Bishop Carl A. Kemme opened the universal church's jubilee year on Sunday, December 29, at Wichita's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This event coincided with the Feast of the Holy Family, which Bishop Kemme used as a point of reflection.

The bishop suggested that the Holy Family should be seen not just as a model but as an "icon of family life." He explained, “A model, like a statue or other figure, is seen, observed, but an icon is written and read and their family life deserves to be read with deep intensity and reflection."

Pope Francis had asked diocesan bishops to invite people into the jubilee year with love and devotion as "pilgrims of hope." Bishop Kemme emphasized that while Christmas often involves sharing family photos, it is fundamentally about Jesus' family. He described them as holy due to their unique historical significance.

“The family of Jesus was poor, simple, often hidden from the view of society at the time," he said. Despite being overlooked by contemporary powers, they lived with divine virtues such as compassion and humility.

Bishop Kemme highlighted that even Jesus had to grow in wisdom and favor. The Holy Family's virtues were attributed either to divine nature or singular graces bestowed upon Mary and Joseph for their roles in salvation history.

He noted that while the Holy Family grounds Christians in hope, this hope is supernatural rather than worldly. “Pope Francis has called for this Jubilee Year as a time to pray for and anchor ourselves in this supernatural hope,” Bishop Kemme stated.

In closing his homily, Bishop Kemme urged his congregation to assess how much Christ anchors their lives. He encouraged them to act as missionary disciples spreading hope through simple acts of kindness.

“Who if not us will be beacons of hope for them," he asked. This can be done through small gestures like kind words or shared meals which communicate grace.