Last week, demolition crews were at work at the Vianney House, a former convent located across the street and south of St. Joseph Church in Wichita. The building is undergoing renovations to become the third residence for the St. Joseph House of Formation, the diocesan college seminary.

Michael Wescott, the Director of Development and Planned Giving for the Diocese of Wichita, expressed that the St. Joseph House of Formation represents a dream come true for the diocese. He invited those interested in contributing to the renovation efforts to reach out to him.

Fr. Chad Arnold, who serves as director of the St. Joseph House of Formation among his other roles within the Diocese of Wichita, reflected on how far they've come since their humble beginnings seven years ago when they could not have anticipated needing more than one residence.

He described their journey as being guided by divine intervention: “Every time there is a need, the Holy Spirit drops a solution into it.” He recalled how they initially didn't plan beyond a single residence on the St. Joseph Parish Campus in Wichita until they realized they needed more space.

The two existing residences are now nearing capacity, prompting them to expand further. Fr. Arnold marveled at how opportunities for expansion have consistently presented themselves: “Where else in the Catholic world are there three convents and rectories literally that close to each other that just become available? It is so unique, that it can’t be anything but the Holy Spirit just kind of blessing and guiding as the needs arise.”

Seminarians at The St. Joseph House of Formation study philosophy at Newman University and currently reside either in Borromeo House or Hennessy House - both located on St. Joseph Parish campus in central Wichita.

The new house under renovation will be named Vianney House after St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests. This property formerly belonged to Dominican Sisters of Great Bend and is located south of St. Joseph Church.