The Courier, August 2013 Issue

THE COURIER

August 2013

Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona

Volume 104, No. 8

Steubenville - "CHOSEN"

Campaign Update!

$30,000,000

Thank you!

For your continuous generosity!

$8,800,000

$0

More on page 5

INSIDE I Will Make You Fishers of Men

By: Ben Frost

Bishop John M. Quinn encouraging the youth at the Holy Mass.

The Steubenville North Youth Conference in Rochester, MN started in 2008 with 400 youth gathering at the Mayo Civic Center. Five years later that number has quadruped with over 1600 participants gathering and celebrating the Catholic faith. Parishes from around the Diocese of Winona prepared all year for this conference with 250 of our own youth and chaperones in attendance. The theme for the conference was “Chosen”, and nationally known speakers including: Steve Angrisano, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jason Evert and Jaquie Francious encouraged the high school attendees to live as God’s chosen saints. From beginning to end the talks and programming were

filled with substance and encouragement. The Sacraments were at the heart of this gathering, with daily Mass and confession available. Morning and evening sessions were extremely energetic with electric music by the band Sonar, chants between groups, and large group icebreakers and games facilitated by the emcee. Evening sessions were quite the experience. The atmosphere transitioned from high energy to prayerfulness and response to the Lords call. Teens knelt before the Blessed Sacrament, revering our Lord and singing songs of praise.

Others huddled together and prayed over their friends. It truly is a sight to see such deep faith manifesting in the hearts of young people. The conference closed with the Holy Sacrifice of CHOSEN, cont. on pg.8

More on page 6

Ways to Help Engaged Couples Prepare for Marriage

More on page 4

True Joy Comes with Doing His Will Praised be Jesus Christ! My vocation story, like so many others, begins with firm roots in the Catholic Faith. Growing up in New Ulm, MN my parents took me and four younger siblings to Mass every Sunday, made frequent Saturday trips to the Sacrament of Confession, and prayed every night together as a family. I attended Catholic grade school until 5th grade, when my parents made the decision to homeschool the five of us. My parents did a wonderful job of teaching us about the Faith, but more importantly, were witnesses to truly living out the Catholic Faith. It was during these very critical middle school years that I began attending weekend and summer week-long retreats with

the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, in Sleepy Eye, MN. Being up close and personal with the Sisters peaked my interest about religious life to say the least! It was in spending this time away from my friends and the world that I began to fall in love with our Lord. It was also at Schoenstatt that the Lord placed in my heart a seed of what would become a great love for our Blessed Mother. The shrine at Schoenstatt has a large image of Our Lady and it was one night during Eucharistic Adoration that I found myself struck by the look of absolute love in her eyes, and I thought that since she loved me so much, where better to place myself that in her arms right next to the Infant Jesus! When I

look back on my journey to religious life, I can see that it was only by the intercession of Our Lady that I was drawn very slowly to the Heart of Jesus.

I returned to Catholic school for high school, and in typical teenage fashion, renounced the idea of become a Sister because of its lack of “coolness” among my classmates and friends and because of my own fear that God might actually call me to be His bride. How silly to fear something so wonderful! During my first two years of high school, I was heavily involved in my parish’s youth group, and while I was there mainly to socialize, Jesus used these good, holy people to draw me to Himself. During A Vocation Story, cont. on pg. 6

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BISHOP QUINN

Most Rev. John M. Quinn: Making God First in Our Lives Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Immigration

, New ecome

Bond

Our nation is built on immigration and the welcoming of people from around the world, to begin a new life in the United States. My grandparents came from Ireland and Germany, because the United States is a land of opportunity. I know they worked very hard, raised their families, contributed to the welfare of their new country and were solid citizens. I suspect that the dream of a better future is in the heart of every immigrant, who comes to our shores. However, there is a special and difficult issue that needs to be resolved in Congress at this time. In our country, there are at least 11 million undocumented persons. The time has come and our legislators in Washington are ready to formulate comprehensive immigration legislation, that will address the 11 million undocumented persons and secure our nation’s borders.

The United States Senate passed S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Competitiveness and Immigration Act, on June 27, 2013, and the House of Representatives will consider immigration reform in September or October. I encourage you to contact your congressional representative and encourage movement on this important issue.

Immigration keeps our nation strong and innovative. I am sure, all of our families of origin, came from other coun-

tries to America, and people welcomed them. The issue is complex, but the time has come for comprehensive immigration reform.

An ecumenical prayer service will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Rochester on Thursday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m. to ask God’s blessing on this important issue and upon our legislators in Washington. All are welcome.

Assumption of Mary, August 15, 2013 Holy Day

This year, the annual Harvest Mass will be celebrated in Fairmont. The Petrowiak Family has graciously invited us to their farm for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. Mary is unique because, not only was she free from original sin, but also Mary was taken up into heaven bodily, when her life on earth came to a close. Due to her unique and unrepeatable role in salvation history, Mary was given the privilege of being free from original sin and given a full participation in the bodily resurrection of her Son, Jesus Christ. All are welcome to come to the Harvest Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Bernie and Julie Petrowiak Farm (2372 30th St., Fairmont, MN).

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation. As Catholics, it is our responsibility and duty to attend Mass. Even more, it is our joy to come to Mass, to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord and honor Mary on

her special feast.

Seeds of Faith

Our Catholic schools are a treasure and they afford the fullest opportunity to realize the threefold purpose of Christian education: to proclaim the message, build community and render service. It is important that all families have the opportunity to access a Catholic education and that such an education never be denies because of the inability to pay.

Our diocesan Seeds of Faith appeal made possible the establishment and funding of an endowment to provide tuition assistance to parents who seek a Catholic education for their children and demonstrate a financial need. This endowment also responds to special needs in the Diocese of Winona to provide tuition funding for immigrants, lay ministry education and assistance for faith formation programs. The seeds you sowed in the past are producing much fruit. This year, $108,000 was awarded as tuition assistance to 107 recipients and $13,000 for catechetical programs and ministry formation, at this time.

Our Youth On Fire

What a joy filled and faith filled celebration occurred at the Steubenville North Youth Conference in Rochester in July. Over 1,600 youth gathered at the Mayo Civic Center for three days of catechetical talks, daily Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Penance. The theme this year was “Chosen”

and the speakers encouraged the young people to live as chosen saints of God. The youth came from across the Midwest and from Canada, to renew their commitment to living for Jesus Christ and as Catholics in an increasingly secular culture. Thank you to all of our youth ministers and priests who sent their high school youth to the program and especially to all the priests, who heard confessions for hours.

I was honored to celebrate the Holy Mass for the closing of the conference. Young people need to know and show the world that they are the Church today! These young men and women are filled with energy and vitality. They look for guidance and for the truth and are a great blessing to our Church.

HHS Ruling

On June 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gave its final ruling on the HHS mandate that requires employee health insurance for contraceptives, including abortion-causing drugs, and female sterilization. I unite with my brother bishops in stating that this does not eliminate "the need to continue defending our rights in Congress and the courts," as Cardinal Dolan has said. There are still three areas of concern based on the March 2012 statement of the Administrative Committee, United for Religious Freedom: (1) the narrow definition of "religious employers" that are exempted, (2) the "accommodation" of religious ministries

Bishop John M. Quinn excluded from that definition, and (3) the treatment of businesses run by people who seek to operate their companies according to their religious principles.

A first concern with the definition of "religious employer," and the third concern with faithful business owners and other individuals, still have not been addressed at all. The second area of concern—the "accommodation" for religious charities, schools, hospitals, and other ministries of service—appears mostly the same, except for three relatively small changes that will require more time and analysis to evaluate.

We are not merely concerned with the full range of the Church’s institutional forms, but as pastors we are concerned with the freedom of the Church as a whole, which includes the faithful in their daily lives—to carry out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. It will take further analysis to review the ruling in depth, and we do appreciate the HHS's five-month extension before implementation of the ruling, which threatens huge fines from the IRS. Bishop, cont. on pg 5

Bishop's Calendar - August 2013 August 14, Wednesday 4 p.m. – Mass at Camp Summit for Junior High Youth, Eagle Bluff Camp, Lanesboro August 15, Thursday – Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 10:30 a.m. – Harvest Mass, Bernie & Julie Petrowiak Farm, 2372 30th Street,

Fairmont 5:30 p.m. – Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Blue Earth August 16, Friday 4:30 p.m. – Mass, dinner and photos at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona August 18 – Sunday 10 a.m. – Mass for Call to

Candidacy of Seminarian Marcus Wobschall, Sacred Heart Church, Waseca

Cloud, for Student Leaders and FOCUS Missionary Staff

August 20 – Tuesday 1 p.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet Members) 2 p.m. – Cabinet Meeting

August 26 – Monday 9:30 a.m. – Mass for Catechetical Leaders, St. Augustine Church, Austin

August 21 – Wednesday 11 a.m. – Mass at Koinonia Retreat Center, near St.

Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries.

The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Peter Martin, at 507-858-1264, or pmartin@dow.org.

August 27 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. – Teaching at Saint Mary’s University, Winona

August 28 – Wednesday 6:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer, followed by Breakfast, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona August 29-31 – Thursday-Saturday Region VIII Bishops’ Provincial Gathering, Duluth

THE COURIER (ISSN 0744-5490)

Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 949, Winona, MN 55987

Telephone: 507-454-4643 Fax: 507-454-8106 E-mail: courier@dow.org Subscription Rates: $5 per year in the U.S. Parishioners in the Winona Diocese subscribe through their parish. Periodicals postage paid at Madelia, MN Postmaster.

Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 15th of the month prior.

Publisher: Most Rev. John M. Quinn Editor: Joel Hennessy Associate Editor: Theresa Martin

IN THE DIOCESE

Six Sisters of St. Francis Celebrate Golden Jubilee Sister Bernadette M. Novack, formerly Sr. Mary Richard entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Most Holy Trinity Parish, Saint Louis Park, MN, and professed vows in 1963. Sr. Bernadette spent her career at Saint Marys Hospital working in the Dietetics Department. She has volunteered for over 30 years at the Saint Marys Hospital Sisters’ Crossing Gift Shop and is a longtime member of the Rochester Symphony Choral and Saint Marys Hospital Auxiliary.

Sister Claudia Ann Laliberte, formerly Sr. Anita, professed vows with the Rochester Franciscan Congregation in 1963. Sister Claudia spent her early career in Elementary Education teaching in Norfolk, NE; and Austin, Rochester and Winona, MN. She spent 25 years teaching in Oklahoma City, OK and was named Oklahoma City Teacher of the Year by the D.A.R. and received the Liberty Bell

The Courier, August 2013 - 3

Celebrating Natural Family Planning Awareness Week

Families in the Mankato area gathered for their Annual NFP Picnic. Katie Braulick, who attended the picnic with her family, stated, "The picnic was great. It was AWESOME to have it at the lake and everyone had a great time.

Looking forward to a good year."

Back row, L to R: Sisters Katarina Schuth, Bernadette Novack and Therese Jilk Front row, L to R: Sisters Claudia Laliberte, Ellen Whelan and Patricia Keefe Style Award from the Oklahoma Lawyers Association.

Sister Ellen Whelan entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Nativity Parish in St. Paul, MN, and professed vows in 1963. She spent much of her career in Rochester, MN, in the field of adult education, and is the author of two books, The Sisters’ Story: Saint Marys Hospital – Mayo Clinic: 1889-1939 and The Sisters' Story: Part Two; Saint Marys Hospital – Mayo Clinic: 1939 to 1980.

Sister Katarina Schuth entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Church of Saint Felix, Wabasha, MN, and professed vows in 1963. Sister Katarina taught at the St. James Catholic School, St. James, MN; College of Saint Teresa, Winona, MN; Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA and, presently, she holds the Endowed Chair for the Social Scientific Study of Religion at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, St. Paul, MN. Sister Patricia A. Keefe, formerly Sr. Brigid, entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation

Saturday 10–10, Sunday 11–5 Along the Mississippi River Across from Riverplace & St. Anthony Main Minneapolis, Minnesota www.tcpolishfestival.org

The Rochester NFP gathering will be on Sunday, August 25 at 5:30 p.m. Please contact Ron and Kathleen Sieve for more information at (507) 280-6099.

from St. Nicholas Church, in Freeburg, MN, and professed vows in 1963. She taught theology at the College of Saint Teresa prior to going to law school. Subsequently, Sister Patricia worked in advocacy for justice and peace in Minneapolis, Mankato, and Winona, MN; as well as Oklahoma City, OK. She worked overseas in the Legal Office of Amnesty International in London from 1985-1986. From 19942000, she served in Leadership for the Congregation, and in 2000, Sister Patricia went to work at the Nonviolent Peaceforce in Minneapolis, serving until 2008. Prior to her retirement in 2013, Sister Patricia worked at the ARC Ecumenical Retreat Center near Cambridge, MN. Sister Therese Jilk, formerly Sr. Cyril, entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from St. Paul’s Parish in Minnesota City, MN, and professed vows in 1963. Sister Therese spent her career teaching in Rochester, Adams, Easton, and Austin, MN. She also served as a Pastoral Associate in Sleepy Eye, St. Charles and at Pax Christi Church in Rochester, MN. Sister Therese now works as Assistant to the Congregational Treasurer at Assisi Heights and designs greeting cards.

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LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY

The Many Stages of Marriage Preparation

By Peter Martin, S.T.L.

The goal of marriage preparation is to equip the couples with the truth about marriage. To this end, we offer a catechetical component about what marriage is and we point out the responsibilities entailed by Christian marriage (both their social responsibilities and those within the Church). We also equip the couples with practical knowledge so as to • September 14, 2013 – get them communicating Minnesota State University, about their particular Mankato relationship and what • October 12, 2013 – The things they may need to Cathedral of the Sacred work on in order to love Heart, Winona one another more per• January 25, 2014 – Minnesota State University, Mankato fectly.

• February 8, 2014 – Church of St. Felix, Wabasha Pre-Cana only lasts • March 8, 2014 – St. John Vianney, Fairmont one day, so we rely on the

Pre-Cana Dates for 2013-2014

Registration for any of these Pre-Cana dates is available at the Office of Life, Marriage & Family’s website at www.dow.org.

Marriage & Family Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow. org

Next month our Pre-Cana events resume in order to prepare engaged couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony. Pre-Cana in the Diocese of Winona is a full-day event that takes place on a Saturday and offers the couple: “honest and intensive communication about their future lives together, discussing attitudes about every aspect of their relationship, including money, children, sexuality and natural family planning, and their roles in the church and society.”

Can a couple really prepare for lifelong marriage in just one day? Of course not! That is like trying to cram a whole semester or year’s worth of knowledge in just one night before the exam. It may be enough to pass the exam, but we’re not just trying to pass an exam here. Marriage preparation is much more than just a check mark on a list of things to do before getting married.

• March 15, 2014 – St. Charles Parish, St. Charles • April 5, 2014 – Minnesota State University, Mankato

The Office of Life,

other forms of marriage preparation: “remote” preparation for marriage begins in early childhood and continues through the teen years. This preparation is accomplished through the examples of family life and through the Teaching Office of the Church.

“Proximate” marriage preparation involves, through appropriate catechesis, a more specific preparation for and rediscovery of the sacraments. It is the responsibility of parents, along with pastoral ministers, to provide integration here of the religious formation of young people with their preparation for life as a couple. It is also critical to recognize the role of media during this stage. So often the role models, values, expectations, etc., that were at one time taught in the home are now profoundly being impacted by TV, movies, and music of today’s young people.

You may see all of this as quite discouraging and say “with the state of marriage in today’s world, do these couples have any hope?” I answer with a profound and confident “YES!” Almost all of the couples entering marriage have seen the destruction of divorce first-hand. They come to us eager to learn what it takes to live out the beautiful Sacrament of Matrimony. Please pray for the engaged couples in our Diocese!

Harvest Mass

August 15, 2013

Meet the Petrowiaks. They will host this year’s Harvest Mass on August 15, the feast of the Assumption.

Parishioners of Holy Family Parish in East Chain, Bernie and Julie raise beef cattle on 465 acres. The Petrowiaks and their four daughters recognize that farming has taught them about having faith, patience and a good work ethic. Laura is married to Tom Spitzer and owns a salon and spa. They have one son, Carter, and another baby due in October. Anna is in her last year of veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. Rebecca is in her fourth year at St. Thomas University studying Physical Therapy and Cathryn will be a sophomore in High School this fall. Recognizing that the Harvest Mass is celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Feast of the Assumption, Bernie and Julie stated that they turn to Mary as their model to be loving and caring parents. Please make plans to come join us at the Petrowiaks on Thursday, August 15. The Mass at the farm with Bishop Quinn as celebrant and the wonderful lunch that follows is the perfect way to celebrate Rural Life and to pray to God The Petrowiak Family, Lto R: Jake Rasche and Rebecca, Cathryn, Bernie and Julie through Mary for a bountiful harvest!

Petrowiak, Tedd Arndt and Anna, Laura and Tom Spitzer with their son Carter.

Meal: Grilled Pork Chop on a Stick, Potato Salad, Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 10:30am Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll, Fresh Fruit, Cookies, and Liquid Refreshments.

At the Bernie & Julie Petrowiak Farm $10 (Adults) $5 Children (12 and under) 2372 30th St, Fairmont, MN 56031 The RavensFire Band will entertain us with music and song during and after the meal.

Directions from Interstate 90: take exit 102 MN-15. Travel south on MN-15 for 10.2 Miles. Turn left onto Co. Rd. 8 (30th. St.) 2.7 Miles.

MISSION ADVANCEMENT

Capital Campaign Moves Across the Diocese

By Joel Hennessy

The Diocese of Winona Foundation capital campaign Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope is well underway. The Foundation has set out to raise $30 million to assist Bishop John Quinn in addressing two urgent and immediate needs: Strengthening of the Priest Retirement Fund and improvements to Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.

While addressing these important needs, Bishop Quinn also heard the requests of the people and their pastors asking for the opportunity to address local needs of the parishes. Therefore, each parish is able designate a specific improvement project and receive 25% of every dollar raised for these local needs.

To save costs and avoid multiple appeals, the 2013 Annual diocesan Appeal has also been included in this historic effort.

Much more detail is available online at the diocesan website www.dow. org and a thorough case for support will be shared

Bishop, cont'd from pg 2 Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope!

The Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope! campaign continues to move forward as we seek to support the strengthening of our priest retirement fund and improvements to our Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.

Both of these projects are very important to our future in the Diocese of Winona. As Catholics, we are compelled to make sure that our priests – who have given their lives of priestly service to the Church – will be cared for appropriately during their retirement years. Also, it is incumbent on all of us to encourage, educate and provide vibrant formation for a new generation of priests at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.

Through this campaign, and with your continued generosity as faithful Catholics, we will provide for our priests and make sure that the clergy of tomorrow will be educated in modern, safe facilities.

In Closing

The hot and humid days of August are here and the opportunity to enjoy time with the Lord, before the pace quickens, and schools reopen.

Find time for a quiet walk with the Lord and count all the blessings showered upon you and those you love. If you are traveling, pray the Rosary for a safe journey and be sure to attend Mass every weekend.

When you stop to eat in a restaurant, say grace and make the sign of the cross publically. Religious liberty is worth defending and worth exercising. May the Lord bless you and may He let His face shine upon you.

Sincerely in Christ, Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

The Courier, August 2013 - 5

The Office of Mission Advancement Joel Hennessy Director jhennessy@ dow.org

with each household in the diocese at the time each respective “wave” launches.

The diocese-wide campaign is divided into three “waves” and is moving across the diocese throughout calendar year 2013. Wave I, the 17 Parishes in the Rochester Deanery, began its planning phase in the early part of the year and formally launched the public appeal in May. As Wave I nears the completion of its formal fundraising activities, Wave II (Mankato and Worthington Deaneries) is set to launch. At the same time, Wave III (Austin/Albert Lea and Winona Deaneries) begins its planning phase for an October launch. The formal campaign will conclude at the end of the year.

As of late July, over $9 million has been pledged to the campaign.

The parishes of Wave I have provided great leadership and inspiration to those in the waves to follow. To accomplish the success in Wave I, literally hundreds of volunteers have offered their time and talent to make this historic and massive effort possible. Volunteers, as always, are the backbone and driving force of a successful effort. Please consider volunteering for your parish when the opportunity arises. It is a rewarding and exciting way live out stewardship while at the same time making a special contribution to the Church.

If you are in Waves II & III, here are some things you can expect as your parish becomes involved in the campaign. First, your pastor will provide you much information and let you know when your parish wave begins. Shortly thereafter, you’ll receive a special mailing from Bishop Quinn which includes a detailed “case statement” that thoroughly outlines the important initiatives of the campaign. There will also be a letter from Bishop Quinn asking you to consider a specific gift. Please read and review these materials carefully and prayerfully consider the request being made of you.

An effort of this importance and magnitude needs the support of all the faithful of the Diocese. Bishop Quinn asks that you consider a gift, whether it be the amount requested or an amount more meaningful to you, the amount is not as important as your sacrifice to join people from across our diocese in strengthening the priesthood and the parishes within its borders. Please pray for the success of the campaign.

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VOCATIONS

I Will Make You Fishers of Men

By Rev. Will Thompson

At the beginning of the Gospels, Jesus calls disciples to follow him. In doing so, He offers a bit of a plan: I will make you fishers of men. He also implies something very important: a transformation will take place. It is quite clear that Jesus did not call the holiest, smartest or most able men. He called those whom he desired to spend time with him as disciples so that at a certain point they would become who they were created to be. Between the call and the resurrection, we see a period of formation. The same holds true for young men and women preparing for the priesthood or consecrated life. They are called not because of what they have done, but simply because God has chosen them.

When an individual decides to discern a vocation to priesthood or consecrated life purposefully, they go through an application process, the end of which results in a new name. Those studying for the priesthood will be called seminarians. Those considering religious life will be called novices or postulants. The terminology is important because it designates a particular group with a specific goal: discerning God's will. When someone enters a seminary, house of formation, convent or monastery, nothing is set in stone! They have simply entered into a period of discernment and formation. At this point, the individual may be confident in their vocation, but the Church also has to be confident that God has called them before allowing them to be ordained or make final vows.

When someone is in formation, there are differ-

ent ways to support the individual. The most important is to pray for them. The final discernment of a vocation can be very difficult and even troubling.

Pray for peace, clarity in discernment and persever-

ance in prayer for the seminarian/novice/postulant.

Frequently, these individuals will leave and pursue a career and family. While it is helpful for them to act in accordance with their perceived vocation, it is not helpful to treat them as though they had already been ordained or made final vows. Rather, find the balance between wanting the individual to be ordained/make final vows and allowing them the freedom to discern God's will.

One outside factor that can be difficult for many is incurred debt. As I have frequently heard, money should never be a reason to leave forma-

The Office of Vocations Rev. Will

tion. And yet for Thompson some it is. When an individual brings Director debt into formation wthompson@ or increases debt dow.org through studies, it can sometimes become a burden. For this reason, there are many ways to assist people financially as they are formed to be priests, sisters and brothers. We are familiar in the Diocese of Winona with some of these ways. The Annual Diocesan Appeal, for example, helps to pay room and board for our seminarians and cover the cost of theology studies (final four years of seminary).

The Bishop Bernard Harrington Seminarian Burse assists with these same costs. Our seminary, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and many other houses of formation rely on gifts beyond the assistance of the ADA and Seminarian Burse. You may be familiar with the “Hearts on Fire” campaign that supports the operating cost of the seminary not covered by room and board. In religious life, many Orders want their postulants or novices to be debt fee at the beginning of their formation, resulting in the formation of groups such as the LaBoure Society (labouresociety.org). These groups seek to raise funds for those in formation so that they can focus on discernment rather than bills.

The final way to support those who are in formation is to pray. Pray for God’s will to be done, and pray for those whom God is still calling to purposefully discern their call as a priest, sister or brother.

We are never finished asking the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest and that he make them fishers of men.

A Vocation Story, cont'd from pg. 1 my sophomore year, we were blessed to have a NET team come and hold a retreat for our class. Part of the retreat was Eucharistic Adoration.

I had experienced Adoration before; my mom had taken us many times.

But this time was different; this time I just knelt there and could not take my eyes off the monstrance. I had this immense feeling of love come over me, I realized how much I was loved

by God and I could think of nothing I could give Him in return, except for my life. So it was then that I gave my heart to God, but my conversion is far from over!

The summer before my junior year of high school, my family made the move from New Ulm to Jackson, MN. It was difficult to leave my home, my friends, everything I had ever known, to start something new in a completely unknown place. (Now that I look back on it, it was a lot like leaving for the convent! Isn’t it funny how He prepares us so early on for what He wishes to do with us later?)

In Jackson I attended the public high school where I was blessed with many Catholic friends. I flourished in my last two years of high school, being involved in many activities including jazz band, theatre, speech, and FFA. But it was also then that my relationship with Christ took the back burner.

I was only going to Mass and practic-

ing my faith because it was what my family did and not because I loved God. When my senior year came, I was trying to decide where to go to school and what to study. My mom, in her motherly wisdom, asked me if I had prayed about religious life. Of course I hadn’t, because at that point it was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to become an elementary school teacher and change the lives of young people. But even this vision I had for myself didn’t seem to satisfy and so my mother’s proposal stuck in my mind until I convinced myself that there was no way that I would ever be a Sister.

The fall of 2011, I started studying Elementary Education at Winona State University. Almost immediately I became involved at the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at WSU. There I met many holy young people who had a great impact on me. It was two young women in particular, just a year older than I, who were discerning religious life that attracted me most. They had this incredible joy, and I realized that this was what I had been looking for! I began going to daily Mass more frequently and making a daily Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The more I prayed and sought to know the Faith, the more I fell in love with Jesus Christ and the more I realized that

my only true joy would come with doing His Will.

During spring break my freshman year, I went on a mission trip with the WSU Newman Center to Harlem, NY to stay with the SSVM Sisters (Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara) and work in their school.

This was the first time that I had seen the day to day life of a Sister, and I couldn’t imagine anything better!

I was completely enamored by religious life, and although I was afraid, I began to discern the possibility of Jesus calling me to be His bride!

I continued my discernment into the summer of 2012 when I taught on a Totus Tuus team for the Diocese of Winona. During this summer, I learned how to trust the Lord more completely, which led to a deeper love for Him and a greater openness to His Will! At the end of the summer, I was home for a week before I left for college again and on Sunday I went to Mass with my family. I was kneeling in my pew after receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist, and it just hit me like a brick: You are called to religious life.

I left for college with this confirmation of my vocation, but with no idea what order I was called to or where to even start. Soon after the start of my sophomore year, I got a spiritual director who helped me to sort things out a bit and encouraged

me to visit some communities. I found the website of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and finding them attractive, I decided to go on a retreat with them. I went to their Motherhouse in Ann Arbor, for a 24-hour retreat, and left with application papers for entrance! I was accepted for entrance into the community in January and will enter on August 28th! I am so at peace with where the Lord has brought me and my excitement builds more and more each day as I approach my entrance day when I take another step towards Him whom my heart loves! Please pray for me and know that you are all in my prayers!

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Bridget Guggisberg

Would you like to help sponsor a religious vocation? Bridget and others pursuing God's will are in need of your help. While they work hard to pay off their student loans, some have to delay entering a convent, monastery or seminary due to their debt. Donations can be sent to the Diocese of Winona with the designation "Vocations Assistance." Any amount will be helpful.

August 2013

Year of Faith Special Edition Insert of The Courier

Year of Faith 2012 - 2013

Declaration on Christian Education In this Issue By: Marsha Stenzel

A Year of Faith Essay Winner Featured

St. Paul

More on YOF page 2

Endow Spolight

One woman's passion blesses many More on YOF page 4

Ask a Canon Lawyer

What exactly are indulgences?

More on YOF page 3

Year of Faith Logo Explained

The logo is composed of a square, bordered field on which a boat, symbolizing the Church, is represented as sailing on a graphically minimal representation of waves. The main mast of the boat is a cross from which sails are displayed in the form of dynamic signs which compose the trigram of Christ (IHS). The background to the sails is a sun which, associated with the trigram, refers also to the Eucharist.

As we approach the end of the Year of Faith on November 24, we recall one of the Vatican II Council documents entitled The Declaration on Christian Education. This significant document provides insight into Catholic education and its impact on society. The document declares that the right of education is the right of every human person. Catholic schools are expected to teach the standards that our public schools teach in addition to teaching students how to be people of faith and service. Through Baptism, children have the sacred right to be taught the deposit of the faith, instructed in the right morals, and guided in a life of prayer and Christian charity. These Christian teachings enable our children to remain hopeful as they will one day continue to educate and form a Christ - centered world.

Parents are recognized as the primary and principal educators of their children.

They have the right and duty to educate their children by making a free choice of the school to which the education of their children is to be entrusted or even by choosing to educate them themselves.

The Christian family is the first school of the virtues which our society so urgently needs. The duty of educating is the rights of parents but also of the Church. The Church is the way to salvation for all. It is her responsibility to communicate the life of Christ to all believers and to prepare the life of faith for future generations.

The Church, as mother, provides the education to her children so their life can permeate with Christ’s Spirit. This education, especially within the Catholic school setting, forms the minds of children to judge rightly, continues the culture of faith in accord with Tradition, fosters a sense of good morals, and prepares students to a life of profes-

sionalism and responsibility. It includes relationships and mutual understanding. The Church reminds us to care for those students who are not Catholic but attend our Catholic schools. The doctrine of salvation, as taught by the Catholic Church, is provided to them by the priests and lay people who teach in the school. The Church respects religious freedom but promotes the moral and religious principles of each family attending the Catholic school.

The Declaration of Christian Education declares the “right of the Church freely to establish and to conduct schools of every type and level.” It contributes to the “protection of freedom of conscience, the rights of parents, as well as to the betterment of culture itself” (#8).

Teachers are to be prepared in both secular and religious knowledge, which includes state licensing qualifications pertaining to pedagogical skill and academic content. Teachers’ daily lives must bear witness to Christ, and they are to engage in a partnership with parents leading their students to an intimate relationship with Christ.

Being a teacher should be based on a vocation to assist parents in fulfilling their duties as Christians.

Parents and educators lead students to a life of Christ lived in the freedom of the children of God. The Declaration of Christian Education states: “The Council also reminds Catholic parents of the duty of

entrusting their children to Catholic schools wherever and whenever it is possible and of supporting these schools to the best of their ability and of cooperating with them for the education of their children” (#8). The Sacred Council of the Church continues: “Spare no sacrifice in helping Catholic Schools fulfill their function in a continually more perfect way” (#9). This includes the care of those who are marginalized, poor, hungry, deprived of the love of family or do not know the gift of faith.

Catholic colleges and universities are encouraged to harmonize faith and science, as was taught by St. Thomas Aquinas (#10). Sacred theology should exist to prepare our young adults for a life encircled with outstanding training as well as the gift of faith. Mindful of passing on this gift of faith to young adults who attend colleges and universities that are not Catholic, the Council advises that, “there should be associations and university centers under Catholic auspices in which priests, religious, and laity, carefully selected and prepared, should give abiding spiritual and intellectual assistance” (#10). The sacred Synod encourages our young people to take up the work of education as teachers, priests, religious men and women, and parish parishioners. The Spirit of Christ should permeate toward excellence in pedagogy and knowledge which advances the renewal of the Church but also improves the intellectual world.

Bishop Quinn has lived his life dedicated to shielding and preserving Catholic schools. He is devoted to the “Catholic identity” of our schools. Let us all work together by providing students with the gift of Catholic faith and knowledge, so that they may enter adulthood as flourishing Catholics.

Calendar Of Events

2 - Year of Faith, August 2013

E vent of the M onth

Events in the Diocese for the Year of Faith Color Key: General Youth Adults School Teachers/Catechists August 12-15, 2013: Junior High "Camp Summit" at Eagle Bluff in Lanesboro CONTACT: Ben Frost August 26, 2013: Catechetical Day, St. Augustine Church & Pacelli School, Austin CONTACT: Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves, RSM, mjgonsalves@dow.org

October 30, 2013: Diocesan Year of Faith Closing Celebration.

CONTACT: Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves, RSM, mjgonsalves@dow.org November 24, 2013: Official Closing of the Year of Faith for the Universal Church

St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles written by Peter Lehn from Hokah, First Place Winner for grades 7-8th Home School division.

St. Paul is a good role model for the Diocese of Winona for the Year of Faith (YOF) for many reasons. A YOF has been called for by the Pope for two main reasons: one, people are taking faith for granted; two, to bring people to the faith through example. In ancient times, thousands were converted by seeing the immense faith of Christians, such as St. Paul.

Saul’s life exemplifies, that, with faith, anything is possible. Saul, born in Tarsus of Jewish parents, was raised to be a rigid Pharisee, and to persecute Christians. Saul hated Christians because they said the Law of Moses had “served its purpose.” On his way to Damascus, to capture the Christians, he was struck blind by Jesus, who, in blinding light, asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” (Windeatt, 1949). Saul, brought to Damascus was cured of blindness by Ananias, a follower of Christ. These events show one of many miraculous conversions that came about by faith.

Saul, now a Christian convert journeyed to Jerusalem, where he was introduced to the Apostles

by Barnabas. When Saul began to preach around Jerusalem, the Jews became so angry, that the Apostles sent him to Damascus to keep the peace.

Saul, now zealous in his faith, went on three preaching trips. He traveled all through Asia Minor, Greece, and Macedonia, which even today, is an enormous amount of travel. During Saul’s journeys, he changed his name from Saul, to Paul, to gain the respect of the Romans.

Paul’s fourth and final journey; his journey to Rome, must have been a nerve-wracking experience. Paul was arrested for being a Christian, and sent to Rome for trial. His shop sailed to Myra, where he boarded a grain ship bound for Rome.

They were caught in a storm, and driven to Crete, were they landed at Fair Havens. Paul warned the

captain that the ship would be lost if they sailed before spring, but the captain said

Catechetical Day 2013 The Diocese of Winona will host its annual Catechetical Day on Monday, August 26th, 2013. This year, the Catechetical Day will focus on the second pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is on the Sacraments. Rev. Randy Stice, STL, MAL, Director for Worship and Liturgy in the Diocese of Knoxville, TN, will present the keynote address.

Workshops will be offered by Rev. Randy Stice; Rev. John Sauer, Office of Worship; Ben Frost, Office of Youth and Young Adults; Peter Martin, Office of Life, Marriage, and Family; Dr. Pam Peroutsky, Rowland Reading Program. We invite everyone in the Diocese—priests, deacons, parish ministers, catechists, RCIA team leaders, Catholic school teachers, homeschool parents, and all interested laity to join us at Saint Augustine’s Church in Austin, MN, for this event. For registration and additional information please check with your local parish or visit the Office of Faith Formation and RCIA webpage on www.dow.org.

Try These Great Ideas for C e l e b r a t i n g t h e Ye a r o f F a i t h !

For Adults: - Buy a Catechism or start a CCC class in your parish!

- Go to Mass every Sunday! (& daily Mass if you can!) and Go to Confession!

- Make a Pilgrimage - Pray the Act of Faith every day!

- Volunteer in your parish!

- Read Pope Francis' weekly message.

For Couples: - Read Scripture together daily!

- Attend Mass every SUNDAY! - Go to Confession together - Make a pilgrimage!

- Pray an Act of Faith every day!

- Pray the Rosary regularly!

- Go to a Natural Family Planning class!

- Go on a Marriage Retreat together!

For Families: - Read the Catechism & Bible with your family!

- Go to Mass every Sunday as a Family!

- Go to Confession together as a family!

- Make a family pilgrimage together - Pray an Act of Faith every day at breakfast!

- Volunteer as a family at your parish.

- Pray the Rosary together regularly!

For Youth: - Ask your parents for YouCat! and Read it!

- Go to Mass every Sunday!

- Go to Confession during Advent & Lent!

- Go to Diocesan Youth Events!

- Say your Act of Faith every day!

they would sail to Phoenix, a port city thirty miles away, where wintering conditions were better. On the way to Phoenix, a storm hit them, and they were caught in it for fourteen days, after which they were shipwrecked on Malta. In the spring, they finished their journey to Rome, where Paul was beheaded. The end of Paul’s life shows the immense faith needed to be a Christian in ancient times.

St. Paul endured much hardship for faith. He lost his friends when he became a Christian, Jews regarded him as a traitor, and, at times, even the Apostles doubted his sincerity. In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells of his hardship. “Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes less one; three times I was beaten with rods; I was stoned; shipwrecked three times, I travelled continually; endangered by floods, robbers, Gentiles, my own people, imperiled in the city, in the desert, at sea by false brother.” 2 Corinthians, 11:24-26. (New American Bible, 1970). St. Paul is a wonderful example of being steadfast in faith, and bringing others to the faith by example. We must imitate Paul’s love and obedience to God, and his willingness to give up everything for Him. After what St. Paul went through, I doubt he ever took faith for granted. The holy people such as St. Paul who have gone before us help us in this struggle of life through prayer and example.

Fosdick, H. E. (1962). The Life of Saint Paul. New York: Random House.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S. (2008). St. Paul: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics. Birmingham, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division.

Windeatt, M. F. (1949). Saint Paul the Apostle: the story of the Apostle to the Gentiles. Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.

Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

The Truth of Our Faith

The Lord’s Prayer

"Give us this day our daily bread"

By Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves, R.S.M.

Mission trips during the summer vacation provide volunteers the opportunity to give of themselves in a unique way. In seeking to give what they have received, these volunteers discover the joy in assisting persons in impoverished situations where there is widespread unemployment, lack of health benefits, or even an inability to procure basic nourishment.

The call for each of us, as members of the Body of Christ, to pray for each other to the Father that we may have the nourishment needed to live is heard clearly in the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, which we will reflect on in this article.

“Give us this day our daily bread,” is a different form of petition in comparison to the three petitions that come before it in the Lord’s Prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that, while the first three petitions “draw us toward the glory of the Father” (#2803), the last four petitions “go up from us and concern us from this very moment, in our present world: ‘give us… forgive us… lead us not… deliver us’” (#2805).

When we pray, “Our Father,… Give us…,” we are expressing that God, who created us, is the Father in whom we trust to give us good gifts. Asking for “our daily bread” is essentially asking for the gift of that nourishment that is necessary for life. The words “this day” and “daily” confirms the dependence and trust we have in the Father to sustain every moment of our life. Taken literally, the Catechism (#2837) explains that this bread we ask for refers to the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, the “‘medicine of immortality’, without which we would have no life within us.”

Given that the Father sustains our life, could we ask volunteers on mission trips simply to teach the poor the Lord’s Prayer and then leave with the hope that the Lord will provide for them? The words of Saint Ignatius of Loyola might come to mind: we are to “pray as if everything depended on God” and “work as if everything depended on ourselves” (CCC #2834).

Here, we learn of our Christian responsibility towards our brothers and sisters who are in need. How do we exercise this Christian responsibility? And do we exercise it is as an act of devotion to Christ?

In the words of Pope Francis during his Homily on the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle (June 3, 2013), we may conclude, “Oh, great! Let's set up a foundation to help everyone and do so many good things to help.” But, he cautions, “that is important, but if we remain on this level, we will only be philanthropic. We need to touch the wounds of Jesus, we must caress the wounds of Jesus, we need to bind the wounds of Jesus with tenderness, we have to kiss the wounds of Jesus, and this literally.”

Therefore, when we pray “give us,” we are also praying for our brothers and sisters in need, and that we may be disposed to practice the virtue of sharing what we have received out of love.

The above reflection only touches the surface of the richness of the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer and is explained in further depth in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In the next article, we encounter that of which our world is in much need—forgiveness—as we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Sacraments: Rediscover the Celebration Diocesan Catechetical Day 2013 “A sacramental celebration is a meeting of God’s children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit; this meeting takes the form of a dialogue, through actions and words.

Admittedly, the symbolic actions are already a language, but the Word of God and the response of faith have to accompany and give life to them, so that the seed of the Kingdom can bear its fruit in good soil” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1153).

In our own lives and the lives entrusted to us, such as one’s children and students, we continue to nourish minds and hearts—the soil— through lifelong education in the faith so that God’s will may be responded to with faith-filled freedom. As we

continue to journey in this Year of Faith, October 11, 2012—November 24, 2013, the Diocese of Winona will host its annual Catechetical Day to provide participants the opportunity to go deeper into their understanding on the second pillar of the Catechism, the Sacraments, and to receive tools for teaching it to others.

Catechetical Day 2013 will take place on Monday, August 26th, 2013, at Saint Augustine’s Church, Austin, MN. The Most Rev. Bishop John M. Quinn will celebrate the Mass. Rev. Randy Stice, STL, MAL, Director for Worship and Liturgy in the Diocese of Knoxville, TN, will present the keynote address. Workshops will be offered by Rev. Randy Stice;

Year of Faith, August 2013 - 3

Ask a

Canon Lawyer

By Mr. William Daniel

Q: "I've been hearing about indulgences in the Year of Faith. Didn't we stop that a long time ago? What exactly are indulgences?"

Reply: The Church’s discipline and practice regarding indulgences is many centuries old, and it has never ceased.

They are even today meant to be a lively part of the personal piety of Catholics.

In order to understand indulgences, let us consider an analogy. A child is playing baseball in his backyard and knows that he could hit a hardball into the neighbor’s window. He hits the ball and shatter’s one of the windows.

He knows he did wrong, but he is sorry. In order to make things right, several things are done: the child goes to his father to tell him what he did; he and his dad tell the neighbor what happened; the boy apologizes to the neighbor; and finally he cleans up the broken glass, while the father pays the neighbor the needed amount of money to replace the window.

These steps roughly correspond to the spiritual order.

After committing a sin, the sinner confesses his sin to God in the Sacrament of Penance. Then, he expresses his sorrow by an Act of Contrition. Next, the priest imparts sacramental absolution, by which God’s mercy solemnly descends upon the penitent and restores him to right relationship with God. The penitent completes the penitential act prescribed by the priest, which helps heal the wrongdoing and bring about a change in the life of the sinner, but it does not truly make up for the sin.

When we commit sin, two things happen: we offend the Eternal God, and we create in ourselves an attachment to evil. Sacramental absolu-

Rev. John Sauer, Office of Worship; Ben Frost, Office of Youth and Young Adults; Peter Martin, Office of Life, Marriage, and Family; Dr. Pam Peroutsky, Rowland Reading Program. We invite everyone in the diocese: priests, deacons, catechists, RCIA team leaders, Catholic school administrators and teachers, anyone involved in any parish ministry, and interested laity—to join us for this Catechetical Day on Pillar II-The Sacraments! Registrations close on August 10, 2013. For more information please check with your local parish or visit the Office of Faith Formation and RCIA webpage at www.dow.org.

tion removes our offense, but we still need to be purified from our attachment to sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1472). This need to be purified is called the temporal punishment due to sin, and it occurs in Purgatory or even on earth. Indulgences are established by the Church out of her treasury of spiritual goods made up of the infinite merits of Christ, Holy Mary and the Saints; we can draw out of this treasury in order to cleanse away this temporal punishment due to sin (ibid., no. 1476). When the boy cleaned up the glass, he began to make up for his sin, but the father’s willingness to pay for the damage is what really made things right; this is what indulgences do.

An indulgence is gained by carrying out a work of piety (e.g., making a pilgrimage to a basilica, praying the rosary) and fulfilling certain conditions: receiving Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Penance, and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, being freed from attachment to sin. An indulgence can be either partial, when it remits part of the temporal punishment due to sin, or plenary, when it remits all of this punishment.

They can be applied either to oneself or to the dead (cc.

992-994).

Mr. William Daniel is a canon lawyer of the Diocese of Winona, serving as a Tribunal Judge and Vice-Chancellor. If you have a canon law question which may be considered in a future issue, you may send them to the Associate Editor at tmartin@dow.org.

4 - Year of Faith, August 2013

Living Our Faith in Society

It Only Takes One Spark

Hello my dear friends! A newborn brings such life to your world - messy, sleepy, energetic, heart-beating, laughing, crying, tickling, kicking, bleeding, playing, serving, loving life! No wonder I'm tired! But our little Damian is a blessing Theresa Martin, beyond belief! Every day his Endow life amazes me! Thank you Coordinator again for all your prayers. (If you are interested, I recorded his birth story on my blog: NewFeminismRising.com) The great thing about nursing babies is you can take them anywhere. And what a blessing it was to speak at "A Women's Day - A Day to Celebrate Femininity" at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Rochester organized by the lovely Shawn Hernandez.

Shawn wanted to do something for women in her parish. She was inspired by the Diocesan Women's Night in Rochester in March and knew she wanted to pass these truths on. She got excited!

She organized a group of over 30 women to go

Shawn organized the day so beautifully! There were talks in English and Spanish!

through a 10 week study group reading, Woman, How Great Thou Art. (That is the book I authored and can be found at Gifts of Faith in Rochester, Angels Everywhere store at the Cathedral of the Sacred Shawn Hernandez Heart in Winona or on Amazon. com.) Because it is conversational in style and an easy yet deep read, it was a great first step to introducing women to the great diginity of woman.

This 10 week study ended in a luncheon, which Shawn then was inspired to expand into a day for women in which any woman (not just the women who were a part of the book study) could sign up and hear speakers affirm and celebrating the beauty of femininity.

When asked why she put this together Shawn said, " To teach women of their beauty, uniqueness, and power that is in being a woman. To empower women to realize this, and live out their femininity to its fullest potential. In a world that we live in that wants to get rid of femininity and the gifts it offers, as Christians we must be counter culteral.

I wanted to take a day and celebrate femininity!

Pope John Paul II said that "women are the crown of the creation of God". Why? Because in the order of creation, everything gets more and more beautiful...and even more complex. Meaning, that women are the most beautiful of all of the creation of God! I wanted women to put those crowns on, at least for the day, and celebrate it!"

Because of her passion and love for women, she was able to not only inspire the 30 women who went

The Office of Faith

Formation

through the book study with her, but Sr. Mary there were over 80 Juanita women who attendGonsalves, ed the Women's RSM Day! Director One person can faithformation make an enormous @dow.org difference!

Just think if every woman who attended this went forward and inspired 10 more women? That would be 800 women. Never think "I'm just one person, one woman, I can't help spread these great ideas." You can - you must! As women we spread ideas one to one, with love, compassion and relationships.

Use that God-given feminine genius and introduce just one more woman to the ideas of new feminism and the great celebration of women that the Church teaches this month! In fact, why not design a day for women at YOUR parish? Email me with questions on how to make this happen: Endow@ dow.org. Remember, you could be that spark that the women around you need!

Theresa Martin's talk was entitled, "Femininity: Weak or Wonderful? The Vision of Woman in the Divine Plan."

15th Anniversary of the Institute of Lay Ministry

The Office of Lay Formation

As I noted in my July column, this current year marks the a people of faith who ‘walk the walk’ and live 15th anniversary of the beginning of the diocesan Institute these words.” [Adapted from the web site of of Lay Ministry. The Institute, begun in 1998, “calls lay women and men to Sarah Hart: www.sarahhartmusic.com.]

Todd Graff a deeper living out of their Christian A vocation in the world, and prepares Grammy® Director them for more faithful and effective n o m i n a t e d tgraff@dow.org We come to a full sense of the diglay leadership in the Church.” To songwriter, mark this anniversary, the Office of Sarah Hart’s love for music and ministry nity of the lay faithful if we consider Lay Formation is planning a process intersect in amazing ways. As an artist, Sarah the prime and fundamental vocaof reflection, planning, and celebration travels all over the United States and the relating to our diocesan lay formation world performing at such major events as tion that the Father assigns to each efforts during the 2013-14 academic the National Catholic Youth Conference, the of them in Jesus Christ through the year.

Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, To kick off this anniversary year, and World Youth Day. Sarah also presents, Holy Spirit: the vocation to holiness, we will welcome acclaimed musician facilitates retreats, and leads parish missions. that is, the perfection of charity. and speaker Sarah Hart to the Diocese As an artist and “musicianary,” as she Holiness is the greatest testimony of to lead a day of reflection for Institute calls it, the reward is meeting people, sharing alumni, friends, and prospective stuher stories, and having them share their own the dignity conferred on a disciple dents. The event will take place on experiences, too. “For me to be able to do of Christ…. Life according to the Saturday, September 28th, at Sacred this work and offer a little bit of an oasis to Heart Parish in Owatonna, and will be people – a little time to delve in and have fun Spirit, whose fruit is holiness (cf. Rom followed by Mass and an evening conand look deeper into their faith and desire 6:22;Gal 5:22), stirs up every baptized cert. more – that's really rewarding to me.” [A The focus for the day of reflection more complete bio is available at her web site, person and requires each to follow will be the “Beatitudes,” from Jesus’ and imitate Jesus Christ, in embracing citedIt above.]

Sermon on the Mount in St. Matthew’s seems most appropriate to begin this the Beatitudes... –Pope John Paul II, gospel: year of celebrating the work of the Institute “The Sermon on the Mount, considof Lay Ministry in our Diocese with a day to Christifidelis Laici (#17) ered to be the pivotal sermon of Jesus' reflect on our “vocation to holiness” as lay ministry, begins with both a reminder disciples of Jesus Christ. And we will do this and a call to the believer; you are in the context of prayer, Scripture, worship, blessed. Blessed in all circumstances, all situations, because we are held in the and music. As an Institute alumni, prospective student, or friend, you are arms of a Father whose mercy does not let us go. Knowing the beatitudes is invited to be part of this special day. For more information, contact the Office one thing; living them is another entirely! With singing, prayer, storytelling and of Lay Formation: (507) 858-1270 / tgraff@dow.org. Deo gratias! small group discussion, participants will dig in and explore what it means to be

By Todd Graff

The Courier, August 2013 - 7

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Lourdes Students Put Their Faith into Action Submitted by: Laura Smith

The Office of

Catholic Education Marsha Stenzel Director mstenzel@dow. org

The Rochester Catholic Schools pursue faith in action and academic excellence in their education. Recently, a group of Lourdes High School juniors have put their faith into action with the Rochester area Habitat for Humanity organization.

Under the direction of Patricia McCleese, Program Manager for Habitat for Humanity and Todd Ustby, Lourdes parent coordinator with Habitat for Humanity, the students have assisted with three homes over the summer months. Laying the foundation for a home in the Dodge Center area, and completing the sodding of two yards in Rochester have given these young men an opportunity to be a part of the greater community. "Their work has been fabulous," complimented McCleese, "I watched these young men sod an entire yard in just over two hours!

Plus they had time for a little fun with the worms and the dirt," she chuckled.

Habitat for Humanity began in the Rochester area in 1990. This Christian-based organization has served over 500 people by providing simple, quality homes to 68 families. As homes are built, qualifying families assist in the labor, along with community volunteers. Over 38 businesses partner with Habitat for Humanity to assist with building supplies, and the mission to "put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, community, and hope" is achieved.

The Rochester Lourdes young men will continue their service through the upcoming year to witness the life transformation of three families as they experience for the first time freedom in their lives as they walk into their new home.

Fall Convention Women of all ages invited!

Sponsored by Winona Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

“Be a Voice of Faith for Women” Saturday, October 5, 2013

St. Catherine’s Catholic Church 203 East Brown Street • Luverne, MN 507-283-8502 Guest Speakers

Most Reverend Bishop John Quinn Speaking on

“Remaining Christian in a Secular World” and

Sr. Marie Paul Locherd, MD Jackson Physician Speaking on

“The Link Between Breast Cancer and Abortion” 8 a.m. Registration Come and enjoy the day with coffee, treats and lunch provided, booths and a special Mass with Bishop Quinn.

(It is OK to copy or reproduce this form.)

(Cut and send this reservation and payment of $20 Registration fee - Checks payable to St. Catherine’s CCW)

NAME: ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________ CITY AND PARISH: _________________________________________________ TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________________________________________ FIRST TIME ATTENDEE: ____________ YEARS ATTENDED: ___________ Reservations due by September 15, 2013 (Reservations After 9/15 are $25) Send Reservation and $20 Registration fee to: Sue Linebeck • 613 N. Cedar • Luverne, MN 56156 • 507-283-8502

8 -The Courier, August 2013

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

CHOSEN - cont'd from pg. 1

the Mass, presided over by our very own Bishop John Quinn. He encouraged the youthful crowd to show the world that they are not the future of the Church, but are the Church today! Before the closing announcements a special blessing was given to those who felt they may have a call to the priesthood or religious life. A large group of young men and women crowded toward the front to receive this blessing. At the conclusion of the conference it was apparent that a lot of conversion had happened. These young people truly are “Chosen” by God for a purpose. These young people will change the world around them. Let us all continue to pray for the youth of this Diocese. God is good! All the time! A special thank you to Franciscan University of Steubenville and Partnership for Youth for making this great conference possible. We also thank all the priests, youth ministers and adult leaders who

made countless sacrifices to make this event happen. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Participant Shout Out Greetings Steubenville participants! Our conference is now done, and for many of you it might be difficult coming down from such a spiritual “high”. I wanted to take a moment to encourage you to keep the fire in your hearts burning.

Some people return home after an event like this and are met with discouragement because they no longer have the many friends they’ve met or the speakers to motivate them. This makes sense, but I invite you to be courageous! You have Jesus Christ and He is sufficient. Find ways to start integrating your faith in your everyday life. Make sure you are praying every day. If you have an Adoration chapel in your parish, then stop by and spend time with Jesus. If you fall into sin, do not be discouraged, but rather get to confession right away. The fire in our hearts is only extinguished if we allow it be. I also invite you to connect with the friends from your town. You might consider getting together regularly to read the bible or study apologetics (apologetics is a term for learning more about your faith so you can articulate it well to others).

Find what works best for

The Office of Youth & Young Adults

you and keep going.

Your presence in our diocese is a witness of hope. We are Ben Frost proud of you. We believe in you! We Director are praying for you! bfrost@dow.org Sincerely, Ben Frost

EVANGELIZATION & APOLOGETICS

Freedom Of Religion:

a State Handout or Our Inalienable right?

By: Raymond de Souza

The Bulletin of June last year of the US Catholic Bishops Conference stated: “Some unjust laws impose such injustices on individuals and organizations that disobeying the law may be justified. Every effort must be made to repeal them, to witness to the truth by resisting the law and incurring its penalties.”

Bishop Thomas Paprocki (Springfield, IL) in an excellent article kindly sent to our office, cited Cardinal George of Chicago who spelled out the similarities between communism and contemporary secularism explicitly in a recent column in his diocesan newspaper: “The purpose of communism and of contemporary secularism is the same: to create a society where God cannot appear in public, to erase any evidence of religious belief from public life and to prevent the church from acting in history, confining the Church’s mission to private worship, carrier of a belief system that can have no influence on society except on secularist terms. In this sense, secularists in this country and elsewhere are successors of the communists of the last century.”

Bishop Paprocki commented that “It is an ominous sign for our national security when the United States Military starts playing politically correct games with religious freedom. Volunteers from Gideons International have been informed that they can no longer give Bibles at the local military induction centers to the men and women entering the armed services. The Gideons have been giving out Bibles to American military personnel for more than half a century without incident. Apparently the government now thinks that soldiers armed with Bibles would pose a risk to our national security”.

He concluded by saying that if democracy is to survive in this country and not fall to a new form of totalitarian government, we need to recapture the role of religious and moral values in society.”

History tells us that many of the first Europeans who came to the New Continent of America were fleeing religious persecution. In this land, they found the liberty they were looking for: the very first article in the bill of rights defends freedom of religion.

The Courier, August 2013 - 9

The Office of Evangelization & Apologetics Raymond de Souza

In simple terms, Congress can neither establish a new religion, nor forbid its Director establishment by others. The Declaration rdesouza@ of Independence boldly proclaims a selfdow.org evident truth: that certain human rights are unalienable, and were given to men by the Creator, not by the State.

“All men are created equal, are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, such as, Life, Liberty and the purIn August: suit of Happiness. We hold these truths to Thurs., August 8: 6 p.m. St James Coffee House, Rochester; be self-evident.”

‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ – training in Apologetics.

Tues., August 13: 6 p.m. St James Coffee House, Rochester; Therefore, the right to worship God ‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ – training in Apologetics, in according to one’s well-informed conscience Spanish. is not a privilege, a State hand-out, a concession. No, it is an unequivocal human right.

There are still days available for August & September. Parishes interIt is inherent in our very humanity, and – I ested in booking talks on Apologetics for the Year of Faith are invited add - no State has the power, authority, or to contact Mr. Raymond de Souza at (507) 858-1265 or RdeSouza@ competence to remove it or to limit it at will.

DOW.org.

I would recommend all of you to visit the Bishops’ conference website and watch the video in which Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore elaborates on this basic right.

Now, the Declaration of independence is not an atheistic document. It is not a confessional document, either, as it does not belong to any particular religious affiliation. But it is certainly not atheistic.

The State exists to protect the common good, not to destroy it. The State is not divine: is it formed by a group of men and everything that we can do to improve the lot of women just like you and me.

To be elected to office does not grant infallibility or people in need, regardless of their religion. Catholic institutions do not serve only Catholics, but everyunlimited power.

The State must protect the liberty of all citizens one who come to us.

Critics may argue about the good or bad perforto do good things to others. True, religion refers mance of such institutions, their administration, to individuals, but our freedom of religion is not limited to attend Mass in Church and pray the accountability, competence of their heads, orthorosary at home. It is our right as Catholics – and doxy of their teaching, etc., etc., but not about their our duty as citizens and residents – to contribute right to exist without violating their consciences to the Common Good. Hence the Catholic Church and being forced to pay for sin. As Bishop Quinn has schools, hospitals, universities, soup kitchens, said, ‘We cannot’.

Raymond de Souza's Speaking Schedule

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Celebrates 100Years Submitted by: Mary Donahue The Catholic Daughets of the Americas Court Winona #191 celebrated their 100th Anniversary at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on June 23 at the 10:30 Mass with a dinner and short program that followed. Our new State Chaplain Deacon Paul Tschann was installed by his excellency, Bishop John M. Quinn, outgoing State Chaplian.

Shirley Seyfried National Elect Regent and Minnesota State Representative was in attendence along with all the State Officers and Honor Guard provided by Court Caledonia.

Court Winona is the oldest Court in Minnesota and was established in February 1913. There are currently 30 Courts throughout the State.

From L to R: Bottom row: Lorraine Schmitt, Caledonia, Esther Waas, Winona Financial Secretary, Mary Donahue, Winona Regent, Sandy Smith, Winona Secretary, Barb Kleinschmidt, Winona Treasurer, Rev. Jason Kern, Winona Chaplain.

Middle Row: Denise Sackreiter, Winona District Deputy, Rosalie Doering, Caledonia, Nancy Janke, State Secretary, Ellen Huneke, State Regent, Shirley Seyfriend, National Regent Elect, Margee Keller, First Vice State Regent, Evonne Sievert, Second Vice State Regent, Sophie Zvonar, State Treasurer. Top Row: Deacon Paul Tschann, State Chaplain, Laura Eglington, Caledonia.

10 - The Courier, August 2013

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Why the Senate Comprehensive Immigration Bill is not an amnesty or an act of solidarity:

By: Deacon Eduardo Fortini

The proposed immigration reform legislation which the U.S. Senate recently passed is not an amnesty because the current immigrant workforce of 15 million people, far from being a crime, is a natural answer to the needs of the U.S. economy. Nor is it an act of solidarity on the part of the government because each undocumented worker and undocumented resident will have to pay $5,000 for the Registered Provisional Immigrant status before applying for Permanent Residency. To enter in the RPI (Registered Provisional Immigrant status) process, they will also have to pay taxes in a retroactive manner covering all past years in the country (if the taxes weren’t paid before), pass background checks, and would have no rights to Obama Care until they go through the Permanent Residency process 10 years later and successfully complete it. In order to do this, they would need to pass a very difficult English, Civics and History Test. The possibility of applying for citizenship would only then come 13 years after the acquisition of the RPI status. If the undocumented individual would be dropped during the process for not meeting one of the many requirements of the bill, the government (USCIS) will keep the application fees anyway. This is true in any immigration process,; money is never reimbursed when the benefit is denied by the Immigration Service. The English Test, to become a Legal Permanent Resident after 10 years, will be a major barrier for many.

On the positive side, the bill will tremendously strengthen the economy and U.S. citizens will be the first ones to benefit from that.

When unskilled and low skilled foreign workers, the majority of whom possess very limited English skills, take on very basic and necessary jobs in factories, meat packing plants, farms, hotels, restaurants, and so forth, this serves to increase the opportunity for low skilled American workers to take on better

paid jobs at higher positions which require a greater English language proficiency. When you are in a hotel or restaurant in an urban area, pay attention to who works at the front desk welcoming people, and then to who works behind the scenes cleaning, cooking, landscaping, and so on.

The self evident principle that the part is smaller than the whole applies also in economics. The number of employees must necessarily be greater than the number of employers, as is true for the number of workers in relation to their managers. You cannot increase the number of employers, owners, and managers without also increasing the unskilled and low skilled workforce. The unskilled and low skilled foreign workers, rather than taking jobs from U.S. born citizens who possess better English language skills, can serve to allow the native U.S. born workers to have better opportunities to become managers and employers, to open businesses, and to enhance their employment in agriculture-related industries.

Communication skills are certainly a must to be a manager, an employer, or a business owner.

When this unskilled and low skilled workforce of 15 million people is able to come out of the shado w s , t h e y w i l l inject a vital finan-

The Office of Hispanic Ministry Deacon Eduardo Fortini

cial energy into Director the U.S. econo- efortini@dow.org my. They will be able to consolidate and pay for what they already have. Many of them will obtain driver’s licenses. They will seek insurance coverage. Many will buy new cars and new houses – as well as the new furniture, appliances and electronics, etc., that are part of furnishing a home. They will be able to freely travel through the U.S. and back to their country of origin. They will go on vacation, purchasing airline tickets and increasing the use of trains and buses. They will file taxes without fear and openly contribute to our society. By being granted this greater legal recognition and enhanced sense of dignity, they will be energized and motivated and will help lead our whole country to a brighter future.

Once out of the shadows, the Latino population will also give witness to the whole country of the perennial values of faith-filled marriages between a man and a woman, of committed fatherhood and motherhood, and of the inherent dignity of life from conception to natural death. The statistics with regard to the Latino population speak clearly to this.

Their markedly higher birth rate and larger families stand in contrast to the broader culture’s wider acceptance of contraception, abortion, and same sex unions. The Latinos are not only an economic hope for our great country, they are also a great hope for perpetuating our Christian values.

The Courier, August 2013 - 11

IN THE DIOCESE

August Event Calendar Parish and Community Events Mass for Life & Marriage St. Mary’s Church, Winona offers a Mass for Life and Marriage on both the first and third Thursday of the month, at 5:15 p.m. Rosary at 4:50 p.m. Call the office for updates.

Holy Hour of Prayer, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona will host the monthly Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty on Saturday, August 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. After the 8 a.m. Mass.

Everyone is welcome.

Sacred Heart Church, Adam Annual Roast Beef and Ham Dinner, Aug 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Roast Beef and Ham, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Candied Carrots, Coleslaw, Buns and Pie! Adults $9, 10 & under $4, 4 and under free.

St Francis of Assisi, Rochester there will be a book signing by author Jeanne Lamsam, “Are You Ready? Three Steps to Make Sure.” a personal experience

from a layperson to other laypersons. The author will be on hand in the St. Clare Room, to answer questions and sign copies of the book after 4:30 p.m. Mass on Aug 24 & after the 8 & 10:00 a.m.

Masses on Aug 25.

Saint Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Mazeppa Hosts its annual Fall Bazaar September 15. Ham & Turkey Dinner 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Adults - $11, Children 5-10 - $5, 4 & under - $1. Bingo, Raffle, Country Store, and Children’s Games. Catholic United Financial providing Matching Fund Grant.

Thank you for your help in making our Fall Bazaar a success!

St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Elba is celebrating its “100” Year Celebration & Fall Festival on Sunday, September 8. Festivities will start with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a Roast beef dinner.

There will also be a Cash Raffle, Silent Auction, Farmers Market/ Bake Sale as well as other activities. Please come and help us

celebrate this joyous event.

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Eyota Annual Fall Festival Celebration on Sunday, Sept 15. Join us at for a Polka Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a BBQ Chicken Dinner. Many activities are planned including: a Big Ticket Raffle, Arms Length Raffle, Farmer’s Market, Bake Sale, Children’s Activities and a Bean Bag Toss Tournament. For more information, please contact the parish office at 507-932-3294.

Bible Study, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s, Winona will offer the Bible Study Series “The Bible Timeline – The Story of Salvation” by Jeff Cavins.

Come learn the major events in the Old and New Testaments, how they fit together and how they relate to Jesus Christ. St. Mary’s Tuesday evenings 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. or Cathedral on Wednesday mornings 9:30 a.m.

– 11:30 a.m. Beginning Sept 24 and going for 24 sessions. Cost: $38. Register online at cascwi-

Spanish Mass Schedule Albert Lea, St. Theodore, Spanish Mass, 11 a.m., every Sunday.

Austin, Queen of Angels, Spanish Mass at 11 a.m and 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Dodge Center, St. John Baptist de La Salle, Spanish Mass, 11 a.m., every Sunday.

Fairmont, St. John Vianney, Spanish Mass, 2 p.m., every Sunday.

Lake City, St. Mary, Spanish Mass, 6:30 p.m., every third Sunday.

Madelia, St. Mary, Spanish

Mass, 10 a.m., every Sunday.

Mankato, Ss. Peter and Paul, Spanish Mass, 1 p.m., every Sunday.

Owatonna, Sacred Heart, Spanish Mass, 1 p.m. every Sunday.

Pipestone, St. Leo, Spanish Mass, 2:30 p.m., every Sunday Rochester, St. Francis of Assisi, Spanish Mass, 12 noon, every Sunday.

St. Charles, St. Charles Borromeo, Spanish Mass, 11:30 a.m., every Sunday.

St. James, St. James, Spanish Mass, 12 p.m., every Sunday.

St. Mary, Lake City, Spanish Mass, 6:30 p.m., every 3rd Saturday.

Waseca, Sacred Heart, Spanish Mass, 11:30 a.m., every Sunday.

Windom, St. Francis Xavier, Spanish Mass, 12 p.m., every Sunday Worthington, St. Mary, Spanish Mass, Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.

Hispanic Priests/Sacerdotes Hispanos: Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas Capellán del Decanato de Worthington lukiponcho@yahoo.es Tel. 507-341-0403 Padre José Morales Capellán del Decanato de Rochester jloralesr2008@yahoo.es Tel. 507-329-2931 Padre Carlos Arturo Calderón Capellán del Decanato de Mankato fathercarlos@hotmail.com Padre Mariano Varela IVE Párroco de “SS. Peter and Paul” en Mankato mvarela@hickorytech.net Tel. 507-388-2995 ext 103 Padre Octavio Cortez IVE Vicario Parroquial de “Ss. Peter and Paul” en

Mankato Tel. 507-388-2995 Padre Raul Silva Pastor de “All Saints” en New Richland, “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, “St. Mary” en Geneva padreraulsilva@gmail.com Padre Rafael Chávez Capellán del Decanato de Austin/Albert Lea rchcanahua@hotmail.com Padre Wellington Muñoz Vicario Parroquial de “Queen of Angels” en Austin, “All Saints” en New Richland, “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, “St. Mary” en Geneva munozwel@gmail.com Tel. 507-433-1889

Please note: submission deadline is the 15th

nona.org or pick up Registration Forms in the Church’s Offices.

For more information: Jean 608687-9546 or Donna 507-454-1296.

St. Adrian, Adrian will host its annual fall dinner on Sept 15 in the church parlors from 4 - 7 p.m. Come join us for a dinner & desserts and beverages! The big ticket will have over one-hundred prizes. Many raffle items along with a country store and a fish pond for the kids.

Women's Christian Experience Weekend at Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls, MN 'Women only’ weekend Sept 13 – 15. Info available at Pax Christi Church, Rochester. Questions, please call Teresa Farley Severson at 507-289-6695.

Prayer Vigil and Public Witness against Abortion Semcac Clinic is a delegate of Planned Parenthood – the nation's leading abortion provider. Please consider joining a local group from 3-4 p.m. each Tuesday in front of Semcac at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona for an hour of prayer. Contact Will Goodman at (608) 698-7443.

Pastoral Care Coordinator - Job Opening, Assisi Heights Assisi Heights is currently seeking a PT Pastoral Care Coordinator to work with a team in providing pastoral care services to the Sisters and Staff.

Qualifications include a minimum of two years experience

in long-term care or with geriatric population, superior interpersonal communication skills, 4 yr degree in Pastoral Ministry or equivalency, Chaplaincy certification in NACC or ACPE desirable.

EOE. Interested? send resume to: Judy A. Rud, Director of Human Resources, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or email judyrud@myclearwave.net.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Currie Wanted: Part-time job as Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister. Want someone who is organized, loves working with children, and is on fire for the Catholic faith. Please call Father Vogel at 507.295.1030.

NFP Gathering, Rochester Join us as we celebrate the beauty of Natural Family Planning, a method that works with and respects the woman's body. The gathering will be on Sunday, August 25 at 5:30 p.m. Please contact Ron and Kathleen Sieve for more information at (507) 2806099.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage Join us to visit a place were the Virgin Mary has been appearing to six visionaries. November 12-20. Visit website: www.pilgrimages.com/stoen.

Traditional Latin Mass Schedule Alpha, St. Alphonsus Liguori, weekly and daily. Sunday: 5 p.m. except second Sunday of the month variable.

Guckeen, Our Lady of Ransom, weekly. Sunday, 11 a.m., except second Sunday of the month, 9:15 a.m.

Mankato, Ss. Peter and Paul, first Saturday month, 9 a.m.

Rochester (Simpson), St. Bridget, first and third Sundays of the month, 1 p.m.

Wabasha, St. Felix, weekly. Saturday 8 a.m.

Chatfield, St. Mary's, Saturday morning, please check with the parish for the time.

The Televised Mass Offered as a service for the homebound and elderly. Every Sunday on the following stations: KTTC-TV, Channel 10, Rochester at 9 a.m. KEYC-TV, Channel 12, Mankato at 7:30 a.m. Donations for the continuation of this program may be sent to: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN 55987.

Thank you for your donations to the TV Mass

12 -The Courier, August 2013

IN THE DIOCESE

Lumen Fidei - The Light of Faith

ENCYCLICAL LETTER “LUMEN FIDEI” OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF FRANCIS

By Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves, R.S.M. On July 5, 2013, Pope Francis encyclical entitled “Lumen fidei” or “The Light of Faith” was released at a press conference in the Vatican. The “Light of Faith” completes the papal teachings on the three theological virtues, faith, hope, and love. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI issued the encyclicals “Deus Caritas Est” on Charity in 2005 and “Spe Salvi” on Hope in 2007. Pope Francis writes on the need to recover the light of Faith in Lumen Fidei, #4: “There is an urgent need, then, to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.

The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence. A light this powerful cannot come from ourselves but from a more primordial source: in a word, it must come from God. Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love, a love which precedes us and upon which we can lean for security and for building our lives. Transformed by this love, we gain fresh vision, new eyes to see; we realize that it contains a great promise of fulfilment, and that a vision of the future opens up before us. Faith, received from God as a supernatural gift, becomes a light for our way, guiding our journey through time. On the one hand, it is a light coming from the past, the light of the foundational memory of the life of Jesus which

revealed his perfectly trustworthy love, a love capable of triumphing over death. Yet since Christ has risen and draws us beyond death, faith is also a light coming from the future and opening before us vast horizons which guide us beyond our isolated selves towards the breadth of communion. We come to see that faith does not dwell in shadow and gloom; it is a light for our darkness. Dante, in the Divine Comedy, after professing his faith to Saint Peter, describes that light as a “spark, which then becomes a burning flame and like a heavenly star within me glimmers” [Paradiso XXIV, 145-147]. It is this light of faith that I would now like to consider, so that it can grow and enlighten the present, becoming a star to brighten the horizon of our journey at a time when mankind is particularly in need of light.”

The full text of the encyclical is found on the Vatican website at www.vatican.va

Hispanic Community makes $100,000 Pledge

By Joel Hennessy Rochester, MN – August 1, 2013 - The Hispanic Community of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Rochester recently announced its pledge of $100,000 to the Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope campaign. This historic pledge marks the first of its kind for the Hispanic community.

“This pledge represents a major step toward fully integrating into the Saint Francis of Assisi community and an awareness of the importance of parish stewardship within the Hispanic population.

They are always grateful to God and to the service they receive from the Church” Stated Fr. Jose Morales Rojas, parochial vicar for

the Hispanic Community.

Fr. Mark McNea, pastor, shared his delight in the news. “Our Hispanic brothers and sisters are a vital part of the Saint Francis community…this pledge is a historic moment for our Hispanic community as they demonstrate their commitment to supporting our parish, their Faith and the priesthood in the Diocese of Winona.”

Look for updates and a schedule of future events related to this effort in upcoming editions of the Courier.

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