Hundreds of Catholic Chuukeese faithful from within the Diocese of New Ulm as well as a number from the Midwest and the Pacific, gathered May 3 in Milan, Minn., and nearby Appleton to celebrate their heritage and worship the Divine. (Read more, page 5A.)
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, surprised the world on May 8, 2025, when he emerged on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica as the 267th pontiff. History’s first U.S.born pope, the new pontiff offered his first homily at a celebratory Mass in the same Sistine Chapel where cardinals elected him to lead the Universal Catholic Church.
by Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service
here Christians are “mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied” is where the Catholic Church’s “missionary outreach is most desperately needed,” Pope Leo XIV said in his first homily as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on May 9, 2025.
Today, “there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for
Pope Leo XIV processes out of the Sistine Chapel after celebrating his first Mass as pope with the cardinals who elected him at the Vatican May 9, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) W
the weak and unintelligent, settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power or pleasure,” the new pope told cardinals May during Mass in the Sistine Chapel.
“This is the world that has been entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis taught us so many times, we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the savior,” he said.
The day after his election, the new pope returned to the chapel
where his fellow 132 cardinals elected him pope – the first U.S. citizen, first Peruvian citizen, first Augustinian friar and likely the first Chicago White Sox fan to become pope – to celebrate his first Mass with the College of Cardinals.
Wearing black shoes instead of the traditional red associated with the papacy and walking into the Sistine Chapel carrying Pope Benedict XIV’s papal ferula, or staff, the pope processed into the chapel.
After two women read the Mass readings in English and Spanish –a possible nod to the new pope’s U.S. and Peruvian background – he greeted the cardinals in English, marking his first public use of the language.
“Through the ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission,” he said, “and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as
believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel.”
The Mass, largely in Latin, was celebrated at a portable altar brought into the Sistine Chapel, as opposed to the fixed altar which requires the celebrant to face East, away from the congregation.
In his homily, spoken in Italian, Pope Leo said God had called him
“You
are mine - I am yours!” The unveiling of Our Lady of the Prairie, May 31, 2025
by Bishop Chad W. Zielinski
In his Summa Theologica (Summary of Theology), Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274), an Italian philosopher and theologian, called God “the unmoved mover.” It is God who initiates and is always first to reach out with creative and restrained love, as he did in the Garden of Eden.
During our 27-week preparation leading up to the Diocese of New Ulm’s Pilgrimage of Hope (June 22-29, 2025), Leonard Gutierrez, director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization, has hosted a weekly podcast titled “Behold Your Mother,” www.dnu.org/ beholdyourmother.
During these podcasts, Leonard has led us on a journey, reflecting on the different titles of Mary and drawing us deeper into an understanding of her Maternal love for us. Each podcast reflects on a section of Saint John Paul II’s document, “Mother of the Redeemer.” Saint John Paul II writes, “For it must be recognized that before anyone else it was
God himself, the Eternal Father, who entrusted himself to the Virgin of Nazareth, giving her his own Son in the mystery of the Incarnation.” (Redemptoris Mater #39)
It is this impetus of God the Father’s love for humanity that Mary encounters with God’s messenger, the Archangel Gabriel, at the Annunciation. It is through prevenient grace, a divine grace poured forth at her Immaculate Conception, that Mary fully surrenders and opens herself as a handmaid of the Lord, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” She encounters the Holy Spirit in a profoundly redemptive and transformative way. Her “Yes” immediately changes the course of salvation history.
By divine design, the Holy Spirit stirs her into action. Mary is on the move! It is Mary’s choice to run forth with Christ. The Holy Spirit orders this movement. It is a Holy Order, a new world order, a new way of living and relating to God and one another. Her surrender allows the Holy Spirit to guide and shape her as the New Eve. Her Immaculate Heart desires to move in haste to claim us. She, as Mediatrix, carries the Redeemer of the world. Together, she and her Son claim the mission that Father has given to the Son. She says, “You are mine!”
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.
Bishop Chad Zielinski blesses the sacred art of the new patroness of the diocese, Our Lady of the Prairie. The unveiling and the blessing took place on on Saturday, May 31, (the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Also pictured is Deacon Rick Christiansen and altar server Solomon Pekrul of New Ulm.
Brothers and sisters in Christ. In haste, this same Mary has come to the Diocese of New Ulm as Our Lady of the Prairie. She is declaring today that all of us are children of God in the diocese. The surrounding prairies are being claimed by the “Mother of
(Photo by Christy Baker)
Our Lord.” She is making a bold statement today: “You are mine.”
As one gazes at the beautiful image of Our Lady of the Prairie, there is a profound depth. In the weeks, months, and years to come, we will discover something
to be a “faithful administrator” of the Church so that she may be “a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world.”
“And this, not so much through the magnificence of her structures or the grandeur of her buildings, like the monuments among which we find ourselves, but rather through the holiness of her members,” he said, standing before Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel.
new each time we gaze upon her, which is filled with inexhaustible meaning. This depth invites us to delve deeper into our faith and the role of Mary in our salvation history, sparking our curiosity and eagerness to explore the profound layers of this image.
The artist of the painting, Damien Walker, founder of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand, spent numerous hours in fasting, prayer, and reflection during the creation of the image of Our Lady of the Prairie, a process that took roughly seven months.
I am deeply grateful to Damien for his insightful spiritual reflection on the symbols in the painting and the profound meaning behind the entire piece. His contribution has enriched our understanding and deepened our spiritual journey.
See Our Lady of the Prairie - Pilgrimage of Hope SPECIAL EDITION, pages 1B – 8B.
insignificant person” who becomes “irksome because of his demands for honesty and his stern moral requirements,” and that of ordinary people, who see him as an “upright man, one who has courage, who speaks well and says the right things.”
a kind of charismatic leader or superman.”
(Continued from page 1A.) Pope
Reflecting on Jesus’ question to the apostle Peter in St. Matthew’s Gospel – “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” – Pope Leo said one might find two possible responses: the world’s, which considers Jesus “a completely
“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent,” he said. In these settings, “a lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,” the pope said. And in many settings in which Jesus is appreciated, the pope said, he can be “reduced to
“This is true not only among nonbelievers but also among many baptized Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism,” he said.
“Therefore, it is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
“I say this first of all to myself, as the successor of Peter, as I begin my mission as bishop of Rome,” he said. Referencing St. Ignatius of Antioch, he said the commitment for all who exercise authority in the Church is “to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified, to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the
opportunity to know and love him.”
After his election and presentation to the faithful May 8, Pope Leo returned to the Vatican residence where he had briefly lived as a cardinal before entering the conclave that elected him pope. Greeting people who lived in the building, he posed for selfies and gave his blessing.
A girl asked the new pope to bless and sign a book; with a smile he replied: “I need to practice the signature! That old one is no good anymore.”
by Tessa Gervasini Catholic News Agency
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The number of ordinations of permanent deacons in the United States has decreased by nearly 200 from 2023 to 2024, according to a recent survey.
The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University published the survey results in its 2025 report “A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2024.”
According to the report, 587 men were ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2023, but in 2024, the number fell to 393.
The report was created in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.
The study surveyed ordained permanent deacons who intend to remain deacons, excluding transitional deacons (those who will be ordained to the priesthood).
Conducted from February to May 2025, the survey received responses from 138 archdioceses/ dioceses and two archeparchies with bishops and eparchs that belong to the USCCB and
maintain an active office of deacons.
“With the release of this survey, I ask for continued prayers for deacons and for an increase in vocations to the permanent diaconate within the United States,” said Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing, Michigan, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.
Estimated numbers of permanent deacons in the U.S. Since the report did not have a 100% response rate, CARA cannot confirm the exact number of deacons, but it estimated that there were about 20,212 permanent deacons in the U.S. in 2024. This includes approximately 20,022 in the Latin rite and 189 in the Eastern rites. CARA estimated that about 11,503 permanent deacons were in active ministry in 2024. Including those that did not respond, it is estimated that there are a total of 13,864 active deacons.
During 2024, 393 permanent deacons were ordained, 545 deacons retired from active ministry, and another 361 deacons passed away.
EYE – Bishop Chad Zielinski celebrated the Rite of Candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate on Saturday, May 10 at the Church of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye. The Rite of Candidacy is a special liturgical rite during which candidates publicly express their intention to receive ordination as a deacon. Pictured with their wives are five men who are currently aspiring to be permanent deacons in the diocese. They are l-r, Brad and LuAnn Schloesser of St. Peter, Jamie and Sharry Good of Glencoe, Antonio Medina and Anisabel Palma of Willmar, Jeff and Karen Strock of Lamberton, Harmon and Gina Wilts of Kerkhoven, and Deacon Mark Kober of Sleepy Eye, diocesan director of the Permanent Diaconate. (Photo submitted)
CARA reported that there “are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry and dying each year.”
Of the respondents, the report found that the large majority of active deacons are currently married (93%). A small number are widowers (4%), and even fewer have never been married (2%).
NEW ULM – Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, after consultation with the Priest Personnel Board, has announced new clergy assignments effect July 1, 2025.
Fr. John Hayes has been appointed pastor of the Churches of St. Joseph in Montevideo, St. James in Dawson, and St. Andrew in Granite Falls, known as the Holy Family Area Faith Community, having served as parochial administrator of these parishes since July 1, 2024.
Fr. Shawn Polman has been appointed pastor of the Churches of St. Michael in Madison, St. John in Ortonville, and Holy Rosary in Graceville, known as the Spirit of Life Area Faith Community, having served as parochial administrator of these parishes since July 1, 2024.
Fr. Brian Mandel has been appointed pastor of the Churches of St. Francis in Benson, Sacred Heart in Murdock, and St. John in Appleton, known as the St. Isidore the Farmer Area Faith Community, having served as parochial administrator of these parishes since July 1, 2024.
Fr. Brendan Rolling has been appointed pastor of the Churches of St. Peter in Canby, St. Leo in St. Leo, Ss. Peter and Paul in Ivanhoe, St. Genevieve in Lake Benton, St Dionysius in Tyler, and St. John Cantius in Wilno, known as Christ the King Area Faith Community, having served as parochial administrator of these parishes since July 1, 2024.
Almost all of the active deacons (96%) reported that they are at least 50 years old: 18% are in their 50s, 41% are in their 60s, and 38% are 70 or older.
For the full CARA survey visit www.usccb.org/resources/ReportPortrait of Diaconate 2025 FINAL June 3_0.pdf.
Editor’s note: There are currently 18 permanent deacons serving in the Diocese of New Ulm. For information about the permanent diaconate in the diocese, visit the www.dnu.org/diaconate or contact Deacon Mark Kober, mkober@ dnu.org.
A celebration of the gift of the priesthood
WILNO, Minn. – On July 1, 2025, Fr. Brendan Rolling celebrated 25 years of priesthood. It was marked with a Mass of Celebration on Sunday, June 29 at the Church of St. John Cantius in Wilno, followed by a reception in the church social hall. He was joined by his mother, Betty Rolling (pictured), a parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul in Ivanhoe. Father Rolling serves the Christ the King Area Faith Community (St. Peter in Canby, Ss. Peter & Paul in Ivanhoe, St. Genevieve in Lake Benton, St. Leo in St. Leo, St. Dionysius in Tyler, and St. John Cantius in Wilno). (Photo submitted)
“Eres mío - Yo soy tuya” La develación de Nuestra Señora de la Pradera, 31 de mayo de 2025
Por el Obispo Chad W. Zielinski
En su Summa Theologica (Resumen de Teología), Santo Tomás de Aquino [1225 – 1274], filósofo y teólogo italiano, llamó a Dios “el motor inmóvil.” Es Dios quien inicia y siempre da el primer paso con un amor creativo y contenido, como lo hizo en el Jardín del Edén.
Durante nuestras 27 semanas de preparación para la Peregrinación de Esperanza de la Diócesis de New Ulm (22-29 de junio de 2025), Leonard Gutierrez, director de la Oficina Diocesana de Evangelización, ha dirigido un pódcast semanal titulado “He aquí a tu Madre” (www.dnu.org/ beholdyourmoth).
A lo largo de estos episodios, Leonard nos ha guiado en un recorrido reflexivo sobre los distintos títulos de María, profundizando en su amor maternal por nosotros. Cada episodio aborda una sección del documento Madre del Redentor de San Juan Pablo II. En él, el Papa escribe: “Pues hay que reconocer que, antes que nadie, fue Dios mismo, el Padre eterno, quien se confió a la Virgen de Nazaret, entregándole a su propio Hijo en el misterio de la Encarnación.” (Redemptoris Mater #39)
Este impulso del amor del Padre por la humanidad es lo que lleva a María a encontrarse con el mensajero de Dios, el Arcángel Gabriel, en la Anunciación. Por medio de la gracia preveniente - una gracia divina que precede la decisión humana - derramada en su Inmaculada Concepción, María se entrega por completo como sierva del Señor: “Hágase en mí según tu palabra.” En este momento, experimenta al Espíritu Santo de manera profundamente redentora y transformadora. Su “Sí” cambia inmediatamente el curso de la historia de la salvación. Por diseño divino, el Espíritu Santo la impulsa a la acción. ¡María se pone en camino! Es
su elección correr con Cristo. El Espíritu Santo ordena este movimiento: es un orden sagrado, un nuevo orden mundial, una nueva forma de vivir y relacionarse con Dios y los demás. Su entrega permite que el Espíritu Santo la guíe y la forme como la Nueva Eva. Su Inmaculado Corazón anhela moverse con prontitud para reclamarnos. Como Mediadora, ella lleva al Redentor del mundo. Juntos, ella y su Hijo abrazan la misión que el Padre ha encomendado al Hijo. Ella declara: “Eres mío”.
Hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, con premura, esta misma María ha venido a la Diócesis de New Ulm como Nuestra Señora de la Pradera. Hoy nos declara que todos en la diócesis somos hijos de Dios. Las praderas circundantes están siendo reclamadas por la Madre de Nuestro Señor. María hace una declaración audaz hoy: “Eres mío.”
Cuando contemplamos la imagen de Nuestra Señora de la Pradera, encontramos una profundidad impactante. En las próximas semanas, meses y años, descubriremos algo nuevo cada vez que la miremos, pues su significado es inagotable. Esta riqueza nos invita a profundizar en nuestra fe y en el papel de María en la historia de la salvación, despertando nuestra curiosidad y deseo de explorar las capas más profundas de esta imagen.
El artista de la pintura, Damien Walker, fundador del Studio of Saint Philomena en Nueva Zelanda, dedicó muchas horas de ayuno, oración y reflexión en la creación de la imagen de Nuestra Señora de la Pradera, un proceso que tomó aproximadamente siete meses.
Estoy profundamente agradecido con Damien por su reflexión espiritual sobre los símbolos presentes en la pintura y el significado profundo de la obra en su totalidad. Su contribución ha enriquecido nuestra comprensión y ha profundizado nuestro camino espiritual.
Ver a Nuestra Señora de la Pradera – Peregrinación de la Esperanza EDICIÓN ESPECIAL Páginas 1B – 8B.
by Christine Clancy The Prairie Catholic
NEW ULM – Sandra “Sam” Rickertsen, MS, LMFT, one of the initial licensed, professional clinical therapists on staff for the Catholic Charities office of the Diocese of New Ulm, is moving on after a dedicated 18-year career serving those in need throughout the diocese’s 15 counties and beyond.
Rickertsen joined the Catholic Charities counseling staff shortly after the office started offering services in 2007, covering services in the Hutchinson area.
Rickertsen’s contributions, made possible primarily through the contributions to the diocese’s annual Diocesan Ministries Appeal, have been instrumental in the success of the counseling services which have provided help and created hope for over 18,000 people in need.
“It has been such a blessing to help build such a wonderful
Sandra “Sam” Rickertsen has served on the Catholic Charities team since 2007 when it began offering services in the diocese. Pictured left, Lois Byrne, PBVM, Outreach Counselor, Willmar office; Dorine Reiter, counselor, New Ulm office; Sandra “Sam” Rickertsen; Tami Behnke, director and outreach counselor, Marshall office; and Jessica Griebel, administrative staff. (Photo by Christy Baker)
program from scratch, that ultimately provides such hope for individuals and their families,” Rickertsen said.
Editor’s Note: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of New Ulm is currently seeking a part-time
Clinical Outreach Counselor (1624 hours/week). Visit the diocesan website employement section for further details, www.dnu.org/ employment-new.
by Luke Miller
NEW ULM - The 2025 summer Totus Tuus Program (Latin for Totally Yours) is well underway in parishes throughout the Diocese of New Ulm.
Totus Tuus is a Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. Here in the diocese, the ministry reaches hundreds of young people, helping them understand and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.
This summer there are 12 young adult missionaries who are will be visiting 18 parishes/area faith communities in the diocese, teaching the Book of Genesis to elementary students and the Sacraments to middle and high school students.
If you are interested in bringing Totus Tuus to your parish or area faith community next summer, contact the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, lmiller@dnu.org, (507) 233-5327.
Editor’s note: Luke Miller is the director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, lmiller@dnu.org.
by Deacon Ryan C. Pope Prairie Catholic correspondent
MILAN, Minn. – Nestled in the Saint Isidore the Farmer Area Faith Community (AFC) in the small western Minnesota town of Milan, a jubilant celebration of faith and heritage unfolded on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as the Chuukese (pronounced “Chookeys”) Catholic communities from across the Midwest and the Pacific gathered in praise and celebration.
More than a mere reunion, this moment marked the beginning of festivities celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the Caroline Islands located in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. Bridging generations, cultures, and distances in a profound testament to the universality of the Catholic faith, and with voices raised in worship honoring their traditions, a vibrant tapestry of colors enveloped the gathering, uniting the family of Chuukese Catholics from Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, South Dakota, Minnesota, and even the distant shores of the Caroline Islands.
The Chuukese are from the state of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia. They are a Micronesian-speaking ethnic group indigenous to the islands of Chuuk.
A standing-room-only crowd gathered for the opening Mass at the Church of St. John in nearby Appleton. The Mass celebrant was Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, the bishop of New Ulm, along with concelebrants Father Brian Mandel, pastor of the AFC, and Father Floran Akkin of the Diocese of Caroline Island. The liturgy included traditional Chuukese processions, liturgical music with a harmonious chorale from the congregation, and Holy Scriptures proclaimed in both English and the Chuukese language.
During his homily, Bishop Zielinski paralleled his experiences with Native Alaskan cultures as the bishop of Fairbanks, Alaska, with the Gospel. He emphasized the importance of culture and language in understanding and practicing the Catholic faith. “You have a culture, you have a particular language, and you
learned about Jesus through your culture and language,” the bishop said. “Don’t let that go.”
He continued, “Your culture and your language are deeply connected to your relationship with Jesus Christ. Hold on to that, thank God for that; honor God generation to generation, through your ancestors, and embrace the experience of Jesus Christ that lives on through you today.”
Highlighting the unity of the Catholic faith amid the differences in culture and expression of liturgy, Bishop Zielinski concluded, “You who receive the same Jesus that I do, carry Christ in you, and together, that makes us blood brothers and blood sisters in Jesus Christ. That goes deeper than any cultural or genetic connection; it is the Blood and Body of Jesus Christ that unite us as a family of God. That is the Gift and the Good News of our Risen Lord.”
After Mass, over 300 attendees packed into the Milan Community Center, where the all-day celebration continued. Even for those attending who could not understand the Chuukese language, which included me, there was a profound sense of welcome. I was honored to receive an Amwàråmwår, or a Chuukese necklace, extended by Michael Elias, President of the Midwest Catholic Chuukese. Similar to a Hawaiian Lei, an Amwàråmwår symbolizes “welcome.” Local parishioner Lorenzo Herman, leader of the local Chuukese group, and Henry Buruta of the LeMars, Iowa group, assisted me with translations that were second to none!
Surrounding the room were groups dressed in colorful regalia to signify their affiliation, and they took turns presenting a worship motto. This traditional Chuukese practice symbolizes their commitment to God and their community. This was followed by singing what could only be described as harmonious praise to God through music. For Angkelita Ponun, one of the organizers of the festivities, as well as many others, this event was the first time they had seen the Milan gymnasium so full of people: a family and a community gathered for heritage and worship.
Reko Buruta, the Emcee for the
day, assisted in introducing each of the honored guests, including Father Mandel, Father Akkin, and Bishop Zielinski. In the Chuukese tradition, only certain elders possess the native language and the privilege of speaking the language called Fosun Fonu Ika Fosun Erunii
During the celebration, Sisinio Tokoche, an Elder of the local Chuukese community, highly respected for his wisdom and faith, approached the bishop in a form of dance while speaking in the Chuukese native language. He bestowed upon Bishop Zielinski a gift of a lei, which, for the Chuukese people, symbolizes welcome, love, appreciation, and the connection between people, nature, and the Divine. The presentation was a powerful symbol of the honor and blessing the Chuukese community felt to have the bishop in their presence.
Father Mandel spoke of the blessing the Chuukese community has been to the entire faith community. “Because of parents and community sharing the Catholic faith through the culture, we had 32 First Communicants from this community,” he said.
Reflecting on the story of Saint James sharing Jesus with the Call, Father Mandel said, “We are called to bring Jesus to the people we meet by sharing of our faith with all around us. We should show mercy, bring Jesus to our workplaces, and spread the joy of the Good News. I commend all of
Sisinio Tokoche, an Elder of the local Chuukese community, highly respected for his wisdom and faith, presented Bishop Zielinski through dance and his native language, a gift of a lei, symbolizing welcome, love, and appreciation. (Photo by Deacon Ryan C. Pope)
you for sharing this message today and throughout our communities.”
In a similar tone, Father Akkin praised the Risen Christ and the connection through community and culture, linking the Diocese of the Caroline Islands to the local dioceses of each group, including the Diocese of New Ulm, and calling all groups to continue working together as a people of faith.
Hallmarked by fellowship, community, and worship, as the day came to a close, the Chuukese Catholic community spirit was palpable. The celebration not only honored their rich heritage but also strengthened the bonds between groups spanning across distances. The shared Catholic faith and the diversity of cultures became a catalyst for enduring growth and evangelization.
As I departed from the day’s events, I could not help but carry with me a profound sense of togetherness and the promise of continued community and celebration of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic faith that unites our worldwide communities. We are all part of this larger family, bound by our faith and our shared heritage.
Catholics share their thoughts on learning about first American-born pope
by Katie Roiger Prairie Catholic correspondent
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, when “Habemus papem!” (We have a pope) rang out in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, where people gathered awaiting the announcement of who would be the next pope, they heard “Peace be with all of you!,” the first words of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome. These words elicited strong emotions from the faithful, joy being foremost among them.
Dan Wambeke, a parishioner at the Church of St. Eloi in Ghent, Minnesota, had what he termed the “great good fortune” of being part of the crowd of approximately 100,000 waiting expectantly outside of St. Peter’s Basilica. Wambeke was in Rome at the time, leading a group of high school seniors on a Jubilee pilgrimage. He said they immediately canceled their planned itinerary so that the students could enjoy the once-in-alifetime experience.
“We were there for the first two black smoke signals, and while they were slightly disappointing, they were very expected,” said Wambeke. “On the afternoon that Pope Leo was elected, there was a palpably different energy in the crowd, as we all knew that it was quite possible that at any moment we might see the next successor to St. Peter,” said Wambeke.
“It’s surreal to be in a crowd of thousands of people just staring at a metal pipe sticking out of a roof!”
Wambeke described the moment when the white smoke finally plumed from the pipe as almost unreal despite the cheers from the crowd. “The shared surge of joy of all of us gathered there in that moment was euphoric,” he said.
When the new pope first presented himself, Wambeke recalled a sense of exuberance to see his steady and joyful demeanor. “I think we can look forward to good things from him.”
On the other side of the world, in New Ulm, Cathedral High School student Teresa Fischer was spending time in Eucharistic adoration with classmates when one of her teachers received a notification that white smoke had been seen over St. Peter's Square.
“We ran back to school when we were done and pulled up the livestream,” she said. “We were all really excited.”
The same feeling of excitement was shared by Deacon Mark Kober, director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of New Ulm. Watching on his phone in an optometrist’s waiting room, he said that when he heard the name Robert Provost, he thought the Chicago cardinal had been simply
Pope’s coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots
The shield is divided diagonally into two sections. The upper half features a blue background with a white lily.
The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s Word using the phrase: “Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo”“You have pierced my heart with your Word.” The motto
Pope Leo XIV has also chosen a motto that reflects this Augustinian tradition: In Illo uno unum, which means “In the One, we are one.” The phrase is taken from Saint Augustine’s Exposition on Psalm 127, where he explains that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”
In May, Dan Wambeke, a parishioner of the Church of St. Eloi in Ghent, led a group of high school seniors from the Good Teacher Great Books Classical Homeschool Co-op, which meets at the Church of St. Edward in Minneota, on a pilgrimage to Rome. They were blessed to be outside of the conclave in St. Peter’s Square during the announcement of new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Pictured l-r, Dan Wambeke, Ana Wambeke, Elia Koch, Hannah Hofer, and Kathryn Hofer. (Photo submitted)
given the task of announcing the new pope.
“I think it’s just marvelous,” he said about the Church’s first American pope. “[Provost] worked for Pope Francis in the capacity of finding new bishops. When you think about it in hindsight, a lot of the cardinals are involved in making recommendations for new bishops, and a lot of them probably knew him,” Kober said.
Kari Niles, director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry for the Church of St. Dionysius in Tyler, was also watching the livestream with other staff members as the new Holy Father stepped onto the balcony for his first address.
“For him to be an American was really shocking,” Niles said. “I thought it was really cool that my daughter posted on Facebook how excited she was to have an American pope in her lifetime. It’s wonderful to see all the generations of the Church talking about it. I heard somebody speculate that more Americans might come back to the Church because we have an American pope,” Niles said. “Maybe it will spark some interest. It’s something to pray for!”
For Flormira Garcia, originally from Chiclayo, Peru, and who now lives in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, the fact that the new pope had been a missionary in her homeland was fantastic news.
Referring to Pope Leo’s years of ministry in Peru, Garcia said, “His professional formation was among the poor and humble people, sharing the culture, the food, and the needs of the forgotten communities. He worked hard for the poorest during COVID and natural disasters.” Garcia believes that the time the new pope spent in Peru has helped him understand the genuine needs of Latin America and has taught him how communities live their faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Perhaps the continued discussion about the Church’s first American pope will bring a sense of hope that Catholics may see a rise in their numbers, and Deacon Kober thinks that an American pope will help the world view Catholicism in a new light, particularly in the United States.
“It gives us a marvelous opportunity to let the world know a little more about the American Church,” Kober said. “We have
eight people now who want to do the summer course to enter the Catholic Church in the fall, which we’ve never had before. There’s an awakening, and I know the inspiration of the new pope has not hurt that.”
“The idea that the new pope is familiar with the United States’ customs and interests doesn't hurt, either,” Kober said. “[Provost] was at the World Series when the White Sox won, so maybe he can become a Twins fan, and we’ll win a championship,” Kober joked.
Garcia said she hopes most of all that the new pope will be a force for unity and growth, a beacon of hope for the Church's future.
“There is so much conflict in humanity these days,” she said. “After we heard the news [of the new pope], I felt it was God’s response to the prayers of his people. I think [Pope Leo XIV] will take the best of Pope Francis’s works and add his own experience. He brings together groups with different points of view. I think he will be a tireless worker for peace.”
It is with great joy that the Universal Church has received the most exciting and wonderful news of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. I truly believe the Holy Spirit guided the College of Cardinals in selecting the right man to lead the Church in the upcoming years.
Interestingly, in 2016, I met the new pontiff, then Bishop Robert Prevost, when I attended the same course for new bishops in Rome. Out of the 120 bishops from mission dioceses worldwide, he and I were the only two Americans.
I was serving the Diocese of Fairbanks in Northern Alaska, and he was just named a bishop for the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. I remember having discussions with him about the indigenous villages of his diocese. He was quite fascinated by the Eskimo culture of Alaska.
He struck me as a kind-hearted, gentle, quiet man who truly had the heart of Christ the Good Shepherd. He had a deeply heartfelt concern for the poor and truly had the heart of a missionary priest. I was most happy that Pope Francis appointed him a cardinal a few years ago, and then more recently to the Dicastery for Bishops, a department of the Roman Curia that oversees the selection and appointment of bishops.
I am filled with hope and anticipation for the future of the Church under his leadership. He will carry forward the missionary fervor that Pope Francis ignited, and I am eager to hear more from our newly elected Holy Father.
I join the Universal Church in prayers for Pope Leo XIV. His election as the first pope from the United States of America is a historic moment and a wonderful blessing for our nation.
(CNS photo/Vatican Media)
(Courtesy of OSV News)
The following are key dates in the life and ministry of Pope Leo XIV, elected May 8, 2025, as the 267th successor to St. Peter.
1955: Born Sept. 14 in the Chicago area.
1977: Graduated from Villanova University near Philadelphia and entered the novitiate for the Order of St. Augustine in St. Louis.
1978: Professed first vows as a member of the Order of St. Augustine.
1981: Professed solemn vows as a member of the Order of St. Augustine.
1982: Ordained a priest of the Order of St. Augustine.
1984: Earned a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.
1985: Sent to work in the mission of Chulucanas, in Piura, Peru, until 1986.
1987: Elected the vocations director and missions director for his order’s Midwest province, Our Mother of Good Counsel.
1988: Moved to Trujillo, Peru, to direct a joint formation project for the region’s Augustinian aspirants. Over the course of a decade in Trujillo, he served as the community’s prior (1988-1992), formation director (1988-1998) and as an instructor (1992-1998).
1989: Began serving the Archdiocese of Trujillo for nine years as its judicial vicar; was also a professor of canon, patristic and moral law in the San Carlos e San Marcelo Major Seminary.
1999: Elected prior provincial for the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Chicago.
2001: Promoted to his order’s prior general, considered its supreme authority that oversees its administration and governance. He was reelected to that role in 2007, holding it for a total of 12 years until 2013.
2013: Served for a year as a “teacher of the professed” and provincial vicar.
2014: Appointed by Pope Francis to be apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. He was simultaneously named a bishop, but of the titular diocese Sufar, under which title he was ordained a month later on Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
2015: Appointed bishop of Chiclayo on Sept. 26.
2018: Served as second vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference until 2023.
2019: Appointed a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy.
2020: While still bishop of Chiclayo, appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Callao, Peru, a role he held until May 2021. He was also appointed to the Congregation for Bishops.
2023: Appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, named president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and granted the title archbishop Jan. 30; installed in those roles April 12. On Sept. 30, elevated to the College of Cardinals.
2025: Elected pope May 8, taking the name Leo XIV.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA) –
Two American Catholic bishops are hailing a Republican-led legislative effort to end certain taxpayer funds for abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood as well as an attempt to block funding for transgender drugs and surgeries for children.
Proposed budget language currently being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives would prevent Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for any services. It would also end all reimbursements for transgender drugs or surgeries that doctors prescribe for children.
“Americans should not be forced to subsidize abortions and ‘gender transition’ services with their tax dollars,” Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, and Bishop Robert Barron of WinonaRochester, Minnesota, said in a joint statement on Monday, May 19, 2025. Thomas is the chairman of the USCCB’s pro-life committee, while Barron chairs the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth.
Under current law, federal tax money cannot directly fund most abortions, but abortion clinics can still receive federal funding if the money is used in other ways. A Government Accountability
Office report found that Planned Parenthood pulled in more than $1.75 billion in taxpayer funds in 2019 and 2021 from a variety of sources.
Planned Parenthood’s 20232024 annual report stated that the organization received nearly $800 million in taxpayer funding over a 12-month period, which accounted for almost 40% of its total revenue.
“For decades, Planned Parenthood has received government money and offered low-income women one terrible option: to end the lives of their babies,” Thomas and Barron said.
“More recently, they have used the same taxpayer funds to expand their destructive offerings by promoting gender ideology and providing puberty blockers and hormones to minors, turning them into lifelong patients in the process.”
“Americans should not be forced to subsidize abortions and ‘gender transition’ services with their tax dollars, and we applaud measures that will finally help to defund Planned Parenthood,” they added.
“We encourage greater support for authentic, life-affirming health care providers that serve mothers and their children in need. We urge all members of Congress and
Providing: Individual, Marriage, and Family Counseling; Pregnancy Counseling, Adoption, Project Rachel, and Respect Life Resources; Parish and Community Response; Transition and Grief Services. Referred Services include: Immigration, Financial Counseling, and Guardianship Resources.
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the administration to work in good faith to protect vulnerable women and children from mutilating ‘gender transition’ services and the scourge of abortion.”
The proposed language is part of the so-called “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” that would set the nation’s budget and incorporate elements
of President Donald Trump’s agenda. The legislation would only need a majority support in the House and the Senate.
Editor’s note: President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed on July 3 and was signed into law on July 4. The bill defunded Planned Parenthood by cutting
Medicaid payments. A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order restoring funding for Planned Parenthood.
Pro-life organizations for decades have urged the federal government and state governments to end all taxpayer funds for organizations that perform abortions.
Ten years of Laudato Si’ U.S. bishops recognize impact of climate crisis on young people
In a letter to young people written during the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the bishops recognize the impact the climate crisis has on young people and applaud their strong witness for a better future.
WASHINGTON – “You have the capacity to organize and create change that will endure for generations to come,” said Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan in a joint letter to young people, written during the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, which addressed the climate crisis and care for our common home.
The bishops recognize that the climate crisis poses a significant threat to young people, affecting their health, education, safety, and future. They have noted the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which can have devastating consequences for communities
and individuals.
Urging young people to lead The bishops have encouraged young people to take a leading role in addressing the climate crisis, recognizing their potential to organize and create lasting change. They have also emphasized the importance of young people bearing witness to the urgency of the issue and advocating for action.
The bishops’ recognition of the impact on young people and their call to action are closely tied to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which emphasizes the moral imperative to address the climate crisis and protect the environment.
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, have been actively involved in promoting this message.
The bishops’ stance on climate change is rooted in a theological understanding of creation and the importance of caring for God’s creation. They believe that addressing the climate crisis is a moral obligation and a sign of respect for God’s creation.
Pope Leo XIV marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ Acknowledging the “extraordinary impact” of Laudato Si’, the Holy Father emphasized its role in inspiring initiatives and urging people to heed “the twofold cry of the Earth and of the poor.” The pope highlighted the encyclical’s call to renew dialogue on building the planet’s future through sustainable and integral development and encouraged the Laudato Si’ Movement and all those who carry on this commitment.
VATICAN CITY (CNA) – The Vatican announced Friday, June 13, that Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young Catholics beloved for their vibrant faith and witness to holiness, will be canonized together on September 7, 2025 in St. Peter’s Square. The date was set during the first ordinary public consistory of cardinals of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, held June 13 at the Apostolic Palace.
Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15, will become the first millennial to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church. His canonization had originally been scheduled for April 27 during the Vatican’s Jubilee of Teenagers. That ceremony was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
In an unexpected move, the consistory also decided to move the date for Frassati’s canonization, which had been set for Aug. 3, 2025, during the Jubilee of Youth.
Carlo Acutis:
Acutis, the first millennial saint, was an Italian computer-coding teenager, is known for his great devotion to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He became the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church in 2020 and is widely popular among Catholics, particularly youth. Known for his deep faith
and digital savvy, he used his computer-coding skills to draw attention to Eucharistic miracles around the world. His miracles exhibit, featuring more than 100 documented miracles involving the Eucharist throughout history, has since traveled to thousands of parishes across five continents.
The Vatican formally recognized a second miracle attributed to Acutis’ intercession on May 23, 2024. The case involved the healing of 21-year-old Valeria Valverde of Costa Rica, who sustained a serious brain injury in a bicycle accident while studying in Florence in 2022. She was not expected to survive but recovered after her mother prayed for Acutis’ intercession at his tomb in Assisi.
Born in London in 1991 and
The Diocese of New Ulm has an opening on the staff of its diocesan Pastoral Center for a part-time Clinical Outreach Counselor (16-24 hours/week)
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of New Ulm is seeking a part-time Clinical Outreach Counselor to manage a caseload of clients in the Hutchinson, Minn., area. Responsibilities include: conduct intake, assessments, treatment planning, and therapy (individual, group, and family), and provide educational presentations and workshops. Responsibilities also include offering assessments and support for marriage and re-marriage preparation and responding to requests from Catholic schools and parishes. Candidate will travel to outreach offices and schools within the diocese when needed and availabe for crisis response are required.
Requirements: Master’s degree in a related human service field; appropriate state licensure (LICSW, LMFT, LP, LPCC, etc.); strong oral and written communication skills; valid driver’s license; compliance with safe environment program and Virtus training within 90 days; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and electronic medical records; familiarity with Spanish and Latino cultures is a plus. A complete job description is available at https://www.dnu.org/ employment-new. Send resume and cover letter to Fr. Mark Steffl, Moderator of the Curia, msteffl@dnu.org. Deadline: Until filled.
raised in Milan, Acutis attended daily Mass from a young age and was passionate about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Shortly after his first Communion at the age of 7, Carlo told his mother: “To always be united to Jesus: This is my life plan.”
Carlo called the Eucharist “my highway to heaven,” and he did all in his power to make the Real Presence known. Shortly before his death, Acutis offered his suffering from cancer “for the pope and for the Church” and expressed a desire to go “straight to heaven.”
Pier Giorgio Frassati
Frassati, who died of polio on July 4, 1925, is also beloved by many today for his enthusiastic witness to holiness that reaches “to the heights.” Born on Holy Saturday, April 6, 1901, Frassati was the son of the founder and director of the Italian newspaper La Stampa.
The young man from the northern Italian city of Turin was an avid mountaineer and Third Order Dominican known for his charitable outreach. At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to taking care of the poor, the homeless, and the sick as well as demobilized servicemen returning from World War I.
On a photograph of what would be his last climb, Frassati wrote the phrase “Verso L’Alto,” which means “to the heights.” This phrase has become a motto for Catholics inspired by Frassati to strive for the summit of eternal life with Christ.
by Leonard Gutierrez
In the recent rededication of our diocese to Our Lady of the Prairie, countless titles give Mary proper honor, and each uniquely reveals beautiful aspects of her identity and role. Mary’s life is the perfect model of what it means to be and live as a disciple. Specifically, she models for us four very important themes that we ought to strive to live as disciples.
The first theme is Mary’s “Fiat,” or “yes,” to conceiving Jesus in her womb. In Luke 1:38, we read Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord…” Her “yes” and openness to God’s Will sets the tone for her discipleship with Christ. Saints witness, profess, and follow the example of Mary in her fiat. St. Alphonsus Ligouri reminds us that “the greatest glory we can give to God is to do his will in everything.” He continues, “The man who follows his own will independently of God’s is guilty of a kind of idolatry… instead of adoring God’s will, he adores his own.” Mary’s fiat teaches us to move from idolatry to adoration, thereby leading the soul onwards toward perfection.
Another theme of a discipleship model is found in Luke 2:19, where “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Her thoughtfulness and prayerful disposition should not be viewed as synonymous with passivity but rather as an attentive maturity in the faith. Mary models for us the incredible value of listening deeply. Only in this state of pondering what we receive are we able to then “taste and see that the Lord is good.”
A third theme is to suffer well. A measure of faith can be directly linked to the peace one and one’s family experience in the midst of suffering. Mary’s heart was pierced as she watched her son be scourged and crucified.
Scripture does not tell us that she experienced peace, but it does tell us that she remained close to Christ as she stood by him at the cross. In
doing the will of God, we can find ourselves united and close to Christ, even in the midst of joys and suffering, although we may not always feel it.
This brings us to the last theme of Mary, which is Mary on mission. It was God’s will that she gave birth to Christ. It was God’s will that she be the Mother of the Universal Church and help us carry out the mission of Christ, and she did so early on as she prayed with and accompanied the Apostles in the upper room. In this, Mary shows us her unique role as Mother, disciple, missionary, and intercessor. She partakes in the mission of Christ not only by bearing the child Jesus in her womb and giving birth to him but by joining in community with those who would go out into the world to tell the Good News.
As we welcome Our Lady of the Prairie into our lives, may she teach us to do the will of God, ponder in our hearts the voice of the Lord, cling to the cross in our suffering, and live mission amid a community of friends and believers.
Our Lady of the Prairie, pray for us!
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
In the Code of Canon Law that governs the Universal Church, there are 20 different canons that define and regulate secular institutes.
In the Church, there are different forms of “consecrated life” by which members of different communities (referred to as “Institutes” in Church legal terms) bind themselves to the Church and their superiors in fulfilling different parts of the Church’s mission. Some of these institutes are more numerous or better known than others depending on where the institute’s members are located and when it was founded or established in Church law. Institutes vary as well regarding what type of vows or promises that members make in being integrated into the institute.
This month’s question: What is a “Secular Institute?”
As a form of consecrated life in the Church, secular institutes are a more recent development, coming into being in the Church in the early to mid-Twentieth Century (which, in the Church that measures time in centuries, means “new”).
These two canons from the Code of Canon Law illustrate the Church’s definition of secular institutes, specifically what makes them “secular” in nature compared to other forms of consecrated life.
Canon 710 A secular institute is an institute of consecrated life in which the Christian faithful, living in the world, strive for the perfection of charity and seek to contribute to the sanctification of the world, especially from within.
Canon 713 §1. Members of these institutes express and exercise their own consecration in apostolic activity, and like leaven they strive to imbue all things with the spirit of the gospel for the strengthening and growth of the Body of Christ.
§2. In the world and from the world, lay members participate in the evangelizing function of the Church whether through the witness of a Christian life and of fidelity toward their own consecration, or through the assistance they offer to order temporal things according to God and to inform the world by the power of the gospel. They also cooperate in the service of the ecclesial community according to their own secular way of life.
§3. Through the witness of consecrated life especially in the presbyterium, clerical members help their brothers by a particular apostolic charity, and by their sacred ministry among the people of God they bring about the sanctification of the world.
In canon 710, a member of a secular institute is described as a person who consecrates his/her life, which means making public promises or vows relating to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience as they
apply to that specific “charism” or character of the particular secular institute, but in a way that “contributes to the “sanctification of the world, especially from within.” This “sanctification from within” is in contrast to other forms of consecrated life that involve, in a certain sense, leaving the “world” such as living in a monastic enclosure.
In canon 713 §1, a secular institute exercises “apostolic activity” meaning that its members have an apostolate that is exercised in the midst of the secular world, and not separate from it.
In canon 713 §2, “members participate in the evangelizing function of the Church whether through the witness of a Christian life and of fidelity toward their own consecration” meaning that whatever apostolate or work that a member of a secular institute does, that member brings or adds to it the particular witness of a Christian disciple and member of the Church.
And finally, in canon 713 §3, there is an allowance that “secular
priests” (i.e., diocesan priests who are not members of a religious institute) can also be members of a secular institute.
Since secular institutes are rather new in the history of the Church, they are not very widely known or great in number. We do have an example right here in the Diocese of New Ulm in the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. This secular institute has a house in Sleepy Eye, where they have a retreat house and do apostolic work; at times in their history they have also had or continue to have members who teach, work as nurses, and do other work in the diocese.
Next Issue: Where does the diocese get the money it needs to operate its offices?
Fr. Mark Steffl is a canon lawyer and serves as judicial vicar of the diocesan Office of the Tribunal. If you have a question for the Tribunal Office, email The Prairie Catholic at cclancy@dnu.org.
by the Minnesota Catholic Conference
After the conclusion of the Minnesota Legislature’s special session, Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) celebrates a series of important policy victories that affirm human dignity and advance the common good. These accomplishments underscore the vital role faith-based organizations play in shaping public policy and protecting foundational values in the public square.
“Once again, Minnesota Catholic Conference was at the center of Minnesota’s most consequential legislative debates, securing key victories in a contentious session marked by a cloudy budget forecast and fierce competition for funding,” said Jason Adkins, executive director of Minnesota Catholic Conference. “Thanks to
the constant prayers and advocacy of Minnesota Catholics, the bishops and MCC staff were able to advance the common good and protect the most vulnerable among us.”
In a time of political polarization and looming budget challenges, MCC demonstrates that principled advocacy, rooted in Catholic social teaching, can still produce meaningful results.
Despite a challenging fiscal landscape, MCC secured the following key victories:
• Protected Nonpublic Pupil Aid
Approximately $55 million dollars a year (over $1000 allotted per student) for essential services to nonpublic school students (busing,
counseling, textbooks, nursing) were maintained.
• Stopped the Legalization of Sports Gambling
Multiple bills in the Senate failed to pass even one committee; no hearings in the House.
• Prevented Cuts to the Child Tax Credit
No proposed cuts were given serious consideration, and members of both parties were advocating the expansion of this successful aid to families.
• Ensured Healthcare Access for Undocumented Children
Both parties recognized the moral imperative to ensure that all children could receive basic healthcare outside of an emergency-room setting.
•Halted IVF Insurance Mandate
Required insurance coverage for IVF would have cost taxpayer dollars, raised insurance premiums for everyone, and
threatened religious liberty “MCC policy positions are not inherently religious positions, but sound principles rooted in reality that are in accord with right reason and accessible to all,” said Adkins.
“Our advocacy model is to propose these policies and foster common ground for the common good,” he continued. “We are glad when we can persuade members of all backgrounds as to the justice or injustice of particular legislation. Where we fall short,
such as protecting access to health insurance for our undocumented adults, we will continue to be faithful in our duty of advocacy.”
Editor’s note: The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota. MCC supports the ministry of our state’s Catholic bishops. Learn more at www.mncatholic.org
https://www.mncatholic.org/
DARWIN – The Church of St. John’s Quilters of Darwin is a group of women who meet every Wednesday morning year-round to make quilts from donated fabrics.
The quilts are sent to Minnesota Veterans’ hospitals, Catholic Charities, and Wings, a local center that serves people struggling with addiction.
Within the parish, quilts are donated for raffles at Knights of Columbus pancake breakfasts, Council of Catholic Women events, and the annual Fall Festival or fish fry.
In addition, each baby is welcomed into the parish at their baptism with a new quilt.
“Our working together on the quilts has rewarded us with a sense of giving to others from what has been given to us,” said Phyllis Levno, a dedicated member and coordinator of the St.
The Church of St. John’s Quilters share love and warmth with others by donating their quilt creations. Pictured: Diocese of New Ulm Catholic Charities outreach counselor Sandra “Sam” Rickertsen (middle) accepts a quilt on behalf of Catholic Charities to be given to a person in need. St. John’s Quilters pictured are, left, Mary Ackerman, Joanne Wotczak, Helen LaPlante, Margie Feige, Kathy Reinke, and Phyllis Levno. (Photo submitted.)
John’s Quilters.
“That includes the donated fabrics, but also our God-given talents
to quilt and the gift of friendship with women we wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise.”
BENSON – Although the wet weather conditions on Monday, June 16, weren’t conducive for the golf outing for clergy at the Benson Golf Club, this did not deter a number of clergy from the Diocese of New Ulm and others from gathering for fellowship and food. Catholic United Mutual, the Knights of Columbus, and HJ Boerboom sponsored the annual event. Everyone who took part enjoyed a steak dinner prepared by the area Knights. (Photo submitted)
Discover God’s plan of sheer goodness at the Catechetical Institute
by Leonard Gutierrez
WINSTED – The Church of the Holy Trinity in Winsted is the first in the Diocese of New Ulm to be a satellite site and host for the Saint Paul Seminary Catechetical Institute’s two-year Pillars Program that walks participants through the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a story from blessing to blessing.
This is a great formational opportunity for any parish leaders or groups who would like to further their understanding of Catholic beliefs and apply it to their life and work in evangelization.
Beginning in September 2025, students of the program will meet
on Monday evenings from 7:009:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity parish. They will participate in small groups and watch lectures via live stream.
The program will be taught by some of the best instructors in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, such as Jeff Cavins, Deacon Joe Michalak, Fr. John Klockeman, Dr. Pam Patnode, and more. The classes are divided into four eleven-week modules with two in-person Saturday morning formative sessions per module.
For more information on the Pillars Program, please contact the Office of Evangelization, Lgutierrez@dnu.org, (507) 2335361.
NEW ULM – “We were made for beauty. We were made by God and for God. He [God] at all times is communicating to us in a way that speaks to our heart.”
These were a few lines that Kate Capato shared with the faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm over the span of three events from May 7 – May 10, 2025. These diocesansponsored presentations, entitled “Through Beauty Encounter the Lord,” were held in the parish communities of Montevideo, Winsted, and New Ulm.
Capato is a Catholic artist and inspirational speaker from the Philadelphia area who travels the country with her husband, Pawel, sharing about sacred art and beauty.
Her presentation’s include an immersive experience and an indepth explanation of the language of beauty, instruction about how God communicates with us and a total new way to pray using Visio Divna (a way of listening to God through art).
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Native American group whose attempt to halt the transfer of a sacred land site received backing from the U.S. bishops was dealt a blow in that effort when the U.S. Supreme Court recently refused to stop the sale from taking place.
The high court denied the request from the coalition group Apache Stronghold to consider halting the sale of the Oak Flat site to a copper mining corporation. The religious liberty law group Becket represented the group in the case. The federal government several years ago moved to transfer Oak
Flat to Resolution Copper — a British-Australian multinational company — after having protected the site for decades for the use of the Apaches. The proposed mining operations would largely obliterate the site, which has been viewed as a sacred site by Apaches and other Native American groups for hundreds of years and has been used extensively for religious rituals.
Apache Stronghold argued that the transfer would violate both the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and an
1852 treaty protecting Apache territory. A U.S. district court ruled earlier this month to halt the sale of the site while the Supreme Court considered the question.
On May 27, the court declined to take up the case. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented from the decision, with Gorsuch arguing that the Supreme Court “should at least have troubled itself to hear [the] case” before “allowing the government to destroy the Apaches’ sacred site.”
After the court’s decision, Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, said it was “hard to imagine a more brazen attack on faith than blasting the birthplace of Apache religion into a gaping crater.”
The decision is devastating not just to the Apaches but to “the myriad religious adherents of all faiths and backgrounds who use federal lands every day for their religious exercise,” they said.
DULUTH, Minn. – The Diocese of Duluth has taken another step to honor the patriarch of their diocese, Monsignor Joseph Buh. A Mass of Entombment was
held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary on June 9, 2025, which included a procession with Monsignor Buh’s remains from the Pastoral Center which houses diocesan offices, to what will be his final resting place in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Monsignor Buh’s remains were exhumed on July 25, 2024, as part of the process of investigating him to be named as a saint and to allow people to be able to venerate him more readily.
Monsignor Joseph Buh was an early missionary in Northeast
Minnesota who established many parishes in the region and served the Slovenian immigrant and Native peoples. He created deep relationships of trust, learning to speak the language of the people he served, and being passionate in his writings and preaching about the healing, hope, and joy that we can only find in Jesus. When Msgr. Buh was buried in 1922, he was considered a saint by Bishop McNicholas and his peers. The Diocese is exploring his cause for beatification. Learn more about Monsignor Buh at www. josephbuh.org.
