Even amid a rainy Memorial Day weekend, sunshine emerged late on the morning of Saturday, May 24 at Wichita’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The cathedral hosted the ordinations of three new priests for the Diocese of Wichita.

Bishop Carl A. Kemme stepped out into the sunlight with a group that included priests, seminarians, Knights of Columbus, and Daughters of Isabella from the diocese. Before a group photo on the cathedral steps, Bishop Kemme knelt before Fr. Grant Huslig, Fr. Joseph Mick, and Fr. Nicholas Samsel to receive their blessing.

In his homily that morning, Bishop Kemme reflected on his tenure as bishop during which he has ordained 47 new priests over 11 years in Wichita.

“The presence of so many young priests, full of zeal and enthusiasm, is changing who we are; the sacerdotal ministry of all our priests is helping us realize our vision of a community of believers, fully alive in Christ,” he said. “Each day as a bishop, I pray to the Master of the Harvest to send us more laborers for the harvest that is abundant; it seems that our prayers for this intention are being answered. May it always be so.”

Bishop Kemme also addressed what qualities are desirable in a priest during his homily. He mentioned prayerfulness and reverence along with wisdom and administrative skills but emphasized humility as most important.

Citing Venerable Fulton Sheen, Bishop Kemme stated: “He belongs to Christ, to whom he is conformed; he belongs to the Church, the Lord’s bride, for whom he will labor all his earthly days.” He further explained that humility allows priests to serve others selflessly and recognize their own strengths and weaknesses.

“Humility as a virtue is not to degrade or denigrate oneself... rather it is to rejoice in who you are as a child of God,” Bishop Kemme continued. He quoted C.S. Lewis: “‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.’ This is what must be present in all priests if their life and ministry is to bear great fruit.”

The bishop noted that prostration during ordination symbolizes dying to oneself so Christ can work through them even when inconvenient.

“If... there is too much of me in our ministry... we risk it all becoming pretentious and self-serving,” he warned against prideful attitudes among clergy members.

Bishop Kemme concluded by inviting silent prayer: “Jesus... let my life and ministry be less about me and more about thee... welcome us who have been adorned by no merit... with priestly dignity.”

Before their ordination ceremony began at Cathedral Immaculate Conception on May 24th Rev Mssrs Grant Huslig Joseph Mick Nicholas Samsel lay prostrate before altar while being ordained by Bishop Carl Kemme (Advance photo).