The Catholic Diocese of Wichita has announced that its “One Family, Fully Alive in Christ!” capital campaign has raised over $60 million, surpassing its original goal by more than 20 percent. The campaign began more than two years ago and aimed to support the mission of the Church throughout south-central and southeast Kansas.

Campaign leaders say the funds will go toward a range of priorities including teacher salary enhancements at Catholic schools, restoration work at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, improvements at Camp Kapaun for youth and families, support for ministries serving those in need, and parish-level projects across 90 parishes.

“Stewardship is one of the core values of our Catholic faith,” said Patricia Bird, a campaign volunteer and parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul in Andover. “One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! was not merely a capital fundraising campaign but an invitation for all the faithful to live out their faith by embracing the goals of this mission.”

Bishop Carl A. Kemme commented on both financial results and participation: “Our unprecedented success, both in financial outcomes as well as in participation, has confirmed in my mind that stewardship is truly alive in our diocese and that it deserves our ongoing and intensified efforts at renewal for present and future generations.”

The diocese notes that more than 37,000 registered households were invited to participate. According to Fr. Michael Brungardt, former pastor at several rural parishes, “This campaign not only provided funds for the diocesan priorities and updates to our parish sanctuary, it also gave many of our parishioners a better sense of belonging and unity to the local Church... Now, parishioners have a much more concrete sense of their belonging, all through this concrete gesture of participating in this campaign.”

Some immediate impacts include initial deposits into endowments benefitting teachers at all 38 diocesan schools; active construction on cathedral domes and stained-glass windows; new facilities at Camp Kapaun; inaugural grants totaling $103,000 awarded from a fund supporting marginalized communities; and additional resources distributed back to parishes exceeding fundraising targets.

Bishop Kemme expressed gratitude: “I am sincerely grateful for the prayers, generosity, and leadership of so many across our diocese. Without the gifts of your time, talent, and treasure, our Catholic community in the Diocese of Wichita would not be the joyful, vibrant family of faith it is today,” he said. “Without you, the priests and people of our diocese...this campaign could not have happened. Please know that I thank God for each of you and the part you have played in this campaign.”

The diocese encourages continued participation as it marks four decades since adopting its stewardship model.

More information about ongoing projects or how to contribute can be found at OneFamilyFullyAlive.org.