The COURIER
Sharing the Warmth
By RUDY NAUL
�s the colder months approach, the demand for emergency warming shelters continues to rise. Catholic Charities' Rochester Community Warming
(RCWC) year-round shelter saw unprecedented numbers, highlighting both the ongoing need for these services and the critical role they play in the lives of individuals facing homelessness.
Fairmont Catholic Radio Station to Expand Range
By DANIEL OLSON, Fairmont Sentinel
The following article was first published by the Fairmont Sentinel on October 3, 2024, under the headline "Local radio station to expand range." It is reprinted here with permission.
FAIRMONT - A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday signaled the start of a large expansion project for Fairmont’s KYEJ.
The radio station, which currently occupies frequency 90.1, started in 2015. Executive Director [Deacon] Steven Landsteiner said the
Fr. Jeffrey Dobbs blesses the ground where the new KYEJ radio tower will be built.
The
Saints Served Generously, Creatively, Pope Says at Canonization Mass
By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY, Oct. 20, 2024 (CNS)
- Pope Francis called on the faithful to yearn to serve, not thirst for power, as he proclaimed 14 new saints, including Canada-born St. Marie-Léonie Paradis, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, and 11 martyrs.
"Those who dominate do not win, only those who serve out of love," he said Oct. 20.
"When we learn to serve, our every gesture of attention and care, every expression of tenderness, every work of mercy becomes a reflection of God's love," he said. "And so, we continue Jesus' work in the world."
The pope said the new saints lived Jesus' way of service. "The faith and the apostolate they carried out did not feed their worldly desires and hunger for power but, on the contrary, they made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters, creative in doing the good, steadfast in difficulties and generous to the end."
On World Mission Sunday in St. Peter's Square, during the synod on synodality, the pope created the following new saints:
• Italian missionary Giuseppe Allamano (1851-1926) founder of the Consolata Missionaries.
• Eight Franciscan friars, including Manuel Ruiz López, and three Maronite laymen who were martyred in Syria in 1860. Seven of the Franciscans were from Spain and one was from Austria while the Maronite laymen were blood brothers. They were murdered in St. Paul's Church and convent in Damascus the night between July 9 and 10, 1860, by Druze militants.
• Canada-born Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family. Born in L'Acadie, Quebec, in 1840, she had various teaching assignments in Canada before being sent to teach at St. Vincent's orphanage in New York. She died in 1912 in Sherbrooke, Canada.
• Sister Elena Guerra (1835-1914), an Italian nun who founded the Oblates of the Holy Spirit.
Saints, cont'd on pg. 3
We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
The Most Rev. Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, announces the following:
Faculties
Rev. David Medow: a priest of the Diocese of Joliet; granted faculties in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, effective September 19, 2024.
Pastor
Very Rev. Thomas Loomis: currently Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Rochester;
transferred to the office of Pastor of St. Felix Parish in Wabasha and St. Agnes Parish in Kellogg, effective October 14, 2024. This is in addition to his appointment as Dean of the Rochester Deanery.
Rev. David Medow: appointed to the office of Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Rochester, effective October 14, 2024.
College of Consultors
Rev. Timothy Biren: reappointed to a five-year term on the College of Consultors, effective November 7, 2024.
Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor
Telephone: 507-361-3068 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org
Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior. (ISSN 0744-5490)
Very Rev. Peter Schuster: reappointed to a five-year term on the College of Consultors, effective October 10, 2024.
Presbyteral Council
Rev. Timothy Biren: elected as the Worthington Deanery Representative for the Presbyteral Council, to fill a vacancy through 2025, effective September 26, 2024.
Rev. Joseph Pete: reelected to a three-year term as the Senior Priest Representative for the Presbyteral Council, effective September 26, 2024.
Rev. James Steffes: reelected to a three-year term as the Rochester Deanery Representative for the Presbyteral Council, effective September 26, 2024.
Rev. Andrew Vogel: elected to a three-year term as the Winona Deanery Representative for the Presbyteral Council, effective September 26, 2024.
Pension Plan for Priests
Rev. Robert Schneider: reelected to a three-year term as the age 70+ Representative on the Pension Plan for Priests Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2024.
Child Abuse Policy Information
• Hard copies are distributed at DOW-R parishes on the first or second weekend of each month.
• An online version may be viewed at www.dowr.org/offices/ courier/index.html
• 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 2907 Jeremiah Lane NW Rochester, MN 55901 or nreller@dowr.org
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 Michael Gerard at 507-361-3377, or mgerard@dowr.org.
Where to Find The Courier
Saints,
Bishop Barron's column will return in December. At the time of printing, he is hard at work in Vatican City, as a delegate to the Synod on Synodality.
Bishop's Calendar
*indicates event is open to the public
November 1, Friday
*12:15 p.m. - All Saints Day
Mass - St. Mary's University, Winona
November 5, Tuesday
11 a.m. - Mass for Priest Retreat - Alverna Center, Winona
1 p.m. - Clergy Personnel
Tens of thousands of people attended the Mass, including the more than 300 cardinals, bishops and others taking part in the Oct. 2-27 synod on synodality. Dignitaries from Canada, Spain and Italy, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, were present for the canonization and Mass.
In his homily, the pope pointed to the new saints as inspiring examples of "men and women who served in martyrdom and in joy" and who remained faithful servants "throughout the troubled history of humanity."
"This is what we should yearn for: not power, but service. Service is the Christian way of life," he said.
Jesus listened to his disciples and asked them questions that revealed what was truly in their hearts, the "hidden expectations and dreams of glory" they secretly cultivated, the pope said. "Many times in the church, these thoughts (desiring) honor, power emerge."
But Jesus helps change their perspective by revealing he was not the
Committee - Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona
November 6, Wednesday
7 p.m. - Confirmation - Holy Spirit, Rochester
November 7, Thursday
*8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The Chancery, Rochester
9 a.m. - Catholic Charities Board Meeting - The Chancery, Rochester
Messiah of worldly power and victory, the pope said. "He is the God of love, who stoops down to reach the one who has sunk low, who makes himself weak to raise up the weak, who works for peace and not for war, who has come to serve and not to be served."
Jesus' teachings about service, Pope Francis said, "are often incomprehensible to us as they were to the disciples, yet by following him, by walking in his footsteps and welcoming the gift of his love that transforms our way of thinking, we too can learn God's way of service."
Serving others is "not about a list of things to do" that can be checked off and completed so that person can say he or she did his or her part, he said. Service isn't a job, it does not "just do things to bring about results, it is not occasional," he said. It is "born from love, and love knows no bounds, it makes no calculations, it spends, and it gives."
Before leading the recitation of the Angelus after Mass, the pope urged Catholics to support the world's missionaries with their prayers and concrete assistance. These men and women bring the Gospel message "often with great sacrifice."
November 8-14, FridayThursday USCCB Meetings - Baltimore, MD
November 17, Sunday
2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Mary, Chatfield
November 19, Tuesday
12 p.m. - College of ConsultorsThe Chancery, Rochester
And, he said, every Christian is called to take part in this mission by being courageous and joyful witnesses to the Gospel in every aspect of their life.
"We continue to pray for people who suffer because of war," he said, such as "martyred Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, martyred Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and all the others."
The pope also appealed to political and civil authorities in the Amazon region to guarantee the protection of the Indigenous peoples in the Amazon, including their fundamental rights, "against every kind of exploitation of their dignity and their territories."
The pope highlighted the presence at the Mass of representatives of the Yanomami people, an Indigenous ethnic group living in the forest between Brazil and Venezuela. The second miracle needed for the canonization of St. Allamano involved a member of the community, Sorino Yanomami, who had been seriously wounded in the head by a jaguar and survived.
November 19-21, TuesdayThursday New Ressourcement Conference - Rochester
November 22, Friday
*12:10 p.m. - Mass for Deceased Clergy - Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester 2:30 p.m. - DOW-R Finance Council - The Chancery, Rochester
November 23, Saturday 2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. John the Baptist, Mankato
November 24, Sunday *10:30 a.m. - Mass and Dedication of an AltarResurrection, Rochester
November 27, Wednesday 12 p.m. - Archbishop Fulton Sheen Award CeremonyIllinois
Congratulations to the following parishes, who have met their goals for the 2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Sacred Heart
St. Ann
St. Bernard
Immaculate Conception
Immaculate
St. Bridget
St. Casimir
St. Charles
St. Columban Preston
St. Columbanus
Blooming Prairie
St. Edward Austin
St. Felix Wabasha
St. Finbarr
Grand Meadow
St. Francis of Assisi
Rochester
St. Gabriel Fulda
St. Ignatius
Spring
St. John Johnsburg
St. John the Baptist
Minnesota
St. Joseph Good
St. Joseph
St. Joseph
St. Joseph the Worker Mankato
St. Luke Sherburn
St. Mary Chatfield
St. Mary
St. Patrick
LeRoy
St. Peter Hokah
St. Peter Rose Creek
St. Rose of Lima
Lewiston
St. Thomas More
Newman Center Mankato
Non Nisi Te Domine
Bishop Robert Barron
Reflections on Bridging Our Faith and Politics
The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men [and women] of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts.
-Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, #1
�reetings of Peace!
This election season has brought me to many moments of reflection on the relationship between our Christian faith and our political life as citizens. I believe that it’s a complex area which demands careful and humble discernment from each of us. The path of “faithful citizenship” can be a treacherous one to follow (see the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship).
I also believe that it’s very easy for us, in our American society and culture, to become “tribal” and to identify ourselves with the politics and ideology of a particular party or movement. And, from my perspective, this is very dangerous and risks deforming our faith. Our primary identity, as baptized believers, is to be followers of Christ as Christians and Catholics. To subject our faith to political allegiances and movements is a form of idolatry and must be carefully guarded against.
I was reading a text by Timothy P. O’Malley on the Eucharist recently (Behold, Believe, Become by Ave Maria Press), and something he wrote offered me a deep insight into this arena of faith in relation to our culture and politics. He writes that the reformed liturgical rites of the Second Vatican Council (i.e., how we celebrate the Eucharist) are to: …help us to abide as contemplative, liturgical, and sacramental creatures in a world governed more by technique and power than by wonder. And, therefore, to reshape this world of ours according to a liturgical and sacramental way of being, rather than one defined by politics and economics alone. (p. xvii)
He challenges us to “exercise [our] sacramental vision.” To me, this is so critical. The world we live in and experience daily is often shaped and beholden
to “technique and power … politics and economics.” The world of faith is one of “wonder” where we live out “a liturgical and sacramental way of being.” We are called to live in this culture and society as “contemplative, liturgical, and sacramental creatures.”
To be clear, this does not make the world around us bad and necessarily corrupt. But, where it is governed by the forces of manipulation, greed, and coercive power, we must seek out a different path. And, the wisdom and energy to do this comes to us from the “power” of the sacraments - and, especially, from the Eucharist. It is there we encounter the living Christ, who gives himself to us in the humble form of bread and wine transformed into his sacred Body and Blood.
And, fed by his True Presence, we together become his self-sacrificing, loving, hopeful and joyfilled “presence” in the world. We are no longer part of a “tribe” fighting against our perceived enemies, but part of a Body which is broken for the life of the world. That is our true identity, as Catholics, and it comes to us through the grace of our sacramental life within the community of the Church.
In the words of the Council, this sacramental way of being forms us, as “followers of Christ,” and unites us to our neighbors, and especially to those who are “poor or in any way afflicted,” in “the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties … of this age.” The genuine needs, and sorrows, and suffering of our sisters and brothers “echo” in our hearts; and, as we hear, our hearts respond in love.
We must engage with the political realities and issues of our day, but we must do so from the framework and vision of our Christian faith. To make this more concrete, I would like to share some brief thoughts on an issue dividing our nation.
“… a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)
Both of my grandparents on my father’s side came to this country as immigrants. They left their home villages in Europe due to the impoverished economic conditions their families were facing at the time. With only the most basic education, they lived and worked as poor farmers, had six children, and barely survived our country’s Great Depression.
Todd Graff Director of OCIA tgraff@dowr.org
My father served his country in World War II as a navy pilot, and then went on to college. He eventually became a bank president in our hometown. He and his sisters and brothers worked and raised their families, volunteered in their churches and communities, and made these communities and our country a better place.
I think of my grandparents as I hear the harsh and dehumanizing words being written and spoken about migrants and immigrants during this election season. It’s not a partisan political point, as a “faithful citizen,” to speak out against such attacks on immigrants and to affirm that those living among us and at our borders are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, neighbors, workers, and for many of us, friends. And, as Christians, they are, by virtue of our shared baptism, our sisters and brothers in Christ. And, by virtue of their humanity, children of God.
Their “joys and hopes,” their “griefs and anxieties,” are also ours; and, their needs “raise an echo in [our] heart.” Whatever the results of this election, the call of our Christian faith remains to defend, protect, and care for the lives of the most vulnerable in our midst - including these, our immigrant sisters and brothers. Deo gratias!
…"for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me."
-Matthew 25:35-36, 40
A Reflection on My Time in the Diocese Thus Far 5
Brian Hansen Coordinator for Adult Faith & Lay Formation bhansen@dowr.org
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
- Matthew 9:37-38
�y the end of October 2024, I will have been serving for over two months as the Diocese of Winona-Rochester's Coordinator for Adult Faith and Lay Formation. As I reflect on this time, I realize that much has occurred in this short period, all of which has been both good and rewarding. I would like to structure this reflection through my answering of three overarching questions:
1. What have I noticed and experienced in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (DOW-R)?,
2. What am I currently doing?, and
3. What are my hopes and vision for Adult Faith and Lay Formation?
Since moving to Minnesota in mid-August, I have noticed and experienced a lot in the DOW-R. One significant experience that readily comes to mind is the open house event at the new DOW-R Chancery this past September. For me and many of my co-workers at the Chancery, it was so exciting and impressive to witness so many people of the diocese in attendance for this celebration. I believe this exemplifies the profound love and commitment that DOW-R Catholics have for their diocese and to Holy Mother Church. Another experience that I have had and continue to frequent is visiting St. James Coffee in Rochester. It has truly been a joy to partake in my favorite pastime (i.e. drinking coffee) in a setting that not only offers that, but also offers the opportunity to pray and visit with Jesus in the Eucharist in their little chapel. This is such a wonderful oasis for Catholics and Christian folk alike to celebrate and live out their Christian identity. Hopefully, places like St. James Coffee will inspire DOW-R Catholics to continue finding unique and creative ways to evangelize Jesus Christ and his Gospel in their local communities.
As for my current responsibilities in my new role, I would categorize them into two major activities. The first activity is relational development; this involves meeting with and getting to know the DOW-R clergy, faith formation directors/coordinators, and alumni of the Institute of Lay Formation
(ILF). Developing relationships with these people is essential for me as I seek to tailor Adult Faith and Lay Formation ministry to fit the needs of our diocese. So far, I have had the privilege of meeting with all the pastors of the parishes in Rochester, and I intend on meeting the rest of the DOW-R clergy at their upcoming deanery meetings. Similarly, I have already had some individual and large-group meetings with various ILF alumni, and I am in the process of connecting with faith formation directors/coordinators in the months ahead. My second activity consists of reviewing and enhancing the current ILF curriculum to prepare myself to help form and journey with those lay Catholic adults who plan to be a part of the new ILF class beginning in the fall of 2025. In the interim, the DOW-R Office of Evangelization is planning to coordinate and schedule spring
simultaneously inspiring them to put their faith into action in the activities and experiences of daily life.
Please pray that I am docile to the Holy Spirit's promptings and inspiration...
Finally, my hopes and vision for Adult Faith and Lay Formation in the Diocese centers around the desire for lay Catholic men and women to be intentional missionary disciples for Jesus Christ and his Gospel. This, of course, requires first that Catholic men and women be provided opportunities to have an encounter with our Lord. The daily life of the Catholic laity, especially those raising families, can be arduous, fastpaced, and worrisome, leading some to wonder whether this is all that life has to offer. According to our Lord, the answer to that question is a definite no! Jesus emphatically says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Life is meant to be joyous, fulfilling, and purposeful, but the Christian recognizes that this is only possible when one’s life is truly rooted in a
Again, Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you.... He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). The inability to do anything if separated from a life with Jesus Christ should be of concern to any good lay Catholic who is seeking to utilize their talents in the service of others, to promote and safeguard the common good, and, ultimately, to hopefully inherit eternal life. To put it simply, developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is essential to a Christian’s life, for from it comes personal conversion and a personal willingness and desire to invite others to receive this same relationship. Therefore, it is my hope and prayer that our diocese’s Adult Faith and Lay Formation ministry can actively foster this relationship in the lives of our lay Catholic adults through various formation experiences and resources. This, in turn, will enrich the spiritual lives of the Catholic laity and positively impact the holistic life of our diocese and the universal
To close, I kindly ask for those reading this reflection to keep me in your prayers. Please pray that I am docile to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and inspiration, and that everything I do in this role furthers our diocese’s efforts of evangelization, the forming of missionary disciples, and, above all, the glory of God. May God bless you, protect you, close to his Most
St. Mary's Marathon of Service
Submitted by JEN
SWANSON
�or many years, St. Mary’s School in Owatonna has participated in the annual Marathon for Non-public Education sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Most years, our students asked for donations and then, on our Marathon day, walked around the fairgrounds in Owatonna. In 2018, Owatonna was hit by a small tornado. This happened the evening before our annual Marathon. School was canceled that day, but many students showed up to help clean up fallen branches and trees on our school campus and in our community. Our Marathon was rescheduled for the following Friday. Inspired by the students who volunteered, and with the community still in need of help, we decided to have each grade level perform service during the Marathon instead of just walking. We had such a great experience that we changed our Marathon to be a Marathon of Service. Each year on our Marathon day, our students perform acts of service in our community.
This year, Bishop Barron challenged all Catholic schools to participate in Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Our junior high teachers felt that we could incorporate this challenge in our Marathon of Service. Junior high students had two options this
year for service: they could participate in a Corporal Work of Mercy by helping at It’s All Good Farms, or they could participate in a Spiritual Work of Mercy by visiting Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
It’s All Good Farms is a local non-profit that donates fresh produce to Community Pathways and other organizations in Owatonna (and is run by the husband of a St. Mary’s teacher). Students helped with harvesting, grinding corn, and cleaning the chicken coop and gardens at the farm.
Before leaving for the cemetery, Msgr. Cook spoke with students about the Spiritual Work of Mercy of praying for the living and dead. At the cemetery, the students participated in a prayer service near Fr. Mountain’s grave site. Students took a tour of other graves with special connections to our school family. At each stop, students prayed for the soul of the departed. Then students continued in small groups praying and cleaning grave sites as they went.
Service is a part of who we are at St. Mary’s School, allowing us to live our core values of Love, Learn, Lead, Give, and Pray. Our Marathon of Service is a fun-filled, empowering day where our students become active members of our community. Our different grade levels participated in service by doing the following activities:
Deacon Sean Costello Superintendent of Catholic Schools scostello@dowr.org
• Preschool: Made thank-you cards for people who care for animals
• Kindergarten: Decorated the sidewalks in downtown Owatonna with positive messages with their fifth-grade buddies
• First grade: Made positivity posters to hang around the school
• Second grade: Made Halloween decorations for the local nursing home
• Third grade: Cleaned up the fairgrounds
• Fourth grade: Sang and played Bingo with residents at a senior living center
• Fifth grade: Decorated the sidewalks in downtown Owatonna with positive messages with their Kindergarten buddies
• Sixth grade: Cleaned at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s parishes
• Seventh-Eighth grade: Sacred Heart Cemetery and It’s All Good Farms
Our Marathon of Service is a rewarding experience not only for the recipients of the service, but also for our students who felt they made a difference - and had some fun doing so. The event also allows our students to contribute to our annual fundraising goal by collecting donations from friends and relatives for the service we perform. At St. Mary’s, we are proud to follow Mother Teresa’s advice: “Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.” Thank you to Bishop Barron for challenging us to actively participate in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Jen Swanson is the principal of St. Mary's School in Owatonna.
Simon the Deacon
Deacon John Hust Director of the Permanent Diaconate jhust@dowr.org
By DEACON ROBERT YERHOT, MSW
�
eacons soon learn they must remain in communion with God through prayer, with the Church through obedience, and, if married, with their wives through fidelity. Communion is essential to all a deacon is and does. A breakdown in communion erodes his vocation. Communion is a hallmark of good diaconal ministry and life. It roots a deacon in prayer, gives him his identity, and sends him on a mission of suffering with, and having compassion for, those to whom he is sent.
Let me give you a good image of what all that means, an image all deacons may use for fruitful meditation. Let us consider Simon of Cyrene.
Simon demonstrated what diaconal ministry is all about. He carried the Cross in communion with Jesus as he walked to Golgotha and the crucifixion. Jesus was the High Priest who offered himself as the sacrificial victim, but Simon prefigured the deacon
who assisted in the sacrifice. Simon helped prepare the altar in communion with Jesus the High Priest. He walked with Jesus step by step, cheek to cheek, all the way to the altar. Simon remained so close to Jesus that he felt the same whip Jesus felt, smelled the same sweat that Jesus smelled, tasted the same blood that Jesus tasted, and breathed the same air as they walked along the way. Simon went all the way to the altar that day. He assisted the High Priest. He no doubt spoke to Jesus, prayed with Jesus, encouraged Jesus every step of the way. These are the very things we deacons must do with and for our bishop and his priests. Deacons are to walk with their bishop and his priests to the altar and assist them in offering the sacrifice. Deacons do not offer the sacrifice, but we do accompany our bishop to the altar where the sac rifice if offered. We must also carry the crosses of our bishop and our pas tors. We must encourage people, be in communion with them, know their struggles, their distress, the particulars of their lives, and then bring them all the way to the altar.
Can you imagine what would have happened if Simon had said, “I have had enough. I have gone half-way; now it is time for someone else to step in.” Can you imagine what would happen if we were to say to someone in need, to the Church, or to our families, “I have had enough. I have gone half-way. Someone else must fin-
No, deacons; we must go the distance. We must be in communion with our bishop, his priests, the one in distress, and the one in need. We must walk step by step with the poor, the oppressed, the outcast, and the mocked ones. We also must walk alongside our bishop as his emissary in works of mercy and compassion, assisting him in carrying his crosses, just as Simon walked with Jesus, in communion with him under the weight of his Cross.
Deacon Robert Yerhot serves the parishes of St. Mary in Caledonia and St. Patrick in Brownsville.
Warming Centers,
cont'd from pg. 1
With a little over two weeks remaining in our current season, the Catholic Charities RCWC and our partner-run overflow shelter site served more than 650 individuals. Together, these shelters have provided more than 21,000 nights of shelter - a striking increase from past seasons.
What’s most notable is the spike in demand during the warmer months, which are traditionally a quieter period for shelters. June, July, August, and September have been the busiest in our Rochester sites' history, with a 40-to-50-percent increase in nights of shelter compared to last year. Our shelters are now averaging 65 guests per night, and July set a new record as the busiest month yet:
• More than 170 individuals served
• Nearly 2,100 nights of shelter
• More than 2,000 hot meals, 250 loads of laundry, and 300 showers provided in just one month
These numbers reflect not only the escalating needs in our community but also the unwavering commitment of Catholic Charities to respond with compassion and action.
Behind these statistics are powerful stories of resilience and hope. One story, in particular, stands out this season. For the past three years, a well-known individual in our community, who had been homeless for many years, would stay with us sporadically when he needed respite from life outdoors. As he aged and his health began to decline, his stays became more frequent, and it became clear that enduring another winter outside was no longer possible. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Catholic Charities staff and a dedicated social worker from a permanent supportive housing program, we were able to transition him to a safe, warm
home where he will no longer have to fear the harsh winter ahead. This transformation story is just one example of how Catholic Charities is more than a temporary solution; we are a bridge to stability.
As we prepare to open our Winona Community Warming Center (WCWC) site, and prepare for the winter season at our Rochester Community Warming Center (RCWC) site, beginning November 1, we are very aware of the significant increase in demand for shelter, and know that we cannot meet all the needs of the guests who come to us for warmth and safety without the support of those in Southern Minnesota. By supporting our emergency shelters, you are directly helping provide life-saving shelter, warm meals, and essential services like laundry and showers to those who need it most.
This winter, we invite you to join us in making a difference through our Share the Warmth campaign. Even a small gift of $5 can Sponsor a Bed, ensuring someone in need has a warm, safe place to rest for the night. Your generosity does more than provide shelter; it offers the security and comfort of knowing there will always be a welcoming place for those who have nowhere else to go. In providing shelter and support, we reflect the love of Jesus, sharing the compassion of Christ with those who may feel lost, alone, and forgotten.
Your generosity does more than provide shelter; it offers the security and comfort of knowing there will always be a welcoming place for those who have nowhere else to go.
Donations can be made on our website at ccsomn.org. Your contributions help us continue to serve our community’s most vulnerable members, offering not only a bed but also the hope that comes through Christ’s love. Together, we are addressing homelessness in Southern Minnesota, one person, under God’s care and love, at a time.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Consider volunteering at a local shelter or check out a list of needed items for each shelter location. Visit our website for more details and opportunities to make a difference.
Rudy Naul is the director of housing and shelter programs for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.
Beds at the Rochester Community Warming Center
Events
November 2, Saturday
Crucifixion Parish, La Crescent, will serve its 46th Annual Roast Beef Dinner in the school auditorium from 3:30-7 p.m. Homemade roast beef & gravy, mashed potatoes, cole slaw or apple sauce, carrots vichy, roll, apple or pumpkin pie slice. Tickets sold at the door for $15 each (dine-in or carry-out). Kids 6 & younger dine in for free. All proceeds benefit Crucifixion School. 420 S 2nd St. in La Crescent.
November 9, Saturday
Christ the King Parish, Byron, will hold its 15th Annual (skip COVID year) Fall Expo from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Arts-crafts & homebased businesses. Baked goods, beverages and Arby's lunch available. 202 4th St. NW in Byron. Email Kathy at kathyckhf@gmail.com or call 507-775-6455 if you would like to rent a table for our event.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Rochester, will host a racial justice education session from 9-11 a.m. in the St. Francis Room of McCarthy Hall. A light breakfast will be provided. The event consists of viewing the film Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity, followed by discussion.
The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday
Sioux Falls - ODLT Channel 7 at 7 a.m.
Sioux City - KPTH Channel 44 at 8:30 a.m.
Mankato - KEYC Channel 12 at 7:30 a.m.
Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 NEYC at 9:30 a.m.
Digital Channel 7 (DirecTV) or Channel 11 (DISH) KMNF at 9 a.m.
Rochester/Austin/Mason City
KIMT Channel 3 at 7:30 a.m.
MyTV 3.2 at 9 a.m.
Twin Cities - WFTC Digital Channel 29 or Channel 9.2 at 11:30 a.m.
Southeastern MN - HBC Channel 20 at 3 p.m. (repeated Wed. at 3:30 p.m.)
Winona/La Crosse/Eau Claire - WLAX/WEUX Channel 25/48 at 7:30 a.m. and on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass")
Inside the Capitol Gold and Silver Cannot Save
By MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
�cross the country, the conversation around sports gambling continues to heat up, with 38 states already having passed laws to legalize the practice. Proponents argue that it generates revenue, but the data from states that have legalized sports betting tell a darker story. Instead of economic windfalls, these states have seen increased financial instability, rising debt, and other alarming social consequences. Now some of these states are already rethinking legalization. Unfortunately, Minnesota is in the crosshairs, with sports gambling advocates once again planning to press lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) has long stood against this effort, and we are not alone. As a member of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC), we work alongside the Islamic Center of Minnesota, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Minnesota Council of Churches to advocate for policies that promote the dignity of every individual and protect those most vulnerable in our state. Legalized sports gambling, especially its online form where users can bet directly from their phone, threatens these very principles.
The data coming from states where sports betting is legal is distressing. According to a Northwestern University study, legal sports gambling drains household finances. For every dollar spent on gambling, two dollars are pulled out of savings or investment accounts. This is especially concerning for already struggling families who are trying to make ends meet. Worse yet, a study from economists at UCLA and the University of Southern California reveals that the likelihood of household bankruptcy increases by 25 to 30 percent in states with legalized online sports gambling.
These financial risks are just the tip of the iceberg. Research shows that legal gambling also increases social harms. For instance, a study from the University of Oregon found a
direct link between sports betting and incidents of intimate-partner violence, with a nine percent increase in domestic violence incidents in states where gambling is legal. These figures are sobering and highlight the far-reaching and unintended consequences that gambling can have on individuals, families, and communities.
Despite these dangers, each year Minnesota lawmakers come closer to legalizing mobile sports betting. The arguments in favor often focus on generating state revenue or "modernizing" our gambling laws, but this overlooks the profound human cost. The experience of other states shows that while sports gambling might bring in revenue, it also leaves behind a trail of financial ruin and social harm.
MCC and JRLC are dedicated to ensuring that online sports betting does not take root in Minnesota. As people of faith, we must stand firm against proposals that harm the vulnerable and undermine the common good. The dangers of online sports betting are clear. We have the responsibility to advocate for a better future.
If you share these concerns, we encourage you to make your voice heard. Contact your legislators today and urge them to oppose the legalization of online sports betting in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference has been the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota since 1967. The voting members of the MCC's board of directors are Minnesota's Catholic bishops.
St. Mary's University Grants Heritage Awards
By ASHLEY BLISSEN
WINONA - The Slaggie Family Foundation and the late Brother I. Patrick Hayes, FSC, were presented with the Saint Mary’s University Heritage Award for Transformational Philanthropy Thursday, October 10, at the university’s annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner. The Heritage Award recognizes special individuals whose exceptional philanthropy has significantly transformed the university and positioned Saint Mary’s for a second century of excellence in education.
The Slaggie Family Foundation, led by Stephen and Barbara Slaggie, has been a transformative force in supporting Saint Mary's University of Minnesota through its philanthropic gifts. Deeply rooted in their Catholic faith, the Slaggie family has long been dedicated to education, the arts, and humanitarian causes. Their generosity has had a lasting impact on the communities in which they live and the organizations they support. Through the Slaggie Family Foundation, their four children - Mike, Matt, Shelly and Sara - are also continuing the legacy of giving, sharing their time, talent, and resources to benefit those in need.
Students Show Great Promise
By ROSE ANN KUBICEK
�
t the end of each school year (2023-2024), the Owatonna Area St. Serra Club asks our sixth grade teachers to nominate students who exemplify caring for others, courage to do what is right, and willingness to volunteer and to serve others. By their examples of service, generosity and leadership they show “Great Promise” as future Catholic leaders.
During the weekend Masses on September 28-29, the St. Serra Club awarded these students with the Great Promise Award certificate, a youth catechism (YOUCAT) and a rosary. This year's Great Promise Award recipients are:
From St. Mary’s School in Owatonna: Martha Kubicek (parents: Ron & Kim), Ben Seykora (parents: Charlie & Theresa), Harvin Hall (parents: Jeff & Jenny), and Lydia Haggerty (parents: Brian & Sara).
The Slaggie’s commitment to philanthropy stems from their humble beginnings and a shared belief in the importance of helping others. Barb, raised on a farm with 13 siblings, was taught by her parents to always look out for those in need. Steve, shaped by his Catholic education and his service in the U.S. Army, developed a deep sense of responsibility to give back. Their success has provided them with the means to make a difference in countless lives, including students, faculty, and staff at Saint Mary’s.
Brother I. Patrick Hayes, FSC, a native of Chicago, is posthumously honored for his exceptional contributions to building a lasting culture of philanthropy at Saint Mary’s. Serving as the leader of the first office of development and public relations at Saint Mary's, Brother I. Patrick played a pivotal role in shaping the future of institutional fundraising and outreach. His legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to the values of education and communitybuilding continues to inspire.
Brother I. Patrick joined the Christian Brothers in 1927. Throughout his 47-year career as a teacher and administrator, he served schools across the Midwest, including Kansas City, Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Winona, Chicago, and Evanston.
Brother I. Patrick’s influence extended beyond the classroom. In the mid-1950s, he directed De La Salle Institute’s expansion program in Chicago before dedicating over two decades to Saint Mary’s. His roles as director of public relations, secretary of the alumni association, and vice president of
From Holy Trinity Parish, Litomysl, Faith Formation: Addison Winzenburg (parents: Patrick & Sara) and Aiden Louks (parents: Joe & Amy).
From Christ the King Parish, Medford, Faith Formation: Maverick Hager (parents: Wesley & Alyssa) and Henry Hager (parents: Brad & Janice).
Rose Ann Kubicek is a member of the Owatonna Area St. Serra Club.
Photos by Rose Ann Kubicek.
St. Mary's School, Owatonna, Great Promise Award recipients with Msgr. Thomas Cook.
Barbara and Stephen Slaggie
Holy Trinity Parish, Litomysl, Great Promise Award recipients with Fr. William Becker.
Christ the King Parish, Medford, Great Promise Award recipients with Fr. Marreddy Pothireddy.
Heritage Awards,
cont'd from pg. 10
development established a lasting framework for the institution’s growth. His retirement in 1978 marked the conclusion of a career marked by service, innovation, and unwavering devotion to the betterment of others.
Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s president, said, “These individuals have taught us the true meaning of generosity. As Saint John Baptist de La Salle reminded his early Brothers, 'Generosity is the virtue that helps you voluntarily sacrifice your personal interests to those of your neighbor ... [giving abundantly] ... that they may be saved.’ It is in this spirit that we refer to the giving of good things to others freely, and certainly the Slaggie family and Brother I. Patrick Hayes have done this. Their commitment to our communities is shown in the way they have lived out their vocations in a spirit of generosity and, as a result, enabled others to experience their abundant care and concern. Their good works are tangible and visible. These will be felt for generations. We - and our students - are truly grateful to them and keep them in our prayers.”
Ashley Blissen is the director of communications for St. Mary's University of Minnesota, in Winona.
We Resolve...
By SHELLY HOLT
�t the National Council of Catholic Women’s Convention, four resolutions were passed. I mentioned them in the September issue and will now go in-depth.
Prayer for Peaceful Elections encourages us to daily recite the St. Michael the Archangel prayer, the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Continue to say these prayers after the election to promote peaceful dialogue within and between all government entities.
Mental Health Illnesses and Challenges Awareness gives practical ways our councils can heighten awareness through education and political advocacy considering the directives set forth by the USCCB National Catholic Mental Health Campaign (usccb.org/ mentalhealth). The National Catholic Mental Health Campaign is a year-round initiative of the USCCB to encourage all people of good will to respond to the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States. Everyone who needs help should receive help. The Mental Health Novena (usccb.org/mental-healthnovena) focuses on nine days of education and prayer on the various aspects of mental health including removing stigma, families, mental health ministry, childhood, youth and young adults, effects of racial discrimination on mental health, poverty and mental health, suicide awareness, and grief.
Supporting and Praying for Priests cites the great need to uphold our priests and bishops in daily prayer. One way to do this is through the Seven Sisters Apostolate (sevensistersapostolate.org), which offers a holy hour solely for the intentions of the priest, praying for the priest’s deepening devotion to Mary each day of the week. The Holy Hour is prayed each day of the week for the sole intention of a specific priest or bishop - a “holy wasting” (cf. Mattew 26:10) or lavishing of prayer for his deeper conformity to Christ. It is ideally prayed before the Blessed Sacrament either in an Adoration Chapel or in front of a Tabernacle. In the words of Father Gerald Fitzgerald, S.P., “In strengthening the priest you strengthen the whole church…Strengthen the priest and you strengthen the whole foundation, you strengthen everything in the Church.”
Support of WUCWO Resolutions (wucwo.org) encourages all councils in our nation to be aware of the key resolutions that impact issues and challenges women and children face around the globe.
Joy in the Journey
More than 50 women from midteen to age 93 attended the W-RDCCW Fall Convention, Joy in the Journey
Highlights included Human from Day One and WeTeachThink founder Angela Copenhaver's speech on educating the public on the value of human life at all stages of development - both born and preborn. We saw billboards, TV advertisements and videos we can personally share through text, email, and on social media to get though provoking facts in front of the middle-minded to challenge the narrative of “I don’t believe in abortion but…” and progress the culture of life.
Also, Deacon John and Nancy Hust gave us an overview of the Unbound Prayer apostolate. Unbound helps us respond to the good news of the gospel and apply truth to our lives using Five Keys:
1. Repentance and Faith
2. Forgiveness
3. Renunciation
4. Authority
5. The Father's Blessing
We also celebrated an uplifting Mass with Fr. Will Thompson, followed by members sharing the story of coming to Council through the Tree of Life activity.
You may contact me at: shellyholttotalwellness@gmail.com or 507.381.2842.
Shelly Holt is the president of the WinonaRochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
The board of directors of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at the annual convention, Joy in the Journey, held at the Church of the Resurrection in Rochester.
Brother I. Patrick Hayes, FSC
Franciscan Sisters Change Lives at Colombian School
By ALEJANDRA FERNÁNDEZ VEGA, Rector of CASFA
�he Colegio Anexo San Francisco de Asís (CASFA) in Bogotá, Colombia, is an educational institution founded by the Sisters of Saint Francis, Congregation of our Lady of Lourdes, in 1985. It offers high-quality education from Pre-Kindergarten to 11th Grade in the northeastern part of the city, in El Codito, to students from low-income families in socio-economic strata 1 and 2, who face significant economic, social, familial, and educational challenges. For this reason, CASFA, as we affectionately refer to ourselves by our acronym, is both an academic and social project aimed at improving the quality of life for children, youth, and families from vulnerable populations.
We are guided by Franciscan-Clarian Spirituality, which is grounded in peace, non-violence, justice, sisterhood, and reverence for all of creation. We educate individuals who demonstrate leadership within their own communities, who are autonomous in social, moral, and intellectual spheres, and who are committed to building a more just society by fostering cooperative work and pedagogical research.
The 270 families of our students belong to the 20% of the population that is unemployed and the 61% that works informally without access to healthcare, pensions, or paid vacations. The average family income is between one and two minimum wages challenges (US $300-$600 a month), which must be divided among an average of five family members. It is evident that our students’ quality of life is severely limited.
Radio Station,
cont'd from pg. 1
Catholic station broadcasts programming from Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).
“We are fully licensed to do local programming, but we are not set up resource-wise to do that,” he said. “It’s mostly talk radio, call-in shows, that format. There are also devotionals like Mass and the rosary. There’s news as well, from a Catholic perspective.”
Landsteiner said EWTN had put out feelers for people to start a radio station, for which EWTN
We have had almost 30 graduating classes, of which 75% of our alumni have continued their studies at the university or technical level, enabling them to improve their personal and family living conditions. All of this has been achieved thanks to the generosity of the Sisters of Saint Francis, and the many donors who fund this educational initiative, allowing families to pay only 10-20% of the educational costs.
CASFA is a family where each member is recognized and valued as a person. We believe that an educational institution can only thrive by building bonds of affection, where trust, recognition, and autonomy are the guiding principles that drive our pedagogical mission to educate and form critical citizens capable of transforming social realities. We work from the deep compassion each teacher carries in their heart to reach the hearts of our students, guiding them on the journey of building knowledge and developing as human beings.
Therefore, we invite you to support us in various ways, by joining the Godmother Plan as a regular contributor, or making individual donations, whether monetary or in-kind. For more information, please contact Brooke Stivers (brooke.stivers@ rochesterfranciscan.org) or Sister Carolina Pardo (pardomc@hotmail.com).
We firmly believe that education empowers individuals to take control of their own lives and contribute to the well-being of their communities. Today, we are witnessing the results of the work we have achieved so far, with the support of many institutions and individuals.
would provide the programming free of charge. He passed the idea to an interested individual, but after they dropped out he and his wife made the jump themselves.
Currently, the station only has 175 watts with which to operate. This, combined with a 65-foot tower, means their reach is limited to Martin County. With this project, they are looking to send these figures sky-high.
“We are putting up a 190-foot tower,” Landsteiner said. “We are putting a 16 by 20 feet building as our new radio shack. KYEJ will go from 175 to 6,000 watts. The first phase will bring us to 1,000 watts this fall, and the rest will happen fall of next year.”
When the project is fully completed, their 6,000watt station will broadcast KYEJ to a five-county
Do not hesitate to join this wonderful cause; let your heart connect with CASFA, feel the beat of ours, and support us in continuing the mission of transforming the lives of many children and youth in this vulnerable sector of Bogotá, Colombia.
A Note from Sister Tierney Trueman Congregational President of the Sisters of St. Francis, Rochester
I would like to acknowledge and thank Bishop Barron for allowing us to continue to participate in our annual Mission Cooperative, and further affirming and thanking parishioners who annually participate in this program. Many missionary activities count on this annual program to assist in carrying out their particular ministry/mission. In our case, we subsidize 93% of the costs to educate our CASFA students, and we are able to sustain these costs because of the annual donations we receive through the Mission Cooperative program. CASFA will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, and it is recognized by the Colombian Ministry of Education as one of the best schools in Colombia.
area, which Landsteiner said will reach around 70,000 people. The 1,000-watt station will then host a new Spanish broadcast of EWTN, which will have the callsign KRYX and be findable on 91.9.
Landsteiner said getting to this point, expanding less than 10 years after their inception, has been nothing short of a wild ride.
“When we started, we didn’t know anything about broadcast radio,” he said. “It has been a long radio curve, and this new opportunity to increase power has been even more hoops to jump through and licenses to acquire.”
By expanding their reach, Landsteiner said he wants to ensure the good word is spread to as many people as possible.
“We feel good about it because we found we have been called by God,” he said. “We are raising funds for the completion, and our mission is to have a unifying voice of the gospel to reach as many people as possible. The gospel is a powerful testimony in God’s word to combat what we see as a world going in the wrong direction. To be a project spreading the good news feels good.”
In doing so, the response from the community has been everything Landsteiner had hoped for.
“Our Catholic listeners are excited as our monthly contributors,” he said. “Others who are not Catholic have reached out as well, as we try to break down misconceptions and spread a unifying message.”
For more information, call 507-848-3968. Donations can be sent to Fairmont Area Catholic Radio C/O Deacon Steve Landsteiner, 1117 170th Ave Fairmont, MN 56031.
Since the first printing of this article, the base of the radio tower has been completed. Installation of the tower and antenna are expected by mid-November.
As Deacon Steve Landsteiner looks on, Fr. Jeffrey Dobbs speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new radio tower.
