Evening Prayer — Humilitas
During the homily, Bishop-elect Kemme spoke of humble beginnings as one of six children of Donald and Marita Kemme, raised on the family farm in Shumway where chores were carefully apportioned to each. More than several references were made about older and younger brothers jockeying for which chores to claim. Gentle and knowing laughter from family members and the assembled faithful followed each reference.
"Those chores that displeased me most confirmed my life's vocation," said Bishop Kemme. "Our family farm served as the best seminary. It prepared me to become a shepherd of the faithful of Wichita."
Bishop Kemme returned frequently to the theme of humble Illinois farmland roots during evening prayer and the day that followed. It was in keeping with the episcopal motto he adopted, Humilitas, the Latin word for humility and in deference to his namesake, St. Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan in the mid-1500s on whose coat of arms the word appeared.
Day of Ordination — Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
Crisp Kansas spring temperatures and a bracing wind accompanied abundant sunshine Thursday, May 1 as pre-ordination activities got under way.
At Bishop Kemme's request, a "simple, yet substantial" meal of bread and soup was served at The Lord's Diner, a diocesan mission that has provided daily hot meals for more than 2 million people in need since its founding 12 years ago by Bishop Emeritus Eugene J. Gerber. Bishop Gerber presented the incoming bishop with an official Lord's Diner apron. To the delight of the crowded dining room, Bishop Kemme donned the apron to blend in with those worn by volunteers and Lord's Diner staff who served as cooks, hosts and servers at the event.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that ailing Francis Cardinal George was able to make the long journey from Chicago to join the gathering for lunch and fully participate at the later ordination of Bishop Kemme
Cardinal George said came to know Bishop Kemme exceedingly well several years ago.
"I quickly recognized his (Kemme's) marvelous qualities as a pastor and as an administrator during his service to Springfield," said Cardinal George, referring to the period when then-Msgr. Kemme served as diocesan administrator following the departure Bishop George J. Lucas to be archbishop of Omaha, until the arrival of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki in 2010.
Cardinal George was only a few days beyond his latest chemotherapy treatment to combat a reoccurrence of cancer. When asked, the cardinal put his condition and the special day in perspective.
"I have good days and bad days. Today is a good day."
Bishop Kemme paid special homage to Cardinal George, the archbishop of Chicago, for always being especially helpful during his term as diocesan administrator.
"He took me under his wing," Bishop Kemme said. "For that, I am eternally grateful."
The Mass of Episcopal Ordination
More than 950 guests filled the Cathedral in anticipation of the Mass of Episcopal Ordination where diocesan organizers reminded the faithful that the rite was in keeping with the "mission of the bishop in the proclamation of the sacred truth which the apostles were charged with at the Ascension."
Majestic instrumentals and sacred music sung in English, Spanish and Vietnamese by the choir of the Cathedral and musicians of the Wichita diocese filled the century-old cathedral as prelude to the Mass. Honor guards consisting of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Wichita and Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher from Wichita and Springfield dioceses led a long procession of archbishops, bishops, abbots and attending priests from Wichita, Springfield and other dioceses. An estimated 50 priests from the Springfield diocese participated in the ordination Mass. Close friends and seminary classmate Father Chuck Edwards, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Highland, and Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki of Jefferson City, Mo. served as chaplains to Bishop Kemme.
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas was the principal ordaining bishop. In later remarks, Bishop Kemme said that the first phone call he received Feb. 20 (after the call informing him of his appointment) was from Archbishop Naumann to assure him that "ordaining you this spring will be my highest priority."
Of special significance were the two men who served as co-ordaining bishops: George J. Lucas of Omaha and Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield.
Bishop Kemme served as chancellor and later vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Springfield diocese under the Bishop George J. Lucas prior to his appointment as archbishop of Omaha. After his aforementioned stint as diocesan administrator, Bishop Kemme continued to serve Bishop Thomas John Paprocki as vicar general and moderator of the curia.
Bishop Kemme acknowledged two other friends and bishops in attendance who began their ministry as priests of the Springfield diocese: Bishop Emeritus Victor Balke of Crookston, Minn., and Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, CA.
Seminary classmate, Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice of the Archdiocese of St. Louis also came in for heartfelt thanks from his longtime friend and now fellow bishop.
"Thinking back over those years together, how we could have never predicted all of this, for sure, I thank you Bishop Rice for the fine example you give as a priest and as a bishop."
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, read Pope Francis' proclamation appointing Carl Kemme as the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Wichita.
Father Allen Kemme, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle in Newton and cousin of the bishop, and Marlene Mulford, chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois presented the first of the bishop's insignia, the ring, a gift to the new bishop from Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.
Jocelyn Garcia and Christian Straughter, young first communicants from Wichita parishes, present their new bishop with the miter. And the Fathers James Roth and Patrick Kotrba, the oldest and youngest priests respectively of the Wichita diocese presented Bishop Kemme with the crosier, the universal symbol that portrays the bishop as the shepherd of his flock in Christ.
After the laying on of hands by Archbishop Naumann and other ordaining bishops, and the application of the holy chrism, Bishop Kemme took his place in the cathedra, the chair used only by the bishop, as the new shepherd of the people of the Wichita diocese.
And the people greeted their new bishop with thunderous and sustained applause.
"Indeed my cup overflows with gratitude to God for all that he has done for this lowly servant of his," said Bishop Kemme. "The many blessings that have come my way because of God's particular generosity to me fill me with deep humility and devotion. My family, especially my parents, my dear friends who have come along on this unique and altogether surprising journey of my life, my faith through baptism, confirmation, and holy Eucharist, wherein I live each day as an adopted son of our heavenly Father, my priesthood, a share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, my ministry now as a bishop, and last but not least, this local church where I will serve, live, grow in faith, and God willing eventually die, having fought the good fight, have completed the race, whenever it will be God's desire to call me into eternal life."
Public Mass
Wichita's new bishop returned to the Cathedral Friday morning, May 2, for his first public Mass. Having earlier declared the day one of "thanksgiving," Bishop Kemme decreed that the diocese's Catholic schools be closed and chancery employees given the day off to spend with their families. It appeared that many took the opportunity to attend the 9 a.m. Mass. Of particular note to out of town visitors was the tremendous outpouring of affection young people and school-aged children had for their new bishop. They sang loudly and participated fully in the Friday morning Mass.