The Courier, September 2014

The

COURIER

September 2014 Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

www.dowcourier.org

You Are Invited To Celebrate 125 Years of Faithful Service!

I fondly remember our Diocese’s 100th Anniversary celebraI invite all the On September 12 & 13, the people of our diocese are tion, in 1989, and our diocesan young people of our invited to gather in Mankato for a celebration of our 125th Jubilee celebration, in 2000. My anniversary. The celebration will open with a program Diocese to attend the parents traveled from Chicago to of sacred music and prayer on Friday evening at Ss. 125th Anniversary event in attend both these celebrations. They Peter & Paul Church.

Mankato. We have a great loved the beautiful concelebrated On Saturday, we will continue the celebration line up of presenters includat the Verizon Wireless Center. The day-long event Mass and talked about those celing Fr. Mike Schmitz and Tony ebrations for years when we would will include: • Dynamic speakers and uplifting music (in Melendez and I know the Lord gather for family events. May our English & Spanish) will bless our gathering abun125th Anniversary celebration be • A children’s program, youth track, & family dantly. Hope to see you a memory your family will trea- activities there! - Ben Frost, Director, Office sure for years to come. - Rev. • Vendors, resources, and a diocesan history display of Youth & Young Adults Msgr. Richard M. Colletti, Vicar General/Chancellor

• A Mass with Bishop Quinn at 4:00 pm.

There is no charge to attend, and people can come for any part(s) of the program they would like. Registration is kindly requested for the Saturday morning program. (No registration is needed for the Friday and Saturday evening activities, or for the Mass on Saturday afternoon.)

For more information and to register, go to: www.dow.org/anniversary. All are Read more invitations on pg. 4 of the special insert! welcome!

Our diocesan INSTITUTE OF LAY MINISTRY/FORMATION came to life in our Diocese in these last 25 years, and Come join what a blessing our 250+ us to give thanks alumni are to the Church of to God for the fruitful southern Minnesota! I invite the members of our Institute service of our bishops, community to come and be priests, deacons and religious sisters and brothers renewed in our “Call to throughout the history of Gospel Witness.” - Todd Graff, Director, Office of Lay our Diocese.! - Fr. Will Thompson, Formation

Director, Office of Vocations

The deacons of the diocese look forward to celebrating this historic milestone for southern This is going Minnesota. We, who to be an awesome serve our bishop as family event! I look forhis deacons, encourward to bringing my fam- age you to be a part ily and joining you and your of this joyful celebrafamily in praising God for His tion of faith and hisgoodness toward the Church tory! - Deacon Bob Yerhot, Assistant Director in Southern Minnesota! - Peter Martin, Director, Office of Life, Marriage & Family

of Deacon Personnel

INSIDE this issue

Harvest Mass Celebration Photos read the story on page 5

Jr. High Camp Summit: "Unlocked" more on page 9

An SMU Alumnus is a Martyr for the Faith read Br. James Miller's story on page 7

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

2

Pope Meets, Honors Korean Laypeople, Religious and Disabled

By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News Service.

KKOTTONGNAE, South Korea (CNS) -- Pope Francis visited a set of Korean Catholic institutions exemplifying some of his highest priorities for the church, including engagement of laypeople and dedication to the A boy waves South Korea's flag as he needy. cheers before Pope Francis' arrival at a The pope's Aug. 16 rehabilitation center for people with disabilivisit to the hilltop comties in Kkottongnae, South Korea, Aug. 16. plex of the Kkottongnae (CNS/Paul Haring) community, about 60 miles south of Seoul, included time with disabled children and adults, speeches to members of religious orders and lay activists, and a moment of silent prayer at a symbolic cemetery for aborted children. It took place on the third day of his five-day visit to South Korea.

"To assist the poor is good and necessary, but it is not enough," the pope told about 150 leaders of various Catholic lay organizations. "Multiply your efforts in the area of human promotion, so that every man and every woman can know the joy which comes from the dignity of earning their daily bread and supporting their family."

Such dignity, the pope warned in an off-the-cuff addition to his prepared text, was currently under threat from a prevalent "culture of money."

Pope Francis paid tribute to the Korean church's unique tradition of lay leadership. All but one of the 124 martyrs he beatified earlier that day in Seoul were lay Catholics. But the pope alluded to the possibility of tension with clergy, asking his audience to "work in complete harmony of mind and heart with your pastors, striving to place your own insights, talents and charisms at the service of church's growth in unity and missionary outreach."

The Kkottongnae community was founded in the 1970s by Father John Oh Woong Jin, a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and now operates in 10 countries outside Korea. The complex Pope Francis visited includes a retreat center, a spirituality training institute, a university specializing in social work and rehabilitation centers for disabled children and adults.

The pope's first event at the complex was a meeting with about 70 disabled adults and children, some of them in wheelchairs or hospital beds. Before going inside, he removed his shoes as a sign of respect, according to custom at the center. He stopped and greeted the patients one by one, embracing them or placing his hands on their heads for a blessing, and watched a brief dance performance by the children.

A small boy in a wheelchair greeted the pope with a bouquet of flowers, which the pope placed at the foot of a statue of Mary. For the rest of his visit to the rehabilitation center, he wore a necklace of flowers he had been given.

Pope Francis spent the better part of an hour with the disabled, longer than planned, then visited the Garden of Aborted Children, where crosses mark the symbolic graves of the unborn. The pope prayed there with Brother Lee Gu-won, a missionary who was born without arms or legs and was abandoned at birth.

Read more at http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403447.htm

Articles of Interest

The Pursuit of Happiness

page 4

Married Couples Retreat a Success!

page 5

Harvest Mass Celebration

page 5

Walking in the steps of our Ancestors

page 6

Alumnus of SMU, Martyr for the Faith

page 7

"Go, Do Not Be Afraid, and Serve" Scaling the Summit: "Unlocked" Meet Our New Seminarians Choosing Life Over Fear

page 10

page 12

ACE Collaborates with Diocesan Schools

page 14

An Exciting Time for All of Us

page 17

Diocesan Pastoral Planning

page 18

Bishop's Calendar September 2 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. – Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona September 3 – Wednesday 4:45 p.m. – Vespers and Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona September 4 – Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. – Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona 10:45 a.m. – Mass of Holy Spirit at St. Thomas More Chapel, St. Mary’s University-Winona, followed by lunch September 5 – Friday 9:30 a.m. – Holy Hour 10:30 a.m. – Consultors Meeting, followed by Lunch, Pastoral Center, Winona 6 p.m. – Catholic Charities Donor Recognition and Video Roll-out, Assisi Heights, Rochester September 6 – Saturday 5:15 p.m. – Confirmation at St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea, with

The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 949, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 105 - 02

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Joel Hennessy, Editor Theresa Martin, Associate Editor 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.

September, 2014 w The Courier

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page 13

The Holy Father's nephew and his nephew's family were in an accident. The wife died along with his two small children (one a 2 year old, the other less than 1). In mourning their deaths, the Holy Father thanked people for their prayers at his general audience on August 20. His nephew remains in critical condition.

(ISSN 0744-5490)

page 8

Catechetical Sunday

Pope Thanks People for Prayers

Periodicals postage paid at Madelia, MN Postmaster. (ISSN 0744-5490) Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 15th of the month prior.

St. James Church, Twin Lakes September 7 – Sunday 2 p.m. – Confirmation at Immaculate Heart Church, Currie; with St. Anthony Church, Westbrook; and St. Gabriel Church, Fulda September 8 – Monday 5:15 p.m. - Mass – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona - Renewal of Marian Consecration of Diocese of Winona September 9 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona September 10 – Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Subcommittee Meeting on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service, Washington, DC September 11 - Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona

Child Abuse Policy Information 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.

Rejoice in the Lord Always Dear Friends in Christ,

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn time to thank and praise God for all of these bless-

Our 125th Anniversary Celebration We continue to celebrate our 125 years of faithful service in the Diocese of Winona, and I look forward to seeing all of you at our 125th Anniversary Celebration on September 12 – 13.

There will be a concert Friday evening at Ss. Peter and Paul Church and a day-long celebratory events at the Verizon Wireless Center on Saturday. There will be events for children, families and adults.

Please come join us in celebrating the rich history of our diocese!

Celebrating Marriage I am delighted to hear that our 1st Annual Diocesan Marriage Retreat was a wonderful success. These retreats are for any married couple looking to deepen their love for each other and our Lord. I want to thank Peter Martin,

Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: Parochial Vicar Appointment: Father Richard Yevchak, newly ordained priest from the Institute of the Incarnate Word, to be parochial vicar of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in, Mankato, effective August 1, 2014.

College of Consultors: Rev. Msgr. Robert Meyer, senior priest and current member of the College of Consultors, reappointed to be a member of the College of Consultors, effective August 4, 2014 for an additional five year term.

Rev. Msgr. Thomas Hargesheimer, currently pastor of the Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka and Saint John Nepomucene Church in Winona, in addition, reappointed to be a member of the College of Consultors, effective August 4, 2014 for a five year term.

Rev. Msgr. Donald P. Schmitz, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart parish cluster, Owatonna, MN to be pastor of Saint Ann, Janesville, MN and Saint Joseph, Waldorf, MN effective August 13, 2014, for a six year term.

Very Rev. Kevin Connolly, currently pastor Resurrection Church in Rochester, in addition, reappointed to be a member of the College of Consultors, effective August 4, 2014 for a five year term.

Very Rev. Glenn K. Frerichs, currently pastor of Saint Rose of Lima in Lewiston, Immaculate Conception in Wilson, and Saint Anthony in Altura, in addition, to be a member of the College of Consultors, effective August 4, 2014 for a five year term.

Rev. James Berning, currently pastor of Saint Mary Church in Winona, in addition, to be a member of the College of Consultors, effective August 4, 2014 for a five year term.

Director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family, and his wife Theresa for giving of their time and talents to lead this retreat.

I look forward to next month when I can celebrate all anniversaries of marriages at the annual Celebration of Marriage on October 19 at the Church of St. Pius X in Rochester.

See page 4 of this issue of The Courier for registration information.

Renewal of Diocesan Consecration In 2008, the Diocese of Winona was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the very moment of conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary, Jesus entrusted His whole being to her. Similarly, by this act of consecration, we allow Mary to actualize her mediation, enriching our diocese with grace, so we can grow into a greater likeness to Jesus Christ. We surrender the diocese completely to God and His service, giving the same yes that Mary gave when she bore Jesus in her womb.

Last year I renewed

our consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and we will continue to renew it every year, as an act of love and devotion to Our Lady. On Monday, September 8, 2014, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I will once again renew the consecration of the Diocese of Winona to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral at 5:15 p.m., with the IHM Seminarians in attendance along with parishioners of the Cathedral. The weekend following my consecration, the pastor of each parish in the diocese will also renew the parish consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This renewal will be made every year as an act of love and devotion to Our Lady.

Camp Summit It was a joy for me to greet the youth at the Jr. High Camp Summit in Lanesboro in August.

This is the second year for Camp Summit and I continue to be inspired by the excitement of the

young people to know and love God. This year's theme was “Unlocked” and campers learned about the “key” of our hearts – the reality that we need to unlock the chains of sin and fear and then open wide the doors to Christ. Their response was incredible.

I want to thank all who worked so hard to make Camp Summit a success, especially the founder of the camp, Ben Frost, our Director of the Office of Youth & Young Adults.

3 From the Bishop

Back to School A new school year is upon us. I extend my blessing and prayers to all students, teachers and parents as they settle back into their school year routines. I pray that God grant you peace and happiness as you embark on another exciting year.

I encourage you to make

ings. I am blessed to be back in the classroom at St. Mary’s University in Winona. I give thanks for our Catholic University and for all our students.

Pray for Peace!

With so many people suffering persecution across the world, please join me in continuing to pray for peace. Along with my brother bishops, I welcome the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and the negotiations to make it permanent. We were appalled by the kidnappings and murders of Israeli and Palestinian teenagers. The loss of even one human life is a tragedy that grieves God. We offer our prayers as well for the wounded and Bishop, cont'd on pg. 17

Bishop's Calendar cont'd September 12 – Friday 6:30 a.m. – Lauds and Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona 7 p.m. – Sacred Music for 125th Anniversary Celebration, Diocese of Winona at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Mankato September 13 – Saturday 125th Anniversary Celebration, Diocese of Winona, at Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato September 14 – Sunday 2 p.m. – Confirmation at St. Kilian Church, St. Kilian; with St. Anthony Church, Lismore; St. Adrian Church, Adrian; and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Wilmont September 16 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona 11 a.m. – Presbyteral Council Meeting, St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea 2:30 p.m. – Deans’ Meeting, Annunciation Hermitage, Austin September 17 – Wednesday 11 a.m. – Minnesota Catholic

Conference Study Day, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul September 18 – Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona 11 a.m. – Diocese of Winona Foundation Board Meeting, Pastoral Center September 19-22, Friday Monday Meeting of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Denver, CO September 22–24, Monday Wednesday Annual Presbyteral Days, Okoboji, Iowa September 25 – Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona September 25-28 – Thursday - Sunday St. Vincent de Paul National Assembly, Atlanta GA September 29 – Monday 4:30 p.m. – Mass for 125th

Anniversary of Founding of St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester September 30 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona September 30 – October 1, Tuesday-Wednesday Catholic Cemetery Conference Convention, Newark, NJ October 2 – Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona 11 a.m. – Mass for Profession of Vows, Sister Pia at Carmelite Hermitage, Houston October 3 – Friday 6:30 a.m. – Lauds and Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona October 5 – Sunday 11 a.m. – Mass at St. John the Baptist Church, Johnsburg 7 p.m. – Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona October 6 – Monday Bishop's Calendar, cont'd on pg. 17 September, 2014 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

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The Pursuit of Happiness Here in America great emphasis is put on “the pursuit of happiness.� Every day we are promised happiness in hundreds of different products; from cars to phones to food!

Obviously we know that true happiness cannot be attained by the acquiring of things, but do we know what it takes to be truly happy? Pope Francis was recently asked to give his advice on how to be happy and he gave a list of ten ways. How well do we follow his advice?

1) "Live and let live." Everyone should be guided by this principle, he said, which has a similar expression in Rome with the saying, "Move forward and let others do the same."

2. "Be giving of yourself to others." People need to be open and generous toward others, he said, because "if you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes putrid."

3. "Proceed calmly" in life. The pope, who used to teach high school literature, used an image from an Argentine novel by Ricardo

Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow.org

Guiraldes, in which the protagonist -- gaucho Don Segundo Sombra -- looks back on how he lived his life.

He says that in his youth he was a stream full of rocks that he carried with him; as an adult, a rushing river; and in old age, he was still moving, but slowly, like a pool of water, the pope said. He said he likes this latter image of a pool of water -- to have "the ability to move with kindness and humility, a calmness in life."

4. "A healthy sense of leisure." The pleasures of art, literature and playing together with children have been lost, he said.

"Consumerism has brought us anxiety" and stress, causing people to lose a "healthy culture of leisure." Their time is "swallowed up" so people can't share it with anyone.

Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children; work schedules make it "complicated, but you must do it," he said.

Families must also turn off the TV when they sit down to eat because, even though television is useful for keeping up with the news, having it on during mealtime "doesn't let you communicate" with each other, the pope said.

5. Sundays should be holidays. Workers should have Sundays off because "Sunday is for family," he said.

6. Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people. "We need to be

The Diocese of Winona is pleased to announce that Bishop Quinn will preside at a special celebration of the Eucharist at 2 p.m. honoring married couples and extending special blessings.

Married couples are invited to join in a light reception with the Bishop following the Mass. The celebration is a great way to honor a loved one’s anniversary or celebrate your own! This celebration is not restricted to any particular anniversary. A beautiful, full color certificate will be presented to all attending couples.

Bishop Quinn wishes to send a special invitation to married couples who will be celebrating this year.

If you or someone you know would like to receive an invitation, please submit the form below (duplicate this form as needed) to: Celebration of Marriage PO BOX 588, Winona, MN 55987 or by email to pmartin@dow.org

Names:

creative with young people. If they have no opportunities they will get into drugs" and be more vulnerable to suicide, he said.

"It's not enough to give them food," he said. "Dignity is given to you when you can bring food home" from one's own labor.

7. Respect and take care of nature.

Environmental degradation "is one of the biggest challenges we have," he said. "I think a question that we're not asking ourselves is: 'Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'"

8. Stop being negative. "Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem.

That means, 'I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,'" the pope said. "Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy."

9. Don't proselytize; respect others' beliefs.

"We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: 'I am talking with you in order to persuade you,' No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity.

The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing," the pope said.

10. Work for peace. "We are living in a time of many wars," he said, and "the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive" and dynamic.

Are you or a loved one experiencing same sex attraction and looking for answers?

Diocese of Winona Office of Life, Marriage & Family 55 West Sanborn Street Winona, Minnesota 55987 (507) 858- 1264 E-mail: courage@dow.org

Husband's First Name Wife's First Name Family Name

Street Address: Phone: City: Zip: Years Married:

September, 2014 w The Courier

Wedding Date:

EnCourage -- a ministry dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, and other relatives and friends of persons who have same-sex attractions -- is also available. Contact us for more information!

1st Annual Married Couples Retreat a Success! out a barrage of different outlets) given the opposite message of how to achieve happiness.

“Get more, achieve more, earn more!” is the world’s secret to happiness and it has driven more and more people to debt and despair. But the soft, whispering voice of the Lord says “give away, reach out to others, give of yourself, love.”

Time in Adoration, the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and time spent alone together as a couple is what has made all the difference in the world for these couples. Somehow going back out into the craziness and busyness of the world was less bothersome now that they had reconnected with the source of true Love and true Peace.

5 Life, Marriage & Family

Nine couples made their way to the Alverna Center amidst the busyness of move-in weekend for the many college students in Winona. It was a perfect backdrop to what they were leaving behind: so much commotion, so much noise. As they settled in and absorbed the first talk given by Peter and Theresa Martin, they soon realized that the sacrifices they made to go on a married couples retreat would prove to worth it!

Too often people equate retreating with waving a white flag or of giving up. A marriage/spiritual retreat, instead, should be viewed more like a re-fueling. A married couple needs to take time out to recognize the true love that they have for one another or else, sadly, that love could fade. Just as a plant quickly fades when it is not nourished, our married lives can become less than what they are destined for, if we lack the spiritual nourishment we need.

The couples recognized that much of the difficulty for married couples today is that they are constantly (and through-

25th Annual Harvest Mass Celebration Despite earlier rains (which were much needed), hundreds of faithful enjoyed the 25th Annual Harvest Mass at Ken and Marlys Knuth’s “Sudden Creek Shire Horse Farm”.

The Knuth family bringing up the gifts during the Harvest Mass.

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Mission Advancement

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Mission: Walking in the steps of our Ancestors To fully embrace our mission as a diocesan Church - a mission to spread the Gospel message, evangelize, and share the love of God - it is necessary to know our history. It is ever encouraging and inspiring to know that we have a solid foundation on which to plant our feet.

Our ancestors – those who came before us – walked the same ground we do, faced seemingly impossible challenges, suffered unimaginable hardships and yet they persevered and overcame – all for the sake of introducing others to Jesus Christ. We rejoice today in their sacrifices and stand ready to carry-on the exact same mission that inspired and sustained them – sharing the love of Jesus Christ through our words and actions.

Come to the 125th Anniversary Celebration in Mankato on September 12-13 and learn more about our history.

Come and see the works of God! Psalm

66:2-5 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing of his glorious name; give him glorious praise.

Say to God: “How awesome your deeds!

I invite you to “come and see” what God has been doing in the southern Minnesota for the past 125 years! Learn of our past, witness our present and look ahead to the future. This is a time to embrace our shared faith, celebrate our diverse talents and gifts, and together look ahead to ‘Where Jesus Sends Us’ to multiply those gifts and return them with increase.

The following is a brief summary of our diocesan history which will be on full display in Mankato.

The first 100 years...

Introduction: The Missionary Church In 1680, when the first Catholic missionary arrived, southern Minnesota was a place unrecognizable to people today—

CFSMN is proud to sponsor

Heritage Hall Discover the story of the Diocese of Winona

- Exclusively at the Verizon Wireless Center 9/13/14 - A once-in-lifetime opportunity to view Historical artifacts from the Diocesan Museum - A large visual display of every parish in the Diocese - First glimpse at the new Diocesan History Book - Visit CFSMN's booth at the Celebration

www.catholicfsmn.org

Proud sponsors of the 125th Anniversary Celebration September, 2014 w The Courier

it was inhabited by the American Indian people who lived in freedom. For this reason, the first church in Minnesota was not only a church for white settlers, but a missionary church.

Father Joseph Crétin and Father Augustin Ravoux were the founders of this missionary church and lived out their ministerial responsibilities with tremendous courage and commitment. Father Ravoux learned the language of the Eastern Dakota and was able to minister to the people by translating basic church teachings and a traditional Catechism, as well as other writings into their language.

His relationship with the American Indian people was strong, and his work had a lasting impact.

However, as time passed, missionary work became increasingly difficult as chiefs of the Indian tribes were pressured into making treaties with the American government who sought to take their land for white settlement. Consequently, deadly historic uprisings took place as the Native Americans rebelled. Eventually they were forced into reservations. At the same time, a growing number of white settlers came to Minnesota, and the small number of priests began to turn their attention increasingly to caring for their spiritual needs.

Creating the Diocese of Winona Soon, new dioceses in Minnesota and the Dakotas, including the Diocese of Winona, were formed to minister to the growing needs of their people. The Diocese of Winona was created in 1889.

At the time, Winona was the ‘Gate City’ to southern Minnesota and exerted substantial commercial, political, and social influence over a broad area.

Under Archbishop Ireland’s guidance, Father Joseph Cotter was chosen to be the bishop of this new Diocese.

Time would show that his knowledge and recognition of the people’s needs earned their loyalty and trust. With strong leadership and a promising future, the Diocese of Winona began.

Religious Orders in the Diocese of Winona Just as missionary priests were present in Minnesota prior to the establishment of the Diocese, so were some religious orders. The School Sisters of Notre Dame have been working in the diocese since 1865. They were given a prominent place in the celebration of the new diocese in 1890 and enjoyed a good relationship with Bishop Cotter.

Their motherhouse was established in Mankato, and their Sisters have had a significant pastoral presence throughout our diocesan history.

The Rochester Franciscans, established in 1877, also have had a strong

presence in the diocese. They were most known for their work in healthcare and education. By 1894, they had established Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Rochester, and later opened another academy in the rapidly growing city of Winona which would become the College of Saint Teresa.

The Sisters of Saint Francis and the School Sisters of Notre Dame were vital to the success of the Diocese of Winona, as they provided the teaching staffs that made the establishment and expansion of the diocesan Catholic schools a reality.

The Rochester Franciscans staffed 16 of the 34 schools in the diocese, while the

Joel Hennessy Director jhennessy@dow.org

School Sisters of Notre Dame staffed 11. Still today, these orders continue to make a positive difference in the Diocese of Winona.

The Immigrant Church in the Diocese of Winona The Catholic Church in the Diocese of Winona, from its beginnings to the eve of World War II, was an immigrant church, made up of people from many ethnic groups who worked to maintain the traditions of their homeland.

Ethnicity figured into many aspects of people’s lives: how they worshiped; whom they married; whom they voted for; and their attitudes regarding work, worship, leisure, life, and death. It permeated people’s lives and at times became a controlling factor in their beliefs, attitudes, and behavior.

The struggle for identity, stability, and community was difficult in the immigrant church. Their religion helped to guide them, but the church in America was vastly different from the church in the old country. Amidst the struggle and conflict, however, the church continued to move forward and maintain a strong presence in southern Minnesota.

Many credit this success to Bishop Cotter who, many years after his death, still held the respect and the affection of a devoted people. He was a genuine ambassador of Christ and the good he did lived on after him. Bishop Cotter was a uniting factor amidst diversity and conflict.

The Leadership of the Bishops By 1910, the Diocese of Winona had its second bishop, Patrick Heffron.

Bishop Heffron was a man of unusual energy, drive, and determination. He had a vision of what the diocesan church could be and he tirelessly worked to turn that vision into reality.

The First 100 Years, cont'd on pg. 7

Brother James Miller: Alumnus of Saint Mary's University, Martyr for the Faith

in Saint Paul, Minnesota, he was buried in the parish cemetery in Polonia, Wisconsin. Bishop Frederick Freking, who attended Brother James’ funeral mass in Wisconsin, said the following about Brother James, "I see in Brother James’ death the witness of Christ’s love, a witness to the dignity of the human person, and the right to freedom and justice that should be all of ours. Today we need to take a stand on these rights, especially of the poor.

Thank God there are people like Brother James to do that."

In 2010, Brother James Miller was designated a "servant of God" and a martyr for the faith - beginning a journey that could end in canonization. The legacy of Brother James (Santiago) Miller is far reaching and is particularly present at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, his alma mater. Residencia Santiago Miller, on the Saint Mary’s campus, is named in honor of Brother James Miller. Additionally, the Brother James Miller Program for Access at Saint Mary’s offers financial assistance to qualified students attending the university and guarantees that the total comprehensive charges, including tuition, room, board, and fees will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state student attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. For additional information on the scholarship visit www.smumn.edu.

The current Bishop of Huehuetenango, Guatemala will be attending the Dioceses of Winona’s 125th Anniversary Celebration September 12th and 13th and presents a wonderful opportunity for us all to reflect on the life and example of this holy man from our backyard.

In the Diocese

It will be 33 years ago this February that Brother James (Santiago) Miller, FSC, was martyred in Guatemala. On February 13, 1982 Brother James was gunned down by three gunmen while he was repairing a wall at a Brother’s school in Huehuetenango.

After his death Brother Paul, the De La Salle Brothers Regional Superior, released the following statement to the press, "I want to state very clearly that Brother’s death was no accident, Brother Santiago died for what he was and for what he stood for – A Christian educator, and apostle of the poor and underprivileged, a worker for justice and of social change."

Brother James was born into a family of farmers near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, on September 21, 1944. He attended grammar school and then went to Pacelli High School in the city of Stevens Point, where he met the Brothers for the first time. In 1962 he entered the St. Yon’s Novitiate, on the campus of Saint Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota. Brother James graduated from Saint Mary’s in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages with minors in theology and education. His first assignment following graduation was to Cretin High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he taught Spanish, English, religion, oversaw school maintenance and coached the football team. On June 12, 1969 Brother James made his profession of vows for life to the De La Salle Brothers of the Christian Schools and shortly thereafter went to Nicaragua to teach. He taught and worked in a variety of ministries in Nicaragua, during extremely turbulent times, until 1979 when he returned to the United States and resumed teaching at Cretin High School.

In January 1981 Brother James Miller was sent to Guatemala. He taught at the secondary school in Huehuetenango and also worked at the Indian Center, where young indigenous Mayans from rural areas studied and trained in agriculture. This was a time of great turmoil and violence in Guatemala. Aware

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Brother James Miller was martyred for the faith on February 13, 1982.

of the dangers of where he was ministering Brother James wrote the following: "I am personally weary of violence, but I continue to feel a strong commitment to the suffering poor of Central America. God knows why He continued to call me to Guatemala when some friends and relative encouraged me to pull out for my own comfort and safety. I have been a Christian Brother for nearly twenty years now, and commitment to my vocation grows steadily stronger in my work in Central America. I pray to God for the grace and strength to serve Him faithfully among the poor and oppressed of Guatemala… I place my life in his providence; I place my trust in Him." On the afternoon of February 13, 1982, he was shot several times by three hooded men and died instantly. Attempts to identify the assassins were unsuccessful. After funeral rites in Guatemala and

The First 100 Years, cont'd from previous page “Calling his priests to realize that they were not ordinary Christians seeking their own salvation, he urged them to know that they were other Christs, with a mission for the salvation of souls. They had to root out their own faults and put themselves right with God. He called upon them for renewal. It is not enough to “root out and destroy,” he maintained, drawing on the words of Jeremiah, they had to “build and plant.”

His contributions to education in the diocese were outstanding—he created an educational system in a rural diocese which was the envy of larger more urban dioceses.

The installation of Father Francis Kelly as the third bishop—and the only native bishop—of Winona took place on May 22, 1928.

Bishop Kelly was a quiet and gracious leader who, unlike Bishop Heffron, sought not to create but to maintain the new institutions in the Diocese of Winona. During his leadership, many great scholars arose, vocations to the priesthood were inspired and many opportunities were created for women to become more involved in the church.

Unfortunately, he spent almost a third of

his episcopacy in Saint Mary Hospital, disabled by a severe stroke, while the Diocese of Winona was administered by a coadjutor bishop, Father Leo Binz.

Bishop Binz was Bishop of the Diocese of Winona for only seven short years. He led the Diocese through the end of WWII. In 1943, he wrote a pastoral letter to the diocese announcing the building of a new cathedral that would begin after the war. By the end of 1947, construction on a new Cathedral was to begin. Bishop Binz would not see its completion during his episcopacy, however, as he was appointed to be the coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

After Bishop Binz’s departure in 1950, Edward Fitzgerald was installed as fourth bishop of the Diocese of Winona. The post war atmosphere provided for a growing population, good economic conditions, and an air of confidence and an enthusiasm for development. Bishop Fitzgerald did not disappoint.

“Bishop Fitzgerald was truly a ‘Master Builder.’ During his 19-year tenure as Bishop of Winona, almost every existing church facility was expanded, restored, or replaced.

Population growth created the demand for new buildings and even new parishes. The Catholic population of the diocese grew by 57 percent during this period” (Pg. 132).

Bishop Fitzgerald’s time with the Dioceses was truly fruitful.

When Bishop Loras Watters took over the Diocese of Winona on March 13, 1969, it was not a time to build but a time to restore.

Bishop Watters instituted the RENEW Program, which offered an opportunity for scripture-based faith sharing and mobilized a corps of volunteer leaders. This program was intensely popular and widely successful throughout the Diocese.

When speaking about an upcoming visit with the Pope, Bishop Watters stated: “I have the greatest confidence in our priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people that by increasing and deepening their prayer, by sharing their personal relationship to the Father through Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, and by reaching out to the alienated Catholics and people who belong to no church we will all be granted the gift of continuing

conversion. And this in turn will make us more joyful witnesses to the fact that the Risen Lord Jesus Savior and Redeemer, lives in us and among us.” (pg. 163)

Conclusion: The First 100 Years of the Diocese of Winona The first 100 years of the Diocese of Winona were times filled with sorrows and joys, failures and successes. With the leadership of extraordinary priests and bishops, the Diocese of Winona has been shaped into what it is today. Looking back, we rejoice in a history deeply rooted in faith, we rejoice in hope as we give thanks for the blessings our ancestors have provided for us today, and we look forward to the future as we are sent forth in love by Bishop Quinn and our Holy Father, Pope Francis. As we continue to grow in our faith and are strengthened in our Catholic identity, we indeed become a stronger, more visible presence of Christ here in southern Minnesota.

Join us at the 125th Anniversary Celebration to learn what has transpired in the last 25 years.

September, 2014 w The Courier

Lay Formation

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“Go, Do Not Be Afraid, and Serve” Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone.

The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone…

- Pope Francis, World Youth Day homily, 2013 Our diocesan Church will come together to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Diocese of Winona on September 12 & 13 in Mankato. It will be a fun and festive gathering, with time for prayer and liturgy, for presentations, for music, for fellowship, and for lots of other activities which make such a gathering a memorable and faith-building experience.

The theme for our celebration is, Where Does Jesus Send Us?, which is drawn from the homily Pope Francis delivered about a year ago at World Youth Day in Brazil.

Todd Graff Director tgraff@dow.org

With our grand celebration soon upon us, it is worth reviewing this message of Pope Francis in a bit more detail as a way to prepare our hearts for the graces of this gathering…

Pope Francis begins his homily by citing Jesus’ words to his disciples in the last chapter of Matthew’s gospel: “Go and make disciple of all nations” (Mt 28:19). He tells the young people gathered for Mass that Jesus speaks these words to each one of us, and that he calls each of us to be “a disciple with a mission!” He, then, outlines three “simple ideas” to guide us in living out our call to be such disciples: Go, do not be afraid, and serve.

Go. Pope Francis speaks of the “wonderful experience of meeting Jesus,” and of “the joy of faith.” As he does so often, our Holy Father reminds us that our Christian faith, and how we live it out, brings an experience of deep joy. But, it is a joy that is to be shared and a faith to be proclaimed and given witness to. We cannot keep it to ourselves.

This sharing of our experience of faith makes demands upon us and upon our time and energy. The Pope cautions us, “Jesus did not say: ‘go, if you would like to, if you have the time’, but he said: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’.”

This command is given to all members of the Church, and it is a command “born not from a desire for domination, from the desire for power, but from the force of love.”

In short, Jesus sends us forth to invite everyone, without “borders” or “limits,” to experience the “mercy and love” of the Lord. But, he not only sends us, he also “accompanies us [and] is always beside us in our mission of love.”

Do not be afraid. This phrase from the gospels was used often by Saint John Paul II during his pontificate. Pope

Pope Francis arriving in Rio de Janeiro last year for World Youth Day. His homily from World Youth Day last year is the inspiration for the theme of our 125th Anniverary Celebration: "Where Does Jesus Send Us?"

Francis also cites it here in his reflections on responding to our call to discipleship.

First, he explains that we don’t need to fear this call because Jesus will always accompany us on our journey of faith and discipleship. What was experienced by the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Saint Luke’s gospel remains true for us today: Jesus walks with us, and accompanies us on the way. The pope assures us, “When we go to proclaim Christ, it is he himself who goes before us and guides us.”

Second, he reminds us that “we are sent together.” As we seek to proclaim and live the Gospel, we have “the companionship of the whole Church and also the communion of the saints on this mission.” What grace and strength there is for us in this – that we walk together as one people on the journey of faith, and that we have the friendship of our heavenly companions to encourage and help lead and sustain us.

For me, the Church’s understanding of the “communion of saints,” and of the Church as the “Body of Christ,” are a great source of hope and consolation.

Serve. Calling to mind for us, as he so often does, the image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, Pope Francis calls us to the active and humble service of our sisters and brothers. He describes Jesus’ life as “a life for others. It is a life of service.”

He states that to evangelize, to bear witness to God’s love, requires that we overcome our selfishness and allow our lives “to be identified with that of Jesus,” and to imitate him “by bending down to wash the feet of our brethren.”

In closing his homily, Pope Francis tells the young people gathered for World Youth Day, and indeed tells all of us, that if we follow these three ideas, we will “experience that the one who evangelizes is evangelized, the one who transmits the joy of faith receives more joy.” And, he ends his homily with this challenge: “Jesus Christ is counting on you! The Church is counting on you! The Pope is counting on you! … ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’.” Deo Gratias!

… Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks all, he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love.

- Pope Francis, World Youth Day homily, 2013 September, 2014 w The Courier

Scaling the Summit: “Unlocked”

Youth & Young Adults

There was a lot of climbBen Frost ing at this Director summer's Jr. bfrost@dow.org High Camp Summit in Lanesboro.

Young people climbed the treetops course and scaled the climbing wall; but ask any of the youth who attended what the highlight of camp was, and most will mention the height of faith. Now in its second year, Camp Summit is starting to show incredible signs of vibrant faith lived out in the hearts of young people. All encountered the love of Jesus – the junior high campers who took time to pray on their scriptures each day, the high school FIAT team who spent time interceding before the blessed sacrament, and the adult chaperones who attended camp.

This year's theme was “Unlocked” and campers learned about the “key” of our hearts – the reality that we need to unlock the chains of sin and fear and then open wide the doors to Christ. What was more incredible was to see how everyone responded to this message.

Confession lines stretched long, young people sang praises to our Lord in Eucharistic adoration, and campers made new friendships built on the foundations of faith. While it is easy for me to get excited about camp, nothing hits it home like first-hand testimonies. Here are just a few of the experiences from this year: One of our parents had this to say: “at bedtime after the camp I asked him if it was too much “church” and he said “No Mom, it felt really good!” Another parent said: “My son Jonathan has been downloading Catholic songs and listening to the Christian radio station ever since this conference. He has a renewed interest in spiritual things and an appreciation for his Catholic faith since attending camp.”

A junior high youth said: “I am not even Catholic, but I loved this camp. I am for sure coming back next year.”

Another great thing to witness at camp is the way the campers build friendships and encourage each other. One camper hit the nail on the head when she said: “When I went up onto the high ropes course, when I would start to back down, the campers in my group, they would cheer me on and tell me to keep going.

That's what got me through one of my biggest fears: heights!”

Another element of our camp is a high school leadership team called “FIAT.” The FIAT team meets two days before camp to pray and prepare to serve the campers. These teens lead small groups, work on testimonies and dramas, as well as encourage the campers through relational ministry. FIAT is the glue that keeps our camp together. We thought it would also be nice to highlight one of our FIAT testimonies.

Anna Greenlee of Rochester shared her thoughts of camp: “This past

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week I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the FIAT high school team for a youth camp called Camp Summit. It's safe to say Camp Summit touched the lives of many young individuals. For many of them, this was the first time they experienced God in such a loving and encouraging environment. It was beautiful to see how many middle school students wanted to be there of their own free will. There was no one forcing them to attend this camp; God has chosen each of them for a specific reason. I myself had a powerful experience with God the past week, and will never forget it. I grew close with several of the people on the fiat team, and am happy to have made long-lasting friendships. I am still keeping in touch with everyone, and we will hopefully be able to have a reunion sometime in the next week!

During this week I learned a powerful message Camp Summit, cont'd on pg. 11

September, 2014 w The Courier

Meet

Vocations

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Our New Jereme Hettwer Jereme Hettwer is from Rochester, Minnesota and is a member of Pax Christi parish. He comes from a family of five: mother, father, an older and a younger brother. He attended Catholic schools: St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester and then Lourdes High School. Jereme shares, “My parents took us to Church when we were younger, and I was able to receive the Sacraments of First Communion and

Reconciliation and Confirmation.”

Who influenced your faith journey growing up? “One huge influence on my faith life was my grandfather, Alfred Bassi. He was a devout Catholic and it seemed as if his faith was unwavering in all that he did. I also recall my grandmother, Ethel Hettwer, being a faithful Catholic as well. As I come closer to entering Seminary I have experienced many family members who are very supportive of my decision.”

When would you say the first seeds of faith were planted? “The first seeds got planted through perRev. Will Thompson sonal prayer and the Lord continually Director calling me to a deeper conversion. wthompson@dow.org Also the Sacraments and faithful family members inspired my Catholic faith. I greatly enjoyed reading the

lives of the Saints when I was younger and was inspired by their love of the Lord.”

“My Vocation to the Priesthood has taken a bit of a different path, when I was younger I was always fascinated by the Priest at Mass. I didn’t fully understand at the time what the Priest did, but as I continue to grow in my faith I am gaining a much better understanding. When I was younger I don’t recall anyone asking me if I had considered the Priesthood, but often in personal prayer I could feel the Lord placing this desire on my heart. During my senior year of high school I went on a Kairos retreat and through the Sacrament of Penance I encountered the Lord and His love for me. After this experience I began to notice that the call to the Priesthood had intensified and at this point, I got in touch with Father Thompson and he helped me to prepare for entering into Seminary.”

How did that calling develop? “The seed of my vocation grew slowly over time, at first I was fearful and tried to run from my vocation, but the more I tried to run the less peace I experienced in my life. Eventually, I realized that my vocation was not going away so I started to get in touch with numerous Priests including Father Thompson. I also began to go deeper in my Catholic faith, I began to read about the Saints, and I also began to frequent the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, and fostered my prayer life. The main challenge I had to overcome was my fear of the Priesthood and having to give things up in my life. However, I quickly realized that the Lord wants what’s best for us and so even if it feels like He’s taking things from us it is really removing obstacles so that we can get to know the Lord better.”

“The Lord has always been very kind and merciful towards me, and through time I have been able to be more open the Lord’s love for me. Over time my relationship with the Lord has deepened immensely through structured prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. Also during my time at North Dakota State University I was involved with Fellowship of Catholic University Students and was able to meet and grow in holiness with fellow college Catholic students. Another huge factor in my growing closer to the Lord has been a much deeper relationship with the Blessed Mother Mary. I did the Total Consecration to Mary which was inspired by St. Louis De Montfort and follows Saint John Paul II the Greats apostolic motto of Totus Tuus which is Latin for totally yours. Through the Total Consecration, Mary has led me to her Son, Jesus and this has ultimately led me closer to my Heavenly Father.”

How do you feel now as you are actually beginning your studies at IHM Seminary? “I am very excited and at peace with my decision to enter Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. As far as expectations go I have tried not to have too many; I just want to be open to the Lord’s will and grow in holiness. There are a lot of great seminarians at IHM, and I know that there are great Priests there as well who will help to form us into holy and virtuous Catholics.”

What advice do you have for other young men and women discerning their vocations?

“The advice I would give to young men and women is the same that is given to us by Jesus and also reiterated by Saint John Paul II the Great, “Be not afraid.” Do not wait to pursue your vocation or to deepen your faith, simply trust in the Lord and know that He has amazing plans for you. I would recommend developing a relationship with Mary who is our Mother, as she will lead us to Jesus, and our Heavenly Father as well which will allow young people to pursue their vocation and deepen their faith.”

September, 2014 w The Courier

Seminarians Joseph J. Liu

Joseph J. Liu is a seminarian of the Diocese of Winona. He was born and raised in a traditional Catholic family in Tientsin, a historical harbor city in China. One of four siblings, Joseph is the son of Mr. Joseph P. Liu and Mrs. Maria E. Liu. His parents were both educators and faith formation leaders from the Catholic Diocese in Sienhsien China (CDSC, founded in 1856 and administered until 1950 by Jesuit Province Champagne France). He was Baptized by Fr. Giovanni K. King, S.J. in 1962 and received Confirmation from Fr. Matthias F. Liu, S.J. in 1980.

What was your childhood like? “While being a schoolboy, I was educated and catechized in a home-school by my parents and by Fr. Matthias F. Liu, S. J., my uncle, who was under house arrest and living with my family after his penalty of fifteen years in prison for his unyielding defense of the Catholic faith. It was a time of cruel religious persecution and fanatical promotion of atheism, Marxism and Leninism during “the Cultural Revolution” (19661980). Any religious practice was illegal and anyone who was even talking about faith would be sent to a brain-washed camp or to jail. The Churches were ruined and the entire well-organized ministries and services were taken over or destroyed… However, the Catholic faith, deeply rooted in the faithfuls’ hearts, remained unshaken and survived in the way of the underground Church as the early Church. The persecution as a great challenge to the faithful was urging me to deepen my understanding with the questioning of my faith, which was handed down to me from my older generations: “Is my Catholic faith the most reasonably accepted faith on the earth?”“ “The brilliant examples, given by numerous faithful servants of God, like Fr. Matthias and my parents, were powerfully convincing that the confident answer to the question must be “Yes” and “I’m so blessed to receive, to build, to keep and to defend this faith; and even it is worthy to give my life to witness this faith.” Truly, “the blood of the martyrs, the seed of the Church.”

(Tertullian, Church Father).”

How was the seed of vocation planted for you? “I believe it was the tender care of Fr. Matthias and my parents that made the seed of the vocation God had planted in my heart possible to grow in me continuously even in a dark time. The characteristic Christian positivism, enthusiasm and the sense of responsibility of Fr. Matthias and of my parents have deeply influenced my life. As the Church and seminary formation had been illegal and unavailable until 1980, under the guidance of Fr. Matthias and my parents I entered medical school to pursue a professional education after my studies of high school and then I began my medical career as a surgeon in traumatology.

With the deepened understanding of human life and human suffering via clinical practice and teaching for more than ten years, simultaneously, the calling of God in my heart was becoming stronger and stronger rather than fading away with time. “ “A wonderful spiritual experience in my life was to listen to the friendly teaching on human life and dignity from Calcutta Mother Teresa, MC, in the letter with her personal signature as a reply to my letter with my prayer for her while she was suffering from a heart attack in 1990. The infectious words showing her great love and equally high respect for each human life with human dignity were deeply touching and inspired me to think deeply about pro-life in medical practice --- how to treat a human person in wholeness, i.e. the holistic model of healthcare under personalist bioethics. “I want to be a healer and caregiver for a holistic person, both body and soul, physically and spiritually.””

How did that call grow and what brought you to the Diocese of Winona? “Continuously under the guidance of Fr. Matthias, my spiritual director, I began a careful and intensive discernment in 2000. Although I did struggle with the switch from my professional career to the seminary formation toward priesthood, after a certain time the Holy Spirit was finally leading me to the point of a decision in clearly saying “Yes” in my heart to God with peace and joy. This was a historical turning point in my life.”

“With the active support and friendly guidance of dear Bishop of Hong Meet Our New Seminarians, cont'd on pg. 16

Special Anniversary Edition September, 2014

Presenter Spotlight Bishop Álvaro Ramazzini

Most Reverend Álvaro Ramazzini is the Bishop of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Born and raised in Guatemala, Bishop Ramazzini was ordained a priest in 1971. He was ordained Bishop of San Marcos, Guatemala on January 6, 1989, and was bishop there for 23 years.

On May 14, 2012, he became the Bishop of Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

As a priest and bishop he has been involved in the Church’s advocacy for social justice, especially in the area of protecting the rights of indigenous people, and has become known as one of Latin America’s most important human rights leaders. He is the 2011 recipient of the renowned Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award (2011), given “to honor a person for their achievements in peace and justice, not only in their country but in the world.” He is known throughout Guatemala, and the world, as a bishop with a strong connection with and love for the people.

(Bishop Ramazzini will be speaking at a general session for Spanish-speaking participants on Saturday morning, and will concelebrate the Mass at the celebration.)

Most Reverend Álvaro Ramazzini es el Obispo de Huehuetenango, Guatemala. El Obispo Ramazzini nació y creció en Guatemala y fue ordenado como Sacerdote en 1971. Él fue elegido como Obispo de San Marcos, Guatemala el 6 de Enero de 1989, y sirvió ahí como Obispo por 23 años. El 14 de Mayo del 2012 se convirtió en Obispo de Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

Como Sacerdote y Obispo, él ha estado involucrado en grupos de apoyo de la Iglesia por la justicia social, especialmente en el área de protección de los derechos de la gente indígena, y él es conocido en América Latina como un líder muy importante en el área de Derechos Humanos. El recibió en el año 2011 el renombrado premio por la libertad “Paz en la Tierra” o “Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award”, otorgado para “honrar a una persona por sus logros en la Paz y la Justicia no solo en su País natal, pero en el resto del mundo. Él es conocido a través de Guatemala y el mundo, como un Obispo con una convicción fuerte de amor con, y por la gente.

(El Obispo Ramazzini será el orador principal en la sesión general para los participantes de habla hispana el sábado por la mañana, y concelebrará la Misa en la Celebración).

"Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits – he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone..."

(Pope Francis, Closing Mass for World Youth Day 2013)

m u b l A o t o h P y l i m a F n Diocesa

Parish Families Connected By Faith We continue to share images of our parishes. Our photo album this month shows Churches established through the years 1871 - 1882.

St. Patrick, Lanesboro, Est.1871

St. Mary, Madelia, Est.1872

Immaculate Conception, Wilson, Est.1874

St. Theodore, Albert Lea, Est.1877

St. Leo, Pipestone, Est.1878

St. Casimir, Wells, Est.1880

Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Winona, Est. 1871

St. James, St. James, Est.1873

St. Rose of Lima, Lewiston, Est.1876

St. Alyosius, Elba, Est.1877

St. Kilian, Saint Kilian, Est.1878

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Currie, Est.1881

St. John Nepomucene, Winona, Est.1871

St. Ann, Janesville, Est.1874

St. Theresa, Mapleton, Est.1876

St. Gabriel, Fulda, Est.1878

St. Ignatius, Spring Valley, Est.1878

Sacred Heart, Heron Lake, Est.1881

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona, Est.1871

Immaculate Conception, Saint Clair, Est.1874

St. James, Twin Lakes, Est.1876

St. Finbarr, Grand Meadow, Est.1878

St. Joseph, Waldorf, Est.1878

St. Catherine of Alexandria, Luverne, Est.1881

St. Mary, Houston, Est.1872

Sacred Heart, Waseca, Est.1874

St. Adrian, Adrian, Est.1877

Holy Trinity, Litomysl, Est.1878

All Saints, New Richland, Est.1879

St. John Vianney, Fairmont, Est. 1882

September, 2014 w The Courier

September, 2014 w The Courier

September, 2014

Special Anniversary Edition As we celebrate our 125 years of faithful service in the Diocese of Winona, I look forward to seeing all of you at our 125th Anniversary Celebration on September 12 – 13! There will be events for children, families and adults.

Please come join us in celebrating the rich history of our diocese. God bless you. Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona

What a wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate all the good our Diocese has done in the last 125 years!

We rejoice in the great dignity of every woman and man who has and continues to make this diocese great! - Theresa

I invite you to “come and see the awesome deeds” (Psalm 66) that God has been doing in the southern Minnesota for the past 125 years! Learn of our past, witness our present and look ahead to the future. This is a time to embrace our shared faith, celebrate our diverse talents and gifts, and together look ahead to ‘Where Jesus Sends Us’ to multiply those gifts and return them with increase. - Joel

Director, Office of You Hennessy, Mission Advancement & Communications Are For Invited over 150 years Catholics in our To Martin, Endow Coordinator diocese have gathCelebrate! ered for Mass and the

Children from ages 4 to 12 are invited to come to Loyola Intermediate School (formerly Fitzgerald Middle School) to enjoy fun activities centered on the 125th Diocesan Celebration. Planned activities will include teaching children to juggle. Additional crafts, lessons, and Bible stories will be engaging and educational. Come join the fun at Loyola! Marsha Stenzel, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

IN SEPTEMBER!

sacraments. We have given praise and thanks to God and received the grace which God so freely gives. Join us for the 125th anniversary festival Eucharist on Saturday in honor of the Holy Cross.

In our gathering the Church will be made manifest around the table of the Lord. Fr. John Sauer, Director, Office of Worship

Camp Summit, We need to unlock our hearts and be open to anything he throws at us. God is love.”

Thank you to everyone who made our Camp Summit possible this year. If you were not able to make it this summer, we invite you to join us next year. In the mean time, check out the Diocese website and facebook page for more great pictures and videos of this year’s camp. http://www.dow.org .

from

pg.

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In the Diocese

– ‘There is no fear in God's love, for with God, nothing is impossible.’ Camp Summit has taught me that there is so much unconditional love in this world and we should embrace every moment of it.

God has an incredible plan in store for us all and we should put our trust in Him and learn to live our lives with humility, love and happiness. We all need God's love. We need it.

And he wants to give it to us.

cont'd

Masses of Reparation for Sins Many parishes throughout the diocese are committed to offer consolation to the Heart of Christ through a Mass of Reparation.

Please go online to visit dowcourier.org to see the complete Mass list.

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Faith Formation

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Choosing Life Over Fear Sympathy and Love. More than anything else, married couples and families need sympathy and love from their friends and especially from their brothers and sisters in Christ. God never said He gives you the ability to discern what’s best for someone else’s family. We have grace only to discern our own and we have no idea what another person or family is going through. Simply showing sympathy and love can do more than endless conversations on faith.

Life can be difficult; it can be challenging; it can even feel like everything is collapsing at times. Yet, where do we put our faith? Life can sometimes be a struggle because of finances. It can seem, that no matter what you do, it is never enough. Why would you even think about bringing a child into this situation if you can barely keep up with yourselves or the children you have

Theresa Martin Endow Coordinator Endow@dow.org

now? Is it worth the risk?

Forget money; let’s talk about sanity! Children demand so much of your time, your energy, and your whole self.

How will you mentally survive being a parent of another child? What if you have a breakdown and can’t care for any of them? Is it worth the risk?

single day, and endure extensive pain. never know when you'll need to be pro- Is it worth the risk?

Is it? tected from a light saber attack.

All of life is risk. There is a risk every time you walk out the front door, get in your car, ride a plane. There is a risk every time you love someone, trust someone, give a gift to someone.

There is a risk every time you learn something, build something, try something new. Yet, we are encouraged to overcome fear in life. We hear “believe Personally, we have had an inter- in yourself”, “just do it”, “if you can esting year ourselves. Finding out that dream it, you can achieve it”, “travel not only one son, but three have an the world”, and “overcome your fear”. extremely rare, incurable disease, is Yet, when it comes to family, it feels hard enough. Realizing that it is genetic like it’s all “whoa, Nelly!” and putting is even more difficult. It means that on the brakes. You don’t want to be any child we might have in the future that crazy! would have a 50% chance of having If a couple prayerfully discerns a this same disease. That means that call to be open to life again or for the a future child has a 50% chance of first time, would it be crazy to trust having to undergo medical tests and God? Do we believe God loves us or doctor visits every six months of his not? Do we believe God will help us life, get injections of medicine every and give us the grace we need every day or not? There comes a time in a couples’ life that only they can discern what God is calling them to.

We have chosen to walk in God, to walk in life! We are expecting our next precious child on March 29, 2015. This child might not be perfect, but that makes him or her no less precious in the eyes of God. Disease or not, healthy or not, life is precious. My children have Our three special guys waiting for the brought elevator at Mayo Clinic. me joy, Children are a blessing, and you

Disease or not, life is always full of adventure.

worry, love, overwhelming happiness, but mostly, they have brought me to my knees – right where I need to be: in God’s hands.

The fear of what we might lose or might go wrong should never direct our actions. Let self-giving love direct your actions. Let self-giving love guide your thoughts and decisions. Let this love soften your heart to give sympathy and not judgment to other couples and families, whether they have a few children, many or none at all. None of us can know the heart of another except for God. Let us choose life over fear, to choose to live in God and trust Him. He will never forsake you.

Don't forget to register for the New Feminism Conference! Speakers from all across the U.S., it's going to be great!

Upcoming Talks & Events for Women

Talks: (These talks are "sneak peeks" into different Endow Studies! Yet, you don't have to be interested in the study to come, the talk is open to all.)

"Setting the World Ablaze: St. Catherine of Siena" - St. James Coffee, September 19, 7:30 p.m. St. Catherine was born in the 14th

Century during a time of the plague and political and ecclesial unrest. In her mere 33 years she left such a rich legacy that she is named a Doctor of the Church. She said: “Be who you are called to be and you will set the world ablaze!”

These talks are such fun! Great info, lively conversations, inspiring stories! Come join us!

Events: Saturday, October 11: Theresa Martin is a guest speaker at the WDCCW Mini-Convention/ Worskhop "Rediscovering Your Council of Catholic Women": her talk: "Become the Woman God Made You to Be" (see Ad on pg. 16 for info) New Feminism Conference: Saturday, November 8 at St. Augustine in Austin, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.: What did Saint John Paul II mean when he asked women to promote a "New Feminism"? Spend a day with nationally renowned speakers, learning, sharing and being inspired in your own feminine genius! REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! www.dow.org/Endow September, 2014 w The Courier

Catechetical Sunday, September 21 The Bishop's Welcome Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: The Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis is pleased to announce the release of the 2014 Catechetical Sunday materials focused on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Catechetical Sunday, which is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in September in parishes across the United States, falls this year on the weekend of September 21, 2014, the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The theme for 2014 Catechetical Sunday is “Teaching about God’s Gift of Forgiveness”. Even before anyone of us can consider seeking forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance, we know God is already at work in our hearts. God the Father pursues us down the byways of our life, intent to restore and share with us in greater measure a life of grace and union with him, which was secured at so great a cost through the saving death of his Son. The Spirit helps us to discern where sinfulness has wounded and enslaved us, and creates in us, the penitents, a readiness to embrace ongoing conversion of life through sorrow for sins, sacramental confession through the ministry of the priest, and a firm purpose of amendment.

As in past years, a variety of materials have been prepared to assist pastors, parish catechists, Catholic school teachers and the faithful in celebrating Catechetical Sunday, not only in September, but also throughout the 2014-2015 year. These materials are provided free of charge. USCCB Publishing will also sell printed copies of prayer cards, family commitment cards, posters, and certificates in English and Spanish.

Whether you confess regularly, or this is the first time in a long time, may this be your moment to draw near to the confessional with confidence to celebrate the tender loving mercy of God. May you experience again and again God’s gift of forgiveness and healing through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

Faith Formation

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). As the Diocese of Winona celebrates the Year of Thanksgiving, the scriptural passage on being sent to form disciples is highlighted at various local and diocesan events as a call given to all the baptized to share with others the treasure of knowing and loving God. In our present time, many Catholics can turn with a grateful heart to the generations of persons who have passed on the gift of faith through their belief, witness, celebration of the sacraments, and prayer life.

On September 21, 2014, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday as an opportunity for all persons to rededicate themselves to the mission of handing on the faith. This day also provides an opportunity to commisSr. Mary Juanita sion those Gonsalves, R.S.M. who have Director generously faithformation@dow.org sought to hand on the faith and are chosen to serve as catechists in parishes. Each year, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops sets a theme and provides resources for Catechetical Sunday to support the faithful in the mission of forming disciples. The theme of this year’s Catechetical Sunday is “Teaching about God’s Gift of Forgiveness.” Below is the message from Bishop Ricken, Chairman of Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, USCCB, on the particular focus of teaching about God’s gift of forgiveness not only in September, but throughout the 20142015 year.

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Sincerely yours in Christ, Bishop David L. Ricken, Chairman of Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis.

“Catechetical Sunday 2014”, found online at the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops.

A Treasury of Prayers

Act of Hope

O my God, I hope by your grace for the pardon of all my sins and after life here to gain eternal happiness because you have promised it, who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful. In this hope I intend to live and die.

Amen.

From “Basic Prayers, Part I,” in Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, rev. ed.

Did You Know?

• The Act of Hope is a prayer commonly prayed after the Act of Faith and before the Act of Love. Faith, Hope, and Love are the Theological virtues.

• Among all the writings on the theological virtues, Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 13:13) is one of the earliest references: “So faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

• “A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite an Act of Faith, Hope, and Charity in any legitimate formula” (The Enchiridion of Indulgences, no. 28, §2, 4º).

• The Holy Spirit is the “guardian of hope in the human heart” (Dominum et Vivificantem, 67) September, 2014 w The Courier

Catholic Schools

14

University of Notre Dame (ACE) Collaborates with Winona Diocesan Catholic Schools

Principals and teachers participating in the Diocesan curriculum training take a moment out of their four day training session to pose for a picture in the forum room at Lourdes High School. Each principal and a teacher from each grade level called teams, K-2, 3-6, 7-8, and 9-12 were requested to attend the training.

The Diocese of Winona Office of Catholic Schools is beginning a new collaborative educational effort with the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Collaborative for Academic Marsha Stenzel Excellence. ACE, as it is Superintendent known in educational cirmstenzel@dow.org cles, came to the Diocese of Winona from August 4-7, 2014 for the first of several collaborative sessions with principal and teacher teams. This four day training session was held at Lourdes High School in Rochester.

The Diocese of Winona affirms and shares ACE’s evangelizing response to the Church’s educational mission of sustaining, strengthening, and transforming the Catholic schools of our Diocese. Through a two year collaborative effort, ACE will assist the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools in leading principal and teacher teams as they build continuing academic excellence. ACE will facilitate a two year process of intentional cultivation of professional learning communities within the Diocese. Through these professional learning communities, Diocesan Teams from 7-8 grade completing team/department and course a d m i n i s t r a t o r s outcomes move forward to writing subject/course outcomes. The and teacher outcomes are based on standards that take students more than a unit – four weeks – to accomplish. Teachers require coordina- teams (K-2, 3-6, 7-8, and 9-12), will tion among the teacher-teams to ensure that students meeting all subject/course outcomes automatically meet the team/ learn to strengthdepartment outcomes. en assessment, instruction, and overall curriculum. Each professional learning community team (PLC’s) will return to their respective schools to engage in the curriculum writing process. The PLC teams of each individual school will train other faculty members in the language and structure of the ACE Collaborative Teachers and principals from teams grades 3-6 begin writing team/ professiondepartment and course outcomes for social study curriculum. Those al learning outcomes are based on benchmark standards that take students model. more than one year to accomplish. Teacher teams are required to plan together to enable student achievement, and provide the next The beneteacher team with a guaranteed student achievement base from fit of the ACE which to start their planning.

September, 2014 w The Courier

Teachers and principals representing teams K-2 continue the process as each team participates in planning what they want students to learn. Unit concepts is the third step in curriculum writing which requires the subject’s major ideas. These ideas are “enduring understandings”: that every adult ought to be thoroughly familiar with.

Collaborative includes the use of existing professional capacity, builds additional professional capacity, addresses accreditation standards, and sustains professional development on a local Diocesan level.

In the first two year cycle of the ACE collaborative Teams in grades 3-6 discuss standards based on state, national, and Diocesan level, that specify effort, Diocesan curriculum will be what students will know and be able to do for each grade level. They provide a skeletal framework written for social for curriculum which focuses on teacher planning studies with other and student effort. The Collaborative relies upon subject curriculum the expertise of classroom teachers to develop the Diocesan curriculum. to be developed in future year cycles.

ACE will work closely with the Winona Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools as it seeks to establish this comprehensive Diocesan Diocesan Curriculum, cont'd on next page

High school teachers, Jim Parlin (Pacelli) and Meggie O’Keefe (Cotter) and Emily Pearson, (Lourdes High School Curriculum Director) develop and post on-line outcomes for teams/departments. For high school departments, outcomes provide one measure of a student’s college readiness.

All teachers will be invited to participate in the curriculum writing this school year once their colleagues who participated in the summer workshop share the information, and provide leadership in the curriculum process.

In celebration of the 125th Winona Diocesan Anniversary, all Catholic Schools contributed a t-shirt with their school logo to be arranged on a Catholic schools quilt. All four high schools are in each corner of the quilt with the Diocesan logo in the middle, surrounded by the elementary and middle schools. Sacred Heart Parishioners from Waseca volunteered to design and sew the quilt. Those volunteers from left to right are Deb Rysavy Lien, Mary Strand, and Sandy FitzSimmons.

Diocesan Curriculum, cont'd from previous page

model of professional development. For more information on how to support the collaboration between The University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education Collaborative for Academic Excellence, and the Diocese of Winona, please contact the Diocese of Winona, Office of Catholic Schools, Superintendent, Marsha Stenzel, EdS at 507-858-1269, or mstenzel@ dow.org.

15 In the Diocese

Quilt of Catholic Schools Designed in Honor of our 125th Anniversary

Catholic School Principals receive additional information on the expectations of the ACE curriculum writing process. Dr. Tom Doyle, seated in front of the principals, explains new standards challenge students to greater achievement, and principals and teachers to create highly effective schools with highly effective teachers!

WACS Vacation Bible School The Winona Catholic Community Vacation Bible School (SonTreasure Island) was held on August 4-8, at St. Mary's Church and School. VBS is for children ages 4 through grade 6 and 146 children from the five Catholic parishes attended. Over 50 adult and youth volunteers helped in various ways.

Did you know...?

- Gifts of Faith from Rochester, MN will be at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Diocese of Winona on Saturday, September 13 at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.

- Gifts of Faith can supply anything you need for your parishes, faith formation, and any personal devotional items that individuals may need.

- Proudly serving Rochester, Minnesota; the surrounding area; and the Diocese of Winona for the past 8 years.

- Featuring: Books, music, jewelry, resources, classroom materials, church goods, clergy apparel, and a wide selection of Catholic items for kids, teens & adults.

Gifts of Faith, 4152 18th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN 55901; 507-289-2297; mike@giftsoffaithshop.com September, 2014 w The Courier

Meet Our New Seminarians, cont'd from page 10 In the Diocese

16

Kong, John Tong, via the Maryknoll Missionary Project I came to New York in 2001 and then entered the School of Theology at SHMS (AOD, Detroit) in 2002.

The theological studies in MDiv and MA in SHMS were completed in 2008 ...

With the encouragement and support of SHMS faculties and of Propaganda Fide I was sent to the School of Bioethics, UPRA and UCSC in Rome to pursue a MA in Bioethics. The research was completed smoothly in 2013.”

“While I was encountering a difficulty for my ordination because of the struggle between the Church and the CCP regime in China, it was the DOW family that fraternally accepted me as one of the DOW family in her fully opened arms. The DOW family has made me at home and I have found a full sense of belonging. The DOW family has made my life a song of thanksgiving. What I can repay for so much generous love in the Lord is, in relying on the Grace, to do my best to become a faithful servant of God and his people. May “Thy will be done” in my life.

May God bless the DOW family.”

September

Thomas Ripplinger

Thomas Ripplinger is originally from St. Mary's in Upsala, Minnesota. He grew up in a faithful Catholic family of five with a large and supportive extended family.

Where was the seed of faith first planted for you? “(In my family and supportive extended family) is where the seed of faith was planted, fostered throughout my time in high school. Once I graduated high school, I went to Minnesota State University to study Chemistry.”

How did your faith develop? “During my time at MSU I was presented with the opportunity to join a FOCUS Bible study with one of the missionaries. While in this study I was challenged to really strive for a relationship with God like I never have before. I was challenged to make God the center of everything I do. By the grace of God I accepted this challenge wholeheartedly, but I had one problem...I didn't know where to start. So I went to the only thing I really knew as a Catholic, the Holy Mass. I made a resolution to make at least 2 daily Masses a week. It was during these Masses that Jesus really created a deep love and stronger desire for Him in my heart. Through the Eucharist, Jesus began to reorder my life towards Himself.”

When did you first feel a call to the priesthood? “This love for Jesus (that I found at Mass) continued to grow, but the idea of a Vocation to the priesthood did not start to develop until at least a year and a half after I had my deeper conversion to Christ. It sort of started when Fr. Tim Biren, the chaplain of the Newman Center invited me to join the discernment group lead

by Fr. Will Thompson the Vocations Director. The only reason I even agreed to this was that he convinced me it was for general discernment, not necessarily for priesthood (I was dating at the time so he needed to convince me to join somehow!). So I went, and developed a better understanding of what the priesthood was. The more I looked into and learned about priesthood, the more and more it became attractive. I can distinctively remember having fleeting desires of it during prayer, but pushing it out of my thoughts as quickly as possible out of fear of change. For some time I would continue to just ignore these attractions to the priesthood, but the first time I entertained these thoughts and desires, I experienced a huge moment of terror. I knew in my heart that God was calling me somewhere completely different than where I was, but I was not ready to follow Him and make the change. After the thought of priesthood continued to flood my mind and heart, especially during prayer, I finally brought these thoughts and emotions to my spiritual director.

With the help of my spiritual director, I was eventually able to discover the nature of these thoughts and find peace in filling out an application to the seminary. I found a great peace in the September, 2014 w The Courier

decision to apply to the seminary and was soon accepted after filling out an application.”

As you are actually beginning seminary life, how do you feel now? “The time discerning to enter the seminary has been some of the most difficult times of my life. I had a difficult time trusting in God enough to make such a radical change in life to seek His will, but he has blessed this decision and has now granted me a deeper trust in His Providence and care. Now I cannot wait to continue my discernment at IHMJob and discover how Color(s): God is4Ccalling me to #: 35221-1 Size: 6" x 5.75" Bleed?: Y serve him.”

Folded Size: NA Misc: Courier

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An Exciting Time for All of Us by: Kathy Wilmes, Winona Diocese Council of Catholic Women

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cont'd from pg. 3

10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Webinar for Charter Implementation Training, Resurrection Church, Rochester October 7 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona

Bishop, cont'd from pg. 3

In the Diocese

As all of us know by now, these are exciting times for our Diocese. On the weekend of September 12th, we will gather in Winona to celebrate 125 years of existence, to remember our history and the efforts each of our organizations as well as ourselves have made to ensure our growth, and to commit ourselves to the continuing work of sharing the message of Our Lord Jesus Christ to our community, nation, state, and world. Our own Winona Diocesan Council of Catholic Women joins in this celebration of the past. We have been an important part of the Diocese for over seventy years (we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2016). We are an important part of sharing the love of Our Lord today at the parish as well as the diocesan level, and we share an increasing commitment to future outreach, not only at the diocesan and state levels, but to the world community as well.

We will have a booth in Mankato; please stop

and have a look around. I think you will find a dynamic organization committed to education as well as outreach; one that hopefully you will want to become an active part.

October is an important month for us in Council as it is the time of our Diocesan Convention being held in Owatonna on Sat., October 11th in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. We will begin the day by loading our international outreach trucks with homemade quilts, clothing, and supplies as well as gently used articles of clothing and shoes to send to our partner Brother Regis who then distributes these items to those in need of them. We will have two great speakers, Theresa Martin Endow Coordinator for the diocese, and Father Tom Mc Quaid from Catholic Relief Services. Please come and join us as we explore our roles as women, both on a local as well as an international level.

We are an exciting, vital organization that promotes women’s growth as well as the use of individual gifts for the betterment of all. Please come and have a look!

Bishop's C a l e n d a r,

for the families of all the victims of violence.

In Iraq, the violence against Christians by the ISIS forces continues and the U.S. Catholic bishops have urged President Obama to increase support being sent to Iraqi Christians fleeing persecution. I would urge you to appeal to your elected representatives on behalf of persecuted minorities in countries such as Iraq and Syria, and please continue to pray for peace.

A memory in every meal For more than a quarter of a century, our family has been preparing the freshest recipes to create some of the most memorable meals.

All made from scratch.

All made with love.

Harvest Mass I want to thank the Ken and Marlys Knuth for hosting the 25th annual Harvest Mass on their “Sudden Creek Shire Horse Farm.” Hundreds gathered to celebrate rural life and thank God for the bounty of the land and to bless the coming harvest and to celebrate the Feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven.

God’s blessing was so obvious in the faces of all those who attended. I would like to thank everyone who made this day a successful and memorable event.

Gratitude for Prayers Last month, I had asked you to pray for vocations to the priesthood. More men have responded to God’s call this year at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary than in many years.

Please continue to pray for these courageous young men and you can learn more about our priestly formation on the back page of this issue of The Courier.

Thank you for your prayers for me and my ministry. Please continue to pray for me and our priests and be assured of my prayers for each and every one of you. May the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

(507) 282-6572 • 1203 2nd St. SW Rochester Free Parking directly across from St. Marys

Visit CanadianHonker.com for a complete list of menu items and packages!

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

September, 2014 w The Courier

18

Diocesan Pastoral Planning

Corpus Christi Celebration at St. Killian

In the Diocese

by: Msgr. Richard M. Colletti, Vicar General/Chancellor

This past July I updated you on Phase II of Pastoral Planning in our diocese. This phase will revise the current parish cluster plan (inaugurated in 2000). That plan reduced parish clusters from 63 to 51 over eight years. The new plan will reduce parish clusters by 5 more in years to come.

Why are we doing this? In a nutshell, we must match our available priests with changing demography in southern Minnesota. Only 6 of our 20 counties will grow significantly in the next 30 years. The other 14 will undergo continued stasis or further decline. In addition, 20 of our pastors will be at least 70 years old within The Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated on Sunday, June 22 at ten years. On average, we currently ordain one priest per year; hence we cannot the church of St. Kilian. Bishop John Quinn, Fr. Andrew Beerman replace all who retire. And while several priests serve us from foreign lands, some and Deacon Vern Behrends officiated the ceremony. The Feast do not remain here long term. honors the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and has been celThese facts require us to apply our labor responsibly. It isn’t a matter of a soebrated by Christian churches since the twelfth century. called “priest shortage” alone. In many places we have a “laity shortage.” In part this is due to broader demography; but secularization also contributes. Many no longer frequent the Eucharist as they did in generations past. As our faithful elders depart us, fewer laity replace them. Larger communities absorb these changes more readily; but smaller communities cannot. No doubt changes will be in store for some.

In July, I gathered several priests to hear their advice on a new cluster plan. We reviewed recommendations for each deanery, gathered during discussions among priests and laity in 2012-2013. They also offered key recommendations to guide a revised plan. For example, how many weekend Masses can our aging clergy reasonably provide? Among our active priests the average age is 54; and it will likely rise in the next few years. Indeed 20 of our 51 pastors are currently over 60 years old.

For this reason (among others), we recommend that priests not be expected to provide more than three regular Sunday Masses (including Saturday evening). When their busy weekend arrives, most have worked for 40 hours in the days prior. And besides regular weekend Masses (which often involve travel), priests also serve weddings, funerals, baptisms, meetings, or pastoral gatherings each weekend. Few of us realize the dedication involved in their everyday mission.

As deliberations continue this autumn, we will need to identify those parishes where a weekend Mass might no longer be feasible.

The process will be patient but deliberate, and will involve clergy as well as laity. Where change is needed, we hope to introduce it with grace and care. And in turn, we hope for support and understanding from our people. For in the end, the Church is not immune to the changes around her. Nevertheless, she will always grow – if not in numbers, then in holiness, vitality, and a commitment to her mission.

Let us pray for one another in this important and vital task!

Traditional Latin Mass

Hispanic Priests/Sacerdotes Hispanos: Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas: Capellán del Decanato de Worthington. lukiponcho@yahoo.es Tel. 507-341-0403 Padre José Morales: Capellán del Decanato de Rochester. jloralesr2008@yahoo.es Tel. 507-329-2931 Padre Mariano Varela IVE: Párroco de “SS. Peter and Paul” en Mankato. mvarela@hickorytech.net

Tel. 507-388-2995 ext 103 Padre Octavio Cortez IVE: Vicario Parroquial de “Ss. Peter and Paul” en Mankato Tel. 507-388-2995 Padre Raul Silva: Pastor de “All Saints” en New Richland, “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, “St. Mary” en Geneva padreraulsilva@gmail.com

Spanish Mass Schedule Albert Lea, St. Theodore, Spanish Mass, 11 a.m., every Sunday.

Austin, Queen of Angels, Spanish Mass at 11 a.m and 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Dodge Center, St. John Baptist de La Salle, Spanish Mass, 11 a.m., every Sunday.

Lake City, St. Mary, Spanish Mass, 6:30 p.m., every third Saturday.

September, 2014 w The Courier

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

Madelia, St. Mary, Spanish Mass, 10 a.m., every Sunday.

Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, Spanish Mass, 1 p.m., every Sunday.

Owatonna, Sacred Heart, Spanish Mass, 1 p.m. every Sunday.

Pipestone, St. Leo, Spanish Mass, 2:30 p.m., every Sunday Rochester, St. Francis of Assisi, Spanish Mass, 12 noon, every Sunday.

St. Charles, St. Charles Borromeo, Spanish Mass, 11:30 a.m.,

every Sunday.

St. James, St. James, Spanish Mass, 12 p.m., every Sunday.

Waseca, Sacred Heart, Spanish Mass, 11:30 a.m., every Sunday.

Windom, St. Francis Xavier, Spanish Mass, 12 p.m., every Sunday Worthington, St. Mary, Spanish Mass, Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.

Annual Chicken Supper on Sun, Sept 14, serving 4 - 6:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph Center. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, coleslaw, pies & desserts will be served. Adults are $9, ages 5 12 are $3 and children age 4 and under are FREE. St. Francis de Sales, Claremont Annual Fall Bazaar on Sun., Sept 21. Mass: 9:30 a.m., turkey dinner: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The bazaar features a cake walk, bake sale, fresh produce, silent auction, bingo and games. St. Francis is the oldest Catholic church in Dodge County. It was established in 1869. Email questions to janetkw@ frontier.com or call 507-696-6961 Immaculate Conception Church of rural Kellogg will hold their annual fall dinner on Sunday, October 5. A chicken and ham dinner will be served Family Style from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other activities include: Big Ticket raffle, bake sale, Country Store, basket raffle, and grocery cart raffle. Take-outs will be available.

St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester 75th Annual Fall Festival on Sun, Oct 5. Turkey Dinner, Egg rolls, Tamales and other great Mexican food, Big Ticket Raffle, and more! Contact the Parish Center office at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at (507) 288-7313, www.stfrancis-church. org.

19 Events in the Diocese

from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Craft Auction at 1:30, Big Ticket, Country Store, & Children & Adult games.

BBQ and hot dogs will be available. Matching St. Mary’s Church, Winona offers a Mass for Life and Marriage on the first Grant Provided by: Catholic United Financial.

St. Mary, Lake Fall Thursday of the month, at 5:15 p.m.

Fall Festival on Sun, Sept 7. Chicken dinner, with Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona will host the monthly Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, baked potato, cole slaw, baked beans, and pie.

Marriage, and Religious Liberty on Saturday, Sept There will be a silent auction, bucket raffles, kids 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. after the 8 a.m. Mass. games, and live music.

St. Aloysius Parish, Elba Gather in the Adoration Chapel.

Fall Festival will be held on Sun, Sept. 14.

Prayer Vigil and Public Witness against Abortion Semcac Clinic is a delegate of Planned Parenthood – Festivities will start with mass at 10 a.m. Roast the nation's leading abortion provider. Please consid- Beef Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. until er joining a local group from 3-4 p.m. each Tuesday gone. There will also be a bake sale/farmers in front of Semcac at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona for an market, children’s raffle, silent auction, cash hour of prayer. Contact: Will Goodman 608-698-7443. raffle, bingo and other activities. Something fun for the whole family. Come join us!

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, MCCL St. John Vianney, Fairmont will offer a brief prolife presentation on Sunday, Sept 14, 2 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester. celebrating its annual FALL FESTIVAL on Sunday, For more information, visit the Events-Fall Tour sec- September 28. A turkey dinner with all the fixings will be served from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the school tion at www.mccl.org. following the 10 a.m. mass at church. Fun for Life Chain Sunday is on Oct 5. Life Chain is a peaceful, prayer- everyone: Cookies by the Pail, Basket Auction, ful public witness of pro-life Americans standing in and Children's Games! Cost: $10/adult~ $5.50/ honor of 56 million lives lost to abortion, praying for children ages 4-10~ Children 3 and under are our nation, for people in crisis situations and for an Free! Call 507-235-5535 for more information.

Sacred Heart, Waseca end to abortion. Rochester Life Chain: 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Annual Fall Festival Setp. 19 - 21. Friday Fish Fry 5 - 7 p.m., Games 5 - 9 p.m. Sat. Polka Mass 5:15 p.m. Dinner 4:30 p.m.

SUBMISSION for the calendar - 7 p.m. Beer & wine tasting. Sunday carnical 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. So much more!

Please note: submission deadline St. Felix, Wabasha is the 10th of the month prior to the Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on month of publication. All submissions Sun. Sept 14. The day will feature fresh must be sent electronically on our webhomemade donuts, grilled chicken dinsite: ners, the farm store, general and specialty auctions, bingo, and so much more. www.dowcourier.org All proceeds go to St. Felix School. For or by emailing: more information call 651-565-4446.

Courier@dow.org Holy Trinity, Rollingstone SUBMIT and by the deadline in order to assure 31st Fall Festival Sun. Sept. 7. Polka receipt and inclusion in the Events YOUR Mass at 10 a.m. Festival begins at 11 Calendar. Though not all events will fit, a.m. Auction at noon. BBQ Chicken EVENTS! we strive to include as many events as Dinner, lots of desserts, games, bake possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff sales. Bring your family!

St. Mary, Worthington Fall Festival on Sept.

28. Turkey dinner served on the sidewalk on 7th St. at 12th Ave. NW. For info, contact Linda McGuire at 507-259-4035 or refer to from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Adults $9, Children (9 and under) $5, children (2 & under) FREE. So www.lifechain.net. many activities! Come join the fun!

Rosary Rally St. John the Baptist de la Salle, Dodge Center Join the St. Louis Fraternity of Secular Franciscans in praying the Rosary for an increase of faith in will be holding 22nd annual Turkey and Ham dinfamilies and throughout the world. Church of St. ner. Sept 28 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Adults $9, Children John the Evangelist, Rochester on Oct 11 at 11:45 6-10 $4.50, preschool FREE. Raffle tickets $1 each a.m. Meet us in the Peace Garden which faces (lots of prizes). All tickets at the door. Mass at 10 a.m.

St. Adrian, Adrian Mayo Clinic.

Fall Dinner - Sunday, September 21, Serving from Parish Events 4 - 7 p.m. St. Adrian Church Parlor. **Elevator located on the north side of Church.** Adults $8, Ages 6-12 $4, Ages 2-5 $2. Fish Pond for the kids Harvest Mass, Slayton Mark your calendars for this year's Harvest Mass. Country Store, Raffle Tickets for many items!

Hosted by Ken and Marlys Knuth at Knuth's Something for everyone!

St. Ann, Janesville Sudden Creek Shire Horse Farm, Slayton, on Annual Fall Festival, Sept. 7 - 8. Saturday: first August 15. 11 a.m. Mass followed by lunch. annual golf tournament at Prairie Ridge in Saints Peter & Paul, Mazeppa Hosts its annual Fall Bazaar, Sunday, September Janesville. Mass: 4 p.m. followed by Chili Cook21, Ham & Turkey Dinner, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. off, all you can eat: $5. Bingo. Sunday Mass: 10 Adults - $11, Children 5-10 - $5, 4 & under - a.m. followed by Turkey dinner. $10 adult, $5 kids $1. Bingo, Raffle, Country Store, and Children’s (5-12). Live and servant auction, bucket raffle, and Games. Catholic United Financial providing more! More info: www.stannjan.com St. John’s, Johnsburg Matching Fund Grant.

Ham and Turkey Dinner. Also serving dressSt. Anthony, Lismore Fall Bazaar Sun, Sept 7. Roast beef dinner served ing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie, and more!

Located 6.5 miles SW of Adams or 4 miles N of Stacyville, IA. On Sun, Sept. 7, serving from 3:30 7. Prices: $9 – Adults and take-out meals; $5 – ages 5 to 12; $2 – ages 4 and under.

St. Ignatius, Spring Valley 39th Annual Fall Festival: Sun, Sept. 28 serving For events at Assisi Heights, check out their site: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. barbequed chicken, baked potato, www.rochesterfranciscan.org and click on “What’s coleslaw, roll, coffee, lemonade, and homemade Happening/Events.” For more info, call Angie Grimm pie $10. Also a Silent Auction and Quilt Raffle going on at the same time. at 507-280-2195 or: ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org.

St. Joseph Church, Jasper

Action with Prayer

St. Mary's Parish, Minneiska Church Breakfast starts with Mass at 8:30 a.m. on October 13.

A Texas-Style French Toast Breakfast including sausage, apple sauce and coffee, milk or juice will be served from 9:30 a.m. until Noon. Adults - $6, children age 6 and under - $3. We are having a bake sale and a raffle drawing at 12 p.m.

Christ the King, Byron Autumn Festival Sat, Sept 27. 5 - 7 p.m. The cost will be $11 for adults, $10 for seniors (62 and older), $5 for children 6 to 12, free for children under 6 & a family rate $40. Fundraiser includes a raffle and Silent Auction open from 3 - 7 p.m.

Drawing for both after dinner at 7 p.m. You need not be present to win.

Catholic Daughters of Court Santa Maria #247 (St. Adrian) celebrate their 100th anniversary: Oct 19 with Mass 10:30 then dinner. Reserve your dinner: send $8.50 to Rita Domagala 126 Sunview Drive, Adrian, Mn. 56110. Everyone is invited.

Beginning Experience Retreat A Weekend Retreat for those who are suffering from a loss through Divorce, Separation or Death of a spouse is scheduled for October 24-26 at Assisi Heights. Find out details at https://sites.google.com/site/beminnesota3/ Pilgrimage to Chicago Shrines Pilgrimage September 23-26. Nat'l Shrine of St. Therese, Shrine of Maximilian Kolbe, and many others. Mass daily. Please call to register by August 15 507-920-3859 or 507-227-7816.

DWCCW Mini-Convention "Rediscover Your Council of Catholic Women" October 11, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Owatonna. To register, contact: Martha Arnold, 1475 NW 86th St, Medford, MN

Saturday, October 11, 2014 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

St. Peter's Church, Hokah, MN

September, 2014 w The Courier

September, 2014 • The Courier

Sixteen seminarians studying for the Diocese WINONA, MN - The Diocese of Winona is blessed with the largest number of seminarians in many years. Bishop Quinn commented that the faithful and fervent prayers of many coupled with the increase in high quality youth ministry and faith formation programs have helped more men hear God's calling.

The journey to the priesthood takes eight years. Men studying for the Diocese of Winona attend Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and earn an undergraduate degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. IHM Seminary is known as a college seminary. Currently, ten men are studying at IHM Seminary: Matthew Wagner, David Kruse, Matthew Nordquist, Ezra Lippert, Ben Peters, Thomas Ripplinger, Callum Hubke, Jereme Hettwer, Vianney Nguyen, and Isaac Landsteiner.

Upon completion of undergraduate work, the men continue their studies in the theologate

Winona, Minnesota

Left to right: Fr. Will Thompson, Ben Peters, David Kruse, Ezra Lippert, Daniel Ward, John Schultes, Dcn. Jonathan Fasnacht Thomas Ripplinger, Bishop John Quinn, Matthew Wagner, Brian Mulligan, Issac Landsteiner, The Hoang, Vianney Nguyen, Matthew Nordquist, Callum Hubke, Jereme Hettwer, Joseph Liu (Photo by Bryan Rodriguez)

at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, five men are studying at Sacred Heart: Jonathan Fasnacht, Daniel Ward, John Schultes, Brian Mulligan, and The Hoang.

One additional seminarian, Joseph Liu, will be completing his pastoral year.

The journey to the priesthood is long and expensive. While at IHM Seminary, the men are responsible for their own tuition. All seminarians do receive a partial scholarship from Saint Mary's University. Their room and board while living at IHM Seminary

is paid for by the Diocese of Winona. When the men move on to major seminary, the Diocese of Winona covers all expenses related to their education.

The people of the Diocese are always very supportive of educating and taking care of its seminarians. We are tremendously blessed to have so many men journeying towards the priesthood in the Diocese of Winona. Please continue to pray for these men and as always for an increase in vocations.

Detroit, Michigan

“The priest is not for himself… He is for YOU.” --St. John Vianney Recently, the Church celebrated the Memorial of St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of priests. I recall his words, “The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself. He is not for himself, he is for you.” I thank God for our priests who have given their lives in humble service to lead others closer to Christ.

I am very moved when I hear of people giving to the seminarian burse. It says to me that the people of the diocese are concerned about vocations, and that they want to support men who are willing to take a look at being a priest. I'm very grateful for this. I am very encouraged by all the support that is given to seminarians from the faithful of the Church. I only wish that I could better express my great thanks to the hundreds of people who have supported me throughout my journey towards the priesthood. As I am only months away from ordination I would want those who have given to the seminarian burse to know that their support has provided for me every step of the way and has made it possible for me to be where I am.

Those who give to the seminarian burse are letting God work through them in a special way as he continues to provide for the future of his Church. I pray that God would richly bless them for their generosity.

– Deacon Jonathan Fasnacht

We are blessed with sixteen seminarians discerning and studying for the Diocese of Winona. God-willing, in the Spring of 2015, I will ordain Jonathan Fasnacht to the priesthood. Four other men are studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

Ten men are studying at the college-level at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and one man is in his Pastoral Year. These young men have heard Jesus calling them in the inner walls of their hearts and are responding to a call of love to serve God’s people tirelessly and selflessly. I request your prayers and support for our seminarians in their discernment of the priesthood.

Today, I ask that you join me in the formation of our future priests. Annually, the diocese contributes $8,000 per seminarian for the room and board of undergraduates at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and nearly $40,000 per seminarian for the major seminary tuition, room and board. I ask you to make a financial gift to the Bishop Emeritus Bernard J. Harrington Seminarian Burse.

The Burse, which was initiated by our beloved Bishop Emeritus Bernard Harrington eight years ago, is a tremendous blessing and the major source of funds that ensure the best Priestly Formation possible for the future priests of our diocese.

A gift, as a sign of gratitude for the priests in your life is always welcomed. Additional or first-time gifts may be sent as a mark of gratitude.

I know you will consider my invitation with an open heart and join me in the task of forming future priests.

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