Thursday, 17 May 2012 10:44

Cathedral’s reredos is going up
The reredos, the tall, decorative altarpiece located behind the altar in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is being reassembled after it was taken apart and removed so that a new floor could be poured.
It is being reconstructed directly under the stained glass oculus window at the top of the dome above the sanctuary. The window contains symbols of the four gospel writers.
Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson Construction Services, said painters are finished in the sanctuary and are putting the final touches in the area below the central dome.
The balcony has been assembled at the back of the church. Workers are now focused on the area under the balcony, the confessionals on the west and east sides, and the large baptismal font under an image of the Holy Spirit.

Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:43

The diocesan Respect Life Social Justice office, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, will continue to play a role next winter in providing shelter, food, and fellowship to homeless men and meals for the women’s shelter.
The diocese cooperated with Advocates to End Chronic Homelessness in February in providing a venue for the Warming Souls Winter Overflow Shelter. Inner Faith ministries provided the staff to oversee the men’s shelter and Mosiac Church oversaw the women’s shelter.
Next year Inner Faith Ministries will be the coordinator and oversee the staffing as AECH moves into working full time on permanent housing for the homeless.
Bonnie Toombs, director of the Respect Life Social Justice office, said she was thankful for everyone who helped make hosting at Holy Savior Parish during February so successful.
“We had 21 parishes represented through volunteers as well as Newman University, the Spiritual Life Center staff, and the Sisters of St Joseph,” she said. “Several of our Catholic schools had their students collect food or prepare lunches for the men. It truly takes a community effort to provide an atmosphere that is safe, welcoming and conductive to building relationships.”

Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:34

By Tracy Winslow
WICHITA – U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Brian McCague thought he would miss his daughter’s First Communion when he received orders six months ago to deploy to the Middle East.
Not a chance.
McCague watched Emma receive her First Communion Sunday, April 22, at All Saints Church in Wichita, Kan., via a live feed through the internet.
“It was truly a memorable event for me as well as for my daughter, who was told that I would be watching from the camera and turned around to specifically look at the camera,” McCague said. “It just melted my heart that she knew that even though I was not physically there, I was able to participate in her event in some small way.”
The live stream idea came from McCague’s wife, Kelly, an employee of the Diocese of Wichita, who knew the diocese had live stream experience. They were able to share the special day with the help of Amy Pavlacka, director of Communications for the diocese, and Kirk Longhofer of the Douglas Production Group.

Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:05

Thursday, 19 April 2012 09:15

The scaffolding that filled much of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in recent weeks is being dismantled to make way for finishing touches by artists and craftsmen and to make room for workmen to start working with the marble in the Cathedral.
Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson Construction Services, said artists recently completed the gilding with gold leaf of some of the ceiling artwork.
Most of the murals are up in the dome area, he said, and painters will begin finishing work from the top down before scaffolding is taken down.
Millwork for the enlarged balcony has been delivered to the Cathedral and awaits installation. “We are starting to put the rail back together as well as work on the baptismal font,” he said.
The baptismal font, formerly located at the southeast entrance of the Cathedral, is being constructed at the north entrance, in the middle of the center aisle, under the balcony.

Thursday, 19 April 2012 08:47

Thursday, 05 April 2012 12:43

Ministry with Persons with Disabilities making presentation April 10 in Pittsburg
The Ministry with Persons with Disabilities will host a session entitled “Welcomed and Valued: Supporting People with Mental Illness in Parish Life” from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in Pittsburg.
The session will be held in the Commons of St. Mary’s Colgan High School. Tom Racunas, director of the ministry and Betty Pentola, a representative from National Alliance on Mental Illness, will make presentations.
Members of Respect Life and Social Justice committees, parish nurses, members of special needs ministries, or anyone interested in this issue are encouraged to attend.
Reservations would be appreciated. For questions or to make a reservation, contact Racunas or Angela Hampton at (316) 269-3900 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thursday, 15 March 2012 11:30

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.

Thursday, 15 March 2012 11:20

St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Andover wound up a year devoted to spirituality with a session on prayer at its monthly LIFE event March 4 and 7.
Around 400 parishioners found out what prayer and pirates have in common at the event designed to help parishioners make Christ the center of their efforts to grow in faith.
To do so, Pirate Skip, played by Phil Knapp, was on hand to explain the secret code behind the word, “ARRR.”
SVDP’s Pastor, Fr. Kent Hemberger, then took the helm and guided the adults through a prayer experience using the ARRR process – Acknowledge, Relate, Receive, Respond. An in-depth explanation followed.
Children and teens participated in prayer experiences such as using their imagination to pray, and drawing and journaling their prayer. All children and teens received treasure chests to remind them that prayer opens a treasure of eternal worth.