SEPTEMBER MONTHLY NOTES 2026
From Most Rev. John B. Brungardt, Bishop of Dodge City
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From Sr. Janice Grochowsky, CSJ, JCL, Chancellor
Official Catholic Directory – It will soon be time for the annual updating of your parish information on the Official Catholic Directory portal. Sometime later in September the contact persons of each parish and entity will receive an email from OCD. If a contact person is new to the process, they will need to following the directions provided to register in order to gain access to the OCD portal in order to update parish information.
Sacramental Records Training – As always, if there are any new staff or volunteers tasked with recording sacraments and/or creating sacramental certificates, please contact me (620-227-1527 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to set up a mutually agreeable time for me to come to your parish for training.
From Fr. Jacob Schneider, Chair Presbyteral Council
Presbyteral Council
For Notes of the August 18 Presbyteral Council meeting, click HERE. We welcomed Fr. John Stang as a newly-appointed member of the council. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17.
Georgina Paz, Director of the Curia
Position Available: Curia Intern
January – July 2027
A full-time internship is available from January 2027 to July 2027.
More information about the position can be found on the diocesan website at this link Employment
Interested applicants can complete the application form found below and submit it to Emma Webs, Director of Youth Ministry and Religious Formation, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For a full position description, you may also contact Emma.
https://www.dcdiocese.org/images/stories/documents/Employment-Application-2026.pdf
From Fr. John Stang, Director Priestly Vocation Promotion
From the Finance Office
- The FYE Questionnaire Links
- School Internal Control 2026
- Parish Internal Control 2026
The questionnaire and fiscal year financial statements are due by August 14th.
Please contact us with any questions.
From the Safe Environment Office
From Mason Eck, Director of Development
Proclaim 365- Thank you for your participation. If you need additional Proclaim 365 materials or have any questions, please be sure to contact me. Mason Eck, Director of Development, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 620-213-0276
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5).
From Sonya Cooksey, Donor Relations & Communications Coordinator
From Diana Ramirez, Director of Matrimony, Family Life & NFP
PREPARE ENRICH
Few of us are ever taught the skills needed to navigate marriage well. Some couples benefit from having a safe, facilitated space where they can slow down, talk openly, listen to one another, and learn practical skills that strengthen their relationship. The exercises we learned through our training are designed to do just that. We use them with couples in the marriage preparation process as we review their assessment results, but these same exercises can also be valuable for couples who are already married.
Consider using Prepare Enrich with married couples who come to you seeking help with their relationship. By facilitating the exercises in the workbook you received during training, you can give couples a structured opportunity to have important conversations, practice healthy relationship skills, and begin building a stronger marriage. All exercises can be found in your workbook and online!
Please let me know if you need help logging in or locating the materials on the website.
iTHIRST INITIATIVE
ADDICTION is a defining crisis of our time. It’s a problem that affects countless individuals, families, parishes, and dioceses across the country, and leads to a range of serious physiological and mental health problems. Ultimately, however, the desolation, abandonment, and guilt that define the addicted life are in many ways spiritual problems that require a spiritual remedy.
SPIRITUAL COMPANIONS Your iTHIRST Spiritual Companions, are available for private, confidential, and anonymous discussions intended for spiritual consolation and guidance to navigate the challenges of addiction for you or someone you love. These confidential discussions can be in person, on the phone or through video conferencing.
*These are not professional counseling sessions and are not intended to replace them.
To schedule a session contact: Office of Matrimony, Family Life & Natural Family Planning- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (620) 227-1546
Catholic In Recovery support groups
Find a Meeting - Catholic in Recovery
Virtual Conference- Reclaiming Our Belovedness, A Catholic Response to Addiction
2026 Summit - Catholic in Recovery
JOIN US LIVE on Facebook to pray for those facing mental health and addiction struggles.
Every Tuesday in September at 10 am in English and 10:30 am in Spanish.
ENGAGED ENCOUNTER
For more information and to register please visit:
https://dodgecity.engagedencounter.com/
Retreat in Spanish:
October 17-18, 2026- St. Patrick’s, Plains.
NFP INTRODUCTORY SESSIONS
Sun. Sep. 6th, 2026- Chancery Office (in Spanish) 6 pm
Tue. Sep.8th, 2026- Zoom 7 pm
Registration:
https://www.jotform.com/form/202755828904160
For more information about NFP methods visit: https://www.dcdiocese.org/nfp.
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RETREAT
This retreat consists of talks about the Christian Calling, the Sacrament of Matrimony, Intimacy, Living the Faith in the Home, and Forgiveness. It allows time for couple and group reflection questions, lunch, opportunity for confessions during a time of adoration and may conclude with Mass.
If you are interested in offering a retreat like this at your parish, please contact me and we can explore how it can be adapted to your parish's particular needs.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (620) 227-1546
From Eric Haselhorst, Director of Stewardship
- Publish stewardship reflections focused on recognition, not requests.
- Coordinate with PSR, Confirmation, and school leaders to use stewardship language.
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Pray using upcoming Sunday Gospels, focusing on gratitude and joy.
From Coleen Stein, Director of Adult Formation
Adult Formation
Pastoral Ministry Formation
Fall 2026
THEO 4023
Theology and Methods of Ministry
Instructor: Fr. Robert Schremmer
Class Times: Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14
Saturday Mornings - 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Location: This course is offered over Zoom. To be in a Zoom class, one will need a computer with a microphone and camera.
Cost: 3-hour course for credit - $150.00
3-hour course for enrichment - $75.00
THEO 4881
Women in Scripture
Instructor: Trish Keller
Class Times: Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29
Tuesday Evenings - 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: This course is offered over Zoom. To be in a Zoom class, one will need a computer with a microphone and camera.
Cost: 1-hour course for credit - $50.00
1-hour course for enrichment - $25.00
THEO 4023
Theology and Methods of Ministry in Spanish
Instructor: Fr. Manuel Chavez
Class Times: Aug. 23, 30, Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
Sunday Afternoons – 3:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Location: This course is offered over Zoom. To be in a Zoom class, one will need a computer with a microphone and camera.
Cost: 3-hour course for credit - $150.00
3-hour course for enrichment - $75.00
THEO 4881
Women in Scripture in Spanish
Instructor: Krysthell Castillo
Class Times: Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22
Sunday Afternoons - 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location: This course is offered over Zoom. To be in a Zoom class, one will need a computer with a microphone and camera.
Cost: 1-hour course for credit - $50.00
1-hour course for enrichment - $25.00
Adult Formation
Tuesdays with the Diocese
Fall 2026
Grow Deeper
Presented via Zoom
Free of charge
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
October 6 - The Second Vatican Council
Why lay ministry?
Presenter - Fr. Frank Coady
The vocation “crisis” of the last 50 years has brought about a blossoming of lay ministry in the Church. Ordained ministry will always be essential to ecclesial life, but priests and deacons today experience their ministry in a spirit of collaboration with various other ministers. Indeed, bishops rely on lay ministers to help them accomplish the Church’s mission of being Christ for the world. In the same way that St. Paul identified and felt supported by multiple ministries in the early Church, this variety of ministries has enriched the Catholic community in recent years.
October 20 - Youth Walking with our Youth
Presenter: Emma Webs
Jesus commissions us all to "make disciples" (Mt 28:19). An often overlooked yet crucial first step in forming disciples is listening. Inspired by the risen Christ on the Road to Emmaus, we will discuss how we can support the young church through practical listening skills, community life, and pastoral care.
November 3 - Synodality
The Human Library
Presenters: Debbie Snapp & Doug Keller
The Human Library is a place where real people are on loan to readers. A place where difficult questions are experienced, appreciated and answered. Debbie Snapp will share her story of a severe allergic reaction that became what she describes as her near-death experience. Doug Keller will share a powerful witness of faith and second chances through the life-changing journey of a heart transplant.
Sign up: dcdiocese.org/af 
From Dave Myers, Southwest Kansas Catholic Editor
See SKC deadlines here: Deadlines (dcdiocese.org)
Thanks so much for the terrific photos sent in by your parish. I'm trying to run more issues in full color, though I have to limit them to 16 pages.
I continued to find events on parish Facebook pages that could have benefitted greatly from being freely advertised in the SKC. With our deadlines in mind, please consider sending the upcoming parish event information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I'll turn it into a free Happenings Listing.
Same goes for photos. Please continue to send photos for use in the "Around the Diocese" section. I've received many compliments on the pages!
Check out the full color, 100 (or thereabouts) page online SKC! Because it's reformatted on 8.5 x 11-inch pages, people can easily print a page that might be of special interest to them.
From Emma Webs, Director of Youth Ministry and Religious Formation
Trina Delgado, Superintendent of Schools
Annual Pastor-Principal Meeting
September 10 @ the Catholic Chancery, Dodge City
Principals, 10 AM - Pastors to join at 11:15 (Lunch for all at 12:15 PM)
October Principal Meeting - Oct. 13 @ 10 AM, Catholic Chancery
Diocesan Teacher Institute Day - Oct. 30, COLG
Vocations Day - Nov. 6, COLG (5th Grade only) 9:45-1:45 PM
November Principal Meeting - Nov. 10 @ 10 AM, Catholic Chancery
Executive Officer, Scholarships for Catholic Schools, Inc.
What is a Low Income Tax Credit Scholarship?
A Low Income Tax Credit Scholarship is an educational program that allows individuals and corporations to receive state tax credits for donating to private, non-profit Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These SGOs then use the funds to provide scholarships for eligible low-income students to cover private school tuition, fees, or educational expenses. The Scholarship Granting Organization that collects the donated funds and distributes them in the forms of scholarships to students in our Catholic Diocese of Dodge City is Scholarships for Catholic Schools, Inc.
Do each of our diocesan schools have students receiving Tax Credit Scholarships?
Yes. During the 2025-26 SY 56 diocesan students received scholarship funding thru our Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). For the 2026-27 SY we could potentially double the amount of students who qualify for a Low-Income Tax Credit Scholarship.
What do donors receive in exchange for a contribution to our SGO Scholarships for Catholic Schools, Inc.?
Donors to Scholarships for Catholic Schools, Inc. receive a 75% STATE income tax credit on their eligible donations. 10 million $$ is set aside for tax credits in the state of Kansas. They are awarded on a first come - first serve basis. In the tax year 2025 the state ran OUT of tax credits to be awarded to eligible donors.
What are the GUIDELINES for students to receive a scholarship through this program?
Students must reside in Kansas, have a family income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and must have attended a public school in the prior year. Scholarships are awarded to students entering grades K-12.
For more information - Visit our SGO website at https://www.dcdiocese.org/scholarships-for-catholic-schools-inc or phone 620-227-1513
From Debbie Snapp, Catholic Charities
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to remind one another that no one has to face difficult moments alone. Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas offers Telehealth Behavioral Health Services, making compassionate counseling accessible to individuals and families throughout our region without the need to travel.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out for support can be an important first step. To learn more about Telehealth counseling or schedule an appointment, call 620-227-1562.
English Language Training
Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas offers English Language Training to help immigrants and refugees build confidence in their English communication skills and navigate daily life in their communities. Classes provide a welcoming environment where participants can strengthen their language skills while building connections and becoming more independent.
If you or someone you know could benefit from English language training, contact Catholic Charities at 620-272-0100 or 620-227-1562 to learn more about classes and availability.
Executive Secretary to the Bishop
Confirmation Schedule 2026-2027.
LTP-Orders
It is time to order Workbooks, Liturgical Year Calendars, Sourcebooks, At Home With the Word, and Visiting the Sick and Homebound from Liturgy Training Publications for 2027. If interested in these or any other LTP materials, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
By placing your order through the Diocese, your parish will receive a 35% discount.
ClickHERE for Liturgy Training Publications Inventory.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
2026
September 11- Dechant Foundation Golf Classic
September 12- Mass/Celebration for the 75th Anniversary of the Diocese at the Cathedral
December 5 - Mass/Celebration for COLG 25th Anniversary and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of the Diocese) at the Cathedral