Thursday, 20 October 2011 14:28

Masses to begin this weekend

By Christopher M. Riggs

Mass-goers will get an inside look at the new, almost-completed Good Shepherd Hall at the Masses to be celebrated in the hall this weekend.

Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson & Associates, said last week that it will take about two more weeks before the floor tiling in the hall is complete. “So for the first weekend of Mass, half to three-quarters of the floor will be done, and we’re hoping by the next weekend Mass it will be all done,” he said.

The wallpaper and sound panels for the hall are still on backorder, Baalmann said, and a bit more trim still needs to be installed. The restrooms on the second floor won’t be completed for another week, although the kitchen area will be ready for its temporary role as a vesting sacristy.

The concrete has been poured for the basement of the new gathering area just east of the Cathedral, he said, and the installation of structural steel for the first floor has begun.

Thursday, 20 October 2011 14:27

Several parishes in the Diocese of Wichita now host Marian Mantle prodigal prayer groups. The goal of the groups, according to the founder, MaryAnn Gardner of Overland Park, “is to work and pray together in the hope that every Catholic mother and father will someday see the return of their prodigals to Holy Mother Church.”
Marian Mantle prodigal prayer groups are now in parishes in Wichita, Wellington, Kingman, Conway Springs, Anthony, and Hutchinson. Others in Kansas are in Kansas City, Overland Park, and Olathe.
The prayer groups pray for their family members who have left the church, according to Georgia Darrow, a member of Holy Cross Parish, Hutchinson.
“In 2005, with Jesus and His Sorrowful Mother Mary, many of us stepped forward and said, ‘Yes, we are interested in forming a group,’” she said.
“Our commitment is not difficult. It’s a matter of approximately one hour of time, saying the rosary, Stations of the Cross or a Divine Mercy Chaplet, a special Parents Litany, and Sorrowful Mother prayer for the return of loved ones to the Catholic faith.”
She said each group decides for itself as to the meeting date and how often they meet.
“It has been amazing and powerful to watch the close friendships grow in the people in our prayer group,” Darrow said. “We are a powerful group of prayer warriors with the Sorrowful Mother Mary as our leader, with one thing on our minds. We never stop praying for the return of our prodigals.”

Want to join a group?
Information about our Marion Mantle organization can be found at www.marianmantle.com. Or contact founder MaryAnn Gardner at The Marian Mantle Group, PO Box 24291, Overland Park KS 66283, at (913) 526-8977, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thursday, 20 October 2011 14:22

Brother Raymund Snyder, a former member of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Schulte, made a simple profession to the Dominican Order on Aug. 15, at St. Gertrude Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Brother Snyder graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Wichita, in 2006, and from the University of Notre Dame in 2010 with a bachelor of arts degree in classics and philosophy.
He entered the Dominican Order in August 2010 at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati. He was assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in 2011 where he is currently pursuing studies for the priesthood.
Simple profession is the temporary taking of the religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for a period of three years, after which the brother may take the same vows for life.

Thursday, 20 October 2011 14:00

St. Anthony hosting series on the Mass
St. Anthony Parish, Wellington, is hosting a five-part series, “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
The class began Oct. 18 and continues through Nov. 15 in the parish hall at 210 N B St.
The cost is $17 for parishioners and $20 for non-parishioners. To register call (620) 326-3480 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Workshop on suffering Nov. 9 at Schulte
Fr. Andy Kuykendall, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle parish, Schulte, will lead a workshop that will blend personal experiences, scientific research, and biblical truths to provide specific suggestions about what to say or do when someone is suffering.
The workshop, How to Relate To Those Who Are Suffering, is open to the diocesan family and will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, at the parish’s Dominic Hall, 11000 Southwest Blvd, Wichita. It will be presented again that evening from 7 to 8 p.m.
The workshop is designed to help those attending to bring Christ’s love to hurting people when they need it the most.
There is no need to register and there is no cost to attend. Child care will be available for the evening session.

Thursday, 06 October 2011 11:50

St. Anthony Church to host daily Masses while construction continues at building site

By Coryanne Graham, Diocese of Wichita

The renovation of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is about to hit another milestone. On Monday, Oct. 17, the church doors will be locked as construction crews begin work on the interior of the church.

“We’re still open for business – the business of the sacraments and the tending to the people of God,” said Fr. John Sherlock, rector of the Cathedral.

Fr. Sherlock and his associate pastor, Fr. Patrick Reilley, will be ministering to the people of God from three locations:

• The temporary parish office is located at 442 N. Emporia. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• St. Anthony Catholic Church, 325 N. Ohio, has opened its doors to those wishing to attend daily Mass downtown. St. Anthony already offers Mass at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Fathers Sherlock and Reilley will celebrate an additional Mass at St. Anthony at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday beginning Friday, Oct. 21.

• Weekend Masses for Cathedral parishioners and a 5:15 p.m. daily Mass will be held in the newly renovated chapel on the southeast corner of the Cathedral campus. The former Cathedral gymnasium has been transformed into an inviting chapel and social hall named Good Shepherd Hall.

Thursday, 06 October 2011 11:05

Holy Spirit Prayer and Healing Group hosting conference Nov. 12
WICHITA – The Holy Spirit Prayer & Healing Group will host a retreat and conference from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, in the All Saints gym, 3205 E. Grand, Wichita.
Admission is free. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no charge. The registration deadline is Nov. 9. For more information, please contact Vanessa Banh at (316) 250-9147.

St. Margaret Mary Fun Night Oct. 15
St. Margaret Mary Parish will host a fun night from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in the Community Room.
The parish will host games, a raffle, an auction, and good food.
St. Margaret Mary Parish is located at 2701 S. Pattie.

Thursday, 15 September 2011 10:04

By Christopher M. Riggs

WICHITA – The sounds of progress – the din of back-up warning beeps, concrete saws, drills, and other noises – are resonating across the campus of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

One of the areas that will interest parishioners and downtown Mass-goers is the social hall that will serve as a temporary worship area until work in the church is complete.

Chris Baalmann, project manager for Simpson and Associates, said last week that drywall work was complete and that painting had begun in the social hall. This week workers began hanging the ceiling support grid there and in the next few weeks doors and hardware will be installed.

Although Masses will be celebrated in the temporary chapel, he said, some finishing work will have to be done in between Masses because of material delays. “There is a delay with the floor tile, the acoustical wall panels, the wallpaper – those three items for sure.”

Father John Sherlock, rector of the Cathedral, thought that Masses would begin to be celebrated in the temporary space in mid-October.

Thursday, 15 September 2011 10:00

Sister Mary Gretchen Hoffman, a former parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Wichita, professed her perpetual vows as a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma Michigan Aug. 16 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Mich. With her are her parents Frank and Verla Hoffman.
Sr. Mary Gretchen attended St. Thomas Aquinas School and graduated from Kapaun Mount Carmel High School. She graduated from George Washington University Medical School in May of this year and is a medical resident at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
The principal celebrant and homilist at her profession was the Most Rev. Joseph Cistone, bishop of Saginaw. Concelebrants at the Mass included Father Keith Weber, Sister Mary Gretchen’s uncle from St. Isidore’s Parish, Manhattan, Kan.
Sister Mary Gretchen is also an athlete and will be inducted into the University of Dallas’ Athletic Hall of Fame this October. Sister Hoffman played volleyball for UD where she holds several school season records including the record for aces, aces per game, and is the school career record-holder for games played.
She was selected the MVP of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship which the University of Dallas won in 2001. She was selected a USCAA “All American” in 2001 and 2002, and “Academic All-American” in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Thursday, 15 September 2011 09:44

SVDP hosting murder mystery Oct. 8 for The Lord’s Diner
St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Andover, is hosting “Murder At Mothropp Manor,” a murder mystery fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in the Ville, the parish hall.
All proceeds will go to support The Lord’s Diner. Local talent, such as Sierra Scott and Bucky Walters, will take part. Dinner and adult beverages will be served and silent and live auctions will be held.
Tickets are $50 per person or $350 for a table of six. For tickets contact Linda Litavniks at (316) 218-0840.
Those wishing to make a donation for the auction may contact Marian Stuhlsatz at 733-5881 before Sept. 15.