About Church of the Resurrection · Wichita, Kansas
Church of the Resurrection is a Roman Catholic parish in northeast Wichita, Kansas, formed in 1965 by Bishop Leo Byrne to serve the growing Catholic communities of northeast Sedgwick County, including Bel Aire, Kechi, Park City, and northeast Wichita. The parish describes itself as 'a Catholic Community, united in the Eucharist, living as disciples of Christ, through the practice of Stewardship.' Worship is centered on a rich liturgical life that includes weekday and weekend Masses, regular confession, and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and it is paired with a parish school (Resurrection Catholic School, PreK-8) that has grown alongside the parish from 55 founding families in 1965 to over 627 families in 2025.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- The Resurrection of the Lord (Easter)
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew J. Labenz
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
Parishioners are welcomed into a community that lives as disciples of Christ through the practice of stewardship, with spiritually rich liturgies, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and a thriving parish school. There is a wide range of ministries — Knights of Columbus, OCIA, youth and adult formation, a Young Adult Group, Respect Life & Social Justice, bereavement ministry, Walking with Moms in Need, The Lord's Diner service, the Women's Book Club, and more — so newcomers can find meaningful ways to serve, form friendships, and grow in faith.
Mass times at Church of the Resurrection
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes prior to each weekday Mass
- Saturday 3:00-4:00 pm
- Wednesday 6:00-6:20 pm
- Anytime upon request: 316-744-2776
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — call the Parish Office for more information
Our History
Church of the Resurrection Parish was formed in 1965 by Bishop Leo Byrne to serve the communities in northeast Sedgwick County, including Bel Aire, Kechi, Park City, and northeast Wichita. The church and rectory were built and dedicated in 1966. The parish has grown from 55 families in 1965 to over 627 families in 2025.
- 1965 — Parish formed by Bishop Leo Byrne
- 1966 — Original church and rectory built and dedicated
- 1992 — Resurrection Catholic School opens with K-2
- March 30, 1997 (Easter Sunday) — Groundbreaking for new church
- July 19, 1998 — New church dedicated; old church converted into school space
- 2009 — 8-classroom school addition built
Pastor History
The parish's official website lists each pastor of Church of the Resurrection from 1965 to the present. The founding pastor was Msgr. Thomas McGread, followed by 11 successors. Fr. Paul Coakley — now Archbishop Coakley — served here from 1995-1998 before the new church was dedicated.
- 1965-1968 — Msgr. Thomas McGread
- 1968-1976 — Robert Larson
- 1976-1985 — Fr. Thomas Scaletty
- 1985-1989 — Fr. George Kruzick
- 1989-1995 — Msgr. William Carr
- 1995-1998 — Fr. Paul Coakley (now Archbishop Coakley)
- 1998-2001 — Fr. Sherman A. Orr
- 2001-2007 — Fr. Kenneth Schuckman
- 2007-2011 — Fr. Sherman A. Orr
- 2011-2018 — Fr. James F. Weldon
- 2018-2024 — Fr. Michael J. Schemm
- 2024-present — Fr. Andrew J. Labenz (current pastor)
Our Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Andrew Labenz (Pastor) and Deacon Luke Meyerhoff, supported by an administrative, music, and communications team.
- Father Andrew Labenz — Pastor
- Deacon Luke Meyerhoff
- Beth Ryland — Parish Secretary
- Jacquie Kempf — Administrative Assistant & Stewardship Coordinator
- David Dondlinger — Director of Music
- Sarah Betzen — Communications Director
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Resurrection serves every age: children through PSR and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, youth preparing for sacraments, adults through OCIA, and a vibrant Young Adult Group for ages 21-35.
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The Parish School of Religion is a Sunday morning catechetical program for K-12 students, especially recommended for public and homeschool students. Classes are held from 9:45-10:45 am on Sunday mornings in the Resurrection Catholic School building. Registration is $15 per child or $30 per family. First Confession and First Communion are offered annually, with Bishop Kemme returning the following year for Confirmation.
- K-12 grade-specific classes, 9:45-10:45 am Sundays
- First Confession & First Communion offered annually
- Confirmation conferred by Bishop Kemme
- PSR Coordinator: Lydia Loehr — 316-200-2239, [email protected]
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
OCIA is the universal process established for individuals to become Catholic and receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist). Formal sessions begin in September and continue through Easter, meeting on Tuesdays at 7 pm. The team includes sponsors, catechists, and hospitality volunteers.
- Tuesday evenings beginning in September, 7 pm
- Open to inquirers and returning Catholics
- Contact: [email protected]; Dana Williams 316-993-2345; Hannah O'Farrell 316-993-2345
Young Adult Group (YAG)
The Resurrection Young Adult Group is a welcoming community for parishioners between the ages of 21-35. Through faith and fellowship, members build community with the young adults of the parish. They meet the last Wednesday of every month from 7-9 pm, mostly at Fr. Labenz's rectory with occasional off-site meetings.
- Ages 21-35
- Last Wednesday of each month, 7-9 pm
- Contact: Mary Rose Weber — [email protected]
Resurrection Catholic School
Resurrection Catholic School, located adjacent to the church at 4900 N. Woodlawn, opened in fall 1992 with kindergarten through second grade and grew one grade per year to a full PreK-8 program. The school is accredited through the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The mission is to educate children in the Catholic faith and in life skills, fostering the development of students' spiritual, intellectual, and social abilities.
- PreK-8 enrollment ~204 students; 14 teachers; 15:1 student-teacher ratio
- Address: 4900 N. Woodlawn, Wichita, KS 67220 — 316-744-3576
- Accredited through NCEA
- Current Principal: Kelly Bright (2022-present)
- Past principals: Dana Rausch (1992-1996), Sr. Marietta Conrardy (1996-2001), Thomas Heiman (2001-2007), Jamie Finkeldei (2007-2011), Thomas Angelo (2011-2015), Kori Heiman (2015-2022)
- 2009 — 8-classroom addition added
Service to Parish & Community
Resurrection has a robust set of ministries serving both the parish and the wider Wichita community, from men's and women's faith groups to outreach to those in need.
Parish Ministries
Parish-based groups include the Knights of Columbus, Kapaun's Men, Regnum Christi Women, the Young Adult Group, the Women's Book Club, and the Church Ladies Study Group, alongside Bereavement Ministry and stewardship roles.
- Knights of Columbus — Council meets 2nd Thursday, 6:30 pm (Michael Gordon, 316-737-3823)
- Kapaun's Men — prayer, formation, and discussion for men
- Regnum Christi Women — Mon evenings 7 pm in Magdalen room
- Bereavement Ministry (Archie Macias 651-7933; Jean Macias 617-3502)
- Resurrection Women's Book Club (Kelly Mysza 720-206-7877)
- Church Ladies Study Group (Lisa Bowser 619-8549)
Community Outreach
Outreach ministries put faith into action around Wichita — including Respect Life work with Bishop Kemme, supporting The Lord's Diner, food pantry deliveries, Meals on Wheels, and Walking with Moms in Need.
- Respect Life & Social Justice (Greg & Kelly Davied 210-6547) — monthly Rosary for Life, 2am Saturday Adoration, Mass for Life with Bishop Kemme; organizes March for Life, Warming Souls, Rally for Life, and Life Chain
- The Lord's Diner — Resurrection serves on the 1st Friday of every month (Laura Hand 207-6963)
- Food Pantry Deliveries to St. Patrick's Food Pantry (Shirley Luebbert 644-6810)
- Weekend Meals on Wheels — 4 weekends/year, Sat & Sun mornings (Paul Brokaw 371-1156)
- Walking with Moms in Need (Grace Krizek 617-7964)
Contact & Visit
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday and Friday 8:30 am-12:30 pm, and Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 am-4:00 pm. Resurrection also keeps an online parishioner registration form for those wishing to formally join the parish.
- Address: 4910 N Woodlawn, Wichita, KS 67220
- Phone: 316-744-2776 — Fax: 316-744-3027
- Email: [email protected]
- Fr. Labenz's email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon & Fri 8:30 am-12:30 pm; Tue-Thu 8:30 am-4:00 pm
- New Parishioner Registration forms available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Thomas McGread1965-1968
Founding pastor
- Robert Larson1968-1976
- Fr. Thomas Scaletty1976-1985
- Fr. George Kruzick1985-1989
- Msgr. William Carr1989-1995
- Fr. Paul Coakley1995-1998
Now Archbishop Coakley
- Fr. Sherman A. Orr1998-2001
First pastor of the new church
- Fr. Kenneth Schuckman2001-2007
- Fr. Sherman A. Orr2007-2011
Returned for a second term
- Fr. James F. Weldon2011-2018
- Fr. Michael J. Schemm2018-2024
- Fr. Andrew J. Labenz2024-present
Current pastor