Catholic Charities honored five individuals during the 2026 Night of Joy gratitude gala for the meaningful ways they have advanced the organization’s mission. This recognition is part of an ongoing effort to celebrate faithful service and inspire others to share their time, talent and treasure in service to the community.

The organization relies on individuals, families, foundations and businesses to serve thousands of people each year, providing support to those experiencing poverty, abuse, homelessness or living with disability.

Night of Joy also served as a reminder that acts of kindness, no matter the size, can ripple through the community and transform lives. Catholic Charities expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contribute to its mission, emphasizing that together, the community can continue sharing God’s love with those who need it most.

Night of Joy Honorees

Mark Vogel
Spirit of Joy Volunteer Award

This award is presented to an outstanding volunteer who exemplifies the love of Jesus through their service, sharing their talents and giving freely of their time.

Mark and his wife, Doris, have been married for 47 years and are the proud parents of three sons and four grandchildren.

Members of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Mark and Doris were first introduced to Catholic Charities when their parish helped prepare and deliver meals to Harbor House. Through that experience, Mark felt the Lord calling him to become more deeply involved with Catholic Charities as a way to serve people who are hungry, homeless, challenged or experiencing abuse. For Mark and Doris, stewardship has become a way of life, a proven way to draw closer to the Lord, to each other and to people they encounter.

Every Wednesday morning, Mark arrives at the Catholic Charities administrative building with a smile on his face and a cup of QuikTrip coffee in his hands, ready to help wherever he’s needed. From writing thank-you notes and scanning files to greeting visitors and delivering items to shelters, Mark does it all.

Volunteering at Catholic Charities has been a life-changing experience for Mark, allowing him to live out stewardship through service and to share the love God gives each of us. He is continually inspired by the generosity of donors and how their gifts provide housing, food, guidance and love, helping people feel whole again.

Mark draws inspiration from many sources: his father, who taught him love through life lessons; his kind and caring wife, Doris; family members, including his brother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who have shown grace through suffering; and the priests and Bishop Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita, who guided him through challenging seasons and kept him grounded in faith. Mark strives to inspire his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live with positivity and love, so others are inspired to love our Lord and give their lives to Him.

“I try to live in a way that reflects God’s love, so others are inspired to love our Lord and give their lives to Him.”

Mark Vogel
Spirit of Joy Volunteer Award

This award is presented to an outstanding volunteer who exemplifies the love of Jesus through their service, sharing their talents and giving freely of their time.

Mark and his wife, Doris, have been married for 47 years and are the proud parents of three sons and four grandchildren.

Members of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Mark and Doris were first introduced to Catholic Charities when their parish helped prepare and deliver meals to Harbor House. Through that experience, Mark felt the Lord calling him to become more deeply involved with Catholic Charities as a way to serve people who are hungry, homeless, challenged or experiencing abuse. For Mark and Doris, stewardship has become a way of life, a proven way to draw closer to the Lord, to each other and to people they encounter.

Every Wednesday morning, Mark arrives at the Catholic Charities administrative building with a smile on his face and a cup of QuikTrip coffee in his hands, ready to help wherever he’s needed. From writing thank-you notes and scanning files to greeting visitors and delivering items to shelters, Mark does it all.

Volunteering at Catholic Charities has been a life-changing experience for Mark, allowing him to live out stewardship through service and to share the love God gives each of us. He is continually inspired by the generosity of donors and how their gifts provide housing, food, guidance and love, helping people feel whole again.

Mark draws inspiration from many sources: his father, who taught him love through life lessons; his kind and caring wife, Doris; family members, including his brother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who have shown grace through suffering; and the priests and Bishop Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita, who guided him through challenging seasons and kept him grounded in faith. Mark strives to inspire his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live with positivity and love, so others are inspired to love our Lord and give their lives to Him.

“I try to live in a way that reflects God’s love, so others are inspired to love our Lord and give their lives to Him.”

When asked what they would tell someone who is still unsure about supporting Catholic Charities, the Cillessens encourage spending an hour with the executive director or a program leader to learn how the agency supports people in need. They believe these leaders are the strongest advocates for the ministry and its programs.

Paula and John draw inspiration from the parish priests who have shaped their family’s faith journey. They are especially grateful to Fr. Sean J. O’Shea, Fr. Dan Spexarth, and Fr. Matt McGinnis, whose guidance helped raise their children in the faith and continues to support their family’s spiritual life. The Cillessens believe the diocese is richly blessed with dedicated priests and a growing number of young men answering the call to serve.

Paula and John hope to inspire their children and grandchildren to follow in their footsteps by embracing a tithing way of life. For them, tithing extends beyond the parish to include ministries such as Catholic Charities and support for Catholic schools.

“We see stewardship as the simplest and most meaningful way to live, serving as a vehicle to uplift individuals, families and the diocesan community.”

Hannah and Rich Kerschen
Caritas Outstanding Philanthropists

This award is presented to outstanding donors who exemplify charity and Christian love by generously supporting Catholic Charities for 20 or more years.

Debbie and Arlin have been married for 46 years and are the proud parents of three children and five grandchildren.

Through the example of their parents, Debbie and Arlin learned early on how to live a stewardship way of life. They embraced this mindset at the beginning of their marriage, sharing not only their financial resources, but also their time and talents. As they explored ways to increase their annual giving and support nonprofit work, Arlin met with former Catholic Charities Executive Director Janet Pape to learn more about the agency’s mission and services.

The Beers were deeply moved by the number of services Catholic Charities provides and felt called to become more involved. They answered that call in meaningful ways. In addition to their financial support, Debbie volunteered her time at Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter, and Arlin later served on the Catholic Charities Board of Directors, offering guidance, leadership and professional expertise.

The couple especially values Catholic Charities’ approach of offering shelter residents a hand up rather than a handout by helping individuals and families regain stability, build confidence and move forward with dignity.

Throughout their lives, Debbie and Arlin have faced challenges, relying on prayer as a daily foundation and on each other for strength and guidance. Inspired by their parents, who were their greatest role models, they strive to pass along the same faith, love and life lessons to their children and grandchildren.

Debbie and Arlin are parishioners at Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church.

“We’re grateful to support a faith-based organization that serves more than 18,000 people each year.”   

Debbie and Arlin Beer
Caritas Outstanding Philanthropists

This award is presented to outstanding donors who exemplify charity and Christian love by generously supporting Catholic Charities for 20 or more years.

Debbie and Arlin have been married for 46 years and are the proud parents of three children and five grandchildren.

Through the example of their parents, Debbie and Arlin learned early on how to live a stewardship way of life. They embraced this mindset at the beginning of their marriage, sharing not only their financial resources, but also their time and talents. As they explored ways to increase their annual giving and support nonprofit work, Arlin met with former Catholic Charities Executive Director Janet Pape to learn more about the agency’s mission and services.

The Beers were deeply moved by the number of services Catholic Charities provides and felt called to become more involved. They answered that call in meaningful ways. In addition to their financial support, Debbie volunteered her time at Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter, and Arlin later served on the Catholic Charities Board of Directors, offering guidance, leadership and professional expertise.

The couple especially values Catholic Charities’ approach of offering shelter residents a hand up rather than a handout by helping individuals and families regain stability, build confidence and move forward with dignity.

Throughout their lives, Debbie and Arlin have faced challenges, relying on prayer as a daily foundation and on each other for strength and guidance. Inspired by their parents, who were their greatest role models, they strive to pass along the same faith, love and life lessons to their children and grandchildren.

Debbie and Arlin are parishioners at Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church.

“We’re grateful to support a faith-based organization that serves more than 18,000 people each year.”   

What is Night of Joy

Night of Joy is a gratitude gala to show our appreciation to those who made significant contributions of time, talents and treasure during the previous year.  In its fifth year, Night of Joy is quickly becoming one of the highly anticipated annual galas in the Wichita community. More than 250 people gathered at B-29 Doc Hanger, Education & Visitors Center on February 14 for an evening of food, entertainment, fellowship and giving. 

Guests enjoyed a plated dinner, a live jazz band and moments of gratitude for our donors hosted by Traci Kennedy, executive director and Andy Buessing, board chair. The evening also allowed guests to renew their support for the agency. 

To learn more about 2027 Night of Joy, contact Chris Flippo at 316-264-8344, ext. 1221, cflippo@catholiccharitieswichita.org.