Province of Kansas City, Kansas

Pope Pius XII established the Province of Kansas City in 1951. The Province consists of the Archdiocese of Kansas City and three dioceses in the State of Kansas. The Province has 388,000 Catholics, 13 percent of the total population (as of 2015). The Province has the fifth-lowest number of Catholics of the 32 U.S. provinces. In 2000, the Province had 395,000 Catholics, or 17 percent of the total population.

have seen the Kansas City cathedral from the outside and was fortunate to visit the cathedral in Wichita.

Map of the Province

Catholic History of Kansas

Spanish and French explorers visited what is now Kansas as early as 1535. A party led by Francisco de Coronado came in 1541, accompanied by Franciscan Juan de Padilla. Father de Padilla offered the first mass in what is now the continental United States. Father de Padilla was later martyred while attempting to preach the Word of God to the Native Americans. After it became part of the United States in 1803, the Army came to Kansas, establishing Fort Leavenworth in 1827, Fort Scott in 1842, Fort Riley in 1853, and Fort Dodge in 1865. These forts served to protect settlers crossing Kansas on the Santa Fe and Chisholm trials, to places further west. Other Catholic missionaries had followed Father de Padilla over the years and by the late 1830s, the Jesuits had established the St. Francis Xavier mission to the Pottawatomies at Kickapoo. In 1841, the Sacred Heart sisters, under the leadership of Mother Rose Philippine Duchesne (who was canonized in 1988), opened a school for the Pottawatomies. This was followed by the Pottawatomie mission at St. Mary’s and the mission to the Osage Indians on the Neosho River in the late1840s. As a result of these mission efforts, many of the Native Americans became Catholics.

Pope Pius IX established the Vicarate Apostolic of the Indian Territory East of the Rocky Mountains in 1850. This vast area consisted of all or part of the current states of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and the two Dakotas. The Holy Father appointed John Miege, a Jesuit priest and professor at St. Louis University as the first vicar apostolic. The Vicariate Apostolic had a total Catholic population of about 5,000, most of whom were Native Americans. The Kansas Territory was created in 1854 and violent confrontations between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces followed. Despite this, the population of Kansas was 107,000 in 1860, the year before Kansas became the 34^th State. The Homestead Law of 1862 encouraged the building of railroads, and this led to the influx of large numbers of European immigrants, many of whom were Catholic. By 1880, Kansas had almost one million people, and by 1890, the population had increased to 1,427,000.

To serve the large number of Catholics, Pope Pius IX created the Vicariate Apostolic of Kansas in 1857 and the Diocese of Leavenworth in 1877. Pope Leo XIII created the Dioceses of Concordia and Wichita in 1887. (Leavenworth was the largest city in Kansas in 1880 with 17,000 people. By 1890, Leavenworth was only the fourth largest city—behind Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita.) The Diocese of Concordia became the Diocese of Salina in 1944 and the Diocese of Leavenworth became the Diocese of Kansas City in 1947. The Diocese of Dodge City was established in 1951. In 1952, Pope Pius XII created the new Province of Kansas City and the Diocese of Kansas City became the Archdiocese of Kansas City.

Archdiocese of Kansas City

The Archdiocese of Kansas City consists of 21 counties in northeastern Kansas. The archdiocese has 187,000 Catholics (14 percent of the total population) in 105 parishes.

Vicar Apostolic of Kansas and the Indian Territory

John B. Miege, S.J. (1815-1884), Vicar Apostolic of the Indian Territory East of the Rocky Mountains, (1850-1857), Vicar Apostolic of Kansas (1857-1874).

Born in Savoy (now part of France) and ordained a priest in 1847.

Miege’s initial vast Vicariate became somewhat smaller in 1857 with the creation of the Vicariate Apostolic of Kansas, which consisted of what is now Kansas and Oklahoma. Bishop Miege traveled extensively over the Vicariate on wagon and horseback visiting towns, Army posts, and Indian villages. He built the first Cathedral for the Diocese in Leavenworth (which left the Vicariate in debt) and helped establish St. Benedict’s College in Atchison. He also invited religious orders to run parishes and schools and he attended the First Vatican Council in 1869-70. He resigned as Vicar Apostolic in 1874 and moved to Maryland. At the time of his resignation, Kansas had 71 churches served by 48 priests. Miege founded the University of Detroit in 1877.

Bishops of Leavenworth

Louis M. Fink, O.S.B. (1834-1904), Vicar Apostolic of Kansas (1874-1877), and first Bishop of Leavenworth (1877-1904).

Born in Germany and ordained a Benedictine priest in Pennsylvania in 1857.
Also served as coadjutor vicar apostolic of Kansas (1871-1874).

As coadjutor vicar, Fink became Vicar Apostolic upon the resignation of Bishop Miege. At its creation in 1877, the new Diocese of Leavenworth had 45,000 Catholics, 60 priests, 80 churches, as well as Catholic colleges, schools, and one hospital. Bishop Fink fostered the sodalities of the Blessed Virgin Mary and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He bought property throughout the State to establish settlements for Catholic immigrants. Bishop Fink focused on the needs of rural settlers and later, as needs changed, on urban laborers. He also increased the number of priests and parishes in the Diocese. Fink established the first church for African-Americans west of St. Louis in Leavenworth. He attended the third plenary council of Baltimore in 1884, which begot the Baltimore Catechism, encouraged Catholic schools in each parish, established the Catholic University of America, and set six days as Holy Days of Obligation. Bishop Fink died in 1904.

Thomas F. Lillis (1861-1938), Bishop of Leavenworth (1904-1910).

Born in Missouri and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kansas City, Missouri, in 1885.
Also served as coadjutor bishop of Kansas City, Missouri (1910-1913), and Bishop of Kansas City, Missouri (1913-1938).

Bishop Lillis built several new parishes and schools and revised diocesan rules to conform to national standards. Bishop Lillis was named coadjutor bishop of Kansas City, Missouri, in 1910.

John Ward (1857-1929), Bishop of Leavenworth (1910-1929).

Born in Ohio and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Leavenworth in 1884.

Bishop Ward was committed to education and he died in 1929.

Francis Johannes (1874-1937), Bishop of Leavenworth (1929-1937).

Born in Germany and ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1897.
Also served as coadjutor bishop of Leavenworth (1928-1929).

Bishop Johannes died in 1937.

Paul C. Schulte (1890-1984), Bishop of Leavenworth (1937-1946).

Born in Missouri and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1915.
Also served as Archbishop of Indianapolis (1946-1970).

Bishop Schulte started the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine within the Diocese and established a Diocesan newspaper. Schulte was named Archbishop of Indianapolis in 1946.

Bishops of Kansas City

George J. Donnelly (1889-1950), Bishop of Leavenworth (1946-1947), and first Bishop of Kansas City (1947-1950).

Born in Missouri and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1921.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of St. Louis (1940-1946).

Bishop Donnelly established what would later be known as Donnelly College to provide low-cost education. He died in 1950.

Archbishops of Kansas City

Edward Hunkeler (1894-1970), Bishop of Kansas City (1951-1952), and first Archbishop of Kansas City (1952-1969).

Born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Omaha, Nebraska, in 1919.
Also served as Bishop of Grand Island, Nebraska (1945-1951).

Bishop Hunkeler attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council and implemented the Council’s directives. Hunkeler retired in 1969.

Ignatius J. Strecker (1917-2003), Archbishop of Kansas City (1969-1993).

Born in Spearville, Kansas, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1942.
Also served as Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri (1962-1969).

Archbishop Strecker was the second youngest U.S. bishop at the time of his appointment. He was a strong advocate of family farms and served as president of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. He also worked to improve the lives of the poor and disadvantaged especially in inner city neighborhoods. Strecker established Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese and created more opportunities for lay participation in Church activities. He spoke out against abortion and condemned Catholic politicians who supported abortion. Archbishop Strecker retired in 1993.

James P. Keleher (1931- ), Archbishop of Kansas City (1993-2005).

Born in Chicago and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1958.
Also served as Bishop of Belleville, Illinois (1984-1993).

Archbishop Keleher spoke out against abortion and in 2004 asked all Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese to not invite any speakers who were pro-choice to any event. He also implemented a program to protect children from child abuse and to educate families and staff about signs of sexual abuse. Keleher increased the number of vocations to the priesthood from 3 to 25 during his time as Archbishop. Archbishop Keleher retired in 2005.

Current Archbishop

Joseph F. Naumann was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Kansas City by Pope John Paul II in 2004 and became Archbishop the following year. He was born in Missouri in 1949 and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1975. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of St. Louis (1997-2004).

The Cathedral

Cathedral of St. Peter
431 N. 15th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66102

St. Peter, originally known as Simon, was the first apostle chosen by Jesus. Peter is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, and we know that he was a fisherman by trade, that he was married, that he was the leader of the apostles, and that he often tried the Lord’s patience. After the Ascension of our Lord, Peter became the leader of the early church, eventually going to Rome to become the first Bishop of Rome, or Pope. He was crucified there in approximately 64 A.D. The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29.

O blessed St Peter, head and chief of the Apostles, you are the guardian of the keys of the heavenly kingdom, and against you the powers of hell do not prevail; you are the rock of the Church and the shepherd of Christ’s flock; you are great in power, wonderful in your heavenly bliss; you have the right of binding and loosing in heaven and on earth. The sea supported your footsteps, the sick upon whom even your shadow fell were cured of their ills. By the memory of that right hand which supported you on the waves of the sea, lift me from the ocean of my sins, and by those tears which you shed for our Lord, break the bonds of my offenses and free me from the hand of all my adversaries. Help even me, O good shepherd, that I may in this life serve Christ Jesus, that with your help, after the close of a good life, I may deserve to attain the reward of eternal happiness in heaven, where you are unto endless ages the guardian of the gates and the shepherd of the flock. Amen.

When Bishop Miege became Vicar Apostolic of the Indian Territory East of the Rocky Mountains in 1851, his cathedral was a log structure at St. Mary’s Pottawatomie mission. In 1855, Miege moved his See to Leavenworth and established Immaculate Conception parish—the first parish in Kansas. Construction began on Immaculate Conception Cathedral in 1864 and was completed in 1868. This Romanesque church served as the Diocese’s cathedral until 1947. It was destroyed by fire in 1961. When Bishop George Donnelly became the first Bishop of Kansas City in 1947, he selected St. Peter’s Church in Kansas City as his Cathedral. St. Peter’s parish was established in 1907 and a combination church/school building was completed a year later. The current Gothic Revival church building was dedicated in 1927. The Cathedral is made from Carthage stone and has two spires at the front of the building and a larger 145-foot bell tower near the back.

For more information, see the cathedral website at www.cathedralkck.org and the Archdiocesan website at www.archkck.org. The Cathedral is located less than a mile west of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, and has five weekend masses, including one in Spanish. A consolidated parish elementary school has an enrollment of 150.

The first picture is from the Diocesan website, the last is from yelp and the others are mine.

Diocese of Salina

The diocese consists of 31 counties in northwestern Kansas. The diocese has 42,000 Catholics (12 percent of the total population) in 86 parishes.

Bishops of Concordia

Richard Scannell (1845-1916), first Bishop of Concordia (1887-1891).

Born in Ireland and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, in 1871.
Also served as Bishop of Omaha, Nebraska (1891-1916).

Bishop Scannell had only five priests to serve the Diocese. He started to build a seminary, but difficult economic times thwarted his plans. Nevertheless, when he was named Bishop of Omaha in 1891, there were 22 priests serving 76 churches and missions. There were also 10 parish schools. Scannell also invited the Sisters of St. Joseph to serve the Diocese.

From 1891 to 1898, the Diocese of Concordia was administered by the Bishop of Wichita, John J. Hennessy. Both dioceses continued to face difficult economic times and Bishop Hennessy often sought financial support from Catholics on the East Coast. Pope Leo XIII appointed Thaddeus Butler to be the second Bishop of Concordia, but the Chicago priest died in Rome in 1897 prior to his consecration as bishop.

John F. Cunningham (1842-1919), Bishop of Concordia (1898-1919).

Born in Ireland and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Leavenworth in 1865.

With improved economic conditions, Bishop Cunningham was able to build 54 churches, including the new Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Concordia (dedicated in 1902), 17 elementary schools, five high schools, and three hospitals. He also established the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese and founded Hays Catholic College. The Catholic population doubled to 34,000 during his time as bishop and the number of priests increased from 25 to 63. Bishop Cunningham died in 1919.

Francis J. Tief (1881-1965), Bishop of Concordia (1921-1938).

Born in Concordia and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1908.

The good economy continued during the first part of Bishop Tief’s tenure as bishop, but the Great Depression and the great dust storms of the 1930s brought difficult times. Nevertheless, a few new parishes and schools were opened as well as one hospital and one home for the aged. Marymount College opened in Salina in 1922—the first 4-year college for women in Kansas. Bishop Tief also instituted religious vacation schools throughout the Diocese and started a Diocesan newspaper. He ordained 28 priests. Bishop Tief resigned in 1938 due to poor health.

Bishops of Salina

Frank A. Thill (1893-1957), Bishop of Concordia (1938-1944) and first Bishop of Salina (1944-1957).

Born in Ohio and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1920.

Thill became the first Bishop of Salina in 1944 after the Diocesan see moved to the larger city. The Second World War and good harvests revived the local economy and Bishop Thill was able to pay off the Diocese’s debts and also undertake new construction. Thill built a new cathedral in Salina as well as two dozen other churches and several schools, rectories, and convents. Bishop Thill also established the Catholic Youth Organization within the Diocese and ordained three dozen new priests. Bishop Thill died in 1957.

Frederick W. Freking (1913-1998), Bishop of Salina (1957-1964).

Born in Minnesota and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Winona, Minnesota, in 1938.
Also served as Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin (1964-1983).

Bishop Freking expanded the Diocese’s social services network—including the opening of St. Joseph’s Children’s Home and St. John’s Rest Home—and by establishing a diocesan Catholic Charities program. He also built several new churches and schools, including four high schools. Bishop Freking started the Salina Council of Catholic Women and attended the Second Vatican Council. Bishop Freking was appointed Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1964.

Cyril J. Vogel (1905-1979), Bishop of Salina (1965-1979).

Born in Pennsylvania and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1931.

Bishop Vogel attended the Second Vatican Council and implemented the directives of the Council, including the establishment of lay and clerical advisory committees and a health and retirement association for clergy. He built new churches and other parish buildings, and established a Catholic student center at Fort Hays State University. Vogel also served during a time of population loss within the Diocese which led to some church closures and consolidations. His leadership abilities kept the Diocese in good financial condition. Bishop Vogel died of a heart attack in 1979.

Daniel W. Kucera O.S.B. (1923- ), Bishop of Salina (1980-1983).

· Born in Chicago and ordained a priest for the Benedictine Order in 1949.

· Served as abbot of St. Procopius Abbey in Illinois and president of Illinois Benedictine College.

· Also served as auxiliary bishop of Joliet, Illinois (1977-1980) and Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa (1983-1995).

Bishop Kucera promoted continuing education both for laity and clergy and established an office of youth ministry. He established three new parishes and accepted control of Marymount College. He also appointed lay people to serve in key Diocesan positions. Kucera was named Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa, in 1983.

George K. Fitzsimmons (1928-2013), Bishop of Salina (1984-2004).

Born in Kansas City, Missouri and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri in 1961.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph (1975-1984).

Northwestern Kansas continued to experience a population loss and Bishop Fitzsimmons was forced to merge some parishes. Financial difficulties also forced the closure of Marymount College in 1989. Bishop Fitzsimmons expanded the role of the laity in the liturgy, religious education, and ministries to the young and the elderly. He also established a spiritual renewal program and a program for rural communities. Due to a shortage of priests, Fitzsimmons also instituted a program to allow nuns or lay people to administer parishes. Bishop Fitzsimmons retired in 2004.

Paul S. Coakley (1955- ), Bishop of Salina (2004-2010).

Born in Virginia and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1983.
Also served as director of spiritual formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland, vice chancellor of the Diocese of Wichita, and serves as Archbishop of Oklahoma City (since 2010).

Bishop Coakley began a strategic planning process for the Diocese and established several youth activity programs. He also started the Catholic Community Foundation to address the Diocese’s financial needs. He also promoted vocations to the priesthood by calling for a “Year of Prayer” and by appointing a full-time vocations director. Coakley also ordained the first class of seven permanent deacons for the Diocese. Bishop Coakley was appointed Archbishop of Oklahoma City in 2010.

Edward J. Weisenburger (1960- ), Bishop of Salina (2012-2017).

Born in Illinois and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 1987.
Serves as Bishop of Tucson, Arizona (since 2017).

Under Bishop Weisenburger, the Diocese acquired Manhatten’s hospital and it is now administered as a Catholic hospital. He built a new headquarters for the diocesan Catholic Charities and expanded it services. Weisenburger appointed several women to key positions within the Diocese and also spoke out against the “payday” loan industry and its effects on the poor. Bishop Weisenburger was appointed Bishop of Tucson, Arizona, in 2017.

Current Bishop

Vacant.

The Cathedral

Sacred Heart Cathedral

118 North Ninth Street

Salina, Kansas 67401

St. John Eudes was a 17^th Century French priest who preached the loving nature of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Later in the same century, a French nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had visions of Jesus revealing that his Sacred Heart was filled with love and mercy for all people. The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost. Many Catholics also show devotion to the Sacred Heart by attending Mass and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ on the first Friday of each month.

O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request). Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

The Diocese of Concordia was established in 1887 and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church was chosen to be the Cathedral parish. The church had been built in the 1870s and was essentially rebuilt as a larger stone Gothic structure in 1902. This church served as the Diocesan Cathedral until Bishop Frank Thill became the first Bishop of Salina in 1944. Sacred Heart, which has been established in 1876, became the new Cathedral parish and Bishop Thill soon made plans to build a new Cathedral. The current Cathedral, designed by Edward Schulte of Cincinnati, was completed in 1953.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help from the parish website.

Current cathedral from the Diocesan website.

The Cathedral is a modern “eclectic style” church that incorporates symbols of wheat in its design. Wheat is not only symbolic of Kansas, but also of the Eucharist. The bell tower resembles a wheat silo. The main doors to the Cathedral feature a large carved crucifix made from Silverdale limestone. Christ looks at other carved figures representing his followers. The baptismal font is located in the gathering space and has an overhead skylight. This space also features a triptych with icons of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (principal patroness of the Diocese) and St. Francis of Assisi (secondary patron). A 20-foot crucifix dominates the sanctuary and sculptured relief panels on Silverdale limestone on either side of the crucifix depict six apostles and evangelists. A relief carved on the back wall depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

A side chapel was originally dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, but now contains the tabernacle. A small chapel located at the base of the bell tower is now dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Cathedral has 21 windows, each 25 feet high. These were designed by Anton Wendling in Aachen, Germany and were assembled by Erhardt Stettner in Milwaukee. They depict various saints in colored mosaic glass. The pipe organ was originally built in 1926 by George Kilgen and Son for the old Sacred Heart church. It was rebuilt and expanded when the current Cathedral was built. It was most recently restored in 2003 by the Coombs Organ Specialists.

The cathedral website, www.shcathedral.com, contains more detail about the Cathedral. Also see the Diocesan cathedral at salinadiocese.org. The Cathedral is located in downtown Salina and has five weekend masses—including two in Spanish. The parish junior/senior high school enrolls over 250 students.

The first three pictures are from the Cathedral website and the last is from panaramio.

Also in the Diocese

The Basilica of St. Fidelis is in Victoria. St. Fidelis parish was established in 1876 to serve German Catholics. The current Romanesque building, with towers rising 141 feet above the street, was designed by architect John T. Comes of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The church was built by the parishioners and completed in 1911. It was built with 125,000 cubic feet of rock and seats 1,100. The church contains stained glass windows made in Germany, Stations of the Cross crafted in Austria, and has been served by Capuchin Franciscan priests since 1878. William Jennings Bryan, on a Presidential campaign in 1912, called St. Fidelis the “Cathedral of the Plains.” The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Pope Francis designated the church as a minor basilica in 2014. Basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship. The Basilica’s website, stfidelischurch.com, has pictures of the basilica and of all of the statues and Stations of the Cross. The Basilica’s website is stfidelischurch.com.

All are from the basilica website, except the last, which is from flickr.

Diocese of Wichita

The diocese consists of 25 counties in southeastern Kansas. The diocese has 111,000 Catholics (11 percent of the total population) in 90 parishes.

Bishops of Wichita

John J. Hennessy (1847-1920), first Bishop of Wichita (1888-1920).

Born in Ireland and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1869.

Pope Leo XIII named James O’Reilly to be the first Bishop of Wichita, but O’Reilly died in 1887 prior to being consecrated. The following year, Pope Leo appointed John Hennessy to be Bishop. There were about 8,000 Catholics in the Diocese at that time. In 1891, Bishop Hennessy was named apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Concordia (now Salina) and for the next seven years led both dioceses. The people in both dioceses faced difficult economic times and Bishop Hennessy often sought financial support from Catholics on the East Coast. When economic conditions improved, Hennessy built the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. Bishop Hennessy was also influential in the establishment of the Catholic Church Extension Society. He died in 1920.

Augustus J. Schwertner (1870-1939), Bishop of Wichita (1921-1939).

Born in Ohio and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, in 1897.

Bishop Schwertner established religious vacation schools and religious correspondence schools for children living far from a church. He also started a teachers’ training school and a radio station. He died in 1939 of a cerebral hemmorage.

Christian H. Winkelmann (1883-1946), Bishop of Wichita (1939-1946).

Born in Missouri and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1907.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of St. Louis (1933-1939).

[I was not able to find much on this Bishop.] He died in 1946.

Mark K. Carroll (1896-1985), Bishop of Wichita (1947-1967).

Born in Missouri and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1922.

[From Wikipedia.] In 1948 Bishop Carroll called for the repeal of the state prohibition law because it was "an unwarrantable infringement" on "reasonable liberty." In 1951 he became the first Catholic clergyman in the United States to receive a citation from the National Conference of Christians and Jews for "promoting amity and understanding among all elements of our pluralistic society." He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council and became an outspoken proponent of ecumenism and of the use of vernacular in the Mass. He also supported the civil rights movement. [From other sources.] One of Carroll’s priests, Father Emil Kapaun, died a prisoner of war in Korea in 1951 and is now being considered for canonization. Carroll established Kapaun Memorial High School in 1954. Bishop Carroll retired in 1967 due to poor health.

Leo Byrne was appointed as apostolic administrator with the right of succession in 1963, but was never ordained as Bishop of Wichita because he was named by Pope Pius VI as coadjutor Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1967.

David M. Maloney (1912-1995), Bishop of Wichita (1967-1982).

Born in Colorado and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Denver in 1936.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Denver (1960-1967).

[From Wikipedia.] In 1969, Bishop Maloney joined the other Kansas Catholic bishops in opposing a state law that would allow physicians to perform abortions in licensed and accredited hospitals. In 1977, he publicly declared that he would defy a city ordinance that prohibited discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. He retired in 1982.

Eugene J. Gerber (1931- ), Bishop of Wichita (1982-2001).

Born in Kingman County, Kansas, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1959.
Also served as Bishop of Dodge City (1976-1982).

Bishop Gerber built a retirement center for laity and priests and a retreat center. He encouraged Eucharistic Adoration and encouraged vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He started Teens Encounter Christ and Totus Tuus Summer Catechetical programs in the Diocese. Bishop Gerber retired in 2001.

Thomas J. Olmstead (1947- ), Bishop of Wichita (2001-2003).

Born in Oketo, Kansas, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska in 1973.
Also served as coadjutor bishop of Wichita (1999-2001) and serves as Bishop of Phoenix, Arizona.

Bishop Olmstead served only two years before being named Bishop of Phoenix, Arizona.

Michael. O. Jackels (1954- ), Bishop of Wichita (2005-2013).

Born in South Dakota and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1981.

· Also served as staff for the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and serves as Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa (since 2013). His appointment as Archbishop of Dubuque was the first appointment of a U.S. bishop by Pope Francis.

[From Wikipedia.] Bishop Jackels joined the other three Kansas bishops in approving a pastoral letter opposing embryonic stem cell research. He publically opposed same-sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty, and supported just immigration laws. He was active in promoting Catholic education and helped establish the Drexel Fund which calls for donations to help financially strapped Catholic schools within the diocese. Under Jackels, the diocese had one of the highest numbers of seminarians per Catholic in the United States. Jackels was appointed Archbishop of Dubuque in 2013.

Current Bishop

Carl Kemme was appointed Bishop of Wichita by Pope Francis in 2014. He was born in Illinois in 1961 and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, in 1986. He most recently served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Springfield diocese.

The Cathedral

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

307 East Central

Wichita, Kansas 67202

Many Christians believe that humans are born into sin—known as original sin. This sin is erased through baptism and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Catholics believe that Mary, through the grace of God, was conceived without the stain of original sin—the Immaculate Conception. She was given the honor because of her role as the Mother of God. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8.

O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

There were three Catholic churches in Wichita in 1887 at the time the Diocese was created and Bishop Hennessy chose St. Aloysius Gonzaga church, then located at the southeast corner of 2nd Street and St. Francis St., to be his cathedral. Property was purchased in 1890 for a new cathedral and construction was begun in 1906. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, known as St. Mary’s, was consecrated by Cardinal James Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, in 1912. The Cathedral was designed in a modified Romanesque and Italian Renaissance style by E.L. Masquery, who also designed the Cathedral of St. Paul, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Cathedral is 169 feet long and 100 feet wide at the transepts. The dome is 135 feet from the ground.

The Cathedral is made of Bedford stone and columns of Vermont gray granite support a copper dome and the entrance porch. The Cathedral’s bronze doors were designed and created by the Italian company Domus Dei and were installed in 1997. The center doors depict the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, the west and east doors depict saints, including native son, Father Emil Kapaun, a candidate for canonization. Above the doors is a bas-relief of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The top picture is from flickr and the bottom from pinterest.

The Cathedral’s stained glass windows were designed by the Franz Mayer Company of Munich, Germany, and were installed in 1927. The east windows depict the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and the west windows depict the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. At the transepts, to the west is a statue of Mary and Joseph and to the east a crucifix. Both are the work of Oregon artist, Rip Caswell. Above is the dome which depicts God the Father with arms outstretched in blessing and welcome. Seven stars represent the seven churches of the Book of Revelation. At the top of each column supporting the dome is a depiction of an evangelist.

The Cathedral has two shrines. The dominant feature of the Paschal Mystery Shrine is a large (13.5 by 9 foot) crucifix. The front of the cross is made of pine wood from Israel and the 12 stones at the base come from the Jordan River and represent the twelve apostles and the twelve tribes of Israel. The crucifix was delivered by the Oregon artist in the back of his pick-up truck. The Mary Shrine has statues of Mary and Joseph (showing Mary as pregnant with Our Lord), Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Our Lady of La Vang.

The Cathedral website, www.wichitacathedral.com, has an extensive description of the Cathedral including explanations of many of the features. Also see the Diocesan website at catholicdioceseofwichita.org. The Cathedral is located in downtown Wichita and has five weekend masses—including two in Spanish—to serve 600 parish families.

All are by me.

Diocese of Dodge City

The diocese consists of 28 counties in southwestern Kansas. The diocese has 48,000 Catholics (22 percent of the total population) in 48 parishes.

Bishops of Dodge City

John B. Franz (1896-1992), first Bishop of Dodge City (1951-1959).

Born in Illinois and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Alton (now Springfield), Illinois, in 1920.
Also served as Bishop of Peoria, Illinois (1959-1971).

Bishop Franz built almost three dozen new parish buildings. He was named Bishop of Peoria, Illinois, in 1959, at which time the Diocese of Dodge City had a Catholic population of 26,000 in 49 parishes and 11 missions.

Marion F. Forst (1910-2007), Bishop of Dodge City (1960-1976).

Born in St. Louis and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1934.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Kansas City, Kansas (1976-1986).

[From Wikipedia.] Bishop Forst attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council and was a strong advocate of the Council. He established several new offices and ministries, including Catholic Social Services, the Office of Religious Education, the Family Life Office, the Religious Education for the Handicapped program, the Southwest Kansas Register diocesan newspaper, the Office of Mexican American Affairs, and the Youth/Young Adults Office. He was a proponent of federal aid to private schools. Bishop Forst resigned as Bishop in 1976 due to poor health and became auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City the same year.

Eugene J. Gerber (1931- ), Bishop of Dodge City (1976-1982).

Born in Kingman County, Kansas, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1959.
Also served as Bishop of Wichita (1982-2001).

Bishop Gerber started the RENEW program in the Diocese. [I was not able to find much on this Bishop.] He was named by Pope John Paul II to be Bishop of Wichita in 1982.

Stanley G. Schlarman (1933- ), Bishop of Dodge City (1983-1998).

Born in Belleville, Illinois, and ordained a priest for Diocese of Belleville in 1958.
Also served as auxiliary bishop of Belleville (1979-1983).

[From Wikipedia.] Bishop Schlarman recruited Burmese, Filipino, and Vietnamese priests; established a Diocesan vocations office; a Diocesan pastoral council; and an Office of Aging and Parenting. He also promoted the Pastoral Ministry Training Program, the Teens Encounter Chirst program, and the Cursillo movement. Bishop Schlarman resigned in 1998 at the age of 64 because the responsibility of being Bishop “depleted my energies even for the pastoral ministry of the Church."

Ronald M. Gilmore (1942- ), Bishop of Dodge City (1998-2010).

Born in Pittsburg, Kansas, and ordained a priest for Diocese of Wichita in 1969.

Bishop Gilmore built the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City and spoke out on rural and agricultural issues. He created workshops and parish gatherings to promote Faith renewal. Gilmore also reached out to the 60 percent of Diocesan Catholics who speak Spanish as their first language. He attended a three-month alcohol treatment program in 2009. Bishop Gilmore resigned in 2010 at the age of 68, according to the Diocesan newspaper, because being a bishop had become “a burden” and the Diocese needed new leadership.

Current Bishop

John B. Brungardt was appointed Bishop of Dodge City by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. He was born in Salina in 1958 and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1998. He previously served in several capacities with the Diocese of Wichita, including chancellor and pastor.

The Cathedral

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
3231 N. Fourteenth Street
Dodge City, Kansas 67801

In December 1531, our Blessed Mother appeared to a Mexican peasant named Juan Diego and told him that she wanted a church built on that spot (Tepeyac hill). Juan Diego went to the local bishop and delivered Our Lady’s message, but the bishop did not believe him and asked for a sign. When Juan Diego told Our Lady of the bishop’s request, she told him to gather some nearby roses (which bloomed despite the rocky soil and the winter season) and wrap them in his cloak. Our Lady rearranged the roses and told Juan Diego to take them to the bishop. When he met with the bishop, he unfurled his cloak and a picture of our Blessed Mother appeared—as a pregnant teenaged Mexican girl. The bishop and his aides were the first to venerate this miraculous picture, and millions continue to do so today at the basilica built on Tepeyac hill and around the world. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities, and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, burning charity and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

Sacred Heart was established as the first parish in Dodge City in 1879 and the parishioners built the first church on Central Avenue in 1882. This small frame church was replaced by a Spanish Colonial Revival church in 1916 at the same location. This church became the Cathedral for the new Diocese of Dodge City in 1951. It was replaced by the new Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2001. The old Cathedral is now used by Sacred Heart School and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dodge City is one of only 7 diocesan sees in which the Cathedral parish is the only parish.

Old Sacred Heart Cathedral from Wikipedia.

Current Cathedral from the Diocesan website.

The Cathedral is an octagon shaped building made primarily of Silverdale limestone. A bell tower rises 77 feet with a cross adding another 29 feet. The cooper roof rises to a central point that is in the shape of a lantern rising over 20 feet above the roof. The Cathedral seats 1,400 people.

The Cathedral is entered through cooper doors that are 14 feet high. Two chapels are located off of the gathering space. Sacred Heart Chapel is named in honor of the prior cathedral and is the location of daily mass. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe has an image of the Virgin Mary made by Mexican artist Tobias Villaneuvo. The baptismal font is made of bronze in the shape of a cross. The water bubbles up like an artesian well—commonly found in this part of Kansas. The square sanctuary has a limestone floor and contains a square granite altar and a granite ambo. The cathedra (bishop’s chair) is made of Cuban mahogany and zircote—a wood from Mexico. The dark rose chair was hand-crafted. The tabernacle is made of polished bronze, Cuban mahogany, and mirrors, and is seen feet tall. It sits on a granite pedestal.

The Stations of the Cross were crafted by Colorado artist Hubero Maestas, who also designed the main crucifix. Around the outer ambulatory are shrines. These include a shrine to eleven saints representing the many religious communities who have served or who are serving in the Diocese; the Holy Family with a statue of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph carved from linden wood; St. Therese of Lisieux; St. Isidore and St. Maria de la Cabeza, who were a 12^th Century Spanish married couple; and St. Maria Goretti, martyred in the early 20^th Century.

The Cathedral website, www.dodgecitycathedral.com, has an extensive description of the Cathedral. The Diocesan website, www.dcdiocese.org, has an audio tour of the cathedral. The Cathedral is located two miles northwest of downtown Dodge City and has four weekend masses—including two in Spanish—to serve 3,400 parish families. The parish elementary school has an enrollment of 300.