The Courier - October 2021

The

COURIER

Ss. Simon & Jude October 28

October 2021

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

Pope Francis: The Catholic Church Must Be Welcoming VATICAN CITY, September 26, 2021 (CNA) - Pope Francis on Sunday said the Catholic Church must be open and welcoming toward others, warning that division and exclusion come from Satan.

“We need to be vigilant about closure in the Church too,” he said before leading the Angelus prayer at the Vatican Sept. 26.

“Because the devil, who is the divider – this is what the word ‘devil’ means – always insinuates suspicions to divide and exclude,” he added.

Speaking from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Francis said sometimes Catholics, instead of having humble and open communities, “can give the impression of being the ‘top of the class’ and keeping others at a distance.”

“Let us ask for the grace to overcome the temptation to judge and categorize,” he said, “and may God preserve us from the ‘nest’ mentality, that of jealously guarding ourselves in the small group of those who consider themselves good.”

Pope Francis warned that sometimes there are groups of people, such as a priest and his parishioners, some pastoral workers, or movements and associations with particular charisms which close themselves off to outsiders.

“All this runs the risk of turning Christian communities into places of separation and not of communion,” he stated. “The Holy Spirit does not want closedness; He wants openness, and welcoming communities where there is a place for everyone.”

After leading the Angelus, a traditional prayer about

Bishop Quinn to Renew Consecration of Diocese to Immaculate Heart of Mary Submitted by VERY REV. WILL THOMPSON

Catholic News Agency

the Virgin Mary, the pope spoke about the Sept. 26 celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

He said “it is necessary to walk together, without

Welcoming, cont'd on pg. 2

WINONA - On Thursday, October 7, 2021, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, Bishop Quinn will renew the consecration of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at a special 5:15 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. The IHM Seminarians and faculty will be in attendance, along with parishioners of the Cathedral. All are welcome to this annual event.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester was first consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 2008, and it is our diocesan tradition that we make this renewal every year, as an act of love and devotion to Our Lady. At the very moment of His conception in her womb, Jesus entrusted His whole being to her. Similarly, by this act of consecration, we allow Mary to

Consecration, cont'd on pg. 2

INSIDE this issue

Meet Our New Seminarians pages 6-7

Back to Normal? page 8

'It Would Be Good for Us to Journey Together' page 10

Pope Francis Watch

Welcoming, cont'd from pg. 1

The Courier Insider

2

prejudice and without fear, placing ourselves next to those who are most vulnerable: migrants, refugees, displaced persons, victims of trafficking and the abandoned. We are called to build an increasingly inclusive world that excludes no one.”

Francis greeted several groups with the aim of helping migrants and refugees, which were gathered below him in St. Peter’s Square.

“Thank you all for your generous commitment,” he said. The pope then invited everyone present to visit the “Angels Unawares” sculpture before leaving the Vatican.

The 20-foot-tall bronze statue, unveiled in 2019, is based on Hebrews 13:2, “Be welcoming to strangers, many have entertained angels unawares.”

The sculpture, by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, depicts migrants throughout history crowded together on a boat with the Holy Family.

Pointing to the statue in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said, “dwell on the gaze of those people and welcome in that gaze the hope of starting to live again that every migrant has today.”

“Go there, see that monument,” he urged.

“Let’s not close the doors to their hope.”

Before the Angelus, the pope also reflected on the day’s Gospel from St. Mark, in which

the Evangelist recalls when Jesus said to his disciples: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.”

Pope Francis said Jesus wants us to stop judging others and to worry about our own behavior first. “Indeed, the risk is to be inflexible towards others and indulgent towards ourselves,” he noted.

“Jesus is radical, demanding, but for our own good, like a good doctor,” he continued.

“Every cut, every pruning, is so we can grow better and bear fruit in love.”

“Let us ask, then: what is it in me that is contrary to the Gospel? What, in concrete terms, does Jesus want me to cut out of my life?”

“Let us pray to Mary Immaculate, that she may help us be welcoming towards others and vigilant over ourselves,” he concluded.

"Angels Unawares" sculpture by Timothy Schmalz.

Credit: Itravella on Wikimedia Commons.

the feasts of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Name of Mary, and Our Lady of Sorrows. As Bishop Quinn is doing this year, you can instead choose a weekend in October, the month of the Holy Rosary. These special celebrations are also a wonderful time to renew our own personal consecrations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This can be done as an act of unity with Bishop Quinn’s consecration of the entire diocese, and with the other priests and parishes of the diocese.

Very Rev. Will Thompson is the vicar general of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

The Courier is the official publication of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 112 - 10

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

(ISSN 0744-5490)

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In Defense of Diocesan Conferences________4 Holy Spirit Alive Conference______________5 Meet Our New Seminarians________________6-7 Back

to

Normal?________________________8

Catholic Schools Updates_________________9 'It Would Be Good for Us to Journey Together'_10 New Directors____________________________11 Diocesan Headlines________________________12

The Holy Father's Intention for

October 2021 Missionary Disciples We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.

Officials

Consecration, cont'd from pg. 1 actualize her mediation in our lives, enriching our diocese with many graces. The act of consecration dedicates the diocese and all of the good works that come from it to Our Lady and her desires, in order to more fully complete the will of her Son. As we have done in the past, Bishop Quinn requests the renewal of the consecration of each parish in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The weekends of September 4/5, 11/12, and 18/19, are fitting times for your parish consecration at one of your Masses, due to the proximity to

Articles of Interest

Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of WinonaRochester, announces the following: Permanent Diaconate Rev. Andrew Beerman: appointed Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of WinonaRochester, effective August 19, 2021.

Deacon John Kluczny: appointed Coordinator of Pastoral Formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of WinonaRochester, effective August 19, 2021.

Child Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona-Rochester’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Mary Hamann at 507-858-1244, or mhamann@dowr.org.

Deacon Scott Schwalbe: appointed Assistant Director of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, effective August 19, 2021.

Where to Find the Courier

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hard copies of the Courier are currently not available in our churches.

• Hard copies of the Courier are available in the churches of the Diocese of WinonaRochester at the first weekend Masses of each month.

• An online version may be viewed at www.dowr.org/offices/ courier/index.html • To be added to the home delivery list, readers should send their names and addresses to: Diocese of Winona-Rochester The Courier 55 W Sanborn St. Winona, MN 55987 or nreller@dowr.org

Mary, Protect Us!

Bishop John M. Quinn

�ear Friends in Christ,

The Blessed Virgin Mary

In October, the Church celebrates the month of the Most Holy Rosary, an occasion to remember Our Blessed Mother’s special role in the history of salvation, and in our own lives as well.

While on the cross, Christ gave the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Beloved Disciple John, to be the mother of the Church and all Christians.

From her throne in heaven, she watches over and cares for each one of us as a loving mother. The rosary in particular is a wonderful way in which to meditate on the life of Jesus, the mysteries of our salvation, through the eyes of faith, and to ask Our Blessed Mother to intercede for us in all of our trials and needs.

Many of the greatest saints have found that having a close relationship with Mary, the Mother of God, has transformed their own lives of faith. One powerful way in which we can draw closer to the Virgin Mary is by consecrating ourselves to her, thereby entrusting her

Natural Disaster Special Collection

In the last couple of months, we have witnessed the devastation and destruction that has occurred in Haiti and the southeastern United States. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and this summer it suffered from back-toback natural disasters, first a massive earthquake, and then a tropical storm.

Citizens will not only have to deal with short-term needs, but also the rebuilding of basic infrastructure such as churches, schools, and clinics. In our own country, multiple hurricanes have caused widespread damage and flooding, with millions of people without homes, electricity, jobs, and resources

such as water, food, and fuel.

To aid in alleviating the suffering of our brothers and sisters in the wake of these natural disasters, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has asked that dioceses in the U.S. take up special collections for the benefit of those suffering from the recent natural disasters. In September, parishes took up a collection specifically for Haiti, and in October another one will be held for hurricane recovery.

The money will go to Catholic Relief Services, which is the international relief agency of the Church in the U.S. I thank you in advance for your generosity; Christ Himself said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him. Blessed are you, for aiding our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Year of St. Joseph

Last December, Pope Francis declared a Year of St. Joseph from December 8, 2020 – December 8, 2021, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being proclaimed the patron of the universal Church. St. Joseph is silent in the Scriptures, but we can learn a tremendous amount from him by his example of being obedient to the will of God, sacrificing himself and his own plans for the sake of his wife Mary and foster son Jesus. From Joseph we have an example of devoted fatherhood, an example much needed in today’s world. In the Year of St. Joseph, we and the entire Church are invited to deepen our knowledge of and devotion to St. Joseph and his role in our lives.

One esteemed practice in our Catholic tradition is that of making a pilgrimage, a journey of faith, to some holy site. Oftentimes we think of making a pilgrimage

to someplace far away, such as Rome or the Holy Land. However, we can also make pilgrimages to sites closer to home as well. Here in the Diocese of WinonaRochester, St. Joseph Parish in Owatonna is welcoming anyone who would like to make a personal pilgrimage in this year of St. Joseph. You can pray before a statute of St. Joseph, and there are also prayer cards, St. Joseph medals, and oil from the Shrine of St. Joseph started

by St. Andre Bessette in Montreal, Canada. For more information, you can visit the parish website at stjosephowatonna.org or call the parish office at 507-4514845.

Another way to increase devotion to St. Joseph is by having a statue of the saint in your home. This fall, the Diocese of WinonaRochester is teaming up with Christians in the Holy Land to sell blessed, handcarved statues of St. Joseph.

Christians in the Holy Land have long relied on tourism to provide for their families, but with COVID their main source of income has dried up. Thus, by supporting the St. Joseph Project, you will not only receive a beautiful statue of St. Joseph, but you will also be supporting our fellow Christians who desire to stay in the land of Christ’s birth, despite the many hardships there. Statue order forms can be obtained from your parish and for more information you can contact Peter Martin at pmartin@ dowr.org or 507-858-1273.

the Church in the U.S. observes Respect Life Month, and this year’s theme is “St. Joseph, defender of life, pray for us!” The forces of evil are powerful in the world and it is only through the power of our Triune God, and the intercession of the saints, that we will be able to faithfully defend life from conception to natural death.

3 From the Bishop

Rejoice in Hope

with all we are and have, so she can bring us to Jesus and safeguard us on the way to eternal life. Jesus Christ entrusted His Church to His mother, and desires that we entrust ourselves to her as well and seek to emulate her humility and life of perfect discipleship.

Every year, it is my privilege to renew the consecration of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, dedicating our entire diocese to Mary and her maternal protection. This year, the renewal of the diocesan consecration will take place on October 7, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, at a special 5:15 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. The faculty and staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary will be in attendance, and all are welcome. May Our Lady, who only seeks to carry out her Son’s will, bring about in us a greater love and devotion to her Son, Jesus Christ.

In the last few months, our country has seen many battles over laws protecting the unborn.

Sadly, many in our culture see abortion merely as “health care” and not as the destruction of innocent human life. It is important for all of us to stand firm in our conviction that every human life is precious and deserves a right to live, and to not get discouraged in the face of failures and setbacks. We may not always see how our prolife efforts and witness affects others and changes lives, but we are called to be faithful in the fight for life, trusting that the Lord will bring our efforts to fruition in His time. Blessed are you!

Sincerely in Christ,

+ John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona-Rochester

Respect Life Month

St. Joseph also provides for us a wonderful example of someone who cherishes and protects life, especially the most vulnerable. Every October,

The Bishop's Calendar is on Page 4.

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In Defense of Diocesan Conferences

Life, Marriage & Family

Peter Martin

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

Fellowship of Catholic University Students' annual SEEK Conference, usually held in a single location and attended by thousands from around the country, was this year livestreamed to smaller groups.

�re we going to have a Men’s/

Women’s Conference this year? This is a question that I often get, and I both love receiving it and hate it at the same time. I love it because it tells me that they are valuable and that people want to go to the conferences we host. I hate it because it’s such a difficult question right now. I really want to host a conference and I know that some dioceses are, but due to the risks involved I have decided not to host a Women’s Conference this fall and likely the same decision will be made for the Men’s Conference in the spring.

Why? Well, it all comes down to prudence.

Bishop's Calendar

October 2, Saturday 5 p.m. - Mass and Dinner with Knights of Columbus October 3, Sunday 9 a.m. - Mass and Talk - Deprecor Retreat - St. Mary’s University, Winona October 4, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona 6 p.m. - 40 Days for Life Prayer Service - Rochester October 5, Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. - Meetings with Seminarians – IHM Seminary, Winona October 6, Wednesday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Meetings with Seminarians – IHM Seminary, Winona October 7, Thursday 10:32 a.m. - Guest on Real Presence Catholic Radio 1 p.m. - Holy Hour and Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 5:15 p.m. - Mass - Renewal of the Consecration of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona October 8, Friday 11 a.m. - COVID-19 Task Force Meeting October 2021 w The Courier w dowr.org

Let’s say I have all things planned and the pandemic ramps back up to where we were in the past with limited gatherings; then I’ve spent money and time on an event that is unable to take place.

Deposits on speakers, food, venues can all be costly and sadly are not reimbursed because the Governor limited large gatherings.

On the other hand, let’s say there are no such limits and the conference happens with men or women gathering from all across our diocese. A great time is had by all, but what we did not know is that a group came from a location in the diocese that had a recent spike in transmissions of COVID, and now several men/women are sick because we hosted a conference. Obviously, no one wants to

October 10, Sunday 2 p.m. - Confirmation at St. Ann Church, Slayton, with: St. Columba, Iona; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Currie; St. Anthony, Westbrook; and St. Gabriel, Fulda

contract COVID and everyone knows the risk, but you can see the reason for the hesitation on hosting a conference.

So what do we do now, if we want to gather with other men/women? That’s a great question!

Let’s answer another question first: Why do you want to gather? Most often the answer is: “We gain strength in faith by gathering and praying with others!” That’s awesome and yet, that can still be done!

By now you are familiar with the many online conferences that are made available (the St. Joseph Conference which is happening now, for example).

I suggest that people host “mini-conferences” and watch these virtual talks together maybe over drinks in someone’s home. Then enjoy each other’s company while discussing the beautiful truths of the faith that you just witnessed.

One of the goals we have for our annual conferences, in fact, is the building up of our parish communities. We know that there is great fruit that comes from our large conferences, but we also know of the tremendous value that comes from the smaller gatherings of men and women who share the faith! I pray that our local Men’s and Women’s Groups grow in strength and in number and that through them, people grow closer to Jesus while assisting their friends to do the same!

October 17, Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Diocesan Opening Mass in Celebration of the XVI Ordinary Synod of Bishops to Be Held in Rome in 2023 - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

October 11, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona

October 19, Tuesday 10 a.m. - Holy Hour and Diocesan Finance Council Meeting - Pastoral Center, Winona

October 12, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Holy Hour and Priest Pension Plan Board Meeting - Pastoral Center, Winona

October 20, Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Bishop’s Dinner - Rochester Golf & Country Club

October 13, Wednesday 6:30 a.m. - Lauds and Mass - IHM Seminary, Winona

October 21, Thursday 1 p.m. - Holy Hour and Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 7 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word and Dinner - St. Joseph Church, Owatonna

October 14, Thursday 11 a.m. - Mass and Lunch with the Poor Clare Sisters - Assisi Heights, Rochester October 15, Friday 2 p.m. - Dedication of the New Business, Science & Nursing Building - St. Mary’s University, Winona 4:30 p.m. - Benefactor Mass - St. Thomas More Chapel - St. Mary’s University, Winona October 16, Saturday 5:15 p.m. - Confirmation at St. Theodore’s Church, Albert Lea; with St. James, Twin Lakes

October 23, Saturday 4:30 p.m. - White Mass - Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester October 24, Sunday 10 a.m. - Mass with Blessing of New Building - St. Ann Church, Janesville 2 p.m. - Blessing of Restored Stations of the Cross - Immaculate Conception Church, St. Clair October 25, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona

October 26, Tuesday 11:30-4:30 p.m. - All Priests & Deacons Safe Environment Training - St. Joseph the Worker, Mankato October 27, Wednesday 6:30 a.m. - Lauds and Mass at IHM Seminary, Winona

October 28, Thursday 11 a.m. - Clergy Personnel Committee Meeting - Pastoral Center, Winona 4 p.m. - Virtual Meeting with MCC and MN Catholic Bishops - Zoom 6 p.m. - Rochester Serra Club Priest Appreciation Dinner - Willow Creek Golf Course, Rochester October 29, Friday 8 p.m. - Theology on Tap - St. Mary’s University, Winona October 31, Sunday 2 p.m. - Confirmation - Holy Spirit Church, Rochester November 1, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona 5:30 p.m. - All Saints Day Mass - St. Casimir Church, Winona November 3, Wednesday 10:32 a.m. - Guest on Real Presence Catholic Radio 5 p.m. - Taping of Christmas TV Mass Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

Susan Windley-Daoust

Director of Missionary Discipleship swindley@dowr.org

�he Diocese of Winona-Rochester is hosting its

inaugural Holy Spirit Alive conference, dedicated to sharing the gospel with speakers influenced by charismatic spirituality.

The idea for this conference began with the work of the Lumen Christi prayer group in Rochester, which had been offering conferences and retreats for those interested in charismatic spirituality. As charismatic renewal prayer groups have grown in number in the diocese, and the success of those conferences was undeniable, the diocese decided to offer an annual conference with the support of Lumen Christi and other prayer groups in the diocese. This conference is housed in the Office of Missionary Discipleship, and planned by Dcn. John Hust (moder-

ator for Charismatic Renewal) and Susan Windley-Daoust (Director, Missionary Discipleship).

Our first speaker is Barbara Heil, executive director of From His Heart Ministries and an international missionary. Some of you may have heard of her because she just spoke at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary! Barbara has a dramatic conversion story, a life of Church planting and international mission as a Pentecostal minister. But then, a friend gave her a book by Teresa of Avila. And then, to her surprise, she encountered the Lord in eucharistic adoration. She was received into the Catholic Church soon after that. She is passionate about how we as Catholics can better share the gospel overseas and on our own streets. You don't want to miss her witness, encouragement, and instruction! The conference is capped by a healing service Saturday night, to which all people are welcome.

5 Missionary Discipleship

Holy Spirit Alive Conference November 12-13

We are grateful to St. Theodore's Church in Albert Lea for hosting this conference! Register today on the Diocese of Winona-Rochester website: scroll down and it is under "events."

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Meet Our New Seminarians

Vocations

Cullen Gallagher enjoys spend-

ing his free time outdoors. He plays both ultimate Frisbee and Frisbee golf, and also enjoys fishing out of his kayak and sitting at a bonfire. When stuck indoors, he loves to watch movies and play card games.

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

This year we welcome three men to formation for priesthood in the Diocese of WinonaRochester. Ryan Saltness has begun formation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and Cullen Gallagher at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, while Tim Kujawa is undergoing a pre-formation year before he officially enters seminary.

Pray for these men as they discern God's will for their lives!

When did you first hear the call to discern at the seminary?

I first heard the call to discern diocesan priesthood when I was in the seventh grade after an amazing experience at Extreme Faith Camp. After Extreme Faith Camp ended, I began to go to daily Mass. While at mass I saw how much love the priest had for the Eucharist and for those he was serving, and it was from there that my heart pulled me towards priesthood.

How does it feel to be entering seminary?

I am very excited to be re-entering seminary. I first entered seminary in 2015 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona. After four amazing years at IHM I realized that I needed to step out of formation and take some time off. From August 2019 – August 2021, I worked for Fed Ex Ground as a delivery driver. I had an amazing time working at Fed Ex, but after two years away from seminary formation I discerned that I need to re-step into formation to discern diocesan priesthood. I am blessed to be able to re-enter seminary formation, and I am looking forward to discerning God's will for me.

What advice do you have for others discerning their vocations?

The only piece of advice that I could give in regards to discerning a vocation would be to remain in the Peace of God. Where there is peace, there is God, and that peace is to be chased after.

Tim Kujawa enjoys fishing for just about any-

thing, especially walleye and largemouth bass. Two of his brothers fish in a professional walleye circuit, so he has been blessed with the experience of fishing all over the country. He enjoys reading mostly church-related content and loves stories of the saints, their struggles, and how they overcame them

by God's grace. He also likes likes watching how-to videos on YouTube on just about anything.

When did you first hear your call to discernment at the seminary?

People have always mentioned it to me my entire life. I think one of the first times I heard it within my own heart and took it seriously was on a retreat during Holy Week when I was 19 or 20 while making some meditations from St. Ignatius' 30-day retreat.

Reflecting on the goodness of God and coming across Psalm 116 "How can I repay the Lord for all the good done to me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord" and Psalm 42/43 "I will go in unto the Altar of God. Unto God, Who giveth joy to my youth." Every time I hear these words my heart burns for God, especially in the Eucharist. "Joy to my youth" has extra meaning for me. When I first learned to serve at age 7 or 8, I found out there was such a thing as daily Mass. I woke up the next morning and without telling anyone, I went to Mass and was shocked to see Fr. Leary on the altar without any servers so I went to the sacristy, suited up and took my place at the server's chair right behind him. When a few of the parishioners gasped and everyone started staring over to the side, Fr. Leary turned around to see what caused the commotion.

He smiled and continued on and I served Mass for him every day that summer.

Who has had the strongest influence on your faith journey?

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This isn't an easy question to answer as there are so many. The real answer is the Lord. Through my

parents at first, instilling in me the gravity of living a life of faith or not. I can remember reading the story of the mother and her 7 sons being martyred in 2 Maccabees with my mom; that has really stuck with me. Then watching the spiritual conversion of my sister after being in a terrible car accident that took the use of her hands and legs and her being upset but completely resigned to God, knowing He loves her and knows what's best for her. When I began to pray on my own, Our Lady and the saints with their amazing stories kept me going along with the examples of many holy priests and parishioners.

What advice do you have for others who are discerning their vocations?

If you don't pray, you won't know the way. There's just no way around it. There is no step 2, 3 or 4 if you don't pray. It's in every spiritual book including the Bible; I know - I've read a ton of them. Speak with a few holy priests, parishioners, and the vocations director and see what they say. Give it an honest go and know that the Lord your God is with you in all things whatsoever you shall go to (Joshua 1:9).

What is your favorite Psalm?

Psalm 40 is my favorite Psalm because life can be very difficult at times and you can find yourself in a bad way, but God comes to you if you're serious in your cry to Him. It speaks to the ups and downs of the spiritual life. When we humble ourselves and cry out to God, He saves us, tells us his great plans for us, we say we'll serve Him, the enemy comes and tries to bring us to ruin and if we've learned anything we'll cry out to God and He'll deliver us. "Though I am afflicted and poor, the Lord keeps me in mind."

I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry, Drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, Set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps, And put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and they shall trust in the Lord.

the summer, and a video game side hustle for my freetime. I am a middle child between my younger sister, Renee, and my older sister, Rachel. My mom and dad are Rick and Jacque Saltness. I love them a lot!

When did you first hear your call to discernment at the seminary?

There have always been positive influences and experiences that helped set the foundation, but it first became a conscious thought during my senior year of college at St. John’s University. When I joined staff with FOCUS, a college outreach apostolate, I was blessed to work closely with a lot of amazing priests and it was there that I had a growing desire for the priesthood and felt called to investigate further.

Who has had the strongest influence on your faith journey?

Ryan Saltness loves to be active, whether playing hockey or baseball - his favorite sports - or getting out for a run or hike. He loves to read and drink coffee, both of which are done better together.

He also loves movies.

Where are you from?

I don’t want to cop-out of this answer but there are many individuals and groups that have played a significant role. First and foremost my parents in supporting and welcoming a life of faith growing up. Friends in high school and St. John’s University that either supported me directly in growing in the spiritual life or indirectly by wanting the best for me.

Many individuals in the FOCUS organization whose conviction continues to inspire me. Fr. Connor, Fr. John Ezratty, Fr. Thompson, and many other priests who I’ve been grateful to know and who live their priesthood so well.

I grew up in Rochester. My childhood was like many Minnesotan kids: hockey in the winter, baseball in

It has been a great start! I’m cherishing some of the growing friendships that are being cultivated.

How does it feel to be entering the seminary?

I love the academics and the amount I get to learn (words I never thought I’d say). Having a schedule that is incredibly ordered is very freeing. Entering seminary was something that I had been praying through and thinking about for the past year and it feels great to finally be here. There has also been a lot of support around the diocese and from other friends and family which has meant a lot. I am grateful to be here.

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Has your perspective changed since answering your call to the seminary?

There has been a lot to adapt to since being here but I continue to learn more about myself through the transition. I used to find value in being able to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to do it.

Therefore, making a big commitment like going to seminary or giving your life to the priesthood can be intimidating or be received as a surprise. However, getting past some of those initial fears has been well worth it. We are all formed in a way by our close friendships so it's been exciting to see what fires up some of my new friends here. I also haven't spent a ton of time in Winona growing up and had no idea it was this beautiful.

What advice do you have for others who are discerning their vocations?

Don’t do it alone. Talk with a spiritual director, trusting friends, role model, etc. Fill your mind with good things (Scripture, good spiritual reads, beautiful movies and music, etc). Find a daily prayer life and know that Jesus Christ wants you to be totally free in your decision.

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Back to Normal? �rom the outside in, it appears like

Youth Ministry & Faith Formation

the world is a vastly different place now than it was immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic hit a year and a half ago. Divisions seem deeper than ever, one crisis after another overwhelms the news and our world, and many of the very structures we have come to depend on have been upended in an instant. I have heard many times (and find myself uttering) things like, “I can’t wait for things to get back to normal.” But was normal really better?

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, it was like a band aid was ripped off a festering wound. Many of the issues we are experiencing now have been around for years, but we have been ignoring them. The same can be said in regards to our faith and how we teach and witness to youth. Was what we were doing before working? Should we “return to normalcy” in children and youth ministry? Or is this an opportunity to examine deeply how we are doing in transmitting our faith and a living relationship with Jesus Christ to the next generation?

This isn’t to say that everything from the past was not working. There have been structures and models that have stood the test of COVID-19, one of them being a small group approach. As we found ourselves limited to the number of people who could be present in person (and perhaps still are), small groups were able to thrive. Many parishes reached out to families and youth beyond the traditional faith formation-like communication, creating stronger

This past summer, Bishop John M. Quinn celebrated Mass at the Steubenville North Youth Conference, held July 25 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester!

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bonds of friendship and care. A statistic I recently stumbled upon stated that only 1 out of 10 adolescents said someone from their church reached out to them or their family during the 2020 pandemic.

When I read that statistic I was heartbroken, but I also wondered to myself which churches they were surveying kids from. Many of the Catholic churches in our diocese did not stop reaching out, but instead reached out more (especially at the beginning of the pandemic) creating a community of support in a time when many young people saw their former support systems crumbling. One young woman from the parish I previously worked at begged her mother to let her come in person to her Confirmation small group last year. Why should that be a unique experience?

What if we were able to create a community of support in our parishes that goes beyond necessity during a pandemic or other crisis? What if young people always begged their parents to take them to a Confirmation small group? What would it take for us to get to this place?

First, let’s get serious about forming disciples in our parishes. We cannot afford any more excuses such as finances, lack of staff availability, or the other repercussions from the pandemic to prevent us from moving forward. Our young people desire so much more than to be educated in their faith - they desire a real relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, that’s what all people desire, whether they know it or not.

When the topic of discipleship comes up in parishes, I often hear things like, “our definitions of discipleship are just different,” which causes any efforts to educate ourselves on how to create disciples to come to a halt. Discipleship is all about conforming our hearts and minds to doing God’s will, not our own if we are not praying for the Holy Spirit to guide our efforts in understanding God’s definition of discipleship, then we are seeking our will and not God’s will.

A discipleship-focused parish doesn’t mean having the highest number of young people in our programs, the most dollars coming in through stewardship, or even the highest number of engaged parishioners in various ministries. A discipleship-focused parish looks at each individual with love and walks with them toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. That is exactly how Jesus worked: he invested His three years of public ministry in walking with 12 men, and through discipling 12 men He reached the entire world. To think we can usurp the model of Jesus Christ Himself and neglect walking with indi-

Dana Petricka

Director of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation dpetricka@dowr.org

viduals is to operate directly against the model that Jesus Christ laid out for us. He says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations...” (Matthew 18:19).

If discipleship hinges on a relationship with Jesus Christ, what does a relationship with Jesus look like? When we are in a relationship with someone, we desire to be with them and to know them better. How do we spend time with Jesus and get to know more about Him? Jesus is still truly present to us today in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.

During the early days of the pandemic, many of us suffered through that disconnection from the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Now that we have access to this beautiful Sacrament again, the source and summit of our faith, do we take it for granted?

Jesus Christ speaks to us through Scripture, specifically in the Gospels. How often do we “take and read” (Confessions Ch. 6, St. Augustine) the words that Jesus has left us? Reading Scripture also provides an open door for dialogue with Christ, otherwise known as prayer. St. Therese of Lisieux once said that prayer is simply a conversation with God. A conversation involves both listening and talking; we listen to Jesus through silence and through His Word. Many of us (myself included) are really good at talking to God, perhaps primarily through prayers of petition (which can oftentimes be borderline complaints), but how often do we allow ourselves to stop and listen? How often do we offer prayers of thanksgiving for God’s many blessings, even in the midst of the storm?

As we find ourselves bracing for another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, let us take courage and see the signs of the times. Perhaps God is trying to wake us up from our slumber. In the Old Testament, God uses pestilence, disaster, exile, and anything He possibly can to wake up His people and turn their hearts back to Him in order to save their souls. The God of the Old Testament is the same God of today. I pray that we, as a diocese, truly pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue the mission Jesus entrusted to us to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,” starting first with our own.

Changing Faces Marsha Stenzel

Superintendent of Catholic Schools mstenzel@dowr.org

Submitted by LORI DATTA

�changes rucifixion School in La Crescent has seen several over the last few months. All the changes have

been beneficial to our wonderful school.

First, two teachers retired last year, and we have two wonderful new teachers to take their place. Ms. Cali Hartsock is the new kindergarten teacher. She is from Apple Valley and did her student teaching at Crucifixion School. She graduated from Winona State University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She loves her role as a teacher. She enjoys teaching and guiding her young students. Her classroom is very inviting, and she always

Nina Reed (L) and Cali Hartsock (R)

Lots of Excitement at St. Felix School, Wabasha Submitted by ERIC SONNEK

�

he 2021-22 school year is off to a great start. St. Felix Catholic School has finished up our second week of school. The students, staff, and parents are excited for the school year. This year we welcomed 102 students through our door. Our preschool and pre-k classes are full with 14 students each. We have 13 kindergarteners, 14 first-graders, 8 second-graders, 13 third-graders, 8 fourth-graders, 8 fifth-graders, and 10 sixth-graders. It is exciting to see this many students walk through our doors.

We have a wonderful staff made of Robin Moret (preschool), Sharon Stiner (para), Sue Wills (para), Susie Baab (para), Nicole Solberg (para), Sharon Busch (kindergarten), Michelle Schumacher (first grade), Laura Cooper (second grade), Carrie Williams (third grade), Maria Senkyr (fifth grade), Christine Flak (cook), LeAnn Tebay (administrative assistant), Willard Schuth (custodian), Father Glenn Frerichs (pastor) and Eric Sonnek (principal). We welcome

Maddy Long (L) and Marian Hollenbeck (R) seems to have a smile on her face.

Ms. Nina Reed is the new fourth grade teacher.

Ms. Reed is from Marengo, IL. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in Winona with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She fell in love with Minnesota and is happy to be teaching at Crucifixion School. She enjoys being with her students and getting to know them. Since we are departmentalized, Ms. Reed took over the teaching of English to grades 4, 5, and 6. She, along with Ms. Hartsock, is a blessing to our Crucifixion School family.

Along with our two new teachers, we have two wonderful student teachers from St. Mary’s University.

Ms. Marian Hollenbeck will graduate in May 2022 with a double major in elementary education and Spanish.

She is from Nowthen, has two younger siblings, and would love to find a teaching position in the Anoka area. She loves learning about nature and new cultures, especially new things in Spanish. She is crazy about nail art. She is currently student teaching in third grade and hopes to teach third grade in the future.

Ms. Maddy Long will graduate in December of 2021 with a degree in elementary education with a

two new teachers to our St. Felix staff: Kelley Steiner (fourth grade) and Debra Buchal (music). We also welcome an old friend back to our staff this year: Ann Wobbe. She will be teaching sixth grade this year until we are able to fill our sixth-grade position with someone permanent.

As the new year begins, we have made some great updates to our school thanks to the many donors in the community. We updated the flooring in the pre-k, kindergarten, first-grade, fourth-grade, fifthgrade, and sixth-grade classrooms. The kitchen got a new warming oven thanks to the VFW donation.

The school has all new LED lighting. The landscaping around the school got a makeover as well, with new plants and mulch and a new fence between the school and gym. We will be installing new blinds for all the windows in the school soon as well. Thank you to all who have supported our school as we continue to make improvements. If you want to see what is happening at St. Felix, please don't hesitate to stop by and check out the school.

We had a wonderful Fall Festival Fundraiser for the school this year! We were able to raise over $100,000 for the students. We had a great day filled with kids’ games, attic treasures, bingo, chicken dinner, raffles, and a specialty auction. We had a great community event and great support from everyone!

We had great donations, especially from GundersonSt. Elizabeth's Hospital in Wabasha. They donated an item (from their postponed fundraiser) to our specialty auction. St. Felix Catholic School split the amount raised from this item. The item brought in $14,000.

Catholic Schools

at Crucifixion School, La Crescent

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social studies endorsement. She is from Andover, is the younger middle child of four. She loves Disney and peanut butter, and she has a fear of drains. Maddy would like to visit all 50 states, and she informed us that she is half-way there.

She would also like to learn a new language. She is currently student teaching in fifth grade. She likes teaching the upper elementary grades. Maddy has a position waiting for her in Maplewood at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She will be teaching fourth grade.

We wish both of these wonderful young women the best of luck.

Crucifixion School has a partnership with the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Each year, the university provides a PE teacher for Crucifixion. The PE teacher is in a graduate program at the university. This year, one wasn’t available. We were blessed to find Mr. Jared Anderson to take the position. Mr. Anderson recently moved back to the Westby, WI, area and is an assistant coach for the Westby football team. He teaches PE on Mondays and Fridays at Crucifixion and subs for school the rest of the week. He gets along great with the students and the staff. He will be a great asset for any school that hires him.

Lori Datta teaches sixth grade at Crucifixion Jared Anderson School in La Crescent.

Marsha Stenzel prepares to fulfill her end of the fundraising agreement.

We were able to have $7,000 go towards our school and $7,000 go towards our local hospital. We end our specialty auction with a fun activity. If we pooled enough money someone with a connection with the school eats a minnow. Marsha Stenzel (superintendent of Catholic schools for the DOW-R and former St. Felix principal), Maggie Sonnek (wife of the principal), the sixth-grade class, and Mr. Sonnek (principal) were the lucky participants this year. The goal was $10,000 but we brought in $11,000, which meant everyone ate a minnow. Our school would like to thank everyone who donated and helped out with our Fall Festival.

Eric Sonnek is the principal of St. Felix School in Wabasha.

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Lay Formation & RCIA

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'It Would Be Good for Us to Journey Together' [I]n the presence of the crucified one, we find our proper place only if we are defenseless, humble and unassuming. Only if we follow, wherever we live and work, the program of life set forth by Saint Paul: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:31-32).

Only if we are "clothed with humility" (cf.

1 Pet 5:5) and imitate Jesus, who is "gentle and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29). Only after we put ourselves "in the lowest place" (Lk 14:10) and become "slaves of all" (cf. Mk 10:44)….

-Pope Francis, Address to the Roman Curia December 21, 2020

�reetings of Peace, Friends in Christ!

In recent years, I have become increasingly con-

cerned, and even distressed, about the state of the Church’s life. There is so much anger, and bitterness, and meanness among the members of the Church, and our “counter witness” to the Gospel is often on full public display. Sometimes I have felt almost in despair over the harsh and deeply divisive ways we communicate and relate to one another within the “Body of Christ.”

Recently, I came across an address of our Holy Father which has given me a way to reflect and assess the times we’re living in – both within and outside the Church – with hope and trust that God’s Spirit remains at work even in the midst of what appears to be only darkness.

Shortly before Christmas each year, the Holy Father speaks to the Vatican Curia and shares his thoughts on the Church and aspects of their shared ministry. I would like to offer an overview of what he shared with the Curia in his address this past December.

The COVID “Storm”

Early in his address, Pope Francis reflects on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our experience. He sees the pandemic as both “a time of trial and testing” and “also a significant opportunity for conversion and renewed authenticity.”

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He recalls his extraordinary Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) blessing and message given in a rain-soaked, deserted Saint Peter’s Square on March 27, 2020. With reference to the gospel story of Jesus’ calming the sea (Mark 4:35-41), he speaks of the pandemic as a “storm” that has struck our world.

It is a storm that “has exposed our vulnerability and uncovered those false and superfluous certainties around which we have constructed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. It has shown us how we have allowed to become dull and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and communities.”

He offers a striking metaphor as he describes how we “have lost the antibodies needed to confront adversity,” and, as the “camouflage” of concern about our “egos” and our “image” has “fallen away,” we are able to discover “once more that (blessed) common belonging, which we cannot evade: our belonging to one another as sisters and brothers.”

Reflecting on “Crisis” and “Conflict"

Pope Francis then moves from this specific reflection on the current pandemic to a broader consideration of the experience of living in the midst of a “crisis.” Crises cannot be avoided, and at certain times will come to affect “everyone and everything.” So, the question becomes not how to avoid a crisis, as that is not possible, but how to live in, and respond to, the crises that confront us, in a way that is faithful to the Gospel.

He cites several biblical figures who experienced crises in their lives – Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, and St. Paul – and describes how each of these figures who by their response to these crises “played their part in the history of salvation.”

Jesus, too, experienced “the crisis of temptation” in the desert (experiencing profound “hunger and weakness”), the “crisis in Gethsemane” (experiencing “solitude, fear, anguish, [and] betrayal”), and the “crisis on the cross” (even “feeling abandoned by the Father”). In each of these crises, Jesus’ “complete and trusting surrender” – by allowing himself to be “led by the Spirit” (Matthew 4:1), and by “commend[ing] his spirit into the hands of the Father” (Luke 23:46) – opens the way to the fruitful work of God’s grace and, ultimately, to “resurrection” (cf. Hebrews 5:7).

Our Holy Father cautions us in the Church from judging things too “hastily” in the midst of “the crises caused by scandals past and present.” God continues even in these dark times “to make the seeds of his kingdom grow in our midst.” We must view the crises we face “in the light of the Gospel” and see them as “a time of the Spirit.” With “courage and humility,” we will face our “experience of darkness, weakness, vulnerability contradiction and loss” with the trust “that things are about to take a new shape, emerging exclusively from the experience of a grace hidden in the darkness.”

Todd Graff

Director of Lay Formation & RCIA tgraff@dowr.org

The path that must be avoided in times of crises is that of “conflict.” Conflict seeks to identify “‘guilty’ parties” whom we can, then, scorn and stigmatize. In the midst of conflict, we lose the “sense of our common belonging” as we move into “‘cliques’ that promote narrow and partial mind-sets.” He summarizes our present moment with clarity: “When the Church is viewed in terms of conflict – right versus left, progressive versus traditionalist – she becomes fragmented and polarized, distorting and betraying her true nature.”

The Church, “precisely because she is alive,” will be “a body in continual crisis,” but she cannot allow herself to be “a body in conflict, with winners and losers.”

A Path Forward

We must then, in Pope Francis’ view, be willing “to enter into crisis and to let ourselves be led by the Spirit.” We accept these “times of trial” as “a time of grace granted us to discern God’s will for each of us and for the whole Church.” We must also turn fervently to prayer, which “will allow us to ‘hope against all hope’” (cf. Romans 4:18). To turn away and try to shield ourselves from the demands that crises bring to us is to “hinder the work of God’s grace” which seeks to “manifest itself in us and through us.”

Our Holy Father describes the necessary and purifying work of grace in the midst of crisis: “Everything evil, wrong, weak and unhealthy that comes to light serves as a forceful reminder of our need to die to a way of living, thinking and acting that does not reflect the Gospel. Only by dying to a certain mentality will we be able to make room for the newness that the Spirit constantly awakens in the heart of the Church.”

To conclude, let us take to heart Pope Francis’ simple request to his Vatican colleagues, and to us: “[I]t would be good for us to stop living in conflict and feel once more that we are journeying together, open to crisis.” Deo Gratias!

No one can face life in isolation… We need a community that supports and helps us, in which we can help one another to keep looking ahead. How important it is to dream together… By ourselves, we risk seeing mirages, things that are not there. Dreams, on the other hand, are built together. Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.

-Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, #8

Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota Welcomes

Submitted by SHEILA COLLOM

Sue Degallier

On August 30, 2021, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota was pleased to announce Sue Degallier as the new Active Aging Program director.

Sue grew up in Austin. While attending the College of St. Teresa in Winona, she fell in love with the city – and one of its citizens, Paul. While staying home to raise four children, she continued to work in her degreed field of music and spent many hours volunteering in various capacities.

These connections made her transition to Catholic Charities an easy one.

Sue started working with Active Aging’s Common Good RSVP program in December of 2013, helping individuals 55 and above with meaningful volunteer opportunities to enhance their lives and meet critical needs in their community. As an Active Aging Master Level Trainer, she is trained in several evidence-based program offerings and has led numerous programs and supported countless volunteers across Southern Minnesota.

Sue currently serves as president of the board of directors of WellConnect of SE MN, a collaborative effort that provides valuable partnerships with area organizations. She has built strong connections with Winona State University to involve students in the implementation of health and wellness classes, providing insight and information on working with older adults. She has been instrumental in the management and support of Catholic Charities’ VITA tax program in Winona, working to expand it to include St. Charles. She looks forward to growing the program in 2022 by incorporating pop-up sites to reach more underserved populations. Sue’s prior knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to the Active Aging Program, and we look forward to the creative ideas and program enhancements that she will bring to the role.

Isaac Landsteiner On September 13, 2021, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota was pleased to announce Isaac Landsteiner as the new Parish Social Ministry director.

Isaac grew up in Fairmont. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at St. Mary’s University for four years, receiving a B.A. in philosophy and graduating from the Lasallian Honors Program in 2018.

Isaac began his work with Catholic Charities in 2019 as a deanery coordinator for the Parish Social Ministry program. As a deanery coordinator, he had the opportunity to work with numerous pastors and parishioners in their communities, giving him a strong understanding of the topics and issues that are most critical to parishes across the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Catholic Charities

New Directors

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Throughout his time with Catholic Charities, Isaac has been an active member of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester’s Social Concerns Committee, currently serving as its chair. He has developed and presented Catholic Social Teaching 101 – aimed to introduce Catholics to the Church’s social doctrine – to several parishes in the Mankato area.

He has also served as interim director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and as chair of the Ad Hoc Works of Justice Committee since November of 2020.

In this new role, Isaac is most looking forward to sharing his passion for Catholic Social Teaching with others and to continuing to aid parishes in responding to the needs of our communities. “In the last few years, our program has been able to do a lot of good work in the Worthington and Mankato deaneries,” Isaac shared. “As program director, I am excited to focus on extending this work to other areas of our diocese.” Isaac’s prior education and experience make him an ideal director for the Parish Social Ministry Program, and we look forward to the passion and enthusiasm that he will bring to his new role.

Catholic Charities serves the 20 southernmost counties of Minnesota spanning the territory from the Mississippi River to the South Dakota border.

With a mission to serve the poor and vulnerable, the marginalized, the alienated, and the stranger, Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers serve people without regard to religion, race, gender, or ability to pay. Offices are located in Winona, Rochester, Mankato, Austin and Owatonna. For more information, please visit its website - www. ccsomnorg.

Sheila Collom is the director of administrative services for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.

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Obituaries

Sister Ellen Whelan, 91, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights, on September 9, 2021.

Ellen Ann Whelan was born August 21, 1930, in St. Paul to Joseph and Ellen (Horgan) Whelan. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1961, received the name of Sister Mary Pascal, and made perpetual vows in 1966.

Sister Ellen was a motivated, lifelong learner excelling in academics. She completed a B. A. degree in history at the College of St. Teresa, Winona, in 1965. She completed her studies for both M. A. and Ph.D. degrees in modern European history at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, in 1968 and 1972. Further studies included Summer Institute for Women in College Administration at Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, 1977; Certificate in Hospital Administration at the School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1983; Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at St. Joseph Hospital, Chicago, IL, 1987; and Summer Institute of Religious Studies at Oxford University, England, 1995.

From 1964-66, Sister Ellen began as a junior high teacher at Sacred Heart School in Waseca.

While studying at Syracuse University, she was also a part-time instructor - thus, beginning a long ministry in higher-level education. From 1971-79, she was an assistant professor of history and then became the director of Women’s Lifelong Learning Program at the College of St. Teresa. From 1980-86, Sister Ellen was the coordinator of the addictions unit at Mayo Clinic and sponsorship administrator at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. She also served as a chaplain at

• The Courier

October 2021 St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL, in 1987-91.

Throughout the 1990s, Sister Ellen was a dedicated leader within the congregation at Assisi Heights and at St. Marys Hospital, where she became the sponsorship board chair and executive director. In 1992, Sister Ellen served on a committee to establish the Rochester Community & Technical College’s LIFE Program (Learning Is ForEver).

From 1998-2018, Sister Ellen began her ministry as an author of historical books. Her publications include The Sisters Story and The Sisters Story Part Two, and she co-authored The Little Book of Mayo Clinic Values. She also provided advisory consultation to Ken Burns' documentary The Mayo Clinic: Faith, Hope, and Science, 2018, for PBS and to other heritage films for Mayo Clinic. A quote from Sister Ellen culminates two decades of her diligent research: “I pay tribute to those Saint Marys Sisters whose lives of dedication continue to inspire.”

Like many Franciscan Sisters before her, Sister Ellen was an inspirational leader who served on many boards within religious, academic, and civic organizations at local, state, and national levels. She was the recipient of the Rochester Foundation Fellowship for advance study; a member of the Rochester Charter Commission; recipient of the MN Association of Continuing Adult Education Individual Award for Creative Leadership; Woman of the Year, from the Rochester Business and Professional Women; and Who’s Who of American Women. She resided at Assisi for the last 10 years of her life.

Survivors of Sister Ellen include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 60 years. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Michael Whelan.

A private funeral liturgy took place at Assisi Heights on September 16, 2021, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

Suggested memorials are to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.

The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday Sioux Falls - KTTW Channel 7 at 7 a.m.

Sioux City - KPTH Channel 44 at 8:30 a.m.

Mankato - KEYC Channel 12 at 7:30 a.m.

Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 NEYC at 9:30 a.m.

Digital Channel 7 (DirecTV) or Channel 11 (DISH) KMNF at 9 a.m.

Rochester/Austin/Mason City KIMT Channel 3 at 7:30 a.m.

MyTV 3.2 at 9 a.m.

Twin Cities - WFTC Digital Channel 29 or Channel 9.2 at 11:30 a.m.

Southeastern MN - HBC Channel 20 at 3 p.m. (repeated Wed. at 3:30 p.m.)

Winona/La Crosse/Eau Claire - WLAX/WEUX Channel 25/48 at 7:30 a.m. and on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass")

101 Years... 80 Years... Today

By JEANETTE FORTIER

�n 1921, the USCCB established the National

Council of Catholic Women, bringing together more than 4,000 Catholic women’s organizations from across the United States. The bishops’ purpose was to establish social programs for women in response to the needs of society at that time. In 1941, the Diocese of Winona became part of NCCW. I’m not sure what took us so long to affiliate! At the first gathering of the WCCW, more than 1,800 women attended. They set a marvelous standard of involvement in the programs sponsored by NCCW and in projects promoted by Bishop Fitzgerald to respond to the needs of the time. Our diocese received national recognition for their work. Be proud of this history and proud of the women (your great grandmothers, grandmothers, aunts and mothers) who set the standard and paved the way.

My own involvement in CCW began after a seven-year absence from the Church. When I came back, I knew there had to be “something more” to this journey of faith. The Council of Catholic Women embraced me, called forth my talents, helped me grow in my understanding of the faith. They became my mentors, and I am in their debt. That is the reason I have written an article in The Courier each month for these past four years about our Diocesan Council of

Catholic Women. This Council is doing great things in response to situations in today’s world.

They are important. They can do great things for you.

This is my last article. On September 25, Eleanore Jones became our new diocesan president, and Shelly Holt our new vice president.

They bring many gifts and talents to their leadership roles. Give them your support! Get involved in the DCCW. In 1921, the USCCB stated that every woman 18 years of age and older is a member of NCCW. That ruling has not changed.

Every parish in our diocese should be celebrating “CCW Sunday” some time in this month of October. Every woman should be a member.

Put $3 in an envelope marked with your name and “W-RDCCW.” Drop it in the collection plate.

To the men of our diocese, the women of your parish should have your support. Place a CCW envelope of your own in the basket as well. The Council of Catholic Women is not an option, it is a mandate. It is as important today for the wellbeing of the Church as it was 101 years ago and 80 years ago. Today you are called. Come share your gifts. God bless you for all you do and thank you for reading my articles.

Jeanette Fortier was the president of the WinonaRochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women until September 25, 2021, when she was succeeded by Eleanor Jones.

Parish Events Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona October 30-31, Saturday-Sunday Cathedralfest fall festival.

Saturday starts 7 p.m. and features silent auction, handmade quilt raffle, homemade goods for purchase, Bingo. Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. and features $10 chicken dinners served until gone, continued bidding for Big Ticket and quilt raffles and silent auction. Auction bids end 1:30 p.m. Raffle drawings at 2 p.m.

Info: www.cascwinona.org.

St. Agnes Church, Kellogg October 31, Sunday Turkey dinner with all the

trimmings served 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Raffles, country store, bake sale, farmers market. St. Agnes Parish Hall. 128 E Belvidere Ave in Kellogg.

St. Casimir Church, Winona November 6-7, Saturday-Sunday Fall Festival. Saturday spaghetti dinner served 5:15-6:30 p.m., followed by a limited number of Big Wheel Spins. Ticket must be purchased before dinner.

Sunday more Big Wheel Spins for a homemade quilt & other prizes. Kids games, baked goods, Christmas booths. Food for purchase all day. Big Ticket drawing at 4 p.m. Info: www. cascwinona.org.