WAM planning two outdoor summer events

 

There is probably nothing more magnificent than adoring Our Lord under a canopy of stars.

And the faithful of the Diocese of Wichita will get two opportunities to do so in July. Two of the eight events hosted this summer by Wichita Adore Ministries will be outdoors – one for the Wichita metro area, and one for Southeast Kansas, the first outdoor event for the region.

Jesse Elpers, of Wichita Adore Ministries, said the outdoor events have been growing each year since the ministry started in 2013.

About 70 adorers showed up in 2013, he said. Last year the ministry estimates that over 1,300 participated in the event held annually at St. Joseph Parish in Ost.

“We had at least 22 confessors hearing confessions during the hour,” Elpers said. “It was really incredible.”

There are a few more logistical challenges hosting an outdoor event, he said, including parking, crowd control, and exit flow for all the vehicles.

“Lighting and sound for such a large space takes a little bit more equipment. It’s definitely a large task to make it happen.”

St. Joe, Ost, parishioners and others have been helpful, though, Elpers said, assisting with confessions set-up and additional support, such as water stations and bug spray stations. “Those things weren’t necessary when there were 70 people,” he said.

Parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pittsburg are getting their prayers answered after several requests for an outdoor event.

The first Southeast Kansas Adoration Under the Stars will be held beginning at 8:30 p.m. at the St. Aloysius Church, a Kansas Historical Site in Greenbush, located on Kansas 47 between St. Paul and Girard.

“We’ll be doing the adoration right in front of the ruins there,” he said. “It should be really, really beautiful”

Elpers said handicap parking is available and those planning to attend an outdoor event should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

Wichita Adore Ministries hosts enhanced adoration events with special music and lighting at Catholic churches and Catholic schools throughout the diocese, and occasionally outside the diocese.

For more information, visit WichitaAdore.com.

WAM summer lineup

June

Monday, June 10 – St. Joseph, Wichita, 7 p.m. adoration
Saturday, June 22 – St. Catherine of Siena, 7 p.m. adoration
Sunday, June 23 – Holy Cross, Hutchinson, 1 p.m. adoration

July

Wednesday, July 3 – St. Joe, Ost, Adoration Under the Stars, 8:45 p.m.
Friday, July 12 – St. Mark’s, St. Mark, 7:30 p.m. adoration
Friday, July 26 – St. Aloysius, Greenbush, Adoration Under the Stars, SEK, 8:30 p.m.

August

Monday, Aug, 5 – St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 7 p.m. adoration

Sunday, Aug. 11 – Cathedral adoration with Bishop Kemme, dance to Follow, 6 p.m.