The Courier - November 2019

The

COURIER

Christ the King November 24

November 2019

St. Pio, Pray

U s!

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org

ROCHESTER - On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester hosted a relics tour of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, in collaboration with the St. Pio Foundation. The event began with Bishop John M. Quinn celebrating a 12:10 Mass in honor of St. Pio in the co-cathedral.

Born Francisco Forgione in 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, Pio was ordained a priest in 1910. The Capuchin Franciscan was known for his wisdom and charity as well as for the quality of his preaching.

He famously urged his listeners to "pray, hope and don't worry."

Pio's gifts hinted at the supernatural. Many penitents coming to him in the sacrament of confession said that he knew details of their lives that they had never mentioned. He also received the stigmata, or wounds of Christ, in his hands, feet and side – a phenomenon that remains unexplained. Pio suffered from other health problems, including cancer that was miraculously healed after just two treatments. Seeing Jesus in all the sick and suffering who came to him for help, Padre Pio inspired the construction of a new hospital in 1946, called the House for the Alleviation of Suffering.

Pio died in 1968 and was proclaimed a saint of the Catholic Church in 2002. Several people have reported cures received through the saint’s intercession.

“It is a great privilege and blessing, especially in this city, so well-known for healing, to host the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,

for

identified by many as a sign of hope and healing in the midst of extreme suffering,” said Bishop Quinn.

While distinct from the sacraments, which provide God’s grace, Catholics believe that venerating (giving honor to) relics, such as the bodily remains (first class relics) or personal effects of saints (second class relics), can lead people to receive or respond to grace.

Co-Cathedral Rector Msgr. Gerald Mahon recalled one such visitor seeking grace through intercession at the recent exposition: the parent of a baby with special needs, who, with Msgr. Mahon and Bishop Quinn, wrapped the baby in St. Pio's mantle and prayed for healing and new life for the baby and family.

"They were so open to the surprise of how Padre Pio might intercede with Christ for the grace of healing and a future full of hope," said Msgr. Mahon.

Among the relics to visit the co-cathedral were St. Pio's glove and mantle, a lock of his hair, and cotton stained with his blood.

An estimated 2,000 people visited the relics of St. Pio at the co-cathedral, including vistors and patients from the Mayo Clinic, parishioners, faith formation classes, and groups of schoolchildren who held holy cards and medals to the reliquaries of first-class relics to transform their items into third-class relics. Volunteers from around the Diocese of Winona-Rochester tended to the relics and helped visitors fill out cards with prayer intentions.

Parish Administrator Margaret Kelsey said she was particularly struck by the reaction faith formation students had to the relics. "They were honest in acknowledging that they often think of saints as almost fictional characters that are bigger than life. The relics helped them make a connection to the human being who was Padre Pio." Msgr. Mahon said, "During the many hours of veneration, I was struck by our need to walk with a devotional life, an affective life of being moved by a 'presence' that leads us to Christ. There is such a profound sense of humility as we 'turn the wings of our intellect' back and become available to receive the simplicity that leads to fidelity and piety. Our hearts are thirsting for this way of coming to Christ through the intercessions of the saints. This day was such a verification of our need to beg through the Communion of Saints."

Unbound: Freedom in Christ Conference:

A Weekend of Joy

By SUSAN WINDLEY-DAOUST

250 people crammed into the

hospitality space of St. John Vianney Church in Fairmont to hear Neal Lozano, founder of Heart of the Father Ministries, and Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, the director of spiritual formation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, speak and lead prayer on

Unbound, cont'd on pg. 5

INSIDE this issue

The Easiest Evangelization Day of the Year... page 4

God and Mammon...

God Always Has a Plan page 7

page 10

St .J Ne ohn w H m en an ry

The Courier Insider

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Pope Francis Names Newman a Saint

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 13, 2019 (CNA) - Nearly two centuries ago, John Henry Newman was England’s most well-known Anglican priest, until he risked everything to become a Catholic. Today he has become a saint.

As Pope Francis named Cardinal John Henry Newman a saint Sunday, he told Catholics that the goal of life is a transforming encounter with Jesus.

“The ultimate goal is not health or wellness, but the encounter with Jesus … He alone frees us from evil and heals our hearts. Only an encounter with him can save, can make life full and beautiful,” Pope Francis said at the canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 13.

Pope Francis officially recognized John Henry Newman, Mariam Thresia, Marguerite Bays, Giuseppina Vannini, and Dulce Lopes as saints.

The canonization was attended by Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, along with delegates from the Church of England.

“Today we give thanks to the Lord for our new saints. They walked by faith and now we invoke their intercession,” he said.

Pope Francis read a quote from one of Newman’s sermons describing the holiness of daily life: “The Christian has a deep, silent, hidden peace, which the world sees not... The Christian is cheerful, easy, kind, gentle, courteous, candid, unassuming; has no pretence... with so little that is unusual or striking in his bearing, that he may easily be taken at first sight for an ordinary man.”

Newman was a 19th century theologian, poet, Catholic priest and cardinal. Born in 1801, he was before his conversion a well-known and well-respected Oxford academic, Anglican preacher, and public intellectual.

Newman’s 1845 conversion to the Catholic faith was controversial in England, and resulted in the loss of many friends, including his own sister who never spoke to him again.

He became a priest in 1847 and founded the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England. He was particularly dedicated to education, founding two schools for boys and the Catholic University of Ireland. His “Idea is a University” became a foundational text on Catholic higher education. He was a prolific author and letter writer. Newman died in Birmingham in 1890 at 89.

St. John Henry Newman is Britain’s first new saint since the canonization of St. John Ogilvie in 1976.

“Let us ask to be … ‘kindly lights’ amid the encircling gloom. Jesus, ‘stay with me, and then I shall begin to shine as Thou shinest: so to shine as to be a light to others,’” Pope Francis said in his Oct. 13 homily, quoting parts of Newman’s “Meditations on Christian Doctrine.”

Along with Newman, Pope Francis canonized four women.

Mother Mariam Thresia (1876-1926) was an Indian mystic and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family. The Syro-Malabar Catholic foundress received the stigmata and would sometimes levitate during prayer.

Giuseppina Vannini (1859-1911) religious sister from Rome known for founding the congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus dedicated to serving the sick and suffering. Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-1992) founded the largest charitable organization in Brazil providing healthcare, welfare, and education service.

Nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, she is the first Brazilian-born female saint.

Pope Francis said that these three religious women saints show us that the consecrated life is “a journey of love at the existential peripheries of the world.”

“Saint Marguerite Bays, on the other hand, was a seamstress; she speaks to us of the power of simple prayer, enduring patience and silent self-giving,” the pope said. “That is how the Lord made the splendour of Easter radiate in her life.”

When Bays (1815-1879) was diagnosed with advanced cancer in 1853, she prayed to the Virgin Mary to be able to suffer with Jesus rather than to be healed. However, on the day that Bl. Pius IX proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Sept. 8, 1854, she was miraculously healed.

“On the journey of life, purification takes place along the way, a way that is often uphill since it leads to the heights,” Pope Francis said.

“Faith calls for journey, a ‘going out’ from

The Courier is the official publication of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 110 - 11

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Matt Willkom, Editor Nick Reller, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-858-1257 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior.

(ISSN 0744-5490) November 2019 w The Courier w dowr.org

Newman, cont'd on pg. 14

Articles of Interest

The Easiest Evangelization Day of the Year..._4 ¡Viva Cristo Rey!___________________________6 God and Mammon...________________________7 A Prayer for Vocations______________________8 ...A Month

of

Thanksgiving______________9

Thank You, Birthparents!___________________10 Praised By Jesus Christ!__________________11 Faith in the Public Arena__________________12 What Is the Status of the SSPX Today?_____13 Diocesan Headlines_______________________14 Diocesan Calendar________________________16 Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of WinonaRochester, announces the following appointments: Pastor Rev. John Wilmot: currently Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Lake City and St. Patrick Parish in West Albany; transferred to the office of Pastor of St. Columbanus Parish in Blooming Prairie, Sacred Heart Parish in Hayfield, and Holy Trinity Parish in Litomysl, for a six-year term, effective October 1, 2019.

Rev. Matthew Fasnacht: appointed to the office of Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Lake City and St. Patrick Parish in West Albany, for a six-year term, effective October 1, 2019.

Parochial Administrator Rev. Jason Kern: currently Vocations Director of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Member of the Formation Faculty of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, and Member of the Diocesan Curia; in addition to his current assignments, appointed to the office of Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Rushford, St. Peter Parish in Hokah and St. Mary Parish in Houston, effective October 11, 2019.

The Holy Father's Intention for

November 2019 Dialogue & Reconciliation in the Near East That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together.

Where to Find the Courier •

Hard copies of the Courier are available in the churches of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester at the first weekend Masses of each month.

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An online version may be viewed at www.dowr.org /offices/ courier/index.html

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To be added to (or removed from) the home delivery list, readers should send their names and addresses to:

Rochester Catholic Schools Mr. Christopher Wittich: appointed to the Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees for the remainder of the current vacancy, effective October 4, 2019, through June 30, 2022.

Child Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow. org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona-Rochester’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Mary Hamann at 507-858-1244, or mhamann@dowr.org.

Diocese of Winona-Rochester The Courier 55 W Sanborn St. Winona, MN 55987 or nreller@dowr.org

Holy Men and Women, Pray for Us! All Saints Day

On November 1, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints, an occasion to rejoice with all those whom the Church recognizes as having lived a holy life and attained the joys of heaven. The saints give us hope that it is possible to live lives of holiness amidst this fallen world of sin and temptation.

Their lives witness to the fact that Christ has triumphed over sin and death and through His victory He gives us the grace to persevere and be faithful to His commands.

Additionally, those who already enjoy the beatific vision in heaven are powerful intercessors with our Triune God. We should never be afraid to turn to them in our need and ask for their help. The saints’ desire for all of us is to join

Rejoice in Hope

them in heaven, and they are always ready to plead for us on our behalf. All you holy men and women, pray for us!

Commemoration of the Faithful Departed

The day after All Saints Day, the Church commemorates the souls of all those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. In our prayers, we commend them to God’s mercy, and ask that He admit them to His heavenly banquet. I’m sure that most of us would readily admit that we are not ready to enter into the presence of our Triune God as we are right now, without first being cleansed and purified of our many sins and earthly attachments. Our Lord, however, in His great mercy, provides a final state of purification for those who are not yet purged of their sinful attachments and ready to see God face-to-face. The souls in purgatory long to be admitted to heaven, but must rely on the prayers of others in order to get there.

It is a great spiritual work of mercy to pray for the dead, both those dear to us and those who have no one to pray for them.

The entire month of November is dedicated to the holy souls in purgatory, and this is a reminder for us still on earth to entreat the Lord on their behalf, so that they will soon be able to join the Lord in heaven. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Presbyteral Days

Bishop John M. Quinn Bishop's Calendar

On September 16-19, the priests of our diocese gathered in Iowa for our annual Presbyteral Days, a time of fraternity, prayer, and

November 1, Friday 8 a.m. - Teach at St. Mary’s University 11 a.m. - Mass - Solemnity of All Saints Hermits of St. Mary of Carmel, Houston

November 2, Saturday 2 p.m. - Confirmation at St. Ann Church, Slayton, with St. Columba, Iona; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; St. Gabriel, Fulda; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Currie; and St. Anthony, Westbrook November 3, Sunday 10 a.m. - Confirmation at St. Francis Xavier Church, Windom, with Sacred Heart, Brewster; Sacred Heart, Heron Lake; Good Shepherd, Jackson; St. Joseph, Lakefield; and St. Luke, Sherburn November 5, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Mass for DOW-R Priest Retreat Alverna Center, Winona 7 p.m. - Record the Christmas Day TV Mass Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona November 6, Wednesday 9a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Pastor Development Day Diocesan Pastoral Center, Winona

spiritual renewal. This year, our presenter was Fr. John Riccardo of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Riccardo is a dynamic preacher and pastor, and is part of a new ministry comprised of a team of itinerant missionaries called Acts XXIX. Their mission is to help dioceses and parishes be renewed in their understanding and conviction of the good news of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that He desires to come into our lives to heal and transform us.

Fr. Riccardo began by highlighting the despair that is so pervasive in our world today, and how we priests and those in our parishes can easily become discouraged and drained by the many crises facing the Church and the world. So often pastors and staff are kept busy putting out fires and trying to maintain current ministries and programs, and the message of Christ’s saving love and mercy often gets forgotten and lost in the shuffle.

Fr. Riccardo went on to review the kerygma, or proclamation, of the gospel, the central message of our faith. The reality is that our Triune God created men and women in His own image and likeness, so that we could be in friendship with Him and share in His divine life. Unfortunately, our first parents fell for the lie of Satan, and thought that they could find happiness apart from their Creator. The original sin led to separation from our Triune God, and we humans continue to suffer the effects of the fall, namely death and the inclination to sin and turn away from our loving Father. As St. Paul says, “I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want” (Romans 7:19).

But our story does not end there, for Jesus Christ came into

November 7, Thursday 6:30 a.m. - Lauds & Mass - IHM Seminary, Winona 1 p.m. - Seminary Finance Council Meeting IHM Seminary, Winona 5 p.m. - Fr. John O’Malley, S.J., Speaking Engagement - SMU Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis November 8, Friday 8 a.m. - Teach at St. Mary’s University November 9-14, Saturday - Thursday USCCB November Assembly - Baltimore, MD November 15, Friday 8 a.m. - Teach at St. Mary’s University 12:10 p.m. - Mass for Deceased Clergy Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester November 16, Saturday 5:15 p.m. - Confirmation at St. John the Baptist Church, Mankato, with St. James, St. James, and St. Mary, Madelia

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this world to destroy the power of the devil and show us the love of the Father. We could not pay the price for our disobedience, so our savior Jesus Christ took the punishment for our sins upon Himself. Through His passion, death, and resurrection, Christ suffered for us, so that we could be daughters and sons of the Father, and once again hope to share eternal life with Him. Thus, although we continue to face temptation and the effects of living in a fallen world, Jesus Christ has won the ultimate victory, and He wants us to surrender our lives to Him. In turn, He will give us the grace and power to live as His disciples, and equip us to bring our Triune God’s healing message of mercy and love to the whole world.

Fr. Riccardo did a tremendous job of speaking to the hearts of the priests at Presbyteral Days, and reminding us of the power and victory that is only found in Jesus Christ. In addition to the re-presentation of the kerygma of the Gospel, Fr. Riccardo and his team were also available for prayer ministry during one of our daily Holy Hours, for those priests who desired this opportunity.

These days were a graced time for those in attendance, and I appreciate your prayers for us while we were away. I am also grateful to Fr. Riccardo and his Acts XXIX team for providing us with a powerful reminder of God’s love, and His desire and ability to renew us with His grace and mercy.

of vocations, and encouraging young men and women to discern how the Lord is calling them to serve Him in their lives.

National Vocations Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our appreciation for the beauty of giving one’s life completely to Christ and His Church.

Sadly, those considering the priesthood or religious life are often discouraged by family or friends from pursuing a religious vocation.

However, Christ extolled celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom, and those called to this way of life are a witness to the heavenly glory to which we are all called, where there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage. In a world of fleeting and elusive pleasures, the Lord offers us true and lasting happiness, and it is when we say yes to our Triune God’s plan for our life that we will be fulfilled and know the joy that only He can give. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29).

Blessed are all of you.

In the United States, National Vocations Awareness Week is observed November 3-9, and is a time to draw attention to the importance of creating a culture

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona-Rochester

Vocations Awareness Week

November 17, Sunday 10 a.m. - Confirmation at St. Casimir Church, Wells, with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Easton; St. Teresa, Mapleton; St. John the Baptist, Minnesota Lake; St. Matthew, Vernon Center; and St. Joseph, Good Thunder November 18, Monday 3 p.m. - Sacred Heart Major Seminary Board of Trustees Meeting November 19, Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - Holy Hour & College of Consultors Meeting November 20, Wednesday 10:31 a.m. - Guest Speaker on Real Presence Catholic Radio November 21, Thursday 10 a.m. - Holy Hour & Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 2:15 p.m. - Cotter Schools Annual Founders Day Celebration - Cotter Schools, Winona November 22, Friday 8 a.m. - Teach at St. Mary’s University

From the Bishop

�ear Friends in Christ,

Sincerely in Christ,

November 23, Saturday 5 p.m. - Confirmation at St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lake City, with St. Patrick, West Albany November 24, Sunday 10 a.m. - Confirmation at St. Bernard Church, Stewartville December 3, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Holy Hour & Deans Meeting - St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea 3 p.m. - Clergy Personnel Board Meeting - St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea December 4, Wednesday 11 a.m. - Minnesota Catholic Conference - St. Paul Chancery, St. Paul December 5, Thursday 11 a.m. - Catholic Higher Education Committee Conference Call 1 p.m. - Holy Hour & Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting December 6, Friday 8 a.m. - Teach at St. Mary’s University 11:30 a.m. - Speak at Rochester Serra Club Gathering - Assisi Heights, Rochester 7 p.m. - Cor Jesu - Cathedral, Winona

November 2019 w The Courier w dowr.org

Missionary Discipleship

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The Easiest Evangelization Day of the Year Is Coming! �evenhristmas is coming (sorry, I know it isn’t Advent yet), and it is the day where

you have the most people marginally affiliated or unaffiliated to Catholicism present at your parish. We tend not to think of Christmas as an evangelization opportunity, but it is! Are there ways to increase the chances that the people who show up for Christmas may continue to attend after Christmas? Absolutely! If you are a layperson and touched by any of these ideas, volunteer your help!

11 Ways to Get People to Come to Christmas Mass and Stay

1. Do a postcard campaign to every address in your geographical parish.

Vistaprint will print and mail your postcards bulk rate with enough lead time fairly reasonably.

A consulting colleague recommends parishes do this, and he says parishes that have done it have not lost money, simply because enough new people come that the collection on Christmas makes up for it. In fact, he offers to pay for the postcard mailing if that doesn’t happen. I can’t do that, but the financial risk is limited.

Think about it.

The postcard should be attractive, fairly traditional in symbolism, welcome all, and have reconciliation and Mass times for Christmas. Ideally, the postcards should land in people's mailboxes 5-7 days before Christmas. (A similar option is to leaflet the surrounding neighborhood, which is free except for printing and wear and tear on feet!)

2. Go caroling in the neighborhood! Offer flyers to people opening doors, with a Christmas greeting and Mass times for Christmas. This is a lot of fun for families and youth groups, and perhaps a natural for after the Saturday evening Vigil Mass (or a Sunday night Mass).

A close correlate, especially if you have a lot of talented singers, is a Christmas carol flash mob at your local grocery, mall, or other heavy traffic area. Wear something that identifies your parish. Consider shouting at the end “Merry Christmas from ________ Church!

See you there!”

3) Remember that most people form their impression of a new place within the first three minutes. Hospitality ministers need to be more than polite; they need to be welcoming.

Smile and be effusive: “Good morning! Merry Christmas! How are you? It’s so good to see you! [If they look unsure:] May I help you with anything (liturgy helps, kiddie bags, where to sit, etc.)?”

The people doing this ministry should be the most outgoing, joyful people in the parish. Kids can be quite good at this, with parental help.

Be sure ushers know how to help people coming in with handicaps (needing special seating, adaptive hearing technology, etc.). Offer help before they need to ask for it, if possible.

If your parish draws people who speak other languages, having a hospitality minister who speaks that language is important.

If people are coming in through a foyer, consider having some music out there (a trio of singers, a solo musician doing familiar Christmas songs). If the weather isn’t too unbearable, this can be done outside as people come in. Christmas Eve outside singers can hold pillar candles or lanterns.

4. Consider having in the pews a half-sheet welcoming new people to the parish, and alerting them to things they may not know (where bathrooms are, cry rooms, any atypical customs the parish has, etc.). Most of all, the sheet should underline how overjoyed you are to welcome them to our communal act of worship.

5. Ushers (or hospitality ministers) should stay at the entrances of the Church to help newcomers well past the beginning of Mass. Charitably and cheerfully communicate the main church is full and direct them to where they can go.

6. Make it a beautiful Mass! Christmas Eve and “Midnight” Mass usually are beautiful; as difficult as it is (with most of the musical talents wanting to do Christmas morning at home), make the Christmas Day Mass just as good. The love of Jesus born in the Christ Child is a beautiful homily. And outsiders will feel more welcome if you include music that they know, so the traditional well known Christmas hymns will do just fine.

Just lead singing like you mean it.

7. This is important: have someone available right after every Christmas Mass to help people who are considering contacting/registering at the parish (and announce this!).

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It is wise to keep this short, so help them to fill out a very short form with the promise to be in touch after the holiday. The form even could be in the pew and returned to the people standing at the information tables.

Susan Windley-Daoust

Director of Missionary Discipleship swindley@dowr.org

Want more ideas where this came from?

What: Planning Evangelizing Christmas webinar

through

Where: online through Zoom (free) When: Friday, November 8, noon-1 p.m.

Who: pastors, church & school staff, any interested laity or religious RSVP: Michele at mklein@dowr.org; you will be sent a URL link on November 7.

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The form should ask for a name, email, phone number, and best time to call.

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Afterward, call within the week. Make the call a “getting to know you call,” as far as they will allow. Invite them to coffee at the church or in your town or in their home. Go meet them.

• Have at least two very friendly people at the registration table so there isn’t a line.

8. At announcement time, offer to people a shallow entry point to learning more about the meaning of life and Jesus Christ.

This is a great time to announce an Alpha or Christlife program (or something similar that introduces people to the basics of the faith) starting up in January. If you have a “free book” campaign, present the book and announce the study (times, how to register), assuring that people, Catholic or not, are welcome!

Since most people are stretched financially after Christmas, it would be an excellent time to introduce an adult formation night or series of nights on Christian challenges to financial stress. In fact, take registrations for any item right away, even in the pew--but, again, make any contact form short.

9. Get them back right away. Consider announcing that, for the next three days, this church is open as a respite spot. Christmas and extended family gatherings are often great fun, but we need some sacred silence in our lives as well. Invite people to come enjoy the presence of God, peace, and Christmas background music (this can be streamed through Spotify or some such) in the relative silence of the sanctuary.

10. Some people really struggle with holidays for all kinds of reasons (a recently deceased spouse, depression, homesickness, finances, etc.). Consider ways to reach out to these people and assure them God knows their pain, and they have a home in this Church. Even a word at the Christmas Mass matters.

November, 2019 w The Courier w dowr.org

11. Have a welcome party for newcomers on Epiphany.

Contact them with a personal invitation. Make it an appetizer/dessert potluck with singing carols one last time around the piano.

Unbound, cont'd from pg. 1

"I feel joy I haven't felt in a long time."

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

If you are a baptized Christian, living a life for God requires an ongoing renewal of the mind,

I just feel like the weight of fear and worry just dissipated.

I feel like I am walking closer with the Lord.

I feel like I have been freed to see myself as the Lord does, to understand what he made me to be. I have been freed from unrealistic expectations I have for myself…and much more!

Neal Lozano

I did not expect to receive so many blessings

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Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB

and freedom from God, but He gave them to me.

I went to confession at this conference, and given what we learned, it was the best confession of my entire life.

Missionary Discipleship

living in the freedom God won for us.

Supported by 18 trained prayer teams from across our diocese, as well as sacramental reconciliation, the Eucharist, and joyful worship, people received a bold refresher of what it means to live out of one’s baptism in Christ and what blocks us from doing so—our own sin, resistance to forgiving others, and allowing lies to rule our lives.

Much of Unbound is rooted in Romans 12:1-2:

trusting God and letting Him enlighten and grace us for the life he called us to live. Deliverance is a good word, Lozano said, because the entire salvation history is about the deliverance from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ.

Christ’s atonement is complete, yet we continue to live with spiritual battles.

Unbound deliverance prayer is a simple but powerful prayer where a person works through five keys in their personal history to allow God’s light and grace to flood the mind, and recognize what is not from God and renounce it as such. The first key calls one to repentance and commit to deeper faith. The second key is forgiveness, and clarifies that Jesus Christ lends us the power to forgive hard things when we do it in his name. The third key is renunciation, where a person is encouraged to say, in the name of Jesus, I renounce…items in his or her life that block a person from God. These could be lies that a person heard once (a coach saying “you’re worthless,” for example) that took root and grew and grew. These could be spirits that a person allowed in one’s life (hatred, or fear, or lust, etc.) through cooperating with them. Sins should be confessed in sacramental reconciliation. But the spirit behind the sin can and should be renounced as a tool to avoid sin in the future. The fourth key, authority, is rooted in recognizing the truth that every baptized Christian is in charge of his or her own soul.

And the fifth key, the Father’s blessing, opens us to the deepest truth about our lives: that we are beloved sons and daughters of God the Father, and he delights in each one of us.

A few comments from the post-conference evaluations captured the joy of the weekend for many:

I feel joy I haven’t felt in a long time. …now I have tools to take home with me….I felt so accepted and loved.

I’ve been 19 years sober. But my heart was stone…I have wanted to run from life and die and saw no way out. Now I am free. I am loved, lovable, worthy, good…and free in the Lord.

Leaving with hope and joy.

I was set free from 40+ years of feeling unworthy. I finally was able to forgive myself after having long ago forgiven people in my life who were abusive to me…my prayer team was an answer to my prayers.

The prayer teams were so loving and respectful, kind and trustworthy.

And, frankly, many, many more testimonials were shared. This prayer ministry will become a part of our diocese in the next few weeks, and we are grateful to God for his goodness, for Heart of the Father Ministries, and so many human helpers for the training leading to this conference.

November 2019 w The Courier w dowr.org

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¡Viva Cristo Rey! Bl .M

Life, Marriage & Family

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This article appeared in a collection of reflections on the Solemnity of Christ the King, posted to the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (usccb.org). It is reprinted here with permission.

By SR. THERESA MARIE NGUYEN, O.P. Who is this King of glory?

�

–Psalm 24:10

“¡ iva, Cristo Rey!” was the resounding battle cry of the Cristeros in their struggle against the violent imposition of a secularist, anti-Catholic, anti-clerical state in Mexico during La Cristiada (1926-1929), a war described by Graham Greene as “the fiercest persecution of religion anywhere since the reign of Elizabeth.” “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” was also the final confession on the lips of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, a martyr of the Cristeros war. He was not a resistance fighter but a Catholic priest of wit and courage who selflessly ran a clandestine ministry during the treacherous reign of President Plutarco Calles. In 1927, Father Miguel was falsely charged and sentenced to death without due trial for the attempted assassination of Mexico’s former president,

President Álvaro Obregón. The photographs of his execution were ordered by President Calles and were intended to show the cowardly death of a Catholic priest. Ironically, what has been seared into our collective historical memory is the very opposite of what Calles intended. The photographs immortalize an otherworldly truth.

Both literally and figuratively, Father Miguel’s life and death take the form of the cross. With arms outstretched in cruciform, rosary in one hand and a crucifix in the other, facing the firing squad with fierce and fearless serenity, Miguel Pro defied every worldly power. It is said that he cried out in a clear and steady voice, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” just as the bullets riddled his body.

As with the Cristeros war, our fight to protect religious freedom today is a fight for the right to live and love, to serve and worship the one true God. Like Bl. Miguel Pro, we too seek to testify to the truth of the kingship of Jesus Christ in all of life. When we confess with our lips and know in our hearts that Christ is Lord and King, we come to experience the “glorious freedom of the children of God” (Rm 8:21) just as Blessed Miguel Pro and the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us experienced.

This year’s Solemnity of Christ the King occurs one day after the 92nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro. May this Solemnity of the King of kings and Lord of lords as well as its prelude in the anniversary of Blessed Miguel Pro’s death remind us of the true King who stoops to wash our feet, who turns the other cheek, who reigns from the cross with a mighty scepter of love, and who wields the powers of mercy and forgiveness and lays down his life for love of us. His kingdom is not of this world (Jn 18:36) but of the next. May we always keep that at the forefront of our minds. “¡Viva, Cristo Rey!” Sr. Theresa Marie Chau Nguyen, O.P., PhD. is an assistant professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston and a Dominican Sister of Mary Immaculate Province.

Peter Martin

Director of Faith Formation and Life, Marriage & Family pmartin@dowr.org

On October 3, 2019, Bishop Quinn, with others including seminarians from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and students from St. Mary's University, held a 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in Rochester. The group prayed the Rosary outdoors before walking to St. Pius X Church for a Holy Hour.

A free webinar to help parents, young adults and youth break free from the onslaught of pornography:

The Challenge November 14, 2019 11 a.m.

This free, live webinar will present practical steps to help youth and young adults face the reality of pornified culture and have victory. We will present a realistic approach to the problem, with help for parents and church leaders.

Who is this for?

Everyone who cares about youth and young adults, including parents, church leaders and youth themselves. Parents of very young children (or who have no children at all) will also benefit greatly from the webinar as an opportunity to get ahead of the curve of the pornified culture.

Register online: bit.ly/The-Challenge-RAAP

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God and Mammon

Staying Mindful of Consumerism on Black Friday and All Year Round

This month's column is written

by KAYLA BURCK, a student at Saint Mary's University, who is serving as an intern for Lay Formation & RCIA this fall semester.

-Todd Graff No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

-Luke 16:13

�reetings of Peace, and Happy November!

When I think of November, my initial thoughts go

to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I get to spend quality time with my family and eat some great food. Come on; what’s not to like about it?

My family traditions for Thanksgiving always included volunteering with my mom and our parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society to pack up dinners for friends and families in need, as well as sharing, at our family meal, one thing I was thankful for that year. Our family’s traditions are nothing special and are probably very similar to all of yours. But what is special about them, for me, is that they serve as reminders that we need to be more thankful for what we have instead of focusing on what we do not.

Unfortunately, there has been a great distraction that has been getting in the way of this perspective. It is consumerism –

mentality is to look out for themselves and to get everything that’s on their list with little to no regard for others. There is great spiritual danger in this selfish mentality.

As Pope Francis affirms, the way to escape this trap is to “free ourselves from the clutches of consumerism” and the desires of “wanting more” and “never being satisfied” with what we have. If we do not do this, consumerism is going to grip us ever tighter and tempt us to keep our “hearts closed to the needs of the poor."

But, there’s more to consider. Not only is consumerism the enemy of generosity, it is also the enemy of the environment. The clutches of consumerism are so tight that, for many, “life’s meaning is found in possessing ... an excess of material objects” (Pope Francis, 12-24-2018). They tend to believe that “they are free as long as they have the supposed freedom to consume” which just leads many to over-consume the resources of the earth in “an excessive and disordered way” (Laudato Sí, #203 [Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, #37]).

The effects of consumerism are “making our earth less rich and beautiful,” and we tend to think that “we can substitute an irreplaceable and irretrievable beauty with something which we have created ourselves” (Laudato Sí, #34).

Pope Francis has declared the month of September through early October to be the “Season of Creation” – a time to celebrate and protect God’s gift of creation. We need to continue to live out this message beyond this designated time and especially during the Christmas shopping season.

The reality is that many of the gifts purchased are either tossed or returned. It would be nice to think that those gifts being returned are not being wasted, but that is not always the case, as many are returned damaged or the store cannot put them back on the shelves for various reasons. This means that a lot of these items will end up in landfills. We must be conscious in our purchases to help eliminate the amount of waste we are producing just from Christmas gifts alone, and to make sure we are not buying items just to have them but are discerning our purchases with thought and care.

It is important to note, as I conclude, that by no means am I trying to shame those who participate in Black Friday. I just want to call our attention to the realities and possible dangers associated with consumerism and how it relates to this particular day and to the Christmas season. When we go out shopping, we must be conscious and “not be fooled by those who see [us] as just another consumer” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7-17-2008).

When we are not conscious and discerning of this, we risk losing our Christian identity. For we are no longer serving and following our Savior as his disciples, but instead serving the world as its consumers.

Lay Formation & RCIA

Todd Graff

Director of Lay Formation & RCIA tgraff@dowr.org

excessive spending to buy more than we need. As Pope Francis warns us in his encyclical Laudato Sí, the market will “promote extreme consumerism” in hopes that it will sell more products. And, influenced by such promotion, “people can easily get caught up in a whirlwind of needless buying and spending” and end up with way more than they actually need (#203).

A huge contributor to consumerism, and which helps to fuel it, is the so-called “holiday” which follows Thanksgiving. “Black Friday” is typically viewed as the first day of Christmas shopping, and retailers offer special reduced prices for their products.

Black Friday has been overshadowing Thanksgiving for awhile now. This trend only seems to get worse as stores start their sales earlier and earlier with each passing year. Some stores are now even offering “door busters” on Thanksgiving morning. Consumerism has taken such a hold that the name “Brown Thursday” has been coined for Thanksgiving Day itself. A holiday in America that is all about giving thanks and being grateful for what we have is becoming for some of us merely an “opening act” for the “main event” on Friday.

Last year in a homily he gave on “Cyber Monday” (Black Friday’s online equivalent), Pope Francis warned the Church about the “terrible disease of consumerism” that is “the enemy of generosity."

When I have gone out shopping on Black Friday, I have continually witnessed the spirit of generosity being thrown out the window as I see people push others out of the way, crowd the workers who are trying to get the deal ready on the store floor, block people in line at the check-out, cut people off in the parking lot, and take products out of other carts because the store has run out of the item. And this is not even the worst of it. Many news segments have highlighted people getting into fist fights over a toy or an electronics item, as well as people getting trampled and seriously injured when store doors are first opened.

It is necessary to point out that not everyone who goes out on Black Friday is selfish, and that many people are even buying gifts for those in need. Unfortunately, for many, the more prevalent

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Christian spirituality proposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life ... one capable of deep enjoyment free of the obsession with consumption... It is the conviction that "less is more" ... Christian spirituality proposes a growth marked by moderation and the capacity to be happy with little. It is a return to that simplicity which allows us to stop and appreciate the small things, to be grateful for the opportunities which life affords us, to be spiritually detached from what we possess, and not to succumb to sadness for what we lack.

-Pope Francis, Laudato Sí, #222

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Vocations

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A Prayer for Vocations �his

year, November 3-9, 2019, is National Vocations Awareness Week. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops' website describes this week as: ...an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

The Church is always seeking to promote the life of holiness in her members. Each of us will find the path to holiness by living out our vocation. Each of us is living in a state of life right now where holiness is possible, and, even if we are not married or living a religious vocation right now, God still uses our state in life to draw us to Himself. God has a plan for your life! Trust in His ways and not in circumstances that would be more ideal in your mind.

This month, I would like to share with you our Diocese of Winona-Rochester Prayer for Vocations. All parishes are asked to consider how they might pray more intentionally for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Before the prayer, I would like to share with you some startling statistics pertaining to the Catholic Church in the United States, provided by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA): • Since the year 2000, there are 9,119 fewer priests.

• In 2018, there were 3,363 parishes without a resident pastor (19% of total parishes).

Yet, over the last 20 years, there have been an average of 477 ordinations in the U.S. per year. If every parish produced one vocation to the priesthood, how startlingly different these numbers would appear to be. Is there a vocation in the making in your parish or family?

Keep praying for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in our diocese!

Diocese of Winona-Rochester Prayer for Vocations Loving Father, source of all that is good, we beg you to look upon us with mercy and love.

As your beloved sons and daughters, redeemed in the blood of Jesus Christ, we seek to do your will in every action of our lives.

We beg you now to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and help each member of this diocese to live out the call to holiness given to them in baptism.

Please grant us many priests and consecrated persons to serve Your Church, strong and holy marriages that serve as a sign of Your self-giving love, and single men and women who are intent on living out Your plan for their lives.

Let each of us be more deeply conformed to Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Help us to live in holiness and love, keep us on the path You have marked out for us, which leads to eternal life with You. May Your grace be abundant as we rejoice in hope and confidently trust in Your Divine Providence each day.

With grateful hearts, we ask this prayer through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord, forever and ever.

Amen.

Rev. Jason Kern Director of Vocations jkern@dowr.org

Thank you to all the faithful men and women of God across our diocese who have contributed financially and spiritually to us seminarians. The support we have received from all of you throughout the years does not go unnoticed as we keep you all in prayer, knowing we would not be able to be where we are without your extraordinary generosity. Please know that it is with great joy that we anticipate serving all of you as future priests. May God richly bless you for your encouragement and support.

-Michael Churchill Pastoral Year

Thank you

for supporting the Seminarian Burse!

The generosity of donors to the Seminarian Burse fund in our diocese is not only helpful but inspiring. Your generosity has had a great effect on my life in seminary as it has relieved some of the financial burden we seminarians take on as we enter into the discernment process during our time in seminary formation. In addition, your generosity has inspired me to do my best in seminary and to be generous with God as you have been generous with me. Thank you all.

-David Kruse Theology III

Thank you

for supporting the Seminarian Burse!

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Transform November into

Monica Herman

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

The following article, along with this page's Stewardship Saint for November and Stewardship Prayer for November, first appeared in the November 2014 issue of Catholic Stewardship, the e-bulletin of the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

�

ery soon Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving, a time when so much is devoted to sumptuous meals highlighted by turkey and pumpkin pie, traveling to and from the ancestral home, enjoying family, feasting on leftovers, seeing a Thanksgiving Day parade and watching football.

For many of us, Thanksgiving Day is so full of activity that there is a tendency to forget what’s at the heart of Thanksgiving: offering our thanks to God for the many gifts that have been bestowed upon us. Although sometimes the reason for the holiday is forgotten in our secular culture, good stewards of their life and faith recognize that Thanksgiving should be directed primarily in God’s direction.

Because the “busyness” of Thanksgiving Day can easily distract us from slowing down to a pace more suitable to adequately expressing our

Congratulations!

Since our Last Printing, the following parishes have met their goals for the 2019 Catholic Ministries Appeal:

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Winona Holy Spirit Rochester St. Patrick Brownsville St. Pius X Rochester

gratitude to God, perhaps this November we might allow Thanksgiving to permeate our lives for more than just a day. How about the entire month?

Expressing gratitude is at the heart of good stewardship. So, let’s dedicate a little time each day in November to giving thanks for our blessings.

Begin with November 1 and 2, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Spend a few minutes each of those days thanking God for all the people in your life who have gone before you. Then, each day thereafter, set aside a few minutes to remember all that God has given you and say, “Thank you.”

Take part of a day and walk down a woodland path. Express your gratitude for the beauty of God’s autumn creation.

Take a minute each day to thank the people in your life who matter to you. Tell them you’re thankful for them. Drop someone a note, place a short phone call or even text them! Telling people you’re thankful for them will enrich your life as well as theirs.

Make a point to attend at least one Mass outside the regular weekend Masses. Going to Mass on Thanksgiving morning is an excellent way to enrich that holiday. As a community of faith, we know that giving glory to God in this way is an important aspect of our communal life of faith.

Transform the month of November into a month of Thanksgiving. If you do, you will find your celebration of Thanksgiving Day a richer and fuller experience than you could have imagined.

In fact, you just might discover that your overall happiness with life improves. May this month

A Stewardship Prayer for November

Gracious and loving God, as the autumn season continues its transformation; and the days become shorter, the earth cooler; as we anticipate joining family and friends in joyful celebration on Thanksgiving Day, we pause to give You thanks and praise for the abundant blessings You have bestowed upon us: For life and health, safety and comfort, food and nourishment, we are sincerely grateful.

Through your Spirit, open our hearts so that we may be even better stewards of these rich and unmerited gifts.

Show us how to be a blessing for the poor, sick, lonely and all who suffer.

And help us nurture the gift of faith, revealed to us by your Son, Jesus Christ, our greatest gift, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen.

of Thanksgiving be not only a time when we say, “Thank You,” to God, family and neighbor, but a time when our hearts draw us much closer to the Lord.

Catholic Foundation

A Month of Thanksgiving

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Stewardship Saint for November

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini St. Frances Cabrini was the first American citizen to be elevated to sainthood.

Born in northern Italy in 1850, she was one of 13 children. When she was 18, she wanted to become a nun but was unable because of poor health. She worked on a farm with family members until she was asked to teach in a girls’ school, which she did for six years. Her bishop asked her to establish a religious community, and she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals.

Sister Frances Cabrini dreamt of being a missionary in China, but Pope Leo XIII had other plans for her. He asked her to travel to the United States of America and minister to the Italian immigrant community. She made that journey in 1889 with six members of her community.

Said to have possessed remarkable administrative abilities, Frances Cabrini was responsible for the establishment of nearly 70 orphanages, schools and hospitals, scattered over eight countries in Europe, North America and Latin America.

Much can be learned about Mother Cabrini because of the letters and diaries she left behind. A very prayerful person, she was able to accomplish in her work what others said could not be done.

And even as she was maintaining schools and hospitals and in charge of hundreds of nuns, she was ever mindful to care for the poor, the homeless and immigrants who were without jobs.

Frances Cabrini’s legacy continues today through the Missionary Sisters and their lay collaborators, and in the innumerable religious institutions that bear her name. Her charism continues to inspire thousands who serve the poor in schools, hospitals and other ministries around the world.

St. Frances Cabrini died in Chicago on December 23, 1917, at the age of 67. She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1946. She is the patron saint of immigrants, and her feast is celebrated on November 13.

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Thank You, Birthparents! �ovember

Catholic Charities

is National Adoption Month, and this month we would like to acknowledge the birthparents who made the selfless decision to place their child for adoption. We often highlight the stories of joy as adoptive families bring a new baby into their home and create new memories. It is important to remember that behind every joyful new adoptive family are birthparents who made a difficult choice to place their child into a new home.

I have worked with numerous birthparents over my years as a pregnancy, parenting and adoption social worker at Catholic Charities, and I have never encountered an expectant parent who did not love the baby they were placing for adoption. Each birthparent has a different story, but it is always centered around wanting more for their baby than what they can provide. Birthparents often want their baby to have two parents who can provide love, a stable home, and opportunities that they cannot give the child. Some are young, others are in difficult circumstances that do not allow them to raise a child

God Always Has a Plan

By BEN and SAM OLSEN

�

ive years ago, we sat in church and listened to a fellow congregation member talk about their adoption experience. Throughout the entire talk, there was an overwhelming feeling that adoption was the path we were supposed to take. God was talking to us, but we didn’t listen. We would argue that our adoption journey started at that moment in

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how they would otherwise want to. So many have told me that placing their child for adoption was the most difficult thing they have ever done, but also a decision they are proud of years later. Choosing adoption allows the birthparent to continue pursuing their goals while simultaneously ensuring the child is well cared for. With open adoption, birthparents, the adoptive family, and the child stay in contact through letters, pictures or visits.

At Catholic Charities, we support both parenting and adoption. We help men and women thoughtfully explore their options and confidently pursue the plan they choose for their child. Pregnancy counseling is provided at no cost to expectant parents or those with new babies. We respect those who choose adoption, and we also know that some expectant parents just need some support in order to raise their child. For those who decide to raise their baby, we offer parenting education, baby items, and assistance in accessing community resources. Those who choose adoption receive counseling, have the option to select the adoptive family for their child, and receive support at the hospital and long after baby is born.

If you or someone you know has questions about parenting support or adoption, call our social workers at 800-222-5859.

church. This is despite the fact that we didn’t actually start the process of adoption until years later, after numerous medical appointments, tests and failed infertility treatments.

Once we found an adoption agency that was the right fit, the home study process took about a year to complete. We were devastated to learn that it could take anywhere from one to four (or more) years for our family of two to become a family of three. We had already been waiting to start our family for four years; we didn’t want to wait another potential four years.

We filled our time with travel, time at the lake and going on adventures with family and friends; and the time seemed to fly by.

After only four months of being a family “in waiting," on a beautiful summer day, driving home from work, we unexpectedly had a phone call from our social worker. The conversation that followed is one that will never be forgotten—an expectant mom wanted to meet with us.

The two weeks leading up to our meeting were filled with anxiety and unknowns: What should we say? Would she like us? What would she want to ask us? We had no idea that the day we met - and the moment we hugged - would change all of our lives forever.

We are forever tied together by a bond not many understand. We left the meeting humbled, honored and in disbelief that we would bring home our precious daughter in less than a month. We stayed in constant contact over the next three weeks as we all (quickly) prepared for the birth of our daughter.

Our beautiful daughter came into the world very quickly two days after her due date. We were incredibly honored to be part of the hospital experience.

Our daughter’s birth mom, family and friends were able to spend two hours with her before we arrived, and we are so grateful that they had those moments with her to make their own memories. We spent the next day in the hospital, going back and forth to one another’s rooms and spending precious time together.

Sarah Vetter, LSW

Director of Pregnancy, Parenting & Adoption Catholic Charities of Southern MN

Catholic Charities' Annual Adoption Day Celebration Saturday, November 9, 2019 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

St. Bridget's Catholic Church 2123 County Road 16 SE Rochester, MN 55904 Potluck lunch - Bring a dish to share! Cookies & beverages provided. Clown show & face painting at 12:30.

RSVP to Karissa (507-287-2047 x36 or kwilson@ ccsomn.org) with number attending.

While we felt overwhelming feelings of happiness and gratitude, our heart ached for the upcoming hospital discharge and goodbye. We hoped and prayed that we would stay in contact with our daughter’s birth mom, but prepared our hearts for a closed adoption at her request.

As always, God has a plan; our closed adoption very quickly became an open adoption. We communicate regularly with text messages, pictures, videos, gifts in the mail and visits. Our daughter's birth mom was invited to our daughter’s first birthday party, and we celebrated her and the journey that we are all on together, surrounded by our family and friends.

As the years pass, our journey will change and look different than it does today, but one thing remains true: we are family, tied together by an amazing, beautiful bond.

Sometimes we kick ourselves for not listening when God was talking to us in church that day.

But then we remember that journey wasn’t ours, because it would not have led us to our beautiful daughter and her amazing birthmom. That experience taught us one of life’s most important lessons: God always has a plan.

Ben and Sam Olsen became parents with the help of Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.

Praised Be Jesus Christ! 11 �his summer was full of the Lord’s grace,

bearing much fruit, and sheltered under our Lady’s protection. One particular way in which the Church bore fruit was through the mission trips undertaken.

Many parishes this summer had the opportunity to take trips to places throughout the country and to serve those most in need. Perhaps most importantly, these were precious moments that allowed the youth to avail themselves to Jesus Christ and to strike deep relationships with their peers and chaperones.

I had the opportunity to go down to Kansas City with youth from the Rochester area. We helped pick up debris and fix up a large property near Lawrence, KS, which was struck by a tornado not too long before we arrived. The high school youth were able to be at Mass almost every day and experienced the beauty of the Church’s liturgy, particularly on the Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist. There was a time during the trip that the high schoolers were able to pray specifically with each other, and it was beautiful to

at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:3-8 NRSVCE).

Today, Let us give our neighbor the blessed name of our Savior, our only possession, Jesus Christ.

Youth & Young Adults

Aaron Lofy

Director of Youth & Young Adults, alofy@dowr.org

see the Holy Spirit pour His loving fire upon each of them.

Mission trips do serve people in need and unveil Christ in the poor to many youth who have never experienced material desperation. Yet, as Mother Teresa understood very clearly, America does not suffer primarily from material poverty, but from a very real spiritual poverty. To bring Christ to the poor of our country by our prayer and our simple presence is powerful testimony to the love of God. Not every youth group or parish is ready for a mission trip. The Lord did not send His disciples until they had encountered and walked with Him. We can do all the service trips in the world, but if we do not have love, if we do not have Jesus Christ, then nothing is gained (1 Corinthians 13). Nearly all of the saints who have gone on mission have spent a significant period of their life in intimate solitude with God (St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola).

St. Peter in the third chapter of the Acts of the Apostles presents a clear image of what mission is all about when he encounters the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Mission starts with the beauty of a soul, a soul that has nothing but the Lord.

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.

And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look

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Faith in the Public Arena

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Integral Ecology

An Antidote to Environmentalist Pseudo Religion �atholic social teaching is not a set of policy prescriptions or an attempt to tell

people how to vote. Rather, it is a mental framework through which we address challenging social problems in light of the Gospel.

Understanding and putting into practice Catholic social teaching (CST) is vital to address the challenges of creation stewardship without falling into the environmental activism today that often mimics religious apocalypticism.

When people are putting a collection of plants in the middle of a room and confessing their ecological sins to them or declaring that they will have fewer or no children out of principle, something is going off the rails.

Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ speaks into this moment by integrating the need to care for both human persons and the environment through a re-presentation of CST he calls “integral ecology.”

Integral ecology is the framework we need to properly order the religious impulse (particularly among young people) in the environmental movement, while also respecting the dignity of the human person.

Religion in the Guise of Politics

Every policy issue, from abortion to carbon emissions, is woven into the web of relationships or ecosystems in which we live.

The environmental debate once focused primarily on the need for oil companies and big business to curtail their waste and pollution. Now it has reached its logical conclusion: radical measures that seek to change the way people live their daily lives, and in particular their reproduction and consumption habits.

That change is based upon certain predictions about the world as we know it coming to an end in 12 years.

To forestall this environmental

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catastrophe, we need to confess our ecological sins to mother earth, repent, and make all sorts of atonements. According to some, having babies, consuming meat, and flying in planes all need to go.

We can write all of this off as crazy and ignore it, turn up the air conditioner, and eat a big greasy burger. But what we really need to do instead is re-frame the conversation and evangelize.

As it turns out, the environmentalists are often right; there are serious environmental crises that need to be addressed, including climate change, deforestation, the global competition for scarce natural resources, the lack of access to clean water, and the pollution of the seas.

The question is, what principles and worldview are brought to bear on the problems? Will it be that which says “Save the planet—kill yourself,” and “Leave no trace,” or another that integrates the well-being of persons and care for our common home—“Leave the right trace”?

The Promise of Integral Ecology

Entrepreneur Andreas Widmer, a professor at Catholic University of America, describes CST as a “mental model” for well-formed Catholics to bring to bear on the problems they encounter in the various societies in which they live.

Popes Francis and Benedict XVI have brought more clarity to this mental model by re-framing it as “integral ecology.” The metaphor of an ecosystem highlights a) the importance of protecting life and promoting its flourishing as a foundational principle, and b) the connectedness and interdependence of persons with one another and the natural environment—our common home.

Every policy issue, from abortion to carbon emissions, is woven into the web of relationships or ecosystems in which we live. Pope Francis says in Laudato Si’ that “[w]e are not faced with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.”

Jason Adkins

Executive Director Minnesota Catholic Conference

We would all do well to consider the public square something of a “political ecosystem,” acknowledging that no one issue stands or falls on its own.

For example, one cannot look at abortion in isolation from questions related to family stability and economic security. Immigration must be viewed through the lens of keeping families together. Stopping assisted suicide requires that we ensure access to health care for the poor, disabled, and those in rural areas. And we can’t fight water pollution without connecting it to the false dominion we seek to impose on our bodies when we use copious amounts of contraceptive hormones.

As Pope Francis says, “everything is connected.”

Integral ecology, then, is the mental construct, or decoder glasses, from which we can think through our problems—namely, what God has revealed to us about our identity and our relationships, and our discernment regarding his providential ordering of creation.

We cannot fail to see the evangelical opportunities inherent in our predicament, especially with young people who expect their faith communities to be leaders on creation stewardship. We can and must speak into this evangelical moment and inspire others to get engaged on these questions—for the sake of the Gospel.

Deepen your understanding of integral ecology.

To learn more about how our human and natural environments are integrally connected, and how you can answer the call to care for all of creation, visit www.MNCatholic.org/OurCommonHome.

There, you can download or place bulk orders of Minnesota, Our Common Home, a new educational resource produced by the Minnesota Catholic Conference. This document explores integral ecology and the key principles discussed in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, and translates them into a local context.

Also, available soon, are small group study guides (and leader guides) for use in parishes, communities, and other small group settings. This will allow you to examen, discuss, and delve more deeply into the teachings of “Laudato Si’” and how to apply these principles to your life. You’ll also be able to order copies of an “Ecological Examen” to help you review your life in light of the ecological conversion to which Laudato Si’ calls us.

What Is the Status of the SSPX Today?

Jenna Cooper

�he Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) was originally

Ask a Canon Lawyer

Tribunal Coordinator & Judge jcooper@dowr.org

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only meant that the offending bishops were no longer excommunicated, not that they could exercise their ministry as bishops in good standing.

Perhaps surprisingly, it has been Pope Francis who has taken the most radical steps in attempting to reconcile the SSPX with the wider Church.

Most strikingly, in 2016, as a special privilege for the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis decreed that priests of the SSPX would be able to hear confessions and absolve sins validly. Then at the close of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis indicated that this favor would be on-going.

Similarly, in 2017, at the Pope’s behest the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome indicated that, with certain conditions in place, it could be possible to have a valid Catholic wedding within an SSPX community. Specifically, since in the pre-Vatican II liturgy the actual “wedding” part of a nuptial Mass was celebrated before the Mass proper, the CDF letter allows the local bishop—at his own discretion and according to his own prudential pastoral judgement—to delegate a diocesan priest, or any local priest in good standing, to officially witness the matrimonial consent of the couple. Afterwards, a SSPX priest may celebrate the Mass that customarily follows. If there are extraordinary pastoral circumstances, the bishop may delegate a SSPX priest to witness the consent as well, although the 2017 letter from the CDF clearly envisions this as an unusual exception.

founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970, in the years immediately following Vatican II, as a sort of religious order dedicated to continuing the celebration of the liturgy as it existed before the updates made by the second Vatican Council. (This older form of the Mass is sometimes called the “Tridentine Mass,” since it dates back to the ecumenical Council of Trent in the sixteenth century.

Today it is technically called the “Extraordinary Form” of the Mass, but some people informally refer to it as the “Traditional Latin Mass.”)

Serious problems arose in 1988 when Archbishop Lefebvre ordained four new bishops without a Pontifical mandate, i.e., without the permission of the Pope. Ordaining bishops without a Pontifical mandate is an extremely serious canoniArchbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1981 cal crime that carries with it the penalty of an automatic excommunication, for both the bishop apostles—because the bishop who serves in a doing the ordaining as well as for the new bishops lawfully-assigned capacity has himself received who consented to receiving this kind of illegal ordination. Such actions are typically described as his authority from a higher power, namely the “schismatic,” because they have the Pope, Christ’s Vicar on earth. potential to create deep and long- The popes of Consequently, for many years lasting rifts within the Church. priests of the SSPX were unable to However, even though such recent times, absolve sins outside of danger of ordinations are illicit, meaning they death situations, or to celebrate acting as true are forbidden by canon law, they weddings validly. are still valid, meaning that the shepherds, have sacrament did in fact “work.” Since So, Are the SSPX “Okay” Now? Steps Toward Reconciliation Archbishop Lefebvre and his new made many These recent favors on the part of Pope Francis bishops were undeterred by their The popes of recent times, acting as actions ... to help are, hopefully, steps on the way towards the excommunications, they continued true shepherds, have made many SSPX’s reunion with Rome. But the unfortunate on with their projects in the SSPX, reconcile the actions and gestures designed to fact of the matter is that the SSPX are not currentillicitly ordaining new priests and help reconcile the SSPX, and the ly in full communion with the universal Church. celebrating other sacraments. The SSPX ... with the Catholic faithful who associate Therefore, many of the sacraments they celebrate consequence of the bishops’ unlawthemselves with the SSPX, with the universal Church. are still illicit. ful ministry is that, although SSPX universal Church.

And so while it is not, strictly speaking, a priests are validly ordained priests, For instance, in 1988, Pope canonical crime for a lay Catholic to attend an they are considered “irregular,” meaning that they John Paul II canonically established the Priestly SSPX Mass, this does not mean that Catholics lack the good standing in canon law to exercise Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), a cleriare encouraged or have “permission” their priestly ministry in a canonically permissible cal community which was initially D to attend such Masses. Although way. o yo made up of former SSPX priests q u e u hav the Church tries to be merciful In principle, the irregularity of SSPX clergy e a who desired to come into full cano s t i o n to those who find themselves also affects the sacraments they administer. A abo n la communion with Rome. Today, y u o w in difficult moral, spiritual, u SSPX priest can consecrate the Eucharist validly, that t wou priests of the FSSP celebrate t o l and emotional circumstancd but a SSPX Mass is still illicit. Or in other words, se the Extraordinary Form of h e r e answ l i k e es with regard to the SSPX, while such a Mass is valid, it is celebrated without the Mass in a fully licit and j c o o e ? E m ered spiritually healthy Catholics the appropriate permission, which is a problem per@ a regular canonical situation. i should understand and because this gravely undermines the unity and l with d In 2007, Pope Benedict " C o o w r. o r g appreciate how important obedience which is so central to the foundation of que u XVI published Summorum stio r i e r the Catholic Church. full communion with the Pontificum, a document the s n " i n And unlike the Eucharist, other sacraments, Bishop of Rome truly is. ubje which allowed any priest in ct such as marriage and the sacrament of penance, Besides this, Catholics who line good standing to celebrate the are dependent upon the permission of the proper are drawn to the older form of .

Mass according to the pre-Vatican authority (generally the properly-appointed local the liturgy have many legitimate II form (a special permission called bishop) for validity. Or in other words, a priest options for attending Mass in the an “indult” having been needed prior to can only witness a couple’s consent to marry, or extraordinary form. this). In 2009 Pope Benedict also lifted the canoniimpart absolution in confession, because he has In the meantime, we can certainly include the directly and explicitly received the authority to cal penalty of excommunication from the bishops SSPX in our prayers when we pray for the unity of do so from a bishop—that is, a successor to the ordained by Archbishop Lefebvre—although this all Christians.

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Obituaries

In the Diocese

Sister Claudette Hudalla, SSND, 93, professed in 1949, died October 3, 2019, in Notre Dame Health Care, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mankato.

A native of St. Paul, she graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1943. She entered the SSND Candidature in 1946 and professed first vows in 1949. After a few years as a middle-grade and junior high teacher, she taught English and business courses to high school students in Minnesota and North Dakota and also coached speech and debate, as well as directing drama productions. She also spent a number of years as an ESL teacher at Divine Word Seminary in Epworth, IA; at the SSND Motherhouse in Budapest Hungary; and at ESL centers in St. Paul. In the Diocese of Winona-Rochester she taught at Good Counsel Academy, Mankato (1957-62), and Loyola High School, Mankato (1970-76 and 1978-81).

She is survived by her sister Marlene Yarusso; her sister-in-law, Mary; her nieces and nephews and their families; her friends, colleagues and former students; and her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Dorothy (Cavegn) Hudalla; her sisters

The Courier Crossword

By W.R. CHESTER Across

Sister LaVerne, OSB, and Dorothy Barrett; and her brothers, Leo, Robert and Gene.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated October 8 at Good Counsel, with Fr. Gene Stenzel as presider, followed by burial of her cremains in Good Counsel Cemetery.

Sister Mary Lonan Reilly, 93, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on October 8, 2019.

Mary Gladys Reilly was born February 8, 1926, in Alvord, IA, to Bernard and Mary (O’Meara) Reilly. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1946 from Saint Martin Parish in Huron, SD. Sister Mary Lonan made first vows in 1949 and perpetual vows in 1952. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, in 1969. She attended Notre Dame University, where she received a master’s degree in history (1965) and a Ph.D. in history (1970).

Sister Mary Lonan taught in several Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester: St. Augustine, Austin; Cathedral School, Winona; St. Mary, Caledonia; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Wilmont; and Cotter High School, Winona.

She also taught four years at St. Juliana School in Chicago, IL. After completing her Ph.D. she served 11 years as a history professor at the College of St. Teresa, Winona, and then as the executive assistant to the president of CST for six years.

From 1987 to 1994, she served as the academic dean at Rivier College in Nashua, NH. Sister Mary Lonan is survived by her Franciscan Congregation, with whom she shared life for 73 years, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James, Earl and Matthew Reilly; and sisters, Rose Norquist and Sister Marcella Reilly, OSF.

18. Eucharist

19. One who bears testimony

22. Temporary state of temporal punishment

3. Patron of Ukraine

Thank You for Supporting Catholic Charities' Annual Baby Bottle Campaign!

Parishioners across the diocese come together every October, Respect Life Month, to support women choosing life for their babies. Each baby bottle that was taken home and filled with change will improve the lives of mothers with new babies in our diocese.

9. Making a defense

11. Son of Abraham 13. That of which 16. Canticle of and Sara Christ is king Zachary 12. Michael's 14. Patroness of 17. Family tree church music Mexican maniin Matthew & festation Luke 15. Mass for repose Last Month's Answers

21. First gospel writer

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cont'd from pg. 2

ourselves, and it can work wonders if we abandon our comforting certainties, if we leave our safe harbours and our cosy nests. Faith increases by giving, and grows by taking risks,” he said.

The canonizations took place as the Church celebrates an “Extraordinary Missionary Month” dedicated to prayer and reflection on the missionary work of the Church, as well as the Synod of Bishops on the Pan-Amazonian Region, taking place at the Vatican Oct. 6-27.

“The Lord sets our hearts free and heals them if only we ask him, only if we say to him: ‘Lord, I believe you can heal me. Dear Jesus, heal me from being caught up in myself. Free me from evil and fear,’” Pope Francis said at the canonization.

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Sister Mary Donald Miller, SSND, 92, professed in 1948, died October 14, 2019 in Notre Dame Health Care, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mankato.

A native of St. Paul, she graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1945. She entered the SSND Candidature that same year and professed first vows in 1948. She was an elementary grade teacher and principal in several Minnesota Catholic Schools. In the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, she taught eighth grade and was principal at St. Casimir, Wells (1962-66); was principal at St. Stanislaus, Winona, and later superintendent of the Winona Catholic Schools (1975-1993); and was an administrator in the Mankato Area Catholic School System (1993-2004). She was also a member of the education department for the Mankato campus of Mount Mary College (1966-1975) and was the founder of the Good Counsel Reading Center (now known as the Good Counsel Learning Center).

She is survived by her nieces and nephews and their families; her friends, colleagues and former students; and her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Barbara (Smith) Miller; her sister, Marguerite Smith; and her brothers, Douglas, Fred, Tom and Don. Her funeral Mass was celebrated October 21 at Good Counsel, with Fr. Gene Stenzel as presider, followed by burial in Good Counsel Cemetery.

Newman,

4. Madison Lake & New Richland Down patronal feast 1. To play sweetly 6. Early Christian 2. Holy Helper of philosophers symbol 7. German for 'church'

The Funeral Mass was Monday, October 14, 2019, in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at Assisi Heights, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, Rochester.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55901.

20. Five lines and four spaces

Catholic Charities Mother and Child Assistance Fund helps families in need by paying a portion of rent, utilities, medical bills or other needs. In addition to financial assistance, social workers help new parents create a plan for their baby and connect to the resources they need. Baby items, pregnancy counseling, adoption planning and parenting education are also available at no cost to parents. Every donation truly makes a difference!

Thank you to all who donated and to those who coordinated the campaign at your parish, school or faith formation program. We could not reach so many women without you!

If you would like to make a donation to the Mother and Child Assistance Fund, checks can be sent to Catholic Charities Mother and Child Assistance Fund, PO Box 379, Winona, MN 55987.

I Am Most Grateful

Fund Aids Work of Social Justice

By JEANETTE FORTIER

�hen composing the article for the October

� ost parishioners are aware of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) that conJordan Danielson (right) received a scholarship from the W-RDCCW during its fall convention at St. Bernard Church, Stewartville, on Sept. 28.

I am grateful for women who correct me when I’m wrong and encourage me to learn more.

I am grateful for those women who cradle babies, encourage children and befriend our youth.

After the celebration of our Fall Convention, I have two special gratitudes: I am grateful for Jordan Danielson, a senior at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary who was awarded a scholarship by the W-RDCCW, for spending the whole convention day with us.

I am grateful for Bernard and Lucille Kunkel of Mapleton, who remembered the DCCW Endowment to Catholic Charities with a gift of $15,000. God grant them eternal rest.

Years ago, I wrote a Thanksgiving Litany.

These are the words of the chorus: And I sing my thanks and praise, for all God’s given me. May I reflect, to those I meet, God’s love and generosity.

You do this! I am grateful.

Jeanette Fortier is the president of the WinonaRochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

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ducts a collection in our parishes in November. CCHD is the national anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The Bishops have given CCHD the mission to address the root causes of poverty in the United States by promoting and supporting community-controlled, self-help organizations.

One benefit of the CCHD collection is that 25% of the funds collected remains in our diocese. These funds, entitled Works of Justice, award up to $5,000 for organizations that meet the criteria of operating local anti-poverty programs.

This year the Southeastern Minnesota Interfaith Immigrant Legal Defense Fund (SMIILD) was awarded a grant for their Immigrant Legal Defense Fund. The purpose of this project is “to provide legal representation to individuals in detention or at risk of detention, who were employed in or residents of Olmsted County and other participating counties prior to detention, who have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and who are currently unrepresented.” In other words, the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund provides legal representation to immigrants who would otherwise be on their own at their court date.

The Works of Justice grants have been awarded to seven worthy organizations over the last two years throughout the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to combat poverty, which includes healthcare, shelter, food security, and formation, with the goal of lifting people permanently into self-sufficiency.

Works of Justice Funds are available for all organizations that are addressing root causes of poverty. To learn more or to apply, please contact Tom Parlin at the Catholic Charities office. Deadline for organizations to apply for funds for the next cycle is April 15, 2020.

In the Diocese

issue of the Courier, I realized something: in every CCW article that has been published in the Courier, I invite women of our diocese to join the Council of Catholic Women. (Technically, according to the U.S. Bishops in 1920, every woman ages 18 and older is already a member.)

One thing I haven’t said to the women of our diocese is Thank You! So, I want you to know how grateful I am.

I am grateful for the women who bake cakes and cookies, make jello and salads, serve fall dinners and funeral lunches, all with a smile and a “yes” when the phone call comes.

I am grateful for the women who clean the church, and launder and iron the purificators, corporals, and altar cloths with such care and respect.

I am grateful for the women who keep their eyes open to needs in the parish and community and commit their resources and talents to assist in those projects.

I am grateful for the women who use their talents of art, singing, and decorating to enhance our worship spaces and liturgies.

I am grateful for the women who are open listeners to those who need to share a story, be it a joy or a burden, those who are open to embrace a person in need of support, and those who walk with the elderly, the abandoned or the suffering.

I am grateful for the women who teach in our religious education programs and those who teach about faith just by the way they live their lives.

I am grateful for the women who have a sense of wonder and a vision for things beyond the rhythm of everyday life.

I am grateful for those women who have volunteered as officers and commissioners in our Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and at the parish level.

Submitted by TOM PARLIN

Tom Parlin is the director of parish social ministry for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.

Local community members gathered for the National Life Chain on Sunday, Oct. 6, along Huff Street in Winona.

People from all walks of life gathered to pray for the protection of preborn babies and for an end to abortion, which has taken the lives of more than 61 million babies in America. Submitted by KATHY FOERSTER, Winona.

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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@dowr.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.dowr.org.

Regular Prayer Mass for Life & Marriage is held at St. Mary Church in Winona the first Thursday each month at 5:15 p.m.

Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage & Religious Liberty is held first Saturday each month 8:30-9:30 a.m. (after Mass for Life & Marriage) in the Cathedral's Adoration Chapel, 360 Main Street, Winona. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and a rosary offered. 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 76 W 3rd Street in Winona. Contact: Patty 507-429-4636 Masses of Reparation for Sins in the Diocese are held daily in parishes throughout the diocese. Info: cb@wabashaemail.com

Cor Jesu is held at the Cathedral in Winona, 7-9 p.m. the first Friday each month, Sept. - May. An evening of Eucharistic Adoration, confessions, and music in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. All welcome to attend! For details, search for Winona Cor Jesu on Facebook, visit cascwinona.org/prayer/corJesu, or call Kristopher Kaufman (859-7601619) or Steven Lehn (507-312-9041).

Monthly Day of Fasting & Prayer for the Evangelization of Southern Minnesota prayer intentions are listed at dowr. org/offices/missionary-discipleship/ monthly-prayer.html. The final date of this initiative is November 15, with a 7 a.m. Mass for evangelization at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, followed by Eucharistic Adoration. All are welcome.

Traditional Latin Mass Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, Sundays 4:15 pm Wabasha, St. Felix, Saturdays 9 am

The Televised Mass Offered as a service for the homebound every Sunday morning on: KTTW, Channel 7 (Sioux Falls) at 6:30; KEYC, Channel 12 (Mankato) at 7:30; KEYC-DT2, Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 (Mankato) at 9:30; KAAL Channel 6 (Austin/ Rochester) at 9; WKBT Channel 8 (La Crosse) at 7:30; or on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass").

Hispanic Priests / Sacerdotes Hispanos Padre José Morales Capellán en la Mayo Clinic, Rochester Tel. 507-266-7275 Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas Vicario Parroquial de St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester frluisvargasdw@gmail.com Tel. 507-288-7313 Padre Javier Ibarra IVE Vicario Parroquial de SS. Peter and Paul, Mankato Tel. 507-388-2995 ext. 103

Padre Miguel Eduardo Proaños Vicario Parroquial de St. Mary, Worthington frmiguel2005@yahoo.com Tel. 507-375-3542 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 11 a.m. Sundays

Pipestone, St. Leo 2:30 p.m. Sundays (bilingual) Rochester, St. Francis Austin, Queen of Angels Noon Sundays & 7 p.m. Thursdays 11 a.m. Sundays.; 5:15 p.m. Fridays St. Charles, St. Charles Lake City, St. Mary Borromeo 6:30 p.m. 3rd Saturdays 10 a.m. 4th Sundays (bilingual) Madelia, St. Mary St. James, St. James 12 p.m. Sundays 7 p.m. Saturdays Windom, St. Francis Xavier Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul 11:30 a.m. Sundays 1 p.m. Sundays Worthington, St. Mary Owatonna, Sacred Heart 7 p.m. Saturdays.; 1 p.m. Sundays.; 11:45 a.m. Sundays 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Fridays

November 2019

• The Courier

Other Events St. Augustine Church, Austin November 2, Saturday Women's Conference 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Info: 507-454-4643 x 273 or pmartin@dowr.org St. Casimir Church, Winona November 2-3, Saturday-Sunday 2-Day Annual Fall Festival.

Saturday: buffet-style dinner served 6:30 in the church hall (basement). Roast pork, mashed potatoes & gravy, ring bologna & sauerkraut, green beans, roll, coffee, water & milk. Food by Winona Steak Shop. Big Wheel raffle spins following dinner. $11 adults. $5 kids 5 & younger. For tickets: Sue (507-452-2494), Karen (507-452-3745) or the parish office during business hours (507452-4770). Sunday: booths open at noon. Sweets-N-Treats, craft center, bake shop, kids' games. Big Wheel raffle at 12:30, featuring a handmade quilt and other prizes.

Lunch available all day Sunday. Big Ticket drawing at 4 p.m.

St. Mary's Church, Geneva November 3, Sunday Soup & Pie 4:30-7 p.m. Chili, chicken noodle, ham & bean, and a variety of homemade pies. Freewill donation.

St. Patrick Church, LeRoy November 3, Sunday Annual Fall Dinner served 11 a.m.

- 1 p.m. $10 adults. $5 students.

Free 4 & younger. Turkey & dressing, ham, potatoes & gravy, vegetable, homemade pies.

Resurrection Church, Rochester November 8, Friday Catholic Evangelization Outreach at 7 p.m. (music starts 6:45). Real people sharing real stories. Mary McCarthy will share compelling testimony about cancer, faith and medicine. No cost. No registration.

All welcome. Light refreshments to follow. Childcare will be provided.

World Wide Web November 8, Friday Planning Evangelizing through Christmas webinar at noon. More information on page 4 of this issue.

Christ the King Church, Byron November 9, Saturday Fall Expo 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 30+ arts & crafts and home-based businesses.

Cash & carry items from most vendors. Pampered Chef, Avon, Watkins, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware, Monat, Paparazzi, Thirty One, Usborne Books, LuLaRoe, decorative & functional home items, holiday decorations, skin care & cosmetics, baskets, appliqued towels & aprons, candles, purses, toys and more.

Baked goods, beverages and lunch available. First 50 customers at 9 a.m. and first 50 at noon will receive a gift bag. 202 4th St. NW in Bryon.

St. Bridget Church, Simpson November 9, Saturday Catholic Charities' Annual Adoption Day Celebration 11 a.m.

- 1:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share at the potluck lunch. Cookies & beverages provided. Clown show & face painting at 12:30. RSVP to Karissa (507-287-2047 x36 or kwilson@ccsomn.org) with number attending. St. Bridget's is at 2123 County Road 16 SE, south of Rochester.

Holy Family Church, Kasson November 17, Sunday Harvest Dinner served 11 a.m.

- 1 p.m., following 10:30 Mass.

Roast pork with dressing, mashed potatoes, squash, gravy, coleslaw, buns, coffee, milk, homemade apple crisp. Take-outs available. $10 adults. $5 kids 5-12. Free 4 & younger. Also, a bake sale, silent auction and quilt raffle. Join us!

Polish Cultural Institute, Winona November 23, Saturday 10th Annual Many Hands Many Lands Fair Trade Market 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Handcrafted, hand-produced items from scores of countries and peoples around the world, sourced in Fair Trade principles and practices. Food, garments, utensils, fabrics, jewelry, carvings, toys & more, produced in "third world" countries, purchased at Fair Trade prices. Polish Cultural Institute is at 363 E 2nd St. in Winona. Arrive early for best selection! Info: 507-452-1334 or 507-450-4708.

Resurrection Church, Rochester December 8, Sunday 47th Annual Holiday Bazaar 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pulled pork sandwich lunch with homemade pie. Silent auction, cash raffle, bake sale, bingo, cake walk, games. Handicap accessible. 1600 11th Ave SE in Rochester.

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