St. Joseph House of Formation partnership success

The St. Joseph House of Formation was established by the Diocese of Wichita in 2017 as a program for seminarians during their first two years of college on their journey to priesthood.

The House of Formation’s successful first year has led to a decision to extend the program from two years to three. The young men in the program will continue to study at Newman University throughout the entirety of the three-year program.

Father Michael Simone, Diocesan chancellor and director of the St. Joseph House of Formation, said, “The decision (to extend the program) was based upon two factors: current successes of the program and ability to provide future quality formation for our seminarian candidates.”

Seminarians in the program begin their bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Newman University and are housed at a former rectory at St. Joseph Parish in Wichita.

Having a local program of formation is important for the Diocese, and being able to directly expose the seminarians to parish ministry is very beneficial to their seminary experience.

By extending the program, seminarians will have more time to form a closer relationship with their bishop, Bishop Carl A. Kemme. The decision to extend the program was made in collaboration with Kemme and those working directly with the House of Formation.