Diocese’s capital campaign raises $60.1 million

The Catholic Diocese of Wichita is celebrating a momentous achievement – one that has stirred hearts, united communities, and affirmed the strength of our shared faith across south-central and southeast Kansas. Launched more than two years ago, the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign invited the faithful of our diocese to invest in the mission of the Church, and the positive response has exceeded all expectations. To date, the campaign has inspired an astounding $60,093,623 in commitments – exceeding the ambitious $50 million goal by more than 20%.

This remarkable total reflects something much deeper than financial numbers: it represents the belief, extraordinary generosity, and unity of a diocesan family that is truly fully alive.

From its earliest planning stages, the Fully Alive! Campaign set out to do more than raise money. It aimed to reawaken a sense of shared purpose. It called on the faithful of the diocese not simply to support ministries and projects for our local Church – but to become renewed in their identity as stewards, disciples, and members of one family called by Christ.

Strengthened by Stewardship

This historic milestone comes as the Diocese of Wichita marks the 40th anniversary of the Stewardship Way of Life – a model of discipleship that has shaped parish culture, Catholic education, vocations, and ministry across the diocese for four decades. The resounding success of the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign is a testament to that deep-rooted way of life, in which prayer, service, and sacrificial giving flow from a heart of gratitude.

“Stewardship is one of the core values of our Catholic faith,” said campaign volunteer and St. Vincent de Paul, Andover, parishioner, Patricia Bird. “One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! was not merely a capital fundraising campaign but an invitation for all the faithful to live out their faith by embracing the goals of this mission.”

While the campaign results are certainly worth celebrating, the spiritual fruits of the effort prove even more valuable. In parishes large and small, urban and rural, campaign leaders saw parishioners go deeper with their faith, take initiative in service, and respond to God’s call with extraordinary generosity. At its heart, the Fully Alive! Campaign renewed our shared understanding of what it means to be part of something bigger.

Bishop Carl A. Kemme concurs. “Our unprecedented success, both in financial outcomes as well as in participation, has confirmed in my mind that stewardship is truly alive in our diocese and that it deserves our ongoing and intensified efforts at renewal for present and future generations,” he said.

United in Mission

More than a slogan, “One Family, Fully Alive in Christ!” became a spiritual anchor throughout the campaign. It invited everyone in our diocese – more than 37,000 registered households – to see themselves as vital members of a living Church, entrusted with the mission of evangelization, service, and hope.

For clergy, it opened the door to speak boldly about the future. For volunteers, it sparked new connections – neighbor to neighbor, heart to heart. For donors, what began as a bold vision is now poised to become a lasting legacy for our diocese.

“This campaign not only provided funds for the diocesan priorities and updates to our parish sanctuary, it also gave many of our parishioners a better sense of belonging and unity to the local Church,” said Fr. Michael Brungardt, former pastor at St. Paul, Lyons; Holy Name, Bushton; and Holy Trinity, Little River. “Being in the far northwest corner of our diocese, it is easy to feel ‘apart’ or ‘on an island.’ Now, parishioners have a much more concrete sense of their belonging, all through this concrete gesture of participating in this campaign.”

Because of our collective response, Catholic schools are better equipped to support teachers for years to come. Sacred spaces such as our beautiful cathedral are being restored. Camp Kapaun is already shaping the hearts of young disciples. Ministries of mercy are reaching more people than ever. And parishes are receiving the resources needed to bring long-awaited projects to life. Still, the most enduring fruit of the campaign may be the renewed understanding of who we are as a Church. In an age that often pulls people apart, this campaign has drawn the diocesan family closer – uniting us in mission, gratitude, and the joy of being fully alive in Christ.

Already at work

Gifts to the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign are already at work, advancing five key priorities – all of which strengthen our diocese today while also laying a strong foundation for its future. Each milestone signals a Church not only dreaming – but doing. From classrooms and churches to campgrounds and communities, the Fully Alive! Campaign is already transforming a shared vision into reality:

Catholic School Teacher Salary Enhancements

Through the generosity of the Fully Alive! Campaign, initial deposits have been made into all 38 newly-established endowments benefitting our teachers. Ongoing pledge fulfillment will ensure annual deposits continue until these endowments are fully funded. 

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Restoration

Construction is actively underway on the domes and stained-glass windows of our mother church, which will preserve the spiritual heart of the diocese for years to come. Thanks to campaign supporters, this work began in October 2024 and is expected to be complete by fall 2027.

Fr. Emil J. Kapaun Family and Youth Camp

Because of commitments made to the Fully Alive! Campaign, Camp Kapaun is a beautiful new ministry and property for youth and families of our diocese. The year-round facility has already hosted Totus Tuus campers for two summers, allowing more than 400 additional campers. Beyond Totus Tuus, Camp Kapaun has already welcomed and hosted numerous parish, youth, and school groups. Through campaign funding, the diocese will break ground on four new cabin buildings later this fall, which are expected to be complete and in use by summer 2026.

In Love of God and Neighbor Fund

As a stewardship diocese, it is only fitting that 10% of funds raised through this campaign will support the needs of the poor and marginalized. Thanks to campaign commitments already received, inaugural grants totaling $103,000 were awarded in July 2025 to 23 different recipients. Moving forward, grants will be awarded twice a year, totaling at least $200,000 per year. 

Individual Parish Needs

Thanks to campaign supporters, projects selected by pastors and parishes are already benefitting from funds raised through this effort. As pledges continue to be fulfilled, parishes will receive this funding on a semi-annual basis. Moreover, with 41 parishes exceeding their aspirational goals, an additional $3 million – above the original $10 million estimated to benefit all 90 parishes – will flow back to the communities that went above and beyond to support this effort.

A Grateful Response

None of the stories or milestones resulting from the campaign would have been possible without the faith-filled response of our entire diocesan family. Whether through prayer, volunteering, or sacrificial giving, thousands of households across our diocese embraced the call to strengthen the Church and invest in its future. Every commitment – large or small – helped shape this historic outcome and reflects the spirit of a community that is fully alive in Christ. For this, we offer our heartfelt thanks.

“I am sincerely grateful for the prayers, generosity, and leadership of so many across our diocese. Without the gifts of your time, talent, and treasure, our Catholic community in the Diocese of Wichita would not be the joyful, vibrant family of faith it is today,” Bishop Kemme said. “Without you, the priests and people of our diocese, cooperating with me under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this campaign could not have happened. Please know that I thank God for each of you and the part you have played in this campaign.”

If you have not yet participated – or feel moved to make an additional gift – there is still time to be part of this unifying moment. As we celebrate 40 years of living stewardship, we are reminded of the Church we are building together: rooted in gratitude, sustained by generosity, and fully alive in missionary discipleship.

Visit OneFamilyFullyAlive.org to learn more or to make a gift.