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December 21, 2018
Catholic Advance
www.CatholicAdvance.com Juan de Ulibarri left a trail of Catholicism during his expedition through the Great Plains in 1706, a trail Tim Wenzl decided to investigate over 300 years later. Wenzl, archivist emeritus of the Diocese of Dodge City and the former editor of the diocesan newspaper, said his investiga- tion, which ultimately led to his just-pub- lished book, began after he became in- trigued by the Catholic names in Western Kansas. After learning that Windthorst in Ford County was named for Ludwig von Windthorst, a champion of the Catholic faith who fought against the Church's suppression by Germany's Iron Chancellor, Otto von Bismark, I was hooked. After that, I just started docu- menting the Catholic place names throughout the state of Kansas. When a traveler passes a river with a saint's name, Wenzl said, there's a reason for that. "They didn't name it last week. It was done so during an expedition. That was one of the real treats (of research) - making those discov- eries." The explorers would name things for saints as they dis- covered them, he said. "That's how the church's presence really started in Kansas." One of the areas of Western Kansas visited by the Ulibarri expe- dition was El Cuartelejo, in Scott County, which was renamed Santo Domingo de El Cuartelejo. Wenzl suspected the new name was as- sociated with the day the expedition arrived at the site, but the church calendar didn't reflect that. Wenzl, after a little reflection himself, realized that the calendar had been revised after Vatican II. "So I went to a book printed before Vatican II...bingo," he said. They were there on the Feast of St. Dominic." Saints names are obvious, Wenzl added, but there are also places named for Capuchin friars. Ellis County has four towns, only one of which is still in ex- istence, which were named after Catholic priests, he said. Wenzl said few people are go- ing to read his book, "Angelus to Xavier, Catholic Names in Kan- sas, Obvious & Obscure," cover to cover. "But they're going to open it up and start paging through it and their eyes are going to hit on the name of this community and they're going to want to find out Tim Wenzl
Want a copy?
Tim Wenzls book is available at all nine Catho- lic books stores in Kan- sas, including the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. It is also available at Ama- zon.com or directly from the author at twenzl@ dcdiocese.org.
Archivist writes book about Catholic names in Kansas
why. This book answers those questions. It's got stories about why and how it got its name." In addition to the more than 300 communities and geographic sites with Catholic place names, the book includes biographi- cal features and color photos of nearly 40 Catholic sites in Kansas listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wenzl said his research began by listing names of the communi- ties and associated information on a spreadsheet. The research was really fascinating. I learned that some communities were established as Catholic colonies and the original name was changed. Maybe that is the added value of this book, documenting all these communi- ties that began as Catholic settle- ments and colonies, even though the present name might now be a secular name." On the other hand, some com- munities changed their name from a secular one to one associated with the church, he said. Germantown in Brown Coun- ty was renamed Mercier. Few people would identify Mercier as a Catholic place name, but the community was renamed in 1918 during World War I for Belgium Cardinal Desire Mercier." Cardinal Mercier was revered by the Allies for his protests against the injustices of the gov- ernment after Germany invaded Belgium, a neutral country. The book's history began over a decade ago, in 2004. Between 2004 and 2017, the spreadsheet grew to include over 300 names. I just kept adding to the list every time I discovered another Catholic place name. There were times I would be researching other projects or I would be read- ing newspaper microfilm, and another name and another story would jump out at me," he said. When that happened a number of times, I knew this was a project that intended for me. It really has been a gift of the Holy Spirit. Wenzl said he enjoyed the process and was amazed at some of the discoveries. There are biographical features spread throughout the book about the people behind the names. The book really shows how Catholics developed commu- nities and were part of the growth of the state. Not only Catholics, but anyone who enjoys Kansas history will like this book." The Guadalupe Clinic this year once again gave away over 100 Holiday Food Boxes, along with gifts from Santa, a tradition that began about 30 years ago. Patients in great need were in- vited to visit the clinic Saturday, Dec. 15, for a box full of ingre- dients to prepare a holiday meal along with enough groceries to last a week. Visiting children met Santa - who gave them what could be their only gift. Families also re- ceived some household supplies, jackets, mittens, hats, and blan- kets. Executive Director David Gear said quality health care is what Guadalupe Clinic provides as a result of the donation of time and talent of their many doctors, nurses, and other medical pro- viders. Now, through the generos- ity of numerous other donors, including Cargill, we are able to provide 110 families with a tradi- tional Christmas dinner." Andrie Krahl, the clinic's development director, said this year's event was the largest in re- cent years. We have seen increased generosity this year which al- lows us to help so many more families. This event is one that brings tears and smiles to ev- eryone involved. I am so ex- cited to see all the families and share in the gratitude of the Christmas season." The families are benefit- ting from the generosity of Cargill, Highland Dairy, Dill- lons, Lodgeworks, local par- ishes, and generous individu- als. Lodgeworks employees are sponsoring two families and providing all the families' Christmas needs. Want to help? Those who wish to support the event may visit www.Guada- lupeClinic.org.
Guadalupe Clinic continues decades-old food box tradition
Via Christi, Ascension name transition nearing completion
A transition to add Ascension to the Via Christi name is nearly complete. Late last month exterior signs began coming down in preparation for replacement signs reflecting the new brand and colors as Via Christi Health becomes Ascen- sion Via Christi and Via Christi Clinic becomes Ascension Medi- cal Group Via Christi. We are now at a point where all our work over the past year to transition to the unified brand in support of one Ascension is becoming visible," said Michael Mullins, senior vice president for Ascension Healthcare and chief executive officer and ministry market executive for Via Christi. This is an important step for us as we begin a new chapter in our history and as we continue to serve throughout Kansas." Via Christi has completed the legal requirements for the name changes that will begin being used as of Jan. 9, according to Todd Conklin, Via Christi's chief oper- ating officer, who is leading the transition. Official brand roll-out celebra- tions will take place in Wichita, Manhattan, and Pittsburg in Feb- ruary. Since 2013, Via Christi has been fully part of Ascension, the nation's leading nonprofit health system, with 2,600 sites of care and 40,000 aligned providers in 22 states and Washington, D.C.
Struggling with pornography?
Those who are struggling with pornography and need spiritual help may contact a priest of the Diocese of Wichita for help. To do so, send an e-mail to ineedhelpfather@gmail.com. Our Lord always provides a means to overcome sin!," the priest says.
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