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KAPAUN MT. CARMEL C A T H O L I Winter 2012 A quarterly newsletter celebrating our former students and present supporters Mount Carmel Academy • Chaplain Kapaun Memorial • Kapaun Mt. Carmel Pastors Day at KMC On January 19, we were pleased to welcome Bishop Michael O. Jackels and many priests of the Diocese of Wichita to Kapaun Mt. Carmel for Pastors Day. We invited all of the pastors and associate pastors of the parishes to which our students belong, and were pleased that so many of our beloved priests of the diocese were able to join us. The festivities began with our January all-school Mass with Bishop Jackels presiding. Including KMC chaplain Fr. Aaron Spexarth, the Mass was concelebrated by ten priests from various parishes around the area; several other priests joined us following Mass. With the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Wichita being funded through the generous stewardship commitments of the faithful of the diocese, Bishop’s homily appropriately focused on the value of the education KMC H I G S C O L students receive. He reminded them of their own stewardship commitments, and encouraged them to thank their pastors, parents and fellow parishioners for the significant sacrifices they make to support Catholic education. Following Mass, each of the priests had time to meet with the students of his own parish. Various priests used the time to informally visit with their students, to administer a quick religion quiz, to remind them of their stewardship commitments, etc. It was apparent that all of the priests and the students enjoyed their time together. During that same period of time, our non-Catholic students met with assistant principal Chris Bloomer to discuss their experiences at Kapaun Mt. Carmel and how we might make it an even more welcoming environment in the future. As the students returned to the routine of their class schedules, the priests met with KMC administrators and other staff members in the Crusader Lounge. We provided updates on such topics as liturgical opportunities offered on campus, academic options and student achievements, extra-curricular activities, a profile of our faculty, and financial/funding results. The priests asked many good questions, and we had an enjoyable conversation. Prior to leaving KMC, the priests were treated to a wonderful lunch buffet prepared by Denise Unruh and her Crusader Café staff. I am told that a similar event was held a number of years ago prior to my arrival on the scene. With the positive feedback we’ve received from Bishop Jackels and the priests of the diocese, we certainly plan on repeating Pastors Day at KMC in future years, making it an annual event. As I often tell individual priests of the diocese, we are all in this Catholic educational system together (it is important to remember that there is no tuition for Catholic students whose families are living their stewardship commitments at their parishes). Pastors Day at KMC continued on next page 1 Pastors Day (continued from page 1) office of development presented a great opportunity to remind everyone in our school community about the support we receive from the pastors and their parishioners, and the blessing that our Annual Fund Catholic educational system truly is. Many thanks to all who have made gifts so far to the 2011- 12 KMC Annual Fund. I am especially grateful to those We look forward to the 2nd Annual Pastors Day at KMC who received calls during the Fall Phonathon and made next year! pledges to our student volunteers. Thanks also for the feedback you have given regarding our students who called. More than 100 members of our student body were involved in the Fall Phonathon, a new record, as for two weeks they Mike Burrus ‘73 “took over” the KMC commons, from which they placed President their calls and completed their paperwork. Thank you, Crusaders! To date we have raised nearly $190,000 toward our goal of $300,000 for this year, including gifts from more than 300 of our alumni. Won’t you please help? I would ask three things of our alumni: • Consider making a tax-deductible gift to Kapaun Mt. Carmel through the Annual Fund. • Using facebook, email, or word of mouth, challenge other members of your class to do the same. • Start a friendly competition with other classes to participate in the Annual Fund. If you would like help organizing your class, please call me at (316) 636-9612 or email me at [email protected]. On-line giving is available again this year through the KMC website at www.kapaun.org. The link to on-line giving is on the KMC home page. Installment payments are available for your gift as well should you elect to spread your gift out over time. Wouldn’t this be a great time to grab your credit card, jump on to the web and make that gift to your school? Call me in the Development Office at 316-636-9612 if you have any questions or need assistance. Again, thank you for your support of this important effort. Reunions A number of classes have started work on their class reunions for this summer. If you class year ends in “2” or “7”, this year is a reunion year for your class. Reunion Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School’s mission is “to educate and form the total per- son in the image of Jesus Christ.” The school is committed to continuing its long tradition of excellence in academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities within the contest of Christian and moral formation. Kapaun Mt. Carmel is now accepting enrollment applica- tions for students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2012-13 school year. We invite both our fellow Catholics and our brothers and sisters of other denominations to join our school community. We are fully accredited by the State of Kansas and North Central Asso- ciation. Detailed information about the school and our programs can be found at www. kapaun.org. For additional information regarding the enrollment process please call Mike Burrus at 316-634-0315. 2 office of development planning is already underway for a number of reunions we are webcasting other basketball events this winter, this summer, as detailed elsewhere in this edition of Quest. especially the home games, and also are webcasting select More information is available on the KMC website at www. wrestling duals as well. The complete calendar is on the kapaun.org. Once on the home page, check the Quick KMC webcast page. Links box for Class Reunions, and then find your class to learn the status of reunion planning for your group. The monthly talk show, KMC Live, will air throughout the rest of the school year on the final Wednesday of each The new KMC commons will be available for use by all month. Mark your calendar now to either join us on reunions for their big party, if they choose, during the KWLS if you are in the Wichita metro area, or live on the summer, and catering is available from Denise Unruh and internet via the KWLS home page. The link is on the KMC the Crusader Café staff, or you may cater in from outside. home page. The program runs from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, and is hosted by Phil Gillen, the radio voice of the Kapaun Mt. Volunteers are needed to coordinate reunions for all Carmel Crusaders. classes. If you would like to help, please let me know. You do not need to live in Wichita to help! We are grateful to KWLS 107.9-FM, for their continued partnership with KMC. We wish to especially thank Phil Alumni Gatherings Gillen for all of his hard work during the year. Alumni Gatherings are being held in several locations this spring. The tentative schedule is as follows: Thank you, Amy Smith Please join me in congratulating our Development March 14— Dallas, TX (University of Dallas) Assistant for the last four years, Amy Smith, as she prepares March 28— Lawrence (St Lawrence Center, KU) to leave KMC for a new assignment. Amy will be assisting April 11— Manhattan (St. Isidore’s Catholic Center, KSU) in development and special event planning at Catholic April 13— Phoenix, AZ Charities of Wichita. April 14— Denver, CO May 12— Kansas City Metro Area Amy has done great work for Kapaun Mt. Carmel during her four years with us, and she will be missed. At the same More information about the alumni gatherings is available time, we know that the Diocese of Wichita will continue on the KMC website. Check the link under alumni to benefit from her efforts as she takes on her new duties gatherings. in February. Grandparents Day March 6 Thanks, Amy, and best of luck! Our annual Grandparents Day celebration is Tuesday, On behalf of all of us at KMC, have a great year! Thanks for March 6. Grandparents of current KMC students and of all you do for KMC! alumni are welcome to join us for a morning of activities at KMC. Grandparents will be our special guests at an all- Cordially yours, school Mass in the new gym, followed by a reception in their honor provided by the KMC Parents Club. Invitations have been mailed to grandparents or you may access one Kevin Arkin on the KMC website under “Development/Alumni,” and Director of Development the page for Grandparents Day. Attention: Girls Soccer Alumni! Crusaders on Radio Our broadcast partner, KWLS, 107.9-FM is broadcasting Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 24 at 3:00 all KMC Friday night basketball games again this year.