July 2021
Why? By JEANETTE FORTIER
� hen people talk about the National Council of Catholic Women, they will often talk about the conven-
tions, held every year in different parts of the United States. This August 25-28, the NCCW Convention will be in Arlington, VA. It will be a one-year-delayed celebration of NCCW’s 100th anniversary. Women will talk about fantastic tours, wonderful meals (that they didn’t have to cook or clean up after), no responsibility to make the bed, and much laughter. The subject came up at the June 11-12 conference of the St. Paul & Minneapolis Province. When the afternoon speaker didn’t show up, members of the province board and National President Jean Kelly stood up and talked about the upcoming convention and the fact that Minnesota will host in November 2022. A woman stood up and said, “But why should I go? What value is it to me?” Here’s the why: Speakers – NCCW has been on the cutting edge of providing informative and inspiring speakers. From St. Mother Teresa, to Dorothy Day, to Matthew Kelly (before he was MATTHEW KELLY), NCCW has been forward-looking in the programs they provide. I remem-
ber attending a meeting in Seattle, WA, and hearing a speaker from Paulist Press on Evangelization. It was three years later that the speaker presented in our diocese. Liturgies – words cannot express how celebrating the Eucharist with 900 women feels. These women of faith, in full and active participation, join together with bishops and priests from across the country. There is the Meditation Room for quiet, individual prayer and the opportunities for the celebration of Reconciliation. It is the Church alive! We are about the Father’s business – the election of officers, the updating of amendments and the passage of resolutions is serious business because NCCW is on the national stage. We have a delegate to the UN, and our NCCW president attends the meetings of the USCCB. NCCW, through its leadership and affiliates, brings direct resources to situations in today’s world from fighting for the right to life, to respite care for families; from providing resources to women (Madonna Plan) to providing wells in drought-stricken countries (Water For Life). Would you know what to do if your neighbor came to your door saying she was being beaten or you saw a woman or child being trafficked? NCCW has the resources to educate you! You are changed – whether it be an area meeting, a province conference, or the NCCW Convention, once you witness the spirit and fire of these women and events, you are compelled to share with other
Holy Trinity, Litomysl, 49th Annual Summer Friends of the Poor Walk/Run & Festival - Sunday, July 25 Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, Polka Mass at 10 a.m. Festivities begin at 11. Food Sept. 25 booths outside. Kid & adult games with thousands of prizes. Silent auction and used-a-bit items in Parish Center. Garden produce & baked goods (prune, poppyseed & apricot buchty). Live Music. All welcome!
Free-will donations benefit Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 5K run/walk begins 9 a.m. at Rochester's Church of the Resurrection, 1600 11th Ave SE. Registration at 8:30. 100% donations Litomysl is 8 miles south of Owatonna on Co. Rd. 45, serve our friends in need. then 2 miles east on Co. Rd. 4 (SE 98th St) to 9946 svdp-rochmn.org/fop-walk-2021 24th Ave SE, Owatonna. Info at 507-451-6616 or Contact: Rick Fishbune rfishbune@charter.net www.litomysl.webs.com
Obituaries Sister Marcan Freking, OSF, 96, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights, on June 23, 2021. B e r n a d i n e Frances Freking was born October 9, 1924, in Heron Lake to August and Rose (Oberbroeckling) Freking. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1942, received the name of Sister Mary Marcan, and made perpetual vows in 1948. In 1957, she completed her studies for a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the College of Saint Teresa, Winona. In 1962, she completed a Master of Science degree in elementary education administration at Winona State University. Further studies included a sabbatical in 1994-95 at the School of Theology, St. Meinrad, IN. In 1945, Sister Marcan began her elementary teaching ministry at parochial schools in Austin, Winona, Glencoe, Albert Lea, and Sleepy Eye. She was the principal at St. Margaret Mary School, Golden Valley, and St. Gabriel School, Fulda. She was a
• The Courier
L to R: (front row) Eleanore Jones, Jeanette Fortier, Kathy Wilmes, Joan Betzinger, (back row) Dianne Vangness, Bev McCarvel, Cindy Meling, Cindy Heimer. Not pictured: Jackie Mickow women what you have gained. You are strengthened by the power of the women you have connected with and your heart is opened to the possibilities of God’s love flooding the world through you. In turn, you change your parish. I challenge you to go to nccw.org and learn about the National Convention. I challenge you and your parish to sponsor two women to attend. Why? Because you’ll never be the same! The women pictured above attended the province conference in St. Augusta, MN. They provided hospitality over the two days. Their graciousness and generosity was overwhelming and I, as W-RDCCW president, am very proud of them! Jeanette Fortier is the president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
Assisi Heights Seeks Pastoral Associate Sisters of St Francis seek a FT Pastoral Associate to support the Director of Residential Life and the life & well-being of the Sisters at Assisi Heights. Provide spiritual life enrichment and emotional support for the Assisi Heights community. Qualified candidates have a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry or equivalency and 2 years experience in gerontology or in a longterm care facility. Requirements: minimum ¼ CPE in NACC or ACPE; well-developed relational skills; good oral & written communication; computer skills necessary to complete position's essential functions; flexibility as pastoral ministry requires; ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and reflect the mission & values of the Rochester Franciscans. Position description on our website: rochesterfranciscan.org. Send resume and letter of interest to Judy Rud, Director of Human Resources, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901.
compassionate educator for 26 years. In 1971, Sister Marcan began her pastoral ministry for 36 years. She served in impoverished areas in Vanceburg and Grayson, KY, with the Glenmary Home Missioners, Cincinnati, OH, for 12 years. Her Franciscan heart was open to serve another Appalachian area at Holy Trinity Church in Morgantown, KY, for the next 11 years. Sister Marcan’s pastoral work then continued at Mapleton; Sturgis, KY; Whitesville, WV; and Springfield, MO. She touched the lives of many people and retired to Assisi Heights in 2007. Sister Marcan is survived by her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 78 years; two sisters-in-law; and generations of (500) nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; ten brothers, William, Joseph, Alois, Lawrence, Leo, August, George, Alfred, Edward, and Bishop Frederick Freking; eight sisters, Monica Bartosh, Clementine Berg, Mary Bauman, Rose Liepold, Clotilda Freking, Josephine Kreger, Margaret Henkels, and Anastasia Mathias; seven brothers-in-law; and six sisters-in-law. A private Funeral Liturgy was held at Assisi Heights on July 1, 2021, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.
