2015 August The Courier

The

COURIER

Assumption of Mary, August 15

August 2015

www.dowcourier.org

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

S teubenville: Limitless Local Man Becomes Priest for the Dominicans doubling the previous year’s totals. Our diocesan groups joined in on this momentum by organizing groups from east to west totaling more than 310 The Steubenville North Youth Conference participants, a new milestone for us.

The growing numbers for the event fit in which takes place in Rochester every July is always a highlight of the summer. When the nicely to this year’s conference theme, which conference first started in our Diocese six years was “Limitless,” taken from John 10:10 where it ago there were several hundred teens who says “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, gathered together for a weekend of faith. Each but I have come that they might have life and year since has seen more momentum and in have it to the full.” When we settle for limiting the past few years we have reached more than ourselves from the life and love of God, we find 1400 teens. As we prepared for the logistics of ourselves unfulfilled and even in the dark, but this summer’s conference, we were completely when we open ourselves to the limitless love of blown away by what unfolded before us. More God, it leads to authentic joy and happiness. All than 2500 Catholic teens and their leaders Limitless, cont'd on pg. 8 flooded into the Civic Center in Rochester, almost by: Ben Frost, Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adults

Washington – Fr. (George) Vincent Ferrer John Bagan, O.P., the son of the late Thomas Bagan and Claudette Bagan, is one of eight men ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Charles John Brown, for the Dominican Order, on May 22 at St. Dominic Church in Washington, D.C. Priestly ordination permanently sets a man apart for public ministry in the Church, specifically entrusting to him the responsibilities of celebrating Masses and hearing confessions.

Archbishop Brown, who serves as the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, ordained Father Vincent Ferrer through the imposition of hands and the Prayer of Ordination alongside Fr. Thomas More Garrett, O.P., Fr. John Maria Devaney, O.P., Fr. Boniface Endorf, O.P., Fr. Gabriel Torretta, O.P., Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., Fr. Charles Shonk, O.P., and Fr. Philip Neri Jordan Reese, O.P. Father Vincent Ferrer is a son of Sacred Heart parish in Waseca, Minn. He studied music at Son of the Diocese of Winona Ordained for the Dominican Order, cont'd on pg. 20

INSIDE this issue

Totus Tuus team membered killed remembering Zach Clark on page 9

People still do that? read about entering a convent on page 12

220 Attend #WomenBetrayed Rally read about the rally on page 15

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

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Fighting Human Trafficking – One of Pope Francis' Core Commitments

Articles of Interest

The Tenth Anniversary of “Co-Workers…”

VISION 2016: Summer 2015 Update Officials

Two Pillars of Our Stronghold

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page 5 pages 5 pages 6

by Andrea My Story of Medical Conversion pages 7 Gagliarducci. Vatican City, Jul 16, 2015 Horrific Video Reveals Business as Usual page 7 (CNA/EWTN News).Pope Francis has Remembering Zachary Clark page 9 been committed to combating human Evonne Seivert to Speak at WDCCW page 9 trafficking ever since he was Archbishop of ACE Collaborative Process Continues page 10 Buenos Aires, when he established an annual Pacelli announces 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame page 11 Mass for the victims of human trafficking. In a Hearts of Gold, Purple Tie Affair page 11 Sept. 23, 2011 homily, he stressed that “Jesus "People Still Do That?" Entering the Convent page 12 has not come to propose a theory Pope Francis delivers a General Audience address in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Jan. of freedom,” but rather “stands with 28, 2015. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA. Obituaries page 12 our brothers and sisters who live under slavery.” page 13 “We have been taught that slavery has been abolished, but you know what? Characteristics for Diocesan Priesthood It is not true, because in the city of Buenos Aires slavery is not abolished. In this page 14 city slavery is present in different forms,” the then-Cardinal Bergoglio said. And he The Loving Heart of a Mother gave as examples of exploited workers, and the women and children forced into page 14 prostitution, and thus deprived of their dignity. All these topics have been among The Vow of Chastity the core issues of his pontificate. The first time it was raised was during the speech page 15 Pope Francis gave on Dec. 12, 2013 to a group of ambassadors newly accredited to Women Betrayed Rally Brings Out Hundreds the Holy See. The Pope underscored that it is a disgrace that persons “are treated pages 16-17 as objects, deceived, assaulted, often sold many times for different purposes Anniversaries of our Permanent Deacons and, in the end, killed or, in any case, physically and mentally harmed, ending up pages 18 discarded and abandoned,” adding that the issue worries him very much. Then on Parish Social Ministry Helps Promote Justice March 5, 2014 he sent a message to the faithful in Brazil on the occasion of the Annual Lenten “Fraternity Campaign,” whose theme was “Brotherhood and human trafficking.”

Bishop's Calendar “It is not possible to remain indifferent before the knowledge that human beings are bought and sold like goods,” Pope Francis wrote. “I think of the adoption August 15, Saturday August 18, 2015 of children for the extraction of their organs, of women deceived and forced to 10 a.m.

– Sr. Paul Mary 10:30 a.m. – Mass at Sacred prostitute themselves, of workers exploited and denied their rights or a voice, and so on. This is human trafficking!”

Rittgers, Sr. Mary Elisha Glady, Heart Care Center - Austin The anti-human trafficking effort took an ecumenical angle when Pope Francis and Sr. Mary Josepha Kluczny signed an agreement March 18, 2014 with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, by profession of first vows – Alma, August 20, 2015 which the Church and the Anglican Communion will support an anti-slavery, antiMichigan 1 p.m. – Holy Hour human trafficking initiative, the Global Freedom Network. The agreement was 2 p.m. – Bishop’s Cabinet also underwritten by a Sunni scholar on behalf of the grand imam of al-Azhar Meeting University in Cairo. One month later, Dec. 2, 2014, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist leaders signed a Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery as a public statement of their commitment to work together in spiritual and practical action to eradicate this crime against humanity and restore dignity and freedom to its victims.

Child Abuse Policy Information In the mean time, the Pope had chosen the theme of the 2015 World Day of Peace, “No longer Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy slaves, but brothers and sisters,” thus making human trafficking one of the core issues of Vatican Information diplomacy during the year. Edited for space. Read complete article here: http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/Vatican.php?id=12377 The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 106 - 08

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Theresa Martin, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-454-4643 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: courier@dow.org Subscription Rates: $5 per year in the U.S. Parishioners in the Winona Diocese subscribe through their parish.

Periodicals postage paid at Madelia, MN Postmaster. (ISSN 0744-5490) Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior.

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August, 2015 w The Courier

compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow. org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Peter Martin, at 507-858-1264, or pmartin@dow.org.

Be an Image of Christ's Love Mary on her special feast!

Assumption of Mary, August 15 Mary is unique because not only was she free from original sin, Mary was taken up into heaven bodily when her life on earth came to a close. Due to her unique and unrepeatable role in salvation history, Mary was given the privilege of being

Annual Catholic Ministries Appeal Thank you for your support of the 2015 Annual Catholic Ministries Appeal either through prayer and/ or financial support. The Appeal provides the only financial support for many ministries within southern Minnesota. Thousands of lives are affected by the good work that occurs through these ministries.

If you have not had the opportunity to support the Appeal this year, I ask that you please consider a gift – any level of support is a true blessing.

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn free from original sin and given a full participation in the bodily resurrection of her Son, Jesus Christ.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a day to celebrate the special place she has in the history of salvation and to look forward to the day that Christ will raise all the faithful departed to share bodily in His resurrection.

What a joy to attend Mass and to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord and honor

Our Youth on Fire It was a great joy once again this year to join so many young people celebrating the Lord at the Steubenville North Youth Conference in Rochester last month! If anyone tells you our faith is dying out, send them to an event like this. Last year, there were 1,400 youth, this year there were over 2,500! We had over 300 youth from our diocese. They gathered at the Mayo Civic Center for three days of catechetical talks, daily Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Penance. The theme this year was “Limitless” and the speakers encouraged the young people to open their hearts to the limitlessness of God, which leads to authentic joy.

Thank you to all of our youth ministers and priests who sent their high school youth to the program and especially to all the priests,

who heard over a thousand confessions!

I was honored to celebrate Holy Mass at the conference and was inspired by all the young people who came forward when asked who was considering a call to ordained or consecrated life. Please continue to pray for our youth as they strive to live out their faith vibrantly in a challenging culture.

Supreme Court Ruling On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States of America announced that same sex marriage is legal in every state. This decision has far reaching consequences for our culture and is very divisive and disappointing.

The Church, however, will continue to teach and uphold the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman for the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. At the same time, the Church will always welcome and reach out to those who are same-sex attracted.

In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 12:12, he reminds the people “to rejoice in hope,” because the victory of Christ over sin and death is definitive and cannot be reversed. Our hope for a future, which is rooted in God’s plan for creation and redemption, will one day be accomplished. The mission of the Church is to proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ and we will do that with confidence and joy amid the challenges of a changing culture.

The Diocese of Winona

stands in solidarity with Catholic dioceses across the United States as well as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). As Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the USCCB,

Benedict XVI writes in Caritas in Veritate that "The Church forcefully maintains this link between life ethics and social ethics, fully aware that 'a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it

As a gift from God, every human life is sacred stated, “I encourage Catholics to move forward with faith, hope, and love: faith in the unchanging truth about marriage, rooted in the immutable nature of the human person and confirmed by divine revelation; hope that these truths will once again prevail in our society, not only by their logic, but by their great beauty and manifest service to the common good; and love for all our neighbors, even those who hate us or would punish us for our faith and moral convictions.”

Be not afraid, dear brothers and sisters in the Lord; Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33).

We are called to be holy, set apart for God in our daily lives. Love without hesitation regardless of another’s treatment of you or our faith. And as is my bishop’s motto, we must continue to rejoice in hope! for we are united in Christ.

The Dignity of Human Life For the Church, there is no distinction between defending human life and promoting the dignity of the human person. Pope

From the Bishop

Dear Friends in Christ,

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asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized.'" (no. 15).

As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death.

The life and dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition. The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights that leads Catholics to actively work for a world of greater respect for human life and greater commitment to justice and peace.

God loves each human life from the instant of his or her conception and entrusts this gift to the protection of a mother and father.

Abortion ends the life of a child and offends God. It also deeply wounds the men and women involved.

If someone you know is suffering after abortion, i encourage you to find Bishop, cont'd on pg. 20

Bishop's Calendar cont'd August 21, Friday 11 a.m. – Catechetical Day Mass and Candidacy Rite for seminarian Matthew Wagner - Lourdes High School, Rochester August 23, Sunday 10:30 a.m. – Mass and Lector Installation Rite for seminarians Thé Hoang, Daniel Ward, and Brian Mulligan – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

August 24, Monday 5 p.m. – Mass of the Holy Spirit - IHM Seminary, Winona August 25, Tuesday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU – Winona 9 a.m. – Holy Hour 10 a.m. – College of Consultors Meeting August 27, Thursday 7:45 a.m. – Teach at SMU - Winona

August 27, Thursday – August 29, Saturday Region VIII Bishops’ Retreat - Rapid City, South Dakota August 30, Sunday 8:30 a.m. – Mass at Holy Family Church, Lake Crystal 10:30 a.m. – Mass and installation of Fr. Timothy Reker as pastor – St. Joseph Church, Mankato August, 2015 w The Courier

Lay Formation

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Marking

Tenth Anniversary “Co-Workers…” (II)

the

of

“The Risen Lord calls everyone to labor in his vineyard, that is, in a world that must be transformed in view of the final coming of the Reign of God; and the Holy Spirit empowers all with the various gifts and ministries for the building up of the Body of Christ.”

- U.S. Catholic Bishops, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord

In 2005, our U.S. Catholic Bishops issued a statement on lay ministry entitled, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. To mark its tenth anniversary, I want to share something of its message as it relates to the role of lay women and men within the life of the Church.

In a previous column (in the June issue), I described the purpose of the statement and provided a brief description of its history and context within

the context and issues relating to the “ministerial workplace.”

While these matters relating to lay ecclesial ministry are very important and certainly merit our thoughtful study and reflection, I would like to focus my attention here on the parts of the document that speak more broadly of the role of all the laity within the life and mission of the Church.

[T]he forms and tasks of life are many but there is one holiness, which is cultivated by all who are led by God’s Spirit … All, however, according to their own gifts and duties must steadfastly advance along the way of a living faith, which arouses hope and works through love.

Todd Graff Director tgraff@dow.org

the recent teachings of our U.S. bishops. In this column, I would like to delve a bit more into its content, especially as it relates to the broader call of the laity to live out their Catholic Faith.

The primary focus of the statement is on lay men and women who serve within the Church in significant roles of leadership – e.g., as “the pastoral associate, parish catechetical leader, youth ministry leader, school principal, and director of liturgy or pastoral music.” Co-Workers refers to these leaders as “lay ecclesial ministers.”

The major part of the statement is devoted to concerns relating to these leaders – i.e., how such lay ecclesial ministers come into their leadership positions; how they are to be formed and authorized for their service; the nature of their relationships with their bishops, pastors, and other laity; and

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sisters and brothers, and to give our lives in their service. The particular paths we take as priests, religious, married, or single are distinct – and these distinctions within our “states of life” are very important – but all of the paths share a common calling to holiness of life.

“The Call to the Lay Faithful” Within this universal call to holiness that all

(Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, #41)

Following the Introduction, the content of the statement is given in two parts: “Foundations” and “Pastoral Applications.” The “Foundations” section includes a reflection on the “call” of the laity to holiness and to service, and provides a theological context for this calling and the laity’s response within the life of the Church. It is this part of the document that I will focus on in the remainder of this article.

“The Call to All Believers” Co-Workers begins this section by affirming the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that “all Christians in whatever state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (Lumen Gentium, #40).

This is sometimes referred to as the “universal call to holiness,” and means that all members of the Church – whether clergy, religious, or lay – share a common calling by virtue of baptism to give a living witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ by their lives. It is not that some are called to such holiness; each and every believer shares in this grace-filled, baptismal vocation.

At the heart of this calling is to love our

share, the laity have a particular role and purpose within the mission of the Church. As the bishops write, “Lay men and women hear and answer the universal call to holiness primarily and uniquely in the secular realm” – i.e., within their “occupations and callings” and “in the ordinary circumstances of social and family life.”

By living out their faith within the realities and dynamics of daily life, the laity “contribute to the sanctification of the world from within” (quoting from Lumen Gentium, #31).

To say that the calling of the laity has a “secular character” can be misunderstood to mean that it is not a religious or sacred calling. But, what is meant by “secular” here is that the laity’s call to holiness is not primarily lived out within the Church setting, but rather in family life, in civic life, in the workplace, in neighborhoods, etc.

The unique vocation of lay women and men is to “participate in the work of creation” (Pope John Paul II) and to seek to transform the world to better reflect the goodness, truth, and beauty of its Creator. This is, indeed, a truly sacred calling – Deo Gratias!

August, 2015 w The Courier

VISION 2016: Summer 2015 Update by: Msgr. Richard M. Colletti, Vicar General/ Chancellor, and Leandra Hubka

Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: Appointments:

Rev. Jonathan Fasnacht, appointed Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, St. Casimir Parish, and St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, in Winona, effective July 1, 2015.

Rev. Msgr. Thomas Hargesheimer, reappointed Dean of the Winona Deanery, for a 5-year term, effective July 1, 2015.

Rev. Msgr. R. Paul Heiting, currently Pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Harmony,

Assumption Parish in Canton, and St. Olaf Parish in Mabel; appointed Pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Fulda, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Currie, and St. Anthony Parish in Westbrook, effective August 1, 2015.

Rev. Ubaldo Huerta, currently serving in the Diocese of Teotihuacan in Mexico; appointed Parochial Vicar at Queen of Angels Parish in Austin, effective July 15, 2015.

Very Rev. Steven Peterson, granted Senior Priest status, effective July 1, 2015; appointed Parochial

Administrator for Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Harmony, Assumption Parish in Canton, and St. Olaf Parish in Mabel, effective August 1, 2015.

Very Rev. Russell Scepaniak, appointed Dean of the Austin/Albert Lea Deanery for a 5-year term, effec-

tive July 1, 2015.

Rev. James Seitz, appointed Dean of the Worthington Deanery for a 5-year term, effective July 1, 2015.

Rev. Dale Tupper, granted Senior Priest status, effective July 1, 2015.

Mr. Lawrence Dose, appointed to another 5-year term as Finance Officer for the Diocese of Winona, effective July 1, 2015.

Dr. Jack Lane, appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council (NAC), effective immediately and to last through November 2019.

the Diocesan Planning Team has received over the past six months. In the “Frequently Asked Questions,” these questions and more are addressed and clarified.

• Second round of facilitated cluster meetings: The first round of facilitated meetings this spring brought together parish leaders from the recommended clusters to learn about each others’ parishes, communities, and people, as well as to begin outlining the strengths each parish brings to the cluster and the hopes they have for the future. August marks the beginning of the second round of cluster meetings for those parishes and clusters facing major change. These meetings will address liturgy schedules and check in with clusters on the status and development of church inventories.

We encourage all Catholics in the Diocese to read this Pastoral Planning communication from Bishop Quinn and Msgr. Colletti, as it contains important information for all parishes, not only those experiencing major change at this time.

This letter and corresponding information can be read on the Diocesan Pastoral Planning webpage at www.dow.org/vision2016.

Vision 2016

August 2015 marks the halfway point between the publication of the Diocese of Winona’s Recommended Pastoral Plan in February 2015 and the deadline for all parishes to submit their Pastoral Plan to Bishop Quinn in February 2016. As we reflect on the Pastoral Planning work that has been done in the last six months and look forward to the road ahead, we want to take this time to highlight an important letter from Bishop Quinn and Msgr. Colletti that has recently been published, which contains important Pastoral Planning information for all parishes in the Diocese of Winona.

By now, all parish leaders from parishes facing major change will have received this letter summarizing the VISION 2016 Pastoral Planning process to date. Included in this communication are both an update on what changes have been made to the recommended plan since its publication in February 2015, and an overview of what tasks are expected of parishes in the next six months, in addition to a list of frequentlyasked questions, along with their answers, which we have heard in meetings, letters, emails, and phone calls.

The letter and accompanying documents aim to address concerns and questions that have come up in the first round of cluster meetings, and to clarify the purpose and goal of the second round of facilitated cluster meetings, which are starting this month. Topics

that are covered include: • Adjustments to the Recommended Plan published in the February 2015 Courier: After hearing from parish leaders at listening sessions and cluster meetings, the Diocesan Planning Team reflected on the questions, suggestions, and comments from parishes facing major change. After careful consideration of several alternate suggestions and their feasibility, Bishop Quinn has approved a few adjustments to the proposed clustering plan. There is no change, however, to the list of parishes recommended for oratory status. While parish leaders have understandably expressed a desire to retain weekly Sunday Mass at their parishes, no feasible alternative has been offered to address the existing conditions that prompted the recommendations: a shortage of priests to serve our Diocesan parishes and a small and decreasing number of people attending Mass in rural areas. As a result, no parish has been removed from recommended oratory status.

• Questions regarding usage and care of oratories: Who finances an oratory? Who is responsible for maintaining the upkeep of the oratory? Are parishes allowed to move to oratory status before July 2016? What happens if it is no longer feasible to maintain an oratory? Are parishioners from an oratory free to join a parish other than the one their parish merged with? These are just some of the many common questions

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Almighty God, we the people of the Diocese of Winona prayerfully look to the future. During this time of pastoral planning, we implore the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us the gifts of wisdom, courage and hope.

May we exercise the virtue of prudence by opening our hearts and minds to be good stewards of the legacy of faith inherited from those who built the Church on the prairie, the hills, and in the valleys.

May we exercise the virtue of justice by opening our hearts and minds to assure that the voices of people from all generations, all vocations and all areas of the Diocese are welcomed and respected.

May we exercise the virtue of fortitude by opening our hearts and minds to understand and acknowledge the spiritual and practical realities of our day and prepare for the days to come; and May we exercise the virtue of temperance by opening our hearts and minds to accept the changes in diocesan, parish and personal life that the Holy Spirit, through this planning process, is guiding us to make.

Under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother, may we discern and implement what is best for the diocesan Church and all the faithful of southern Minnesota.

We pray this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Ms. Theresa Wyburn, appointed to a 3-year term as Coordinator and Judge for the Diocese of Winona Tribunal, effective June 16, 2015.

August, 2015 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

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The Two Pillars of Our Stronghold I want to take this time to share some of my thoughts regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling on so-called “same-sex marriage.” I would encourage all of us to take this personally. By “take this personally,” I do not mean to be angry or spiteful about the decision; however, I am suggesting that we all take some time for two things: 1) Try to better understand what marriage is. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great place to start.) If someone were to ask you to define marriage would your definition be distinctively Catholic?

2) Evaluate our own marriage. (For non-married folks, evaluate your distinct vocation). How well are we living out our vocation of marriage? Does the love we have for our spouse imitate God’s own love? Do we give ourselves completely to him/her or is there something we selfishly keep to ourselves? This might

Peter Martin, STL Director pmartin@dow.org

be a good opportunity to find the wedding vows you took and reflect on what they mean now in your life.

By enriching our marriage and sharing the beauty of marriage to the world, we bring God into the world.

Our marriage can bring light into the darkest parts of our world ~ and that’s exactly why marriage is under attack! If you’re wondering how you can enrich your marriage, please give me a call at (507) 858-1264.

These days are difficult days to be Catholic, that’s for sure. I think all of us can benefit from the prophecy of St. John Bosco: “Try to picture yourselves with me on the seashore, or, better still, on an outlying cliff with no other land in sight. The vast expanse of water is covered with a formidable array of ships in battle formation, prows fitted with sharp, spear-like beaks capable of breaking through any defense. All are heavily armed with cannons, incendiary bombs, and firearms of all sorts – even books – and are heading toward one stately ship, mightier than them all. As they try to close in, they try to ram it, set it afire, and cripple it as much as possible.

“This stately vessel is shielded by a flotilla escort. Winds and waves are with the enemy. In the midst of this endless sea, two solid columns, a short distance apart, soar high into the sky: one is surmounted by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin at whose feet a large inscription reads: Help of Christians; the other, far loftier and sturdier, supports a [Communion] Host of proportionate size and bears beneath it the inscription Salvation of believers.

“The flagship commander – the Roman Pontiff [the Pope]- seeing the enemy’s fury and his auxiliary ships very grave predicament, summons his captains to a conference. However, as they discuss their strategy, a furious storm breaks out and they must return

"Only two things can save us in such a grave hour: devotion to Mary and frequent Communion."

to their ships. When the storm abates, the Pope again summons his captains as the flagship keeps on its course.

But the storm rages again. Standing at the helm, the Pope strains every muscle to steer his ship between the two columns from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains.

“The entire enemy fleet closes in to intercept and sink the flagship at all costs. They bombard it with everything they have: books and pamphlets, incendiary bombs, firearms, cannons. The battle rages ever more furious. Beaked prows ram the flagship again and again, but to no avail, as, unscathed and undaunted, it keeps on its course. At times a formidable ram splinters a gaping hole into its hull, but, immediately, a breeze from the two columns instantly seals the gash.

“Meanwhile, enemy cannons blow up, firearms and beaks fall to pieces, ships crack up and sink to the

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. Chapters are active and meeting monthly. Contact us for information!

August, 2015 w The Courier

bottom. In blind fury the enemy takes to hand-to-hand combat, cursing and blaspheming. Suddenly the Pope falls, seriously wounded. He is instantly helped up but, struck down a second time, dies. A shout of victory rises from the enemy and wild rejoicing sweeps their ships. But no sooner is the Pope dead than another takes his place. The captains of the auxiliary ships elected him so quickly that the news of the Pope’s death coincides with that of his successor’s election.

The enemy’s self-assurance wanes.

“Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his ship safely between the two columns and moors it to the two columns; first to the one surmounted by the Host, and then to the other, topped by the statue of the Virgin. At this point something unexpected happens. The enemy ships panic and disperse, colliding with and scuttling each other. Some auxiliary ships which had gallantly fought alongside their flagship are the first to tie up at the two columns.

“Many others, which had fearfully kept far away from the fight, stand still, cautiously waiting until the wrecked enemy ships vanish under the waves.

Then, they too head for the two columns, tie up at the swinging hooks, and ride safe and tranquil beside their flagship. A great calm now covers the sea.”

And in conclusion to this dream: “Very grave trials await the Church. What we have suffered so far is almost nothing compared to what is going to happen. The enemies of the Church are symbolized by the ships which strive their utmost to sink the flagship. Only two things can save us in such a grave hour: devotion to Mary and frequent Communion. Let us do our very best to use these two means and have others use them everywhere.”

My Story of Medical Conversion by: Lester Ruppersberger, D.O. FACOOG

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the 21 years of my practice and my life doing what I thought was right. I became certified with my wife in teaching NFP and have had a ministry of NFP for the past 15 years. We teach NFP, we do marriage prep throughout the Archdiocese, we teach RCIA, we have a 15 yr run on Catholic radio called “NFP…. for Life” and I lead the Philadelphia Natural Family Planning Network.

Yes, I stayed in my practice. I debated that issue for many months and got much advice from the two priests that helped change my life. I decided to stay to evangelize.

Some may think this is material cooperation with evil. I do not see it that way, and I spread the message of NFP to my partners, my nurse practitioners, my staff and my patients as much as I can. My life is good. I am comfortable receiving the Sacraments. I may not have everything I want, but I have everything I need. As a result of many of these changes, I have met other physicians, one of whom invited me to join the Catholic Medical Association, and, now, after 9 yrs I am on the way to becoming the President of the national Catholic Medical Assn. God is good. God is forgiving. God is patient. I am very happy with my decision and only regret I did not do it sooner. Anyone contemplating such a change will have some angst. There is no resurrection without the crucifixion. There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. The goal is worth it. Prayer and fasting and a strong supportive family and the adoration chapel at my parish are what sustain me. You will be like a John the Baptist in the desert.

Our culture needs to hear the message, even if it is only one person at a time. If one honestly evaluates all the medical literature, hormonal contraception is not good women’s healthcare. It is not part of God’s plan for life and love. NFP is.

Life, Marriage & Family

I always knew I wanted to be a physician since the sixth grade.

I was the first one in my family to get into college. My experience was not ideal, but suffice it to say good enough for me to get accepted into medical school.

When I matriculated, I knew I wanted to do Ob/Gyn. I am an adopted child and always was fascinated with women’s health care and babies. When I finished medical school, I was accepted into a rotating internship where I spent time in all specialties and that solidified the idea of my doing an Ob/Gyn residency.

When I interviewed for the residency, my program director inquired as to how I felt about doing abortions and I responded that I would not participate, as I was Catholic. He then asked me how I felt about contraception, sterilization and IUD’s and I responded that I had no problems with any of that. I then spent the next four years in a “traditional” Ob/Gyn residency doing all aspects of contraception, IUD insertion and sterilization. I was invited to join that director’s practice and spent the next 21 years as a “practicing” Catholic giving out birth control pills, inserting IUD’s and performing sterilizations and referring partners of women for vasectomies - without any second thought on my part that there was anything wrong. In fact, I was very good at these parts of the practice, and this work represents a huge bulk of office work and income for most Ob/Gyns.

In 1999, I was attending a bible study group during Lent, something I did at the invitation of my wife through a neighbor. There were six couples, none of whom were scripture scholars or theologians. We came to an area of disagreement and decided to contact our parish rectory to request that a priest come to help answer our questions. The following week, a very young priest came and proceeded to answer all of our questions without hesitation. At the coffee break, he introduced himself to me and asked me

what I did for a living. I proceeded to tell him whereupon he inquired as to what I did about contraception in my practice. I felt very confronted and angry, but since it was Lent, we were in a bible study, this was a priest, my response was that was what patients requested and that is what I did for a living. He then asked how I reconciled receiving the Eucharist at mass on Sundays and giving out the pill on Mondays?! I was so angry and upset that I had to leave the meeting.

The following Sunday, I could not get out of the pew to receive communion. This went on for weeks. Then one day I received a large envelope in the mail from the priest. The envelope contained a copy of the encyclical Evangelium Vitae, a copy of “Contraception, Why Not?” by Janet Smith and an invitation to an NFP class at our parish. Well, one day on a long drive to the hospital I listened to Janet Smith’s very popular and logical tape; one day while in labor and delivery, I read the encyclical, which happened to be the priest’ s personal annotated copy from the seminary and my eyes were opened and then my wife and I attended the NFP class.

There were several erroneous anatomical/medical errors mentioned during the class, which I corrected and after the class I was asked why I was not teaching NFP? I had no answer. Finally, on Respect Life Sunday, October 3, 1999, I heard my very first homily on contraception, abortion and euthanasia and walked away convinced that I had to give up contraception.

I had many reservations about this concept. I KNEW no one who practiced Ob/Gyn that did not do contraception.

What would my partners say? What would happen to my practice which I had built over 21 yrs? What would happen to my income? Would I still have a job? I had two children in college. But, the next day I went into my office and announced to my staff and partners I would no longer be doing contraception, sterilization or IUD’s and sent out 5,000 letters to my patients. My partners met without me later that week and cut my salary by a third - take it or leave it - so, I took it and we downsized our home, changed our lifestyle and had many days with empty hours in the office.

I did, then, have to go to confession for reconciliation of

Catholic Medical Association - www.cathmed.org

Horrific Video Reveals Business as Usual

By Mary McClusky. For Immediate Release - July 17, 2015 (LIFE ISSUES FORUM) By now you may have heard about, or perhaps even viewed, the horrific undercover video featuring the medical director of Planned Parenthood.

(Warning: the following description is graphic and may re-traumatize those who have suffered from abortion personally.) The medical director eats her lunch and sips wine, describing the ongoing harvest and distribution of the organs and body parts of aborted babies to companies who obtain them for research. She even describes how they take care to perform abortions in a way that prevents damage to desired intact parts, such as the liver, heart, or skull of the child. The medical director never assures her lunch partners that the mother or child is taken into consideration, or that the mother is consulted about changes to the abortion procedure in order to harvest body parts. At Planned Parenthood, a conversation about abortion is a business marketing discussion.

However shocking and disturbing this recent news, the behavior of Planned Parenthood staff is just an extension of the damage to women and destruction of unborn babies going on every day at their facilities across the country. Not only do their headline-making barbarities destroy life, but Planned Parenthood’s “business as usual” in communities around the nation hurts women and kills babies, divides families and corrupts our culture.

Planned Parenthood is the largest single provider of abortion in the country. Some believe their main services are sex education and health services, but over a third of their income is raised through abortions. In recent years, they have increased their sales of abortion to now commit a third of all abortions nationwide. As part of their strategy to increase the number of abortions,

the provision of other services like prenatal care and cancer screening has declined. The national organization insisted that all affiliates provide abortions by 2013, and have opened 19 “mega-centers” in the past decade.

All this is partly funded by millions of taxpayer dollars per year – an average of $536 million for the past four years. The U.S. bishops have called for funds provided to organizations that perform abortions to be re-directed to meeting the basic needs of the poor, including mothers facing an unexpected pregnancy who feel that due to a lack of resources, they have no other option than an abortion.

Even if investigations into these newly-revealed atrocities at Planned Parenthood result in a slap on the wrist for the abortion giant, there is much that individuals can do. Prayer and fasting can be offered up for an end to abortion and the conversion and healing of those who perform, facilitate, or advocate for abortion. Contact your congressmen to urge a ban on taxpayer funding of abortion. Be aware of any local Planned Parenthood’s activities, especially their efforts at schools and health fairs to promote unrestricted sexual activity to children. Local businesses can be urged to stop funding abortion providers.

Write letters to the editor about abortion in your community. Efforts like these can shine the light of truth into the darkness of the abortion business and help raise awareness that what women, children, and their families need most is compassion, love, and support. ________________________________________________________________________

Mary McClusky is the Assistant Director for Project Rachel Ministry Development at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. For information on help after abortion, visit www.hopeafterabortion.com.

Join the Bishops’ Call to Prayer and Fasting for Life, Marriage & Religious Liberty.

Visit www.usccb.org/pray or text “fast” to 99000.” Join the Movement!

August, 2015 w The Courier

8

LIMITLESS, cont'd from pg. 1

Youth and Young Adults

things are possible with God if we trust in His limitless love!

One of the speakers during the event referred to St. Augustine, who led a life of sin, void of God’s love. But through his mother’s prayers and his own brokenness, he discovered, as he put it, that “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee oh God.” This restlessness might explain some of the momentum we are seeing in youth conferences across the country. This year alone, Steubenville Conferences were more attended around the country, the Seek Conference for university students exploded in numbers, March for Life participation continued to grow, and the list goes on and on. While the world around us at times can appear to be getting darker and filled with despair, there is at the same time a growing light that is colliding with the darkness.

Bishop Quinn, during his Sunday Mass homily at Steubenville, referred to this reality and called on the young people to be a light in the darkness. He recalled a story from his childhood when he and his brother were swimming and the tide was pulling him out, but his brother offered to swim with Matt Maher inspired the youth him on his back. He then with his Christian music. related that example to the energy that is happening in the young Church. The tide of our society is pulling so many young people into despair, but when we allow Jesus to help us, we have the courage to go against the tide and be the light in the darkness.

Other presenters encouraged the teens in a similar fashion. National

August, 2015 w The Courier

Music artist, Matt Maher, reflected on the story of the parable of the lost sheep. He challenged the young people to realize the depth of God’s love.

While it would not make any sense for a shepherd to leave 99 sheep to find one that has gone astray, the Lord shows that the one lost soul is enough for him to pursue. The Lord will never stop chasing after us; we only need to open ourselves to being found.

The young people Ben Frost responded to these Director messages and it was bfrost@dow.org easy to see the Holy Spirit moving in their hearts through our times of prayer and adoration. At one point the hosting priest, Fr. Jose, processed around the arena with the Eucharist in a monstrance. Teens were crying, extending their hands toward our Lord and singing praises. It was a beautiful sight to see. Jesus is the light in the darkness. He came to find his lost sheep. For two days in Rochester, Minnesota, 2500 teens and their leaders experienced the “Limitless” love of God! Please pray for these young people, that they “may have life and have it to the full.”

Remembering Zachary Clark by: Ben Frost, Director of the Office of Youth & Young Adults

Youth & Young Adults

Each year during Totus Tuus training, I tell our team members that their witness as missionaries to our Diocese really does make a difference and can change lives.

Their love, sacrifice and courage reveal the presence of God. Reflecting on these words has deeper meaning for me this year. One of our Totus Tuus men was returning from the 4th of July break to finish his final 4 weeks of missionary work in our Diocese when his car got caught in a flash flood, claiming his life.

On July 10th, Zachary Clark of Keller, Texas, was on a journey to Minnesota to share love, sacrifice and courage with children.

However, the tragic accident that has left so many hearts broken, did not end in Minnesota, but in the tender care of our loving and merciful God. Zach had a magnificent persona. In the short months that I knew him I was able to see a man that was gentle, kind, compassionate, family-oriented, and highly motivated. Before coming to our Diocese he attended the University of Dallas and had been studying journalism, but decided that he wanted to change to a career that could help those with mental illness, and so altered his vocational directory to the field of Human Sciences and Counseling.

It was that process that led him to me and our Totus Tuus program. When I interviewed Zach he was very excited about working with children and making a difference in their lives. In fact, I received numerous emails from him the week before training

9

expressing his excitement to share the gospel through Totus Tuus. My time spent with Zach during training and the first four weeks on the road was priceless.

I can say first hand that Zach made the difference in the lives of children, because two of my own children were on retreat with him. In fact, when we shared the news of his death with my five year old daughter, we started by asking her if she remembered the Totus Tuus team members.

She started listing them off and immediately started with “ZACH!” When she learned that Zach had died she cried for a long time as she really connected with him.

My daughter was not the only one. In the days following Zach’s death, families from around the Diocese sent me messages expressing their prayers for the family and Zach. Prayer chains started on Facebook and other Zach standing with fellow Totus Tuus team member, social media networks as well as Catie Deysach.

Masses being offered by priests throughout the Diocese including Bishop Quinn who celebrated a private Mass with the teams in honor of Zach and for the repose sorrow for them, and it is important that our Diocesan family of his soul.

The passing of Zach Clark has been tragic shower our prayers upon them. Let us remember this young and heartbreaking for everyone that knew man of love, sacrifice and courage. Let us honor his witness him. We especially remember his beautiful to the young hearts in our Diocese and forever hold him family back in Texas. The days, months and in our hearts. Thank you Zach for all you gave us. May the years ahead will continue to be filled with angels lead you into paradise.

Evonne Seivert to Speak at WDCCW submitted by: Cindy Meling, WDCCW "Humor Heals! Laugh!" A statement that Evonne Seivert might say to anyone attending the Winona Diocesan Council of Catholic Women convention to be held in Austin, MN, at St. Augustine Catholic Church on Saturday, October 10. She is a Minnesotan for 55 years, originally from South Dakota and you cannot miss the woman’s enthusiasm, joy and motivation (gifts from God, something you each have). Evonne earned a B.S. degree in Home Ec. in Brookings, a M.S. degree in Biology in Mankato, and a licensure in Chemistry and Physics at Bemidji State University.

She was a teacher for 15 years and a teacher advocate for 17 years. She has four children (one in heaven), eight grandchildren and eleven greatgrandchildren.

An active retiree, Evonne lives in Marshall, MN and currently seeks election as 1st Vice Regent of the state Catholic Daughter of the Americas.

Evonne’s humor does not stay

under her hat—she shares it freely and you cannot help but join in the fun and laughter. Evonne is energized by sharing ideas and looks forward to bringing you a greater enjoyment of life by helping you to ignite the light of joy God has placed in you.

The Winona Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s theme for our convention is “Be the Voice of Catholic Women.” The day will be filled with “Living and Sharing the Joy of Jesus” with Donna Sanders at 9:00 am and “Finding Humor in Everyday Life” with Evonne Seivert at 10 am followed with “The Leader in me” with Donna Sanders and Shirley Nowak at 1 pm. It is a day you should look forward to being here. Women of all ages are invited to attend.

Registration and payment are $20 before Sept. 15, and after the 15th the fee is $25. Send registration and fee to Kitty Kerrins – PO Box 74 – Grand Meadows, MN 55936. Review our ad and see what fun we will have on Saturday, October 10th. Can’t wait to see you there!

Live Well! Laugh Often! Love Much!

August, 2015 w The Courier

Catholic Schools

10

ACE Collaborative Process Continues

God made Mary a teacher and a disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ. Through her prayers, we share the gospel with our children and families we minister to throughout our Catholic schools.

As we continue to write curriculum throughout our diocese, we ask Mary to join her prayers to ours.

ACE Collaborative Math Curriculum writing was held June 8, 9, and 10 at Lourdes Year One Math Curriculum Team High School. All Catholic school math teachers and administrators in the Winona Diocese were invited to attend the three-day professional development. The training provided a new language and structure in order for teachers to return to their respective schools and work with colleagues to articulate a K-12 diocesan math curriculum. The breakout sessions during the training involved discussions on collaborative implementation, addressed current principal-teacher roles, explored shared instructional leadership, discussed sustained professional development, and formulated collaborative-accreditation work. Teachers and administrators wrote Math Team/Department Outcomes, Course Outcomes, Unit Concepts, and Unit Goals Marsha Stenzel during the 3-day workshop.

Superintendent The ACE Collaborative mstenzel@dow.org process provides teachers and principals an opportunity to engage other faculty members in their schools to write math curric-

ulum. Math teams of grade levels K-2, 3-6, 7-8, and 9-12 will continue to work throughout the school year in addition to attending two additional workshops.

Social Studies curriculum is being finalized this August and a fourday workshop will be held to train teachers in strengthening assessment and instruction in the content area of Social Studies. The design will conceptually and practically integrate curriculum, instruction & assessment into a whole. Inclusive to the academic standards are the values, virtues, and social themes that are integrated throughout the entire curriculum. Our faith is seamlessly woven into the teaching and learning process as we prepare our students for college and career readiness in addition to an active participation in the Catholic Church. The ACE Collaborative curriculum writing in other subject content areas will follow in subsequent years.

As this process continues to develop we ask our Mother, Mary, for her prayers of intercession to continue bringing our Lord Jesus Christ into our Catholic classrooms.

9-12 Team Representatives K-2 Representatives

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K-2 Team Representatives

Pacelli High School Hearts of Gold, Announces the A Purple Tie Affair 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees: Jerry is not an alumnus of Pacelli nor is he a former coach or teacher. Jerry is the “Father” of the Pacelli Golf Day. As we celebrate thirty-six years of the Golf Day, we also celebrate Jerry Allen for making it all possible. All of his children are graduates of Pacelli High School and Jerry now resides in Austin, Minnesota.

Jim started on the 1936, 1937 and 1938 undefeated football teams. The ‘36 and ‘37 teams were unbeaten and unscored upon.

Jim was on the All-State football team in 1937. In 1940, Jim played on the University of Minnesota National Championship Team.

He was a starter on the 1936, 1937, and 1938 State Championship Basketball Teams. He was named All-State in 1938 and was a member of the National All-Tournament Team in 1938.

Tragically, Jim lost his life in the Philippine Islands during World War II. Laura helped lead the Shamrocks to the District Basketball Championship in 1985. She was named KAUS Athlete of the Week, KAAL Prep of the Week, All-Conference and All-State.

She scored 1,095 points in her high school career. She played basketball at Riverland Community College and is a member of the Riverland Hall of Fame. Laura lives in Chaska, Minnesota.

Kenny was a member of the 1965 State Baseball Championship team. Due to a car accident at age 19, he became paralyzed (quadriplegic). That did not stop Kenny from participating in athletics. He holds numerous awards as a quadriplegic including the World Record in the javelin, set at the World International Meet in 1983. He has participated in many Paralympics

This primary fundraiser for Lourdes High School, is a night of fun and fellowship that brings together current Rochester Catholic Schools parents, parents of graduates, staff, alumni, and community friends in celebration of Lourdes High School while raising funds to continue and expand the Lourdes mission! This enjoyable event is not just for parents of Lourdes students…it is for everyone who may have an interest or passion to contribute toward faith-based education excellence. This year's event on April 25 was quite a success!

across the globe, along with national and international track & field events as well as billiards and bowling. Kenny now lives in New Port Richey, Florida.

Dave was a three sport participant and a multiple letter winner in all three: football, basketball, and baseball. Dave was a unanimous pick on the High School All-State Football Team. He was the starting wide receiver on the 1976 Saint John’s University National Champion Football Team. Dave helped lead the Pacelli Basketball team to the District Championship his senior year. Dave lives in California.

Kathy was a sprinter on the very first girls track team in 1970. She is a two-time State Champion in the 100 yard and a two-time State Champion in the 220 yard. She was the anchor on the two-time State Championship 440 and 880 yard relay team. The 1970 and 1971 teams were also the State Track Champions. Kathy now lives in Arizona.

Leon is a member of the great 1958 State Championship Basketball Team. He was the tallest Pacelli player at six feet one inch. The team was known for its great ball handling skills and very few turnovers. Leon was named to the 1958 All-Tournament Team and helped lead Pacelli to the National High School Invitational Tournament in 1959. He continued his basketball career at Saint Thomas College (now called the University of Saint Thomas) in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Leon was a three sport participant while at Pacelli, lettering three years in football and baseball. He now lives in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

Catholic Schools

Jerry Allen, Jim Stolzenberg, Laura Lukes Probst, Kenneth “Kenny” Miller, Dave Rockers, Kathy Quinn Hennesey and Leon Zender.

11

ACE Collaborative Process Continues

3-6 Team Representatives

7-8 Team Representatives

August, 2015 w The Courier

12

"People Still Do That?" Young Lady from Austin Enters Convent

to find nun shoes and whatnot.’”

She won’t be online much longer, though, as she prepares to be fully immersed into life in I had my first serious the convent. conversation with Madeline The Nashville Dominicans Kraemer a few years ago at the were not Madeline’s first choice end of the Steubenville North in Religious Orders. She had Conference. As happens each visited other convents and year, there was an altar call at the enjoyed spending time with the closing Mass for those who were Sisters, but it was the infectious considering the Religious Life or joy she experienced in Nashville priesthood. Madeline was one that convinced her to enter. of the many young women who When she arrives, Madeline will presented themselves. I have since begin with a three-day retreat had opportunities to get to know (or as she sees it, a time of her better at diocesan events, “recovery” for not getting any visits to Pacelli High School and sleep while spending as much Benedictine College, track meets time as possible with family!) and, most recently, a meal with her Madeline Kraemer (third from the left) gathers with her parents, Jerry and Megan, and and then enter the life of siblings. family. postulancy. The Sisters attend Madeline is the second of four classes at Aquinas College in children. Jerry and Megan have Nashville while preparing to two daughters and two sons who continue to enter convents. Madeline will join 14 receive a degree in education. In addition, the grew up and still live in rural Austin. During this others as she begins her journey to join the order Sisters have formation classes that teach the past year, Madeline attended Benedictine College of approximately 300 Nashville Dominicans. She charism of the Order, how to pray, and how to live and helped lead a discernment group on campus. has prepared herself by growing in her prayer life, in community.

This has helped her parents get used to not having making final preparations before entering, and Madeline will spend two years in postulancy her around, but she will soon enter into a whole spending as much time as possible with her family, before making first vows, and five more years new level of separation so that she can begin including a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy this before final vows. These years are spent in discerning her new family: the Dominican Sisters summer. She has been getting to know the other discernment of her vocation and preparation for a of St. Cecilia in Nashville. postulants over the past few weeks while sharing life as a Religious Sister. Yes, women do still enter When told that Madeline is entering a convent tips on how to prepare. I asked Madeline a month the convent, and it’s not as rare as you might think.

August 15, many people respond “I didn’t realize ago if she was still on Facebook and she responded Pray for Madeline in her discernment, and pray for people still do that!” This is a common response, “I'm still on facebook for now so I can communicate all whom God is inviting into the Religious Life as a but not an accurate one. Many young women with my future sisters about where they managed bride of Christ! by: Fr. Will Thompson, Director of Vocations

Obituaries

Sr. Ethylind Loudner

Sister Ethylind Loudner (Sister Conrad), 90, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Mayo Clinic Hospital Saint Marys Campus Sunday, July 12, 2015.

Ethylind Mary Loudner was born November 20, 1924, at Fort Thompson, South Dakota, to Abraham August, 2015 w The Courier

Loudner and Jeanette Johanna Rotssert LeRoy. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1947 from Sts. Anthony and Margaret Parish, Superior, Wisconsin.

Sister made her first vows in 1950 and Perpetual Vows in 1953. In 1946 she received a BA Degree in Social Science and History from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, and in 1959 a MA Degree in Sociology from Notre Dame University.

Sister Ethylind was a secondary education teacher for 19 years at Loretto High School, Caledonia, MN; St. Augustine/Pacelli, Austin, MN; Sacred Heart High School, Norfolk, Nebraska; St. Mary School, Sleepy Eye, MN; Holy Trinity High School, Rollingstone, MN; Sacred Heart High School, Waseca, MN. While teaching in Rollingstone and Sleepy Eye she also served as principal.

Following, Sister was

Assistant Director of the CST program: Women’s Institute for Life-Long Learning at Assisi Heights. She also worked in adoptions through Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Winona; was Religious Education Director at St. Francis Parish, Rochester, Assistant Librarian at Cathedral of Christ the King School, Superior, Wisconsin; and receptionist/secretary at the Ministry Center, Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.

Sister Ethylind is survived by a cousin, Diane Benson, and Step-sister Lois Lundberg and several close friends as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared life for sixty-seven years. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sr. Petrine DeSplinter Sister Petrine DeSplinter, 95, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our

Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Assisi Heights on Monday, June 1, 2015.

Marie Nancy DeSplinter was born June 8, 1919, in Jasper, Minnesota, to Peter and Elizabeth (Carton) DeSplinter. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1950 from St. Leo Parish, Pipestone, Minnesota.

Sister Petrine, the name she received in community, made

her first vows in 1953 and Perpetual Vows in 1956. In 1973 she received a diploma on completing a clerical-stenographic program at what was then the Rochester Area Vocational-Technical Institute.

Sister Petrine’s ministry was in Rochester, Minnesota.

She served from 1953 to 1972 in Secretarial Services / Patient Accounts at Saint Marys Hospital, at Assisi Heights as an office clerk (1973-1983), and then as telephone billing clerk and in the Assisi Heights mailroom (1983-2012) when she retired.

Sister Petrine is survived by two sisters: Margaret Bisson, Jasper, MN; and Roberta Moran, Sun City, AZ; other relatives and friends; and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared life for 64 years. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Larry DeSplinter.

CharacteristicsforDiocesanPriesthood

Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@dow.org

follow the will of God in the moment. What do I mean?

Knowing God's will takes years, but we can have inklings and hints.

When we encounter these prompts, someone who is open to the will of God will take it and run until they receive the next prompt in how to follow God. Being open to the will of God is being willing to follow God step by step.

19. "A good candidate for diocesan priesthood has a 'priest's heart.'"

This is perhaps the most important characteristic for one being called into the priesthood. It is also the most difficult to describe.

A 'priest's heart' is one that is open to all, in all circumstances, at all times. This is not to say that a priest never stops working, but that he never stops being a priest. A 'priest's heart' is a longing for others to know Jesus and experience salvation through His grace. Through this heart, one that is meek and humble, the priest seeks out the lost sheep. A candidate for the priesthood will experience this heart through a desire to share their faith with others.

20. "A good candidate for diocesan priesthood should have a desire to be a priest."

Finally, we have what may be the most obvious trait of a good candidate for the priesthood. Yet as obvious as it may be, it

16. "A good candidate for diocesan priesthood must show stability in lifestyle."

This characteristic reflects the need for a priest to "stay put for a while." A candidate who moves frequently, jumps from job to job or has had many career interests that are all over the map basically needs to settle down for a while. This may seem to apply to older men, but it remains true for those in high school as well. While they don't have control over their living situations, they can show stability in their clothing, music and friends. Priesthood requires stability (even if we move every few years) and ordination does not offer that gift. The candidate should show the ability to have a stable lifestyle before entering seminary.

17. "Events in the life of a good candidate will sometimes point towards priesthood."

When I was growing up, I never thought that I would be a priest. Sure, I was an altar server, sang in the church choir and participated in youth group. But those were just fun activities, right? Perhaps. Looking back, I now see a few more dots connecting. I enjoyed the choir, even when that meant being in church five days a week around Christmas and Easter. When I went on mission trips, I was often selected to be the group's prayer leader. Later in college, I became interested in Bible studies and service opportunities. Many people have these same interests and are not called to be priests, but these types of interests should not be ignored.

18.

"A good candidate for diocesan priesthood is truly open to the will of God for his life."

This trait is more MADONNA TOWERS challenging than it may seem.

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• Home Health It is not uncommon, • Memory Care however, to place • Skilled Nursing Care Center limitations on what • Short-Term Rehabilitation God wants or to be so focused in one MADONNA MEADOWS direction that they become blind to all • Assisted Living other possibilities. In • Memory Care ~ available soon being open to God's will, more than asking to know and the MADONNA TOWERS MADONNA MEADOWS courage to do God's 4001 19TH AVE NW 3035 SALEM MEADOWS DR will is necessary. A ROCHESTER, MN 5590 SWROCHESTER, MN 55902 candidate also needs PHONE (507) 288-3911 PHONE (507) 252-5400 the confidence to www.madonnalivingcommunity.org

mind, body and

13

Vocations

This month’s column is Part 4 of the 20 character traits of a candidate for the diocesan priesthood as listed in Fr. Brett Brannen's book To Save a Thousand Souls. To see traits one through fifteen, see the May - July issues of The Courier or go to dowcourier.org.

needs to be said. I have met many young men who have many of the characteristics I have written about over the last few months that simply don't have a desire to be a priest. For some, it's because priesthood seems too different. For others, God hasn't granted them this desire. I have even worked with young men who have discerned the priesthood for years, having received many encouragements from people and expressing many of the gifts necessary for the priesthood, but at some point they realize that they have never really wanted to be a priest. When we recognize our desires, we sometimes find one that God has planted deep within our hearts. If a candidate doesn't want to be a priest, he will inevitably become sad and unfulfilled. We need priests, but not just anybody. What is more important is that we need the priests that God has called into a life of loving service to God and the Church.

spirit

Madonna Summit of Byron opening in 2016

August, 2015 w The Courier

Faith Formation

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The Loving Heart of a Mother August is the month in the Church that is specially set aside as a month of devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary’s Immaculate Heart is a symbol of her love and compassion for Jesus, and for all of her children. As we know from Scripture, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). It is through her that we can learn to model our lives on the will of God and return the love to Him, as her Immaculate Heart does with every beat. St. Louis de Montfort once said, “If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children.” Just imagine that!

Imagine the magnitude of love which makes up her most Immaculate Heart.

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

Historical Devotion Many Saints through the ages have had a particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Although there was indeed devotion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart in the middle ages, it was

through St. John Eudes in the 17th century that the devotion was fervently spread throughout France and the rest of the world. He emphasized the inseparability of the hearts of Jesus and Mary. He wrote, “I shall only tell you that you must never separate what God has so perfectly united. So closely are Jesus and Mary bound up with each other that whoever beholds Jesus sees Mary; whoever loves

Jesus, loves Mary; whoever has devotion to Jesus, has devotion to Mary.”

Later in the 20th century, in the small town of Fatima, Portugal, Our Lady appeared to 3 young children (Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco) and spoke of devotion to her Immaculate Heart. In 1917, Our Lady of Fatima expressed to the children, “Jesus wants to use you to make me known and loved. He wishes to establish the devotion to my Immaculate Heart throughout the world. I promise salvation to whoever embraces it; these souls will be dear to God, like flowers put by me to adorn his throne.”

She also said, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.”

After Our Lady had spoken these words to the children, they experienced the grace of God flowing generously from the hands of Mary onto themselves. Years later, Mary again appeared to Lucia saying, “My daughter, look at My Heart surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me, and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months go to confession and receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for a quarter of an hour while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.” It is through this message Immaculate Heart, cont'd on next page

Religious Life: The Vow of Chastity By: Sister Paul Mary, R.S.M. It might come as a surprise to some, but the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience are to be lived out by all Christians. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Christ proposes the evangelical counsels, in their great variety, to every disciple” (CCC 915). This does not necessarily imply that all Christians are called to make vows, as religious do, of poverty, chastity, and obedience, but all Christians are called to imitate the life of Jesus Christ – who was poor, chaste, and obedient.

Therefore, chastity, poverty, and obedience are not ends in themselves; but instead are virtues practiced so that one may be conformed more closely to Jesus Christ.

One of the crucial marks of a Religious, is the taking of vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. A vow is a “deliberate and free promise made to God” (Code of Canon Law 1191). By the vows, one binds oneself to God in an unbreakable bond which lasts beyond “til death do us part” through all eternity. They are a living on earth of the perfect bond that the faithful will share with Christ as His Bride in the blessed eternity of Heaven. Religious on earth bind themselves to God by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the way souls in Heaven naturally experience poverty, chastity, and obedience before God. This makes Religious visible signs of the hope of the Resurrection – both in ourselves and in those to whom we witness each time we act in accordance with the vows we profess.

So what exactly is the evangelical counsel of chastity, and how is the vow lived out by Religious? In profession of this vow, a Religious renews his/her commitment to avoid whatever is against the sixth and ninth commandments, including certain things concerned with the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of sexuality. Many think of this vow only in the negative sense, everything that one would have to give up: marriage, August, 2015 w The Courier

family, and children of their own. The vow of chastity, however, is a much greater “Yes!” It is an emphatic “Yes!” to the love of the Lord. In taking this vow, spousal love is not given up, but instead is directed to the Lord; the total gift of oneself in love to God and in imitation of Christ who loves the Church as bridegroom. In taking this vow, the life-giving joy of parenthood is not given up. Instead, the taking on of spiritual motherhood or fatherhood allows for the Religious to nurture life in a different way, by helping another grow and develop into the person that God desires them to become. One Carmelite explained it well by saying that, “The religious woman sees what she receives, Christ as her spouse, and all the peoples of the world as her children. Marriage to Christ did not free her from a family but for His family.”

As Pope Paul VI said, chastity “liberates the human heart, and causes it to burn with greater love for God and for mankind” (Perfectae Caritatis 12).

As my patron Saint Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians, “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.”

Thus, the vow of chastity allows for a person to be freed from concerns of the world, and concerned instead with the affairs of the Lord; loving the Lord with an undivided heart focused solely on pleasing Him. As a religious, many things can be occurring in one’s life, but the deepest part of oneself is always centrally focused on the affairs of the Lord, the ultimate Beloved.

Women Betrayed Rally Brings Out Hundreds

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Many members of the Diocese of Winona participated in the July 28 #WomenBetrayed Rally including Bishop John M. Quinn and Bishop Emeritus Bernard Harrington. There were an astounding 220 people gathered to stand together calling for the investigation and defunding of the abortion giant, Planned Parenthood.

This rally is a part of a national protest to 220 people gather together for the #WomenBetrayed Rally in Rochester. They are gathered to call on the call on our nation and state to defund Planned national and local governments to investigate and defund Planned Parenthood. #WomenBetrayed rallies Parenthood of the $500 million it receives happend in over 65 cities nationwide on Tuesday, July 28. credit: Kristi Jacobson annually from the government. Women Betrayed rallies took place in over 65 cities nationwide and come in the wake of the recent undercover videos released that show help other women avoid the mistake she made and reach out to those who footage of Planned Parenthood haggling over the price of aborted baby organs and tissue, themselves seek healing from abortion.

Peter Martin, the Director of the Office of Life, Marriage and Family the sale of which is illegal. reminded the crowd that, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good There was also a smaller group of counter protestors, but all remained respectful. men to do nothing.” He was there standing as a man to support the authentic dignity of Theresa Martin was the emcee and rally captain and urged those gathered to speak women and children. He called the crowd to action and prayer. He particularly called for out to defund Planned Parenthood, "We're here to stand up for those who cannot speak prayer of those working within the abortion industry. for themselves. Women have been betrayed. Women have been lied to. Women have Hope Feller, a 17-year-old parishioner of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, was a been given a price tag instead of care and enough is enough." The crowd responded in joy-filled witness to life. She had the crowd laughing and cheering as she recounted with cheers, waving signs that read "babies should be loved not sold" and "Lord, forgive us and great clarity the pressure of the Planned Parenthood message and then the message we our nation." know to be true.

“Hi! I’m Hope! I really love music and I listen to the radio all the time, Speakers for the rally were phenomenal. Pastor Paula Ellefson, who runs the Rochester but one day I was listening to Pandora Internet Radio. And it’s free, which is awesome. I 40 Days For Life campaign, shared the pain her abortion (at that very facility) so many love free stuff!

But they have advertisements and one of those advertisements was for years ago caused her. She said, “We can change the laws, but abortion will not end until free birth control because I don’t have enough self control … because Planned Parenthood hearts and minds are changed.” She and her husband facilitate Rich In Mercy, which is a has my back. Their hashtag is #familyPlanningSaves, but the Post-Abortive and Post-Miscarriage healing ministry, which helps those who have suffered truth is only Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, saves!” She loss due to abortion and miscarriage. continued, “Psalm 139, verse 13 ‘You created my inmost Heidi Indahl shared the story of her recent loss of her newborn daughter Siena. During being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb’ … I the pregnancy, she was offered the choice of abortion, because Siena had many defects. encourage you to not just pray for strangers who are not Heidi and her husband chose life, to give Siena that respect and dignity for however long born, but pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ,” and her life would be. then she led the crowd in the Hail Mary.

Dr. Jack Lane shared, "All these practices are Bishop Quinn then spoke to the crowd. He said, “No but symptoms of an ominous systemic disease matter what our religion, no matter what our faith, we're that St. John Paul the second called the culture of united around the gift of life.”

He shared that, “Life is a gift death. Of course, the cure for this disease is not and that life comes from God. Don't let anyone tell you it's a more clinics. The cure for this disease, is love.” Dr. clump of cells.”

He applauded all the young people present Jack Lane is the former president of the Catholic and called on all to pray and be kind to all especially those Medical Association. who disagree with us.

He then led the crowd in prayer Hope Feller inspires the Mary Eisman, a mother and grandmother, and extended his blessing on all those present. The rally crowd. credit: Bryan shared her struggle of being post-abortive. In Rodriguez, The Courier participants then sang a verse of Amazing Grace as the 1987 she had a miscarriage and was able to bury event ended. the baby. She realized the true value and dignity Anyone who is interested may go to www.womenbetrayed.com to of every life and was able to then mourn for her credit: Bryan Rodriguez, The learn more about the next rally on August 18 (this will not be at an abortion clinic but taken to the child lost to abortion. She has since been involved Courier government) and receive a free #WomenBetrayed bumper sticker and door hangers. in the pro-life movement for 25+ years, hoping to by: staff writer

Faith Formation

Immaculate Heart, cont'd from previous page that we receive the Five First Saturdays' Devotion.

The Image of the Immaculate Heart In the images that portray the Immaculate Heart of Mary, several things are often found: flames, a crown of roses, and a sword(s). What do these mean?

The flames signify Mary’s heart beating with a burning love for her Son Jesus and each of us, her children.

St. Bernardine of Siena, one of the first Saints to speak of a devotion to the Heart of Mary, noted that her Immacualte Heart was, “a fiery furnace of Holy Love.”

The crown of roses which surround her Immaculate Heart signify Our Lady’s virtues, in particular her sinlessness, her Immaculate Conception, and her purity.

The sword draws our attention to her suffering and her sorrow at Jesus’ suffering. As we read in the Gospel of Luke, “Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘…and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’” (2:34). Sometimes there are seen seven swords, signifying the seven sorrows of Mary. These sorrows include the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple, the meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross, the Crucifixion, the taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross, and the burial of Jesus.

Why August?

First in October of 1942 and again in December of 1942 - the 25th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to the children in Fatima - Pope Pius XII dedicated the Church and the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and placed the feast on August 22. The feast has now been moved closer

to the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Saturday after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This change denotes the deep connection between the Heart of Jesus and the Heart of His Mother.

Pope Paul VI wrote in his encyclical celebrating the anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes, "Everything in Mary leads us toward her Son, our only Savior, by whose foreseen merits she was preserved immaculate and full of grace; everything in Mary lifts up our hearts to the praise of the Holy Trinity." During this month of August, as we honor in a special way the Immaculate Heart of Mary, may she draw each of us into a greater love of her Son. May we cling to the promise she made to Lucia when she appeared in Fatima, “I will never abandon you, my child. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”

August, 2015 w The Courier

Celebrating the Anniversaries

Permanent Deaconate

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10 Years

Deacon Tom DeRienzo

Deacon DeRienzo serves at St. Pius X, Rochester.

Deacon Michael Ellis

Deacon Ellis serves at St. Theodore, Albert Lea, and St. James, Twin Lakes.

Deacon Gerald Freetly

Deacon John Kluczny

Deacon Kluczney serves at St. Edward, Austin, and St. Augustine, Austin.

Deacon Freetly serves at St. John the Evangelist, Rochester.

Deacon Eugene Paul

Deacon Paul serves at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Easton, St. Casimir, Wells, and St. John the Baptist, Minnesota Lake.

Deacon David Plevak

Deacon Plevak served at St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester, before moving to Colorado.

Deacon Richard Quinn

Deacon Quinn serves at Holy Spirit, Rochester.

Deacon Gerald Trocinski

Deacon Trocinski serves at Crucifixion, LaCrescent, and Holy Cross, Dakota.

Deacon James Welch

Deacon Welch serves at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona, and St. Casimir, Winona.

of our Permanent Deacons 40 Years

This month's guest author is Deacon John Francis DeStazio, O.F.S.

I am often asked, “What can a deacon do?” It is a frustrating question for me and I often have to bite my tongue before answering. I hesitate in answering because a deacon is not about doing, but about being, being a servant. In the words of Saint John Paul II, “the deacon is the Icon of Christ.”

A deacon is a voice, an organizer, a public witness, a role model, a prophet, a mobilizer, a monitor of the Church’s conscience, a promoter, a facilitator, an enabler, the instrument of Christ’s servanthood and the Deacon Fuller currently serves at St. John the list goes on.

Evangelist, Rochester. He and his wife, Roberta, have I was ordained in 1986 for the Diocese of been married for 53 years. He is the father of Julie and Toledo, Ohio. It was a time when formation Colleen and the granfather of eight. He was ordained to the vocation of deacon was still new and for the Diocese of Tuscon on May 11,1975, and was growing. My calling to serve as a Deacon incardinated into the Diocese of Winona in April of 2003. came slowly over several years.

He is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy (K-12) in My wife Maggie and I and our 3 children Glen Falls, NY, and received a BA from the University wandered this great country of ours, searchof Arizona and an MA from St. Mary's Univeristy of Minnesota. From 1988-2012, he was employed in full ing for something we didn’t understand. I time diocesan and/or parish ministry.* He has previous believe now, as I look back, that a lot of that professional employment as City Manager and as an time was like Moses and the Israelites wanExecutive in Community Economic Development, in dering in the desert. When we finally settled County Government as Deputy Treasurer for Pima down back in Ohio where we were raised County, Arizona (Tucson), a past board member of ,the Holy Spirit began to reveal himself to “International Catholic Stewardship Council” and invited us. I was becoming more aware of something presenter for Yale University’s Kellogg Fellowship for changing in my life.

Faith-Based Non Profits.

Maggie and some of her friends started *Worked concurrently, as time allowed, for neighboring diocese, meeting weekly for prayer. They also startother parishes and faith-based non-profits providing consultation in ed singing together and then asking their resource development, (Stewardship) pastoral planning, strategic spouses to join in. It wasn’t long before we planning, and volunteer training. were singing praise and worship songs in an ever-growing Visit group. We were Donegal asked to sing at church events, Shrine of Our Lady of Knock many of them Shrine at Ballymoe Join me for a special tour as we celebrate the Holy Jubilee Year of Mercy in the in Protestant (Birthplace of Fr. Flanagan Churches. We Founder of Boys Town) even had a bus, Connemara known as “the Galway Ark,” for travel April 18 - 28, 2016 to our events.

Cliffs of Moher It was at $3099 R/T - Chicago $3299 R/T - Omaha Ring of Kerry this time that I • At this price, this trip will fill up fast • Killarney became more Includes daily Mass, most meals, roundtrip air, First Class Hotels, Blarney Castle aware of Jesus daily tours, transfers, all admission fees, porterage, hotel taxes, service charges, govt. taxes and airline imposed surcharges. in my life and Cashel began witnessEnjoy the great hospitality of the Irish people who share Dublin ing at our contheir zest for life, their beautiful country and history.

Best of Northern Ireland certs followed by Father John Vakulskas Jr Belfast an appropriate PO Box 347 song.

Downpatrick Okoboji, IA 51355 Three or (712) 490-8047 or johnvakulskas@gmail.com Derry four years into

Emerald Isle of Ireland

Deacon John Francis DeStazio, O.F.S., serves at St. Joachim, Plainview and Immaculate Conception, Kellogg

Permanent Deaconate

Deacon Leonard L. Fuller

A Deacon is ...

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our ministry of song the Toledo Diocesan paper had an article about the Deacon Program. With that, people kept telling me that I would make a good deacon. So, I started to take them seriously and started looking into it. I registered and began a 4-year process. After the very first weekend class I knew I was where I belonged. And as it goes, the rest is history.

I had served for 2 years in the Toledo Diocese when my work took me to Michigan.

I was incardinated in the Kalamazoo Diocese.

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Kalamazoo.

Here I served as a parish administrator for 12 years assisting the Pastor in not only Sacramental preparation but in ministry in the community. I started a much needed Communion Ministry at the hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan, where we lived and enabled several parishioners from the 2 local parishes to participate.

I now serve in the Winona Diocese as a Pastoral Associate at St. Joachim Church, Plainview, Minnesota. But this is only a part of my ministry. I quietly serve God’s people as a handy man through Elder Network, Visiting Angels, Family Promise and The Dorothy Day House in Rochester, meeting the needs of the elderly and homebound who need repairs done in their homes.

To deepen my life as a servant of Christ, I recently professed to the Secular Order of the Franciscans and now devote myself to a life of simplicity and tending the needs of others.

It has been a great experience and I have received many blessings over the years serving others.

I continue to live by these words of Jesus: “I did not come to be served, but to serve.

To give my life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28)

In the Diocese

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Parish Social Ministry Helps Parishes Promote Justice by: Deacon Chris Walchuk, Diocesan Director for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, and Catholic Rural Life Pope Francis, in his recent visit to South America, emphasized three very important, but often neglected, duties of our faith: care for the poor, elderly and marginalized; economic development that gives the needs of human beings priority over profits; and care for our fragile environment. Indeed, these have been the key themes of Pope Francis’ pontificate from the time he was elected, and the world has reacted as if he was a radical breaking away from the traditions of the Church.

Rather, Pope Francis is calling us deeper into the tradition of the Church and closer to the message of Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in God Is Love, “For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being.”

The Parish Social Ministry Program of Catholic Charities exists to help parishes live out this aspect of our beautiful Catholic faith.

Throughout the Scriptures we are reminded that the mercy of God the Father and the love of Jesus Christ call us to serve the weakest among us and to take care of God’s creation. We are all inspired by Pope Francis’ renewed emphasis on social justice, and many

parishes are doing wonderful works of justice and service. Unfortunately, these efforts are often on the sidelines of parish life and are frequently difficult to begin and to sustain in our communities. In our parishes, we often feel that we don’t have the resources to identify and meet the needs of the poor. It can be overwhelming; we simply don’t know where to start.

This is where the Parish Social Ministry Program can help. Pope Benedict also wrote that “Love (Charity) needs to be organized if it is to be an ordered service to the community.”

Parish Social Ministry helps parishes to organize love. “Organizing love” doesn’t mean that your parish needs to start a big, new charity program—far from it! Rather, it means systematically helping parishes to identify what is already being done in the parish and community, tying this work directly to the love of Christ, and helping the parish in its continuing mission to form disciples of Christ.

One of the primary tools for forming disciples that Parish Social Ministry is offering to parishes is the Life in Christ Lay Leadership Program from Catholic Rural Life. Life in Christ trains parish facilitators to lead small groups in exploring the Bible and the social teachings of the Church. We also work closely with the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee which has members available to speak to parish groups on social justice topics. On October 17, 2015, the Parish Social Ministry Program of Catholic Charities, the Diocese of Winona Social Concerns Committee, and the Diocese of Winona Institute of Lay Formation will be hosting a Social Justice Day at St. Theodore Parish in Albert Lea, focused on Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si’,

Deacon Chris Walchuk

On the Care of Our Common Home. We urge you to save this date and attend this educational opportunity.

The Parish Social Ministry Program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona is led

by Deacon Chris Walchuk and Nicole Henrichs.

Deacon Chris has overall responsibility for the program and is also the Diocesan Director for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Service, and Catholic Rural Life.

He can be reached at cwalchuk@ccwinona.org.

Nicole, a recent addition to the staff, serves the parishes of the Worthington deanery and can be reached at nhenrichs@ccwinona.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hispanic Priests/Sacerdotes Hispanos:

THE ITALY PILGRIMAGE Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi, & Rome with Papal Audience & Optional visit to Pompeii $3499 per person from Mpls.

The low tour price includes airfare from Mpls, first-rate hotels, tour buses, guides, most meals, and all taxes, airline surcharges etc.

For a brochure & more information contact Fr. Steven Peterson at: (507) 583-2529 or Email: sjp4646@gmail.com

REGISTRATION CLOSES IN AUGUST August, 2015 w The Courier

Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas: Capellán del Decanato de Worthington. lukiponcho@yahoo.es Padre Octavio Cortez IVE: Vicario Parroquial de “Ss. Peter and Paul” en Mankato Tel. 507-341-0403 Tel. 507-388-2995 Padre José Morales: Capellán del Decanato de Padre Raul Silva: Pastor de "Queen of Angels" Rochester. jloralesr2008@yahoo.es en Austin, "Our Lady of Loretto" en Brownsdale, Tel. 507-329-2931 “All Saints” en New Richland, “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, “St. Mary” en Geneva. padreraulsilva@ Padre Mariano Varela IVE: Párroco de “SS. gmail.com Peter and Paul” en Mankato. mvarela@ hickorytech.net Tel. 507-388-2995 ext 103 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.

Action with Prayer or St. Mary’s Commons. Contact: SUBMISSION for the calendar Jean 608-687-9546.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Please note: submission deadline Currie is the 10th of the month prior to the IHM Fall Festival dinner on Sunday, month of publication. All submissions Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. must be sent electronically on our webMenu includes, turkey & dresssite: www.dowcourier.org ing, mashed potatoes & gravy, vegor by emailing: Courier@dow.org etable, salad and pie. Carry-outs and by the deadline in order to assure available. Handicapped assessable. receipt and possible inclusion in the Events Calendar.

Country store (crafts and garden We thank you for understanding that due to space limitations, produce). not all events nor story submissions will fit; however, we strive to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic include as many as possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff Church, West Concord is holding their Annual Chicken BBQ on Sunday, August 23. Mass Jeff Cavins Visits Dubuque, IA at 10 a.m., Chicken BBQ dinner from 11 a.m. - at Grand River Center in Dubuque, IA, on 1:30 p.m. $10 for ½ chicken & $9 for ¼ chicken September 11 & 12. Jeff will be giving his condinner. Dinner includes: BBQ chicken, potato version story on Friday, Sept 11, at 7 p.m., no salad, baked beans, dinner roll, pie and bever- charge. Sat Sept 12: The Bible Timeline Seminar age. The day will also include a country store which he developed. Registration 8-9 a.m. Cost (baked goods, garden produce) along with a $40 (includes lunch) before 8/30. After 8/31, Silent Auction on the church grounds. $50. Register online: citywidebiblestudy.com Holy Redeemer, Eyota or call Dick Bergeson 563-451-2939 or email: will have their Fall Festival on Sunday, r1berge@msn.com Parish Events September 20. Polka Mass at 10 a.m., BBQ Chicken Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Other Traditional Latin Mass DVD Bible Study, Winona events include big ticket raffle, arms length “James—Pearls for Wise Living” (Jeff Cavins). raffle, farmer's market, bake sale, and children's Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, first Saturday Like Proverbs, James is a book of wisdom. activities. month, 9 a.m.

It speaks to those who feel torn between the St. Felix, Wabasha demands of this world and their faith. And On Sunday, September 20, St Felix Church & Wabasha, St. Felix, weekly. Saturday 8 a.m. offers practical solutions for handling struggles School will be holding their annual Fall Festival Chatfield, St. Mary's, first and third Sunday of and finding joy and peace in the midst of those from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the St. Felix Auditorium the month, 1 p.m. trials. St. Mary’s Tuesday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and School Grounds in Wabasha. The day or Cathedral Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. will feature fresh homemade donuts, grilled Begins: 9/22 (11 Sessions.) Cost: $23. Deadline: chicken dinners, the farm store, general and The Televised Mass Tue 9/8. Register Online at cascwinona.org or specialty auctions, bingo, hoop shoot, a bounce Offered as a service for the homebound and elderly. Every pick up Forms in Cathedral’s Gathering Space house, kids games, tootsie roll booth, lots of Sunday on the following stations: KTTC-TV, Channel 10, raffles, tons of prizes, and so much more. Join Rochester at 9 a.m. KEYC-TV, Channel 12, Mankato at us for food, fun and friendship. All proceeds 7:30 a.m. Donations for the continuation of this program go to St. Felix School. For more information may be sent to: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN call 651-565-4446..

55987.

The Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Winona Thank you for your donations to the TV Mass is seeking vendors for their Fall Craft/Art/ For events at Assisi Heights: www.rochesterGift Show to be held on Saturday, October 24, franciscan.org and click on “What’s Happening/ 2015, from 9 AM to 2 PM in St. Stan’s School Events.” For more info, call Angie Grimm at 507gym. Call the Parish Office at 507-452-5430 or www.dowcourier.org 280-2195 or: ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org. email ststans@hbci.com for an application and information.

Reboot! Live!, Mankato Life insurance, annuities, IRAs* and Reboot! Live!, a multigenerationPlease check The member advantages from a company that al life-changing event in Mankato Courier online for at Fitzgerald Middle School, 110 shares and honors your Catholic faith North 5th Street, September 30. access to more stoDon't miss YOUR Reboot! Live! ries, photos, articles Sara Bartosh, FIC Mike Matuska event. Limited tickets are availand events. Find them FIC, LUTCF able for sale for you, your fam(507) 329-2942 Adrian, Heron Lake ily and friends at http://reallif(507) 345-1324 in the Only Online & nearby Mankato, St. James ecatholic.com/reboot-live-particsection of the website. ipants/ Kevin Downie, FIC Roger Reitmaier, FIC (507) 202-5304 (507) 454-4979 Red Wing, Cannon Falls

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

Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty The monthly Holy Hour for Life, Marriage, and Religious Freedom in Winona will be held on the first Saturday of the month so those who take part in the Saturday Devotions can join us for the Holy Hour. Please join us August 1 at 8:30 a.m. (after the 8 a.m. Mass) at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and a beautiful rosary will be offered, along with prayer and reflection. Gather in the Adoration Chapel. Everyone is welcome.

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

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

Every step, every journey, we’re there for life.

St. Charles & nearby

Susan Stenzel CHFC, LUTCF, FIC (507) 282-1793 Rochester, Adams

1-800-568-6670 www.catholicunited.org info@catholicunited.org

Events in the Diocese

Hampton

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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 dowcourier.org to see the complete Mass list.

© 2015 Catholic United Financial Home Office: St. Paul, MN *Catholic United IRAs are individual retirement annuities.

August, 2015 w The Courier

August, 2015

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• The Courier

Son of the Diocese of Winona Ordained a Priest for the Dominican Order, cont'd from front page

St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and completed a second degree in philosophy at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Fla. While in Florida, he also taught music and worked as a church music director. Father Vincent Ferrer entered the Dominican Order at Saint Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2009 and made his first profession of vows there in 2010. He was then assigned to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., to pursue studies for the priesthood.

He made lifelong profession of vows in 2013. He was ordained a deacon in March 2014, and has served as a deacon at St. Dominic's Parish in Washington, D.C. The Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominicans, was founded in Southern France in 1216 by St. Dominic de Guzmán.

The Order is dedicated Father Vincent Ferrer is a son of Sacred Heart parish in Waseca. to the proclamation of the Word of God for the salvation of souls.

Bishop, cont'd from pg. 3 help through Project Rachel Ministry (hopeafterabortion.com).

Pray for Vocations In closing, I would like to ask you to pray for vocations to the priesthood.

We have a wonderful group of new seminarians at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary this year! Yet, there is still time for a young man to enter this year. Please join me in continuing to pray that every young man and woman would prayerfully consider what God’s

will is for his or her life. This year the Diocese of Winona has eighteen men preparing for the priesthood because of your prayers.

May God bless your August and the end of your summer!

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

The Dominican way of life consists of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and attends to study as the basis for preaching. Dominican friars live in community, gathering each day for common prayer. There are over 6,000 Dominican friars worldwide.

Fr. Vincent Ferrer is a friar of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph. The Province, based in New York City, was established in 1805 and currently has over 275 friars engaged in parish ministry, foreign missions, campus ministry, retreat work, and education. The province also operates Providence College in Rhode Island.