A Fond Farewell to Our Diocesan Pastoral Center

By TODD GRAFF

What Pope Paul VI said of the laity - and what the Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically repeats - has now become an important, welcomed reality throughout our dioceses: "The laity can also feel called, or in fact be called, to cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community, for the sake of its growth and life. This can be done through the exercise of different kinds of ministries according to the grace and charisms which the Lord has been pleased to bestow on them" [quoting Pope St. Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, #73].

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

Greetings of peace in these summer days!

A while back, someone mentioned to me that I was very “Benedictine” in my work and service in the Church. One of the vows that Benedictines take is to “stability.” This vow can be described as follows: “Stability means that the monk pledges lifelong commitment to a particular community…. For Benedictines, the vow of stability proclaims rootedness, at-homeness, that this place and this monastic family will endure” (stmartinsabbey.org/ our-monastery/benedictine-vows/).

This would seem to be the case in that August 1 will mark my 34th anniversary of working for the diocese. For the past 25 of those years, as I wrote about last month, I have served in Lay Formation ministry (and, more recently, in the diocese’s adult initiation ministry [“RCIA/OCIA”]).

And, for about 30 of these years, I have worked from our Diocesan Pastoral Center here in Winona. As I write this, we will soon be relocating our diocesan ministry offices to a new Chancery in Rochester. Our Pastoral Center was a former convent, converted to our diocesan offices in 1976. As we marked the conclusion of our service in this building, our staff gathered in prayer and celebration.

As part of this transition, the staff were invited to share some memories and reflections on working in this place which has been the home for diocesan ministry these past almost 50 years. As I read through them, I was struck by how deeply working together in this Pastoral Center has been a powerful experience of faith and of community for all of us blessed to be here sharing in the mission and ministry of this diocesan Church.

I will share my own reflection below, first, and then that of some of my diocesan colleagues.

◆ Two things will always stand out for me working in this space which has come to feel very much like my "work home."

First, it is the people whom I have worked with over my 30+ years being in this building. They have been, and are, great co-workers, friends, and fellow disciples! So many truly good and faith-filled people who have accompanied me through so much on both a professional and personal level. (And, on a lighter note, who could forget Bishop Vlazny's laugh echoing through the building!)

And, second, would be the time spent in the chapel - for daily Mass (what a privilege!); for the praying together of noon prayer, the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet; for lectio reflection and prayer; and for personal time just to be with the Lord. This has been a truly sacred space for me to work and to be part of a community of faith and service.

So much joy, so much good work, so much care for one another - I couldn't feel more blessed and grateful than to have worked and served here at the Pastoral Center these many years!

◆ One thing I have always appreciated - even as we have struggled through the physical limitations of the space - is how humble this space is. It is, in the end, a sheltered place to work that feels a lot like the simplicity of the Franciscan sisters who initially lived here. Since I began and we immediately moved into bankruptcy as a diocese, I often thought - we need Jesus Christ, we need to pray, we need the sacraments, we need each other. And the laptops were a bonus. That is what we need for mission.

◆ When I started, we were moving from the Cities, building a house, starting new jobs, and settling in to our new lives in Winona. Then, only a few months into my time here my dad passed away. I never expected such care and support from people I had just met. Through all of the trials and tribulations that were happening during that time in my life, I felt sincere care and thoughtfulness from all of you. I will forever be grateful.

◆ A special place to work and pray. Many faithful witnesses to Christ and the Church. A great blessing to be part of this group.

◆ I only joined this diocesan team a little over a year ago; during this year I have made so many memories. This building is truly filled with the Holy Spirit and I know He has blessed this space.

◆ It's not so much the building that we are saying goodbye to today. It is the people who have inhabited this building over the years – all made in the image and likeness of God. That being said, we bring our talents and our strengths, as well as our weaknesses, and we work together for the greater good of the Church. Despite the inherent frustrations involved in all groups of people working together, each employee I've encountered has always remembered why we work here, and whose greater glory we work for. That is what has made working in this building so gratifying and satisfying.

Now, on to a new chapter while maintaining that same purpose!

In closing, I would say that I have been deeply and truly blessed to have the “stability” of working at our Diocesan Pastoral Center over many years and with many of the most holy and faith-filled people I have ever known. It has been for me an experience of “commitment to a particular community,” founded upon a profound sense of “rootedness” and “at-homeness.”

And so, we bid a fond farewell to our diocesan “home” at 55 West Sanborn Street in Winona. Deo Gratias!

We are blessed indeed to have such gifted and generous co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord to which we have all been called. Let us continue to work together as a "community of people united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit in [our] pilgrimage toward the Father’s kingdom, bearers of a message for all humanity” [quoting Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, #1].

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