Dear Our Lady of Lourdes parish family,
I spoke with Bishop Kemme on Tuesday, May 21st and wanted to share some news with you as a result. I will be moving on from Our Lady of Lourdes at the end of June to begin a new assignment. Bishop has asked me to take on these three new roles: Priest Assistant to the Bishop, Assistant Master of Ceremonies for the diocese, and part time Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral. I will leave Our Lady of Lourdes at the end of June to begin this assignment on July 1st.
Thank you for all the ways you have supported me. You will always have a special place in my heart as my first parish family. It was a blessing to be assigned here as a deacon in the summer of 2020; I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to return here as your priest! These have been the best three years of my life and I owe that to you. There are both feelings of sadness and peace in my heart as I prepare to leave our parish.
I was not able to announce this news personally at some of the Masses this weekend as I had committed to being the Master of Ceremonies for Fr. Jesus Banuelos’ First Mass. However, I look forward to thanking you in person through the rest of the month of June.
You will remain in my daily prayers. Please continue to pray for me too!
In Christ, through Mary,
Fr. Chris
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
As we shared earlier in the month, Fr. Labenz is leaving Pittsburg and Our Lady of Lourdes parish. He will be going to Church of the Resurrection in Wichita and his replacement will be Fr. Jon Tolberd. Fr. Chris is also leaving Pittsburg/Our Lady of Lourdes this summer and going to Wichita. He will be the Priest Assistant to the Bishop, Assistant Master of Ceremonies for the diocese, and part time Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral. His replacement will be newly ordained Fr. Caleb Kuestersteffen. Please join us in celebrating them both at the Parish Block Party on June 8th from 6:30-9pm in the St. Mary's Colgan Fieldhouse lawn.
Coming to a back porch near you! Join us tomorrow on “Porch Time with the Padres” for our special guest - (soon to be) Fr Jesus Banuelos!
DEADLINE TO SIGNUP IS FRIDAY 5/17
🫧Catholic Kids Camp 2024: SCUBA diving into friendship with God!
June 11-14 from 9am-12pm
Registration is open! Camp is open to PreK4-4th grade students.
Student volunteers (5th-11th graders) are needed.
More info at OLLsmc.org/CKC
This summer we will welcome a soon-to-be Ordained Deacon to our parish. Below is a message from Mr. Grant Huslig:
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes,
My name is Grant Huslig, and I will be assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish as a newly ordained deacon this summer. I am both grateful and excited for this opportunity to be with you all as I begin ordained ministry.
I grew up in Andover, KS with my two older sisters and one younger brother. After graduating high school, I went to KU and K-State to study chemical engineering, hoping to go to medical school one day. However, our Lord had other plans, and through the help of His Mother, I realized He was calling me to seminary back in 2019. I have been so blessed to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Wichita, and it is my hope to share those blessings with you this summer as a deacon.
Please pray for me. Know of my prayers for you.
Grant Huslig
05.15.24
A reminder that our last 11:30am school Mass for this school year was celebrated yesterday, May 14th.
There will be no 11:30am weekday Mass today nor for the rest of the summer. We will resume this Mass time in mid-August 2024, once school is back in session.
05.14.24
Dear OLL and SMC/SME parish and school family,
This past weekend, I met with Bishop Kemme regarding his plans for my future. He has decided to reassign me this coming summer. While the location is yet to be finalized, he did tell me that I would be moving on from OLL/SMC. I announced this news to our JH & HS students this morning at Mass and to our SME students following their afternoon rosary.
This has honestly been the best five years of my life. We have a tremendous parish and school, so many amazing families and parishioners, and such a great group of students. What an amazing blessing it has been to be a part of this incredible school and parish family! Thank you for all the love and support you have shown to me throughout my time here!
Please keep me in your prayers today and these next few weeks!
Fr. Labenz
Please join us in wishing Fr. Labenz a fond farewell at our Parish Block Party on Saturday, June 8th from 6:30-9pm in the SMC Fieldhouse lawn.
Porch Time Preview: Nick Dellasega talks about Fr Kapaun and how this future saint miraculously saved his life!
Registration is now open for Parish Totus Tuus at Our Lady of Lourdes!
1st-6th grade: July 22-26 from 9AM-3PM
7th-12th grade: July 21-25 from 6:30PM-8:45PM
Location: SME Commons
Cost: $10/child or max of $25/family of 3+ children to cover cost of snacks, drinks, activities
Volunteers needed! More information coming soon.
🫧Catholic Kids Camp 2024: SCUBA diving into friendship with God!
June 11-14 from 9am-12pm
Registration is open! Camp is open to PreK4-4th grade students. Student volunteers (5th-11th graders) are needed. More info at OLLsmc.org/CKC
SMC is currently taking applications for a HS Chemistry, Physics and Earth/Space Science for the 24-25 school year. More info online at OLLsmc.org/careers
Also, various coaching positions are available. If interested or for questions please contact conradt@ollsmc.com.
CAUGHT! Stewardship in Action! Several of the guys on our grounds ministry took advantage of the beautiful weather to give our parish office area some TLC. Thanks guys! We appreciate you!!
04.05.24: Fr. Chad, Welcome to the Back Porch!
Fr. Chad Arnold, a true OLL/SMC Legend, joins the Padres to discuss his favorite memories of Pittsburg and to share his philosophy of youth ministry.
Listen on your favorite podcast app or at OLLsmc.org/porch-time
SAVE THE DATE: 10th Annual OLLsmc H.O.P.E. Auction will be Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Planning will begin in the next few month. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the auction, please email Jess Nicholson at nicholsonj@OLLsmc.com
An Easter Sunday On The Back Porch
Happy Easter!! The Padres are joined once again by Fr. Derek to discuss the legitimacy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
OLLsmc.org/porch-time
Reminder, the parish office is closed on Good Friday (3/29) and Easter Monday (4/1).
We will be open on Tuesday, April 2 at 8am.
🫧 SAVE THE DATE! Catholic Kids Camp will be June 11th-14th!
8am-Noon daily
Get ready to dive into friendship with God!
More information will be swimming your way in mid-April. 🫧
"Porch Time with the Padres" is so close to a milestone 10,000 listens! Let's show the Padres how much we appreciate all their hard work and hit 10,000 by Easter! Share this post/the podcast with everyone you know! Encourage them to listed. Let's GOOO!!
www.ollsmc.org/porch-time
Easter Sunday Mass at SPX/Newman Center will be at 9am (EF). There will be no other Masses at SPX on Easter Sunday.
03.26.24 - NEW Job Posting!
SME is seeking a part-time School Counselor.
More details online at OLLsmc.org/careers
