2015 December Issue of The Courier

The

COURIER

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

Advent: a Journey Towards Horizon of Hope “For the great human family it is necessary to renew always the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope!

This is the horizon that makes a good journey,” Pope Francis said addressing the crowds in St. Peter’s Square.

“The time of Advent that we begin again ... returns us to the horizon of hope, a hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the Word of God. A hope that does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful!” the Pope emphasized.

The time of Advent that the Church celebrates in preparation for Christmas, explained the Pontiff, is “a new journey of the People of God with Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us in history towards the completion of the Kingdom of God.” “Let us rediscover the beauty of being together along the way: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and the whole of humanity, the people, the civilizations, the cultures, all together on the paths of time.”

“But on the way to where?” queried Pope Francis.

In the Old Testament, the People of God journeyed toward Jerusalem where the temple of the Lord was, “because from there, from Jerusalem, came the revelation of the face of God and His law.”

At the fullness of time, however, “revelation found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, and the ‘temple of the Lord’ became God himself, the Word

www.dowcourier.org

Humanum Conference

The three-day Humanum colloqiuim, which took place November 17 - 19 hosted by the Vatican in Rome, had as it's focus the complementarity of man and woman.

"The Complementarity of Man and Woman: An International Colloquium is a gathering of leaders and scholars from many religions across the globe, to examine and propose anew the beauty of the relationship between the man and the woman, in order to support and reinvigorate marriage and family life for the flourishing of human society.

"Witnesses will draw from the wisdom of their religious tradition and cultural experience as they attest to the power and vitality of the complementary union of man and woman. It is hoped that the colloquium be a catalyst for creative language and projects, as well as for global solidarity, in the Complementarity of Man and Woman, cont'd on pg. 16

made flesh.”

It is the Lord himself who guides our journey, the “pilgrimage of all of the People of God; and by its light even the other peoples can walk towards the Kingdom of justice, towards the Kingdom of peace.”

“What a great day it will be, when the weapons will be dismantled in order to be transformed Horizon of Hope, cont'd on pg. 14

INSIDE this issue

St. Casimir School in Wells: Saints go Visiting

more on page 13

Rediscovering Womanhood more on page 10

Pope Francis is Coming to the World Meeting of Families! find out how you can join him on page 4

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

2

Pope: break down the stigma burdening those with autism

Articles of Interest

They Will Know By Our Love…

page 4

Pope to Attend World Meeting of Families

page 4

Diocesan Pastoral Planning page 5 Vatican City, Nov 22, 2014 Instilling Courage in Young People page 6 (CNA/EWTN News).Pope A fruitful time for the Christian steward page 7 Francis has said autistic disorSigns from God

page 8 ders are nothing to be ashamed The Saints, the Seasons, and Our Coming King page 9 of, as he encouraged everyone to build solidarity to Pope Francis kisses a baby at a Pontifical Council Rediscovering Womanhood page 10 for Health Care conference on autism Nov. 22, ensure that autis2014. (Petrik Bohomil / CNA) tic persons are Is There Room in your Inn? page 11 not isolated.

“Everyone should be committed to promoting acceptance, encounter ACE Collaborative Continues page 12 and solidarity through concrete support and by encouraging renewed hope,” he told participants in his Nov. 22 audience with autistic persons and their families. Through this support, Together in Faith page 12 he said, “we can contribute to breaking down the isolation and, in many cases, the stigma burdening people with autism spectrum disorders, and just as often their families.”

SCS Saints go Visiting page 12 Pope Francis addressed participants in a conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Health Care to discuss the topic of autism spectrum disorders.

Cotter’s first Annual Founder’s Day page 13 Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, manifesting within the first three years of life.

It is characterized by impaired social interaction, as well as impaired verbal and non-verbal Perpetual Vows as Dominican Sister page 13 communication.

The congress, titled “The Person with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Animating Hope,” Family, Community & Participation page 14 drew 650 experts from 57 countries around the world to talk about the broad array of topics related to the disease and its treatment.

In his address, Pope Francis said that persons affected by autism spectrum disorders Officials represent “an area that appeals to the direct responsibility of governments and institutions, without of course forgetting the responsibility of Christian communities.” He encouraged The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: everyone to play their part in constructing a culture of encounter and solidarity in which no one affected by the disease, including their families, are left isolated.

Pastoral Appointments: The Pope stressed the importance of accompanying autistic persons and their families Rev. Shawn J. Haremza, appointed to serve a 5-year tparochial vicar of Resurrection in a personal way by listening to their needs, which “arise from the depths of a pathology Church, Rochester, to be parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Rochester, effecwhich, all too often, struggles to be properly diagnosed and accepted without shame or tive November 9, 2014. withdrawing into solitude.”

Pope Francis advocated for the creation of an “on the ground” network of support and Bishop's Calendar services that are both comprehensive and accessible for persons affected by autism spectrum disorders.

Conference Meeting, St. Paul December 2, Tuesday These services, he said, should not only involve the parents of persons with autism spec7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary Chancery, St. Paul trum disorders, but also grandparents, friends, therapists, educators and pastoral workers.

University 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Presbyteral December 4, Thursday By their involvement, these people can “help families overcome the feelings, which can 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary Council Meeting sometimes arise, of inadequacy, uselessness and frustration.”

2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. - Deans Meeting University The Roman Pontiff thanked the families and associations who are already doing much, 5:30 p.m. – St. Vincent de Paul 1 p.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s as well as those who offered their testimonies during the conference. “Moreover, I want to Advent Soup and Bread Supper, St. Cabinet) encourage the hard work of academics and researchers, so that they may discover therapies Francis of Assisi Church, Rochester 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting and support tools, to help and heal and, above all, prevent the onset of these conditions as soon as possible.”

December 5, Friday December 3, Wednesday In addition to his previous appeals, the Bishop of Rome encouraged everyone to respect 11 a.m. – Minnesota Catholic 6:30 a.m. – Lauds and Mass at and give attention to the rights of the patients, as well as their needs and potential, so that the dignity of each person might be safeguarded.

Child Abuse Policy Information He closed his audience with prayers for all who are sick, for their caretakers and for all health care workers, before invoking the protection of the Virgin Mary.

Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Read the full article: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-break-down-the-stigma-burdening-those-withInformation autism-32815/ 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.

December, 2014 w The Courier

Hopefully, Prayerfully Awaiting Dear Friends in Christ,

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn prayerfully await the day the Lord will return in

before God in judgment.

When we look back during Advent and remember his first coming, when he was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. We are also inviting Christ to come in mystery into our hearts in a deeper way.

Though there are no Christmas decorations in our churches during Advent, the sights and sounds of Christmas surround us everywhere else. In the hustle and bustle, we must remember to take time for prayer and reflection.

Just as we prepare our homes with decorations and baking to receive Christmas guests, we must also prepare our hearts to be a place welcoming to our Savior.

A great mystery of the first Christmas was that the Messiah’s birth went largely unnoticed.

Nobody recognized Him. The world missed Him. The world passed Him by. The world ignored Him, so much so that He was actually born in a manger, in a stable.

Christ comes to us in mystery every day and we usually miss Him.

One of the reasons for this is that Christ comes to us in a very soft, gentle, unassuming, and everyday kind of way. He comes in a prayer whispered or a smile exchanged. He comes in bread and wine changed into His very Body and Blood at Mass.

He comes in His Word in the Scripture. He comes in the cry of a baby and the countless other helpless individuals who cry out for help. He comes in the meal shared or in a tear dried. He comes in worn rosary beads and in those sacred words of absolution. He comes in forgiveness exchanged and a second chance given. He comes in water poured in baptism or vows exchanged in marriage. He comes in an imperfect Church in a struggling world.

Dear friends in Christ, today and every day is born a Savior, and He is Christ the Lord. He is waiting for you in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. He is waiting to forgive you and embrace you in the confessional. He is waiting for you to come see

him in Adoration so He may flood your heart with the love of God. Advent is about slowing down, prayerful waiting, patient waiting. I guarantee that you will have time for prayer if you speak to the Lord during a walk outside or when driving a car or by simply turning off your cell phone. St. John the Baptist reminds us to “prepare the way of the Lord.” If you prepare the way of the Lord and observe Advent there will be joy in your heart, instead of anxiety and fatigue over too much shopping and celebration come the great Feast of the Incarnation.

This is such a mysterious gift, that the Son of God became one of us and took upon himself our humanity to redeem us. Advent is a way to open us space in our hearts for prayer and quiet gratitude. On these December days, when daylight is less, I am also reminded to get my life in order, to prepare to meet the Lord when he calls me home

3 From the Bishop

A Time of Preparation Advent means “coming” and, simply put, Advent is the season when we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is a time to look back and remember his first coming, when he was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. And yet it is a season to also

glory at the end of time!

In his Letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle exhorts us thus: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances.... May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thes 5:16-18; 23). St. Paul refers, in the first place, to this second coming of Christ. The very fact that the conclusion of the liturgical year coincides with the beginning of Advent suggests that “the beginning of the time of salvation” is in some way linked to the “end of time.” This exhortation typical of Advent always applies: “The Lord is at hand!”.

During November, several times we heard Jesus speak about the end of the world, and how important it is to be prepared. I am reminded of the parable that He told about the seven wise and the seven foolish virgins. The message was the same – be prepared for you do not know at what hour you will stand

Bishop, cont'd on pg. 5

Bishop's Calendar cont'd Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona 11 a.m. – Campaign for Clergy Committee Meeting, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Winona December 6, Saturday 4 p.m. – Mass and installation of Fr. Michael Cronin as pastor, St. Ann Church, Janesville and St. Joseph Church, Waldorf December 7, Sunday 11:30 a.m. – Mass at Madonna Towers, Rochester 5 p.m. – Vespers and Dinner with Christian Brothers of the Midwest at the Cathedral, Winona December 8, Monday 12 p.m. – Mass at Saint Mary University – Patronal Feast – Immaculate Conception – St. Thomas More Chapel December 9, Tuesday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary University 10 a.m. – Record Christmas Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona December 10, Wednesday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Curia Day with Bishop Quinn 4:45 p.m. – Vespers and Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona

December 11, Thursday 7:45 – 9 a.m. – Teaching, St. Mary University 11 a.m. 1 p.m. – DOW Foundation Board Meeting 6 p.m. – Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Federal Correctional Institute, Waseca December 12, Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Advent Day of Recollection with DOW Priests and Deacons, St. Joseph Church, Owatonna December 13, Saturday 4:30 p.m. – Holy Hour, Vespers, Dinner, and end of semester skits at Immaculate Heart of Mary

Seminary, Winona December 14, Sunday 10:30 a.m. – Rededication Mass at Saint Gabriel Church, Fulda December 15, Monday 2 p.m. – Theology Final Exams at Saint Mary University December 16, Tuesday 6 p.m. – Saint Mary University Christmas Dinner, Winona December 17, Wednesday 10:30 a.m. – Advent Anointing Mass at Callista

Court, Winona December 18, Thursday 1 p.m. – Holy Hour (Bishop’s Cabinet) 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 7 p.m. – Diocesan Review Board Meeting, Rochester December 19, Friday 6:30 p.m. – Mass with Filipino Community, St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester December 21, Sunday 8:30 a.m. – Mass at Saint Mary Parish, Winona 10:30 a.m. – Mass at Saint Mary Parish, Winona December 24, Christmas Eve 9:30 p.m. – Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona December 25, Christmas Day 10:30 a.m. – Mass at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona January 2, Friday SEEK 2015 FOCUS Conference, Nashville, Tennesee January 3-9 Annual Region VIII Bishops’ Retreat December, 2014 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

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They Will Know We Are Christ’s Disciples By Our Love…

Towards the end of the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John we are presented with a new commandment. Jesus says: “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

For the past two months during our “Year of the Family,” we have offered a brief catechesis of the family. We have identified that the mission of the family is to love (which is also the theme of the World Meeting of Families). It was also pointed out that that by loving one another, the family most perfectly images God who, as Trinity, is a communion of Persons. The vocation to love is not only meant within our immediate family, but it is also to be extended out to all our brothers and sisters that we meet each day.

As we enter into the beautiful Seasons of Advent and Christmas, a lot of focus will be on gift-giving, and rightly so. Let us not get trapped by the world’s insistence that the gifts we give must all be purchased. Pope Francis has warned that if we are not careful, our relationship with money can be likened to the golden calf of our age.* To give a gift is to recognize the love that we have for another, but this can be done in more ways than one! Some of the fondest memories we have of our childhood Christmas celebrations are not the gifts we received, but the love that we felt. This love can be felt through meals shared or the laughter and joy of games played around the dining room table!

Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow.org

However we spend this Christmas Season, let’s make sure we take time to truly be with one another.

As parents, we mustn’t forget our spouse! Taking time to be together is not “taking time away from the children,” but instead, it is the best thing you could do for them! In properly loving one another we are educating our children in the way to truly love and we are also enhancing who they are at a deeper level. When a child experiences their parents’ love for each other, they recognize the same love that brought them into existence, and which points to the goodness of their own existence. Again, not every gift for our spouse needs to begin at the jewelry store! A romantic dinner could be prepared and shared when the kids are in bed, a gift certificate for a massage could be given; what is most important is that we truly give of ourselves in a thoughtful, meaningful way. It is important to recognize the way in which your spouse receives love. For some, time alone where the two of you just talk would mean the world! For others, a personal gift which uniquely fits them and shows the amount of time and care taken would be best.

Finally, during this season of giving, let us not forget our neighbor.

We can bring Christ to others in many ways. Maybe as a family we can bake cookies and share them with someone who might not have a lot of visitors. Perhaps we could offer to help put up lights or a tree for someone who is elderly. If we are open to it, we will recognize countless opportunities that will show others that we are Christ’s disciples! *Evangelii Gaudium, 55

Pope Francis confirms his Attendence at the World Meeting of Families Pope Francis formally announced his intention to attend the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, set to be held September 22-27, 2015.

This visit will mark his first to the United States as The World Meeting of Families – pope. He will be only the fourth reigning Pontiff to visit our nation in its history.

Philadelphia 2015 Official Prayer The Diocese of Winona is organizing a pilgrimage God and Father of us all, to the World Meeting of Families. Please contact in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, Peter Martin if you are interested: pmartin@dow.org you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel.

Pope Francis greets Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philidelphia at the Humanum colloquium. At the end of his opening address to the colloquium, the Holy Father confirmed that he will be attending the World Meeting of Families hosted in 2015 by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love. through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

December, 2014 w The Courier

For the World Meeting of Families 2015, artist Neilson Carlin was commissioned to create an oil painting of the Holy Family depicting Mary, Joseph and Jesus, as a small child, as well as Mary’s parents, Saints Anna and Joachim. This definitive iconic image seen below.

Diocesan Pastoral Planning: Vision 2016 Update This month Bishop Quinn will receive a final draft of the pastoral plan VISION 2016 for our diocese. This draft has been prepared by a clergy planning subcommittee and reviewed by the Presbyteral Council and others. It distills over two years of study and conversation at the local and deanery level, including clergy and lay representatives. After his review, the draft will be published in The Courier in February, for study and informed comment from our whole diocese. Local planning meetings will then take place at the deanery and cluster levels, from February through December of 2015, in the hopes of finalizing the plan by spring of 2016. This will be an important moment for parishes and clusters to provide input for our diocesan future.

Interestingly, at the same time we have been working on Pastoral Planning, the Archdiocese of New York presented their pastoral plan for reorganizing their archdiocese. As has been our goal in the Diocese of Winona, their goal was to create parishes that are even more alive, vibrant, stable and strong. Like them we need to make certain that our resources are being used properly as good stewards of the gospel.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, wrote in his column in Catholic New York on October 30, that the archdiocese had “too many parishes” in areas that once had “huge” Catholic populations that have since moved away. Cardinal Dolan said the archdiocese could no lon-

ger staff all the urban parishes and acknowledged that the mergers might inflict deep emotional pain on the parishioners who will lose beloved churches that some have attended faithfully for decades. The Cardinal said, “Let me be candid: There will soon be a real sense of grief at some of our parishes as we get set to announce publicly what we’ve been preparing for the last five years, namely, the merging of some of our beloved parishes,” he wrote.

“In a few places, there might even be a feeling that something has died.”

We have a similar trend in many parts of our diocese, especially in our smallest rural communities. Many Catholics have left the farm and the small town. Meanwhile, more Catholics have stopped attending Mass and participating in parish life. Young, single people also tend to be less churchgoing, at least until they marry, have children and begin attending Mass again with their families, according to Mark Gray, a senior research associate at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. “There are not enough people in the pews to justify the cost of maintaining the worship space,” Gray said. “Another factor you have to be concerned about is the fewer number of priests that there are for these parishes. When you have a situation where you have one priest responsible for two or three parishes, it

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

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

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

Bishop,

In the Diocese

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

5

becomes pretty demanding.”

Our Winona Diocese pastoral-planning process has encompassed over two years of study and consultation between parishioners, priests, deacons and religious. It will continue through the promulgation of VISION 2016 and into the future. In fact, planning will be ongoing into the future as we strive to be an active, engaged Church, and pass on our faith. Guided by the Holy Spirit, clergy, religious and laity alike are asked to enter a time of discernment around the mission of the Church, and together with Bishop Quinn create a dynamic, life-giving vision for our future.

Pastoral planning is built on consultation and dialogue that leads to action. All Catholics are invited to be a part of the conversation that creates our future as well as lending their gifts to living out our mission together. All of us are called to participate fully in the life and mission of the Church. This mission of the Church is rooted in the mission of Christ who commanded everyone – clergy, religious, and laity – to, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Matt 16:15). Please continue to pray for our pastoral planning process!

continued from page 3

after death. When my life is over, I will meet the Lord and, one day, at the end of time Jesus Christ will return in glory and transform all of creation.

It is a beautiful custom to have an Advent wreath in our homes and to light the candles that remind us of the ever closer Feast of the Incarnation on Christmas. Try doing it before the evening meal and, after lighting the candle, pray for people by name, for peace, for your priests, for the sick, for vocations and for me. If you don’t have an Advent wreath, just use four candles. Light them every evening and spend a few minutes in prayer. Watch the light from these candles grow as Advent progresses, and the light leads us to the joy of Christmas.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Once again I met with my brother bishops of the United

States, as we do every November, for three days for prayer, discussion of matters of pastoral concern, and to identify priorities. These meetings follow a plan that was set as a four year plan (2013-2016) with the focus on strengthening marriage and family life, faith formation and Sacramental practice, affirming the life and dignity of the human person, and supporting religious liberty. This year we discussed matters of worship and liturgy, healthcare directives, and concern for the poor and immigration reform. The bishops approved several liturgical items, including revisions to the liturgy of the hours and a revision of guidelines for the celebration of the sacraments with persons with disabilities. We also approved to pursue a revision of the section of the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health care Services” on collaboration with non-Catholic

health entities, and advanced a cause for canonization.

Immigration The discussion of immigration and immigration laws in our country continues to be a very hot topic. My prayer is that we are able to move forward in our ability to see the person of the immigrant, to take a moment and notice the humanity of that individual, of that family. Let us be guided by the words of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew, “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.

Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison Bishop, cont'd on pg. 9 December, 2014 w The Courier

6

Instilling

Courage

Youth & Young Adults

“When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, “It is a ghost.” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:26-27 I think many young people today can relate with the disciples in this passage. Sometimes encountering Jesus and following him can be scary! When faced with the decision to follow Jesus we ask ourselves many questions like: How will my life change?

What will this cost me? Is it worth it? The fact of the matter is that fear is often what paralyzes us as Christians, especially in the youth culture. Every young heart has a deep desire to live fully, but the weight of our culture and the enticement of sin often keep us from moving toward Jesus.

Now I’d like to take a moment to finish the passage from above: “Peter said to Him ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened; and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him”. Matthew 14:28-31 Peter’s witness here is a great example for our young people.

While the world will often tell us to “Stay in the boat where it’s comfortable,” true love of God propels the heart to “Get out of the boat, even if it’s scary.” Peter had the courage to follow Jesus, even when his senses were likely telling him otherwise. I truly believe that the young people in our homes, our communities, and Ben Frost our Church desire this Director same courage, but are bfrost@dow.org often anchored to the boat by their families, friends and communities who present the faith as superficial or unimportant.

The good news is that our first Pope Peter has some great pointers to share with our youth. Here are a few: 1. Let love conquer your fear. It was his love for Jesus that gave Peter courage. Don’t be afraid to deepen your love for Jesus

December, 2014 w The Courier

in

Young

People

2. When you fall, call out to Jesus! Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, but in his distress he called out for Jesus to save him. When you fall into sin and take your eyes off of Jesus remember that he “Immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him.” Jesus will do the same for you. Don’t be afraid of Jesus when you fall down. Get back up!

3. You are meant to walk on water! Isn’t it beautiful to think that Peter was so fully alive in this moment that he did the impossible? You are also meant to be fully alive and we call this sainthood. Know that you were created to be a saint!

4. Don’t be afraid to change the world! Peter and the early Christians had the courage to go out and share the news of Jesus. Young people – don’t be afraid to do the same. We need courageous followers of Christ who go out to bring hope to the world. We need courageous saints who seek out the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized, to infuse light into the darkness. You can do it!

When all is said and done, it comes down to a choice. We each are presented the grace to be fully alive. The good news is that the Holy Spirit will never stop pursuing our hearts, and as St. Augustine said so beautifully, “our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.” Take courage young people! Be fully alive! Be a saint!

The Season of Advent: A fruitful time for the Christian steward Each year, we marvel at the irony of it: a time to honor and ponder God’s great mystery, the Incarnation, some-how falls prey to a time of stressful shopping, endless “to do” lists, strained checkbooks, and guilt over what’s not getting done.

Sometimes those non-stop Christmas tunes begin to grate on our senses.

How does the Christian steward answer this challenge to devote time to reflection and prayer while incorporating the best and most fruitful of our cultural traditions into this festive season?

One suggestion would be to set aside a special time of reflection right at the beginning of Advent for determining what our priorities for the season will be. Set aside an hour and begin by rereading the Christmas story in the Gospel of Saint Luke. Ask God to help you know what is the most generous and beneficial use of time in God’s service during this season. Ask for help in setting aside time for prayer each day. Don’t be afraid to cross things off your “must do” list if they add stress to what should be a peaceful time.

Only you and God can determine the best use Probably nothing challenges a Christian stew- of your time. For instance, some people find ard’s use of time as much as the seasons of Advent annual Christmas cookie baking a reflecand Christmas. tive, creative time and a wonderful way to share. For others, it’s a self-imposed Stewardship Prayer burden and a surefor December fire way to a messy kitchen and a calo-

Come Lord Jesus!

Make us good stewards of Advent. Strengthen our faith; calm our fears.

Come Lord Jesus!

We hear John the Baptist’s cry. Open our hearts. Give us the humility to repent.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Let us walk in your light! Show us how we prepare your way; and make straight your paths.

Come, Lord Jesus!

We give you thanks and praise, for the shining star and angelic host, for Mary and Joseph, good stewards, both.

Come, Lord Jesus!

We rejoice and are glad!

For the Good News you bring and God’s glory you revealed.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Amen!

rie overload. Likewise, that extra party may be just what someone needs to unwind and commune with friends while for another it may be the gateway to exhaustion or a temptation to overindulge in food or drink. Ask God which traditions are life-giving for you, and be bold enough to leave the others behind.

“I just don’t have time,” is the frequent lament of the holiday season.

But the Christian steward is aware that we all have the same amount of time, and to each is given an opportunity of returning the first fruits of that time back to God. The season of Advent offers just such a grace-filled opportunity.

May this Advent and Christmas Season bring you and your loved ones much joy and happiness.

7 Mission Advancement

Dear God, Help us to be good stewards of these Advent days. In this precious time of hope-filled waiting, help us to seek you more intentionally and more often. Teach us to look for you in the faces of the needy we will be invited to help and the lonely ones we may be called to accompany in new and unexpected ways. Help us to be still now and then, even in the midst of our busyness, and see you in the beauty of Your creation - in the shimmer of sunlight on snow or the crytal blue of the desert sky. Each morning, may we wake, knowing you love us and rejoice that you have given us another day in which to share our lives and our blessings. Each night, before we close our eyes, may we remember to thank you for the gifts and graces of the day. Make us mindful of your presence, Lord, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of your Son. In his Holy Name, we pray.

Amen.

Joel Hennessy Director jhennessy@dow.org

YEAR END

TAX SAVINGS

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AS 2014 COMES TO AN END, SO TOO DOES THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE INCOME TAXES FOR THE YEAR. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS Give before the end of the year and reduce your income taxes. Review your gifts to date to ensure you have given to the causes important to you and in the amounts you intend. Now is also a good time to make sure you have proper receipts and documentation.

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Now might be the time to get that eye exam or other medical procedure you have been delaying.

MORTGAGE INTEREST You can pay your January mortgage payment early and add to your mortgage deduction this year. Just check with your accountant on how to do this, especially since the number you report

might differ from what your lender sends on Form 1098.

STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Call your accountant now to ask what state and local taxes may be paid in 2014 that will reduce your federal income taxes for the same year.

Alternatively, if delaying payment may help you, discover the best strategy.

INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING After determining your taxes for 2014, work with your accountant to see if you should adjust the withholding on your employer’s W-2 Form.

STAY UP-TO-DATE Check our website and subscribe to our newsletter, which will give you additional tips and ideas, especially if Congress passes new laws at the end of the year that will affect your taxes.

If you have questions, contact your tax advisor or call or e-mail us for more ideas on how to save money on taxes.

December, 2014 w The Courier

8

Signs from God

Vocations

In a familiar passage from Isaiah (7:10-14), which was read last year on the fourth Sunday of Advent, God asks Ahaz to request a sign. Ahaz, however, responds with false piety by saying “I will not ask, I will not tempt the Lord!” Isaiah does not let this response stand and declares: “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and you shall name him Emmanuel.” At Christmas, you may hear the reading from Luke 2:1-14 when the angels tell the shepherds the fulfillment of this prophecy: “This will be a sign for you. You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

It seems clear from this that not only does God work through signs, but seems to prefer to do so. After all, if I receive a sign, then I know what God wants, right?

Perhaps.

When discerning a vocation, it is not uncommon for someone to seek a sign. We need to answer two questions: What is the sign I seek and what does it mean? When God asked Gideon to go into battle (Judges 6:36-40), it was clear, but Gideon wanted a sign. He first requested that a fleece be covered

Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@dow.org

in dew while the ground remained dry.

Done. Then he reversed the request, asking that the ground be covered in dew while the fleece remains dry. Done again.

Did Gideon need the sign? No, but in our humanity we like to have assurances.

Often when we seek signs, they are meant to reinforce what we already know. We also tend to select a random sign (why a fleece?) and assign meaning to it. Gideon could have just as easily thought that if the fleece was first wet then dry, then he was not supposed to go into battle.

Nevertheless, he was strengthened by the sign to know God’s will for certain.

We can request a sign for ourselves, but sometimes we need signs to help others to believe. Such was the case when Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, asked St. Juan Diego to build a church at the location where she appeared. In order to convince the local bishop, Castillian roses blossomed out of season and he brought them, as a sign, to the bishop. After showing the roses, the additional sign of the image of Our Lady appeared on his tilma, which is still venerated at the Basilica today. It was the double sign that convinced the bishop that St. Juan Diego had in fact been visited by Our Lady.

Sometimes we can miss the real sign. In Matthew 16:1-4, the Pharisees and Sadducees asked for a sign from heaven. Jesus replies that they can read the weather, but not the signs of the times. Besides, Jonah is only sign that will be given. Jesus makes it clear: the sign has come and gone, but anyone who has access to reading about Jonah can make a connection between the three days Jonah spent in the

belly of the whale and the three days Jesus would soon spend in the tomb. Sometimes when we seek signs, we have missed what God has already shown us. This is why entering prayerfully into Mass is so important; we are constantly being reminded through signs of how much God loves us and the hope for eternal life we have in God. The ultimate sign that God gives us is the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. The Father continues to pour out the sign of His love through the Holy Spirit, the Sacraments, Scriptures, prayer, and in many other ways. Our challenge is to find a balance between Ahaz’s overly-pious rejection of a sign and Gideon’s ongoing desire for confirmation of God’s will. What is the sign you seek? Is it of your own making, or is it rooted in Jesus Christ?

What does it mean? Do we interpret an invitation into ourselves or a deeper movement into God? Ask for a sign, but not by following the example of the Sadducees and Pharisees. Ask to see Jesus, and listen for the meaning of the sign in the deepest core of your heart where the Holy Spirit abides.

Obituaries

Fr. Charles J. Quinn

Father Charles Quinn entered into eternal rest on Monday evening, November 10, 2014 at Sanford Jackson Hospital in Jackson, Minnesota.

Charles Joseph Quinn was born on November 4, 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of William Edward and Lily Ann (Hale) Quinn. At the age of two his family moved to Madelia where he attended Mather Dolorosa school and graduated from Madelia High School in 1952. He worked at his Uncle’s grocery store for one year and then attended St. Mary’s College in Winona, graduating from there in 1957. He December, 2014 w The Courier

continued his seminary training at the St. Paul Seminary being ordained a priest on May 27, 1961. He served parishes as an associate pastor in Caledonia, Lewiston, Austin, Rochester and Worthington.

He was pastor in the towns of Iona, Avoca, Caledonia, Mabel, Eyota, Austin, Heron Lake, Brewster and Lakefield, Windom, Jeffers, Jackson and Sherburn. He became a Senior Priest in 2004 and has lived in Sherburn since. As a Senior Priest, Fr. Quinn continued to serve the diocese by filling in for other priests. During his 53 years of ministry, Father served as Area Director, on the Presbyteral Council, Consultors and Director of Faith Formation. He loved boating on the Fairmont lakes, Okoboji, attending sporting events and celebrating events in people’s lives.

Those who shared in his life include his sister, Patricia Borowski of Fairmont, Minnesota, his brother, Tom and wife Jane Quinn of Mankato, two sisters-in-law, Colleen Quinn of Augusta, Georgia and Kathy Dea of

Denver, Colorado, many parishioners who made him part of their family and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Mike Quinn and John Quinn, brother-in-law, Bob Borowski, nephew, Bill Quinn, one great

nephew, David Borowski and other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers family wishes memorials be made to St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Mercy Health Center in Jackson, MN or St. John Vianney Catholic School endowment fund.

Unfortunately, due to space limitation we are unable to print all obituaries. To honor those who have given their lives in service to God and our diocese, please continue reading online at: dowcourier.org

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Musings on the Saints, the Seasons, and Our Coming King es of their lives, but in our own. And, even in the greatness and beauty of their lives and witness, they remain our sisters and brothers in Christ. How blessed we are to be part of this family of faith!

And, then, as we move into late November, our civic calendar marks the Thanksgiving holiday. This is my favorite civic holiday of the year. With its emphasis on gratitude for the many gifts and blessings of our lives, it resonates well with our Christian calling and values. And, of all such civic holidays, it remains the least commercialized (although Christmas shopping is now intruding even into Thanksgiving eve).

Recently in our daily liturgy, we read the gospel account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus (Luke 17:11-19). As we know well, only one of the ten returned to give thanks. In a rather sobering reflection on this gospel reading, Fr. Michael Casey challenges us to heed its message in the midst of a culture which often leads us in a different direction: In this age of entitlement, we take for granted that we have a right to have our needs fulfilled and our wishes granted. Few of us think it extraordinary that we have a roof over our heads, a warm bed to enfold us, and a full stomach to sing us to sleep. Yet for millions of people on the planet, such conditions would be a cause for high jubilation. We are so accustomed to getting most of what we want that we are progressively losing the gift of being grateful. The result is that we make ourselves miserable by concentrating on what we lack. We are so highly skilled in counting our grievances that we are fast becoming a culture of complaint. (“Give Us This Day,” Reflection for November 12th / https://www.giveusthisday.org/) Pope Francis, in his very down to earth and direct way, reminded us of this same need to be grateful in a homily given last fall: “If families can say these three things, they will be fine: ‘Sorry,’ ‘Excuse me,’ ‘Thank you.’ How often do we say ‘thank you’ in our families? How often do we say ‘thank you’ to those who help us, those close to us, those at our side through-

out life? All too often we take everything for granted ... These are essential words for our life in common.” (Homily given in St. Peter’s Square on October 13, 2013) And, finally, returning to the church’s calendar, we conclude the liturgical year by celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King.

It is a profound reminder of whom we owe our truest love and deepest fidelity to – the One who has saved us not through worldly power and force, but by the humblest act of sacrificial love. This is our King, the Crucified One who offered his life to save ours from the bonds of sin and death.

How can we honor our great King and Lord? To be grateful – for the gift of our lives and our many blessings. To be forgiving – in the face of hostility and hurt. To be loving – seeking to reach out and heal the

Todd Graff Director tgraff@dow.org

wounds of our loved ones and of our broken world.

These profound days and feasts then invite us into a new season of hope and expectation. Advent beckons us to watch, to wait, to hope, and to prepare our hearts for the coming anew of our God whose love reaches from the heavens to embrace us in the mystery and miracle of the Incarnation. “The King shall come … And life to joy awakes.” Deo Gratias!

Bishop, continued from page 5 and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Let us see Christ in the persons around us. Let us not miss the opportunity to welcome the stranger, to help feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We are all pilgrims on this earth on our way to our heavenly home.

Let us continue to pray for healthy, loving solutions to immigration reform and that the dignity of each person always be upheld.

World Meeting of Families What wonderful news to hear that Pope Francis will make his first trip to the United States for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia! Sponsored by the Pontifical

Council for the Family, the theme for this event is “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” The patron Saints for the event are St. John Paul II and St. Gianna Molla.

The meeting will take place September 22 – 27, 2015. I understand that our diocese is organizing a pilgrimage to the event and you can contact the Office of Life, Marriage & Family for details, and I urge you to consider attending! There are also many families in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who have graciously opened their homes to pilgrims. Visit the website (worldmeeting2015.org) for the many details. What a joy filled event this will be!

May God bless you family during these Seasons of Advent and Sincerely in Christ,

Lay Formation

I treasure this time in the calendar and in the church year. It is so rich. We begin November with the beautiful feasts of All Saints and All Souls. This was my first celebration of these feasts since my father passed away last December. It made the liturgies and prayers of these days more poignant and even more personally meaningful.

It was a great consolation to reflect on the Communion of Saints, and to hope and to pray that my father is joined with holy women and men throughout the ages in an eternal communion of love with our Creator. And, also, to know that I remain joined with him in a bond that goes beyond time and the physical world.

I came across a beautiful reflection on the saints recently by the author and filmmaker, Gerard Straub. He writes: For a Christian, the essential meaning of holiness [is] … being like Christ. But the manifest goodness on full display in the lives of the saints grows out of love. Their love of God is so strong, so deep that their lives pulsate with God’s love and goodness. Saints are icons of holiness.

Saints make holiness real; they show us holiness is possible. Saints are also fully human…, not pious plastic statues. They are not perfect; but they allowed the love of Christ to transform their weaknesses and imperfections into something beautiful. To study the lives of the saints arouses within us a response, a desire to imitate real examples of holiness. The good news is we don’t have to be another St. Francis or another St. Clare. We simply need to become the saints we were uniquely created to be. (http://gerrystraub. wordpress.com/) As we move through November, we encounter and commemorate some of these great saints whose feasts we celebrate – Saint Martin de Porres, Saint Charles Borromeo, Saint Martin of Tours, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Saint Albert the Great, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Saint Cecilia, and others.

All are great witnesses to the holiness Mr. Straub describes, and inspire us to deeper love of God and neighbor – not in the circumstanc-

9

and your beautiful Christmas!

Sisters Elizabeth Mary (left), 79, Carolyn (center), 99, and Bridget, 96, have together devoted more than 200 years to religious life—sharing their time, their faith, their love.

A lifetime of prayer and service unites them with more than 35,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious.

Many worked for years for small stipends, leaving their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift helps furnish medications, nursing care, and more.

Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

Retirement Fund for Religious www.retiredreligious.org Over 93 percent of donations aid senior religious.

To donate: National Religious Retirement Office 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington DC 20017-1194 Make your check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious.

Or give at your local parish.

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

Photo (left to right): Sister Elizabeth Mary Knight, ASCJ; Sister Carolyn Capobianco, ASCJ; Sister Bridget Esposito, ASCJ.

December, 2014 w The Courier

10

Rediscovering Womanhood

the great gift and privilege of being a woman

Faith Formation

For most people, it was just another Saturday, but for the women Affirming the truth that has been crying attending the Diocese of Winona’s first annual women’s conference on out from their hearts, they can let go of the New Feminism, it was a moment. Have you ever had a moment? When chains of society’s view and embrace their something occurs in your life that womanhood, a great gift from God. changes your perspective, that “Everything has changed God brought everyone together – all ages, influences your mind and heart in all states in life, all celebrating the privilege for me. God has healed a profound way? A certain talk, a my heart in such a deep of being a woman! What a gift it was to hear scripture verse, a conversation, a Sr. Marie Paul Lockerd, RSM share about how way. Please keep sharhike in the wilderness, a pilgrimthe cycles of fertility in a woman’s body were ing! Please keep having age, the birth of a child, the death important even for the consecrated religious more events like this!” of a loved one – it is a moment woman! She offered the insight that when a when it’s as if God touches down and imprints that experience into our consecrated woman offers the gift of her very hearts and we are forever changed. self to God, the fertility and emotional cycles I was overwhelmed by God’s work at the conference. I am truly hum- are not lost on her, but instead become an bled to be a small piece of this proclamation of the great dignity of wom- aid to her spiritual life of prayer, service and anhood. We had our plan for the day and God had His. I had hoped that living out her spiritual motherhood in the we could share the truth about womanhood, counteracting the negative world. attitude towards the feminine in our culture, and that this would be an I would like to thank all those who helped educational conference. God had other plans. to make this such a meaningful day! Thank Truth in Christ is not to you – all of you! – who prayed for us throughbe underestimated. Jesus out the planning process and the day itself! promised, “If you remain in Thank you to all who attended the conferTheresa Martin my word, you will truly be ence! Thank you to Tisha Frost our M.C, Leah Jacobson and Eileen Love, our speakers, and Endow Coordinator my disciples, and you will those who came to share their ministries with women! Thank you to the women from Endow@dow.org know the St. Augustine parish who selflessly served the conference attendees all truth, and “I was bitter and angry day! Thank you to those from the pastoral center who helped pack bags the truth coming here, and I just and folders! Thank you to Sr. Paul Mary, director of the Office of Faith will set had to tell you, I found Formation! Thank you to Bishop Quinn, without whose support these my joy of motherhood events would never take place! And a great thank you to our Almighty you free.” (John 8:31-32) To be set free is a powerful moment! again! Thank you so Women are under pressure to redefine themselves in a secular view.

God – His Word continues to set us free in truth. much!”

They are told they must be more assertive, be successful in their careers, We will definitely have more events in the future, including a Lenten use contraception, control and discipline their bodies, and work against retreat day for women! Indeed, I am in awe of you. You set aside time to those nurturing, maternal inclinations. It’s a heavy chain to bear when you are trying to seek God in your busy lives. You take time to encourage one another and bring the truth change yourself to fit another’s standard. to your friends. You live out your daily lives in hope and knowledge of this truth. This is not What freedom came when women heard the truth of their great dignity as women! easy! We all face struggles every day in the mundane tasks. We could choose to be burdened by the challenges, and find an “easier way.” Yet, we choose Christ!

We choose to follow Him and we find hope in the challenges and beauty in our femininity. We have set the course; we are putting our hands to the plow and not looking back. In Christ alone do we find our truth of ourselves, let us never lose sight of His face! Let us always seek to find His will for our lives, as women, as daughters of the King!

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Is There Room in your Inn?

the magnificent Feast of the Nativity. It is a time of penance, however, because we must strive to ensure that we are properly disposed to receive such a gift as the gloriousness of His presence in our hearts. This time of penance should hopefully be a time for each of us to stop in the hustle and bustle of what the world says this season is about and pause for a moment to ask ourselves how we are actually preparing our hearts for the Lord. Do we just fit Him into our schedule – or is He the center

of everything we do?

So, this Advent, I pose to you a challenge.

At the end of each day ask yourself, “If my heart were in Bethlehem, would there have been room in the inn for Jesus today?” Or would your inn have been too full? Would your inn have been one of those that the Holy Family travelled to and begged for entrance, but was, with disappointment in their eyes, turned away?

As you take on this challenge, each of you - every person reading this article and every person in the Diocese of Winona - will be in my prayers throughout this season. May your heart be opened in a special way this Advent season to await the glorious arrival of our Lord on Christmas Day and every day in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. May your inn, and mine, always have a room open for our Lord.

11 Faith Formation

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! “Advent” comes from the Latin word for an "arrival" or "coming", meaning that the Lord is coming. During this season, we await when Jesus Christ, our brother in our humanity and our God in His Divinity, is about to arrive. This arrival occurs in different ways. Jesus entered history at a specific point in time in the city of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. The Lord will also come again to judge the living and the dead at the time of the Second Coming (the Parousia), and He also comes to us through the sacramental life of the Church. We physically receive Him each time we receive the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. In each circumstance, we must be prepared and ready to receive Him. Advent is a season of both joy and penance. It is a season of joy, because there truly is nothing more joyful to be imagined than that of our Lord taking on our humanity and coming to earth as a tiny baby to be held in the arms of His Beloved Mother, and knowing that it is all for the salvation of our souls. I cannot think of anything more beautiful this side of heaven! So we joyfully look forward to

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

Celebrate the Faith throughout December!

Our faith is not something that should be put on a shelf and reserved only for Sundays.

Let’s live our faith! As Saint John Paul II said, “God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.” Here are some ways that you can spread some of that joy throughout the month of December by focusing on the tremendous beauty we have in our Catholic Faith: the Communion of Saints, our Blessed Mother, and most especially in Her Most Holy Son Jesus Christ!

Dec. 3 – In honor of the feast of St. Francis Xavier, pray for missionaries throughout the world who work to spread God’s word to all that they meet. You could also see what your family could do to help those who are currently doing missionary work – donate, send a care package, etc.

Dec. 6 – Celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, a third-century bishop who was known as a miracle worker and a giver of secret gifts, with surprises for people you love – fill your children’s shoes with small gifts or wrapped candies while they’re asleep – or give a surprise gift for someone who is lonely, or a surprise donation to a favorite charity.

Dec. 8 – Today, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we honor Our Lady who was conceived without sin. It’s a holy day of obligation, so plan to attend Mass. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is also the patron Saint of the United States of America, so you could pray for her intercession in a special way for our country.

Dec. 9 & Dec. 12 - Have a Mexican themed dinner with roses as decorations to celebrate the feast days of St. Juan Diego (Dec. 9th) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12).

Dec. 13 - To celebrate the feast of St. Lucy, a fourth century martyr whose name and feast day are associated with light, it’s a great day to light candles and ask St. Lucy to pray for your special intentions. You can also make St. Lucia buns (many recipes are available online – or just use refrigerated cinnamon roll dough), or create a circular wreath out of the dough, which is often known as St Lucy's crown (It is said that St. Lucy wore a wreath on her head with candles in it to light the way as she brought food to the poor).

Dec. 23 – In honor of St. John Cantius, patron Saint of teachers, students, priests and pilgrims, say a prayer asking the Lord through the intercession of St. John Cantius to bless both a teacher and a priest in your life who each have had a special influence in your life.

Dec. 25 – The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) – Go to Mass, and celebrate the coming of the Lord by receiving the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. You could also have a birthday party for Jesus; my mom would make Jesus a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus every Christmas morning and it is still one of my favorite Christmas memories!

Dec. 28 – To celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, brainstorm with your family things you can do to live more like the Holy Family. Plan to do at least one by the following week. What a beautiful tradition it would be to start praying together each day that you become more like the Holy Family.

Dec. 28 – In honor of the Feast of Holy Innocents, choose an activity that will help babies, such as donating to a crisis pregnancy center, praying for babies in danger, or even just spending time with a special baby in your lives.

Advent Activities!

• Create a “Jesus Stocking” - Each night write notes recounting a good deed or act of penance from that day. Gather them all and put them in a stocking with Jesus’ name on it that hangs on the mantle. On Christmas morning, hopefully Jesus’ stocking is full of gifts for Him. • Go look at the Christmas lights, focusing on Jesus as the Light of the World who brought light into the darkness.

• Visit a nursing home – you could even sing Christmas carols there!

• Have special Sunday Advent dinners: You may not have the opportunity to do something special every DAY of Advent, except maybe a special dinner time prayer; but each Sunday you could have a special “Advent Dinner.” Include a story / devotion/short activity and light the new candle for the week.

• Go to the Sacrament of the Penance. Attend a penance service or go to confession and take advantage of the opportunity to cleanse your soul in preparation for the coming the Lord.

December, 2014 w The Courier

Catholic Schools

12

ACE Collaborative Continues Professional Curriculum Development for Winona Diocese Catholic Schools

The question raised is why do we invest The second visit from ACE our time and resources in curriculum writCollaborative, instructed by ing? We pride on our excellence in Catholic Dr. Tom Doyle, University school teaching. Studies have shown that of Notre Dame, was held many students are apathetic because they Wednesday, November 5 in find school unchallenging (Pintrich and Rochester. The curriculum DeGroot, 1990; Harter, 1981); annual surprocess seeks to strengthveys of high school students confirm a en curriculum, instruction, sense of boredom (2009 High School surand assessment by collabovey of Student Engagement). In a January ration among all teachers 2013 poll Gallup found that while 80% in the Diocese of Winona of students said they were engaged with Catholic Schools. school while in elementary school, only Step 1: The first step 40% of those answering felt the same in the curriculum process, when in high school. Middle-schoolers fell writing team/department in the center of both extremes with 60% outcomes, is completed. engagement.

The outcomes articulate Research notes the impact of effecwhat all students will be tive teachers and effective schools. able to do at the broadest level, which The University of Notre Dame released is the end of a sequence of courses or Administrator Deb Beach and teachers Laura Cooper and Katie Daschner research findings based on a two- year grades. The outcomes entail standards working on UND curriculum development. effect study on student achievement of that require more than one year to accomschool and teacher effectiveness with stuplish, focus primarily on skills, and are the dents entering school at the 50%. The responsibility of the entire team (grades K-2, 3-6, 7-8, and 9-12). The outcomes constitute a “floor” and not a “ceiling” of stu- research reported average teachers in an average school yield a student at 50%. Most effective schools with most effective teachers yield at 96% compared to least effective dent achievement.

Step 2: This second visit, Dr. Doyle instructed teachers on writing course outcomes, teachers at 37%.

New standards challenge students to greater achievement and principals and which are presently being developed by all teachers in the Catholic school system.

The course outcomes articulate what all students will know and be able to do by the teachers to create highly effective schools with highly effective teachers! In addition end of one specific subject or course. They will focus on content knowledge and skills. to writing new curriculum standards for our Catholic schools, tenants of the Catholic It will span one subject per year and will build on the team/department and course faith will be integrated into each of those standards. What a gift to our Catholic school outcomes from previous grades. Once again, this is a “floor” not a “ceiling” of student students when these challenges are being met!

A special thank you to Jack and Mary Ann Remick for sharing Cascade Meadow achievement. The review of course outcomes begin by each grade level followed by the team’s determination that all students can meet the team/department outcomes Wetlands and Environmental Science Center with all of our teachers and adminisand the course outcomes. It is important that the course outcomes build on without trators who attended the ACE Collaborative Curriculum session. As well as sharing repeating team/department and course outcomes from previous grades. Also taken the facility, an opportunity for our schools to expand a partnership with Cascade into consideration is the progression of critical thinking levels with advancing grade Meadow’s to develop project-based units free of charge for students was offered.

Those opportunities include water monitoring, plant study, energy concepts, ecology, levels. The final step constitutes grade level agreement.

Step 3: The third curriculum session will be held on February 27, 2015. This session geology/hydrology, wetlands, and more. will refine unit concepts and unit goals of the process.

Together in Faith SCS Saints go Visiting Year three of Together in Faith was held October 20 at Loyola High School, Mankato.

The third year addresses the Third Pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Morality.

Sr. John Dominic, O.P. was the keynote speaker addressing Virtues.

Sr. John Dominic is a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist from Ann Arbor, MI. Sr. has developed the Disciple of ChristEducation in Virtue program.

This is a Christian curriculum structured on the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas regarding the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Sr. John Dominic also presented one of the three breakout sessions.

The other presenters

December, 2014 w The Courier

included Father Andrew Beerman speaking on the virtue of fortitude and Heather Lines, Rowland Reading presented on student differentiation.

Bishop John M. Quinn celebrated Mass with all of the Catholic schools teachers, administrators, Faith Formation directors and teachers, Youth Ministers, and RCIA Coordinators attending the event.

The program is designed to educate our Catholic administrators and teachers on the teachings of the Catechism and strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ in order to share their faith with the students they educate.

The kindergarten through third grade students of St. Casimir’s School in Wells recently paid a visit to the residents of Broadway Apartments to share their stories of Saints. In honor of All Saints Day on October 31st, these students learned a few facts about their favorite saint and dressed up as that special person. The little saints also sang several songs for the residents including their favorite song about angel hugs. Giving angel hugs to the residents, the students lightly flapped their “wings” on the resident’s back while giving a hug.

Following such a hug, one resident commented, “It’s been a long time since I got a hug like that!” The outing was a wonderful opportunity for some of our youngest area residents to spend time with some of our most experienced residents. The students would like to thank the new friends they The SCS students shared all the interesting things they know about their special saint. Saint Mary (Isabella Roberts) shares with James Hassing made at the apartand Saint Cecelia (McKenzie Roberts) with Martha Ignaszewski. ments for the warm welcome!

Cotter High School's 1st Perpetual Vows as Annual Founder's Day Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation

In the Diocese

The first annual Founder’s Day convocation celebration took place November 20 at 2:30 p.m. in St. Celilia Theatre on the Cotter campus. The Founder's Day included a short presentation on the life of Cotter and a ceremony to recognize several guests representing other people and groups who have contributed to the school over the years. Cotter president Sister Judith Schaefer said that the purpose of the event is to share with current Cotter students and the broader community more about who the school is named after. The saying ‘We are Cotter’ will have more meaning when the students “know a little bit more about who that is, and what a good person he was to model after.”

Bishop Joseph Bernard Cotter was the very first Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona. He would have turned 170 years old on November 19. Bishop Cotter was born in Liverpool, Great Britain on November 19, 1844 and ordained on May 3, 1871.

In the first days of Bishop Cotter's term (1889), there were 45 diocesan priests, 4 religious, 109 parishes/missions, and 19 parish schools. By 1909 there were 85 diocesan priests and 7 religious, 124 parishes/ missions and 28 parish schools. Bishop Cotter died on June 28, 1909 in Winona, MN. Cotter High School and Cotter Junior High School in Winona are named after Bishop Cotter. Two years after Bishop Cotter died, his successor, Bishop Patrick Heffron, dedicated Cotter School for Boys, naming it for the late bishop.

“We’re trying to have the students get in touch with his story so that they know they are the ones that carry that history into the future,” president Sr. Judith Schaefer said. She hopes that sharing Bishop Cotter's story will inspire the current students to carry his legacy and walk Take a Peek Post Card:Layout 1 10/6/14 4:09 PM Page 1 in his footsteps.

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November 24, 2014 (Nashville, TN) –Five young women made their perpetual profession of the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee on July 25, 2014. Among those making final profession was Sister Rita Marie Kampa, O.P., a former parishioner of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in the Diocese of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota.

Sister Rita Marie is the daughter of Charles Kampa, also a parishioner of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, and Kate Casper, a parishioner of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is a graduate of Brainerd High School and Saint Mary’s University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy.

After entering the convent, she received her licensure in Education through Aquinas College. She will teach Theology and History at Saint Benedict High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Mass for the Rite of Perpetual Religious Profession was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, Tennessee. The Most Reverend David R. Choby, Bishop of Nashville, was the principal celebrant, with the Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona, Minnesota and the Most Reverend Bernard J. Harrington, Sister Rita Marie Kampa, O.P. made Bishop Emeritus of Winona, Minnesota her perpetual profession of vows as concelebrating. The homilist was the a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia Most Reverend Hugh E. Gilbert, O.S.B., Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee on Bishop of Aberdeen, Scotland. Also July 25, 2014. assisting at the Mass were Reverend Jason Kern, Reverend Matt Fasnacht, and Reverend Andrew Beerman from the Diocese of Winona; Reverend Michael Wolfbauer from the Diocese of Saint Cloud; and Reverend Timothy Hepner, Reverend Daniel Gifford, and Reverend Joel Phelps of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois.

In addition to the sisters making final profession of vows, eleven young women professed their first vows in the Congregation of St. Cecilia on July 28, 2014. In 1860, the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia was established in Nashville, where its Motherhouse is located. The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are dedicated to the apostolate of Catholic education. The community of nearly 300 sisters serves in 34 schools throughout the United States, with mission houses also in Sydney, Australia; Vancouver, Canada; Bracciano, Italy; and Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland. In August of 2014, at the invitation of the local bishop, the community opened a house in the Diocese of Roermond, The Netherlands.

For more information on the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, please visit their website at www.nashvilledominican.org.

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

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

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Call to Family, Community & Participation We are social beings and why it matters

by: members of the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee

In the Diocese

The first principle of Catholic Social Teaching proclaims that all human life is sacred. The second principle, the call to family, community and participation, reminds us that not only is every human life sacred, but that we are also social beings. How we organize our society – in economics and politics, in law and policy – directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in society.

The most basic cell of society, of course, is the family. It is there we learn our values and the place God plays in our lives. It is where we are loved and learn to love in return. It is the initiation into life in society.

Although we may have a mental image of an ideal family, the reality is that modern families do not always consist of a father, mother and children who live in perfect harmony and bliss. When Catholic Social Teaching calls us to address and strengthen family life it is calling us to put the Good News of Jesus into practice, no matter the configuration of our family.

Within the family such practices would include caring for one another, practicing patience, kindness, and obedience, being present to each other, and praying together. One of the documents from the Second Vatican Council, “The Church in the Modern World”, says, “The family is where generations come together and help one another to grow wiser and harmonize the rights

of individuals with other demands of the social life”.

Pope Francis is very aware of the many problems that families are facing in our modern world which is why he held the Synod last month to discuss how the church might better respond to the needs and problems of families.

(A Synod is a meeting of bishops, representing all the countries of the world.)

Community is the second part of this principle. We each belong to various communities in addition to our family: professional groups, neighborhoods, church congregations, workplaces, schools and many more. In all of these God’s compassion is shown when a group of people who form community think of the good of the “we” rather than each one putting personal interests ahead of the common good. We might say that community is where persons give to one another.

Henry Nouwen likens our relationships in community to a large mosaic.

Some pieces look precious, others ordinary. Together they form the face of Christ. Even though our piece may seem very ordinary, without it the face of Christ is incomplete. St. Paul expresses it by saying, “We are the body of Christ”.

Participation is a common theme in many of the church documents related to social justice. It is not just a right we have but a requirement for a follower of Jesus. He asks us to be salt and light for the world. Through our participation in church and community efforts we are helping to build God’s kingdom.

Horizon of Hope,

cont'd from pg. 1

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into instruments of work!” the Pope reflected, “And this is possible! We bet on hope, on the hope of peace, and it will be possible!”

“The journey is never finished. Just as in each of our own lives, there is always a need to restart, to rise again, to recover a sense of the goal of one’s own existence.”

Mary serves as a “model of this spiritual attitude, to this way of being and of journeying in life.” Although she was just a “simple girl,” she “carried in her heart the hope of God,” explained the Holy Father. “In her womb, the hope of God took flesh, became man, and made history: Jesus Christ.”

Mary’s song of praise in the Magnificat “is the canticle of the People of God on the journey, and of all men and women who hope in God, in the power of his mercy.”

“Let us be guided by her, she who is mother, she is a ‘mama’ and knows how to lead us. Let us be guided by her in this time of waiting and active vigilance.” http:// www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ pope-francis-advent-is-a-journeytowards-horizon-of-hope/

Action with Prayer

Parish Events Immaculate Conception, St. Clair Winter Festival. "Celebrating St. Nicholas" on Sat. December 6. Christmas cookie and holuday treat sale. 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Prettiest Pie and Cupcake Contest! Deliver by 9 a.m. on Sat. 10 a.m. St. Nicholas Day Fun for Kids. Luncheon 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Raffle and more!

St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles Fr. John Ha Tran will be speaking on Dec 13 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. His presentation will be on Trust in God's merciful Eucharistic presence. There will include exposition of the blessed sacrament with a host that has miraculously received the image of Jesus.

Resurrection, Rochester hosts its Annual Holiday Bazaar Sunday, December 7, from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch starting at 11 a.m. Come enjoy a bake sale, silent auc-

For events at Assisi Heights: www.rochesterfranciscan.org and click on “What’s Happening/Events.”

For more info, call Angie Grimm at 507-280-2195 or: ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org.

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.

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.

15

Events in the Diocese

St. Mary’s Church, Winona offers a Mass for Life and Marriage on the first Thursday of the month, at 5:15 p.m.

25th Annual National Night of Prayer for Life You are invited to join us for this prayerful event on Monday, December 8 after the 5:15 Holy Day Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary’s Church in Winona. The Holy Hour will end at 7:30 p.m. It was on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (then celebrated on December 9th) that Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the unborn, first appeared to St. Juan Diego. The National Night of Prayer for Life bridges these two feasts to honor Our Blessed Mother and to pray for the sanctity of all human life. The National Night of Prayer for Life is a pro-life prayer service consisting of exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, prayer to St. Michael, silent prayer and hymns. Call Lynn at (507) 450-0112 for more information..

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

tion, kids games, bingo, craft room, the Vikings room, and so much more.

SUBMISSION for the calendar Immaculate Conception, Kellogg will host their 13th annual Christmas Please note: submission deadline Cookie Walk on Saturday, December is the 10th of the month prior to the 13 beginning at 9 a.m. Choose from month of publication. All submissions a wide variety of homemade cookmust be sent electronically on our webies and candies; purchase for $6 per pound. site: www.dowcourier.org Saint Mary's "Lessens and Carols" or by emailing: Courier@dow.org Service and by the deadline in order to assure The joyous and uplifting Christmas receipt and possible inclusion in the Events Calendar. service of “Lessons and Carols” will be presented by the Department of We thank you for understanding that due to space limitations, Music at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. not all events nor story submissions will fit; however, we strive to 6. The beautiful service, held in the include as many as possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff majestic Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, features the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, directed by Mary of Mount Carmel & the Diocese of Winona for Dr. Patrick O’Shea. “Lessons and Carols” reflects a Spiritual Conference on the Carmelite Charism on the Christmas story through several short Saturday January 10. Pope Francis designated readings, hymns and Christmas carols sung by 2015 as the "Year of Consecrated Life." Let us help the choirs and audience. Music includes famil- you explore religious life in the Church and learn iar carols and selections by composers from the more about the Carmelite Friars. Come and see if Renaissance to the present. The Chapel of Saint God is calling you to Carmel. Conference begins Mary of the Angels is located at Wabasha and Vila at 9 a.m. and includes Mass. To register: email streets in Winona. Tickets are $10 for adults and ocarmvoc@frontiernet.net or call the Carmelite $5 for students and seniors and are available by Vocation Office calling the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 at 845-344-2225. p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www. Annunciation pagetheatre.org. Tickets at the door are available Heritage: 1009 by cash or check only.

Oakland Ave Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka, Winona East. Austin. hosts its 16th Annual Holiday Concert, Featuring the “Blue Heron Consort” performTraditional Latin Mass ing an Afternoon of Medieval and Renaissance Sacred Vocal Music and Holiday Music, Sunday, Mankato, Ss. Peter and Paul, first Saturday December 14 at 3 p.m. The ensemble’s annual month, 9 a.m.

Christmas program is a Winona holiday tradition, recognized for providing Sacred Medieval Rochester (Simpson), St. Bridget, first and third and Renaissance music. The vocal ensemble will Sundays of the month, 1 p.m. feature a program of Sacred Music from the Wabasha, St. Felix, weekly. Saturday 8 a.m.

Middle Ages and Renaissance, Gregorian Chant, Chatfield, St. Mary's, Saturday morning, please Medieval Carols and other holiday music. The artistic director of the ensemble is David Lee check with the parish for the time.

Echelard. Suggested donation for the concert is $13 for adults and $10 for seniors.

A Healing Christmas Gift The Televised Mass If you or someone you love is grieving the loss of a child or children to abortion, come and Offered as a service for the homebound and elderly. Every experience the healing love of Jesus Christ on Sunday on the following stations: KTTC-TV, Channel 10, our weekend retreat. The next Rachel’s Vineyard Rochester at 9 a.m. KEYC-TV, Channel 12, Mankato at Twin Cities retreat is January 9-11, 2015. For 7:30 a.m. Donations for the continuation of this program more information contact Nancy at rachels@ may be sent to: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN rvineyardmn.org, call 763-250-9313, or see www. rvineyardmn.org.

55987.

St. John Vianney School Fairmont Thank you for your donations to the TV Mass Annual Dinner/Dance: Saturday, January 24.

Featured alumni speaker presentation, KC ticket raffle, basket auction, catered meal and dance For information or to purchase tickets, call the school @ 507-235-5304.

Spiritual Conference - Carmelite, Austin January 10. A prayerful day for men considering a vocation to religious life. In honor of our 125th Anniversary, join the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin

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. 507388-2995 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

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16

Complementarity of Man & Woman an International Colloquium, cont'd from pg. 1

work of strengthening the nuptial relationship, both for the good of the spouses themselves and for the good of all who depend upon them.

"The Colloquium is sponsored by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and co-sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity." (Humanum.it) Pope Francis addressed the conference at its opening saying, "I would like to begin by sharing with you a reflection on the title of your colloquium. ...

Christians find its deepest meaning in the first Letter to the Corinthians where Saint Paul tells us that the Spirit has endowed each of us with different gifts so that-just as the human body’s members work together for the good of the whole-everyone’s gifts can work together for the benefit of each. (cf. 1 Cor. 12).

To reflect upon “complementarity” is nothing less than to ponder the dynamic harmonies at the heart of all Creation ... This complementarity is a root of marriage and family. For the family grounded in marriage is the first school where we learn to appreciate our own and others’ gifts, and where we begin to acquire the arts of cooperative living ... At the same time, as we know, families give rise to tensions: between egoism and altruism, reason and passion, immediate desires and long-range goals. But families also provide frameworks for resolving such tensions. This is important. When we speak of complemenPope Francis addresses the Humanum International Colloquium on The Complementarity tarity between man and woman in this context, let us not confuse that term of Man and Woman, hosted by the Vatican in Rome, Italy November 17 - 19. with the simplistic idea that all the roles and relations of the two sexes are fixed in a single, static pattern. Complementarity will take many forms as each man and woman brings his or her distinctive contributions to their marriage and to the formation of their children — his or her personal richness, personal charisma. of the temporary, in which more and more people are simply giving up on marriage as a Complementarity becomes a great wealth. It is not just a good thing but it is also beautiful. public commitment. This revolution in manners and morals has often flown the flag of "We know that today marriage and the family are in crisis. We now live in a culture freedom, but in fact it has brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

"Evidence is mounting that the decline of the marriage culture is associated with increased poverty and a host of other social ills, disproportionately affecting women, children and the elderly. It is always they who suffer the most in this crisis.

"The crisis in the family has produced an ecological crisis, for social environments, like natural environments, need protection. And although the human race has come to understand the need to address conditions that menace our natural environments, we have been slower to recognize that our fragile social environments are under threat as well, slower in our culture, and also in our Catholic Church. It is therefore essential that we foster a new human ecology.

"The family is the foundation of co-existence and a remedy against social fragmentation. Children have a right to grow up in a family with a father and a mother capable of creating a suitable environment for the child’s development and emotional maturity. That is why I stressed in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium that the contribution of marriage to society is “indispensable”; that it “tranA screenshot from one of the six fascinating scends the feelings and momen15 minute videos from Humanum, all six of tary needs of the couple.” (n. which can be found at humanum.it.

66) And that is why I am grateful to you for your Colloquium’s emphasis on the benefits that marriage can pro- vide to children, the spouses themselves, and to society ... Do not fall into the trap of being swayed by political notion. Family is an anthropological fact – a socially and culturally related fact. We cannot qualify it based on ideological notions or concepts important only at one time in history. We can’t think of conservative or progressive notions. Family is a family.

It can’t be qualified by ideological notions. Family is per se. It is a strength per se.

"I pray that your colloquium will be an inspiration to all who seek to support and strengthen the union of man and woman in marriage as a unique, natural, fundamental and beautiful good for persons, communities, and whole societies.

"I wish to confirm according to the wishes of the Lord, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. Thank you for your prayers with which you accompany my service to the Church. Bless you from my heart."

Over 350 participants took part in the gathering in the Vatican synod hall, bringing together representatives from 14 religious traditions and 23 countries to uphold the beauty and wisdom of marriage in the face of efforts to redefine it.

A beautiful highlight of the event is that there are six 15 minute videos, which affirm the importance and valuable contribution of marriage. All of the films can be found on the site: humanum.it (http://humanum.it/en/videos/#humanum)