C A
2
December 21, 2018
Catholic Advance
Those who visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita for the first time of- ten crane their necks to study the paintings or windows high above them. Chet Hockman, a member of St. Anne Parish in Wichita, just made it easier for anyone interest- ed in the circular window above the west transept of the cathedral, an image honoring Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Hockman, a painter and wood carver who has produced many art pieces for his own parish, St. Anne in Wichita, including the Stations of the Cross there, wanted to donate a carving to the Cathedral. So Father Adam Keiter, the rec- tor of the Cathedral, asked him to create the image of the stained glass window in a four-foot round, relief-carved wood so that the pa- troness of the diocese, the United States, and the Americas could be venerated more easily. Hockman happily agreed to the task. But, before he could start, the artist said he had several unique challenges that had to be over- come in the basic design of the carving. For example, how to deal with the "leading" around the glass and speculating about what the original artist of the stained glass had created beneath the heavy brackets that reinforce the window. With those design problems resolved, the wood structure canvas" was built, and Hock- man began carving the images. After those steps were complete, the remaining challenge was the painting. During the painting, it was important to try to capture the stained glass original's beautiful coloring," he said. So, because the color of the wood can darken the paint, I had to paint all the carving white and then paint the final colors over that to make it as bright as pos- sible. To prevent accidental dam- age, each section of the carving had to be painted and sealed be- fore progressing to the next area of the artwork." Hockman, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam war, has been creat- ing various pieces of art since he can remember and now that he is retired, he will be concentrating on his artistic endeavors. The "Immaculate Conception of Mary" carving was blessed Friday, Dec. 7, by Father Drew Hoffman on the Solemnity of the Feast of the Immaculate Concep- tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is hanging on the north wall of the gathering space, located off of the south entrance of the Ca- thedral.
Marian art blessed at the Cathedral
Check Hockman is making it easier for visitors to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to see the what the window depicting the Immaculate Conception, high above the pews, looks like. (Courtesy photo) (Continued from page 1)
Bishop Kemme extends Christmas and New Year blessings to all
we know and believe that Jesus has come to change human history; he came long ago to walk with us on our pilgrimage of discipleship, lead- ing to a new, full, and abundant life. With these humble thoughts, I wish to extend to each and every person in the Diocese of Wichita, which I am most honored to serve as bishop, my heartfelt and sincere wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a healthy and joy-filled new year. My prayer is that the Christmas season and the beginnings of a new year will be profound moments of grace, blessing and peace for you and your loved ones. Throughout the new year, I pray that our diocese will begin to embrace and make a reality our new pastoral vision and mission, that all will become FUL- LY ALIVE as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ and that we will set out together to make formation in evangelization and renewal of stew- ardship and parish and family life by reclaiming Sunday as the Day of the Lord, our priorities. Though we face many challenges and obstacles in the pursuit and liv- ing of a holy life and offering an au- thentic witness to the newborn King of the Jews now in the 21st century, we can be confident that HE walks with us, empowers us, and inspires us to offer this needed witness in our times. May God bless all of you and keep you ever close to the Heart of the Infant Babe of Bethlehem, to his Foster Father, St. Joseph and to his Holy Mother, Mary. I am- Humbly Yours in Christ, + The Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme D.D., Bishop of Wichita reassignment surgery, he said. "It's going to be a very difficult ques- tion and it's something that the legislators have to work out." Immigration is more of a na- tional rather than a state topic, Weber said, although there was a lot of rhetoric about the topic in the latest gubernatorial race. The bishops of Kansas hope Congress will find a practical, just way for immigrants seeking a better life to come into the United States, he said. The Kansas Supreme Court will soon rule on what is called the live dismemberment abortion issue, Weber said, adding that the court may, unfortunately, find a "right" to abortion in the state constitution. One or two live dismember- ment abortions are taking place daily in Kansas, he said. This has to do with the pro-life laws that we have passed over the last five or six years in Kansas be- ing held up in the courts," Weber said. "So, this is something that we're keeping a very close eye on. The solution, if that is in fact what the court is going to find, is to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot for the people of Kansas to say, look, we can pass pro-life laws by the people and they need to be enforced without the interference of the courts." Gender identity may become a
Mixing Kansas politics, religion
topic of discussion in Topeka, he said, as well as gambling. It's almost a foregone conclu- sion that gambling in Kansas is going to be expanded," he said, but the Kansas bishops want to make sure families are protected from the hidden costs of gambling when they are negatively impacted by gambling. We're going to make sure that the problem gambling fund that is now in statute, make sure that that money is going to the right places." Catholic education will also be a topic Kansas' bishops want to keep before the legislators. We have a very limited school choice program in Kansas," Weber said. "It's actually one of the worst in the entire country." The state's bishops hope to expand what's known as the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, which gives families in low-income situations and whose children are in failing schools the opportunity to en- roll in Catholic or other private schools. Changes were made last legislative session that make it more difficult for families to en- roll students from failing schools in Catholic schools. So we want to make sure that Kansas at least gets back to where we were before in terms of educa- tional opportunities for the poor and if possible, expand education- al opportunities," he said.
By Heather Welch
WICHITA - Fieldview Health- care and Catholic Charities are partnering to bring hope and change to the Wichita community. Catholic Charities works with in- dividuals who are struggling with hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, disabilities and other is- sues, but about half of those served in a shelter struggle with mental illness or substance abuse. Fieldview operates a substance abuse treatment clinic located at 551 S. Holland St. in Wichita and has donated a bed to Catholic Charities that, for an entire year, may be used by a designated in- dividual at a time to receive full- service treatment. This generous gift will allow us to address addiction prior to re- ceiving services at Catholic Chari- ties," said Joyce Mahoney, senior director of Programs for Catholic Charities. "When clients are free of drugs and alcohol, we can then address domestic violence or other barriers to reach goals in a produc- tive manner." Fieldview Healthcare offers treatment for those struggling with both substance abuse and mental health issues. The treatment center offers individualized care to those 18 and older with a full-range of services. Diane Peltier, Ph.D., executive director for Fieldview Healthcare, said giving back to the community is important. This donated scholarship will allow Fieldview at Holland to serve those clients identified by Catholic Charities as most in need. Catholic Charities has long provided help to those in Wichita who need it the most." Welch is director of Communi- cations and Marketing for Catho- lic Charities.
Fieldview Healthcare helps widen services and reach for Charities
By Sharon Witzell
As Christmas draws near, we should think about the older adults in our lives, especially those with physical, mental, or emotional decline. The best gift you can give them is the gift of time. Regrettably, in our fast- paced world, time is the gift we are least likely to give. We are tempted to simply order a gift online, email a greet- ing, or send a card to an older loved one who is homebound, living alone, or at a senior care home. In less than five min- utes our gift is on its way to their doorstep. How easy that is! The problem is even the most expensive gift or fanciest fruit or cheese bas- ket is no substitute for what most frail older adults want and need most: face-to-face time with those who say they love them. In the same way, parishes miss the point of ministry with the el- derly if they deliver poinsettias, sing a few carols, or sign a card, and call that good. No fuss. No Sharon Witzell
Carmelite sisters to offer Ministry of Care training class April 6 at the SLC
On Saturday, April 6, the Office of Marriage and Fam- ily Life will host three Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm from the Avila Institute of Gerontology in New York for a one day Ministry of Care Training at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. The sisters will instruct and train par- ticipants about how to provide spiritual support and how to be a caring presence to the homebound, the sick, and the dying. They will learn how to bring Christ to every old person who is separated from their congregation. Witzell said she hopes to have a team of volunteers from every parish in the diocese at the training. For a flyer that ex- plains the training, call 316-685-5240. muss. Even greeting cards and monthly newsletters are no sub- stitute for frequent and personal contact. As physical decline in- creases, our need for human in- teraction becomes even more im- portant to our overall well-being. Why then are so many churches failing to consistently minister to the homebound in their parishes and residents of senior care cen- ters? One reason might be fear. Some may use the excuse that they don't have the interpersonal skills to engage someone who is in physical decline. The truth is, nurturing a relationship with a frail older adult, even a family mem- ber, causes us to step into a world of wheelchairs, walkers, trembling hands, and lonely faces. In com- ing face-to-face with decline, we are also confronted with our own mortality. But God calls us to move beyond our comfort zones. This Christmas, if you are tempted to shop for an older adult by clicking at an internet site to order a gift delivered to their door, or if you plan to show up with a poinsettia for a once-a- year visit, I hope you will stop and think again. Instead give the frail and elderly what they really want, the gift of time. Witzell is coordinator of the Senior Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Wichita.
Give time, not just a gift to the elderly
Previous Page