The Southwest Register April 24, 2011 Page 9 Dechant Foundation receives grant to establish the Msgr. George A. Husmann Fund for the Preservation of Church History

Special to the Register Msgr. Husmann’s pastorates he Dechant Foundation has received a included: St. Joseph, Ashland, with T$50,000 grant from the Msgr. George St. Mary’s, Sitka (1947-49); St. Husmann trust to establish a fund for the Lawrence, Jetmore, with St. Antho- preservation of church history in the Dio- ny, Hanston (1949-53); St. Joseph, cese of Dodge City. Scott City (1953-56); St. Rose of “We Catholics are blessed to have a 2,000 Lima and St. Patrick, Great Bend; year history of our faith,” stated (1956-69); Sacred Heart, Larned John B. Brungardt. “This grant will assist (1969-70); St. Dominic, Garden us in preserving the wonderful 60 year (and City (1970-76); Sacred Heart Ca- counting) history of our Catholic Diocese thedral, Dodge City (1976-84), and of Dodge City.” St. Helen’s, Hugoton (1984-91), “Word of this grant was both a surprise, where he built a catechetical cen- but a fitting coincidence,” said Tim Wenzl, ter. archivist for the Diocese of Dodge City. “I He was named papal chamber- wrote my first history book for Msgr. At left is Msgr. George Husmann. Above, lain by Pope John XXIII on May 8, Husmann in 1982 when he was at Tim Wenzl presents Msgr. Husmann with 1959, and elevated to the rank of Sacred Heart Cathedral. Now, the estab- the first copy of “Mission to Cathedral,” the domestic by Pope Paul VI lishment of this fund, in his name, will centennial history of Sacred Heart Cathe- on Oct. 14, 1964. Msgr. Husmann support archival research, writing, and the dral parish in 1982. Nearly 30 years later, retired in 1991. He died Dec. 27, preservation projects in the diocese.” Wenzl continues to write books for parishes 1993. “I really enjoyed getting to know celebrating milestone anniversaries. The fund honoring Monsignor,” Wenzl said. “He was an Husmann is an open memorial. adventurous person. He was a pilot and documenting the discoveries I make. This church. The parish named the church St. Others wishing to assist in supporting he loved to fly. There would be summers grant really affirms the value of Church George to honor their first pastor. historic research projects in Msgr. Hus- when he would help out in Alaska and fly history in our diocese.” He also served as an assistant at St. mann’s name, can do so by writing: The to small villages to bring the sacraments Msgr. Husmann was born Jan. 14, Mary’s Cathedral, Wichita (1945), and Monsignor George A. Husmann Fund to the people. He also served as chaplain 1916, in Fowler. He was ordained St. Joseph, Andale (1945-47). Between for the Preservation of Church History, for the Kansas National Guard. He was May 30, 1942, by Bishop Christian H. these two assignments he was adminis- c/o The Dechant Foundation, Diocese of a priest with a wonderful sense of humor Winkelmann in St. Anthony Church, trator for St. Michael Parish in La Crosse Dodge City, PO Box 137, Dodge City, and a hearty laugh. Fowler. for six months in 1945. KS 67801. “I am grateful for the opportunity he During his assignment as an assistant gave me almost 30 years ago when he at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Windthorst asked me to write the centennial book (1942-45), he was charged with establish- for his parish. I’ve been writing parish ing a parish in Bucklin. He secured an old histories ever since that time and I enjoy oil field shack which was converted into a Page 10 April 24, 2011 The Southwest Kansas Register Misa del Crisma y la bendición de los santos óleos l 14 de Marzo, represent- La Liturgia de esta Misa cele- Eantes de las parroquias de bra la dignidad de todos los que la Diócesis se reunieron en la se han convertido en discípulos Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Cristo por el bautismo y la de Guadalupe para la Misa de unción. Reunirse en la unidad Crisma y la bendición de los del pueblo sacerdotal de Dios santos óleos. para la consagración del crisma, Los santos óleos están a todos se les recuerda que na- íntimamente ligados con los die responde a este llamado solo rituales sagrados de la Iglesia o por su propio esfuerzo. Católica. El Aceite de los En- Esta Misa de Crisma presta fermos se utiliza para la unción atención al sacerdocio ministe- de los enfermos; el Aceite de rial de los ordenados que renue- “La Liturgia de esta Misa celebra Catecumenos se utiliza para los van sus promesas sacerdotales bautizos; y el Aceite de Crismo dentro de la liturgia. La Iglesia la dignidad de todos los que se han se utiliza para los sacramentos nos enseña que el sacerdocio or- convertido en discípulos de Cristo de Bautismo, Confirmación denado está al servicio del sac- Orden Sacerdotal y para la erdocio de los bautizados: para por el bautismo y la unción. Re- dedicación de una iglesia o de fortalecer, santificar y enseñar unirse en la unidad del pueblo sac- un altar. para que el pueblo de Dios erdotal de Dios para la consagración La Misa de Crisma junta a la fortalezca, santifique y enseñe diócesis alrededor del Obispo al mundo en el que vive, en sus del crisma, a todos se les recuerda antes de comenzar el Triduo, familias, escuelas, lugares de que nadie responde a este llamado para que representantes de las trabajo, actividades deportivas parroquias reciban y lleven a y pasatiempos, política, en- solo o por su propio esfuerzo.” sus parroquias los santos óleos volvimiento en la comunidad y At left, volunteers pour the blessed oils into y el sagrado crisma que serán más allá. small containers for representatives to take necesarios para la celebración Después de la Misa, se sirvió back to their parish. Above, participants bow de los ritos de iniciación en la un lonche en el Fellowship Hall. their heads in prayer prior to the reception Pascua. dinner. The jubilarians “Gracias al Señor por Padre Rene Guisnier, está celebrando cincuenta años como sacerdote; ye Padre Maurice Cummings, está celebrando cuarenta años. Y tambien Deacono Gil Rael, está celebrando treinta años como diacono. Jesús los ha bendicido a ellos, y a nosotros!” “The Lord has blessed them, and us, with his gift of ordained ministry these many years. Thank you!” -- Obispo/Bishop John B. Brungardt

Fathers Rene Guesnier, OSB, Maurice Cummings, O.Carm, Bishop John B. Brungardt, Deacon Gil Rael, and Bishop Emeritus Ronald M. Gilmore

Father Rene Guesnier, O.S.B. Father Maurice Cummings, O.Carm. Deacon Gil Rael 50th Anniversary 40th Anniversary 30th Anniversary Ordained: Sept. 21, 1961 Ordained: May 13, 1971 Ordained: May 9, 1981 enedictine Father Rene Guesnier has served as armelite Father Maurice Cummings has served as eacon Gil and his wife, Jo, moved to the Diocese of Dodge Bpastor of his home parish, St. Francs Xavier, Cpastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ashland since 2002. DCity from Colorado in 2007. He served as a Catholic chap- Seward, since 1995. He also serves Holy Spirit Station in Coldwater. lain for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department for 22 years Father Rene returned to the Diocese of Dodge City Father Cummings came to southwest Kansas in 1987 before the couple moved to Great Bend. after several pastoral assignments in and when he joined the faculty of St. Mary of the Plains In 2008 Deacon Gil was assigned to liturgical ministry at St. serving with the Archdiocese of the Military as a College in Dodge City. At SMPC, he was an associate John Parish at St. John; and chaplaincy work at Larned State chaplain for 20 years. He was pastor of St. Boniface at professor of English, chair of the English Department, Hospital and Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility. He Sharon from 1993 to 1994 and then parochial vicar at and chair of the Humanities Division. He taught at the served at St. John for one year before Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore St. Rose of Lima, Great Bend from 1994 to 1995. college until it closed in 1992. asked him to devote his time fully to the chaplaincies at Larned. In 1995, he was appointed to the pastorate at Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman appointed him pastor Deacon Gil provides weekly communion services for the dif- Seward. The next year, he received an additional of St. Lawrence, Jetmore; St. Anthony, Hanston, and ferent units in both facilities and meets with individual patients assignment as pastor of St. John Parish at St. John. Holy Rosary Burdett, for one year. In 1993, Father and inmates when requested. He was pastor of both parishes until 2007. While Cummings was reassigned by his religious order as Deacon Gil was recently recognized for his work at LCMHF other assignments were made for the St. John parish, director of the Mount Carmel Christian Life Center and named Volunteer of the Year form 2011. He will be honored Father Rene has continued to this day in the pastorate in Williamstown, Mass. He served in that assignment in the near future in Topeka. (see the Southwest Kansas Register, at Seward. until returning to the diocese in 2002. April 10, 2011, issue at www.dcdiocese.org/register).

The Southwest Kansas Register April 24, 2011 Page 11 Sacred Mass of Chrism: ‘These oils remind us of Jesus ... the anointed One’ “This anointing strengthens the person, as he/she prepares to be baptized, to become a Catholic, to receive the faith of Jesus Christ. A second oil, the sacred chrism, is also used in another anointing during the baptism rite.” At left, Bishop Brungardt blesses the holy oils. At right, students help him explain the oils during his homily. Below, right, Gertrude Jones sits with alter servers prior to the Chrism Mass. Below, left, a child looks admiringly at her father during the Mass. These and nearly 170 more color photos from the Mass can be downloaded free of charge at dcdiocese.org.

David Myers/SKR Photos

he Sacred Mass of Chrism, April 14 at years,” Bishop John B. Brungardt said. the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy renew their commitment to priestly ser- Tthe Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadal- “Thank you! Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I vice,” the bishop explained as the children upe in Dodge City, is a celebration heaped “In the Chrism Mass, the bishop of have commanded you,” one student read. took their seats. “Each year we rededicate upon celebration. the diocese consecrates the chrism and “A catechumen is one who prepares ourselves as priests of Jesus’ new cov- There is the blessing of the holy oils, blesses the oil of catechumens and the oil for baptism,” the bishop explained as the enant. This commitment takes sacrifice, after which they are taken back to parishes of anointing of the sick,” Bishop Brungardt children sat around the table holding a humility, compassion, unconditional love, by representatives to be used throughout told those gathered. “These oils will be large flask of oil. “The blessing occurs and a grateful heart.” the liturgical year. On May 28, this oil taken by representatives of each parish to before the baptism itself, with the words, Also honored at the Chrism Mass were will be used to anoint Deacon Don Bedore their respective parishes, to be used in the ‘We anoint you with the oil of salvation those who volunteer to serve in Natural when he is ordained to the priesthood at sacramental life of the church. These oils in the name of Christ our Savior; may he Family Planning and Fertility Ministry the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. remind us of Jesus, whose name is Christ, strengthen you with his power.’ for the Diocese: Kate Siegfried of Garden There was the renewal of priestly com- meaning ‘the anointed One.’ “This anointing strengthens the person, as City; Claire and Mike Albert of Spearville; mitment by the priests, in which nearly “These holy oils will be used in four sac- he/she prepares to be baptized, to become Barbie and Brad Flax of Dodge City; all the priests of the diocese stood and raments in the diocese. In the sacraments, a Catholic, to receive the faith of Jesus Kathleen and Steve Arnold of Johnson announced their continued commitment divine life is given to us. The sacraments Christ. A second oil, the sacred chrism, is City; and Mindee and Wally Limon of to serving God and His people. signify and make present graces from also used in another anointing during the Liberal. And it was an honoring of the jubilarians God.” baptism rite.” The Mass was also a celebration of the -- Father Rene Guesnier, OSB, 50 years As the bishop often does, he called The bishop processed with the children work of Remigius Ekweariri, Gayleen a priest; Father Maurice Cummings, O. children forward who were prepared with to where the other oils stood, each time a Bernal and Amber Withington, members Carm., 40 years a priest; and Deacon Gil special readings to help him explain the child reading scripture verses before the of the “NaPro” committee at Saint Cath- Rael, 30 years a deacon. oils. bishop explained the significance of the erine Hospital in Garden City. “The Lord has blessed them, and us, with “Go, therefore, and make disciples of oil. Following Mass, everyone gathered in his gift of ordained ministry these many all nations, baptizing them in the name of “After my homily, the priests assembled the social hall for a dinner reception. Page 12 April 24, 2011 The Southwest Kansas Register Instruments of God’s peace St. Isidore/KSU youth spends spring break at Ronald McDonald House

By SHELBY DANIELSEN Special to the Register Editor’s Note: Shelby is a junior at Kansas State University. etween going down slides, creating Bhamburgers out of play-dough, piecing together crafts and playing the Toy Story memory game, I ultimately gained a newfound respect for my mother. “As much fun as that was, children are exhausting; I don’t know how she did it with four!” I thought to myself. While volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house in Omaha, as a part of St. Isidore’s spring break mission trip, I found myself growing humble among the children that sur- rounded me. One moment they are “As I scanned the room, I noticed that every family running around outside and climbing with a hospitalized child was bearing a smile. I could up jungle gyms, and the next, they are beside me at dinner, replacing their toys feel God’s presence in the room. They were all filled with feeding tubes and oxygen tanks, with faith, hope and love in a more extraordinary way yet their enthusiasm for life remained. than I had ever experienced.” -- Shelby Danielsen As I scanned the room, I noticed that every family with a hospitalized child was bearing a smile. I could feel God’s presence in the room. They were all filled with faith, hope and love in a more extraordinary way than I had ever experienced. My pitiful concerns about homework crumbled. This was a house of unity, overwhelming with support and encouragement. A Saudi Arabian father traveling back and forth between countries in order to give his daughter the proper care, with a wife and three kids still back home. A teenage girl arriving for her first night in order to treat a brain infection, with her senior prom looming in the next weekend. A three-year-old girl sitting next to Clockwise, from top, left: After cooking dinner, Matt David, Isidore’s Mission Trip Volunteer group at the Sacred Heart me, eating the same food I was eating, junior at K-State, poses with a young resident of the Ronald (from top left to right) Steve Seiler, Sophie enjoying the same dessert, but lacking McDonald house in Omaha; Sophie Mans stocks shelves for the Mans, Matt David, Shelby Danielsen, Kaley Hagemann, Claire something. That something being her Sacred Heart food pantry; Autumn Kidwell, Shelby Danielsen, Thiessen, Sarah Hemmen, Autumn Kidwell, Sara Gudde, Sister small intestine, which means she does Matt David, Maria O’Halloran, Sarah Hemmen and Sophie Beverly Carlin, Maria O’Halloran. not receive any of the nutrients or pro- Mans sort files for the Omaha, Catholic Charities Center. St. teins that we do from food. “I suddenly felt like I complain for Kids. O’Halloran said, “is that there are many inspiration as they continue to shine the too much,” said Matt David, a junior We then worked in the food pantry at kinds of poverty, and poverty is all around light of Christ so brightly into the lives of in mechanical engineering and St. Sacred Heart Ministry Center. We painted, us – even in our own neighborhoods. One many through their service. This trip had a Isidore’s volunteer. “I felt inspired to organized shelves, cooked meals, walked doesn’t have to travel far to find a need, lasting impact on me, and I hope the same disregard any difficulties I may have individuals back with their groceries and our trip to Omaha, which is just a few is true for all participants.” in my life for the sake of living to the to their cars or homes, handed out sack hours away, really illustrated this point for In the end, we were the ones giving fullest.” lunches, cleaned out the garage and sorted our group. After returning home, we hope thanks – with every individual feeling A few days later, a girl in our vol- clothing items. that many of the students involved will that “lasting impact”. The poverty we unteer group realized she had left her As our group split into two separate choose to volunteer in their own communi- had witnessed did not define the people bracelet at the Ronald McDonald house. groups, we were each able to spend an ties.” of Omaha, Nebraska. For, we had en- As we went back for the bracelet, one evening working with Catholic Charities. When our group gathered together for countered the kindest and most selfless of the little girls came forward, drawing With a mountain of folders to sort through a final prayer service as our mission trip people along our journey, who were rich the bracelet from her pocket. She had and organize, we were able to accomplish concluded, we felt the bittersweet mood in their faith and left us inspired to serve been carrying it with her all along, not our task while having the pleasure of get- fill the air. The service opportunity, the fel- as they serve. With the utmost gratitude, even knowing if we would return, just ting to know the employees of Catholic lowship we found in each other, the faith we thank them for dedicating their lives in the hopes of personally returning it Charities. that was deepened and the lives that were to service. They are truly angels here on and giving one last hug. Her happiness We were also given the opportunity to touched left us in awe of God’s miraculous Earth, and we were lucky enough to serve was contagious. tour Boys Town, visit a nursing home, work. beside them, being used by God as instru- Throughout the week, our group, volunteer at a homeless shelter, and attend “I can’t say enough about how im- ments of peace. led by St. Isidore’s Campus Minister several Catholic churches throughout the pressed I was by our students’ generous, As Father Flanagan, the founder of Boys Maria O’Halloran, spent time scrub- Omaha area. willing, and positive attitudes throughout Town, once said, “The work will continue, bing bathrooms, painting benches and “One of the major realizations we had the entire trip,” says O’Halloran. “They you see, whether I am there or not, because cleaning out closets at the Hope Center during this trip,” Campus Minister Maria are not only a joy to be with, but also an it is God’s work, not mine.”