As a former seminarian for the Diocese of Wichita, I can tell you that Adoration is cited by nearly everyone (including myself) as a major factor in their vocation or decision to attend seminary. Nearly every parish has perpetual adoration, so we can get to adoration anytime we want. Vocations are fostered by the still small voice that w…
As a former seminarian for the Diocese of Wichita, I can tell you that Adoration is cited by nearly everyone (including myself) as a major factor in their vocation or decision to attend seminary. Nearly every parish has perpetual adoration, so we can get to adoration anytime we want. Vocations are fostered by the still small voice that we encounter with our Lord in the adoration chapel. Just my 2 cents.
It would be interesting to see a vocation comparison based on availability of Mass, Confession, and adoration/unlocked church rather than the size of the diocese or the priest/parishioner ratio. Especially since those are things most parishes can increase.
Am I correct in remembering that Wichita also has a tithing-based system for Catholic school tuition? If so, that is one of the only things I know about the diocese but it came to mind- if the Catholic schools are good, and if more families can afford to send their kids to them rather than public schools, I can see that with other factors, like access to adoration as you say, the schools would help to bolster the Catholic population in the area and support the vocations of the young people of the diocese.
A "stewardship diocese" in Catholicism refers to a diocese that prioritizes and integrates the principles of Christian stewardship into its mission, governance, and parish life. Stewardship, as defined by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, is a way of life rooted in gratitude for God's gifts, which involves receiving these gifts gratefully, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them generously, and returning them to God with increase. This concept is central to discipleship and the Church's mission.
Key characteristics of a stewardship diocese include:
1. **Promotion of Stewardship as a Way of Life**: The diocese encourages personal and communal conversion to stewardship through prayer, education, and formation. This includes fostering a culture where parishioners commit their time, talent, and treasure to the Church's mission[1][2][6].
2. **Integration into Parish and Diocesan Activities**: Stewardship principles are incorporated into fundraising, volunteer recruitment, budgetary decisions, and accountability measures. Parishes are encouraged to conduct annual appeals and provide opportunities for spiritual growth and service[1][5].
3. **Focus on the Four Pillars of Stewardship**: These pillars—hospitality, prayer, formation, and service—guide parishes in creating welcoming communities, nurturing faith through sacraments and education, and serving both parishioners and the broader community[6].
4. **Long-term Commitment**: A stewardship diocese commits to fostering stewardship as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time initiative. This involves supporting parish leaders and laity in embracing stewardship practices[1][7].
The Diocese of Wichita is often cited as a model stewardship diocese due to its comprehensive approach to integrating these principles into all aspects of diocesan life[2][6].
Yeah that is probably a big factor as well. Our schools are tithing based, (8% to your parish, 2% to a charity of your choice) so whether you have 1 kid in school or 10 that covers all of their "tuition." And they aren't really strict on this, some very poor families pay little or nothing to go to Catholic schools here. Also I know a lot of the teachers around the diocese and they take the faith seriously, which does not seem to be the case in a lot of places, especially bigger cities.
my pastor is asking parishioners to give at least 2.5% to the parish if they aren't already, and we didn't have a budget deficit last year. I imagine that if many families with students are able to do 8%, it helps cover the costs for those who are unable to.
And by the prayers of the Adorers asking for vocations in their parish and diocese. My parish has perpetual Adoration, and I am convinced that one little room is the 1,200 horse power engine that showers our entire community with blessings.
Not sure exactly. My parish has about 600 families but it's one of the smaller parishes in the city itself. We have a couple coverage gaps, but I think it's Tuesday and 2 am and Wednesday at 3 am, so not too bad. A lot of the rural parishes are smaller but they also don't have perpetual adoration.
Parish sizes in our diocese vary widely since its boundary covers all of SE KS, which includes many rural parishes as well as the larger parishes in the city of Wichita. What is interesting is that while it is mainly the larger parishes that are able to sustain perpetual adoration, some of the smaller ones do as well.
Many of the smaller parishes, such as the one I grew up in with 200-300 families, still hold adoration a few days a week, Mon.-Thurs, etc. My parish started at 3 days and grew to five over 15 years and now is building a dedicated adoration chapel to move out of an extra room in the parish hall.
As a former seminarian for the Diocese of Wichita, I can tell you that Adoration is cited by nearly everyone (including myself) as a major factor in their vocation or decision to attend seminary. Nearly every parish has perpetual adoration, so we can get to adoration anytime we want. Vocations are fostered by the still small voice that we encounter with our Lord in the adoration chapel. Just my 2 cents.
It would be interesting to see a vocation comparison based on availability of Mass, Confession, and adoration/unlocked church rather than the size of the diocese or the priest/parishioner ratio. Especially since those are things most parishes can increase.
And adoration is even more fruitful when it is held for an hour after Mass for the intention of vocations.
Am I correct in remembering that Wichita also has a tithing-based system for Catholic school tuition? If so, that is one of the only things I know about the diocese but it came to mind- if the Catholic schools are good, and if more families can afford to send their kids to them rather than public schools, I can see that with other factors, like access to adoration as you say, the schools would help to bolster the Catholic population in the area and support the vocations of the young people of the diocese.
I believe they are a stewardship diocese, yes.
New term for me. Perplexity:
A "stewardship diocese" in Catholicism refers to a diocese that prioritizes and integrates the principles of Christian stewardship into its mission, governance, and parish life. Stewardship, as defined by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, is a way of life rooted in gratitude for God's gifts, which involves receiving these gifts gratefully, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them generously, and returning them to God with increase. This concept is central to discipleship and the Church's mission.
Key characteristics of a stewardship diocese include:
1. **Promotion of Stewardship as a Way of Life**: The diocese encourages personal and communal conversion to stewardship through prayer, education, and formation. This includes fostering a culture where parishioners commit their time, talent, and treasure to the Church's mission[1][2][6].
2. **Integration into Parish and Diocesan Activities**: Stewardship principles are incorporated into fundraising, volunteer recruitment, budgetary decisions, and accountability measures. Parishes are encouraged to conduct annual appeals and provide opportunities for spiritual growth and service[1][5].
3. **Focus on the Four Pillars of Stewardship**: These pillars—hospitality, prayer, formation, and service—guide parishes in creating welcoming communities, nurturing faith through sacraments and education, and serving both parishioners and the broader community[6].
4. **Long-term Commitment**: A stewardship diocese commits to fostering stewardship as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time initiative. This involves supporting parish leaders and laity in embracing stewardship practices[1][7].
The Diocese of Wichita is often cited as a model stewardship diocese due to its comprehensive approach to integrating these principles into all aspects of diocesan life[2][6].
Citations:
[1] https://www.dioceseofboise.org/stewardship
[2] https://charlestondiocese.org/office-of-stewardship-and-mission-advancement/the-spirituality-of-stewardship/
[3] https://charlestondiocese.org/office-of-stewardship-and-mission-advancement/
[4] https://dioceseofraleigh.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Booklet-StewardshipADisciplesResponse.pdf
[5] https://www.advancementfoundation.org/starting-parish-stewardship
[6] https://worcesterdiocese.org/the-4-pillars-of-stewardship
[7] https://catholicfdn.org/stewardship
[8] https://grdiocese.org/ministries/stewardship/
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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share
Gosh maybe I’ve been using the term incorrectly or too loosely. Apparently very technical haha.
Yeah that is probably a big factor as well. Our schools are tithing based, (8% to your parish, 2% to a charity of your choice) so whether you have 1 kid in school or 10 that covers all of their "tuition." And they aren't really strict on this, some very poor families pay little or nothing to go to Catholic schools here. Also I know a lot of the teachers around the diocese and they take the faith seriously, which does not seem to be the case in a lot of places, especially bigger cities.
my pastor is asking parishioners to give at least 2.5% to the parish if they aren't already, and we didn't have a budget deficit last year. I imagine that if many families with students are able to do 8%, it helps cover the costs for those who are unable to.
And by the prayers of the Adorers asking for vocations in their parish and diocese. My parish has perpetual Adoration, and I am convinced that one little room is the 1,200 horse power engine that showers our entire community with blessings.
How many families are there in an average parish in Wichita, such that you can sustain perpetual Adoration at them without major coverage gaps?
Not sure exactly. My parish has about 600 families but it's one of the smaller parishes in the city itself. We have a couple coverage gaps, but I think it's Tuesday and 2 am and Wednesday at 3 am, so not too bad. A lot of the rural parishes are smaller but they also don't have perpetual adoration.
Parish sizes in our diocese vary widely since its boundary covers all of SE KS, which includes many rural parishes as well as the larger parishes in the city of Wichita. What is interesting is that while it is mainly the larger parishes that are able to sustain perpetual adoration, some of the smaller ones do as well.
Many of the smaller parishes, such as the one I grew up in with 200-300 families, still hold adoration a few days a week, Mon.-Thurs, etc. My parish started at 3 days and grew to five over 15 years and now is building a dedicated adoration chapel to move out of an extra room in the parish hall.