Osio or Ana Mendez will host informational meetings on the topic on the following dates:
South Hutchinson
Saturday, July 28, 10 a.m. Madonna Hall, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 612 S. Maple St.
Wichita
Monday, July 23, 7 p.m., Parish Life Center, St. Margaret Mary Parish, 2701 S. Pattie
Tuesday, July 24, 7 p.m. Bud Palmer Room, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 2351 N. Market
Wednesday, July 25, 7 p.m. cafeteria, St. Patrick Parish, 2007 N. Arkansas Ave.
Monday, July 30, 7 p.m. Fellowship Hall in the church basement, St. Anne Parish, 2801 S. Seneca

Omaha archdiocese offering youth ministry program
The Archdiocese of Omaha is sponsoring a Certificate Program in Youth Ministry Studies, in conjunction with the Center for Ministry Development.
This program provides a ministry education for youth ministry, campus ministry, and religious education leaders, combining resources for youth ministry theory, skills, and practice.
Course topics include Principles of Youth Ministry, Practices of Youth Ministry, Foundations of Ministry Leadership, Skills for Christian Leadership, Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization and Catechesis, Justice and Service, Prayer and Worship, and Pastoral Care.
Cycle 2 of the courses will be offered in Omaha at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Service Center on weekends in September, November, February, and April.
For addition information, contact Rita Ramos of the Archdiocese of Omaha at (402) 557-5610.

SVDP, Andover, hosting ‘mobilizing volunteers’ workshop Aug. 11
St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Andover is hosting a Mobilizing Volunteers for Your Ministry Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11.The workshop, conducted by The Center for Ministry Development, will provide training, resources and consultation for parish ministries that rely on volunteers.
Father Kent Hemberger encouraged parish teams to attend.
“We are providing this workshop for our parish leaders and decided to open registration to all of the parishes within our diocese as it will also be a great opportunity to network and share ideas,” he said in a press release.
The cost of this workshop is $30 per person. Groups of five or more from an individual parish will receive a group rate of $25 per person. Lunch will be provided, along with workshop materials.
Joan Weber will be the featured speaker. For more information, visit the center’s website at www.cmdnet.org/movo.

Special talk for young adults Saturday, Aug. 4
The Midwest Catholic Family Conference is offering a special talk for young adults looking for a spouse. Jason Evert will address young adults at 9 p.m. Saturday night, Aug. 4, about “How to find your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul.”
The fee for the talk is $5 and includes all talks after 7 p.m. The early bird discount for the Midwest Catholic Family Conference ends on July 13.

Neises family reunion Aug. 4 at St. Mark’s
A reunion of the Neises family will be held Saturday, Aug. 4 at St. Mark Parish Hall in Colwich.
Johann and Katherine (Neisen) Neises settled near St. Mark in 1874. Descendants may make a reservation today by contacting Arlene Sperling at (316) 880-592, Carolyn Rooney at (316) 722-7515, or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

St. Joseph School, Wichita, starting preschool in the fall
St. Joseph Catholic School in Wichita is opening a preschool for four-year-olds in the fall.
Preschool will be taught by Jennifer Riddel from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning Aug. 20.
The preschool curriculum will include religion, literacy skills, mathematics, development of fine and gross motor skills, and development of social skills within the school setting.
Riddel, who holds an early education certification, said she is eagerly looking forward to helping the children grow to love Jesus Christ within the framework of their educational program.
Interested families are invited to call the school office at (316) 261-5860 for more information.
Craft fair booths available for St. Anne Festival July 29
WICHITA – St. Anne Parish will host its annual festival, Sunday, July 29, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
They are currently accepting vendors for a craft fair. For more information or to register for a booth, contact Janet at (316) 265-6050.
St. Anne Festival will include many other activities and is open to the public.

CFFCU hosting car-buying seminar
Catholic Family Federal Credit Union is hosting a car-buying seminar, “Take the Wheel: Find the Perfect Car,” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at their offices at 717 N. Socora, north of Bishop Carroll High School.
Those attending will learn how to determine how much they can afford, how to deal with dealers, how to negotiate the best car price, how to benefit from buying used, financing options, and more.
There is no cost to attend but reservations are requested. To do so, call Cindy at (316) 264-9163 extension 103 by July 21.
A complimentary light dinner will be served.

Catholic Charities in need of cereal and canned fruit
Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry is in need of cold and hot cereals as well as canned fruit.
Donations may be delivered to 2825 S. Hillside during normal pantry hours which are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, or call (316) 262-8898.
To organize or schedule a food drive call Rachel at (316) 264-8344, ext. 1261, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Seminary of interest?
Young men who may be interested in the priesthood may email Fr. Michael Simone at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .