One Family, Fully Alive! campaign kicks off in Wave Two Parishes
Emboldened by the early fundraising success of the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign, 32 Wave Two Parishes are preparing to kick off their effort to strengthen and unify our Catholic community. These parishes and their pastors have spent several weeks working with the campaign team to recruit and train volunteer leaders, prepare campaign materials, and publish communications ahead of the campaign kickoff.
Thanks to strong fundraising efforts in both the “silent phase” last fall, as well as in nineteen Wave One Parishes earlier this year, our current campaign fundraising total has surpassed $22 million towards the overall goal of $50 million.
Fr. Gorges comments
“The bold response we have seen so far in support of this campaign shows that the Church is ALIVE in every parish throughout our entire diocese,” said Fr. Bernie Gorges, pastor of St. Joseph, Ost. “We, at St. Joe, Ost, are excited to do our part to help lay a strong foundation for the future of the church in our region.”
Active fundraising for these parishes has begun and will last through the end of the year. During that time, every registered household will receive an appeal packet with a specific request amount for prayerful consideration.
Mailed appeal packets will include a letter from Bishop Carl A. Kemme, a campaign case statement for support, information regarding your parish’s local project, and instructions on how to make a campaign commitment. Broad participation at every level will serve as a sign of our unity and strength.
Response amazes Wescott
“We are so grateful for the strong leadership of our pastors and parish volunteers who have stepped up to help. Beyond raising funds, this campaign is bringing people together around a shared vision and mission,” said Mike Wescott, director of the Office of Development and Planned Giving.
“We’re truly inspired by the amazing response from our Wave One parishes, and I’m excited to see the support continue from our Wave Two parishes as the campaign moves forward.”
One Family, Full Alive in Christ! Campaign Priorities
Catholic School Teacher Salary Enhancements
$15 million
As a community of faith, our commitment to strong and vibrant Catholic schools starts with a renewed commitment to our Catholic educators. To assist with recruiting and retaining the best candidates for our Catholic schools, 38 new school-based endowments will be established to supplement teachers’ salaries in every school across the diocese.
Restoration of the Cathedral Domes and Windows
$12 million
Time and the elements have taken their toll on our Cathedral. As a result, the stained-glass windows need to be re-leaded and extensive repairs are needed on the church’s iconic copper domes. This important restoration work will ensure that our diocese has a fitting spiritual home that will serve as an inspiration and a beacon of hope for many years to come.
Individual Parish Needs
$10 million
Every parish in the diocese will participate in the campaign and each will receive 20% of the unrestricted funds raised at that parish for local projects and priorities that they identify. Pastors, along with their parish leaders, will be asked to plan and dream for the future.
Parish projects may include campus improvements and renovations, deferred maintenance projects, ministry programming, church beautification, and more. The goal is to encourage support and ensure that every parish sees a direct, immediate impact through their participation in the campaign.
The Fr. Emil J. Kapaun Family and Youth Camp
$8 million
Our new camp property – Camp Kapaun – features more than 150 acres of beautiful, wooded land, 12 existing buildings, and a spring-fed lake. Camp Kapaun will be the permanent home of Camp Totus Tuus. Thanks to the expanded capacity, 300 additional campers were able to attend this overnight camp experience over the summer.
In the future, additional events and programming for our parish families, schools, and ministry groups will be available at the new camp property. Funds from this campaign will cover the cost of purchasing and redeveloping the camp, as well as establishing an operations endowment to offset maintenance costs and provide scholarships for families in need.
In Love of God and Neighbor Fund
$5 million
Serving our brothers and sisters in need is a core component of our mission, and one of the best ways to do that is on the local level: neighbors serving neighbors. This campaign will establish the In Love of God and Neighbor Fund to provide additional support for outreach to those in need in communities across our region.
The fund will provide grants to bolster local ministries while also enabling the diocese to make more significant investments to address the challenges of mental health, hunger, and homelessness in our communities.
Wave Two Parishes
Here is a list of the Wave Two parishes:
Church of the Holy Spirit, Goddard
Holy Family, Marion
Holy Name of Jesus, Bushton
Holy Name, Coffeyville
Holy Name, Winfield
Holy Trinity, Little River
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wichita
Sacred Heart, Arkansas City
Sacred Heart, Frontenac
St. Andrew, Independence
St. Anthony-St. Rose, Wellington
St. Anthony, Strong City
St. Anthony, Wichita
St. Cecilia, Haysville
St. Francis Xavier, Cherryvale
St. James, Augusta
St. Joan of Arc, Harper
St. Joseph, Arma
St. Joseph, Conway Springs
St. Joseph, Humboldt
St. Joseph, Ost
St. Joseph, Wichita
St. Louis, Waterloo
St. Margaret Mary, Wichita
St. Martin, Caldwell
St. Mary, Newton
St. Mary, Oxford
St. Michael, Girard
St. Patrick, Chanute
St. Paul, Lyons
St. Rose of Lima, Council Grove
St. Rose, Mount Vernon