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Bishop: follow Fr. Kapaun's example of being a disciple
Thousands watched as the body of Fr. Emil Kapaun was carried into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Wednesday, Sept. 29, after a Mass of Christian Burial in Hartman Arena and a caisson along Central Avenue. Many of those watching were children of Wichita Catholic schools. (Advance photo/Nick Poirier) An honor guard stands across from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita as a caisson bearing Fr. Emil Kapaun's cin makes its way to the church. (Advance photo) A soldier accompanying the remains of Fr. Kapaun straps his cof- in to a wagon for a procession along Central Avenue in Wichita to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Below, attach- ing the nameplate to the front of Fr. Kapauns tomb was the last of the many events surrounding the return of the remains of the chaplain-hero of the Korean War. (Advance photos) Continued on page 2. Bishop Carl A. Kemme hopes the faithful of the Diocese of Wichita use the events surround- ing the return of Fr. Emil Kapaun to the diocese as an ongoing re- flection. There's a reason why we have his remains back with us at this particular time in our diocese," the bishop said a week after the fu- neral. "I'd like to think that it has something to do with our diocesan pastoral plan of Becoming Fully Alive as Missionary Disciples." Fr. Kapaun was a missionary disciple 70 years ago, he said, al- though the U.S. Army chaplain may not have expressed it that way. But when we look back through the lens of our experience, back to how he lived his priest- hood, how he lived his faith, he was certainly fully alive in Christ. And he was a missionary. He was a missionary disciple who heard that clear call to go forth." Bishop Kemme said Fr. Kapaun went forth to distant countries and always took with him the best of who he was as a Kansan and as a priest of the diocese. He said, after reflecting on Fr. Kapaun's return home and burial, he hopes the faithful of the diocese will use those events as a catalyst to foster in our homes, our schools, our parishes, and our ministries that sense of becoming like he was, a fully-alive missionary dis- ciple." My hope and prayer is that we can use these events, use this blessing from God to energize our parishes and our schools to be- come communities, fully alive in Christ as missionary disciples." The bishop said he is grateful to God first and to the faithful of the diocese for the privilege and honor of leading them in prayer during the events. "Also for the enthusias- tic welcome and demonstration of faith that they showed in all of this and the many, many who came to the services - the vigil and then the Mass - but also those who watched online." Bishop Kemme said he has received messages from many people who were inspired by the events. He said he was thankful to the Very Rev. David Lies, the vicar general of the diocese, and his team who worked many hours or- ganizing the events surround Fr. Kapaun's return. It was bigger than any of us imagined," he said. "But in the end, it all came together in such a profound way for us to show that the faith is really alive and well here in the Diocese of Wichita." The bishop said he has also been overwhelmed by pride - a good kind of pride. "Proud to be a Catholic, proud to be a priest,
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