Domestic Church Movement expands support for families within Diocese of Wichita
The Domestic Church Families Movement is establishing a presence in the Diocese of Wichita, providing married couples and families with opportunities to deepen their faith through prayer, unity, and shared mission.
Monica Habashy recounted her family’s experience with the movement. She and her husband Tony, members of the Church of the Magdalen in Wichita, began participating last summer. They were particularly drawn to daily couple prayer. “Even during a season filled with wedding planning, ministry commitments, and demanding work schedules, they committed to waking up 30 minutes earlier each morning – before Tony left for the day – to read the daily gospel, reflect, and share how the Lord was speaking to them,” Monica said.
She described a sense of growing closer to her husband spiritually and emotionally. According to Monica, longstanding tensions eased as praying together created a stronger sense of unity and purpose within their marriage.
Their children also became involved. The younger children joined in by bringing a children’s Bible while their parents prayed. Monica recalled one occasion when their fourth grader woke early on the first day of school to pray for the upcoming year. Despite no other changes in routine, Monica noted an increased feeling of peace at home.
The Domestic Church Movement aims to help married couples grow closer both to God and each other while guiding their children in faith. Founded by Venerable Fr. Franciszek Blachnicki and supported by St. John Paul II, it has impacted thousands worldwide and recently received official approval from Bishop Carl A. Kemme for its activities in Wichita.
Couples are encouraged to adopt seven commitments that include daily prayer, scripture reading, dialogue between spouses, and attending an annual retreat. These practices are reinforced through participation in small groups known as “couples circles.”
Sarah and Andy Allen from Blessed Sacrament parish shared: “Since attending the retreat, we have been able to fully participate in the commitments set forth and have seen a positive impact on ourselves, our marriage, and our family,” they said. “What was set before us, through the Domestic Church, was a means of centering ourselves more fully on God and the relationship we have with him. Helping us to center ourselves has then allowed us to bring him more fully into our family in ways that weren’t there before. The commitments themselves are simple and don’t interfere with daily routines, yet they do pull together who we are and our commitment as a married couple.”
The initial step for interested couples is an Evangelization Retreat designed around real-life experiences of married life. Upcoming retreats will be held March 14-15 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita; another is scheduled for August 14-16 at the Spiritual Life Center in Bel Aire.
For those seeking information before committing to a retreat, information nights are available: one was planned for February 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colwich; another will take place February 28 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Wichita.
Further details about the movement can be found at https://domesticchurchfamilies.com/. For local information regarding Wichita programs or inquiries about participation via email contact [email protected].
The Diocese of Wichita operates as a religious organization overseeing Catholic ministries across 25 counties in south-central and southeast Kansas according to its official website. It manages charitable efforts through Catholic Charities while supporting marriage enrichment programs such as this initiative and runs 90 parishes along with 37 schools. The diocese emphasizes forming disciples through worship services—such as those provided by movements like Domestic Church—and offers various ministries focused on family life as detailed online.
