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Protecting the Environment Is Part of Articles of Interest New Year's Reflections & Rite of Election_____4 Protecting Human Life, Pope Says By CINDY WOODEN
The Courier Insider
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The obligation to care for creation is not only about the environment, "it has to do with human life, as the Creator conceived and arranged it," Pope Francis told a group from northern Italy dedicated to remembering the 1,910 people who died from the Vajont dam disaster. "One thing is striking," the pope said; "it was not mistakes in the design or construction of the dam that caused the tragedy, but the very fact of wanting to build a reservoir in the wrong place." In October 1963 a landslide on an unstable mountain on the southern side of the reservoir set off a massive tsunami, wiping out entire towns and villages and killing 1,910 people. The dam, built to generate power, remained intact. The decision to build and use the dam, despite cautionary studies about its surroundings, put "the logic of profit before the care of people and the environment in which they live," the pope said during a meeting Jan. 19 with pilgrims from the Diocese of Belluno-Feltre and from the association "Vajont: The Future of Memory." The support survivors showed one another and the way people in the region built new towns and have continued to work together to protect the land have set off a "wave of hope" motivated by fraternity whereas the "wave that brought despair was caused by greed. And greed destroys, while fraternity builds," the pope said.
Renovating St. Anne
"This is extremely relevant today," the pope said. "The care of creation is not simply an ecological factor, but an anthropological issue: It has to do with human life, as the Creator conceived and arranged it, and it concerns the future of everyone, of the global society in which we are immersed." The earth, "the common home, is crumbling," the pope said, "and the reason is once again the same: greed for profit, a frenzy to earn and possess that seems to make people feel omnipotent" when being creatures should mean learning to respect limits. Pope Francis noted that 2024 marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi writing most of the "Canticle of the Creatures," the hymn of praise to God for the gifts of creation, a hymn in which he addresses as brother or sister the sun, moon, stars, wind, fire and other elements. Calling them brothers and sisters, the pope said, makes it clear that all creation is "part of a single 'living web of good,' lovingly arranged by the Lord for us." In the canticle, St. Francis praises the Lord for "Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste." And it is useful and humble, the pope said, "yet it became tremendous and destructive in the case of the Vajont and is inaccessible for so many in the world today who suffer thirst or have no drinkable water." "We need the contemplative gaze, the respectful gaze of St. Francis to recognize the beauty of creation and to know how to give things their proper order, to stop devastating the environment with the deadly logic of greed and to collaborate fraternally in development," he said.
A Call to Care
Submitted by MARK METZLER
“There is a pressing need to transform Benedictine Saint Anne for present and future residents,” said Tim Dalton, Benedictine Winona Foundation Board Chair. The Foundation has been charged with raising funds. The renovation of Saint Anne – A Call to Care: A Better Home, A Better Life – is projected to cost $10 million. The Foundation Board is looking to raise $2 million to make the renovation a reality.
Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-858-1257 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the (ISSN 0744-5490)
February 2024 w The Courier w dowr.org
Should We Go on a Marriage Retreat?_____7 CMA 2024________________________________8 Diocesan Headlines______________________9-12
The Holy Father's Intention for
January 2024 For the Terminally Ill We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment. Officials The Most Rev. Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, announces the following: Pastor
Rev. Jonathan Fasnacht: appointed Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in St. Charles and Holy Redeemer Parish in Eyota, effective February 1, 2024.
Parochial Administrator
The Courier is the official publication of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 115 - 2
10th of the month prior.
Catholic Schools News_____________________6
Rev. James Starasinich: appointed Pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Rochester, effective February 1, 2024.
� ising at the west end of Broadway, Benedictine Saint Anne has been part of the
Winona skyline since 1962. In that time, thousands of our area’s older adults have been served by a staff dedicated to help them make the best of each day. “Almost everyone in our community has had someone they know stay with us or work with us - parents, grandparents, family members or friends. Saint Anne is part of so many peoples’ stories and lives,” said Cheryl Nash, Director of Nursing at Saint Anne. Now, the story needs revision. Despite dedicated stewardship over the years, Saint Anne is starting to show its age. Plus, the way services are delivered to residents and therapy clients has changed dramatically since Saint Anne was first opened in 1962.
Pointing to Signs and Wonders___________5
St. Anne, cont'd on pg. 12
Rev. Msgr. Thomas Cook: in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Owatonna; appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Owatonna and Christ the King Parish in Medford, effective February 1, 2024.
Rev. Kurt Farrell: in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of St. Theodore Parish in Albert Lea; appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Casimir
Child Abuse Policy Information
The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, 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-Rochester 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-Rochester’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Mary Hamann at 507-858-1244, or mhamann@dowr.org.
Parish in Wells, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Easton, and St. John the Baptist Parish in Minnesota Lake; effective January 10, 2024.
Rev. Dharmendra Pasala: appointed Parochial Administrator of Good Shepherd Parish in Jackson, St. Joseph Parish in Lakefield, and St. Luke Parish in Sherburn, effective March 1, 2024. Presbyteral Council
Very Rev. Raúl Silva: reappointed to the Presbyteral Council for a three-year term, effective January 1, 2024. Senior Priest Status
Rev. Gregory Havel: granted Senior Priest status, effective December 22, 2023. Where to Find The Courier
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Hard copies are distributed at DOW-R parishes on the first weekend of each month.
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An online version may be viewed at www.dowr.org/offices/ courier/index.html
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To be added to the home delivery list free of charge, readers should send their names and addresses to: Diocese of Winona-Rochester The Courier 55 W Sanborn St. Winona, MN 55987 or nreller@dowr.org