The Office of Respect Life and Social Justice offers a variety of programs and opportunities to serve the community throughout the month.
Grief and Healing Ministries
Project Rachel Ministry
The Project Rachel Monthly Support Gathering will meet on Monday, February 16, 6:00-7:30, in Wichita. The Monthly Support Gathering provides an opportunity for women to heal from the wounds of past abortions by sharing their grief and processing emotions related to their abortions with other women who have been through similar experiences. For more information, contact Stephanie Nemechek (316) 269-4673 or [email protected]
There are two upcoming Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats in Wichita. Throughout the retreat weekend, retreatants participate in scriptural exercises and discussions to aid in healing 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.
Spanish Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat March 13-15
Register 316-269-3919 or [email protected]
English Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat April 17-19
Register 316-269-4673 or [email protected]
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. Finding the Passion of Christ In Our Story helps ordinary families who have been given an extraordinary cross to carry with the goal of understanding grief, how to take practical measures to begin and continue navigating through the grief process, and how the sacraments play a role in our healing. The ten-week program is being held at Church of the Resurrection, 4910 N Woodlawn St. Bel Aire. It began on Monday, January 26 and continues through March 30, from 6:30-8PM. 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 series is led by John and Sandy O’Shaughnessy, who have suffered great loss in their personal lives. They share their grief expertise to help us understand the grief process as we mourn those who have gone before us. It is a prayerful, practical, and personal guide that has helped thousands of people who are grieving. Each session provides time to learn and then share our stories during peer group discussion in a safe and validating environment. For more information contact Steve Hilger at 316-833-6228 or Vic Struble at 620-359-2936.
Life-Giving Wounds Retreat
March 20 (7:00 pm) – March 22 (3:30 pm), Spiritual Life Center, 7100 E 45th St. N, Bel Aire, KS. Come for a greater understanding of the wounds left by your parents’ divorce, for advice concerning love and trust of others, and for an experience of Christ and Community that will lead to deeper self-understanding and healing. To Register: call (316) 744-0167 or visit the Spiritual Life Center website, https://lifegivingwounds.org/
Cost: $205 for Commuter, $330 for Individual. Includes overnight lodging (for non-commuters), meals, and all retreat materials.
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, February 7.
Birthmother’s Gathering – February 3
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].
Lenten Day of Reflection @ the SLC – Thursday, February 19, 9 am – 1:00
Join Fr. Luke Downing as he will offer two presentations under the theme “Into the Desert: A Lenten Journey” and will celebrate Mass. The cost is $25 and includes lunch. All are welcome and encouraged to join us. For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/3Yxsgh7.
Prayer & Action – A Week of Faith, Service, and Joy!
We are excited to welcome the ministry of Prayer and Action into the office. What a joy it will be to work and pray alongside all the missionaries! Each summer, high school youth from across the Diocese of Wichita step away from their daily routines and step into something deeper—an opportunity to encounter Christ through prayer, service, and joyful community. Prayer & Action is more than a mission program; it is a transformative experience that invites teens to surrender their own plans and allow God to shape their hearts.
Rooted in the rhythms of Catholic life, Prayer & Action strengthens both faith and character. Participants spend the week serving the poor, the elderly, and local ministries, discovering firsthand the joy that comes from giving of themselves. From painting houses and cleaning yards to assisting with parish outreach, young people become instruments of God’s mercy in their own backyard.
But the week is not only about work. Each day is anchored in prayer—Mass, Adoration, inspiring reflections, and small-group conversations that help teens reflect on where God is moving in their lives. Evenings include fellowship and fun, providing space for young people to build friendships rooted in Christ.
Teens will be staying at the host parish St Joseph McPherson with the support of trained adult leaders and diocesan staff, creating a safe and vibrant community environment throughout the week. Many participants describe Prayer & Action as a turning point in their faith—a place where they discovered their gifts, their capacity to serve, and a renewed sense of purpose as missionary disciples.
Registration is now open, and spots fill quickly. One adult chaperone is needed for every 6 youth. For questions or more information, contact: Bonnie Toombs 316-269-3935 [email protected]
2025 Prayer & Action Dates
Week One: June 7–12
Week Two: June 14–19
Sidewalk Advocates for Life
The 2024 abortion statistics came out on the last day of 2025. It showed that 19,811 lives were lost. This number continues to rise year after year. One of the most concerning statistics shown was that 35 girls ages 10-14 had abortions in Kansas in 2024. As abortion numbers in Kansas continue to rise, the need for peaceful and prayerful sidewalk counselors grows as well. For the 2026 year, there are 40 volunteer spots filled each week on the sidewalk. Through equipping more people with training and support, we hope to continue to grow the program. Doing so will help meet the need in the rising number of abortions. The next Sidewalk Advocate for Life Training will be on March 7 at St. Paul Student Center from 9 am-4 pm. Please spread the word to anyone you know who is interested in taking the training.
Seasoned Servant Appreciation Mass
Wednesday, March 18, 10am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Luncheon to follow in the Parish Hall. Bishop Carl A. Kemme will be the main celebrant. $18 per person. Entertainment provided along with door prizes!