Bishop Carl A. Kemme ordained four men to the priesthood on Saturday, May 25. The newly ordained priests are Jesus Bañuelos, Miles Swigart, Caleb Kuestersteffen, and Matthew Cooke. In his address during the ordination ceremony at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, Bishop Kemme emphasized that the new priests would serve as "signs of contradiction" to contemporary societal values.

"They will be standing in many ways in opposition to the values and priorities of our modern times, like lambs among wolves," Bishop Kemme stated. He acknowledged that their journey would include both welcome and rejection and likely significant suffering for the Gospel.

The bishop also expressed gratitude to the parents of the newly ordained priests for their role in nurturing their vocations within the domestic church. "Without you and your daily love, support, and care for them, this day would not have happened," he said.

Reflecting on a past pilgrimage with the ordinandi, Bishop Kemme recalled praying for them at several sacred sites in France. At Lourdes, he prayed that Mary would protect them; at Paray-le-Monial, he prayed for their zeal for souls; at Annecy, he sought St. Francis de Sales' intercession for their guidance abilities; and at Ars, he asked for graces akin to those received by St. John Vianney.

Drawing from scriptural readings during the Mass, Bishop Kemme urged the new priests to maintain vigilance over themselves and their congregations. "We must keep watch over ourselves and over the whole flock," he said. He highlighted that their love for Christ should drive all aspects of their ministry.

In closing his homily, Bishop Kemme reminded the new priests that they might face unpopularity but should remain focused on serving God's will alone. "Liked or disliked, welcomed or unwelcomed, from now on your life is to proclaim this one all-encompassing proclamation: 'The Kingdom of God is at hand.'"

The ceremony concluded with an invocation for these new priests to follow in the footsteps of church figures like St. John Vianney and Fr. Emil Kapaun.

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