October 2026
The
COURIER
Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org
Diocese Joins Thousands for Investing in Our
Fulton Sheen Beatification Future Priests
The Seminarian Education Fund
By EMILY SMITHLEY
By MARK DOCKERY
�n September 24, Bishop Barron, along with
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ach year, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester turns to the generosity of our parishioners to help send the next generation of priests through the long road of priestly formation. The Seminarian Education Fund exists for exactly this purpose: providing tuition assistance for the men God has called to serve our diocese as priests.
many priests, parishioners and seminarians from the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, joined nearly 50,000 Catholics from across the United States and around the world in St. Louis for the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The historic celebration was the culmination of several days of prayer and events in St. Louis, MO, and in Peoria, IL, Sheen’s hometown and the diocese where he served as a priest. Pilgrims gathered to remember the life and ministry of one of America’s best-known Catholic evangelists and to give thanks for his witness to the Gospel. The days leading up to the Beatification included Holy Hours, opportunities for Confession and Eucharistic Adoration, presentations on Sheen’s life and spirituality, and prayer with pilgrims from around the world. In Peoria, faithful gathered at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, where Sheen was ordained a priest and where his remains are entombed. In St. Louis, pilgrims gathered for Solemn Vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where Bishop Barron preached on the eve of the Beatification.
A Note on Timing
Faithful supporters of this appeal may have noticed something different this past year. As the diocese worked through the process of converting to a new database system, the Seminarian Education Fund appeal mailing was delayed, going out in January instead of its usual November launch. We're grateful for your patience during that transition, and we're happy to report that the appeal is back on its normal schedule this year. The Seminarian Education Fund appeal runs annually from November 1 through October 31, and this year's mailing will go out on time. The Long Road to the Priesthood
The journey to ordination is not a short one. For a man entering formation right after high school, the path typically spans eight years.
Beatification, cont'd on page 7
Future Priests, cont'd on pg. 9
INSIDE this issue
Meet Our New Seminarians pages 8-9
MCC Inside the Capitol page 11
Back to Basics page 12
The Courier Insider
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Pope: Martyrs Are Among Church's Greatest Evangelizers
Articles of Interest
From the Bishop_________________________4-5 New Equestrian Order Members_____________6 Baby Bottle Campaign Celebrates 20 Years___7 Meet Our New Seminarians______________8-9 In Silence / Thank You, CCW!______________10 MCC Inside the Capitol__________________11 Back to Basics_________________________12
Pope Leo XIV addresses the participants of the conference "The 21st Century: A New Time of Martyrs?" during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Sept. 16, 2026. Credit: Vatican Media
By ISHMAEL ADIBUAH, EWTN News
� Vatican conference on modern
Christian martyrs concluded with a speech by Pope Leo XIV, who praised their witness and the evangelizing power of their simple, daily holiness. The pontiff held a private audience at the Vatican on Sept. 16 with participants in the conference “The 21st Century: A New Time of Martyrs?” held at the Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome from Sept. 15–16. The conference, organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, discussed the ecumenical initiative “Commission for New Martyrs - Witnesses of the Faith” established by Pope Francis in 2023 to document the deaths of Christians of all denominations who have been killed for their faith since 2000. Among the cases discussed was that of Sister Dorothy Stang, an American nun who was killed in Brazil in 2005 while serving the local population in the Amazon. Christian Witnesses Propose a Faith Lived Out Daily, Not an Ideology
In his address, Pope Leo praised the dicastery’s work cataloging the lives of Christians killed for their faith and explained that their example can teach believers today to present the faith not as an ideology but as a way of life. “The evangelizing strength of the new witnesses to the faith represents one of the Church’s greatest resources for proclaiming the Gospel in today’s world,” Leo said. “The witnesses to the faith do not propose an ideology
The Auditor Is Coming___________________13 but show a faith lived out in everyday life.” He also explained the significance of those Christians to Catholics, saying they “are brothers and sisters who, in different geographical, historical, and political contexts, have given their life for the Gospel.” The pope also said that daily holiness - the holiness next door - can help Christians explain and defend their faith in arguments. “In indifferent cultural contexts, “holiness next door” and quiet heroism become powerful arguments, capable of speaking to everyone, even the most skeptical.” Muslims in West Bank Are Tired of Violence Against Christians
Speakers at the conference included Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. Pizzaballa, who delivered a speech on the suffering of Christians amid ongoing wars in the Holy Land, recounted his experience of explaining that suffering to Muslim students in Palestine. “I agreed to meet with young people from the local university [in Palestine] who insisted I come,” Pizzaballa recounted. “I had never experienced that before and was afraid. About 600 students were there, all Muslims. During the discussion, I expected political questions about the war. Instead, all the questions were about life, faith, and Christianity.” “When I said that Christianity rejects violence …, they stood up and applauded, saying they, too, are tired of living in a system of violence.”
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Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-361-3068 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior. (ISSN 0744-5490) October 2026 w The Courier w dowr.org
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The Blood of the Martyrs Comes Before Theological Disagreements Among Christians Semeraro, in his address, discussed the progress of the “Commission for New Martyrs - Witnesses of the Faith” initiative and emphasized the need to prioritize the sacrifice of Christians for the faith over theological debates.
Martyrs, cont'd on pg. 6
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 Michael Gerard at 507-361-3377, or mgerard@dowr.org.
October Saint
St. Francis of Assisi
Feast Day: October 4 By BRIAN KUSEK
St. Francis is not a proper person to be patronized with merely ‘pretty’ stories. There are often any number of them; but they are too often used so as to be a sort of sentimental sediment of the medieval world, instead of being, as the saint emphatically is, a challenge to the modern world. - G.K. Chesterton
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o saint is so beloved by people of all good will as Saint Francis of Assisi. No doubt this is the reason that the manner in which the Father of the Seraphic Order is portrayed is so heterogeneous. Francis may be understood as a beggar or a social reformer; a gloomy ascetic or environmentalist hippie; an enigmatic contemplative or a fiery preacher. The romantic
The Holy Father's Intention for
October 2026
For Mental Health Ministry Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses
casting of the saint is perpetuated by things he never said, like the favorite mantra of my CCD teachers growing up, “preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words;” or the excessively sentimental 20th century French prayer, “Make me a channel of your peace.” The first book G.K. Chesterton wrote after his conversion takes this dilemma headon. Perhaps no other saint could embody Chesterton’s paradoxical style so well. Between the hagiographic romanticism of medieval biographers and the purely historical retelling of the facts of Francis’s life, St. Francis suggests a third way, presenting the saint as “a poet whose life was a poem.” He was, to borrow a phrase from C.S. Lewis, a kind of “myth become fact;” an archetypal figure of the evangelical counsels. Francis, says Chesterton, was the juggler – a sort of court jester for God – who, by standing on his head and seeing the world topsy turvy, sees it right side up. Indeed, Francis was a reformer, but not by being beholden to any particular ideology. Reform was not some kind of fleeting social project, nor was it a rejection of the hierarchical structures of the Church. Rather, Francis’s reform was a profoundly mystical interior conversion. He begged, but to be poorer. He hungered, but to rid himself of the desires of this world. He loved creation, but only so that he might subject himself more perfectly to its Creator. One can discern Francis’s true project in the rule of life he first articulated for the Third Order in his Letter to All the Faithful. Written a few years before the official rule for the Brothers and Sisters of Penance in 1221, it is the most ancient witness to the original charism of Saint Francis. The
letter offers a straightforward program for those who wish to live with the Franciscan spirit: love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39); confess your sins regularly and frequently receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; bring forth fruits worthy of penance and practice works of mercy; fast often, avoid superfluity, and be virtuous; visit churches frequently and reverence clerics; hate vices and sin; be obedient by considering yourself the servant of all in patience and humility. In short, be Catholic. Eight hundred years after Francis welcomed Sister Death, you can find hundreds of Franciscan communities who honor different interpretations of the saint. This is hardly surprising when we consider the sheer scale of the man whom we call the Mirror and Model of Perfection. To try to encapsulate the man who lived the Gospel pure and unadulterated is nearly as difficult as imitating Christ. Here’s the significance for all Christians: to capture the true Francis is to get to the heart of the matter; to treat God as a matter of fact; to be detached from the things of this world and live in a spirit of penance; to receive others with mercy and consider yourself the least. Perhaps this is why Pope Leo XIII viewed the Third Order as the surest way to build good morals and Christian virtue. To live like Francis is to live like Christ.
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Brian Kusek is the director of evangelization for the Diocese of WinonaRochester.
This Month in The Courier Archives
---------------------------------25, 50 & 75 Years Ago----------------------------------
Bishop Harrington presented a certificate to Norman and Vernice Heim, recognizing their marriage of 74 years. The Heims, who reside at Hillcrest Care Center in Plainview, were unable to attend the Diocesan Celebration of Marriage, so the bishop went to Plainview to make the presentation. Norman and Vernice were married on August 24, 1927. Pictured with them are son Tom Heim and his wife, Olivia, who have been married 43 years.
Sr. Mary Willette has become the first woman with faculty status at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary [in Winona]. [...] Sr. Mary, a native of Blue Earth, who joined the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1966, joins the IHM faculty as the Assistant Director of Liturgy and Apostolic Works. She will, however, continue to teach sixth, seventh and eighth-grade religion classes at St. Stanislaus Elementary School.
Maria Marsich, 33-year-old refugee from Venezia Guilia, former Italian province now occupied by Yugoslavia, is shown above picking flowers for her room while awaiting emigration to the United States under provisions of the Displaced Persons Act and through the cooperation of the Diocese of Winona. Maria, one of 85 Venezia Guilians who arrived in New York Wednesday, September 26, aboard the USNS Blatchford, is sponsored by Mrs. M.J. Breen of Fulda, who will employ her as a domestic. [...] Also aboard the USNS Blatchford were Mr. and Mrs. Alojz Simonic and three children who are being sponsored by Father Leo Neudecker of Immaculate Conception parish, Conception, Minnesota.
Reprinted from October 2001.
Reprinted from October 15, 1976.
Reprinted from October 7, 1951. October 2026 w The Courier w dowr.org
The Life of a Preacher
From the Bishop
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The following is adapted from Bishop Barron's homily for the October 1 diaconal ordination in Rome, where he ordained Diocese of WinonaRochester seminarian Ryan Saltness.
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h e responsibilities and prerogatives of a deacon are multiple, and they include the faithful praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, the commitment to humble pastoral service, and the acceptance of a life of celibate chastity for the sake of the Kingdom. Today I should like to concentrate on the public proclamation and interpretation of the Word of God. I do this in light of the recent beatification of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, the greatest preacher in the history of the Church in the United States, perhaps the greatest preacher in English in the twentieth century. Preaching is not sharing your opinions on culture or politics. It is not even offering your point of view on matters spiritual. Nor is it talking about Jesus or God or the Church. Authentic preaching happens when you allow Jesus to use you to speak his Word to his people. You preach when Jesus has so seized your heart, your Bishop's Calendar
*indicates event open to public
mind, your personality, that he effectively speaks through you. Can you see why prayer, therefore, is never something incidental to a preacher? If you are not habitually conformed to Christ, he will not be able to use you as his instrument of communication. If Jesus is not the center of your life, you cannot be a preacher. Period. Now this word that you preach, this word that is not yours but Christ's, strikes with enormous power. Our words are, for the most part, derivative and descriptive. They tell others what is real or what's going on. God's word, by contrast, is antecedent and creative. It makes things real; it makes things happen. "And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." Jesus is that divine Word made flesh, which is why when he says, "Lazarus, come out!" the dead man comes out and when he says over the Passover bread and wine, "this is my body and this is my blood," so they are. Might I make some practical suggestions as you commence what I hope will be a lifelong career as a preacher? First, you must be men of the Bible. You should have it on your person; you should read from it every day; you should savor its language and imagery; you should know the contours and trajectories of its narratives; its abiding themes should condition your minds; you should come, in sum, to see the world through Biblical eyes.
October 1, Thursday 6:00 p.m. - Transitional Diaconate Ordination for the North American College - St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
October 2, Friday Mass of Thanksgiving for Deacon Ryan Saltness' Ordination - Rome October 4, Sunday Community Mass - North American College, Rome
October 2026 w The Courier w dowr.org
I should like to put a special them, imitate them, and then, stress on the relationship after this apprenticeship, between the Old and New find your own voice. Testaments. You cannot truly Third, be a student understand Jesus apart from of rhetoric. Long ago, the his relationship to Israel, great philosopher Aristotle for he is, in St. enumerated Paul's language, Authentic the essential "the yes to all elements to the promises preaching any persuasive made to Israel." speech: Logos, happens I have found that Pathos, and when I show when you Ethos. Persuasive the connection speech is logical, between Old allow Jesus which is to say, T e s t a m e n t to use you intellectually anticipation and substantive New Testament to speak his and rationally fulfillment, the structured. It hearts of people Word to his has a beginning, begin to burn people. You a middle, and within them. an end. It makes S e c o n d , preach when an argument; it words are a moves logically Jesus has so preacher's tools. from point to A c c o r d i n g l y, seized your point. Next, preachers ought Aristotle taught to be in love with heart, your that persuasive words - with mind, your speech must their sounds, be marked by t e x t u r e s , personality, pathos, which is etymologies, to say, feeling or that he and the passion. People wonderful ways effectively only really listen that they can to an excited be combined to speaks speaker, which, make both music through you. however, doesn’t and meaning. necessitate Preachers screaming your should be in the habit of homily. As any effective reading novels and poetry, communicator knows, and they should subscribe to passion can be communicated a variety of journals, both very effectively through a academic and literary. They whisper. Lastly, what makes a should know how poets speech effective is, at the end work and what poems mean. of the day, the character of the Attend to great preachers. speaker that comes through. One advantage of our digital Your life must conform to culture is that we can what you're saying, or your actually watch some of these people won't believe you, or, worthies in action. So study worse, you will scandalize
October 7, Wednesday Mass and Seminary Visit Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona
October 11, Sunday *10:30 a.m. - Parish Anniversary Mass - St. Rose of Lima, Lewiston
October 10, Saturday *4:30 p.m. - Mass for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis - St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester
October 17, Saturday *4:30 p.m. - White Mass St. Marys Hospital Chapel, Rochester
October 8-9, ThursdayFriday St. Mary's University Board Meeting - St. Mary's University, Winona
October 12-15, MondayThursday Presbyteral Days - Okoboji, IA
October 18, Sunday *8:00 a.m. - Mass and Lector Installation - St. Pius X, Rochester
Non Nisi Te Domine Bishop Robert Barron
them. Now look, we're all sinners; so the conformity is never going to be perfect. But they can sense when you're talking out of the integrity of your own experience and when you're not. Everything I've been saying in this homily, dear brothers, is beautifully summed up in the line that I will speak to each one of you when I give you the book of the Gospels. It's a line that I've loved since I first heard it probably forty-five years ago at a deacon ordination: "Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you preach." In the November issue of The Courier, see photos from the ordination of Deacon Ryan Saltness in Rome!
October 21, Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - Bishop's Cabinet The Chancery, Rochester
October 25, Sunday *Mass - St. Thomas Aquinas Parish - Dallas, TX
October 20, Tuesday *10:00 a.m. - Cemetery October 27, Tuesday Extension and Columbarium 12:00 p.m. - Pension Plan for Blessing - Calvary Cemetery, Priests Board Meeting - The Rochester Chancery, Rochester *5:00 p.m. - 40 Days for Rochester Serra Priests Life Prayer Vigil - Planned Appreciation Dinner Rochester Parenthood, Rochester
La vida del predicador por EL OBISPO ROBERT BARRON
El siguiente texto es una adaptación de la homilía del obispo Barron con motivo de la ordenación diaconal celebrada el 1 de octubre en Roma, donde ordenó al seminarista Ryan Saltness, de la diócesis de WinonaRochester.
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as responsabilidades y prerrogativas de un diácono son múltiples, e incluyen la recitación fiel de la Liturgia de las Horas, el compromiso con un servicio pastoral humilde y la aceptación de una vida de castidad célibe por causa del Reino. Hoy me gustaría centrarme en la proclamación pública y la interpretación de la Palabra de Dios. Lo hago a la luz de la reciente beatificación del beato Fulton J. Sheen, el mayor predicador de la historia de la Iglesia en Estados Unidos y, quizás, el mayor predicador en lengua inglesa del siglo XX. Predicar no es compartir tus opiniones sobre cultura o política. Ni siquiera es ofrecer tu punto de vista sobre cuestiones espirituales. Tampoco es hablar sobre Jesús, de Dios o de la Iglesia. La auténtica predicación tiene lugar cuando permites que Jesús te utilice para transmitir su Palabra a su pueblo. Predicas cuando Jesús se ha apoderado tanto de tu corazón, de tu mente y de tu personalidad, que habla efectivamente a través de ti. ¿Entienden por qué, por lo tanto, la oración nunca es algo secundario para un predicador? Si no se conforman habitualmente a Cristo, Él no podrá utilizarlos como su instrumento de comunicación. Si Jesús no es el centro de tu vida, no puedes ser predicador. Punto. Ahora bien, esta palabra que predican, esta palabra que no es suya sino de Cristo, impacta con un poder enorme. Nuestras palabras son, en su mayor
On September 9, Bishop barron visited Crucifixion Parish in La Crescent to celebrate the blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony for Crucifixion School's new Early Learning Center. The addition increases Crucifixion's childcare capacity from 40 to 110, including 24 infants. Bishop Barron spoke on the Center's potential for aiding Crucifixion Parish's mission to worship, evangelize and serve. Other speakers included La Crescent Mayor Mike Poellinger, Crucifixion School Principal Doug Harpenau, Jeff Wieser of Wieser Brothers General Contractor, and Crucifixion Pastor Fr. John Evans. The blessing was followed by an open house and dinner.
parte, derivadas y descriptivas. Les dicen a los demás qué es real o qué está sucediendo. La palabra de Dios, por el contrario, es antecedente y creativa. Hace que las cosas sean reales; hace que las cosas sucedan. «Y dijo Dios: “¡Hágase la luz!”, y se hizo la luz». Jesús es esa Palabra divina hecha carne, por eso, cuando dice: «¡Lázaro, sal afuera!», el muerto sale; y cuando dice, sobre el pan pascual y el vino: «Este es mi cuerpo y esta es mi sangre», así son. ¿Puedo hacerles algunas sugerencias prácticas ahora que comienzan lo que espero que sea una carrera de por vida como predicadores? En primer lugar, deben ser hombres de la Biblia. Deben llevarla siempre consigo; deben leerla cada día; deben saborear su lenguaje y sus imágenes; deben conocer los contornos y las trayectorias de sus narraciones; sus temas recurrentes deben moldear sus mentes; en definitiva, deben llegar a ver el mundo a través de los ojos de la Biblia. Me gustaría hacer especial hincapié en la relación entre el Antiguo y el Nuevo Testamento. No pueden comprender verdaderamente a Jesús al margen de su relación con Israel, pues él es, en palabras de san Pablo, «el sí a todas las promesas hechas a Israel». He descubierto que, cuando muestro la conexión entre la anticipación del Antiguo Testamento y el cumplimiento del Nuevo Testamento, los corazones de las personas comienzan a arder en su interior. En segundo lugar, las palabras son las herramientas de un predicador. Por ello, los predicadores deben sentir pasión por las palabras: por sus sonidos, texturas, etimologías y las maravillosas formas en que pueden combinarse para crear tanto música como significado. Los predicadores deben adquirir el hábito de leer novelas y poesía,
y deben suscribirse a diversas revistas, tanto académicas como literarias. Deben saber cómo trabajan los poetas y qué significan los poemas. Presten atención a los grandes predicadores. Una ventaja de nuestra cultura digital es que podemos ver en acción a algunos de estos grandes predicadores. Así que estúdienlos, imítenlos y, tras este aprendizaje, encuentren su propia voz. En tercer lugar, estudia retórica. Hace mucho tiempo, el gran filósofo Aristóteles enumeró los elementos esenciales de cualquier discurso persuasivo: logos, pathos y ethos. El discurso persuasivo es lógico, es decir, intelectualmente sustancioso y racionalmente estructurado. Tiene un principio, un desarrollo y un final. Plantea un argumento y avanza lógicamente de un punto a otro. A continuación, Aristóteles enseñó que el discurso persuasivo debe caracterizarse por el pathos, es decir, el sentimiento o la pasión. La gente solo escucha de verdad a un orador entusiasmado, lo cual, sin embargo, no implica que haya que gritar tu homilía. Como sabe cualquier comunicador eficaz, la pasión se puede transmitir de forma muy eficaz incluso con un susurro. Por último, lo que hace que un discurso sea eficaz es, al fin y al cabo, el carácter del orador que se transmite a través de él. Tu vida debe estar en consonancia con lo que dices, o tu público no te creerá o, peor aún, se escandalizará. Ahora bien, todos somos pecadores; por lo tanto, esa consonancia nunca va a ser perfecta. Pero ellos pueden percibir cuándo hablas desde la integridad de tu propia experiencia y cuándo no. Todo lo que he estado diciendo en esta homilía, queridos hermanos, queda perfectamente resumido en la frase que les diré a cada uno de ustedes cuando les entregue el libro de los Evangelios. Es una frase que me ha encantado desde que la escuché por primera vez, probablemente hace cuarenta y cinco años, en una ordenación diaconal: "Cree en lo que lees, enseña lo que crees y pon en práctica lo que predicas."
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On September 19, at Holy Trinity Church in Rollingstone, Bishop Barron installed Fr. Michael Churchill as pastor of Holy Trinity, Rollingstone; St. Rose of Lima, Lewiston; and St. Joseph, Rushford. In his homily, Bishop Barron expounded on the traits of a spiritual father, sharing memories of his own father as examples. Fr. Churchill was ordained in 2022, and this is his first assignment as a pastor.
October 2026 w The Courier w dowr.org
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Martyrs,
Equestrian Order Welcomes New Dame Commander, Members cont'd from pg. 2 By SIDNA TULLEDGE-SCHEITEL
�he Equestrian Order of the Holy Seplucher of Jerusalem of
the Winona-Rochester Diocese just returned from our annual meeting in Kansas City, MO, where Dame Debra McManimon was promoted to Dame Commander. The following new members were invested into the order: • • •
Sir Michael and Dame Jacyln Walters, the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester (pictured left),
Sir Robert and Dame Jennifer Soland, Holy Family Parish, Kasson (pictured center), and Sir David and Dame Tiffany Berg, Pax Christi Parish, Rochester (pictured right),
Dame Sidna Tulledge-Scheitel, with Sir Mark Scheitel, served as section president for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, recently passing those responsibilities on to Sir Joseph and Dame Paula Wick.
The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday
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October 2026 w The Courier w dowr.org
“The blood of the martyrs comes before our theological dialogues,” Semeraro said. “Where our Christian confessions still have wounds that need to be healed, the martyrs tell us that what is essential is already shared: the confession of Christ, even unto the gift of oneʼs life. This is called the ‘ecumenism of blood.’" Sister Dorothy Stang and the Impact of 9/11 on Christian Persecution
Among the Christians mentioned at the conference was Sister Dorothy Stang, an American nun who was murdered in Brazil in 2005 for defending the land rights of the Indigenous peoples. In 2025, she became the first U.S. woman to be included in a permanent memorial in Rome for modern Christian martyrs. Sister Nicoletta Spezzati, a consultor for the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, described Stang as a “woman of contemplative prayer” who understood that “the predatory devastation of the planet is not simply a moral offense but humanityʼs rebellion against the Creator.”
Marcia Goodman, a niece of Stang, added that her life was rooted in the belief in a sustainable environment for all people. “It’s especially powerful that Dorothy, a woman, is being recognized as a modern martyr,” Goodman told EWTN News. “She led her life in the belief that all people matter and therefore deserve a place to call home.” Besides Stang, the impact of the U.S. terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, on Christian persecution in Europe was also noted. Father Roberto Regoli, president of the Joseph Ratzinger Foundation, described those attacks as a precursor to a new scale of Christian persecution internationally. “Twenty-five years ago, on Sept. 11, we remember the attacks on the Twin Towers. We remember the airplane that struck the Pentagon in Washington. From those years onward, there was an escalation of conflicts at the international level,” Regoli said. “In the face of secularism, social difficulties, psychological difficulties, and religious tensions, there are men and women - religious and laypeople - who remain where they are. And perhaps this is itself a form of testimony: to remain in oneʼs place,” Regoli added.
Elias Turk contributed to this report.
Beatification, cont'd from pg. 1 Catholic The Beatification Mass took place at The Dome at America’s Center on September 24. Before the liturgy, thousands of pilgrims filled the arena for Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, prayer and presentations about Sheen’s life. A procession of seminarians, clergy and bishops led into the Mass, which was celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the representative of Pope Leo XIV. During the Rite of Beatification, the official Apostolic Letter from Pope Leo XIV was proclaimed, declaring Fulton J. Sheen among the Blessed. His image was then unveiled before the gathered faithful as the Church celebrated the recognition of his heroic witness to the Gospel. The Mass continued with the Eucharist, placing at the center of the celebration the source of Sheen’s own priestly life and ministry. For many who attended, the Beatification was also an opportunity to reflect on the ordinary practices that shaped Sheen’s extraordinary ministry. Throughout his priesthood,
he was known for his commitment to spending an hour each day in Eucharistic Adoration. He was also deeply committed to the poor, giving generously to those in need and supporting missionary work around the world. Sheen was perhaps best known for his ability to use the communication tools of his time to proclaim the Catholic faith. His radio program, The Catholic Hour, and later his television program, Life Is Worth Living, brought Catholic teaching into millions of American homes. His ability to communicate the faith through modern media made him one of the most recognizable Catholic voices of the 20th century. Yet those who gathered for his Beatification were reminded that his legacy was about much more than his public ministry. Sheen’s life was rooted in prayer, the Eucharist, the priesthood and a willingness to accept suffering. His witness continues to offer an example for Catholics seeking to live their faith in the midst of the ordinary circumstances of daily life. The celebration continued after the Beatification with opportunities for pilgrims to pray at Sheen’s tomb in Peoria, participate in Masses of Thanksgiving and take part in additional celebrations honoring the newly Blessed. For the Diocese of WinonaRochester, the Beatification was a particularly meaningful occasion. Bishop Barron and members of the diocese joined Catholics from around the world in giving thanks for Sheen’s life and witness - and in asking his intercession for the Church today. Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us!
7 Charities Baby Bottle Campaign Celebrates 20 Years Submitted by KRISTINA HAMMELL
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or 20 years, our Baby Bottle Campaign has helped local expectant mothers and families with infants through difficult and unexpected times. One mother shared that during a challenging time, Catholic Charities helped with her rent and even provided a car seat so she could safely bring her baby home from the hospital. “Their support made a world of difference during a challenging time.” Donations to the Mother & Child Assistance Fund provide help with rent, utilities and other basic needs when families have nowhere else to turn. The amount we raise is the amount we are able to give to local families across Southern Minnesota who need this help. You can donate through your local participating parish or online at www.ccsomn.org. And if you know an expectant mother or a family with an infant who may need assistance, please call Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota at 507-2872047. Kristina Hammell is the development & outreach director for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.
Emily Smithley is the media specialist for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Photos by Emily Smithley.
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Meet Our New Seminarians
This fall, we welcome four seminarians entering formation for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester: ALEX JACOBS, XAVIER STEVERMER and PATRICK STREEFLAND at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona; and BRAYDEN JANSEN at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. The following are introductions these men have written for themselves. Please pray for them as they discern their vocation!
prayer, fellowship with great men pursuing a shared vocation, and mentorship from wonderful faculty. Some hardships include leaving good things behind and facing negative reactions from people who don’t understand why God would call a man to seminary. My advice for others discerning a vocation is that it’s often harder to hear God’s voice on the outside, and you don’t really know until you try. So, if you’re not sure, I’d suggest trying seminary or religious life to see if it’s for you. Prayer, particularly in the rosary and Eucharistic adoration, is indispensable for discernment. Some of my current hobbies include running, ping pong, and reading. Please continue to pray for me as I seek to conform my life to Christ and discern the diocesan priesthood.
Alex Jacobs My name is Alex Jacobs, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to enter seminary this year for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. I was born in Rochester, but my strongest connection to the diocese is in Winona, where I have lived and worked at different times. I was born into a mixed-religion family, with my father a Jew and my mother a Catholic. Growing up in a mixed-religion household, we seldom went to church. When I was 10, I began attending an Evangelical Christian school, and, through a Bible camp connected to it, I ultimately found Christ by the time I entered my senior year of high school. Finding Christ, albeit in a Protestant context, gave me an intense desire to know him more and to share my faith with others. As my senior year progressed, I learned about Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions, which began to open my heart and mind to the Catholic faith. When I started college at a university in Texas, I continued to inquire into the Catholic faith, and, the more I did, the more my questions and objections were answered. Eventually, I decided to give it a shot and fully entered the Church at the end of my freshman year. After I entered, I felt a pull on my heart to give my life to our Lord in service to the Church, and it has persisted. After college, I lived in La Crosse, WI, and most recently I worked in Winona at the spice company Watkins. During my time in Winona, I met Fr. Brian Mulligan, the vocations director, and decided to enter IHM Seminary for the diocese. Some of the biggest blessings in the first two months of seminary include many opportunities for
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Xavier Stevermer Greetings, good people of the Diocese of WinonaRochester! My name is Xavier Stevermer, and I hail from Rochester, where I belong to Pax Christi Church. I attended Holy Spirit Catholic School from preschool-8th grade (back when it went that high), and Lourdes High School from grades 9-12. I played soccer all four years of high school and was a part of Math League for the last three. After that, I went to St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona to study computer science and philosophy. That was three years ago, and, this year, I am still attending St. Mary’s University, but now as a seminarian at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. My first introduction to the faith came from my parents (Greg and Annie; hi, Mom!). From going to Mass as a family every weekend and holy day of obligation, to praying the Rosary together daily during Lent, to reading The Jesse Tree during Advent, the importance of faith and the broad strokes of the picture that is the Catholic faith were starting to be made clear to me (though I admittedly didn’t like the rosary part when I was younger). Equally important was my parents' witness in following Christ’s command to love and serve others. This was coupled with the faith-based education I received through Rochester Catholic Schools and a number
of amazing teachers who taught me a great deal beyond the content of our textbooks. What really started to make the picture more clear for me was when I went to college at St. Mary’s, and was invited to take part in their campus ministry activities (headed at the time by Dr. Brian Kusek, TOF). Though I was reluctant at first, their continual reaching out eventually convinced me to start participating in their events and getting to know them. I was struck by what an incredible group of students they were; they had such a joy and zeal for the Lord, which had an instrumental role in my own faith life. I started attending daily Mass and regularly went to adoration, and I later joined the Knights of Columbus (Council #5202) and became a peer minister, helping lead retreats, Bible studies, and OCIA for the other students. Throughout my life, I seem to recall frequently being told that I should consider priesthood. I largely shrugged these suggestions off, as the vocation didn’t seem particularly attractive to me (though I did always think I’d look good in a Roman collar). My high school chaplain (Fr. Michael Churchill) even gave me the book To Save a Thousand Souls, which I put on my shelf to collect dust for a couple of years. But, eventually, around my second year of college, I did in fact get around to reading it, and I was struck in a new way by the beauty of the vocation to the priesthood - a life of bringing Christ to people, and people to Christ. Later that year, I asked the university chaplain (Fr. Kevin Stolt, IVE) to be my spiritual director, and he graciously agreed. As I started to more seriously consider joining seminary, I attended a Come and See Weekend at IHM Seminary (conveniently located just a fiveminute walk from my dorm room). While it was a very good experience, it didn’t feel like that was where the Lord was calling me at that particular time. In my third year of college, I got to study abroad for a semester in Rome, which was a unique and wonderful opportunity for me to experience the Faith at its very heart. I stayed at the Pontifical Irish College, where I got to see the truly catholic - that is, universal - Church up close. As I continued to pray about it, I became increasingly aware of how the Lord seemed to be inviting me to join seminary and felt increasingly drawn to the priesthood. And so, after meeting with the vocations director and the rector, I decided to send in my application. Thus far, my time in seminary has been filled with prayer, study, and fraternity, and it has been a great gift to be here! For any young men out there discerning priesthood, I would give you the advice to attend a Come and See Weekend at IHM Seminary to see what it’s all about. You aren’t committing to joining seminary by doing so, but you are keeping the door open and allowing the Lord to make it more clear to you if he’d like you to enter. Don’t be a perpetual discerner; do something and allow the Lord to make his will more clear through that. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue along my seminary formation. I look forward to getting to know and serve more of you as my formation continues!
Future Priests,
cont'd from pg. 1
Patrick Streefland
Brayden Jansen
Greetings! My name is Patrick Streefland, and I am the youngest seminarian of the diocese. Some of my hobbies include both watching and playing sports (particularly baseball), mathematics (particularly statistics), and local history. One of my dream jobs as a child was a sports statistician, and I still today greatly enjoy any overlay between numbers and my other interests. I grew up in Rochester and am yet another seminarian who calls the parish of Pax Christi home. I attended St. Francis of Assisi School and later graduated from Lourdes High School in 2024. After graduating, I continued a family tradition of attending Saint Mary’s University, where I studied both mathematics and Catholic education before my entrance to the seminary. Catholic education has played a crucial role in my life, as I have attended Catholic schools since preschool, both my parents teach at Rochester Catholic Schools, and my one brother is still a student there. I feel quite confident stating that I would not be in the seminary today if I had not attended Saint Mary’s the past two years. It was here that I first really began to open up to discerning a call toward the priesthood. Specifically, being surrounded by and forming friendships with the seminarians at IHM during those two years began to attract me more and more toward their way of life. Their way of life was one that I wanted to be a part of. This, along with a deeper prayer life centered around daily Mass and the Rosary, were what drove me to change how I am pursuing God’s call in my life. By the end of my freshman year of college, I could not imagine my life leading to anywhere but the seminary. This all built up to last November, when attending the Come and See Weekend at IHM solidified my need to apply for the seminary and follow this new path. I can already see how the seminary formation has begun to change me during the two months I have already spent at IHM. Although it may seem slow-going at first, building up a foundation of prayer is necessary during this propaedeutic year. I do not necessarily know more fully what God’s plan is for my life, but I certainly feel assured that, at this time, IHM is where I am meant to be. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to discern God’s will for my life.
Hello everyone! My name is Brayden Jansen and I am from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. I am currently on my third week in the propaedeutic year at the Saint Paul Seminary. I am very blessed to be able to study for this amazing diocese and spread the love of God in the Twin Cities area! Some of my favorite hobbies include playing music on my guitar/piano, spending quality time with family and friends, and participating in recreational sports such as football or basketball. I was raised by two loving parents, Steven Jansen and Kimie Jansen, and I was also blessed with a brother named Kyler, who is studying at the University of Minnesota as an accounting major. I started to notice I may be called to seminary in my freshman year of college. I was influenced by my campus minister to discuss this possible calling with a local priest. After a couple of visits with him and the vocations directors, I was sure the Lord was calling me to enter this time of formation. Since I have been at Saint Paul (granted it has only been a few weeks) I have already noticed the fruits of this year starting to present themselves. If I was to leave anyone with any advice, especially those discerning their vocation, I would emphasize taking a weekly or even a daily holy hour. I have noticed in my own life and the lives of other seminarians that the continual practice of making a frequent holy hour has bestowed many graces on the Lord's people, and, if you desire to do his will, the first step would be to spend time with Jesus. Blessed Fulton Sheen was a devotee to the holy hour as well, saying, "Everyone, make the Holy Hour, and you will discover as you leave the divine Presence that if you move among people in the world, they will say of you… ‘You have been with Christ.’" I will be praying for you all and the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and thank you in advance for your prayers!
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College seminary comes first - four years at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) in Winona, where our men complete the Propaedeutic and Discipleship stages of formation while earning a degree in philosophy from St. Mary's University. Major seminary follows, another four years of theological study. Most of our seminarians attend St. Paul Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, two currently study at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois with tuition covered by a generous benefactor, and two more are studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. During major seminary, our men move into pastoral assignments, serving in parishes under the guidance of a pastor to gain hands-on ministry experience before ordination. The diocese looks forward to formally implementing a Vocational Synthesis Stage in the future, which will offer an even more structured period of formation in the final stage before priesthood. Two of our men are currently ordained as deacons - Deacon Gabriel Rysavy and Deacon Ryan Saltness - who, God willing, will be ordained priests in June, 2027. The Need Continues to Grow
Educating one seminarian costs more than $45,000 a year. With 22 men currently in formation for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, our total seminarian education expenses now exceed $1 million annually. Thanks to the generosity of 805 donors, this year's Seminarian Education Fund appeal now stands at more than $337,000 raised - the first time the appeal has surpassed the $300,000 mark since 2020 (before the pandemic). Gifts for this year's appeal will continue to be accepted through October 31. It's a remarkable milestone, though the need continues to outpace what the appeal alone can provide. Bishop Barron continues to challenge us to double our number of seminarians. We are blessed to have 22 men currently in seminary, and we are seeing a growing number of seminarians across the nation, particularly in the south. To meet this challenge, we need to continue to grow this appeal so that finances are not an obstacle for young men considering a priestly vocation. Your gift to the Seminarian Education Fund is a direct investment in the future of our diocese - in the priests who will one day baptize our children, celebrate Mass in our parishes, and walk with us through every season of life. As this year's appeal returns to its regular November kickoff timeline, we ask you to prayerfully consider supporting the men who are answering God's call to the priesthood. To support the current 2025-2026 Seminarian Education Fund, scan the code and make your gift by October 31, 2026 (close of the current appeal). Mark Dockery is the director of development for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
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In Silence
By DEACON ROBERT T. YERHOT, MSW
�n the beginning of the book of the prophet Zephaniah, we read, “Silence, in the presence of the Lord!” This command rings in my ears when I make a holy hour. It makes me wonder about God’s glory. Have you ever thought about the glory of God? What comes to mind? I suspect for most of us, we imagine heaven and the beatific vision. We want to go there someday and see God’s heavenly majesty and his glory. Is it possible, do you think, to see God’s glory,
his majesty even now, on earth? Could the Cross be God’s majesty and glory on earth? Can heaven’s glory be known through the majesty of the Cross? Sometimes I think God says to us, “Silence! You are in my presence. See the cross on which I died. It is my majestic moment, my glorious victory! Silence, before my glory, my majesty, my presence!” Why do we fear Jesus and where he is taking us? You may say, “Deacon, I don’t fear Jesus. He is always there for me, and I do follow him!” Okay, but look deeply. You find the Cross, don’t you? If we are honest with ourselves, we expect
Calling a New Class of Deacon Aspirants
Is God calling you to the diaconate? A new class of deacon aspirants will begin formation next year. Recruitment begins this fall. The Office of the Diaconate will be holding Inquiry meetings where men (and their wives, if married) can come and begin to explore the possibility of the diaconate by receiving information about the vocation, the formation process, requirements, and getting their initial questions answered. If you are a practicing Catholic man currently between the age of 30 and 59, with a proven history of service to your parish and community, you are welcome to attend one of these three meetings:
Thursday, October 22, 2026 at St Mary’s Parish, Worthington Friday, October 23, 2026 at St. Peter and St. Paul Parish, Mankato Sunday, November 8, 2026 at the Chancery, Rochester All sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. and will last approximately an hour. No pre-registration is required. Contact Deacon Robert Yerhot, director of the diaconate, ryerhot@dowr.org, if you have any questions prior to these sessions.
Thank You, CCW! By SHELLY HOLT
�ear Sisters in Christ,
This is my final article as your diocesan president having served three years in this capacity after two years as vice president. It has been a pleasure to serve in this leadership role for such a vital organization in our diocese! We accomplish a lot of great things when we work together for the common good through a devotion to God with consistent prayer, developing leadership and engaging in a diversity of service opportunities. In 2026 we held quarterly meetings in January,
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April, July and now the Convention in October. We sponsored and were an integral part in planning our second annual diocesan retreat with a nationally known speaker. Our diocesan-wide projects included Cross Catholic Box of Joy, Rochester Medical Missions, Catholic Charities women’s and children’s programs, leadership training and development, sponsoring two prolife billboards and supporting the Seven Sister’s Apostolate along with other initiatives. Several members attended the Province Conference in Victoria in June. Five members attended the National Convention in Grand Rapid, MI, in August. A few of us attended the Rector’s
Representing Winona-Rochester Council of Catholic Women at the 106th annual NCCW Convention in Grand Rapids, MI, in August, were: (pictured L to R) Austin Area Treasurer Joann Glady, Diocesan President-Elect Joanie Betsinger, St. Paul & Minneapolis Province Director Dianne Vangness, former Diocesan President and former Province Director Bev McCarvel, and Austin Area President Melissa Jones.
heaven on earth. We want the majesty and glory of heaven without the Cross, and, in doing so, we end up forfeiting our lives to false hopes and expectations, like Jesus warned his disciples. “Silence before the majesty of God!” we hear Jesus saying to us. “Silence, before the Cross!” Behold God’s glory and majesty before the Cross! Before the Cross in our own lives, and in the lives of others, we must be silent and gaze upon God’s glory. The Cross is revealed every day in his people. His glory can be seen in them, in his people, on their crosses, in their difficulties, and we must in silence behold this glory. How can we deny the glory of the Cross when we see a man loving his dying wife? How can we deny the glory of God when we see joy in the face of a nursing home resident who suffers daily? How can we deny the presence and glory of God in the life of a cancer patient who bears it all in faith? How can we deny his presence when someone is forgiven their sins, or when a man forgives another man from the heart? How can we not see God’s presence when a priest anoints a sick person and raises him up? All we can do at those moments is to be silent before God’s presence, his glory, his majesty on earth. All we can do is in silence see God’s presence, and his power at work. When you pray, if you really listen, you will hear God say to you, “Silence! You are in my presence!” You will hear him say, “You will see my glory if you follow me to Calvary, to the Cross!” At every Mass we see God’s majesty and glory. The Body of Christ lifted up for us. The Blood of Christ shed for us. It is his presence, his majesty, his glory. Before the altar we must kneel in silence and awe. And so, we must follow him. In awe and in silence we must follow him even to the Cross. Deacon Robert Yerhot is the director of the diaconate for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
Dinner, and Called and Sent diocesan conference. You were represented at other diocesan functions, and at other diocese conventions throughout the state. Each month I wrote a column for The Courier. We support our priests through prayer, recognition of ordination anniversaries and Christmas cards. We support our seminarians through prayer, a biannual individual scholarship and opposite year donation to the seminary. We support Catholic Relief Services programming through our dues and donations. We carry out the mission and programs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) through the guidance and leadership of our National Council of Catholic Women. It is only through God’s grace in walking together with the board and women of the diocese I was able to continue this year after navigating through several months of complex grief. I have a deeper understanding of the interdependence of all of us working together through trials, struggles, conflicts and joys. I so enjoyed speaking with some of you who called to share some of your own joys and sorrows, expressed thanks for something I wrote about in The Courier or offered suggestions for other opportunities. It is my hope we can each say YES as Mary did when called by God to serve his people. We do so by humbling ourselves and taking up our cross daily to do the work to which God has called us. Shelly Holt recently completed her term as president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Conference of Catholic Women, handing on the role to Joanie Betsinger.
Minnesota Catholic Conference
Inside the Capitol Applying Pope Leo's AI Wisdom to Public Policy in Minnesota
�ope Leo XIV has been focusing much of his
Magisterium on the application of Catholic social teaching to public life. In a recent address on August 21, Pope Leo spoke to a group of Catholic legislators from around the world about artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that AI risks becoming a “Tower of Babel, where power, efficiency and control obscure the face of the human person,” and urged legislators to be proactive in crafting policies that prioritize the dignity of the human person above all. Although the Church does not offer specific policy prescriptions for every situation, Leo reminded legislators that the principles of the Church’s social doctrine “provide[s] the sure criteria for discernment.” Rooted in these principles, Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) has been influential in shaping AI policy in our state and intends to continue doing so. In the 2026 legislative session, MCC supported four landmark measures: 1) social media legislation to protect kids from addictive, AI-fueled algorithms; 2) a requirement for human review of adverse health insurance coverage decisions; 3) a ban on the recreational use of chatbots by minors; and 4) a temporary moratorium on AI data centers.
Protecting Kids from AI-Fueled Algorithms MCC spearheaded legislation that was ultimately enacted to require parental approval for social media accounts for kids under 16. It also removes the AI-fueled algorithms that keep kids glued to screens instead of playing with friends. As Pope Leo writes in paragraph 142 of his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, “interventions by legislators are appropriate for setting age limits, holding service providers accountable rather than shifting the whole burden of control onto families, and for providing specific protections against all forms of online sexual exploitation and violence.” Keeping Humans at the Center of Healthcare Decisions
MCC helped pass a bill requiring human review of adverse health insurance coverage decisions. Such important decisions should not be made solely based on data points analyzed by AI. Doing so depersonalizes the human-centered care that all have the right to receive. The Vatican document Antiqua Nova affirms this principle: “decisions regarding patient treatment and the weight of responsibility they entail must always remain with the human person and should never be delegated to AI.” Banning Chatbots for Minors
MCC testified in support of a bill that would restrict minors’ access to AI chatbots. Talking to AI chatbots instead of family and friends can further isolate children by diverting their attention from real-life relationships and emotional intimacy. In January
of this year, Pope Leo XIV spoke to this, saying, “Appropriate regulation can protect individuals from forming emotional attachments to chatbots and curb the spread of false, manipulative or misleading content, safeguarding the integrity of information as opposed to its deceptive simulation.”
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Imposing a Temporary Moratorium on Datacenters
MCC lobbied for a bill to impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of data centers in Minnesota to allow time to complete an assessment of their impact on energy prices, water consumption, local communities, and the environment. Data centers place enormous demands on energy, water, and land. In many cases, communities are asked to absorb these costs before the full picture is clear. Antiqua Nova also speaks to this problem: “Considering the heavy toll these technologies take on the environment, it is vital to develop sustainable solutions that reduce their impact on our common home.” Get Involved with AI Legislation
We will leave you with a relevant question from Pope Leo himself: “Every technological achievement also confronts humanity with a moral question: not merely what can we do, but what ought we to do?” We invite you to visit our “Pope Leo on Politics” webpage at mncatholic.org/popeleoonpolitics. In this free resource, MCC aggregates important addresses and writings from the Holy Father on politics, faithful citizenship, and pressing policy matters, including the need for legislation related to technological change. We also encourage you to sign up for the Catholic Advocacy Network. Receive our newsletter and action alerts, which help bridge the gap between faith and politics. Sign up at mncatholic.org. The Minnesota Catholic Conference has been the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota since 1967. The voting members of the MCC's board of directors are Minnesota's Catholic bishops.
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Back to Basics
The Parable of the Talents Teaches Us How to Invest
By ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
The stock market decline was even more dramatic:
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arish finances are not merely numbers on a spreadsheet. They are instruments of mission. Every dollar entrusted to a parish represents the faith and sacrifice of families who believe in the Church’s future. And yet, the world around us often feels unstable. Headlines about inflation, interest rates, and global conflict can make even seasoned leaders uneasy and make us wonder if we’re protecting our parishioner’s gifts in the way we should. Here are just a few things I’ve been watching: •
•
•
Geopolitical instability - including conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz - has kept oil and commodity prices elevated, adding pressure to inflation and increasing downside risks to growth (Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco).
AI-driven inflation is now considered one of the most overlooked risks of 2026, with analysts warning that massive data center construction is driving up energy and chip costs, potentially accelerating inflation and triggering tighter monetary policy (Reuters).
Investment Basics: Faith and the Parable of the Talents
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents: servants entrusted with their master’s wealth are rewarded for investing and multiplying what they’ve been given. The lesson is clear: faithful stewardship means putting resources to work for the Kingdom, not burying them out of fear. For parish leaders, this means remembering the basics of investing even when the news feels grim: •
Diversify prudently.
•
Focus on long term growth, not short term headlines.
Stay aligned with Catholic values and mission.
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The S&P 500 fell 55.47% from its highest point during the recession.
• The Nasdaq fell 53.43%. (Motley)
Yet the rebound was powerful. Historically, after major market declines of 25% or more, markets have averaged:
• +21.6% returns after one year
• +40.6% after three years • +89.7% after five years
• +213.7% after ten years
Global inflation remains elevated, with headline inflation projected at 3.8% in 2026, declining only gradually and returning to target more slowly in the United States than in other major economies (International Monetary Fund Report).
These numbers paint a picture of volatility, but they also remind us that uncertainty is nothing new. The Church has weathered thousands of years! Wars, depressions, pandemics, and cultural upheaval. Through it all, God has remained faithful. Scripture anchors us in this truth: “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). Our call is not to react in fear, but to steward wisely, trusting that God’s providence extends beyond today. The Church’s mission is centuries long; we plan not for months, but for generations.
•
•
Even the worst 10 year outcome after a major crash still delivered a positive return of +38.3% (Gilbert Wealth). The Lesson for Parishes
The servant who hid his talent lost not because he failed to preserve it, but because he failed to act. Likewise, parishes must invest with courage and foresight, ensuring that today’s gifts bear fruit for future generations. Investing in Low Times: Lessons from Past Crises
Potential market downturns might feel frightening in that moment, but history consistently shows that those who stay invested during low times often experience the strongest long term gains. Two of the most painful market events in recent memory, the 2000-2002 dot-com crash and the 2008 housing and financial crisis, illustrate this well. Interestingly, many news sources and thought leaders have been writing about the parallels recently. I’ve cited them below as I go. The Dot-Com Bubble (2000–2002)
The Nasdaq Composite surged more than 400% from 1996 to its March 2000 peak, only to collapse by 78% from peak to trough, erasing roughly $5 trillion in market value (Pomegra.io). Yet despite this catastrophic decline, the technology sector went on to deliver over 9% annualized returns in the decades that followed (KuCoin). Even after the worst tech crash in modern history, long term investors who stayed the course saw substantial recovery and growth. The 2008 Housing and Financial Crisis
The 2008 crash was equally severe. Existing home sales fell 27% year over year, new home sales collapsed 38%, and median home prices dropped nearly 10% in a single year: the steepest decline in modern records (US Housing Almanac). From rise to fall, median existing home prices fell 24%, and national home prices fell 27% (Case Shiller).
Downturns are not a signal to retreat. They are often the very moments when long term investors position themselves for future strength. As St. Paul reminds us, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Faithful stewardship means trusting that God’s care and protection for us is enduring. His providence works through time, not just timing. America’s Enduring Strength
Despite cycles of uncertainty, America remains one of the most resilient economies in history. Innovation, productivity, and community spirit continue to drive growth and renewal. This long term stability gives Catholic institutions confidence that thoughtful planning, through endowments, bequests, and diversified investments, can sustain parish life well into the future. Our trust is not in markets alone, but in the enduring capacity of Americans to rebuild, adapt, and serve. The Church’s mission stretches far beyond the present moment. We are called to maintain God’s Kingdom on earth until the Second Coming, a responsibility that requires stability, foresight, and faith. By investing wisely, cultivating endowments, and encouraging legacy gifts, parishes ensure that ministries, the sacraments, and outreach will flourish for centuries. The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota stands ready to support this work with guidance, tools, and partnership for sustainable stewardship. Closing Reflection
“To those who are faithful in little, much will be entrusted” (Luke 16:10). Faithful investing is not about chasing returns; it’s about building the foundation for the Church’s enduring witness. When we invest with courage and trust, we participate in God’s long term plan, ensuring that his kingdom continues to flourish in our communities for generations to come. Elizabeth Williams is the executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota.
The Auditor Is Coming Everyone Act Natural
By BREANNE SCHEID
�h, the audit.
Just hearing the word can make a bookkeeper’s heart rate increase faster than a parish credit card receipt marked “miscellaneous.” For most people, an audit sounds like a perfectly reasonable financial process. For a bookkeeper? It sounds a lot like: “We’re going to look at everything you’ve done and ask you questions about it.” And suddenly, that perfectly normal Tuesday afternoon turns into a full-on panic. “Can You Explain This Journal Entry?”
There is perhaps no sentence more terrifying to a bookkeeper. The auditor slides a journal entry across the table. You stare at it. They stare at you. You stare at it again. And somewhere in the back of your mind you’re thinking: I made this. I know I made this. I remember making this. WHY DOES THIS LOOK LIKE MY KIDS' BEDROOM FLOOR? I KNOW THERE'S A SYSTEM HERE SOMEWHERE. You start explaining: “Well, this was a reclass from the investment account because the funds matured, and then we had to move the principal and interest into the appropriate accounts, and the original account number was changed, so…” The auditor nods. You nod. Neither of you knows if that made sense. But congratulations! You have survived Question #1. The Audit Anxiety Is Real
As bookkeepers, we spend an awful lot of time making sure things are right. We reconcile bank accounts. We track restricted funds. We record deposits. We review expenses. We chase receipts. We correct mistakes. We investigate transactions that appear to have been entered by someone who apparently believes “Other Expense” is an actual accounting category. So when someone comes along and says, “We’re going to review your work,” our first reaction isn't always: Wonderful! Let's do this! It's more like: Did I accidentally ruin the financial statements? Was that $14.37 coded correctly? Why did I do that journal entry in March? WHO POSTED THAT TRANSACTION? Oh. I did. But Here's the Good News: Audits Are Actually Good
I recently went through a few audits with some of my parish clients, and, as much as there is always a little bit of that “please don't look too closely at anything I touched” anxiety, I was reminded of just how valuable the process can be. And, honestly, a huge part of that comes down to the auditor.
There is a big difference between an auditor who approaches something as, “What did you do wrong here?” and one who approaches it as, “Let's look at this together and figure out what we can learn from it.” Give me the second auditor every single time. Accounting is complicated. Parish accounting can be really complicated. There are restricted funds, designated funds, investments, transfers, reclassifications, diocesan requirements, changing account structures, and approximately 47 different ways one transaction can make you question your career choices. Nobody benefits from an auditor simply pointing out every mistake and making the bookkeeper feel like they've been doing everything wrong. The best auditors turn those findings into teaching opportunities. A Finding Doesn't Mean You're Failing
One of the biggest things I've appreciated during these recent audits is being able to look at something that isn't quite right and say, “Okay. Let's understand why this happened and how we can do it better going forward.” That's productive. Maybe a journal entry needs to be handled differently. Maybe documentation needs to be improved. Maybe an account needs to be classified another way. Maybe an internal control needs to be strengthened. That's not failure. That's learning. And, sometimes, you don't know that something could be done better until someone with a different perspective points it out. That's exactly why having another set of knowledgeable eyes on the books can be so valuable. The Beautiful Thing About Finding a Problem
Here's something bookkeepers don't always want to admit: Finding an accounting problem is actually a good thing. Finding it means you can fix it. A $2,000 error sitting unnoticed in the books for five years is a problem. A $2,000 error discovered during an audit and corrected is a learning opportunity. An audit isn't necessarily about catching someone doing something wrong. It's about strengthening the financial picture of the organization. Think of it as financial preventative maintenance. Like taking your car in for an oil change. You could just keep
My name is BreAnne Scheid, and I live on a farm outside of Easton with my husband Nate and our four children. I’m the owner of Veritas F i n a n c i a l Solutions, a business dedicated to helping Catholic parishes, schools, and cemeteries strengthen their financial management and stewardship. In addition to my work with Veritas, I also write articles on my LinkedIn page that highlight the bookkeeping and accounting topics I most often see within our parishes. My goal is to make these articles both educational and relatable sometimes even adding a little humor to the dayto-day realities of parish financial life.
driving and hope everything is fine. Or you could let someone look under the hood and tell you that the strange noise you've been ignoring for six months is, in fact, not supposed to be there. A Good Auditor Makes You Better at Your Job
That's probably the biggest takeaway I've had from these recent parish audits. The right auditor isn't there to make you feel like you're screwing everything up. They're there to help you see what you might not have seen yourself. They can point out weaknesses before they become bigger problems. They can explain why something should be handled differently. They can help create better processes and controls. And when they approach those things as teaching opportunities instead of accusations, everyone wins. The parish gets stronger. The financial records get better. The bookkeeper learns something. And the auditor doesn't have to watch the bookkeeper quietly Google “how to change careers at age 40.” The Real Benefit
At the end of the day, an audit shouldn't be something a parish fears. It should be something a parish uses to become stronger. The goal isn't to have a set of books that looks good. The goal is to have books that make sense, tell the truth, and can be explained. And, if an auditor asks a question and you need five minutes, three reports, two bank statements, and a minor spiritual intervention to answer it? That's okay. Because sometimes accounting isn't about immediately knowing the answer. Sometimes it's about knowing where to look for it. And if you're the bookkeeper? Take a deep breath. Pull up the report. Put on your detective hat. And remember that being asked a question doesn't automatically mean you did something wrong. Sometimes it simply means there's something new to learn. And, honestly, that's one of the best things an audit can give you. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is fortunate to have Jon Briggs serving as the Option 2 auditor, along with the support of him and Cindy through Parish Support. Their willingness to take the findings uncovered during an audit and turn them into teaching moments, offering guidance and support along the way, is truly valuable. Thank you, Jon and Cindy, for the work you do and for being such a wonderful support to our Diocese.
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Cotter Engineering Team 14 Named National Champions Submitted by JANA KORDER
� Cotter Schools engineering team, sponsored
by Slaggie Capital Group, has been named the Make48 National Champion after competing the weekend of September 19-20 in Kansas City. Make48 is a fast-paced invention competition in which teams have 48 hours to develop an idea, build a working prototype and pitch their solution to judges in response to a real-world challenge from a sponsoring company. This year’s national challenge partnered with Veterans Community Project (VCP), giving students an opportunity to develop a solution that would help raise awareness of and support the organization’s mission. “Make48 Nationals gave talented teams a real problem and just 48 hours to develop a solution. Partnering with Veterans Community Project made the challenge especially meaningful, and the deserving champions from Cotter Schools in Winona, Minnesota, created a polished, working prototype with the potential to help more people learn about and support VCP’s mission,” said Tom Gray, CEO of Make48. “Well done to every team that competed throughout Season 10. It was a proud moment for the entire Make48 team.”
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Architecting the Mastery, made up of Cotter students Jaxson Greshik, Brielle Staudacher and Jack Slaggie, competed against seven of the nation’s top teams in the 48-hour engineering challenge, putting their creativity, problemsolving, innovation and teamwork to the test. “Make48 has created something really special. It’s an incredible educational experience, supported by people who genuinely care about giving students opportunities to use their talents. I couldn’t be prouder of our students. They worked incredibly hard, pushed through challenges, and earned this success,” said Eric Paulsen, Cotter’s Coach and Engineering/STEM teacher. The team’s path to the national championship began with more than 2,500 students nationwide, representing an estimated 800-plus teams. After regional competition, 28 teams advanced to the playoff level, with seven ultimately earning a spot at the national championship. From those seven teams, Architecting the Mastery emerged as the national champion. Throughout the competition, the Cotter students worked together under pressure to develop and build a solution to the challenge. Their ability to think creatively, adapt to obstacles, and work as a team helped them earn the national championship.
“We’re extremely grateful for the generosity of our sponsor and the support of our school community throughout this journey,” Paulsen said. “It’s wonderful to see these students receive the recognition they’ve earned.” The Make48 competition allows students to experience the engineering design process in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. Teams are challenged to develop, prototype, and build a solution within a 48-hour timeframe. Jana Korder is the director of communications, marketing & brand identity for Cotter Schools in Winona.
Parish Events October 3, Saturday
October 11, Sunday
St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Mankato, will hold its Fall Festival from 5-7:30 p.m. at the church (423 W 7th St. in Mankato), following 4 p.m. Mass. Hot beef commercial dinner $15. Also, jar, red ticket & basket raffles; gift card roulette; Bingo; farmers market; kids' corn pit; games; crafts. Invite your friends!
St. Columban Parish, Preston, will serve its annual pork dinner at the church (408 Preston St. NW in Preston) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until gone. Carryout only. $15 each. Natural pork loin, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, corn, coleslaw, applesauce, dinner roll and pie.
October 4, Sunday
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Rochester will host its fall festival.
St. Leo Parish, Pipestone, will serve its annual fall dinner from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in St. Leo Hall (415 S Hiawatha Ave. in Pipestone). Dining room and take-outs available. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, glazed carrots, dinner roll, homemade pies & desserts. Adults $15. Kids 5-8 $6. Kids 4 & younger free. $2 raffle tickets for over $3,500 in prizes. Also check out Noah's Ark Preschool's Country Store. October 6, Tuesday
Lourdes High School, Rochester, will host Melissa Ohden, CEO and founder of Abortion Survivor Network, for her presentation Silenced No More: Voice for the Voiceless at 6:30 p.m. Hear about her survival of an attempted abortion. 2800 19th St. NW in Rochester. Sponsored by Students for Life and Lourdes High School. October 10, Saturday
Holy Spirit Parish, Rochester, invites you to its Fall Fellowship Gathering after the 4:30 p.m. Mass. This is an autumn celebration centered on faith, fellowship, family and community.
St. Augustine & St. Edward Parishes, Austin, will host their two-day Shamrocktoberfest event on Saturday and Sunday at St. Augustine Church, under the tent and in Jennings Hall. A German-inspired celebration of community. Saturday 5-10 p.m. is live music and food under the tent. Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. is food, live music and watching the Vikings game. Food features German favorites: brats / hot dogs, sauerkraut, German potato salad, coleslaw and homemade pie. Beer from Pundit Beer Company. Adults $15. Kids under 12 $8. Family maximum $40. St. Peter Parish, Hokah, will serve its annual roast beef dinner from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the church. Served buffet-style or carry-out with famous homemade dressing and all the trimmings. Tickets sold at the door only. Adults (dining room or carry-out) $17. Kids 6-12 $10. Kids 5 & younger free. Kid prices for dining room only.
St. Rose of Lima Parish, Lewiston, will celebrate 150 years as a parish with a special 10:30 a.m. Mass with Bishop Barron and music by world-renowned musician Tony Melendez. Lunch follows from 12-1:30 p.m. at the church, followed by a family fun day from 12-3 p.m. at the adjoining Crossings Center. Family/kid games, inflatables, and a Tony Melendez concert (concert at 2 p.m.). Free-will offerings accepted. All are invited! 180 S Fremont Street in Lewiston. October 19, Monday
Pax Christi Parish, Rochester, will host the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota for a Legacy & Estate Planning Seminar in the church at 5:30 p.m. The seminar features the following topics: Funeral Planning with Colin Maxon of Maxon Family Cremation & Life Celebrations; End of Life Spirituality & Sacraments with Fr. John Sauer, pastor of Pax Christi; Estate Planning with Adam Nelson, Pax Christi parishioner and estate attorney with Yanowitz Law Firm; and Charitable Giving Options & Tools with Joe Bakken, planned giving advisor for the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota. October 25, Sunday
St. Agnes Parish, Kellogg, will host a "Drive-Thru" Fall Turkey Dinner & Raffles from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. or until gone, in the Parish Hall (128 E Belvidere Ave in Kellogg). Event includes a Country Store and Bake Sale. Parking lot behind the church.
St. Mary Parish, Caledonia, will hold its 60th Annual Holiday Bazaar in the school (308 E South Street in Caledonia), beginning at 11 a.m. Roast beef dinner served in Holy Family Hall from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. or until gone. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, dinner roll, dessert and beverage. $15 adults. $10 kids 12 & younger. Dine in or carry out. Also, kids' games, chance tables, sweet shop, stage raffle, snack walk, luncheon, and live & silent auctions. Live auction starts at 2 p.m. in the gym. Big Ticket raffle drawn at 4 p.m. $20/ticket. Grand prize $5,000. Second place $2,500. Third $1,000. 4th-16th $500. 17th-30th $100. Faith, family, fun! November 17, Tuesday
Crucifixion Parish, La Crescent, will host the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota for an Estate Planning Seminar in the church at 6:15 p.m. The seminar features the following speakers: Ryan Hennessy, financial planner for Edward Jones; and Kelly Iverson, estate attorney for Wieser Law Office.
Obituaries
Sister Katherine Scheurer, SSND, 81, died August 29, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community, Windermere, in Shakopee. Funeral services were held Friday, September 4, with Father Joe Fogal as presider. Sister Katherine and her twin, Mary, were born in 1945 in Mankato. She grew up in a family that was familiar with religious life. She had a Jesuit uncle, Father Quirinus Leonard; a Jesuit great uncle, Father Peter Leonard; an SSND aunt, Sister Mary Philip Leonard; and an SSND cousin, Sister M. René Lorentz. Two of her father’s sisters were Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother: Sister Mary Mericia and Sister Mary Flora. Her oldest brother, Tom, was a Holy Cross brother. She attended Ss. Peter & Paul elementary school, and graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1963. She entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame that same year and professed first vows in 1965. Sister Katherine’s primary ministry was service. She taught religious education; baked, cut and shipped altar breads; assisted in the Good Counsel kitchen and dining room; provided transportation for sisters; worked as a receptionist for Good Counsel and other organizations; and was a choir member and cantor. Her main areas of service were Good Counsel Hill and other Mankato places, and several locations in the St. Paul area. Sister Katherine is survived by her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates; her sisters Sister Mary Scheurer, SSM, and Carolyn (Jim) Rovney; sisters-in-law Sylvia, Bev and JoAnn Scheurer; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clement and Anastasia (Leonard) Scheurer; her sisters Monica Scheurer and Jane Trondson; and her brothers, Brother Thomas, CSC, Mark, Daniel and Paul. A longer obituary and a recording of her funeral is available at ssndcp.org/obituaries. Memorials may be directed to the School Sisters of Notre Dame; 11 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 310; Mankato, MN 56001.
Sister André Wickenheiser, SSND, 91, died September 17, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community, Windermere, in Shakopee. Funeral services were held Monday, September 28, with Father John Kunz as presider. Sister André (Angeline Wickenheiser), was born near Linton, ND, in 1935. She attended country school for her elementary education, and Good Counsel Academy in Mankato for high school, graduating in 1955. She entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame that same year and professed first vows in 1957. Young children were the focus of Sister André’s service. In the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, she taught kindergarten students at St. Mary’s School, Worthington (1959-63), and primary grades at Ss. Peter & Paul, Mankato (1963-64), and St. Stanislaus, Winona (1975-86). In 1991, she began a ministry of providing extended day care, first at St. John’s School in Little Canada and then at Maternity of Mary, St. Andrew School, in St. Paul, until 2018. She relocated to Good Counsel in Mankato at that time, where she volunteered in a variety of ways. Along with other School Sisters of Notre Dame, she moved to Shakopee in 2022. Sister André is survived by her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates; her sisters Johanna Schneider, Luella (Johnny) Nagel, Adeline Nagel and Carol (Leo) Bosch; her brother Michael; her sisters-inlaw Viola Mikula and Bernice Wickenheiser; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth (Richter) Wickenheiser; her sister Phyllis Feist; an infant sister, Phillippine; her brothers Andrew, Peter, William and Anton; her brothersin-law Mike Schneider, Roy Nagel and Clem Feist; and sisters-inlaw Maggie Wickenheiser and Rose Wickenheiser. A longer obituary and recording of her funeral is available at ssndcp.org/obituaries. Memorials may be directed to the School Sisters of Notre Dame; 11 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 310; Mankato, MN 56001.
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October 2026
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The Courier