Friday, 03 June 2011 09:16

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.”

Friday, 03 June 2011 08:39

By Ana Rumback
HUTCHINSON – The St. Teresa Catholic Church building at 211 E. Fifth Avenue in Hutchinson marked its centennial on May 21. One needs only to look at the intricate domed ceiling, majestic high altar, and European-style stained-glass windows to know the building holds rich history. Although it is known as the Mother Church of Reno County, St. Teresa Catholic Church emerged from humble beginnings.
Father Paul Ponziglione, a Jesuit missionary priest, traveled along the Arkansas River in the Reno County area in the late 1870s. Credited with having said the first Mass in Reno County, Father Ponziglione spent his days ministering to the poor, hard-working, and deeply faithful Irish Catholics who inhabited the area.
At that point, masses were said in various families’ homes and even in the courthouse in Hutchinson. It was Father Felix Swemberg, who came to the area in the fall of 1872, who appealed to then-Bishop Louis Mary Fink to build a Catholic church in Hutchinson. His eager request was granted in 1878.
Work began in earnest and, with funds gathered from Catholic and non-Catholic residents of the area, Hutchinson’s first Catholic church was completed in 1882. Standing at the southwest corner of 2nd and Maple Streets, the small, wooden church was the first in Hutchinson to have electric lighting.
The church attracted large numbers, and it soon became evident that it was far too small for its growing congregation. Since there was no room for expansion at the corner of 2nd and Maple, several lots were purchased at the current location of 5th Avenue and Poplar, and the small church was moved to that location in 1897.
But challenges were far from over. In June of 1898, after an expansion and remodel, the little church was struck by lightning, which destroyed the steeple and the front of the church. Then in July of 1902, an altar candle was to blame for a fire that burned out the sanctuary of the church. It was becoming evident that God had plans for a bigger church! Under the direction of Father M.J. O’Farrell and continuing with Father William Farrell, planning began for a new church.
Plans for a beautiful, new cathedral in Hutchinson were drawn up by French-born architect Emmanuel Masqueray, who was also the architect for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. One of the leading designers of parish churches for the Catholic Church in the Midwest, Masqueray was on hand for the ground-breaking ceremony for St. Teresa Catholic Church on March 10, 1910.
The cornerstone of the church was laid two months later. And on May 21, 1911, the new church was dedicated by Bishop John J. Hennessey with 1,500 people inside the church for the service and 1,000 more waiting outside, unable to get in. The original church building was purchased by the Calvary United Brethren Church and moved to 502 West Avenue A in Hutchinson.
Over the years, St. Teresa Catholic Church has undergone various updates and renovations. The most notable include: the addition of the marble Del Prado altar in 1917; the addition of the south parking lot in the 1960s; the coincidental acquisition of the smaller, matching Del Prado altar in 1976; the $314,000 renovation also in 1976 (more than six times the original construction cost); the restoration in the mid-1990s done mainly by parishioners alongside Father Richard Stuchlik; and the addition of the Adoration Chapel in 2000. Our current pastor, Father Nicholas Voelker, is in the process of raising funds to repair the tuckpointing of the church.
Added to the local, state, and national Registry of Historic Landmarks in 1994, St. Teresa Catholic Church is a testimony of the faith, hard work, and determination of the Catholic forefathers of Hutchinson and the surrounding area, and of its pastors and parishioners throughout the past century.

Celebration set for next weekend
St. Teresa parish will celebrate the 100-year dedication anniversary of its beloved church the weekend of June 10-12 with a parish dance, a celebration Mass and reception with Bishop Michael O. Jackels, and a parish picnic.

Friday, 03 June 2011 08:21

Magdalen Catholic School students raised more than $3,400 in a “penny wars” competition to support the parish’s upcoming capital campaign.
“Our students like a challenge – and their teachers challenged them to support their parish, which has done so much to provide them with a quality Catholic education,” said Janice Palmer, principal.
The week-long competition, which started May 16, included an overall goal of raising $2,011 for the capital campaign, which is earmarked for parish debt reduction and campus improvement projects. In addition, students competed by grade to see which class could raise the most money and earn a pizza party.
The overall goal was reached, which earned the students a dress-down day near the end of the school term. Capris and flip flops for the girls, and long shorts for the boys. Hats were OK, too, but only after Mass.

Friday, 03 June 2011 07:28

WSU’s Newman Center to host fundraiser July 16
Recent studies have shown that men and women make the Catholic faith their own or they do not between the ages of 18 and 24, according to Father John Hay, pastor of the St. Paul Parish Newman Center at Wichita State University.
“This makes Newman Center ministry one of the most important ministries in the modern church,” he said. “Students are truth seekers, they want to learn and are thirsting for knowledge.”
Fr. Hay has invited the faithful to the premier Newman Center benefit dinner Saturday, July 16, hosted by Fr. John Hay’s parents family farm.
The cost of the evening of fun and fellowship is $30 per person or $200 for a table of 8. The social with hors d’eouvres begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner with silent auction is at 6:30 p.m.. Call the Newman Center office at (316) 684-6896 to register.
The Newman Center seeks to nurture and promote the Catholic Faith and to be a place where students can discover their unique talents and gifts.

Thursday, 19 May 2011 13:44

Magdalen society supports TOGETHER
By Coryanne Graham, Diocese of Wichita
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.

Thursday, 05 May 2011 12:01

Hutch parishes plan prison ministry sale
Parishes raising money for May 13-14 at St. Teresa
Hutchinson’s Tri-Parish Catholic Community, Holy Cross, Our Lady of Guadalupe  and St. Teresa Church, is hosting a benefit garage sale May 13-14 at St. Teresa’s Auditorium.
The sale will help fund a CD of Christian music by Jeanette Hermes, Kevin and Keith Emmerich. All proceeds from the CD will help with the privately financed Spiritual Life Center at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.  Warden Sam Cline, co-workers, and prison inmates have begun this project. Religious activities have become a central feature of rehabilitation.
For more about this project and to support it, log on to Facebook and join the Tri-Parish Catholic Community.

Thursday, 14 April 2011 17:49

WICHITA – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School seventh and eighth graders will further their stewardship educations when they put their faith into action Holy Thursday, April 21.
The school has partnered with Catholic Charities’ “In Love and Service” project which will provide students an opportunity to help the community through activities at the school.
“In Love and Service” will begin at 8 a.m. after the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, during which some of the students will wash the feet of other students. The project will help them understand better how they can be of service to one another.
Projects will be set up on individual tables and project coordinators will be available to assist the students. Some of the organizations will have a representative on hand to answer questions about their ministry.

Thursday, 14 April 2011 17:34

Cathedral to host Divine Mercy Sunday service on May 1
A Divine Mercy Sunday service will be held Sunday, May 1, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Wichita.
The service will begin with a procession of the Divine Mercy image and exposition of the Eucharist at 2:45 p.m. It will be followed at 3 o’clock with a holy hour and a sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy and prayers. The service will end with a Mass of Divine Mercy at four o’clock.
The event is sponsored by the Cathedral Contemplatives of Divine Mercy.

Thursday, 31 March 2011 12:08

WICHITA – Bishop Michael O. Jackels blessed the first phase of St. Catherine of Siena Parish’s building plans Friday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord – and St. Catherine’s birthday.
The 29,000-square-foot project includes a transitional church that will seat 780, an adoration chapel, an office complex, a gymnasium/parish hall, four classrooms, and a kitchen that will serve the school and parish hall. The parish was previously housed in a temporary facility across the street. It now has room to grow on 15 acres on the southeast corner of 37th and Ridge.
The parish broke ground on the first phase of its building plan on the day after Easter of last year, founding Pastor Father Dan Spexarth said, and it will be able to celebrate Easter this year in the new church.
Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic school will open on Aug. 17 with a kindergarten, first, and second grade class. Another classroom will remain empty until next school year, when a third grade class will be added.
The parish will add classrooms as it completes its plans to educate its children from kindergarten through the eighth grade.
Simpson & Associates Inc. was the construction manager. GMLV Architecture is the architect.

Thursday, 31 March 2011 10:25

Richard Montgomery, principal of St. Mary School in Derby will receive a 2011 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.
He will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association’s annual convention and exposition April 26-28 in New Orleans, La.
“I was very surprised and very humbled because there are many, very good administrators and principals in our diocese,” Montgomery said, adding that the award is a testament to the support he receives from families, teachers, priests and others interested in good Catholic education.
Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools said Montgomery has built a reputation of leading as a faithful steward, invoking a sense of calm and a spirit of collaboration.
“He spent several years forming a parish coalition to build a new school, on which the parish broke ground in spring 2010. He prepares students to go out into the world with a solid foundation of spiritual and academic strength,” Brother Bimonte said.
Montgomery said his philosophy is simple: everything we do is a teachable moment. “Do it with Christ at the center,” he said.. “I try to involve the staff and parents as much as possible in the school. Once they see what a special blessing God has provided in this school, they want to be part of it.”