Pastor's Corner

Well...

When I was discerning the priesthood, I imagined the sacrifices I would make with great
zeal. Living simply, going wherever the bishop sent me, even facing rejection or
persecution—it all sounded rather heroic.

What I never considered was how often I would have to say goodbye. If you stay in one
parish long enough, your priest friends move away. Since my ordination in 2004, I have
lived with 15 different priests, including one of them three different times. So yes, Fr.
Marco's departure is a real loss, and I know many of you feel it too.

That said, I really am excited to have Fr. Miles and Fr. Kyle here. They are eager to
serve, willing to jump in wherever needed, and simply fun to live with. We're building
good habits of community life—daily prayer, shared meals, and a weekly fraternity night.
(And thank you to everyone who feeds us. We are much holier after dinner.)

Of course, every new assignment requires some adjustment. Fr. Miles doesn't like
cheese, which still seems canonically questionable. Fr. Kyle enjoys watching
professional table tennis, which I have recently learned is considered a real sport. And I
graduated from high school before either of them was born, a fact they are kind enough
not to mention too often.

Jesus calls us not only to love God but also to love one another, especially those
closest to us. Love means making room for another person, learning from our
differences, and seeking each other's good.

God doesn't build His Church by putting together people who are alike. He builds it by
teaching very different people to become brothers.

St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

13 July 2026

by M.T. Lu, University of St. Thomas (MN)

“Our country, right or wrong,” Commodore Steven Decatur famously declared his loyalty
to the United States. This notoriously American sentiment has long been regarded as
an expression of unthinking nationalism.

But how should American Catholics think about patriotism?

St. Thomas Aquinas explains that we owe honor to our parents and country (patria)
because they are “principles of our being and government.” Who we are, and our
understanding of the good, substantially derives from them.  

Obviously, we owe a great debt to our parents. Not only did they beget us, but they also
raised and formed us. Just as a good ruler governs the state for the sake of the
common good, good parents “govern” their children by shaping them to desire and
pursue what is authentically good. Our obligations to our parents involve acknowledging
their rightful authority, which exists for the sake of that same good. Thomas says our
duty to parents is directly parallel to our natural moral obligation to God.

Like our parents, God is a “principle of being and government” for each of us. Of course,
God is the primary principle, and so our obligations to Him outweigh any other, including
our duties to our parents.

As already noted, we have two secondary principles of being and government: our
parents and also our country. Our nation educates and shapes us in much the same
way that our parents form us. Therefore, just as we have natural duties to God and our
parents, we have analogous duties of patriotism to our civil communities. 

Of course, it is one thing to see that we have duties of patriotism in general, and quite
another to know exactly what they require. I know it would be wrong to abandon my
country in her hour of need, but does honoring the flag require me to accept any given
policy the government might choose to advance? Prudence is required, and we cannot
articulate ahead of time simple rules that will easily resolve the many difficult questions
that arise. But just as my duty to honor and respect my parents remains even if they are
flawed or imprudent or even occasionally maddening, the honor and respect owed to
my country does not depend on who is in charge or whether I happen to like or dislike
their policies. 

So, in one very important sense, Commodore Decatur was correct: as Americans, she
is our country, right or wrong, and we are called to honor her. However, we cannot let a
legitimate love of country blind us to injustice. As Catholics, then, we are called to the
hard work of making her more right than wrong, even while knowing that task will never
be complete. 

Read the full version of this and a series of articles at https://www.usccb.org/american-
catholic-patriotism

shared by Fr. David Marstall, Pastor 

01 July 2026

We often take it for granted, but it was revolutionary when Jesus taught us to call God “our Father.” Although the Old Testament contains a few passages in which God refers to Israel as His children, that was not the primary way the Jews thought about their relationship with Him. For many, God was above all the Almighty One—holy and utterly different from anything in creation.

Jesus, however, taught us to call God Abba. This Aramaic word is perhaps best translated as “dad.” It is neither as formal as “father” nor as childlike as “daddy,” but a term of affection used by both children and adults.

Calling God “Father” helps us understand who He is. He gives us life, provides for our needs, guides us with wisdom, and loves us with tender compassion. At the same time, calling God “our Father” reminds us that we never approach Him alone. Jesus called God “My Father” because He is the only-begotten Son. We are God’s children by adoption through our union with Christ and His Church. Whenever we pray, we come before God as members of His family.

Calling God “Father” also sheds light on the role of earthly fathers. Popular culture often portrays fathers as bumbling and ineffective. In reality, many men embrace their vocation to reflect God the Father’s love within their families. They work hard to provide for those entrusted to them, seek to grow in faith, and help form their children. Men who pray sincerely develop a faith worth sharing and can lead their families toward Christ, even if doing so feels awkward at times.

Today, take a moment to thank the fathers and father figures in your life who strive to answer that call. Through their love, sacrifice, and example, they help us understand a little more clearly what it means to call God our Father.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

16 June 2026

When Fr. Jirak first came to Magdalen, he gave a homily that greatly impacted the
parish. At that time, the adoration chapel schedule was far from full. He spoke about the
importance of spending time with our Eucharistic Lord and challenged parishioners to
commit to one hour of adoration each week. Lives changed.

When people pray more regularly and deeply, they allow Jesus to heal their hurts,
strengthen their relationships, and guide their decisions. Time with Jesus prepares them
to encounter Him more fully at Mass and gives them courage to live their faith more
boldly.

While the chapel is large enough for regular adorers, it can become congested at times.
There has also been interest in allowing small groups or classes of children to stop in
together for prayer.

Expanding the chapel was originally considered during the For Greater Glory campaign
but did not make the final list of projects. Later, during the diocesan campaign, it was
included as one of two parish projects funded by the portion that remains with the
parish, along with a porte-cochere for the church’s south entrance.

The original proposal would expand the chapel physically. Since we raised only about
40% of the funds needed for the two projects, we are exploring ways to increase the
capacity of the chapel without expanding its footprint.

Most importantly, the goal of any changes to the chapel is to foster deeper prayer for
more people. It can be difficult to imagine how a renovation might feel in practice, but
we are experimenting with a few temporary arrangements and gathering feedback. It is
a little disorienting to enter the chapel and find things moved around, but I am confident
the short-term sacrifice will lead to a better long-term decision. Soon, however, we will
return the chapel to its original arrangement.

Nothing has been finalized, and I appreciate the feedback we have received. Above all,
the goal is to foster deeper prayer and to be good stewards of the resources entrusted
to us.

St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

26 May 2026

It has long been the custom in the Diocese of Wichita to celebrate ordinations to the priesthood on the Saturday before Memorial Day, with the newly ordained priests celebrating their first solemn Masses of thanksgiving that same Sunday. This year, that Sunday is also the Solemnity of Pentecost. The same was true in 2004 when I was ordained, so every year Pentecost naturally brings me back to the grace of my own priestly ordination.

This year, Magdalen had the privilege of hosting the diocesan ordination Mass yesterday morning—thanks to our large parish and wonderful hospitality 😊. During the rite, Bishop Kemme laid hands on the men and anointed their hands with oil in keeping with the tradition handed down from the apostles, by which bishops share the hierarchical gifts of the Holy Spirit with their coworkers and successors.

It is an amazing thing to consider: those six new priests, like every priest before them, were ordained by a bishop who was ordained by another bishop, and so on back to one of the Twelve Apostles gathered with Our Lady in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit was first manifest to the world.

Certainly, these men are talented, intelligent, and generous. But none of those qualities is enough on its own. A priest, called to act in persona Christi—in the person of Christ—is never merely humanly qualified for the work entrusted to him. The priesthood is impossible without Pentecost.

When I arrived at Magdalen last summer, I was lined up to begin Mass one of my first weekends here when a little girl, maybe five or six years old, walked up to me and asked, “Are you the new Jesus?” My first thought was, “Wow, they have high standards here.” But later I reflected on how clearly children often perceive spiritual realities. They hear about what Jesus does, they see what the priest does, and they recognize the connection.

Of course, this does not happen by the priest’s own power. It happens by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So please pray for these newly ordained priests. Pray that as they receive the authority to celebrate the sacraments, they may also receive abundantly the grace to be faithful images of Jesus Christ for all of us.

O Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

18 May 2026

Over the next several weeks, students at every level will be finishing the school year. I
write especially with them in mind, though all of us face moments when we come to the
end of a chapter. At these milestones, we sometimes feel a surge of excitement and
motivation—but we may also feel the temptation to quit early.

In the Acts of the Apostles this weekend, we hear about a milestone in the life of the
Church. The community in Jerusalem had grown so much that the apostles could no
longer meet all its pastoral needs on their own. We can imagine Peter and the others
working tirelessly—preaching to new crowds, baptizing converts, and caring for the
faithful—while feeling the strain of it all. When complaints arose among the Hellenists, it
would have been easy for them to grow discouraged or step back.

But they did not quit. They persevered, turning first to prayer. In that moment, the Lord
provided in a new way, and the Church was strengthened. One chapter closed—the
time when the apostles carried the full weight of ministry themselves—and a new one
began, as the Holy Spirit worked through many in diverse ways.

Often it is near the end of a chapter that we face our greatest temptations—and our
greatest opportunities for grace. This may come in the final weeks of a school year, the
last stretch of a project, the closing minutes of Mass, or the end of a holy hour. The
tasks themselves may seem less significant, but something deeper is at work: the
formation of virtue. These moments test and strengthen us in ways that will bear fruit in
what comes next.

To those approaching the end of the school year—or any significant journey—I
encourage you: persevere. Make the most of these final moments. The rewards will last
far beyond them.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

30 April 2026

When I was chaplain at the St. Pius X Catholic Student Center at Pittsburg State
University, I once had a memorable conversation with a professor. It was the beginning
of Lent—perhaps even Ash Wednesday—and I was preparing for the noon Mass.

He arrived early, introduced himself, and said, “I love Lent.”

That immediately caught my attention, so I asked why.

“Every year during Lent I go to Mass every day,” he said, “and it makes my whole day
better.”

I couldn’t help but respond, “You know we have Mass all year, right?”
It’s easy to smile at that moment, but the truth is closer to home than we might like to
admit. If something clearly makes our lives better for forty days, why wouldn’t we
continue the other 325? Yet we all know how often we fail to follow through on what is
good for us.

We are fallen, and our desires become disordered. Lent gives us a chance, with the
grace of the Holy Spirit, to begin setting things right again. Having come this far, don’t
go back.

The Easter season is different from Lent—less intense, more joyful—but that doesn’t
mean we abandon the good habits we’ve begun. Instead, we carry them forward with a
spirit of freedom and joy.

If you gave something up, consider how to reintroduce it with moderation—or whether
you need it at all. If you fasted from your phone or social media, perhaps keep a screen-
free Sunday. If you sacrificed certain foods, continue offering that sacrifice once or twice
a week for someone you love. If you committed to deeper prayer, let it continue and
grow, now marked by Easter joy.

In these weeks, we will hear how the risen Jesus works even greater wonders in the
lives of His apostles. May He do the same in us.

St. Mary Magdalen, who announced the risen Lord, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

30 March 2026

Today we begin Holy Week, a sacred time to recall the mysteries that have changed the
world and given meaning and purpose to our lives. These are the defining moments of
human history and of our faith. To be a Christian is, first of all, to be transformed by the
reality of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to live now with Him and in
Him.

Throughout these days, we take part in many profound and beautiful actions: waving
palm branches, witnessing the washing of feet, and listening to the Passion of the Lord.
Yet perhaps the most important—and often the most overlooked—is the invitation to
silence.

Silence surrounds the liturgies of these sacred days. It marks the conclusion of the
Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. On Good Friday, the priest and ministers
enter in silence and pause before approaching the sanctuary. Holy Saturday, until the
Easter Vigil, is set apart by a deep and prayerful stillness as we wait with the Lord for
the moment of His triumph.

Our words cannot fully express the depth of that waiting—the quiet anticipation of the
Father’s call for the Son to rise, and for grace to be poured out upon the world. To wait
in silence before the Lord is itself an act of faith and hope.

Perhaps during Lent you have set aside some of the noise that fills your life—social
media, constant activity, or the pull of your phone. Perhaps you have made room for
silence through prayer, reading Scripture, or time in adoration. In these final days, I
encourage you to deepen that commitment.

Take time simply to be with God. Place yourself at the foot of the Cross, silent with Mary.
Keep watch in the stillness of the tomb. Even in your prayer, resist the need to fill every
moment with words. Allow the silence of this holy week to speak—and let your own
silence become a quiet proclamation of faith.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

23 March 2026

A spiritual retreat can be a powerful experience. Recently, I had the blessing of helping
with one of Kapaun’s Kairos retreats for the juniors, and it was clear that God was at
work in a profound way. This weekend, men from our parish are attending an ACTS
retreat, and our women’s ACTS retreat will follow in April.

As priests, we are required to make a retreat each year. I made mine in November. It
was a needed opportunity to step away from the daily responsibilities of parish life and
focus more intentionally on my relationship with the Lord. He has been so good to me,
and that time allowed me to remember His faithfulness and to deepen my trust in His
providence.

While not required for everyone, an annual retreat is a beautiful practice for any
Christian. Setting aside a few days—alone, with a group, or even as a couple—creates
space for God to speak and renew our hearts. When we give Him generous time, He
never fails to give generous grace in return.

Yet often the most important part of a retreat comes afterward.

The grace received on retreat can be more than we can absorb at once. Our hearts are
sometimes like dry sponges that need time to soak in living water. By returning to the
experience—through prayer, reflection, or rereading a journal—we allow that grace to
sink in more deeply and bear lasting fruit.

If you are coming back from ACTS, be sure to write about it and save what you write. If
you have recently made some other retreat, revisit it. Recall what the Lord showed you.
The “retreat high” may fade, but the grace is real and enduring. Return to it often, and
let it continue shaping your life.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

03 March 2026

On March 21, Magdalen hosted Bishop Kemme for the diocesan Rites of Election and
Calling to Continuing Conversion. The church was full (not quite 4:00 Christmas Eve
full, but full) with those preparing to enter the Church from across the diocese including
45 from Magdalen, along with their sponsors. It was a beautiful and encouraging sight.
In addition, many who are preparing to enter the Church were unable to attend but are
walking the same journey.

The Rite of Election is a significant step for catechumens—those adults preparing for
baptism. Joining the Church is not merely a private decision. A person seeks to enter,
and the Church formally accepts them. During this rite, catechumens hear from their
sponsors, from the gathered faithful, and from the bishop that they have been chosen.
Their sincerity and authentic faith are affirmed as they look toward receiving the
sacraments at Easter.

The Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion is for those already baptized in another
Christian community who now seek full communion with the Catholic Church, along with
Confirmation and the Eucharist. The Church recognizes the work of the Holy Spirit
already present in their lives and calls them to deeper conversion.
Over the next three weeks, we will celebrate the scrutinies (3/8 at 11:30; 3/15 and 3/22
at 9:30). The scrutinies are opportunities for them, by the power to the Holy Spirit and
the prayer of the Church, to reject specific works of the enemy and choose to live in
communion with Jesus. Please pray for them as they move forward with the Lord.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

23 February 2026

Many of you likely saw my recent interview on KAKE News regarding immigration. The
reporter reached out to me because, although he is not Catholic, he believed the world
needed to hear a voice of peace—and he thought a Catholic priest would be best suited
to offer it.

The world does need that peaceful voice. Difficult issues cannot be resolved when we
begin from places of anger or fear, yet those emotions often dominate the news cycle
and our national conversations.

The Church is uniquely positioned to speak words of peace on this matter. For 2,000
years, the Church has been the most international organization in the world. Before
Christ, civilizations largely understood themselves as separate from one another, owing
no obligations to foreigners. Many believed each people belonged to a different god,
and concern for outsiders could even be seen as betrayal. Jesus taught us something
radically different, and the Church put it into practice immediately—making disciples of
all nations.

The first recorded example of organized foreign aid appears in the New Testament,
when Christians from various regions took up a collection to support the people of
Jerusalem during a famine (see Romans 15:25). From the beginning, the Church has
understood humanity as one family: all descended from Adam and called to become the
family of God in Jesus Christ. We are made of the same stuff and possess the same
dignity.

At the same time, real cultural differences exist. We share one faith and one worship,
yet express them through diverse languages, art, music, and customs. Anyone who has
attended an international Mass knows that blending cultures requires both charity and
order. Both are necessary and good. Order matters—borders and laws cannot simply
be disregarded. Charity matters too—those laws must be shaped for the common good
and motivated by confidence in the abundance of God.

Today, many recognize that our current immigration system is unjust. In some cases, it
can take over 20 years to obtain a visa, particularly for those coming from Mexico or the
Philippines. The system is so complex that few can navigate it successfully, while
paradoxically rewarding those who abandon it altogether.

I have thoughts on reform, but they are too lengthy for a bulletin article. For now, let us
pray that Catholics will have the courage to be a light to the world—guiding others with
truth, charity, and hope in a time of darkness.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

04 February 2026

I am grateful to have attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through seminary.
Growing up at St. Thomas and Kapaun Mt. Carmel, it was in school that I learned to
read and write, to do math and science, and to appreciate history and art. I could not do
what I do today without those skills. More importantly, I learned them in the context of
my relationship with God. I learned that my abilities and knowledge were gifts given for
His glory, not my own. I learned to serve Mass, encountered priests who inspired me,
and was invited to consider my vocation. Through sports and clubs, I learned discipline,
teamwork, and joy in learning, and I formed friendships that still support me in living for
Christ. Most of all, I learned that everything we do can—and should—be a path to
holiness when we seek first the Kingdom of God.

I am also grateful to have taught in Catholic schools, at Kapaun Mt. Carmel and St.
Mary’s–Colgan in Pittsburg. Parish priests are often present for life’s major
moments—births, weddings, and deaths. A school chaplain, however, walks with
students day by day, witnessing how God is at work in their lives, helping them discern
His will, and wrestling with life’s deeper questions alongside them.

Now, as a pastor, I am grateful to see the fruit of Catholic schools. Here at Magdalen,
when I see adults formed in those schools living their faith passionately and sharing it
with their children, when I look at our high schoolers and hear of the tremendous things
they are doing, or when I recently met with our eighth graders, it is easy to see the fruit
in young people who can speak about their faith and seek new ways to live it.

Please join me in giving thanks to God for the blessings He bestows upon us.

St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

27 January 2026

I am grateful for our parish school and for the families who choose it. It truly is a gift, and one that we should never take for granted. Like all good things entrusted to us by the Lord, however, it can continue to grow and become even better.

Schools that flourish over time do so not by accident, but through prayerful reflection and intentional effort. For this reason, at the beginning of the school year I asked the School Council to begin developing a five-year plan for our parish school. An essential first step in that process is listening carefully and honestly assessing where we are today.

A truly excellent parochial school is never isolated from the rest of parish life. While a school naturally focuses on a particular group of families, it must always remain deeply connected to the wider parish community. When school and parish life are closely united, families are more effectively led into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church.

A truly excellent parochial school also depends on the active engagement of parents. Teachers and staff play a vital role, but parents are the primary educators of their children. Their faith, participation, and example shape not only their own children, but the culture of the entire school community.

There is much more that could be said, but for now we begin by listening.

This weekend, we are inviting everyone at Mass—whether or not you have children in the school—to help us by completing a brief survey. Your perspective is valuable. In the coming months, we will also host listening opportunities with faculty, parents, and students to further guide this work.

Our hope is to complete this planning process by the end of the school year and begin implementing goals next August. Thank you for your support, and please keep our school and this important work in your prayers.

 Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

08 January 2026

Many people make resolutions for the new year. As Catholics, we know that life is not about self-help, but about trusting in God and allowing His redemptive plan to unfold in our lives. When done well, making a resolution becomes an act of Christian hope: we trust that the Lord desires our good, so we lean into His plans for us.

Most of us likely hope to improve our physical health, learn something new, or live a more focused life. I would like to propose a few resolutions that help form deeper, life-changing habits—habits that open space for God to work.

• Reclaim Sunday for God and Family. Give God the whole day. Attend Mass together and make Sunday a time for rest, prayer, and family life. Avoid activities that drain rather than refresh. This usually requires planning ahead—finishing homework, shopping, and errands on Saturday—and intentionally setting aside phones and other devices that isolate us from one another.
• Read a Catholic Book (or 12). We regularly rotate books in the gathering space kiosk, many of which are short and approachable. You might aim to read one each month. If you are ready for something more challenging, ask one of our priests for a recommendation that fits your interests and stage of life.
• Take Your Wife Out on a Date (or 52). Couples can easily become absorbed in their children’s schedules, but children benefit most from parents with a strong marriage. Monthly—or even weekly—time alone together is powerful and worth prioritizing. You might also consider attending Becoming at Magdalen together each month. Watch the bulletin for details.
• Make a Weekly Holy Hour. Few practices are more transformative than consistent time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Begin by stopping in weekly, then commit to a regular time. Giving God this space deepens your relationship with Him and allows Him to guide your life more clearly.

May God bless you abundantly, now and throughout the new year.

 Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

30 December 2025

Jesus “went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of
the kingdom” (Mt 4:23). Surely the synagogue at Magdala is among those
places—perhaps even where Jesus first met Mary Magdalene. In 2009, while preparing
land for a visitors center, archaeologists uncovered the synagogue at Magdala. It is the
oldest known synagogue in Galilee, dating from the time of Jesus.

One of the most striking discoveries there is an ornately carved stone, now called the
Magdala Stone. Filled with imagery drawn from the Jerusalem Temple, it sat in the
center of the synagogue. Many scholars believe it served as a kind of podium for a
teacher seated on the floor. It is likely that Jesus Himself taught before it.
Early synagogues functioned mainly as libraries or reading rooms, but over time they
came to be treated as sacred spaces. The detailed carvings on the Magdala Stone
likely signaled that by reading and praying the Scriptures, the community was entering
into the mystery of God—much as someone did at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Among the carvings is a six-petaled rosette, the same symbol that decorated the veil
separating the Holy of Holies. That same rosette now marks the plaza in front of our
church. It reminds us of our connection with ancient Magdala and, even more, that
when we enter this church, we step into the presence of God. As the synagogue was
seen as an extension of the Temple, so this place is an extension of the eternal Temple
of heaven.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

09 December 2025

We aren’t very good at waiting. At least I’m not. And compared with people in the past,
most of us struggle with it. Modern technology has conditioned us to expect everything
instantly. A few weeks ago, while driving back to Wichita, I asked my phone what time a
business closed. The connection was poor, and it took nearly two minutes to get the
answer. What an inconvenience! Of course twenty years ago, it wouldn’t have taken two
minutes—I simply wouldn’t have known until I arrived.

The internet and social media, streaming services providing entertainment on demand,
and online retailers that let us finish Christmas shopping without leaving the couch—all
these conveniences shape us to expect immediate results. Even before the internet,
sitcoms quietly taught us that life’s problems should resolve neatly within thirty minutes.
But relationships don’t work that way. Certainly our relationship with God doesn’t.
Relationships take time, patience, and commitment. They require us to accept that
things won’t always go the way we want or happen according to our preferred schedule.
A deep relationship with God means turning to Him day after day, not knowing whether
prayer will be full of grace or marked by dryness and waiting. The Lord simply asks us
to show up, to give Him our time, and to trust that He knows what we need in each
moment.

The season of Advent teaches us again that the Lord is coming. As truly as He came
2,000 years ago, He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. And He
comes even now—sometimes subtly, sometimes profoundly—into the hearts of those
who wait for Him with faith.

My brothers and sisters, let us wait for the Lord with holy, patient, and eager expectation

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

02 December 2025

This weekend, I’m asking everyone to make a financial pledge for the coming year. Of course,
we give not simply because the parish needs funds, but because giving itself is good for the soul.
Generosity shapes us into grateful disciples. We support our parish not only when everything
goes our way, but because it is our spiritual home.
At the same time, you have a right to know how your gifts will be used. I realize that I don’t yet
have a track record here, and we’re still working with a budget that was completed before I
arrived. So I want to share with you three Scripture passages that guide the way I think about
money—both personally and in parish administration.

Genesis 41 – Pharaoh’s Dream:
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream to mean that seven years of abundance will be followed by
seven years of famine. In times of plenty, Egypt prepared for leaner times. Magdalen is currently
blessed with abundance, but that won’t always be the case. We must plan ahead—for future
repairs, possible economic downturns, or even times of trial in the Church.

Luke 13:6–9 – The Barren Fig Tree:
Even in abundance, there is no room for waste. If a ministry is not bearing fruit—if it’s not
helping people grow closer to God—we first work to renew it. But if it still bears no fruit, we
must redirect our resources toward what truly advances our mission.

Matthew 13:45–46 – The Pearl of Great Price:
It’s never a waste to spend everything on the Kingdom of God. When something truly draws
people to Christ, it deserves our full support. Jesus calls us to be “all in” for what matters most:
to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust Him with the rest.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

14 November 2025

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Here at Magdalen, we have a wonderful “problem”: more people want to attend daily Mass and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation than two priests can accommodate!

When we had three priests on staff, we were blessed with more flexibility—and we’d like to continue offering that same level of care. To keep three weekday Masses and Sunday Reconciliation available, we’ve welcomed the help of several other priests who now assist us on a regular basis.

Fr. David Lies – 7:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Fr. Lies serves as the Vicar for Clergy, representing the bishop in caring for and guiding the priests and deacons of our diocese. He resides at the Priests’ Retirement Center and spends his time at the chancery or on the road visiting priests, especially those facing illness or other challenges.

Fr. Mike Nolan – 5:30 p.m. Mass on Thursdays
Fr. Nolan is a retired priest of our diocese and most recently served as chaplain at McConnell Air Force Base. Many parishioners may know him from his role in diocesan training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Fr. Ken Schuckman – 5:30 p.m. Mass on Fridays
Fr. Schuckman is the newest diocesan retiree, having most recently served as chaplain at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph.

Capuchin Franciscan Friars – Reconciliation during the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays
We’re also blessed to welcome three Capuchin Franciscan Friars—Frs. Donald Rank, Sales Pathrose, and Charles Polifka, OFM Cap.—who will take turns hearing confessions on Sundays. The Capuchins recently opened a house in Wichita for the formation of young friars who have completed their novitiate. We’ll be giving them more opportunities to be visible in the future—but for now, you can find them in the box!

Please express your gratitude to these priests whenever you have the chance.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

04 November 2025

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Pope Leo Writes on Love for the Poor

Pope Leo XIV recently released his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te. An apostolic exhortation is an encouragement to the faithful to live out a particular part of the Church’s teaching in a bolder way. The title Dilexi te quotes Revelation 3:9 where the Lord says, “I have loved you”—words addressed to a Christian community with little wealth or power.

Pope Francis began writing this exhortation before he died. Francis was well known for his love for the poor and continued solidarity with the poor even as pontiff. Pope Leo XIV is a brilliant economist and theologian who lived a missionary life among the poor of Peru. What a gift to have Francis’ heart clarified and expressed by Leo!

After recounting the teaching in Scripture regarding God’s love for the poor and the insistence on this teaching throughout Church history, especially in the writings of the Saints, in chapter four he recounts some keys aspects of the Church’s social doctrine, formulated especially over the past 150 years beginning with Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum. That encyclical was written in response to changing economic conditions due to the industrial revolution. Leo XIV has said he chose the name Leo because he sees the world going through a similar transition now due to artificial intelligence and other technological advances. He hopes to do for the Church in this age what Leo XIII did in his.

Pope Leo XIV mentions a few themes which will likely be the center of his teaching in the coming years. Improving the social system requires providing opportunities for work and truly valuing the work others provide. Human dignity requires not just that people be provided with food, clothing, and shelter, but with the opportunity to participate fully in the social system—thus the rising inequality and separation between the rich and poor is to be worked against. Love for the poor requires not only a fair social system, but a change of heart that sees all others as our equals.

I encourage everyone to read his exhortation at: APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION DILEXI TE OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV TO ALL CHRISTIANS ON LOVE FOR THE POOR

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

17 October 2025

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Make it Personal

A personal relationship with Jesus should be just that—personal.

We see in the Gospels that Jesus often spoke to large crowds. It is worth spending time imagining the Lord with thousands in front of Him on the hillsides in Galilee. So many people heard Him speak, received His teaching, and went home with something to ponder for the rest of their lives.

But that is not discipleship. The disciples also heard the sermons and witnessed the miracles that the crows saw, but then they had a special opportunity. We see it in the Gospels that after the crowds went home, when the disciples were alone with Jesus, they had a chance to ask their questions and have a little back and forth with Jesus. (See for example, Mark 4:10-20) What an awesome opportunity that must have been!

Those first disciples had the greatest preacher ever, but even after listening to Jesus they had questions. The Lord gave them the chance to ask those questions, to discuss things together, and let the Gospel become more personal.

As a preacher, I want what I say to lead people closer to Jesus. That is why I normally end in prayer. I also try to give people an invitation to apply my words to their own lives. But really, our lives are pretty different. More importantly, the Holy Spirit calls each of us to respond to the Lord in a unique way. For that reason, a conversation with others serious about growing in the Lord can be really powerful.

With the opening of the Adult Discipleship Center, we now have the opportunity to allow disciples to gather after Mass and go deeper into the Liturgy of the Word and help each other to make it personal. Several weeks ago a group of young adults began gathering after the 9:30 Mass. We have a group of empty nesters who will begin in a few weeks. We give them some targeted reflection questions to challenge and encourage each other.  I would love to see other groups of adults (young adults, older adults) getting together after each weekend Mass to enjoy some coffee and fellowship and to help each other grow as disciples of the Lord.

If you are interested in joining, either as a participant or facilitator, please email our Director of Parish Evangelization and Discipleship Amanda Prieto, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will put more groups together.

St. Mary Magdalen, Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Fr. David Marstall, Pastor

17 October 2025