Special 125th Anniversary Insert - June 2014

Special Anniversary Edition June, 2014

Upcoming Events & News

Where Does Jesus Send Us? cont'd from page 1 • Father Michael Schmitz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, inspires and educates through his priesthood and preaching. Ordained in 2003, he has preached to youth and young adults across the country about the love of God and the call of Jesus Christ for saints to be raised up in the Church.

• Tony Melendez is a “toe-pickin' guitar player and vocalist.”

Born without arms and with a club foot, Tony is an inspirational Catholic musician and speaker and has been performing for over 20 years in forty countries. He performed for Pope John Paul II has received numerous Unity Music Awards, and continues to challenge and inspire others with his music and his courage. (Tony will be presenting and singing in both English and Spanish at the event.)

• Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations for Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is responsible for leadership of the agency’s mission of assisting Catholics in the U.S. to act on their faith by helping people in need around the world. Prior to joining CRS, Ms. Rosenhauer spent 16 years working for the justice and peace office at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The celebration will include general sessions in both English and Spanish, a youth track, and a program for children. There will be displays, resources, service opportunities, and items from our diocesan history. At the heart of the celebration will be prayer, with opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, and the celebration of the Eucharist on Saturday afternoon.

There is no charge to participate in the celebration, but pre-registration is requested for the Saturday event, and is required for participants in the Youth Track and Children’s Program. Registration and other information are available online at the

Diocese of Winona web page: www.dow.org. Those pre-registering for To Register the event will receive a commemorative item at the celebration. for events, enter the video contest or find out more about what's going on, please visit the Diocese of Winona's website: www.dow.org or call (507) 454-4643

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The annual diocesan “Ministry Days” gathering for diocesan clergy and lay leaders will be held on Monday, June 9th – Tuesday, June 10th, at Saint Mary’s University in Winona.

Commemorative Book of the History of the Diocese and Parishes for the 125th Anniversary - This beautiful book will be available to purchase at your local parish in September!

Highlights and Heroes - this new section of the Anniversary insert will be coming soon! It will be a deeper look into the heroic lives of the men who gave up everything to serve the Church and her faithful people.

Diocesan Anniversary Celebration!

September 12-13, 2014, at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.

"Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits – he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone... (Pope Francis, Closing Mass for World Youth Day 2013)

Celebrating Our Priests' Anniversaries of Ordination 60 Years

Fr. Joseph Fr. Harry P. Fr. Donald Msgr. Eugene Fr. Edgar LaPlante Jewison Zenk E. Egan Schaefer

Father LaPlante did his undergraduate studies at Crosier Seminary in Onamia and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD; and he completed his theological studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On June 6, 1954 he was ordained by the Most Reverend Edward A. Fitzgerald at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Father LaPlante has held many assignments: parochial vicar, instructor for Cotter High School, chaplain for the Newman Center in Winona, spiritual director, and pastor. He has also completed 20 years in the Air Force as a chaplain. On June 29, 1994 Father joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

Father Jewison did his undergraduate studies at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota and IHM Seminary in Winona; and completed his theology studies at Theological College in Washington D.C. On June 6, 1954 he was ordained by the Most Reverend Edward A. Fitzgerald at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.

Father Jewison has held many assignments: parochial vicar, instructor in Catholic schools, and pastor. Father has also served as dean for the Mankato and Rochester area. On June 29, 1994 Father Jewison joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

Father Zenk did his undergraduate studies at Loras College in Dubuque, IA and his theological studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On June 6, 1954 he was ordained by the Most Reverend Edward A. Fitzgerald at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.

Father Zenk has held many assignments: parochial vicar, chaplain, parochial administrator, and pastor. Father also served in the Army from 19451946. On June 29, 1994 Father Zenk joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

55 Years

Monsignor Egan did his undergraduate studies at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and his theology studies at Theological College in Washington D.C. On June 6, 1954 he was ordained by the Most Reverend Edward A. Fitzgerald at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.

Monsignor Egan has held many assignments: parochial vicar, instructor in Catholic schools, and pastor. Monsignor served in the United States Army as a chaplain from 1965-1985.

On December 5, 1997 he was named a monsignor. On June 30, 2000 Monsignor Egan joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

Bishop Bernard J Harrington

Father Schaefer did his undergraduate studies at IHM Seminary in Winona, and his theological studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. He also attended the Chaplains Training Center at State Hospital in Hastings. In addition Father had pursued graduate studies at the State Hospital in Hastings, and received a graduate degree in Clinical Psychiatry. On June 6, 1954 he was ordained by the Most Reverend Edward A. Fitzgerald at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.

Father Schaefer has held many assignments: parochial vicar, chaplain, and pastor. On July 1, 1997 Father Schaefer joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

Bishop Harrington did his S e m i n a r y Ministry, the Diocesan Office of Lay Formation, the Office of Graduate studies at Sacred Heart College in Stewardship, and the Office of Pastoral Planning. He also initiDetroit and his theology studies at St. John Provincial ated the Seeds of Faith 30 million dollar campaign for the diocese.

Seminary in Plymouth, MI. He completed his theological studBishop was pastor at Holy Name parish in Birmingham MI (1971ies at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Bishop Harrington 1976) and St. Rene Goupil parish in Sterling Heights, MI (1984received his masters degree from the University of Detroit. On 1993).

June 6, 1959 he was ordained by Archbishop John F. Dearden In 1965 he was appointed as Associate Superintendent for at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. On Catholic High Schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1976 March 26, 1990 he was named a monsignor. On November 23, Bishop was appointed as the seventh Rector/President of Sacred 1993 Bishop was appointed by Pope John Paul II as auxiliary Heart Seminary College in Detroit. In 1977 Bishop Harrington Bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit and titular Bishop of Uzali. also became the Director of the Formation Department of the Bishop Harrington also served as regional bishop of Macomb Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1992 Bishop headed a 100 million dollar and Saint Clair Counties, and episcopal moderator for pastoral endowment drive for the Archdiocesan schools and programs. In concerns.

1996 he worked on fundraising for building the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center On January 6, 1999 he was installed as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of in Washington DC. He was also chairman of the USCCB committee of education Winona. He has held many assignments: counselor, chaplain, and pastor. In the (2000-2003). On May 7, 2009 Bishop Harrington joined the rank of senior priests Diocese of Winona Bishop began the Diaconate Program , the Office for Hispanic of the diocese.

Msgr. Donald P. Schmitz

50 Years

Monsignor Schmitz did his undergraduate studies at IHM Seminary in Winona and his theological studies at North American College in Rome. On December 16, 1964 he was ordained by the Most Reverend Francis Reh at Saint Peter Basilica in Rome. On December 5, 1997 he was named a monsignor. Monsignor Schmitz has held many assignments: parochial vicar, Catholic schools instructor, chaplain, spiritual director, and pastor. From 1976-1991 Monsignor served as the chancellor for the Diocese of Winona.

In 1976, Monsignor Schmitz became Director for the Society for the Propagation of Faith and the Director of Catholic Cemeteries for our diocese. In 1991, he became the moderator of the Winona Diocesan Council of Catholic Women for the Rochester area.

Monsignor Schmitz served for many years on the Diocese of Winona Tribunal; he was also on the presbyteral council, clergy assignments committee, and College of Consultors. In 2007, he became the Vicar General for the Diocese of Winona, and in 2009 became the Vicar for Senior Priests of the diocese. On June 27, 2012 Monsignor Schmitz joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese. Monsignor is currently doing pastoral ministry at Pax Christi in Rochester and Ss. Peter and Paul in Mazeppa.

40 Years

Msgr. Robert Meyer

Monsignor Robert Meyer did his undergraduate studies at Winona State University in Winona. Prior to entering Seminary he was a public school administrator for 13 years. Monsignor completed his theological studies at Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Boston. On May 24, 1974 he was ordained a priest by Bishop Loras J. Watters at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. On August 16, 2012 he was named a Prelate of Honor with the title of reverend monsignor. Monsignor Meyer has held many assignments: parochial vicar and parochial administrator, tribunal judge and advocate, and pastor. Monsignor Meyer served as the Diocesan Director of Religious Education, Director of Catholic Social Services, and the Diocesan Family Life Director. He also served as the Dean for the Mankato deanery and Dean for the Rochester Deanery. In addition Monsignor served on the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Finance Council, and the Priests Committee for the Capital Campaign. Monsignor Meyer supervised the remodeling of Madison Lake's parish school building and the Sisters' convent. He also supervised the restoration and renovation of St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. John Nepomucene churches. He is currently serving on the College of Consultors.

On June 30, 2008 Monsignor Meyer joined the rank of senior priests in the diocese.

Fr. Thien Nguyen

Father Nguyen did his undergraduate studies at St. Paul Seminary, Tran Khai Nguyen, and Teachers College in Vietnam, he then attended IHM Seminary in Winona, and did his theological studies at St. John Seminary in Brighton MA. On June 14, 1989 Father Nguyen was ordained by Most Reverend John G. Vlazny at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Father has held many assignments: parochial vicar, parochial administrator, and pastor. He was also an instructor at Pacelli High School in Austin. Father Nguyen currently serves as pastor for St. James in St. James, St. Mary in Madelia, and St. Katherine in Truman.

Fr. William Kulas

Father Kulas did his undergraduate studies at IHM Seminary in Winona, and his theological studies at St. John Seminary in Collegeville. Father attended Mankato State University for a specialist degree in Education Administration. He later attended Catholic University in Washington DC for graduate studies in Cannon Law, and received his license in Cannon Law in 1984.

On May 24, 1974 he was ordained by Most Reverend Loras J. Watters at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Father Kulas has held many assignments: parochial vicar, instructor for Catholic schools, and pastor. In 1984 he was appointed as the Judicial Vicar of the Tribunal for the diocese. In 2000 Father was the Canonical Office of Associate Judge for the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Second Instance for Ecclesiastical Province of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Father Kulas served on the tribunal and priests pension board for many years. He is currently pastor for Holy Trinity in Rollingstone, St. Mary in Minneiska, and St. Paul in Minnesota City. Father Kulas is also the chaplain for the Winona Serra Club.

Fr. Peter Klein

Father Klein did his undergraduate studies at IHM Seminary in Winona, and his theological studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 24, 1974 he was ordained by Most Reverend Loras J. Watters at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Father Klein has held many assignments: parochial vicar, parochial administrator, instructor for Catholic schools, and pastor. Father Klein is the author of "The Catholic Source Book, 5th Edition". He currently is pastor for Ss. Peter and Paul in Blue Earth, and St. Mary in Winnebago. Father Klein also serves as the Dean of the Mankato Deanery.

25 Years

Fr. Mark McNea

Father McNea did his undergraduate studies at Mankato State University in Mankato, and IHM Seminary in Winona; he then attended St. John Seminary in Brighton MA for his theological studies. Father McNea has also studied Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. On June 14, 1989 Father McNea was ordained by Most Reverend John G. Vlazny at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Father has held many assignments: parochial vicar, chaplain, and pastor. Father McNea has served as Associate Director of Vocations for the diocese, has been a member of the faculty for IHM Seminary in Winona, has served as an instructor for Lourdes High school in Rochester and Cotter High School in Winona, and as the Diocesan Master of Ceremonies. Father has also served in the diocesan Tribunal. He currently is a member of the College of Consultors, and serves on the Clergy Personnel Committee and the Presbyteral Council. Father is the Assistant Vicar for Clergy and is a member of the Curia, Deans' Committee, and the Bishop's Cabinet.

Father McNea is also pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Rochester.

June, 2014

Special Anniversary Edition

Enter the DOW Video Contest!

In several cultures it is tradition to give gifts to others on one’s birthday. For the celebration of our 125th Anniversary, the Diocese of Winona intends to do exactly that! As a way to honor and further our diocesan “Year of Thanksgiving,” we will share the love and the treasures that we as a diocese have received with those among us who are in special need of care and support. The Diocese will be awarding grants of up to $10,000 to groups (parish, school, etc.) who demonstrate, through a 2-3 minute video, how they are providing “works of mercy and justice” to those living in poverty.

By sponsoring this video contest and providing such funding, the Diocese seeks to promote and honor all the great work that is being done to help those in economic need. Winners of the grants will have their video highlighted at the 125th Anniversary celebration in Mankato on September 13th. To find out more about this project, including how to enter your video, please visit: http://www.dow.org/anniversary.

The Challenge:

“What you have received as as a gift.” Ma gift, give att. 10:8

• Document your service experience or program with a short video, between two to three minutes long.

• Explain in 300 words or less the purpose and future plans of the project.

• Complete the entrance application (visit www.dow.org/anniversary) and send the application to the Diocese of Winona.

• Submit an entry on Facebook (www.facebook.com/diocesewinona) by September 1, 2014.

• Entries that meet the criteria for the challenge will be posted on Facebook for the public to view.

• Accepted entries will be open for the public to vote on, based on creativity, passion, and the impact of the message.

• A panel of judges will select the winners of the challenge.

“Among our tasks as witnesses to the love of Christ is that of giving a voice to the cry of the poor, so that they are not abandoned to the laws of an economy that seems at times to treat people as mere consumers.” Pope Francis 6/14/13

Prayer for Priests

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Thy Holy Love surround them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter. Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us: obtain for us numerous and holy priests. Amen.

To Register for events, enter the video contest or find out more about what's going on, please visit the Diocese of Winona's website: www.dow.org or call (507) 454-4643