The Office of Respect Life and Social Justice offers a variety of programs and opportunities to serve the community throughout the month.
RLSJ Ministries
First Saturday Rosary
The First Saturday Rosary at Trust Women abortion facility (5107 E. Kellogg Dr.) will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, July 4.
Birthmother’s Gathering – Will not be meeting in July
Meetings will resume in August. Seeing a need to support these brave birth mothers, the Respect Life and Social Justice Office is partnering with birthmothers in the area to host a support group with an opportunity to learn coping skills to help them journey through healing and hope. Each adoption story is unique. By sharing prayers, stories, emotions, fears, and scripture with other birthmothers, the healing can begin.
If you are a birthmother, please consider joining us at our monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Spiritual Life Center located at 7100 E. 45th Street N. in Wichita. For more information call Bonnie Toombs at 316-269-3935, or email Carolyn Utter at [email protected].
St. Dismas Ministry to the Incarcerated
St. Dismas Ministry to the Incarcerated is seeking priests who feel called to bring the mercy and presence of Christ to those who are incarcerated. We are currently in need of priests to hear confessions and celebrate Mass at Sedgwick County Jail.
The diocesan ministry gathers at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays, with volunteers meeting with men and women on alternating weeks. Because of this schedule, we hope to have a priest available each week so that both groups may have the opportunity to receive the sacraments approximately twice per month.
We are also looking for priests who would be willing to assist on an as-needed basis at prisons throughout the diocese when the regularly scheduled priest is unable to visit.
If you feel called to share Christ’s mercy through this ministry, please contact Mary McDonald for more information, [email protected].
Kolbe Ministries
The next retreat will take place at El Dorado Correctional Facility 6/25/26-6/28/26. If you’d like to get involved and help out, we are seeking male volunteers as retreat members or Priest, Please contact Chad Gericke at [email protected] or (316) 841-3319 for more details
Sidewalk Advocates for Life
If you are interested in becoming a Sidewalk Advocate, there will be a training on on July 11th, 9:00am to 3:30pm at Church of the Resurrection (4910 N Woodlawn St, Bel Aire, KS). Contact Taylor Wegerer to sign up [email protected] Lunch & materials provided for free. FLYER
Grief and Healing Ministries
Project Rachel Ministry
Project Rachel Ministry is hosting a Visio Divina Scripture study, Encountering Christ: From Trust Unto Surrender beginning June 1 to aid in healing from the wounds of abortion. The six-session study will meet in Wichita through the summer ending on August 24. For more information, contact Stephanie Nemechek (316) 269-4673 or [email protected]
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat
A Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat will be held in Wichita September 18-20. Throughout the weekend, retreatants participate in scriptural exercises and discussions to aid in healing of wounds related to past abortions. Opportunities are available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Mass. Retreat registration is $100 which includes all retreat materials, meals, and a private room. The retreat is confidential and open to women and men of all faiths. The registration fee can be waived if a financial need exists. To register, contact Stephanie Nemechek (316) 269-4673 or [email protected].
Catholic in Recovery
Catholic in Recovery seeks to serve those suffering from addictions and unhealthy attachments. Through a twelve-step recovery and the sacramental love and mercy provided by the Catholic Church, Catholic in Recovery strives to share the Good News that God can bring about healing and recovery. Catholic in Recovery group meets in-person in Wichita on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM. For more information, email [email protected] Virtual groups are available at https://catholicinrecovery.com/
Red Bird Grief Support Ministry For Child/Grandchild Loss
Red Bird Catholic Grief Support Ministry serves those who have experienced the loss of a child or grandchild from miscarriage through adulthood. For more information, contact Mary Johnson at 316-393-5472 or email her at [email protected].
Grieving With Great Hope Ministry
Grieving with Great Hope is a Catholic-based Grief Support program for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. This five-week video-based series is a prayerful, practical, and personal guide that has helped thousands of people who are grieving. The next session will be offered weekly August 3-31, 4:00-6:00 PM at Saint Francis of Assisi (861 N.Socora St., Wichita) in Bonaventure Hall. For more information or to register, contact the Respect Life and Social Justice Office at 316-269-3935.
Senior Adult Ministries
Save the Dates
o Symposium – September 9 @ Church of the Resurrection, Bel Aire, 8:30am – 2pm. Mass, Speakers and Lunch provided
o Cradle of Roman Catholicism trip to SE Kansas – September 21. Registration opens July 6.
o Fall Festival – October 15 @ St. Annes, Wichita
o Little town of Bethlehem trip – November 30, December 7 and December 14. St. Boniface, Vincent and St. Fedelis, Victoria.
o Advent Day of Reflection – December 1
Contact Gil Bergkamp for more information.