Minnesota’s Most Rural Diocese Diocese of New Ulm Vol. 39 No. 2 October/November 2024
Sing to the Lord a new song. . . (Psalm 96:1)
NEW ULM – The 21st annual Children’s Holy Field Trip, hosted by the Diocese of New Ulm Office of Schools, was held on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. The event was presided over by Fr. Mark Steffl, pastor of the Holy Cross Area Faith Community (New Ulm, Searles, and West Newton Township). Children who participated experienced prayer focused on the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Music for the service was provided by 5th-grade students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bird Island, accompanied on the organ by St. Mary’s music teacher, Lizz Strandberg. Choir members pictured are (left) Esmae Mead, Emma Dahl, and Payten Evers.
(Photo by Christine Clancy)
Minnesota’s Most Rural Diocese Diocese of New Ulm Vol. 38 No. 2
November 3-9, 2024
“Vocations are born in prayer and from prayer, and only in prayer can they persevere and bear fruit.” - Pope Francis’ Regina Caeli address, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, April 21, 2013.
(See page 7 for diocesan-related vocation news.)
Rome prepares for 35 million pilgrims during 2025 Jubilee Year
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican and the city of Rome are preparing for an estimated 35 million people to flock to the Eternal City for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope – the first ordinary jubilee since the Great Jubilee of 2000. This special year, which begins on Christmas Eve, 2024, and concludes on Jan. 6, 2026, holds immense importance for the Catholic Church and its faithful.
A Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation in the Catholic Church and will be a time when the Christian faithful will be invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
A holy year of grace and pilgrimage, the jubilee typically takes place once every 25 years, though the pope can call for extraordinary jubilee years more often, such as in the case of the
Page 3
Msgr. John Richter dies at age 86
Page 4
Holy Father’s new encyclical
Page 6
2024 DMA launches this month!
2016 Year of Mercy or the 2013 Year of Faith.
The 2025 Jubilee Year is themed ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ a concept Pope Francis has passionately endorsed. This theme invites Catholics to rekindle their hope and embrace a vision that can ‘restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.’ It also encourages a rediscovery of a spirituality of God’s creation, where we see ourselves as ‘pilgrims on the earth’ rather than masters of the world.
As the Universal Church looks toward the Jubilee, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stands united and fervently supports the Holy Father in this event of ‘great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church.’
Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee Year 2025: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and farsighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire. . .”
What is the Biblical background for the Jubilee Year?
The word jubilee comes from the Hebrew word yobel, which is a ram’s horn. This wind instrument is blown to mark the start of a Jubilee Year in the Bible (Leviticus 25:9).
In the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year occurred every 50 years and
ROME - Following a global competition, the winning logo of the upcoming Jubilee Year to be held in 2025 on the theme Peregrinantes in Spem (Pilgrims of Hope) was unveiled on June 28, 2022, by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Vatican evangelization chief. (photo by Daniel Ibanez/CNA)
involved the canceling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes clear that his mission is to bring jubilee. In the synagogue at Nazareth, he reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour: “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favor,” (Luke 4:18-19).
After reading, Jesus announces: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus shows us what God’s Kingdom of justice, compassion, and freedom looks like. He invites us join him in making it a reality.
Great tradition of Holy Doors
The Holy Doors are a central part of any jubilee. These doors, found at St. Peter’s Basilica and Rome’s other major basilicas, are sealed from the inside and only opened during a jubilee year. In 2016, Catholic dioceses also had their own Holy Doors.
The tradition of opening the Holy Door on Dec. 24, 2024, at St. Peter’s Basilica, symbolizes the offering of an “extraordinary path” toward salvation for Catholics during a jubilee. Other holy doors will be opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Pilgrims who walk through this Holy Door can receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.
Meaning behind the Jubilee logo
With the motto, ‘Peregrinantes in Spem,’ (Pilgrims of Hope), the
Jubilee Year 2025 logo shows four stylized figures to indicate all of humanity from the four corners of the earth. They each embrace one another, indicating the solidarity and brotherhood that must unite peoples. The first figure is clinging to the Cross. The underlying waves are choppy to indicate that the pilgrimage of life is not always on calm waters.
Because personal circumstances and world events often call for a greater sense of hope, the lower part of the Cross is elongated turning into an anchor, which dominates the movement of the waves. Anchors often have been used as metaphors for hope.
The image shows how the pilgrim’s journey is not individual, but rather communal, with the signs of a growing dynamism that moves more and more toward the Cross. The Cross itself is not static, but dynamic, bending toward and meeting humanity as if not to leave it alone, but rather offering the certainty of its presence and the reassurance of hope.
Editor’s note: The Jubilee Year 2025 will offer the faithful opportunities to participate in various events at the Vatican and in their own dioceses. Locally, visit the Diocese of New Ulm website, www.dnu.org for upcoming Jubilee-related events intended to revive and strengthen our Catholic faith.
by Bishop Chad W. Zielinski
To everything there is a season
As I celebrated my one-year birthday on Sept. 8, 1965, an American folk rock group, The Byrds, adapted an international hit song, Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season).
Actually, the original artist is the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes. The song recalls Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 as the words draw us into the reality of changing seasons, “turn, turn, turn… to everything there is a season.” The author of Ecclesiastes takes us on a roller coaster ride of the seemingly irreconcilable opposites in life that come with the ebb and flow and changing of every season.
As I observe the changing seasons in the 15 counties that make up the Diocese of New Ulm, my mind goes to the words of Ecclesiastes, which captures the very ethos of the farmer.
At the time of my installation as your bishop two years ago on Sept. 27, harvest was just beginning. I had the opportunity to ride on a corn harvester. The last time I had been on serious farm machinery was 30 years prior. Wow – technology sure has changed! This enormous machinery looked just like the most updated cockpit of a modern aircraft. I recall how the farmer exclaimed joyfully, “This was a bumper crop unseen for years!”
PTHERA RIE CATHOLIC
The Prairie Catholic, the official newspaper for the Diocese of New Ulm since May 1972, is published every six weeks, Sept.–June.
Publisher: Bishop Chad W. Zielinski Editor: Christine E. Clancy
Submission deadline is the 1st of each month prior to publication.
Publication office: Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; phone: 507-359-2966, Email: dnu@dnu.org Website: www.dnu.org
Postmaster: Send notice on Form 3579, “The Prairie Catholic,” 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073-2071. Periodical postage paid at New Ulm and additional mailing offices. USPS 926-760.
The Bishop’s Column: That they may have life
Getting to know the farmers of our diocese, I am continually inspired by their unwavering resilience. Each year, they bravely take a risk when it comes to the crops that will be planted, wondering what the upcoming forecast will bring in the weeks and months ahead. They build relationships and trust with the seed company, the fertilizer producer, and the agronomist, who run diagnostics of the soil content to ensure the best yield. The farmers’ resilience in the face of such uncertainty is truly inspiring.
As these stewards of the land converse after Mass, their discussions often revolve around the growth of their crops, the pests that threaten them, and the litany of challenges they face. Despite the support of critical relationships and advanced technology, there is always an element of surrender. These farmers, who are persons of faith, know from generations past that ‘There is an appointed time for everything and a time for every affair under the heavens’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Their faith is not just a belief but a source of strength and reassurance in the face of uncertainty.
God is in charge of all the affairs under the heavens.
You might recall, in the summer of 2023, I asked that we pray a novena for rain. And this spring, we prayed it would stop raining as water flooded the farm fields and rivers. I can only imagine the anxiety and worry this created for the farmers.
Bishop Zielinski raises the Eucharist as he celebrates a Harvest Mass on Monday, Sept. 30 at the Tom and Patti Hayes farm in rural Lafayette.
Just a few weeks ago, I again rode in a combine harvesting corn in rural New Ulm. I asked the farmer how the crops turned out due to the very wet spring. He told me it is amazing that with all the days of no rain and higher-thannormal temperatures, the corn has naturally dried out, producing a higher price at the co-op. So, I commented that ‘God works in amazing ways.’ He simply said, “Yup.”
On Oct. 15-16, I gathered with the clergy of the diocese at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar for our annual fall Clergy Days. During prayer, we prayed the words from the Prophet Isaiah, “No more shall you be called ‘Forsaken,’ nor your land called ‘Desolate,’ But you shall be called ‘My Delight is in her,’ and your land ‘Espoused.’ For the LORD delights in you, and
your land shall be espoused” (Isa 62:4).
Through this scripture reading, the Lord passionately communicated to the Israelites that in his covenant relationship with them, the land would produce in abundance as they lived in right relationship with God and one another. The words of Isaiah are so intense that the land given to them is in such close relationship that it is considered espoused. It is an intimate relationship of love that is life-giving in many ways. Even nature responds in abundance. I see this same dynamic lived out in the lives of farmers in the diocese.
Mass of Thanksgiving Recently, on a wind-chilled September morning, Tom and Patti Hayes hosted a Harvest Mass at their farm in rural Lafayette,
Minn. I had the honor of offering this Mass in thanksgiving for the harvest. I was most impressed that over 50 men, women, and children came to Mass, including farmers who paused their fall harvest work to offer thanks to God. We prayed for an abundant and safe harvest and enjoyed a hearty breakfast following. The conversation truly reflected a living covenant that these farmers have with God and one another united in their Catholic faith – a profound witness of God “espousing” the land in the Diocese of New Ulm.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to our farmers for their tireless work feeding our community, state, nation, and world. Their dedication and faith are an inspiration to us all, and I am truly grateful for their invaluable contributions.
Yes, “there is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). And, amidst these everturning and changing seasons, it is a great joy to live, breathe, and work under the watchful care of God in the Diocese of New Ulm. His presence is felt in the fields, in the hearts of our farmers, and in the faith that sustains us all.
Editor’s note: The bishop’s upcoming schedule is online. Visit www.dnu.org/bishop.
Bishop Zielinski on the passing of Monsignor John Richter
On Oct. 24, 2024, I had the joy and honor of celebrating Mass at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye, Minn, where the late Monsignor John Richter had resided and served as chaplain for the past seven years. This particular day was the Feast Day of St. Louis Guanella, the founder of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, who serve at the care center.
I began my homily by noting that it was no coincidence that Monsignor Richter was called home to the hands of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the day prior, Oct. 23. Perhaps this was the third official miracle that can be attributed to the intercession of Fr. Guanella; a divine intervention so Monsignor Richter could celebrate this beloved feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
That day, Sr. Sharon Williams, DSMP, shared that Monsignor was a “Guanellian at heart.” She spoke about how his very presence at the residence and a shorter-than-average “911 call response” to any emergency at the care center touched the lives of countless souls as he prayed with them during the last hours of their earthly journey.
Shortly after my installation as bishop of New Ulm in 2022, I visited Monsignor Richter at Divine Providence. He spoke of the home and the residents like he was their father and they were his beloved children. I was immediately taken by his love for the priesthood and personal sacrifice in ministry during the last years of his life to those who suffered with end of life issues. He vowed to do his part to walk this
sacred journey with them.
Monsignor Richter marked 60 years as a priest this past February. A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated in his honor on Feb. 18 at the Church of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye. Some months prior, he reached out to me and asked if I would be the celebrant of the Mass. Knowing and hearing from others that he was a great preacher, I said, “Monsignor Richter, I would be honored to be the celebrant, and I am assuming you will preach.”
“Absolutely not!” he said. “I want you to preach. I do not want you to mention anything about me but talk about the beauty of the priesthood.”
Monsignor’s intense humility, as evidenced by his request for the
focus of the Mass to be on the beauty of the priesthood rather than on himself, was a testament to his selflessness. It truly captured the priestly heart of Monsignor John Richter.
His love for the Eucharist was profound. It was the cornerstone of his life and he found great joy in offering his life in sacrifice through the sacraments. This joy was evident in his every action and word, which he shared with all those he ministered to.
When I reflect on Monsignor’s passing, the words of Matthew 25:21 come to mind, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
May he rest in the peace of Christ.
(Photo by Christine Clancy)
Welcome Fr. Beschi Savarimuthu!
Benedictine from India serving Christ the King AFC
Upon the recommendation of the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Chad Zielinski has assigned Fr. Beschi Savarimuthu, OSB as parochial vicar (associate pastor) of the Christ the King Area Faith Community (St. Peter, Canby; Ss. Peter & Paul, Ivanhoe; St. Genevieve, Lake Benton; St. Leo,
St. Leo; St. Dionysius, Tyler; and St. John Cantius, Wilno), effective Oct. 14, 2024.
Fr. Beschi, a monk of the Asirvanam Benedictine Monastery in the Archdiocese of Bangalore, India, is a man of deep learning. He entered the monastery at 17, receiving his monastic formation and completing his philosophical and theological studies.
He graduated from Karnataka State Open University in Mysore with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Education, and Philosophy and a master’s in English Literature.
Fr. Beschi speaks five Indian languages and has a working knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He has also completed two levels of Spanish.
More than 100 years after
Following his ordination to the priesthood on Jan. 28, 2006, he served the monastery in various capacities.
As a Benedictine, Fr. Beschi firmly believes that his primary pastoral concern is to bring people closer to God through meaningful celebrations of the liturgy. “I am very eager and excited to render my pastoral service in the Diocese of New Ulm with rich and varied experiences and a lot of optimism,” he said.
For a listing of all the priests and permanent deacons and where they are currently serving in the Diocese of New Ulm, visit the diocesan website, www.dnu.org/ clergy.
Fatima, New Ulm area Knights promote similar message
by Christine Clancy
The Prairie Catholic
NEW ULM – In October, more than 100 years after the Marian apparitions in Fatima, Catholics across the United States geared up to commemorate the anniversary with public square rosary rallies. Locally, a remarkable display of faith, public action, and devotion unfolded in New Ulm.
As part of America Needs Fatima’s Public Square Rosary Rally campaign, a significant initiative that aims to promote public prayer and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, a Public Square Rosary Crusade, arranged by the New Ulm
area Knights of Columbus, was held at noon on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in the parking area of the Diocesan Pastoral Center in New Ulm. Over 40 Christian faithful, united in their devotion, joined New Ulm’s bishop Chad Zielinski to pray the Rosary, seeking Our Lady of Fatima’s intercession for our nation.
The Rosary rally event was not just local, but it also marked a historic milestone on a national scale. A record-breaking 22,662 Rosary rallies were held nationwide, a testament to the unwavering faith and devotion of Catholics.
“An amazing network is forming
to honor the Mother of God and to pray for the conversion of America,” said Robert Ritchie, executive director of America Needs Fatima. “It’s important to remember that Our Lady of Fatima appeared asking mankind to stop offending God in order to avert punishment. She asked for prayer, penance, and amendment of life. However, God continues to be offended. Just consider how abortion, pornography, blasphemy, and sins against nature are so widespread.”
“If anything can reverse the moral crisis in society, it’s the power of the Rosary,” he said.
Faithful servant Monsignor John Richter dies at age 86
Monsignor John Richter, a tireless and faithful servant known for being a generous supporter and tenacious advocate for Catholic education, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, following a brief battle with cancer. He was 86.
The visitation was held the night before the funeral with an honor guard by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, who also led the Rosary.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop Chad Zielinski on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Church of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye. Burial was in the Church of St. Mary cemetery in Bird Island, Minn.
Born and raised in Bird Island, Monsignor Richter was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 22, 1964, by Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler at the Church of St. Mary in Bird Island. Following ordination, his first assignment was at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, with teaching duties at Cathedral High School. He then went on to serve the parish communities of Hutchinson, Montevideo, Madison, Canby, Sleepy Eye (while also serving as superintendent of St. Mary’s Catholic School and chaplain of Divine Providence Home in
Sleepy Eye), Wabasso, Seaforth, Lucan, Wanda, and Searles.
In 2002, he returned to the Cathedral in New Ulm, where he served as rector for 13 years until 2015.
In 2015, he was assigned as senior associate pastor at the Cathedral and assisted in the Holy Cross Area Faith Community (New Ulm, Searles, Lafayette, West Newton Township).
On Sept. 14, 2005, he was named Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of “Monsignor” by Pope Benedict XVI.
On the diocesan level, Monsignor Richter served as diocesan director of Vocations and the Bishop’s Liaison to the Charismatic Renewal and on various diocesan committees.
Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, second bishop of New Ulm, presented him with the Diocesan Distinguished Service Award in 1998, in recognition of his “faithful ministry and effective educational leadership.”
On behalf of his exceptional service and dedication to the Catholic Church, he was inducted into the prestigious Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame on May 23, 2019.
Monsignor Richter retired from activity ministry in 2017 but continued his priestly service, serving as chaplain at the Divine Providence Community Home/ Lake Villa Maria in Sleepy Eye until his illness would no longer allow it.
Watch for special coverage of the life of Monsignor John Richter in the December 2024 Prairie Catholic.
Statement of ownership, management, circulation
During the 2023-2024 publishing year, The Prairie Catholic was published every six weeks, September – June resulting in seven issues. Location of the office of publication and general business office of the publisher, Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073-2071. The editor is Christine E. Clancy, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 560732071. The Prairie Catholic, the publication of a non-profit organization, is authorized to mail at special rates, according to Section 411.3 DMM postal regulation(s). The Prairie Catholic accepts advertising only by invitation.
Fr. Beschi Savarimuthu
Over 40 people gathered on Oct. 12 outside the Diocesan Pastoral Center in New Ulm to pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima for the conversion of our nation. (Photo by Dave Baker)
Monsignor John Richter
por Bishop Chad Zielinski
Para todo hay tiempo
Mientras celebraba mi primer cumpleaños el 8 de septiembre de 1965, un grupo estadounidense de folk rock, The Byrds, adaptó una canción internacional de éxito, ¡Turn! Turn! Turn! (Gira, gira, gira. Para todo hay una temporada).
De hecho, el artista original es el autor del Libro de Eclesiastés. La canción recuerda Eclesiastés 3:1-11, ya que las palabras nos sumergen en la realidad de las estaciones cambiantes: “gira, gira, gira... para todo hay una temporada”. El autor de Eclesiastés nos lleva en una montaña rusa de los aparentemente irreconciliables opuestos de la vida que vienen con el flujo y reflujo y el cambio de cada temporada.
Al observar las estaciones cambiantes en los 15 condados que componen la Diócesis de New Ulm, mi mente se dirige a las palabras de Eclesiastés, que capturan la esencia misma del agricultor.
En el momento de mi instalación como su obispo hace dos años, el 27 de septiembre, la cosecha apenas comenzaba. Tuve la oportunidad de montar en una cosechadora de maíz. La última vez que había estado en maquinaria agrícola seria fue 30 años antes. ¡Vaya, la tecnología realmente ha cambiado! Esta enorme máquina se parecía al cockpit más actualizado de un avión moderno. Recuerdo cómo el agricultor exclamó con alegría: “¡Esta fue una cosecha abundante que no se había visto en años!”
Conocer a los agricultores de nuestra diócesis me inspira continuamente por su inquebrantable resiliencia. Cada año, se arriesgan valientemente en cuanto a los cultivos que se sembrarán, preguntándose qué traerá el pronóstico en las semanas y meses siguientes. Construyen relaciones y confianza con la
Para que tengan vida
empresa de semillas, el productor de fertilizantes y el agrónomo, quienes realizan diagnósticos del contenido del suelo para asegurar el mejor rendimiento. La resiliencia de los agricultores frente a tal incertidumbre es realmente inspiradora.
Mientras estos granjeros, administradores de la tierra conversan después de la Misa, sus discusiones a menudo giran en torno al crecimiento de sus cultivos, las plagas que los amenazan y la lista de desafíos que enfrentan. A pesar del apoyo de relaciones críticas y tecnología avanzada, siempre hay un elemento de entrega. Estos agricultores, que son personas de fe, saben por generaciones pasadas que “Hay un tiempo señalado para todo y un tiempo para cada asunto bajo el cielo” (Eclesiastés 3:1). Su fe no es solo una creencia, sino una fuente de fuerza y tranquilidad frente a la incertidumbre.
Dios está a cargo de todos los asuntos bajo los cielos. Quizás recuerden que, en el verano de 2023, pedí que recemos una novena por lluvia. Y esta primavera, oramos para que dejara de llover, ya que el agua inundó los campos y ríos. Solo puedo imaginar la ansiedad y preocupación que esto creó para los agricultores.
Hace unas semanas, volví a montar en una cosechadora de maíz en la zona rural de New Ulm. Le pregunté al agricultor cómo resultaron los cultivos debido a la primavera muy húmeda. Me dijo que es asombroso que, con todos los días sin lluvia y temperaturas más altas de lo normal, el maíz se ha secado naturalmente, produciendo un precio más alto en la cooperativa. Así que comenté que “Dios trabaja de maneras asombrosas”. Él simplemente dijo: “Sí”.
Del 15 al 16 de octubre, me reuní con el clero de la diócesis en la Iglesia de Santa María en Willmar para nuestros Días de Clérigos anuales de otoño. Durante la oración, recitamos las palabras del Profeta Isaías: “Nunca más te llamarán ‘Desamparada’, ni tu tierra será llamada ‘Desolada’, sino que serás llamada ‘Mi deleite está en ella’, y tu tierra ‘Desposada’. Porque el SEÑOR se deleita en ti, y tu tierra será desposada” (Isaías 62:4). A
través de esta lectura de las Escrituras, el Señor comunicó apasionadamente a los israelitas que, en su relación de pacto con ellos, la tierra produciría en abundancia a medida que vivieran en una relación correcta con Dios y entre ellos. Las palabras de Isaías son tan intensas que la tierra que se les dio está en una relación tan cercana que se considera desposada. Es una relación íntima de amor que da vida de muchas maneras. Incluso la naturaleza responde con abundancia. Veo esta misma dinámica en las vidas de los agricultores de la diócesis.
Misa de Acción de Gracias Recientemente, en una mañana de septiembre un poco fría por el viento, Tom y Patti Hayes organizaron una Misa de Cosecha en su granja en la zona rural de Lafayette, Minnesota. Tuve el honor de ofrecer esta Misa en acción de gracias por la cosecha. Me impresionó mucho que más de 50 hombres, mujeres y niños vinieran a la Misa, incluidos agricultores que hicieron una pausa en su trabajo de cosecha de otoño para dar gracias a Dios. Oramos por una cosecha abundante y segura. Se disfrutó de un desayuno abundante después de la Misa. La conversación realmente reflejó un pacto vivo que estos agricultores tienen con Dios y entre ellos, unidos en su fe católica, un testimonio profundo de cómo Dios “desposa” la tierra en la Diócesis de New Ulm. Extiendo mi más sincero agradecimiento a nuestros agricultores por su incansable trabajo alimentando a nuestra comunidad, estado, nación y mundo. Su dedicación y fe son una inspiración para todos nosotros, y estoy verdaderamente agradecido por sus valiosas contribuciones.
Sí, “hay un tiempo señalado para todo, y un tiempo para cada asunto bajo el cielo. Un tiempo para dar a luz, y un tiempo para morir; un tiempo para sembrar, y un tiempo para arrancar la planta” (Eclesiastés 3:1-2). Y, en medio de estas temporadas siempre cambiantes y giratorias, es una gran alegría vivir, respirar y trabajar bajo el cuidado vigilante de Dios en la Diócesis de New Ulm. Su presencia se siente en los campos, en los corazones de nuestros agricultores y en la fe que nos sostiene a todos.
Pope Francis’ new encyclical invites faithful to open their hearts to the love of Christ
WASHINGTON – Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can open our hearts to the discovery of “the immense love of the heart of Christ,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quoting Pope Francis’ 28,000word encyclical letter released by the Vatican on Oct. 24, 2024.
Archbishop Broglio’s reflection on Dilexit Nos follows:
“The ills of modern society can read like a litany of uncurable diseases: consumerism, secularism, partisanism. Today, Pope Francis offers a simple and powerful cure: the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In his latest encyclical Dilexit Nos, the Holy Father teaches us that devotion to the heart of Jesus can open our own hearts to renewed ways we can love and be loved. We need this timely counsel.
“Within this devotion, we encounter the living heart of Jesus and the power to bring us together as children of God. Pope Francis writes, ‘love, in the end, is the one reality that can unify.’ This is why he says, ‘all of us need to rediscover the importance of the heart.’ Our Holy Father’s
Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse or exploitation by a cleric of the Diocese of New Ulm should immediately report such misconduct to local law enforcement. They are encouraged to contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator or the Bishop’s Delegate in Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073, phone: 507-233-5313, for counseling or assistance, if that is desired.
message affirms a message of our own National Eucharistic Revival that in the Eucharist we discover ‘the immense love of the heart of Christ.’
“I invite you to spend time in prayer with this moving letter from the Holy Father. As he writes, ‘Jesus is now waiting for you to give him the chance to bring light to your life.’ Then, share that light in service to others. ‘Speak of Christ, by witness or by word, in such a way that others seek to love him,’ Pope Francis encourages us.”
Read Catholic News Service’s story on Dilexit Nos. Visit www. usccb.org/news/2024/only-lovewill-save-humanity-pope-saysencyclical-sacred-heart.
Toda persona que fue víctima de abuso o explotación sexual por parte de un clérigo de la Diócesis de New Ulm debe reportar dicha mala conducta a las autoridades policiales inmediatamente. Se les exhort ponerse en contacto con el Coordinador de Asistencia para victimas o el Delegado del Obispo en cuestiones sobre el mal comportamiento sexual, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073, teléfono: 507-233-5313, hay consejería o asistencia disponible si así lo desea.
Over 200 gather in New Ulm for annual Friends of San Lucas Gala Chuck Spaeth of Sleepy Eye recognized for his years of service to Mission in Guatemala
by Britt Kellerman, FOSL Executive Director
NEW ULM – Over 200 guests attended the 2024 Friends of San Lucas Gala held Sept. 28, 2024, at the Royal Oak Event Center in New Ulm. This was the third gala hosted in New Ulm, considered the birthplace of stateside support for the San Lucas Mission in Guatemala, co-founded in the 1960s by the late Monsignor Greg Schaffer, a priest of the Diocese of New Ulm.
Today, the Mission is run by the native people and funded by the nonprofit Friends of San Lucas (FOSL) in the United States — including many faithful donors in the New Ulm diocese.
This year, the gala paid tribute to Chuck Spaeth, a member of the Church of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye. Spaeth’s unwavering dedication, volunteering countless hours for over ten years to promote and transport Café Juan Ana, a
Guatemalan coffee sold in the U.S. to help support the health, education, and livelihood of Guatemalan coffee growers and their families. His service on the FOSL Board of Directors for several years further exemplified his commitment.
“I don’t know what we would have done without his care and concern for the coffee program as well as all the physical labor it has taken to handle 40,000-45,000 pounds of coffee each year,” said Arch Mrkvicka, former executive director of FOSL and co-emcee of the gala.
“The work that Chuck has done has been an immense help… to the Mission, and that’s saying nothing about the immeasurable amount that he has personally incurred without requesting any reimbursement. We are so blessed and grateful for all he has done to make our sales and distribution of Café Juan Ana seamless and productive.”
For more than 10 years, Chuck Spaeth, a member of the Church of St. Mary’s in Sleepy Eye, has volunteered countless hours to transport and promote Café Juan Ana out of his car dealerships in New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. (photo submitted)
Spaeth’s late wife, Kathy, who passed away in 2023, was also recognized. The outpouring of support from friends and family, who donated to the Mission’s coffee program in her memory, was a testament to the strong
Just as this summer’s Eucharistic Revival pilgrimage from the four corners of the United States to Indianapolis united Catholics, the Diocese of New Ulm is planning a parallel pilgrimage and Eucharistic procession for the summer of 2025. Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Stay connected with the Diocese of New Ulm website www.dnu.org and our Facebook page to stay on top of the latest updates and learn how you can get involved.
NEW ULM – On Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, the Diocese of New Ulm Office of Schools hosted a significant gathering at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in New Ulm. The event was specifically designed for the principals and pastors of the 13 Catholic schools in the diocese, underscoring the importance of their roles in our parish communities.
Following the celebration of Mass and a few remarks by Bishop Zielinski, the day’s focus was on learning about best practices for good partnerships and strategies for effective financial management of schools.
community bond.
The funds raised have since purchased a coffee sorting machine at the Mission which bears her name, a lasting tribute to her and the community’s support.
The evening also included a special prayer from New Ulm’s bishop Chad Zielinski, a silent auction, a catered meal, and a Q&A with the director of Café Juan Ana Edy Morales, who traveled from Guatemala to speak at the event.
In total, the gala was a resounding success, a testament to the unwavering dedication and support. The event raised more than $325,000 for the Mission, a significant achievement that will greatly benefit the Mission’s initiatives.
To learn more about the Mission, donate, or plan a trip, visit sanlucasmission.org.
For photos and a recap of the Gala event visit sanlucasmission. org/2024-new-ulm-gala-recap/
Rangaard (front-left), principal of St. Peter
School in Canby, converses with her school’s parish
Also pictured is Peter
principal of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sleepy Eye, and the school’s parish pastor, Fr. Craig Timmerman.
The discussion was led by Steve Hoeppner, vice president of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, where his primary focus is education, which involves researching grant opportunities, visiting with potential grantees, making grant recommendations to the Foundation’s board of trustees, and ensuring that grants to educational institutions produce meaningful results.
Hoeppner, a native of the Twin Cities, brought a wealth of knowledge about Catholic schools to the gathering, having worked with every Catholic school in the state of Minnesota through his work with the Catholic School Center of Excellence and the Schulze Family Foundation.
Lori
Catholic
pastor, Fr. Brendan Rolling.
Roufs, (left)
(Photo by Christy Baker)
Diocesan Ministries Appeal - transforming lives, securing the future
DIOCESE of NEW ULM
Diocesan Ministries Appeal
Our Mission in Christ
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
For the past 18 years, the Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA) has brought hope for the future and made an incredible difference in the lives of those in our parishes and beyond. This is a testament to our collective strength as a diocese and the power of our faith.
Through the DMA, our efforts have played a vital role in supporting our seminarians and deacon candidates as they prepare for ordination. The appeal has also addressed the increasing needs of the less fortunate through various programs and ministries, providing disaster relief and fighting poverty locally. The DMA has been instrumental in maintaining a strong Catholic identity in our schools and countering harmful ideologies that threaten our children. Your financial support allows the diocese to continue to promote rural advocacy and faithful citizenship, offer marriage, family, and individual counseling services, and protect life and human dignity through pregnancy support, Natural Family Planning, and educational resources on pro-life and end-of-life issues.
The Diocesan Ministries Appeal offers a unique and special opportunity for you to support instrumental ministries that profoundly impact our diocese and parish communities. Your contribution to the DMA, regardless of its size, is invaluable. Your support genuinely builds the Church right here in the Diocese of New Ulm.
Under the theme Our Mission in Christ, this year’s DMA kicks off in parishes the weekend of November 16 and 17. As your shepherd, I extend a warm and personal invitation to each one of you to take part in this crucial undertaking. Your participation is not just a contribution but a personal investment in the future of our diocese and parish communities.
Through our shared support, we are making a significant difference in the lives of thousands each year through the services and programs the Diocesan Ministries Appeal offers.
Sincerely in Christ,
The
Most
Rev. Chad W. Zielinski Bishop of New Ulm
Ways to Give
You can give through IRA Charitable Rollovers, Donor Advised Funds, gi s of grain, or gi s of securities, as well as by check or credit card.
Learn More
Track DMA parish summaries OR watch the 2024 DMA video at: www.dnu.org/dma
Help us meet our $1.3 million goal
2024 DMA provides funding for nine vital ministries
Catholic Charities offers counseling services to individuals, couples, and families, regardless of financial status. This support extends to emergency and crisis response, with approximately 1,300 people benefiting from these services annually.
Catholic Schools provide consultation, guidance, and formation to pastoral, leadership, and teaching faculties of the 13 Catholic schools in the diocese, thereby helping to build a strong foundation for our students’ spiritual and academic growth.
Youth Ministry is dedicated to engaging and supporting the youth and young adults in our parish communities. It provides impactful programming on the diocesan and parish levels, along with training and formation for those who work with young people.
Diaconate helps support the formation of permanent deacons for ministry in parishes throughout the diocese.
Evangelization, a vital part of our mission, assists the bishop in implementing initiatives focused on evangelization, missionary discipleship, and Eucharistic Revival on the diocesan and parish levels.
Family Life promotes initiatives to strengthen marriage and family through education on Natural Family Planning, Theology of the Body, chastity education, rural advocacy, faithful citizenship, and end-of-life decisions.
Vocations accompanies and encourages men and women to find their vocations and ensures the continued formation of seminarians who will become our next generation of priests.
Social Concerns provides resources for social justice education and advocacy. The office serves as a liaison to state and national programs of the United States Catholic bishops and is responsible for implementing those programs locally within the diocese.
Healing Ministry provides confidential prayer ministry to assist people with spiritual and emotional healing.
Did you know?
20% of your DMA gift goes to a parish of your choice.
Neumanns serving as 2024 DMA chair couple
WINSTED – Joe and Melissa Neumann, members of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Winsted, are the 2024 honorary DMA chair couple. Long-time appeal supporters, the couple is deeply grateful for the abundant blessings they received from the DMA in return. “It is this sense of gratitude that compels us to give back to our parish,” expressed the Neumanns. “Whether through volunteering or financial support, we feel a strong calling to contribute, and we are confident that our contributions are making a tangible difference, supporting outreach programs and education initiatives that we deeply believe in and that are crucial to our Catholic identity.”
Celebrate Vocations Awareness Week - November 3-9
St. Leo, Minnesota native enters religious life
Out of an ordinary home grow seeds of faith
by Deacon Ryan Pope Prairie Catholic correspondent
Living a life filled with the usual family activities, Peter and Patricia U’Ren, members of the Church of St. Catherine in Redwood Falls, didn’t initially realize the extent of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in their lives. Their days were packed with the typical tasks of raising children, managing school commitments, and balancing work responsibilities. Little did they know, a divine plan was unfolding.
by Katie Roiger Prairie Catholic correspondent
The story of religious callings in movies and literature can seem inherently dramatic. From the story of St. Francis of Assisi hearing a voice from a crucifix to the struggles of St. Frances Cabrini, as depicted in a recent theatrical release, it might appear that God only reveals vocations with thunderclaps. Most religious vocations, however, happen as naturally as building a relationship with a lifelong friend. Dana Kraus of St. Leo, Minn., now Sr. Mara Immaculata of the Sisters of Life, is proof of this.
“It came slowly,” said Kraus, reflecting on her journey towards a religious vocation. She first expressed to her parents her interest in becoming a religious sister after a Pro-Life rally in high school, but it was by no means a thunderclap moment.
“It wasn’t until college when I really encountered the love and mercy of Jesus in a personal way through the sacrament of Reconciliation,” she added.
Kraus continued exploring this relationship after college while working for major financial institutions. “I had this restlessness that the Lord wanted more,” she said but laughed when she remembered the doubts she had at the beginning of her journey. “When I was young, I didn’t even think that people became sisters anymore!”
(Photo submitted)
Her mother, Jeanne Kraus, said that she and her husband, James, expressed a few concerns when they first heard about their daughter’s interest in joining a religious order but were reassured by seeing the impact that her discernment had on her faith.
“It has been good to see her grow closer to God,” Jeanne said, adding that she and James’s faith lives have also been positively impacted. “We have learned a lot about the Catholic faith and learned about where some of the customs and traditions have originated from.”
In 2020, Kraus flew to New York to visit the Sisters of Life’s convent. While she was there, the country began to lockdown over the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I was on my phone for ten days,” Kraus remembered. “I called my parents, saying, ‘Everything is shutting down in New York!’” Despite the rocky circumstances surrounding the visit, she eventually made it home and concluded that the Sisters of Life was the order God was calling her to join.
On June 24, 2023, Kraus took first vows and received a new name, Sr. Mara Immaculata. She was assigned to the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan, N.Y., a convent that is particularly unique to the Sisters of Life as it welcomes expecting mothers who
(Continued on page 11.)
Noah, the youngest of the U’Rens four children, was raised in a household that valued prayer and church attendance. However, Peter and Patricia credit the life of the Church for their son’s interest in becoming a priest. “He always held the Mass in the highest esteem; he would be an altar server often,” said Patricia.
The U’Rens would tell you Noah has always been quiet and more reserved. “But you don’t know what all is going on inside [of your child],” said Patricia.
“There was a time when we wondered what would become of this kid who played video games late into the night, just like any other parent would,” Peter quipped.
But, looking back, Peter recalled that when Noah served at Mass at his father’s funeral, Monsignor John Richter asked his son if he thought about the priesthood. “This seemed to open Noah up to that possibility,” said Peter.
Patricia added that in 2017, Fr. Mark Steffl shared a book with Noah about Our Lady of Fatima on the 100th anniversary of her apparitions. “It changed his life,” said Patricia.
As Noah was considering seminary, his parents noted that he was bashful about telling those around him. “Even his siblings didn’t understand why anyone would choose the priesthood at first,” said Patricia.
However, Noah’s spiritual growth over the years has been a source of inspiration for both Peter and Patricia’s own faith journey. They found that as his spirituality changed, their faith and practice of the faith grew.
Witnessing the Holy Spirit at work, the U’Rens take immense pride and joy in their son’s decision to become a priest. “I was amazed to see how when Noah was challenged about his faith, he listened, softly responded, and brought in the faith with gentle, respectful discourse,” Peter said, his voice filled with admiration and inspiration.
Since Noah announced that he would be entering the seminary, the U’Rens have received much support. “People come up to us all the time and say, ‘You must be so proud,’” said Peter. “But that’s not what we feel. We want to say that we raised and fed Noah; God called him to be a priest. . .”
Patricia said it is humbling to be a parent to all of their kids, but “It takes prayer, courage, and sacrifice to have a son who chose God’s call to seminary.”
When Noah first entered the seminary, the U’rens received the book A Priest in the Family, which the couple found helpful. But nothing completely prepares a parent for how much their son
Patricia and Peter U’Ren are members of the Church of St. Catherine’s in Redwood Falls. Their son, Noah entered the seminary in 2021. He is currently a Senior at Saint John Vianney College Seminary.
submitted)
won’t be around. “It’s almost like he is plucked out of our family,” said Patricia, but also said there is joy in getting to know the other seminarians and their families, bonding over the differences and uniqueness of each of the boys, and hearing everyone’s story.
Peter added that during the summer, Noah worked construction at the family business, Everstrong Construction. “That’s all changed now,” said Peter. “But just like any other parent whose kid is off to college, that’s part of the sacrifice; he has to find his purpose and call. He has had opportunities now that some may not ever experience, like his studies in Rome,” he said.
Although the U’Rens are thankful for all the prayers from family, friends, and parishioners, they highly encourage everyone to keep praying for vocations for the whole diocese. “Yes, it’s a sacrifice to give Noah to the Church,” said Peter. “But we have a blessing in him and in his prayer life, and the blessings are greater than the sacrifice.”
Collins is newest seminarian
Matthew Collins has been accepted as the newest seminarian for the Diocese of New Ulm as announced by Bishop Chad Zielinski in August. He is the son of Steven and Lisa Collins of De Graff, Minn., who are members of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Murdock. Collins entered the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul this fall for a year of formation called the Propaedeutic Spirituality Stage. Please keep Matthew and all of our seminarians in your prayers.
Thinking about a priestly or religious vocation? Contact Fr. Brendan Rolling, brolling@dnu.org, 507-233-5331.
Sr. Mara Immaculata is pictured with Fr. Craig Timmerman during a recent visit home to St. Leo, Minn. this summer. Fr. Timmerman served St. Leo from 2009-2020.
(Photo
Advent - a time to prepare for the coming of Christ
by Catholic News Agency
Advent begins this year on Sunday, Dec. 1. Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Advent involves a wreath with candles, possibly a “calendar” of hidden chocolates, and untangling strings of Christmas lights. But Advent is much more than that. Here is an explainer of what Advent is really about.
What is Advent?
The people of Israel waited for generations for the promised Messiah to arrive. Their poetry, their songs and stories, and their religious worship focused on an awaited savior who would come to them to set them free from captivity and to lead them to the fulfillment of all that God had promised.
Israel longed for a Messiah, and John the Baptist, who came before Jesus, promised that the Messiah was coming and could be found in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
Advent is a season in the Church’s life intended to renew the experience of waiting and longing for the Messiah. Though Christ has already come into the world, the Church invites us to renew our
desire for the Lord more deeply in our lives and to renew our desire for Christ’s triumphant second coming into the world.
Advent is the time in which we prepare for Christmas, the memorial of Jesus Christ being born into the world. Preparations are practical, like decorating trees and gift giving, but they’re also intended to be spiritual.
During Advent, we’re invited to enter more frequently into silence, into prayer and reflection, into Scripture, and into the sacramental life of the Church – all to prepare for celebrating Christmas.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says the goal of Advent is to make present for ourselves and our families the “ancient expectancy of the Messiah ... by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming.”
What does the word Advent mean?
Advent comes from the Latin “ad + venire,” which means, essentially, “to come to” or “to come toward.” “Ad + venire” is the root of the Latin “adventus,” which means “arrival.”
So Advent is the season of arrival: the arrival of Christ in our hearts, in the world, and into God’s extraordinary plan for our salvation.
So, it’s four weeks long?
Advent is a slightly different length each year. It starts four Sundays before Christmas. But because Christmas is on a fixed date, and could fall on different days of the week, Advent can be as short as three weeks and a day (like it is this year), or as long as four weeks.
Is Advent the ‘new year’?
The Church’s feasts and celebrations run on a yearlong cycle, which we call the “liturgical year.” The “liturgical year” starts on the first Sunday of Advent. So it’s a new liturgical year when Advent starts. But the Church also uses the ordinary calendar, so it would probably be a bit weird to have a “New Year’s Eve” party the night before Advent starts.
Advent wreaths: Where do they come from?
The Catholic Church has been using Advent wreaths since the Middle Ages. Lighting candles as we prepare for Christmas reminds us that Christ is the light of the world. And the evergreen boughs remind us of new and eternal life in Christ, the eternal son of the Father.
It is definitely true that Germanic people were lighting up candle wreaths in wintertime long before the Gospel arrived in their homeland. They did so
AdventServicePrayer
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 1:30 PM Church of St. Anastasia
Christian symbol emerged from that tradition is an indication that the Gospel can be expressed through the language, customs, and symbols of cultures that come to believe that Christ Jesus is Lord.
One candle is pink – why?
There are four candles on the Advent wreath. Three are purple and lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, which we call Gaudete Sunday. On that Sunday, in addition to the pink candle, the priest wears a pink vestment, which he might refer to as “rose.”
Gaudete is a word that means
RCIA is now ‘OCIA’: What’s behind the name change?
by Fr. Tanner Thooft
Over the past number of years, the Church in the United States, through the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has sought to revise and update many of the ritual texts used for liturgical worship. Most notable was the update to the Roman Missal in 2011. This update, albeit rather simple in its scope, sought to retranslate and update a number of the responses within the dialogue of the Mass, as well as make minor alterations to a number of its prayers to more closely reflect the original Latin text.
These changes to the Roman Missal, which notably affected the Mass, were not isolated events. The process of revising and updating many of the other liturgical texts used by the Church
in her liturgical worship has been ongoing over the past years. For instance, the Order of Celebrating Matrimony and the Order of Confirmation were updated in 2016, followed by the Order of Christian Funerals in 2019, and the Order of Baptism of Children in 2020. Most recently, this year, the Church has released the updated ritual texts for Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass and the new Order of Christian Initiation.
liturgical rites.
These practical changes, however, are not just about updating the current text. They are a
must always be viewed within the context of the whole order of one’s life.
While the rites remain the same in OCIA as they were in RCIA, the use of the word "Order" emphasizes the continual development candidates and catechumens go through in the faith formation process.
Although these changes might not be as recognizable within the daily life of the faithful, they are all motivated by the same rationale to provide a more accurate and faithful rendering of the original Latin text, ensuring clarity and consistency in the Church’s
reflection of a deeper theological understanding that these rites should not be limited to singular instances within the life of the faithful. Instead, they are a recognition that God’s grace is active throughout the Christian life. The shift in title for these texts, from Rite to Order, reflects an internal shift in understanding, signifying that the liturgical rite
When we think of our Baptism, for example, we tend to think of the moment of the ritual when the water is poured over our head, and the minister says the words, “I Baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Indeed, this particular moment, in which we receive freedom from Original Sin and the Indelible Mark on our soul, which makes us a member of the Body of Christ and the Church, is a critical moment in the life of each Christian.
Yet the ritual of Baptism is not only focused on this particular moment of grace. Instead, the rite also reminds all present that this
are halfway through Advent. Some people have the custom of throwing Gaudete parties, and this is also a day on which Christmas carolers may begin caroling doorto-door.
The three purple candles are sometimes said to represent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving –the three spiritual disciplines that are key to a fruitful Advent.
Advent is our chance to begin again; to start the new Church year with the longing for God that leads to Bethlehem, to our own renewal, and to the conversion of the world.
is only the beginning of one’s life in Christ, which must be sustained within the sacramental life of the Church and through personal conversion, configuring us more deeply to that life of grace that has begun within us. Consequently, parents and godparents, along with the baptized, undertake the sacred responsibility to “strive to bring [the baptized] up in the faith, so that this divine life may be preserved from the contagion of sin, and may grow in [the baptized] day by day.”
This is a reminder to all present that although the unrepeatable ritual of the sacrament takes place within a singular moment, the responsibilities and effects of that
(Continued on Page 9.)
Diocese represented in Oklahoma City
by Sharon Illikman NUDCCW president
The Council of Catholic Women of Oklahoma City and Tulsa hosted the 104th National Council of Catholic Women Convention held August 13-17, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
Hundreds of Catholic women from across the United States attended, including six women from the Diocese of New Ulm along with Msgr. Eugene Lozinski, New Ulm diocese’s CCW spiritual advisor.
The convention was guided by the theme, ‘Called to an Encounter with Jesus,’ a powerful reminder that we are all on a shared spiritual journey, encouraging us to continue to encounter Jesus and share our faith stories with others.
Attending the National Convention are: Msgr. Eugene Lozinski, (NUDCCW spiritual advisor), Marianne Schotzko, Comfrey, Donna Sanders, Cottonwood, Sharon Illikman, New Ulm (NUDCCW president), Shirley Nowak, Silver Lake (NUDCCW Parliamentarian and Resource & Guidance), Arlyce Anderson, North Mankato, and the new NCCW treasurer, Barb Mathiowetz, Olivia. (Photo submitted)
Year of Mission
A call to action for all Catholics
by Leonard Gutierrez
During this Eucharistic Revival – Year of Mission, we are encouraged to invite one back into the family of God, the Catholic Church. We have heard about the number of those who do not believe in the Eucharist. We know about the rise of the unaffiliated group whom Bishop Robert Barron of Winona/Rochester refers to as the “Nones,” and sadly, we each can probably think of many people who no longer consider themselves Catholic.
Keynote speakers shared their personal stories and insights from the Bible, leaving a lasting impression on all who gathered.
Rite vs. Order
(Continued from page 8.)
sacrament are meant to order the whole of our life as we seek to activate those graces at each moment of every day. Furthermore, at the conclusion of the rite of Baptism, the ritual bears witness to the reality that Baptism doesn’t stand alone but is ordered towards the other rites of the Church. For this reason, it states, “Through Confirmation [the baptized] will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit and, approaching the altar of the Lord, [they] will share at the table of his sacrifice, and will call upon God as Father in the midst of the Church.”
This sacramental reality is similar to that of The Order of Celebrating Matrimony. For instance, one of the options for the opening greeting reminds the couple, “Today…you establish between yourselves a lifelong partnership,” calling to mind that although the rite establishes an unbreakable bond, that bond is ordered toward the whole of a life together. Likewise, the ritual for Marriage reflects the reality that this sacrament of Marriage is strengthened by the grace of Baptism, still active in the life of the couple when it states, “Through a special Sacrament, [Christ] enriches and strengthens
Those attending the convention witnessed our own Barb Mathiowetz as she was installed as the treasurer for the National CCW. A member of St. Aloysius
those he has already consecrated by Holy Baptism, that they may be faithful to each other forever.”
So too in the Order of Confirmation, when the bishop states, “Pray to God the almighty Father for these, his adopted sons and daughters, already born again to eternal life in Baptism that he will graciously pour out the Holy Spirit upon them…and conform them more fully to Christ”. And again the order for confirmation calls to mind that this greater configuration is ordered towards the whole of one’s life as it states in the petitions for those who have been confirmed, “For these his servants that…they may bear witness to Christ the Lord by their way of Life.”
Even the Order of Christian Funerals, which is not itself a sacrament but marks the conclusion of our earthly life, points back to the beginning of one’s life in Christ, which was begun at the moment of our Baptism when the ritual says, “In the waters of Baptism N. died with Christ and rose with him to new life. May [they] now share with him eternal glory.” However, when paired with the prayers for a funeral Mass, the reality
in Olivia, Barb serves as chair of the Diocese of New Ulm CCW scholarship committee and is NUDCCW’s past president.
that this shared life in Christ is not simply limited to our earthly pilgrimage but continues into eternal life becomes evident when we pray, “Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended.”
This most recent change from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) to the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) reflects the reality that one’s conversion doesn’t happen at a singular liturgical celebration, but rather that the Lord has been preparing, through the whole of their life, those he has brought to this concrete step in the continual conversion to which their whole life is ordered.
As the Church updates her liturgical texts to reflect this underpinning reality, may we too be moved to see the sacramental life of the Church not as isolated ritual moments of encounter with God’s Grace but rather concrete steps that remind and call us back to the continual conversion to which these rites are ordered.
Fr. Tanner Thooft serves as assistant to the Office of Worship for the Diocese of New Ulm.
In my column in the September The Prairie Catholic, I shared two tips to start your Year of Mission: pray boldly and specifically for God to put people in your life and spend time with them on their turf, knowing that your prayers have already paved the way for meaningful connections.
Evangelization is not a onetime event but an ongoing commitment. As we continue on this journey, it is important that we build meaningful relationships. By doing so, you may see how God consistently places the same people before you.
This task tends to be where many find themselves stuck. “Where do I go now, or what do I do now?”
The answers are endless and depend on the unique situation, but something worth noting is our mindset as we consider how we bring people back to Church. A common mindset is “I only need to preach the Gospel with deed” rather than by deed and word. This mindset can undermine what God can do through us has become prevalent in modern evangelization. Fear is often the reason for this, but poor example or teaching can be another.
St. Pope Paul VI reminds us in Evangelli Nuntiandi that “above all the Gospel must be proclaimed by witness… Through this wordless witness, these Christians stir up irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live.
“Nevertheless, this [witnessing] always remains insufficient because even the finest witness will prove ineffective in the long run if it is not explained, justified, and made explicit by a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the
One of the most consistent messages St. Pope John Paul II shared during his pontificate was to “be not afraid!” Be not afraid to give witness and be not afraid to give word to what Jesus has done for you!
Here are three ways you can use words to begin opening the conversation to greater depth as you walk with people.
First, ask people, “How can I pray for you?” Do this and watch how conversations and friendships blossom.
Secondly, show curiosity in disagreement. Sometimes, our brains and hearts become trained to believe disagreement is bad. But in the spirit of openmindedness and respect, we can use curiosity to bridge the gap. We want people to know Jesus, so what do we say when someone says something contrary to our beliefs? Curiosity can look like asking, “Can you tell me more about that? I want to understand where you’re coming from,” or “Interesting, I have another take on that. Can I share where I’m coming from?”
Finally, share your story of testimony every day. Your personal testimony is a powerful tool that can inspire and empower others. Share what God is doing right now that is changing how you see and live in the world. Your story can be the light that guides others on their journey of faith.
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.
Lord Jesus.”
by Fr. Mark Steffl, STL, JCL
T his is a good question that requires a look at the history of the Church. The first great “breakaway” in the Church happened in the year 1054, which is referred to as the “Great Schism.” Until that time, there was a unity of shared belief in the Church that had spread throughout what had at one time been the Roman Empire and beyond after the final persecutions of Christians had ended in the Fourth Century. But because of the great distances and cultural differences, the celebration of the sacraments and liturgy took on different forms, although their hearts and centers were still the same. These other “forms” were, in effect, different languages and minor differences that had been present in the Church, existing side-by-side for many centuries. The most significant difference over time was a broader separation that grew from when the Roman Empire split into a Western Roman Empire
Ask a Canon Lawyer
This month’s question: What is the difference between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church? They seem to believe in the exact same things – the sacraments, the Mass, the Eucharist. Can they receive the sacraments in a Catholic Church?
and an Eastern Roman Empire. It was after a widening cultural gap between the “East” and the “West” occurred that what is considered the “Eastern Church” split from the “Western Church” on the issue of the authority of the Pope as Successor of St. Peter. (This is the brief version of a highly complex part of Church history.)
In theological terms, this was a break in “communion” (this word here means a union of beliefs and discipline relating to the practice of the Faith, and not a reference to the Eucharist in this case). This split resulted in excommunications being exchanged between the bishops of the Church in the East and the West, and exhaustive efforts have been made over the centuries to try to reestablish “communion” between the East and the West since then.
After this schism of 1054 AD, the Churches in the “east” that broke away established themselves in different places as what we refer to today as Orthodox Churches – the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian
Orthodox Church, or the Serbian Orthodox Church, to name just a few. They are organized under a “presiding bishop,” usually called a “patriarch,” and are present in many places, especially in the eastern part of Europe (until the early 20th century part of the Ottoman Empire). Since we live in an area that has not had much immigration from those countries where Eastern Orthodox Christianity is practiced, many people don’t know much about it.
Over the centuries, certain groups of what have been considered “Eastern Orthodox” groups have returned to “full communion” with the Catholic Church, particularly submitting themselves to the authority of the pope. These groups are today referred to as “Eastern Rite Catholics” and together makeup about 18 million of the 1.3 billion members of the Catholic Church worldwide who are under the governance of the Successor of St. Peter, the Pope. These “Eastern Rite Catholics” have their own set of laws that govern them, found in the Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches,
which is a parallel set of rules to the Code of Canon Law that governs the rest of the Catholic Church, referred to as the “Latin Catholic Church.” (The nearest such Eastern Rite Catholic churches to us, here in the Diocese of New Ulm, would be found in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.)
For Orthodox Christians who are not in one of the previously mentioned groups who are already in “full communion” with the pope, there is a provision in Church Law that allows them to approach a Catholic priest to request receiving the Sacraments in the Catholic Church under specific conditions:
Canon 844 §3: Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches who in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition regarding the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.
The reason that such a provision is in Church Law for Orthodox to make such a request is so
the Church can provide the Sacraments for their spiritual needs, recognizing that their beliefs in the sacraments are the same as ours, especially in places where there are no Eastern Orthodox parishes or priests can be found.
In my almost 20 years as a priest, there has only been one time when I have been approached by a member of an Eastern Orthodox Church to be able to receive Holy Communion. It was at a funeral when the daughter of the deceased was married to someone who belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church. Although this is rare in our area, it can happen more frequently in other places.
This is an interesting and complicated question with many centuries of history and theology accompanying it!
Next Issue: Can you write about the moral implications of Catholic laypersons who become “officiants” for weddings? (Question submitted by a priest.)
Editor’s note: Fr. Mark Steffl is a canon lawyer and serves as vicar general and judicial vicar for the Diocese of New Ulm.
Physician-assisted suicide leads to legislation with severe consequences
by Elli Burmis Prairie Catholic correspondent
On October 5, the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (Deanery 3) held its annual fall gathering at the host parish of the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield.
The special guest speaker was Dr. Frani Knowles, who presented on “Physician Assisted Suicide: The Changing Landscape of Medicine in Minnesota.” Knowles, a New Ulm Medical Center practitioner, has been practicing family medicine for over 30 years. She is specially trained in the Creighton Model Fertility Care System and NaProTechnology.
During her presention on the seriousness of physician-assisted suicide, Knowles emphasized the urgent need to address this issue and underscored that it is a matter that cannot be delayed. Physicianassisted suicide (PAS) is when a physician provides, at the patient’s
request, a prescription for a lethal dose of medication that they can use to end their life when they are ready. According to Knowles, PAS is currently legal in 11 states, with an additional eight states moving legislation forward and another 8-10 states preparing bills for upcoming sessions. In Minnesota, she explained, “This past session, the bill got further than ever before.”
Ultimately, proponents of PAS argue that it offers autonomy by providing someone control over their own life and death. Similarly, proponents say that PAS relieves suffering and that by providing medical assistance, the patient does not feel wholly responsible for committing suicide, hence providing psychological comfort in ending their own life.
However, as Knowles detailed, PAS should not be legal for several reasons. From a moral standpoint, PAS directly contradicts the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not
kill,” she said.
Similarly, she said, statistically, every state that has legalized PAS has experienced a significant increase in suicide rates, including those unrelated to PAS, underscoring the ethical responsibility we all share in this matter.
Knowles explained the dangerous consequences and future outcomes of PAS legislation. “PAS laws expand every year in states that have them in place,” she said. “In fact, in some states, terminal illness has expanded to include mental illnesses. Other states have added conditions like dementia. Moreover, in Canada and the Netherlands, children and those with disabilities can even qualify for PAS.”
Knowles warned that the initial passing of a PAS bill only opens the door to further legislation with severe consequences. “Laws that initially used the word
‘ingest’ for medication, now use ‘any means,’” meaning that the patient does not have to be the person administering life-ending medication.” Similarly, “Terminal illness is expanded to ‘anything that might degenerate to the point of death.’” Hence, someone with a disease like cancer, which may go into remission, has the option of PAS.
Amidst these legislative expansions, Knowles said that “The rates are highest among the elderly, poor, uneducated, and women,” adding, “PAS has always been about eugenics and decreasing the cost of medicine at the end of life. What starts as an option offered to patients becomes an obligation. This is not offering them their full dignity.”
Likewise, Knowles raises concerns about the message PAS sends to youth and adults struggling with mental health issues, given that legalizing PAS normalizes suicide. “There is a broken trust between
patients and medical professionals when we suggest suicide instead of offering support,” she said.
Citing the American Medical Association’s Code of Ethics, Knowles said, “Physicianassisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer.” This means that the code is based on the principle that a physician’s primary role is to heal and alleviate suffering, not to assist in ending life. Instead of considering PAS, Knowles said practitioners should focus on pain and symptom management for patients at the end of life.
“Jesus reveals the meaning of our lives,” Knowles said. “The saving work of Jesus does not eliminate suffering and death but transforms their very meaning. . . . Therefore, there is beauty, power, and love in trusting God’s will and surrending
(Continued on page 11.)
around the diocese
Spicer youth bestowed Pope Pius XII Award; most prestigious award in Scouting
SPICER, Minn. – Nate Nelson, age 17, is an Eagle Scout of Troop 3228 of New London. In June, he was honored with the Pope Pius XII Award, the highest accolade in the Catholic Scout medal program. This esteemed award was presented to him during Mass at his parish, Our Lady of the Lakes in Spicer, on June 2, 2024, by Dr. George Battis, chair of the Twin Cities Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. Nate’s parish pastor, Fr. Steve Verhelst, who provided invaluable local support and guidance, was also present at the ceremony.
The Pope Pius XII Award has a noble purpose to help Scouts explore vocations and ministries in the Church (single, married, religious, ordained) as called from God. The award has been around since 1960, and Nelson has joined the ranks of the more than 23,000 scouts and explorers who have received this prestigious recognition.
Following his sacrament of Confirmation in February 2024, Nate embarked on a journey to earn the Pope Pius XII Award, a significant step in his growth and involvement in the Church as a
young adult. The requirements for the award included a research paper, which Nelson dedicated to the topic of religious persecution in the United States, and a project, which involved assembling a first aid kit for his troop’s High Adventure trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Nelson, the son of Mike and
Ann Nelson, and a scout since kindergarten, is a testament to the dedication and commitment that scouting instills.
In September 2023, Nelson earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America.
Honoring veterans Bishop to celebrate special Mass at St. Andrew’s, Fairfax
FAIRFAX, Minn. – Bishop Chad Zielinski will celebrate a special Mass on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at the Church of St. Andrew in Fairfax in recognition of the service of all military veterans. There will be a 3:15 p.m. Rosary followed by Presentation of the Colors at 3:45 p.m. and Mass at 4 p.m. A free-will meal will be served following.
Bishop Zielinski’s past military journey is a testament to his dedication and service. After graduating from high school in 1982, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving until 1989. He then pursued a different path, being ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Gaylord, Mich., in 1996. In 2002, he returned to active duty as a chaplain, a role he fulfilled until December 2014. His dedication was recognized in 2013 when he was promoted to major. In 2014, he was appointed as the bishop of
Fairbanks, Alaska. He continued his service in the reserves until his retirement in January 2017, accumulating a total of 21 years in the military.
Since Bishop Zielinski’s arrival in the Diocese of New Ulm in 2022, he has met many veterans within the parish communities he has visited. He celebrates this special Mass in reverence and respect for
their service and sacrifice.
The bishop asks that we continue to pray for all our veterans and for peace across our war-torn world. The public is welcome to attend this special event Please RSVP by Nov. 15 for the traditional ‘free will’ Thanksgiving meal, (507) 426-7739 or allsaints7739@gmail. com.
“His love is worth all of mine”
(Continued from page 7.)
can stay with the order through pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. “It’s really beautiful – heart-wrenching too because they really have nobody,” Sr. Mara Immaculata said, mentioning that several of the women who stay are abortion-vulnerable due to their circumstances.
“They’re our family.” The Sisters of Life support these mothers-to-be in every way they can, even accompanying them during birth, assisting them in reconnecting with their loved ones if their relationships are shaky, and checking in with them periodically.
Sr. Mara Immaculata said that the Sisters of Life’s dedication to the sanctity of life is what initially drew her to the order.
“Along with the traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, we make a fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life,” she said. “We proclaim the truth that each life is willed by God, loved, and necessary.”
To anyone curious about the religious life, Sr. Mara
Immaculata said she would encourage them to approach their questions with peace and trust. “If God is calling you to a religious vocation, be not afraid,” she said, quoting St. John Paul II: ‘“Jesus, who has first loved you, is ready to give what he asks of you. If he asks much, it is because he knows that you can give much.’”
Jeanne said families can offer important encouragement and help if a loved one is considering a vocation. “This is a very hard choice for individuals entering into religious life,” she said. “Your support is the best advice we can give.” She and her family frequently send cards, letters, and other goodies to Sr. Mara Immaculata to let her know how important she is to them and to ensure she doesn’t feel left out.
For Sr. Mara Immaculata, her decision to leave her old life and form an entirely new one with the help of God and the Sisters of Life is the best thing she has ever done.
“I’m so grateful to God for the privileged life I get to live as a religious sister - consecrated to him, set aside for him,” she said. “I desired to give my whole heart to him in return. His love is worth all of mine.”
Physician-assisted suicide
(Continued from page 10.)
to him in death. After all, life itself is a gift from God.”
Knowles strongly encouraged everyone to complete a Health Care Directive that specifies their healthcare decisions if they cannot speak for themselves. She also recommended appointing a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
Urge Your State Legislator to Support Real Care at the End of Life, NOT Assisted Suicide!
The Catholic bishops of Minnesota have raised their concern about this bill and in response the proponents of the bill have updated the language of the bill to address some of their concerns. The updated language still has many concerning provisions, including no mental health evaluation requirement, no family notification, no safeguards for people with disabilities; and no nurse or doctor present when the lethal drug is taken; because
despite any changes, this bill can never be made acceptable.
This proposal is one of the most aggressive physician-assisted suicide bills in the country.
Assisted suicide is neither compassionate nor about real choice. Legalizing assisted suicide will endanger the healthcare choices of all. It deliberately undermines human dignity by endangering the health of society’s most vulnerable, especially among those who underutilize hospice and palliative care. It also rejects the gift God gives to every human being – the gift of life that we strive to live according to his plan, that we might find our eternal home with him.
Information and resources concerning the topic of physicianassisted suicide is available from the Diocese of New Ulm Office of Family Life. Contact Sr. Candace Fier, (507) 233-5328, cfier@ dnu.org, or visit www.dnu.org/
Nate Nelson is pictured with his mentor throughout the award process, Fr. Steve Verhelst. (Photo submitted)
WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2024 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, Nov. 11-14, 2024. The schedule includes an update on the resources being developed in a collaborative effort among several USCCB committees for Dignitas Infinita; an update on the interim implementation of Antiquum Ministerium (on the ministry of the catechist); a discussion on the pastoral implementation of integral ecology and Laudato si’; the drafting of a document guiding lay ecclesial ministry as a follow-up to the bishops’ 2005
document; the USCCB’s 20252028 Mission Directive, which outlines the strategic goals and priorities for the next four years; the USCCB’s 2025 budget, which will be presented for approval; and three action items about liturgical texts from the divine worship committee.
Also expected at the meeting: an update on migration; a report on the 2021-2024 Synod of Bishops; a report on the U.S. bishops’ Eucharistic revival initiative and National Eucharistic Congress; a consultation of the bishops on causes of beatification and canonization for Sister Annella
Zervas, a professed religious of the Order of Saint Benedict, and of the Servant of God Gertrude Agnes Barber, a lay woman. The bishops will also vote for the new Conference treasurer and chairmen-elect of five Conference committees.
Public sessions of the assembly on Nov. 12 and 13 will be livestreamed at: www.usccb.org/ meetings.
VATICAN – Pope Francis announced that he will create 21 new cardinals on Dec. 8. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals from 70 countries at nine consistories. The last consistory to create new cardinals took place on Sept. 30, 2023.
Fifteen members of the College of Cardinals have turned 80 since the last consistory in 2023, thus losing their chance to participate in a future papal election. After the December consistory, there will be 141 cardinal electors (barring the unexpected death of any cardinals) – 111 (79%) of whom have been appointed by Pope Francis. These cardinal electors play a crucial role in the papal election, which is held in the event of a vacancy in the
papacy. For a complete list visit www.vaticannews.va.
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection in the Diocese of New Ulm will be held the weekend of Dec. 7-8. In 2023, parishioners contributed $25,492.82 to the collection. Since its inception in 1988, the collection has raised over $1 billion. Nearly $870 million has been distributed for direct care, while over $103.5 million has funded self-help projects like collaborative healthcare facilities. The collection also supports
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 St. Aloysius, Olivia 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Jac Kie angel
educational programs, enabling religious communities to plan for their long-term needs.
Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have often worked for little to no pay, leaving them with limited retirement savings. Today, they face the challenge of caring for an aging population, with more than 20,000 religious being past the age of 70. The annual cost of their care exceeds $1 billion, highlighting the critical need for the Retirement Fund for Religious.
CALLING ALL YOUTH!
Come and enjoy an energetic evening of entertainment, great food, a captivating speaker, and some time of Eucharistic adoration.
