Witness Testimony: Dennis Kunkle,
St. Joachim, Plainview
Through
almost 20 years of working in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry I have formed a lot of friendships. Some of them started in the Together in Faith meetings; others were formed in planning meetings for certain events. During these meetings, I was able to learn better ways to prepare Catechists as teachers for our young people. In planning events such as Camp Summit, I have seen youth grow Closer to Christ on our high school Fiat team and the middle school youth in attendance. I have also seen some of these young people go off to work for Totus Tuus, become priests, deacons, sisters, and work for other churches. This makes me proud, but most have become parents who are raising children who now come to Faith Formation and Youth Ministry events all over southern Minnesota. For me, the Appeal has been there to help me share my love for my faith and the Church, but also it has helped me to grow Closer to Christ!
February, 2015 w The Courier
L
“ et us live the truth in love and grow in every way into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love.” [Ephesians 4: 15-16] In this Scripture passage, St. Paul is describing how each of us has been given unique gifts. We grow in these gifts and receive even more when we open our hearts to grow Closer to Christ. Entering into this intimacy with Christ allows room for the Holy Spirit to reveal to us our authentic selves. Through such grace, we clearly see what Christ, the head, has blessed us with – time, talents and treasure – to build the body, the Catholic Church, up in love. Closer to Christ, the theme of this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal, is fitting during this time in our history when our culture is telling us that religion is not important. The work of the Church is still important and we draw Closer to Christ, knowing that we are called by Him to continue His work. Christ is, after all, the head of our Church and the embodiment of who we are as Catholics. He offers us an infinite amount of love and mercy that flows from His Most Sacred Heart. We are strengthened through Him to go forth and lead others Closer to Christ as we come together as one Church. The good works made possible through the Appeal create opportunities for thousands of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Winona to draw Closer to Christ in their lifelong journey of faith.
The Catholic Ministries Appeal financially supports vital ministries in these key areas: Youth and Young Adult Ministry Life, Marriage and Family Vocations Discernment Parish and Clergy Services Mission Advancement
Lay Formation Faith Formation Catholic Schools Community Outreach Evangelization
Read the Witness Testimonials to see the direct impact your gift makes as YOU lead others Closer to Christ through your generosity. You can also visit the website to read a full Appeal-Funded Ministries report.
APPEAL WEEKEND IS FEBRUARY 21/22 2015 Goal = $2,060,000
www.catholicfsmn.org/Appeal All gifts will be used solely for the restricted purposes of the 2015 Catholic Ministries Appeal. The Appeal supports specific ministries and programs of the Diocese of Winona and other Catholic organizations. The restricted purposes are identified specifically on the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota website.
Witness Testimony: Marcie Cowan, St. Columba, Iona
I
first met Fr. Will Thompson when he came to our tri-parish to celebrate Mass and promote vocations in our diocese. I went up to him after Mass and mentioned a young man I thought would be a great priest. Fr. Will has visited with him on numerous occasions. Since then, I have worked a TEC retreat with Fr. Will, and participated in Intermission, Steubenville North, and attended our area youth Masses where Fr. Will preaches about vocations. He educates all in attendance about how to discern if God is calling you to the ordained and religious life. Being able to have contact with the Diocese of Winona Vocations Director and his accessibility is crucial in the formation of many youth on their journey to grow Closer to Christ. The Catholic Ministries Appeal makes this possible. Without it, many may be missing the call of the Lord.
February, 2015 w The Courier
February, 2015
• The Courier
Witness Testimony: JoAnn Biren, St. Columba, Iona
The
Institute of Lay Formation w a s a gift to me when I was in need of moving more deeply into my faith life. I wanted to become Closer to Christ through the teachings of the Catholic Church. The classes did just that. That didn’t come without disagreement, dialogue and discussions that gave me a way to look at a ministry that broadened my perspective, from my Church to our Church. We knew we could speak our mind with the captain of our ship, Todd Graff. We did so without ridicule as he steered us on the right course. We were safe among people who shared our faith and that gave us strength to go back to our parishes and work with others to bring them the joy that we came to know as our Church. It is important for all of us, from west to east, to give support to the Catholic Ministries Appeal so programs like the Institute of Lay Formation can continue to lead Catholics on a journey of faith.
11x17Poster_2015Appeal.indd 1
Witness Testimony: Shawn Hernandez, St. Francis of Assissi, Rochester
1/15/2015 1:22:18 PM
When I was first introduced to ENDOW, and the idea of a “New Fem-
inism”, I was struck by the information, and I craved to learn more about what the “feminine genius” was. I wondered why I had not learned about it before. It was as if someone had sparked something in my soul and it spread like wild fire. Since then, I have gone to ENDOW talks and the New Feminism Conference, which have helped me to draw Closer to Christ and the Blessed Mother. My journey has taught me how beautiful the creation of “woman” is. Women are the Crown of the creation of God. A woman is the most beautiful yet the most complex being that God created. My experience with ENDOW has been a life-changing one. This is why it is so important to donate to the Catholic Ministries Appeal, so programs like ENDOW can keep running. ENDOW helps every woman realize her immense beauty and deepen her relationship with Christ.