Diocese’s parishes receiving latest Fully Alive! Campaign distributions
This April, parishes across the Catholic Diocese of Wichita received the latest round of funding from the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign, marking an important milestone as all three waves are now receiving campaign funds. More than $4.24 million was shared with parishes last month, bringing the total distribution to parishes since April 1, 2025, to $6.67 million. As campaign pledges are fulfilled in the months and years to come, additional funds will continue to flow back to parishes twice annually until the total allocation is realized.
Because of the generosity of more than 11,500 campaign donors, the individual parish needs campaign priority continues to have a meaningful impact on parish communities throughout the diocese. Projects once only imagined by pastors and parishioners are now becoming a reality. New adoration chapels, expanded youth ministry programs, and long-awaited parish repairs and improvements are evident.
One visible sign of this impact can be found in the Kansas town of St. Paul, where recently completed renovations to the diocese’s oldest parish are helping renew and strengthen its worship space for generations to come. Like other parishes in the diocese, this particular project reflects both a response to immediate needs and a long-term vision for the future – all made possible through the support of parishioners and campaign supporters.
“At first, the diocesan campaign felt like a burden I wasn’t prepared to embrace, until recognizing the opportunity we had to address some critical parish needs,” said Fr. Matt Davied, pastor of St. Francis in St. Paul and St. Ambrose in Erie. “St. Francis de Hieronymo Catholic Church is a beautiful, historic building in our diocese, and it was apparent that the church building needed some maintenance. Paint was peeling, there was some visible water damage in parts of the ceiling, and we had falling plaster in the sanctuary. The Fully Alive! Campaign provided our parish community with the impetus to restore the church to its former beauty. Praise God, it was ready in time to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass in a much brighter and fresher space, with the smell of new paint still in the air.”
For campaign volunteers and St. Francis parishioners Mike and Coleen Carter, the results speak for themselves. “Our local project was rooted in a shared desire to preserve our historic church while restoring it to a beautiful and reverent place of worship. Through the individual parish needs portion of the campaign, we were able to repair and refresh this beloved space for our parish community. And the timing could not have been more perfect as we were able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday in our restored church.”
Initial campaign estimates anticipated $10 million returning to parishes to support local needs. However, thanks to all parishes’ response during the campaign’s active fundraising effort, that figure appears too modest. With 41 parishes – including St. Francis in St. Paul – meeting or exceeding their aspirational fundraising goals, that total is on pace to be surpassed as pledges continue to be fulfilled.
From rural communities to larger urban parishes, the fruits of the campaign are evident in both visible improvements and renewed vitality within parish life. Campaign leaders say each project – whether large or small – represents a shared investment in the mission of the Church and a commitment to ensuring that every parish has the resources needed to thrive.
Although the active fundraising phase of the campaign has concluded, the opportunity to participate remains. Those who have not yet made a gift may still join the effort, and those who feel inspired to give again are welcome to make an additional campaign contribution. Each and every gift continues to strengthen parish communities and support the ongoing work of the Church throughout the diocese. Learn more or make a gift by clicking here.