The Courier - January 2017

The

COURIER

Baptism of the Lord January 9

January 2017

Death Penalty

www.dowcourier.org

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

Decline Diocese

Is 2016 Saw Fewest Executions in 25 Years Compliant with Charter

on the

WASHINGTON D.C., Jan. 6, 2017 (CNA/EWTN News) - The year 2016 marked a major decline in the number of executions and sentences to capital punishment in the United States, a new report says.

Last year there were 20 executions in the U.S., the lowest level in 25 years. The peak was in 1999, when 98 persons were executed.

Thirty death sentences were imposed in 2016, the lowest since the death penalty was reinstated in 1973. In 1996, death penalty sentences peaked at 315.

“America is in the midst of a major climate change concerning capital punishment. While there may be fits and starts and occasional steps backward, the long-term trend remains clear,” Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said Dec. 16.

“Whether it’s concerns about innocence, costs, and discrimination; availability of life without parole as a safe alternative; or the questionable way in which states are attempting to carry out executions; the public grows increasingly uncomfortable with the death penalty each year,” Dunham said.

Georgia had nine executions, Texas seven, Alabama two, and one each in Missouri and Florida, the report from the Death Penalty Information Center said.

The report charged that those executed in 2016 largely represented defendants with mental health problems, inadequate legal representation, or insufficient judicial review.

Sixty percent of the 20 people executed last year showed “significant evidence” of mental illness, brain impairment or low intellectual functioning.

The popularity of the death penalty also hit new lows.

The Pew Research Center found that 49 percent of Americans favored capital punishment for convicted murderers, an apparent oneyear drop of seven percentage points, and down from a peak of 80 percent in 1995. About 42 of Americans said they opposed it, according to a 2016 poll.

Voters in three states voted to retain the death penalty or place it

WINONA - The Diocese of Winona has been found compliant with the data collection requirements for the 2015-16 audit period of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, a comprehensive set of procedures established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors within the Church.

Since its creation in 2002, the charter has caused more than 30,000 background checks to be run on clergy, employees and volunteers. For a diocese to maintain compliance, all of its priests, religious, deacons, diaconate candidates, teachers, school employees, Church employees and volunteers who have any contact with children, young adults or vulnerable adults, must submit to background checks every five years.

In addition to background checks, Church employees and volunteers Charter, cont'd on pg. 4

Death Penalty, cont'd on pg. 14

INSIDE this issue

Pope Renews "Zero Tolerance" Abuse Policy page 2

The Dangers of Spiritualizing Psychological Problems page 5

A Time for Peace page 6

Pope Francis Watch

Meet Me at the Faith Fair!__________5

2 The Courier Insider

Articles of Interest

The Dangers of Spiritualizing Psychological Problems___________5 A Time for Peace_________________6 Calling All Men of God_____________7 Catholic Schools Updates__________8 Happy New Year, Youth Ministry!___9 Become Yourself this Year_________10

Pope Renews "Zero Tolerance" Abuse Policy

By ELISE HARRIS

VATICAN CITY, Jan. 2, 2017 (CNA/EWTN News) - In a letter sent to bishops around the world for the feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis lamented the many children who suffer from war, slavery and various forms of abuse, including within the Church.

The Church not only hears the “cries of pain” of her children who suffer from war, slavery and malnutrition, he said, but she also weeps “because she recognizes the sins of some of her members: the sufferings, the experiences and the pain of minors who were abused sexually by priests.”

“It is a sin that shames us. Persons responsible for the protection of those children destroyed their dignity. We regret this deeply and we beg forgiveness.”

Francis condemned the sin “of failing to help,” of “covering up and denial” and the sin of “the abuse of power” that happened in many cases.

In celebrating the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis asked his brother bishops to renew “our complete commitment to ensuring that these atrocities will no longer take place in our midst.”

“Let us find the courage needed to take all necessary measures and to protect in every way the lives of our children, so that such crimes may never be repeated. In this area, let us adhere, clearly and faithfully, to zero tolerance.”

The Pope’s words were spoken in a letter, dated on the Dec. 28 feast commemorating the infants slaughtered by King Herod in his attempt to kill Jesus, and was addressed to bishops around the world.

He has often promoted a “zero tolerance” policy on abuse since his election, and has met with victims of clerical sex abuse and their relatives on several occasions.

During his 2015 visit to the United States, Francis met with a group of abuse victims ahead of his audience with the country’s bishops, during which he issued harsh words on abuse, noting that many children had been “raped” and that covering up the crime was a “sacrilege.”

He has also often praised the great efforts retired Pope Benedict XVI made in dealing with the crisis, saying on his Feb. 18, 2016, return flight from Mexico that his predecessor “deserves applause,” because he “fought in moments when he had no strength to impose himself, until he managed to impose himself.”

As head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the then-Cardinal Ratzinger January, 2017 w The Courier

“had everything in his hands. He conducted all the investigations, and went on, went on, went on, until he couldn’t go any further in the execution.”

Francis has also come out as a man of his word when it comes to holding bishops accountable for negligence in abuse cases. Not only did he institute the Commission for the Protection of Minors at the beginning of his pontificate in 2013 as a means of developing guidelines and “best practices” for abuse prevention, but in June 2016 he published a motu proprio titled “Like a Loving Mother” saying negligence on the part of a bishop is enough to oust him from office.

He has also created a Vatican tribunal to prosecute bishops for abuse of office and has so far accepted the resignations of three U.S. bishops accused of mismanaging allegations of abuse: Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Archbishop John Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piché, both of whom are from St. Paul-Minneapolis.

In his letter to bishops, Pope Francis also noted the many children who suffer and die due to other forms of abuse, saying to contemplate the manger at Christmas also means to “open our eyes and ears to what is going on around us, and to let our hearts be attentive and open to the pain of our neighbors, especially where children are involved.”

Just as St. Joseph was conscious of the events going on around him and was able to interpret them in a realistic way, today’s pastors must also be “men attentive, and not deaf, to the voice of God, and hence more sensitive to what is happening all around us,” Francis said.

“With Saint Joseph as our model, we are asked not to let ourselves be robbed of joy...we need the courage to respond to this reality, to arise and take it firmly in hand. The courage to guard this joy from the new Herods of our time, who devour the innocence of our children.”

This innocence is stolen by scourges such as illegal slave labor, exploitation and prostitution. It is “shattered by wars and forced immigration, with the great loss that this entails,” he said, noting that many children have fallen into gangs or criminal organizations and “merchants of death, who only devour and exploit their neediness.”

He noted that according to statistics, there are currently 75 million children who due to emergency situations and crisis have no education, and that a third of the children who live outside their homelands do so because they have been forcibly

Zero Tolerance, cont'd on pg. 14

Stewardship in the New Year_______11 VITA Program Continues..._________12 Diocesan Headlines________________14 Diocesan Calendar________________15

The Holy Father's Intentions for January 2017 Christian Unity: That all Christians may be faithful to the Lord's teaching by striving with prayer and fraternal charity to restore ecclesial communion and by collaborating to meet the challenges facing humanity.

Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: Appointments Rev. Msgr. Richard Colletti: appointed Pastor of St. Adrian Parish in Adrian, St. Anthony Parish in Lismore, and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Wilmont, effective December 20, 2016.

Child Abuse Policy Information Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 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 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 Mary Hamann at 507-858-1244, or mhamann@dow.org.

The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 108 - 1

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-858-1257 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: nreller@dow.org Subscription Rates: $5 per year in the U.S. Parishioners in the Winona

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Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior.

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Happy New Year! �ear Friends in Christ, Epiphany

Immigration Sunday and National Migration Week For the past several years, the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota have observed

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn Bishop's Calendar

January 3-5, Tuesday – Thursday SEEK 2017 Conference, San Antonio, TX January 5-6, Thursday – Friday Mass of Installation for Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark January 7-13, Saturday – Friday Region VIII Bishops’ Retreat January 15, Sunday 10:30 am – Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona January 17, Tuesday 1pm – Clergy Personnel Board Meeting 7:30 pm – Teach Winona RCIA Formation Session – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Immigration Sunday and National Migration Week are occasions to reflect on the circumstances that lead to people leaving their homes, whether they are immigrants, refugees, or migrants. It is important to recognize the plight of the thousands who have been displaced and seek shelter, food, and care for their families. As Catholics, we are called to promote the human dignity of all people, including those on the margins of society.

Immigration Sunday and National Migration Week remind us that immigrants, migrants, and refugees are not statistics, but people with hopes, dreams, and fears like everyone else.

The Beauty of Life January 22 marks the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in our country. Due to this tragedy, over 60 million unborn children have been killed in the United States, and nearly 10,000 babies are aborted every year in Minnesota alone. However, despite these grim statistics, I am always impressed with how the younger generations are increasingly pro-life, and recognize that abortion hurts not only children, but also mothers, fathers, and all of society.

Attending the March for Life is a powerful way to show support for the right to life.

March for Life takes place both in our nation’s capitol and in state capitols across

January 18, Wednesday 11:30 am – Holy Hour 12 pm – DOW Finance Council Meeting 3 pm – Holy Hour for Vocations January 19, Thursday 6:30 am – Lauds and Mass at IHM Seminary 9:30 am – Holy Hour 10 am – Priest Pension Plan Board Meeting 4 pm – Mass and KC Pancake Supper at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center – Wabasha January 20, Friday 7:45 am – Teach at SMU 10 am – Holy Hour 11 am – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 4:30 pm – Pastoral Center Staff Christmas Party

the country. On January 22, I will join the seminarians from our Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary as well as others from across the diocese in attending the March for Life in St. Paul, MN. Those coming from Winona will begin the day with a special 9:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and then drive up to St. Paul to be with others from across the state, standing up for the protection of all human life.

The following week, January 29, there will be a pro-life prayer service at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Mankato. All are welcome to gather for this time of prayer for respect for life.

God created each person in his image and likeness, and this prayer service is a wonderful opportunity to witness to the gift of life in all those around us, from the unborn and elderly to the sick and disabled. All of us are precious in the eyes of God! Catholics at the Capitol On March 9, 2017, you are invited to attend the inaugural Catholics at the Capitol in St. Paul, a day for Catholics across the state to join together for prayer, inspiring speakers, and advocacy at the state capitol. This day was organized by the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota as a way for Catholics to learn about the challenges facing our state and how we can be better faithful citizens who seek to promote the common good and to protect life and

January 22, Sunday 9 am – Mass with March for Life Pilgrims – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona 2 pm – March for Life at the Capitol in St. Paul January 25, Wednesday Ordination of Bishops-designate Gerard W. Battersby and Robert J. Fisher – Detroit, MI January 26, Thursday 5:00 pm – Twins Caravan – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona January 27, Friday 7:45 am – Teach at SMU January 29, Sunday 9 am – Mass at St. Casimir Parish, Winona

human dignity.

I encourage you to learn more about Catholics at the Capitol and consider registering to attend.

Information with additional details can be found on the Minnesota C a t h o l i c Conference w e b s i t e , mncatholic.org. I hope we have a large delegation from the Diocese of Winona. I will look forward to you joining me.

3 From the Bishop

On January 8, the Church celebrates the feast of Epiphany, when the Magi found and adored the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Epiphany marks the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, when God revealed His OnlyBegotten Son to the Wise Men from the East. However, Christ continues to manifest Himself to you and me in our daily lives. I encourage you to open your hearts to Christ this coming year so that He can fill your lives with His goodness and blessings!

Immigration Sunday on the same day as the celebration of Epiphany. Immigration Sunday serves to draw attention to the plight and human dignity of those who are immigrants. The Holy Family experienced the trials of immigrating to a foreign land, and, in our day, there continue to be many people both here in the United States and around the world who, because of various circumstances, have chosen or been forced to leave their homes. Immigration Sunday provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the realities of immigration in our country and our diocese.

While many acknowledge the need for immigration reform in our country, this should not keep us from reaching out to those who have found themselves immigrants and struggling to survive.

Observed by the Catholic Church in the United States, National Migration Week is January 8-14 and is the week following Immigration Sunday. The theme for this year’s National Migration Week is “Creating a Culture of Encounter,” a theme that our Holy Father Pope Francis has spoken of a great deal. It is by encountering others and walking alongside them in their journeys that we realize they are people like us, who have real families and who want to improve their lives.

As Pope Francis stated in a homily at the beginning of his papacy, “…faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others.”

A New Year We have now entered into 2017, a new year of grace from our Triune God. The coming year will provide us with many opportunities to grow closer to Christ, and to become better disciples of our Lord. I pray that all of you are able to encounter Christ in both the large and small events of everyday life, from the love and grace given to us through the Sacraments to seeing Christ in the face of our friends and neighbors whom we serve with acts of mercy. May you all have a blessed New Year!

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

3 pm – Prayer Service for Life – Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Mankato February 1, Wednesday 4:45 pm – Vespers and Mass at IHM Seminary February 2, Thursday 10 am – All Schools Mass with Rochester Catholic Schools – Lourdes High School 5 pm – Holy Hour with Winona Serra Club and FOCUS Missionaries February 3, Friday 7:45 am – Teach at SMU 10 am – Mass with Winona Area Catholic Schools and Cotter – Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka

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Charter, cont'd from pg. 1

who work with children attend training in the creation of safe environments for children and youth. Virtus' Protecting God's Children for Adults is a live training program presented by more than 100 trained facilitators throughout our diocese.

The program makes attendants aware of the issues surrounding child sexual abuse and teaches them to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately to suspicious behavior.

In the five years since the Diocese of Winona began using the Virtus program, more than 1,300 training sessions have taken place here, with 12,334 attendees trained.

For children, the Diocese of Winona provides the Circle of Grace educational program, which is attended by more than 12,000 children annually in its schools and parishes.

Circle of Grace teaches children and youth to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and take action when boundary violations are threatened or violated. The program gets parents involved and teaches children that God is with them at all times, especially in difficult situations.

Through the 2015 audit, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gained the following information regarding the Catholic Church in the United States: - We have trained 98 percent of our 2 million volunteers, employees, educators, clergy, and candidates in parishes to create safe environments and prevent child sexual abuse.

- We have prepared more than 4.3 million children to recognize abuse and protect themselves.

- We have run background checks on nearly 2 million volunteers and employees, including 51,977 clerics.

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Meet Me at the Faith Fair!

By VICTORIA OTT

5

Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.

-Matthew 18:20 women of our parish (St. Peter's in Hokah) extended into a discussion of how many of us, young and old, are searching for God in our lives, even unknowingly at times. The Spirit got us talking more and inspired us to see if we could help others in that journey toward developing that deeper faith and relationship with God. We decided to call Sister Paul Mary at the diocese for direction, advice, and recommendations.

We came up with the idea of a “faith fair," including a potluck, take-home materials, and door prizes. We set the date for the first Sunday of Advent following Mass. We made descriptions, samples, and sign-up sheets for various programs available from the Diocesan Media Center, such as bible studies, Momnipotent, Mary and the Church, Altaration, and some ideas of our own,

The Dangers of Spiritualizing Psychological Problems

By MARY REZAC

DENVER, Dec. 19, 2016 (CNA/EWTN News) - Maria had been struggling with some depressive and anxious thoughts for a while, although at the time, she didn’t recognize them as such. Probably because she was 14 years old.

When she shared her struggles with someone in her Catholic community, the woman told Maria that she was worried that “the devil was working his ways” in her, and used that to pressure her into going on a week-long retreat out of state.

“Sure, retreats are great,” Maria told CNA. “But I just needed a therapist at that point in my life. And I had already given valid reasons for why I wasn't interested in buying a plane ticket for a retreat.”

When Catholics experience spiritual problems, the solutions seem obvious - talk to a priest, go to confession, pray, seek guidance from a spiritual director. But the line between the spiritual and the psychological can be very blurry, so much so that some Catholics and psy-

Faith Formation

�hat began as a conversation among three

such as family movie nights, speakers, women of faith, kids’ activities, a book club, and a marriage DVD. The take-home materials included Advent ideas, meditation and prayer books, children’s activity projects, family prayers, and other suggestions that families could do on their own for Advent preparation. We also had materials for men, women, and families to deepen their faith.

Everything was set for a fun and informative time to be enjoyed by everyone. And it was! A majority of parishioners came for breakfast and wandered along the information tables, and signed up for a program (or two). I feel that this event was so wellreceived that it should become an annual tradition chologists wonder if people are too often told to “pray away” their problems that may also require psychological treatment.

Body and Soul Are Related Dr. Gregory Bottaro is a Catholic clinical psychologist with the CatholicPsych Institute. He said that he has found the over-spiritualization of psychological issues to be a persistent problem, particularly among devout Catholics.

“Over-spiritualization in our time is usually a direct consequence of Cartesian Dualism,” Bottaro told CNA in an e-mail interview.

“Decartes is the philosopher who said: ‘I think therefore I am.’ He separated his thinking self from his bodily self, and planted the seed that eventually grew into our current thinking that the body and spirit are separate things. Acting as if the body doesn’t matter when considering our human experience is just as distorted as acting like the spirit doesn’t matter,” he said.

Because of this prevalent misconception about the separation of our body and soul, people both in and out of the Catholic Church often feel a stigma in seeking mental help that isn’t there when they need to seek physical help, he said.

“We shouldn’t think any less of getting help for mental health than we do for physical health. There are fields of expertise for a reason, and just as we can’t fix every one of our own physical wounds, we can’t always fix every one of our own mental wounds. It is virtuous to

to start the season of Advent as a parish family – and I recommend it for your parish, too!

We are now in the process of discerning what we should begin with and when. We were very thankful to receive a grant from the Seeds of Faith-Faith Formation Endowment Fund that we had applied for through the Diocese. It will enable us to buy workbooks and other materials needed.

What a blessing! May God continue to guide us in our endeavors to draw ever closer to Him. Victoria Ott is a member of St. Peter's Parish in Hokah. recognize our need for help,” Dr. Bottaro said.

Virtuous, but not always easy.

"Just Pray" Michele is a Catholic in her twenties who was used to being social and involved in various ministries within the Church. But a move to a new city left her usually-bubbly self feeling lonely and isolated.

“I felt like a failure spiritually because shouldn't my relationship with God be enough? But I would come home from work and cry and just lay in my bed. It was hard for me to motivate myself to do anything,” she told CNA. When a friend, also involved in ministry, called to catch up, Michele saw it as a chance to reach out and share some of the feelings that had been concerning her.

“I don't remember exactly what I said, but she told me what I was feeling was sinful. I shut down and said I was exaggerating and made up some story about how everything was fine,” she said.

Michele waited several more months before seeking help through Catholic Charities, where she was connected to a therapist. She found out that she had attachment disorder, which, left untreated for longer, could have turned into major, long term depression.

Derek is another Catholic in his twenties who was told to pray away his problems. He was suffering from depressive episodes, where he wouldn’t eat and would Dangers, cont'd on pg. 13 January, 2017 w The Courier

Lay Formation

6

A Time for Peace

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain.

- Isaiah 11:6-9

�Creighton ong, long ago, as I was graduating from University in the spring of 1983,

our U.S. Catholic Bishops issued their much-anticipated pastoral letter on peace, entitled, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response. We were living in a time when there was much anxiety and concern about the possibility of nuclear conflict, particularly between the two mightily armed “superpowers” of the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Church’s concern for peace was certainly not new at that time. At the Second Vatican Council some 20 years earlier, the Council Fathers, in addressing the topic of war and peace, wrote, “The whole human race faces a moment of supreme crisis.” This was due to the potential for unlimited destruction brought upon us by the recent development of nuclear weapons.

The bishops’ pastoral letter echoed the Council’s warning, and described the situation facing our world – both then and now: The crisis of which we speak arises from this fact: nuclear war threatens the existence of our planet; this is a more menacing threat than any the world has known. It is neither tolerable nor necessary that human beings live under this threat. But removing it will require a major effort of intelligence, courage, and faith.

Although our international situation has changed significantly since the mid-1980s, the nuclear threat remains very real, and the realities of global terrorism and environmental destruction also menace our world in new and deeply frightening ways. As people of faith, we long more than ever for Isaiah’s vision of God’s “holy mountain” where all shall be “neighbors” and “there shall be no harm or ruin.”

World Day of Peace 2017 On January 1 each year (beginning in 1968 under Pope Paul VI), the Church celebrates a World Day of Peace to lift up this biblical vision of harmony and communion, to guide our leaders in turning away from war and violence, and to invite anew our deepest prayers for peace.

This year, Pope Francis issued the 50th Message for the World Day of Peace, on the theme of “Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace.” I would like to highlight some of the wisdom from his message – written for each of us, for our families and communities, and for our world.

A Broken World Noting that our 20th century world was wracked by great violence and upheaval–including two “deadly world wars” and “the threat of nuclear war”–Pope Francis notes, as he has often done before, that our present time is also scarred by a kind of “world war fought piecemeal.” The pieces of this global scourge of violent conflict include regional wars, terrorism, organized crime, abuse January, 2017 w The Courier

of migrants and of victims of human trafficking, and environmental devastation.

In light of these worldwide wounds, Pope Francis asks, “Where does this lead? Can violence achieve any goal of lasting value? Or does it merely lead to retaliation and a cycle of deadly conflicts that benefit only a few ‘warlords?'” And, in response, he states clearly, “Violence is not the cure for our broken world. Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migrations and enormous suffering.”

The Good News Pope Francis reminds us that “Jesus himself lived in violent times.” And he offers us a teaching and a way out of the spiral of violence. He “preached God’s unconditional love, which welcomes and forgives,” and “he taught his disciples to love their enemies (cf. Matthew 5:44) and to turn the other cheek (cf. Matthew 5:39).”

And he gave concrete witness to his teaching on nonviolence by ultimately giving his life on the cross “whereby he became our peace and put an end to hostility (cf. Ephesians 2:14-16).”

Some would claim that this path of nonviolence is impractical and unrealistic, but Pope Francis calls on the wisdom of Pope Benedict in response: Actually, Christ's proposal [of nonviolence] is realistic because it takes into account that in the world there is too much violence, too much injustice, and therefore that this situation cannot be overcome except by countering it with more love, with more goodness.

This "more" comes from God: it is his mercy which was made flesh in Jesus and which alone can "tip the balance" of the world from evil to good, starting with that small and decisive "world" which is the human heart.

-Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus February 18, 2007 The way of nonviolence, Pope Francis clarifies, does not mean “surrender” or a “lack of involvement and passivity.” As Pope Benedict instructed in this same “Angelus” address, nonviolence actively responds to evil with good, “thereby breaking the chain of injustice.” It is

not merely a political strategy or “tactical behavior,” but a “way of being [for] one who is so convinced of God’s love and power that he is not afraid to tackle evil with the weapons of love and truth alone.”

Pope Benedict calls the nonviolent path and love of one’s enemies “the nucleus of the ‘Christian revolution.’”

He concludes, “Here is the newness of the Gospel which silently changes the world! Here is the heroism of the ‘lowly’ who believe in God’s love and spread it, even at the cost of their lives.”

Pope Francis then reflects on how the work of peace needs to be embedded in every level of society: nurtured in families through honest and healthy communication and “generous concern for one another;" practiced in relations among peoples that are based on “responsibility, respect and sincere dialogue;” and built up by our society’s leaders of business, the media, and civic and international institutions who “show mercy by refusing to discard people, harm the environment, or seek to win at any cost.”

In closing, our Holy Father offers us an eloquent and inspiring challenge for the new year: “In 2017, may we dedicate ourselves prayerfully and actively to banishing violence from our hearts, words and deeds, and to becoming nonviolent people and to building nonviolent communities that care for our common home.” Deo Gratias!

Todd Graff

Director tgraff@dow.org

Violence profanes the name of God. Let us never tire of repeating: "The name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!"

-Pope Francis, Message for the World Day of Peace January 1, 2017

Calling All Men of God! Director bfrost@dow.org

�ast year marked our first-ever diocese-

sponsored men’s conference, Man of God. Hundreds of men gathered for a day of encouragement and prayer and to be energized to carry out the mission of Christ. Men, mark your calendars for April 8, 2017, as you definitely don’t want to miss out on this year’s conference.

We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker is Curtis Martin, the founder of FOCUS campus ministry. His name might sound familiar as he was one of our scheduled keynotes for last year, but, due to

7 Life, Marriage & Family

Ben Frost

a flight cancellation, he was unable to attend the event. Well, Curtis is too good of a presenter to pass up, so we reached out to him again, and he was more than willing to come back and present to the men of our diocese this April.

Curtis’ organization, FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), is one of the fastest-growing ministries in our country. FOCUS is discipleship-driven with a mission to share the faith on college campuses. The Diocese of Winona currently has two FOCUS teams serving at Winona State and Minnesota State, Mankato. When FOCUS is on a campus, they form students through bible studies, and they also raise up leaders to help with dis- Curtis Martin cipleship efforts. The result all over the country is campuses with rapidly growing Catholic ministry and identity.

Curtis Martin has also appeared on EWTN and is widely-known throughout the Church in America. He has a great energy for the Gospel and will certainly offer an engaging presentation.

This year’s event will again be held at Lourdes High School in Rochester, an excellent venue for our conference.

Men can expect dynamic talks, great food, and opportunities to attend the Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

Bishop John M. Quinn will be in attendance for the day, and he is excited to see the faithful men of the diocese gather again.

“Last year’s men’s conference was a great source of grace for those who attended, and my heart was lifted to see so many men growing in holiness and fraternity," he said.

"I invite all men of the Diocese of Winona to come and gather with us on April 8 as we continue to call forth Men of God.” Registration for the event will open in February, and we encourage men to sign up in advance to help with the ordering of food and supplies. Online registration will be available at dow.org.

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Off and Running

Catholic Schools

By JEN SLATER

Sannual t. Mary's School in Madelia held their Marathon for Non-Public Education

on Friday, September 30. Each year, they collect pledges from families, friends, and neighbors, and the school benefits 100 percent! This year's goal was $4,500, and students raised almost $5,100! The students ran a color run, and, as a reward, they voted to play dodge ball with Father Hall. It was a great time and a huge hit! The school also participated in community Homecoming events, held Grandparent’s Day, participated in the Veteran’s’ Day Program for local vets, collected Toys for Tots for the Madelia community, and participated in many other special events.

At the end of this month, Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 29 - Feb 4) at St. Mary's will begin with Mass, brunch and a huge bingo event for the entire community. Early Bird Bingo will begin at 12:30 on Sunday, January 29, and Regular Bingo at 1:30.

Please join the fun if you can! The school will be honoring its volunteers, staff, community, pastor, and students.

Each day of Catholic Schools Week will have a special event that allows everyone to remember all the people that work so very hard for the St. Mary's School family.

The Winter Raffle will also begin during Catholic Schools Week. Each week, a winner will be drawn with a chance to win $100.

The St. Mary's School family finds itself being blessed each and every day. The school is a growing, wonderful and joyful place to be. Blessings to all for the continued support of the work St. Mary's does.

Jen Slater is the principal of St. Mary's Education Center in Madelia.

Crucifixion Students Stick Principal to Wall LA CRESCENT - The annual Crucifixion School Marathon was a fun-filled success again this year. Not only did students raise a little over $10,500, but they also were able to duct tape their principal, Mr. Harpenau, to the wall.For every $50 a student raised as a donation to the school, that student received a piece of duct tape to fasten Mr. Harpenau to the auditorium wall.

"The entire school waited in eager anticipation as the chairs he was standing on were pulled away," said Principal Lori Datta. "We were astounded and delighted when Mr. Harpenau stuck to the wall!"

Students also worked together as a class to reach goals and earn class prizes such as Pajama Day and ice cream treats.

January, 2017 w The Courier

Marsha Stenzel Superintendent mstenzel@dow.org

Happy New Year, Youth Ministry!

Ben Frost

�

e all counted down the hours as we let go of 2016 and welcomed a new year. Last year was a very memorable one for youth ministry in the Diocese of Winona, and we have much to be thankful for! Our youth ministry leaders, pastors and volunteers all worked diligently to lead our young people into a deeper level of faith, and they also found ways to respond to faith through action in the world around us.

This past year was a great year of response to Pope Francis' call for a Year of Mercy. Young people rose to the occasion as they went on mission trips, served in their communities and found ways to reach those on the fringes. At our recent Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference, youth recycled plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless. At Steubenville, teens brought household items to assist a boy’s shelter in Chicago. In so many ways, our youth were able to accompany others and share Christ’s love.

9

While there are many blessings to be grateful for, we also must understand the challenges that remain in front of us. This past year, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate released a national survey among young people to see if they identify with faith communities, and the data was less than encouraging. We have a long way to go to reconnect souls to the faith, but within our diocese, we are starting to see some very good signs of life and growth. We need everyone’s help to form the next generation of saints.

Please pray for the youth, and don’t be afraid to step out and be a mentor and witness, because, as Pope Paul VI said, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses then he does to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” The seeds have been planted throughout the diocese; now we work to till the soil through our witness and out of love.

May the Lord bless our young people throughout this 2017 year!

Youth & Young Adults

Director bfrost@dow.org

We also must be grateful for the magnitude of growth and energy in our retreats and events. Steubenville North has quadrupled in diocesan attendance over the past four years.

Camp Summit in Lanesboro reached maximum capacity with a waiting list. Totus Tuus had more parish requests than we could handle. World Youth Day participation grew significantly. The list goes on. The long story short is that young people are attending more faith experiences, and the Lord is working!

As we now transition into 2017, we hope to continue the momentum of the past, but we also pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reveal our next steps. One goal moving forward is to find more ways to initiate discipleship efforts among those who have gone through our events and retreats. Many of these youth are on fire at the end of an experience, and they are ready to continue on the road of holiness.

Sometimes, the missing ingredient is finding mentors in the faith to keep encouraging. As we begin 2017, we are calling together leaders in evangelization to help us fill this gap. Please pray for us as we take these important steps forward.

January, 2017 w The Courier

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Become Yourself this Year � new year, a new you! How often have

Vocations

we thought these or similar words? It seems like every year brings with it new resolve and clarity in how we should be living. The new year can also bring a slice of skepticism, doubt or even depression, knowing that we have tried time and again, yet still fail to live up to the standards we have created for ourselves.

When New Year’s resolutions are shaped by those around us, they can be very difficult to maintain. What if, instead, we look within? What if, instead, we ask how God is inviting us to follow him not just this year, but for a lifetime and for today?

Balancing the time periods of our resolutions is a key to remaining committed.

When we seek to experience change in our lives, we can be overwhelmed by the distance we have to travel to get there.

At the same time, looking at the goals of our lives can help us to remain focused and energized in pursuing a resolution. Resolutions and goals, however, are not worked toward or fulfilled in the future. They are only accomplished, bit by bit, today. Think about your resolutions. Are they ends in themselves, or are they helping you to achieve a still greater goal? Keep that greater goal in mind as you fulfill your resolution on a daily basis. When we maintain a balanced vision, we are able to keep moving toward a seemingly unattainable goal by welcoming each new day as a gift to be lived in Christ.

Our greatest goal is to get to heaven. So what are some resolutions that can help you get there? My suggestion is to live your vocation to the best of your ability. If you know your vocation, let the Holy Spirit renew you: renew your vows, promises, intentions to God and others. Life can be chaotic, and we can forget the fire that was present when we were younger. This

Pope Francis: Church Needs New "Vocational Culture"

By ELISE HARRIS VATICAN CITY, Jan. 5, 2017 (CNA/EWTN News) - A fresh and courageous perspective is needed when it comes to helping youth discern and discover their vocation, Pope Francis said, emphasizing the importance of personal holiness and the commitment to serving others. “(Today) there is the urgency to bring into the Christian community a new ‘vocational culture,’” the Pope said in his prepared Jan. 5 remarks.

He said a vocational pastoral outreach “with broad horizons” and which comes from “the breath of communion,” is needed.

This outreach, he said, must also be capable “of reading with courage the reality as it is” with the hardships and resistance included, while at the same time “recognizing the signs of generosity and beauty in the human heart.”

Francis spoke to participants in a Jan. 3-5 convention organized by the Italian Bishops Conference’s office for vocations, titled, Rise, go and do not fear. Vocation and Holiness: I am on a mission.

Pointing to the upcoming 2018 Synod of Bishops on “Young People, the Faith and the Discernment of Vocation,” the Pope said that as it approaches, the theme must be increasingly at the forefront of their thoughts and attention.

He compared the “total and generous yes of a life given” to a spring of water hidden deep in the earth, January, 2017 w The Courier

is as good a year as any to rekindle that flame of God’s love in us and our love for one another. If you don’t know your vocation, ask! Take time to invite God to guide your life into the plan of love prepared for you.

Fine and dandy, you might say, but how? Here are a few suggestions.

One practice that is sure to open up your relationship with God is silence. Some may think that silence is impossible; others may find it unmanageable. Either way, it can be found. Take time for silent prayer, turn off the radio in your car, have TV/computer/phonefree time. The more plugged in we are, the more we become enslaved to the immediate. The more we embrace silence, the more we become aware of God’s presence within and around us.

Another activity that can be helpful is to plan to take a retreat this year. At the end of this month, I will go on retreat, a time I look forward to every year, to renew my relationship with God and to let God take me deeper in awareness of the movements of the Holy Spirit.

The last practice I will suggest is to take time regularly to discuss your faith. This is an uncomfortable activity for many Catholics, but it doesn’t have to be! As with any topic, we may be unsure at first, but, as time goes by, we become more sure-footed. Join a Bible study; have coffee with a small group; discuss the Sunday readings. There are so many ways we can talk about our faith! The greatest challenge is to do it.

I didn’t check, but I think the word I used most frequently in

which waits for the right moment “to gush forth and slide out, in a stream of purity and freshness.”

“Youth today need a fresh spring of water to quench their thirst and then continue their journey of discovery,” he said, explaining that the commitment to helping youth discern their vocations requires both passion and gratitude.

This passion is one of “personal involvement, in knowing how to care for the lives entrusted to you like chests that contain a precious treasure to be safeguarded,” he said.

Gratitude, on the other hand, is expressed by the “gratuity of a service and ministry in the Church that requires great respect” for those who make the journey with you, he said, noting that “it’s a commitment of seeking their happiness, and this goes well beyond your preferences and expectations.”

In order to be credible and “in tune” with today’s youth, listening has to be a priority, Francis said. He stressed the importance of knowing how to “lose time” in listening to and welcoming their questions and desires.

“Your witness will be much more persuasive if, with joy and truth, you know how to tell the beauty, the awe and the wonder of being in love with God” and of being men and women “who live with gratitude their choice of a life helping others in order to leave an unprecedented and original imprint on history.”

To do this means not being “tricked by external solicitations,” but entrusting oneself to “the mercy and tenderness of the Lord, reviving the fidelity of our choices and the freshness of the first love.”

Pope Francis said the urgency of promoting and

Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@dow.org

this article is “become.” This, I think, is the ultimate goal of setting resolutions and goals: to become who we are meant to be. What better way to do this than to invite divine guidance to reveal the core truths about ourselves? We are called to live with God in heaven, to love in particular ways throughout our lives, and to experience God’s presence today.

encouraging vocations doesn’t depend on efficiency or what we do, but is rather centered on the careful attention given to “vigilance and discernment.”

“It’s having a gaze capable of seeing the positive in the human and spiritual events we encounter,” he said, focusing on the need for a heart that’s both “amazed and grateful in front of the gifts that people carry within themselves.”

This type of gaze, he said, should focus on potential more than on limits, and ought to provide a holistic view of “the present and the future in continuity with the past.”

Francis then turned to the conference theme, telling attendees to repeat frequently that “I am on a mission” and not simply that “I have a mission.”

To be on a permanent mission “requires courage, audacity, imagination and the desire to go beyond, to go even further,” he said, noting that the conference theme’s focus on responding without fear serves as a reminder of the many vocation stories they have heard or encountered.

In each of these stories, “the Lord invited those called to go out of themselves in order to be a gift for others; to these he entrusts a mission and reassures them,” the Pope said.

He closed his speech praying that those present would feel pushed by the Holy Spirit to “courageously identify new ways of announcing the Gospel of vocation.”

Like sentinels, he asked that they would be men and women who “know how to grasp the streaks of light of a new dawn, in a renewed experience of faith and passion for the Church and for the Kingdom of God.”

Stewardship in the New Year 11 Monica Herman

Catholic Foundation

Executive Director Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota mherman@catholicfsmn.org

�

tewardship is a commitment of mind and heart to the Lord; a way of life that needs constant renewal and transformation. This time of year has always been one of looking forward to a new year, reflecting on the changes we need to make in our lives and resolving to follow through on those changes. Perhaps those who seek to make resolutions to be better stewards might find inspiration in one or more of the following examples: Stewardship of Prayer: Resolve to strengthen your relationship with the Lord through prayer. Notice how often you pray and what hinders you from praying. If you are a beginner, commit to short, daily prayer times.

Stewardship of Family: Resolve to set aside more time to stay connected with your family. Eat dinner together, schedule regular dates with your spouse, plan family outings, and go to Mass together. Practice patience and forgiveness.

Stewardship of the Parish Family: Resolve to serve your faith community in some way this year such as at liturgy, in the parish’s outreach or education and formation efforts.

Is it time to enhance your generosity to the parish?

Stewardship of Health: Resolve to get those medical and dental checkups. Adopt healthier eating habits. Add exercise and other physical activity to your daily routine.

Stewardship of Money: Resolve to render sacred your annual budget. Reprioritize your financial goals to ensure that the Lord comes first in your spending. Take positive steps to improve your financial health.

Stewardship of Possessions: Resolve to possess a little more “lightly” this year. Consider ways you can reduce the amount of all that stuff you own. Distinguish between those items that are necessary and those that are considered luxurious and unnecessary.

Stewardship of Work: Resolve to be faithful to your daily, work-related tasks and offer them up to the Lord.

Cultivate your skills. Deepen your knowledge. Be mindful of how you are building the Kingdom of God.

You have made possible the many retreats and

conferences for our youth and young adults to encounter Christ; faith formation for all to learn the rich stories of our faith; catechetical training for hundreds of clergy, parish staff, and school staff; support with vocations discernment; resources to strengthen marriages and families; and community outreach to the poor. Thank you very much for your support of the 2016 Catholic Ministries Appeal!

Stewardship of Mind: Resolve to keep your mind active. Commit to being more informed on the issues of the day. Read your Bible.

Become more familiar with Catholic social teaching.

Stewardship of Neighbor: Resolve to be a person of hospitality and mercy. Make time and space for others who enter your life. Be more aware of those times when a neighbor, co-worker, fellow parishioner or stranger, needs a moment of kindness, a little attention or an affirming gesture on your part.

Stewardship of the Poor: Resolve to live with more compassion and in solidarity with those less fortunate.

Remember the poor in prayer, and commit to helping relieve in some way the plight of those who are impoverished or marginalized.

This article is reprinted with permission from the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

January, 2017 w The Courier

Catholic Charities

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VITA Program Continues in 2017

By JENNIFER HALBERG

T

he Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides incomeeligible individuals and families with free assistance completing and submitting tax returns. Trained volunteers help prepare federal and state tax returns for low- to moderateincome individuals. The VITA Program provides an alternative to commercial tax preparation and helps families save hundreds of dollars in fees.

Qualifying taxpayers can get free help preparing their federal and state income tax returns at locations across Minnesota. The Winona VITA site uses the following guidelines for maximum income levels:

Dependents (student working but a dependent for parents) - $25,000 Single (no dependents) -$35,000 Family size 2 (married couple or single with one dependent) -$45,000 Family size 3 or more -$55,000 The VITA Program provides free e-filing with refunds typically available within 10 days. VITA Program volunteers are trained to help navigate the world of earned income credit, affordable health care reimbursements and property tax credits.

In 2016, 35 VITA volunteers with the Winona program completed 1,027 tax returns, which resulted in over 1 million dollars in tax refunds to low- to moderate-income community members.

Led by volunteer VITA Site Coordinators Walt Carpenter and Joliene Olson, the volunteers make both a significant commitment to the program and a significant difference in the lives of the individuals they assist.

Carpenter was an engineer at Medtronic for

January, 2017 w The Courier

many years. While volunteering for a service project arranged by Medtronic, he ran into a co-worker who had previously retired and was volunteering at the site of the service project on a regular basis. While serving together, Carpenter recalls him commenting that he had learned of the importance of giving back to others in his retirement, which inspired Carpenter. Upon retirement, Carpenter moved to Winona, started volunteering at his church, and soon expanded his volunteer service to the VITA Program. It has been four and a half years since Carpenter moved to Winona, and this is his third year volunteering with VITA. He enjoys the community involvement it provides.

“Volunteering in this way provides a great sense of satisfaction" he said. "Ninety percent of the people we serve get refunds. They are so grateful and leave with a smile. We don’t take payment for doing the taxes, but we have received some great cookies and other treats!”

Joliene Olson, who coordinates the Winona VITA Program with Carpenter, is a retired RN who worked at Winona Health for 30 years in a number of positions and retired as Director of Nursing for Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics.

She has volunteered with the tax aide program for nearly 20 years. She has seen changes throughout the years and remembers the days of doing all the work on paper; she prefers the new electronic version! Olson is quick to give credit to Walt Carroll, another long-serving volunteer, for bringing them into the “computerized age” and incorporating technology into the program. Olson appreciates the dedication and joy that those who volunteer bring to their work.

“Our tax preparers are careful, thorough and conscientious," she said.

"All the volunteers value the service they are providing and know that this is a very personal way to give back to those who need it.” She also echoed what Carpenter said about how grateful those they help are.

Thirty-five Winona VITA Program volunteers join Carpenter, Olson, and Carroll as they prepare for the upcoming tax season, which operates from February 4 through April 12, 2017.

“Of the 35 VITA volunteers in Winona, about a dozen do the actual tax preparation, and the others handle phone calls for appointments and act as greeters,” said Carpenter.

The Winona VITA Program is located at the Live Well Winona office, who offers their space to the program at no charge. Appointments are approximately 20 minutes, which is generally adequate for filing the electronic return. Volunteers ask that individuals arrive as prepared as possible, with receipts and paper work organized.

The Winona VITA Program will begin scheduling appointments on January 26, 2017. Appointments can be made via phone by calling 507-474-7202.

Additional information can also be found on the Catholic Charities website at www.ccwinona.org.

Throughout Minnesota, free tax preparation services are provided in partnership with many community-based organizations. To find a local site, its hours and dates open, taxpayers should visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue's website (http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/individuals/ individ_income/Pages/Free_Tax_Preparation_ Sites.aspx) or call 1-800-652-9094 or 651-2963781 to search for a site by zip code. Note: Tax Preparation Sites open the first week of February 2017, and the search function will be updated at that time.

Jennifer Halberg is the director of senior services for Catholic Charities.

Dangers cont'd from pg. 5

sleep for 15 hours a day. His friends’ advice was to pray.

It wasn’t until he attempted suicide that he got serious about seeking psychotherapy.

Sarah, also a young Catholic and a former FOCUS missionary, had a similar experience. For months, she confessed suicidal thoughts to her pastor and spiritual director, who gave her advice based on the discernment of spirits from St. Ignatius of Loyola. But eventually the thoughts became so intense and prevalent that Sarah called every mandatory reporter she knew, and was admitted to the hospital on suicide watch.

“I think part of it is - if someone is trained in something, that’s how they want to fix it,” Sarah told CNA. “If you’re trained in spirituality then you want to use spirituality to fix it. And you absolutely should include spirituality. However, you can’t just pray it away. These are real problems and real medical things. There are events in people’s lives that have happened, and they need to work through that both spiritually and psychologically, and a priest or youth minister can’t do both. They need to get you to someone who’s able to help,” she said.

The negative stigma attached to seeking mental help is magnified in the Church because of the “pray it away” mentality, Sarah added.

Once prayer doesn’t work, people can feel like spiritual failures, and many people in the Church will distance themselves from someone who is mentally ill.

“I can’t be a fully functional young woman who’s working through something and needs help with it,” she said. “It’s either - I’m ok or I’m not.”

Some devout Catholics see it as preferable to say they are suffering from something like the dark night of the soul, rather than to admit that they have depression and may need medication and counseling, he said.

“In some ways in our Catholic community, it’s cooler to have a spiritual problem than it is to have a psychological problem,” he said. “The problem with over-spiritualizing is that you cut yourself from so many tools that psychology and even your faith could have to help you to be happy.”

Many of the things psychologists do to help their patients includes teaching them “recipes” for happiness, Langley said - re-training their thought patterns, providing practical tools to use when anxiety or depression kick in.

But a person who doesn’t recognize an issue as also having a psychological component may be resistant to these methods entirely, including spiritual methods, he said.

A Catholic Psychologist’s Perspective Dr. Jim Langley, a Catholic licensed clinical psychologist with St. Raphael’s counseling in Denver, said he tends to see opposite ends of the spectrum in his patients in about equal numbers - those who over-spiritualize their problems, and those who underspiritualize them.

“Part of the problem is that in our culture, we have such a medically-oriented, science-oriented culture that we’ve sort of gotten away from spirituality, which causes a lot of problems,” he said.

As human beings, our minds and our souls are what set us apart from other created things, Langley added, making those aspects of our being most vulnerable to evil attacks.

“I know a priest who would explain it like this: Evil is like a germ, and it wants to get in just like bacteria does in our body. And where does bacteria get in? It gets in through our wounds. So if we have a cut on our hand, that’s where bacteria wants to get in and infect us. On the spiritual side, it’s the same thing. Where we have the most sensitive wounds tend to be in our sense of self and our psychology, and so that’s where evil wants to get in at us.”

People who tend to ignore the spiritual aspect of their psychological problems cut themselves off from the most holistic approach of healing, Langley added.

And while it can be challenging to make people see the spiritual component of their problems, it can also be a challenge to help other people recognize that their spiritual issues might also have a psychological component, he said.

Catholics who are concerned about seeking psychological help should seek a Catholic psychologist or psychiatrist who can talk about both the spiritual and psychological aspects of healing, Langley said.

“People who don’t practice from a Catholic or spiritual perspective can do a pretty good job, but it’s like they’re doing therapy with their hand tied behind their back, because they’re missing out on a whole array of things you can do to help a person.”

Therapists who aren’t practicing from a Catholic perspective could also do some unintended harm in their practice, Langley noted. For example, men who are addicted to pornography may be told by a secular therapist that pornography is a healthy release, or couples struggling in their marriage may sometimes be encouraged by secular practitioners to divorce.

It’s really a false dichotomy, Langley added, to categorize problems as strictly spiritual or psychological, because oftentimes they are both, and require both psychological and spiritual treatment.

“The main reason is because it really is God who heals, and almost any psychological issue you’re dealing with is going to have some sort of a spiritual component connected to it, because it has to do with our dignity as a human person,” he said.

“So much of good therapy is helping a person get back in touch with their sense of dignity that God created them with...and as they get more in touch with it, they are actually just more open to God’s love and

they’re more open to making changes in their life that might be helpful.”

What needs to change?

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The Catholic experience of mental illness varies. Some found their experience of a mental illness diagnosis in the Church very isolating, while others said it was a great source of healing and support.

Langley said that for the most part, he has a great relationship with the clergy in his area.

“Most of our referrals come from priests,” he said.

“I hardly ever see a priest who is overly convinced that something is spiritual. I think priests really do a pretty good job of saying when something is more psychological.”

Some of Langley’s favorite clients are those who are seeking spiritual direction at the same time as therapy, he said, because between therapy and spiritual direction, the person seeking help is usually able to find the right balance of psychological and spiritual strategies that work.

Others said they felt the relationship between psychologists and Catholic clergy or other leaders could be stronger.

A licensed marriage and family therapist in California, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that priests and mental health professionals should be working together to support those struggling with mental illness, to make them feel more welcome, and to let them know what resources are available.

“The faith community hasn't done a great job reaching out for support for those within the community with mental illness, and the mental health community hasn't done a good enough job making itself available to the faith community,” he said.

Several Catholics who have had mental illness also said they wished that it were something that was discussed more openly in the Church.

“I have thirsted for greater support in the Church,” said Erin, who has depression and anxiety.

“That is my biggest struggle as a Catholic with mental illness: not necessarily focusing too much on the spiritual aspects, but people not knowing how to address any other aspect.”

She had some suggestions for Catholics who find out their friend has a mental illness.

“As Christ would do, and as Job's friends failed to do, please, please just walk with me. And if I bring up something spiritual, feel free to talk about it. If you think I'm shutting you out, ask. If I randomly start crying, hold my hand,” she said.

“Finding support in my one friend (who also has a mental illness) has done worlds of good for me. Imagine what could happen if Christians became more vulnerable about their mental illness. What a support system that would be!”

Michele said in sharing her story about seeking therapy, she has been surprised at how many Catholics have gone through similar experiences.

“I try to be very open about it now because a stigma should not exist.”

Catholic psychologists in your area can be found by searching at http://www.catholictherapists.com/ or at https://wellcatholic.com/. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.

This article was originally published by Catholic News Agency on July 1, 2016. Some names have been changed for the protection of privacy.

January, 2017 w The Courier

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Obituaries

In the Diocese

Sister M. Paula Young, SSND, 91, professed in 1945, died December 12, 2016, at Good Counsel in Mankato. A native of St. Paul, she experienced a variety of ministries. In the Winona diocese, she taught at St. John the Baptist, Mankato, Wabasha (1945-46); St. Anthony High School, L i s m o r e (1952-55); and Loyola High School (1960-67). Her areas of expertise in high school were foreign languages (especially French) and journalism. In 1967, she began working in public relations at Good Counsel, and in 1972, she joined the editorial staff of the Courier. In 1976, she became news editor of the Times Review, the paper of the Diocese of La Crosse. Sister Paula returned to Winona in 1978 to become editor-in-chief of the Courier, a position she held until 1980. She also served as building coordinator and director of hosted programs for the Good Counsel Education Center from 1980 to 1982. Her remaining years of ministry were spent in the Diocese of New Ulm and the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis.

Of her time editing the Courier, Sister Paula wrote the following in her autobiography: In 1972 I joined the editorial staff of the Winona Diocese newspaper, the Courier, with Msgr. William McGee. I loved

the work, and as part of it, I was sent to Rome for a visit to report on the Holy Year of Pope Paul VI. From Winona, I went to the La Crosse Diocese and spend two years at their diocesan newspaper. Bishop Loras Watters then invited me to return to Winona as editor of the Courier. It was then that I went to Iowa for the visit of Pope John Paul. I was able to take his picture and run it on the front page of the Courier as our own photo, not one purchased from a news service.

Sister Elaine (Mary Patrick) Fraher, SSND, 90, professed in 1947, died December 19, 2016 at Good Counsel in Mankato. A native of Downing, WI, and a graduate of Good Counsel Academy, Mankato, she was engaged in music ministry throughout her SSND life: elementary music teacher, high school choral and orchestral director, parish organist and liturgist, and teacher of piano lessons. In the Winona diocese, she taught at Ss. Peter and Paul/Loyola High School in Mankato (1947-49) and Good Counsel Academy (1966-72) and was the organist/liturgist at St. Stanislaus in Winona (1989-90). An accomplished organist, she was a member of the committee that spearheaded the renovation of Good Counsel's Johnson & Son organ in 1993. She also teamed up with other SSND organists to present concerts at Good Counsel.

Father Joseph A. Pitts, OMI, age 82, died in Belleville, IL, on December 20, 2016. The only child of his parents, he was born on February 22, 1934, in Chicago, IL, to Joseph and Veronica (Szymarek) Pitts, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by cousins and friends.

His Oblate education was at the Our Lady of the Ozarks Juniorate in Carthage, MO; Immaculate Heart of Mary

Zero Tolerance, Death Penalty, cont'd from pg. 2

cont'd from pg. 1

displaced.

Pointing to a recent report from UNICEF, the Pope said that unless things change, there will by 167 million children living in “extreme poverty” by 2030, and that 69 million children under the age of five will die between 20162030 while 16 million children will not receive a basic education.

Christian joy, he said, “does not arise on the fringes of reality, by ignoring it or acting as if it did not exist.” Rather, it is born from the call to “embrace and protect human life, especially that of the holy innocents of our own day.”

Francis closed saying Christmas is a time that impels us to “protect life” and which challenges bishops in particular to “find new courage” in both acknowledging the reality that many children experience today, and to work to ensure that their dignity as God’s children “will not only be respected but, above all, defended.”

“Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of joy, but guard it and nourish its growth,” he said, praying they would go forward “with the paternal fidelity of Saint Joseph and guided by Mary, Mother of tender love, so that our own hearts may never grow hard.”

in the state constitution. However, the report said local elections showed support for prosecutor candidates who are less aggressive in pursuing the death penalty.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, factors contributing to the decline of executions included pharmaceutical industry measures to prevent states from using their drugs for use in executions and European Union regulations to prevent export of the drugs. A court order also directed the Food and Drug Administration to prevent the illegal importation of execution drugs.

January, 2017 w The Courier

[Editor's note:] In the Diocese of Winona, Father Gregory Leif has worked with women at the federal prison in Waseca for the past four years. He says, "When I first went in, I expected some of the TV, movie attitudes. I saw instead women who were fragile and wounded by the lives that they had endured. As Bishop Quinn stated at the Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 'These are the ones who are going to be at the gate of heaven, petitioning the Lord to welcome us.'"

Fr. Leif goes on to say, "Rather than go into a discussion about why to defend these men and

Novitiate in Godfrey, IL; and Our Lady of the Snows Scholasticate in Pass Christian, MS. He received further education in counseling and spirituality at Loyola University, DePaul University, and St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. He professed first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1954 and was ordained a priest on September 13, 1959.

His ministry included teaching assignments at St. Thomas College in St. Paul and St. Benedict's High School in Chicago. He served as a pastor in International Falls and Richfield. He served on the Oblate vocation and formation staff at St. Henry's in Belleville, IL; in Omaha, NE; and Oblate House of Theology in Chicago. He coordinated youth retreats at LaSalle Manor Retreat Center in Plano, IL, and was Campus Minister at St. Scholastica High School in Chicago, St. Mary's College in Winona, and Harper/Northeastern University in Chicago. His latest assignments were the Ministry Team at King's House and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL, before retiring there at the apartment community, where he resided at the time of his death.

Fr. Joe was a great lover of anything equine, following the tradition in his father's footsteps. He was very talented in acting and theatre from his earliest days in the Oblates. A registered clown, he used theatrical and mime skills to bring the messages of the scriptures to life in creative prayer for youth, campus ministry and vocations. In his ministry, he was known for his careful listening, thoughtful preaching and creative spontaneity. Many will remember Fr. Joe for his innate ability to connect deeply with individuals or groups.

Memorials may be made to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

The children of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Mankato shined in their performance of the Nativity play New Star on Saturday, December 17. Great job! women from state-sponsored death, please allow me to speak to the effect that it has on the spirit and the soul of our faith communities. Jesus was an innocent man who was condemned to death because of a technicality in the law. If we choose death as an alternative to life imprisonment, we are saying as a people that human life is not sacred. Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. The effect the Popes have spoken of is a hardness of heart that becomes callous to the act of taking life. Yes, many of them have done some terrible and harmful acts. Yet we are at a time in history when we must no longer consider death to be the best solution for eliminating any inconvenience or expense. To stand for life is to say that an unborn child and a poor child and a disabled person and a person who has acted out in

violence all deserve to be protected from society and for society.

"The best way to evaluate a civilized society is to consider the way that it protects all of its citizens. The Church for many decades now has called for an end to capital punishment. We are asked to be pro-life for all people."

Father Martin Schaefer has served the federal prisons in Waseca and Rochester in his ministry. He says, "The news of the declining numbers of executions and sentences to capital punishment helps us to remember to pray for the victims of crimes, those who have been incarcerated, and those who work in our correctional facilities.

"I have had the blessing of visiting both the Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca and the Federal Medical Center in

Rochester as part of my pastoral ministry. I have seen first hand the good work that our Federal Bureau of Prisons is doing to help those convicted of federal crimes to fulfill their sentences. The work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons includes room for volunteers to visit the offenders and to provide for them friendship and hope as they work to turn their lives around. Currently, I accompany four seminarians to the Federal Medical Center, where we celebrate Mass and have discussions on a variety of topics with the men who are serving time. We come away from those meetings inspired by the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in the lives of the men.

"Let us continue to pray in thanksgiving for all the good that is taking place in our prisons and also for the reforms that are needed."

SUBMISSION to the calendar Please note: submission deadline is the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication.

All submissions must be sent electronically to nreller@dow.org by the deadline to assure receipt and possible inclusion in the Events Calendar.

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

A current list of events is also available at www.dow.org.

Action with Prayer St. Mary’s Church, Winona holds Mass for Life & Marriage the first Thursday each month at 8:30 a.m.

Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty is held the first Saturday of each month 8:30-9:30 a.m. (after Mass) at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 360 Main Street, Winona. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and a rosary offered. Gather in the Adoration Chapel. All welcome.

Prayer Vigil & Public Witness Against Abortion is held 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays in front of Semcac Clinic (delegate of Planned Parenthood) at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona. Contact: Patti (507) 429-4636 Masses of Reparation for Sins in the Diocese are held daily in parishes throughout the diocese. For times & locations: cb@wabashaemail.com

Traditional Latin Mass Chatfield, St. Mary's, 1st & 3rd Sun. 1 pm Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, 1st Sat. 9 am Wabasha, St. Felix, every Sat. 8 am

The Televised Mass

Other Events Holy Spirit Church, Rochester January 25, Wednesday You Can't Inspire Without Fire! A free presentation for parents only, held 6:30-7:30 p.m. Parents are called to be the primary teachers of their children in matters of faith.

How do we make time to share our faith with our children when our lives are so full? Speaker Joe Roueche presents "four keys" to inspire and equip parents in their mission. Joe has been inspiring young people, parents, faith formation leaders and teachers for more than 20 years. Drawing from his experience at the parish, archdiocesan and national levels, Joe brings a one-of-a-kind background to his messages, which energize, enliven and equip.

Pax Christi Church, Rochester January 28, Saturday Winter Chill 2017: Reach. An annual Rochester and areawide middle school event for all youth in grades 6-8, held 6:3011:30 p.m. Bring your friends and get to know others as you

Offered as a service for the homebound and elderly every Sunday on the following stations: KTTC, Channel 10 (Rochester) at 9 a.m. KEYC, Channel 12 (Mankato) at 7:30 a.m & KEYC-DT2, Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 (Mankato) at 9:30 a.m.

Donations for the continuation of this program may be sent to: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN 55987.

Hispanic Priests / Sacerdotes Hispanos Padre José Morales Vicario Parroquial de Sacred Heart, Owatonna. jloralesr2008@yahoo.es Tel. 507-451-1588 Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas Vicario Parroquial de St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester frluisvargasdw@gmail.com Tel. 507-288-7313 Padre Mariano Varela IVE Párroco de “SS. Peter and Paul”, Mankato. mvarela@hickorytech.net Tel. 507-388-2995 ext. 103

Padre Miguel Eduardo Proaños Vicario Parroquial de St. James, St James. frmiguel2005@yahoo.com Tel. 507-375-3542 Padre Ubaldo Roque Vicario Parroquial de St. Mary’s, Worthington. el_hermano_roque@hotmail.com Tel. 507-440-9735 Padre Raul Silva Vicario de la Pastoral Hispana en la diócesis de Winona Y Párroco de Queen of Angels, Austin.

PadreRaulSilva@gmail.com Tel. 507-433-1888

Spanish Mass Schedule Albert Lea, St. Theodore Owatonna, Sacred Heart 1 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. Sunday Austin, Queen of Angels Pipestone, St. Leo 11 a.m & 5 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Sunday (bilingual) Sunday; 5:15 Friday Rochester, St. Lake City, St. Mary 6:30 p.m. each 3rd Saturday Francis of Assisi 12 p.m. Sunday & 7 Madelia, St. Mary p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. Sunday St. Charles, St. Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul Charles Borromeo 11:30 a.m. Sunday 1 p.m. Sunday

St. James, St. James 12 p.m. Sunday Waseca, Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m. Sunday Windom,St.FrancisXavier 2:30 p.m. Sunday Worthington, St. Mary 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. Sunday; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday & Friday

play games, do service projects, experience prayer in a new way, dance to Youth Forum DJs, race through the inflatable obstacle course, play video games and more! Register at your parish by 1/25 and pay $15, or pay $20 for registration at the door. To register in advance, email youthministry@ holyspiritrochester.org. This event is sponsored by Greater Rochester Area Catholic Youth Ministries.

Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Mankato January 29, Sunday Prayer Service for Life presided by Bishop Quinn at 3 p.m. 105 N 5th Street in Mankato.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona February 3, Friday On the first Friday of the month, the Cathedral hosts Cor Jesu, a night of Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Praise & Worship.

The February date is Friday, Feb. 3, from 7-9p.m. All are welcome to attend; invite your family and friends! The Cathedral is at 360 Main St. in Winona. For details, search Winona Cor Jesu on Facebook, visit winonacorjesu. gitlab.io, or call Leandra Hubka (507-990-3402) or Steven Lehn (507-312-9041).

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse February 3, Friday Business leaders who want to improve the culture of their organization and connect to purpose in the work they do are invited to attend Three Boxes of Chocolate: A Half-day Retreat for Corporate Leaders at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market St. in La Crosse, WI. John McHugh, Mike Hesch and Kristy Walz, local specialists in the field of leadership development, will present strategies for: -taking care of your organization's impact in the greater community -taking care of the people you lead and practicing presence with others -taking care of yourself and feeding your spirit in a corporate culture.

Check-in and continental breakfast 7:15 a.m. Program takes place 7:30-11:45 a.m. $79.

Event features 3 door prizes.

Registration deadline is January 13. More information at www.

FSCenter.org or 608-791-5295.

at 330 2nd Ave. SW in Wells. A pork loin lunch begins at 11:30, followed by carnival games, pull tabs, bingo and a raffle with a grand prize of $1,500, running until 4. The live auction begins at 4. Fun for the whole family!

St. Mary's Church, Minneiska February 12, Sunday Soup & sandwiches served 11a.m.-1p.m. Ham & bean soup or chicken noodle soup; ham salad sandwiches; milk, water or coffee; and a bar. Free will offering. There will also be a bake sale. More info: 507-282-7980.

St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester February 26, Sunday Trumpet and Piano Duo Rich and Brandon Ridenour will hold a recital at 4 p.m. Free admission.

Freewill offerings will be accepted.

Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Mankato March 5, Sunday Family Retreat Day, "Living Amoris Laetitia." From 2-6 p.m., enjoy an afternoon of prayer, Adoration, speakers, children's activities, Spanish Language Track. Event concludes with Family Stations of the Cross and a Soup Supper.

Part of a nine-day series, Novena of Grace, to St. Francis Xavier.

All are welcome. More details at sspeterandpaul.com.

It's Easy!

St. Mary's Church, Lake City March 17, Friday St. Patrick's Day corned beef dinner served 5-8 p.m.

Entertainment.

Come in costume. $15, advance ticket sales only. For tickets, call the church: 651-345-4134.

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Assisi Heights, Rochester March 26 - April 1, Sun. - Sat. Retreat: 21st Century Prophets: Bearing Witness to the Gospel. Sr. Sandra Schneiders, IHM, presents.

Eucharistic presider is Fr. James Kunz. $450 (includes meals and lodging). Commuter discount rate: $250. For info and registration, call Angie: 507-282-7441, ext. 195 or ahsc@rochesterfrancis can.org.

Assisi Heights, Rochester April 30 - May 6, Sun. - Sat. Retreat: Remain in My Love.

Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, D.D., presents. $450 (includes meals and lodging). Commuter discount rate: $250. For info and registration, call Angie: 507-282-7441, ext. 195 or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org.

Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Lake Elysian June 24-30, Sat. - Fri. Retreat: Wisdom of St. Francis for the 21st Century. Sr. Kathy Warren, OSF, presents. $425 (includes meals and lodging). Commuter discount rate: $275 (includes meals). For info and registration: 507-234-5712 or retreat@frontiernet.net.

Vist www.dow.org for online access to: The Courier TV Mass Diocesan News Our Events Calendar and more!

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St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester February 5, Sunday Luther College Nordic Choir to perform at 2:30 p.m. Concert is free. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

St. Casimir School, Wells February 12, Sunday St. Casimir Parish in Wells will hold their Valentine Carnival in the Raimann Family Gymnasium at St. Casimir School, located January, 2017 w The Courier

January, 2017 • The Courier