Across the diocese, families are joining forces to invest in their faith community's future. Through the Individual Parish Needs priority of the diocesan campaign "One Family, Fully Alive in Christ!", parishes are witnessing positive changes locally while supporting broader diocesan goals.

The Fully Alive! Campaign has reached over 7,500 households, enabling significant improvements. At St. Francis in St. Paul, parishioners plan to use campaign funds for essential repairs on the diocese’s oldest church building. A volunteer remarked, “It brings me to thinking, as the bishop said, ‘We are a family, and family supports one another.’”

In rural areas, there is a sense of pride and enthusiasm. Rusty and Cindy Lero from St. Ambrose in Erie shared their excitement: “We are thrilled our little aging parish is ‘Fully Alive’ and showing them how it’s done.” Their community exceeded its fundraising goal and will enhance its space for reconciliation.

This spirit extends throughout the diocese:

- Holy Family (Marion) will replace deteriorating steps for safer access.

- Holy Name (Coffeyville) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Wichita) plan new adoration chapels.

- St. Patrick (Chanute) aims to establish a parish center and chapel.

- St. Joseph (Andale) and Mother of God (Oswego) focus on youth programs.

- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Wichita), Church of the Holy Spirit (Goddard), and St. Margaret Mary (Wichita) prioritize teacher salary enhancements.

- Sacred Heart (Halstead), St. Patrick (Wichita), and St. Joseph (McPherson) address structural needs like roof repairs.

Fr. Bernie Gorges of St. Joseph, Ost stated, “The bold response we have seen so far in support of this campaign shows that the Church is alive in every parish throughout our entire diocese.”

The first round of funding has been distributed to Wave One parishes with promising results; ordinary giving has increased by an average of 5% among participating parishes since 2024.

Bishop Kemme emphasized that this campaign should not detract from existing support but rather build upon it through extraordinary giving efforts.

To learn more or contribute to this initiative, visit OneFamilyFullyAlive.org.