January 2025
The
COURIER
Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org
Gaining True Freedom Through
Faith and Music By KAT LARSON
�ebastian Modarelli works at the Co-Cathedral of
St. John the Evangelist in Rochester as the director of liturgy and music. He is also active in the Communion and Liberation community established by Fr. Luigi Giussani. Most importantly, he is a man of faith and has always been compelled to follow the will of God. Sebastian grew up in Buenos Aires, and his faith was fostered by and grown within his family. This strong faith background from his earliest years led him to recognize that God was real. Sebastian's faith journey has been full of many experiences that have only deepened his devotion to the Lord. Sebastian's story is pure proof that if you give your life to the Lord, he can transform it into a living example of the beauty of Christ on earth. Sebastian has demonstrated this through his work with music, but also through living his life in community and writing his own blog. Sebastian's connection to the Lord, and his desire to seek him, only grew as he matured. He had been living out his faith when he came upon some speeches on liturgical music by Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and realized that Cardinal Ratzinger must have encountered Christ in a way similar to his own. This affirmed how he approached his faith. Sebastian sees it as experiential dynamic as opposed to ideological dynamic. It was a shock when he encountered other people who did not experience God as a real factor of life. When Sebastian was 14 years old, he met boys
Sebastian Modarelli (left) greets Pope Francis (right).
and girls the same age who professed his same experiences of faith. Any person they met was welcomed, and everyone was important. Sebastian would never have learned the significance of Christ if not for this community, which is known as Communion and Liberation, a movement fully devoted to encountering Christ. He joined Communion and Liberation and has been part of it ever since. Music was a key influence in Sebastian's life, leading to a closer relationship with Christ. When he was young, he learned to play the piano, then the organ, and was eventually hired at the Buenos Aires major seminary as the organist when he was 22 years old, and later as a sacred music teacher at the introductory seminary.
Faith and Music, cont'd on pg. 7
SVdP Is More Than Home Visits By TIM GEISLER
�hen you hear “Society of St. Vincent de
Paul,” your first thought might be of thrift stores or home visits. While these are common, these are not the primary mission of the Society. Founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam in 1833, SVdP is “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, who strive to grow in holiness through personal relationship with each other and through service to people in need.” These three pillars of friendship, spirituality and service are the basis of the Society. First and foremost, Vincentians gather in friendship with like-minded men and women to deepen their faith. Conference members meet twice each month to foster and maintain their spirit of friendship. The meetings are less about conducting business than to celebrate and deepen the unity of its members for essentially spiritual reasons. Each conference has a spiritual advisor whose role is to ensure spirituality and friendship are the focus of every element of the meeting. Opening and closing prayers, along with a specific time for spiritual reflection, heighten the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence during the meeting. Once members have grown spiritually, they better understand their response to the call of Christ, to provide service to others. The Society’s mission is clear: our ministry is a means for acquiring holiness so we can imitate Christ in serving those in need.
SvDP, cont'd on pg. 7
INSIDE this issue
Embracing Refugees
Celebrating Vocations page 8
page 9
The Reality of Evil and the Love of God page 10
Pope Calls for End to Foreign Debt, Death Penalty From the Bishop________________________4-5 2 Ahead of Jubilee Year In the Diocese___________________________6-7 The Courier Insider
Articles of Interest
Embracing Refugees_______________________8 Catholic Schools Updates___________________9 The Reality of Evil and the Love of God_10 Happy Jubilee Year 2025!_________________10
(L to R) Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and Vito Alfieri Fontana, an engineer (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)
Inside the Capitol_________________________11 By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY, Dec. 12, 2024 (CNS) - Pope Francis has called on all nations to eliminate the death penalty, to divert a fixed percentage of arms spending to a global fund to fight hunger and climate change, and to cancel the international debt of developing nations as concrete ways to usher in a new era of hope. "Sporadic acts of philanthropy are not enough. Cultural and structural changes are necessary, so that enduring change may come about," the pope said in his message for World Peace Day 2025. The message, "Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace," was released Dec. 12 at a Vatican news conference ahead of the Jan. 1 commemoration. Offering his "cordial good wishes for the New Year to the heads of state and government, to the leaders of international organizations, to the leaders of the various religions and to every person of goodwill," the pope made three proposals for bringing about "much-needed changes" during the Jubilee Year, which focuses on "Pilgrims of Hope." The proposals, he wrote, are "capable of restoring dignity to the lives of entire peoples and enabling them to set out anew on the journey of hope." The first proposal, he wrote, is renewing the appeal launched by St. John Paul II for the Holy Year 2000 to consider "reducing substantially, if not canceling outright, the international debt which seriously threatens the future of many nations." Foreign debt, Pope Francis wrote, "has
become a means of control whereby certain governments and private financial institutions of the richer countries unscrupulously and indiscriminately exploit the human and natural resources of poorer countries, simply to satisfy the demands of their own markets." Pope Francis also said wealthier nations must recognize their own "ecological debt" to the global south due to the exploitation of resources, the destruction of ecosystems and the effects of climate change. "The more prosperous countries ought to feel called to do everything possible to forgive the debts of those countries that are in no condition to repay the amount they owe." "A new financial framework must be devised, leading to the creation of a global financial charter based on solidarity and harmony between peoples," he wrote, so that debt forgiveness is not just "an isolated act of charity that simply reboots the vicious cycle of financing and indebtedness." The pope's second proposal is for "a firm commitment" to respecting "the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, so that each person can cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to a future of prosperity and happiness for themselves and for their children." "Without hope for the future, it becomes hard for the young to look forward to bringing new lives into the world," he wrote. And a "concrete gesture that can help foster the culture of life" is the elimination of the death penalty in all nations. The death penalty "not only compromises the inviolability of life but eliminates every
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Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-361-3068 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior. (ISSN 0744-5490)
January 2025 w The Courier w dowr.org
Events and Obituaries_____________________12 human hope of forgiveness and rehabilitation," he wrote. The pope's third appeal follows "in the footsteps of St. Paul VI and Benedict XVI," he wrote. "In this time marked by wars, let us use at least a fixed percentage of the money earmarked for armaments to establish a global fund." The fund should finance initiatives "to eradicate hunger" and facilitate educational activities in poor countries to promote sustainable development and combat climate change, he wrote. "We need to work at eliminating every pretext that encourages young people to regard their future as hopeless or dominated by the thirst to avenge the blood of their dear ones." Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, told reporters at the Vatican Dec. 12 that Caritas Internationalis was launching a global campaign called "'Turn debt into hope' with a global petition aimed at raising awareness about the systemic change needed." The Jubilee Year and the Christian call for conversion are invitations, not "to a moralistic effort at self-improvement, but to a radical change in how we look at reality," he said. "Conversion is a path traced by that love for Christ that inspires, transforms, orients, energizes us," the cardinal said. Faith in the merciful and providential hands of God "frees our hearts from anguish, to respond and to serve." Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, which promotes restorative justice and the end to capital punishment, said "the death penalty's very existence epitomizes a throwaway culture." "Capital punishment is a 'structural sin' existing in at least 55 nations across the globe, where nearly 28,000 people find themselves on death row," she told reporters, adding that this number "does not include cases in countries where there are no official statistics reported."
Jubilee Year, cont'd on pg. 6
Child Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, 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-Rochester 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-Rochester’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Michael Gerard at 507-361-3377, or mgerard@dowr.org.
January Saint
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Feast Day: January 4 From Catholic News Agency
�t. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the foundress
and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States. She was born to Episcopalian parents into New York City high society on August 28, 1774. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley was the first professor of anatomy at Columbia College and praised for his work as the health officer of the Port of New
The Holy Father's Intention for
January 2025 For the Right to an Education Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
York. Her mother, Catherine Charlton, daughter of an Anglican minister of Staten Island, NY, died when Elizabeth was three years old, leaving her and two other young daughters. Elizabeth was married on January 25, 1794, in St. Paul's Episcopalian Church to William Magee Seton. When his father died, they took over custody of William's seven half brothers and sisters, as well as the family's importing business. William fell into financial troubles, and later died of tuberculosis in Pisa, Italy, in December 1803 while attempting to get help from his business friends. After getting to know the Catholic Church in Italy, Elizabeth fasted and prayed for light. Finally, on Ash Wednesday, March 14, 1805, she was received into the Church. Her conversion unleashed a storm among her Protestant relatives and friends and made her financial strains even greater. In January 1806, Cecilia Seton, Elizabeth's young sister-in-law, became very ill and begged to see the ostracized convert and told her of her desire to become a Catholic. When Cecilia's decision was known threats were made to have Mrs. Seton expelled from the state by the Legislature. On her recovery Cecilia fled to Elizabeth for refuge and was received into the Church. Elizabeth moved to Baltimore in 1808, and, with the help of a Catholic
convert, a farm was purchased two miles from Mt. St. Mary's College and Mrs. Seton took vows privately before Archbishop Carroll and her daughter Anna. In 1810, Bishop Flaget was commissioned to obtain in France the rules of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. The rule, with some modifications, was approved by Archbishop Carroll in January 1812, and adopted. Mrs. Seton was elected superior against her will and in spite of the fact that she had also to care for her children. Many joined the community; including Mother Seton's daughter, Anna, who died during her novitiate (March 12, 1812), but had been permitted to pronounce her vows on her deathbed. Mother Seton and eighteen sisters made their vows on July 19, 1813. The third time she was elected superior in 1819, she protested that it was the "election of the dead," but she lived for two years more, finally succuming to a pulmonary infection. She died in Emmitsburg, Maryland on January 4, 1821. In 1880 Cardinal Gibbons (then Archbishop) urged that the steps be taken toward her canonization. Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified in 1963 and she was canonized on September 14, 1975.
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This Month in The Courier Archives
---------------------------------25, 50 & 75 Years Ago----------------------------------
The St. Joseph's Women's Council of Owatonna hosted the annual Christmas Quarterly on December 11. Nancy Olson, left, representing Birthright, receives a $500 check to help support the organization, from Kay Oberle, Treasurer of the Council. Birthright is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women of all ages. Also shown is Father Thomas Hargesheimer, Pastor of St. Joseph and moderator of the diocesan council, who received proceeds from the December bake sale sponsored by the parish women's council; those will be used for special Christmas needs in the community. St. Joseph Church is the meeting site for the Winona Diocesan Quarterly on January 12 and the Owatonna-Waseca Area January quarterly. Reprinted from January 2000.
Winona - A fire caused considerable damage to the interior of St. Stanislaus Church here on Sunday, Dec. 29. The origin of the blaze was the church's Christmas crib scene and its decorations. The most visible damage occurred in the area of the burning crib but the large edifice itself suffered a good deal of smoke discoloration and smudging. Although the blaze was discovered early by a parishioner who had come to the church to pray, impairment of the building was sufficient enough to prevent its use for services in the near future. Father Donald Grubish, pastor of St. Stanislaus, said that a preliminary investigation has failed to come up with any cause for the fire. At the moment it does not appear that faulty wiring or other electrical malfunction was at fault, he added. The pastor estimated that the cost of repair would run rather high, mostly because of the redecorating that will have to be done on the church which is one of the largest in the Diocese. ... Reprinted from January 1975.
Winona - The Installation of the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edward A. Fitzgerald, D.D., on January 4, claimed the attention of the entire upper midwest. The most spectacular and colorful ceremony in the history of the Diocese took place in the beautiful facilities of the College of Saint Teresa here. Four Archbishops, 27 Bishops, two Abbots, scores of Monsignors and hundreds of priests, in addition to Brothers, Sisters, relatives and guests, were in attendance at the impressive ceremonies. ... In the grandure of the setting in the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels a capacity congregation witnessed the rites of installation presided over by His Excellency, the Most Reverend John Gregory Murray, S.T.D., Archbishop of Saint Paul. Following the ceremonies 500 attended the banquet held in Lourdes hall. In the evening 1,000 were present for the civic reception held in the Winona Senior high school auditorium. Reprinted from January 15, 1950. January 2025 w The Courier w dowr.org
The Crowded Inn and the Unkempt Stable: A Meditation for Christmas
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are just too busy, too full, to is the time to attune your ears likeness of God, but at the � t Christmas, take him in? Are the rooms of to the sound of that invitation. same time, all of us, spiritually we certainly look
From the Bishop
back in time to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem long ago, but we also are meant to examine intently the present moment when that same Jesus endeavors to be born in our hearts. After all, the whole point of the Christian life is to be able to say with St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” To help us with both inquiries, I would propose a meditation for you upon two dwellings: the travelers’ inn at Bethlehem from which the Lord was excluded and the stable in which he was born. Mary and Joseph— bedraggled, tired, more than a bit desperate—arrive at the door of a hostel in a tiny town of Judea. The owner, knowing that his establishment is at capacity and taking into consideration the troublesome nobodies who are seeking entry, brusquely sends them away. The obvious spiritual question for us is this: what do we say when Jesus seeks to be born in our hearts? Do we protest that our lives
our souls occupied by wealth, pleasure, the desire for honor, family, work, friendships, entertainment? Has an ideological secularism caused us simply to set aside any possibility of the sacred and transcendent? And as a result, do we grimace impatiently at Christ when he comes and urge him to find lodging somewhere else? And mind you, Jesus typically comes to us now as he did then, which is to say, in a humble, even distressing, disguise. If he had appeared two thousand years ago in full divine glory, the inn-keeper would have cleared the place out in order to accommodate him, and if he appeared to us in similar splendor, we would undoubtedly let him in. But the one who said, “whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me,” indeed comes to us in the form of the hungry, the homeless, the annoying, the outsider. The great Christmas imperative is: when Christ comes to you, give him room! I’m sure you know that lovely image from the book of Revelation, Christ standing at the door knocking. In his divine power, he could, of course, have simply knocked down the door, but he respects our dignity and freedom sufficiently to give us the opportunity to respond in love to his entreaty. Christmas
The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday
Sioux Falls - ODLT Channel 7 at 7 a.m. Sioux City - KPTH Channel 44 at 8:30 a.m. Mankato - KEYC Channel 12 at 7:30 a.m. Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 NEYC at 9:30 a.m. Digital Channel 7 (DirecTV) or Channel 11 (DISH) KMNF at 9 a.m. Rochester/Austin/Mason City KIMT Channel 3 at 7:30 a.m. MyTV 3.2 at 9 a.m. Twin Cities - WFTC Digital Channel 29 or Channel 9.2 at 11:30 a.m. Southeastern MN - HBC Channel 20 at 3 p.m. (repeated Wed. at 3:30 p.m.) Winona/La Crosse/Eau Claire - WLAX/WEUX Channel 25/48 at 7:30 a.m. and on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass") January 2025 w The Courier w dowr.org
A self-complacent secularism, a crowding-out of the spiritual, might be one reason we resist the coming of Christ. Another is shame. How could the Son of God take up residence in a life as unkempt and scandalous as mine? Dorothy Day made this remark: “I am so glad that Jesus was born in a stable. Because my soul is so much like a stable. It is so poor and in unsatisfactory condition because of guilt, falsehoods, inadequacies, and sin. Yet I believe if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can also be born in me.” Far too many Christmas cards have convinced us that the Bethlehem stable was a warm, cozy, and pretty place. But let’s be realistic: a shelter for animals on the outskirts of an insignificant town in the ancient world would have been dark, malodorous, cold, and decidedly unbeautiful. Yet, that is where Christ chose to be born. We are all indeed made in the image and
Bishop's Calendar
*indicates event is open to the public January 1, Wednesday *10:30 a.m. - Holy Day Mass - St. Patrick, LeRoy
speaking, are something of a mess. As G.K. Chesterton said, “we’re all in the same boat, and we’re all seasick.” Addiction, obsession, the inability to forgive, cruelty both latent and explicit, crippling envy, bouts of despair—all of it has rendered our souls as dingy and unpleasant as the Bethlehem stable. Nevertheless, Christ does not despise our outcast state. He is pleased to be born in the messiest of souls. Mind you, Jesus is not satisfied with our seasick condition; he’s not content to leave us in shambles. Christmas represents the beginning of his life in us, not the end. Once we allow him in, he commences, with the cooperation of our freedom, to become the Lord of every aspect of our lives, turning the stable into a palace fit for a king. So, when you permit him to be born in you, be prepared for more than a little adventure. Perhaps you have been away from church for a long time; perhaps the regnant secularism has crowded out all
- The Chancery, Rochester
Non Nisi Te Domine Bishop Robert Barron
consideration of the spiritual; perhaps you’re convinced that the Lord would never seek intimacy with the likes of you. Flannery O’Connor said that her stories were about “the offer of grace typically refused.” Might I suggest that this Christmas is a moment of grace. Don’t refuse it.
2 p.m. - DOW-R Finance Council The Chancery, Rochester
January 19, Sunday *9:30 a.m. - Mass and Installation January 24, Friday of Fr. Alex Salazar, IVE as Pastor - *8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The Sts. Peter and Paul, Mankato Chancery, Rochester 12 p.m. - Pension Plan for Priests January 2, Thursday January 21, Tuesday *8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The *8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The The Chancery, Rochester Chancery, Rochester Chancery, Rochester January 26, Sunday January 4-10, SaturdayFriday Region VIII Bishops Retreat Florida
9:30 a.m. - Q&A with Upperclassmen - Lourdes High School, Rochester 12 p.m. - Deans Meeting - The Chancery, Rochester 2:30 p.m. - Clergy Personnel January 12, Sunday *8:15 a.m. - Mass and Installation Committee - The Chancery, of Fr. David Medow as Pastor - Rochester January 22, Wednesday Holy Spirit, Rochester 2 p.m. - Bishop's Cabinet - The January 14, Tuesday *8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The Chancery, Rochester
*9 a.m. - Mass for Life - St. Olaf, Mabel January 28, Tuesday *10 a.m. - School Mass - St. Mary, Madelia January 29, Wednesday *8:45 a.m. - School Mass - St. Pius X, Rochester January 30, Thursday *10 a.m. - School Mass - Sacred Heart, Adams
January 23, Thursday 9 a.m. - Q&A with Upperclassmen January 16, Thursday January 31, Friday 10:30 a.m. - College of Consultors - Pacelli Catholic Schools, Austin 10:30 a.m. - Anointing Mass - *10 a.m. - School Mass - St. Mary, Caledonia Sacred Heart Care Center, Austin Chancery, Rochester
Officials
The Most Rev. Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of WinonaRochester, announces the following: Diaconal Ministry
Deacon Robert Miller: appointed to diaconal ministry at St. Bernard Parish in Stewartville and St. Bridget Parish in Simpson, effective January 1, 2025. Deacon Placido Zavala: appointed to diaconal ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Parish
in St. Charles, effective January 1, 2025. Finance Council
Rev. Timothy Reker: reappointed to a five-year term on the Diocese of WinonaRochester Finance Council, effective November 7, 2024. Catholic School Boards
Mrs. Lisa Dierkhising: appointed to a two-and-a-half-year term on the Rochester Catholic
Schools Board of Trustees, effective December 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2027. Ms. Stephanie Meyer: appointed to a two-year term on the Pacelli Catholic Schools Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2025.
Ms. Joni Roehl: appointed to a two-year term on the Pacelli Catholic Schools Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2025.
La posada repleta y el establo descuidado:
Meditación para Navidad
Por EL OBISPO ROBERT BARRON
�
n Navidad, ciertamente miramos hacia atrás en el tiempo, al nacimiento de Jesús en Belén hace mucho tiempo, pero también se supone que debemos examinar atentamente el momento presente en el que ese mismo Jesús se esfuerza por nacer en nuestros corazones. Al fin y al cabo, el sentido de la vida cristiana es poder decir con San Pablo: «Ya no vivo yo, es Cristo quien vive en mí». Para ayudarnos en ambas cuestiones, les propongo una meditación sobre dos moradas: la posada de viajeros de Belén de la que fue excluido el Señor y el establo en el que nació. María y José -desaliñados, cansados, más que un poco desesperados- llegan a la puerta de un albergue en una pequeña ciudad de Judea. El dueño, sabiendo que su establecimiento está al límite de su capacidad y teniendo en cuenta los molestos don nadie que pretenden entrar, los despide bruscamente. La pregunta espiritual obvia para nosotros es la siguiente: ¿qué decimos cuando Jesús quiere nacer en nuestros corazones? ¿Protestamos porque nuestras vidas están demasiado ocupadas, demasiado llenas, para recibirlo? ¿Están las habitaciones de nuestras almas ocupadas por la riqueza, el placer, el deseo de honor, la familia, el trabajo, las amistades, el entretenimiento? ¿Acaso un secularismo ideológico ha hecho que simplemente dejemos de lado cualquier posibilidad de lo sagrado y trascendente? Y como resultado, ¿hacemos muecas de impaciencia a Cristo cuando viene y le instamos a que busque alojamiento en otro lugar? Y, atención, Jesús suele venir a nosotros ahora
como entonces, es decir, con un disfraz humilde, incluso penoso. Si se hubiera aparecido hace dos mil años en plena gloria divina, el posadero habría desalojado el lugar para acomodarle, y si se nos apareciera con similar esplendor, sin duda le dejaríamos entrar. Pero el que dijo: «todo lo que hagan al más pequeño de mis hermanos y hermanas, me lo hacen a mí», efectivamente viene a nosotros en la forma del hambriento, del sin techo, del molesto, del forastero. El gran imperativo navideño es: cuando Cristo venga a ti, ¡dale lugar! Seguro que conoces la hermosa imagen del Apocalipsis: Cristo llama a la puerta. En su poder divino, podría, por supuesto, haberse limitado a derribar la puerta, pero respeta nuestra dignidad y libertad lo suficiente como para darnos la oportunidad de responder con amor a su súplica. La Navidad es el momento de sintonizar los oídos al sonido de esa invitación. Un secularismo autocomplaciente, que excluye lo espiritual, puede ser una de las razones por las que nos resistimos a la venida de Cristo. Otra es la vergüenza. ¿Cómo podría el Hijo de Dios instalarse en una vida tan desaliñada y escandalosa como la mía? Dorothy Day hizo este comentario: «Estoy tan contenta de que Jesús naciera en un establo. Porque mi alma se parece tanto a un establo. Es tan pobre y en condiciones insatisfactorias a causa de la culpa, las falsedades, las insuficiencias y el pecado. Sin embargo, creo que si Jesús puede nacer en un establo, quizá también pueda nacer en mí». Demasiadas postales navideñas nos han convencido de que el establo de Belén era un lugar cálido, acogedor y bonito. Pero seamos realistas: un refugio para ani-
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males en las afueras de un pueblo insignificante en el mundo antiguo habría sido oscuro, maloliente, frío y decididamente poco hermoso. Sin embargo, allí es donde Cristo decidió nacer. Todos estamos hechos a imagen y semejanza de Dios, pero al mismo tiempo, espiritualmente hablando, todos somos un desastre. Como dijo G.K. Chesterton, «todos estamos en el mismo barco, y todos estamos mareados». La adicción, la obsesión, la incapacidad de perdonar, la crueldad tanto latente como explícita, la envidia paralizante, los ataques de desesperación... todo ello ha convertido nuestras almas en algo tan sucio y desagradable como el establo de Belén. Sin embargo, Cristo no desprecia nuestra condición de marginados. Se complace en nacer en la más desordenada de las almas. Eso sí, Jesús no se conforma con nuestra condición de mareantes; no se contenta con dejarnos hechos polvo. La Navidad representa el comienzo de su vida en nosotros, no el final. Una vez que le dejamos entrar, comienza, con la cooperación de nuestra libertad, a convertirse en el Señor de todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas, convirtiendo el establo en un palacio digno de un rey. Así que, cuando le permitas nacer en ti, prepárate para algo más que una pequeña aventura. Quizá lleves mucho tiempo alejado de la Iglesia; quizá el secularismo imperante haya desplazado toda consideración de lo espiritual; quizá estés convencido de que el Señor nunca buscaría intimidad con alguien como tú. Flannery O'Connor decía que sus historias trataban de «la oferta de gracia típicamente rechazada». Permíteme sugerirte que esta Navidad es un momento de gracia. No lo rechaces.
Thank you to all 66 parishes who met their goals for the 2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal! By December 20, excluding the overages to be returned to over-goal parishes, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester has raised 89% of our $2-million overall goal.
All Saints Madison Lake All Saints New Richland Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Winona Christ the King Byron Christ the King Medford Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Rochester Crucifixion La Crescent Good Shepherd Jackson Holy Family Kasson Holy Family Lake Crystal Holy Redeemer Eyota Holy Spirit Rochester
Holy Trinity Litomysl Holy Trinity Rollingstone Immaculate Conception Kellogg Immaculate Conception St. Clair Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Easton Pax Christi Rochester Queen of Angels Austin Queen of Peace Lyle Resurrection Rochester Sacred Heart Adams Sacred Heart Brewster Sacred Heart Hayfield
St. John Vianney Sacred Heart St. Edward Fairmont Heron Lake Austin St. Joseph Sacred Heart St. Felix Good Thunder Owatonna Wabasha St. Joseph Sacred Heart St. Finbarr Lakefield Waseca Grand Meadow St. Joseph St. Agnes St. Francis of Owatonna Kellogg Assisi St. Joseph St. Ann Rochester Rushford Janesville St. Gabriel St. Joseph St. Ann Fulda Waldorf Slayton St. Ignatius St. Joseph the St. Anthony Spring Valley Worker Westbrook St. Joachim Mankato St. Bernard Plainview St. Luke Stewartville Sherburn St. John St. Bridget Johnsburg St. Mary Simpson Chatfield St. John St. Casimir Baptiste de la Salle St. Mary Winona Dodge Center Winona St. Charles St. Patrick Borromeo St. John the Brownsville St. Charles Baptist Minnesota Lake St. Patrick St. Columban LeRoy Preston St. John Nepomucene St. Patrick St. Columbanus Winona West Albany Blooming Prairie
St. Peter Hokah
Ss. Peter & Paul Mazeppa
St. Peter Rose Creek
St. Rose of Lima Lewiston
St. Thomas More Newman Center Mankato
January 2025 w The Courier w dowr.org
Jubilee Year,
"What for me had been normal, became a burden," he said. He was able to emerge from "a privileged bubble - home to 1% of the population who produce, control and distribute arms" - and enter into the world In the United States, in addition to of the 99% - those who do not want war and the federal death penalty, "27 of the 50 want to live in peace. states have the death penalty," she said. Pope Francis said in his message that the Also speaking at the news conferjubilee tradition is meant to remind all peoence was Vito Alfieri Fontana, an engiple, "rich and poor alike, that no one comes neer who worked at Italian cominto this world doomed to opprespanies producing grenades sion: all of us are brothers and and anti-tank and antid sisters, sons and daughters n personnel mines. e S r u of the same Father, born to o He said he Us Y s! live in freedom, in accorexperienced a New t the distinnc-ts, dance with the Lord's personal conbou ies, eve a e s will." version and r e t e dioc ring minis parish! h t l l Christians "feel began worke i r T p u nd ins ople in yo r a o e , bound to cry out and ing for the s v i t e photo . and p d e n denounce the many International o g i , capt @dowr.or s e i r Campaign to situations in which o st ler are Email as to nrel s n Ban Landmines the earth is exploited o i ide bmiss onth u s t after his chiland our neighbors n eve he m h of t e and dren kept asking oppressed," he wrote. Articl by the 10t blication. u e p about what he did Calling for and impleu d to prior and why, and amid menting concrete solutions growing public oppoto systemic injustice is part of sition to the use of antithe Christian desire to "break the personnel mines and the promptings of the late bonds of injustice and to proclaim God's Father Tonino Bello to reflect on his life. justice," he added.
In the Diocese
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cont'd from pg. 2
On November 10, at Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Blue Earth, the Blue Earth Knights of Columbus presented a check for $3,500 to Deacon Steve Landsteiner for the benefit of Fairmont Area Catholic Radio (FACR). The money was raised by free-will donations at a benefit breakfast at Ss. Peter & Paul on September 12. Since the presentation of the check, the council has applied for and received a matching grant from the MN Knights Foundation for an additional $1,500 toward FACR. Pictured left to right are: Gene Schimek, Doug Klocek, Dan Klinkner, FACR Founder Deacon Steve Landsteiner, Scott Erichsrud, Paul Carr, Seth Stevermer, Chairman Rick Mauris, Scott Kramer, Leo Stauffer, Greg Armon, and Anothony Carr
Photo and caption submitted by Richard Mauris, financial secretary for the Blue Earth Knights of Columbus.
Christ the Healer Workshop and Healing Prayer Service:
A Day of Renewal
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Submitted by DR. SUSAN WINDLEY-DAOUST
AUSTIN - January 11, 2025 - The Churches of St. Augustine and St. Edward are excited to announce the Christ the Healer Workshop, a transformative event designed to explore the healing power of Christ through song, Scripture, spiritual theology, testimony, and prayer. This workshop will take place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, Austin. The workshop is open to all and will feature sessions led by Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust, a theologian and executive director of The Mark 5:19 Project, and Fr. Andrew Beerman, the pastor of St. Augustine and St. Edward parishes. Attendees will explore Scripture and theology that addresses the healing ministries of Christ, and how we are called to invite others to the healing of Christ in a broken world. The workshop is free, but a free-will cash offering will be collected to cover lunch expenses. For more information and to register, please visit Eventbrite.com and search for “Christ the Healer Austin.” Following the workshop, there will be an open city-wide healing service at St. Augustine’s at 7 p.m., titled Jesus Christ Brings Healing. All those seeking healing in their lives are welcome to come and see. There will be testimony, adoration, confessions, and prayer teams available for personal prayer requests. All are welcome, and the church encourages inviting people in need, including those who do not identify as Christian. All are welcome. Join us for a day of spiritual growth and renewal, and experience the transformative healing of Jesus Christ in your life. Contact: The Mark 5:19 Project Email: info@ mark519project.org. Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust is the executive director of The Mark 5:19 Project.
SVdP, cont'd from pg. 1 For a variety of reasons, the SVdP conferences in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester do not operate thrift stores. Instead, the main focus of service is the home visit. Visiting those in need in their homes is the distinctive characteristic of the Society. The primary purpose of this person-to-person interaction is to provide an opportunity to show the love of Christ and to provide assistance while maintaining the dignity of those who are served. In the past six years, the members from the 10 conferences within the diocese have made 17,600 in-person or virtual home visits and provided 128,000 hours of service to those in need. Because of the generosity of our parishioners and benefactors, conferences have also provided more than $3 million in direct financial assistance to those we serve. The majority of this financial assistance is to pay for housing and utilities, but it also includes funds for transportation (gas cards, car repairs, bus passes, etc.), household goods and furnishings, medical supplies, clothing, personal care items, groceries, etc. No form of charity is foreign to the Society, and help is provided without regard to any factor other than the need and the resources available to the conference. To give you an idea of what we do and who we serve, here are just three examples of how conferences have been able to help: •
CY has struggled her entire life. She moved to Rochester several years ago with nothing, and Saint Vincent de Paul helped her get established. She continued to have setbacks and make unwise decisions for a few years, but, with guidance from us, she turned things around. She found a job which she has kept for three years, that offers her health care, time off and even a retirement plan. All was good until late summer when she was struck by a car while riding her bicycle. She
Faith and Music, cont'd from pg. 1
During our interview, he stated that music was transcendent, and that it was one thing the devil could not take away from us because music holds a direct connection with the infinite. He mentioned key musical compositions that defined his relationship with the Lord. Among the first were the Laude Filipine and the Cantigas de Santa Maria, written by the Christian King Alfonso X of Spain, along with a court of people made of Christians, Jews and Muslims, who all composed this music dedicated to Mary. Sebastian also found inspiration in Gregorian chant, Russian Orthodox music, and other examples of sacred music throughout history. He came to recognize that music was mystery made flesh. This music could not have been written if Christ was not a real fact in history. Sebastian's heart was once broken by a young lady, and the moment he regained hope in Christ was when he listened to a piece of music written in the late Middle Ages (Tutor dicendo). The beauty of the music allowed him to realize that even though he might not understand why this happened, it was part of his destiny ordained by Christ, and so it was good. His experience with his faith only confirmed his life's involvement with music. Sebastian declared that being a musician requires obeying a force that transcends you. As Christians, we must do the same; we must obey the limits and restrictions of our faith in order to gain true freedom.
was unable to work for six months. She attempted to get by with her savings, but, as they were running out, she stopped paying her rent and got more than $3,500 behind. Partnering with a county agency who paid $2,500, we were able to satisfy the rest, and eviction was avoided. She has now returned to work and is still struggling a bit to catch up but making progress. •
SM is a 75-year-old woman who lives in a trailer home with her spouse. They have a fixed income and often struggle financially. She is a breast and colon cancer survivor, still under medical care. Their daughter passed away recently, and their son started on dialysis. As a result, they got behind in their utility bills. We helped and paid $188.90 to MN Energy and $264 to Rochester Public Utilities. She was very grateful we were able to help them.
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LS is a 24-year-old single woman currently living with her mother (age 46) and brother (age 16). The lease is in her name. LS has worked at Target for over a year. Her income was disrupted due to getting COVID followed by laryngitis. She also learned that she has a tear in one of her main arteries from coughing so much, which puts her at risk of a stroke. She went to the ER twice in three days. The artery issue requires a three-month recovery period. She has worked with Target to put her on light duty during this period, and she planned to return to full-time work in another month. She was behind $1,050 in rent. Her mother could contribute $300, so we paid the additional $750. She would have another paycheck before rent was due again. She is now back to work and doing well medically and financially.
While the focus is on home visits, individual conferences also perform other works of charity. The Owatonna conference has a program called “Furnishing Hope.” This program provides furnishings and basic household items for people moving into
During his time at the seminary, Sebastian worked for Pope Francis (then Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio) who was serving as Vicar General at the time, later becoming Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. Sebastian mostly saw him at large liturgical events. He told me that, as Vicar General and then Archbishop, Fr. Jorge Bergoglio was never seen smiling. This was a great surprise considering that in most of the pictures of him as Pope Francis, he is smiling. Sebastian made the point that the Holy Spirit must have inspired a change when Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis. What the exact change was, Sebastian does not know. After finishing his work at the seminary, Sebastian moved to Italy to study at a conservatory for music. He also continued to grow in devotion to God with the Communion and Liberation community, led by Fr. Giussani. Sebastian even had the delightful experience of meeting Fr. Giussani at his home shortly after his last birthday, before he passed away in 2005. It was after Fr. Giussani's funeral that Sebastian met Monsignor Jerry Mahon, who was attending the funeral. The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester was then in need of an organist, and Monsignor Mahon extended an invitation to Sebastian to apply for this position. During Sebastian's time in the diocese, he has made significant contributions, including improvised music for Bishop Barron's first vespers, a eucharistic processional hymn, and an hour-long choral piece on St. John's Gospel in honor of the 150th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Church (sebastianmodarelli. com/excerpts-from-what-i-have-seen-and-heard).
a new apartment or home. Owatonna and Fairmont conferences participate in community meal programs, working with other churches to provide weekly meals. These partnerships allow conferences to provide services they could not do on their own. Resurrection conference has a program called “Helping Hands” which provides vouchers for local grocery stores. Some conferences have community resource rooms where individuals and families can get basic household supplies. The value of these in-kind goods and services have totaled $168,000 over the past six years. The District Council has a loan program that provides low-interest loans to those in need. Since its inception seven years ago, this program has provided 50 loans totaling $94,000. The program not only provides funds for those who do not have other options but also helps to establish a credit history to help with future banking needs. These loans have paid for costs related to transportation needs (vehicle purchase or repairs), outstanding medical bills, payoff of other high-interest loans or garnishments, and home repairs. The work of the Society is endless, for, as Christ stated “the poor will always be with you.” More members are always welcome to join existing conferences, and parishes are encouraged to look into starting a new conference. There are many resources available, and a team of Vincentians will eagerly visit with pastors and parishioners to share their experiences and to help recruit members. If you are interested in learning more about the Society, please feel free to contact the conference president in your parish or the District Council president, Tim Geisler, at dcpresident@svdp-rochmn.org . You can also visit our website at svdp-rochmn.org/
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Tim Geisler is the District Council president for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Diocese of WinonaRochester.
Members of the Communion and Liberation community in Rochester.
Describing these moments during the interview, Sebastian's enthusiasm truly shone forth. He was able to talk openly about the process of his writing and how he needed to obey everything given to him, including inspiration itself, and abide in the Holy Spirit. His face lit up when discussing his blog, the Crow City Post (thecrowcitypost.blogspot.com), a humorous blog which he started last November. His passion for it is clear; another example of Sebastian obeying divine inspiration and allowing it to transcend into a great work. When asked about what was next in his life, Sebastian said that only God knows, and he is quite content with that. Sebastian is someone who desires to remain in the present moment and to always say "yes" to what is required of him. Kat Larson is an administrative assistant to the Office of Evangelization in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
If you know a person in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester who is living out the Catholic Faith in a distinctive way, and who wouldn't mind being featured in The Courier, please email Nick Reller at nreller@dowr.org.
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Embracing Refugees with 8 Catholic Charities
Compassion and Hope Just as We Do the Holy Family
By ADAM JARVIS
�s the Church commemorates the flight of the
Holy Family to Egypt this January, Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program invites our community to reflect on the challenges faced by modern-day refugees. Just as Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus sought refuge from peril, millions today are displaced, seeking safety and stability for their families. This sacred story inspires us to respond with compassion, offering shelter and support to those embarking on a journey toward hope. For nearly five decades, Catholic Charities has extended its arms to refugees arriving in Southeastern Minnesota, serving as the region's sole resettlement agency. Since 1975, we have welcomed individuals and families from countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bosnia, Myanmar, Sudan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Colombia, Guatemala, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. In 2024, 209 refugees began their new lives here, benefiting from our refugee resettlement programs comprehensive case management and essential services.
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Our Refugee Resettlement Program helps newly arrived refugees with housing, food, education, employment, and financial literacy. The goal is to empower individuals and families to achieve independence while fostering a sense of belonging in their new community. Programs like our employment assistance, cultural orientations, and community volunteer initiatives ensure refugees have the tools to thrive. Volunteers play a critical role, from purchasing culturally appropriate groceries to providing friendship and guidance. Through our family mentorship and co-sponsorship volunteer opportunities, parishioners embody the call to "welcome the stranger," creating a network of care and support.
Among the many lives touched by Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement is the inspiring story of Abdi, an East African refugee and political activist who was separated from his family. During a period of political upheaval, Abdi, his wife, and their children fled their country, seeking refuge in Ethiopia. On their journey, they encountered an orphaned boy and, moved by compassion, decided to adopt him and raise him as one of their own, despite struggling to provide for their own children. Years later, Abdi was resettled in the United States. Unfortunately, the refugee processing system is often slow and fragmented. As a result, Abdi's wife and biological children are still awaiting approval to travel and remain separated from him. However, December brought a bittersweet joy: Abdi’s adopted son and his adopted son’s family were finally able to complete their resettlement process and reunite with him in Rochester. Abdi is now helping his son and grandchildren adjust to life in a new country, finding purpose in guiding them through the challenges he once faced. His story is a testament to the enduring hope and resilience of refugees and the critical role programs like Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement play in their journey. As we honor the Holy Family's flight to Egypt this January, Catholic Charities encourages everyone to reflect on how we can embody their spirit of courage and faith. Refugees in our community, like Abdi and his family, remind us of our shared humanity and the call to act with compassion. Through your support, Catholic Charities continues to transform lives, helping families build new futures rooted in dignity and self-reliance. Together, we can make the words of Jesus—"I was a stranger, and you welcomed me"—a living reality in our community. For more information on how you can support Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program through donations or by volunteering, visit www. ccsomn.org. Adam Jarvis is the director of refugee resettlement services for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.
Celebrating Vocations at Cotter Schools Submitted by JANA KORDER
we encourage our students to explore and embrace. One day out of each month of the school year, students in grades 7-12 dedicate time to learning about vocations during special Vocation Days, inspired by the diocesan efforts to increase vocations and Bishop Barron’s commitment to increase the number of priests. His vision calls for renewed efforts to foster a culture of discernment, prayer, and support within Catholic communities. Using a curriculum created by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, this regular celebration invites students to reflect on God’s call in their lives, whether it may lead to religious life, marriage, or single life. This past November, in celebration of National Vocations Awareness Week, we expanded our focus from Vocation Days to a full Vocations Week offering meaningful experiences during religion classes. Students listened to vocation stories from a diverse group of individuals within our faith community. These reflections center on themes of vocation, experiences of discernment, and ways in which people have heard God’s call. Brother Juan Manuel Hernandez Bernal explains, “Our goal is to help young people explore the many paths God calls us to, including the lifestyles of Lay and Christian Brothers.”
Catholic Schools
�ocation is not just a calling—it’s a journey, one that
Brother Larry Schatz speaks to students in Mrs. Marisa Corcoran's servant leadership class.
This year’s presenters included: • • • •
Brother Juan Manuel speaks to students in Mrs. Anna McGuire's religion class.
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Brother Juan Manuel Hernandez Bernal, a De La Salle Christian Brother and volunteer in Cotter’s Campus Ministry Office Father Michael Churchill, a diocesan priest serving as chaplain of Cotter Schools Jerry and Susan Windley-Daoust, a married couple and parents of Cotter alumni
Sister Mary Andrea Lesko, a Sister of Mercy and elementary teacher at Cotter
Each day, students watched a video featuring one of these inspiring vocation stories. They then engaged in thoughtful discussions, sharing how the stories impacted them and reviewing discernment tips offered by the presenters. Each session concluded with a special vocation prayer, fostering reflection and prayerful consideration of their own paths.
Cotter’s chaplain, Father Churchill, said, “In addition to sharing my vocation story via the video for all of our students to watch and pray with, I was able to jump into some of the classrooms afterward to allow students to ask questions about priesthood and religious life. They had very good questions that showed real interest and desire to learn and grow as Christian disciples.” These moments of reflection served as a powerful reminder of Cotter’s Catholic identity and our commitment to nurturing the faith life of our students. We are grateful for the individuals who shared their stories with our students, providing invaluable insights into their own vocational journeys. Through their words, students witnessed the beauty and diversity of God’s call, and we continue to pray that our students will discover and embrace their unique vocations Jana Korder works in communications, marketing & brand identity for Cotter Schools in Winona.
2024 Ben Bushlack Scholarship Recipients Announced Submitted by TERESA CHIRPICH
�n Sunday, November 24, two St.
Casimir’s Catholic School students, of Wells, earned the honor of joining the ranks of past Ben Bushlack Scholarship recipients when they were presented with the honor of being chosen as the 2024 winners. Following the morning Mass, Ben's mother, Mary Beth, addressed those in attendance by sharing memories of Ben's remarkable life and how he still impacts others' lives even today. Mrs. Bushlack then announced that this year's recipients of the Ben Bushlack Scholarship were Colton Mullery and Gemma Woodring two very deserving students. This memorial scholarship is provid-
ed by Ben’s family and friends to students who exhibit the qualities that represented Ben’s infectious personality, including his strong faith-filled life, giving of self to others and his love of the educational environment. Ben was the perfect example of how we must face adversities in life in an enthusiastic, optimistic and unselfish manner. Congratulations to Colton and Gemma, and our thanks to Ben's family for their ongoing generosity! Pictured to the left are Ben’s parents, Gary and Mary Beth Bushlack; with Tri-Parish Pastor Fr. Pratap Salibindla; School Administrator Jinger Woodring; and scholarship recipients Colton Mullery and Gemma Woodring. Teresa Chirpich is the office manager for St. Casimir School in Wells.
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Diaconate Council of Catholic Women
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The Reality of Evil and the
Love of God
By DEACON ROBERT YERHOT, MSW
�
have been doing a lot of thinking recently about the reality of evil and the one we call Satan. In diaconal ministry, I am seeing a growing number of people who are involved in paganism and the occult. In my preaching, the emphasis, which underlies everything else I may say, is always God's infinite love for every human being - no exceptions - and God’s desire to be loved by each of us. God always wants a love relationship to exist, grounded in faith
and reaching out toward others in hope. This relationship of faith, hope, and love with the God who created us is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet there is the reality of evil, and an evil spirit we call Satan. We must recall that Satan has been completely defeated by the death and resurrection of Jesus and no longer has the last say on anything. Nonetheless, he still wields influence and power. As St. Peter said, he prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Too many people are being devoured.
We simply must not play around with evil and Satan. We must vigorously reject them. We did so at our baptisms, and we must continue to do so. Satan is far too clever, far too intelligent for us. We must not argue with Satan because he will confuse us. We must refuse to engage him and then turn our attention immediately to God. I never met anyone whose life was happy who had engaged in any of the above mentioned practices. They have always been distressed and unsettled. Satan lies, and the lie usually goes like this: "God is not who you think he is. You are not who you think you are." Satan wants to confuse us. If he can plant the seed of doubt, he can lead us to make choices that are contrary to what is truly good, and we become uneasy, unsettled, and unhappy. This is sin. In contrast, God never lays traps. He brings clarity and truth. He says, "I am your Father.... You are my son, my daughter.... You are loved." Deacons, when we find individuals who involve themselves with the occult, witchcraft, or New Age philosophies, we must tell them they are playing around with Satan. These practices are not harmless spiritual alternatives. They are dangerous and unacceptable and bring havoc into lives. Deacons, we are to lead those on the edges of the Church, who seldom are present in our pews, to the altar. Those edges often are understood as those on the economic edges, but I challenge us to bring also those on the spiritual edges back. We are evangelists after all! Tell them they are God's beloved children - sons and daughters of God. This is their identity. They do not have to prove it to anyone. They certainly do not have to prove it to God. Deacons, we must preach the truth of our love for God and, most especially, his love for us. Deacons must preach this! Deacon Robert Yerhot serves the parishes of St. Mary in Caledonia and St. Patrick in Brownsville.
Happy Jubilee Year 2025!
By SHELLY HOLT
�n case you have not heard, Pope Francis has engaged in a centuries-long Catholic tradition on Christmas Eve and introduced a first-time, historical addition to the holy ritual. Starting on December 24, the pontiff began opening a series of five Holy Doors throughout Rome to commence the 2025 Catholic Church Jubilee - a joyful commemoration of faith that normally occurs every 25 years. After that Christmas Eve ritual, Pope Francis opened a symbolic door inside the Roman prison Rebibbia on December 26, the feast of St. Stephen. On Sunday, December 29, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at Rome’s Cathedral, the Basilica Saint John Lateran, of which he is also the bishop. Then, on New Year’s Day - also a holy day of obligation, the Solemnity of Mary - the Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major outside the Vatican in Rome will be opened. Lastly, on Sunday, January 5, Pope Francis will open the fifth and final Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. This month, the Winona-Rochester Council of Catholic Women is focusing on life from the moment of conception to the time of natural death! We realize being prolife is caring for the whole person man, woman, or child - through all stages of life. We respect life at every moment of the year; however, we pay particular attention with the March for Life and speaking with legislators in January.
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Please join us for our Winter Quarterly Meeting Saturday, January 11, 2025 (designated Human Trafficking Awareness Day), at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 9946 SE 24th Ave, in Litomysl (near Owatonna). Every woman in the diocese is invited, including high school students. You are welcome by virtue of being a woman in the church! The meeting begins with registration at 8 a.m. and includes the Rosary, Mass, breakfast and lunch, and will feature an in-depth speaker at 10 a.m. - Andy Aplikowski, executive director of Human Life Alliance Minnesota. At 1 p.m., Senator Carla Nelson will share what to expect in the 2025 legislative session. A Prayer for Life to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
O Jesus, you came that we might have life – and have it in abundance. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you form us in our mothers’ wombs and call us to love you for all eternity. As your most precious gift of human life is attacked, draw us ever closer to your Real Presence in the Eucharist. Dispel the darkness of the culture of death, for you are the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. By the power of your Eucharistic Presence, help us to defend the life of every human person at every stage. Transform our hearts to protect and cherish all whose lives are most vulnerable. For you are God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran
Shelly Holt is the president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She may be reached at shellyholttotalwellness@gmail.com or 507-381-2842.
Inside the Capitol
By MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
�ow is a time of looking back at the prior year and looking ahead to the new one - in the Church and at
the State Capitol. In the Church, we end the liturgical year (right after the general election) with the feast of Christ the King, remembering that no matter who is in public office, the Lord is on the throne. We then enter Advent, where we begin anew in anxious anticipation of his coming now in consolation to feed us; the Word of Life becomes the Bread of Life. At the Capitol, the election is, in some ways, a referendum on the prior biennium and starts the process by which we look forward to a new Legislature and what may be accomplished.
Looking Back Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) staff and bishops reflected this fall on our public policy efforts in the previous biennium (2023-24) and how they are rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and the enduring truth of God’s Word. To visualize the consistent ethic of life and preferential option for the poor and vulnerable that guides our advocacy, we published an Advocacy Report on the 93rd Legislative Session as a comprehensive review of the past biennium (2023–2024) at the Minnesota State Legislature. This report highlights the critical work of MCC staff and the Catholic bishops of Minnesota. Read the Advocacy Report on the 93rd Minnesota Legislature at: mncatholic.org/advocacy93.
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The passage of a nation-leading Child Tax Credit, providing financial relief for growing lowand middle-income families; Restoring religious freedom in the Minnesota Human Rights Act, ensuring, among other things, that faith-based employers can hire according to mission;
11 MN Catholic Conference
A Reflection on the 93rd Legislative Session
The Advocacy Report serves to educate Catholics about the wide array of policy issues MCC addresses, from protecting life and supporting families to upholding religious freedom and promoting environmental stewardship. Many Catholics are unaware of the breadth of MCC’s efforts or the extent to which legislative decisions impact our faith and values. The report underscores the importance of these issues and how they connect to our civic responsibility. Among the significant accomplishments detailed in the report are:
The passage of driver’s licenses for all, granting dignity and opportunity to immigrant communities;
Preventing the legalization of online sports gambling, safeguarding vulnerable households from a predatory industry; and Stopping the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, and protecting the elderly vulnerable and those with disability.
These achievements reflect MCC’s mission to promote the common good through faithful advocacy. Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, our efforts remain consistent regardless of shifting societal trends or political ideologies. Looking Ahead
The Advocacy Report is more than a review of legislative accomplishments; it is also an invitation to reflect and act. This month, consider how your faith intersects with your civic life. What policy issues resonate with you? What societal debates inspire you to act? By engaging with this report, you can better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Minnesota and discern how to support the bishops’ work in the new year as a faithful citizen. To begin, consider two ways to get involved: Participate in Adoration at the Capitol: Join us in prayer on the first Fridays of each month from January through May. Our first Adoration at the Capitol will take place Friday, January 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Governor’s Historic Dining Room. RSVP here. Sign up for the Catholic Advocacy Network (CAN): Receive regular updates from MCC, including opportunities to write to legislators, share your personal experiences, and access resources to deepen your knowledge of faith and public policy. Subscribe here. This month, let us reflect on the ways we can bring Christ’s light into the public square. By reading MCC’s Advocacy Report and committing to action, we can ensure that our faith continues to guide the policies that shape our state. The Minnesota Catholic Conference has been the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota since 1967. The voting members of the MCC's board of directors are Minnesota's Catholic bishops.
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Obituaries Sister Janet Mallak, SSND, 77, died on December 1, 2024, at Benedictine Living Community, Windermere, in Shakopee. Her funeral Mass was celebrated December 9 at Windermere Chapel, Shakopee, with Father John Kunz as presider. Burial followed in the Good Counsel Cemetery, Mankato. Sister Janet and her twin brother were born in 1947 in Hutchinson. She grew up on the family farm near Silver Lake and attended St. Adalbert Elementary School. She enrolled in Good Counsel Academy for her high school education and graduated in 1965. She entered the School
January 2025 Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato that same year and professed First Vows in 1967. She taught primary grade students in Minnesota and Iowa Catholic schools for 19 years, including Ss. Peter & Paul, Blue Earth (1970-71), and St. Mary, Worthington (1985-87), in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. In 1987, she began a ministry in spirituality when she joined the staff of the Center for Spiritual Development in Bird Island. She continued this ministry at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI, from 2002 through 2009. In both centers, she helped coordinate the spiritual direction preparation programs, among other responsibilities. From 2009 through 2011, she served on the final Mankato
SSND provincial council and assisted with the consolidation of four provinces into the Central Pacific Province. She resumed her ministry of retreat work and spiritual direction in 2011 and moved with other School Sisters of Notre Dame to Shakopee in the fall of 2022. Sister Janet is survived by her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates; her twin brother, Ken; her sisters, Mary Jo (Tom) Amon and Loretta (Pat Nienow); nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary (Picha) Mallak. A longer obituary and a recording of her funeral is available at ssndcp.org/obituaries.
Sister Jutta Gleichauf, OSF, 97, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Sister Jutta was born Hilda Genevieve Gleichauf on October 11, 1927, in Ironton, OH, to Carl and Hilda (Mantz) Gleichauf. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1951, received the name of Sister Jutta, and made perpetual vows in 1957. She received her Master's in Business Administration from Notre Dame University, Indiana, in 1969. Sister Jutta held various educational positions throughout her career. From 1954-99, she served in elementary and business education and was a principal and administrator in schools across Minnesota, Nebraska, and Ohio. She served as a business education teacher and front office manager at Lourdes High School, Rochester, from 1960-66 and 1974-99. Survivors of Sister Jutta Gleichauf include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom
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The Courier
she shared life for 73 years; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Carl and Joseph Gleichauf; and two sisters, Clara Houlihan and Veronica Thistle. A Resurrection Liturgy will be held at Assisi Heights at 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2024. The burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. To view the funeral via livestream, go to rochesterfranciscan.org. Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.