2014 October Issue of The Courier

The

COURIER

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

www.dowcourier.org

125 Years & Counting Diocese Welcomes Sr. Paul Mary Rittgers, R.S.M. New Director of Faith Formation

September 12 & 13, marked an historical moment for the Diocese of Winona as thousands of faithful from across southern Minnesota gathered together in Mankato to celebrate the Diocese of Winona's 125th anniversary. The celebration began with a program of sacred music and prayer on Friday evening at Ss. Peter & Paul Church, which featured the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Chamber Singers.

On September 13, the celebration was multi-faceted at the Verizon Wireless Center including outdoor and indoor activities and providing events for many different groups: children, youth, family activities and talks in English and Spanish. The entire event was blessed with the presence of Adoration and Reconciliation.

Heritage Hall was full of stunning artiPriests, brothers, facts and historical treasures. consecrated sisters and laity from all reaches of the Diocese visited, laughed and joined Tony Melendez inspired the youth to never together in prayer. quit and give their lives to Jesus Christ.

The Celebration, cont'd on pg. 4 of the Anniversary Insert

Sister Paul Mary Rittgers, RSM, of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, is the new Director of the Office of Faith Formation and RCIA. She was born and raised in the Diocese of Knoxville, in a suburb of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was there that she attended Catholic school from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and then continued her Catholic education at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tennessee under the tutelage of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. She graduated from Aquinas College with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in elementary education and a certification in Catechetics.

After college, she began teaching Religion at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, which has been named one of the top 50 Catholic schools in the Nation by the National Catholic Honor Roll.

After teaching for 5 years, and simultaneously earning a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, she moved into administration as the Director of Admissions for Notre Dame High School. While in Sr. Paul Mary, cont'd on pg. 11

INSIDE this issue

Diocesan Pastoral Planning: Vision 2016 Update read the story on page 5

The Great Dignity of Women more on page 10

Meet New Catholic Administrators

School

read their stories on page 12

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

2

Pope Francis calls Benedict XVI the ultimate 'grandfather'

Articles of Interest

October is Respect Life Month

page 4

The Year of the Family

page 4

Diocesan Pastoral Planning The Joy of Life

page 5 page 5

Vatican City, Sep U.S. Bishops Affirm Power of Prayer for Peace page 6 28, 2014 / 10:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).The Life Changing Power of TEC

page 7 Retired pontiff Benedict XVI joined Meet Our New Seminarians

page 8 some 50,000 pilgrims in Saint Peter's Anniversary Celebration Recap Special Insert Square on Sunday, Sept. 28 for a meetSpecial Insert ing between Pope Pope Francis speaks to the elderly in St. Peter's Voter's Guide 2014 Square Sept. 28, 2014. Credit: Lauren Cater/ Francis and elderly CNA. Formed in Communion, Sent Forth in Mission page 9 people from around the world. Welcoming his predecessor, the Holy Father described Pope Why Attend the New Feminism Conference? page 10 Benedict as the “grandfather of all grandfathers.”

“I have said many times that it gives me great pleasure that he lives here page 11 in the Vatican, because it is like having a wise grandfather at home. Thank you!” ... “Like Catechetical Day 2014 violence against children, the Pope said, “violence against the elderly is inhuman.” page 12 “But God does not abandon you, and He is with you! With his help you are and continue Meet New Administrators to be the memory for your people; and also for us, the great family of the Church.” page 13 The Pope noted the faith of these elderly persons, comparing it to “trees which continue Owatonna Speaker Series Launches 11th Year to bear fruit,” as they give witness even amid the “most difficult trials.” “And this is true even in the most ordinary of situations, where there might be other temptations, and other Meet New Administrators page 12 forms of discrimination.” “Old age, in particular, is a time of grace, in which the Lord renews us in his call: he calls us to protect and transmit the faith, he calls us to pray, especially to SCS Celebrates Centennial Year page 14 intercede; he calls us to be close to those in need.”

The elderly and grandparents have the “the capacity to understand the most difficult Bishop's Calendar situations,” he said, adding that their prayer “is strong” and “powerful!” To grandparents Baptist Church, Johnsburg in particular, the Pope entrusted a “great task: to transmit life experience, the history of a October 1 – Wednesday 1:30 p.m.

– Speak at General Session family, of a community, of a people; to share wisdom with simplicity, and the same faith: the for Catholic Cemetery Conference October 6 – Monday most precious legacy!” It is a blessing, when a family keeps its grandparents close.

Convention, “Heal Your Heart, and 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Webinar for “The grandfather is twice father, and the grandmother is twice mother,” the Holy Rejoice in Hope,” Newark, NJ Charter Implementation Training, Father said. Recalling last Sunday's visit to Albania, where grandparents would baptize the Resurrection Church, Rochester children in secret, he said: “Well done! (These grandparents) were brave amid persecution October 2 – Thursday and saved the faith in their country!” Pope Francis noted that not all elderly persons and 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. October 7 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. grandparents have a family which can take care of them. Therefore, “we welcome houses Mary’s University, Winona for the elderly... so long as they are truly houses, and not prisons!”These homes should not 11 a.m. – Mass with Hermits of St. Mary’s University, Winona Mary of Carmel, Houston 2:30 p.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) be institutions where the elderly are “forgotten, hidden, or neglected.”

3:30 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting The Holy Father expressed his closeness to those living in these institutions, and his October 3 – Friday gratitude for those who take care of them. These homes ought to be the “lungs” and “sanc6:30 a.m. – Lauds and Mass at October 8-October 17, tuaries” of humanity, in which the old and weak are cared for. The Pope also recommended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Wednesday-Friday that young people, when they are “miserable and sad,” go and visit the elderly to “become Winona Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi joyful.” Pope Francis warned against the reality of the abandonment of the elderly, describing it as a “hidden euthanasia,” the effect of a “culture which discards” human beings: chil- October 4 – Saturday October 19 – Sunday dren, unemployed youth, and elderly persons are discarded on the pretense of maintaining 11 a.m. – Holy Hour for Vocations, 8:30 a.m. – Mass and Installation of a system of economic “balance”. The center of this culture is no longer “the human person,” with Rev. Will Thompson and Priests Very Rev. Glenn Frerichs as Pastor, of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, St. Rose of Lima Church, Lewiston but “money.”

2 p.m. - Mass and Celebration of “We are all called to counter this poisonous culture of waste,” the Pope said. All Winona October 5 – Sunday Marriage, Pius X Church, Rochester Christians and “men of good will” are called to create a society that, in contrast, is “more 11 a.m. – Mass at St. John the October 20 – Monday welcoming, more human, more inclusive,” one which “does not need to discard” those who are physically or mentally weak, those who are old: “a society which measures its success” according to Child Abuse Policy Information according to the care given to these persons. A people which does not care for its grandparents, Pope Francis said, jeopardizes its future by doing away with its memory, as well as its roots. He warned: “You have the Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy responsibility of keeping these roots alive in yourselves” through prayer, the Gospel, and works of mercy. In Information this way, we are like “living trees,” which will continue to bear fruit even in old age.

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 The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 949, Winona, MN 55987 sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507Vol 105 - 02 454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Joel Hennessy, Editor Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and Theresa Martin, Associate Editor other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow.

Telephone: 507-454-4643 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: courier@dow.org org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions Subscription Rates: $5 per year in the U.S. Parishioners in the Winona Diocese subscribe through their parish. about the Diocese of Winona’s implementation of the Charter for Periodicals postage paid at Madelia, MN Postmaster. (ISSN 0744-5490) Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 15th of the month prior. the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Peter (ISSN 0744-5490) Martin, at 507-858-1264, or pmartin@dow.org.

October, 2014 w The Courier

Let Us Love as Christ Dear Friends in Christ,

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn theme comes from Pope Francis when in his 2013 Officials

The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: Pastoral Appointments: Father James Seitz, pastor of St. Ann, Slayton; St. Columba, Iona; and St. Mary, Lake Wilson, to be pastor of Good Shepherd, Jackson; St. Luke, Sherburn; and St. Joseph, Lakefield, effective October 1, 2014, for a six year term.

Father Russell Scepaniak will be parochial administrator of the Slayton cluster, with Sacraments covered by senior priests until that pastor’s appointment is made.

Father Dale Tupper, pastor of Queen of Angels, Austin, and Our Lady of Loretto, Browndale, reappointed as pastor, effective September 8, 2014, for another one-year term that is renewable year to year.

Other Appointments: Mr. Aaron Skogen, appointed to the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, effective September 1, 2014, for a three- year term.

Corrections: Last month's printed officials had an error in regards to Rev. Msgr. Donald P. Schmitz. Here is the correct appointment: Rev. Msgr. Donald P. Schmitz, currently parochial vicar of Pax Christi Church in Rochester, in addition, reappointed to be a member of the College of Consultors, effective August 4, 2014 for a five year term.

grace to see ourselves and others as He sees us—as Pope Francis said, “as masterpieces of His creation.” We must look at ourselves and at others in light of this truth and treat all people with the reverence and respect, which is due.

I want to thank the faithful in our diocese who are already praying in front of abortion clinics as a part of the National 40 Days for Life, praying for an end to abortion. Let us also remember that although we set aside October to particularly pray for respect for all human life, let us never cease this urgent work of love, action and prayer. I hope to come and pray, along with the seminarians from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, in the coming weeks.

Pray for the Synod on the Family On October 8, 2013, Pope Francis announced that in October 2014 there would be an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on topics related to the family and evange-

lization. The theme of the Synod is to address “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.” The Synod on the Family will take place from October 5 – 19 in Vatican City. The Preparatory Document described the purpose: “to define the (current situation) and to collect the bishops' experiences and proposals in proclaiming and living the Gospel of the Family in a credible manner." The work of the Synod “will thoroughly examine and analyze the information, testimonies and recommendations received from the particular Churches in order to respond to the new challenges of the family.” Let us keep this holy gathering in our prayers as they seek to meet the needs and respond to challenges of the family in our present time.

The Month of the Holy Rosary As we enter October, the Church invites us to renew our practice of praying the Rosary every day. When we pray to Mary, she will always lead us to her Son Jesus

Christ. When you pray the Rosary, it is an opportunity to meditate on the great events of salvation, which we find in each of the Mysteries of the Rosary. It is a cherished custom to pray the Rosary together as a family or even one decade of the Rosary after dinner. I find that praying the Rosary brings peace into my life and deepens in me my surrender to God’s providential care of the Church and of all creation. May Our Lady of the Rosary protect us and intercede for us.

3 From the Bishop

Respect Life As the national 2014 Respect Life Program begins, let us take time to reflect on the theme, “Each of Us is a Masterpiece of God’s Creation,” and how this truth affects both our understanding of ourselves and others and the way we live. This

Day for Life Greeting, he conveyed that “even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

We want our society to affirm and protect human rights as its primary objective. However, many women who are faced with an unexpected pregnancy; abortion it seems is their only “choice.” Did you know that a large percentage of children pre-diagnosed as having Down syndrome are never even given the chance to live outside their mothers’ wombs? We see respect also diminishing when the elderly fear they will become a burden and seek physician assisted suicide. We see many of our vulnerable brothers and sisters pushed to the periphery of society.

What can we do to change this? We must draw close to Jesus Christ in our prayer and through the sacraments. We must ask our Lord for the

Dignity of Women It is our Blessed Mother who exemplifies for us the model for all women. Her very life confirms God’s great love and respect for women.

Our Father could have chosen a different method to bring his Son into the world, but He didn’t.

He chose to send His Son through a woman.

The Church continues to have a great respect for women, and I am delighted to share with you the Diocese of Winona's Bishop, cont'd on pg. 9

Bishop's Calendar cont'd 9:30 a.m. – Mass and Presentation “Together in Faith” for Teachers and School Administrators, Loyola Catholic School, Mankato 7:30 p.m. – Speak to Seniors at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, “The Role of Obedience in Identity of the Priest.”

Mary Seminary, Winona 5:30 p.m. – White Mass at St. Mary Hospital Chapel, Rochester

October 21 – Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Teaching at St. Mary’s University, Winona

October 25 – Saturday 9:15 a.m. – Spanish Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona 5 p.m. – Confirmation at St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lake City; with St. Patrick Church, West Albany

October 22 – Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – Diocese of Winona Finance Council Board Meeting, Pastoral Center, Winona 3 p.m. - Diocese of Winona Deposit and Loan Board Meeting, Pastoral Center, Winona 4:45 p.m. – Vespers and Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona October 23 – Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 10:30 a.m. – Diocese of Winona Priest Pension Board Meeting, Pastoral Center, Winona 1:30 p.m. – Immaculate Heart of Seminary Finance Council Board Meeting, Immaculate Heart of

October 24 – Friday 5 p.m. – Mass, Social and Dinner at Christian Brothers’ Residence, St. Mary’s University, Winona

October 26 – Sunday 10:30 a.m. – Mass for Permanent Deacons’ Retreat with Wives, Alverna Center, Winona 7 p.m. – Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona October 28 – Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University October 29 – Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Visits with Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarians, Winona

October 30 – Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Visits with Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminarians, Winona November 1 – Saturday 5 p.m. – Mass at St. Casimir Church, Wells for 100 years of Catholic Education, followed by Dinner November 2- Sunday 9 a.m. – Mass at St. Casimir Church, Winona November 4 – Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University November 5 – Wednesday 11 a.m. – Mass for Priests’ Retreat, Alverna Center, Winona 4:45 p.m. – Vespers and Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona November 6 – Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary’s University 10 a.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) 11 a.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting October, 2014 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

4

October is Respect Life Month by: Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley OFM My dear friends in Christ, Pope Francis has captivated the world with his humility, warmth and compassion for each person. Vivid accounts of his tenderness for “the least of these”—the elderly, the imprisoned, those with disfiguring disabilities, the unborn, and many more—seize our attention. Why? At the heart of each of these interactions is a truth which resonates in our hearts, revealing to us something essential to understanding ourselves and our purpose.

We are loved.

In his 2013 Day for Life Greeting, Pope Francis conveyed that “even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.” We see Pope Francis living out the truth of these words in his actions.

We want to be part of a society that makes affirmation and protection of human rights its primary objective and its boast. Yet to women faced with an unexpected pregnancy, abortion is often presented as their only “choice.” A large percentage of children pre-diagnosed as having Down

Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow.org

syndrome are never given the chance to live outside their mothers’ wombs. Elderly members of our families fear they will become burdensome and seek physician assisted suicide. We see these and many more of our brothers and sisters pushed to the periphery.

These tragedies go directly against respect for life, and they represent a direct threat to the entire culture of human rights. Rather than societies of “people living together,” our cities risk becoming societies of people who are marginalized, uprooted and oppressed.

What can be done to prevent this? We must draw close to Jesus in prayer and in the sacraments. We must ask the Lord for the grace to see ourselves and others as he sees us—as masterpieces of his creation. When God created each of us, he did so with precision and purpose, and he looks on each of us with love that cannot be outdone in intensity or tenderness. We must look at ourselves and at others in light of this truth and treat all people with the reverence and respect which is due.

The Church’s antidote to an individualism which threatens the respect for human dignity is community and solidarity. Are we moved by the suffering of those without shelter? Do we seek to alleviate the fear, confusion and panic that women facing unexpected pregnancies may be experiencing? Do our hearts ache for elderly patients in nursing homes who feel abandoned and unwanted, having no one to visit them?

Our mission is to show each person the love of Christ. As uniquely created individuals, we each have unique gifts which we are called to use to share Christ’s love. We are continually given opportunities to do so in our interactions with the cashier at the grocery store, our spous-

es, children, friends and even the people we encounter in traffic. Each of these moments is valuable beyond our realization. We may never know how much a simple gesture of compassion may affect someone’s life.

As the 2014 Respect Life Program begins, let us take a moment to reflect on the theme, “Each of Us is a Masterpiece of God’s Creation,” and how this truth affects both our understanding of ourselves and others and the way we live.

Pastoral and educational resources of the program can be found at www.usccb.org/respectlife.

Although we set aside October to particularly pray for respect for all human life, let us never cease this urgent work. I’m grateful to the many parishes and schools nationwide which participate in the program during October, Respect Life Month, and throughout the year.

Love and justice must motivate each of us to work for a transformation of our own hearts so that we can transform the world around us. This is the message of Pope Francis. May the Risen Lord put the Gospel of joy in our hearts so that we may bear witness to the greatest love story ever told.

The Year of the Family!

Wait, what’s this? I don’t remember anyone declaring a Year of the Family! Did I miss something? No, you didn’t miss anything, but we’re going to be hearing a lot about the family in the next year. This month, the Synod on the Family begins (October 5 – 19). Pope Francis wrote a letter to families where he said: “This Synodal Assembly is dedicated in a special way to you, to your vocation and mission in the Church and in society; to the challenges of marriage, of family life, of the education of children; and the role of the family in the life of the Church.” Pope Francis then asked us: “…to pray intensely to the Holy Spirit, so that the Spirit may illumine the Synodal Fathers and guide them in their important task.”

This Year of the Family will conclude with another Synod on the Family which is slated for October 4 – 25, 2015. Included within this Year of the Family, Philadelphia will be hosting the World Meeting of Families. This will take place September 22 – 27, 2015 and will draw hundreds of thousands of Catholic Families to the City of Brotherly Love (especially since Pope Francis will be there!). Held every three years, the World Meeting of Families is the world’s largest Catholic gathering of families. Each World Meeting Jesus, Mary and of Families has a theme that energizes and enlivens Joseph, Holy Family of the event while adding great depth of meaning to Nazareth, please pray our understanding of families. The theme of the World for us!

Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 is “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” emphasizing the impact of the love and life of families on our society.

During this year in the Courier, I will spend time exploring the beautiful catechesis that the Catholic Church offers on the family.* Any good catechesis must begin at the beginning and thus we do the same: God, the creator of all things, created us to share in His joy. He takes an active part in our lives; He Year of the Family, cont'd on pg. 14 is accessible to us and has revealed by: Peter Martin, Director

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:

Husband's 1st Name Wife's 1st Name Family Name Street Address: Phone: City: Zip: Years Married: Wedding Date: October, 2014 w The Courier

Diocesan Pastoral Planning: Vision 2016 Update The ultimate goal of the planning process is to revitalize, strengthen and bring new life to our parishes, churches and Catholic families in the Diocese of Winona. Our society and way of life have changed immensely over the past 50 to 100 years. Our transportation and infrastructure have improved dramatically, large portions of our population have shifted from rural to urban areas, technology has transformed the way we communicate and we have seen the number of priests in our diocese both rise and fall over time.

The purpose of our diocesan planning is to address these significant changes to our way of life, and to ask ourselves, as a diocesan family: How might we best utilize our resources to most effectively serve our people, now and in the future? How do we continue to grow in faith and love as a community while adapting to the demands — and wonderful opportunities — of the 21st century Church?

Recently I’ve been writing about Phase II of Pastoral Planning in our diocese. In September, I explained the need for a new parish cluster plan with five fewer pastors. This is due to two factors.

First, there will be fewer available priests in the next decade; and second, there are fewer laity in many communities because of demographic shifts or other declines in parish participation.

These changes affect our smallest communities the most, requiring us to ask whether we can continue to offer Mass there.

It is not easy to imagine our favorite church without a weekend Mass. Our church is woven into the fabric of our lives. It is more than a building: it is a repository of memory, community, and grace. Our children were baptized there; our friends were by: Msgr. Richard M. Colletti, Vicar General/Chancellor

In the Diocese

The Joy of Life

5

married there; our loved ones were buried there. A sacred place always remains in our hearts, because it represents our bonds with God and neighbor.

And yet we know too, that no place lasts forever. Our lives change, our relationships change, our labors change, our communities change. Few live in the same house from birth to death! And the same is true for the Church: it is much larger than any single building. In fact, it is broader and deeper than all of them combined. In the end the Church is a mystery of faith: an edifice of grace consisting of believers themselves; for all the baptized comprise the Body of Christ in the world.

Some time ago, the priests of the diocese completed a survey. A majority stated that a parish required a minimum number of households to be sustainable. In other words, below a certain level of participation, a parish simply cannot continue the church’s broader mission. It is just too small. And based on those survey results, a significant number of parishes today are not sustainable.

Who wants to tell any parish that Mass is no longer possible at their church?

It’s hard to say and even harder to hear. But deep down, many parishes already know their future is limited. Time has passed their community by.

Education, shopping, work, and health care take place a distance away. And now, so will Eucharist. In other words, hearing that a local Mass is no longer possible will be sad news; but many will have known that the day would come.

They will now embrace – and be embraced by – a nearby parish community.

They will learn afresh that life means change; but change is not all bad, after all. While undeniably there will be some loss and grieving associated with this strategic planning initiative, we firmly believe that new life awaits our Church at the end of this inevitable grieving process. The goal of strategic planning is to move our diocese, and its people, forward to this new, life-giving place. And hopefully, in so doing, also increase vocations within our diocese.

As planning discussions continue in these months, we will need to identify those parishes where a weekend Mass is no longer 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 – and the future of the Body of Christ in our diocese!

October is Respect Life Month. Just a year ago, the Rochester St. John's Harold Gentling Knights of Columbus Council 1013 presented the Total Life Care Pregnancy Resource Center in Hastings a state of the art ultrasound machine. This was made possible by the generous financial assistance of local and area Knights of Columbus Councils, the Rochester Fourth Degree Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald Assembly along with a number of private donations.

Recently the St. John's Council received the following letter from the Executive Director of TLC. Dear Knights, I cannot begin to tell you how important your efforts were to get us our new ultrasound machine. Over and over again we are able to get an abortion-minded woman through our doors by offering her the opportunity to see how far along she is, if she has a viable pregnancy and if her pregnancy is in the right place. Many times she tells us, on the phone, that she has scheduled or is scheduling an abortion. I believe that she is troubled about her choice to abort and that’s why she calls us in the first place.

With the opportunity to offer her the latest technology and pictures of her unborn child, we always get her to commit to an appointment for an ultrasound. Over and over again we see her cry when she sees and hears her baby’s heartbeat for the first time. In the past two weeks we have been working with two women to help them choose life.

Each of these women continue to be open to a different choice for their baby’s lives and we credit that to God Diocese of Winona first and then the ability we have to provide truth, love Office of Life, Marriage & and support to her and her unborn child.

Family I don’t think we would be able to get these highly 55 West Sanborn Street Winona, Minnesota 55987 abortion-minded clients to come into our center without (507) 858- 1264 the ability to offer them an ultrasound. We have seen E-mail: courage@dow.org an increase of doctors referring patients to us. These clients are worried about their pregnancies, yet don’t qualify to have an ultrasound during a routine visit. The opportunity we’ve had to confirm a healthy, viable pregEnCourage -- a ministry dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, nancy has allowed them to become bonded with their children, and other relatives and friends of persons who have same-sex unborn child. attractions -- is also available. Contact us for more information!

I just wanted to give you a brief update about what’s Joy of Life, cont'd on pg. 14

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

October, 2014 w The Courier

Mission Advancement

6

U.S. Bishops Affirm Power of Prayer for IsraeliPalestinian Peace Following Pilgrimage to Holy Land Our own Bishop Harrington was one of the bishops who went on a Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace to the Holy Land. Eighteen bishops made the September 11-18 journey to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led the delegation.

The bishops celebrated Mass at Holy Sites and with Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem and local Christian communities in Jiffna, Nablus and Gaza. They met with religious and government leaders. The bishops expressed concerns about the rights of religious minorities, especially the dwindling Christian population of the region, as well as the challenges to the peace process posed by factors like the barrier wall, expanding settlements and other legal and socioeconomic restrictions. Here is their communiqué.

September 22, 2014 JERUSALEM— We went to the Holy Land as men of faith on a Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace. Motivated by the love of Christ and deep concern for both Israelis and Palestinians, we went to pray for peace, and to work for a twostate solution and an open and shared Jerusalem. Arriving in the wake of the recent Gaza war, though, we encountered pain, intransigence and cynicism.

Even the young people are discouraged.

But we also saw signs of inspiration and hope.

Prayer was the central element of our pilgrimage. Through daily liturgies at holy sites and local parishes, we experienced our communion in Christ with local Christian communities. We are grateful to those at home who supported our pilgrimage with prayers and interest. We also prayed alongside Jews, Muslims and other Christians. Prayer is powerful. We know peace is possible because God is our hope.

We met with people of goodwill, Palestinian and Israeli alike, who yearn for peace. We were inspired by the commitment of the staff and partners of Catholic Relief Services, The Pontifical Mission, and the local Christian community, who are providing relief to the people of Gaza; by the efforts of Christians, Muslims, and Jews who are building bridges of understanding; and by the mission of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre.

We were moved profoundly by our visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, and were encouraged

by Bethlehem University, a Catholic institution that is building bridges between Christians and Muslims as they study together to create the future of Palestine, and by the Church’s schools that are open to all.

We are compelled by the Gospel of Peace to share the fruits of our prayers and encounters with Israelis and Palestinians. Two peoples and three faiths have ancient ties to this Land. Sadly, Jerusalem, the City of Peace, is a sign of contradiction. We were told more than once that the city could erupt in violence as it has on far too many occasions.

October, 2014 w The Courier

The towering wall that divides Israelis and Palestinians is another sign of contradiction. For Israelis, it is a sign of security; for Palestinians, a sign of occupation and exclusion. The contrast between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is also a sign of contradiction. In crossing the border one moves from freedom and prosperity to the intimidation of military checkpoints, humiliation, and deeper poverty.

The situation of Christian Palestinians is an added sign of contradiction. The Christian community is emigrating at alarming rates. As we learned from Patriarch Fouad Twal, the unresolved conflict and occupation undermine human dignity and the ability of Christians to raise their families. Israeli policies in East Jerusalem prohibit Christians who marry someone from outside the City to remain there with their spouse, and security policies restrict movement and confiscate lands, undermining the ability of many Christian families to survive economically. The harsh realities of occupation force them to leave. Muslims also suffer similarly, but have fewer opportunities to emigrate.

As U.S. bishops, we humbly acknowledge that we do not understand all the complexities of the situation, but in faith we do understand some things clearly. We reaffirm the longstanding position of the U.S. bishops and the Holy See and support a two-state solution: a secure and recognized Israel living in peace with a viable and independent Palestinian state. The broad outlines of this solution are well known; but there has not been, nor does there appear to be, the determined political will to achieve it.

There is no military solution to the conflict, but tragically violence on both sides undermines the trust needed to achieve peace. Violence always sows seeds of further violence and fear. We witnessed the horrific devastation of whole neighborhoods in Gaza and heard about tragic deaths on both sides, especially a disproportionate number of Palestinian noncombatants, women, and children. The local Christian community in Gaza described the nightly terror they suffered during the war. Israelis in Sderot and elsewhere described their dread of Hamas rocket fire.

The route of the barrier wall, the confiscation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank, especially

now in the Bethlehem area and the Cremisan Valley, and any expansion of settlements threaten to undermine the two-state solution. Many reported that the window of opportunity for peace was narrowing dangerously. If it closes, the futures of both Palestinians and Israelis will be harmed.

Many persons with whom we met joined us in

Joel Hennessy Director jhennessy@dow.org

commending the recent initiative of Secretary of State John Kerry, but said renewed U.S. leadership is required for peace. For the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians, the United States must mobilize the international community to support both parties by adopting parameters for a lasting solution, including borders, an open and shared Jerusalem, and a timeline.

Pope Francis, in word and gesture, inspired hope on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in May. After another Gaza war, hope is now in short supply. One person on our journey told us that the Holy Land is the land of miracles. The miracle we need is the transformation of human hearts so each side is less deaf to the concerns of the other. In solidarity with our brother bishops and all people in the region, we urge alternatives to the cycle of hatred and violence. Peace is possible.

Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chair-Elect, Committee on International Justice and Peace Bishop Richard J. Malone, Diocese of Buffalo, Board of Catholic Relief Services Bishop John O. Barres, Diocese of Allentown Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Diocese of Stockton Power of Prayer for Peace, cont'd on pg. 13

The Life Changing Power Of TEC

7

As I first arrived at the retreat I knew that I had parts of my life that needed to change. The amazing leaders on retreat shared their stories of faith and how conversion happened in their lives. The other youth in my small group slowly opened up and we began to bond together. We even had lots of opportunities to have fun through various games and activities. But the most powerful experience of my life happened on the eve of confession. All the talks and witnesses about turning away from sin and allowing Jesus to heal me led straight to reconciliation. I had a choice to make. Do I follow the voice of the culture which says "every man his own" and simply keep on the path of society, or do I hear the voice of Christ calling to me saying " do not be afraid- come and let me transform you". Thank God I choose to go to confession that night. I experienced the power of Jesus so profoundly through the priest who was in the person of Jesus ready to forgive me. As I walked out of the confessional that night I knew that my life had to change direction. It's almost like Jesus gave me a little glimpse of the mission ahead of me.

As I reflect on this experience in my life, I am so thankful for the TEC community which really led me to a place of conversion. I met some of my best friends through TEC who walked with me for years and even to this day encouraging me to strive to be a saint. One of my best friends I met at TEC was recently ordained a priest in Duluth. I can't imagine not having his influence in my life. TEC offers these kinds of experiences and opportunities. TEC is a transformative weekend, but is set up in a way that really helps you live for Christ in community for the rest of your life.

We are very blessed to have Pathways TEC in our Diocese. If you are a teen or if you are a parent or grandparent of a teen, I invite you to consider learning more about this experience by visiting: pathwaystec. org It changed my life, and set me on an amazing path. I'm convinced it will do the same for you! Come to TEC! (our next TEC is October 17-19 in Fairmont)

Youth & Young Adults

It's common in many of my articles to highlight how life changing different events are in the lives of our youth. Many great experiences like Camp Summit, Steubenville and NCYC foster an environment where conversion happens. As I reflect on my own life and personal testimony, there was one experience that r e a l l y changed Ben Frost me and Director altered the bfrost@dow.org direction of my life. That experience was the TEC movement. Growing up in an active Catholic family I had a good foundation in life. I attended Mass every Sunday, I was praying, and even had good friends in my life. But like so many of us the weight of our secular society slowly paid a toll on me and I found myself drifting away from Christ and my faith. Fortunately through the encouragement of my brother and some other friends, I decided to go to TEC.

Christ the King Retreat Center Buffalo, Minnesota

The readers of The Courier are cordially invited to a beautiful inexpensive lakeside retreat of wonderful relaxation and spiritual rejuvenation. The theme for the retreats is "Blessed are the Peacemakers." For a free brochure please call 763-682-1394, email: christtheking@kingshouse. com, or visit us at www.kingshouse.com.

October, 2014 w The Courier

Meet

Vocations

8

Our

New

Callum Hubka

Callum Hubka was born into a Catholic family in Rochester, MN eighteen years ago. He has two older sisters, and in 2009, his family adopted three children younger than he.

For most of his childhood, his family belonged to Holy Spirit parish. We asked Callum to share his faith journey with us.

Where did the first seeds of faith get planted? “When I was going into ninth grade I attended my first Steubenville North-Rochester conference, and that’s where I started really getting into my faith.

Even though I grew up in a family that was active at church, I never had gotten into my own faith. But at the Steubenville conference I encountered the Lord personally for the first time, specifically in Eucharistic Adoration.”

When did you first think you might be called to the priesthood?

“The first time I really remember feeling that I might be called to the priesthood was at the Steubenville conference before my junior year of high school. I don’t know how to describe it, but I somehow knew that God was calling me to possibly become a priest. At the end of the conference, people are invited to come up to the front for a blessing if they feel like they’ve been hearing a call toward the seminary/religious Rev. Will Thompson life over the weekend. But at Director that time I didn’t go up - I wthompson@dow.org knew that God was calling me, but I didn’t want to be called because I wanted to get married. After the conference, I tried to ignore the call, but it stayed in the back of my mind. That following school year, I was going to Eucharistic adoration regularly, daily Mass at least once a week, and frequent Confession. I remember that God never tried to force the seminary upon me, but he just kept on gently calling. By going to adoration, Confession, and Mass, I was getting closer and closer to God; however, I was still more interested in getting married and having kids than in one day becoming a priest.”

How did that call develop? “Well, when Steubenville came around the following summer, I was still resisting, but eventually I stopped putting up a fight, and in prayer I just knew that I was supposed to go to the seminary. This time I went up at the end, acknowledging that I did feel a call toward the priesthood. Then, during my senior year in high school I got in contact with Fr. Thompson and started meeting with him.

I still felt afraid to commit to the seminary and last fall I applied to two colleges, but not St. Mary's or the seminary. But when I visited one of them last February, I never felt any peace about going there. Rather, the most peace I felt was when I visited its men’s discernment hall. At this point I knew that I was probably going to go to the seminary, but I just didn’t want to accept it. However, I knew I needed to check out IHM and I asked God to make my path clear to me during the March “Come and See” weekend at the seminary. When I arrived that weekend, I felt this total peace. I knew immediately that I had to start filling out my application as soon as I got home, and that I was going to go to seminary the next year.”

What has been the biggest challenge for you? “The biggest challenge for me in coming to seminary has been learning to trust God always. If I could describe how being at IHM has been for me, I would call it peaceful. I still have stressful days where I would rather not discern the priesthood, but I am at peace knowing that I am where God wants me to be right now.”

What advice would you give to young people discerning God’s will in their lives?

“I would advise all young people to frequent the sacraments, especially Confession and Mass. For those discerning a vocation to the priesthood/religious life, I would tell them to not be afraid, and to investigate it without delay. Trust that God knows your desires better than you do! Never think of going to the seminary or discerning religious life as potentially wasted time. God does everything for a reason and, if nothing else, you will end up leaving discernment a holier person.”

October, 2014 w The Courier

Seminarians

Vianney Nguyen Vianney Nguyen is from Rochester, MN. His home parish is Pax Christi. My parents, Francois and Trang Nguyen, have four children of which Vianney is the oldest. He has two younger sisters, Faustyna and Jacinta, and a little brother, Maxkolbe.

What was faith like in your family? “Growing up in my family was a beautiful experience. My parents are both devout Catholics and I can say without a doubt that they were my first and most influential teachers. One of my fondest memories is reading the Children’s Bible with my dad every night. As I grew up with a firm foundation in the Roman Catholic faith (through my parents, Rochester Catholic Schools, Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Group, and Vietnamese Sunday Faith Formation), I learned how to pray and gained qualities of leadership, service, and kindness. Being the oldest, I had to be the “big brother” role model for my siblings; through this I learned to practice patience and sacrifice. I am so blessed to have my family. A very important aspect of my family life is having dinner together and praying together every night.”

Where do you think the seed for the priesthood was planted for you? “Ever since I was young, I have always known that my dad had a great love for priests. He said that priests were a blessing and expressed how great it would be if I became a priest when I grew up. So I would pray to God that I would become a priest every night before I went to sleep. I knew that priests were to live a celibate life and I was okay with that...until I reached middle school! I began to question whether I truly wanted to become a priest or not, and the fact that I was very much attracted to girls didn’t help me that much. So at night, instead of praying that God would make me a priest, I would pray for his guidance in “whatever he wanted me to do in the future”. With this prayer, I stopped contemplating on my vocation as much and trusted that God would show me the way. It was when I went to high school that I truly felt God’s calling. During my sophomore year, I had a three day retreat with my Vietnamese Confirmation class at St. Anne/St.Joseph Hien’s parish in Minneapolis. What started off as a typical retreat (icebreakers, songs, and games) quickly transformed into one of the most amazing times of my life. Soon enough, we were all crying from our parents’ letters and laughing together from pure joy. The retreat hit me hard; it allowed me to reexamine my life and think about the many blessings I had. It was here that the Holy Spirit inflamed my heart with a burning desire to get to know God even more and I began seriously discerning my vocation.”

What did you do when you knew you should seriously discern your vocation? “Fortunately, Fr. Will Thompson (now the Vocations Director for our diocese) was the chaplain at Lourdes High School at the time, so I approached him and told him of my interest in the priesthood. Fr. Thompson gave me a brochure for the Quo Vadis Days, which was a four day summer camp at IHM Seminary that allowed young men to see what the life of a seminarian was like. There, I heard many vocation stories from both priests and seminarians. There was one underlying message that truly struck me and was vital to my decision in entering the seminary and it was this: “You have nothing to lose when you enter seminary. Come and have the experience; if you feel that God’s calling you while you’re here, you’re in the right place! However, if you feel that God is not calling you to the priesthood, you can discern out, but you leave with a greater knowledge of your faith, prayer, and your identity as a man, allowing you to go and fulfill your vocation (whether it be single or married life) with peace and fruitfulness.” With that, I knew without a doubt that God was calling me to the seminary. I filled out the application my senior year and was, by God’s grace, accepted.”

Meet Our New Seminarians, cont'd on pg. 16

Special Anniversary Edition October, 2014

Celebration Continues Video: "First 100 Years" For those who attended the session at 2 p.m. on Saturday of the 125th Celebration, they had the opportunity to see a moving video depicting the life of the Diocese of Winona in her first 100 years. The Courier staff caught up with Bryan Rodriguez, MultiMedia Communications and Technology Specialist for the Diocese, and creator of the video. Bryan shares his thoughts with us, "When I first looked over the notes and ideas our committee had for our "First 100 Years” video, I was overwhelmed by the task. It seemed impossible that anyone, no matter how creative, could take historical photos of our diocese from our archives, and turn those into a story in the form an engaging 10-minute video. Not only did the task at hand involve taking media created in one era and making it viable for our own, but also being engaging with that media in order to make the viewers feel a part of the experience that our early settlers had, something akin to time travel. However, the more I looked through photos of our beginnings, the more I realized that the story was writing itself, and had been for over 125 years. Our foundations as a diocese began with a desire to spread the gospel- the church provided the laborers, and southern Minnesota became the land on which the seeds were planted.

"The importance of the “First 100 Years” video goes far beyond the various narratives it provides. When we listen to the stories of those who worked tirelessly to make our diocese what it is today, we begin to understand our mission in the present day- a mission rooted in faith which calls us to build up God’s kingdom in southern Minnesota, like those of our past, so that we can rejoice in hope, knowing we have done all we can to provide for the future generations of our church.

Our history must never be overlooked, when it is, we risk losing our identity. When we forget who we are and where we came from, we cease to appreciate where we are today, what we are capable of through Christ, and how we can impact the future of our church. Our past 125 years as a diocese has been fruitful because of the work of others and it is only with your hands, your feet, and your voice, that our story will continue to be told."

If you missed it or would like to view it again, the "First 100 Years" video is available for viewing on the Diocese of Winona's website: www.dow.org

The beautiful, historical scene below is just a snapshot from the many rich images in the "First 100 Years" video.

Don't forget to get your copy of the History of the Diocese of Winona from your parish!

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 1883 - 1910.

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Wilmont, Est.1904

St. Martin, Woodstock, Est.1883

St. Mary, Worthington, Est.1886

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Canton, Est.1891

St. Mary, Winnebago, Est.1893

St. Mary, Ellsworth, Est. 1884

St. Joachim, Plainview, Est.1887

Holy Redeemer, Eyota, Est.1891

All Saints, Madison Lake, Est.1894

St. Francis Xavier, Windom, Est.1898

Nativity of the BlessedVirgin Mary, Harmony, Est.1905

St. John the Baptist, Mankato, Est.1884

St. Luke, Sherburn, Est.1888

St. Columbia, Iona, Est.1891

St. Bernard, Stewartville, Est.1894

Sacred Heart, Brewster, Est.1901

St. Casimir, Winona, Est.1905

St. Peter, Rose Creek, Est.1885

Holy Cross, Dakota, Est.1890

Good Shepherd, Jackson, Est.1891

Holy Family, Lake Crystal, Est.1895

St. Joseph, Lakefield, Est.1902

St. Anthony, Westbrook, Est.1909

Sacred Heart, Adams, Est.1886

St. Joseph, Jasper, Est.1890

St. Joseph, Owatonna, Est.1891

Holy Family, East Chain, Est.1897

St. Anthony, Lismore, Est.1902

St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Winona, Est. 1910

October, 2014 w The Courier

St.

Ann, Slayton, Est.1897

“Politics, according to the Social Doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good.”

—Pope Francis, Daily Homily, September 16, 2013

The Minnesota political cycle will

move into full swing this fall. At the general election in November, voters will head to the ballot box to select men and women they believe will best lead our local communities, our state, and our nation. Many important political offices will be up for election this year, including one of two Minnesota seats in the United States Senate. All eight seats in the Minnesota congressional delegation will be on the ballot, as will all 134 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. State level officers including governor, attorney general, and secretary of state will also be on the ballot, along with several judicial positions.

Both Pope Francis and the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, otherwise known as “Catholic social teaching,” have stated that politics should uphold human dignity and serve the common good. It is due to this pursuit of the common good that Catholics have a responsibility to participate in the democratic process, as the outcome of this year’s political races will shape policy decisions for years to come. The deliberations that take place in St. Paul and Washington, D.C., and the laws that result from those debates, can either hinder or elevate the moral fiber of a community, the state and the nation. Thus, it is important for Catholics and all people of faith and good will to exercise their right as Americans and to participate in the act of voting.

American history is blessed with social movements that were guided by conscientious citizens acting according to their beliefs. The significant contributions

made by religious persons in the public square are a testament to the pluralism and diversity of the state and the nation. The founding of the United States, the abolitionist movement, the drive for women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement were all aided by religious persons and communities seeking to advance justice and the common good.

Offering its contribution to conversations about what may be best for society, the Catholic Church promotes and defends the dignity of all persons, from conception to natural death. In order to promote human dignity at every stage, the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops address policy matters pertaining to religious liberty, immigration, education, human life, economic justice, marriage and health care, among others. This guide seeks to address these issues in the context of the forthcoming elections and challenges readers to ask important questions of those who are running for office.

This publication strongly encourages Catholics to evaluate their political candidates through the lens of Catholic social teaching and to vote for candidates based upon a well-formed conscience. Doing so requires each person to consult that law inscribed in their heart by God “ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1776). The following pages are intended to highlight important policy issues and to aid Catholics in their effort to promote the common good and to improve their communities by participating in the 2014 elections.

Voter’s guide 2014

THE ISSUES, THE CANDIDATES & YOUR VOTE 2014

2B October, September 26, 2014 2014

Voter’s guide 2014

Voter's guide 2014

2B

The Visitor

The Courier

Religious Liberty Political partisanship often turns the average citizen away from participating in the political process.

Too frequently, issues are only seen as Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative. Religious liberty is not a partisan issue, nor is it ideological. The United States of America was founded on the principle of religious freedom and no political party can claim it as its own. Allowing religious institutions to operate according to their mission without interference from the government is a more accurate understanding of the often used phrase “separation of church and state.” In recent times, regrettably, the First Amendment constitutional right to religious liberty has come under attack.

At both state and federal levels, adversarial organizations and policies have sought to exert greater state authority over religious organizations and the manner by which they operate, such as abiding by sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) laws when they receive government contracts. Such intrusion poses significant concern for religious organizations and their freedom to serve the poor and vulnerable in accord with human dignity and the church’s teaching. The right to serve the public according to a religious organization’s mission and conscience is a hallmark attribute of religious liber-

ty. Additionally, the right of the people in the pew to live their faith in every aspect of their life must be protected. Here in Minnesota, business owners who decline to offer facilities or services for samesex wedding ceremonies have been threatened with legal action and, in at least one case, have already been punished with heavy fines by the state. Some Minnesota legislators have promised to introduce legislation in 2015 that mirrors the federal HHS preventive services mandate, and which requires employers to provide contraceptives and abortifacient drugs in their health plans. These troubling trends must be resisted and important rights of conscience and religious liberty must be protected and defended by elected officials. We should not have to always rely on courts to protect our most basic freedoms.

4 Where does the candidate stand on the right for religious institutions to operate and serve the general public in a manner that is consistent with the organization’s faith-based mission?

4 Where does the candidate stand on the right of individuals to live their faith in their school, their place of employment, in their chosen profession or in their business?

It is therefore fitting that when the Bill of Rights was ratified, religious freedom had the distinction of being the First Amendment. Religious liberty is indeed the first liberty.1

Immigration In his 2014 message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis offers a reminder that Jesus, Mary and Joseph — the Holy Family — experienced first-hand the life of migrants. Today, many families migrate to the United States to flee religious persecution, economic depression, lack of resources and employment, unstable governments and dire poverty.

A broken American immigration system has also contributed to a national problem. In response, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, while accepting the legitimate role of the government in protecting its borders and intercepting unauthorized migrants, believes that comprehensive immigration reform is needed.

A good reform package would create more opportunities for migrants to enter, live and work in the U.S., so that law enforcement will be better able to focus on those who truly threaten public safety. Comprehensive reform should offer a pathway to citizenship (not “amnesty”) for the almost 11 million undocumented people living in the United States who aspire to be citizens. It should also be family-based, meaning the number of years it currently takes for family members to be reunited after separation must be reduced.

Finally, truly comprehensive reform must address the root causes of migration, such as violence and political unrest in the countries of origin; economic

and trade policy; as well as the need for social reform and integral development.

Immigration will continue to be a national concern until foreign and domestic units of government reform their laws in a manner that upholds the dignity every human being deserves.

4 Where does the congressional candidate stand on comprehensive immigration reform and the need for expedited family reunification?

4 At the state level, where does the candidate stand on giving undocumented persons greater access to healthcare and transportation options to protect their dignity and support their families?

The migrant is a human person who possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance.2

Human Life We know that human life is sacred and inviolable.

Every civil right rests on the recognition of the first and fundamental right, that of life, which is not subordinate to any condition. 3

Though Minnesota has historically been a leader in enacting pro-life legislation, those efforts have stalled in recent years. Bills that would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks; ended taxpayer funding of abortion; licensed and regulated abortion clinics; and prohibited coverage of abortion in the Minnesota health insurance exchange (MNSure) have either died in our state Senate or been vetoed by the governor.

Still, perseverance and educational efforts on these critical issues must continue in order to defeat ongoing threats to life, primarily those that come under the erroneous and misleading guise of “reproductive health care” or “reproductive freedom.”

In several other states, pro-abortion rights advocates have sought to diminish, if not totally eliminate, laws that have contributed to the protection and defense of unborn human life. Every Christian has a duty to support the unborn, the infirm, the vulnerable and the elderly. This respect for life should compel our communities to reject violence of any kind, including gun violence, which has caused overwhelming loss and agony for so many families and communities.

A society free from abortion and other forms of violence is a goal toward which elected officials can work to better protect its citizens and uphold the dignity of every person. Assisted suicide and capital punishment represent direct attacks on human life. Although both are currently prohibited by Minnesota law, candidate positions on these matters should be

evaluated by the Catholic voter.

4 Where does the candidate stand on the need to enact legislative limits on abortion and the abortion industry and the protection of human life from conception until natural death?

4 Where does the candidate stand on efforts to defend life from conception to natural death, such as supporting laws that seek to reduce gun violence and opposing efforts to legalize physician-assisted suicide?

Voter’s Voter'sguide guide2014 2014

The Visitor

The Courier

Labor & Economy According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment in the State of Minnesota has continued its gradual decline from 5.1 percent in June 2013 to 4.5 percent in June 2014. Although unemployment has decreased and the economy continues to slowly recover, most of the economic gains have not been distributed across the socioeconomic spectrum.

In general, the very wealthy continue to make gains while the wages of most other workers have remained stagnant or have even declined. Many Minnesota families struggle to make ends meet. Elected officials, especially through formulation of the state budget, have considerable influence on policies and public funding for programs that serve the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

The last two years have seen the passage of important legislation aimed at combating poverty and fostering economic security, such as an increase in the minimum wage, record levels of public funding to combat homelessness and an increase in the Working Family Credit to reduce marriage penalties. Still, new and creative ways to address poverty and foster greater participation in the labor market and in the benefits generated by the economy must continue. Similarly, legislation to curtail the usurious and exploitative practice of payday lending is still in need of enactment. As the Gospels outline, Catholics are called to stand up for those most in need. One way we can do this is by heeding Pope Francis’s call to

September 26, 2014

3B3B

October, 2014

Health Care

“resolve the structural causes of poverty.”5 This includes times when lawmakers are making important decisions that directly affect the most economically vulnerable in our communities. People of the faith community should encourage constant evaluation of economic decisions and institutions based on their ability to protect and respect human dignity.

4 Where does the candidate stand on promoting policies that protect the state’s most vulnerable citizens?

4 Where does the candidate stand on social and economic policies that foster economic participation and the creation of jobs that provide decent working conditions and just wages?

Among our tasks as witnesses to the love of Christ is that of giving a voice to the cry of the poor. 4

Restorative Justice In addressing the criminal justice system, the church has called for an approach that promotes redemption, restoration, and rehabilitation rather than simply a mechanism of punishment.8 Offenders should be held accountable for their crimes, but also given the opportunity to grow, take responsibility, and demonstrate remorse for what they have done.

Greater support needs to be given to programs that prevent crime, engage at-risk youth, and treat substance abuse.

Additionally, programs that prepare an individual for probation or parole, and that assist the person with reintegration into society, are also in need of support. These programs address the significant barriers that often keep parolees from becoming healthy and productive members of society.

At the same time, Catholics must be sensitive and responsive to the needs of victims and their families, who have been impacted by crime and violence. Victims and their families should be supported and encouraged to participate throughout the criminal justice process as part of the healing process.

4 Where does the candidate stand on sentencing guidelines and parole practices that take into consideration an individual’s potential threat to society, rather than simply relying on mandatory minimum sentencing?

4 Where does the candidate stand on prisoner rehabilitation and re-entry programs that include continuing education, adequate personal identification, transportation, housing, and employment assistance, as well as restoring the right to vote for ex-offenders who are now living and participating in our communities?

We are all sinners, and our response to sin and failure should not be abandonment and despair, but rather justice, contrition, reparation, and return or re-integration of all into the community. 7

The Catholic Church has spoken in favor of health care access for nearly 100 years, first becoming active on the issue as far back as 1919. The social doctrine of the church considers health care a basic human right, one that is necessary for the proper development of life and important for full human dignity. Significant reform and expansion of the state Medicaid program in 2013 has given a greater number of low-income citizens health care access that may have otherwise been unattainable.

The creation of MNSure (Minnesota’s implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act) will allow some 450,000 previously uninsured residents to qualify for a health plan. The plan grants participants access to 10 essential health benefits, including emergency services, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs and pediatric services. Minnesota has also taken advantage of the ACA by transitioning MinnesotaCare into the creation of a basic health plan. The Minnesota Catholic Conference played a key role in the creation of MinnesotaCare, and the changes to the program expand coverage and enhance benefits to low-income adults and lawful immigrants who do not qualify for Medicaid.

The creation of the ACA has increased access to health care for many; yet, the implementation of the act has also created significant concerns for religious liberty through the administration’s HHS contraception mandate. And the act still does not create access to health care for undocumented persons. Going forward, it is important to ensure that health care access is affordable to all, that health care does not violate the sanctity of life, and that religious groups maintain their right to offer health benefits that are consistent with their mission and principles.

4 Where does the candidate stand on promoting policies that increase access to affordable health care for low- and moderate-income individuals and families?

4 Where does the candidate stand on allowing religious groups, closely-held businesses and individuals to be able to provide health care without compromising their religious convictions?

Health care policy must protect human life and dignity, not threaten them, especially for the most voiceless and vulnerable.6

Children and Families In May 2013, the Minnesota Legislature redefined the state’s civil marriage laws to include same-sex couples. In many states around the country, federal judges are striking down marriage laws that limit marriage to the union of one man and one woman. Both are troublesome developments that favor altering the purpose and structure of the civil institution of marriage, changing it from an institution that primarily protects a child’s right to be known and cared for by his or her mother or father to one that is instead focused on merely endorsing the romantic inclinations of adults.

By contrast, the Catholic Church offers an understanding of marriage as being rooted in the unique love that a man and a woman can give to each other as husband and wife in a union that is ordered toward the good of the spouses and to the creation and flourishing of children. Though the government does not create families or the institution of marriage, it has a compelling interest in bringing men and women together in a complementary union that has both individual and community benefits. A permanent and virtuous union fostered by husband and wife is a model of solidarity and communion and provides a dynamic that makes the family the first school of social life for children and that helps to advance the common good.

The church recognizes that because of tragedy, sin and the brokenness that we all experience, families come in different forms and do not always reflect the ideal of “mother, father, and child.” Single parents work each day to care for their children, often in difficult circumstances, and our communities should provide them with support and encouragement. Other families have courageously adopted children and incorporated them into their family life. Still, the

natural family is the bedrock of society, and policies that support the well-being and rights of children “to be conceived, carried in the womb, brought into the world and brought up within marriage,”10 and which uphold marriage as the lifelong, fruitful union of one man and one woman are always necessary.

4 Where does the candidate stand on the authentic meaning of marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman? Did he or she vote in 2013 to allow same-sex marriages?

4 Where does the candidate stand on policies that protect the stability of the marriage bond and the best interests of children, such as limitations on no-fault divorce and surrogacy arrangements?

Defending the institution of marriage as a social reality is ultimately a question of justice, since it entails safeguarding the good of the entire human community and the rights of parents and children alike.9

4B September 26, 2014

4B

Voter’s guide 2014

Voter's guide 2014

October, 2014

Education

Providing a child with a quality education is one of the most important responsibilities of parents. In Catholic teaching, parents are the primary educators of their children.

Policies are necessary that give parents the option to choose the educational setting they decide is best for each individual child. School choice programs are exploding around the country, with 18 states and the District of Columbia having enacted programs that give parents more educational options than just public schools. Almost

every state in the Midwest is expanding parental choice in education, but Minnesota is lagging behind. The consequences of Minnesota’s failure to create educational opportunity are having enormous consequences on the most vulnerable.

Minnesota, with fewer educational options for low-income families than many places in the Midwest, has the highest reading gap in the United States between white and both African-American and Latino students. Opportunity scholarships for low-income families, tuition tax credits, tax credits for businesses organizations and individuals who donate to scholarship organizations, educational savings accounts for students with disabilities and other programs would open new doors for families in need of more options.

Every child in Minnesota, enrolled in public or non-public schools, deserves a quality education. Nonpublic schools are not competitors, they are partners. State policies that guide education policy must be fair, just and treat all students equally, and with individual dignity.

The Visitor

The Courier

4 Where does the candidate stand on expanding school choice options such as tuition tax credits, opportunity scholarship programs or vouchers?

4 Does the candidate oppose efforts to reduce pupil funding received by students in non-public schools for busing, textbooks, and healthcare? Does he or she oppose costly and unnecessary mandates on nonpublic schools that threaten their institutional integrity, such as so-called “anti-bullying legislation?”

Broadening educational choice is a matter of justice — especially for those who do not have equal access to education opportunities.11

‘From 'From the the Pew Pewto to the Polls’ fall tour the Polls' fall tour

The Minnesota Catholic The Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy Conference, the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops of the Catholic ofvoice Minnesota, is offeringbishops an of Minnesota, is offering an opportunity to go beyond opportunity to go beyond partisan politics and explore partisan politics and explore how we can all “think with the how we can all "think with the church” better when considering church" better when considerthe policy issues, decisions and ing the policy issues, decisions people we choose to support. and people we choose to supJoin the MCC at one of its port.

“From thethe PewMCC to the Join at Polls” one of its events thePew St. Cloud "Frominthe to theDiocese: Polls" n 6:30inp.m., events the Tuesday, Diocese Oct. of 7, St. Anthony Winona:Church in St. Cloud. n 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, w 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. Mary of the Visitation Church in 9, St. Lake.

Theodore, Albert Lea Big wn6:30 Tuesday,Oct. Oct.21,21, 6:30 p.m., p.m., Tuesday, St.Paul Joseph the in Worker, Mankato St. Church Sauk Centre.

The events andand resource The events resource materials free.

Visit www. materialsareare free.

Visit mncc.org and click on “Resources” www.mncc.org and click on and then “Events” more "Resources" and for then "Events" details. for more details.

Agriculture and the Environment Americans are more conscious than ever of their responsibility to be good stewards of the environment.

Years of successful public awareness campaigns and the work of tireless advocates have ensured that protecting creation is at the forefront of public discourse. Many landmark pieces of legislation have been passed in the last 50 years, including the federal Wilderness Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. Yet debates continue at the local, national and international levels about how to address environmental challenges such as climate change, the byproducts of hydraulic fracturing, soil and water contamination, air quality and the global competition for scarce natural resources.

Similarly, in protecting creation, attention must be paid to the proper management of agricultural resources and ensuring food security for all. The church has indicated that these discussions are decisive and that they are “about the future of God’s creation and the one hu-

Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.12 man family. It is about protecting both the ‘human environment’ and the ‘natural environment.’ It is about our human stewardship of God’s creation and our responsibility to those who come after us.”

The United States Catholic bishops have stated that the following considerations should guide debates about environmental policy: “stewardship and the right to

economic initiative and private property”; the needs of “future generations”; “population and authentic development”; and “caring for the poor and issues of equity.”13 Underscoring the urgency of the situation, Pope Francis recently said that if we destroy creation, then creation will destroy us. Prudent attention must be given to environmental and agricultural policy debates as a proper human ecology cannot take shape unless it is fostered by a healthy natural ecology.

4 Where does the candidate stand on the importance of enacting policies that foster sustainable agricultural practices, and the promotion of family farms and local agriculture?

4 Where does the candidate stand on policies that promote the use of alternative and renewable sources of energy?

Footnotes:

RESOURCES: FORMING YOUR CONSCIENCE Minnesota Catholic Conference: Catholic Social Teaching tinyurl.com/MCCsocialteaching

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship tinyurl.com/USCCBcitizenship The Holy See: A Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life tinyurl.com/vatican-political-life The Holy See: Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church tinyurl.com/vatican-social-doctrine LEARNING ABOUT THE ISSUES AND CANDIDATES Minnesota Catholic Conference: Current Legislative Priorities mncc.org/current-priorities/ Minnesota Catholic Conference: Minnesota legislative bill tracker tinyurl.com/MCCbills Project Vote Smart votesmart.org United States Conference of Catholic

Bishops: Political Activity Guidelines tinyurl.com/USCCB-guidelines GETTING INVOLVED

Minnesota Catholic Conference: MCC’s Catholic Advocacy Network Action Center tinyurl.com/MCC-action Minnesota Catholic Conference: Ways to get involved tinyurl.com/MCC-involved United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: USCCB Action Center tinyurl.com/USbishops-action Minnesota Secretary of State: How to register to vote tinyurl.com/MNvoting JOIN US! BECOME A MCC CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK MEMBER TODAY Network membership is free and provides access to Catholic resources that you can trust, including brief, monthly E-Update newsletters, legislative Action Alerts that provide step-by-step instructions on how to take action, and a legislative Action Center that helps you look up your lawmaker's contact information, tracks bills and more!

Brief, monthly E-Update newsletters that include: • Event listings • Useful educational resources for your family, parish or Catholic school • Commentary on current policy issues through a non-partisan, Catholic lens • Information on how to help advocate for and shape public policy Legislative Action Alerts that provide: • Status on key legislation during federal and state Legislative Sessions • Easy, clear instructions on how to “take action” • “Advocacy 101” tips on how to talk about policy issues of concern for Catholics • Pre-written communications that can be personalized and quickly sent from the Network online system to your Senator, Representative, or other elected officials An online Action Center that features: • A bill tracker to watch legislation of interest to the Catholic Church in Minnesota • Search tools for looking up your legislative district and elected officials • Ongoing advocacy campaigns and take action tools • Downloadable and printable catechetical and advocacy-based materials for families, parishes and schools To sign up, visit www.mncc.org and then click on the MN Catholic Advocacy Network icon.

1 “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, March 2012.

2 Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the 96th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (2010).

3 Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Italian ProLife Movement. 11 April 2014.

4 Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to His Grace Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. 14 June 2013.

5 “Evangelii Gaudium,” Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope Francis. 24 November 2013, at 202.

6 Access to Health Care. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Justice, Peace and Human Development, February 2013.

7 “Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 2000.

8 Ibid.

9 Address of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota and the Dakotas. 9 March 2012.

10 “Donum Vitae.” Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 22 February 1987, at II, A, 1, iii.

11 “A Just Beginning for All: A Series of Messages on Education from the Bishops of Michigan.” October 2000.

12 Wednesday Audience of His Holiness Pope Francis. 22 May 2014.

13 “Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2001.

Celebration Continues Brother William presents Signum Fidei Award at the 125th Anniversary celebration (Winona, MN, Sept 23, 2013 - Saint Mary's University Communication) At the occasion of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Winona, Sept. 13 in Mankato, Brother William presented the inaugural Signum Fidei Award to Bishop Álvaro Ramazzini of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. It is fitting, as that is where Saint Mary's 1966 alum Brother James Miller was killed in 1982 while serving as a missionary.

Bishop Ramazzini received a bronze bust of Brother James, a replica of the life-sized Winona Campus memorial that was dedicated during the university's centennial celebration last year. Brother James is remembered for his heroic contributions to humanity as a Christian educator, apostle of the poor and underprivileged, and advocate for justice and solidarity.

Brother William presents the inaugural Signum Fidei Award to Most Rev. The Signum Fidei Award is bestowed by Álvaro Ramazzini, Bishop of the Diocese of Huehuetenango in Guatemala at the end of the Holy Mass at the diocese's 125th Anniversary celebrathe university on an individual, group, or orgation in Mankato. nization in recognition of extraordinary service to the vulnerable and marginalized members of society. It also recognizes and honors work signum fidei or sign of faith, is taken from the great seal of the Institute of the that promotes human solidarity. Its name, Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Children's Program: Psalm 23 For parents of school age children, the Children's Program at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Diocese was such a blessings!

The event was planned around Psalm 23. Every generation has had many reasons to use Psalm 23, but our children’s generation needs it more than ever. Psalm 23 brings a sense of calmness and peace. No matter what is going on in the world around us, God is always there caring for us day and night.

David was a shepherd as well as a King. David symbolized as the sheep and God as our Shepherd. The Lord has promised to take care of us in this world and the life hereafter. It is symbolic how a lost sheep runs back toward the flock it comes from when it senses danger, just as we seek the Lord when we are in trouble or afraid.

Students from across the Diocese are singing with action movements to the song, “Only a Boy Named David.”

Activities and crafts at the 125th Anniversary Children’s Track Session were some of the day's highlights. Marsha Stenzel, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Sr. Paul Mary, Director of Faith Formation, and Camille Withrow, Administrative Assistant planned, organized and facilitated the morning events along with 14 volunteers who assisted the children.

Sr. Paul Mary assisting younger children attending the Childre n’s program.

A participant of the Children's Track Session coloring a picture “To God be the Glory.”

October, 2014 w The Courier

October, 2014

Special Anniversary Edition

The 125th Celebration cont'd from page 1

The moving historical video "First 100 Years" and the beautiful Heritage Hall displaying breathtaking artifacts (including the very first edition of The Courier) left attendees with a sense of pride and wonder at the history of the diocese. It renewed a sense of purpose to know where we have been and an inspired responsibility in carrying the legacy of the Diocese of Winona into the future.

The culmination of the unity of this great Catholic community was seen in the Celebration of the Eucharist. Bishop Quinn offers his gratitude to all who made this event a success and to all the faithful of the diocese who will continue its mission though out the many years to come.

Celebrating Winners & Award Recipients The St. Timothy Award recipient was Cassidy Krueger.

She is pictured to the right with Bishop Quinn.

The Companions in the Journey Award recipient was JoAnn Biren.

She is pictured here in Heritage Hall at the 125th Anniversary Celebration.

Video Contest As the Diocese celebrated its 125th Anniversary, they launched a campaign to celebrate the generous response of the people of the diocese to bring Christ to the fringes of society. The video contest had certain criteria for the entries. An entry had to document a service experience or program with a short video, between 2 - 3 minutes long.

The entries needed to explain in 300 words or less the purpose and future plans of the project.

There were many wonderful entries to choose from and three top prizes were given!

Grand Prize Winner: Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic, Worthington - $5,000 prize award.

2nd Place Winner: Simon Ministry, St. John the Baptist, Mankato $3,000 prize award.

3rd Place Winner: Familia Juntas, Fulda - $2,000 prize award.

A Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic in Worthington, Grand Prize Winner, gives hope to many.

Formed in Communion, Sent Forth in Mission

9

single voice. We heard about the work of Catholic Relief Services in all corners of the world, and took up a collection to assist our suffering sisters and brothers in the Middle East.

And, at the heart of our gathering, we joined together as one community of faith – united around our shepherd, Bishop John Quinn – to celebrate the central sign of our communion: the Most Holy Eucharist. Two important events in the life of our diocese – both giving witness to the importance of community and communion within the life of faith. It is important also to remember, as Pope Saint John Paul II reminded us often, that communion must lead to mission. In his World Youth Day homily, Pope Francis outlined three “simple ideas” to guide us in living out our call to be disciples: Go; Do not be afraid; and Serve. [See last month’s column for a summary of each of these, as Pope Francis describes them.]

If we follow these three ideas, Pope Francis tells us that “the one who evangelizes is evangelized, [and] the one who transmits the joy of faith receives more joy.” This, then, is the path of “missionary discipleship” that our Holy Father lays out for each of us, and for our Church.

We have Jesus Christ. We have the Gospel, the “Good News.” We have 125 years of faith-filled service to learn from, to guide us, and to build on. And, we also have each other and the great “communion of saints” to accompany us.

With God’s grace, we have all that we need.

Where Does Jesus Send Us? This was the theme of our 125th anniversary celebration. As the community of believers – young and old; clergy, religious, and lay; women and men; natives and newly arrived – we move forward together into these next years of our diocesan story.

With faith, hope, and love…

• Let us go and give witness to the Lord by the joy of our lives.

• Let us not be afraid, knowing that Jesus walks with us on our journey.

• Let us serve – binding up the wounds of the suffering, seeking out the lost and forgotten, and mending the broken places in our world.

This is where Jesus sends us, so let us begin anew... Deo Gratias!

Lay Formation

This past week (at the time of my writing this column) has been an eventful one in our diocese.

On September 12 & 13, our diocesan Church gathered in Mankato to mark our 125th anniversary. It was a grand celebration, and filled with a deep sense of faith and community.

A week later, on September 20th, the 54 members of our new diocesan INSTITUTE OF LAY FORMATION class gathered in Owatonna for their first session together as they begin their process and journey of formation.

At the heart of both of these events was the truth that our Church is not a collection of faith-filled individuals, but a community of believers joined together in the Body of Christ.

Pope Francis’ message in his World Youth Day homily, which provided the theme for our anniversary celebration, included his reflection that our path of discipleship within the Church must be traveled together. We do not go alone. We are joined together as believers, across time and geography and culture, within a great “communion of saints” to proclaim the gospel and give loving witness to Christ in our lives and in our world.

In working over the last 15 years with the six classes of our diocesan lay formation program, I have learned clearly that the bonds of community that form within each group have always been a critical part of the formation process. To grow in our faith and in our commitment to following Christ, we need the guidance and support of one another.

As Pope Francis reminds us, Todd Graff Christ calls us not only as Director individual believers but also tgraff@dow.org as a community of faith, as the “Church.”

In a similar way, one of the most striking aspects of our diocesan anniversary celebration was the sense of community that marked the event. We came together as individuals and families, as single and married, as ordained and lay, as Anglos and Hispanics, as children and adults, and all found a home within our diocesan family at the event.

We welcomed a bishop from Guatemala into our midst, and heard God’s Word proclaimed in both English and Spanish. We offered our intercessions in many languages, but prayed together with a

Bishop Quinn, cont'd from page 3 New Feminism Conference. The term "New Feminism" came from Pope St. John Paul II when he challenged women to promote a new feminism, one that does not attempt to imitate "models of 'male domination'" but affirms the "true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society". He said that women's role in promoting this new feminism is pivotal in "transforming culture so it supports life" and "overcome(s) all discrimination, violence and exploitation." (Evangelium Vitae, 99) This conference will allow women and young ladies, a chance to hear the truth about their great dignity and unique gift of femininity, empowering them to begin that cultural transformation. Our society continues to undermine the Church's authority on women's issues, attempting to marginalize her influence. Yet, the truth will always win: it just needs to be proclaimed. This conference is a wonderful opportunity to do just that. I encourage women of all ages to prayerfully consider attending. More information can be found on page ¬¬10 of The Courier.

Faithful Citizenship In November, the voting cycle begins again in Minnesota and around the nation. Both Pope Francis and the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, known as “Catholic social teaching,” have stated that politics should uphold human dignity

and serve the common good. It is due to this pursuit of the common good that Catholics have a responsibility to participate in the democratic process, as the outcome of this year’s political races will shape policy decisions for years to come.

Offering its contribution to conversations about what may be best for society, the Catholic Church promotes and defends the dignity of all persons, from conception to natural death. In order to promote human dignity at every stage, the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops address policy matters pertaining to religious liberty, immigration, education, human life, economic justice, marriage and health care, among others.

We have inserted a 2014 Voter’s Guide for the Diocese of Winona in this issue of The Courier that encourages Catholics to evaluate their political candidates through the lens of Catholic social teaching and to vote for candidates based upon a well-formed conscience.

Please take some time to review the guide and may we continue to pray for our nation and its leaders.

Pastoral Planning For some time now, we have been reevaluating the needs of our diocese through Diocesan Pastoral Planning. Our culture and way of life have changed immensely over the

past 50 to 100 years. Transportation and infrastructure have improved dramatically, large portions of our population have shifted from rural to urban areas, technology has transformed the way we communicate and we have seen the number of priests in our diocese both rise and fall over time. The ultimate goal of the planning process is to revitalize, strengthen and bring new life to our parishes, churches and Catholic families in the Diocese of Winona.

As we move into the next portion of the planning process, it is important that we all are aware of the many factors and prayer involved. Our Vicar General and Chancellor, Msgr. Richard Colletti has written an article explaining the process on page 5 of The Courier.

Please take a moment and read this important article on the future of our diocese and the Diocesan Pastoral Planning process.

Priest Convocation 2014 Every year, all the priests join together for prayer, formation and fraternity for three days in Okoboji, Iowa. These days are especially important for the priests and for me because the Diocese of Winona is so large geographically. During this gathering, which happened September 22 – 24 this year, the priests have the opportunity to see each other and to renew the bonds of priestly ordination and friendship.

I was so blessed to be able to be with the priests, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and celebrate the Eucharist together. Thank you for continuing to pray for our priests!

Our 125th Anniversary Celebration What a wonderful celebration we had in Mankato last month! From the moving musical performances to the inspiring talks, from the children’s program to the outdoor fun to the remembering of our rich history to the unifying celebration of the Holy Eucharist, it was a time of joy and great thanksgiving! I want to thank our Curia and staff who worked diligently to put together this wonderful event. It takes many hands to make an event like this successful, and I thank each of you who partook in that preparation. I would also like to thank each and every one of you, the faithful of the Diocese of Winona. I am honored and humbled to continue the task of leading this great diocese into the next era of its history. I thank you for your love, support and prayers for my work and please know of my continual prayers for all of you. .

Sincerely in Christ, Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona October, 2014 w The Courier

Faith Formation

10

Why Should You Attend the New Feminism Conference?

First of all, it is going to be an inspiring, enlightening, and exciting day! Over the past few years, since the introduction of the women’s study program, ENDOW (Educating On the Nature and Dignity Of Women), women have been coming in large numbers to our events.

The Holy Spirit has been moving in the hearts of the women of the Diocese of Winona, and it is because of this great response that this wonderful conference day is a possibility!

Yet, what about the term “new feminism”? Isn't the Church against “feminism”? It seems the term “feminism” has been soiled by radical feminism. Women hear “feminism” and they think of men-haters, bra-burners, abortion-banner-toting, anti-mothering, masculine women. Yet, did you

Theresa Martin Endow Coordinator Endow@dow.org

know that the very first feminists at the turn of the century and in the early 1900s were all pro-life, pro-women and very pro-motherhood? Louisa May Alcott, Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Dorothy Day, Dr. Charlotte Denman Lozier, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Mary Wollstonecraft (just to name

What treasure of truth, what gift of feminine fellowship awaits you at the Diocese of Winona's New Feminism Conference? Register today!

a few! the list is extensive!) were all very pro-life!

It was only during the 1960s and the Sexual Revolution that women’s equality/ freedom began to be equated with sexual equality and socalled sexual freedom. That theme has so permeated our culture that it is the underlying message being pushed through many “woman's issues” even now. Radical feminism believed women’s bodily femininity was holding her back in life. So, in their minds, for a woman to be free she must rid herself of gender. “The pill” was the first step in achieving this.

For radical feminism, equality means sameness. For a woman to be equal to a man she must be just like a man.

Ah, but this is the point! The point exactly! When Pope St. John Paul II

Registration deadline: Oct 25! Register NOW at www.dow.org/Endow!

October, 2014 w The Courier

called for women to promote a “New Feminism,” he saw the beautiful gift of femininity! He recognized the great need culture had for more of women’s involvement in leadership roles. He gave womanhood such a high level of dignity that when he saw the damage radical feminism was doing, he sought to change direction.

Reading through his Letter to Women and his apostolic letter On The Dignity and Vocation of Women, you see that he recognizes the disadvantage women have had in the past, and even in some instances, directly apologizes for it. He also affirms the great gift women are to the Church and to the world. Yet, he sees that we must continue to affirm her great dignity so that she is not slighted yet again. This is why he calls for a “New Feminism.”

New Feminism promotes equality among men and women not because we are the same but because we are unique! There can be an equality in dignity and yet unique in characteristics.

Think about different cultures. Is each culture only equal in dignity when they are exactly the same? For shame! What would the world be like without authentic Belgium chocolate or Italian espresso? Or even American hotdogs?

Yet, our current society would have us believe that women must be just like men in order to be free. They say that we must stop our fertility, mutilate our bodies, say no to children and that “weaker” choice of motherhood and then, only

then can women be equal to men. The Church disagrees. Our society knows this, too, and works deliberately to undermine the Church’s authority in women’s issues, attempting to push the Church to the peripheral. Yet the truth will win; the truth always wins, because it resonates in the hearts of women.

This is why we have had packed rooms at all of our events! This is why women keep asking for more events and more knowledge! You know that what you have been told doesn’t quite sit right with you, but you don’t know how to put your finger on it.

This is why you must come join us on November 8! Pope St. John Paul II said that women’s role in changing society is pivotal and when women can embrace this new feminism (one that elevates women because of her femininity not over its destruction), then women will transform society!

Many women don’t even know what the Church actually says about women; others know, but want to understand it better; and still others want to know what they can do about it to begin that transformation.

Wherever you are in that spectrum, this New Feminism Conference has what you are looking for. With a track for teenage girls (junior high on up is invited - bring your daughters!), and three different tracks for women, you can find the talks that interest you.

And there will be prizes & speakers being flown in just for you – you are going to love it!

Come, spend a day with us in Austin, MN at St. Augustine Church, and unlock the truth that is burning inside you! You are enough, just as you are! You are beautiful in your femininity! You are precious because of your womanhood! God loves you just as you are – you are so beautiful to Him! Sr. Paul Mary and I cannot wait to see YOU there! Registration link can be found at www.dow.com/endow The registration deadline is October 25! The sooner you register, the more likely you are able to choose your preferred tracks!

Catechetical Day 2014 - a Blessing by: Sr. Mary Juanita Gonsalves, R.S.M., former Director of Faith Formation

Sr. Paul Mary Rittgers, R.S.M. Director faithformation@dow.org

the Catholic faith—Creed, Sacraments, Moral life, and Prayer, as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. At Catechetical Day 2014, around 500 priests, deacons, directors of religious education, youth leaders, Catholic

A Treasury of Prayers the

Rosary,

a Prayer for Peace and Conversion “O Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.”

Did You Know?

• The Fatima prayer we say was given directly by the Blessed Mother herself. The prayer of Fatima (above), often inserted after the Glory Be during the rosary, was given by the Blessed Virgin Mary to the 3 children of Fatima: Lucia Santos, Blessed Francisco Marto, and Blessed Jacinta Marto.

• We celebrate October as the month of the Rosary because of Our Lady of Fatima. On October 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother asked the 3 children to pray the rosary daily and revealed herself as the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. As a result, the Church now celebrates October as the month of the Rosary.

• Over 70,000 people witnessed the miracle at Fatima – the day the sun “danced”. The 3 children were told by Our Lady that God would perform a miracle so that people would believe in the apparitions. On October 13, 1917, over 70,000 people came to see the miracle, which occurred with the sun. Everyone could stare perfectly at the sun, and while they were all watching, it rotated like a wheel, changed colors, got large and small, got close to the people, and got far away from them. Witnesses said the sun seemed to “dance”.

for St. Cecilia Congregation, Nashville, TN, Rev. Will Thompson, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Winona, and Dr. Melissa Luedtke, Chair of the School of Education at St. Mary’s University in Winona. Staff and volunteers from various parishes and schools, especially Lourdes High School, were also involved in diverse ways to make this catechetical gathering a success.

To learn more about the resources presented at Catechetical Day on teaching the virtues, please visit the Diocese of Winona webpage for the Office of Faith Formation and RCIA at www.dow.org/resources.

As we enter into the month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary, may we continue to turn to the Blessed Mother to guide us closer to the image of God through the life of her Son, Jesus Christ, the source of all virtues.

Faith Formation

Saint Paul, in addressing the Ephesians, wrote, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love…” (Eph 5: 1-2). This encouragement for all persons to live in accordance with their dignity as children of God was echoed at ¬Catechetical Day, which took place on August 21, 2014, at Lourdes High School in Rochester. The keynote and breakout sessions lead participants through the essential teachings of the Catholic Church on the moral life, with a focus on Virtues, an essential part of formation for Christian discipleship in today’s society.

During the past two years, the Diocese of Winona has held Catechetical Day as an opportunity for all persons in the diocese to join together in learning about the pillars of

school administrators and teachers, RCIA leaders, catechists and other participants gathered to go deeper into their understanding of the Christian moral life, the third pillar of the Catechism.

Gratitude for a deeper understanding on the virtues and an excitement to incorporate strategies to teach the virtues in the schools and parishes was the overall response on the part of the participants. When asked to give their feedback on the catechetical gathering, one school responded, “Our school is fired up! We’ve taken our “Character Building program” and now plan to replace it with the Virtue/Saints program. Each staff member has taken a month and a Saint to celebrate! The excitement abounds… Each classroom will take a Saint and a Virtue and help the school by creating a bulletin board [in] celebrating that virtue each day in the classroom.”

The blessings at Catechetical Day were the fruit of collaboration with various persons who were involved with planning and leading parts of the day.

Rev. Bishop John M. Quinn presided at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with many of the priests and deacons from across the diocese.

The presenters included, Sister Mary Agnes Greiffendorf, O.P., Director of Education and coordinator of New Evangelization initiatives

11

Sr. Paul Mary, cont'd from pg. 1

this position, she was giving a tour to the new superintendent of the Diocese (a Religious Sister of Mercy), who asked her, “Have you thought that perhaps you may have a vocation?” And from there began the conversation that changed her life. Sister Paul Mary recalls: “She invited me to visit their convent in Knoxville.

Once I visited, I knew. The Lord opened my heart and came into it in a way He never had before. I remember kneeling in their chapel before the crucifix feeling in my heart that I knew this would be my home. I think back now that if I had not given her that tour and she had not asked the question, things may be different. But it was divine providence. The Lord knew how to capture my heart.” Prior to her assignment in the Diocese of Winona, Sister Paul Mary was primarily engaged in religious formation at the Motherhouse.

Sister Paul Mary is delighted to serve in the Diocese of Winona as the Director of Faith Formation and RCIA. Reflecting on this new role, she says: “Pope St. John Paul II said in his powerful document, Catechesi tradendæ, ‘It is clear that the Church has always looked on catechesis as a sacred duty and an inalienable right…’ (no. 14). As I learn more about the wonderful programs we offer throughout the Diocese, I am even more excited to work with the faith formation and RCIA directors, catechists, and with ENDOW program; the upcoming New Feminism conference we are able to offer in our diocese is a true gift to the Church. What a beautiful faith we have and what an honor it is to be able to work with such a faith-filled community in helping to spread, enrich, and deepen that faith. My hope is that we will all come to know the Lord more, because as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches (cf. Summa theologiæ I-II, q. 27, a. 2), we must come to know the Lord more in order to love Him more.”

October, 2014 w The Courier

Catholic Schools

12

Meet Our New Catholic School Administrators David Forney principal of Cotter Schools, Winona

David Forney began serving as principal of Cotter Schools in August.

Over the past 18 years, he has served at Cotter in many roles such as Dean of Academic Life, Principal of Cotter Junior High School, and School Counselor as well as coaching cross country and other sports. Prior to coming to Cotter, he worked as a school counselor and coach in Worthington, Minnesota for 7 years.

David received his Bachelor's Degree in Education from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. He holds a Masters Degree in Secondary School Counseling from Minnesota State University Mankato.

David’s wife, Mary, teaches art at Cotter and is involved in Cotter’s teacher mentoring program. They have three adult children: Hannah, Seth (Cotter ‘06), and Samuel (Cotter ‘09).

Cotter Schools recently completed the re-accreditation process and is looking to use their learnings to move forward with a continuous improvement plan. Cotter is also engaged in collaborating with other Diocesan schools in the Ace Curriculum program. The school will focus on interpreting and using assessments to help curriculum design.

"Being a school of faith, I feel humbled and blessed to serve as Cotter's principal. I look forward to working with Cotter students and families to provide a great educational experience. Sr. Judith Schaefer, President of Cotter Schools, and I will work closely together as a team to provide educational support and direction. As part of the Cotter family, I am excited to collaborate with students, parents, faculty, and staff in this journey."

Jacob Robasse

principal of St. John Vianney School, Fairmont Jacob Robasse was born and raised in Buffalo, MN. He moved to Mankato in 2001 where he started school at Minnesota State University, Mankato and received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education. In 2007, Jacob began a teaching position at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Waseca where he taught for 7 years. During the end of his employment at Sacred Heart, he entered into a grad program at St. Mary's University, Winona. Jacob received his Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning in the spring of 2014. Jacob and his wife Josephine have two children, Carter and Evalyn.

Being in administration has been a goal of Jacob’s for the past three years. Although he has enjoyed his time in the classroom, he has always thought of himself as a leader. He gained much of this experience through coaching. Over the past nine years, Jacob has had the chance to coach Junior High and High School basketball. He coached at Mankato East with 7th and 8th graders. Jacob also spent one year coaching at Loyola High School and then moved October, 2014 w The Courier

to Waseca where he coached 9th grade and assisted with their varsity teams.

Jacob was able to further develop his leadership skills while working as the Faith Formation Director for Sacred Heart Church in Waseca. He held this position for three years before he stepped down to focus on a St. Mary’s University grad program. During his time as Director, Jacob was able to learn more about the ins and outs of being an administrator. He looks forward to the challenges that come with being in this position and is excited about the opportunity to work with the St. John Vianney School & Parish to help bring them into the next era of Catholic education.

Paul Menard

ourselves moving to Rochester with 19 month and 2 month old sons. So far, we couldn’t be happier in our new home with Rochester Catholic Schools. We have met many wonderful people who are inviting and inspiring.

As I mentioned in conversation with Rochester Catholic Schools, I believe this is a pivotal time in our world for us as Catholic school educators to foster the faith, teach our children curriculum and moral development, and build upon our rich history of instruction while embracing the new world and becoming the very best institutions of learning welcoming of all people in the name of Christ.

Ricky White

principal of St. Mary's School, Caledonia assistant principal of St. John the Evangelist/ St Pius X School, Ricky is married to Gemma who also is a Elementary Rochester teacher and they have two I am excited to begin my position with Rochester Catholic Schools as P-8 Assistant Principal/5-8 Campus Administrator of Saint John the Evangelist/Saint Pius X School. Prior to my recent arrival in Rochester, I gained public and private school teaching and administrative experience in a variety of different learning environments.

I began my career in education during my studies at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. I engaged in field experience in parochial, magnet, and public schools ranging from grades 2-12. This variety of instructional models gave me a great basis for understanding a great many ways teachers can teach and students can learn.

After graduating from St. Scholastica with a degree in English Education and a minor in Theater Arts, I taught for two years at Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom, MN. My experience in the public school was invaluable, as I had the opportunity to plan for block scheduling instruction, participated in a full-scale curriculum review, and contributed to many other initiatives during my relatively short tenure. I also coached baseball and directed theater—two of my passions.

Upon getting engaged, I relocated to the St. Cloud, MN area and served in many capacities at Saint John’s Prep School in Collegeville, MN. During the last seven years, I taught Theater and English (AP, IB, American Literature), directed plays and musicals, and coached baseball. After receiving my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati, I developed and assisted in the coordination of the state’s first International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at a private high school, assisted with the successful implementation of a 1:1 iPad program and transition to Schoology as a platform for student grades and virtual classrooms, oversaw curriculum development, planned staff development, worked to unify the athletic mission and identity of the school, aligned Benedictine Values and student development programming, increased monastic presence in the school, scheduled student development and all-school programming featuring artists and lecturers known regionally and internationally, and had the privilege of meeting hundreds of students from over 20 different countries.

Earlier this year, I began looking for a position that would challenge me in a new way. I looked to build upon the professional experience I have had thus far. I was excited when I began speaking with Rochester Catholic Schools.

The network of schools, community of families, and commitment to faith were truly distinctive when I visited in the spring. My wife and I decided this was a great opportunity for me to enter at this point in my career, and we found

children Matt who is in the 6th grade and Hannah who in in the 4th grade. Gemma is also an Elementary teacher. They moved to Caledonia, MN from Oak Grove, Louisiana where they were active members at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Ricky has a Master's Degree in Education as well a Bachelor's Degree in Education from The University of Central Oklahoma. . Ricky has over 15 years experience in education with 5 years as a principal. I know that God led me to St Mary's School in Caledonia. Catholic education gives me the opportunity to inspire students to grow not only physically and mentally but most of all spiritually.

Doug Harpenau

principal of Crucifixion School, LaCrescent Doug Harpenau is the new principal at Crucifixion School located in La Crescent, MN. He received his Associates Degree in Computer Programming in 1982 and was hired

by IBP, Inc. immediately after college. Within 3 years, he was promoted to management and was in charge of software for multiple beef and pork plants. In 1985, Doug was offered a position at a Fortune 100 company to create a billing system. Today, the system that he created in 1985 is still being used. Doug received his Bachelors Degree in Business from the University of Iowa and at that time married his wife. They decided it would be nice to be closer to family so they moved to La Crescent, MN, in 1995. Doug started a software consulting firm called Jetson Enterprises and a gumball machine business. In 1997, he was hired

by Western Technical College as an instructor for their computer department and worked there for 17 years. He was recently hired to be the Principal at Crucifixion School.

Family is very important to Doug. His wife, Judy, is an Urgent Care doctor at Mayo Hospital. Their first son, Alex, is a sophomore at the University of La Crosse and is studying aerospace engineering. Doug and Judy’s daughter just recently started at Loras College for physical therapy and is playing soccer for them. Their second son is a junior at Aquinas High School in La Crosse, WI. Doug lists his current strengths in the area of people skills and organizational abilities. He is currently President of the La Crescent Youth Soccer program that has 500+ kids participating. In addition, He is President of the Avalanche Hockey high school team. Doug believes one of the most important skills in a leader is organization, parent communication and patience. All of these are critical to keep schools running smoothly.

Owatonna Speaker Series Launches 11th Year Owatonna.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Fr. Joncas’s stature to help us launch the 11th year of our series,” says Kyro Lantsberger, a Sacred Heart parishioner and member of the committee that organizes and manages the programs. Committee members come from five Owatonnaarea parishes. According to Deacon Pat Fagan from St. Joseph’s parish (Owatonna), this inter-parish cooperation “has helped draw the Owatonna-area Catholic community together, a notable side benefit.”

Rose Ann Kubicek, committee member from Holy Trinity (Litomysl), is grateful for the knowledge garnered both from the speaker’s presentation and the Q&A session that follows. “However, in addition,” she notes, “our programs always include a short refreshment break, which allows time for socializing and informal discussion. We also get to interact with attendees that may have

joined us from nearby towns, such as Austin, Rochester, and Mankato.”

The committee tries to schedule at least one well-known national speaker per year.

Some of the more notable ones from past years have been Dr. Peter Kreeft (Boston College), Marcus Grodi (EWTN), Maggie Gallagher (National Organization for Marriage), Mark Shea (National Catholic Register), Dale Call to be Catholic, cont'd on pg. 16

13

In the Diocese

The Owatonna-based annual speaker series, known as “The Call To Be Catholic,” has for ten years sponsored highly competent and engaging speakers to address substantive topics of keen interest to Catholics.

Past speakers have included professors from St. Mary’s University, the University of St. Thomas, and St. John’s University; parish priests; Catholic TV and radio personalities; and nationally-known authors and apologists.

The five talks per year are given on Sundays at 3:00 pm, alternating between Sacred Heart and St. Joseph parishes. Some talks address basic Church teachings—e.g., the Eucharist, Christian Marriage, Marian dogmas, etc. Others focus on issues that are of contemporary interest or “hot topics”—e.g., End of Life Issues, Religious Liberty, Voting as a Catholic, etc.

This year’s series begins on Oct. 12 with “The Mass Explained,” presented by Fr. Michael Joncas, a well-known composer and artist in residence at the Univ. of St. Thomas, at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish Center in

Power of Prayer for Peace, cont'd from page 6

Bishop J. Kevin Boland, Diocese of Savannah Bishop Paul J. Bradley, Diocese of Kalamazoo Bishop Tod D. Brown, Diocese of Orange Bishop Robert J. Coyle, Archdiocese for the Military Services Bishop Bernard J. Harrington, Diocese of Winona Bishop Richard Higgins, Archdiocese for the Military Services

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, Diocese of Albany Bishop William F. Medley, Diocese of Owensboro Bishop Dale J. Melczek, Diocese of Gary Bishop William F. Murphy, Diocese of Rockville Centre Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, Diocese of San Angelo Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger, Diocese of Salina

October, 2014 w The Courier

SCS Celebrates Centennial Year of the Family Year with Open House cont'd from page 4 14 In the Diocese

St. Casimir’s School Press Release - Faculty, families and friends of St. Casimir’s School celebrated all that is good about SCS and their centennial year during the recent Open House on September 16th. The evening program was opened by Principal Joanne Tibodeau who introduced the school’s youngest members, the three- and four-year-old preschool students.

These energetic children were confident and full of smiles as they sang “Father I Adore You” for their appreciative audience. Following the preschool students, the kindergarten through eighth grade students led a rousing song and action number of “Oh How Good is the Lord!” during which audience participation was mandatory. Although a number of the middle school students were absent due to sporting events, it’s always a good sign when extra chairs need to be set up to accommodate an appreciative audi-

ence. As the only parochial school in Faribault County, St. Casimir’s School continues to fill an important need in the community for those families seeking a Christ-centered education for their children just as it has done for the past 100 years. This centennial year promises to be a year filled with blessings and excitement—not only for the school children, but to all who value Catholic education as an alumni member or as a supporter of the school. We’ll be sure to keep the community apprised of future events so that all can share in the joy of this celebratory year.

Himself in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately in an individualistic and relativistic society, it is difficult for many to believe that God exists – even harder for them to recognize that He calls us to be part of His life.

As we consider the very foundation of the family, the human person, and as we celebrate Respect Life month, it is fitting that we recognize where our human dignity comes from: “The root reason for human dignity lies in man’s call to communion with God. From the very circumstance of his origin, man is already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God’s love and constantly preserved by it; and he cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and devotes himself to his Creator.” – Gaudium et Spes, 19 Being created by love, the human person is called to love. This love gives purpose and shape to all aspects of human life, including the family. Next month we will examine what it means for us to be created in God’s image and how that points to the family. *A preparatory catechesis for the World Meeting of Families is available at http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/

Insuring a child early offers them advantages that multiply over time.

Talk to your local sales representative today.

A real Catholic United family, the Haus family, Kimball, MN

Single Premium Youth Term Life Insurance for your child or grandchild (Membership Example - Ages 15 days to 15 years old)

Premium $170 one-time payment

Coverage Policy face amount is $10,000

Protection Coverage lasts through age 25

Guaranteed Convertible up to $50,000 of permanent insurance

Membership Includes $300$500 scholarship eligibility*

Donation $25 to religious education or Catholic school

Sara Bartosh, FIC (507) 329-2942

Jeff Plank, FIC (507) 457-0413

Adrian, Heron Lake & surrounding area

Wabasha & surrounding area

Roger Reitmaier, FIC (507) 454-4979

Kevin Downie (507) 202-5304

Mike Matuska

Susan Stenzel

FIC, LUTCF

CHFC, LUTCF, FIC

(507) 345-1324

(507) 282-1793

Red Wing, Cannon Falls Hampton

Mankato, Le Sueur

Jamie Hansen, FIC (507) 459-2669 Winona & surrounding area

catholicunited.org/youthtermlife 1-800-568-6670

St. Charles, & surrounding area

Rochester, Adams

Form 08SPYT-1. Parents must be beneficiaries. Convertible to up to $50,000 in permanent coverage without further evidence of insurability. *Membership includes eligibility to apply for post-high school tutition scholarship available to members (minimum of 2 years).

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.

October, 2014 w The Courier

Joy of Life, cont'd from page 5 been going on here at our center. I know of many babies who are here today as a result of being offered an ultrasound during their early stages of development.

This summer we will celebrate our 200th baby born through our center. We cannot thank God enough for each of their lives and the way they will impact our world. Thank you for all you, and the Knights of Columbus, have done to help us make that a reality for so many. Please share this update with your fellow Knights and give them my most sincere appreciation.

Andrea Kullmann, Executive Director This is a true testimony that the Joy of Life continues and an affirmation of the life saving work of the Knights of Columbus.

Traditional Latin Mass 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.

bine talents for a 2 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 4, at Page Theatre. The Chamber Singers will perform works by Dr. Patrick O’Shea, Tomas Luis de Victoria, Hans Leo Hassler, and Thomas Tallis, and the Concert Choir will perform works by Ludovico Viadana, Stephen Paulus, and Moses Hogan. Both choirs are directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea. After a brief intermission, the Saint Mary’s Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will feature Bandscapes

by Sy Brandon. Percy Grainger’s beautiful and familiar Irish Tune from County Derry will round out the concert. A reception will follow. Tickets to both performances are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the Saint Mary’s Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.smumn.edu/ tickets. Tickets are also available at the door.

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/ 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 New Feminism Conference in DOW embracing the call of the 125th Anniversary Celebration to bring the Gospel to everyone, the Office of Faith Formation hosts a Conference day to understand the challenge of St. John Paul II to promote a “New Feminism” and the dignity of women, November 8 at St. Augustine in Austin. Register at www.dow.org/endow Calling all Men to the Father's Love!

Dear Catholic Man, This note is to invite you to a three day Ecclesia Domestica Retreat near Bricelyn, MN. For men 18 and older in the Winona Diocese and surrounding areas, its theme is "The Father's Love." From 9 a.m. on Friday morning October 10, to 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, October 12.

As you attend this retreat, you will KNOW of the Father's boundless love for you! Every session will ring out with sound Catholic teaching, and faithfulness to the teaching authority of the Church.

Surrounded by passionate Catholic men, hear major presentations by area priests including Fr. Greg Lief, Fr. Tom Niehaus, Fr. Jason Kern and Fr. Jerry Mischke. The Ecclesia Domestica Retreat will be held at Prairie River Camp, 52792 80th St, located about 3 miles north of Bricelyn, MN. (Prairie River Website). The retreat fee of $150 will cover room, board, and all meals. Feel free to bring personal snacks, or a treat to share with all. No matter where your walk has taken you, expect the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver graces into your life.

15

Events in the Diocese

St. John the Baptist, Minnesota Lake will serve its Fall Turkey Supper on Sunday, October 5 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Church Hall.

St. Mary’s Church, Winona offers a Mass for Life and Marriage on the first Tickets are $9 adults, $5 children 10 and under, preschoolers are free. Menu includes: turkey, Thursday of the month, at 5:15 p.m. dressing, potatoes and gravy, salad and desserts.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona will host the monthly Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Take out meals available. Country Store will feaMarriage, and Religious Liberty on Saturday, Oct ture baked goods, garden produce and crafts.

St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. after the 8 a.m. Mass.

75th Annual Fall Festival on Sun, Oct 5. Turkey Gather in the Adoration Chapel.

Dinner, Egg rolls, Tamales and other great Mexican Prayer Vigil and Public Witness against Abortion Semcac Clinic is a delegate of Planned Parenthood – food, Big Ticket Raffle, and more! Contact the the nation's leading abortion provider. Please consid- Parish Center office at St Francis of Assisi Catholic er joining a local group from 3-4 p.m. each Tuesday Church at (507) 288-7313, www.stfrancis-church. in front of Semcac at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona for an org.

St. Mary's Parish, Minneiska hour of prayer. Contact: Will Goodman 608-698-7443.

Church Breakfast starts with Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, MCCL will offer a brief prolife presentation on Sunday, Sept October 12. A Texas-Style French Toast Breakfast 14, 2 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester. including sausage, apple sauce and coffee, milk For more information, visit the Events-Fall Tour sec- or juice will be served from 9:30 a.m. until Noon.

Adults - $6, children age 6 and under - $3. We are tion at www.mccl.org. having a bake sale and a raffle drawing at 12 p.m.

Life Chain St. Mary’s, Ellsworth Sunday, October 5th is Respect Life Sunday and Fall Dinner!

Sunday, October 5, Serving from 4 - 7. marks the 27th anniversary of the National Life Chain. Pro-lifers in more than 1500 cities across the Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, dinner country will gather to pray for an end to abortion bun, relishes and desserts. Quilt raffle, country store, big ticket prizes, gift baskets and grocery cart give-away.

St. Peter’s, Hokah SUBMISSION for the calendar Annual Roast Beef & Dressing Dinner!

Sunday, October 11, Serving from Please note: submission deadline 4 - 8 p.m. Adults (dining room and is the 10th of the month prior to the Carryout) $10, Children (6-12, dining month of publication. All submissions room only) $5, & Children (5 and under, must be sent electronically on our webdining room only) FREE. Tickets sold site: at the Hokah Co-op, Hokah Hardware and St. Peter's School Office. On Oct. 11 www.dowcourier.org tickets sold at the doors only. Don't foror by emailing: get to visit St. Peter's School Country Courier@dow.org Market.

SUBMIT and by the deadline in order to assure St. Catherine’s, Luverne receipt and inclusion in the Events YOUR Fallfest '14! Saturday, November Calendar. Though not all events will fit, 8. Saturday Vigil Mass 4 p.m.

EVENTS! we strive to include as many events as Children’s Event 5 - 9. Adult Event possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff at Blue Mound Banquet Center at 5. Dinner served at 6:30, $25 ticket. in our country and to witness to the over 55 million Menu: Apple & Cornbread-Stuffed Pork Loin lives lost to abortion. Everyone is welcome to attend with Roasted Apple Gravy or Almond Crusted Winona’s Life Chain from 2:00 to 3:15pm. Please chicken Breast with Honey Thyme Sauce St. Mary's Parish, Rural Geneva meet at the corner of Huff and Broadway Streets (at Windom Park) or Huff and Sarnia Streets. Signs will Annual Soup and Pie Supper, Sunday, November be provided. For more information, see www.life- 2, Serving 4 -7 p.m. Beef Vegetable Soup, Chicken Noodle, Chili, Bean with Ham, Country Bread, chain.net or call Kathy at 507-313-6880..

Crackers and Assorted Pies, Coffee, Milk and Rosary Rally Join the St. Louis Fraternity of Secular Franciscans Lemonade. Free will offering. All you can eat! in praying the Rosary for an increase of faith in Delicious Homemade Supper! St. Mary's Parish, families and throughout the world. Church of St. from Geneva: East on Freeborn County 35, turn John the Evangelist, Rochester on Oct 11 at 11:45 south on County Road 30, go one mile, the church a.m. Meet us in the Peace Garden which faces is on the right.

“From the Pew to the Polls” – The Minnesota Mayo Clinic.

Catholic Conference will be speaking at St. Theodore Catholic Church Parish Events in Albert Lea on October 9 at 6:30 p.m.; and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato on October 21 at 6:30 p.m. Challenge yourself to Immaculate Conception Church of rural think about politics in a new way and receive Kellogg will hold their annual fall dinner on Sunday, new, Minnesota-specific tools to help you make October 5. A chicken and ham dinner will be tough, informed decisions about the elected offiserved Family Style from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other cials you support. Event and materials are FREE. activities include: Big Ticket raffle, bake sale, Good will donations accepted. Visit http://www.

Country Store, basket raffle, and grocery cart mncc.org/ and click on “Events,” or call 651-2278777 for more information. raffle. Take-outs will be available.

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.

The Saint Mary’s For events at Assisi Heights, check out their site: Concert www.rochesterfranciscan.org and click on “What’s Band and Happening/Events.” For more info, call Angie Grimm Choirs at 507-280-2195 or: ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org. will com-

Action with Prayer

October, 2014 w The Courier

October, 2014

16

• The Courier

Call to Be Catholic, cont'd from pg. 13

Ahlquist (American Chesterton Society), and Fr. Tad Pacholczyk (National Catholic Bioethics Center).

This year’s national speaker will be Chris Stefanick, whom Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has called “one of the most engaging young defenders of the Christian faith on the scene today.” His talk, “Raising Holy Kids in the Digital Age,” will be at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 15, 2015, at Sacred Heart Parish Center.

“We are thrilled to sponsor someone of Chris’s talent and notoriety,” says Joe Stiles, a Sacred Heart (Owatonna) parishioner and chairperson of the speakers committee. “In fact, we are doubly blessed because in addition to speaking on Sunday, Chris has agreed to conduct a daylong high school retreat on Saturday, March 14, for diocesan youth.”

Dan Bauer, the REP director in Owatonna, expects a big turnout from across the diocese for Stefanick’s youth retreat. “Chris is a high profile type speaker,” Bauer remarks. “He addresses over 50,000 teens, young adults, and parents every year around the world. Many of our young people are familiar with him

Meet Our Seminarians cont'd from page 8

How do you feel living at the seminary now? “My time here so far at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary has been such a blessing. I was both nervous and excited before arriving here.

However, once everything started up, I found it very easy to get to know my fellow brothers. Although we all come from different backgrounds, we all share the same goal: to grow in our love and friendship with the Holy Trinity.”

Do you have any advice for your people discerning their own vocations? “My advice to anyone thinking about religious life is to GO FOR IT! It’s a “win-win situation”; the worst case scenario is you leave a better man or woman, who has learned how to pray well and knows how to become truly closer to God.”

from his presentations at World Youth Day, Steubenville North conferences, and the like, as well as from his popular blog (realifecatholic.com/blog).”

Other speakers and topics for the upcoming year include Peter and Theresa Martin (Nov. 9) on “The Synod on the Family”; Dr. Greg Sobolewski (Jan. 11) on “Vatican II—50 Years Later”; and Fr. Jason Kern (Feb. 8) on “Evangelization in the Parish—Starting with the Person Next to You.” All programs are free of charge, but a free will offering is suggested.

For additional info, call (507)451-4845 or (507)451-1588; or go to CatholicsOfSteele.org and click on Community Events.