Wichita’s Church of the Magdalen has opened a new Magdalen Discipleship Center, intended to provide adult parishioners with a dedicated space for faith formation and fellowship. The center, which became available this fall, is designed as an alternative to meeting in coffee shops or private homes.

Pastor Fr. David Marstall said, “I think the physical space is really an expression of a spiritual space in people’s hearts and souls.” He noted that the construction was nearly complete when he arrived at the parish earlier this year. “When Bishop Kemme informed me I was moving, I kind of hoped to get a parish where I wouldn’t have to build anything,” he said. “I came to one in which most of the work had already been done and I get to enjoy the fruits.”

Amanda Prieto, Magdalen Director of Evangelization and Discipleship, described the center as evidence of spiritual growth within the community. “A lot of people believe the Holy Spirit is moving and working in our diocese and our Church,” she said. “People are hungrier for fellowship, Catholic friendships, and opportunities to discuss our faith. This is a perfect opportunity to give them a place to meet that is everyone’s home. People want more, and this is a space to help facilitate that.”

Colleen Wittler, parishioner and member of the Building and Design Committee, explained that smaller meeting rooms were needed for regular gatherings by various groups and ministries at Magdalen. She said previously only two or three large rooms were available for meetings: “We determined that we needed a designated meeting area with smaller, more intimate rooms which would be inviting, comfortable, and available for adult faith formation and fellowship.”

The idea for such a venue arose from data collected by surveys conducted by the Diocese of Wichita among Catholic school students several years ago. Results showed only about half regularly attended Sunday Mass. Fr. John Jirak, former pastor at Magdalen who initiated planning for the center based on those findings, said: “Showing up on Sundays is basically the first criterion to be able to play the game... my epiphany was that the future depends on our adults. The Church teaches that parents are the first educators for their children, and as such, the first to lead their kids in the way of faith and discipleship.” He added: “That required investing in adults, in evangelizing and building up adult disciples... If all we give adults are leftovers, that is all they will give us.”

Fr. Marstall emphasized focusing on adults’ faith formation alongside children’s: “Sometimes we love our children to a fault... sometimes we may emphasize [children's formation] at the expense of forming adults... I am excited our adult parishioners will have a giant reminder that their faith formation is important.”

Wittler observed that new adults can feel anonymous or disconnected at larger parishes like Magdalen if they do not have children enrolled in its school programs: “It can be intimidating and hard to grab hold of anything... We wanted a welcoming space that would not be overwhelming.” Prieto agreed there are challenges keeping parents connected after their children leave high school: “We need to think of ways to connect people. It may include personal invitations catered to certain age groups and demographics.”

According to Fr. Marstall, use of the center will include both organized activities like Bible studies as well as informal gatherings after Mass or during weekdays: “Groups can reserve it for Bible studies... but if people want to get together after Mass... it works,” he said.

He concluded by expressing hope about what might develop from this initiative: “I have told our parishioners that we are creating a space for the Holy Spirit... We may have ideas but he always surprises us. I am excited to watch it unfold and discern how the Holy Spirit wants to use this space...”