2023 NUDCCW ANNUAl CoNveNtioN

The New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is planning its 62nd Annual Convention, to be held at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm on April 29, 2023.

The New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women strives to be wise, courageous and loving leaders of the Church, as is noted in the Prayer to our Lady of Good Counsel. With this in mind, we chose to have the theme of our 62nd Annual Convention be in alignment with the National Eucharistic Revival. The theme “I AM the Bread of Life” is fulfilled through both our keynote and afternoon speakers, as well as The Vatican International Exhibition Eucharistic Miracles of the World, on loan to us from Spirit Catholic Radio.

The day will begin with registration and breakfast at 7:30 A.M., keynote in the morning, Holy Mass, lunch, a silent auction, various displays, vendors, religious article suppliers, an afternoon speaker, and conclude with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 2:30 P.M.

Our keynote speaker is Liz Kelly, whose talk will focus on Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro, and is titled “She Held Jesus in Her Palm, Meet

obitUAries

Shirley Marie Michels, age 87, of North Mankato passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm, Wednesday, March

Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro.”

Her story is very powerful, relatable and she had a great charism for our Eurcharistic Lord. Liz is a graduate of New Ulm’s Cathedral High School, is a retreat leader and the award-winning author of ten books. Her most recent book, Love Like A Saint, Cultivating Virtue with Holy Women (March 2021) has been called “penetrating and graceful,” “a source of encouragement and hope,” and “a beautiful deep dive into the lives of inspirational, holy women.”

Kelly has appeared on Relevant Radio, Catholic Answers, Radio Maria, Public Radio, Boston Catholic Television, EWTN and Salt and Light Television. From 2008 to 2022, she served as the managing editor of Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture at the University of St. Thomas (MN) and taught in the Catholic Studies program. She is cohost, along with David Deavel of the Logos podcast, Deep Down Things. She lives with her husband, Vincent, an architect, in Minnesota. Visit her website at LizK.org.

Our afternoon speaker, Berny Berger, will be presenting the story of Blessed Carlo Acutis, from Milan,

8, 2023, at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11am, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nicollet with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Nicollet. Please share a memory of Shirley and watch her service livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Shirley graduated from Nicollet High School in 1953, where she met Ronald Michels, the love of her life for 57 years.

Shirley was passionate about nursing, graduating from St. Mary’s Nursing School Rochester MN District 18, to work at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She would later become the School Nurse at Nicollet High School.

Shirley had a strong faith and was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She loved her Minnesota Twins, crossword puzzles, solitaire,

FoCUs oN Ag

Italy, and feature the video – “I Am With You” (EWTN). She will also include in her presentation, stories of Eucharistic Miracles documented by Blessed Carlo. Berny is the CCW president at St. Willibrord’s in Gibbon.

The Vatican International Exhibition Eucharistic Miracles of the World was designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo, an artist, cartoonist and avid computer enthusiast, created the art for the panels before his death from leukemia at age 15. His goal during his short life was to help bring others closer to Jesus through awareness of the mystery of the Eucharist. Carlo received the sacrament of the Eucharist daily and desired to share the joy of Christ’s presence with the world through his God-given talents. Check out the website about Blessed Carlos at https://carloacutis-en.org . You can also see all the panels in his exhibit at http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/ en/Liste/list.html . Join us for a day of prayer, education, and the opportunity to socialize with the women of the Diocese of New Ulm. Registration information can be found at www.nudccw.org .

travel, and her family. She had a sharp and intelligent mind, with an amazing memory. No matter what physical limitations life threw at her, she always maintained grace, dignity without complaints.

Shirley is survived by her children, Scott (Ann) Michels, and Sheila (Steve Radke) Michels; grandchildren, Zachary Johnson, Amelia (fiancé, Colton Kramer) Michels, and Walter Michels; siblings, Patrick Sullivan, and Steve (Arlene) Sullivan; sistersin-law, Lois Jagerson, Myrna Yenter, and Rita Michels, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Michels; parents, George and Cecilia Sullivan; sister-in-law, Joan Sullivan; brothers-in-law, Jim Jagerson, and David Michels.

Special thank you to Sara McMichael and others at Freedom