February 2015 Issue of The Courier

The

COURIER

Ash Wednesday, February 18

February 2015

www.dowcourier.org

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

M a rc h i n g F o r L i f e SEEK 2015

Busloads of pilgrims from throughout the Diocese of Winona traveled to St. Paul on the 42nd anniversary of Roe v Wade. We joined our prayers and voices with thousands of others who made it clear that all life is sacred. We were there to stand up for the more than 57 million unborn children who have lost their lives since the legalization of abortion in 1973.

Pilgrims from all corners of the Diocese were picked up at the Catholic Churches in several cities including Slayton, Windom

and Mankato. They made their way to the Cathedral of St. Paul where they joined the Seminarians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at the annual Prayer Service for Life. Thousands of other Minnesota Catholics, led by Bishop Lee Piché, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, commemorated the millions of lives lost to abortion and also lifted up in prayer the many women and men who have been wounded by Marching for Life, cont'd on pg. 10

From January 1st by: A.J. Garcia, FOCUS through the 5th, 55 Team Director at WSU student from Winona State and Minnesota State Mankato attended SEEK2015, a national conference presented by FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students). SEEK is a gathering of college students on a journey. It’s a place for students to come together to take on some of life’s BIGGER questions and to learn from one another. In order to live life to the fullest, we need to ‘ask, seek and knock’ to discover who we are, where we’re going and what motivates us. After 15 hours on a bus we arrived ready to ‘ask, seek and knock with 9,500 others from across the country!

Each morning began at mass with multiple bishops and nearly 200 priests in a 150,000 square foot exhibition hall. Some of the mass was in English and some in Latin, considering the size of the celebration the mass was extremely reverent and holy.

Following mass the men and women split up for talks directed specifically to them about Christ centered virtue, vocation, and holiness. During the afternoon students had the choice of multiple breakout sessions for two periods each day. Some of the SEEK 2015, cont'd on pg. 6

INSIDE this issue

Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking

more on page 4

DOW parish director meets Pope more on page 11

Sixth Institute Class begins read about Lay Formation on page 9

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

2 Women are Irreplaceable in Passing on the Faith, Pope says

Articles of Interest

Learning to Cry

Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking Historic capital campaign making an impact

page 4

page 5

St. Thomas More Newman Ctr.: Dedication Mass

page 5

All Called to Evangelical Counsels

page 7

The Face of the Diaconate

Women in prayer. (Credit: CNA.)

page 4

page 7

Catholic Charities: MediAppS

page 7

National Catholic Schools Week

page 8

Waseca Honors Catholic School Principal

page 8

Highlights of 2014 for ILF

page 9

Paradigm Shifts - Moments of Change

page 10

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News, By Ann Schneible). Women in the page 11 family have a crucial role in transmitting the faith from one generation to the next, Faith Formation Director Greets Holy Father said Pope Francis during morning Mass for the feast of saints Timothy and Titus. pages 14-16 Addressing the congregation gathered in the Vatican's Santa Marta residence on Catholic Ministries Appeal Jan. 26, the Pope centered his reflection on Paul’s letter to Timothy – who writes Special Insert that his “sincere faith” comes from the Holy Spirit “through his mother and grand- Announcing Vision 2016 mother”.

“Mothers and grandmothers are the ones who transmit the faith,” the Pope said, according to Vatican Radio's translation. He noted that faith is a gift which is passed from one generation to the next by the women in the family, namely “mothOfficials ers and grandmothers,” or “maids and aunts.” The reason faith is passed by “mainly women,” the Pope said, is “because the one who brought us Jesus is a woman.”

The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces “It is the path chosen by Jesus. He wanted to have a mother: the gift of faith the following: comes to us through women, as Jesus came to us through Mary.” Pope Francis stressed the need for women, “in our own day,” to be “aware of the duty they have Appointments: to transmit the faith.” The Pope went on to make the distinction between passing Mr. Peter Martin, appointed to be Minnesota Catholic Conference Diocesan Liaison for the Diocese of Winona, effective January 14, 2015. on the faith and teaching on matters of the faith.

“Faith is a gift: it is not possible to study faith,” he explained. “We study the things of faith, yes, to understand it better, but with study (alone) one never comes Bishop's Calendar to faith. Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, which surpasses all ('academic') formation.”

During his homily, the Pope also warned against timidity to avoid a faith that February 2, Monday February 7, Saturday 11 a.m. – Mass for Consecrated 4:30 p.m. – Mass and Anointing for is watered down. In Paul's letter, Timothy is told to avoid “empty pagan chatter, Religious, Our Lady of Good Counsel World Day of the Sick, St. Mary empty chatter of the world.”

Convent, Mankato Hospital Chapel, Rochester “We have – all of us – received the gift of faith,” the Pope said. He warned of the importance of keeping the faith “in order that it not become watered down, so February 5, Thursday February 9, Monday 9 a.m. – Mass & talks with the students 4 p.m. – Sacred Heart Major that it remains strong, with the power of the Holy Spirit who gave it to us.” Pope at Crucifixion School, La Crescent Seminary Board Meeting, Detroit Francis also touched on the “spirit of timidity,” which “goes against the gift of faith.”

1 p.m.

– Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) “God has not given us a spirit of timidity,” Pope Francis said. Timidity, he added, February 13, Friday 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Mtg., Winona “does not let faith grow, advance, be great. Shame, in turn, is the following sin, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Teach at SMU February 6, Friday (which says): 'Yes, I have faith, but I cover it up, that it not be seen too much.'”

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Teach at St. Mary February 14, Saturday Referred to by “our forebears” as “rosewater” faith because of shame of living 9:15 a.m. – Spanish Mass at IHM University, Winona (SMU) “it powerfully,” the Pope said “this is not the faith.”

Seminary, Winona “(Faith knows) neither timidity nor shame. What is it, then? It is a spirit of power and of love and of prudence: that is what faith is."

“We ask the Lord’s grace,” Pope Francis concluded, “that we might have a sincere faith, a faith Child Abuse Policy Information that is not negotiable depending on the opportunities that come, a faith that every day I try to Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy revive or at least ask the Holy Spirit to revive it, and make it bear much fruit.”

Information http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/women-are-irreplaceable-in-passing-on-the-faith-pope-says-21135/

The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 106 - 02

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Joel Hennessy, Editor Theresa Martin, Associate Editor 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.

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February, 2015 w The Courier

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.

Drawing Closer to Christ Dear Friends in Christ,

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn there to stand up for the dignity of every human life, which begins at the moment of conception.

We stood in loving witness to the lives of more than 57 million unborn children who have been aborted since the legalization of abortion in 1973.

I am deeply moved by stories of all the young people and especially those from the Diocese of Winona, who stand up

World Day for Consecrated Life Knowing that Pope Francis instituted this year as the Year of Consecrated Life, it is the perfect year to truly celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life. It was in 1997, when St. John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world.

So too, those in con-

secrated life are called to reflect light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

This year, the celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday (Feb 7- 8) in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.

The Diocese of Winona is greatly enriched by the presence, love and work of so many consecrated brothers and sisters in our diocese. I am also so pleased to see the number of our parishioners who are in formation for Consecrated Life who will be featured in the March issue of The Courier. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.

Catholic Schools The last week of January was Catholic Schools Week. I have a great passion for our Catholic schools. I believe they are the most effective method for communicating the faith to the next generation and showing them how to live the Faith. Catholic schools have high academic standards and they graduate students who are prepared to be active, positive and contributing members of their communities.

The Diocese of

Winona is truly fortunate to have 22 elementary schools, 4 high schools, many preschool programs attached to a school and 4 separate preschool programs.

Many of them will have special programs in observance of Catholic Schools Week, which will be featured in the March issue of The Courier.

Thank you for your support of our schools.

From pre-school to graduate school, I believe our qualified and gifted educators and staff offer the best educational opportunities available anywhere in the diocese.

For most, it requires a significant sacrifice to send your child to private school. Through a scholarship from the Diocese of Winona Foundation Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Fund, sending your child to one of our many schools may be more realistic than you think. Please inquire at your local school as to who is eligible and how to apply.

Catholic Ministries Appeal Closer to Christ, the theme of this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal, is fitting during a time when our culture continues to tell us that religion is obsolete. The work of the Church is still vital to spreading the Good News of Christ and supporting His faithful.

We draw Closer to Christ, knowing that we are called by Him to continue

His work. Christ offers us an infinite amount of love and mercy. We are strengthened through Him to go forth and lead others Closer to Christ as we come together as one Church. The good works made possible through the Appeal create opportunities for thousands of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Winona to draw Closer to Christ in their lifelong journey of faith!

This year the Appeal weekend is February 21 – 22. All gifts will be used solely for the restricted purposes of the 2015 Catholic Ministries Appeal. The Appeal supports specific ministries and programs of the Diocese of Winona and other Catholic organizations. The restricted purposes are identified specifically on the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota website.

From the Bishop

March for Life I was so pleased to be able to join the three busloads of pilgrims from the Diocese of Winona traveled to St. Paul at the end of January on the 42nd anniversary of Roe v Wade. We gathered to join thousands from all across the state of Minnesota who were

for life and are willing to bring their faith out into the world. I want to thank Peter Martin, our diocesan Director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family and Ben Frost, our diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adults, organized and led the pilgrimage from our diocese that consisted of young adults, including our IHM seminarians. It is so important to have the courage to bring our faith out into the world even knowing there may be resistence.

Our diocese’s Annual Pilgrimage for Life chose St. Paul as its destination this year, but plans to return to Washington, DC next year to join the tens of thousands prolifers at the National March for Life. We hope you will join us!

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Pastoral Planning: Vision 2016 This month, we take another step forward in Vision 2016. After months of deliberation and discussion, the plan is now ready for parishes to review. I ask, that before each parish planning discussion, time be given for Eucharistic Adoration and prayer, for at least one half hour or more, before the discussion begins. The Church is the work of the Triune God and does not belong absolutely to any one of Bishop Quinn, cont'd on pg. 12

Bishop's Calendar cont'd 4 p.m. – Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Eucharistic Adoration with Mass, Dinner, and Short Program at St. Ann Church, Janesville February 15, Sunday 3 p.m. – Mass, Dedication of new St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato February 17, Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – Holy Hour (College of Consultors) 10:30 a.m. – College of Consultors’ Meeting, Winona 2 p.m. – Clergy Personnel Committee Meeting, Winona February 18, Wednesday

12:10 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Mass, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church, Winona February 19, Thursday 1 p.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting, Winona February 20, Friday 6:30 a.m. – Lauds and Mass, IHM Seminary, Winona 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Teach at SMU February 21, Saturday 5:30 p.m. – Winona Area Catholic Schools Gala, Winona February 22, Sunday 3 p.m. – Rite of Election - RCIA,

Queen of Angels Church, Austin

University, Winona

February 24, Tuesday 11 a.m. – Presbyteral Meeting, Albert Lea

March 4, Wednesday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Minnesota Catholic Conference, Chancery Office, St. Paul

Council

February 25, Wednesday 4:45 p.m. – Vespers and Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona February 26, Thursday 10 – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) – No Cabinet Meeting 1:30 p.m. – Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary Finance Council Meeting, Winona February 27, Friday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Teach at St. Mary

March 5, Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Minnesota Catholic Conference, Chancery Office, St. Paul March 6, Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Catholic Leadership Institute, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona March 8, Sunday 8:30 a.m. – Mass at Christ the King Church, Byron 10:30 a.m. – Mass at Holy Family Church, Kasson February, 2015 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

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Learning to Cry by: Tom Grenchik Friends of mine recently adopted a little girl, “Annie,” from another country. As could be expected, Annie has become the center of attention of her new mom and dad and her three new brothers. One remarkable story they shared is that it took some time living in their home before Annie learned to cry.

In some crowded orphanages, they explained, children learn that crying does not elicit an immediate response.

There are simply too many children in need and not enough caregivers to help. Little ones quickly learn that if no one is going to respond, crying doesn’t yield positive results. So, if a child falls down, gets hurt, or needs something, he or she just internalizes it. These children become programmed not to cry out for help. It

Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow.org

seems other adoptive parents have shared the same experience.

The story made me stop and think just how much

we take for granted. The sound that every new parent awaits in the delivery room is their baby’s first cry. It’s the announcement of the newborn child’s presence. And that cry will be responded to countless times during his or her life.

Crying out for help is human. When we are hurt or overwhelmed, it is healthy and fitting to cry for help. And it is human to want to respond to those

is now available on the Office of Life, Marriage & Family’s website! ability, who may need help from their neighbors and the church community, but thinks that no one cares. Consider the mothers or fathers of aborted children who, in coming to terms with their grief, may mistakenly assume that the Church is the last place to seek help. Consider the family that has lost employment or is facing financial hardship, but is embarrassed to ask for assistance. Look around, and listen for those cries.

Crying out for help is a good thing. Annie has happily learned this and is keeping her family busy with this wonderful new awareness that the people around her will respond to her in love. And her family loves responding.

May each of us learn (or re-learn) how human it is to ask for help without shame when we need it.

May we be aware of those around us who may not have the ability or freedom to ask for much-needed help, especially during the holiday season. And may we always be ready to respond to cries that come our way.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an abortion, find hope and help at www.hopeafterabortion.com or call 888-456-HOPE (4673).

who are hurting. As believers in Christ, we know this is not only a human response to suffering – it is our Christian duty to serve those in need.

Our culture, however, has become hardened to many who cry out. We idolize the strong and beautiful and tend to disregard the weak and imperfect.

In our own lives, have we been programmed not to call for help ourselves or to look past those who Tom Grenchik is Executive Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic do? Consider the person who feels alone in sickness and may be tempted to feel he or she is a “burden.” Bishops. For more information on the bishops' pro-life activities, please visit www.usccb.org/prolife.

Consider the family caring for a child with a dis-

National Day of Prayer for Victims & Survivors of Human Trafficking

On February 8th, 2015 the USCCB will observe the National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking.

February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy.

Once Josephine was freed, she dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering.

Last February, Catholics throughout the country observed the national day of prayer through Masses, prayer vigils, and other events to raise awareness about human trafficking in their parishes and communities.

This coming February, we encourage you to do the same. Through prayer, we not only reflect on the experiences of those that have suffered through this affront to human dignity, but also comfort, strengthen, and help empower survivors.

Please visit www.usccb.org/shepherd to download prayers, intercessions, a toolkit and other resources to help you host a human trafficking event locally. Visit www.usccb.org/stopslavery for more information about human trafficking and to download flyers for the National Day of Prayer including a Mass that will be held on Sunday, February 8th at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. In the words of our Holy Father Pope Francis, may we be “slaves no more, but brothers and sisters.”

February, 2015 w The Courier

The 2015 Synod of the Family Questionnaire

Historic capital campaign making an impact across the diocese Nearly two years after the launch of our Diocese's historic five-year capital campaign, the committed and faithful parishioners of our Diocese continue to make gifts toward the campaign goals.

To date, $26,391,234 has been pledged toward the $30,000,000 Rejoice In Hope Goal, surpassing the Challenge Goal of $25,000,000.

Even though the public fundraising phase of the campaign is complete, Catholics who were unable to participate previously are invited and encouraged to make a gift. Personal financial situations change and some people are forced to adjust or even cancel their pledges. In these cases, we trust that new or additional gifts will be made by those whose financial situation has improved.

Gifts can be made at anytime during the remainder of the campaign. If you are able to give a new or additional gift, you may do so online or contact our office for more information. Any additional gifts will go directly to the Priests' Pension and to the IHM Seminary project. Of course, your parish will also benefit by receiving 25% of any new gifts.

We are happy to announce that as of

Msgr. Richard Colletti, Vicar General, Diocese of Winona

December 31, 2014, forty-four percent or $11,471,958 has been collected and distributed to the Priests' Retirement Plan, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and to our parishes.

Our priests are now assured of a secure and well-funded retirement plan. Nearly $4.5 million has already been applied and as pledges and new gifts are paid, the Priest' Pension Board is already considering when to decrease or eliminate amounts assessed to parishes.

To date $5 million has been pledged toward

CHALLENGE: Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary

long-range mission of the seminary.

Across the diocese, parish projects are also underway utilizing the $2.7 million which has been collected and distributed. A total of $6.2 million has been pledged to our parish projects.

This historic capital campaign has already made a tremendous impact across the diocese. As our priests look toward their futures, they can be assured of a dignified retirement. As men look toward a vocation in the priesthood, they will see our commitment to them in the facilities at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. Thank you for taking a vested interest in the future of our diocese. May God continue to bless you abundantly for your generosity and your stewardship.

Mission Advancement

CHALLENGE: Priest Retirement

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Peg Zehren, St. Mary’s Parish

the IHM Seminary project. Of this amount, $2.3 million has been received. Actual construction will begin once 75% of the pledged funds are received. Even though construction has not yet begun, plans are actively underway. Much improvement will be accomplished with the amount pledged to date. Reaching the next goal level would make even greater impact on the

Joel Hennessy Director jhennessy@dow.org

St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center: Dedication Mass of the Chapel & Student Center MANKATO – Sunday, February 15th will be a historic day here at the newly built St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center as Bishop John Quinn celebrates a 3:00 pm Dedication Mass of the Chapel and Student Center.

“In many ways, the Dedication Mass is also a Mass of Thanksgiving for all those who have so generously supported the Newman Center and the students,” said Fr. Tim Biren, Chaplain. “The students, in organizing this Mass, are looking to say ‘welcome’ and ‘thank you’ to all those who have so generously given of themselves in order to build this beautiful chapel and student center,” he added.

Ground was broken on the new facility in the spring of 2014 and opened for the students on January 11. An estimated 5,000 Catholic students attend Minnesota State University, Mankato. Students from Bethany, Rasmussen and South Central colleges in Mankato are also welcome to attend the center and participate in all the student activities. “This building is so important, because it serves as a place of fellowship and worship for so many young people who are making critical decisions about their lives,” Catie Bettendorf, Staff FOCUS Missionary said. “It’s a place where they can come and be themselves and work toward making those decisions that will benefit us all as a society in the long run.”

Ministry at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center began in 1921. The original Newman Club met at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church until a new center was built in 1961. That facility closed as the campus relocated and land

was purchased in a new location in 1978 with many prayers to build a new center. In gratitude to generous benefactors, those prayers have now been answered. Thanks be to God. February, 2015 w The Courier

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SEEK 2015, cont'd from page 1

Youth & Young Adults

speakers included Fr. Robert Spitzer, Abby Johnson, Dr. Ted Sri, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Jason Evert. We were very fortunate that so many people shared their wisdom, lived experience, and practical applications of living for Jesus and His Church in their vocation.

A highlight after each conference is “Adoration had the bus ride home. me in tears…I Students took turns think I’m in love coming to the front with Jesus!” of the bus and used the microphone to share their conference testimonies. A theme that emerged from what students shared was their experience Saturday night during Eucharistic adoration. Fr. Mike Schmitz talked about the reality of the intimacy and physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist – his talk led up to nearly 2 hours of adoration.

The students, FOCUS team members, priests from the Diocese of Winona at the SEEK Conference During this time priests also heard confeswith Bishop Quinn. sions (it is estimated over 4,000 were heard that night alone!) Some students returned to the Sacrament for the first time in several years! During adoration few eyes were dry and knees seldom left thought my faith was where it needed to be. But this conference showed me the floor. On the bus ride home, several there is more that I can do to live out my faith. There are more things I can “This confession line students, some Catholic and some not, do to share my faith with other people. I have gifts to use that can help bring might be worse than the talked about meeting Jesus for the first joy to others.

That encounter is the same experience these students hope to bring with DMV. At least you won’t time in an intimate way that night – an encounter they said that has changed them back to their respective campuses this semester and invite others into a get turned away for the their lives. One student said, “For a life giving and changing encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church. wrong paperwork!” young woman with insecurities from being a teenager, feeling that love was so cleansing and healing. I was Ben Frost completely overcome Director while in Christ’s presbfrost@dow.org ence during Adoration.”

Another from MSUMankato said this, I

February, 2015 w The Courier

All Called to Evangelical Counsels

Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@dow.org

of how we can become saints in our homes and workplaces, in our leisure and in the pews. He does not exempt anyone from becoming holy, but encourages

everyone to follow Jesus in the evangelical counsels.

These become avenues to receive and share in God’s grace.

Fr. Jim Russell, one of my former pastors, liked to talk about poverty as “possessing things, but not letting them possess us.” He, like St. Francis de Sales, recognized that we do need material possessions to get through our life. Food, shelter and clothing are the necessities of life. Yet we can ask ourselves: Am I grateful to God for what I have? Do I have so much that I become focused on preserving my “treasures” rather than using material possessions to lead me closer to Christ? Do I know the difference between what I need and what I want? Occasionally I will encounter someone who has very little, and yet is filled with joy. They become examples to me of what a life of poverty can look like because they are not burdened by an overabundance of stuff that slowly begins to possess them.

All persons are called to chastity! We sometimes link chastity with abstinence, and for some people that is true. But even then, this counsel may be viewed as a renunciation. The virtue of chastity does not tell us what we should live without, but how are to live by sharing ourselves, body and soul, with those around us. Chastity looks different for Clergy and Religious

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than it does for Married persons. It looks different, also, for teenagers. When we live in chastity, we never, ever take, but always receive. We do not use others for our own purposes, but give ourselves as a gift.

When we live in obedience, we listen well to the needs of others and the invitation of God. Obedience teaches us how to lay down our lives; think of Jesus in the Garden when he says “not my will, but thy will be done.” This is obedience!

All of us are first to be obedient to God, which is one of the reasons why we pray, read the Scriptures, and worship at Mass. If we live as God’s children, it becomes easier to be obedient to those around us, such as family.

Religious make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and so become signs to each of us on how to live in communion with God. They are not the only ones, however, who live these counsels. Take some time to consider how you can better live out the evangelical counsels and, as you do so, you may just find that you are living better.

Vocations

Last month I pointed out how Religious make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a way to live the good life in their particular vocation, and at the same time we are all called to live out each of these evangelical counsels. By growing in these counsels, we live our vocations more faithfully or, if you are still discerning your vocation, the evangelical counsels become guideposts to know your path in life.

It is possible for all of us to live poverty, chastity and obedience according to our way in life. St. Francis de Sales made a concerted effort to show all people that they can be holy: sainthood is not only meant for Religious and Clergy. In his book “Introduction to the Devout Life,” he uses many contemporary examples

The Face of the Diaconate Easing the Breathing & the Budget

“full time deacons” for their diaconal ministries extend to all areas of their lives. from the Office of the Diaconate This month, and severfor information email Director, Msgr. al times a year thereafter, Thomas Cook, tcook@dow.org this column will present to you the face of the diaconate in the Diocese of Did you know that there are 29 men Winona by describing diaconal ministry ordained to permanent ministry as dea- as it is being lived by our deacons. It will cons in the Diocese of Winona? Not only be an opportunity for you to celebrate that, but some of them have over 30 the ministry and life of ordinary deacons, years’ experience in diaconal ministry? and to highlight the importance of this Or did you know that there are currently great gift to our diocese. Let me give you 11 men in diaconate formation discern- a glimpse of my ministry as deacon. ing the call and preparing for ordination?

I have been assigned by Bishop Yes, usually in the background and Quinn to serve the parishes of Holy rather quietly, you will find deacons Cross, Dakota and Crucifixion, La throughout the breadth and width of Crescent. There I visit the sick, baptize southern Minnesota, men who have children, witness marriages, assist at given their lives to the Church and sent funerals and graveside services, and

by Bishop Quinn into parishes, prisons, preach at Sunday Mass one weekend a schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and month. I assist at daily Mass whenever other places to bring the Gospel of possible, and preach a homily every Jesus and the presence of the Church Thursday morning. I have been assigned to those most in need. by our Bishop as the Assistant Director Deacons receive the Sacrament of of Deacon Personnel, arranging for Holy Orders, and thus are clergy and and planning continuing education and incardinated into a diocese. As cler- retreats for our deacons and their wives. ics, they have promised respect and I collaborate with several of our priests in obedience to the Bishop and enter into establishing and fostering the Courage a special relationship with him, and and EnCourage apostolate. I serve on indeed with the whole Church. Most the Editorial Board for the Josephinum deacons are also married with families Diaconate Review, conduct retreats for and full-time careers who have, with the deacons in other dioceses, and maintain help of sacramental graces of marriage a weblog focused on Evangelization. I and Orders, integrated seamlessly their have been on staff at Gundersen Clinic diaconal and marital vocations. Some in La Crosse Wisconsin as a clinical deacons live the celibate life if they were social worker for nearly 30 years! All of single at the time of their ordination or this in addition to being a husband for 33 if their wives precede them in death. years and a father for 32!

While most can rightfully say they have Life is full and wonderful as a dea“full-time careers” in the world of busi- con! What a beautiful vocation, indeed, ness, health care, industry, technology, is the diaconate! See you in the next etc., they also truly say that they are column.

by: Deacon Bob Yerhot

by: Lori Garlock, Catholic Charities’ MediAppS Caseworker

We are taught that our choices have consequences, both good and bad. Politics, family, faith, financial means, and overall health, both mental and physical, influence the type of choices that we make. For many people that are on a tight budget, financial means has the greatest influence on day-to-day choices.

After the rent, electricity, and car payment are paid for the month, many important choices need to be made with the remaining money.

Many times the choices can be difficult as other necessities like food, gasoline, car insurance, and medications compete for limited resources.

Fortunately, the Medication Application Service (MediAppS) of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona can help individuals and families either by assisting with the payment of medications or helping to find lower cost solutions to their medication needs, depending on the household income and residency. Here’s a real life example.

Edward’s Next Breath Recently, a medical secretary at a doctor’s office called the MediAppS office wondering if MediAppS could help with the cost of an albuterol inhaler for a patient without prescription drug insurance. After a few brief questions about income and residency, I told the medical secretary to have Edward (not his real name) stop by the Catholic Charities office. Moments after ending the phone conversation, the physician was on the phone, asking if we could also help with a more expensive inhaler that would truly help Edward with his newly diagnosed breathing condition of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a chronic and progressive disease without a known cure.

I explained to the physician that both

brand-name inhalers were available through the pharmaceutical company’s patient assistance program. After some quick paperwork at my office, Edward was able to receive an immediate one-month supply of both brandname mediations at the local pharmacy. The medications were purchased with a voucher from the pharmaceutical company. During the next month, working with Edward and his physician, I enrolled him in the pharmaceutical company’s patient assistance program, which would provide Edward with a 90-day supply of both medications every quarter for an entire year. The two medications in total would have cost nearly $400.00 a month. This far exceeded Edward’s available resources.

After we secured this solution, Edward confided in me that not knowing when his next breath of air was coming was very frightening. However, he continued, affording the two brand-name medications without prescription drug coverage on a fixed-income was absolutely terrifying. Overjoyed and relieved, Edward was extremely grateful for the help he received from his medical provider and MediAppS, which eased both his breathing and his budget.

How Can MediAppS Work for You? A phone call to MediAppS can provide you with cost-saving tips and suggestions that you can discuss with your medical provider. It is important to note that each pharmaceutical company has its own guidelines in regard to participation in its patient assistance program, such as the type of medication that is available, income limits and insurance status. To make an appointment, contact the MediAppS office in Winona at 507-454-2270 extension 245.

February, 2015 w The Courier

Catholic Schools

8

National Catholic Schools Week Celebrated January 25-31 National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It begins the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2015 was January 25 - 31. This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Schools throughout the diocese observed the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focused on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.

Catholic education has three goals

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week with the Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Quinn at Lourdes High School on Tuesday, January 27.

Marsha Stenzel Superintendent mstenzel@dow.org

necessary to fulfill their primary mission. The first allows students to “encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth” (Pope Benedict XVI). The objectives provide an environment in which students build and deepen their relationship with God, promote an academic culture intended to search the truth, and energetically promote growth in virtue.

The second goal places an emphasis on the school as a community. Trust and collaboration among teachers, students, parents (primary educators of their children), and board and trustee members build a learning and faith community which strengthen academic, spiritual, religious, emotional, and social growth. Students are welcomed from a variety of ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds.

Programs are based on a sense of respect for the contributions of every student.

The third goal is experienced through serving our brothers and sisters. Every student is encouraged to participate in Christian service programs which promote the lived reality of action in service

of social justice. The more affluent we become, the he does listen to teachers, it is because they are less exposure we have with those who are margin- witnesses” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975). Our young alized. Catholic schools promote empathy through people are extremely sensitive to concrete experiservice to those less fortunate and live out the gos- ences in their lives. This example must be lived pel, “Whatsoever you do to the least of them, you by their teachers who model their lives to their students. do unto me.”

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, Christ, being the center of all we do, enables each of us to focus our life towards an understand- stated in his address to educators in the United ing of the world in which we live. This life is geared States, “Education is the heart of the Church and towards the encouragement of human dignity and is critical to the Church’s mission to proclaim the the common good. Students who graduate from good news of Jesus Christ.” Everyday our students our schools understand what it means to be called in Catholic schools are invited to personally know a Christian and to work for the will of God through Jesus, to love Him, intimately, and to serve Him a life deeply rooted in Christ. It is the intent of all wholeheartedly. The reason our Catholic schools exist: to keep the souls of our children in a state of Catholic schools to lead our stugrace paving the way for heaven. dents toward the pursuit of truth and live a virtuous life.

Good Catholic educators know the only proper way to educate their students is by providing a formation that centers on Christ alone. Students must be taught through an understanding of word and deed. Pope Paul VI clearly stated this point when he observed that “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if LeAnn Dahle, principal of Sacred Heart School in Waseca, was selected as the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Boss of the Year. The well-deserved honor was in recognition of her leadership at Sacred Heart School. Waseca’s Chamber of Commerce and Sacred Heart School Board members honored LeAnn at a reception and dinner at the Starfire Event Center in Waseca on January 31. Congratulations to LeAnn as well as all of our Catholic School principals who hold a position of trust and service as they minister to faith based communities by nurturing the education of highest quality rooted in Gospel values to our students.

Catholic Schools Week will be

commemorated in the March issue of The Courier!

Please send in your all photos and stories to courier@dow.org February, 2015 w The Courier

Waseca Community Honors Catholic School Principal

Vision 2016 Update

Diocese Shares Draft Plan to Strengthen Sustain Catholic Ministry in Diocese

and

Draft Plan Includes Changes for About Half of Our Parishes This month, it is with both hope and sadness that the Diocese of Winona releases the DRAFT parish cluster structure details of Vision 2016, our plan to ensure a sustainable future for our parishes, parishioners and priests and success of our Catholic community within and across our 280–mile diocese. w Our sadness stems from the reality that in order to serve our parishioners well, we must take the difficult step of moving some of our parishes toward oratory status as they merge with larger communities. w Our hope rests in our faith in God. Our hope is bolstered by a thoughtful and inclusive process that will allow us to serve our communities well for the foreseeable future. And our hope is strengthened by the commitment, respect and love we have for each other -- within and across our parish communities and diocese. w We know that our diocesan leaders, our pastors and lay leaders will support each other through this process in order to ease the grief some in our communities will experience, as well as to welcome those who will join and re-shape our parish communities.

The planning and changes are necessary in order to ensure that we are adapting to two critical and compounding factors: 1. We have fewer priests (current and projected for the future) in our diocese than in the past to serve our far-reaching 114 parishes and parishioners.

2. Demographic shifts of both growth and decline in areas of our diocese require us to re-examine and adapt how we serve specific communities and the diocese. w For example, the number of individual parishes in our diocese with fewer than 70 households or 70 people attending Mass has grown from 14 in the year 2000 to 21 today. All of these have very limited sacramental activity outside of Mass. w When we look at overall population, only 6 of our 20 counties will grow in the next 30 years and 14 will remain stable or decline. Stable Mass attendance depends upon a population growth of 30% over a 10-year period simply because our population is aging and our youth and young adult membership is in decline. w In the next decade we face a shortfall of about 10 pastors, as 20 priests retire and only 10 are anticipated to be ordained.

As part of the Vision 2016 process for 2015-16, each parish in the Diocese will develop a two-year to three-year Parish Pastoral Plan "My greatest hope for this process is that we become a more vibrant, active Diocesan Church; more capable to build up the faith life of people and more effectively bring them into closer relationship with Christ." (Fr. Steffes: St. Augustine and St. Edward, Austin)

over the coming year to "Despite challenges, I do hope that we create a more sustainable can utilize resources and join efforts in path forward locally and order to have stronger parishes focused diocese-wide. In addition, on Jesus and not on community identity nearly half of our parishes alone. (Fr. Kern: Good Thunder, Mapleton, can expect organizationVernon Center) al change as a result of the draft plan. These may include variations in how parishes are clustered, the residence of a pastor, or the merging of parishes (including 21 to become oratories without a Sunday or Vigil Mass).

While Vision 2016 focuses closely on the next 1 to 5 years, it also includes and encourages a longer-term view of trends, needs and possibilities, and an expectation that the plan will be reviewed and adapted in an ongoing fashion to ensure that all parishes, clusters and priests are positioned to thrive in their current community -- or in a new community should change become necessary.

The overall goals of Vision 2016 are to strengthen our parish and diocesan life in Christ, to be proactive and wise in our stewardship and growth as a Catholic community, and to have the capacity to serve all of our faithful. Vision 2016 is a process of moving forward together toward greater and shared vitality, clearer expectations, and deeper hope and faith.

“Together we will set goals towards Vision 2016 that will help us be the light of Christ in the world,” Bishop Quinn states in his introduction of Vision 2016. “We will together define the key actions we must take at the parish level to build the Catholic Church and to attend the pastoral and sacramental needs of the faithful … We will grow in our faith and be strengthened in our Catholic identity so we can enable our parishes and schools and thus the entire Diocese of Winona to indeed become a stronger, more visible presence of Christ in southern Minnesota.”

As noted in updates about Vision 2016 in previous issues of The Courier, the draft Vision 2016 plan was developed with guidance and input from parish and deanery leaders over the previous two years.

Over the coming weeks and months, all of our Catholic community members will have the opportunity to offer possible improvements to the proposed plan for their community. Ultimately, Bishop Quinn will be tasked with making the serious and necessary decisions regarding the future of our parishes, clusters and deaneries based on the capacity of our priests to serve them, and the capacity of our communities to sustain the wider mission of the church for the long term.

This issue of The Courier provides a summary of what’s included in Vision 2016, the process for our community members to learn more about and provide input to the draft plan, and a timeline for the steps ahead. To read the public summary of the draft plan, as well as the Vision 2016 Parish Pastoral Plan Guidebook, visit the Diocese of Winona website at www.dow.org.

Prayer for Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Winona

Almighty God, we the people of the Diocese of Winona prayerfully look to the future. During this time of pastoral planning, we implore the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us the gifts of wisdom, courage and hope.

May we exercise the virtue of prudence by opening our hearts and minds to be good stewards of the legacy of faith inherited from those who built the Church on the prairie, the hills, and in the valleys.

May we exercise the virtue of justice by opening our hearts and minds to assure that the voices of people from all generations, all vocations and all areas of the Diocese are welcomed and respected.

May we exercise the virtue of fortitude by opening our hearts and minds to understand and acknowledge the spiritual and practical realities of our day and prepare for the days to come; and May we exercise the virtue of temperance by opening our hearts and minds to accept the changes in diocesan, parish and personal life that the Holy Spirit, through this planning process, is guiding us to make.

Under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother, may we discern and implement what is best for the diocesan Church and all the faithful of southern Minnesota.

We pray this through Christ, our Lord.

February, 2015 w The Courier

Vision 2016 Development Timeline

Vision 2016 Q&A

2012 - 14

A parish pastoral plan is a process by which a local faith community — with a deep appreciation of its past, and an understanding of its present strengths and weaknesses — seeks to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the people within, and beyond, its community. This is accomplished through consultation and dialogue that leads to action. Vision 2016 provides clear descriptions of key goals for each parish in its Parish Pastoral Plan concerning ministry roles, worship, stewardship, faith formation, etc.

2016 and Beyond

• Communicating to parishioners & pastors • Deanery level orientation to DRAFT Cluster Plan of Vision 2016 • Facilitated community meetings for parishes recommended for oratory status • Facilitated Parish Pastoral Planning by parish clusters • Consultation with Bishop on possible improvement of DRAFT Parish Cluster Proposal & the 2-Year Parish Pastoral Plan

• Parish demographic analysis • Assessment of priest resources and capacity • Drafting of proposed parish, cluster and deanery options • Deanery-level feedback and refinement • Bishop Planning Team feedback and refinement • Communication to parishioners and pastors

What is a parish pastoral plan?

2015

• Facilitated Parish Pastoral Planning by parish clusters • Consultation with Bishop on possible improvement of DRAFT Parish Cluster Proposal and the 2-Year Parish Pastoral Plan • Decision making by Bishop • Implementation of Vision 2016 Plan and Parish Pastoral Plans

What defines a parish?

A parish is defined as a gathering of the people, a community of the faithful; it can include one or more worship sites, properties, etc.

Mankato

Pipestone

What is a cluster?

A cluster is group of individual parishes that each retain their respective corporations, assets, liabilities, worship sites and property, yet may share their staff, ministries and resources.

What is a deanery?

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What is an oratory?

The following criteria guided the recommended parish changes for this draft plan. They are based

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A canonical merger is when two or more parishes canonically and civilly consolidate their assets, liabilities, worship sites, ministries, staff, and property (and perhaps corporations).

What were the criteria to determine recommended status changes for parishes?

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What does it mean to "merge"?

An oratory is a worship site that no longer holds Sunday or Vigil Mass. The building, however, may be used for local Catholic weddings, funerals and other specified events.

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A deanery is a regional arrangement of several neighboring parishes and clusters for support and communciations.

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• The minimum threshold for sustainability of a parish is an average of 91 households.

• The conversion of a parish to an oratory is based on an average threshold of 70 households or worshippers at Mass; and 50 or fewer sacramental activities within a 4-year period.

• Plans should not require more than three Sunday/Vigil Masses per priest (plus weddings, funerals, etc) for the sake of their health and well being, and in hopes of encouraging prolonged full-time service.

Canon law refers to the legal system and laws of the Catholic Church.

How can parishioners become involved in this process?

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Parishioners are invited to become involved in the Vision 2016 process in the following ways: • To learn more about the proposed plan, attend deanery level meetings as an appointed parish leader between February and May of 2015; or attend facilitated community meetings for parishes recommended for oratory status. Dates, times and locations of these meetings will be announced in the Courier and Church Bulletins.

• Offer to assist in your parish’s pastoral planning process between June 2015 and February 2016.

See your parish bulletin or contact your parish office for opportunities and details starting this coming Spring of 2015.

• Pray for your parish, the people, the priests, the diocese, and the Church.

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Parish Planning Process 2015-16

Diocese of Winona (Eastern Deaneries) Recommended Clusters

Diocese of Winona (Eastern Deaneries) Recommended Clusters

based on

Vision 2016

draft plan

From To

114 2 51 5

Parishes Newman Ctrs Clusters Deaneries

93* 2 46 5

* This includes converting 21 parishes to oratory status.

February, 2015 w The Courier

Vision 2016

Recommended Changes by Parish *Adams, Sacred Heart Cluster redefined, see map *Adrian, St. Adrian Cluster redefined, see map *Albert Lea, St. Theodore Cluster redefined, see map Altura, St. Anthony Oratory, merges with Rollingstone *Austin, Queen of Angels Cluster redefined, see map *Austin, St. Augustine No change Austin, St. Edward No change *Blm. Prairie, St. Columbanus Cluster redefined, see map *Blue Earth, Ss. Peter & Paul No change Brewster, Sacred Heart No change Brownsdale, Our Lady of Loretto Oratory, merges with Austin, Queens Brownsville, St. Patrick Cluster redefined, see map *Byron, Christ the King No change *Caledonia, St. Mary Cluster redefined, see map Canton, Assumption Oratory, merges with Harmony *Chatfield, St. Mary Cluster redefined, see map Claremont, St. Francis de Sales Oratory, merges with Dodge Ctr. Conception, Immaculate Conception No change Currie, Immaculate Heart of Mary No change Dakota, Holy Cross Oratory, merges with LaCrescent Deerfield, Corpus Christi Oratory, merges with Medford Dodge Ctr., St. John Bapt. la Salle Cluster redefined, see map East Chain, Holy Family Oratory, merges with Fairmont Easton, Our Lady of Mount Carmel No change Elba, St. Aloysius Oratory, merges with St. Charles Ellendale, St. Aidan Oratory, merges with New Richland Ellsworth, St. Mary Oratory, merges with Adrian Eyota, Holy Redeemer Cluster redefined, see map *Fairmont, St. John Vianney Cluster redefined, see map *Fulda, St. Gabriel No change Geneva, St. Mary Oratory, merges with Blm. Prairie Good Thunder, St. Joseph No change Grand Meadow, St. Finbarr No change Harmony, Nativity of the B.V.M. Cluster redefined, see map Hayfield, Sacred Heart Cluster redefined, see map Heron Lake, Sacred Heart No change Hokah, St. Peter No change Houston, St. Mary No change Iona, St. Columba No change *Jackson, Good Shepherd No change *Janesville, St. Ann Cluster redefined, see map Jasper, St. Joseph Oratory, merges with Pipestone Johnsburg, St. John No change Kasson, Holy Family No change Kellogg, St. Agnes No change *La Crescent, Crucifixion Cluster redefined, see map *Lake City, St. Mary of the Lake No change Lake Crystal, Holy Family Cluster redefined, clusters with

Ss. Peter & Paul, Mankato Lake Wilson, St. Mary No change Lakefield, St. Joseph No change Lanesboro, St. Patrick Oratory, merges with Preston LeRoy, St. Patrick No change Lewiston, St. Rose of Lima Cluster redefined, see map Lismore, St. Anthony Cluster redefined, see map Litomysl, Holy Trinity No change *Luverne, St. Catherine Cluster redefined, see map Lyle, Queen of Peace Cluster redefined, clusters with

Austin, Queens Mabel, St. Olaf Cluster redefined, see map Madelia, St. Mary Cluster redefined, see map

February, 2015 w The Courier

*Madison Lake, All Saints No change *Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul Cluster redefined, clusters with

Holy Family, Lake Crystal *Mankato, St. John the Baptist No change *Mankato, St. Joseph the Worker Cluster redefined, see Lk. Crystal *Mapleton, St. Teresa No change Mazeppa, Ss. Peter & Paul No change Medford, Christ the King Cluster redefined, see Deerfield Minneiska, St. Mary Oratory, merges with Rollingstone Minnesota City, St. Paul Oratory, merges with Rollingstone Minnesota Lake, St. John the Baptist No change New Richland, All Saints Cluster redefined, see map *Owatonna, Sacred Heart No change *Owatonna, St. Joseph Cluster redefined, see Deerfield Pipestone, St. Leo Cluster redefined, see map *Plainview, St. Joachim No change Preston, St. Columban Cluster redefined, see map *Rochester, Holy Spirit No change *Rochester, Pax Christi No change *Rochester, Resurrection No change *Rochester, St. Francis of Assisi No change *Rochester, St. John the Evangelist No change *Rochester, St. Pius X No change *Rollingstone, Holy Trinity Cluster redefined, see map Rose Creek, St. Peter Cluster redefined, see map *Rushford, St. Joseph No change Sherburn, St. Luke No change Simpson, St. Bridget No change *Slayton, St. Ann No change *Spring Valley, St. Ignatius No change *St. Charles, St. Charles Bor. Cluster redefined, see map St. Clair, Immaculate Conception No change *St. James, St. James Cluster redefined, see map St. Kilian, St. Kilian Oratory, merges with Wilmont *Stewartville, St. Bernard No change Truman, St. Katherine Oratory, merges with Fairmont Twin Lakes, St. James Oratory, merges with Albert Lea Vernon Center, St. Matthew No change *Wabasha, St. Felix No change Waldorf, St. Joseph Cluster redefined, see map *Waseca, Sacred Heart No change *Wells, St. Casimir No change West Albany, St. Patrick No change West Concord, St. Vincent de Paul Oratory, merges with Dodge Ctr. Westbrook, St. Anthony No change Wilmont, O. L. of Good Counsel Cluster redefined, see map Wilson, Immaculate Conception Oratory, merges with Winona,

St. Stanislaus *Windom, St. Francis Xavier No change Winnebago, St. Mary No change *Winona, Basilica of St. Stan. K. No change *Winona, Cathedral of the S. H. No change Winona, St. Casimir No change Winona, St. John Nepomucene No change *Winona, St. Mary No change Woodstock, St. Martin Oratory, merges with Pipestone *Worthington, St. Mary No change

Key: Black = No Change; Green = Cluster Redefined; Blue = Oratory Status * indicates parishes to host a resident pastor.

Highlights Institute

of 2014 for the of Lay Formation

9

Lay Formation

“I want a laity, not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men [and women] who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it.”

- Blessed John Henry Newman

I am writing this column as we begin a new calendar year, and I thought sion to form the laity for faith-filled service in the world and in that it might be good to review and reflect on the events of 2014 in the life of the Church, the Institute welcomed a new class of students. 54 our diocesan lay formation program, the INSTITUTE OF LAY FORMATION. lay people from across the diocese, representing 27 parishes, began their formation journey together this past fall. There are So, here’s a few of the highlights from the past year…

37 women and 17 men (with four married couples in the group), Celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Institute During the 2013-14 academic year, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of and their ages range from 17 to 74. As has been true for each the beginning of the INSTITUTE OF LAY MINISTRY in its mission to “call class, the current group brings together men and women with lay women and men to a deeper living out of their Christian vocation in the a deep commitment to the Catholic Faith, and a true desire to world, and to prepare them for more faithful and effective lay leadership in the grow closer to Christ through the teaching and witness of his Church.

Church.”

The anniversary year began with a faith-filled and inspiring retreat day and evening concert led by the well-known singer, songwriter, and speakTodd Graff er, Sarah Hart. The Director Institute also offered a tgraff@dow.org year-long course on the laity for our alumni and for prospective Institute students. The course focused on Pope Saint John Paul II’s landmark statement, Christifidelis Laici, on “The Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and the World,” and guided participants in reflecting on their own call to discipleship and ecclesial service.

First Institute Pilgrimage With Pope Francis’ statement, “The Joy of the Gospel,” to guide our jourI have learned so much and gained such camaraderie with so many peoney, some 17 Institute alum’s and friends participated in the first ever ILM ple with wonderful ideas which help me to view my own and to look at Pilgrimage in May. Our group traveled to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine concepts and truths in a different light and perspective. ~ Very much in LaCrosse, WI, and to the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at enjoying this learning experience and the peace it is helping to bring to Holy Hill (near Hubertus, WI). We spent our time learning about the shrines, my life. ~ This may be the best thing I have done since becoming Catholic. praying and reflecting together, building community through conversations I love the format, readings and diocesan community. – Institute students and shared experiences, and simply enjoying the chance to step back from our I look back on the past year with much joy and gratitude for the grace and ordinary routines to let the Spirit work in our lives in a fresh way. blessings that God continued to bring to our diocesan Institute community. We Our pilgrimage brought me in touch with both the external and internal beauty celebrated a truly wonderful and faith-filled legacy of 15 years of lay formation of our faith. It was a gift to have this shared experience with our group, as well here in our diocese, and we embarked anew on this mission with a new name as shared worship at Mass, prayer and reflection. This opportunity to accompany and renewed purpose. each other was a very powerful way to affirm my faith, realizing once more that it As we move ahead, I pray for the Spirit’s guidance in seeking to strengthen is a living faith, robust and joyful, intended to be shared. – Pilgrimage participant the spiritual formation that the Institute offers to its students and alumni.

Awarding of SMU “Certificate in Pastoral Studies” to Institute grad’s Deo Gratias!

Seven Institute alumni from the Class of 2013 met for an additional year of study, and successfully completed the academic credits needed to earn a “Certificate in Pastoral Studies” from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The certificates were presented to the students at a ceremony in May

by Sr. Judith Schaefer, OP, PhD, representing the Diocese of Winona university.

Office of Life, Marriage & Family As a returning Catholic, I was astonished to 'relearn' the 55 West Sanborn Street beauty of the Catholic Faith and felt that by participatWinona, Minnesota 55987 ing in the Certificate program I would be brought to (507) 858- 1264 a deeper understanding into why we believe what E-mail: courage@dow.org we believe. And, while I felt it important to study my Catholic faith to the level of earning college credit, the Certificate program also became a rich and deeply EnCourage - a ministry dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, meaningful spiritual path for me. – Certificate recipient and other relatives and friends of persons who have same-sex attractions - is also Sixth Institute Class begins formation With a new name, the INSTITUTE OF LAY available. Chapters are active and meeting monthly. Contact us for information!

FORMATION, and a continuing and renewed mis-

Are you or a loved one experiencing same sex attraction and looking for answers?

February, 2015 w The Courier

In the Diocese

10

Paradigm Shifts - Moments of Change We are creatures of habit. We get into a familiar rhythm of life and take on a certain view of the way things are. Yet, a paradigm shift can change everything. It happens when you are going about your day and you see something or someone and it awakens you to a new reality, a clearer vision. It’s almost startling.

Other things that were important suddenly fall out of your focus and you see a deeper meaning to life.

Our little family had a paradigm shift recently.

We discovered our youngest son (one of our children with the rare disease) was not hearing well. He could hear sounds that were really

Theresa Martin Associate Editor, Communications Specialist tmartin@dow.org

loud, but to most other sounds he was deaf.

(We are encouraged that with the proper ENT care and medication increase his hearing can be restored, and we’ve already seen progress!) Yet, at that moment, our little angel couldn’t hear.

I looked at his little smiling 19 month old face and I saw everything differently. He had this one noisy singing ABCs toy that he liked to play with and hold up to his head. It used to annoy the heck out of me, but I don’t mind it anymore. I used to worry about getting so many things done during my free hours, but all I wanted to do now is spend as much of my free time with him as I can. I’d sacrifice anything to help him continue

Upcoming Talks & Events for Women Mini-retreat: Women's Morning Retreat: Saturday, February 7 at St. Joseph's Church, Owatonna, from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.: How do I find consolation and purpose in life when things go wrong? Guest Speaker: Theresa Martin. 8:00am Mass followed by breakfast and speaker. Breakfast will include: egg bake, fruit, cinnamon rolls, and coffee. Cost is $5.00 for the entire morning. Call: 507-451-4845 to register.

Lenten Retreat: The Cross of Christ and It's Meaning for You: Saturday, March 21 at The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse, from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Speaker: Sr. Edith Mary, RSM. To register go to www.dow. org/endow February, 2015 w The Courier

Leah Jacobson, Theresa Martin and Sr. Marie Paul Lockerd, RSM have a lively conversation about fertility education at the New Feminism Conference this past fall. "It is an honor and a delight to serve the Diocese of Winona in any capacity." - Theresa Martin

to grow in his ability to communicate despite the lack of hearing well. I don’t care what I have to endure as long as I can help him feel loved.

A paradigm shift seems to make everything slow down and the precious humanity of someone comes into focus for you. It’s then that you remember that our ultimate goal in life is to put Christ at the center, and where can He be found but in the faces around us? When we find Christ in them, all our previous concerns fall to the side.

Christ has a paradigm shift to offer us. He has a new lens through which we can see the world. It is a lens that shows us a deeper reality, a truer vision. Once we can see Christ in the other, even the burden of suffering takes on a different feel.

And with assisted suicide and “mercy killing” in the news lately, it is easy to forget the Christian meaning of suffering. No one wants to force someone to suffer nor should we seek suffering ourselves, but when faced with suffering, there

is a deeper meaning that can be gained. (This is why I am honored to be speaking at Owatonna’s Morning Retreat for Women on exactly this topic!

The Diocese of Winona’s Lenten Retreat for Women also reflects on the Cross of Christ, with speaker: Sr. Edith Mary, RSM! See side bar of Events for details.)

There is another change I must share with you before closing this article. I am no longer the Endow Coordinator for the diocese. As you can see from our insert of Vision 2016 as well as other pressing matters, we need all hands on deck in our Communication team. At this time, I can serve the Diocese of Winona better by serving on the communication team. What does this mean? Firstly, as far as setting up Endow group questions and orchestrating events, including this year's Lenten Retreat for women, you can now refer to Sr. Paul Mary, RSM, the Director of Faith Formation for the diocese. Secondly, as an author of a book all about the greatness of women (Woman, How Great Thou Art which can be found at your local Catholic book store or Amazon.com!), I am more than delighted to continue speaking at any events, retreats or gatherings for women in your parish! I am just no longer working on the organizational end of things from the diocesan perspective. As most of you know, my husband Peter Martin (Director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family for the diocese) and I also have a wonderful time giving talks together on every aspect of life, marriage, family, love and human sexuality. Contact us anytime! I am eager to work more fully with the extraordinary communications team here at the Diocese of Winona, and look forward to deepening our friendships through this new venue as well. I cherish meeting each of you at these different events and I pray for you all daily! God bless you!

Marching for Life, cont'd from page 1

abortion’s aftermath.

The March that followed was the 41st Annual March on Minnesota’s State Capitol. As Minnesotans, we gathered to send a clear message to state lawmakers and public officials that the most important principal of this country is the Right to Life! Astoundingly, over 590,000 children have been aborted in Minnesota since Roe v Wade. Just to put that into perspective, that’s more than the total population of all 20 counties of the Diocese of Winona! It’s over 4 times the number of Catholics in the Diocese!

The March for Life is an important part of the Respect Life Outreach for the Diocese of Winona which has four main aims: Education – To deepen understanding of the sanctity of human life — whether at the beginning of life or at its end — and the mission of the Church to witness to and serve all human life.

Outreach – For women with problems related to pregnancy; for all who have been involved in abortion; for those who are disabled, sick, and dying, and their families and caregivers; for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime; and for those in prison sentenced to death.

Public Policy – Efforts directed to restoring legal protection for the lives of unborn children, those suffering from injustices due to societal systems, those living in poverty, and those vulnerable to pressures to end their lives by assisted suicide, and to providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide.

Prayer and Worship – Directed toward participation in the sacramental life of the Church, in programs of communal and individual prayer, and to pray for the culture of life.

Pilgrims returned to their homes tired, yet grateful that they could add their prayers and voices to support a culture of life in Minnesota. The Annual Pilgrimage for Life chose St. Paul as its destination this year, but plans to return to Washington, DC next year to join the tens of thousands pro-lifers at the National March for Life.

Faith Formation Director Greets Holy Father

11 Faith Formation

On Decemeber 10, Lisa Kremer greets Pope Franics and gives him a book of compilations of letters that the children of Familia Juntas had written to his Holiness. The book is entitled: Querido Papa which means Dear Pope. (Photo courtesy of www.fotografiafelici.com)

On December 10th, 2014, Lisa Kremer OFS, Faith Formation Director at St. Gabriel Church in Fulda and Project Coordinator for Familias Juntas (Families Together), had the incredible honor of meeting Pope Francis at the Pope's General Assembly. She was invited to be part of a delegation hosted by The Honorable Alfonso Matta Fahsen, Ambassador from Guatemala to the Holy See, because of her work with the immigrants in SW Minnesota, and with the documentary ABRAZOS (Embraces) which tells the story of 14 US citizen children who traveled in July of 2013 from Worthington to Guatemala to meet their grandparents and other family members for the first time. Director of the film, Luis Argueta, presented the Pope with a copy of the film, and Lisa, on behalf of the immigrants in Worthington, presented him with a book "Querido Papa" (Dear Pope) which is a compilation of letters that the children of Familias Juntas had written to Pope Francis.

Sr. Paul Mary Rittgers, R.S.M. Director faithformation@dow.org

Start an ENDOW Study Group! ONLY $19.95 per person! Go to: www.endowgroups.org Questions??? Email: ENDOW@dow.org

Lenten Litany on Fasting and Feasting Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ indwelling them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.

Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; Feast on divine order.

Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; Feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal Truth.

Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; Feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow; Feast on the sunlight of serenity.

Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that undergirds [stregthens].

- William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994 February, 2015 w The Courier

12

Bishop Quinn, cont'd from page 3

In the Diocese

us. Prayer reminds us that the Church is God’s gift to us.

Change continues to occur, as populations decrease in some areas of the diocese, while other areas experience growth and the coming of people immigrating from various countries, looking for pastoral care from Catholic parishes. In responding to the many challenges that are before us, prayer is essential, so that we remain gathered around the Eucharist, assured that Christ is with His Church until the end of time. If we stay united in the mystery of the Eucharist, the planning process, Vision 2016, will fill us with hope and fresh approaches to evangelization and not lead us into divisions and hurtful relationships.

During Lent, we give attention to the disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

This Lent, (which begins on February 18) here in the Diocese of Winona, we are par-

ticularly aware that God is doing something new in our midst as we study and reflect on the pastoral plan draft, Vision 2016. We are readying ourselves, so to speak, for this upcoming “springtime” of growth in which Vision 2016 calls all the faithful of the diocese to renewal, to see ourselves as evangelizers, bringing the Good News to others.

And so we might ask ourselves – in what ways can our prayer, fasting and almsgiving lead us to be more intentional Disciples of Christ and thus better evangelizers?

Perhaps there is a particular time each week when our fasting can be done with the specific intention of the success of the pastoral plan. Can our almsgiving this Lent include ways of extending a word of encouragement or expressing a positive attitude about the effects that the pastoral plan Vision 2016 will have on our parishes? Our evangelization efforts may be one way that we reach out to folks who may be the anonymous members of our parish community.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

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 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

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508-340-9370 855-842-8001 Carmela Manago Executive Director

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.

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

Madelia, St. Mary, Spanish Mass, 10 a.m., every Sunday.

Mankato, Ss. Peter & 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.

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.

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February, 2015 w The Courier

Action with Prayer

Parish Events St. Casimir's Church, Wells Annual Valentine Carnival on Sun., Feb 8. From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., various Games from 12 to 4 p.m. with some new games added this year.

Bingo 1 to 4 p.m., Silent Auction 12:00 until end of Live Auction. Live Auction starts at 4 p.m. All proceeds go to the general fund. Come have a fun filled family day!! Everyone is Welcome!

Holy Trinity Parish, Rollingstone Will hold a Spaghetti Dinner on February 26. The event will be in the Parish Community Center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Featuring Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, lettuce salad, garlic toast, pickles, assorted desserts, coffee and milk. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for 6-12 year olds, and under 6 FREE. Carryouts available.

St. Joseph Parish in Owatonna An evening concert and morning workshop with Dan Schutte. The concert is Friday, March 20 at 7

For events at Assisi Heights: www.rochesterfranciscan.org and click on “What’s Happening/Events.”

For more info, call Angie Grimm at 507-280-2195 or: ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org.

SUBMISSION for the calendar

Retreats

We thank you for understanding that due to space limitations, not all events nor story submissions will fit; however, we strive to include as many as possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff

Women's Morning Retreat: On the Liturgy (up to 0.85 FTE) to provide leadership Christian Meaning of Suffering for our vibrant faith community as we gather for St. Joseph's Church, Owatonna prayer and worship. 12 month or 9 month contract How do I find consolation and purpose in life negotiable. Responsibilities include liturgy and when things go wrong? Guest Presenter: Theresa music planning and preparation, piano accompaMartin. Saturday, February 7. 8 - 11 a.m. 8 a.m. niment as well as liturgical minister recruitment Mass followed by breakfast and speaker. Breakfast and formation. Bachelor’s or advanced degree will include: egg bake, fruit, cinnamon rolls, and in liturgy, music, or related field is required. coffee. Cost is $5.00. Call: 507-451-4845 to register Resumes may be submitted by email or delivASAP! All women are welcome! ered to the parish office at 1303 West Broadway, DOW's Lenten Retreat for Women Winona, MN, 55987, by March 15. For further The Cross of Christ and It's Meaning for You: information or a detailed job description, please Saturday, March 21 at The Shrine of Our Lady of contact the parish office: (507) 452-5656, stmarys@ Guadalupe, La Crosse, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Speaker: wacs1.org.

Sr. Edith Mary, RSM. Register: dow.org/endow Martha & Mary Women’s Conference, Grand Other River Center in Dubuque February 21. One day conference: Catholic speak- End of Life Decisions. What's a Catholic to do? ers who will call us to holiness in our faith walk. 6 p.m. Thursday, February 5 at St. Francis Assisi Special sessions for teens! Register by Feb. 7 and Church in Rochester from until. And 6 p.m. Friday, February 6 take $5 off fee! To register call 563-580-9373 or go at the Church of the Resurrection in Rochester from until. Talks online at www.springtimeofhope.org. given by Sr. Edith Mary, RSM board certified family medicine physician.

Job Openings Illuminating the Word: The Making of The Saint John’s Bible Director of Liturgy - St. Mary, Winona Monday, February 9 at 6 p.m. Exhibition, Hage Atrium, Siebens St. Mary’s Parish is seeking a Director of Building. 7 p.m. Presentation, Phillips Hall, Siebens Building.

By Donald Jackson, Senior Illuminator to the Crown Of ce of Traditional Latin Mass Queen Elizabeth II at the House of Lords and Calligrapher/ Artistic Director of The Saint John’s Bible. Made possible with Mankato, Ss. Peter and Paul, first Saturday the generous support of Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst.

The Race to Preserve Our Handwritten History month, 9 a.m.

February 17 at 7 p.m. Presentation, Saint Marys Chapel, Mayo Rochester (Simpson), St. Bridget, first and Clinic Hospital-Rochester. By Father Columba Stewart, OSB, Professor of Theology and Curator of Research Collections, St. third Sundays of the month, 1 p.m.

John’s School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville, Minn.

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

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

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Visit Italy, Rome, Greek Isles, Ephesus, Istanbul, France Barcelona

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13

Please note: submission deadline is the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. All submissions must be sent electronically on our website: www.dowcourier.org or by emailing: Courier@dow.org and by the deadline in order to assure receipt and possible inclusion in the Events Calendar.

Events in the Diocese

St. Mary’s Church, Winona offers a Mass for Life and Marriage on the first Thursday of the month, at 5:15 p.m.

Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty The monthly Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 8:30 am (after the 8:00 am Mass) at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 360 Main Street, Winona. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and a beautiful rosary will be offered, along with prayer and reflection. Gather in the Adoration Chapel.

Everyone is welcome.

“In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration…It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.” - Pope Benedict XVI. 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 608-698-7443.

p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. A free will offering will is suggested.

The workshop is Saturday, March 21 at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:30.

The cost of the workshop is $10. Dan Schutte is one of the best-known and influential composer of music for the liturgy today. He has been composing music for worship for more than 30 years. Many well known songs include "Glory and Praise to Our God", "Table of Plenty" and "Sing a New Song". For more information contact Carol Hodapp 507-451-4845 or carolhodapp@gmail.com

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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

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• Price includes fuel surcharges and government taxes • Includes Round-trip air, First Class hotel w/ breakfast and orientation tour in Venice & Barcelona NCL Mediterranean cruise w/ all meals, transfers between airport/hotel/pier.

Highlights are: visiting Venice, Naples, Rome & Florence Italy, Athens Greece & Greek Isles, Ephesus (where St. Paul lived and preached), Istanbul, Toulon, France & Barcelona, Spain; daily Mass, and much more!

For more information contact: Father John Vakulskas Jr PO Box 347 Okoboji, IA 51355 (712) 490-8047 or johnvakulskas@gmail.com

Please check The Courier online for access to more stories, photos, articles and events. Find them in the Only Online section of the website.

February, 2015 w The Courier

Witness Testimony: Dennis Kunkle,

St. Joachim, Plainview

Through

almost 20 years of working in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry I have formed a lot of friendships.

Some of them started in the Together in Faith meetings; others were formed in planning meetings for certain events. During these meetings, I was able to learn better ways to prepare Catechists as teachers for our young people. In planning events such as Camp Summit, I have seen youth grow Closer to Christ on our high school Fiat team and the middle school youth in attendance. I have also seen some of these young people go off to work for Totus Tuus, become priests, deacons, sisters, and work for other churches. This makes me proud, but most have become parents who are raising children who now come to Faith Formation and Youth Ministry events all over southern Minnesota. For me, the Appeal has been there to help me share my love for my faith and the Church, but also it has helped me to grow Closer to Christ!

February, 2015 w The Courier

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“ et us live the truth in love and grow in every way into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love.” [Ephesians 4: 15-16] In this Scripture passage, St. Paul is describing how each of us has been given unique gifts. We grow in these gifts and receive even more when we open our hearts to grow Closer to Christ. Entering into this intimacy with Christ allows room for the Holy Spirit to reveal to us our authentic selves. Through such grace, we clearly see what Christ, the head, has blessed us with – time, talents and treasure – to build the body, the Catholic Church, up in love.

Closer to Christ, the theme of this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal, is fitting during this time in our history when our culture is telling us that religion is not important. The work of the Church is still important and we draw Closer to Christ, knowing that we are called by Him to continue His work. Christ is, after all, the head of our Church and the embodiment of who we are as Catholics. He offers us an infinite amount of love and mercy that flows from His Most Sacred Heart. We are strengthened through Him to go forth and lead others Closer to Christ as we come together as one Church. The good works made possible through the Appeal create opportunities for thousands of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Winona to draw Closer to Christ in their lifelong journey of faith.

The Catholic Ministries Appeal financially supports vital ministries in these key areas: Youth and Young Adult Ministry Life, Marriage and Family Vocations Discernment Parish and Clergy Services Mission Advancement

Lay Formation Faith Formation Catholic Schools Community Outreach Evangelization

Read the Witness Testimonials to see the direct impact your gift makes as YOU lead others Closer to Christ through your generosity. You can also visit the website to read a full Appeal-Funded Ministries report.

APPEAL WEEKEND IS FEBRUARY 21/22 2015 Goal = $2,060,000

www.catholicfsmn.org/Appeal All gifts will be used solely for the restricted purposes of the 2015 Catholic Ministries Appeal. The Appeal supports specific ministries and programs of the Diocese of Winona and other Catholic organizations. The restricted purposes are identified specifically on the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota website.

Witness Testimony: Marcie Cowan, St. Columba, Iona

I

first met Fr. Will Thompson when he came to our tri-parish to celebrate Mass and promote vocations in our diocese.

I went up to him after Mass and mentioned a young man I thought would be a great priest.

Fr. Will has visited with him on numerous occasions. Since then, I have worked a TEC retreat with Fr. Will, and participated in Intermission, Steubenville North, and attended our area youth Masses where Fr. Will preaches about vocations. He educates all in attendance about how to discern if God is calling you to the ordained and religious life. Being able to have contact with the Diocese of Winona Vocations Director and his accessibility is crucial in the formation of many youth on their journey to grow Closer to Christ.

The Catholic Ministries Appeal makes this possible. Without it, many may be missing the call of the Lord.

February, 2015 w The Courier

February, 2015

• The Courier

Witness Testimony: JoAnn Biren, St. Columba, Iona

The

Institute of Lay Formation w a s a gift to me when I was in need of moving more deeply into my faith life. I wanted to become Closer to Christ through the teachings of the Catholic Church. The classes did just that. That didn’t come without disagreement, dialogue and discussions that gave me a way to look at a ministry that broadened my perspective, from my Church to our Church. We knew we could speak our mind with the captain of our ship, Todd Graff. We did so without ridicule as he steered us on the right course. We were safe among people who shared our faith and that gave us strength to go back to our parishes and work with others to bring them the joy that we came to know as our Church. It is important for all of us, from west to east, to give support to the Catholic Ministries Appeal so programs like the Institute of Lay Formation can continue to lead Catholics on a journey of faith.

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Witness Testimony: Shawn Hernandez, St. Francis of Assissi, Rochester

1/15/2015 1:22:18 PM

When I was first introduced to ENDOW, and the idea of a “New Fem-

inism”, I was struck by the information, and I craved to learn more about what the “feminine genius” was. I wondered why I had not learned about it before. It was as if someone had sparked something in my soul and it spread like wild fire. Since then, I have gone to ENDOW talks and the New Feminism Conference, which have helped me to draw Closer to Christ and the Blessed Mother. My journey has taught me how beautiful the creation of “woman” is. Women are the Crown of the creation of God. A woman is the most beautiful yet the most complex being that God created.

My experience with ENDOW has been a life-changing one. This is why it is so important to donate to the Catholic Ministries Appeal, so programs like ENDOW can keep running.

ENDOW helps every woman realize her immense beauty and deepen her relationship with Christ.