Las Posadas:
Celebrating Mary and Joseph’s journey
The biting cold of the mid-December night did nothing to suppress the festive atmosphere amid dozens of worshipers who gathered for the Christmas Posada beside a busy main street in Dodge City.
The tradition finds its roots four centuries deep in the Mexican culture. Nine days prior to Christmas, large groups of worshipers gather together. A man and woman (in this case, a boy and girl) portray the Holy Family seeking shelter for the night. Often they will use a live donkey on which Mary rides.
Posada is Spanish for “accommodation,” and represents the nine months of pregnancy of the Holy Mother.
The group will process to different houses, singing, praying, and being offered tasty treats by homeowners. In Dodge City, the night started with dancers dressed in Aztec garb dancing a dance of prayer to the Holy Mother.
As cars zoomed by on Wyatt Earp Blvd., those outside Panaderia La Tapatia store and those inside each sang in turn, until those inside officially recognized the Holy Family and allowed them entry.
Typically, the group goes from private home to private home, but on this night, it was the store that offered the Holy Family respite, where they munched on free tacos, prayed and sang.
Children, led by their parents, later rushed out into the parking lot where a large, star-shaped piñata was held on a rope between two ladders, two men laughing as they pulled it upward as the children swung their hardest to free the hidden candy.
The Posada gathering was repeated on several nights in Dodge City, each time starting at a different location.
Las Posadas:
Celebrando el viaje de Maria y José
El intenso frio de la noche de mediados de diciembre no hizo nada para calmar el ambiente festivo en medio de decenas de fieles que se congregaron para la Posada Navideña al lado de una calle principal muy transitada en Dodge City.
La tradición encuentra sus raíces cuatro siglos en la cultura mexicana. Nueve días antes de Navidad, se reúnen grupos grandes de adoradores. Un hombre y una mujer (en este caso, un chico y una chica) se presentan como la Sagrada Familia buscando refugio para pasar la noche. Frecuentemente usan un burro vivo que le da paseos a María.
Posada significa “alojamiento,” y representa los nueve meces de embarazo de la Santa madre.
El grupo se procesará a diferentes casas, cantando, orando y les ofrecen bocadillos sabrosos por los dueños del hogar. En Dodge City, la noche comenzó con bailarines vestidos con atuendo Azteca bailando una danza de oración a la Santa Madre.
Mientras los coches zumbaban por el bulevar de Wyatt Earp, aquellos afuera de la Panadería La Tapatía y los que estaban a dentro cantaban durante su turno, hasta que los de adentro oficialmente reconocían a la Sagrada Familia y los dejaban entrar.
Normalmente, el grupo va de hogar privado a hogar privado, pero en esta noche, fue la panadería que les ofreció un respiro a la Sagrada Familia, donde comieron tacos gratis, rezaron y cantaron.
Los niños y niñas, dirigidos por sus parientes, salieron en carrereados al estacionamiento donde una piñata grande, en forma de estrella sobre una cuerda entre dos escaleras, dos hombres riendo mientras estiraban hacia arriba cuando los niños le daban duro para que soltara todos los dulces escondidos.
La reunión de las Posadas fue repetida durante varias noches en Dodge City, a partir de un lugar diferente cada vez.
Kansas bishops respond to Supreme Court decisions on marriage
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, Bishop John Brungardt of Dodge City, Bishop Edward Weisenburger of Salina, and Monsignor Robert Hemberger, Diocesan Administrator of Wichita, issued the following statement June 27 in response to the United States Supreme Court decisions in United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry:
In one of two significant rulings today the United States Supreme Court struck down the section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between one man and one woman for purposes of federal law and federal benefits. There had been a concern that the justices would strike down all state laws and constitutional amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman but fortunately this did not come to pass.
A great many of the States in our Nation define marriage as between one man and one woman. That state legislation, including our own in Kansas, is undisturbed.
Father Murphy, oldest Catholic pastor in Kansas, retires
By Dave Myers and Tim Wenzl
Southwest Kansas Register
Father Ultan Murphy, 87, retired Jan. 3, after 33 years as pastor of St. Ann’s Parish in Olmitz. At the time of his retirement, he had the distinction of being the oldest Catholic pastor in the state of Kansas.
Father Murphy will continue to reside in the Olmitz community in his private residence. “I bought a house here,” said Father Murphy. “As they say in Ireland, ‘I’m part of the furniture.’”
Father Murphy was appointed pastor at Olmitz and Holy Trinity, Timken, in 1980. He served both parishes for 23 years until he announced his retirement earlier in 2003. He reconsidered, and his responsibilities were reduced to the Olmitz parish at that time. His official title also changed to “parochial administrator.”
Brother Frederick Keiser, LC,
ordained transitional deacon in Rome
Brother Frederick Keiser, LC, was ordained a transitional deacon for the Legionaries of Christ by Archbishop Renato Boccardo on June 29 at the Legion’s Center of Higher Studies in Rome along with 22 other young men.
Deacon Frederick is the son of Fred and Linda Keiser and the late Barb Keiser from St. Francis of Assisi, Wichita. Fred was the former director of youth and young adults for the Diocese of Dodge City and had taught at St. Mary of the Plains College.
After moving to Wichita, the family was members of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Schulte. Shortly after that, Frederick entered Immaculate Conception, the order’s apostolic school in New Hampshire in July 1996.
He furthered his studies in Salamanca, Spain where he professed his first vows on August 15, 2001. Deacon Frederick professed his final vows in Connecticut on September 1, 2007.
He and some of his fellow seminarians began a YouTube ministry of educational and humorous videos explaining the Catholic faith while studying theology in Rome. More than 20 of the videos can be found at www.thebrothersinblack.
In August, Deacon Frederick will report for his first assignment Santiago, Chile, where he will work in youth ministry. His priestly ordination will be Dec. 14, 2013 in Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. During his visit back to Wichita in 2014, he will offer two Masses of Thanksgiving for family and friends.
Superintendent addresses Catholic school
curriculum, common core standards
By Bob Voboril
Reprinted with permission from the Wichita Advance.
A Catholic school curriculum prepares students for the here and now – and for the hereafter. The aim of a Catholic school is to help students understand God’s purpose for them in this life (their vocation) on this earth and to prepare them for their destiny with God in eternity. The two go hand in hand. Schools prepare students for their vocation in life which typically means a family, continued education, and a career, but Catholic schools accomplish that goal mindful that students are destined to stand before God accountable for the gifts God has given them.
A Catholic school curriculum begins with its mission. In the Diocese of Wichita, the mission of Catholic education is to form disciples of Jesus Christ. Every course offered, indeed every action taken, must be consistent with that mission.
The mission is supported by a distinctively Catholic philosophy (beliefs) and core values. This philosophy, always consistent with the mission, explains the principles upon which the school is operated. The core values describe the primary outcomes of a Catholic education. In the Diocese of Wichita, those core values are unity, faithfulness, stewardship, and scholarship.
Dodge City man ordained priest to Legion of Christ in Rome
(Click on READ MORE below for an essay written by Father Keiser, LC)
Rome, Italy – Frederick Keiser of Dodge City was among 31 men ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 14, 2013 in Rome at the basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, C.S.
Of the 31 new priests, eight are American and one is from Canada. The others are from Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, Columbia and Chile.
Father Keiser was born on May 31, 1983, in Dodge City. He entered the Legionaries of Christ as a novice in Cheshire, Connecticut on Sept. 15, 1999, to move after to the noviciate at Salamanca, Spain, where he studied Classical Humanities. He has a degree in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Ateneum Regina Apostolorum. He has been a member of the team of formators of Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, and the Directorate General of the Legion. He currently serves as the youth minister in Santiago, Chile.
The Legionaries of Christ are a religious Congregation of priests, of pontifical rite, founded in 1941 in Mexico. Members of the Legion include four bishops, 932 priests and some 900 religious in preparation for the priesthood.
On the Legion’s website, www.ordenaciones.legionariosdecristo.org. Father Keiser and the other newly ordained priests were asked to share the moment that they felt the call to enter the priesthood.
Deadline nears for Year of Faith scout patch
Four months left for scouts to earn popular patch
Click on the patch for requirements.
Less than four months remain for Catholic scouts to earn the Year of Faith Scout patch, according to Tim Wenzl, a representative for the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Dodge City.
“As the end of the Year of Faith approaches, we want to make sure that scouts who intend to participate in this religious activity program complete the requirements by Nov. 24,” said Wenzl.
“The number of patches is limited and adult leaders should reserve their numbers while they are still available.”
Thus far, scouts from the dioceses in Kansas, as well as scouts from 11 states have earned the Year of Faith scout patch.
“It has been interesting to see how wide spread the interest has been for this Catholic scouting activity,” Wenzl said. “Scouts in New York, South Carolina, Montana and Hawaii, and many Midwest states are already wearing this patch.”
The Year of Faith scout patch can be earned by boy scouts, girl scouts, and adult leaders by completing a series of requirements developed for particular age groups. There are requirements for scouts first through fifth grades; sixth through 12th grades, and for adults. The requirements can be found online at www.dcdiocese.org
Patches can be ordered by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by writing: Year of Faith Scout Patch, Diocese of Dodge City, P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801. Patches cost $5.00 each. Checks should be payable to the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Please reserve number of patches needed and provide the date of awards presentation.
Knights of Columbus become Santa for
dozens of families for 25th year
Imagine getting a red fire truck for Christmas,
delivered by a big red fire truck...
LIBERAL -- For 25 consecutive years, Knights of Columbus Council 3381 of Liberal became Santa’s for dozens of families across the region.
The Knights’ annual Toys for Tots collection brought together a host of volunteers to organize and prepare hundreds of donated gifts for nearly 100 homes in Liberal, Satanta, Sublette, Meade, Tyrone, Turpin and Beaver.
Jana Widener, whose husband, Sam has been in the Knights for more than two decades, explained that the Knights’ bingo helps raise money for the toys, and that many toys are donated from the community.
Needy families fill out an application, including the name and age of their children and what they might want for Christmas.
Volunteers, who are not given the names of the families, wrap the presents, place them in a marked black bag, and then deliver them to the homes. This year, area firefighters donated their time and trucks to help make the deliveries. It’s not difficult to imagine the joy of a child after receiving a red fire truck delivered by red fire truck.
In past years, the Knights have delivered toys to more than 250 homes.
College Connection: Diocese helps connect
27 students with campus ministry
By DAVID MYERS
Southwest Kansas Register
It can be somewhat intimidating to go off to college: leaving home for the first time; saying goodbye to family and friends; suddenly living in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar people.
By connecting new students with the school’s Catholic Campus Center, the Diocese of Dodge City “College Connection” program offers students a firm, faith foundation on which they can start their college life.
Michelle Wehkamp of Ingalls recently finished her first year at Kansas State University. Upon her arrival in Manhattan, she became involved at St. Isadore Parish, which serves the Catholic student community. Eventually, she would be attending a weekly Tuesday night rosary followed by Mass, 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, and a Thursday night praise and worship gathering.
Obituaries
Obituaries Policy: The SKR makes every effort to include obituaries for all Catholics who lived and died in the Diocese of Dodge City. The information provided to the Register varies greatly in detail. If you notice that an obituary has been omitted, something is incorrect, or you have additional information you’d like included about your loved one, please contact Dave at (620) 227-1519, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The SKR will make every effort to accommodate you. The SKR never charges for obituary listings, but must edit for space.
|
Felix Herrman, Bronze Star recipient, dies at 87 Felix Herrman, 87, of St. Joseph Parish, Liebenthal, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit. He was born on December 26, 1925, in rural Rush County near Liebenthal, Kansas, the son of John L. and Katherine (Weber) Herrman.
|
Walter N. “Walt” Fleischmann, 70, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Church, Great Bend, died Dec. 15. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. Survivors include his wife, Darlene; two sons, Kevin and Barry Fleischmann; two daughters, Theresa Cregger and Gloria Fleischmann; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Mike Fleischmann; and one sister, Cordelia Fleischmann. Father Donald Bedore presided.
Melvin Patrick Kaiser, 83, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Church, Great Bend, died Dec. 18, 2013. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 862. Survivors include three sons, Steve, Jim, and Stan; two daughters, Marcie Liebl and Sharon Feist; a sister, Mary Lou Ehrlich; two brothers, Jack and Gerald; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Father Ted Stoecklein presided.
Maxine M. Junger, 92, of Holy Rosary Parish, Medicine Lodge, died Dec. 18, 2013. She is survived by her husband, Arthur “Art” Junger; two sons, John and Eric “Rick” Junger; one brother, Kenneth Knoettgen; and several nieces and nephews. Father Firmin Kyaw presided.
John Loibl, 87, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. He was a 3rd Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 2955. Survivors include his wife, Liz Herrmann; three children, Barbara Loibl, Nancy Robertson, and Gregory Loibl; a brother-in-law, Lawrence Herrmann; sisters-in-law, Henrietta Schulte, Sister Barbara Ann Herrmann, Clara Schmitt, and D’Nelle Greenstreet; two grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Father Terrance Klein presided.
Hazeltene “Babe” (Driscoll) Schremmer, of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Hoisington, died Dec. 19, 2013. She was a member of the St. John Altar Society. Survivors include a son, Virgil Schremmer; two daughters, Miriam Wilborn and Marcia Schremmer; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Madison and Nolan Wilborn, Avery and Livvy Brewer, Chandler, Chase and Boston Bloomer, Tyler and Trammer McGuire and Taylor Pickering. Father Bob Schremmer and Father Anselm C. Eke presided.
Robert Lee Wolfe, 66, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Dec. 19, 2013. He was a 3rd Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 2955. He served in the United States Marine Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant and serving 2 tours in Vietnam. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Barry; his son, Michael; his daughter, Tiffany Carr; two brothers, Richard “Dick” Wolfe, Jr. and and Tim Wolfe; a sister, Diane Miller; and a grandson. Father Terrance Klein presided.
Harold Lee Smith, 84, of Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, died on Dec. 19, 2013. Mr. Smith served his country in the United States Army during World War Two and then in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Survivors include nine children: Gary Lee Smith, Mona Magyar, Pancho Smith, Gertrude Summey, Teresa Williams, Rose Schultz, Morris Smith, Steve Erb-Smith, and Joe Smith; a brother, Melvin; a sister, Mary Jo Bradford Van Buren; 40 grandchildren, 14 step grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; 17 step great-grandchildren; 11 step great great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Agnes Marie (Oberle) Hickel Hickey, 92, of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Hoisington, died Dec. 22. She was a member of the Altar Society and the Daughters of Isabella. Survivors include four sons: Michael, Kenneth, Dennis and Ron Hickel; four daughters: Janice Nichols, Agnes Sheridan, Nancy Dimina, and Mary K. Rupe; two step-daughters: Ruth Berens and Patricia Schultz; two brothers: Victor Oberle and Paul Oberle; two sisters-in-law: Evelyn Cox and Catherine Demel; 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren. Fathers Anselm Eke and Father Pascal Klein presided.
John Leslie Fitzsimmons Jr., 58, of St. Ann Parish, Olmitz, died Dec. 23, 2013. Survivors include his loving wife, Kay; his mother, Ella Marie Born; one son, John Matthew Fitzsimmons; one daughter, Leslie Nicole Fitzsimmons; two sisters: Susan Fitzsimmons and Cindy Ball; a granddaughter; brother Kevin Stetler; nieces, Heather Wooten and Miah Ball; and nephews, James Anderson, Will Anderson, Broc Ball, Cody Stetler, Zach Stetler and Michael Stetler. Father Ultan Murphy presided.
Jeanetta A. Dargel, 85, of St. Joseph Parish, Greensburg, died Dec. 21, 2013. Survivors include: a son; two daughters; a sister; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Elmer Grubbs Jr., 82, of St. Anthony Parish, Lakin, died Dec. 25, 2013. He and his parents, Elmer and Flossie Wesson Grubbs, and sister performed as the “Sulpher Springs Hillbillies” for area dances and on the local radio station. For more than 30 years, he and his wife, Mary, played in various bands performing at nursing homes, senior centers and numerous school and community events. In addition to his wife, survivors include four children, Mary Lang, Patsy Hough, Dennis Grubbs, and Julie McCombs; a daughter-in-law, Helen Grubbs; a brother, Kenneth Grubbs; two sisters, Ralphie Harrod and Peggy Gamblin; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Juanita Hurley, 88, of the Cathedral of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Dec. 25, 2013. She is survived by siblings Phyllis Osborne, Blanche McCarty-Gibbs, John Davis, and Thelma Hammonds; sons Michael, Bradley, and Richard Hurley; daughter Jerolyn Mock, son-in-law Lewis Mock, daughter-in-law Micki Hurley; two granddaughters and a great-grandson Cyan Putnam. Father Terrance Klein presided.
Patricia Delatorre, 33, of St. Anthony Parish, Liberal, died Dec. 19, 2013. She is survived by her parents, Doroteo and Maria (Rivera) Delatorre; a son, Ramon S. Hernandez; two daughters, Natalie Portillo and Jackie C. De La Torre; and two brothers, Hector Gabriel De La Torre and Francisco De La Torre.
Jayce Elon Ibarra and Jasper Rey Ibarra, twin brothers, age one, of Sacred Heart Parish, Pratt, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. They are survived by their parents, Ramon and Destry two brothers, Alex Ibarra and Aiden Crow; their maternal grandparents, Don Chalker, Selena Chalker and Bill McDonald; paternal grandparents, Maria and Domingo Ibarra; maternal great-grandfather, Clyde Phelps; paternal great-grandmother, Sara Ibarra; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Father Floyd McKinney presided.
Robert Martin Ryan Jr., 56, of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Liberal, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Shawna Condit; two sons, Joseph and Thomas; two daughters, Ann Ryan and Amy Cifuentes; one brother; five sisters; and one grandson, Silas Cifuentes.
Homero L. Esquivel, 70, of Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Ulysses, died Dec. 27, 2013. Survivors include two sons, Homero Esquivel Jr., and Henry Esquivel; three daughters, Isabel Esquivel, Angielee LeNeve, and Andria Mondragon; four sisters, Betrice Cruz, Santos Medellin, Rita Castillo and Juanita Martinez; 13 grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Pauline C. Durler, 89, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Dec. 29, 2013. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the Altar Society. Survivors include three sons, Jerome, Maurice, and Kevin; daughter, Ethel Schneweis; son-in-law, Steve Nufer; two sisters, Elizabeth Ackerman and Sister Ancilla Schawe; 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Father Ted A. Skalsky presided.
Jose Juan Guzman Rodriguez, 31, of Sacred Heart Parish, Ness City, died Dec. 29, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Abigail Rodriguez; three children: Jose, Miriam and Betsabe Guzman Rodriguez; his mother Maria Del Rosario Rodriguez; four brothers, Osvaldo, Pedro, and Ezequiel, and Rolando Guzman; and his sister Santa Guzman.
Lucian “Curly” Hessman, 92, of Windthorst, died Dec. 28, 2013. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his brother, Henry Hessman and his sister, Adeline Hessman. Father Ted Skalsky, Father Rene Labrador and Deacon Dwaine Lampe presided.
Teresa Sue Valles, 47, of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Dodge City, died Dec. 31, 2013. She was born May 24, 1966, to Barbara (Jones) Baray. Teresa is survived by her husband, Artemio Valles; three daughters, Brooke Benavente, Sonya Barron, and Rachael Corona; two sons, Misael Valles and Jose Adrian Barron, Jr.; eight grandchildren; her mother, Barbara Baray; and three sisters, Brenda Hernandez, Julie Esparza and Elena Molina. Father Ted Skalsky presided.
Maxine (Whisennand) Robebeaux, 74, of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Elkhart, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014. Survivors include three daughters; Joan Sanders, Patricia Woodward, and Andrea Robertson; three brothers; Joe, Jon and Jack Whisennand; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Douglas Lorson, 55, of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima, Great Bend, died Jan. 3, 2014. Survivors include his brother, Duke; sisters: Pam Coleman and Virginia McCartney; nieces, Jill and Brooke; and nephew, Grant.