2015 October The Courier

The

COURIER

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque October 16

October 2015

www.dowcourier.org

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

Pope Francis

in

America Pope Francis celebrated Saint Junipero Serra's canonization Mass; the first canonization to ever happen on U.S. soil.

Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA

For more on his visit, see special papal insert.

Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA

Pilgrims from the Diocese of Winona gather together with Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop Emeritus Bernard Harrington, Msgr. Colletti, Fr. Hall, Msgr. Hargesheimer, Fr. Berning and Peter Martin, Director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family, during their pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pope Francis made a surprise stop to visit the Little Sisters of the Poor, to show his support in their court case, Fr. Lombardi stated. Pope Francis meets Sister Marie Mathilde, who is 102 years old. Photo courtesy of the Little Sisters of the Poor

INSIDE this issue

Four RSM professed first vows more on page 16

Post-Abortive Healing, there is Hope after abortion

more on page 6

Meet our new Seminarians! more on page 15

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

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After Congressional address, Pope Francis chooses to dine with homeless instead of formal lunch

Articles of Interest

Setting the Stage for “Laudato Si'”

page 4

Where Are We and Where Do We Want to Be?

page 5

Year of Mercy Plan for Post-Abortion Healing

page 6

Respect Life Month: ‘Every Life is Worth Living’ page 6 Washington D.C., Sep. 24, Prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the Family pages 7 2015 / 10:24 am (CNA/EWTN Changes to Nullity Process - Charity & Mercy page 7 News). There is no social or moral Back to School page 8 justification for homelessness, "Pope Francis in America" special insert! pages 9-12 but we can find solace and RCS Has Great First Week page 13 meaning in the Incarnation, Project Rachel Training page 14 Pope Francis said Thursday during a visit Obituaries page 14 to Catholic Charities in Credit: from WashArchDiocese Instagram Washington D.C. account: " Pope Francis extending a blessing to Meeting the New Seminarians page 15 “The Son of God came a @ccadw client! #WalkwithFrancis #PopeInDC" into this world as a homeless Saying Yes to the Call page 16 person,” the Pope said. “The “How is it that the Son of God has Son of God knew what it was to start life no home? Why are we homeless, why Religious Life: The Vow of Obedience page 16 without a roof over his head.” don’t we have housing?” Saint Joseph’s “We can find no social or moral simple questions echo in the minds of Events page 18 justification, no justification whatsoever, those who serve the poor even today. for lack of housing. There are many “Like Saint Joseph, you may ask: page 19 unjust situations, but we know that God Why are we homeless, without a place Seventeen Seminarians Studying for the Diocese is suffering with us, experiencing them to live? ...Why do these, our brothers page 20 Our 2015-2016 Seminarians at our side. He does not abandon us.” and sisters, have no place to live? Why “We know that Jesus wanted to are these brothers and sisters of ours show solidarity with every person. He homeless? These are questions which wanted everyone to experience his all of us might well ask,” the Pope said.

Officials companionship, his help, his love. He Saint Joseph never hesitated to ask identified with all those who suffer, who questions in the face of injustice and The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: weep, who suffer any kind of injustice.” suffering, the Pope said. But what set Pope Francis visited St. Patrick’s Saint Joseph apart was his faith in God, Appointments: Church, which is the oldest parish in which gave him “the power to find light Rev. Thomas Loomis, appointed Dean of the Rochester Deanery, for a 5-year Washington. The Church also serves as just at the moment when everything term, effective September 1, 2015. the headquarters of Catholic Charities seemed dark.” in the city. The compound operates “Faith sustained him amid the Rev. John Kunz, appointed Canonical Administrator of Loyola Catholic a homeless shelter and several food troubles of life,” Francis reflected.

Schools, effective September 1, 2015. programs.

“Thanks to faith, Joseph was able to Ms. Teresa Pearson, appointed to a 3-year term on the Catholic Charities During his visit Thursday, the Pope press forward when everything seemed Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2015. also spoke to those who minister to to be holding him back.” In the same the poor and homeless. He offered way, faith can sustain the poor and give Mr. Jimmy Bickerstaff, appointed to a 3-year term on the Catholic Charities Saint Joseph as their patron and model meaning to suffering, the Pope said.

Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2015. because Saint Joseph grappled with “In the face of unjust and painful injustice and suffering in his care for situations, faith brings us the light Mary and Jesus. The Pope reflected on which scatters the darkness. As it did the Holy Family’s arrival in Bethlehem, for Joseph, faith makes us open to the quiet presence of Child Abuse Policy Information where they discovered there was no God at every moment of our lives, in every person and shelter for them. in every situation. God is present in every one of you, in Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Information “We can imagine what Joseph must Pope visits DC homeless, cont'd on pg. 14 The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and have been thinking,” the Pope said.

The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 106 - 10

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October, 2015 w The Courier

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.

"Love is Our Mission" Dear Friends in Christ,

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn travel across the nation to Philadelphia to join over 1.5 million people. Pope Francis brought insight and love to each of his talks. He asks us to pray

likeness and called to an eternal destiny with him."

“Because of this, absolutely nothing can diminish our God-given dignity, and therefore, nothing can diminish the immeasurable worth of our lives. Others may fail to respect that dignity—may even try to undermine it— but in doing so, they only distance themselves from God’s loving embrace.

Human dignity is forever.”

We want our society to affirm and protect human rights as its primary objective. However, for many women who are faced with an unexpected pregnancy, abortion it seems is their only “choice.” Did you know that a large percentage of children pre-diagnosed as having Down syndrome are never even given the chance to live outside their mothers’ wombs? We see respect also diminishing when the elderly fear they will become a burden and seek physician-assisted suicide. We see many of our vulnerable brothers and sisters pushed to the periphery of society.

What can we do to change this? We must draw close to Jesus Christ in

our prayer and through the sacraments. We must ask our Lord for the grace to see ourselves and others as He sees us—as Pope Francis said, “as masterpieces of His creation.” We must look at ourselves and at others in light of this truth and treat all people with the reverence and respect, which is due.

I want to thank the faithful in our diocese who are already praying in front of abortion clinics as a part of the National 40 Days for Life, praying for an end to abortion. Let us also remember that although we set aside October to particularly pray for respect for all human life, let us never cease this urgent work of love, action and prayer. I hope to come and pray, along with the seminarians from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, in the coming weeks.

Let us learn to let go of our own standards of perfection and instead learn more deeply how to live according to God’s standards. He does not call us to perfect efficiency or material success; he calls us to self-sacrificial love.

He invites us to embrace

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each life for as long as it is given—our own lives and the lives of those he has placed in our paths. Indeed, every life is worth living.

Supporting Our Seminarians It was St. John Vianney who said, “The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself.

He is not for himself, he is for you.” I thank God for our priests who have given their lives in humble service to lead others closer to Christ. We are blessed with seventeen seminarians discerning and studying for the Diocese of Winona. These young men have heard Jesus calling them in the inner walls of their hearts and are responding to a call of love to serve God’s people tirelessly and selflessly. I request your prayers and support for our seminarians in their discernment of the priesthood.

Today, I ask that you join me in the formation of our future priests. Annually, the diocese contributes $8,000 per seminarian for the room and board of undergraduates at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and nearly $40,000 per seminarian for the major seminary tuition, room and board. I ask you to make a financial gift to the Bishop Emeritus Bernard J. Harrington Seminarian Burse.

From the Bishop

Papal Visit to the U.S. What a great moment it was to participate in the events and celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope Francis! We had a great group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Winona

for him and to fight against exclusion and work for the environment, but all in light of the moral law. He said "defense of the environment means recognizing a moral law ... human nature itself," recognizing "the difference between man and woman" and recognizing "the absolute respect for life in all its stages and dimensions." During one homily in Philidelphia, he asks us "What about you?" beckoning each person to a vocation inspired by an encounter with Christ. His visit has left an incredible imprint on our country, which I pray we will treasure.

Respect Life As the national 201516 Respect Life Program begins, let us take time to reflect on the theme, “Every Life is Worth Living.” As my brother bishop, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, O.F.M. reflects, “One of the deepest desires of the human heart is to discover our identity.

Our worth is based not on our skills or levels of productivity. Rather, we discover our worth when we discover our true identity found in the unchangeable, permanent fact that we are created in God’s image and

Bishop, cont'd on pg. 17

Bishop's Calendar October 1, Thursday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 9:30 a.m. – Individual meetings with IHM Seminarians – Winona 1 p.m. – Holy Hour 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Mtg October 2, Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Individual meetings with IHM Seminarians – Winona October 3, Saturday 2 p.m. – Confirmation for Sacred Heart, Heron Lake; St. Luke, Sherburn; St. Joseph, Lakefield; St. Francis Xavier, Windom; Sacred Heart, Brewster; and Good Shepherd, Jackson – to be held at Sacred Heart Church in Heron Lake October 4, Sunday 9 a.m. – Confirmation for St. Mary Church in Worthington 2 p.m. – Confirmation for St. Catherine, Luverne & St. Mary, Ellsworth – to be held at St. Catherine, Luverne October 5, Mon – 7, Wed. Presbyteral Days in Okoboji,

Iowa October 8, Thursday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 6 p.m. – Prison Volunteer Training - Rochester October 10, Saturday 5 p.m. – Confirmation for St. Ann, Slayton; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; and St. Columba, Iona – to be held at St. Ann, Slayton October 11, Sunday 11 a.m. – Bilingual Mass for Installation of Fr. Raul Silva as Pastor at Queen of Angels Church - Austin October 13, Tuesday 11 a.m. – Mass and Lunch at St. Theodore School for Pastor/ Principal Day – Albert Lea October 14, Wednesday 11 a.m. – Meeting of Young Priests – Mankato October 15, Thursday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona

1 p.m. – Holy Hour 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Mtg October 16, Friday 6:30 a.m. – Lauds and Mass at IHM Seminary – Winona 9 a.m. - Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry & Service Committee on Catholic Education Conference Call October 18, Sunday 10 a.m. – Confirmation for St. Leo, Pipestone; St. Joseph, Jasper; and St. Martin, Woodstock – to be held at St. Leo, Pipestone 2 p.m. – Celebration of Marriage Mass at St. Leo Church – Pipestone October 19, Monday 4 p.m. – SHMS Board Mtg – Detroit, MI October 20, Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 11 a.m. – Mass and Dinner with the Hermits of St. Mary of Carmel – Houston

October 21, Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – Prayer with DOW Finance Council Members 12 p.m. – DOW Finance Council Mtg October 22, Thursday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 11:30 a.m. – Prayer w/ DOW Pension Plan for Priests Board Members 12 p.m. – DOW Pension Plan for Priests Board Meeting October 24, Saturday 11 a.m. – Confirmation for St. James, St. James; St. Katherine, Truman; and St. Mary, Madelia – to be held at St. James Church in St. James 5 p.m. – Mass for Installation of Fr. Russell Scepaniak as Pastor of St. Theodore Church – Albert Lea October 25, Sunday 2 p.m. – Confirmation for Holy Spirit Church – Rochester

October 27, Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 10 a.m. – Holy Hour for Vocations 1:30 p.m. – IHM Seminary Finance Council Meeting – Winona October 28, Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – Holy Hour with College of Consultors 10:30 a.m. – College of Consultors Meeting 4:45 p.m. – Vespers followed

by Mass at IHM Seminary October 29, Thursday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 10 a.m. – Holy Hour 11 a.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 5:30 p.m. – White Mass – St. Mary Hospital, Rochester November 3, Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona

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Lay Formation

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Setting The Stage

for

“Laudato Si'”

“The Church has a responsibility towards creation, and she considers it her duty to exercise that responsibility in public life, in order to protect earth, water and air as gifts of God the Creator meant for everyone, and above all to save mankind from the danger of self-destruction.”

- Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 “World Day of Peace” message “In the beginning,” we believe, “God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). And so begins the beautiful story of a Creator’s love which takes form: in the light of the sun and the moon; in the dry land of the earth and the waters of the sea; in the vegetation and the plants

October, 2015 w The Courier

that bear seed and fruit; and in “the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living creatures.”

Finally, God creates “mankind in his image … male and female” he creates them.

And, then, before he rested on the seventh day, God the Creator “looked at everything he had made, and found it very good” (Gen. 1:31).

Our earth and all of creation, and each of us, are the handiwork of God. This is the truth we learn from the very first words of our scriptures. And this truth comes to its fullest flowering and most radiant illumination in the birth of a poor child in a manger in Bethlehem. This Creator God so loves the world that he becomes part of his very creation – he takes on flesh – to give his life in love for our salvation.

This beautiful story of creation has continued to play out in the life and history of our Church. An early Church Father, Saint Cyprian, taught us that “whatever belongs to God, belongs to all.” We are called to share the goods of creation with all of our sisters and brothers. And Saint Francis, the patron saint of ecology and the namesake of our Holy Father, spoke of “our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us” in his lovely Canticle of Creation. The first phrase of this prayer is where Pope Francis’ recent encyclical receives its name – Laudato Si’: “Praised Be You.” In our own day, recent popes have reminded us of our responsibilities to be good and faithful stewards and caretakers of creation. Pope Paul VI warned us of “an ill-considered exploitation of nature” and that we are “creating an environment for tomorrow which may well be intolerable” (Octogesima Adveniens, #21).

The focus of Saint John Paul II’s 1990 World Day of Peace message was our care for God’s creation. Echoing Saint Cyprian, he reminded us that “the earth is ultimately a common heritage, the fruits of which are for the benefit of all.”

Looking at our world through this lens, his judgment of the present reality is clear: “It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest level of subsistence.”

The consequence of such global social injustice is “the dramatic threat of ecological breakdown.” The moral path is clear: “Greed and selfishness – both individual and collective – are contrary to the order of creation.” Recognizing our “mutual interdependence,” we must embrace a new ethos. “Simplicity, moderation and

discipline, as well as a spirit of sacrifice, must become a part of everyday life.”

Twenty years later, in his World Day of Peace message for 2010, Pope Benedict XVI revisited the theme of environmental stewardship. He speaks of “a growing crisis which it would be irresponsible not to take seriously,” and names the various dynamics of this crisis: “climate change, desertification,

Todd Graff Director tgraff@dow.org

the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions.”

In the face of this, we must not remain “indifferent” or “impassive.” He states clearly, “The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere.”

In doing this, the Church must provide the vision for a “human ecology” which recognizes the close connection between “the deterioration of nature” and “the culture that shapes human coexistence.” Human ecology which respects the dignity and sanctity of each human life from conception to natural death cannot be separated from an environmental ecology which respects the inherent beauty and goodness of the natural environment.

He summarizes it in this way: The book of nature is one and indivisible: it takes in not only the environment but also life, sexuality, marriage, the family, social relations: in a word, integral human development. Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others. It would be wrong to uphold one set of duties while trampling on the other (Caritas in Veritate, #51).

And, finally, on to this scene strides our present Holy Father, Pope Francis. His encyclical on our care for God’s creation, “Laudato Si’ ~ On Care for Our Common Home,” comes out of this long and rich tradition of our Church’s teaching and witness.

Next month, we will examine the encyclical and its message for each of us.

With Saint Francis, let us always honor and praise our “All-powerful, good Lord God” for the beauty and wonder of His creation. Deo Gratias!

O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honour and all blessing.

Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation…

(Saint Francis, “The Canticle of Creation”)

VISION 2016: Where Are We and Where Do We Want to Be? As we head into October, we are wrapping up the 2nd round of facilitated cluster meetings, and are already partway into the 3rd round of meetings. The meetings this fall are where the pen really meets the paper and the Pastoral Plans are hashed out and decided upon. Meeting 2 focused on liturgy schedules, Meeting 3 looks at describing current conditions and deciding on future goals for the next few years, and Meeting 4 will progress to detailing the steps parishes will take in order to reach their goals. It is exciting for the Diocesan Planning Team to see parishes/clusters articulate how they hope to grow as a Catholic community, in faith; parish participation; and stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.

At the same time, we understand that many people are still struggling with the fact that their parish will become an oratory—or close, as some parishes have chosen—and no longer have Sunday Mass. This struggle calls for a reflection on our call as members of the Body of Christ: how can we see ourselves not simply as part of an individual parish, but as part of the Diocesan and Universal Church? With Vision 2016, parishes and clusters are looking at their current resources, and how mergers can help to build up the Church in a way that benefits those locally as well as the Diocese and Universal Church.

Throughout Vision 2016, many people have expressed the desire to just have one Mass at their parish, in order to keep all the parishes open. However, when we look at the declining number of active Diocesan priests, along with the declining population in rural areas (coupled

with increasing population in large cities like Rochester), having at least one Sunday Mass in each parish is not a feasible option for the future. The disparity between the number of priests and the number of parishes was recently highlighted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), which is a research center that conducts studies regarding the Catholic Church. In an August article entitled, “When Parishes Outnumber Priests,” CARA listed the top ten US Dioceses with more parishes than active Diocesan priests. With 56 active Diocesan priests (not counting international priests here temporarily) and 114 parishes, the Diocese of Winona tied for 7th place in regards to having more parishes than active priests.

Currently, the Diocese of Winona relies on several international priests and also retired priests to cover our parishes, and many priests have multiple parishes. However, this study makes clear the fact that our lack of priests is a problem and we cannot simply continue with the status quo. Interestingly, nine of the “Top Ten” US Dioceses with more parishes than active Diocesan priests are in the Midwest. So while the US has an overall higher number of parishes than active Diocesan priests, this disparity between priests and parishes is not evenly distributed.1 So what can we do? A large part of Vision 2016 is assessing the practical reality of our current situation, and proposing a way to use the resources we have to build up the Church into the future. However, we also need to look at how we can increase both our number of priests, and laity in the pews. How can we encourage young men to consider the priesthood? Do we suggest the priesthood to our sons, nephews, grandsons, and other young men in our communities? Do we discuss the many different vocations with our children—marriage, priesthood, religious life,

and consecrated life? Priests and religious brothers and sisters don’t appear out of thin air, but come from ordinary Catholic families in the pews. What can we do to create a culture that nurtures vocations to the priesthood and religious life?

Similarly, it is important to ask ourselves how we can reach out to others and bring them into (or back into) the Church. Do we encourage those who have left the Church for whatever reason to come back? Do we invite non-Catholic friends to join us for Mass or church events? How can we evangelize and spread the joy of the Gospel to those outside our parish walls?

Vision 2016 is not merely about reorganizing parishes because of lack of priests, but also about building up the faith in our parishes and sharing that faith with others. If Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (and He is!), then we should be eager to bring others to Christ and His Church!

Lastly, we would like to express again our gratitude to pastors, deacons, and the lay leadership of the parishes that are experiencing significant change with Vision 2016. Thank you for listening to your parishioners and guiding this process with our leadership team. The hope of our planning process is to bring people into a deeper relationship with Jesus through the gift of the Eucharist and our sacramental life in our churches. In turn, this will lead to more generous service in our parishes and greater outreach to others in our local communities to make disciples of Jesus.

1 Gray, Mark M. “When Parishes Outnumber Priests.” Nineteen Sixty-four. Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

Research Blog. 3 Aug. 2015. Web. 6 Aug. 2015.

Vision 2016

by: Msgr. Richard M. Colletti, Vicar General/ Chancellor, and Leandra Hubka

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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.

Medical Services: Medical Quality Pregnancy Tests and Limited Obstetrical Ultrasounds Support Services:

Lay Counseling, Mentoring, Education, Earn While You Learn Appointments:

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;

All of our services are free and confidential

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.

1331 Warren Street Mankato, MN 56001

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. Amen.

M, W, R 11:00-3:00 and T 1:00-7:00

Call 507.625.2229 or Text 507.508.0817 www.optionsmankato.org “Engaging with hope and unconditional support” October, 2015 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

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Cardinal O’Malley Welcomes Pope’s Year of Mercy Plan for Post-Abortion Healing WASHINGTON—Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded to Pope Francis’ recent letter allowing all priests worldwide "to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it."

“Recognizing the seriousness of the sin of abortion and the implications this can have for those involved, Pope Francis is making particular outreach to women,

noting that many women were under great pressure and felt that they had no choice,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

“For many years in the United States, [including in the Diocese of Winona], diocesan bishops have granted their priests the faculty to absolve the sin of abortion. As part of the outreach of the Year of Mercy*, the Holy Father will now grant all priests worldwide the faculty,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

Cardinal O’Malley referred those in need of healing to the Project Rachel post-abortion ministry website, saying, “My hope and prayer is that all those carrying the burden of an experience of abortion would turn to the Church and her sacraments and experience the Lord’s mercy and love.”

Please know that in the Diocese of Winona and most dioceses in the United States, Project Rachel and other postabortion healing ministries offer

Marriage Anniversary Mass Sunday, October 18, 2015 2:00 pm St. Leo Church, Pipestone

(415 S. Hiawatha Ave)

The Diocese of Winona is pleased to announce that the annual Marriage Anniversary Mass will take place at St. Leo Church in Pipestone. Bishop John M. Quinn will preside at a special celebration of the Eucharist at 2:00 pm honoring married couples and extending special blessings.

A reception will be held after Mass for all those in attendance. The Tri-­‐ Parish Catholic Daughters will be serving light refreshments, wedding cake, along with coffee and punch. Please plan to attend.

This is a wonderful way to honor a loved one’s anniversary or celebrate your own! Your whole family is invited to attend! This celebration is not restricted to any particular anniversary. A beautiful full-­‐color certificate will be presented to all couples in attendance.

Bishop Quinn wishes to send a special invitation to married couples who will be celebrating this year. If you or someone you know would like to receive an invitation, please register by visiting www.dow.org or submit the form below (duplicate this form as needed) to: Marriage Anniversary Mass PO BOX 588, Winona, MN 55987 or by email to pmartin@dow.org

Names: Husband’s First Name

Wife’s First Name

Street Address:

Family Name

Phone:

City:

Zip Code:

Years Married:

Wedding Date:

(If you would like the certificate to indicate the number of years you will celebrate later this year, please add that here.)

How many guests will join you? ___________

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a compassionate and understanding pathway to renewal.

Call 1-800-222-5859 or any one of the Catholic Charities offices and ask to talk to someone about Project Rachel or go to www.hopeafterabortion.com or www.esperanzaposaborto.com. *The Jubilee Year of Mercy will begin December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, continuing through to the Solemnity of Christ the King in November of 2016.

Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow.org

2015 Respect Life Month: ‘Every Life is Worth Living’

Respect Life Month, observed in October, begins the new, yearlong cycle of the Respect Life Program, which continues through the following September. It is a time dedicated by the U.S. bishops for the Church nationwide to bring attention to, celebrate, and work and pray for the protection of the gift of human life. The first Sunday of the month, October 4 this year, is designated as Respect Life Sunday. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes new materials each year on various human life issues to aid the local efforts within the Church of building a culture of life throughout the year. The theme of the 2015-16 Respect Life Program is “Every life is worth living.”

Prayer for the Synod of Pope Francis Bishops on the Family Changes to

7 Life, Marriage & Family

Pope Francis asks all people – Cardinals, Bishops, priests, men and women religious, lay faithful – to pray for the Synod which takes place in Rome from October 5 – 19.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer.

Makes Nullity Process Motivated by "Charity and Mercy"

Owatonna, Minnesota

On September 8, 2015, by: Fr. Glenn Frerichs, Judicial Pope Francis issued a Vicar of the Diocese of WInona document titled Mitis Iudex Dominus Jesus [The Lord Jesus, Gentle Judge]. This motu proprio—the phrase meaning “on his own initiative”—will alter several aspects of the marriage nullity process.

This document is the fruit of a commission recently established to offer recommendations for the purpose of simplifying the nullity process while safeguarding the indissoluble nature of marriage. Pope Francis has said that these changes are motivated by “charity and mercy” and directed toward the “salvation of souls.”

The implementation of the new norms coincides with the Year of Mercy, beginning on December 8th. The new rules will replace 21 canons in the Code of Canon Law and address five significant aspects of the nullity process.

I. The competency of individual tribunals. Each diocesan tribunal is presently competent to hear cases under the following conditions: 1) those marriages that took place within the diocese, 2) if the Respondent resides within diocese, 3) if the Petitioner resides within diocese (with consent of the Judicial Vicar where the Respondent lives), 4) where most of the evidence exists (provided other conditions are met). The new norms no longer place conditions on numbers 3 and 4.

Join us for these outstanding adult learning opportunities . . .

II. Requirements for Tribunal Judges. A college of three judges, two of The Call to Be Catholic which must be clerics, is typically assigned to each 12th Annual Speakers Series case. The new norms will require only one clerical 2015-2016 judge, and not two, to serve “ . . . well-cultivated intelligence opens man's heart to listening to the voice of on each college of three God, highlighting the importance of discernment and humility." judges.

Pope Benedict XVI III. The requirement of a second affirmative decision Sunday, October 11, 2015— “Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment” has been removed. Cases Dr. Bernard Evans, Associate Professor in Theology, St. John’s University (Collegeville, MN) that receive an affirmative 3:00 pm., St. Joseph’s Parish Hall (512 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna) decision currently require a second college of three judges to confirm their decision. However, the new norms will no Sunday, November 8— “Prophetic Witness: Consecrated Life in the longer require a second affirmative decision. The elimination of 21st Century” this procedure will shorten the process by several months. Persons receiving a negative sentence are still granted the opportunity to Sister Peter Maria, OP, and Sister Beatrice, OP, “Nashville Dominicans” (Nashville, TN) 3:00 pm., Sacred Heart Parish Center (810 S. Cedar Ave., Owatonna) appeal the decision to the Appellate Court or to the Roman Rota.

IV. A shorter and more streamlined process will be permitted under certain circumstances. When this process is to be admitted, Sunday, January 17, 2016— “Pope Francis and the Holy Year of Mercy” and after the necessary evidence is gathered, the Diocesan Bishop is Fr. Jeffrey Dobbs, Director of Spiritual Life, IHM Seminary (Winona, MN) to personally judge the case. The Diocese of Winona presently requires 3:00 pm., St. Joseph’s Parish Hall (512 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna) 9-14 months to complete each case. The shorter process would likely reduce the length of the process to approximately 4 months.

Sunday, February 21— “Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting” V. Tribunal fees. The new norms encourage the reduction or elimination of tribunal fees that are used to cover the cost of Laura Kelly Fanucci, Twin Cities Author and Blogger 3:00 pm., Sacred Heart Parish Center (810 S. Cedar Ave., Owatonna) administrative costs. The Tribunal of the Diocese of Winona receives funding from several sources, including the Catholic Ministries Appeal.

For this reason there is no charge for persons petitioning to have their Sunday, March 13— “Mary at the Foot of the Cross— marriage declared null.

Owatonna, Minnesota Our Lenten Model” As Shepherd of the Universal Church Pope Francis seeks to make the annulment process more accessible to the faithful by reducing the Sister Paul Mary Rittgers, RSM, Dir. Of Faith Formation & RCIA, Sponsored by: financial burden and assuring a prompt judgment. The Tribunal of the Diocese of Winona St. Joseph’s Church (Owatonna) Sacred Heart Church (Owatonna) 3:00 pm., St. Joseph’s Parish Hall (512 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna) Diocese of Winona also continues to do all that it can to provide the Christ the King Church (Medford) People of God in Southern Minnesota with pastoral sensitivity, timely Holy Trinity Church (Litomysl) judgment and a just and accurate decision.

Contact information: (507) 451-1588 or (507) 451-4845

Free-will offering ($5/person suggested)

October, 2015 w The Courier

Youth and Young Adults

8

Back to School The transition into fall is always bittersweet, especially for our young people. Long summer days slowly fade away yielding to brisker temps, falling leaves, and, most importantly, the reality that a new school year is upon us. This past summer had so many great memories for youth and young adult ministry. Camps and conferences were filled with enthusiasm and spiritual growth. Those events are now in the rearview mirror and we look ahead to a new year with great anticipation and joy. Here are just a few ways we see the Lord at work this fall: Campus Ministry – FOCUS Fall is a busy time on our college campuses. It's easy for me to see this first hand as my office overlooks the Winona State Campus and students are flooding the streets. College years are incredibly formative for young people. They are discerning their career path, peer groups and, ultimately, who they want to become as a human person. Our Catholic Campus Ministry programs are there to help in this process and we are very blessed with faith-filled leaders who engage our young adult students.

Saint Mary's University in Winona offers a variety of programs, retreats and service/outreach opportunities which effectively minister on campus.

TEC retreats, March for Life, SOUL trips (Serving Others United in Love), and student-led groups which pair students with children, those with disabilities, and those in poverty. There are also opportunities for students to grow together in community as well as grow in the traditions of LeSallian life.

Winona State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato are both very intentional with students Ben Frost on campus.

Director Social events, bfrost@dow.org retreats, and community building events

Mankato State University 2015-2016 FOCUS Missionary Team: From left to right, Michael, Ashley, Mary, Katie, Alison & Phil

help to engage the campuses and encourage young people to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The two campuses continue to offer FOCUS Missionaries who are critical to our evangelization efforts. FOCUS builds relationships with students through bible studies and equips others to share the gospel message. This year our teams on each campus will continue to oversee a system of evangelization which offers 20-30 Catholic bible studies onsite. This then flows into the work of the Newman Centers which offer further enrichment and opportunities for community and Sacramental life. Pray for all of our college ministry efforts!

Parish Ministries Our local parishes are also working very hard to share the love of Jesus this fall. Faith Formation and Youth Ministry programs are beginning, which allow our children to be nurtured in the faith and supported in love. Parishes also are collaborating through middle school youth rallies, retreats, intermissions, reboot live and so many other events. I commend our many youth ministers and faith formation directors for such fabulous work.

Their love for the Lord is inspiring and they certainly are wonderful examples of faith to our young people! Please pray for your local youth directors, and if you are able, consider partnering with them this fall. Our parishes need good leaders, teachers and witnesses to the faith. The more we support our young people in the faith, the more we will see them respond to the faith!

Diocese Events Our diocese is also preparing for two significant events in the coming months. First, in November we will be taking a few buses to Indianapolis for the bi-annual NCYC Conference. This gathering of 20,000 teenagers provides Winona State University 2015-2016 FOCUS Missionary Team: From left to right, Conner Mattern, Colleen Morrall, Jessy Kirkwood and A.J. Garcia (Team Director).

an opportunity to see the greater Church in America. The best talent of musicians, speakers, and artists are all there for the three days together. This event is particularly powerful because of its size. Many Catholic teens today might feel alone in the faith. Maybe they don't see many practicing Catholic teens in their daily lives. Well, the truth is, they are not alone, and the momentum and enthusiasm is growing in young circles! Pray for this event!

We also are preparing for our return to Washington DC for the annual March for Life. A few buses of teens and college students will unite with hundreds of thousands to stand up for the dignity of life, especially the most vulnerable – babies in the womb. The tide is turning and it's beautiful to see our young people rising up!

Yes, the summer heat might be in the rearview mirror, but the fire of faith is alive in the hearts of our youth. May the Holy Spirit be with them as they enter this new school year and draw them into deeper love of our Lord Jesus Christ! God is good!

October, 2015 w The Courier

Pope Francis

in

America

9 Pope Francis in America

credit: © L'Osservatore Romano

America has been rocked by the Holy Father’s recent visit. Each city he visited (Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia) was swarmed with crowds of the thousands and into millions people just trying to get a glimpse of him. It was reported that in D.C. they advised all government workers to work from home that day due to the enormous crowds.

Peter Martin, director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family and leader of the pilgrimage from the Diocese of Winona to the World Meeting of Families said, “the city is practically shutdown for the Pope’s visit! What other religious or political figure could draw such crowds? … there are so many people, but everyone is so happy!”

Pope Francis’ words and actions while in our country were profound. He spoke at the White House, to Congress, visited the Little Sisters of the Poor, had lunch with by: Theresa Martin, Associate Editor

the D.C. homeless, spoke to bishops, spoke to the United Nations, visited the 9-11 Memorial, spoke to the faithful of New York, spoke to Immigrants at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, participated in the World Meeting of Families event “Festival of Families,” met with clergy abuse victims, visited prisoners, met with cardinals, bishops, priests and seminarians and held Mass for the closing ceremony of the World Meeting of Families. Each moment was unique in its purpose and message. We invite you to read the inspiring words of Pope Francis.

In this insert, we offer you a keepsake of photos and just a sampling of the text of the pope’s own words that you might treasure this monumental visit along with all Americans.

P o p e s p e a k s o f fa m i ly , r e l i g i o u s f r e e d o m a n d t h e e n v i r o n m e n t at W h i t e H o u s e "Mr. President, I am deeply grateful for your welcome in the name of all Americans. As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families. I look forward to these days of encounter and dialogue, in which I hope to listen to, and share, many of the hopes and dreams of the American people.

During my visit I will have the honor of addressing Congress, where I hope, as a brother of this country, to offer words of encouragement to those called to guide the nation’s political future in fidelity to its founding principles. I will also travel to Philadelphia for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, to celebrate and support the institutions of marriage and the family at this, a critical moment in the history of our civilization.

Mr. President, together with their fellow citizens, American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination. With countless other people of good will, they are likewise concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty. That freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions. And, as my brothers, the United States Bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or

chester rang bells to Holy Spirit School in Ro welcome Pope Francis.

"I will also travel to Philadelphia for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, to celebrate and support the institutions of marriage and the family at this, a critical moment in the history of our civilization."

compromise it.

Mr. President, I find it encouraging that you are proposing an initiative for reducing air pollution. Accepting the urgency, it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation. When it comes to the care of our “common home,” we are living at a critical moment of history. We still have time to make the changes needed to bring about “a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change” (Laudato Si’, 13). Such change demands on our part a serious and responsible recognition not only of the kind

of world we may be leaving to our children, but also to the millions of people living under a system which has overlooked them.

Our common home has been part of this group of the excluded which cries out to heaven and which today powerfully strikes our homes, our cities and our societies. To use a telling phrase of the Reverend Martin Luther King, we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note and now is the time to honor it.

We know by faith that “the Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home” (Laudato Si’, 13). As Christians inspired by this certainty, we wish to commit ourselves to the conscious and responsible care of our common home.

The efforts which were recently made to mend broken relationships and to open new doors to cooperation within our human family represent positive steps along the path of reconciliation, justice and freedom. I would like all men and women of good will in this great nation to support the efforts of the international community to protect the vulnerable in our world and to stimulate integral and inclusive models of development, so that our brothers and sisters everywhere may know the blessings of peace and prosperity which God wills for all his children.

Mr President, once again I thank you for your welcome, and I look forward to these days in your country. God bless America!"

Pacelli students gathered to watch Pope Francis' talk and have a pope parade!

Sacred Heart stud

ents in Adams.

The pastoral center gathered to watch Pope Francis, too.

All across the Diocese were Excited about Pope Francis' Visit

October, 2015 w The Courier

Pope Francis in America

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Pope Highlights 4 Americans i n M e s s ag e to C o n g r e s s

"Mr. Vice-President, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of Congress, Dear Friends, I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. I would like to think that the reason for this is that I too am a son of this great continent, from which we have all received so much and toward which we share a common responsibility. … Today I would like not only to address you, but through you the entire people of the United States. … I would like to mention four of these Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.

"In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities ... The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development." … Three sons and a daughter of this land, four individuals and four dreams: Lincoln, liberty; Martin Luther King, liberty in plurality and non-exclusion; Dorothy Day, social justice and the rights of persons; and Thomas Merton, the capacity for dialogue and openness to God. Four representatives of the American people.

I will end my visit to your country in Philadelphia, where I will take part in the World Meeting of Families. It is my wish that

Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Credit: REUTERS/Tony Gentile

throughout my visit the family should be a recurrent theme. How essential the family has been to the building of this country!

And how worthy it remains of our support and encouragement! Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the "In Laudato Si’, I and, call for a courageous importance above all, the richness and responsible effort and the beauty of to “redirect our steps” family life. … A nation can (LS 61), and to avert be considered great the most serious effects when it defends of the environmental liberty as Lincoln deterioration caused by did, when it fosters a culture which enables human activity. people to “dream” of

full rights for all their brothers and sisters, as Martin Luther King sought to do; when it strives for justice and the cause of the oppressed, as Dorothy Day did by her tireless work, the fruit of a faith which becomes dialogue and sows peace in the contemplative style of Thomas Merton.

In these remarks I have sought to present some of the richness of your cultural heritage, of the spirit of the American people. It is my desire that this spirit continue to develop and grow, so that as many young people as possible can inherit and dwell in a land, which has inspired so many people to dream.

God bless America!"

Editor's Note: This is only a fraction of the text, which we had to edit for space. Please find the full text at: http://www.news. va/en/news/pope-francis-makeshistoric-address-to-us-congress

Pope Francis Addresses United Nations "This presupposes and requires the right to education – also for girls (excluded in certain places) – which is ensured first and foremost by respecting and reinforcing the primary right of the family to educate its children, as well as the right of churches and social groups to support and assist families in the education of their children.

Education conceived in this way is the basis for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and for reclaiming the environment."

"Consequently, the defence of the environment and the fight against exclusion demand that we recognize a moral law written into human nature itself, one which includes the natural difference between man and woman (cf. Laudato Si’, 155), and absolute respect for life in all its stages and dimensions (cf. ibid., 123, 136)."

October, 2015 w The Courier

"Another kind of war experienced by many of our societies as a result of the narcotics trade. A war which is taken for granted and poorly fought.

Drug trafficking is by its very nature accompanied by trafficking in persons, money laundering, the arms trade, child exploitation and other forms of corruption. A corruption which has penetrated to different levels of social, political, military, artistic and religious life, and, in many cases, has given rise to a parallel structure which threatens the credibility of our institutions."

Please find the full text at: http://relevantradio.com/ stories/pope-francis-address

Credit: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Canonization of Junípero Serra

HolyFatherVisitsGround Zero, Brings Hope

Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA

Pope Francis: "This [peace] can only happen if we uproot from our hearts all feelings of hatred, vengeance and resentment. We know that that is only possible as a gift from heaven. Here, in this place of remembrance, I would ask everyone together, each in his or her own way, to spend a moment in silence and prayer. Let us implore from on high the gift of commitment to the cause of peace. Peace in our homes, our families, our schools and our communities. Peace in all those places where war never seems to end. Peace for those faces which have known nothing but pain. Peace throughout this world which God has given us as the home of all and a home for all. Simply PEACE. "In this way, the lives of our dear ones will not be lives which will one day be forgotten. Instead, they will be present whenever we strive to be prophets not of tearing down but of building up, prophets of reconciliation, prophets of peace."

Pope Francis in America

From Pope Francis' homily: "Today we remember one of those witnesses who testified to the joy of the Gospel in these lands, Father Junípero Serra. He was the embodiment of “a Church which goes forth”, a Church which sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God. Junípero Serra left his native land and its way of life. He was excited about blazing trails, going forth to meet many people, learning and valuing their particular customs and ways of life. He learned how to bring to birth and nurture God’s life in the faces of everyone he met; he made them his brothers and sisters. Junípero sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it.

Mistreatment and wrongs, which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which they cause in the lives of many people.

"Father Serra had a motto which inspired his life and work, a saying he lived his life by: siempre adelante! Keep moving forward! For him, this was the way to continue experiencing the joy of the Gospel, to keep his heart from growing numb, from being anesthetized. He kept moving forward, because the Lord was waiting. He kept going, because his brothers and sisters were waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life. Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep moving forward!" (Read full homily at http://www. news.va/en/news/pope-declares-junipero-serra-a-saint)

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In an emotional interview, one woman who had been at ground zero when the 9-11 attack occurred was overcome by the presence of Pope Francis. When the reporter asked her to explain why the pope coming here and praying meant so much to her, she responded through sobs: “Because I witnessed the atrocities of mankind and I really had lost hope; I had lost faith. And I didn’t think we had a chance. And this is the first time ever in the last 14 years that I actually believe that we do have a chance. It makes that much of a difference.”

He is the pope for all people, bringing peace and witness of Christ's love.

credit: © L'Osservatore Romano

Pope

Papal Mass at Madison Square Gardens

Francis

greets a disabled child outside of a C at h o l i c school in Harlem, New York

Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA credit: © L'Osservatore Romano October, 2015 w The Courier

Pope Francis in America

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Pope Joins World Meeting of Families

Pope at the Festival of Families

credit: © L'Osservatore Romano

“We are celebrating the feast of the family,” he told the crowd. “Families have a citizenship that is divine. The identity card that they have is given to them by God so that within the heart of the family truth, goodness and beauty can truly grow.”

“Some of you might say of course, Father, you speak like that because you’re not married,” he said.

“Families have difficulties. Families — we quarrel, sometimes plates can fly, and children bring headaches. I won’t speak about mother-in-laws,” he quipped.

“However, in families, there is always light” because of the love of God’s son.

“Just as there are problems in families, there is the light of the resurrection,” he said.

“The family is like a factory of hope,” he said.

“In the family, there are indeed difficulties” and children bring challenges, too, he said.

“But those difficulties are overcome with love,” he said. “Hatred is not capable of dealing [with] or overcoming any difficulty. Division of hearts cannot overcome a difficulty; only love can overcome.” (http://cnstopstories.com/2015/09/26/pope-delights-philly-crowd-with-

The Message of Religious Freedom rings out at Independence Hall

spontaneous-talk-on-families/)

Pope Francis meets with Prisoners

credit: © L'Osservatore Romano

"It was here that the freedoms which define this country were first proclaimed," Francis said. "This shows that when a country is determined to remain true to its founding principles, based on respect for human dignity, it is strengthened and renewed."

"In a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to suppress religious freedom, or try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality," he said, "it is imperative that the followers of various religions join their voices in calling for peace, tolerance and respect for the dignity and rights of others."

credit: © L'Osservatore Romano

"This time in your life can only have one purpose: to give you a hand in getting back on the right road, to give you a hand to help you rejoin society. ... Jesus invites us to share in his lot, his way of living and acting. He teaches us to see the world through his eyes.

Eyes which are not scandalized by the dust picked up along the way, but want to cleanse, heal and restore. He asks us to create new opportunities: for inmates, for their families, for correctional authorities, and for society as a whole....

May you make possible new opportunities, new journeys, new paths."

(Read more: http://www.ncregister. com/daily-news/pope-to-prisonersjesus-washes-your-wounds-andours/#ixzz3n0dv20kS")

Holy Father

celebrates Mass for the closing of the World Meeting of Families for over 1 million people "Like a blessing before we go to bed, or a hug after we return from a hard day's work.

Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to become faith.

"Jesus tells us not to hold back these little miracles. Instead, he wants us to encourage them, to spread them. He asks us to go through life, our everyday life, encouraging all these little signs of love as signs of his own living and active presence in our world." read the rest of Pope Francis' homily: http://6abc.com/religion/pope-francis-sunday-mass-homily/1005149/

Areal view during the Mass at the closing of the World Meeting of Families shows the great crowds.

October, 2015 w The Courier

"Dear friends, I embrace all of you in the Lord and I entrust you to the maternal care of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States. I will pray for you and your families, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May God bless you all. God bless America!"

RCS has Great First St. Mary's Madelia Week of School BeginsYear in Prayer

Catholic Schools

"Our first week of school was incredible! Welcoming back our students to Rochester Catholic Schools for the 2015-2016 school year is always a tremendous privilege. It was my greatest pleasure to stop in at each of our schools throughout the week and visit with both new and not-sonew faces. We truly are a blessed community here at RCS and I am excited to start yet another year with each of you. Blessings to you all!" - Michael Brennan, RCS Director of Schools

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Marsha Stenzel Superintendent mstenzel@dow.org

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Project Rachel Pope Francis visits homeless, Training DC cont'd from pg. 2

Catholic Charities

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by: Valerie Strauss Cunningham, CC Director of Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption

Vicki M. Thorn, national and international expert on post-abortion aftermath, its healing, and post abortion reconciliation, will provide Project Rachel training on Oct. 21, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Church, Joseph Hall, in Owatonna. The training is designed for priests, deacons, and counseling staff of Catholic Charities.

Vicki Thorn is the foundress of Project Rachel and the executive director of the National Office of Post Abortion Reconciliation and Healing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Project Rachel in the Diocese of Winona was started in 1989 and is a program service of Catholic Charities. Project Rachel offers an integrated approach to healing through reconciliation and spiritual guidance by priests and psychological help by counselors. Project Rachel is for anyone who is struggling after an abortion loss.

Project Rachel can help the post-abortal woman, the father of the aborted child, grandparents of the child, and others involved in the abortion decision or hurt by the loss of the child, such as family members, including siblings.

The scriptural vision for Project Rachel is from Jeremiah 31:15-17: “Thus says the LORD: In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning, of bitter weeping!

Rachel mourns her children; she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more. Thus says the LORD: Cease your cries of mourning, wipe the tears from your eyes…There is hope for your future.”

Project Rachel Vicki Thorn is the founder is the merciful love of Project Rachel. of God. In “A Big Heart Open to God: A conversation with Pope Francis” from America Magazine, September 30, 2013, Pope Francis states, “I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle!... You have to heal their wounds. Then we can talk about everything else. Heal the wounds, heal the wounds…And you have to start from the ground up.”

The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides assistance and resources to our Project Rachel program services. If you would like to learn more about Project Rachel or if you or someone you know is struggling from the aftermath of abortion, confidential, nonjudgmental help is available. Call 1-800-222-5859 or visit http:// www.ccwinona.org/project-rachel/

Obituaries

Sr. Regina Buskowiak Sister Regina (Mary Raymond) Buskowiak, 96, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Assisi Heights Monday, September 14, 2015.

Regina Elizabeth Buskowiak was born May 9, 1919, in

Utica, Minnesota, to Jacob and Josephine (Nicklewski) Buskowiak. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1939, from Saint Charles Parish, St. Charles, Minnesota. Sister Regina made first vows in 1942 and Perpetual Vows in 1945. In 1955 she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, Minnesota.

Sister Regina worked at Saint Mary's Hospital, Rochester, for 20 years. She was head nurse on 1st Joseph East during the polio epidemic in the 1950’s and is featured in the Mayo Clinic Heritage Film “A Cheerful Heart: The Dave Madden Story.” Sister Regina also served as the Director of Nursing at what was then St. Anne Hospice, Winona, MN, from 1962-1979. She returned to Assisi Heights and for ten years served as a nurse in the Assisi

Masses of Reparation for Sins Many parishes throughout the diocese are committed to offer consolation to the Heart of Christ through a Mass of Reparation.

Please go online to dowcourier.org to see the complete Mass list.

October, 2015 w The Courier

Heights Health Care before her retirement in 1989.

Sister Regina is survived by her religious Congregation, with whom she shared life for seventysix years, and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers: Raphael John, Gregory, Isadore and Bernard and by three sisters: Sister Bernard Marie Buskowiak, Mrs. Clifford Roeder and Mrs. Howard Streiff.

each one of us.”

“Faith makes us know that God is at our side, that God is in our midst and his presence spurs us to charity. Charity is born of the call of a God who continues to knock on our door, the door of all people, to invite us to love, to compassion, to service of one another.”

The Pope said prayer is the antidote to insensitivity or apathy toward the suffering of others.

“Prayer unites us; it makes us brothers and sisters,” he said.

“It opens our hearts and reminds us of a beautiful truth which we sometimes forget. In prayer, we all learn to say “Father,” “Dad.” We learn to see one another as brothers and sisters.”

“In prayer, there are no rich and poor people, there are sons and daughters, sisters and brothers. In prayer, there is no first or second class, there is brotherhood.”

The Pope then led the crowd in praying the Our Father and offered his blessing before asking prayers for himself.

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Visit

Rome Audience with Pope Francis Florence Assisi Sorrento Pompeii Monte Cassino

Meeting the New Seminarians

Mitch Logeais

my will, my desire remained to go to grad school with the hope of laying the foundation for my future as a physical therapist, husband, and father. That fall I began my first year of grad school and made it a point to establish times for prayer and Mass every day. But as school demanded more of my attention, I began to sacrifice those things that provided balance. I was successful in my academics, but I was also aware of a growing turmoil internally. Eventually, at the end of the semester things unraveled emotionally, and once again I found solitude in the sacrament of confession. I was instructed to ask and receive what I wanted most from God. Having been avoiding the possibility of my vocation for so long, I asked for clarity. And so God provided. A week later I encountered Jesus in the liturgy in a way I had only once before. It was clear that He was calling for me to enter into His plans more intimately; that there was something more for me. Again I felt like running, but this time I wanted to run towards him. I was scared, because in that moment I knew I was about to leave school to pursue the priesthood.

That is beautiful. Were there moments of doubt after this? If so, how did you overcome them?

Considering I had been wrestling with my doubts and ignorance for so long before actually deciding to enter, I can’t say I doubted my decision. I think I was so exhausted, I am now able to rest in God’s peace in that regard. I was, however, paranoid about how the next two years would play out. Fortunately, I got a job at the YMCA in Bismarck and was able to put some of that nervous energy into productivity.

Can you share with us any favorite devotions of yours?

If I could list one it would be a Marian consecration, albeit, I haven’t been the most faithful to our Blessed Mother since participating in St. Louis de Montfort’s consecration two years ago. But we have been given to her by Jesus and she is most faithful to us no matter what.

I’ve had several instances since my great “Yes” that have affirmed she remains close to me in this journey.

Are there people who have been most influential in your life that helped you along the path?

There are several individuals who have been significant to my journey of faith. Namely, Fr. Tim Biren and the staff of the Newman Center at MSU Mankato. Also Phil Stone, Andrew Tomsche and the rest of the Focus missionaries throughout the years. Lastly, but certainly not least, the Massad family of Mankato. Each have had a profound impact in my life individually, but collectively they’ve showed me show much about love, community, and leadership. There will remain for them forever, a piece of my heart, to occupy as it is lifted up to our Lord.

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If a young man or woman asked you for advice on whether or not they should consider a religious vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, what would you say?

Do it now. Or at least make preparations that will allow you to enter as soon as you can. The movement of the Holy Spirit toward a vocation is good. Be docile to it. Delaying your response will give way to doubt and undue self- justification.

And finally, what do you most look forward to in this upcoming year?

I am most excited to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. I’m finally in an environment that is conducive to surrendering myself completely to the Lord’s will, and am looking forward to seeing what fruit it will bear.

Vocations

Mitch Logeais is from Annandale, which is near St. Cloud.

Mitch, please tell us about your family; what was it like growing up?

I am privileged to belong to such a wonderful family. I have one brother, older. Since my parents grew up in neighboring towns, we were also fortunate enough to grow up with nearly all of our extended family as well. Both were raised in practicing Catholic families, ergo my brother and I were born into this faith biologically as well as spiritually. Growing up, attending Mass was probably the height of our Catholicity. I never had an example of participation beyond Sunday Mass, until I started college at Minnesota State Mankato. During my junior year I started attending a bible study, which further led into a leadership study, and eventually a consistent presence around the Newman Center. Since

this transformation was taking place primarily away from home, my parents really only saw partial reflections of what was taking hold of my life. While they were supportive, they grew concerned that it might be affecting my plans to graduate and continue on to graduate school. I wasn’t the best at communicating to them what was taking place internally over the last seven years, so I don’t blame them for being confused as to why I was willing to drop out of graduate school to enter seminary.

When do you think the very first seed of a priestly vocation was planted in your life?

I’m not exactly sure of when the first seed was planted; however, I do remember the first time I was unsettled by the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. I was at home for a few days and wanted to take advantage of confession before daily Mass. I had recently been acquainted with Focus missionaries and was learning the importance of staying close to the sacraments. As a result I was also being challenged to find my identity in this world. After I offered my confession, Father started talking to me about accepting my invitation to the consecrated life.

I remember almost bolting out of the confessional. I can’t deny, in that moment I knew those words carried more weight than speaking of the general sense of faithfulness to Christ.

Wow, that must have been jarring.

How did that sense of vocation develop from resistance to entering the seminary? After that experience, when did you next think about it?

It wasn’t until a year or two later that I actually began to discern the priesthood. Coincidentally I was also discerning marriage, and grad school. Let me just confirm, n o t h i n g good comes of trying to discern two vocations and grad school at once! It only breeds anxiety and discontent.

Nonetheless, I did.

To make a long story short, I accepted an invitation to a discernment group where I was able to open up to some of my closest friends about the possibility of joining seminary.

While it was important in cultivating

Adam Worm

Adam Worm is from Cologne, Minnesota.

Please tell us where you are from; what was it like in your family growing up?

The city I grew up in is actually in the archdiocese. The connection I have with the Winona Diocese happened when I was a student in Mankato. My parents really controlled my faith life growing up. I’m sure if it were up to me I would have slept in most Sundays, but thanks to them I was at every Sunday morning 8 a.m. Mass until I graduated from high school. God clearly had a plan here because I ended up serving at more than fifty percent of these Masses. My parents were very active at church functions, which meant I became active in these functions as well. They had set for me a solid foundation for Meeting Seminarians, cont'd on pg. 17 October, 2015 w The Courier

Faith Formation

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S ay i n g Y e s

to t h e

C a ll

Four Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, with a connection to the Diocese of Winona professed first vows on August 15, 2015, in Alma Michigan. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated by Bishop John Quinn and concelebrated by Msgr. Colletti.

Two of the Sisters grew up in the Diocese of Winona: Sr. Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, of Austin, Minnesota, and Sr. Mary Elisha Glady, RSM, of Wykoff, Minnesota. Sr. Marie Josepha currently serves in Sisters celebrate their vows (left to right): Sister Mary Elisha Glady, RSM, Sister Paul Mary Rittgers, RSM, Bishop John M. St. Louis, Missouri, and Sr. Quinn, Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, Sister Marie Faustina Wolniakowski, RSM and Msgr. Richard Colletii.

Mary Elisha currently serves in Denver, Colorado. Also professing first vows were Sr. Paul Mary Rittgers, RSM, who has been working as the Director Mary’s University in Winona this ticular to the Religious Sisters of is known as postulancy. The secof Faith Formation for the Diocese past August. In addition to these Mercy. Following the completion ond year is canonical novitiate, a of Winona since August 2014, and four Sisters, three other Sisters of the three years, the Sisters may period of more intense prayer and Sr. Marie Faustina Wolniakowski, of Mercy professed first vows renew their vows for two years. study designated by canon law.

RSM, who began studying at Saint the same day at the communi- Following this period of renewal, This is followed by an apostolic ty’s Motherhouse in Alma, the Sisters may then take perpet- novitiate year where the Sisters ual vows, vowing to God Poverty, are sent to work in the apostolate Michigan.

By the profession of first Chastity, Obedience, and Service of one of the local communities.

The Religious Sisters of Mercy of vows, the Sisters vow to for the rest of their lives.

Sr. Paul Mary Alma, Michigan, are currently in The profession of first vows God Poverty, Chastity, and Rittgers, R.S.M. Obedience for three years as follows a period of basic forma- 14 dioceses throughout the United Director well as Service to the Poor, tion that typically takes three States, as well as in Australia, faithformation@dow.org Sick, and Ignorant, the lat- years in the Religious Sisters of England, Germany, Italy. ter of which is a vow par- Mercy. The first year of formation

Religious Life: The Vow of Obedience By: Sister Mary Raphael, RSM

Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself, and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting death, death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8) The model for all Christians in living the virtue of obedience is Our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His obedience to the will of the Father that He redeemed us from sin and made salvation possible for us.

All Christians must, therefore, be obedient to the will of God for each of them. St. Francis de Sales spoke of this kind of obedience in two ways. First is obedience to God’s will in the commandments, laws and precepts of the Church. The second obedience is to God’s will as expressed in everyday life, in prayer, and in good inspirations from the Holy Spirit. This kind of obedience largely consists in fulfilling in faith the duties of one’s state in life – the duty of the “present moment” – with love and acceptance of the crosses of every day as God’s will. In this sense, every committed Christian must live the virtue of obedience.

The obedience of a consecrated person, of a religious man or woman, builds upon this Christian obedience but contains several unique elements.

In religious life, the person makes a specific VOW of obedience to FREELY obey the Holy Father (who is the first superior of each religious), the laws of the Church as they relate to religious life, the rule or constitutions of one’s religious institute, and the directives of one’s October, 2015 w The Courier

superior(s) – the persons who hold legitimate authority in the institute or congregation. (Essential Elements, #49; Norms VI.23, 24; XI.43, 44). This means that the directive of a religious superior must be fulfilled to the best of one’s ability, unless the act requested is sinful.

The vow of obedience is often misunderstood to be passivity or mindless compliance. It is anything but that! When lived in the context of a vibrant prayer life and a loving, balanced common life in which there is open communication, it is a source of immense spiritual energy both for the individual who lives the vow, but especially and specifically for the Church.

When religious men and women make the vow of obedience, God gives the grace to live that vow – as He gives grace to married couples to embrace the challenges of family life. He gives that grace in the merit of making the vow itself, and in grace given through the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist – and the graces of our Baptism and Confirmation, through the Holy Spirit. This quotation from Essential Elements sums up this reality well: When God consecrates a person, he gives a special gift to achieve his own kind purposes: the reconciliation and salvation of the human race…The choice of a person by God is for the sake of others: the consecrated person is one who is sent to do the work of God in the power of God. Jesus himself was clearly aware of this. Consecrated and sent to bring the salvation of God, he was totally dedicated to the Father in adoration, love and surrender, and totally given to the work of the Father, which is the salvation of the world. (EE 23) The vow of obedience is thus truly ESSENTIAL to religious life, and to the mission of the Church!

Meeting Seminarians, cont'd from pg. 15

that my attitude toward being a priest had changed. Instead of completely rejecting it I saw it as a possibility.

How did you get from that moment to entering the seminary?

After realizing that I would have to go to seminary to continue to discern, I had several doubts flood my mind. I actually went and worked with FOCUS for a year before rediscovering this call. This time, however, I prepared for these doubts. I had a foundation in prayer and knew how the devil liked to attack me, so it was much easier to follow through on my decision.

What spiritual devotion has been most helpful to you?

I think establishing a habitual prayer life has been the most helpful. That might sound like a boring or default answer, but it does not matter how many different devotions I have or do in a day. If I’m not spending time in silent prayer developing my relationship with God, everything else falls apart.

The Burse, which was initiated by Are there people who our beloved Bishop Emeritus Bernard have been most influential in your life that helped you Harrington eight years ago, is a along the path? tremendous blessing and the major There have been a source of funds that ensure the best handfull of priests who Priestly Formation possible for the have been influencing my future priests of our diocese. A gift, as decision to enter seminary, but I think the one that a sign of gratitude for the priests in your stands apart from the rest life, is always welcomed. Additional or is one I have never met. I first-time gifts may be sent as a mark of received a book from my gratitude. I know you will consider my grandmother when I was invitation with an open heart and join younger called the “Cure of me in the task of forming future priests.

Ars.” The book contains the You will find more information and an works of St. John Vianney, envelope insert for giving on page 19 of this edition of The Courier.

Understanding Laudato Si’ As we strive to understand our Church’s responsibility towards creation, we invite you to join our diocesan Social Justice Day on October 17. This will be a day of study and reflection on Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on care for the environment, Laudato Si’, at St. Theodore Parish in Albert Lea. Dr. Christopher J. Thompson, Academic Dean at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, will serve as the keynote presenter. There will also be breakout sessions in the afternoon.

The day is being organized by the diocesan Social Concerns Committee and Catholic Charities, and is being co-sponsored by the Institute of Lay

17 In the Diocese

the future that I had taken for granted. I’m not sure I would be where I am today if it had not been for their support along the way.

When do you think the very first seed of a priestly vocation was planted in your life?

Growing up, because I would serve frequently for Mass, our parish priests (yes, plural) would often ask me after Mass if I had ever thought of being a priest. My answer was almost always the same. I would laugh it off and try to get out of there as fast as possible.

I did not want to be a priest, but I did really love to serve for Mass. I had a secret love for the Mass that grew even stronger when I had a deeper conversion in college. I think that is where the first seeds were planted, in my love for the Mass.

After that first love of the Mass, when did you seriously start thinking about discerning the priesthood?

There were a couple key events that sparked a more serious discernment when I was in college. I’m not sure in what order they happened in, but the one that had the largest impact was the discernment group lead by our vocations director, Fr. Thompson. I can’t remember exactly what made me attend the group in the first place because I don’t think I had any serious intentions of discerning the priesthood going in. To this day I stick with the story that someone must have conned me by telling me there would be food. During the first meeting we were given the book “To Save a Thousand Souls,” which is now one of my favorite books. I read the first two chapters that night and my life was changed. I had no idea what a priest was before I entered that group and read that book. I thought I knew, but after the first year of being in the group, and picking Fr. Thomson’s brain with probably over a hundred questions, I started to realize

who happens to be the patron saint of priests.

I did not end up reading it until about the time I started discerning the priesthood. Since then I have read it three or four times, and created a special bond with St. John Vianney. Each time I read through and prayed with his words I grew closer to Christ and his call for me.

If a young man or woman asked you for advice on whether or not they should consider a religious vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, what would you say?

I would encourage them to start praying every day if they are not already, and find a spiritual director.

What do you most look forward to in this upcoming year?

I look forward to the constant opportunity to grow. Since I have arrived, my prayer life and my living order have already changed drastically. I expect to experience continued growth in these areas with the help of my brother seminarians and the staff here at the seminary.

Bishop, cont'd from pg. 3 Formation. The vision and hope for the day is that “parishioners from all parts of the diocese will gather to discuss the vital environmental and social issues outlined by Pope Francis, [and] that these discussions will lead to a better understanding of the issues and to concrete actions within our own parishes and communities.” For more information, please go to dow.org/ILF. The Month of the Holy Rosary As we enter October, the Church invites us to renew our practice of praying the Rosary every day. When we pray to Mary, she will always lead us to her Son Jesus Christ. When you pray the Rosary, it is an opportunity to meditate on the great events of salvation, which we find in each of the Mysteries of the Rosary. It is a cherished custom to pray the Rosary together as a family or even one decade of the Rosary after dinner. I find that praying the Rosary brings peace into my life and deepens in me my surrender to God’s providential care of the Church and of all creation. May Our Lady of the Rosary protect us and intercede for us.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

October, 2015 w The Courier

Action with Prayer

SUBMISSION for the calendar

Events in the Diocese

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Parish Events St. Peter's Church in Hokah Annual Roast Beef Dinner with Homemade Dressing, October 10, from 4 - 8 p.m. Come join us!

St. Columban, Preston Farm to Table Fall Dinner. Oct. 11. 11-1p.m.

Antibiotic- Free Pork loin with all the trimmings. $12/adult St. Mary, Minneiska Annual Church Breakfast. Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11. A Texas-Style French Toast Breakfast including sausage, apple sauce and coffee, milk or juice will be served from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Adults: $6, children age 6 and under: $3. We are having a bake sale and a raffle drawing at 12 p.m.

St. Mary, Winona River City Festival in Winona will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Sunday, Oct 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A beautiful Mass at 10:30,

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Every step, every journey, we’re there for life.

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Decanato de Worthington. lukiponcho@yahoo.es Padre Octavio Cortez IVE: Vicario Parroquial de “Ss. Peter and Paul” en Mankato Tel. 507-341-0403 Tel. 507-388-2995 Padre José Morales: Capellán del Decanato de Padre Raul Silva: Pastor de "Queen of Angels" Rochester. jloralesr2008@yahoo.es en Austin, "Our Lady of Loretto" en Brownsdale, Tel. 507-329-2931 “All Saints” en New Richland, “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, “St. Mary” en Geneva. padreraulsilva@ Padre Mariano Varela IVE: Párroco de “SS. gmail.com Peter and Paul” en Mankato. mvarela@ hickorytech.net Tel. 507-388-2995 ext 103

Mankato, St. James

Roger Reitmaier, FIC (507) 454-4979

Spanish Mass Schedule

St. Charles & nearby

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

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

Susan Stenzel

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

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

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

Pipestone, St. Leo, Spanish Mass, 2:30 p.m., every Sunday

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October, 2015 w The Courier

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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 for Life, Marriage, and Religious Freedom in Winona will be held on the first Saturday of the month. Please join us November 7, at 8:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 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.

Prayer Vigil and Public Witness Against Abortion Semcac Clinic is a delegate of Planned Parenthood. Please consider joining to pray from 3-4 p.m. each Tuesday in front of Semcac at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona Contact: Patti Woodworth (507) 429-4636.

followed by a Chicken-Q meal, Silent Basket (children under 6) Auction, Big Ticket Raffle, Ping Pong Pull, $4. Carry out dinners Please note: submission deadline Craft Sales and Kids’ Carnival & more! available. is the 10th of the month prior to the St. Patrick's Church, West Albany month of publication. All submissions will have its Fall Festival Sunday, Oct 11, 11 St. Mary, Geneva must be sent electronically on our weba.m. - 2 p.m. (or until food is gone). There November 1, join St. site: www.dowcourier.org will be a chicken BBQ dinner and silent Mary's for a Soup auction. and Pie Fundraiser. or by emailing: Courier@dow.org St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rochester Free-will donation. and by the deadline in order to assure annual Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 11, from Located 2 miles north receipt and possible inclusion in the Events Calendar.

11:30 – 3 p.m. at St. Pius X School Cafeteria of Maple Island on and Gym. Parish dinner, silent auction, chi- County Road 30. Or We thank you for understanding that due to space limitations, dren's games, concessions, raffles, prizes and from Geneva, 5 miles not all events nor story submissions will fit; however, we strive to more! For more information call 507-288- east on County Road include as many as possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff 8238.

35, turn south on Christ the King, Byron County road 30 for 1 Fall Expo, Sat, Oct 17, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Featuring mile. Call 507.438.1939 His recital in Rochester will include works Arts-Crafts & Home Based Businesses. The for more info.

by Buxtehude, J.S. Bach, Händel, Brahms, first 50 customers that enter after the doors Annunciation Hermitage, Austin Guilmant, Eben and Dupré. Open to the open and the first 50 that enter after noon The Sacred Heart/St. John of the Cross Lay public – free-will offering. will receive a gift bag.

Carmelite Community will host an Open St. John Nepomucene, Winona House at the Annunciation Hermitage in Job Openings annual Fall Festival on Sun. Oct. 18, in St. Austin on Sat., Oct. 10. Mass at 7:30 a.m. then Stanislaus Kostka Church Hall. 11 a.m. lunch refreshments. Info session at 8:20. For more Associate Editor for The Courier available, a Big Ticket, gift card raffle, and info, Kay Krumholz at (507) 451-9412.

Do you like what you see in our newspaper? more!

WDCCW Convention, Austin Would you like to join our team? The St. Joseph, Rushford will be held at St. Augustine’s on Oct. 10, Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona is will hold their Fall Festival & Swiss Steak with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. Contact currently seeking an Associate Editor for its Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Kitty Kerrins, PO Box 74, Grand Meadow publication The Courier, working out of the October 18, at Montini Hall, 105 N. Mill 55936. diocesan pastoral center in Winona. This is a Street, Rushford. Carry-outs and deliveries Beginning Experience part-time position (approximately 30 hours/ available in Rushford. Bake Sale; Country offering weekend retreat to help those griev- week), benefit eligible position. For more Store, Cash Raffle, and Silent Auction. ing the loss of a spouse. October 16 - 18 in information go to www.dow.org or email Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Winona Marshall and Oct 23 - 25 in Rochester. Sunday cover letter and resume to dfricke@dow.org.

Fall Craft/Art/Gift Show Sat., Oct. 24, 9 a.m. Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation St. Peter’s Annual to 2 p.m. in St. Stan’s School gym. Lunch will be available. beminnesota@gmail.com available. or call 507-261-8248. A registration form: OAST EEF St. Mary, Chatfield www.BEMinnesota.org RESSING INNER 17th annual event of table settings will be Organ Concert, Church of St. John the Hokah, MN held Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 Evangelist, Rochester Saturday, October 10, 2015 p.m. View 20 decorated tables in different will be held on Sunday, November 22, at 4 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

St. Peter’s Church, Hokah, MN themes. Also light lunch and door prizes. p.m. featuring Dr. James Kibbie, Chair of MN Tickets: $7 and are available at the door. the Organ Department at the University Adults (Dining Room & Carryouts): $10.00 St. Mary, Caledonia of Michigan. Dr. Kibbie maintains a full Children (6-12) (Dining Room Only): $5.00 Annual Fall Bazaar & Auction Sun., Oct. 25, schedule of concert, recording, and festival Children (5 and under) (Dining Room Only): FREE from 11 - 5 p.m. Roast beef dinner being engagements throughout North America Prior to 10/10 tickets will be sold at the Hokah Co-op, served. Kids games. and Europe, including appearances at the Hokah Hardware, and St. Peter’s School Offi ce.

On 10/10 tickets will be sold at the doors only.

St. Agnes, Kellogg Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Royal Don’t forget to visit our annual fall dinner & festival, Sun. Oct. 25. The Festival Hall in London, Dvorak Hall in St. Peter’s School Country Market. turkey dinner: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and includes Prague, and Lincoln Center in New York. turkey, dressing, mashed Hispanic Priests/Sacerdotes Hispanos: potatoes & gravy, rutabagas, beverage and a piece of pie.

Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas: Capellán del Adults $10, (ages 6-12 ) $7,

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

Rochester, St. Francis of Assisi, Spanish Mass, 12 noon, every Sunday.

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

Seventeen seminarians studying for the Diocese.

WINONA, MN - The Diocese of Winona is blessed with the largest number of seminarians in many years. Bishop Quinn commented that the faithful and fervent prayers of many along with the increase in high quality youth ministry and faith formation programs have helped more men hear God's calling.

The journey to the priesthood takes eight years.

Men studying for the Diocese of Winona attend Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and earn an undergraduate degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. IHM Seminary is known as a college seminary. Currently, seven men are returning to their studies at IHM Seminary, and there are five new students.

Upon completion of undergraduate work, the men continue their studies in theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.

Currently, four men are studying at Sacred Heart.

One additional seminarian is in his discernment

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year.

The journey to the priesthood is long and expensive. While at IHM Seminary, the men are responsible for their own tuition. All seminarians do receive a partial scholarship from Saint Mary’s University. Their room and board while living at IHM Seminary is paid for by the Diocese of Winona.

When the men move on to major seminary, the Diocese of Winona covers all expenses related to their education. Funds raised for the Seminarian Burse directly support the seminarians. Annually, the diocese contributes $8,000 per seminarian

“Thank you so much for donating to the seminarian burse for the Diocese of Winona. The education and formation we are receiving is absolutely the best!

The professors ... are of the highest caliber. The formation team of priests and laity at both Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary seminary are truly focused on Christ and are doing their best in helping us follow Him and His will for our lives..”

- Brian Mulligan, Holy Spirit, Rochester

for room and board at IHM seminary and nearly $40,000 per seminarian for the major seminary tuition, room and board.

The people of the Diocese are always very supportive of educating and taking care of its seminarians. We are tremendously blessed to have so many men journeying towards the priesthood in the Diocese of Winona. Please continue to pray for these men and, as always, for an increase in vocations.

“People work hard in this Diocese. They earn what they have, and the fact that in addition to the cost of living in an ever changing economy, people are willing to donate their hard earned money to the Seminarian Burse, is motivating beyond words. It's a beautiful thing to know that faithful people have a generosity in their

hearts that reaches beyond the family.”

- David Kruse, SS Peter and Paul, Mankato

“Often I am encouraged by the faithful of the Winona Diocese to persevere in my studies and in my discernment. Little do many of them realize that it is because of their generosity that I am able to do so. Truly, I am only able to continue the good work that the Lord has entrusted to me because of the prayers, encouragement, example and financial aid that has been so richly gifted to me by my brothers and sisters across the diocese.”

- Ezra Lippert, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Easton October, 2015 w The Courier

Diocese of Winona Seminarians 2015-2016

There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends.””

“

John 15:13

The Hoang Theology II St. Joseph, Owatonna

Neal Abbot Pre-Theology I St. Bernard, Stewartville

Brian Mulligan Theology II Holy Spirit, Rochester

Michael Churchill

Mitchell Logeais

David Kruse

Daniel Ward

Matthew Wagner

Theology II St. John Vianney, Fairmont

Theology I Cathedral Sacred Heart, Winona

Matthew Nordquist

Pre-Theology I Senior Pre-Theology I St. Finbarr, Grand Meadow St. Joseph the Worker, Mankato SS. Peter and Paul, Mankato

Senior St. John Vianney, Fairmont

Ezra Lippert

Thomas Ripplinger

Junior Junior Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Easton St. Joseph the Worker, Mankato

Adam Worm

Isaac Landsteiner

Vianney Nguyen

Ben Peters

Levi DeLong

Sophomore Pax Christi, Rochester

Sophomore Holy Family, Kasson

Joseph Liu

Junior St. Mary University, Winona

Sophomore St. John Vianney, Fairmont

Freshman Sacred Heart, Waseca

Discernment Year St. Mary University, Winona