Three from diocese are received as candidates for priesthood
The Rev. Mr. David Voss reports that Diocese of Wichita seminarians Curtis Hecker, Andrew Bina, and Alex Gorges were received as candidates for priesthood Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Mo.
Deacon Voss, who also studies at Kenrick-Glennon, writes in his blog that the reception is one of the essential steps as a student progresses through major seminary.
“As our rector here explained, this step is akin to an ‘engagement’ to the church,” he writes. “This means that both the seminarian and the church view the discernment process as more serious and the prospect of ordination more immediate.”
Deacon Voss said he finds it interesting that some of the men who have been received as candidates for priesthood talk about “When I am ordained,” rather than, “If I am ordained.”
The transitional deacon ends his blog by sharing a funny story about a comment Bishop Michael O. Jackels made before Voss was ordained a deacon.
Want to watch the video?
To watch a brief video of comments by Curtis Hecker or to read Deacon Voss’ blog, go to cdowk.org and click on Seminarian Education at the top of the page and then click Seminarian Blog in the pull-down menu.

Bridget Marie Sercer makes solemn vows on Aug. 6 as a Cistercian nun
Sister Marie Pierre, formerly known as Bridget Marie Sercer, professed her solemn vows to be a Cistercian nun on Aug. 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, at Valley of Our Lady Monastery, Prairie du Sac, Wisc.
Sister Marie Pierre is the oldest daughter of Terry and Monica Sercer, parishioners at Mary Queen of Angels parish, Fort Scott.
The profession was made in the small chapel at Valley of Our Lady in the presence of the Cistercian community as well as Fr. Darin May, parishioners from Mary Queen of Angels, family, and friends.
The Cistercians are a contemplative order that follows the Benedictine decree of “Orare and Labore,” or work and pray. The cloistered nuns pray the Divine Office eight times a day and make altar breads for sales for parishes across the United States. Sister Marie Pierre asked the faithful of the Diocese of Wichita to pray for her. She said she would pray for those in the diocese.

Two sisters celebrate 60th jubilees
Adorers of the Blood of Christ Sr. Ursula Schones and Sr. Jude Beckerman celebrated their 60th anniversaries on Sept. 17 at the ASC Wichita Center. They made their first profession of vows on July 1, 1951.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from Sacred Heart College (now Newman University), Wichita, and her master’s degree in education from Kansas State Teachers’ College, Emporia, Sister Ursula began her teaching ministry. It spanned 30 years in Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico schools, as well as at an Indian Boarding School in Omak, Wash. Her teaching was followed by years of parish ministry services in Moore and Norman, Okla. Sister Ursula works in the ASC Associate Office at the Wichita Center.
Sister Jude Beckerman was a secretary for many years in Hutchinson before she entered the convent. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from Sacred Heart College, now Newman University, Sister Jude pursued a teaching ministry in Kansas and Oklahoma schools for 31 years, and then gave a few years to parish ministry at Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, Kan.