The Prairie Catholic - June 2024

Minnesota’s Most Rural Diocese Diocese of New Ulm Vol. 38 No. 7 June 2024

(Photo by Christy Baker)

Glorify Jesus in the Holy Eucharist BEMIDJI, Minn. – Catholic Bishops of Minnesota gathered with over 3,000 faithful from mainly across Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin during the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, a major Eucharistic Revival event hosted jointly by the Dioceses of Crookston and Duluth on May 17-18. The congress was a collaboration between the two dioceses and preceded the May 19 commencement of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park. The Diocese of New Ulm continued the celebration at the Ignite event at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins.

Those attending the events learned to increase their devotion to the Eucharist through talks, witness testimonies, fellowship, praise and worship, Mass, adoration, confession, and a Eucharistic procession. Bishops pictured celebrating Pentecost Sunday Mass at Itasca State Park on May 19 are (l-r) Bishop Donald E. DeGrood of Sioux Falls, Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Bishop Emeritus John M. LeVoir, former bishop of New Ulm (2008-2020), and Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, bishop of New Ulm. (Read more on pages 8-9.)

Minnesota’s Most Rural Diocese

Diocese of New Ulm

(Photo by Christy Baker) Members of the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women browse the numerous vendor booths and displays during the organization’s annual convention held April 27 at St. Pius X in Glencoe. NUDCCW in the diocese dates back to June 11, 1959, when the first meeting was held.

Vol. 38 No. 7 June 2024

(See convention highlights, page 12.)

Servant leadership is hallmark of longtime vicar general’s tenure Since 1999, Monsignor Grams has served as pastor of the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm. Since 2015 he has served the Holy Cross NEW ULM – “This is what I am Area Faith Community as pastor asking you – be shepherds with and canonical administrator of the the smell of sheep,” Pope Francis New Ulm Area Catholic Schools. famously said in a 2013 Chrism His leadership was further Mass address to the priests of recognized when he was named the world. Though I can picture rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Monsignor Douglas Grams smiling Trinity in New Ulm in 2015, a as I allude to his ‘smell of sheep,’ testament to the profound impact I have learned that throughout his of his work and ministry.

37 years as a priest, he has tended to his sheep well with honor, “Monsignor Grams had a humility, and – of course – a touch tremendous amount of work to of humor. After over two decades do, and much of it we didn’t even of service to the diocese and the know about,” said Brenda Lenertz, New Ulm parish community, director of Liturgy at the Church Monsignor Grams is “passing of St. Mary. “A parishioner once the baton” as vicar general, the compared it to ‘Where’s Waldo?’ bishop’s delegate in matters except it would be ‘Where’s pertaining to sexual misconduct, Monsignor?’ as in where is he and pastor of the Holy Cross Area helping or what committee or of Faith Community (New Ulm, work might he be doing now?” she St. George, and Searles). said.

announcement as bishop of New Ulm, Monsignor Grams had been forward-leaning and anticipating any item of interest for me as the new shepherd. He is a ‘walking continuity binder of knowledge,’ being invaluable as he leverages his knowledge of the diocese and talent to show a 27,000-foot level view and recommend a course of action,” the bishop commended.

by Deacon Ryan C. Pope Prairie Catholic correspondent

inside Page 2-3

Fr. Anthony Stubeda remembered

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Annual diocesan financial Report

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Healing Ministry

Visit us online! www.dnu.org

Lenertz’s working relationship with Monsignor Grams dates back 31 years when she served as interim principal in Tracy, and he served as pastor at the parish.

“He would always say, ‘There’s more than one way to climb the mountain;’ he makes sure everyone is at the table, voices are heard, and he leads others to be successful,” Lenertz said.

“He never asks anything of anyone that he, himself, wouldn’t do,” said Lenertz. “He truly serves people and models that service. He demonstrates steady leadership, faithfulness to the Church, and generous service in all the work he has done,” and, as the community prepares for Monsignor’s departure, “he will be missed.”

Effective July 2, Fr. Mark Steffl, (left) will assume the duties of vicar general of the diocese, formerly served by Monsignor Douglas Grams for the past 22 years. (Photo by Christy Baker) diocese and newly appointed vicar general, commenting on the extraordinary circumstances of having Monsignor Grams as head of the diocese for two years. “That was during the time of navigating COVID-19, and Monsignor Grams helped the diocese see its way through to the appointment of our bishop.”

Beyond pastoral ministry.

Since 2002 and under three bishops, Monsignor Grams has served as the bishop’s delegate in matters pertaining to clergy sexual misconduct and, most importantly, as the vicar general, the highest official position in the diocese after the diocesan bishop.

He has also served as administrator of the diocese twice when it was a vacant see: 20072008 and 2020-2022. The role of the diocesan administrator is to lead the diocese “and keep the train on the tracks, so to speak,” as Monsignor Grams himself noted, “while awaiting the appointment of a new bishop.”

Upon his arrival in the diocese in 2022, Bishop Chad Zielinski was immediately impressed by the priest who wore many hats.

“Monsignor Grams served as the diocesan administrator for two terms as the diocese awaited a new bishop, serving alongside the other bishops of Minnesota who have spoken highly of him and his pastoral administration and for keenly addressing issues at hand,” said Bishop Zielinski.

“The diocesan administrator is not meant to be in that position for that long,” noted Fr. Mark Steffl, judicial vicar of the

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Bishop Emeritus John LeVoir echoed this sentiment of being able to see the big picture, commenting on how very helpful Monsignor Gram’s years of knowledge were to him. “I was the beneficiary of his experience and wisdom,” said Bishop LeVoir.

Monsignor Grams’ remarkable work and pastoral ministry are demonstrated through his resume of work, whether with projects, such as capital campaigns or with parish and pastoral planning, schools, and diocesan affairs. “No matter what the challenges the diocese faced, Monsignor Grams was confident the challenge could be met successfully. I knew that he had the good of the people of the diocese uppermost in his mind.

This made working with him fulfilling,” said Bishop LeVoir.

Guidance through a tumultuous time in the Church.

Monsignor Grams was instrumental in leading the diocese through the bankruptcy proceedings, which were first announced in 2017. Bishop LeVoir further commended, “[Monsignor Grams] always kept in mind (Continued on page 5.)

diocesan church

We are a temple of the Holy Spirit.

by Bishop Chad W. Zielinski For the past several weeks, the Church has been listening to John’s Gospel, Chapters 13-17.

This is Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper.

In it, he explains to them that he will send an advocate, the spirit of truth, as a helper and a guide.

This speech prepared his disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost Sunday, which we recently celebrated, prepares us each year for the coming of the Holy Spirit to be born anew in our lives.

I invite you to briefly reflect on this whole image of Jesus ascending into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, and then the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The confused disciples asked Jesus, “Where are you going?”

He told them that he was going ahead to prepare a place for them and that he would come back and take them to him.

Last month, I attended the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, a major Eucharistic Revival event hosted jointly by the Diocese

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That they may have life

of Crookston and the Diocese of Duluth on May 17-18. One of the event speakers was Sr. Jude Andrew Link, a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

During her talk, she used a very natural image of a salmon that had reached maturity and was traveling quite a distance upstream to its original spawning grounds.

She spoke about how scientists are baffled by this natural phenomenon. Yeah, no GPS locator or computer chip causes them to do this. God wired them to return.

Where I lived in Alaska, near the Yukon River, salmon could travel up to 1800 miles. Interestingly, when they enter fresh water, they no longer eat. They spawn, reproduce, and naturally die to bring forth new life. Just as the salmon is driven by an innate instinct to return to its place of origin, we are also called to return to our Creator, to seek our spiritual home, and to find our true purpose in Him. This concept is perfectly manifested in the movement of Jesus leading the way and returning to the Father in his Ascension into heaven, which we celebrated on May 12. The opening prayer for Ascension Sunday clearly articulates this movement of Jesus and his Mystical Body, . . . and, “Where

Publisher: Bishop Chad W. Zielinski Editor: Christine E. Clancy

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Bishop Zielinski addresses the Christian faithful at the “Ignite” event on May 19 in Watkins, telling the pilgrims that through the Eucharist “We are all connected to God as we carry his DNA within us.”

(Photo by Dr. Michelle Kramer) the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope.” Clearly, it is God’s intention that the resurrected Jesus in his body ascends into heaven.

as human beings, as bearers of the divine image. In our human body, we reflect that sacred image, period. What a profound joy and honor to share in that!

In the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we hear, “God created them in his image and in his likeness, male and female he created them.” This is the foundational text that speaks to our inherent dignity and worth

Following the Star of the North Congress, I proceeded to another Revival event – “Ignite,” that was held at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins on Sunday, May 19.

At the morning Mass, we each consumed the body, blood, soul,

remember he said that there would be suffering and an undetermined amount of time for his battle. He did note with tears in his eyes that he was given no more than three years to live.

The Prairie Catholic, the official newspaper for the Diocese of New Ulm since May 1972, is published every six weeks, Sept.–June.

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

In the gift of the holy Eucharist, we are intimately connected to God as a beloved son or daughter in a strange way of sorts, but also in a very intentional and miraculous way. In other words, we are connected to God as we carry his DNA within us. This makes us blood brothers and blood sisters.

As his adopted sons and daughters, Jesus’s Ascension into heaven restores the glory of each of us in our bodies. Christ’s body in heaven is a glorification of ours here on earth.

As we are being sent on ‘Mission’ this third year of Eucharistic Revival, may we kneel before Jesus this day and ask him to heal us, anoint us, and restore the glory of God in our bodies where we need it most. Let us ask for the healing of the Mystical Body of Christ, his Church, his people, and our brothers and sisters that we present to him in our hearts.

Bishop Zielinski’s farewell to a most faith-filled and humble priest

CATHOLIC

Submission deadline is the 1st of each month prior to publication.

and divinity of Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist, a central part of our faith and a powerful way to connect with God. We carried the body of Jesus within our body, making our body as God created us, a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Anthony Stubeda 1958-2024 Today, I remember the life and ministry of a brother priest, Fr. Anthony “Tony” Stubeda. He was loved and admired and will long be remembered for his humble and generous service to the faithful of this diocese.

I do not recall the exact date that he shared with me that he was diagnosed with cancer, but I do

discussed. His wisdom seemed to flow directly from the Heart of Christ the Good Shepherd. I would periodically call him up to discuss in confidence a suggested way forward or another way of looking at something. However, on the flip side, Fr. Tony would be the first to comment, “This is only my opinion and there are others to consider.”

I felt deep empathy and heartfelt compassion for a man who poured his heart into priestly ministry to the point of exhaustion. Fr. Tony's name is on a list on the altar in my chapel at home and will remain there.

He truly exemplified humility in leadership. I will miss those opportunities for our chats.

I have to confess that after hearing of his dire diagnosis, I felt selfishly angry. I wanted him to be around longer because I would lose a confidant and an extremely wise advisor. I was always taken by Fr. Tony’s calm demeanor, careful reflection, analysis from various angles, and pastoral application of various situations or points being

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In my 18 months as New Ulm’s bishop, I have witnessed the incredible seeds of faith planted that are bearing great fruit. It brought great joy to Fr. Tony to witness the diocese hiring last year a full-time director of Hispanic Ministry, a position he filled from 1988 to 2005.

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Tony served throughout the years bears his sacred footprints, which remain etched in the hearts, minds, and souls of the faithful.

But I think the greatest blessing that Fr. Tony left is the final days of his earthly journey. I have never before witnessed such a deep faith amidst profound suffering. Jesus literally consoled Fr. Tony in his dreams and fueled his heart with energy right to the finish line.

May my brother, confidant, and great friend to many rest in the eternal peace of Christ.

This issue of The Prairie Catholic is the last one before our summer break.

See you in September!

diocesan church

He loved and served the Lord

Diocese of New Ulm priest Fr. Anthony Stubeda remembered

by Christine Clancy, editor The Prairie Catholic LITCHFIELD – With a collective outpouring of tears and heartfelt words laden with emotion, the more than 500 individuals who gathered at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield for Fr. Anthony Stubeda’s vigil and funeral struggled to bid farewell to a cherished priest.

Father Stubeda, affectionately known as “Father Tony,” was a revered figure in the Bread of Life Area Faith Community (Holy Redeemer in Marshall and St. Mary in Cottonwood), where he served as a pastor since 2020.

His presence and ministry left an indelible mark on the parish community. He passed away from cancer on Sunday, April 20, at the age of 65. His funeral was held on Monday, April 29, at St. Philip’s church in Litchfield, with burial in the church cemetery.

During the evening vigil on Sunday, April 28, the area Knights of Columbus, clad in their full regalia, stood watch over Father Stubeda’s body, rotating four Knights every 15 minutes, a symbolic tribute to their brother Fourth Degree Knight.

Renowned for his unwavering dedication as a good shepherd and servant, Father Tony tirelessly served God and His people until his physical strength waned due to cancer. “I recall watching the live stream video of his final Mass,” said Fr. Dennis Labat, parochial vicar of the Bread of Life AFC and homilist at the vigil. “Despite his struggles, he was resolute in his commitment to serve until the end, and he did!”

Father Labat said, “Father Tony exemplified for us what it means to be a servant. Not in a showy or boastful manner, but through his actions of service to priests, the parish, the staff, and the community – it was ingrained in his very being to be a servant,” he said, emphasizing the profound impact of Father Tony’s service in the Diocese of New Ulm. Deacon Ken Noyes, who also serves the Bread of Life AFC, remarked how transparent Father Tony was with the parish community from the very beginning of his cancer diagnosis.

“He shared his soul about the whole thing (diagnosis and

treatment),” said Deacon Noyes.

“It was clear that he didn’t want this cancer, he didn’t want to die, but ‘Not my will, but Your will.’

He gave it God’s will.”

Refugees held in Vatican City. In 2002, the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission recognized him in appreciation for his distinguished service to the community of New Ulm and the state of Minnesota.

A native of Litchfield, Minnesota, Father Stubeda attended Saint John Vianney Seminary and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul from 1977 to 1981, graduating with a B.A. in English.

In 1985, he graduated from the Saint Paul Seminary with an M.A. in Theology, M.Div. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of New Ulm on June 1, 1985, at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield by Bishop Raymond A. Lucker. Following his ordination, his first assignment was at Holy Redeemer in Marshall, serving one-quarter time as a campus minister at Southwest State University in Marshall. He then went on to serve the parishes of St. Clara in Clara City, Sacred Heart in Raymond, St. Mary in Willmar, St. Patrick in Kandiyohi, St. Thomas More in Lake Lillian, St. Pius X in Glencoe, Holy Family in Silver Lake, Holy Trinity in Winsted, St. Mary in Tracy, St. Michael in Milroy, and finally the Bread of Life AFC. Bridging the culture gap.

During the late 1970s and through the 80s, more and more Hispanic faithful, mostly of Mexican heritage, made the Diocese of New Ulm their home. In response to a growing need to nurture the migrant community’s faith life, the diocese established its first Office of Hispanic Ministry, developing year-round ministry and care.

Fr. Tony Stubeda is welcomed by the Matachines (dancers) as he processes to the altar during the 2018 Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe. The Matachines dance to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe each year on her Feast Day, December 12.

(Photo by Christine Clancy) bought a case of Coca-Cola and went out to the fields (where the Hispanic workers were), looking for Texas license plates.”

exchange. The program was cited by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in the best practices section of their document on ministry in a multicultural setting.

But finding his Hispanic parishioners was only his first challenge. “I couldn’t speak their language, and they couldn’t speak mine,” he explained. “So, what did we all do? Talked louder!”

Early on, as both a seminarian and a priest, Father Tony cemented close ties with the migrant community and became an advocate for those whose voices were often overlooked. In 1988, Bishop Raymond A. Lucker implemented a new diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry and appointed Father Tony as director, a role he remained in until 2005.

That day of sharing sodas in a sugar beet field began a close relationship between the Latino Christian faithful and the Diocese of New Ulm, emphasizing communal formation, outreach, and advocacy. Father Tony taught himself to speak Spanish, eventually speaking the language fluently. He became a catalyst within the migrant community, forming committees of Hispanic parish leaders who oversaw Hispanic needs and developed and implemented strategies to meet those needs. Father Tony called forth leaders from the Hispanic community, training and encouraging them to speak and act for themselves.

On record, Father Tony talks about his first day “on the job” as director and his initial experience with the Hispanic parishioners he would serve. “I didn't know how to speak Spanish, and I didn’t even know where to find the families so I could introduce myself,” Father Tony says. “It was hot, and I knew everyone working the sugar beet fields would be thirsty. So, I

From 1989 to 2003, under the direction and leadership of Fr. Stubeda, the diocese formed an innovative program of cultural education and faith formation called Crossroads of Friendship/ Caminos de Amistad. The program’s goal was to create bridges of understanding, faith, and caring through a process of cultural education, prayer, and

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Close friend Fr. Joe Steinbeisser, who was ordained a priest one year after Father Stubeda, recalls how his brother priest would travel from one parish to another throughout the diocese, reaching out to Spanish-speaking parishioners and gathering them for prayer, Mass, and cultural celebrations such as posadas, quinceaneras, mananitas, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“Father Tony has helped us realize this great love God has for us,” said Father Steinbeisser.

“He helped so many know they have a place in our Church and community – that God is for us all!”

Throughout the years, various organizations have recognized this multicultural priest’s unique ability to unite people. In 1996, Father Stubeda received the City of New Ulm Human Rights Award, the Region IX MSSA Distinguished Service Award, and the Diocese of New Ulm Distinguished Service Award. In 1998, he was chosen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as one of 389 delegates from 81 countries to represent the concerns of migrants and refugees at the International Congress on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and l

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Called home.

Nearing the end of his life, Father Tony chose to dedicate his last weeks to prayer, celebration of the liturgy, and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was determined to work as much as possible, serving the faithful until the Lord called him home. He had been under hospice care at his residence in Marshall for only a couple of weeks before his death.

In one of his last pastoral letters in the AFC bulletin, published on Good Shepherd Sunday (April 21), he reminded his parishioners how much he loved being their shepherd. “Nothing has given me greater joy than serving you, loving you, and walking with you in Jesus’ name,” he wrote.

By now, cancer had stricken his body to the point that he could no longer meet all the demands of being an ever-present pastor. “My end-of-life journey has become more difficult, and while my spirit is willing, my body is giving way to a not-so-gradual decline. My strength, balance, appetite, pain, and weakness are noticeably more difficult,” he said.

He concluded his letter, “I watch for the shepherd leaning on the post of sheepfold gently encouraging me on my journey home. I pray that I might be a gentle, loving, faithful, and courageous pastor for those who follow me.”

Fr. Stubeda aided the Christian faithful throughout the diocese and beyond in seeing and experiencing differences among us, helping us understand that all people have worth and value and, most of all, that Christ loves them. This very well might be Father Stubeda’s legacy. His work and accomplishments speak for themselves.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

diocesan church

Para que tengan vida Santo, para que este renazca en nuestras vidas.

Les invito a reflexionar brevemente sobre toda esta imagen de Jesús ascendiendo al cielo, sentado a la diestra del Padre, y luego la venida del Espíritu Santo.

Somos el Templo del Espíritu Santo. por Bishop Chad Zielinski Durante las últimas semanas, la Iglesia ha estado escuchando el Evangelio de Juan, Capítulos 13-17. Este es el discurso de despedida de Jesús a sus discípulos en la Última Cena.

En él, les explica que enviará un defensor, el espíritu de la verdad, como ayudante y guía.

Este discurso preparó a sus discípulos para la venida del Espíritu Santo. El domingo de Pentecostés, que celebramos recientemente, cada año nos prepara para la venida del Espíritu

Los discípulos confundidos preguntaron a Jesús: “¿A dónde vas?” Les dijo que iba adelante para prepararles un lugar y que volvería para llevarlos consigo.

El mes pasado, asistí al Congreso Eucarístico Estrella del Norte, un importante evento de Avivamiento Eucarístico organizado conjuntamente por la Diócesis de Crookston y la Diócesis de Duluth el 17-18 de mayo. Una de las oradoras del evento fue la Hermana Jude Andrew Link, una Hermana Dominica de María, Madre del Santísimo Sacramento.

Durante su charla, utilizó una imagen muy natural de un salmón que había alcanzado la madurez y estaba viajando una gran distancia río arriba hacia sus lugares de desove originales. Habló sobre cómo los científicos quedan perplejos por este fenómeno

natural. Sí, ningún localizador GPS ni chip informático los hace hacer esto. Dios los programó para regresar.

Donde yo vivía en Alaska, cerca del río Yukón, los salmones podían recorrer hasta 1800 millas.

Curiosamente, cuando entran en agua dulce, ya no comen.

Desovan, se reproducen y mueren naturalmente para dar vida nueva.

Así como el salmón es impulsado por un instinto innato para regresar a su lugar de origen, también nosotros estamos llamados a regresar a nuestro Creador, a buscar nuestro hogar espiritual y encontrar nuestro verdadero propósito en Él.

Este concepto se manifiesta perfectamente en el movimiento de Jesús abriendo el camino y regresando al Padre en su Ascensión al cielo, que celebramos el pasado 12 de mayo.

La oración de apertura para el Domingo de la Ascensión articula claramente este movimiento de Jesús y su Cuerpo Místico, “... y, ‘Donde la Cabeza ha ido antes en gloria, el Cuerpo es llamado a seguir con esperanza’”.

Hoy, recuerdo la vida y el ministerio de un hermano sacerdote, el P. Anthony "Tony" Stubeda. Fue amado y admirado, y será recordado por mucho tiempo por su servicio humilde y generoso a los fieles de esta diócesis.

No recuerdo la fecha exacta en que me compartió que le habían diagnosticado cáncer, pero sí recuerdo que dijo que habría sufrimiento y un tiempo indeterminado para su lucha.

Señaló con lágrimas en los ojos que no le daban más de tres años de vida.

Sentí una profunda empatía y compasión sincera por un hombre que entregó su corazón al ministerio sacerdotal hasta el punto del agotamiento. El nombre del P. Tony está en una lista en el altar de mi capilla en casa y permanecerá allí.

Tengo que confesar que,

después de enterarme de su grave diagnóstico, me sentí egoístamente enojado. Quería que estuviera más tiempo porque perdería un confidente y un consejero extremadamente sabio. Siempre me impresionó el comportamiento tranquilo del P. Tony, su reflexión cuidadosa, análisis desde varios ángulos y aplicación pastoral de diversas situaciones o puntos discutidos.

Su sabiduría parecía fluir directamente del Corazón de Cristo, el Buen Pastor.

Periodicamente lo llamaba para discutir confidencialmente asuntos o que me ayudara a ver de una forma diferente algo. Sin embargo, por otro lado, el P. Tony era siempre el primero en comentar: "Esta es solo mi opinión y hay otras a considerar". Verdaderamente ejemplificaba la humildad en el liderazgo. Extrañaré nuestras charlas.

En mis 18 meses como obispo de New Ulm, he sido testigo

En el Libro del Génesis, el primer libro de la Biblia, escuchamos: “Dios los creó a su imagen y semejanza, hombre y mujer los creó”. Este es el texto fundamental que habla de nuestra dignidad inherente y nuestro valor como seres humanos, como portadores de la imagen divina. En nuestro cuerpo humano, reflejamos esa imagen sagrada, punto. ¡Qué profunda alegría y honor compartir en eso!

Después del Congreso Estrella del Norte, asistí a otro evento de Avivamiento: “Ignite”, que se celebró en la Iglesia de San Antonio en Watkins el domingo 19 de mayo. En la misa de la mañana, cada uno de nosotros consumió el cuerpo, sangre, alma y divinidad de Jesucristo en la sagrada Eucaristía. Este acto de consumir la Eucaristía es una parte central de nuestra fe y una poderosa forma de conectarnos con Dios. Llevamos el cuerpo de Jesús dentro de nuestro cuerpo.

Haciendo de nuestro cuerpo

June 18: Diocesan staff meeting, Diocesan Pastoral Center, New Ulm

de las increíbles semillas de fe plantadas que están dando grandes frutos. Le trajo gran alegría al P. Tony presenciar que el año pasado la diócesis contrató a un director de tiempo completo para el Ministerio Hispano, un cargo que él ocupó desde 1988 hasta 2005.

June 22: Church of St. Raphael, Springfield 150th Anniversary Mass, Springfield, MN June 25: Council of Catholic Women Province Conference, Mass, Church of St. Mary, Sleepy Eye

Cada una de las parroquias que el P. Tony sirvió a lo largo de los años lleva sus huellas sagradas, que permanecen grabadas en los corazones, mentes y almas de los fieles. Pero creo que la mayor bendición que el P. Tony dejó fue los últimos días de su viaje terrenal. Nunca antes había presenciado una fe tan profunda en medio de un gran sufrimiento.

Literalmente Jesús consoló al P. Tony en sus sueños y alimentó su corazón con energía hasta el ultimo momento.

July 5-7: St. Kateri Tekakwita Conference, Raleigh, NC July 11: Diocesan Review Board meeting, Diocesan Pastoral Center, New Ulm July 16-21: National Eucharistic Congress, Indianapolis, Ind.

Que mi hermano, confidente y gran amigo de muchos descanse en la paz eterna de Cristo.

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como Dios nos creó, un templo del Espíritu Santo. En el don de la sagrada Eucaristía, estamos íntimamente conectados a Dios como un hijo o hija amado de una manera única, pero también de una manera intencional y milagrosa.

En otras palabras, estamos conectados a Dios al llevar su ADN dentro de nosotros. Esto nos hace hermanos y hermanas en la sangre.

Como sus hijos adoptivos, la Ascensión de Jesús al cielo restaura la gloria de cada uno de nosotros en nuestros cuerpos. El cuerpo de Cristo en el cielo es una glorificación del nuestro aquí en la tierra.

Al ser enviados en ‘Misión’ este tercer año de Avivamiento Eucarístico, postrémonos ante Jesús este día y pidámosle que nos sane, nos unja y restaure la gloria de Dios en nuestros cuerpos donde más lo necesitamos. Pidamos la curación del Cuerpo Místico de Cristo, su Iglesia, su pueblo y nuestros hermanos y hermanas que presentamos ante él en nuestros corazones.

Bishop’s calendar

Adios a un sacerdote humilde y lleno de fe por Bishop Chad Zielinski

Claramente, es la intención de Dios que Jesús resucitado en su cuerpo ascienda al cielo.

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Aug. 1: Annual retired priests gathering, New Ulm Aug. 3: Awake My Soul Event: Mass at St. Mary, New Ulm Aug. 4: Dinner with seminarians and parents, New Ulm Aug. 6: Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus Investiture, New Ulm Aug. 7: Diocesan principal’s meeting, TBD Editor’s note: Calendar respresents Bishop Zielinski’s schedule at the time “The Prairie Catholic” went to press. For his summer calendar visit www.dnu. org/bishop

diocesan church

World Day for Grandparents, Elderly highlights ‘loneliness,’ ‘throwaway culture’ to forge bonds between the generations and to combat loneliness,” the Vatican reported.

to offer support and affection: thus the love of Gospel becomes concrete.”

In his Message for the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis referred to the elderly as “the firm foundation” on which “new” stones can rest, in order to join in erecting a spiritual edifice (cf. 1 Peter 2:5).”

The cardinal also noted that the celebration of the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in July will be an opportunity for intergenerational dialogue, which will help build “the broader ‘we’ of ecclesial communion.”

The Vatican noted that in choosing this verse, it was the Holy Father’s desire “to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of the throwaway culture.”

Both the “certainty of God’s closeness at every stage of life and the fear of abandonment, particularly in old age and in times of pain,” can be found in the Bible, Pope Francis writes.

And these words “reflect an utterly evident reality. All too often, loneliness is the bleak companion of our lives as elderly persons and grandparents.”

“It is precisely this familiarity, rooted in the love of God, that overcomes every form of throwaway culture and loneliness.”

“By cherishing the charisms of grandparents and the elderly, and the contribution they make to the life of the Church, the World Day seeks to support the efforts of every ecclesial community

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be an opportunity for the whole Church to prepare for the jubilee year of 2025.

Reflecting on the theme chosen by the pope, Cardinal Kevin Farrell,

by Catholic News Agency In his Message for the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis recognizes the situation of many elderly people today, and assures them: “God never abandons His children, never.”

“Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71), is the theme of the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place on July 28, 2024.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at Vatican City on Nov. 3, 2021.

(Photo by Daniel Ibañez) In the Feb. 15 press release issued the prefect of the Dicastery for by the dicastery, the cardinal Laity, Family, and Life stressed also noted that while “loneliness, the Holy Father’s call to bring certainly, is also an unavoidable awareness to the isolation that condition of human existence,” it many elderly people face, is incumbent upon “families and saying that it is “a widespread the ecclesial community … to reality” and that “many elderly be at the forefront in promoting people [are] often victims of the throwaway culture and considered a culture of encounter, to create spaces for sharing, listening, a burden to society.”

Pope Francis established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021. It is held on the fourth Sunday of July, which falls near the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

Resources for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly are available at dnu.org/world-dayfor-grandparents-the-elderly.

Experience and wisdom key to 22 years of vicar general’s leadership (Continued from page 1.) the diocesan priority of the proceedings and the welfare of those who were abused.”

Father Steffl noted “Working through bankruptcy, the lawsuits from the opened window for clergy abuse claims, and the tremendous amount of work that went into finding resolution; you would never foresee this when accepting the role (of vicar general).”

When asked how he got it all done, Monsignor Grams simply replied: “Striving for balance and with the help of great people around me.”

He went on to say: “Having a parish assignment the whole time grounded me and supported me through the walking with people as a pastor, the sacraments, and intentional prayer and liturgy. I have phenomenal staff support at the parish and area faith community, as well as the diocese. I exercise daily, and – of course humor helps with balancing it all; you can’t take yourself too seriously.”

He comments that a wellestablished daily routine that prioritizes prayer, SMART goals, and a keen sense of service helps guide him and “in all of it, to know that I was of service to help.”

worked with, and loved. They have all helped me – weekend worship, weddings, funerals, K-12 system, and activities – all have kept me busy and sane.” He’s quick to point out that he’s not leaving the area and will be close by.

As for the passing of the baton, Monsignor Grams noted, “It’s not like a circus tent where I am the center pole, and if gone, the tent will collapse. The goal is to set everyone up for success.”

Working with Monsignor Grams, Father Steffl observed, “Though it’s difficult to transition work that you might normally do yourself to others, we simply can’t do it all.

Monsignor Grams has been good with helping transitions.”

As Father Steffl contemplates his new role and responsibilities as vicar general, he, like Monsignor Grams, also prioritizes prayer and shares: “When we are busy, there’s a temptation to cut prayer out of our lives, but it’s a necessity.

Saint Francis de Sales said: ‘Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy – then we need an hour,’” said Father Steffl. “The mission

“I am confident Monsignor Grams will do well in his upcoming assignment as he engages with the parishes and school. He’s a team player, a natural leader, and I am deeply thankful for all his years of service,” said Bishop Zielinski.

For over two decades Monsignor Douglas Grams has juggled many responsibilities when it comes to leadership on the diocesan, parish, and school level. Next month he will step away from his diocesan responsibilities, moving on to his new assignments at the Church of St. Peter in St. Peter and the Church of St. Paul in Nicollet.

(Photo from The Prairie Catholic archives) prepares for his new assignment as pastor of the Church of St. Peter in St. Peter and the Church of St. Paul in Nicollet beginning in July, “There’s a process for saying goodbye to ones I have served,

is simple: It’s the Lord’s mission, and it’s his Church; preach, baptize, and share the Gospel,” he further emphasized.

Monsignor Grams notes that as he

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“He promised he would not change his cell phone number, and I can call him as needed. I am grateful for his sacrifice and labor of love to the good people of God in the Diocese of New Ulm.” Editor’s note: Effective July 2, 2024, Fr. Mark Steffl will take on the diocesan role of vicar general, and Fr. Steve Verhelst will assume the role of the bishop’s delegate in matters pertaining to sexual misconduct.

local church

Diocese issues financial report for F/Y 2021-2022

Growing as good stewards of God’s gifts nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” This verse reminds us of the importance of investing in eternal things, such as our relationship with God and the impact we make on others, rather than focusing solely on earthly possessions.

by Deacon Mike McKeown Director of Development When it comes to financial stewardship, it’s only natural for us to support those institutions or causes that we feel have had a major impact on us or our family, especially those that have changed our lives. When we have a significant encounter with Jesus Christ and feel connected to the mission of the Church, financial stewardship is the natural response.

Our response in support of the mission of the Church often increases as we grow spiritually.

Stages of giving The levels of financial stewardship can be seen in certain tendencies or stages of response.

Where do you see your-self on this scale?

1. Tipping for Jesus – In this stage of giving, donations are often spontaneous and unplanned.

This could involve giving a dollar here and there, purchasing raffle tickets, or making sporadic contributions at the offertory.

2. Intentional Stewardship – When someone has had a significant encounter with Jesus Christ and feels connected to the mission of the parish or wider Church, they become a disciple, and giving tends to become more intentional. In this stage, tithing a percentage of income is common, and planned giving takes on a more significant focus.

3. Legacy Giving – As disciples mature, they tend to think beyond the immediate and short-term needs of the mission and look to how they can impact future generations. This is often done through End-of-Life planning, including Wills, Estate Planning, Charitable Trusts, and Health Care Directives. Legacy Giving takes more forethought and planning than other types of giving but tends to have the most significant impact on the Church and the individual doing the planning.

As you identify where you are on this scale, take a moment to ask yourself, “How can I grow in the stewardship of the gifts God has given me?

Leaving a legacy Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth

A Word from Bishop Zielinski As your bishop, I present this annual financial report to you, recognizing the significant role each of you has played in supporting the mission of the Church here in the Diocese of New Ulm. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. It is because of you that these diocesan ministries and operations continue to thrive.

Our legacy is not just the financial resources we leave behind; it is how we are remembered and our impact on future generations. As we consider our legacy, there are many questions that we should consider. Do my family members know what things, ideas, organizations, or causes mean the most to me – and why? Do my loved ones know the experiences in my life that have had the most impact on me? Are there stories that communicate my values that I have never taken the time to share with those I love? What organizations and institutions do I feel most strongly connected with, and how can I help ensure they can continue to carry on their mission when I am gone?

May God bless you abundantly for your continued generosity and faithful support.

by Carol Hacker Director of Finance The Diocese of New Ulm has released its annual report for the fiscal year 2021-2022. The report, which highlights major activities and departments, is published on page 7 of this edition of The Prairie Catholic and will be posted online at dnu.org/finance.

The diocesan Statement of Activities for the year reflects a solid financial position, with net assets of $18,303,000 on June 30, 2023. Overall, net assets increased from Fiscal Year 21-22 by $1,172,000, primarily due to an unrealized investment gain of $1,604,000 in our Endowment Funds.

As disciples of Christ, we are all called to be faithful stewards. If you would like assistance taking the next steps in your growth as a steward of God’s gifts, please contact Deacon Mike McKeown, director of the Office of Development, Diocese of New Ulm, (507) 233-5310.

The diocese was blessed by the generosity of our benefactors.

Parishes directly supported the work of the diocese through $1,590,000 contributions to the Diocesan United Fund (DUF).

The Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA) applied $482,000 of donor gifts to support the work of several outreach ministries. DMA donations remain restricted by donors and are only to be used for those purposes. The diocese strives to be good stewards of these gifts through its ministries.

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The diocese’s administration accounts for 36% of its total expenses. Evangelization and Catechesis ministries used $622,215, Worship and Spiritual Life ministries used $74,157, Social Concerns Ministries used $647,841, and formation and care of clergy used $390,057.

One of Bishop Chad W. Zielinski’s primary goals was realized in hiring a director of Evangelization.

Leonard Gutierrez was hired on August 1, 2023, to lead the newly created Office of Evangelization.

Leonard is assisting Bishop Zielinski in the implementation of all diocesan initiatives focused on evangelization, missionary discipleship, and the Eucharistic Revival. His primary focus is on implementing the bishop’s vision – inviting all people to know Christ Jesus, live the joy of the Gospel, and fulfill the great commission in a lifetime of missionary discipleship.

On July 1, 2023, the diocese hired Anisabel Palma as director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry. Palma has a strong history of working with the Hispanic population and has already implemented new initiatives to more effectively serve this population.

diocesan church

Diocese of New Ulm

Statement of Activities (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

REVENUES

Diocesan United Fund 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 Satisfaction of program restrictions TOTAL REVENUES

Unrestricted

Temporarily Restricted

Permanently Restricted

$

$

$

EXPENSES

Office Administration Religious Adminsitration Evangelization and Catechesis Worship and Spiritual Life Social Ministries Personnel TOTAL EXPENSES

1,589,711 3,345 34,000 124,655 190,000 34,764 882,616 2,859,091

481,607 1,256,975 145,384 (882,616) 1,001,350

(1,523,431) 1,604,356 80,925

554,523 408,641 622,215 74,157 647,841 390,057 2,697,434

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS BEFORE OTHER ITEMS

161,657

Event Expense

(71,195)

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS Assets at beginning of year

NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR

$

90,462 6,505,930 6,596,392

1,001,350

$

1,001,350 1,913,779 2,915,129

$

2022-2023 Revenues $3.9 Million

1,588,833 850,589 226,297 124,184 20,000 114,158 (1,155,864) 160,444 13,219 0 1,941,860

886,940

-

554,523 408,641 622,215 74,157 647,841 390,057 2,697,434

628,616 76,131 673,499 609,756 2,874,942

80,925

1,243,932

(933,082)

(71,195)

0

1,172,737 17,058,944 18,231,682

(933,082) 17,992,026 $ 17,058,944

$

2022-2023 Expenses $2.7 Million 2022-23 EXPENSES 2.70 MILLION

Evangelization and Catechesis 23%

Grants and Other Income 21%

F:\Communications Department\Articles\2024\June 2024 Paper\Revised Praries Catholic Draft 5-8-24 Worship and FY 22-23 Spiritual Life 3%

Social Ministries 24%

Diocesan United Fund 51%

The Prairie Catholic

$

Totals 2022

1,589,711 481,607 (263,111) 145,384 34,000 124,655 1,604,356 190,000 34,764 3,941,366

80,925 8,639,236 8,720,161

2022-23 REVENUES 5.54 MILLION

Diocesan Ministries Appeal 28%

Totals 2023

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Personnel 14% Office Administration 21%

Religious Administration 15%

June 2024

THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE - OUR ‘EMMAUS MOMENT’ Minnesota Eucharistic Congress Marian Route kicks off in May Father Schmitz, delivering his remarks via video due to what he described as an “emergent surgery” on his back, spoke about the passage in Luke’s Gospel of the Road to Emmaus, where two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem after the death of Jesus and he joins them, but they did not recognize him until be blessed and broke bread with them — an encounter with the Eucharist.

by Deacon Kyle Eller The Northern Cross, Diocese of Duluth

“I think one of the best bits of spiritual advice I could give to everyone here is: Stay close to the fire,” Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester told more than 3,000 Catholics gathered at the Sanford Center in Bemidji May 17. “Stay close. Stay close to the light and to the fire.”

Father Schmitz highlighted a detail from the Bible passage, noting that the disciples had already heard Jesus was alive, but they were still walking away, perhaps unable to imagine that Jesus would redeem Israel through his suffering, death, and resurrection, offering only a kind of “conditional” faith based on their expectations. But when they recognized him, they immediately went back to Jerusalem to bear witness. “The road from Emmaus is just as important, if not more important, than the road to Emmaus,” Father Schmitz said. He offered that as an encouragement to those at the congress.

Bishop Barron gave the opening keynote address at the two-day Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, hosted jointly by the Diocese of Crookston and the Diocese of Duluth May 17-18. The event brought people from all over Minnesota and neighboring states, and from as far away as Texas and California, as well as from Canada. A dozen bishops, more than 100 priests and deacons, and people from several religious communities were among them.

Bishop Barron was drawing from a “beautiful image” given by St. Thomas Aquinas, who said that when the words of consecration are said in the Mass, “it’s as though a great fire has been kindled in a new place.”

In mid-May, four groups departed on foot from opposite sides of the country, each en route to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Notably, the routes form a cross over the United States. The congress, which takes place July 17-21, is an invitation for Catholics across the United States to gather and experience a profound personal revival, leaving with the task of spreading God’s love to the world.

“Too often we go back to who we were before,” he said. “There’s no time to waste. … All we can do is tell people what we have heard and what we have seen. You have joy to share, you have a hope to share, you have a message to share. To not share it would be a disaster.”

Particularly in the practice of Eucharistic Adoration, he said, people can remain “close to the fire,” which he described as light and warmth in a dark and cold world. He added that it’s a practice he got from his students years ago when he was teaching at Mundelein Seminary, who had learned it watching Archbishop Fulton Sheen on EWTN.

Eucharistic Congress, like the disciples who walked the road with Jesus to Emmaus,” Bishop Felton said.

An ‘outpouring of the Holy Spirit’ “I just can’t believe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that’s been here,” said Foy Cox, who traveled from Grand Forks, N.D.. “Everybody — the rosary outside for life, Bishop Barron last night, the adoration, the confession. Everything has just been magnificent and the Spirit has poured out. You can just see the smiles on the people’s faces. It’s radiating.”

Archbishop Sheen, he noted, had always recommended that priests make a daily Holy Hour.

“I watched my own students doing this practice of the Holy Hour until I began doing it and found it to be of enormous spiritual power,” he said. “I hope it’s essential to this Eucharistic Revival that we pick up Sheen’s recommendation.”

The congress followed up his talk with a holy hour, led by Duluth Bishop Daniel Felton, who offered short, guided meditations inviting people to open their hearts to Jesus in the places where they needed healing or lacked trust.

Leading the Eucharistic Revival Bishop Barron and Crookston Bishop Andrew Cozzens have both played important roles in the National Eucharistic Revival. Bishop Cozzens, welcoming participants to the event alongside Bishop Felton, said he was tasked by the U.S. bishops with leading the Eucharistic Revival, but it was originally Bishop Barron’s idea.

The two-day event highlighted some of the strong faith leaders in Minnesota. In addition to the opening keynote by Bishop Barron, the closing keynote was by Father Mike Schmitz, a priest of the Duluth diocese, who has gained a national following, among other things for his popular “Bible in a Year” and “Catechism in a Year” podcasts and his YouTube videos for Ascension.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda, of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, was the principal celebrant at Mass on the second day of the congress, and in his homily, he said, “It’s clear to me that there are magnificent things going on in Minnesota.

I’m very, very proud to be able to tell people that I’m from Minnesota.”

He said that on a plane trip earlier in the week he had been asked where he was from, and when he was identified as a priest from Minnesota, the first question was “Do you know Father Mike Schmitz?”

He said it’s “about 50-50” between those who ask if he knows Father Schmitz and those who ask if he knows Bishop Barron.

However, Bishop Cozzens said it was his “crazy idea” to process the Blessed Sacrament across the whole country, starting from east and west and south and north.

Another speaker, Dominican Sister Jude Andrew Link, who traveled to the congress from Oregon, shared a similar experience, noting that when she told her students — high school juniors — that she was speaking at the same conference as Father Schmitz, her “street cred” went “way up.”

That’s how an outdoor Pentecost Mass May 19 in Itasca State Park at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, at the close of the Eucharistic Congress, was chosen as the start of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

The Road from Emmaus Bishop Cozzens, in a Saturday address, spoke of a walk to McDonald’s the weekend prior to the congress, where he encountered a group of young people.

“Beginning with the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, we will be traveling many roads, as we walk with Jesus to Indianapolis and the National

“I was trying not to judge those young people, and I was actually even trying to be friendly to them,” he said. “But it was clear to me, by their dress, by their

language, by the way that they were acting, that they were not young people who value a relationship with Jesus.”

He said as he was praying the next day, that truth sat heavily on him, to the point he could still see their faces. “And I could see, actually, the emptiness that was beneath their humor, their way of being,” he said. “And I knew that the Lord wanted more for them. In fact, I was praying for them that they would be able to be healed and come to know the Lord.”

“Set a Fire! Tell Others”

Ignite event held in Watkins following Star of the North Congress

by Christy Baker The Prairie Catholic WATKINS, Minn. – “Tell others! We are being sent on mission in this third year of Eucharistic Revival,” exhorted Bishop Chad Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm at the diocesan-sponsored “Ignite” event in Watkins. “It is time to spread the fire that was started over 2,000 years ago at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples,” he told the over 300 Christian faithful who gathered May 19 for the Eucharistic Revival event held at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins.

Kicking off with a procession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the “Ignite” evening event included a short exhortation by Bishop Zielinski followed by evening prayer.

Diocesan parishes and participants at the event were invited to bring their statues of Mary for a blessing

by Bishop Zielinski.

Eucharistic processions have an ancient history. Sr. Jude Andrew Link, OP, a presenter at Star of the North Congress, spoke about how Mary, after she conceived Jesus at the Annunciation, made the first Eucharistic procession (pilgrimage) in history when she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. This tradition continues today, both at a national and local level.

For a gallery of photos of the Star of the North Congress or the Ignite event, visit www.dnu.org.

He said the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, with thousands of people wanting their “hearts to be temples of Jesus,” was important for that.

Bishop Daniel Felton of the Diocese of Duluth leads the adoration and benediction on the first day of the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress held May 17-18 in Bemidji, Minn. Bishop Felton was one of a dozen bishops who attended the congress.

(Photo by Christy Baker) Seminarian Noah U’ren (red shirt, front) is representing the Diocese of New Ulm on the Marian Route. U’ren will be a senior at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Saint Paul. He is one of seven seminarians who were selected to travel one of the four routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which began in Minnesota, California, Connecticut, and Texas on May 19-Pentecost Sunday. The pilgrims will converge in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 1721. U’ren is the son of Peter and Patricia U’Ren of Redwood Falls.

(Photo submitted)

He said Minnesotans know how to build campfires, starting small and building them up. “And that became, for me, an image of what God wants to do,” Bishop Cozzens said. “He wants to start a fire, but not just a small fire, a bonfire, right? And that fire begins with a small fire,” like the few thousand people gathered in Bemidji.

He said that the Eucharist makes present the Paschal Mystery: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. “Why does God do that?” he asked. “Why does God make his Paschal Mystery present? So that you and I can live it. So that you and I can live from it, and participate in it.”

He said Jesus wants it to be the meaning of our lives, and particularly a way to transform our suffering, uniting it to Jesus’ own, so that it can become part of the redemption of the world.

He said the young people at McDonald’s suffer, and Jesus wants to heal and redeem them, perhaps because someone like those attending the congress will befriend them, which can only work if the Holy Spirit is already working in their hearts.

“The only way that will happen is if someone like you is willing to suffer for them,” he said.

Two buses of pilgrims (pictured) from the diocese and surrounding areas participated in the Star of the North Congress and the start of the Marian Route. On May 18, they gathered as one for an agape meal with Bishop Chad Zielinski. Afterward, everyone was invited to gather and watch the fireworks over Lake Bemidji in honor of Pentecost.

(Photo by Christy Baker)

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education

Why is June the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

by Francesca Pollio Fenton Catholic News Agency

explained his profound affection for all of humanity.

June is known as the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus because the solemnity of the Sacred Heart is celebrated during this month. This year, the solemnity was observed on June 7.

He appeared with his heart visible outside his chest, ablaze with love, and encircled by a crown of thorns.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart (properly the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus) is a solemnity in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. The date changes each year because it is celebrated on the Friday after the Corpus Christi octave or the Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost.

The feast dates back to 1673 when a French nun who belonged to the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines) in eastern France began to receive visions about the Sacred Heart.

Jesus, in a profound display of his immense love for humanity, appeared to Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque. He revealed ways to venerate his Sacred Heart, a symbol of his divine love, and

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.

5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

Jesus, in a deeply personal moment, told Sister Margaret Mary: “My Sacred Heart is so intense in its love for all, and for you in particular, that not being able to contain within it the flames of its ardent charity, they must be transmitted through all means.”

These visions continued for 18 months. On June 16, 1675, Jesus, in a testament to his boundless love, instructed Sister Margaret Mary to promote a feast that honored his Sacred Heart. He also bestowed upon her 12 promises, a testament to the power and grace that awaits all who venerate and promote the devotion of the Sacred Heart.

He said: “I ask of you that the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi be set apart for a special feast to honor my heart

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection. by communicating on that day and making reparation to it by a solemn act, in order to make amends for the indignities which it has received during the time it has been exposed on the altars. I promise you that my heart shall expand itself to shed in abundance the influence of its divine love upon those who shall thus honor it and cause it to be honored.”

The Vatican was hesitant to declare a feast to the Sacred Heart, but as the devotion spread throughout France, the Vatican granted the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to France in 1765.

In 1856, Pope Pius IX designated the Friday following the feast of Corpus Christi as the feast of the Sacred Heart for the Universal Church. Ever since, the month of June has been devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and his immense love for us all.

Sister Margaret Mary died in 1690 and was canonized by Pope Benedict XV on May 13, 1920.

These are the promises the Sacred Heart of Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:

Bishop Williams named coadjutor bishop of Camden, New Jersey ST. PAUL – On May 21, 2024, Pope Francis named Bishop Joseph A. Williams as coadjutor bishop of Camden, New Jersey.

members of the immigrant communities that he has so generously served.”

Williams, 50, has served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis since 2022.

As coadjutor, Williams will assist 79-year-old Bishop Dennis Sullivan in the administration of the Camden diocese and will automatically succeed him as bishop upon Sullivan’s retirement next year.

“I am overjoyed in coming to a diocese whose bishop is held in such high esteem by both the faithful and the Holy Father,” Williams said after the announcement was made public.

“I look forward to learning from Bishop Sullivan, my brother priests in Camden, the deacons, consecrated women and men, and the faithful of South Jersey about their needs and their hopes for the future.”

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

Bishop Joseph A. Williams Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said the Camden diocese “is blessed to be receiving a gifted shepherd with an extraordinary intellect and a heart on fire for the work of evangelization.

“Bishop Williams’ ministry in the archdiocese, first as a pastor and now as a bishop, has born phenomenal fruit,” the archbishop said in a statement.“I know that he will be missed by his brother priests and by the laity of this local Church, especially by the

Bishop Williams was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2002.

His episcopal ordination took place Jan. 25, 2022, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. He was ordained a bishop on Jan. 25, 2022, the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.

Offices located in

New Ulm, Marshall, Hutchinson, Willmar Serving those in need for 16 years!

Bishop Sullivan will retain full responsibility for the Diocese of Camden until March 17, 2025, when Bishop Williams will automatically succeed him.

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10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my heart.

12. In the excess of the mercy of my heart, I promise you that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the first Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

2. I will give peace in their families.

Williams was born in Minneapolis on May 2, 1974, as the third of nine children. He studied at the University of Minnesota-Morris and at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, where he discerned a vocation to the priesthood. He began his priestly training at the Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota in 1998, earning a master’s of divinity degree.

The Prairie Catholic

9. I will bless those places wherein the image of my Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.

Our caring and compassionate staff of licensed mental health professionals provide help for adults and children coping with: - depression - anxiety/stress - grief and loss - abuse/trauma - chronic mental illness - parent-child issues - relationship issues - anger and more . . . www.dnu.org/catholiccharities

If you or someone you know is in need of

Catholic Charities Services, call 1-866-670-5163 email, pkral@dnu.org.

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June 2024

respect life

Pro-life Christians: Now is the time to shout from the rooftops

by Bishop Robert Barron Bishop Barron said in his homily for the 2024 Respect Life Sunday on January 21 that Christians must no longer remain silent on crimes against human life, but that they must rather “shout [their] convictions from the rooftops.”

T om Holland’s magnificent book “Dominion” develops in

detail what amounts to a very simple proposition—namely, that Christianity is responsible for many of the central values that we take for granted and that we assume to be universal. In point of fact, he avers, our insistence upon the dignity of the individual, fundamental human rights, the principle of equality, and perhaps above all that the poor, the marginalized, and the victimized ought to be specially cherished, flows from basic Christian convictions.

What prompted Holland to investigate this claim initially was his extensive work in the history of ancient Rome. The longer and more deeply he looked at Roman society, the stranger it seemed, the less like our own time. And the more he studied the great heroes of Rome, the more alien and morally problematic they appeared. To give just one example among many, he urges us to consider perhaps the most impressive of ancient Roman personalities, Julius Caesar. Eager to enhance his political reputation, Caesar embarked on a military campaign in Gaul (present-day France). His remarkable success

in subduing this land and making it a Roman province served to cover him in glory and became the subject of his book The Gallic Wars, which is read to this day.

But what is rarely remarked upon is the staggering fact that in the course of this conquest, Caesar killed, by conservative estimate, one million people and enslaved another million or so more. Now, Caesar had a boatload of enemies in Rome who suspected him of lusting after kingly power. But what Holland finds fascinating is that none of his opponents were scandalized by his murderous rampage through Gaul. In fact, all of Rome praised him for it. So the question arises: Why would we today consider someone who killed and enslaved on such a massive scale a scoundrel while even the best and brightest in ancient Roman society considered Caesar a hero? The answer, in a word, is Christianity.

What the early Christians brought to Roman culture was the belief in the one God who made every human being in his image and likeness and who thereby endowed them with rights, freedom, and dignity. Moreover, the Christians taught that the Creator God became human and went willingly to the very limits of suffering and degradation, in St. Paul’s words, “accepting even death, death on a cross.” They proclaimed a savior who was a victim of Roman tyranny and whom God raised from the dead. And by this proclamation, they brought all the tyrannized, all of the victimized, all of the weak and forgotten from the margins to the center.

These beliefs were, of course, initially regarded as absurd, and

Bishop Robert Barron speaks to those gathered on May 17 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji for the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, hosted jointly by the Diocese of Crookston and the Diocese of Duluth.

(Photo by Christy Baker) the early Christians were brutally persecuted for them. But over time, and through the witness and practice of courageous people, these beliefs soaked into the fabric of Western society. So deeply did they penetrate our consciousness that we came, as Holland has argued, to take them for granted and to mistake them for general humanistic values.

disaffiliating from the churches and ceasing to engage in religious rituals and practices. Harmless enough, you might think, or even to the advantage of a society reaching maturity through secularization? Think again. As Christian faith and praxis evolve, the values that Christianity has inculcated in our culture evolve as well. Cut flowers may bloom for a time once they’ve been ripped from the soil and placed in water, but they will fade soon enough.

We delude ourselves if we think that the values instilled in us by Christianity will long survive the demise of Christianity itself.

Believers have been cowed into silence by the insinuation that religion is a “private” matter.

Now, why is all this important to us today? We live in a time when the Christian faith is rather regularly denigrated by those in the upper echelons of elite society, in the universities, and in the media. Moreover, armies of people, especially the young, are

Signs of the emergence of neopaganism, in fact, abound. In many states in our country, as well as in Canada and many European countries, a regime of euthanasia

holds sway. When elderly or sick people become inconvenient, they can and should be eliminated.

And, of course, in most countries in the West, when a child in the womb is judged to be a problem, he or she can be aborted at any point in pregnancy, up to the moment of birth. In my home state of Minnesota, a proposal has been made to enshrine this “right” to the murder of the unborn in the constitution. How like this is, by the way, to the ancient Roman practice of exposing unwanted newborns to the elements and the animals. And how fascinating, in light of Tom Holland’s analysis, that the early Christians got the attention of the environing Roman culture precisely by their willingness to rescue and take in these abandoned babies.

So, what is the needful thing?

Christians must raise their voices in protest against the culture of death. And they must do so by claiming and publicly proclaiming the values that come from their faith. For too long, believers have been cowed into silence by the insinuation that religion is a “private” matter. Nonsense.

Christian values have informed our society from the beginning and have provided the coherent moral framework that most of us still take for granted. Now is not the time for quietude. It is time for us to shout our convictions from the rooftops.

Editor’s note: Bishop Barron is the bishop of the Diocese of WinonaRochester, Minnesota. This article is courtesy of WORD ON FIRE Catholic Ministries which Bishop Barron is the founder of.

Following the examples of Sts. Thomas More and John Fischer WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops begins Religious Freedom Week on June 22, the day when the Church celebrates the joint feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher.

As a priest and bishop, John Fisher was martyred on June 22, 1535, for his opposition to the marriage of King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn and his refusal to acknowledge Henry as supreme head of the Church of England.

Two weeks later, on July 6, Thomas More, a husband and father, was martyred in the tower of London for the same reasons.

Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher were Renaissance men. Talented and energetic, they contributed to the humanist scholarship of early modern England. More wrote theological and philosophical treatises, while making a career as a lawyer and government official.

Bishop John Fisher served as bishop of Rochester. As a bishop, he is notable for his dedication to preaching at a time when bishops tended to focus on politics.

Although both brilliant, above all their accomplishments they bore witness to a deep faith in Christ and his Church.

Both were canonized saints on May 19, 1935, by Pope Pius XI. For all the baptized, both citizens and politicians, the stories of John Fisher and Thomas More remind us that faith cannot remain a private concern and that ultimately, loyalty is due first to Christ and his kingdom.

Religious Freedom Week The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2024 observance of Religious Freedom Week begins June 22, the joint feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, and ends June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Saints John Fisher and Thomas More teach us that this can only come about through Christians with a courageous conscience, being faithful to truth and having a proper understanding of the relationship between church and state.

Join Catholics across the country to pray and act for the freedom to serve faithfully and with integrity.

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As we engage in this important week, we are called to action and advocacy, to ensure that all people might enjoy the fullness of dignity that comes from God. May we move forward in faith and gratitude for the gift of freedom that allows the Church to live out its mission in the world. Learn more at www.usccb.org/ ReligiousFreedomWeek. l

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catholic life Diocese of New Ulm Council of Catholic Women

63rd annual convention

HIGHLIGHTS

GLENCOE – Women from all four corners of the diocese gathered in April for a day filled with growth educationally, socially and spiritually. The Bread of Life Area Faith Community (Glencoe, Silver Lake, and Winsted) hosted this year’s 63rd annual New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention held on April 27 at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe. This year’s theme was “Be an Instrument of Salvation,” with a focus on evangelization. New Ulm’s bishop the Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski celebrated Mass with the convention goers.

(Photos by Christy Baker)

This year’s convention keynote was Kelly Wahlquist, director for the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and founder of the national women’s ministry WINE: Women in the New Evangelization. Wahlquist is a Catholic author who travels around the country speaking on the New Evangelization.

During the convention, several NUDCCW leadership gathered for a group photo. Front row: Carolyn Keller of St. Mary in New Ulm - vice president; Jane Imker of St. Anne in Wabasso – treasurer; Lori Timmerman of Holy Redeemer in Marshall - reverence life committee chairperson. Second row: Sharon Illikman of St. Mary in New Ulm – president; Arlene Woelfel of St. Catherine in Redwood Falls – leadership committee chairperson; Barb Mathiowetz of St. Aloysius in Olivia – scholarship committee chairperson. Third row, Chris Heiderscheidt of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye - resource and development team and webmaster; Kathy Urban of St Pius X in Glencoe – secretary; and Ruthann Hansen of St. John in Darwin - deanery 3 president.

Leonard Gutierrez and his wife, Yazmin, spoke on “Gratitude, Generosity, and Hope for the World.” Leonard is the director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of New Ulm.

Bishop Zielinski spoke on Hope and Healing, and then took time for a question and answer session.

The Prairie Catholic

2024 DCCW Woman of the Year Donna Sanders of St. Mary’s in Cottonwood stands next to Bishop Zielinski, surrounded by her family following the award announcement. l

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catholic life

Encountering Jesus

Meet the new NUDCCW president!

Sharon Illikman of New Ulm to serve two-year term

through the Gospel

by Christine Clancy The Prairie Catholic

by Leonard Gutierrez Office of Evangelization

GLENCOE – Sharon Illikman of the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm will serve as the Diocese of New Ulm Council of Catholic Women (NUDCCW) president, taking over from Jackie Finstad of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Illikman was sworn in at the NUDCCW annual convention held at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe on April 27.

She will serve a two-year term.

Illikman has served in numerous roles on her parish CCW board, first as secretary in 2013 and then as parish president from 2016-2023, when she became the NUDCCW president-elect. From 2017-2020, Illikman served as the NUDCCW secretary, from 20202022 as the third vice-president, and from 2022-2024 as deanery 1 CCW president.

W ho are you learning from, and what are you learning?

Each of us might be able to think of a question or two that someone once asked us that led to deeper thinking. I remember a good and faithful friend asking me two questions one night: “Who are you learning from, and what are you learning?” These were good questions, but they were also difficult ones! They challenged me to reflect on my life and where I tended to place my mind and heart.

Sharon Illikman, the new Diocese of New Ulm Council of Catholic Women president, is pictured beside Monsignor Eugene Lozinski, NUDCCW spiritual advisor.

(Photo by Christy Baker) “I am truly honored and humbled to step into the role of NUDCCW president,” said Illikman about her new leadership responsibility.

“The fellowship and spiritual growth I have experienced within

this organization have been truly transformative. I am eagerly looking forward to the path that Jesus is guiding us on in this journey,” she said.

Jesus was a master of asking thought-provoking questions.

These questions were never meant to shame someone but rather to bring clarity and honesty to their life so that their eyes would be opened to see what they were living for.

In John 1, Jesus asked the first disciples, “What do you seek?” In Luke 9:20, he asks Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” In John 5:6, Jesus asks the man who had been ill for 38 years, “Do you want to be healed?”

Each of these questions could easily be taken to prayer. Each of them could just as easily be answered without much thought.

Many of us have read these questions in Scripture or heard them at Mass. And if you have spent much time praying with them, you also know they can be challenging to answer.

What do these sometimes difficult questions and learning have to do with the life of a disciple?

Well, we are all disciples of something or someone. We are constantly learning, following, and changing. If we were to look at our schedule last week, we each most likely could get a glimpse of who we were learning from and what we learned.

It might be social media and the new trends that are becoming popular. It might be ESPN or Netflix

For information concerning registration visit www.nudccw.org All other questions email chrisheiderscheidt@gmail.com

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and the commentaries from sports broadcasters or stories from Hollywood. It might be the book we recently finished or the most recent podcast from a popular show. All of these things can shape our learning.

There are some weeks when I look back and think, “Wow, who I learned from and what I learned this past week was probably not the best thing for me.” Then, there were other weeks when I could see so clearly that Jesus’ voice was the one I was listening to, and Christ the Good Shepherd was the one I was following and learning from.

I still return to these two questions my friend asked me years ago, and I think of them in light of living as a disciple of Christ. Am I learning from Jesus? How so?

If I am learning from others, how are they teaching me to hear and follow the voice of Christ?

How would you answer these two questions?

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.

education

Ask a Canon Lawyer This month’s question:

assigned, a “parochial vicar” is a priest who assists the pastor of the parish and represents or stands in for the pastor in assisting the spiritual care of the souls of a parish. In the case of the office of a vicar general, it is a priest who “stands in” or represents the diocesan bishop, acting in effect as the “bishop’s arm” (as I heard one bishop describe the responsibility).

What does a vicar general do in a diocese?

Is it necessary for every diocese to have one?

by Fr. Mark Steffl, STL, JCL

T

he Code of Canon Law, which establishes many norms across the Church, includes a section that establishes certain “offices” within a diocese. Some of these “offices” must exist in every diocese, and there are some which a diocesan bishop can choose to utilize, depending on the needs and size of the particular diocese.

Some “offices” that are required in a diocese are the vicar general, the chancellor (who is responsible for overseeing the archives of a diocese), the judicial vicar (who oversees the Tribunal of a diocese), and a finance officer (who oversees diocesan financial transactions, budgets, and assets).

Other optional offices for a diocesan bishop to utilize or not are episcopal vicars (individuals who are appointed in the name of the bishop to oversee certain specific groups, such as a vicar

for Hispanic ministry or a vicar for Religious and Consecrated Life) or a vicar forane (a priest appointed to oversee a particular region of a diocese).

For the office of a vicar general, Church Law states: Can. 475 §1. In each diocese, the diocesan bishop must appoint a vicar general who is provided with ordinary power according to the norm of the following canons and who is to assist him in the governance of the whole diocese.

This canon makes it obligatory for the diocesan bishop to appoint a vicar general. The vicar general, by law, is given “ordinary power” and is to assist the bishop in governing or overseeing the entire diocese.

“Ordinary power,” as Church Law defines it, is a set of oversight responsibilities attached to a specific office in the Church, such as a diocesan bishop or pastor of a parish. To be an “ordinary” in the law of the Church is someone

who, by holding an office, has specific responsibilities and obligations given automatically by Canon Law. Canon Law specifies who a diocesan bishop can appoint as a vicar general. Canon 478 says that a vicar general must be a priest not less than thirty years old, with an advanced degree in canon law or theology and “recommended by sound doctrine, integrity, prudence, and experience in handling matters.”

Can. 480 A vicar general […] must report to the diocesan bishop concerning the more important affairs which are to be handled or have been handled, and they are never to act contrary to the intention and mind of the diocesan bishop.

Can. 479 §1. By virtue of office, the vicar general has the executive power over the whole diocese which belongs to the diocesan bishop by law, namely, the power to place all administrative acts except those, however, which the bishop has reserved to himself or which require a special mandate of the bishop by law.

The vicar general acts always “in the name of the Bishop” and must not do anything that would contradict the will or wishes of the diocesan bishop in assisting the bishop in the administration of the diocese.

Can. 481 §1. The power of a vicar general […] ceases at the expiration of the time of the mandate, by resignation, by removal made known to them by the diocesan bishop, […] and at

The word “vicar” in Church law indicates someone who represents or stands in for another. For example, in larger parishes that may have more than one priest

the vacancy of the episcopal see.

The diocesan bishop appoints a vicar general, and the vicar general can resign from the office or be removed at any time by the diocesan bishop to appoint a different priest to this office. And notably, if a bishop should resign, retire, or die, the appointment of a vicar general ends until a new bishop is appointed, who will then either re-appoint the previous vicar general or appoint a different one to serve and represent him in his office as diocesan bishop.

All of this might seem overly specific at first glance, but the law of the Church always provides order and structure to protect the rights of the Christian Faithful in a diocese.

NEXT ISSUE: What are the rules about having the Eucharist reserved?

Editor’s note: Fr. Mark Steffl is a canon lawyer and serves as judicial vicar of the diocesan Office of the Tribunal. If you have a question pertaining to the Tribunal Office, email The Prairie Catholic at cclancy@dnu.org.

INSIDE THE CAPITOL

Religious liberty - defending common ground for the common good

by MN Catholic Conference The public policy voice of the Minnesota bishops The Minnesota Legislature adjourned its 2024 regular session at midnight on Monday, May 20. This session, shorter and with fewer bills passed than in 2023, posed significant challenges to religious freedom, affecting Catholics and all people of faith. In response, Catholics actively defended their faith and promoted the common good by engaging with legislators through the Catholic Advocacy Network, making thousands of communications to legislators via calls, letters, and emails.

Stopping religious discrimination in the ERA In November 2023, we discussed a proposed state constitutional amendment called the “Equal Rights Amendment,” aimed at protecting abortion access until the moment of birth, advancing gender ideology, and weakening

legal protections for those who object to both. The language also specifically excluded protections for all Minnesotans against religious discrimination.

Simply put, the proposed ERA provided special protection for some and punishment for others. The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) worked with legislators to propose amendments to the ERA, including religion and ensuring women, people of faith, and the unborn would be protected. The ERA passed the House in the early morning hours of May 19 but was stopped in the Senate due to effective advocacy by faith communities and others.

Protecting the rights of churches and religious schools Another key issue in this session was restoring the religious exemption from claims of gender identity discrimination in the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). The MHRA has been in place for decades and protects

Stopping mandatory health insurance coverage of abortion In addition, several bills mandating insurance coverage for abortion, assisted reproduction, and gender-affirming care would have forced religious institutions to fund immoral acts that do not constitute authentic healthcare.

Our advocacy and public testimony helped to defeat the assisted reproduction mandate and ensured the inclusion of religious exemptions in the abortion and so-called gender-affirming care mandates, protecting the rights of faith-based organizations. Not only will these exemptions save religious employers and their employees significant money, but they also ensure that religious employers can continue to provide health insurance as a benefit without cooperation in harmful or lethal practices.

Minnesotans from various forms of discrimination. In 1993, sexual orientation was added as a protected status, and an exemption for religious organizations was included to allow them to act in accordance with their religious beliefs regarding sexual orientation because of the acknowledgement of reasonable differences of opinion on matters of sexual identity. When legislators added gender identity to the MHRA in 2023, however, they failed to include the religious exemption.

In response to this admittedly purposeful exclusion of the exemption, MCC formed a coalition of more than 13 organizations representing different faith communities including Christians, Jews, and Muslims. After months of persistent advocacy and negotiations by MCC and others, a religious exemption was passed by legislators and signed into law by Governor Walz on May 15, 2024.

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Practicing faithful citizenship The bishops and staff of the Minnesota Catholic Conference are deeply grateful for the l

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engagement and support of the Catholic community, as well as all those who value religious liberty. We also appreciate the partnerships we formed and renewed with other faith communities, who really came together this year to protect religious liberty. These ecumenical and interfaith partnerships bring with them diverse viewpoints and greater resources that often enhance our advocacy efforts and lead to significant progress.

Over the past five months, our partnerships undoubtedly contributed to these important victories and underscored the importance of building common ground for the common good whenever we can.

Stay in the know when it comes to the Minnesota legislature! Sign up for the Catholic Advocacy Newsletter at www.MNCatholic. org/join and subscribe to MCC YouTube page www.youtube.com/ mncathconference.

around the diocese

Healing Ministry - “A stepping stone in a lifelong journey of healing”

by Elli Burmis Prairie Catholic correspondent Healing Ministry in the Diocese of New Ulm (DNU) has been in operation for 11 years under the leadership of Deacon Mike McKeown.

In 2015, Bishop John M. LeVoir established Healing Ministry as a beacon of hope, appointing Deacon Mike McKeown as its director. Deacon McKeown, with his dedicated prayer teams, has been instrumental in expanding the ministry throughout the diocese, offering a transformative experience of healing prayer to more and more people. “This ministry is a gateway to a deeper relationship with the Lord,” said Deacon McKeown, underscoring the life-changing impact of the diocesan ministry.

“Sometimes, we don’t allow ourselves to deal with the hurt we have buried because we think, ‘What good is it going to do anyway?’” said Deacon McKeown. “But this pattern of thinking can lead one to ‘shove everything under the rug instead of dealing with it.’”

“The only way to real freedom is to allow Jesus Christ to go through all that hurt, sin, and pain with you,” he said.

Healing Ministry assists people in opening their hearts to Christ so that he may walk patiently alongside them with love and understanding, helping them to surrender their wounds to him.

As a result, people experience increased peace and interior freedom.

Detailing the healing process more thoroughly, Deacon McKeown explained that initially, those seeking Healing Ministry are assigned a prayer team of two or three trained individuals who help identify relationship obstacles one may have with God, others, or themselves. “Oftentimes, people come to the Healing Ministry because they are struggling with issues such as bitterness, unforgiveness, guilt and shame, ongoing sin, personal insecurities, rejection, and more,” Deacon McKeown said. “By identifying the underlying source of these obstacles, the prayer team is able to better support someone in opening themselves to the healing

and freedom of Christ.”

they have now been cleansed.” In this way, people can experience a tremendous sense of freedom and gain a fresh start. Likewise, they can “enter sacramental life in a deeper way” and more fully participate in the “communal life” of the Church.

Five key aspects Within the Healing Ministry process, there are five key aspects to work through in prayer.

The first is repentance of sin.

Although this repentance does not replace the need for sacramental confession, it is an affirmation of a person’s sorrow for sin and their desire to amend their life.

“The Healing Ministry is not a quick fix, but a stepping stone in a lifelong journey of healing,” emphasized Deacon McKeown.

“Our aim is to help individuals continually open their hearts to Christ’s love, grace, freedom, and peace, walking the path of healing

“Forgiveness is crucial,” said Deacon McKeown. Yet, he clearly distinguishes that forgiveness does not mean justifying the hurtful things others have done to us but rather surrendering these hurts to God and releasing the burdens from one’s heart.

alongside Him.” This commitment to ongoing healing underscores the ministry's dedication to supporting individuals in their spiritual journey.

For more information regarding the DNU Healing Ministry or to make a confidential appointment with the Healing Ministry team, visit, www.dnu.org/healingministry or call (507) 233-5310.

“A person must also renounce that which does not belong. In other words, they must recognize the lies and negative thoughts that Satan has fed them and renounce evil with the authority that they have been given in their baptism,” said Deacon McKeown.

The prayer session concludes with the prayer team offering a prayer for the individual to be filled “with God’s grace in the places

Holy Cross AFC is hosting a huge Revival event and you are invited!

Registration open for “Awake My Soul” set for August in New Ulm

by Elli Burmis Prairie Catholic correspondent NEW ULM – The Holy Cross Area Faith Community (New Ulm, St. George, Searles) is excited to bring the energy of the upcoming National Eucharistic Revival Congress in Indianapolis back to this area. In August, the AFC will host a significant evangelization event, a testament to the community’s commitment to spiritual growth and learning.

According to Holy Cross Evangelization Director Amber Collins, Shari Kretsch, and Deacon Rick Christiansen, three major players on the event planning team, this significant Revival event itself is “Doing God’s work, and he has put all the right people in the right places at the right time.”

“Awake My Soul” is set for Saturday, Aug. 3, from 6-10:00 p.m. at the New Ulm Civic Center in New Ulm. The evening will feature a presentation by nationally-known speaker and

founder of the Great Adventure Bible Study, Jeff Cavins, and a performance by the awardwinning musician Matt Maher.

Adoration, Reconciliation, and prayer teams will be available for those who attend. Before the Revival event, the Most Reverend Chad Zielinski, bishop of New Ulm, will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm. Collins and Kretsch explain that the vision of this event is to welcome and lead people to holiness, meeting them wherever they are in their faith. “The idea is well on its way to blossoming, and fruitful works are in the making!” they said concerning the planning process.

“Awake My Soul” is not just for Catholics; it’s for everyone!

“Awake My Soul” will be a welcoming space for all, regardless of their faith. The hope is that it will be an opportunity for conversion of hearts and will ultimately draw people into

the church doors. It is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to learn of God’s love and what it means to be Catholic.

what God was saying and how he was guiding them.

As many Minnesota dioceses were hosting Eucharistic Revival events, the event team wanted to provide a similar opportunity for the people of the Diocese of New Ulm. Hence, the evening’s itinerary centers around the Eucharist and specifically aims to welcome attendees into a closer relationship with Christ through the Real Presence. Leading up to the official start of the event, from 5-6:00 p.m., there will be video screenings of interviews with various individuals sharing what the Eucharist means to them.

In the early stages of planning, Collins, Kretsch, and Deacon Christiansen met regularly, pouring their hearts and souls into formulating a core message and rough event outline. Their hope was to bring the energy of the National Eucharistic Revival Congress back to the area, so they intentionally chose a date that closely followed that event to be held in July in Indianapolis.

Deep prayer led to the establishment of a Core Leadership Committee to assist in coordinating and planning what is to be a huge event. The three agree that it has been a faith journey with a combination of praying together and leaning 100 percent on God to guide them in the planning. Rather than being focused on all the work to be done, the team found that the more they spent in silence with the Lord, the easier it became to hear

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Following the evening’s speakers and music, all attendees will be led into a time of Eucharistic Adoration, with the procession of our Lord Jesus. During this time, there will be worship music and opportunities for silent prayer, Reconciliation, and prayer teams.

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to be inspired, informed, and impacted. Translation via headsets will be available for the Hispanic community, and Holy Cross AFC will offer resources and information for those desiring to continue their faith journey.

In the end, Collins, Kretsch, and Deacon Christiansen hope that each person attending the “Awake My Soul” feels God’s love through any or all parts of the evening and that, ultimately, the event will send the welcoming message that the Catholic Church’s doors are open to everyone so all people can experience a close relationship with Jesus.

For more information, the itinerary, or to purchase tickets to “Awake My Soul,” visit https:// holycrossafc.org/awake-my-soulevent.

will hold an ordinary public consistory for a vote on various causes for canonization.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has a busy upcoming travel schedule that begins a pastoral visit to the Italian city of Trieste early next month for Italian Catholic Social Week.

During the July 7 visit, the Holy Father is expected to meet with migrants and other marginalized people.

Later, the pope will make two apostolic journeys outside of Italy. The first, from Sept. 2-13 will take him halfway around the world to southeast Asia and Oceania where he will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,

Timor-Leste, and Singapore.

On Sept. 26-29 he will make a one-day visit to Luxembourg before visiting three cities in Belgium, where he will take part in celebrations marking the 600th anniversary of the foundation of the Catholic universities of Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve.

The liturgical calendar released on June 3, 2024, also noted that Pope Francis will preside at Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on July 29 which includes the blessing of the Pallia for new metropolitan archbishops.

Finally, on July 1, Pope Francis

The calendar of Pope Francis’ activities can be found on the Vatican website, www.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/events/year. dir.html/2024.html.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has announced that he will prepare a reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a world “that seems to have lost its heart.”

“I am happy to prepare a document that brings together the valuable reflections of previous magisterial texts and a long history going back to the sacred Scriptures to re-propose today to the whole Church this devotion, full of spiritual beauty,” he said at the end of his weekly audience with the public June 5, 2024.

The pontiff said he intends to publish the document in September and asked for prayers as he prepares the reflection.

“I believe it will do us much good to meditate on various aspects of the Lord’s love, which can illuminate the path of ecclesial renewal, which says something meaningful to a world that seems

to have lost its heart,” he said.

Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The pope noted that the Church dedicates the month of June to the Sacred Heart and pointed out that last Dec. 27 was the 350th anniversary of the first appearance of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The December anniversary began a period of celebration that will extend to June 27, 2025, he explained.

After his announcement, Pope Francis added a heartfelt appeal to pray for Mary’s intercession for peace in the world.

The solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated this year on June 7, the Friday after the second Sunday after Pentecost. The following day, the Church celebrated the feast of the

“We ask the Lord, through the intercession of his mother, for peace,” the pope prayed, pausing before adding: “peace in the tormented Ukraine, peace in Palestine, Israel, peace in Myanmar.”

“We pray that the Lord will give us peace and that the world will not suffer so much from war. May the Lord bless everyone. Amen,” he concluded.