November 2013 The Courier, Diocese of Winona

THE COURIER

November 2013

Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona

Volume 104, No. 11

New Priest in the Diocese

Bishop Quinn confers the Sacrement of Holy Orders upon now Fr. Adam McMillan at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

On Friday October 18 and with great rejoicing, the ordination Mass began as countless priests from all around the diocese processed along with Most Reverend Bishop John M. Quinn and Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Bernard J. Harrington into the Cathedral. The hearts of those in attendance swelled with the fanfare of joyous music from the choral orchestra led by Jim Ballard, director of liturgical music for the Cathedral.

With his family, friends, brother priests and the faithful of the diocese in attendance, the Rite of Ordination began with Fr. William Thompson, Director of Vocations, requesting, "Most Reverend father, Holy Mother Church asks you to ordain Adam Joseph McMillan our brother to the responsibility of the priesthood."

To which Bishop Quinn responded, "Do you know him to be worthy?"

Fr. Thompson replied, "After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those responsible, I

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testify that he has been found worthy."

Bishop Quinn then stated, " Relying on the help of the lord god and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose our brother for the order of priesthood." All attending exclaimed, "Thanks be to God!" and applauded. Bishop Quinn shared his joy for t h e n Deacon Adam in his homily,

"What a blessing to be able to ordain now Deacon Adam to the priesthood.

We had yearned for this day for so long and now it is here. There is joy in all our hearts! There is something about ordination that reminds us “God is in our midst.” And it is the Lord’s promise and he always fulfills his promise. What a blessing that I had preached to you and myself “patient endurance, staying focused on the Lord” and you have done that. You have worked along through all the formation and today the Lord called

Lying prostrate before the altar of the Lord signifies a man’s total dedication to sacred ministry in the Church after the example of Christ the High Priest, who laid down His life for His sheep.

INSIDE

Ordination, cont. on pg.3

Bishop Proclaims Year of Thanksgiving!

Read the Bishop's Message on YOF page 5

Fr. Adam McMillan shared his thoughts after the ordination thanking the Church and his family especially his mother as he said, "a vocation comes through the family."

New Seminarians

An Epidemic

Meet them on page 6

Learn how to protect your family, page 4

A Life-Giving Choice: Adoption A Birthmother's Story "Amber"

At the young age of 16, I found myself alone, scared and be struggling financially and emotionally for a very long time. pregnant. When I told the birthfather, he decided he did not More importantly, I thought about my son’s life, and what he want to be involved in our child’s life, and shortly thereafter, deserved. I came to the conclusion that I desired more for my he moved out of state. I denied the news for a few months, hop- son than what I knew I was going to be able to give him. He ing that if I didn’t acknowledge the baby growing inside me, it deserved two loving parents that were a part of his life daily. wouldn’t be real. But when I couldn’t hide my growing tummy He deserved the cutest clothes and the best toys, a great eduanymore, I told my parents. After the anger and shock reced- cation and stability. I knew I wasn’t ready or capable of provided, my parents and I sat down to decide what we were going to ing those things, so I chose adoption. do. Abortion was out of the picture; I couldn’t bring myself to At the adoption agency, I opened a massive book of wongo through with it even though it had crossed my mind several derful people seeking an addition to their family. There were times. That left parenting and adoption. So I stayed up for so many to choose from! After several days, I finally decided several nights, thinking about my future, and thinking about on the couple. They had tried getting pregnant several times, the little life inside me. I knew that if I became a mother, I but every pregnancy ended at 20 weeks with a miscarriage. I would have to drop out of school, get a crappy full time job, and felt it in my heart that this was the right family, a wonderful work just to make ends meet. I knew that I would "Amber" cont'd on pg. 4, more on National Adoption Month on pg.10

2 - The Courier, November 2013

BISHOP QUINN

Most Rev. John M. Quinn: Live with a Heart of Thanksgiving Dearest Friends in Christ, November is the time that our nation has chosen to ‘give thanks’ for our countless blessings from God. Please allow me to let you know how grateful I am for all of you, the faithful of the Diocese of Winona.

One of the most humbling yet joyful experiences I have is witnessing your response to God’s call to help with the needs of each other and the needs of the Church. So many of you place your gifts, your resources, your time – yourselves – at God’s service in and through the Church. For this, I am truly grateful.

All Saints Day The Feast of All Saints reminds us that our lives are destined for union with God in heaven. On November 1, the Church celebrates the countless numbers of men and women who behold the mystery and beauty of the Trinity in heaven. Saints are ordinary people who loved God and loved people in an extraordinary way and desired holiness more than anything in this world.

I know I have lived with saints, worked with them and learned from them. A priest friend often preached that Saints are sinners who kept trying. So, don’t give up! Jesus Christ gave us the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Penance and the other Sacraments to transform our hearts so that we can become servants of God in this

world and one day in heaven, behold the beauty, the glory and the love of the Triune God and take our place in the communion of Saints.

Month of the Holy Souls On November 2, the Church celebrates All Soul’s Day and prays for those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. Death will claim every living person and thing. Jesus Christ is our hope and His victory over sin and death reminds us that life does not end in death. In the first preface for the dead in the new missal are the beautiful words, “Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.”

Be sure to pray for our beloved dead in purgatory during this month of the Holy Souls. I am greatly comforted that if I am not ready to be in God’s presence after death, there is time for purification so that divine love can break fully into my life and Christ can be the center of all my relationships. Eternal rest give to them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Gratitude As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to share just a few of the many reasons my heart is so grateful.

First, I am grateful for God’s indomitable love in Christ, which called me to

priesthood. I am grateful to every single person that has supported me along my spiritual journey, especially to all of you who pray for me and support my ministry as your bishop.

I am grateful for our priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters of the past and present. Without their ‘yes’, without their total commitment to Jesus, the Church could not continue its public ministry. Thank you for offering your lives. I am grateful for our seminarians, the young men discerning a call to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. They are true hope and a bright light to all.

Life November is National Adoption Month, I am thankful for the gift of life we each have received from God. What a beautiful gift of family life a couple can give to an orphaned or abandoned child when they open their hearts to adoption! We want women in crisis pregnancies to know there are other options. I want to thank Catholic Charities especially for all their efforts in helping generous couples and these wonderful children find each other. This is a great service in living out our prolife belief, that we are not merely against abortion but we are for life! I am so grateful to all who are involved in the adoption ministry, may God bless your work as you continue to be a light of hope to those in need.

Celebrate Vocations As we celebrate life, we celebrate that God has given each one of us an immense dignity, and He has a special call for each human person.

Whether it is to the married life, to remain single, to the consecrated life, or to become a priest or a deacon, we rejoice in their life, their vocation.

We extend our most sincere “Welcome!” to the new seminarians at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary,

Bishop John M. Quinn whom you will be introduced to over the next few issues of the Courier on page 6. I also extend congratulations to the young women in our diocese Bishop, cont. on pg.5

OFFICIALS The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona, announces the following: Pastoral Assignments: Rev. Adam J. McMillan to become Parochial Vicar of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, St. Casimir, and St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, in Winona, effective November 1 , 2013. Fr. McMillan was ordained to the ministerial priesthood on October 18, 2013.

Appointments: Reverend Gregory Leif appointed to a three-year term on the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee.

Sister Ruth Snyder appointed to a three-year term on the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee.

Deacon Chris Walchuk appointed to a three-year term

on the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee.

Ms. Lisa Kremer appointed to a three-year term on the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee.

Ms. Sue Luebbe appointed to a three-year term on the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee.

Mr. Robert Tereba appointed to a three-year term on the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee.

Catholic Charities Board of Directors Mrs. Mary Frances Lane has been appointed as a member of our Catholic Charities Board for a three-year term, effective November 1, 2013.

Bishop's Calendar - November 2013 November 1, Friday 11:45 a.m. – Confessions at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona 12:10 p.m. – Mass for Feast of All Saints, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona November 2, Saturday 4 p.m. – Mass at St. Catherine Church, Luverne 5:30 p.m. – Fall Festival at St. Catherine Church, Luverne November 3, Sunday 7 p.m. – Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

November 5, Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 11 a.m. – Mass for Priest Retreat at Alverna Center, Winona 1 p.m. – Meet Anne Cullen Miller, President and Kelly Webster, Vice President of Catholic Community Foundation, Diocesan Pastoral Center office 5:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer and Dinner with Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarian Sophomores, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Rectory, Winona

November 6, Wednesday 10:30 a.m. – Mass, followed by lunch and meeting with Diocese of Winona Curia, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona November 7, Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 2 p.m. – Mass of Installation for Most Rev. Donald Kettler, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Cloud, MN November 8, Friday 6:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer, followed by Mass at IHM

Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries.

The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Peter Martin, at 507-858-1264, or pmartin@dow.org.

Seminary, Winona 1p.m.–HolyHour(Bishop’sCabinet) 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting November 9, Saturday 6 p.m. – Gala at St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester 7:30 p.m. – Vocal Essence Ensemble Singers, St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester November 10-13, Sun - Wed United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Baltimore November 14, Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St.

Mary’s University November 16, Saturday 2 p.m.

– Mass and Confirmation, at St. Andrew Church, Rochester, MI November 19, Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 12:10 p.m. – Mass for Deceased Clergy, St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester 2 p.m. – Deans’ Meeting 5:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer and Dinner with Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarian Freshmen, at Cathedral of the

THE COURIER (ISSN 0744-5490)

Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 949, Winona, MN 55987

Telephone: 507-454-4643 Fax: 507-454-8106 E-mail: courier@dow.org Subscription Rates: $5 per year in the U.S. Parishioners in the Winona Diocese subscribe through their parish. Periodicals postage paid at Madelia, MN Postmaster.

Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 15th of the month prior.

Publisher: Most Rev. John M. Quinn Editor: Joel Hennessy Associate Editor: Theresa Martin

IN THE DIOCESE

Ordination - cont'd from page 1 you forward. And as your bishop, the great joy that I get being able to ordain you. I know also Bishop Harrington shares that joy.

"This summer at the end of august, I went with two bishops fishing. We are fishers of men, we thought this would be easy! … and we had a captain who assured us we would catch lots of fish. … After an hour, nothing happened and we asked the captain “what’s wrong?” He said, “I have a different lure. We use this and they’ll come from all the Great Lakes for this one.” We put it on and still nothing happened. … After about four hours, we were saying we’re not very good at this fishing thing. Of course the captain said, “no kidding.” (We said) 'okay, it’s near five o'clock. It’s time to give up' and we knew something hadn’t worked. And you know, what I learned from that experience?

All the things that we think we can do whether its because of our training or our education, we can’t make things happen. Even if we are clever. I think often times about God’s work, where I thought I was going to do it right away; I could make it happen and I just needed the right formula and it all would work.

"Today we realize that none of the things we do individually are what’s going to make Gods work happen. There has to be a willingness to set aside ourselves so that God’s work can happen.

"Deacon Adam, that first reading said that the Lord knew you even before you were born in your mothers womb. You see God took the initiative.

God formed you and placed within you an immortal soul. God knew your name before your first breath, before even your family knew what you looked like you were already known to the Lord (known) by our Triune God. Not only that, God initiated a conversation with you … and through baptism you became His beloved son. But the Lord wanted more and the Lord placed in you a call to the priesthood.

It’s not something you say “I think I have an aptitude (for being a priest)” like you do for a job. It’s an initiative of God, of calling you just as the lord did his apostles and through them their successors

in the bishops. The call has got to come from God. Today we celebrate that the Lord has been at work in your life.

"He’s initiated and invited you to hear that call and say “Yes!” and the Church has said yes” so that you may be sacramentally configured, sacramentally Jesus Christ and His priesthood will now be your conformation. You will be conformed to that mystery of who Christ is in His high priesthood, but reigning from the Bishop Quinn and Bishop Harrington were honored to receive the first blessings cross. from newly ordained Fr. Adam McMillan.

"Deacon Adam, ised obedience and respect to the Bishop of Winona remember, God initiated this and God will bring you through all the difficul- and his successors.

All in attendance then sang a Litany of ties. That second reading from St. Paul - he has a torn up heart. He talks about everyone deserting Supplication while then Deacon Adam prostrated him, he said, “they left me. I am still here but every- himself. After expressing his readiness to accept the one else is gone.” … In the midst of all of that, St. call, he received the strength of the Holy Spirit as Paul never questioned that God was with Him and the bishop imposed his hands upon him in silence.

All priests present also laid hands upon then initiated that relationship.

"As you go through your life like St. Paul, you Deacon Adam to signify the oneness of the priesttoo will have difficult moments … but remember, hood in which all of them share.

The bishop prayed the prayer of ordination, God has called you! God will make it successful when God so chooses and in the meantime, like gave Adam his stole and chasuble and anointed Paul, seeing that people have left us, we conform his hands with Sacred Chrism to signify that like ourselves to the passion and death of our Lord, so Christ priests are anointed to bless consecrate and sanctify. After the presentation of the gifts, that Jesus Christ can be manifest in us."

Bishop Quinn also encouraged then Deacon the Rite of Ordination concluded with the bishop Adam to reach out to his brother priests and always and priests exchanging the Kiss of Peace with the newly ordained, welcoming him as a co-worker and work to nourish his priestly life in prayer.

After the homily, then Deacon Adam promised brother priest.

After which, now Fr. Adam McMillan was able to be willing to be ordained and to minister as a priest. He then knelt before the bishop and placing to concelebrate the Holy Mass at the altar with his hands within Bishop Quinn's hands, he prom- Bishop Quinn.

Bishop's Calendar - cont.

Sacred Heart Rectory, Winona November 20, Wednesday 2 p.m. – Meet with Rochester Pastors and Notre Dame Accreditation Team, St. Francis Church, Rochester 5 p.m. – Winona Serra Club, Priest Appreciation Thanksgiving Dinner, St. Casimir Church, Winona November 21, Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University November 21-24, Thur–Sun National Catholic Youth Conference, Indianapolis, IN November 26, Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 9:30 a.m. – Holy Hour with Consultors, followed by Consultors Meeting, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Winona December 3, Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 11 a.m. – Holy Hour, followed by meeting with Presbyteral Council, St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea

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December 4, Wednesday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Minnesota Catholic Conference Meeting, St. Paul Chancery, St. Paul 5:30 p.m. – Reception, with leaders of State Catholic Healthcare Institutions, St. Paul December 5, Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 1 p.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 5 p.m. – Prayer with St. Vincent de Paul Conferences, followed

by Soup Supper, Pax Christi Church, Rochester December 6, Friday 5:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer and Dinner with Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarian Seniors, at Bishop’s residence December 7, Saturday 4:30 p.m. – Holy Hour, Evening Prayer and Dinner with Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarians at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona

Bishop Quinn Appoints Diocesan Social Concerns Committee Its mission: promote, educate, and support parish social action The pontificate of Pope Francis has brought renewed attention to the responsibility of all Catholics to serve our brothers and sisters in need. As Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical, God is Love, reminded us, the Church has three primary and inseparable duties: “Proclaiming the Word of God, celebrating the sacraments, and exercising the ministry of charity” (25). In our parishes we are very good at Mass and the sacraments, but are not always consistent in our attention to charity. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that, “The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word” (22). To ensure that charity is not neglected in the Diocese of Winona, Bishop Quinn has formed a Diocesan Social Concerns Committee to provide encouragement, support, and education on Catholic social teaching to parishes. It is a subcommittee of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona.

The bishop and the committee recognize that much good charitable work is currently being done throughout the diocese. One of the first actions of the diocesan committee is to survey parishes to discover what charitable work is happening in our communities. It is hoped that the Diocesan Social Concerns committee can be an information clearing house to help the parishes who have strong social justice groups share their expertise and best practices with other parishes. Committee members will also offer parishes in the diocese workshops on Catholic social teaching and organizing techniques for parish social

concerns committees.

The Diocesan Social Concerns Committee is seeking more members who have expertise in Catholic social teaching and experience in putting that teaching to practical use in parishes. The committee’s membership goal is to have two members from each deanery. In addition to committee members, the Social Concerns Committee is also seeking speakers and organizers who will be available to visit parishes on a volunteer basis to help them strengthen their charitable work in their communities. If you are interested in being part of the committee, please contact Stacey Glithero at the Office of the Vicar General, Diocese of Winona, 55 W. Sanborn St., PO Box 588, Winona, MN 55987-0588, sglithero@dow.org, 507-8581242.

Back row L to R: Msgr. Colletti, Lisa Kremer, Bob Tereba, Deacon Chris Walchuk. Front row L to R: Sr. Ruth Snyder, Sue Luebbe, Fr. Greg Leif

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LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY

The New Epidemic

By Peter Martin, S.T.L.

Pornography is incredibly addictive; An epidemic has begun to spread the brain releases powerful chemicals, throughout our country that is destroy- which have a similar (if not greater) effect ing marriages and destroying the lives of than heroin or cocaine. The brain becomes those who are caught in its trap and sadly, addicted to these chemicals and soon, just very few are saying anything about it. The like the drug addict, the person becomes plague that has crept its way into our lives constantly distracted by the pursuit of has gotten so pervasive that most people their next “fix.” have grown to accept it with a shrug. “It’s Besides the addictive nature of porno big deal,” some say. “It’s a harmless nography, here are some other ways pastime where no one gets hurt,” others that pornography poisons the lives of so contend. Is the exorbitant amount of por- many: It is affordable (many websites nography being viewed every day really are available for no cost); it promises to something that should be ignored? be anonymous (look again at how many In addition to the stats you see here, sites are accessed during work hours); it 56% of all divorces claim that pornogra- has become acceptable (even though it phy played a part. One in four men visit is actually illegal to create and distribute pornographic sites each month. This is pornography, the Department of Justice hardly a harmless pastime! For instance, has elected not to prosecute the crime); married men who view pornography have and, it is intensely aggressive (note how a greater acceptance of sex outside of many e-mail messages are sent each day). marriage and for singles, a greater accepThe good news is that there is help. tance of sex before marriage, and less The bad news is that many are ignoring it. child-centeredness during marriage.

For instance, the majority of families who have internet access at home do not “Being in the image of God have approprithe human individual possesses the ate blocking dignity of a person, who is not just somesoftware. Such thing, but someone. He is capable of selfservice is readknowledge, of self-possession and of freely ily available giving himself and entering into communion and incredibly affordable. with other persons.” Catechism of the Catholic Here are Church, n. 357 some pieces of

advice for how we can keep this epidemic from infiltrating our homes: - Limit screen time (on computers, tablets, phones, etc.)

- Place the computer in a public place in the home (and never let your children take a computer into the bedroom with them) - Install blocking software or an accountability/ monitoring service on all the devices in your home - Teach your children about the beauty and dignity of human sexuality (parishes and schools are now using Theology of the Body for Teens) There are many other websites that have free resources for parents and there are also great programs that help with people who are addicted to pornography.

Reclaimsexualhealth. com is a highly recommended Catholic website designed to assist someone with a pornography addiction.

Sadly, this problem will not be going away any time soon. It is up to us to keep our children and our families safe from this harmful epidemic.

Celebration of Marriage

On September 29th, the annual Celebration of Marriage took place at St. Ann’s Parish in Slayton. This year's Celebration was an enormous success with over 75 couples in attendance. The annual Celebration of Marriage is an opportunity for the Bishop and all the faithful of the Diocese of Winona to recognize the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage. The couples who were recognized ranged from 70 years of marriage to just a few months of marriage. Each couple, by their faithfulness, are witnesses to God's faithful love. Bishop Quinn shared his gratitude for each and every couple and praised them for the selfless love that they give to one another.

Amber - cont'd from pg. 1 couple that would love my son and give him the things I could not! They chose me in a way. Once I met the adoptive parents, we became friends. They would drive 45 minutes once a week to take me out to lunch or to go shopping with me. A week before my due date, the adoptive mom surprised me with a spa day and a pedicure! I had never felt so blessed, and their love for me just cemented my decision to place my son with them.

Three years later, I still have a great relationship with the adoptive family. They send me pictures and

videos of my son, allowing me to see how he’s growing up. I can see that he is so happy; I don’t regret once placing my son up for adoption. I consider it the best/ hardest decision I’ve ever made. It took a while to repair the broken relationships I created, but today I’m happier than I ever have been. Some days are harder than others, but I know that I gave a couple the gift of life, and they gave me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. *name has been changed to respect the privacy of this adoption triad

The Office of Life,

Marriage & Family Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow. org

MISSION ADVANCEMENT

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Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope Campaign Update

By Joel Hennessy

During this season of Thanksgiving, we are so grateful for the overwhelming support being demonstrated by the faithful Catholics who make up the Diocese of Winona. Over the past several months, thousands and thousands of families have answered the call to support our Diocese’s historic Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope fundraising campaign. As of October 24, the campaign has secured gifts and pledges totaling $17,231,405.

If you are one of the many families who supports

these worthy goals with a sacrificial gift, we are most thankful and humbled by your generosity.

Your generosity will help the Church in our Diocese address four significant challenges: 1. Strengthen our Priest Pension Fund Support for the Rooted in Faith campaign will ensure that our priests are cared for appropriately during their retirement years. Currently, the Diocese is forced to take money from the corpus (or principal) of the Priest Pension Fund at a rate of approximately $440,000/year in order to meet the Fund’s obligations. There are several reasons why the Fund is in this position, including a significant rise in health care compliance with the Charter costs, market fluctuations and the blessthat was established to make ing of our retired priests living longer. The certain our children are able to fund was in no way mismanaged, nor were grow, learn and be formed in a safe and loving environment. the funds used for other purposes. Rather, we have more retired priests utilizing the Stewardship The recognition that all we plan, with higher costs, and thus we must have is a gift from God is the revitalize the Fund with additional supliberating reality that begins port. our lives as Christian stew2. Upgrading and Modernizing ards. Jesus is our model of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary stewardship. His perfect selfYour gift to the campaign will play a emptying example is beyond vital role in the spiritual formation of our our grasp yet it is our duty and within our power as His future priests. These are the young men disciples to be generous stew- that will serve God’s flock for generaards…giving freely of our tions to come. Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) is such an important time, talent and treasure.

As St. Paul reminds us, part of our Diocese. Nearly every pastor “Whoever sows sparingly will within our Diocese graduated from IHMS. also reap sparingly, and who- By improving and modernizing IHMS, the ever sows bountifully will clergy of tomorrow will receive the training also reap bountifully…God they need to be the future leaders of our loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:6-7) Thank you for being a Catholic faith.

3. Fund the 2013 Annual Diocesan cheerful giver.

Appeal One of my roles as your Every year, the Diocese turns to the Bishop is to communicate a vision and extend an invitation to you to realize that you are no less than “God’s co-workers” (1 Cor 3:9), with your own unique role in His creative, redemptive, and sanctifying work. I take this responsibility seriously and so does my Curia. I want you to know that we are aware of your response to God’s call your ‘yes’ to our Lord – just like that of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who after Jesus most perfectly teaches the meaning of discipleship and stewardship. I thank you for all your gifts to the Church.

As I conclude this message, I want to say once again that my heart is truly filled with gratitude towards all of you. Thank you for the love you share through your gifts of time, talent and treasure. I entrust you to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying that your stewardship will lead you one day to hear the Master’s words: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt 25:34)

Bishop, cont'd from pg 2 who have entered consecrated religious life or taken vows this year in their order (also being featured over the next few issues). The spiritual life of the Diocese of Winona is edified by their prayers and loving sacrifice.

It is when we hear and follow the path God has set before us that we find true joy in our life. Like these seminarians and consecrated sisters, let us pray that God’s real joy shines out through us in our vocation and let us continue to pray that all young men and women might well hear God’s call in their lives and have the courage to follow Him. Ordination What a blessing to be able to ordain now Fr. Adam McMillan to the priesthood.

We had yearned for that day for so long, and the Lord made it possible on October 18. There is joy in all our hearts. There is something about ordination that reminds us “God is in our midst.” And that is the Lord’s promise and He always fulfills his promise. I had preached to then Deacon Adam and myself that we needed to have “patient endurance, staying focused on the Lord” and Fr. McMillan did that. He worked through all the formation, and the day arrived when the Lord called him forward. As bishop, it was indeed a great joy that I was able to ordain him, and Bishop Harrington shares that joy. During my homily, I reminded the now Fr. McMillan that we must never forget that it is not our actions that make things happen, but the Lord’s will. God will always be with us and that is as true for each one of us as it is for newly ordained Fr. McMillan. Please join me in celebrating his priesthood and praying for Fr. Adam as he begins his priestly ministry.

Keeping Our Children Safe Our children are our future, the gifts God has given the Church and it is our responsibility to care for and protect these wonderful little ones. They are a top priority. I am pleased to report that once again the Diocese of Winona has been found in

Sincerely in Christ, Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

The Office of Mission Advancement Joel Hennessy

Catholic commuDirector nity to assist with the funding of vital jhennessy@ ministries and prodow.org grams across southern Minnesota through the Annual Diocese Appeal (ADA). Support for the ADA helps with Catholic education, faith formation, youth ministry programs, evangelization, college campus ministries, outreach programs and many other essential programs. In 2013, the ADA was combined with the Rooted in Faith campaign to ease the burden on parishioners and parishes by reducing the number of appeals they would receive from the Diocese. In 2014, the ADA will return as we look to once again come together in solidarity to support our faith through these programs.

4. Strengthen Our Parishes 25% of every dollar raised at your parish will be returned to fund important projects identified by pastors and lay leadership. If your parish hits its diocesan goal, 75% of every additional dollar raised will be returned. This will allow the 114 parishes of our Diocese to become stronger and more secure.

With nearly $17,000,000 in pledges and gifts already secured, we are well on our way to accomplishing our goals, fundamentally strengthening the Church within our Diocese and demonstrating a unified commitment to our faith. We are 60% of the way to the campaign’s Challenge Goal of $25,000,000. What a blessing this is!

Bishop Quinn would like to thank the families who have already made their sacrifice by supporting the campaign. He would also like to express his sincere gratitude to the nearly 1,000 volunteers who committed their valuable time to ensuring this campaign was a success. For more information on the campaign, including the most recent campaign fundraising totals, please visit: http://dow.steiergroup.net.

6 - The Courier, November 2013

VOCATIONS

Meet Our New Seminarians John Schultes

My name is John Schultes and I was born in Boston, MA, but grew up mostly in Eastern Iowa. My parents are Robert and Carole Schultes and my siblings are Sam and Nora. I was a part of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Bettendorf, IA growing up. When my family moved to Cedar Rapids in my high school years, we were part of St. Matthew's parish. Almost two years ago, I moved to Rochester, MN to do CPE training and that's how I ended up with Resurrection parish and the Diocese of Winona.

We were a fairly well off family living in a suburban environment from mainly rural Catholic (Irish and German) heritage. We were taught the basics of the faith growing up but left to make our own choices fairly early on. Education was highly valued in our household.

My parents were supportive of our dreams and aspirations, so long as we had them and pursued them.

I was always attracted to the social and intellectual tradition of the Catholic faith, but didn't begin to really discover and desire the personal side of it until after my college years.

My year and a half as a hospital chaplain in CPE was really what changed me and led me, I think towards entering seminary. I was around priests, religious sisters and others who had dedicated their lives to doing ministry, with a variety of skills and temperaments. In working alongside them I saw that there were many ways that one could care for God's people. I was convinced that God was calling me to some type of ministry. Indeed I believe we are all called to minister, but the form that ministry takes varies from person to person. I was often told I'd “make a good priest” but hadn't taken the question too seriously before then.

The turning point was a “Operation Andrew Dinner” I attended in Rochester. I had done one before, but by the end of the evening something had “clicked” for me and I finally decided to “enter seminary and see what happens.”

I had some good spiritual direction from Monsignor Don Schmitz. I also had some good friends and was also challenged by my colleagues in CPE. All of these factors working together, plus the prayers of many around me I think lead me to making the decision to pursue seminary, and once accepted, to enter and do the work.

I thought that my student loan debt would be a barrier to entry, but Bishop Quinn informed me that he would make it happen somehow. He seemed to believe in me, so I thought I could believe in myself.

I am interested to see in what ways God will work in my life to show me my vocation, and I am also excited to see the ways in which God will work upon me to transform me into a “man of virtues and a disciple of Jesus Christ,” which is a key point emphasized by the seminary program.

For those discerning their own vocation, I would say keep praying. I have heard it said that sometimes God speaks through the people we meet. I found that having a support network of people to challenge me, counsel me, and pray for me has been a big part of the process. Get a spiritual director, go on retreats, spend time in prayer, and study some of the lives of the great saints. The best piece of advice I got was from a vocations director in Dubuque: “Ask yourself the question, 'Is God good?'” He was right, because if we accept that God is good, then we accept that God is not going to lead us wrongly. And yet God gives us the freedom to accept the path before us and follow it joyfully. That gives me hope.

Young Women from the Diocese Choose a Consecrated Life

Matthew Nordquist

My name is Matthew Nordquist, people mostly refer to me as Matt. I was born at Olmstead Medical Center in Rochester in 1994. My parents and I were parishioners at Holy Spirit. I lived in Rochester until I was four and my Dad's work took him to the great town of Fairmont, Minn where I have lived my whole life. My family is wonderful. I have a wonderful dad and mom, Mark and Julie. I have a younger brother Joe (16), and two younger sisters; Lily (14) and Anna (13). Most of what I remember from my childhood is pretty much all of us being mischievous around the house. But you know we learned our lesson after... well we're still learning.

The first time I thought of the vocation to the priesthood, I was twelve. I was sitting on my bed one night and I a voice spoke right into my heart that simply told me to think about the priesthood. I was really overwhelmed by thought of being 'something' for God. That God could use me in a way that I could never imagine. Even today I do not know what God has in store for me, but I do know that it is better than anything this world could offer me. That is simply how I have been living my life. First, you must know that you are nothing without Jesus Christ. Second, You can truly do anything with Him. Thirdly, God gives you one chance to do anything with your life.

If every human being could put these facts together and understand them we would have a much different world. If we understood these facts, we would live only for Jesus Christ every single day.

I am nineteen today, and it would be a lie if I told you life was easy. However, the beauty of not living a perfect life on earth is raising your suffering and your sin to the Lord who will grant you grace and bring closer to his Sacred Heart. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in February of 2010 and that completely changed my life, probably the greatest gift God has given me since my family. I was graced with the opportunity to go to WYD in 2011 in Madrid, Spain with my Mom and others. It was a fantastic experience that allowed me to have a closer look at what being Catholic and trusting is all about.

After my senior year at Fairmont High School, I did not know where my life should go next. I asked the Lord to guide my life. I found Benedictine College.

My plan to study and then continue into seminary was soon changed. I met a girl. My whole life had always just been about the priesthood and I then realized I had never actually thought about being a dad, being a husband, and having a family. It was overwhelm-

Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM

I grew up in Austin, MN, attending Catholic grade school and graduating from Pacelli High School. I remember learning Marian hymns and prayers at Queen of Angels elementary, lighting the Advent wreath as a school, praying Stations of the Cross together and attending All-School Masses, and I believe all those experiences have contributed to a deep-seated love of the Catholic Faith.

After High School, I continued my Catholic education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona. Later, I attended Creighton University in Omaha, NE, for nursing school. I worked as a nurse at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester for about 4 years before entering the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan.

I learned of the Sisters of Mercy through my dad, who knew of their presence in Jackson, MN. I had long suspected I might have a religious vocation, though it took me many years to accept it as a gift from God. Eventually, I made a trip to Jackson to visit the Sisters there.

I was struck by the beauty of religious life and the serenity I felt when I considered a future as a spouse of Christ. I entered Postulancy with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma the following summer and am now happily entrenched in my first year of the Novitiate, keeping the Diocese of Winona in my prayers!

The Office of Vocations Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@ dow.org

ing. Early in the summer I was at Mass, I felt such an admiration and passion for both the priesthood and marriage. I could not choose; I decided to give them up to God and that it was time for me to seriously reconsider the seminary. I told my girlfriend, and it is never easy to swallow these situations, no matter who you are. I took some time to pray about it. I knew that nothing would be decided if I went back to Benedictine, and that my unknown vocation would leave my relationship with my girlfriend in a rut. I had to make the difficult decision to leave a girl who I cared for and discern what God was truly calling me to.

A month later I left on a journey to Russia, which I had been planning since November 2012. I have always had a love for Russia. I did mission work in the area of Vladivostok, Russia for three and a half weeks and it was beautiful. God put my heart at rest with my decision and my trust with the Lord was strengthened. With this time at IHM, I know that this is where I need to be right now. The men here are on fire for Jesus Christ! It is so uplifting having all these men here. We pray for each other and always keep the Eucharist at the center. I am excited, because I know God is going to continue to test me. He will allow temptations and many other things to enter my life. I will grow in virtue, maturity, and understanding of who I am, who Jesus is, and what God desires for my life. It is beautiful what God does with humanity, we only need to love him to understand.

Finally, words to my young brothers and sisters in Christ: Do not be afraid. God has made you. He knows what you are capable of and what you desire.

If you are lost, do not squander for the nearest and easiest solution to find a future. Be very patient.

Please be patient. God will send you so many blessings if you wait. Focus on what you are doing now, and do it for God. Nothing else will matter, if it is not for Christ. I pray for you all! The world needs us, brothers and sisters! Be not afraid.

Sister Mar y Elisha Glady, RSM I grew up on a farm near Wykoff, MN, and the Catholic faith was a part of our family life. The example of my parents and our parish community along with my own interest in reading about Catholicism all contributed to my formation in the faith. I had thought about a religious vocation in elementary school, and these thoughts resurfaced when I was finishing high school and choosing a college. I decided that I wanted to attend a Catholic school so that I would have opportunities to learn about the faith while being in a setting where the sacraments were readily available.

During my time at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, thoughts of a religious vocation continued to persist and I began to look into religious life. After graduation, I worked as an editor in Sisters cont'd on pg. 8

November 2013

In this Issue

A Year of Faith Essay Winner Featured

St. Joseph

More on YOF page 2

A Year of Thanksgiving

Read the Message from Bishop Quinn More on YOF page 4

Ask a Canon Lawyer

What does the Church say about women in leadership?

More on YOF page 3

Year of Faith Special Edition Insert of The Courier

Year of Faith 2012 - 2013

Missionaries- Go Make Disciples By: Ben Frost

“You are Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (MT. 16:18). I remember the first time I really looked at this passage. I was in college and had just experienced a conversion and was making an effort to learn more about my Catholic faith. I read these words of Jesus to Peter as he made him the first Pope. It’s odd, because when I first looked at this scripture passage I had this image in my mind of the Papacy and the Church, and a huge gate that protected it, and they were under siege by Satan and all the evil minions of hell. I held this image in my mind until I went to Mass a while later, and the priest at my Newman Center painted a different picture.

He offered that the gates were not a barrier protecting the Church, but rather that it was the gates of hell itself, and these gates were no match to the power and energy of Christ’s Church on earth. In fact the Church would overpower these gates and triumph over darkness, sin and death. I have to admit, as I heard him explain it this way, I was totally pumped inside! You mean to say, that we, the Church, are on the offensive? We can go out into the world and extinguish the darkness with the light of Jesus Christ? We are not simply trying to hold off the powers of Satan long enough so that we can sneak out a victory? Yes, this message changed my life and my perception on the missionary activity of the Church.

The Second Vatican Council explored missionary principles in depth through its Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church (Ad Gentes). It states in its opening paragraph: “The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance with the decree of God the Father.” What a beautiful beginning to this decree.

We share in the very mission of the Holy Trinity. This sounds great, but it still begs the question, “What is the mission of the Church?” Jesus helps answer this question in the Gospel of St. Matthew, as he said to the first apostles: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” The apostles took these words to heart and literally changed the world around them. They went on the offensive and brought light into the darkness. “Thus the Apostles were the first budding-forth of the New Israel, and at the same time the beginning of the sacred hierarchy.” (Ad Gentes, 1:5) The Church started to flourish and the words of the Gospel were spread to every nation—these words of truth and life were received with open hearts, and Christ’s transforming power and grace effected the whole world. This Church continues its witness of grace and love today, but it seems odd that the Second Vatican Council would spend time talking about missionary zeal to a world where most people have at least heard of Jesus Christ. I think the council hit the nail on the head here though. Our modern world, filled with the influence of secularism, and moral relativism has seemed to adapt a sort of amnesia or apathy towards the gospel message. We have

many “unbelieving believers” who profess to be followers of Christ, but deny him by their lifestyles. Traditionally Christian nations have succumbed to the influences of the time over the transforming power of Jesus Christ and His Church.

This is precisely why it was easy for me to perceive the gates of the nether world in a defensive mode. However, what I was unaware of was a new zeal and ardor which has been growing in our Church. A “New Evangelization” is spreading and the same power and influence seen in the apostles of the early Church is becoming more and more evident in our Church today.

I witnessed this energy and power just a few months ago in Brazil at World Youth Day. The successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis gathered with 3.5 million young people and echoed the words of Jesus Christ. The very theme for the event was: “Go make disciples of all nations.” People came from all around our world, all at different levels of faith, but the Vicar (voice) of Christ boldly exclaimed the need for missionaries in our Church. Our Holy Father gave us courage to go out and share in the mission of the Trinity. “There are no boarders, no limits. He sends us to everyone. Do not be afraid to go and bring Christ to the whole world,” he said to the millions in attendance. He went on later to say: “What do I hope from World Youth Day? I hope the Church takes to the streets, that we defend ourselves from comfort, that we defend ourselves from clericalism.” These words are very powerful in my opinion. You see, the mission of our Lord is not easy, and for that reason many do not take it up. But, Our Holy Father sends us out with the courage of Jesus Christ, a courage that is born of an encounter with a living and true God. This was the courage that was blazing within the hearts of the apostles. This was the courage that was manifesting in the lives of the saints and martyrs. We have an opportunity in our Church to live as missionaries. We have the opportunity to be a part of a movement that will shine the light into the darkness. This mission demands a response from us all. Will we sit on the sidelines?

Or, like our Holy Father, will we take to the streets, sharing the reason for our joy and hope. This missionary time of New Evangelization is upon us. It’s time to be a part of the power that will destroy the very gates of the netherworld.

Official Closing of the Year of Faith: A New Beginning

On November 24, 2013, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King and the official closing of the Year of Faith for the Universal Church. The Solemnity of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in response to the rising secularism where faith was increasingly being taken out of the public arena.

With the knowledge that the peace of Christ could only be restored through the Kingdom of Christ, this feast was proclaimed as a source of hope for the world. As the Universal Church closes the Year of Faith on November 24, we may look on this Solemnity as an opportunity for a new beginning, so that grounded in the faith, we may seek to bring Christ’s peace and sovereignty into our own life as well as the life of the world.

To learn how the Year of Faith Closing Celebration was experienced in our diocese on October 30, 2013, please visit the diocesan website (www.dow.org). We are very grateful to all who have contributed to writing articles for the Year of Faith Courier Insert. Thank you for enlightening our understanding on

the Church’s teachings, including the documents of the Second Vatican Council, Code of Canon Law, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and on the dignity of women. Thank you to our readers who have journeyed with us through the Year of Faith. We are grateful for your valuable feedback and hope that you find the articles a source of strength as you continue to live and share the Gospel every day.

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who on the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, publicly recite the act of dedication of the human race to Christ the King; a partial indulgence is granted for its use in other circumstances.

Prayer:

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart.

Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.

Prayer Source: Apostolic Penitentiary, Manual of Indulgences. Norms and Grants (Washington, D.C.: USCCB, 2006) 43-44, no. 2.

2 - Year of Faith, November 2013

St. Joseph

Enriching Our Faith

Stories from the Year of Faith The following are stories the Office of Faith Formation has received during the Year of Faith.

written by John Ethen from Pacelli Catholic Schools. He is the First place winner of 9-12 grades.

In this Year of Faith, we need to have a model of righteousness for others to loo up to, so that we can have a role model to turn to when times get tough. For many people these days, we need that model to promote fidelity to God and family, chastity, and hard work. I believe that the best Saint to represent all of these qualities is Saint Joseph, the father of Christ himself. I believe that St. Joseph, who was a righteous1 man, can teach us all how to be chaste, caring and hard working.

I believe the biggest goal of the year of faith should be to help make the youth, the future of the Church stronger in their faith. This can be done by helping them through obstacles and problems they have with the faith. The biggest problem with young people these days is the draw towards sexual activity, which they get from the media and peers. For this reason, chastity should be one of the biggest points in this year of faith. The best model for that is Joseph, Mary’s chaste husband.

Another challenge many people face is their commitment to their own wants and desires; this can be seen in all the divorces and single parents in our society.

There is also a lack of commitment to God, which can be seen by the low numbers in regular churchgoers and volunteers for church activities. St. Joseph is a model for commitment, which is shown in the Bible by his choosing to follow God and be Mary’s husband, even though he considered divorcing her.2 Joseph was also a devout follower in his faith, which can be seen in his family’s visitation to Jerusalem for purification.3 His commitment to faith can also be a model for us on how we need to be consistent in our own faith.

Lastly, St. Joseph supported his family through hard work as a carpenter, and remained faithful to his family. So too should we encourage hard work and faithfulness to family. Hard work is needed because it won’t always be easy to obtain holiness, and we need to work hard if that is the goal we hope to achieve.

Faithfulness to family is important; families are slowly becoming more separated due to other commitments in life, and technology that can tempt people away from what is really important. In these ways, St. Joseph is the best role model for the Catholic Church and its members in the Year of Faith.

1. Mt 1:19 2. Mt 1:19-25 3. Luke 2:22-24

A Pilgrimage to St. Stanislaus Basilica Submitted by Corinne Melvin, St. Francis of Assisi Scripture Group A Scripture Group, to which I belong did a pilgrimage to St. Stanislaus Basilica for our end of the season activity. Our group planned the tour. Msgr.

Hargesheimer took us on a wonderful enlightening tour through the church. We spent time in prayer after the tour including praying the intentions of the Holy Father in order to receive an indulgence. We also had time to enjoy the beautiful shrine next to the church. After all the rainy days we have had, the sun shone brightly and we had a time to spend at the shrine. Of course, after that, we ladies always enjoy going to lunch and learning more about our families and activities for the summer months.

On October 12, 2013, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis hosted a Rediscover conference. Some of the participants were from our own Diocese of Winona. Below is related an experience from Laura Peratt, who attended the event with people from other parishes in Winona.

Submitted by Laura Peratt

Why would anyone get up at 5:00 Saturday morning, drag three kids out of bed, and drive 2 ½ hours to St. Paul? To attend the 2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration at the River Centre of course!

The day started with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nienstadt.

Emceed by Jeff Cavins, founder of the Great Adventure Bible Study series,

the event featured talks by Matthew Kelly; Most Reverend Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville, Texas; George Weigel; and Fr. Robert Barron.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation was offered through the day. Kids in grades K through 6 learned how to grow in and share their faith through discussions on prayer, the Sacraments, Saints, acts of kindness, charity, and liv-

The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful (Part II) We continue this month with our summary of, and reflection on, Blessed Pope John Paul II’s landmark statement on the laity, Christifidelis Laici (“The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People”).

As we discussed in the September issue, Pope John Paul begins his apostolic exhortation with a reflection on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Mt 20:1-16). This is the story in which a landowner goes out several times throughout the day to hire workers for his vineyard, and at the end of the work day pays all of them the same wage.

Pope John Paul says that this parable sets before us “the Lord’s vast vineyard,” which is the whole world. This vineyard, our world, “is to be transformed according to the plan of God in view of the final coming of the Kingdom of God.” And, the “laborers” in the vineyard are, then, the women and men who are “called and sent forth” by the Lord (the “landowner”) to work in the vineyard on his behalf. This call to labor in the vineyard is given to all members of the Church: clergy, religious, and lay. The Second Vatican Council, in particular, affirmed “the nature, dignity, spirituality, mission and responsibility of the lay faithful” within the mission of the Church, summoning them “to labour in the vineyard.”

The Pressing Needs of the World Today But what work awaits our laity as they seek to respond to the Lord’s and the Church’s call to help transform the world in light of God’s plan? Pope John Paul reflects on this in his introduction of Christifidelis Laici.

He begins by referring to the need for lay women and men “to take an active, conscientious and responsible part in the mission of the Church in this great moment in history.” This “great moment” in which we are living “calls with a particular urgency

By Todd Graff

for the action of the lay faithful.” To remain idle, to lack commitment, to be passive are always unacceptable for lay believers, but this is true even more so in this present moment. [#3] Pope John Paul lifts up three areas of concern in our present time in history which call out for the laity’s active response in faith.

• First, there is an ever greater indifference to religion, an increasing embrace of atheism in varied forms, and a widespread secularism within modern society. In this time of “impressive triumphs of continuing scientific and technological development,” men and women are turning away from God and seeking rather “to adore” the “various idols” which our highly technological age has brought into our human experience. And yet, our present-day world also bears signs of an openness to the spiritual and transcendent aspects of our lives, and seeks to return to “a sense of the sacred and to prayer.” [#4] • Second, the dignity of the human person is under assault in many ways in today’s world. The lives of our unborn children are taken in abortion. Children are abandoned and abused, and many grow up “without affection and education.”

Countless men and women are forced to live in conditions of poverty and misery, “lacking the means absolutely essential for leading a life worthy of a human being.” But, even in view of such violations to human dignity, the sacredness of the human person “cannot be obliterated.” There is also a growing awareness that the person is not a “thing” or “object,” but a “subject … endowed with conscience and freedom, … and oriented towards spiritual and religious values.” [#5] • Third, ours is an age of great conflicts which take the form “of violence, of terrorism, and of war.”

In the midst of the “confusion, struggle, disintegration and oppression” so prevalent in our time, the

Rediscover, cont'd on YOF pg. 3

The Office of Lay Formation

human family is “dramatically convulsed and woundTodd Graff ed.”

But, here again, men and women long for Director something beyond these conflicts, for tgraff@dow.org a “peace in justice” which unites the people of our earth in bonds of charity and service to one another. This is the path “increasingly pursued” by many persons and groups active in our society. [#5] Jesus Christ, the Hope of Humanity This is, then, a view that Pope John Paul offers us of “the vast field of labour” that calls forth the active and loving response of the Church’s lay faithful. Amidst the darkness of our times, as described above, the laity are to bring the light of faith and the hope which only Christ can offer. They are to nurture a deeper sense of the sacred within our world, to promote a deeper respect for the sacred dignity of each human life, and to be the bearers of peace in the midst of our world’s divisions. This is the mission of Christ, now entrusted to the Church.

Jesus Christ is “the living and personal Gospel.”

He is “the ‘good news’ and the bearer of joy that the Church announces each day, and to whom the Church bears testimony before all people.” And, Pope John Paul, in concluding his introduction, states again his conviction that the lay faithful “have an essential and irreplaceable role in this announcement and in this testimony” for “through them the Church of Christ is made present in the various sectors of the world, as a sign and source of hope and of love.” [#7] Deo Gratias!

The Truth of Our Faith

The Lord’s Prayer: A Gift of Faith

By Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves, R.S.M.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is necesThe Year of Faith, which began on October sary for the completion of baptismal grace 11, 2012, was an invitation for the People because through this sacrament they are of God to rediscover the content of the faith “more perfectly bound to the Church and are they profess, celebrate, live, and pray. In the enriched with a special strength of the Holy Courier over the past year, we have reflected Spirit” (CCC #1285).

When we pray to the on the Lord’s Prayer in reference to the teachFather, “Lead us not into temptation,” we are ings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. imploring the Holy Spirit to help us discern The Catechism is a fruit of the Second Vatican between trials and temptations, which can Council, whose 50th anniversary was cellead us to sin and death.

We are also implorebrated during the Year of Faith. The goal ing the Spirit for strength (CCC #2846).

For of the Council was to let the treasure of the this reason, the Church teaches us to call on Church—faith in Christ—flow into the daily the Holy Spirit, the “guardian of our hope,” lives of the human family. As we reflect on the last two petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, we con- in times of temptation. How does the Holy sider how the gift of Faith can transform our Spirit guide us? Throughout our lives and daily lives and strengthen us on our journey at the final moments before death, the Holy Spirit seeks to prompt us to attentiveness towards eternal life and vigilance with with God. prayer in followIn Psalm 118, the ing Christ that we psalmist prays, “My might not be oversoul is weary with come by temptation sorrow; strengthen (CCC #2849). me according to Catholic events, your word.” This cry such as, World Youth for interior strength Day and Eucharistic may sound familiar Congresses, place in one’s own prayer the person of in times of trials.

Christ as a central Day to day, this focus, whether it is cry rises from the through catechehearts of the vulnersis, praise and worable in our society, ship, Adoration of from the oppressed, the Most Blessed the neglected, and We continue our journey of faith with a deepthose who are bur- er understanding of the Lord’s prayer and seek Sacrament, or the dened with hard- to share the treasure of faith—a transform- Holy Sacrifice of the ship. When the ing relationship with Christ—with the world. Mass. The reason for this is that the culture falls short Church knows with the certitude of faith that in teaching forgiveness, peace, and charity, Jesus Christ has won victory over the “prince where can hope for true happiness be found? of this world,” the Evil One. As baptized indiIn the Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei (#1), “door viduals, we can find ourselves surrounded by of faith,” for the Year of Faith, Pope Emeritus materialism and relativism in our places of Benedict XVI wrote that the “door of faith is school, work, and possibly in our own homes. always open for us, ushering us into the life with God and offering entry into his Church.” In praying, “but deliver us from evil,” each of Opening the door of faith, we find hope as we us prays together with the whole Church and enter into a journey of encountering the true the Holy Spirit, “Come, Lord Jesus,” for the source of happiness, Christ. This journey of deliverance of the whole human family (CCC faith starts at Baptism and ends in eternal #2850, #2853).

As we close the Year of Faith on November life. The Catechism teaches that through 24, 2013, the Feast of Christ the King, we can Baptism, we are freed from sin and are continue in our journey of faith with a deeper reborn as children of God (#1213). Because understanding of the Lord’s prayer and seek of Baptism, we can be assured that God, our to make it our mission to share the treasure Father, will not let us be tested with difficulof faith—a transforming relationship with ties beyond our strength and will supply us Christ—with the world. with the means of endurance (1Cor. 10:13).

Rediscover -

cont'd from YOF pg. 2

ing the virtues. Teens in grades 7 through 12 heard a humorous and poignant message by speaker Jason Evert, rocked to music

by Sonar, and adored our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Each speaker was dynamic, engaging, insightful. The overall message was that Catholicism is great – know your faith, live your faith, then share your faith. Matthew Kelly shared a story about a priest who requested that a renowned Shakespearean actor recite the 23rd Psalm. The actor agreed, on the condition that the priest also recite the psalm. The actor recited flawlessly, to enthusiastic applause. When the priest finished his moving recitation, no one spoke, no one moved. Asked why the priest’ THE VOCATION AND THE MISSION OF THE LAY FAITHFUL… (Part II) s recitation was so powerful, the actor replied, “I know the psalm, but he lives it.” George Weigel asked how an illiterate fisherman from Galilee managed to confront a world power with the Gospel and end up with the most magnificent tombstone in the world – the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome.

The answer: he was transformed by friendship with Jesus Christ.

The small band of disciples grew into half the population of the

Year of Faith, November 2013 - 3

Ask a

Canon Lawyer

By Mr. William Daniel

Q: "What does Church law say about women’s participation in leadership roles?"

Reply: In the first place, it should be noted that the Church’s legislation does not stress questions of gender difference as such. The best starting point for such a discussion is the regeneration of Christ common to all Christ’s faithful at all levels, in virtue of which there exists among all Catholics “a true equality with respect to dignity and action by which all, according to the proper condition and function of each, cooperate in the edification of the Body of Christ” (c. 208). Whether man, woman or child, cleric, religious or lay, every Catholic is of equal dignity as a redeemed child of God and is equally called to holiness. In the order of salvation, this is of primary importance.

The reference in this canon to the “condition and function of each” raises the question: which functions of Church leadership can be entrusted to women? Here it is not so much a matter of whether one is a man or a woman, but whether or not one is a priest. Certain functions are reserved by their nature to priests and bishops, specifically those that involve the full care of souls (e.g., diocesan bishop, pastor, chaplain, etc). Other functions are not reserved to priests, and men and women are equally capable of assuming these. The function of most notable Church authority that can be entrusted to a woman is that of superior general of a women’s institute of consecrated

Roman Empire by 313 AD when Christianity was legalized because of their witness. They lived the faith by caring for the sick, the young, the abandoned; by treating everyone humanely, with compassion and respect (radical concepts in those days), through the grace of friendship with Jesus Christ. Fr. Barron exhorted us to preach with ardor – to be excited about the faith and speak persuasively and intelligently about it. That fire, he said, comes only from a clarity about who we are, who Jesus is, and what the Resurrection is all about.

Am I glad that I got up at 5 am and trekked up to the Cities?

Absolutely. What an incredible experience to receive the Lord, be uplifted by beautiful music, and sit under faith-filled teaching with 5000 like-minded people! The teens were still in Adoration as I was picking up my younger kids for the final session. Many people knelt in the hallway outside the open ballroom door, gazing prayerfully upon our Lord. My children and I joined them for a few moments, reveling in the Spirit moving among us. I have a feeling that next October 4, I may be making another earlymorning trip to the Cities.

life; she is also supported by a council of her sisters, and there are superiors and councils at other levels as well (viz., the province, the local religious house).

These functions are in fact reserved to women who are members of the institute (cf. cc. 617 ff.).

Outside of religious institutes, the following are examples of functions that can be entrusted to a qualified woman: consultor to the departments of the Roman Curia (Pastor bonus, artt. 8-9) or the conference of bishops, participant in a particular council (c. 443, §4) or diocesan synod (c. 463, §1, 5º), diocesan chancellor, vice-chancellor or notary (cf. cc. 482-483), finance officer of a diocese (c. 494, §2), director of an office of the diocesan curia (cf. cc.

469-471), member of the finance council (c. 492, §1) or diocesan pastoral council (c. 512), president of a Catholic or ecclesiastical university (cf. c. 810, §1), principal of a Catholic school (cf. c. 806, §2), and judge, assessor, auditor, defender of the bond, promoter of justice, or advocate in the diocesan tribunal (cf. cc. 1421, §2; 1424; 1428, §2; 1435; 1483).

Mr. William Daniel is a canon lawyer of the Diocese of Winona, serving as a Tribunal Judge and Vice-Chancellor. If you have a canon law question which may be considered in a future issue, you may send them to the Associate Editor at Courier@dow.org.

Act of Faith Lord God, I believe and confess All and everything that the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because you, O God, have revealed it all; You who are Eternal Truth and Wisdom; You who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this Faith I choose to live and die. Amen.

4 - Year of Faith, November 2013

Living Our Faith in Society

Bishop's Message given at the Closing of the Year of Faith: Bishop Quinn Proclaims a Year of Thanksgiving!

Good evening! It is truly a joy for me to join with you this evening to celebrate the Closing of the Year of Faith! This evening, we gather together with friends and family, as students, catechists, teachers, deacons, religious and priests to proclaim our treasure of faith—a personal and transforming relationship with Christ.

Tonight, we gather together simultaneously in five locations across the diocese—separate—yet united in spirit and united physically via the wonder of technology. I am here at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with a lively group from the Winona Deanery parishes while you are gathered in Worthington, Mankato, Owatonna and Rochester. It is truly a blessing for me to be with you all tonight. Thank you for being here and thank you for your beautiful faith in our Lord Jesus and His Church.

In 2011, when Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI issued the Apostolic letter Porta Fidei, which means, “door of faith,” —he noted that the “the door of faith is always open for us, ushering us into life with God and offering entry into his Church.” The door of faith enters us into a journey of faith, which starts at Baptism and ends in eternal life. The journey of faith leads us to encounter Christ in our daily life and to let this encounter transform us so that we can be His light in the world. During the Year of Faith, which began on October 11, 2012, Pope Emeritus Benedict invited us to open the door of faith for ourselves, for others, and then to work to keep it open.

With this call in mind, the Year of Faith celebration this evening is not really a closing—but rather a celebration and invitation to integrate the message of Porta Fidei into our everyday life. Tonight is a beginning rather than an end.

The Year of Faith marked the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The goal of the Council was to “unlock” the treasures of the Church —to let the life of the Church, especially the graces of the sacraments, flow freely into our daily lives. Similarly, as we approach the closing of the Year of Faith, we look over this past year with joy. We look at what we have come to understand and love about our faith—and we let that joy impact our daily life and the life of those we meet.

I want to thank each of you for making the effort to deepen your faith this year. Thank you for participating in the year’s special opportunities to grow in faith. To you who were responsible for organizing and hosting these programs and events— for working so hard to foster the important catechesis which is so necessary in today’s culture—thank you. The Year of Faith not only gave us the opportunity to study the Vatican II documents, but also to rediscover the faith we profess, live, celebrate and pray through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a fruit of the council. I encourage everyone to continue studying the Catechism and the treasure of the other Church documents.

Pope Francis, during the day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria spoke of our Christian faith as urging us to look at the Cross, where the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken. We need to live our faith, live the Gospel, not only in words but in deeds. We need to respond to the poor, the immigrants, and the oppressed. We need to be a model for the world—a model of faith, hope and love. Let us look to the lives of the saints, Our Blessed Mother, and Saint Joseph. Let us look to the lives of men and women in our day, who follow Christ closely wherever they are called. This cloud of witnesses serves as our model for living the faith in words and deeds.

We come together this evening as a community—and in professing the same faith, we radiate the one light, which is Christ. This is how we open the “door of faith” to others. This is how we allow Christ to transform hearts, and to become the Heart of the world.

Our gathering this evening marks another beginning. We mark the beginning of a Year of Thanksgiving to the Lord for 125 years of Catholic faith in the Diocese of Winona. In 1889, Father Joseph Cotter, pastor of the Church of St. Thomas in the city of Winona, was appointed the first bishop of the new Diocese of Winona. From this humble beginning grew a Church that

today includes 114 parishes, 111 priests, 365 sisters, 21 brothers, 21 deacons, over 180 professional lay ministers, and more than 130,000 Catholics. There are 29 Catholic Schools and a Catholic university, St. Mary’s University. Our Diocese covers 13,000 square miles of the southern 20 counties of Minnesota.

I invite you now to continue this Year of Faith by extending it into a Year of Thanksgiving for the 125th Anniversary of the Diocese of Winona.

I invite you to continue deepening your love and understanding of Christ and His Church. I invite you to deepen your love for your parish, your pastors, deacons, our religious men and women and all serving His Church.

As we look back upon our 125 year history in the Diocese of Winona, I ask you more importantly to look to the future. I ask you to seek out ways that you and your family can live the Gospel in your daily lives—maybe it is simply an increase in your prayer life, maybe it’s volunteering at your parish or in your communities. Or, maybe it’s embarking on a mission to help the poor, defenseless or those who do not know Christ. Whatever the Lord calls you to do—say ‘yes’—take that step of faith “out into the deep” and live your faith.

I invite you all to join me in prayer as we move into this Year of Thanksgiving.

Throughout 2014 there will be opportunities to learn more about our diocesan history. We began our journey from our homes and parishes, we are gathered here this evening in our “deaneries”, connected through technology—on the weekend of September 13, 2014, we will gather together as one diocese at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato. I look forward to celebrating the coming year with all of you.

Before we move on to the other events of the evening, I want to take the opportunity to let you know how grateful I am for the outpouring of support and generosity you have shown toward the Rooted in Faith, Rejoice in Hope! capital campaign. Your response to my appeal for support of the important needs of our retired priests and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary has been overwhelming. It is humbling for me, and I know it is the same for all of my brother priests, to feel the love you have for all of us. This campaign really is about the priesthood in the Diocese of Winona—it’s about taking care of the men who serve us throughout our lives—it’s about providing the most solid foundation possible to the seminarians who answer God’s call to the priesthood. I thank dearly for your support.

We have now begun the final wave of the campaign and we are moving closer toward our goals. We still have a way to go yet, though. Please visit the display setup at your location showing our progress. I thank you for generosity so far. I ask that if you haven’t had an opportunity to respond yet, please consider my request for support. Any gift, in any amount, that you can sacrifice for these important needs is so very important. God bless you and thank you again.

I want to also thank everyone who made this historic gathering tonight possible. I want to thank the many volunteers in each location that gave so many hours of their time to plan each event. I want to thank Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves and the diocesan Curia for their leadership. And finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for being here. Your faith inspires me—your love and prayers carry me—and I am truly grateful.

As we embark on a diocesan Year of Thanksgiving, let us go forth now proclaiming the Name of Jesus Christ to the whole world—through our actions, through our words and through our deeds. BLESSING

Buenas tardes. Es un verdadero placer para mi reunirme con ustedes para celebrar la Clausura del Año de la Fe. Esta tarde nos reunimos con amigos y familiares, como estudiantes, catequistas, maestros, diáconos, religiosos y sacerdotes para proclamar el tesoro de nuestra Fe - una relación personal y transformadora

reunidos en Worthington, Mankato, Owatonna, y Rochester. Es una verdadera bendición para mi estar con todos ustedes, esta noche. Gracias por estar aquí y gracias por la belleza de su Fe en nuestro Señor Jesucristo y en Su Iglesia.

En el 2011, cuando el Papa Emérito Benedicto XVI publicó la Carta Apostólica,

Mensaje para la Clausura del Año de la Fe de Su Excelencia Mons. John M. Quinn, Obispo de Winona con Cristo. Esta noche nos reunimos al mismo tiempo en cinco lugares a lo largo de la diócesis, separados, pero unidos en espíritu y también gracias a la maravilla de la Tecnología actual.

Estoy aquí en la Catedral del Sagrado Corazón con un grupo proveniente de las parroquias del Decanato de Winona mientras ustedes están

“Porta Fidei”, que significa, “Puerta de la Fe”, el Papa quiso resaltar que “la Puerta de la Fe está siempre abierta para nosotros, introduciéndonos a la vida con Dios y ofreciéndonos la entrada en Su Iglesia.” La Puerta de la Fe nos introduce en un camino de Fe que comienza con el Bautismo Mensaje, cont. on pg.12

The Courier, November 2013 - 7

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Rochester Catholic Schools Launches the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

From RCS Press Release, Oct 2 - ROCHESTER, MN - In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) will launch the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) this week at its five locations. The OBPP prevents or reduces bullying in elementary, middle and junior high schools in order to help make our schools a more safe and positive place where students can learn. OBPP aims to change the norms around bullying behavior and restructure the school setting so that bullying is less likely to occur or be rewarded. OBPP responds to bullying at schoolwide, classroom, individual and community levels.

RCS has provided resources for two employees to be certified as Olweus Bullying Prevention Program National trainers. These two trainers have trained 35 staff members, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and nonteaching staff members, to be on a Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee (BPCC) at each of the five RCS locations. Prior to the start of the 2013-14 school year, the BPCC’s trained the remainder of the faculty, staff and students at each school. This is a long-term, proactive system-wide approach that supports the mission of Rochester Catholic Schools to provide a learning environment that is safe, respectful and honors the dignity of each person.

“The beauty of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is that it empowers our young people with the tools necessary to stand up for behavior that diminishes the equality of those around them. A common definition and understanding of what bullying behavior looks and sounds like coupled with opportunities to discuss scenarios and experiences provide concrete ways for children to report and respond to real life situations when they occur. Our ultimate goal is that RCS students will go into the community and work in a very real way to ensure that they and others will be treated with dignity and respect,” said St. Francis of Assisi principal, Barb Plenge. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today. It was developed by Dan Olweus, Ph.D., of Norway. OBPP has over 35 years of research behind it and has been implemented throughout the world, in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, Mexico, Iceland,

Germany, Sweden, and Croatia, in addition to Norway. OBPP is recognized by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence as one of only 11 Blueprints Model Programs and by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a Model Program – two of the highest honors a prevention program can attain. It has also received numerous awards from other organizations dedicated to addressing the issue of bullying and violence among children. (www.violencepreventionworks.org) As a unified system of schools, Rochester Catholic Schools provides quality Catholic education to nearly 1,800 students. As a system of elite schools, RCS promotes faith formation, academic excellence and service learning experiences for all students. Rochester Catholic Schools remains committed to delivering quality instruction with challenging curriculum, maintaining high

Many parishes throughout the diocese committed to offer consolation to the Heart of Christ through a Mass of Reparation. At least one Mass will be said every day: Friday, November 1 12:10 p.m. St. John the Evangelist, Rochester St. Peter, Hokah- Society of Friars Minor, India Saturday, November 2 4.30 p.m. St. Augustine, Austin Sunday, November 3 8 a.m. Holy Family, East Chain 10 a.m. St. John Vianny Fairmont Monday, November 4 8:30 a.m. St. Luke, Sherburn 4:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Rollingstone

5 p.m. St. Francis de Sales, Claremont Monday, November 11th 8 a.m. St. James, Twin Lakes 8:30 a.m. St. Mary, Chatfield Tuesday, November 12th 8:30 a.m. St. Anthony, Adrian Wednesday, November 13th 7 a.m. Pax Christi, Rochester 7 a.m. Ss. Peter and Paul, Mankato 8 a.m. Holy Redeemer, Eyota 8:30 a.m. St. Anthony, Westbrook 5:30 p.m. St. Mary, Geneva Thursday, November 14th 8 a.m. St. Ann, Janesville 8:30 a.m. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Currie 8:30 a.m. St. Joeseph, Lakefield

Diocesan

Masses

Tuesday, November 5 9 a.m. Christ the King, Byron Wednesday, November 8:30 a.m. St. Columbian, Preston 8:30 a.m. St. Killian, St. Killian Thursday, November 7 9 a.m. Immaculate Conception, Conception 2 p.m. St. Johns Health Care Center, Albert Lea 5:15 p.m. St. Mary, Winona Friday, November 8 8:30 a.m. St. Gabriel, Fulda 10 a.m. St. Mary of the Lake Nursing Home, Lake City Saturday, November 9th 4:30 p.m. St. Felix, Wabasha 5 p.m. Crucifixion, La Crescent

The Office of

Catholic Schools Marsha Stenzel Superintendent mstenzel@dow. org

expectations for students and faculty, and providing an inclusive, nurturing environment dedicated to preparing students for success.

St. Isidore School Marathon St. Isidore participated in a School Marathon on Friday, October 4. This was a non-public education fund-raiser that happens nationwide, but all the money St. Isidore raised stays with their school. There were individual incentives such as pick-a-prize, T-shirt, or a free personal day as well as school incentives, which included a movie party, ice cream sundaes, extra recess and a pool party.

They walked 2-3 miles through the woods and found their way through the corn field to the famous "big rock." Even the parents joined in!

St. Isidore wishes to thank all the families and locals supporters and let everyone know that they are still working towards their goal. Visit their website to see more: www.stisidoreschool.webs.com

of

Reparation

8:30 a.m. St. Ignatius, Spring Valley 10 a.m. St. Paul, Minnesota City 2 p.m. Good Samaritan, Albert Lea 5:15 p.m. St. Mary, Worthington 6:30 p.m. St. James, St. James 7 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester Friday, November 15th 8:15 a.m. St. John the Baptist, Mankato 8:30 a.m. St. Martin, Woodstock 7 p.m. Queen of Angels, Austin Saturday, November 16th 4:30 p.m. Holy Spirit, Rochester Sunday, November 17th 9 a.m. St. John Baptist de La Salle, Dodge Center 11 a.m. St. Patrick, Lanesboro

for

sins

Monday, November 18th 8:30 a.m. St. Columbanus, Blooming Prairie 8:30 a.m. Good Shepherd, Jackson Tuesday, November 19th 8:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Hayfield 8:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Waseca 8:30 a.m. St. Finbarr, Grand Meadow 5:10 p.m. St. Mary, Caledonia Wednesday, November 20th 8 a.m. St. Mary, Madelia 8 a.m. St. Peter, Rose Creek Thursday, November 21st 8 a.m. St. Bernard, Stewartville 8:30 a.m. St. Adrian, Adrian Friday, November 22nd 9 a.m. Holy Family, Kasson Saturday, November 23rd 7 p.m. St. Aloysius, Elba 4:30 p.m. Holy Spirit, Rochester Sunday, November 24th 8 a.m. St. Vincent de Paul, West Concord 11 a.m. St. Joseph, Owatonna Monday, Noveber 25th St. Mary, Houston- Society of Friars Minor, India Wednesday, November 27th 8:40 a.m. St. John Vianney, Fairmont Thursday, November 28th 8 a.m. St. Charles Boromeo, St. Charles St. Mary’s, Houston- Society of Friars Minor, India Friday, November 29th 7:15 a.m. Sacred Heart, Owatonna 7:30 a.m. Ss. Peter and Paul, Blue Earth 8:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Waseca 8:30 a.m. Our Lady of Good Counsel, Wilmont Saturday, November 30th 7 a.m. St. Leo, Pipestone St. Joseph’s, Rushford- Society of Friars Minor, India

8 -The Courier, November 2013

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

Middle School Youth Rallies Great

Events! Adrian presentation was entitled: "Dangerous Downloads" & Owatonna's presentation was "Get out of the Boat"

The Office of Youth & Young Adults Ben Frost Director bfrost@dow.org

By: Ben Frost

It’s the time of year for middle school youth rallies.

Two rallies were held this fall in Adrian and Owatonna.

These gatherings were a great combination of energy, fun, and most importantly reflection on faith. The Adrian Middle School Youth Festival highlighted many games, icebreakers, pizza music and Mass, and the presentation for the day was on “Dangerous Downloads” which was a talk on how to filter the music we listen to. Owatonna’s Middle School Youth Rally featured the speaker John Pressimone from Baltimore and he spoke on the theme of “Get out of the Boat” This gathering also had lively music, games, pizza and Mass.

Events like this are important because building community in a Christ filled environment is a huge necessity to Christian growth. As the book Proverbs (27:17) says: “Iron sharpens Iron”. We need each other, and we need our Lord to help us grow in holiness. Thank you to all middle school youth who gathered for these events, and another thank you to the many great youth ministers and volunteers who made these events a huge success. (A photo from of the event can be seen to the right.)

YOUCATCHAT

We began a new group this year called YOUCATCHAT. This group was developed for Confirmation and post- Confirmation age students specifically to keep them connected and/or reconnect the to their Catholic Faith after Confirmation.- using the YOUCAT Catechism as the root. The group has a three-fold mission: education, fellowship (through weekly meetings), and evangelization (through the use of social media and personal witness). We have developed a facebook group for them to ask questions or share their faith on line as well as a facebook page where they can get updates on what is going on with the surrounding area churches and specific YOUCATCHAT event information @ www.facebook. com/youcatchatconnection to HELP keep them connected with their church. It is my hope and goal that this YOUCATCHAT group could extend to many different churches having satellite groups for the weekly sessions but connecting everyone through the facebook page/group for direction etc.

We have had 3 chances so far for this YOUCATCHAT group to lead in our area.

For the first 20 minutes of our weekly sessions- they help lead the 6-9th graders and get them involved in our "team practices" -outside fun games. They have been great at this- using our YOUCATCHAT mascot "the Cat". The leaders have as much fun wearing the costume as the younger youth do seeing the Cat and guessing who the Cat is that is joining in on all the activities.

Members of this YOUCATCHAT group have helped me begin a multi-denominational pro-life group in the Mankato area for high school age and younger called Youth 4 Life. We were part of the Kick off for the 40 Days for life Campaign that took place Sept 15th. 2 of the youth from Youth 4 Life gave pro-life speeches at the event and several others took part in the children's pro-life art's and craft table.

Members of this YOUCATCHAT Group were also on the team who helped put on our Parish's 6th-8th grade Theology of the Body retreat on September 29th. This was a HUGE success!

Submitted by: Beverly Miller

Sisters, cont'd from pg 6 educational publishing and then went back to school to earn my teaching license. While studying to be a teacher I came to know the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, MI. I was attracted to their life in common centered in prayer, their charism of mercy, and their apostolate, which included educators. I visited their house in Jackson, MN, a few times as well as their Motherhouse in Alma, MI. I decided to enter the Sisters of Mercy in August, 2012. I am currently in my canonical novitiate year and thankful to God for leading me on this path.

EVANGELIZATION & APOLOGETICS

The Courier, November 2013 - 9

Confidence in the Sacred Heart Attracts Exceptional Favours to Souls By: Raymond de Souza

"Do not permit thy confidence to be lost," says the Apostle Saint Paul, "for it merits a great re¬compense." This virtue, indeed, brings such great glory to God that it necessarily attracts exceptional favours to souls.

The Lord declared several times in the Scriptures with what generous magnificence He treats confi¬dent souls. "Because he hoped in Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he hath recognized My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will heed him. I shall be with him in his tribulations; I will free him from them, and I shall glorify him."

What pacifying promises in the mouth of Him who punishes every idle word and condemns the slightest exaggeration! So then, and according to the testimony of Truth itself, confidence in the Sacred Heart moves all evil far from us.

Sin is in the front line of the evils from which confidence in the Sacred Heart preserves us. Furthermore, there is nothing more in conformance with the nature of things. The confident soul knows its nothingness, as well as that of all creatures; and it is for this reason that it does not count on itself or on men, and puts all its hope in God. Il is suspicious of its own misery; it practices, as a consequence, true humility.

Now then, as you know, pride is the fountain of all our faults and the beginning of ruin. The Lord flees from the proud man; He lets him stay with his weakness and allows him to fall. The fall of Saint Peter is a terrible example of this.

The Scriptures recommend to us with a very accentuated insistence that we stir up our faith before presenting our supplications to God. "And all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive," declared the Master. The Apostle Saint James uses the same language; he wants us to pray "with faith, without hesitating." The one who doubts is like an inconsistent wave of the sea; with such dispositions, it is useless for him to wish to be heard.

Now, then, of what faith do the previous pas¬sages treat? It

The Office of Evangelization & Apologetics Raymond de Souza

is not the habitual faith that baptism infuses into our souls but a special confidence that makes us hope firmly in the intervention Director of Pro¬vidence in given circumstances. And Our Lord says this explicitly in the Gospel: "Whatever be the ob¬ject of thy prayer, rdesouza@ dow.org believe that thou shall obtain it; and it will be granted to thee."

The Master could not have designated confidence more clearly. heeded? Above all, the absolutism at The saints prayed with this confidence, and for this reason the same time so respectful and so God showed Himself to be of an infinite liberality with them. con¬fident, of the saints in their supOur Lord deigned to reveal to Saint Gertrude that her conplications?" fidence worked such violence on the Divine Heart that He was Christian souls, employ all of the forced to favor all her requests. And He added that, in acting means at your disposal to acquire thus, He was satisfying the demands of His goodness and His love for her. A friend of the Saint had been praying for some time confidence in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Meditate much on the without obtaining any result. The Saviour said to her: "I have infinite power of God, on His immense love, on the inviolable fideldelayed the concession of that which you ask of Me, because thou ity with which He fulfills His pro¬mises, and on the Passion of Our dost not con¬fide in My goodness, as My faithful Gertrude doth. I Lord Jesus Christ. However, do not remain indefinitely waiting in ex¬pectation. From reflection, pass on to action. never refuse her anything that she asks of Me." Let us make acts of confidence and love of the Sacred Heart Now finally, behold, according to the testimony of Blessed Raymond of Capua, her confessor, how Saint Catherine of Sienna frequently. Let every one of our actions serve as an occasion to prayed. "Lord," she used to say, "I shall not move away from renew those acts. It is, above all, in the hours of diffi¬cultly and Thy feet, from Thy presence, as long as Thy goodness hath not trial that we must multiply them.

Let us repeat frequently the very touching invocation: "Heart con¬ceded to me what I desire, as long as Thou dost not agree to what I ask of Thee." "Lord," she con¬tinued, "I want Thee to of Jesus, I trust in thee!" Our Lord said to a privileged soul: "The promise me eternal life for all those whom I love." Then, with little prayer: 'I trust in thee,' is enough to enchant My Heart, an admirable audacity, she would extend her hand toward the because in it is in¬cluded confidence, faith, love, and humility.”

Let us not fear to exaggerate the practice of this virtue. Let Tabernacle: "Lord," she added, "put Thy hand in mine! Yes! give us not spare our efforts. The fruits of con¬fidence in the Sacred me proof that Thou shalt give me that which I beseech Thee!"

May these examples inspire us to recollect our¬selves in the Heart are sufficiently precious to be worth the effort that it takes depths of our souls; let us examine our consciences a bit. With a to collect them. pious author let us pose to ourselves the following question: "Have we put a total confidence in our prayers, a little bit of the absolutism of a child who Steele County, MN. She entered begs from his mother the object that he desires? Sister Patricia the Sisters of St. Francis in The absolutism of the poor beggars who follow us, Sonnek, SSND 1949 from Holy Trinity Parish, and who, by the force of importunity, manage to be Sister Patricia Litomysl, MN, made first vows (formerly Sister in 1952 and perpetual vows in M. Carmeline) 1955.

Sonnek, SSND, After first vows S. Bernadette 76, died Sunday, taught elementary education at September 22, 2013, at Good St. Priscilla School, Chicago and Counsel, Mankato.

Borromeo, Spanish Mass, Albert Lea, St. Theodore, Madelia, St. Mary, Spanish Junior High students at: St, John Sister Patricia was born Mass, 10 a.m., every Sunday.

11:30 a.m., every Sunday.

Spanish Mass, 11 a.m., every Vianney, Fairmont; St. Mary’s, in 1937 near Easton, MN, to Mankato, Ss. Peter and Paul, St. James, St. James, Spanish Sunday.

Owatonna; St. John, Johnsburg, Matthew and Mary (Schimek) Spanish Mass, 1 p.m., every Mass, 12 p.m., every Austin, Queen of Angels, Sonnek. She entered the School St. Raphael, Springfield and St. Sunday.

Sunday.

Spanish Mass at 11 a.m and Sisters of Notre Dame in 1955. Peter, North St. Paul. She then Owatonna, Sacred Heart, Waseca, Sacred Heart, 5 p.m. every Sunday.

She taught in several Catholic served in Religious Education/ Spanish Mass, 1 p.m. every Spanish Mass, 11:30 a.m., Dodge Center, St. John Baptist elementary schools, including Parish Outreach ministry in Sunday. every Sunday. de La Salle, Spanish Mass, 11 St. Felix, Wabasha (1958-66) several Catholic Parishes in Pipestone, St. Leo, Spanish Windom, St. Francis Xavier, a.m., every Sunday. until 1971 when she took cours- Colorado, Indiana, Arizona, Mass, 2:30 p.m., every Spanish Mass, 12 p.m., Fairmont, St. John Vianney, es to become an LPN. From Minnesota, Oklahoma and Sunday every Sunday Spanish Mass, 2 p.m., every 1982-2007 she worked for vari- Louisiana. In 1988 S. Bernadette Sunday.

Rochester, St. Francis of Assisi, Worthington, St. Mary, ous health services in Rochester served for a year at the College Lake City, St. Mary, Spanish Spanish Mass, 12 noon, Spanish Mass, Saturday including the Public Health of St. Teresa, Winona, before Department, Olmsted Medical going to Kagoshima, Japan at 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.

Mass, 6:30 p.m., every third every Sunday.

Group, Assisi Heights and the where she served as Professor Saturday.

St. Charles, St. Charles Mayo Clinic. She was also an of English at Immaculate Heart College. On returning, avid quilter and crafter.

She is survived by 5 sisters she attended St. Bonaventure and 2 brothers. She was pre- University before serving in Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas Mankato ceded in death by her parents Franciscan Formation for the Capellán del Decanato de Worthington Tel. 507-388-2995 Little Sisters of St. Francis at and 3 brothers. lukiponcho@yahoo.es Nakuru and Kasarani, Kenya, Tel. 507-341-0403 Padre Raul Silva Sister East Africa. She then minisPastor de “All Saints” en New Richland, tered in Greensboro, NC and Padre José Morales “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, Bernadette in Colorado Springs, CO before Capellán del Decanato de Rochester “St. Mary” en Geneva Svatos retiring to Assisi Heights in jloralesr2008@yahoo.es padreraulsilva@gmail.com S i s t e r 2008.

Tel. 507-329-2931 Bernadette Sister Bernadette is survived Padre Rafael Chávez Svatos (Sister by her brother George of Deer Padre Carlos Arturo Calderón Capellán del Decanato de Austin/Albert Lea Mary Pamela), River, MN, a sister Rosella Snow Capellán del Decanato de Mankato rchcanahua@hotmail.com 81, a Franciscan of Colorado Springs, CO, many fathercarlos@hotmail.com Sister of the Congregation of nieces and nephews and her Padre Wellington Muñoz Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Franciscan Sisters with whom Padre Mariano Varela IVE Vicario Parroquial de “Queen of Angels” en MN, died at Assisi Heights on she shared life for sixty-four Párroco de “SS. Peter and Paul” en Mankato Austin, Thursday. October 3, 2013. years. Her parents preceded her mvarela@hickorytech.net “All Saints” en New Richland, Bernadette Apollinor Svatos in death as well as her siblings: Tel. 507-388-2995 ext 103 “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, was born January 5, 1932 to Raymond, Charles, Joseph, “St. Mary” en Geneva Charles and Rose (Skalicky) Josephine, Georgine, Martha, Padre Octavio Cortez IVE munozwel@gmail.com Svatos in Somerset Township, Agnes and Margaret.

Vicario Parroquial de “Ss. Peter and Paul” en Tel. 507-433-1889

Spanish Mass Schedule

Hispanic Priests/Sacerdotes Hispanos:

Obituaries

10 - The Courier, November 2013

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Adoption is the Loving Option Adoption Ministry at St. Bridget’s and St. Bernard’s Catholic Churches

Catholic Charities Mother and Child Fund Life is a gift from God but that gift often comes at difficult times. Catholic Charities Mother and Child Assistance Fund helps pregnant women and women with babies with rent, utilities, medical expenses and educational assistance.

The fund helps women to carry their baby to term by providing the direct support they need to work through difficult situations that they and their baby may face. The Baby Bottle Campaign supports the activities of the fund.

The Mother and Child Assistance Fund is supported by generous donations.

To make a donation send a check to Catholic Charities Mother and Child Assistance Fund, 903 W Center Street Suite 220, Rochester, MN 55902.

Visit our website at www.ccwinona.org for Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Information or call 1-800-222-5859.

I am the luckiest mom in the world! I have 2 beautiful children through adoption; thanks to Catholic Charities and the courageous love of their birthparent.

Placing a child for adoption is the greatest sacrifice a person could ever make. Because of one such person we have our daughter. We were unable to have a child, now we are four souls forever connected.

This turned out to be a true blessing and the best gift we could have received - a gift from God.

When we decided to adopt everything seemed to come into place, I think it was meant to be. The overall experience has been incredible and unbelievable; the best gifts we have ever been given were given to us by complete strangers.

Adoption has been a blessed event in our lives. We can’t imagine loving anyone as much as our child. He has been the joy of our lives and has allowed his parents the opportunity of having a family. We are extremely grateful to his birthmother for bringing him into our world.

Quotes from Adoptive Families

Our Goals are to establish and formalize an Adoption Mentorship/Scholarship Ministry for the parishes of St. Bridget’s and St. Bernard’s, raise funds to assist families with the adoption process, and increase awareness of what adoption is like today.

The idea for an adoption ministry at St. Bridget's and St. Bernard's was born out of love from several families.

These families have been blessed with the gift of children from God through adoption. We want to work with families in our parishes and help them grow their families through adoption, just like we did. It is an opportunity to help families in the adoption process, 1) spiritually, through mentorship and support and 2) financially with scholarships. In addition, it will build awareness about Adoption – It is the Loving Option.

Why do this?

First, it is personal. God has blessed us with children through adoption. Thus, we want to support families in our parish with their adoption journey. It is a long process with a lot of questions, unknowns, ups and downs.

There are questions about the process, how do we start, what does "open" adoption mean? Our goal is to develop a network of people in our own parish who are willing to be mentors and share the journey of adoption with families in the process of or considering adoption.

Second, we are a Pro-life, Pro-family church. It just seems to fit, to help build families in our church and to spread the beauty of adoption - Adoption is the Loving Option. The Bible provides for us a perfect example.

Jesus was adopted by Joseph. WOW! The ministry will also build awareness - sharing how the adoption process has changed and what the possibilities are. Someone may choose adoption as the loving option because of our ministry in our churches.

Third, the adoption process can be expensive, and there are very few resources to help with this process.

We want our ministry to be a resource to adoptive families through financial scholarships.

We are still developing the ministry, but are close to formalizing the process and posting information on our church’s web site. Our goal is to complement what Catholic Charities is doing. One never knows who the next person or family will be that is considering adoption as the loving option. We want to be there for them.

Peace in Christ, The families of Bill and Lisa Kuisle and Phil and Monica Araoz Fundraiser Breakfast & Bake Sale to Support the Adoption Ministry St. Bridget’s & St. Bernard’s Catholic Churches ~ Everyone Welcome!

November 2 & 3 - St. Bernard’s in Stewartville Bake sale after 5 p.m. Mass on Nov. 2, and before and after 10:30 a.m.

Mass on Nov. 3 Breakfast after 10:30 a.m. Mass on Nov. 3 November 17 at St. Bridget’s, rural Rochester (Simpson) Breakfast and Bake Sale after 8:30 a.m. Mass on Nov. 17 For more information, contact Church Office at 507-533-8257 or Lisa Behnken at 507-282-5714

Adoption Day Celebration

Adoption – A Wonderful Way to Build a Family Thinking about Adopting?

Want to learn more about Adoption?

Catholic Charities offers Adoption Informational Meetings at its various office locations to help families get the answers they need about the adoption process.

Call your local office for more information Rochester – 507-287-2047 Mankato 507-387-5586 Winona – 507-454-2270 Worthington 507-376-9757

Date: Saturday November 16, 2013, Registration and gathering -11:00am Time: 11:30am to 1pm – Potluck lunch, Bring a dish to share! Beverage and dessert provided, Cookie Decorating-12:00pm. Magic Show and Face Painting -12:45pm to 1:45pm Place: Church of St Bridget: 2123 County Rd 16 SE, Rochester, MN 55904 RSVP: To Sarah by November 8th 507-287-2047 X 32 or svetter@ccwinona.org Please include number of family members attending

The Courier, November 2013 - 11

IN THE DIOCESE

November Event Calendar Parish and Community Events Mass for Life & Marriage St. Mary’s Church, Winona offers a Mass for Life and Marriage on both the first and third Thursday of the month, at 5:15 p.m. Rosary at 4:50 p.m. Call the office for updates.

Holy Hour of Prayer, St. Mary, Winona will host the monthly Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty on Saturday, Nov 16 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and the Rosary will be offered. Everyone is welcome.

Prayer Vigil and Public Witness against Abortion Semcac Clinic is a delegate of Planned Parenthood – the nation's leading abortion provider. Please consider joining a local group from 3-4 p.m. each Tuesday in front of Semcac at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona for an hour of prayer. Contact Will Goodman at (608) 698-7443.

Position Available: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Currie Wanted: Full-time job as Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie and youth ministry for the 3 parish cluster. Want someone who is organized, loves working with children, and is on fire for the Catholic faith. Housing is available. Please call Father Vogel at 507-295-1030.

Crucifixion, La Crescent is hosting it’s annual Roast Beef Dinner, Nov 2, 2013 at 420 South Second St. in La Crescent. Dinner serving from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a bake sale and silent auction.

St Mary's, Geneva Soup & Pie Supper 4:40 to 7:00 Free will donation. Bring a food item for Salvation Army food Shelf.

St. Michael Church, St. Michael Rwandan genocide survivor and best-selling author of "Left to Tell" will share how God saved her life while hiding in a 3ft x 4ft bathroom with 7 other women for 91 days.

Immaculee's inspiring story on faith and forgiveness can be life changing! Register by going to www.holyspiritacademy.org or calling 763-497-2745 ext. 210.

Tickets are $25.

Pilgrimage to Rome for JPII's Canonization Father Thomas Jennings will be leading a Pilgrimage to Rome for the canonization of Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II April 22 - 29, 2014.

A day trip to Assisi will be included. Mass will be celebrated everyday. Please call 507-351-7136 for a flier and more information.

St. Charles Court St. Charles Catholic Daughters of the Americas will host their annual Fall Luncheon and Raffle on Sat., November 9th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Entertainment provided by Loren Wolfe as he performs his "Johnny Cash and Friends Show". Luncheon and raffle tickets are available from Sandy Larson (507-932-0923).

St. Joe's Church, Waldorf Annual Turkey Bingo Sunday Nov 24 starting at 3 p.m. 20 Games of Bingo and Lunch. $5.00 Everyone's Welcome.

Register for door prizes and we will also be having a bake sale.

Please note: submission deadline is the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication. All submissions must be sent electronically (Courier@dow.org) and by the deadline in order to assure receipt and inclusion in the Events Calendar. Though not all events will fit, we strive to include as many events as possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff.

Remembering Our Loved Ones Mon, Nov 4, 7 - 8 p.m. Lourdes Chapel, Assisi Heights (Please use main entrance.) Free will offering. Sat, Nov 2, marks the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, the

day to remember loved ones who have passed on to eternal life. Join us as we gather on Monday evening to pray and remember the stories of our dearly departed and give thanks for the legacies they left to us.

National Life Chain

St. Joe's Church, Waldorf Hosts Holiday Extravaganza!

Sat Nov 2 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Waldorf Community Center.

Crucifixion Parish Church, La Crescent Hosts 6th Christmas Gift and Craft Showcase. Saturday, December 7 @ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Crucifixion School Auditorium 420 South 2nd Street, La Crescent, MN. Holiday Shopping for the Whole Family in one location.

St. Charles Borromeo Church,

Local pro-lifers joined in the 26th year of the National Life Chain on Sunday, October 4 along Huff Street. Supporters in over 1500 cities across the country gathered for an hour of prayer for our country, for the protection of pre-born babies, and for an end to legal abortion.

Traditional Latin Mass Schedule Alpha, St. Alphonsus Liguori, weekly and daily. Sunday: 5 p.m. except second Sunday of the month variable.

Guckeen, Our Lady of Ransom, weekly. Sunday, 11 a.m., except second Sunday of the month, 9:15 a.m.

Mankato, Ss. Peter and Paul, first Saturday month, 9 a.m.

Rochester (Simpson), St. Bridget, first and third Sundays of the month, 1 p.m.

Wabasha, St. Felix, weekly. Saturday 8 a.m.

Chatfield, St. Mary's, Saturday morning, please check with the parish for the time.

The Televised Mass Offered as a service for the homebound and elderly. Every Sunday on the following stations: KTTC-TV, Channel 10, Rochester at 9 a.m. KEYC-TV, Channel 12, Mankato at 7:30 a.m. Donations for the continuation of this program may be sent to: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN 55987.

Thank you for your donations to the TV Mass

12 -The Courier, November 2013

IN THE DIOCESE

Mensaje cont'd from YOF Insert, page 4

y finaliza con la Vida Eterna, Este Camino de la Fe nos lleva a encontrar a Cristo en nuestra vida cotidiana y dejar que este encuentro nos transforme de manera que podamos ser Su luz en el mundo. Durante el Año de la Fe, que comenzó el 11 de Octubre del 2012, el Papa Emérito Benedicto XVI nos invitó a abrir la puerta de la Fe para nosotros, para los demás, y luego seguir trabajando para mantenerla abierta. Con este llamado en mente, la celebración de la Clausura del Año de la Fe, esta tarde, ciertamente no es un cierre, sino, al contrario, una celebración e invitación que integremos el mensaje de “Porta Fidei” en nuestra vida cotidiana. Esta noche es la Apertura mas que la Clausura.

El Año de la Fe marcó el Quincuagésimo Aniversario del Concilio Vaticano Segundo. El objetivo del Concilio era Men in Black performed to a sold out crowd on Friday, aquel de abrir los tesoros de la Iglesia para que la vida de October 11th in Iona, MN, at a Tri-Parish dinner theater la Iglesia, especialmente las gracias de los sacramentos, youth fund raiser. Performing popular Broadway hits such fluyeran libres en nuestra vida cotidiana. Similarmente, as “Hello Dolly” to Patriotic “God Bless America” to a standmientras cerramos el Año del la Fe, miramos con alegría ing ovation performance of ever popular Irish “Danny Boy” este año transcurrido. Miramos a todo aquello que hemos and much more, all complemented by jokes, story-telling and llegado a comprender y amar de nuestra Fe y dejamos door prizes.

More than doubling the population of smallque esa alegría impacte nuestra vida cotidiana y la vida town Iona, over 225 guests traveled from across the state to be de aquellos que encontramos. entertained while dining on a savory 3-course gourmet meal in Quiero agradecer cada uno de ustedes por hacer a warm and festively decorated ambiance that assured a good el esfuerzo de profundizar su Fe este año. Gracias por time for all. All proceeds from the fund raiser went to sponparticipar en las oportunidades especiales que durante el soring 23 appreciative youth from the Tri-Parish Communities año se ofrecieron para crecer en la Fe. Gracias a quienes of St. Ann-Slayton, St. Columba-Iona, St. Mary-Lake Wilson to fueron responsables de organizar y realizar estos eventos attend the NCYC in November. A worthy cause, the National y programas. Gracias por trabajar incesantemente en Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is one of the largest gathel promover esa Catequesis que es tan necesaria en la erings of Catholic young people in the nation and will be held cultura de hoy, gracias. El Año de la Fe no solo nos dio this year in Indianapolis. The NCYC 2013 theme “Signed. la oportunidad de estudiar los documentos del Vaticano Sealed.Delivered” empowers youth to live a life of holiness as II, sino también de redescubrir la Fe que profesamos, disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today. JoAnn Biren, vivimos, celebramos y rezamos a través del Catecismo Faith Formation Coordinator for the tri-parishes and fund de la Iglesia Católica, fruto del Concilio. Sigo animánraiser planner, knows from experience the effect of NCYC on dolos a todos a continuar estudiando el Catecismo de la our youth. “I think young people today are looking for ways Iglesia Católica y el tesoro de los demás documentos de to share their faith as well as looking for ways to learn more la Iglesia. about their faith.” Biren says. She said the excitement and El Papa Francisco, durante el día de ayuno y oración the ability for the young to relate to other young Catholics por la Paz en Siria, habló de nuestra Fe cristiana como from all over the United States is awe inspiring. But she also urgiéndonos a mirar a la Cruz donde el lenguaje de knows that we don’t do it alone. Biren gives credit to many reconciliación, perdón, dialogo y paz son hablados. dedicated adult volunteers and sponsors who make this event Necesitamos vivir nuestra Fe, vivir el Evangelio, no solo a success. en palabras sino en hechos. Necesitamos responder a Men in Black is a musical group made up of three vocalists las necesidades de los pobres, los inmigrantes, y de los Fr. Andrew Beerman (St. Adrian Cluster, St. Adrian - Adrian, oprimidos. Necesitamos ser un modelo para el mundo, un St. Anthony - Lismore, St. Kilian - St.Kilian, Our Lady of Good modelo de Fe, esperanza y amor. Miremos a la vida de los Counsel - Wilmont), Fr. Mark McNea (St. Francis of Assisi santos, Nuestra Santísima Madre y San José. Miremos a - Rochester), Fr. William Thompson (Director of Vocations, la vida de hombres y mujeres en nuestros días que siguen Diocese of Winona - Winona), with Fr. Tim Biren (St. Thomas a Cristo, de cerca, donde quiera que estén llamados a serMore Newman Center - Mankato) on the keyboards, and Fr. vir. Esta magnitud de testigos nos sirven como modelos Jeff Dobbs (Director of Spiritual Life, Immaculate Heart of para vivir la Fe con palabras y hechos.

Mary Seminary - Winona) on the drums.

Esta tarde nos reunimos, aunque muchas, como una sola comunidad y, profesando la misma Join veteran tour leader Father John Vakulskas for a special Fe, radiamos la única luz que es Cristo. Así es como abrimos la Puerta de la Fe a los demás. Así es como le Visit Venice, Assisi, Florence, Ostiglia Rome permitimos a Cristo de transformar corazones y de ser el Corazón del $3099 - Chicago $3199 - Omaha mundo.

• Price includes fuel surcharges and government taxes • Nuestro encuenIncludes Round-trip air, First Class Hotels, most meals, daily tours, transfers, local guide and baggage handling. tro, esta tarde, marca otro comienzo.

Highlights of this pilgrimage are: audience with Pope Francis, daily Mass, Saint Peter’s, Marcamos el comienzo Vatican Art Museum and much more! An inspirational day in Assisi. The glories of Florence and Venice. A day in Ostiglia, home of Moser Rides, who is a friend of Father John. de un Año de Acción de Gracias al Señor For more information contact: por los 125 años de Fe Father John Vakulskas Jr Católica en la Diócesis de Winona. En 1889, Saint Andrew Church el padre José Cotter, PO Box 97 párroco de la iglesia Sibley, IA, 51249 de Santo Tomas en (712) 754-3311 or la ciudad de Winona, Moser Rides johnvakulskas@gmail.com fue escogido como el

Men in Black

Pilgrimage to Italy

February 18 - 28, 2014

&

primer obispo de la nueva diócesis de Winona. De este humilde comienzo surgió una iglesia local que, al presente, incluye 114 parroquias, 111 sacerdotes, 365 hermanas, 21 hermanos, 21 diáconos, mas de 180 ministros laicos y más de 130,000 católicos. Hay 29 escuelas católicas y una universidad católica llamada Santa María. Nuestra diócesis cubre 13,000 millas cuadradas en los 20 condados localizados al sur de Minnesota.

Los invito ahora a continuar este Año de la Fe extendiéndolo en un Año de Acción de Gracia por el 125º Aniversario de la Diócesis de Winona. Los invito a continuar profundizando su amor y conocimiento de Cristo y Su Iglesia. Los invito a profundizar su amor por la parroquia, sus párrocos, diáconos, nuestros hombres y mujeres consagrados en la vida religiosa y todos aquellos que sirven a la Iglesia de Cristo. Mientras miramos atrás por encima de estos 125 años de historia en la Diócesis de Winona, les pido algo todavía más importante, de mirar al futuro.

Les pido de buscar caminos en los cuales ustedes y sus familias puedan vivir el Evangelio en sus vidas cotidianas.

Quizás sea simplemente un aumento en sus vidas de oración, quizás sea hacer voluntariado en sus parroquias o en sus comunidades. O quizás sea el emprender una misión para ayudar a los pobres, indefensos o aquellos que no conocen a Cristo. Cualquier cosa el Señor los llame a hacer – respóndanle que sí – lleven su Fe “mar adentro” y vivan su Fe más profundamente.

Los invito a todos a unirse conmigo en oración al entrar en este año de Acción de Gracias. A lo largo del 2014 habrán oportunidades de aprender más con relación a nuestra historia diocesana. Comenzamos nuestro camino desde nuestras casas y parroquias, estamos aquí reunidos, esta tarde, en nuestros “decanatos”, conectados a través de la tecnología. En el Fin de semana del 13 de Septiembre del 2014, nos reuniremos juntos, como Diócesis, en la estructura de Mankato llamada “Verizon Wireless Center”. Espero de corazón de poder celebrar este gran evento con todos ustedes, el año que viene.

Antes de seguir con los varios programas de la tarde , quiero aprovechar esta oportunidad para hacerles saber cuan agradecido estoy por la abundancia de apoyo y generosidad que ustedes han mostrado hacia la Campaña “Enraizados en la Fe nos alegramos en la Esperanza”.

Su respuesta a mi llamado, para hacer económicamente frente a las importantes necesidades de nuestros sacerdotes retirados y del Seminario Diocesano “Inmaculado Corazón de María”, ha sido abrumadora. Es edificante para mi, y sé que es lo mismo para todos mi hermanos en el sacerdocio, de sentir el amor que ustedes tienen por todos nosotros. El objetivo de esta Campaña verdaderamente tiene que ver con el sacerdocio en la Diócesis de Winona, tiene que ver con el cuidado de aquellos hombres que nos sirven a lo largo de nuestras vidas, tiene que ver con proveer los fundamentos más sólidos posibles a los seminaristas que responden al llamado de Dios en el sacerdocio. Con cariño les agradezco por su apoyo.

Hemos ya comenzado la fase final de la Campaña y cada vez estamos más cerca de nuestras metas. Pero todavía falta camino para recorrer. Por favor, visita las ubicaciones que muestran el progreso de la Campaña.

Les agradezco por su generosidad. Les pido que si no han tenido la oportunidad de contribuir, consideren ahora mi invitación para hacerlo. Cualquier donación, cualquier cantidad que puedan sacrificar a favor de estas necesidades son muy importantes. Que Dios los Bendiga y gracias. También quiero agradecer todos aquellos que ha hecho posible esta reunión histórica. Quiero agradecer todos los voluntarios en cada decanato que dieron tantas horas de su tiempo para planear cada evento. Quiero agradecer la Hermana Maria Juanita Gonsalves y el personal de la Diócesis por su liderazgo. Finalmente, quiero agradecer cada uno de ustedes por estar aquí. Su Fe me inspira, su amor y oraciones me sostiene, estoy verdaderamente agradecido.

Al emprender este Año Diocesano de Acción de gracias vayamos adelante, ahora, proclamando el nombre de Jesucristo a todo el mundo, a través de nuestras acciones, de nuestras palabras y de nuestras obras. BENDICIÓN