SKR marks 40 years serving SW Kansas Catholics

This issue marks a milestone in the apostolate of the press in the Diocese of Dodge City.

The Southwest Kansas Register has been the chronicle of Catholic life in the Diocese of Dodge City for 40 years. The first issue of the Register was dated March 6, 1966.

Volume I, Number 1 notes that the Southwest Kansas Register "will endeavor to serve in four areas: information, instruction, inspiration and interchange. We will not be able to fulfill these functions perfectly, but in some important ways, we hope that the newspaper will play its part in uniting all the members of the diocese in common purposes." The first issue also notes that the newspaper is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the diocese.

The newspaper was established by Bishop Marion F. Forst, the second bishop of Dodge City, shortly after the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. It should be noted that one of the documents issued during the Council was entitled "The Decree of Communications."

Over the last 40 years, the Roman Catholic Church has been led by four popes: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI; the diocese has been led by four bishops: Bishop Forst, Bishop Eugene J. Gerber, Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman, and Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore. Throughout these changes in the leadership in the Church and the diocese, the Southwest Kansas Register has been a constant companion to the diocesan community.

Bishop Forst named Msgr. A.J. Felling the founding editor of this diocesan enterprise. At the time of his appointment, Msgr. Felling was a pastor, a college teacher and director of several diocesan offices. He was assisted by Robert Screen who wore the hats of assistant editor, advertising director, and circulation manager. Margaret Klenke, whom Msgr. Felling hired to assist in billing, typing, part-time selling of advertising and circulation, was later named circulation manager.

Through much of his tenure as editor, Msgr. Felling had other pastoral duties. He served as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Windthorst, and later temporary administrator of St. Anthony, Fowler, and then as chaplain at St. Anthony Hospital, Dodge City. In the chancery, he served as judicial vicar in the Marriage Tribunal and later as assistant chancellor. Msgr. Felling served as editor until 1971, but continued on as assistant to the publisher until his death Jan. 24, 1977.

Byron Hull was hired as managing editor and advertising director in April of 1966. He approached his position with the advantage of a newspaper background. Hull ran the Chase Index for 13 years before moving to Dodge City. He worked as wire editor for the Dodge City Daily Globe before taking a position as assistant to the president at St. Mary of the Plains College. The president, Sister Cecilia Bush, C.S.J., utilized Hull in public relations and development.

Father Stephen Wylie, then diocesan comptroller, was made business manager of the SKR in July of 1971 and remained in that position until his retirement in October of 1990.

Hull succeeded Msgr. Felling as editor on Sept. 22, 1971. He was assisted by his daughters, Mary, JoEllen, and Calista, with billing and circulation. Hull remained editor until his sudden death on July 31, 1974, following a heart attack.

Hull was succeeded as editor by Margaret Klenke. The late Father Wylie recalled the transition in an interview for the newspaper’s 30th anniversary: "Bishop Forst needed an editor and he sent Msgr. Felling out to Windthorst to get Margaret (Klenke) to accept the job. When she was named editor of the SKR, only nine Catholic newspapers in the country were edited by women."

"With Bishop Forst’s confidence in me and all I had learned working with Msgr. Felling and Byron, I accepted the position as editor," stated Margaret Klenke at the time of the 30th anniversary. "It was a challenge, but I had Msgr. Felling’s help as my advisor, and after his death, the help of Father Wylie as advisor as well as business manager.

"I appreciated the cooperation and support of the priests and people of the diocese as they welcomed me to their parishes for special events. I found the 16 years as editor of a diocesan newspaper a fulfilling experience and a way to serve my diocese, the bishops and the people of southwest Kansas."

In 1990 both Klenke and Father Wylie retired. Bishop Schlarman honored them both by naming them Editor Emeritus and Episcopal Vicar Emeritus, respectively.

In July of 1990, Tim Wenzl was named editor of the Register. Wenzl served St. Mary of the Plains College as Public Relations Director from 1986 to 1990, and was editor of the Southwest Kansas Senior Beacon from 1984 to 1990. Dan Stremel, the director of Stewardship and Finance, has served as the SKR business manager since Father Wylie retired.

As the diocese prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Wenzl was asked to write the history of the diocese. An interim editor was hired to run the Southwest Kansas Register while Wenzl took a year focused only on writing "A Legacy of Faith."

David Myers, the interim editor, was asked to stay on as editor at the conclusion of the year to let Wenzl devote more time to work in the archives and sell advertising for the SKR.

Myers previously served as youth editor of the Denver Catholic Register and managing editor of the Elbert County News. While at the SKR, he designed the newspaper website and is in charge of updating the diocesan website. As editor, he is responsible for writing features and news stories, performing the layout and design of each issue, and providing a column.

The Southwest Kansas Register was initially part of the Catholic Press Society, Inc., and was printed and mailed from Denver. When this system was dissolved in June of 1971, the paper was printed in LaJunta, Colorado. Since November of 1972, the Register has been printed in the diocese at the Spearville News.

On behalf of Bishop Ronald Gilmore and the previous editors, Myers wants to thank all those who have submitted letters, articles, columns and photos over the years. He also wished to thank the staff of the Spearville News, whose patience and professionalism have proven an asset to the newspaper.