Minnesota’s Most Rural Diocese Diocese of New Ulm Vol. 39 No. 4 January/February 2025
Marching at the Capitol to support life!
ST. PAUL - The annual March for Life is a peaceful demonstration that advocates for the protection of human life, particularly the unborn. The event is held in Minnesota at the State Capitol each year on January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling that legalized abortion across the U.S. Preceded by a Prayer Service for Life at the Cathedral in St. Paul; the event brings together people from all walks of life to raise awareness and promote a culture of life. This year’s March was particularly hopeful, as it was attended by over 100 youth and their adult chaperones from two Catholic schools in the Diocese of New Ulm – Sleepy Eye and Winsted. Their participation is inspiring and gives hope for the future. Pictured with Bishop Chad Zielinski of New Ulm at the steps of the Capitol are, l-r, Josie Helget, Grade 11; Reese Hoffmann, Grade 11; Natalie Fischer, Grade 11; Sophia Buckley, Grade 7; Shelby Schmid, Grade 7; and Ryker Schmidt, Grade 9.
(Photo by Christine Clancy)
Congratulations Fr. Brown!
Retired Diocese of New Ulm priest Fr. Eugene Brown will mark 65 years of priesthood this month; turns 91 in October.
(Read more about Fr. Brown, page 5.)
From Protestant missionary to Catholic advocate Catholic
evangelist Barbara Heil to present at the Bishop Lucker Lecture on March 7
by Deacon Mike McKeown, Adult Faith Formation
What inspired an Evangelical pastor, international missionary, and church planter to find her spiritual home in the Catholic Church?
This will be the focus of evangelist’s Barbara Heil’s upcoming Bishop Lucker Lecture presentation. The yearly lecture, named after the late Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, is a significant event in the Diocese of New Ulm’s calendar. Heil’s evening presentation, “Beauty of the Eucharist,” will focus on her journey from Protestant missionary to Catholic advocate.
The event will commence at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at the Church of St. Catherine in Redwood Falls, followed by a reception. Everyone is welcome to attend; no registration is required.
Heil’s journey to becoming Catholic is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith. In 2014, Heil found her spiritual home in the Roman Catholic Church in April 2014. Since then, her desire to share the deep love of our Heavenly Father led her to found From His Heart Ministries, a living testament to her unwavering faith and commitment.
Since becoming Catholic, Heil has traveled in the United States and worldwide. She has appeared on EWTN’s The Coming Home Network, spoken at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, and on numerous television and radio programs. As an associate of Renewal Ministries and Encounter Ministries, Heil conducts parish missions, revivals, retreats, conferences, and ministers in foreign missions. In anticipation of her presentation, Heil spoke with Deacon Mike McKeown, director of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of New Ulm.
Q. Can you share with our readers a bit about your faith background growing up and some formative events in your faith journey before your conversion to Catholicism?
HEIL. I had no faith growing
up. We were not Christians; in fact, my father would tell us frequently that he did not believe in organized religion. So we didn’t go to church for special occasions; we didn’t go to church ever while I was growing up.
I had a deep conversion experience at 18 that totally transformed my life, and I literally went from night to day; I went from Darkness to Light. It was a life-changing encounter with the love of God. I knew that if God could forgive my sin, he could forgive anybody of any sin, and if he could transform my life, he wanted to transform others as well.
My desire to share God’s love led me to Bible College and
eventually becoming a missionary. I lived with a mission Community for 25 years, traveling to 65 countries.
Q. As a Protestant, what misunderstandings did you have about the Catholic Church, especially the Eucharist?
HEIL. I totally was trained to be an anti-Catholic. I was taught painstakingly why you don’t go to the Catholic Church. We were taught to stay away from Catholics and how to rescue people out of that church.
What changed me was that I started reading the Doctors of the Church. I was still very much a Protestant minister, but as I read and studied, I began to understand what the Eucharist really was, and I wanted to learn more.
Q. Was there a particular ministry or a person that influenced your conversion to Catholicism?
HEIL. One particular ministry that I found at that time was the Coming Home Network. I found them when I had all these questions about the Catholic Church. I was also listening at the time to Ralph Martin with Renewal Ministries; he had done a series on the early Church Fathers. So, these were the two ministries that really affected me.
Q. What was your experience of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time?
HEIL. Once I realized the Lord
was calling me to the Catholic Church, I couldn’t wait to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. There’s a wonderful story that goes with that experience, and it’s part of my talk for the Bishop Lucker Lecture, so I hope people will be able to attend.
Q. How do you see the role of the Holy Spirit assisting in Eucharistic Revival?
HEIL. Jesus told the disciples that when the Spirit comes, he will take what is mine and reveal it to you. And we all have received the same Spirit that the disciples and the apostles did. The Holy Spirit wants us to understand what we are receiving in Eucharist. When I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I’m receiving the God of the Universe. I’m partaking in not just Jesus but the life of the Trinity, and it’s the Holy Spirit that makes that real in my life.
Q. What message would you hope to communicate to those who attend this year’s Bishop Lucker Lecture?
HEIL. Let your faith get stirred because Jesus wants to reveal himself to us more fully. The Eucharistic Revival is about being aware of how Jesus is revealing himself to us and his nearness to us.
Editor’s note: To view past Bishop Lucker Lectures held throughout the past decade visit www.dnu.org/ bishop-lucker-lecture.
Catholic convert and evangelist
Barbara Heil will be this year’s Bishop Lucker Lecture evening presenter.
Homebound Pilgrims of Hope
by Bishop Chad W. Zielinski
Pope Francis officially proclaimed the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee in a bull of indiction titled “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope Does Not Disappoint.” In it, he encouraged Catholics to be pilgrims of hope.
From the day of our baptism, our souls were infused with the virtues of faith, hope, and love. These virtues reflect something more profound and are part of the divine blueprint that we are each created in the image and likeness of God, reflecting our covenant relationship with him. Each person carries this divine blueprint from the moment of conception. Also imbued in our person are particular talents or abilities.
As Luke writes in his Gospel, when Jesus was found teaching in the temple in Jerusalem at the age of 12, Mary and Joseph had been searching for him for three days. They were distressed that he had been missing but perplexed when they found him. “‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.’ And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” (Luke 2:48-49).
Jesus would spend about 30 of his 33 earthly years in Nazareth, the home of the Holy Family, often referred to as the ‘School of Nazareth,’ before he would begin his public mission.
PTHE RA RIE CATHOLIC
The Prairie Catholic, the official newspaper for the Diocese of New Ulm since May 1972, is published every six weeks, Sept.–June.
Publisher: Bishop Chad W. Zielinski
Editor: Christine E. Clancy
Submission deadline is the 1st of each month prior to publication.
Publication office: Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; phone: 507-359-2966, Email: dnu@dnu.org Website: www.dnu.org
Postmaster: Send notice on Form 3579, “The Prairie Catholic,” 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073-2071. Periodical postage paid at New Ulm and additional mailing offices. USPS 926-760.
The Bishop’s Column: That they may have life
The School of Nazareth is a model for our families and faith community. In our baptism, a promise was made to raise us to practice the Catholic faith. Essentially, we are called to create a ‘School of Nazareth’ where we learn about our faith and grow in our understanding of our call to holiness.
Each of us is created in God’s image and likeness. As we grow in age and wisdom, we are given unique talents and abilities and a mission to live a call to holiness. This is a lifelong process of saying ‘yes’ to this call.
Pope Francis’ call to action during this Jubilee Year is for “signs of hope,” including the desire for peace in the world, openness to life and responsible parenthood, and closeness to prisoners, the poor, the sick, the young, the elderly, migrants, and people “in difficult situations.” Each of our unique talents and abilities is integral to this mission.
For various reasons, some individuals may not be prominently visible ‘on the radar screen’ but are most visible to God’s heart and mind. Each of us has a role in reaching out to these individuals and serving as a beacon of hope in their lives.
When I was ordained a priest on June 8, 1996, my first parish assignment was as an associate pastor at Immaculate Conception in Traverse City, Mich. Within the first month of my assignment, the pastor informed me that every first Friday, it was the tradition of
he celebrated Mass with many of the residents and visitors.
the two priests (he and myself) to take Holy Communion to the homebound. When that first Friday came around, Fr. Denny politely reminded me of this ministerial outreach.
In my mind, I was busy with matters that I thought were more important. With the idea of getting this done quickly, I was given a list of around ten people to visit. I remember going first to the home of an elderly woman who could barely move about her house. She said she prayed five rosaries daily for the parish and other novenas.
I found a similar story in each home I visited, and each was profoundly thankful that I brought the Real Presence of Christ to them in the Blessed Sacrament. Like Mary running to Elizabeth at the Visitation, I was the one who carried Christ, and like Elizabeth, they responded with great faith
and gratitude.
I was profoundly humbled by their gratefulness, humility, and holiness. I had no idea that this experience of visiting the homebound would be like walking through a living litany of saints. I was so consumed with getting through my “list of busy things to do” that I neglected to see Christ sending me as a pilgrim of hope. Living out their call to holiness as baptized Catholics embued with faith, hope, and love, these homebound people became radiant pilgrims of hope to me.
This year, I will have served as a priest for 29 years, and this experience remains sharply imprinted in my heart and soul. I return to this experience when I grow faint and weary, reminding myself of the power of these homebound pilgrims of hope. From that day forward, I changed
my attitude and looked forward to each visit where I encountered faith and holiness. I always left a better priest filled with hope.
I share this personal story because I know that there are many homebound persons throughout this great diocese. Some may be living by themselves, feeling isolated and imprisoned by depression, and some may reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Others may be ostracized by family, and the Church is the only family they have. However, all are created in the image and likeness of God; they are filled with talents and abilities and have a mission from God no matter the reason, their physical limitations, or their age.
I encourage you to consider reaching out to someone in these situations. You have the potential to be a profound source of hope in their lives. As God works in mysterious ways, you may find that they, in turn, become a profound source of hope for you. This reciprocal exchange of hope is a testament to the transformative power of faith and love and your significant role in it.
Let us continue our Pilgrimage of Hope, asking Our Lady of the Prairie to walk with us. God bless you and thank you for responding to your call to be a pilgrim of hope.
Editor’s note: The bishop’s upcoming schedule is online. Visit www.dnu.org/bishop.
Diocese receives clean financial audit report for FY 2023-24
by Bishop Chad Zielinski
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Christian faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm for your unwavering spiritual and financial support. Your generosity has made a significant difference and has been instrumental in maintaining a healthy financial position for our diocese.
With new directors for Catholic Charities, Social Concerns, and Youth Ministry, we are witnessing a wave of fresh ideas and direction, which we believe will lead to continued growth in the programs and services these diocesan ministries offer. Our director of Evangelization and our director of Hispanic Ministry are also making significant strides, creating thriving programs and exploring new avenues to reach
those in our diocese who have fallen away from their Catholic faith.
Your overwhelming generosity in contributing to the annual Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA) has been deeply felt and greatly appreciated. Your financial support is crucial in maintaining our vital ministries. In Fiscal Year 23-24, we were able to utilize $883,000 of the DMA funds we received to support the programs for which the DMA funds were restricted. This underscores the significant impact of your collective contributions. All donations to the DMA remain restricted to the offices for which they were designated in the appeal’s promotional materials.
Turning now to diocesan expenses at large, nearly half of the diocesan
expenses in Fiscal Year 23-24 were for our Evangelization, Catechesis, and Social Concerns ministries directed toward the lay Catholics within our diocese. The current formation of our seminarians and permanent deacons and the continued formation of our diocesan priests accounted for around 15 percent of the expenses.
About a third of diocesan expenses went towards administering the diocesan offices, organizations, and shrines within the diocese. Less than five percent of the remaining expenses were for diocesan liturgical events, Masses, processions, workshops, and presentations from outside sources.
In their November meeting, the Diocesan Finance Council thoroughly reviewed the audited financial statements for Fiscal
Year 23-24. The diocese’s financials presentation, as reported on page 3 of this issue of The Prairie Catholic, is drawn from those audited statements. We are pleased to report that the diocese received a clean audit report from Christianson, PLLP out of Willmar, Minn., a testament to the hard work and dedication of the diocesan Director of Finance Carol Hacker and the steadfast support of the entire Department of Finance.
As we look forward to the Jubilee Year of Hope, we continue to have a positive outlook for the diocese, both financially and spiritually. Your support and contributions have laid a strong foundation for our future, and we are optimistic about the opportunities and growth that lie ahead.
Bishop Zielinski greets Mary Doyle and Sr. Savina Laskowske during a January visit to Divine Providence Nursing Home in Sleepy Eye where
(Photo by Christy Baker)
diocesan church Diocese of New Ulm Statement of Activities
1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)
Fund
REVENUES
Diocesan United Fund
Appeal (applied to designated ministries only) bequests ervices
Diocesan Ministries Appeal (applied to designated ministries only)
Contributions and bequests
Grants
Contributed services
Interest and dividend income
Net unrealized and realized gain
Program income
Other income
rogram restrictions REVENUES (see pie chart below)
Satisfaction of program restrictions
TOTAL REVENUES (see pie chart below)
EXPENSES
dministration minsitration nd Catechesis piritual Life
Office Administration
Religious Adminsitration
Evangelization and Catechesis
Worship and Spiritual Life
Social Ministries
Personnel
EXPENSES (see pie chart below) ET ASSETS BEFORE OTHER ITEMS
TOTAL EXPENSES (see pie chart below)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS BEFORE OTHER ITEMS
randing NET ASSETS
Investment in Branding Consulting Fees
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
eginning of year AT END OF
Peregrinos de Esperanza Confinados en Casa
por Bishop Chad Zielinski
El Papa Francisco proclamó oficialmente el Jubileo de la Iglesia Católica para el año 2025 en una bula de convocación titulada “Spes Non Confudit”, que significa “La Esperanza No Defrauda.” En ella, alentó a los católicos a ser peregrinos de esperanza.
Desde el día de nuestro bautismo, nuestras almas fueron infundidas con las virtudes de fe, esperanza y caridad. Estas virtudes reflejan algo más profundo y son parte del plan divino en el que cada uno de nosotros fue creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios, reflejando nuestra relación de alianza con Él. Cada persona recibe este plan divino desde el momento de su concepción. Asimismo, se nos son dados talentos y habilidades particulares.
Como escribe Lucas en su Evangelio, cuando Jesús fue hallado enseñando en el templo de Jerusalén a los 12 años, María y José lo buscaron durante tres días. Estaban angustiados porque había desaparecido, pero perplejos cuando lo encontraron. “Hijo, ¿por qué nos has hecho esto? Tu padre y yo te hemos estado buscando con gran ansiedad.” Y Él les dijo: “¿Por qué me buscaban? ¿No sabían que yo debo estar en la casa de mi Padre?” (Lucas 2:48-49).
Jesús pasó cerca de 30 de sus 33 años terrenales en Nazaret, el hogar de la Sagrada Familia, a menudo llamado la “Escuela de Nazaret,” antes de comenzar su misión pública.
La Escuela de Nazaret es un modelo para nuestras familias y comunidades de fe. En nuestro bautismo, nuestros padres y padrinos (o nosotros mismos si ya teniamos uso de razón) hicieron (o hicimos) una promesa de criarnos (o crecer) en la práctica de la fe católica. Esencialmente, estamos llamados a crear una “Escuela de Nazaret” donde aprendamos sobre nuestra fe y crezcamos en nuestra
Para que tengan vida
comprensión de nuestro llamado a la santidad.
Cada uno de nosotros fue creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios. A medida que crecemos en edad y sabiduría, se nos otorgan talentos y habilidades únicas, así como una misión para vivir nuestro llamado a la santidad. Este es un proceso de toda la vida, un continuo ‘sí’ a este llamado.
El llamado a la acción del Papa Francisco durante este Año Jubilar incluye “signos de esperanza,” como el anhelo de paz en el mundo, la apertura a la vida y la paternidad responsable, y la cercanía a los prisioneros, los pobres, los enfermos, los jóvenes, los ancianos, los migrantes y las personas “en situaciones difíciles.” Nuestros talentos y habilidades únicos son esenciales para esta misión.
Por diversas razones, algunas personas pueden no ser visibles en el “radar,” pero son profundamente visibles para el corazón y la mente de Dios. Cada uno de nosotros tiene una responsabilidad de acercanos a estas personas y ser un faro de esperanza en sus vidas.
Cuando fui ordenado sacerdote el 8 de junio de 1996, mi primera asignación parroquial fue como vicario en la Inmaculada Concepción en Traverse City, Michigan. Durante el primer mes, el párroco me informó que cada primer viernes era tradición de los dos sacerdotes llevar la Sagrada Comunión a los enfermos en sus casas. Cuando llegó ese primer viernes, el P. Denny me lo recordó amablemente.
En mi mente, estaba ocupado con asuntos que consideraba más importantes. Me dieron una lista de unas diez personas para visitar con la idea de hacerlo rápidamente. Recuerdo haber ido primero a la casa de una mujer anciana que apenas podía moverse. Me dijo que rezaba cinco rosarios diarios por la parroquia y otras novenas.
Encontré historias similares en cada hogar que visité, y cada persona estaba profundamente agradecida de que les llevara la Presencia Real de Cristo en el Santísimo Sacramento. Como María corriendo hacia Isabel en la Visitación, yo era quien llevaba a Cristo, y como Isabel, ellos respondían con gran fe y gratitud.
Me sentí profundamente conmovido por su gratitud, humildad y santidad. No tenía idea de que esta experiencia de visitar a los enfermos en casa sería como caminar por una letanía viva de santos. Estaba tan ocupado intentando completar mi “lista de cosas pendientes” que no me di cuenta de que Cristo me enviaba como un peregrino de esperanza. Viviendo su llamado a la santidad como católicos bautizados imbuidos de fe, esperanza y amor, estas personas confinadas en casa se convirtieron en radiantes peregrinos de esperanza para mí.
Este año cumpliré 29 años como sacerdote, y esta experiencia sigue profundamente grabada en mi corazón y alma. Regreso a esta experiencia cuando me siento débil o cansado, recordándome el poder de estos peregrinos de esperanza confinados en casa. Desde ese día, cambié mi actitud y esperaba con ansias cada visita, donde encontraba fe y santidad. Siempre me iba de sus casas siendo un mejor sacerdote, lleno de esperanza.
Comparto esta historia personal porque sé que hay muchas personas confinadas en sus hogares en esta gran diócesis. Algunas pueden vivir solas, sintiéndose aisladas y atrapadas por la depresión; otras pueden residir en hogares de ancianos o centros de vida asistida. Algunas han sido rechazadas por sus familias, y la Iglesia es la única familia que tienen. Sin embargo, todas han sido creadas a imagen y semejanza de Dios; están llenas de talentos y habilidades y tienen una misión de Dios sin importar sus limitaciones físicas o su edad.
Les animo a considerar acercarse a alguien en estas situaciones. Ustedes tienen el potencial de ser una profunda fuente de esperanza en sus vidas. Y, como Dios obra de maneras misteriosas, pueden descubrir que ellas, a su vez, se convierten en una profunda fuente de esperanza para ustedes. Este intercambio recíproco de esperanza es un testimonio del poder transformador de la fe y el amor, y de su importante papel en ello.
Continuemos nuestra Peregrinación de Esperanza, pidiendo a Nuestra Señora de la Pradera que camine con nosotros. Que Dios los bendiga y gracias por responder a su llamado a ser peregrinos de esperanza.
Priestly milestones
The Prairie Catholic congratulates priests of the Diocese of New Ulm celebrating significant priestly anniversaries in 2025. Thank you all for your many years of ministry.
65 Years
60 Years
55 Years
40 Years
Rev. Eugene Brown was ordained Feb. 21, 1960. He retired from active priestly ministry in 2004.
Rev. Patrick Casey was ordained March 13, 1965. He retired from active priestly ministry in 2009.
Rev. Peter Nosbush was ordained Apr. 26, 1970. He retired from active priestly ministry in 2014.
Rev. Andrew Michels was ordained March 12, 1985. He serves as parochial vicar for the Bread of Life Area Faith Community (Holy Redeemer in Marshall and St. Mary in Cottonwood) and Our Lady of the Prairie Area Faith Community (St. Mary in Tracy and St. Michael in Milroy.)
35 Years
Rev. Ronald Huberty was ordained June 2, 1990. He serves as pastor of the Jesus Our Living Water Area Faith Community (St. Clara in Clara City, St. Mary in Willmar, and Our Lady of the Lakes in Spicer.)
35 Years
Rev. Steven Verhelst was ordained June 16, 1990. He serves as pastor of the Bread of Life Area Faith Community (St. Mary in Cottonwood and Holy Redeemer in Marshall) and Our Lady of the Prairie Area Faith Community (St. Mary in Tracy and St. Michael in Milroy.)
35 Years
20 Years
Rev. Jack Nordick was ordained June 6, 1990. He retired from active priestly ministry in 2015.
Rev. Mark Steffl was ordained July 2, 2005. He serves as pastor of the Holy Cross Area Faith Community (Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, St. Mary in New Ulm, St. John the Baptist in Searles, and St. George in West Newtown Township.) He also serves as vicar general, judicial vicar, and moderator of the curia for the diocese.
20 Years
Rev. Craig Timmerman was ordained July 2, 2005. He serves as pastor of the Divine Mercy Area Faith Community (St. Paul in Comfrey, St. Michael in Morgan, and St. Mary in Sleepy Eye.)
The Diocese of New Ulm invites all the faithful to partake in our diocesan pilgrimage, Pilgrimage of Hope, June 22-29, 2025, which will begin and end at the Cathedral in New Ulm. Pilgrims will walk from Area Faith Community to Area Faith Community with Mary to Jesus in the Eucharist as we intercede for the Church in America, the diocese, and for hope and healing for every individual and family. Over the span of those 8 days, perpetual pilgrims will walk nearly 100 miles and the faithful are invited to join them along the way as they can.
LEARN MORE! dnu.org/pilgrimageofhope
“Incredibly blessed” - Fr. Eugene Brown on 65 years of priestly ministry
by Deacon Ryan Pope Prairie Catholic correspondent
Despite his many titles-author, editor, photographer, astronomer, and priest – Fr. Eugene Brown, who had never imagined life outside the farm, recently spoke with Prairie Catholic freelance writer Deacon Ryan Pope about his over 90 years of life and 65 years of priestly ministry with a remarkably humble spirit.
Journeying on the Atlantic Ocean in an inflatable Zodiac boat, Fr. Eugene Brown captured the National Geographic-worthy photographs that adorn the walls of his small apartment. Taken off the island of South Georgia in 2017, his favorite photograph shows four penguins marching into the sea, while a nearby companion photo shows the Antarctic Peninsula with a perfect reflection in the ocean as if you could hang the photo upside down.
“That was my last big trip,” Father Brown reminisced about the many blessings in his life.
In 2023, Father Brown had a fall that required care and recovery. He recalled: “I happened to be in the Rehab Center recovering, and the physical therapist asked me if I had ever taken any trips, and I started telling him about the mission trips I took to Guatemala. That night, I couldn’t sleep well and was sore, so I started thinking of all the blessings in my life,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
“I have been to 22 different countries and saw Mother Theresa in 1976 in Philadelphia,” he said, recounting blessing after blessing. “Reminiscing about all the opportunities in my life and
the countries I’ve visited gave me the idea to write all about it,” Father Brown said. “Originally, I was going to print it up on typing paper and give it to family, but a nearby company helped me selfpublish my recent book, Incredibly Blessed: The Life Story of a Boy from the Farm and I now have a publisher who will be publishing this book sometime this Spring.”
“Growing up in rural Minnesota, could you have imagined having any of these experiences had you not been a priest?” I asked this faith-filled priest. “I don’t think so,” answered Father Brown, explaining that he had not traveled to the Twin Cities until he went to Nazareth Hall.
Born in Fort Wayne, Ind., Father Brown falls in the middle of five siblings who were raised in rural Clara City and Montevideo, Minn. “We went to St. Clara Catholic School in Clara City, and even though there were [no] paved roads, and we lived out of
town, we were always at Mass 30 minutes before the kids across the street were,” he quips.
“I first expressed some interest in the priesthood at St. Clara School,” Fr. Brown explained. Although his sister Marilyn would tell you that it was when a visiting missionary priest who performed magic tricks came to the school that he expressed interest. “Both are probably true,” he said.
After graduating from St. Clara, the family moved closer to Montevideo. “Then Fr. Paul Cober came over to the farm and announced to my parents: ‘I enrolled Eugene into Nazareth Hall,’” said Father Brown. “He signed me up first, then came out and told us! But as soon as I found out what it was, I was excited to go.”
Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler, the first bishop of New Ulm, ordained Father Brown to the priesthood on Feb. 21, 1960, three years after the diocese was formed. Sixty-five years later, Father Brown is the only surviving priest among the five in his ordination class.
Although Father Brown’s priestly service over the years has included serving at 17 parishes in the diocese, his ministry has extended well beyond parish life. He has made significant pilgrimages, fondly recalling one in 1965 where he walked for twenty miles alongside his fellow ordination classmate, the late Monsignor Greg Schaefer, as he walked from
the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul to Guatemala to raise money for the mission parish. “Right before [the pilgrims] were going to walk into San Lucas, I flew down and walked the last ten miles up the mountain to San Lucas for the end of the pilgrimage,” Father Brown recalls. He would venture to Guatemala two more times and his last trip was to study Spanish.
In the 1980s, Father Brown was granted leave to serve as associate editor at Don Bosco Multimedia in New Rochelle, NY, a Catholic publishing firm run by the Silesian Fathers. “I helped work on publishing film strips and media for religious education and helped to edit a book on Mary called First Lady of the World,” Father Brown said. He went on to note that he helped to edit and publish the most significant accounts of Don Bosco’s dreams, pouring through nineteen volumes of books.
Throughout his ministry in the diocese, it would be rare to find Father Brown without a camera or video camera capturing parish or diocesan events. “I usually had a dark room in the basement of most of the rectories I stayed,” he recounted. Through his photography, he documented events for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis newspaper, the Catholic Bulletin, in the 1960s to early 70s and later for the first newspaper of the Diocese of New Ulm, Newsletter, where he served on the production team. He would also periodically contribute to The Prairie Catholic in its early years. In 2011, Father Brown received
the Diocesan Distinguished Service Award partly for his extensive contributions to the diocesan newspapers.
Another of Fr. Brown’s interests was astronomy. Amazed by “marvels of the sky and vast distances,” he became interested in the Minnesota Astronomical Society, which, at that time, was looking for someone to help edit its newsletter. Nineteen years later, he still edits and contributes his talents to this venture.
After Father Brown retired from parish ministry in November of 2004, he served as chaplain for St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, Minn., until 2014. After moving to the Twin Cities, he ministered to the Poor Clares Monastery in Bloomington until their move to Rochester, Minn. Currently, he continues to offer Mass at the Carondelet Village and his Lilydale Senior Living home community.
“I have tried to serve the Lord and the Church faultily but the best I can,” Father Brown said. “I firmly believe that when the Lord calls me home, he will say: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
Editor’s note: Father Brown will celebrate his 65 anniversary of priesthood on February 21. For those who would like to thank him for his years of priestly service, he currently resides at 949 Sibley Memorial Highway, Apt. 428, Lilydale, MN 55118; padrebrown1934@gmail.com.
Pictured at his apartment near the Twin Cities where he resides in his retirement years, Fr. Eugene Brown points to one of his favorite photos that he took off the island of South Georgia in 2017, showing four penguins marching into the sea.
(Photo by Deacon Ryan Pope)
Avid astronomer Fr. Eugene Brown is pictured in 2011 beside a dobsonian reflector telescope which he has since donated to the Onan Observatory located at Baylor Regional Park near NorwoodYoung America in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities.
(Photo by Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit-2011)
Jubilee Year of Hope begins in diocese - local pilgrimage sites, indulgences, and a renewed call to be Pilgrims of Hope offered
by Christine Clancy
The
Prairie Catholic
NEW ULM – Five days after Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a symbolic act marking the beginning of the Jubilee Year 2025, New Ulm’s bishop Chad Zielinski welcomed the Holy Year locally with a Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. The Holy Father has dedicated the Jubilee Year to the virtue of hope, granting participants the title of “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Before the Diocese of New Ulm liturgy, approximately 100 faithful gathered in the nearby Cathedral school gymnasium for
from the pope’s bull of indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, affirming that in the heart of each person, “hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.”
“O Father, you are the hope that does not disappoint and the beginning and end of all things,” Bishop Zielinski proclaimed, asking God to bless the start of our Jubilee Year journey. Those gathered then proceeded in song to the cathedral. The procession was led by Bishop Zielinski, who was guided by a large crucifix held by seminarian Brent Sundve. Before the entrance of the church, the area Knights of Columbus lined the stairway with swords raised. The bishop held high the crucifix, marking the local opening of Jubilee Year locally in the diocese.
During his homily, the bishop reflected on the theme of the jubilee, ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ “We are all on a journey responding to our call to holiness from the day of our baptism and continuing throughout life as we move toward the kingdom of Heaven,” the bishop said. “Pope Francis clarifies that hope has nothing to do with mere human optimism or ephemeral expectation of some earthly benefit, but rather it is a gift bestowed upon us until the time when we will be one in the embrace of his love.”
on three things – Hear God, Hand Him Your Heart, and Have Hope. “This call to holiness from God and our response is an act of surrender,” the bishop said.
The bishop then went on to propose that each family or individual create a table or space in their home and call it the “jubilee table,” pointing to his own jubilee table that sat near the front of the altar on display. The table held items that reminded the bishop of his life. As he went through each item, he explained the connection between his life and hope.
“Pope Francis, in his document on the Jubilee Year, invites us to be signs of hope. He says, ‘We need to recognize the immense goodness present in our world, lest we be tempted to think ourselves overwhelmed by evil and violence. The signs of the times, which include the yearning of human hearts in need of God’s saving presence, ought to become signs of hope.’”
“In other words, turn your radar of hope on,” the bishop said, his voice filled with inspiration. “Look at the world with merciful eyes of hope - as Jesus sees each one of us. Who or what situation is crying out for hope?”
CREATE YOUR OWN JUBILEE TABLE
Create a space that reminds you and your family of hope. Ideas for a jubilee table include:
•Photos or statues of your favorite saints
•Photos of beloved family and friends
•Prayers that hold special meaning to you
•Reminders of places you have met God
•Prayer intentions
•Crucifix or favorite statue of Jesus
As he did when he was first installed as the shepherd of New Ulm in 2022, the bishop invited those gathered to reflect once again
The bishop concluded his homily by commissioning those gathered as pilgrims of hope to illuminate a new path in our diocese and invite those who are behind locked doors to drink from the fountain of mercy. “Be ambassadors of healing, allowing a newborn hope to run forth,” the bishop said.
Pilgrimage sites designated
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Catholics are invited to grow in their faith and draw closer to Christ through the reception of the sacraments and participation in holy year activities such as visiting designated churches and shrines.
Bishop Zielinski has designated two pilgrimage sites, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm and the Schoenstatt Jubilee Family Shrine in Sleepy Eye. These sites are not just places, but they are part of our journey towards hope, where Catholics can obtain special plenary indulgences and remission from punishment for sins that have already been forgiven. (Visit the Diocese of New Ulm website dnu.org or call (507) 233-5361 for details.)
A special web page on the Diocese of New Ulm website offers resources on the jubilee year. It includes information on the upcoming diocesan Pilgrimage of Hope (June 22-29), along with pilgrimage
SHARE YOUR TABLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA #JubileeTable
site locations and a unique downloadable 27-week prayer guide Behold, Your Mother, provided in print and audio. Each week, Leonard Gutierrez, the Director of Evangelization, sits down with different people from across the Diocese of New Ulm to pray the meditation together, engage in meaningful conversations on Mary and hope, and share their personal stories. This prayer guide, developed by the Diocese of New Ulm Office of Evangelization and the Office of Worship, is designed to help participants grow in their relationship with Mary - the patroness of the Diocese of New Ulm.)
Closing of the Jubilee Year
The Jubilee Year will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Jan. 6, 2026, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Dioceses worldwide will conclude their local celebrations of the Holy Year on Dec. 28, 2025.
Bishop Zielinski’s Jubilee Table
Celebrating Catholic Schools
Retired school teacher recognized for her dedicated years of service
by Katie Roiger Prairie Catholic correspondent
BIRD ISLAND, Minn. – In the Gospels, Jesus has a habit of expecting more from his followers than just the basics: he asks them to give without expecting repayment (Lk 6:35), offer a cloak as well as a tunic (Mt 5:40), and literally go the extra mile (Mt 5:41). In the true spirit of discipleship, retired Catholic schoolteacher Mary Jo Schmoll stands out to her former colleagues and school community for her commitment to going even farther than teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic, important as those subjects are.
“She’s more than a teacher,” said principal Tracy Sigurdson of St. Mary's Catholic School in Bird Island. “She has so much compassion for teaching, and her ultimate goal is to see learning happen. She would work to no end to make sure that’s happening. You can talk to Mary Jo about St. Mary’s on any level and just feel her passion and love.”
Schmoll has nothing but good things to say about St. Mary’s, where she graduated from high school in 1974. The Benedictine Sisters who ran the school at the time impressed her so much with their zest for teaching that they prompted Schmoll to consider a career in teaching.
“They made such an impression on me that I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Schmoll said. “They were so gentle and caring.”
Schmoll left Bird Island to gain her degree in education at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. and returned in 1989 to immediately begin teaching third grade. After her first year, she was given the first graders to teach and followed that class through fourth grade. Next, she became Bird Island’s very first kindergarten teacher.
“That was my dream, to be able to teach little ones,” said Schmoll. “They come in so innocent, and they just want love and caring. I always thought to myself, how would I want a teacher to teach my child? These are little human beings, so you want to be positive with them. You have to make them feel good when they walk out of the [classroom] door.”
Throughout her 29-year career, Schmoll was dedicated to providing this positivity and nurture and to treating each child as an individual. “No two children were alike, even if they were twins!” she laughed. This approach resonated with her students, some of whom were
Catholic Schools Week Super Star Mary Jo Schmoll
The recent celebration of Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 26–Feb. 1) is a nationwide annual celebration that unites Catholic schools across the country in a shared spirit of faith and education. Here in the Diocese of New Ulm, our Catholic schools are blessed with dedicated teachers and administrators. Their unwavering commitment to providing the best education possible while serving as role models of the faith instills confidence in the quality of education our students receive. In recognition of Catholic Schools Week, The Prairie Catholic highlights Mary Jo Schmoll, a retired teacher from Bird Island, Minn. With 29 years of teaching experience and always going above and beyond her role, congratulations Mary Jo Schmoll - you are the “Catholic Schools Week 2025 Super Star.” (Photo submitted)
inspired to become teachers and even worked alongside Schmoll at Bird Island in later years.
As a teacher, Schmoll was enthusiastic about St. Mary’s projects and celebrations, big and small. During the Catholic School
Marathon, which takes place every fall, Schmoll frequently volunteered her kindergarteners to kick off the event with a pep rally.
“I had them practice for a week, so they felt comfortable doing it because there’s always some shy ones,” said Schmoll. “It always went off with a big bang, and I loved how the rest of the school would cheer them on, too!”
The pint-sized students would burst into the gymnasium, where the rest of the school community was gathered, run two laps around the gym to a song fitting the year’s theme, and finish with the school cheer.
“It was adorable and hilarious!” Sigurdson said. “They brought so much excitement doing that, and they got that from their teacher.”
While orchestrating significant events like the Marathon and Catholic Schools Week was fun, some of Schmoll’s best teaching memories are the everyday experience of sharing the faith with her students. “If something happened, we could pray about
it,” Schmoll said. “We would be on the playground and hear sirens, and I would say, ‘What do we do? We pray for the people involved.’ And then, we would stop and say a little prayer. Things like that were important to me.”
Even now, in her retirement, St. Mary’s is close to Schmoll’s heart, to the point where she still enjoys being involved as much as she can. In addition to serving as a substitute teacher, she attends many school events, which is a special joy now that her grandkids are attending as her family’s fourth generation at the school. Reflecting on the beauty of Catholic education, Sigurdson said that Schmoll and St. Mary’s current teachers showcase the depth of commitment and sacrifice that make a Catholic education truly special.
“There’s so many roles that a teacher has to play, and what I see repeated here is people going above and beyond, putting in extra hours and doing extra things for their students to make sure that they succeed,” she said.
family life
Office of Family Life assists engaged couples to live a Christ-centered life
by Sr. Candace Fier, director Office of Family Life
When engaged couples express a desire for sacramental marriage, the Catholic Church stands ready to support them by helping them build on their love and good intentions and discern their readiness and capacity for a sacramental marriage.
The Church provides education and catechesis regarding marriage and family life and calls the couple to the dignity, joys, and responsibilities of a sacramental marriage.
Sacramental marriage is a living sign of God’s love in the world which is faithful, fruitful, and forever. Couples who enter a sacramental marriage promise to love each other faithfully until death parts them, and they express a willingness to cooperate with God in giving life and love to children. Sacramental marriage reflects the loving communion of the Blessed Trinity, God and humanity, Christ and the Church.
Sacramental marriage is also a call to service. Spouses are called to serve one another’s good and the good of their children, and they are also called to serve the
good of society and the Church.
The Office of Family Life of the Diocese of New Ulm is dedicated to supporting couples through their marriage vocation, providing guidance and assistance in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
If you, or anyone you know, is engaged and plans to be married in the Catholic Church, there are some steps to follow to help ensure a strong foundation for the sacrament of Marriage that emphasizes the importance of the commitment that is being made.
Step one: The couple should meet with their parish priest or deacon to begin formal preparation as soon as they decide to marry, but no later than six months before the wedding date. The formal preparation must be completed at least thirty days before the wedding date.
During the meetings with the priest or deacon, the couple will be informed about the marriage process and the requirements of the Catholic Church for marriage and be provided with information concerning the diocesan Pre-Marriage Preparation Day. Together with the priest or deacon, the couple will build
As diocesan director of the Office of Family Life, Sr. Candace Fier provides resources and support for engaged couples and ongoing marriage enrichment. (photo by Christy Baker)
on their strengths and prepare a wedding liturgy that expresses the sacredness of their marriage and the uniqueness of their relationship.
Likewise, the couple will complete a premarital assessment inventory, a series of questions designed to help the couple explore their relationship and become more aware of their strengths and marital issues that they may not have discussed yet.
The premarital assessment inventory is a helpful tool for developing communication and
problem-solving skills essential for a successful marriage. The premarital assessment will bring new awareness to the couple’s relationship and aid them and their priest or deacon in discussing various aspects of marriage.
Step two: Couples should register for an approved marriage preparation program. The Office of Family Life offers a day-long preparation program where engaged couples are challenged to reflect individually and to dialogue privately with each other about key aspects of married life: commitment (the meaning
of sacramental marriage), communication (including intimacy and sexuality issues), conflict (including gender and personality issues, addictions, and the appropriate expression of anger), children (including natural family planning and parenting), career (including financial planning, work and lifestyle issues), and church (spirituality, faith, and interfaith issues). The day is meant to demonstrate to couples what supportive and loving spouses are. The marriage preparation program must be completed at least thirty days before the wedding date.
If a couple has been previously married outside of the Catholic Church in a civil marriage, they can convalidate their civil marriage. Convalidation is a process in which the couple, with their parish priest’s or deacon’s guidance, can make their civil marriage a valid Catholic marriage by completing the steps listed.
Editor’s note: For more information or to register for a pre-marriage program offered by the Diocese of New Ulm, contact Sr. Candace Fier, ISSM, director of the Office of Family Life, cfier@dnu.org, (507) 233-5328.
Couples of diocese to celebrate significant anniversaries in 2025
70 years
69 years
66 years
Donald and Myrtle (Griebel) Brand were married on Jun. 5, 1954. They are members of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm.
Richard and Darlene (Siebert) Derner were married Jun. 24, 1955. They are members of St. Peter, St. Peter.
Bernard and Theresa (Haas) Vonderharr were married Aug. 31, 1955. They are members of St. Michael, Madison.
Bill and Mary Lou (Schmitz) Fenske were married Jun. 30, 1956. They are members of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm.
Gordon and Ruth (Schugel) Palmer were married May 10, 1958. They are members of Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm.
Robert and Alice (Schmitz) Forst were married Aug. 30, 1960. They are members of St. George, West Newton Township.
Harold and Margaret (Bahner) Nohner were married on July 4, 1960. They are members of St. Anastasia, Hutchinson.
Gene and Shirley (Walsh) Brandt were married Jun. 9, 1956. They are members of Holy Rosary, North Mankato.
Charles and Sharon (DeZeeuw) Bakker were married Jun. 21, 1955. They are members of St. Dionysius, Tyler.
Sal and Bev (Goerish) Windschitl were married on Nov. 19, 1959. They are members of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm.
faith life
Mark your calendars! Spring Gatherings just around the corner
by Sharon Illikman NUDCCW president
Lent will be upon us soon. It is a season of preparation, reflection, and repentance that symbolizes the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his ministry here on earth. It’s a time for personal growth, where we, as Catholics, can emulate Christ’s journey, deepening our relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.
Spring Gatherings
The Council of Catholic Women plays a pivotal role in fostering spiritual growth, offering a diverse range of opportunities. One such opportunity is the annual Spring Deanery Gatherings.
These gatherings inspire women in spirituality, leadership, and service. They are an excellent opportunity to connect with other women in one common interest: our Catholic faith.
Each evening will begin with registration, Mass, a light meal
and a presentation by a speaker selected by the hosting deanery. These gatherings will offer wisdom and insights to inspire all those in attendance.
Deanery 1
March 20 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. The speaker is Katie Braulick who will be speaking about The Embrace Ministry, a ministry for mothers who have experienced the loss of an infant.
Deanery 2
March 17 at the Church of St. Edward in Minneota. The speakers will be the religious order of the
Sisters of Mary Morning Star located in Ghent, Minn.
Deanery 3
April 3 at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Winsted. The speaker is Katie Kelly, who will be speaking about being open to life following a tragedy.
All women of the Diocese of New Ulm are encouraged to attend.
For information about the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women or to sign-up to receive the Spark Newsletter, visit www. nudccw.org.
Area pastoral leaders gather in St. Peter to pray for Christian Unity
ST. PETER, Minn. -The worldwide observance of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held this year from January 18-25, is a time of shared prayer, reflection, and fellowship that invites Christians of different traditions to deepen their relationships and to live and witness together throughout the year. This year, pastoral leaders from several denominations gathered on January 22 at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Minn, for a prayer service. Fr. Shawn Polman, who serves as the Diocese of New Ulm’s Chair of Ecumenism & Interreligious Dialogue, represented the diocese. Pastoral leaders pictured, l-r, are Pastor Andrew Davis, United Presbyterian Church, St. Peter; Pastor Chris Culuris, First Lutheran Church, St. Peter; Pastor Heather Culuris, Synod Minister, Southwestern MN Synod, ELCA; Pastor Elizabeth Becker, Episcopal Church USA, serving Grace Lutheran, Brownton; Fr. Shawn Polman, and Bishop Dee Pederson, Bishop of Southwestern MN Synod, ELCA. (Photo submitted)
Year of Mission A call to action for
by Leonard Gutierrez
In 1973, Mother Theresa made a radical decision that would further the impact of the work of the Missionaries of Charity throughout the world. She introduced a “Holy Hour” in Eucharistic adoration. The sisters already spent many moments in daily prayer, and one could only imagine the suffering they witnessed as they ministered to the poorest of the poor. She knew that their work depended not on their own gifts or personal aspirations but on their closeness with Jesus. In her book “No Greater Love,” she mentions, “I have seen a great change in our congregation from the day we started having adoration every day. Our love for Jesus is more intimate. . . Our love for the poor is more compassionate. . . If we don’t take time to pray, we could not do this work.”
As missionary disciples, we can learn from Mother Teresa and her decision to pray more.
Mother Teresa’s choice for her community to pray more was a reminder that, above all else, our hope, joy, and meaning are found in a loving relationship with God. It was a reminder that love can grow deeper and more intimately. Beyond being merely friends or acquaintances of Jesus, each of us can know and love him as a bride knows her bridegroom. For what bride would not want to throw herself into the arms of her bridegroom at every moment of every day, in good times and in bad, in sickness and health? Her choice reminds us of the necessity of daily prayer spent listening and speaking heart to heart with God, according to our state of life.
It is also a reminder for all those who partake in missionary activity of the dangers of choosing more activity at the expense of praying less.
Ours is a time of much urgency, but often without vision, understanding, or, most importantly, a relationship grounded in humility and love. For most Americans, everything is at our fingertips. So often, our
all Catholics
interests or passions become more important than time spent with God. For others, their zeal becomes so big that they forget God. “There have been some who were so occupied in spreading Christianity that they never gave a thought to Christ,” C.S. Lewis says in “The Great Divorce.” The urge and drive for more consumption, more doing, and more avoiding has never been this grand.
Jesus’ words to Martha while her sister Mary is sitting at his feet and Jesus’ frequent times of prayer on the mountains after a busy day’s work in ministry both serve as reminders that one thing is needful: a relationship with God.
Mother Teresa responded to those telling her of the overwhelming work to be done: “If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy.”
For those wanting to evangelize, you will know a tree by its fruit, and good fruit begins with good soil. That soil is daily personal prayer and a place to start by spending twenty minutes of daily mental prayer, a heart-to-heart conversation with God, and letting yourself be loved.
Leonard Gutierrez is the director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of New Ulm. He can be reached at lgutierrez@dnu.org; (507) 233-5361.
by Fr. Mark Steffl, STL, JCL
The short answer to this question is, “yes, cremation is permitted, but it is not encouraged” by the Catholic Church. (There is also an answer to this question on the web site of the Diocese of New Ulm’s “Worship” page.)
The question is dealt with in the Code of Canon Law in the following canon in the section of Church Law that governs “Ecclesiastical Funerals:”
Can. 1176 §1. Deceased members of the Christian faithful must be given ecclesiastical funerals according to the norm of law.
§2. Ecclesiastical funerals, by which the Church seeks spiritual support for the deceased, honors their bodies, and at the same time brings the solace of hope to the living, must be celebrated according to the norm of the liturgical laws.
Ask a Canon Lawyer
This month’s question: What does the Church teach about cremation? Is it allowed?
§3. The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.
In the previous Code of Canon Law (in force 1917–1983) and earlier law before that, cremation had been forbidden. It was not until 1963 when cremation was first permitted for Catholics.
Going back to our “Jewish roots,” early Christians adopted the Jewish practice of a respectful burial to the body of one who died. To this day, the burial of an observant Jew would be done in a specific way, usually within 24 hours and following certain rituals that we see recounted for us in the Gospels as well. In different times and places, especially in Europe, it was forbidden by civil law, even into the 20th Century, to cremate human remains, although most of these civil laws no longer exist.
Within the Catholic Church, the preference is still that the body
of a deceased member of the Christian Faithful is buried, as §3 of the above canon mentions. In the Order of Christian Funerals, the expectation is still that the body of the deceased is present for the Funeral Mass, and if the body is to be cremated, that it would be done following the Funeral Mass, although in recent years it has been permitted to bring the ashes (sometimes referred to as “cremains” which is a shortened word for “cremated remains”) into the church instead of the body of the deceased in a casket. In such a case, there are usually a few things that are omitted such as a pall being placed over the remains as it would for a casket or certain prayers that might be omitted with the absence of a body.
In §3, it is important to note the sentence’s ending, “unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.” This doctrine referred to is our Christian belief that our bodies will one day be resurrected and untied with our souls, as we profess in the Apostles’ Creed. Thus cremation is permitted as long as, by the choice of cremation, one is not
Kicking off 2025 with key legislative priorities
The 2025 Minnesota legislative session has begun under unprecedented circumstances. In the Senate, a 33-33 tie following the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic has led to a temporary powersharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans.
Meanwhile, the House is facing gridlock. What began as a 67-67 tie has shifted to a narrow 67-66 Republican majority after one DFL candidate was disqualified for not living in the district he sought to represent. With DFL members boycotting proceedings and pending litigation before the Minnesota Supreme Court, it is uncertain when normal legislative operations will resume in the House.
While political dynamics may
change, the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) remains steadfast in its principles.
Regardless of who holds power, our mission to advocate for the common good and promote policies that support life, family, and human dignity remains unchanged.
Here are some of the key issues we will focus on in this session:
Promoting Family Economic Security
Last biennium, we helped pass a nation-leading Child Tax Credit that eased financial burdens for low- and middle-income families.
This year, we’re advocating to expand the credit by raising the income phaseout threshold to $45,000 for joint filers, ensuring more families benefit.
Additionally, we support a sales tax exemption on essential baby items, providing meaningful relief for growing families. These policies prioritize family life and address the rising costs facing parents today.
Opposing Online Sports Gambling
Minnesota legislators are once again considering legalizing online sports gambling. While 40 other states have already done so, we remain deeply concerned about the societal harm it causes. Legalized online gambling would effectively put a bookie in everyone’s pocket, fostering addiction, economic hardship, and family fragmentation. Young people, especially young men, are particularly vulnerable to these harms. Thus, MCC will work to ensure this dangerous policy does not advance.
Opposing Commercial Surrogacy
The push to legalize commercial surrogacy – a practice that
rejecting this foundational belief of the resurrection of the body at the end of time.
Today, a bigger issue is the situation of cremated remains that are not buried, but left on the mantle or as now has become a popular custom, being divided and made into mementos or jewelry or even put into clocks or other decorations, or in other situations scattered over land or sea. (I even saw a reference to putting cremated ashes into shotgun shells that a family member could use for turkey hunting, because the deceased liked to do that himself!)
This “new reality” was addressed more recently by a document titled Ad resurengendum cum Christo (which means To rise with Christ) that was issued in 2016 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, which is an oversight office for dogma that is a part of the Holy See, an extension of the pope’s teaching responsibility. Paragraph 5 of that document says: When … cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery … which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.
And the reason given for this follows:
The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect, which eventuality is possible, most especially once the immediately subsequent generation has too passed away. Also it prevents any unfitting or superstitious practices.
In our times, it becomes important to know about these things, not only as they relate to each of us, but to help others to know as well, and to encourage them when necessary, to “do the right thing” and to help them understand why.
Next Issue: “Can a couple get married in the Catholic Church if they don’t want to have children?”
Editor’s note: Fr. Mark Steffl is a canon lawyer. He serves as judicial vicar of the diocesan Tribunal and is vicar general and moderator of the curia for the diocese. If you have a question, email The Prairie Catholic at cclancy@dnu.org.
commodifies children and exploits women – has been ongoing at the Capitol. Last year, it narrowly passed in the House. This year, we will continue to oppose any efforts to legalize the buying and selling of children. Women are not for rent, and children are not for sale.
Protecting Non-Public Pupil Aid
Non-public schools educate the Minnesota public. In fact, private schools serve nearly 100,000 Minnesota students each year. Therefore, the education of these children should be supported by our state’s public education dollars. With non-public pupil aid at risk of being cut from the governor’s budget, MCC is committed to ensuring that Minnesota kids at non-public schools receive the aid and support they deserve.
Opposing Assisted Suicide
Legalizing assisted suicide endangers vulnerable populations, undermines the dignity of life, and shifts focus away from true compassionate care. MCC is
committed to opposing any efforts to normalize or legalize this practice and instead advocates for expanding access to palliative care that honors the inherent worth of every person.
Those are just a few of the many topics MCC will address in this session. Our advocacy relies on the support of Catholics in the pews, and together, we can make a difference. Visit www.mncatholic. org to join the Catholic Advocacy Network and to learn more about these issues.
Let us pray for wisdom for our legislators and for God’s guidance as we work to advance the common good in Minnesota.
Stay up to date on issues
Be informed on important legislative issues affecting the state of Minnesota. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network at www.MNCatholic.org/join
by the Minnesota Catholic Conference
The public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota.
Father Casey to celebrate 60 years of priesthood in March
Fr. Patrick (Pat) Casey, a native of Litchfield, Minn., will mark a significant milestone on March 13, 2025 – his 60th year in the priesthood.
His priestly journey began at Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary in Roseville, Minn., and the Saint Paul Major Seminary, where he earned a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Religious Education. He furthered his studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, focusing on
theology and earning a Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching.
He was ordained a priest on March 13, 1965, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar by Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler. Following ordination he served in the parish communities of St. Peter, Marshall, Sleepy Eye, Redwood Falls, North Mankato, Taunton, Wabasso, Wanda, Montevideo, Granite Falls, Clarkfield, Olivia, Renville, Hutchinson, Stewart, Darwin, and Forest City. He retired from active ministry on June 30, 2009.
around the diocese
Casting their cares on the Lord Youth of the diocese gather in Olivia for COR Night
by Luke Miller, director Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Father Casey’s impact on fostering faith among the people he served was recognized in 1987 when he received the Diocesan Distinguished Service Award for his many years of service to the diocese and his support and participation in the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Regional Pastoral Councils.
Seminarians enjoy their time in New Ulm with the bishop
Year; Brent Sundve, Theology II; Matthew Wood, College Junior, and Noah U’Ren, College Senior. (Photo by Christy Baker)
NEW ULM – The diocese currently has five seminarians, who are diligently pursuing studies for the priesthood at the Saint John Vianney College Seminiary and the Saint Paul Seminary, both in St. Paul. Their dedication and growth are a source of pride.
In December the seminarians gathered in New Ulm with Bishop Chad Zielinski for a special annual Christmas get-together that included Mass, dinner, and fellowship.
Ministry of acolyte
On Oct. 28, 2024, seminarian Mr. Brent Sundve was instituted in the
ministry of acolyte at St. Mary’s Chapel at the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul. Sundve is in Theology II at the seminary. His tentative priestly ordination date is 2027.
Ministry of lector
Looking ahead, we have another important event in the seminarians’ journey. On Feb. 10, 2025, David Rabaey will be instituted in the ministry of lector at the St. Mary’s Chapel at the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul. Rabaey is a seminarian in his first year in Theology. His tentative date of priestly ordination is in 2028.
OLIVIA, Minn. – On Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, approximately 250 youth and 40 adults of the Diocese of New Ulm gathered at the Church of St. Aloysius in Olivia for COR Night. This event, sponsored by the diocese, was a platform for young minds to engage with the nationally known speaker, Jackie Angel, and her talk on ‘Casting Your Cares on the Lord.’ Angel, a full-time speaker, singer/songwriter, and worship leader has been a beacon of inspiration in youth ministry since her high school days. Her global travels are dedicated to sharing the profound message of God’s love with young hearts.
COR Night, which stands for Choir, Outreach, and Reception, is a bi-annual event for students in grades 6-12. Coordinated by the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, the evening is hosted by the COR youth group, which is made up of high school students who desire to grow in prayer and virtue while helping to serve the diocese, all while having fun.
Angel’s message during her talk resonated with the young audience, as she highlighted the universal human desire for heaven and the inevitability of making mistakes along the way. She stressed the importance of not letting our imperfections hinder our acceptance of God’s love and mercy.
Angel explained that one way she came to understand God’s love and mercy for her personally is in how she loves her children. She shared that even in the stresses of parenthood, there is no mistake her child could make that would cause her to stop loving them. “If I am an imperfect mom, and yet I love my children no matter what, can you imagine how much God loves you and me?” she said.
Angel’s overall message to the youth was that God loves them no matter what and that they need to return to his mercy when they make mistakes. She emphasized the welcoming nature of the Church, a place where everyone, regardless of their past or present, is accepted and loved. This reassured those present not to despair because of any mistakes because “the Church is not for
International speaker, singer-songwriter, and worship leader Jackie Angel captured the COR Night audience’s attention with her message about “Casting Your Cares on the Lord.”
Two-hundred and fifty youth and 40 adults were in attendance at the Diocese of New Ulm’s COR Night held on December 15, 2024, at the Church of St. Aloysius in Olivia.
perfect people, but for those who seek God’s love and mercy.”
“Jesus doesn’t need a clean, perfect, pristine throne to come into our hearts. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger,” Angel said. She encouraged the youth to accept God’s mercy and healing, especially through the sacrament of Reconciliation. “The best thing you can do is bring (sin) to the Light, and that is where God can heal it,” she said.
The evening talk ended with a time of prayer, during which Angel invited the youth to reflect on their lives and identify where they desire to receive God’s love, mercy, and healing.
The next COR Night, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Olivia, promises to be an exciting event. Renowned Catholic hiphop artist Connor Flanagan will be the keynote speaker, sharing
his insights on discovering and utilizing our God-given gifts. The event will culminate with a concert, making it an evening not to be missed. Visit the Diocese of New Ulm website, dnu.org, to register or call the Office of Youth Ministry at (507) 233-5302.
Editor’s note: Luke Miller serves as the director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm, lmiller@dnu.org, (507) 233-5327.
(Photos by COR Youth)
Studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of New Ulm are: (left-right) David Rabaey, Theology I; Matthew Collins, Propaedeutic
Fr. Pat Casey
CNA Staff – First came “The Bible in a Year,” then “The Catechism in a Year” – now comes “The Rosary in a Year,” Ascension’s newest podcast that will began on January 1, 2025.
Hosted by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, “The Rosary in a Year” podcast consists of daily 15-minute episodes that guide listeners through a deeper encounter with all the elements of the rosary. In an interview with Catholic News Agency, Father Ames said he hopes these phases will help to build “the muscle of prayer.”
The podcast aims to serve as a form of accompaniment and guidance by taking listeners through six phases of deepening their understanding of the rosary. These include looking at what it means to pray in general and focusing on the actual prayers of the rosary and what they mean. The longest phase will be diving deeper into the mysteries of the rosary, practicing “lectio divina” and “visio divina,” reflections from the saints, and finally praying the rosary.
Father Ames said he hopes those who listen to the podcast will “grow in their life of prayer and that particularly they fall in love, maybe for the first time, maybe again, with prayer and with the Lord and with Our Lady and with the rosary because they experience the rosary as this privileged doorway in which they get to encounter the Lord.”
Visit https://ascensionpress. com/pages/riy-signup for more information.
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - An annual poll released in January has found that, as in previous years, a majority of Americans support some form of limitations on abortion.
The poll released on January 23 revealed that 67% of Americans support legal limitations on abortion and that 60% believe abortions should be limited at most to the first three months of pregnancy.
Conducted from Jan. 7–9, the poll surveyed 1,387 adults, with each region represented in proportion to its adult population.
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus every year and conducted by the Marist Poll, the survey also found for the second consecutive year that 83% of Americans support pregnancy resource centers and 82% of respondents said they believed “laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child.”
Last year, the poll similarly found that 66% of Americans believe
that “limits should be placed on when abortion is allowed” and only 33% believe that “abortion should be allowed without any limits” when given the two options.
The survey also found that 62% of Americans shared the belief that health care professionals with religious objections should not be forced to perform abortions.
