One Family, Fully Alive in Christ!

Sharing our Gifts. Building up the Church.

Our diocese is at a pivotal time in its rich history. Under the leadership of
Bishop Carl A. Kemme, the diocese has laid a foundation for the revitalization,
renewal, and expansion of our mission and ministries. For several years,
Bishop Kemme and diocesan leadership, along with clergy and lay leaders,
have been discerning and planning the future of our local Church. This campaign
is the fruit of that planning work and an opportunity for us to join together to address
immediate needs and extend the impact of our mission while also strengthening all
90 parishes and 38 schools in our diocese, now and for many years to come. 

One Family Fully Alive in Christ

Sharing our Gifts. Building up the Church

Our diocese is at a pivotal time in its rich history. Under the leadership of Bishop Carl A. Kemme, the diocese has laid a foundation for the revitalization, renewal, and expansion of our mission and ministries. For several years, Bishop Kemme and diocesan leadership, along with clergy and lay leaders, have been discerning and planning the future of our local Church. This campaign is the fruit of that planning work and an opportunity for us to join together to address immediate needs and extend the impact of our mission while also strengthening all 90 parishes and 38 schools in our diocese, now and for many years to come. 

Campaign Goals and Funding Breakdown

This ambitious campaign seeks support to fund the five priorities outlined below. These ministries and projects are central to the Church’s mission: strengthening our Catholic schools, forming young people in the faith, serving neighbors in need, caring for our mother church, and enlivening our parishes. In so many ways, your support of this historic campaign will enliven our Catholic Church locally and regionally, as together we embrace the call to live as missionary disciples. 

“It is my hope that this historic effort will serve as a unifying rally cry – a moment of mission – for our entire Catholic community. An opportunity for us to come together to accomplish what none of us could do on our own. To build up the Church in our region, now and for years to come!” 
Bishop Carl A. Kemme

Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN WILL THE CAMPAIGN TAKE PLACE?  

Preparations for the campaign began in spring of 2023. The active campaign is taking place in three parish waves beginning in January of 2024 and concluding in June of 2025.

WHY DOES THE CAMPAIGN UNFOLD IN WAVES INSTEAD OF ALL AT ONCE?  

With 90 churches in the diocese, it will be more effective to break up the campaign into smaller segments over time. This ensures that each parish receives as much support and guidance as possible from the diocese and the parishes’ campaign partner, the Steier Group. It also provides options as parishes are assigned to waves. For some parishes, conducting the campaign in an early wave will allow them to get started on their local projects sooner. Other parishes may need more time to identify their parish projects and prepare for the campaign.  

WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY CAN WE EXPECT DURING THE CAMPAIGN AND BEYOND? 

Transparency is a top priority. The diocese publishes its audited financial reports and distributes an annual report to households. The complete audit report is also available on the diocesan website. Regular updates on the progress of the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign will be published in various channels, including the Catholic Advance, the diocesan website, email blasts and on social media. Parishes will also be encouraged to share updates on their websites, in bulletins, from the pulpit and through their parish email and social media. 

HOW WILL THIS CAMPAIGN IMPACT PARISH STEWARDSHIP?  

Stewardship of treasure is, and always will be, the primary source of funding for our parishes and schools. This campaign is seeking extraordinary gifts to address the projects and priorities outlined in this case for support. Families will be encouraged to consider a sacrificial gift above and beyond their regular ongoing support of their parish, school and other causes. The campaign seeks to complement and enhance the ongoing work of cultivating stewardship at the parish level while also addressing significant needs and opportunities that go well beyond what one individual or parish could accomplish on their own. 

WHY DOES THE DIOCESE NEED A CAMPAIGN?  

Our diocese is at a pivotal time in its rich history. Under the leadership of Bishop Carl A. Kemme, the diocese has laid a foundation for the revitalization, renewal, and expansion of our mission and ministries. For several years, Bishop Kemme and diocesan leadership, along with clergy and lay leaders, have been discerning and planning the future of our local Church. This campaign is the fruit of that planning work and an opportunity for us to join together to address immediate needs and extend the impact of our mission while also strengthening all 90 parishes and 38 schools in our diocese, now and for many years to come. 

WHO WILL BE ASKED TO GIVE? 

Over the course of the campaign, every Catholic household in each parish in the diocese will be asked to consider making a gift. Broad participation at every level will serve as a sign of our unity and strength and a witness to our stewardship way of life. Every gift, no matter the amount, will make a difference!  

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS COULD PARISHES CHOOSE FOR THE FUNDS RETURNED TO THE PARISH (INDIVIDUAL PARISH NEEDS)? 

The campaign will direct 20% of funds collected by each parish to that parish for projects or priorities that they have identified. This Individual Parish Needs funding should aim to bring vitality to the parish, promote participation in parish life, and evangelize and serve the faithful and the surrounding community. Parishes may choose to address building projects, renovations of existing facilities, deferred maintenance, debt reduction, expanding ministries or building up a contingency fund. Parishes may also choose to direct their 20% of funds to their newly established teacher salary parish-based endowment or provide additional support to a neighboring parish in need. 

Questions? Contact us! 

More information about the campaign plan and timeline, including when each individual parish will participate, will be published in the coming months. If you have any questions or would like more details about the upcoming campaign, please contact the Office of Development and Planned Giving. 

Office of Development and Planned Giving
Catholic Diocese of Wichita 
424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 
(316) 269-3917 

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