Father Dwight Birket

Wichita Bishop Michael O. Jackels is allowing Fr. Dwight J. Birket, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, to serve in the Diocese of Dodge City in order to help alleviate the diocese’s priest shortage.

 Father Birket, who was ordained in 1972, serves as pastor of All Saints Parish, Wichita, and as moderator for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.  Throughout his priestly ministry, he has been involved in youth work, religious education, campus ministry, promotion of vocations.  He has been a pastor in a number of parishes in the Wichita diocese, a member of the diocesan missionary team in Barquisimeto, Venezuela; Vicar for Spanish Speaking and for Hispanic Affairs, and Vicar General of the Wichita Diocese.

 “I am grateful to Father Birket, Bishop Jackels, and the people of the diocese of Wichita for such generosity toward me, the presbyterate, and the people of the diocese of Dodge City,” said Bishop Ronald Gilmore.  “I know Fr. Birket and I know him to be a fine man and an outstanding priest.  I trust that his time with us will be as much a blessing for him as I know it will be for us.”

 Father Birket will be leaving All Saints in Wichita to take up his new pastorate in the diocese of Dodge City this summer.  The effective date and place of Father Birket’s assignment has not been finalized.

 “Sometime ago Bishop Gilmore approached me about the possibility of allowing a priest of the Diocese of Wichita to minister temporarily in the Diocese of Dodge City to help alleviate a short-term priest crunch,” said Bishop Jackels.  After consulting with his Presbyteral Council, Bishop Jackels invited priests to volunteer.  “I was happy that Father Birket was generous enough to express an interest,” said Bishop Jackels.  

"I had the opportunity to work with then Father Gilmore over the years in Wichita and am glad I have the chance to work for Bishop Gilmore now."

 "It is with a heavy heart I leave All Saints Parish but the Lord has always blessed me with great people in every assignment I have had as a priest” said Father Birket.  “I am anxious to meet new parishioners and the priests of the Diocese of Dodge City."

 Bishop Gilmore assures Father Birket of a warm welcome to the diocese and asks all to join him in praying for an increase in priestly vocations in the dioceses of Dodge City and Wichita.