The Courier - June, 2016

Special Insert:

Jubilee Year of Mercy

The

COURIER

Feast of the Sacred Heart June 3rd

June 2016

www.dowcourier.org

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

Hail, Holy Queen!

DIOCESE OF WINONA-In the month of May, Catholic schoolchildren throughout the diocese honored Mary, mother of mercy and love, with May Crownings.

Sixth grade teacher Lori Datta explained how the annual ceremony is performed at Crucifixion School in La Crescent: "Each child brings a flower and proceeds into church in single file and hands the flower to a sixth-grade boy who then puts it in a basket. The last to enter before the servers and the priest are the sixth-grade girls. The girls take their flowers over to a statue of Mary and wait to crown her.

With a nod from the priest, [one preselected sixth-grade] girl then places the crown on Mary."

Students from Crucifixion School in La Crescent.

This statue of Mary at the Church of the Resurrection in Rochester was crowned by St. Francis of Assisi students.

Holy Queen, cont'd on pg. 5

Relics to Tour Minnesota ROCHESTER--On Tuesday, June 28, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, St. John the Evangelist Church will serve as the last of six stops on the statewide Strength of the Saints relics tour. The event will include Mass with Bishop Quinn at 12:10.

As part of its Fortnight for Freedom (a call to 14 days of prayer, education, and action for religious freedom in the United States and abroad), the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, with some sponsorship from the Knights of Columbus, arranged for the relics of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher to be sent from the United Kingdom to the United States. The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) is responsible for bringing the relics to Minnesota, where they will visit six cities (one in each of the six Minnesota dioceses) between June 26 and June 28.

MCC stated in a recent bulletin on the event, "St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher were prominent 16th century Englishmen who stood against King Henry VIII's attempted supremacy over the Catholic Church, and accepted martyrdom instead of abandoning their faith.

This fearless witness is especially compelling to American Catholics today, as we face threats to our religious liberty and rights of conscience."

The relics include a piece of bone from

Relics, cont'd on pg. 5

INSIDE this issue

Congratulations, Class of 2016!

page 7

A Father Who Is Always Present

page 11

The Courage of Refugees

page 12

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

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Pope Francis and Sheik Ahmed Muhammad Al-Tayyib

Pope Francis Embraces Top Sunni Imam

By ANN SCHNEIBLE

VATICAN CITY, May 23, 2016 (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis on Monday embraced the grand imam Sheik Ahmed Muhammad Al-Tayyib during a meeting at the Vatican, a move which is being seen as a step toward reopening dialogue between Christians and Sunni Muslims.

“Our meeting is the message,” the Pope was heard to have said to the imam during the meeting.

The pontiff and Al-Tayyib, who is the grand imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar mosque, observed the significance of the meeting “within the framework of dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islam,” said Holy See press office director Fr. Federico Lombardi.

They addressed the commitment on the part of authorities and the faithful of major religions alike to work toward bringing world peace, “the rejection of violence and terrorism, and the situation of Christians in the context of conflicts and tensions in the Middle East and their protection.”

Following their 30 minute “very cordial” meeting in the pontiff's private library, Pope Francis presented the iman with a medallion depicting an olive of peace, as well as a copy of his Encyclical “Laudato Si.” Al-Tayyib was joined by a large delegation, which was joined by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Holy See, Hatem Seif Elnasr.

The imam also met with the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, and secretary of that council, Msgr. Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot.

The meeting comes five years after Pope Benedict XVI denounced a New Year's Eve attack which killed 21 people at a Coptic Christian church in Alexandria, and called for better protection of Christian communities. According to the AP, the Al-Azhar in Cairo put a freeze on talks with the Holy See as a result of Benedict's remarks.

However, while the persecution of Christians has increased in the region, steps had recently been taken toward reopening dialogue.

In February, a Holy See delegation in Cairo extended an invitation for el-Tayyib to visit the Pope at the Vatican.

Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following appointments: Rev. Michael Cronin, appointed to the College of Consultors for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2016.

Rev. Edward McGrath, appointed Priest Moderator of the Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Winona, effective March 22, 2016.

Articles of Interest

Come, Holy Spirit!___________________page 4 On "Aging Gracefully"_______________page 6 Congratulations, Class of 2016!_______page 7 A Letter from the Director____________page 8 Jubilee Insert__________________after page 8 Faithful Witnesses__________________page 9 Our View of Priesthood______________page 10 A Father Who Is Always Present______page 11 Celebrating the Courage of Refugees__page 12 Diocesan Headlines_________________page 13 Diocesan Calendar__________________page 16

A Letter from Bishop Quinn

�ear Faithful of the Diocese of Winona,

On May 25, 2016, the deadline to file claims under the Minnesota Child Victims Act passed. For three years, survivors of child sexual abuse had been invited to come forward and seek just restitution with the hope of healing. Now that this deadline has passed, we are able to see with more clarity the heartbreaking scope of child sexual abuse within our Diocese.

As of May 26, the diocese was aware of 122 complaints naming the Diocese of Winona, parishes, schools and institutions. These lawsuits stem from abuse that happened several decades ago involving priests who are now either deceased or removed from active ministry.

I am sorry for the pain the survivors of child sexual abuse have endured for so many years. I apologize to them again from my heart and on behalf of the Diocese of Winona.

At this moment in the history of our diocese, we are faced with incredible sadness.

The many survivors who have come forward are our brothers and sisters, and we are obliged to extend our love and support to them as we work toward healing. Part of this healing is proactively working to ensure that the criminal and sinful acts of sexual abuse never happen again. This is why we take our safe environment protocols so seriously.

Adult screenings and youth protection programs are building walls of safety and raising awareness in our communities.

I propose to you that now is also a time for hope. When I began my role as your bishop seven years ago, I selected my motto from Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope." Hope is founded on Christ’s promise that he will be with us until the end of time. Hope allows us to “rely not on our own strength but on the help and the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1817). As we work toward healing and just resolutions today, we must be committed to rejoice in hope and ensure that, with God’s help, every generation that follows us is protected, so that the love and mission of Jesus Christ will be carried out with renewed integrity in every parish and Catholic school.

Many of you, I’m sure, have questions about what these lawsuits mean for the future of our diocese, as do I. As we continue to learn more about these claims, updates will be posted on our diocesan website. That information can be found at: www.dow.org/ disclosures.

I ask for your continued prayers in this process. Please also pray for the many survivors of child sexual abuse. May the healing presence of Christ lead us all into a future full of hope.

With gratitude I remain,

Most Reverend John M. Quinn Bishop of the Diocese of Winona

Child Abuse Policy Information The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 107 - 06

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor Monica Herman, Editor Telephone: 507-858-1257 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: nreller@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.

(ISSN 0744-5490)

June, 2016 w The Courier

Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona 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 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.

Quality Time with God �ear Friends in Christ,

Marriage Retreat

Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn Bishop's Calendar

A wonderful way for married couples to find that quiet time for God is to take a retreat together. When your marriage is fortified in God, you will be a reflection of His love to your family and community. There is still time to register for our annual diocesan marriage retreat on June 24-25. The retreat is free this year and taking place in beautiful

June 1, Wednesday 11 am – MCC Board Meeting – St. Paul Chancery, St. Paul June 2, Thursday 9:30 am – Holy Hour 10 am – DOW Priest Pension Board Meeting – Winona June 3, Friday 12 pm – Jubilee for Priests and Seminarians – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona June 4, Saturday 4:30 pm – Mass – Centennial Celebration – St. Peter Church, Hokah June 5, Sunday 3 pm – 7 pm – Jubilee for Deacons – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

Lanesboro. Please see the Office of Life, Marriage & Family's page or our diocesan website (www.dow.org) for more details.

Jubilee of Mercy Days During June, the Month of the Sacred Heart, three celebrations of the Jubilee Year of Mercy -- for laity, religious and clergy of the diocese -- will be held at regional sites across the diocese: Wednesday, June 8, at St. Mary Parish, Worthington; Thursday, June 9, at Sacred Heart Parish, Owatonna; and Friday, June 10, at Resurrection Parish, Rochester.

The days will include a morning program of spiritual enrichment (featuring a presentation by Stephen J. Binz, noted biblical scholar, author and speaker), an afternoon "Works of Mercy" related activity and pilgrimage visit/Holy Hour, and an evening performance of "Haunted by God: The Life of Dorothy Day." Find more information in the Year of Mercy insert. To register for the day program, visit www.dow.org/mercy.

There is no charge to attend "Haunted by God." All are welcome!

June 7, Tuesday 12 pm – Senior Priest Luncheon – Rochester 4 pm – Clergy Personnel Committee Meeting – Rochester June 8, Wednesday 9 am – 4 pm – Jubilee of Mercy Days – St. Mary Parish, Worthington 6:15 pm – Ss. Peter & Paul 2016 Parish Mission - Mankato June 9, Thursday 9 am – 4 pm – Jubilee of Mercy Days – Sacred Heart Parish, Owatonna June 10, Friday 9 am – 8 pm – Jubilee of Mercy Days – Resurrection Parish, Rochester June 11, Saturday 12 pm – St. Mary Cemetery Memorial Dedication – Oak Ridge, MN

Fortnight for Freedom The martyrs give voice to what we already feel, and they declare what we would like to have the strength to express -St. John Paul II Each year, dioceses around the country highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. The Fortnight for Freedom takes place from June 21 (the vigil of the feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More) to July 4 (Independence Day). Here in the Diocese of Winona, the relics of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More will be at St. John the Evangelist Church in Rochester for veneration on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at the 12:10 p.m. Mass.

After the Mass, the relics will be available for public veneration until 1:30 p.m.

These two martyrs would not follow the demands of the state and were willing to die as martyrs to protect the importance of religious liberty and rights of conscience. All are welcome to come for Mass and to pray for our nation.

Ministries Appeal (CMA)! The CMA is a primary source of funding to help us sustain and expand ministries in our parishes, schools and Catholic organizations within the geographic region served by the Diocese of Winona. We are all part of the local church, part of the Diocese of Winona.

Your support will help us to continue to financially support spiritual, educational and social needs of the Catholic community in southern Minnesota. The Catholic Church serves the needs of many people in our local diocese and beyond.

Even a small gift is very welcome, and I am very grateful for your support!

From the Bishop

May the grace and peace of Jesus be always in your hearts.

Summer is a great time to reflect on our faith. It is a time to turn down the volume of noise around us and be a little more at peace. In the quiet of our hearts, God speaks. What do we believe? Does our life reflect what we believe?

We know the two great commandments, love God first and love our neighbor as Christ loves us. If someone

watched us for a week, would it be clear that we love God? Would it be clear that we love our neighbor?

In the peace and warmth of summer, spend some quality time with the Lord.

Maybe it's at the lake or in the backyard. God is always present to us, so we turn our thoughts and hearts to Him. If you travel this summer, please continue to respect the Lord's Day and attend Mass every weekend.

With modern technology, it is relatively easy to find a nearby Catholic church, go to its web site and find Mass times and, often, directions.

I suggest that you also check locally; the national directories are not always kept current.

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Sincerely in Christ,

2016 Catholic Ministries Appeal Thank you for your support of the annual Catholic

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

June 12, Sunday 10:30 am – Fr. James Berning’s 25th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving – St. Mary Church, Winona

June 25, Saturday 5 pm – Mass celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish – Easton

June 13, Monday – June 17, Friday United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Spring Assembly

June 26, Sunday 10:30 am – Mass at St. Adrian Parish – Adrian 1 pm – Last Mass at St. Kilian Parish – St. Kilian

June 21, Tuesday 7 pm – Diocesan Ministerial Standards Board Meeting

June 27, Monday 5 pm – Catholic United Financial Annual Golf Outing Dinner – Rochester

June 23, Thursday 9:30 am – Holy Hour 10:30 am – College of Consultors Meeting

June 28, Tuesday 12:10 pm – Mass and Veneration of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher Relics – St. John the Evangelist Parish, Rochester

June 24, Friday 10 am – Holy Hour 11 am – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting

July 7, Thursday 9 am – Welcoming the Order of Celebrating Matrimony Regional Workshop - Rochester June, 2016 w The Courier

Faith Formation

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Come, Holy Spirit!

Sr. Paul Mary Rittgers, R.S.M. Director faithformation@dow.org St. Mary's, Caledonia

ďż˝

he Holy Spirit is alive and active in the Diocese of Winona!

Just in the last few weeks, there have been over 1,500 children who have received the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time at their First Communion - and that number doesn’t include the 49 parishes that have not yet reported their numbers. There have also been over 1,100 young people who have recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Here are a few pictures so you can see the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these young people! Take a moment to say a prayer that they will continue to be docile to the Holy Spirit and allow the Lord to use them to do amazing things!

St. Ann's, Janesville

St. Charles and Eyota

Resurrection, Rochester Medford and Deerfield

St. Mary's, Winona

Blooming Prairie and Litomysl Ss. Peter & Paul, Mankato

St. Mary's of the Lake, Lake City St. Mary's of the Lake, Lake City

St. Columba, Iona

St. Patrick's, West Albany

Christ the King, Medford St. Mary's of the Lake, Lake City

St. Joseph's, Lakefield St. Mary's, Houston Resurrection, Rochester St. Mary's, Caledonia

St. Ann's, Slayton St. John's, Rochester

St. Columbanus, Bloomng Prairie St. Ann's, Janesville

St. Peter's, Hokah June, 2016 w The Courier

Good Shepherd, Jackson

St. Mary's, Worthington

Immaculate Conception, St. Clair

Relics, cont'd from pg. 1

St. Thomas More enclosed in a 16th-century crystal-and-silver reliquary, and St. John Fisher's signet ring set with a cameo of Aristotle. They will travel with Jan Graffius, curator of collections at Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit school in Clitheroe, England, where they are kept.

"Relics are reminders of people we love," Graffius said.

"Parents keep baby shoes, locks of hair [and] birthday cards as reminders of those who are important to us. A physical object such as the More relic reminds us that he was a human being, and by viewing it, we find ourselves closer to him as a person."

Graffius said More's skull was rescued by his daughter, Margaret, from a spike on London Bridge. There are very few bone relics of More, and this one came to the college through descendants of Margaret.

"The ring is important because it was a personal possession of John Fisher, and there are very few items belonging to him in existence," Graffius said.

"The cameo of Aristotle reminds us that Fisher was a great scholar and a humanist, and that the Church has long depended on Aristotle's explanation of physical appearances to help explain transubstantiation. "...My experience is that most people are deeply moved when they see these relics and the many hundreds of others that we look after at Stonyhurst.

It is a tangible reminder of the sacrifices made by our ancestors

centuries ago."

According to Jason Adkins, executive director of the MCC, now is the time for such a reminder.

Adkins said US bishops are "rallying American Catholics to reflect on the importance of religious liberty because this cherished right is under serious attack, both at home and abroad."

"Domestically, government at all levels is trying to force organizations and individuals to violate their deep-seated convictions as a requirement for full participation in society," Adkins said. "...Those who do not comply often find their vocation to public service thwarted by the state, as we have seen with adoption agencies who have refused to place children in homes without a mother and father, small business owners who decline to participate in same-sex 'wedding' ceremonies, and religious institutions and orders who refuse to comply with the Obama administration's contraception mandate ... [The government is] essentially telling people of faith that their religious beliefs are all right on Sundays if they're kept in church, but aren't welcome at work or in the public square."

Internationally, "Christians and others are not only prevented from practicing their faith, but in some cases are persecuted and killed because of it," Adkins said. "The atrocities committed against Christians in the Middle East are particularly appalling, and Christians suffer other assaults against their physical persons in countries like China and Pakistan."

Monsignor Gerald Mahon, pastor of St. John the Evangelist

Holy Queen, cont'd from pg. 1

St. Francis of Assisi students process with flowers in Rochester.

St. Mary's sixth-grader Trey Heckenliable crowns Mary as Allisson Lara, second-grade crown carrier, looks on in Worthington.

Church, said of the upcoming event: "The relics of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More offer a prayerful opportunity for adoration and intercessory prayer as we beg for the ongoing gift of Religious Liberty in the United States. Both of these saints had a passion and conviction for the freedom that is chal-

Datta added that this statue of Mary, as she is the May Crowning was special for quintessential bearer of new Crucifixion School, with Bishop life. And what Quinn present to celebrate symbolizes new Mass and award the Bishop's life more than Medal to two retiring teachers: spring flowers?"

Mary Jo Mickschl and Marylu Frey.

Theresa Chirpich, secretary of St. Casimir's School in Wells, describes May Crowning as a special Mother's Day: "In honoring Mary through May Crowning, a Catholic version of Mother's Day, time is taken to remember her life as one of service and great devotion to Jesus - from the crib to the Cross. Through this observance, the faithful are challenged to follow her St. Casimir's second-grader Michael example of humility, obedience Oldham crowned Mary in Wells. and service to God. Mother Mary always seeks to be a bridge, not a barrier, to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ. ...During this devotion, all of the children place flowers at the feet of Left to right: Fr. Gregory Havel, Mary Jo Mickschl, the school's Marylu Frey and Bishop John Quinn in La Crescent.

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lenged in our country and they were willing to receive maryrdom for this reality as they followed Christ. While this occasion is certainly open and available to everyone, it would be an excellent opportunity for lawyers to come and pray as we celebrate the Eucharist with our Bishop John M. Quinn."

Learn more at MnCatholic. org/relics, or by visiting the Strength of the Saints event page on Facebook.

Parts of this article are reprinted with permission from The Visitor, the official newspaper of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

June, 2016 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

6

On "Aging Gracefully"

By REV. TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK

�t seems odd, even a bit repulsive, when

we encounter tales of elderly men running after women who are young enough to be their granddaughters.

The wheelchair-bound billionare oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall was 89 years old when he married the 26-year old Anna Nicole Smith. He had met the Playboy model and reality TV star in a strip club. Anna insisted that she really did love the old man and wasn't in it for the money.

Redirecting Our Focus

With age should come wisdom. It's appropriate and fitting for older men to leave behind their former ways and no longer live and act like college frat boys. It's right to expect growth in self-control as we mature and to expect a more reflective and sober approach to life.

Growing old invariably offers us the opportunity to redirect our focus, and as our body weakens, our mind and soul can be drawn to consider matters we may have previously avoided, like death and that which awaits us beyond death's threshold. Our later years can powerfully provoke us to come to terms with our destiny and with higher truths.

Accept Aging Gracefully In a recent column, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, quoting James Hillman, speaks to the graces that aging and infirmity can bring our way: “Why have God and nature so structured things that as we age and mature and are finally more in control of our lives, our bodies begin to fall apart, and we need a bevy of doctors and medicines to keep functioning? Is there some wisdom in the very DNA of the life process that mandates the breakdown of physical health in late life? Hillman says, yes. There's

Surprised by Coffee

By ANNE MCGUIRE

� couple of years ago, I lived with my friend Jenna*,

who often prayed outside a local abortion facility.

During her visits, she frequently saw a man who escorted women into the facility. Although Jenna didn't initially speak with him, they eventually found themselves standing next to each other during their respective "shifts." Upon arrival, she would ask him how he was.

Eventually the pleasantries evolved into bigger conversations - never to do with abortion, though. We just talked about his passion for YouTube, visiting his friends on vacations, our jobs, etc. I even ended up learning his childhood nickname and when his birthday was.

He usually took a pause from his duties as an escort for a coffee break, so on his birthday, I offered to go get it for him... I just wanted to get a guy coffee for his birthday.

I remember when I asked him, he looked kind of shell-shocked, as though he were think-

June, 2016 w The Courier

an innate wisdom in the process of aging and dying: the best wines have to be aged in cracked old barrels.

The breakdown of our bodies deepens, softens, and matures the soul.”

I once overheard a hospital nurse chatting with one of her patients and was caught a bit off guard when she nonchalantly declared, with a little twinkle in her eye, "When we get to be over 40, who doesn't have hemorrhoids?”

The comment, I thought, reflected a healthy, positive attitude toward aging and infirmity. Unavoidably, our bodies decline. Our strength wanes. We get hemorrhoids and warts and cancers and high blood pressure and male pattern balding.

In the midst of it all, we can accept our lot with grace and gratitude. A serene acceptance of our struggles, and even of the specific death that awaits us, is surely a great virtue.

Some Resist Aging But aging gracefully is not something many of us tend to do well. We resist the idea. We may cling to the fantasy of eternal youth. Some in our society even push the notion that we shouldn't have to put up with the challenges of infirmity, and instead ought to receive help from the medical system so we can beat a hasty retreat to the exit.

By pushing for physician-assisted suicide, they encourage us to despise the good of our own lives and to reject the graces that arise from our struggles by choosing to ingest any of a number of doctorprescribed poisons.

Peter Martin, STL Director

pmartin@dow.org

and home are synonymous.

Aging gracefully also involves recognizing and accepting the shortening of the time ahead of us and the lengthening of the time behind us. Even as we achieve a much-sought independence in our lives, we begin to cycle back towards a renewed dependence on others, on caregivers, family, and the community, and we may even come to the realization that our own mind will have to be surrendered if dementia comes our way.

All of this can instruct us, if we accept it with grace, in the wisdom of relinquishing our own willfulness once again like little children, and returning to a humble framework of interdependence in our shared destiny with others and with God. Reprinted with permission.

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org.

Embracing Our Destiny On the other hand, by embracing our particular path into death, and by offering up our trials, we acquire a poise of soul and human maturity that orients us towards our destiny, a destiny in the hereafter that so many seem largely oblivious to.

By letting our infirmities existentially speak to us, and coming to realize how true it is that we have no permanent dwelling here, we begin to grapple with that mysterious truth that heaven ing, "Wait a minute; you're not supposed to want to do that."

I was reminded of Jenna's story by Pope Francis's recent apostolic exhortation The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia). In it, the Holy Father explains, "Love opens our eyes and enables us to see, beyond all else, the great worth of a human being" (AL 128).

Jenna's encounter with this man illustrates the heart of the Gospel of Life. We are created to behold all people with the gaze of Christ, loving them for their own sake. Remembering that St. John Paul II called us to a "civilization of love and life" (EV 27), we recognize that this gaze is meant for each and every person. Pope Francis also reminds us that Jesus "never failed to show compassion and closeness to the frailty of individuals" who had fallen (AL 38).

We are all in need of God's mercy, and we are all called to show Christ's compassion to others - including people with whom we disagree on life issues.

Doing so does not undermine our efforts to protect lives. Each human being has "a place in God's heart from all eternity" (AL 168), and love for everyone is foundational to our pro-life efforts.

In a homily at the Chapel of Santa Marta, Pope

Francis spoke about "the God of surprises" (October 13, 2014). Following in Christ's footsteps, let us seek to be God's people of surprises - like Jenna was for this man on his birthday. Instead of being hostile or defensive, may our efforts to promote respect and protection for all human life reflect "a love that constantly opens doors" (AL 108). *Name changed to protect privacy.

Anne McGuire is Assistant Director of Education and Outreach for the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. To learn more about the bishops' pro-life efforts, visit www.usccb. org/prolife.

Congratulations, Class of 2016!

Marsha Stenzel

Catholic Schools

Loyola High School, Mankato

Pacelli High School, Austin

Lourdes High School, Rochester

Cotter High School, Winona

Pacelli Catholic Schools in Austin, MN, truly is a fan-

tastic place to learn and grow. I thank my parents for allowing me to go to Pacelli my entire life, and I feel like I have benefited from my education. Pacelli has greatly prepared me for college and the rest of my life, both spiritually and academically.

The main benefit that Pacelli has given me is the importance of religion in my life and the knowledge that God is always with me. Whether it is attending Mass every week or having a religion class, I feel that I have strengthened my relationship with God and have continued to learn how important faith is to me. Being able to celebrate my faith openly at school with others has brought numerous gifts into my life and has taught me valuable lessons that I live every day at school and at home, and will continue to live. The gift of learning with spirituality is what makes Catholic schools like Pacelli so special. I am proud to have attended a school that showed me that God should truly be the center of our lives.

It has been great to grow up with a close group of friends that I have been with since kindergarten. The small class sizes allow us to become almost like a family to each other, and allow teachers to work with students one-on-one and know what the students need to reach our full potential. I have been blessed with a fantastic group of teachers to guide me through the years... ...I have had a well-rounded high school experience at Pacelli, being able to play sports, striving to become a good student, and serving my community. I have joined clubs and had a blast throughout high school...

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Superintendent mstenzel@dow.org

I

was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea before attending Cotter High School. ... None of my relatives or my parents are Catholic. Nobody I knew seemed to believe in or have any interest in God. There was one exception. I have a Buddhist grandmother who used to constantly tell me positive thoughts about the Roman Catholic faith...

Four years ago, I came to the United States to study abroad. ... I have been very involved in a number of activities such as soccer, softball, jazz ensemble, show choir, student council, and others.

Indeed, I have discovered and developed my talents in a lot of different areas. However, there are much more important things that I accomplished in this small town of Winona. Cotter is a global community consisting of people from more than fifteen countries around the world. Many students are not Catholic and are happily welcomed. Because Catholic education at Cotter values the importance of accepting the difference of individuals, I now have a much wider perspective on a lot of things, especially areas in which there is controversy. Additionally, I have received merciful helping hands from countless people in these Catholic surroundings. Many have generously supported and accepted me as part of this community without being prejudicial about my ethnicity. I was able to develop some important, life-long relationships with friends. My definition of sharing and giving has transformed to another level.

I plan to attend St. Mary's University in Winona this fall, and as I look forward to the future, I can be confident that my years at Pacelli have given me the tools I need to become the best me that I can become. It is with great pride that I say I am a graduate of Pacelli Catholic Schools, and I hope it will continue to teach its many lessons to future students for another century.

I got baptized and confirmed in my sophomore year. I joined the Catholic Church thanks to huge support from teachers and friends. Not only have I grown physically and mentally; Catholic education has helped me to mature spiritually as a person. I have come to know what to value in life. I believe that all of this could not have happened without the plan of God. I am sincerely grateful that God has planned this amazing adventure for me. It has kept me excited to keep exploring what is good, to grow through tough experiences, and to learn more from life's circumstances.

-Jacob Kramer, Pacelli High School

-Sunah Shim, Cotter High School

See Page 15 for more news from our Catholic Schools!

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Catholic Foundation

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A Letter from the Director

Friends:

The old adage about “drinking from a firehose” is a fair description of my first few weeks as the Foundation’s executive director. Even though I’ve been aware of the Foundation for years and had the opportunity to see it in action up close during my time with the diocese, there’s nothing quite like seeing a job from the inside.

I’ll try to reflect more on that transition in a future edition of The Courier, but this month I want to address a topic that’s been very much on people’s minds recently: will the lawsuits filed against the diocese and others affect the Foundation or the work it does? To do so, I’ve collected the questions I’ve been asked by some into a document that – I hope – will be of interest to many.

Please drop me an e-mail if you have any questions not addressed below or if you need additional information. I’ll do my best to get back to you as quickly as possible.

Thank you for everything you do in support of the Foundation and our Catholic community across Southern Minnesota.

Monica Herman Executive Director mherman@catholicfsmn.org Office: 507-858-1276 Q: Is the Foundation a part of the Diocese?

A: No, it’s not. The Foundation is a separate entity in every sense of the word, legally, financially, operationally and organizationally.

Q: What’s the relationship between the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota and the Diocese of Winona?

A: We are legally, financially and organizationally separate from the Diocese.

The Foundation is governed by a board of directors. Currently, our board has ten members including three ex officio members from the Diocese leadership – Bishop John Quinn (who is nonvoting); the Vicar General; and Larry Dose, the Diocese’s chief financial and administrative officer.

We also lease office space from the Diocese and have a shared-services agreement for some outside services such as IT, human resources, insurance and accounting. Two board members are parish priests from within the Diocese.

Q: What is the legal status of the Foundation?

A: We’re organized as an autonomous Minnesota nonprofit corporation and we are recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Q: How much money do you manage?

A: As of February 29, 2016, we reported assets of $29.2 million.

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Q: Are the Foundation’s funds separate from those of the Diocese?

A: Yes. As an independent entity, the Foundation holds, controls and manages the charitable assets entrusted to its care.

The assets we hold and manage are held in custody with independent third parties and are separate from the assets of the Diocese.

Q: Does the Diocese have access to the funds at the Foundation?

A: Other than its own funds, no.

Q: Are the parishes’ assets commingled with the Foundation’s assets?

A: No. Like every institutional client of the Foundation, the assets we manage for our parish clients are invested and held with firms that the Foundation hires and are managed independently. In some cases, funds are pooled in specific investments, but are tracked separately.

Q: Do the parishes have access to the funds at the Foundation?

A: Other than their own funds, no.

Q: Is my fund safe at the Foundation if the Diocese files for bankruptcy?

A: We can’t speak to how individual funds under our management will be affected because every situation is unique. A parish or donor who has concerns about the status of its funds with us should be encouraged to seek counsel on that topic.

In general, funds owned or managed by the CFSM for specific purposes may be protected under Minnesota law. Factors that will impact the likelihood that a specific fund will be protected under Minnesota law: •Endowment funds owned by the CFSM under written instruments signed by the parish and the CFSM are likely to be the most protected types of funds.

•Funds owned by the CFSM pursuant to written irrevocable instructions from the parish and that have been accepted by the CFSM are likely to be protected funds.

•Donor-advised funds owned by the CFSM but subject to donor-families’ right to give advice on the distributions of funds, are likely protected.

•Parish funds – whether for specific purposes or general operations – that are simply managed by the CFSM and are not subject to any purpose restrictions are likely the least protected type of funds.

Q: I understand what you’re saying about the Foundation being separate, but it still sounds like there’s a chance that someone might go after your assets in a lawsuit or if the Diocese or a parish files bankruptcy; if that’s true, wouldn’t it be safer for me to move my fund just to make sure that doesn’t happen?

A: We can never say there’s zero risk, but we don’t believe that the donor-directed funds under our management are at any more at risk than the assets at other institutions that are – like us – independent from the Diocese.

Q: Who does the Foundation support?

A: The Foundation supports the organizations and causes that our donors and institutions specify when they entrust us to manage assets on their behalf. As a general proposition, those include institutions within the southern Minnesota Catholic community – the Diocese, a number of parishes, schools and others – and individuals who establish donor-directed funds that benefit specific needs within our community. We are prohibited by law and by our own policies and procedures from doing otherwise.

Q: Who decides who will benefit from grants from Foundation?

A: The donors and the institutions that entrust their assets to our management specify the uses of those assets. We administer those funds consistent with their wishes and in order to maximize the benefit they provide. For designated funds, and unrestricted funds, our board of directors retains the sole authority to determine which benefiting organizations are selected.

Q: What control does the Bishop or the Diocese have over investments?

A: None. All Foundation investments are overseen by the board, which uses independent third-party investment consultants and dedicated CFSM staff to manage investment operations. Our board works with the investment consultants to manage the investment portfolios of the Foundation.

Q: Where did the Foundation’s assets come from?

A: The charitable assets we manage come from the community. This includes donations from individuals and organizations that are structured as beneficiary endowments, donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities and designated funds. We also receive assets from institutions that benefit from having their investments professionally managed and aligned with the teachings of Catholicism. Over the last 25 years, we’ve worked with thousands of individuals and organizations for these purposes.

Q: How can the Foundation claim it’s independent of the Diocese when its board of directors includes members of the Diocese leadership and parish priests?

A: Our board makes its decisions based on its responsibilities to the Foundation, to its donors, to its clients and to those who benefit from the philanthropic activities we make possible. While the input of the

Monica Herman Executive Director, Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota mherman@catholicfsmn.org

Diocese is an element in carrying out our responsibilities, it is only one such factor.

It’s also worth noting that the Bishop is a non-voting ex officio member of the board and that a majority of the voting directors are not associated with the Diocese. All actions of the board require approval by a majority vote of the directors present at a meeting. There are no circumstances in which the ex officio members of our Board acting alone may act for the board.

Q: How is the board selected?

A: The Foundation’s board of directors may consist of up to 15 members. The board has a standing committee that identifies, evaluates and recommends candidates to join the board. Newly appointed directors are selected by the board through a majority vote. Three of the board members are ex officio members from the Diocese. One ex officio member, the Bishop, does not have a vote.

Q: Who has the right to remove board members?

A: Any director may be removed by a majority of the board of directors.

Q: How is the Foundation managed?

A: The business and affairs of the Foundation are managed by and under the direction of the board of directors. The board has selected an executive director who hires additional outside services as needed. The board provides oversight and guidance to the executive director.

Q: Why was the Foundation created?

A: The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota was founded in 1991 to support our area’s parishes, schools and ministries with the necessary resources to be vibrant centers of faith and service and to assist faithful Catholics in fulfilling their call to stewardship. The Foundation stands as a center of Catholic philanthropy across southern Minnesota in service of Catholic responsible investing and sophisticated planned giving that celebrates our Catholic identity.

We fulfill our mission by: •Seeking endowment funds that support our mission •Helping donors achieve their charitable and financial goals •Helping parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations meet their longterm financial needs •Providing our clients responsible and effective financial management •Distributing resources according to donor intent

Jubilee Year

of

M e rc y

Pope on Jesus' Tears On the Feast of the Ascension, Pope Francis presided at a prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica for all those in need of consolation, thus fulfilling one of the works of mercy: consoling the afflicted. The vigil began with three dramatic testimonies: from parents whose son had committed suicide; from a Pakistani journalist belonging to the Catholic minority, forced to flee with his family to avoid persecution; and from a young person who, after losing the meaning in his life, regained hope due to the help of his mother and a community.

After each testimony, a passage from the Bible was read and a candle was lit before the reliquary of the Virgin of the tears of Syracuse, displayed on this occasion for veneration by the faithful in the basilica. After the Gospel reading, the Holy Father gave an address, which is excerpted below.

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fter the moving testimonies we have heard, and in the light of the word of the Lord that gives meaning to our suffering, let us first ask the Holy Spirit to come among us. May He enlighten our minds to find the right words capable of bringing comfort. May He open our hearts to the certainty that God is always present and never abandons us in times of trouble….

“At times of sadness, suffering and sickness, amid the anguish of persecution and grief, everyone looks for a word of consolation.

We sense a powerful need for someone to be close and feel compassion for us. We experience what it means to be disoriented, confused, more heartsick than we ever thought

possible. We look around us with uncertainty, trying to see if we can find someone who really understands our pain. Our mind is full of questions but answers do not come. Reason by itself is not capable of making sense of our deepest feelings, appreciating the grief we experience and providing the answers we are looking for.

At times like these, more than ever do we need the reasons of the heart, which alone can help us understand the mystery which embraces our loneliness. How much sadness we see in so many faces all around us! How many tears are shed every second in our world; each is different but together they form, as it were, an ocean of desolation that cries out for mercy, compassion and consolation.

The bitterest tears are those caused by human evil: the tears of those who have seen a loved one violently torn from them; the tears of grandparents, mothers and fathers, children; eyes that keep staring at the sunset and find it hard to see the dawn of a new day. We need the mercy, the consolation that comes from the Lord. All of us need it. This is our poverty but also our grandeur: to plead for the consolation of God, who in his tenderness comes to wipe the tears from our eyes.

In our pain, we are not alone. Jesus, too, knows what it means to weep for the loss of a loved one. In one of the most moving pages of the Gospel, Jesus sees Mary weeping for the death of her brother Lazarus. Nor can He hold back tears. He was deeply moved and began to weep (cf. Jn 11:33-35). The evangelist John, in describing this, wanted to show how much Jesus shared in the sadness and grief of His friends.

Mercy Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

By LEISA ANSLINGER

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emember the apostles just before Pentecost? They were fearful, unsure, and doubtful. Following the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them, they proclaimed the Good News of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, and the world was never the same!

This same Spirit has already been given to us. Through Baptism, and in a special way in Confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit and are imbued with the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgment, courage, reverence, and wonder and awe of the Lord. Each gift pro-vides what we need in order to live our lives as Christian disciples in the world.

When we are mindful of this, we find that we draw on these gifts and the Holy Spirit’s presence with and among us, every day. Such mindfulness seems rare, however. It is not uncommon to hear priests, catechists, and other leaders refer to the Holy Spirit as the often-forgotten person of the Holy Trinity. The Spirit of the Lord is always with us, but we may not appreciate and therefore rely upon the Holy Spirit in the ways that we might.

This inattentiveness to the Spirit’s presence and gifts may result in our feeling as though “it’s all up to us” as we strive to live as disciples. We think small and act accordingly, rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to embolden us, giving us all we need to make an impact in the world in Christ’s name.

Jesus’ tears have unsettled many theologians over the centuries, but even more they have bathed so many souls and been a balm to so much hurt. Jesus also experienced in His own person the fear of suffering and death, disappointment and discouragement at the betrayal of Judas and Peter, and grief at the death of His friend Lazarus. Jesus ‘does not abandon those whom He loves.’

If God could weep, then I too can weep, in the knowledge that He understands me.

The tears of Jesus serve as an antidote to my indifference before the suffering of my brothers and sisters.

His tears teach me to make my own the pain of others, to share in the discouragement and sufferings of those experiencing painful situations. They make me realize the sadness and desperation of those who have even seen the body of a dear one taken from them, and who no longer have a place in which to find consolation. Jesus’ tears cannot go without a response on the part of those who believe in Him. As He consoles, so we too are called to console.

"In the moment of confusion, dismay and tears, Christ’s heart turned in prayer to the Father. Prayer is the true medicine for our suffering. In prayer, we too can feel God’s presence. The tenderness of His gaze comforts us; the power of His word supports us and gives us hope….

“The power of love turns suffering into the certainty of Christ’s victory, and our own in union with Him, and into the hope that one day we will once more be together and will forever contemplate the face of the Blessed Trinity, the eternal wellspring of life and love.”

In this Year of Mercy, we are encouraged to reach out with the mercy of God to all who need it. The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are specific ways we may do this.

Let us be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s presence. May we call upon the Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding as we try to comprehend the needs of others; may we know God’s ways with right judgment and find the courage to share mercy even when it is uncomfortable to do so.

Let us draw near to our Lord in the Eucharist and sacraments with reverence and wonder, allowing our hearts to be filled with awe in God’s love for us and for the world. Come, Holy Spirit!

While each of us has been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will use those gifts differently, fulfilling our call as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ in our daily lives at home, in our workplace or school, parish, local and world communities.

Discerning the ways in which we are called to contribute is only truly possible through the working of the Holy Spirit, in the company of others in community. Let us think about this in relationship to our call to be people of mercy.

The first step in discernment is prayer. Open your mind and heart to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Invite God to give you wisdom to know what you are called to do, and courage and strength to answer the call. Bring to mind the many facets of your life, and identify one way you might grow as a person who knows and shares God’s mercy with others.

Secondly, consider your gifts and talents. Take time to acknowledge the things you naturally do well — this is not a time for false humility, but rather it is a time to give glory to God by sharing the talents with which God has blessed you.

Next, consider new possibilities. It may be that you feel called to expand upon something that is already a part

Special Insert - June, 2016

Inside...

A Woman of Conscience

read more on page 2

Events for the Year of Mercy

read more on page 3

Pilgrimage Parish Profile

of your life. Maybe you feel called to take on a new form read more on page 4 of service, a new attentiveness to others, a deeper commitment to living discipleship. Talk with [others] about all of this. Do not hold back, and listen to their insights. Discernment happens in the context of community because we need the perspective and honesty of others to truly see ourselves and the ways in which we may be called to act.

Finally, pray again, and often! Sit with your discernment in the presence of the Holy Spirit. In time, you will have a strong sense of what you are called to do. You have the gifts and talents. Use them to share God’s mercy with others!

Leisa Anslinger is co-director of the Catholic Life and Faith group. This article is reprinted with permission from Mercy Now, a Catholic Life and Faith publication.

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A Woman of Conscience, Saint for Our Time

Jubilee Year of Mercy

writers. During this time, she also experienced failed love affairs, a marriage, a suicide attempt, and an abortion.

Dorothy had grown to admire the Catholic Church as the “Church of the poor” and her faith began to take form with the birth of her daughter Tamar in 1926. Her decision to have her daughter baptized and embrace the Catholic faith led to the end of her common law marriage and the loss of many of her radiGiving primacy to God means having cal friends. Dorothy the courage to say no to evil, violence, struggled to find her role as a Catholic. oppression; to live a life of service to While covering the 1932 Hunger others March in Washington, D.C. for some Catholic magazines, she prayed at the -Pope Francis national Shrine of the Immaculate Conception that some way would orothy Day has been called many open up for her to serve the poor things: an activist, a journalist, a radiand the unemployed. The followcal, a bohemian, a mother, a convert, a ing day, back in New York, she met mystic, a prophet, a faithful daughter Peter Maurin, a French immigrant of the Church. After her death in 1980, and former Christian Brother, who historian David O’Brien famously had a vision for a society constructcalled her “the most important, intered of Gospel values. Together they esting, and influential figure in the founded the Catholic Worker newshistory of American Catholicism.” paper which spawned a movement And then there are the many who call of houses of hospitality and farming her, quite simply, a saint. communes that has been replicated throughout the United States and Brief Biography other countries.

Dorothy Day was born in At the Catholic Worker, Dorothy Brooklyn, New York on November Day lived a life faithful to the injunc8, 1897, the third child of Grace and tions of the Gospel. Often the newspaJohn Day. Her nominally religious per quoted G.K. Chesterton’s famous family moved to the San Francisco observation that Christianity Bay area and then to Chicago hadn’t really failed — it where she was baphad never really been tized in the Episcopal tried. Day’s life was Church. She attended spent trying. She "Haunted by God: the University of was shot at while Illinois at Urbana The Life of Dorothy working for inteand became interDay," played at Jubliee gration, prayed and ested in radical fasted for peace at of Mercy Days on June social causes as a the Second Vatican 8,9 and 10! way to help workers Council, received and the poor. communion from In 1916, she left Pope Paul VI at the 1967 the university and moved International Congress to New York City where she of the Laity, and addressed worked as a journalist on socialist the 1976 Eucharistic Congress in newspapers, participated in protest Philadelphia. movements, and developed friendHer pilgrimage ended at ships with many famous artists and Maryhouse in New York City on

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November 29, 1980, where she died among the poor.

Cause for Canonization

a

ings on economic and social justice and on the evils of the arms race and the pursuit of war. She was a daily communicant, and rose early to read the Bible and pray the rosary.

In his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis eloquently affirmed the core teachings that animated Day’s life: “The light of faith is concretely placed at the service of justice… and peace,” he wrote. Day embraced the totality of Catholic belief and practice, living a life of poverty. When she sometimes challenged the Church, it was usually because she felt it had departed from Gospel principles, particularly when it came to the forgiveness of one’s enemies.

Labels of left or right, temptingly applied by liberals and conservatives alike, fail to explain or contain Dorothy Day. Perhaps, ultimately, that’s why this woman of conscience is a saint for our time.

Years ago, Archdiocese of New York’s Cardinal John O’Connor wrote in Catholic New York, the archdiocesan newspaper, “Shortly after I announced the study of Cardinal Cooke’s life [as a candidate for sainthood], several people wrote to ask me: ‘Why not Dorothy Day?’… It’s a good question. Indeed, it’s an excellent question.”

The Cardinal pondered the question aloud in a homily given at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on November 9, 1997, a day after the hundredth anniversary of Dorothy Day’s birth. He recognized that some might object to his taking up the cause of canonization for Dorothy Day because “she was a protester against some things that people confuse with Americanism itself.”

This article is reprinted with permisOthers, he said, might argue that sion from the Dorothy Day Guild, an she was already widely recognized organization which "is charged with as a saint and therefore formal canforwarding her recognition as a saint onization was not needed. “Perhaps,” by spreading the word of her sanctity Cardinal O’Connor acknowledged, and life's work." but went on to ask “Why does the Learn more at dorothydayguild.org.

Church canonize saints? In part,” he said, “so that their person, their works and their lives will become that much betCardinal Dolan Announces ter known, and that they New Stage in Dorothy Day will encourage others to Canonization Process follow in their footsteps – and so the Church may say, The Cause for Dorothy Day's pos‘This is sanctity. This is the sible eventual beatification and canroad to eternal life.’” onization moved into a new phase More recently, in [recently] as Cardinal Timothy November 2012, the quesDolan, the Archbishop of New York, tion of Day’s being an opened the canonical Inquiry on the appropriate candidate for life of the Catholic Worker movecanonization was raised by ment founder, gathering evidence to the present Archbishop of determine if she lived a life of "heroNew York, Cardinal Timothy ic virtue" in the eyes of the Church.

Dolan, at the annual meetThe Archdiocese, which is sponing of the United States soring her cause, will gather the eviCatholic Bishops. In a voice dence and present it to the Vatican's Congregation for the Saints and vote, the bishops asked Pope Francis. After carefully examthe Holy See to continue ining the information presented, the canonization process the Congregation and Pope Francis that had been initiated by will determine if she will be eleCardinal O’Connor in 2000. vated from "Servant of God," to Unanimously, they "Venerable," and become eligible for upheld sainthood for Day, beatification and ultimately canonwho related the Sermon on ization. the Mount to everything she undertook and did. Few Reprinted from the website of the of the faithful in the twenArchdiocese of New York: tieth century were more archny.org/news/dorothyday. committed than Dorothy Day to the Church’s teach-

"With these sentiments of gratitude for everything the Church has received, and with a sense of responsibility for the task that lies ahead, we shall cross the threshold of the Holy Door fully confident that the strength of the Risen Lord, who constantly supports us on our pilgrim way, will sustain us. May the Holy Spirit, who guides the steps of believers in cooperating with the work of salvation wrought by Christ, lead the way and support the People of God so that they may contemplate the face of mercy."

-Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus #4

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart – Winona 360 Main St.--Winona, MN 55987 507-452-4770 info@cathedralwinona.org www.cascwinona.org

Sacred Heart Church – Adams

412 W Main St./P.O. Box 352--Adams, MN 55909 507-582-3120 office@sacredheartadams.org www.sacredheartcluster.org

Sacred Heart Church – Brewster

(served by St. Francis Xavier Parish, Windom) 516 10th St./P.O. Box 187--Brewster, MN 56119 507-842-5584 sacreds@centurytel.net www.sfxwindom.org

Sacred Heart Church – Hayfield

(served by St. Columbanus Parish, Blooming Prairie) 150 NE 2nd St./P.O. Box 27--Hayfield, MN 55940 507-477-2256 sacredhearthayfield@gofast.am www.stcolumbanuschurch.com

Sacred Heart Church – Heron Lake

(served by St. Francis Xavier Parish, Windom) 321 9th St./P.O. Box 377--Heron Lake, MN 56137 507-793-2357 sacredheart1@gmail.com www.sacredheartheronlake.org

Sacred Heart Church – Owatonna

810 S Cedar Ave--Owatonna, MN 55060 507-451-1588 info@sacredheartowatonna.org www.sacredheartowatonna.org

Sacred Heart Church – Waseca

111 4th St. NW--Waseca, MN 56093 507-835-1222 sacredheart@hickorytech.net www.sacredheartwaseca.org

Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (Assisi Heights) – Rochester 1001 14th Street NW, Ste 100--Rochester, MN 55901 507-282-7441 info@rochesterfranciscan.org www.rochersterfranciscan.org

Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center Chapel – Jackson 803 4th St.--Jackson, MN 56143 507-847-3571 paradism@sacredheartmercy.net

Generally, information on Mass times and contact information for each of the parishes is available online at the diocesan web site (www. dow.org) and at the individual parish websites.

A group planning a pilgrimage to one of these sites is asked to first contact the pilgrimage parish/institution regarding its plans and the arrangements needed.

Year of Mercy Calendar of Events In 2016...

July 1

(or another Friday) Diocesan Holy Hour - 3 pm Sacred Heart, Adams

July 26-31

World Youth Day - Krakow, Poland

August 5

(or another Friday) Diocesan Holy Hour - 3 pm - Site TBD

August 29

Catechetical Day - Lourdes High School, Rochester

In June...

September 2

(or another Friday) Diocesan Holy Hour - 3 pm - Site TBD

September 25

Catechetical Sunday

October 7

(or another Friday) Diocesan Holy Hour - 3 pm - Site TBD

Date TBD

Women’s Conference (Marian Jubilee)

October 18

White Mass (Jubilee for those who are ill or have disabilities) - 5:30pm - St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester

In Rome and the Universal Church…

Wednesday, June 1 - Friday, June 3 Jubilee for Priests - St. Peter’s Square

"Let us ask ourselves what mercy means for a priest...

[I]n the image of the Good Shepherd, the priest is a man of mercy and compassion, close to his people and a servant to all. This is a pastoral criterion I would like to emphasize strongly: closeness. Closeness and service, but closeness, nearness! Whoever is wounded in life, in whatever way, can find in him attention and a sympathetic ear..."

-Pope Francis, "Address to the Parish Priests of the Diocese of Rome." March 6, 2014.

Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12

Jubilee for the Sick and Persons with Disabilities St. Peter’s Square

Saturday, June 18 / Thursday, June 30 Special Jubilee Audience of Pope Francis - St. Peter's Square

In the Diocese…

Diocesan Jubilee of Mercy Week June 3 - Jubilee for Priests - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

3

October 30

Diocesan Jubilee for Hispanic C at h o l i c Community Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato

November 4

(or another Friday) Diocesan Holy Hour - 3 pm - site TBD

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Holy Doors and Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese of Winona

November 6

Jubilee for Prisoners

November 13

Closing Mass - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona Closing of the Holy Doors Sacred Heart Sites Across the Diocese

June 5 - Jubilee for Deacons - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona June 8 - Jubilee of Mercy Day - St. Mary's, Worthington June 9 - Jubilee of Mercy Day - Sacred Heart, Owatonna June 10 - Jubilee of Mercy Day Resurrection, Rochester "This year, in the Diocese of Winona, we will gather on special days to learn, pray, and share together on the meaning and challenge offered to us by this Jubilee Year of Mercy. As our Holy Father invites us, 'At times we are called to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father's action in our lives' (Pope Francis, MV #3).

These days offer us this very opportunity to 'gaze' on God's mercy, and so to 'become' its sign through lives of holiness and service."

-Bishop John Quinn

Friday, June 10 Diocesan Holy Hour - 3pm, Sacred Heart Church, Hayfield The Sacred Heart Mercy Healthcare Center, Jackson, and Sacred Heart Church, Adams, also hold Holy Hours on the first Friday of each month at 11:30 am and 3:00 pm, respectively.

Jubilee Web Page and Contacts The diocesan web page for the Jubilee includes information about the meaning of the Jubilee Year and about our diocesan celebration of the year. The address for the diocesan Jubilee web page is: www.dow.org/mercy.

If you have any questions about our diocesan plans for the Jubilee, please contact Fr. John Sauer in the Office of Divine Worship (jsauer@dow.org / 507-451-1588), Sister Paul Mary Rittgers, RSM in the Office of Faith Formation (faithformation@dow.org / 507-858-1273), or Todd Graff in the Office of Lay Formation (tgraff@dow.org / 507-858-1270).

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Pilgrimage Parish Profile

Sacred Heart Parish, Heron Lake

Jubilee Year of Mercy

4

From a Homily by Father Andrew D. Olsem August 7, 2009...

This church breathed in and breathed out. Some people say the building takes their breath away. The souls of the people of Sacred Heart exhaled love.

If the walls could speak, what would they say? Windows display the seven Sacraments, but the people live them. If the walls did speak, we would hear them tell of birth, forgiveness, eucharist, people confirmed in faith, matrimony, healing, priesthood and death to new life. People of Sacred Heart were, are, and will continue the Word of God. Families become the Church in miniature.

There were 125 years of sermons – homilies preached, more importantly, lived by those who listened.

This church building endured deterioration, cracks, breaking, in the need of constant maintenance and renovation. The people of Sacred Heart in body and soul knew of the same. People welcomed the elevator to elevate themselves so they might more readily witness the elevation of the body and blood of Jesus on the altar.

How many candles gave light to moments in prayer? More importantly, how many people were leading to prayers of thanksgiving. Thanks for the past, present, and future to come.

Whenever anyone comments on the beauty of this building, invite them to visit the living people of Sacred Heart. Invite them to the cemetery to pause in silence. These people had "the Heart of " the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Lord. And so do we!

[Reprinted from the Sacred Heart Parish web site: sacredheartheronlake.org/history/.]

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�atholic settlers came to the Heron Lake

area from central Europe as early as 1860.

They came with strong hearts, determination, and faith. Their spiritual needs were first met by Father Herman Richards, a Jesuit from Mankato. On his occasional visits, Mass was offered at the rural home of Mr. and Mrs. John Pawlitschek from 1874-1881. When word of his coming was received, all baptisms and marriages were administered.

In 1884, Bishop John Ireland of the Saint Paul Diocese sent newly ordained Father Anthony Ogulin as the first resident pastor. Living at a hotel, he began the work of organizing the congregation into a parish unit. Father Ogulin raised money from other parishes, and the Missionary Society of Vienna in Austria contributed $1100.

With two loads of lumber, donated by the bishop, a new church was built. It was dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius, with its first Mass on Christmas Day of 1884. In 1889, a rectory was built.

In 1914, Father Mathias Jostock was appointed pastor, and parishioners asked for a new church. Construction was to begin in 1916, but was delayed by World War I. In 1919, a new structure was built and was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1921. The church features thirteen large stained glass windows imported from Trier, Germany, commemorating the sacraments and command-ments. The bas-relief paintings of the Stations of the Cross are regarded as outstanding artwork.

In 1951, a new brick rectory was built adjacent to the church. A pipe organ was purchased soon after the church was built. It was renovated and reconstructed in 1984. A full choir assembles for all weekend liturgies and holyday Masses.

In the 1890s, Father Henry Van den Berg directed the purchase of a frame building that had been used as a public school. It was moved to the church property and reconditioned to serve as a parish school. The Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester, were given charge of the academic activities until 1931 when the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mankato, assumed the role.

A new school dedicated to the Sacred Heart was completed in 1955. To complete the complex, a new convent was built in 1965. With the closing of the school in 1969, the convent was sold and is presently the Heron Lake Public Library. Today, Sacred Heart School is used for faith formation classes, summer Bible school, other parish functions, and some community activities.

This beautiful church has provided for the spiritual needs of Sacred Heart Parish for more than 90 years. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1989. Sacred Heart Church has hosted the Diocesan Chrism Mass on two occasions, in 1989 and 2004. The entire edifice serves as a symbol of dedication to the generations of faithful people who built it and continue to maintain its grandeur and beauty. The twin towers are visible for many miles.

This article is reprinted from page 252 of the text, The Diocese of Winona: The History, published in 2014.

Young People Need Faithful Witnesses

Youth and Young Adults

Ben Frost Director bfrost@dow.org

�ministry hroughout my fourteen years of working in youth I have asked many young people to name the

greatest influence on their faith. The most common answer has always been the presence of an adult who cared about them and witnessed the love of God. Many times this is a parent or grandparent, and often it is a youth minister or an adult volunteer. The fact is that young people are influenced through relationships, and it is important that God’s truth take flesh through the charity and witness of another person.

As we come to the end of another school year, I would like to offer sincere gratitude for the many adults in our diocese who work with young people. Our youth ministers, faith formation directors, priests, volunteers and (most importantly) parents all share in this mission of forming young hearts to grow in relationship with Christ.

I continue to be amazed by the dedication and sacrifice that our leaders in youth ministry give day after day.

These men and women know the love of God and are compelled to share that love with young people.

The decision to follow God is the most important decision that any of us makes in life. When we actively engage in our faith, it not only increases our faith and love of God, but it also transforms us, brings us joy, and changes the world around us. Our young people are desperate for authentic examples of love and joy. There are many voices out there claiming to offer joy yet never satisfying the heart. But in the midst of these competing voices there are also living witnesses of joy. We have seen these witnesses for 2000 years. The saints of our Church

9

into relationship with the other prisoners and gave them hope. He later gave his life to save a fellow inmate who had a wife and family. He literally changed the world around him.

It’s easy to look at the lives of saints and see how their relational ministry changed the world, but I find that many adults doubt their own ability to share the faith with others, especially young people. Such doubt is unfounded. Every one of us has great potential to share the love of God. Our young people especially need us today to invest in them and witness to the importance of faith.

If we want our young generations to be happy and live a joyful and fulfilling life, then we must continue to respond by witnessing to them.

I am so impressed with our youth programs throughout our diocese, and I would like to invite the faith-filled adults in our communities to consider partnering with youth ministry. We need you. Our young people need you. The next time your youth director at your parish invites you to consider joining as a catechist, or as a chaperone, or as a small group leader, please pray about this and see if the Lord might be prompting your heart to respond. I also invite all parents (myself included) to continue to challenge ourselves to make faith a priority in the home. We must pray as families, go to Mass and talk about faith. This will make such an impact on our children and help them become the saints God is calling them to be. Together we will continue to build up these amazing young people and change the world around us.

were faced with the same challenges and adversity we see today, and they engaged the world around them to create change. Much of that change came through relationship. St. Francis of Assisi was treated as an outcast, but he entered into relationship with a group of men and women and they literally changed the world around them. St. Maximillian Kolbe endured incredible suffering as a prisoner in Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, yet he entered

Youth Group Enjoys First Year

Faith Formation at Sacred Heart, Reinartz began her project in August by setting up a display at

By MARY HUNTLEY the Southland School Open House. As students and parents rushed through the registration ADAMS--Each year, seniors at Southland High School are process, Reinartz told them about the new asked to take on projects that reflect their talents and youth group and registered students to be abilities and use those talents and abilities to impact members. the lives of others. Cassidy Reinartz, a fourth-generation Sacred Heart Youth Group gathered on a member of Sacred Heart Parish, formed a Catholic youth monthly basis, always beginning with prayer in group for the parishes of Sacred Heart, Adams; St. Peter, the sanctuary of the church. They learned about Rose Creek; and St. John, Johnsburg. different types of prayer and about leading The formation of a youth group was a natural choice group prayer. Several members served as teachfor Reinartz, who attended Sacred Heart Elementary ers in the elementary faith formation program.

School, is a Mass server and Joyful Noise choir member, In addition to prayer, the group lived and has recently been assisting her mother on the Liturgy their faith through service to their commuCommittee. nity throughout the year. With the help of the Under the mentorship of Mary Huntley, director of Confirmation students, they built two outdoor library boxes to be installed in Adams and Johnsburg.

The group then solicited their friends, families and communities to gather a supply of books to keep the libraries stocked for the next year. During the Christmas season, they set up a booth at the local Holiday Fair to entertain the younger children with stories, games and Christmas crafts. As the snow melted and spring slowly arrived, the group held a movie night at Sacred Heart School auditorium with an admission price of one food item for the Southland Area Food Shelf.

Now that Reinartz is graduating, it will be up to one of the juniors to take her place Standing: Emma Retterath, Cassidy Reinartz, Tess Douty, Megan Harvey. as the leader of Sacred Heart Youth Group.

Seated: Lizzy Wolterman, Emma Simon, Laura Kiefer.

Members have enjoyed their first year of

getting together to pray, plan projects, enjoy meals and spend Sunday evenings with their friends. More than the books gathered and food collected, the group's activities have produced another fruit: the presence of youth in the community who express their faith through works in their parish and in the wider community. These high school students have served as role models to our younger children, following the instruction to "preach the gospel, and, if necessary, use words."

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Our View of Priesthood � here

Vocations

have all the priests gone? This question is asked fairly regularly and in many different circumstances. It is often a question filled with gratitude for the seminarians we have, and yet wondering why different demographics are not represented. The question sometimes refers to language, other times to family background, and can even relate to personal hobbies, skills and interests.

The next question that is asked is normally along the lines of, “What can we do about it?”

Responding to these questions is, in some ways, easy; in other ways, it is difficult. The easy answer is to say, “I don’t know, but keep praying!” This is certainly an honest answer, and prayer is always a valid and effective response to our need for vocations to the priesthood.

Yet these questions are also very difficult because each person has a unique set of circumstances that needs to be responded to individually. Since God calls individually, we have to support vocations on an individual basis as well.

When we look at the makeup of our diocese, it can sometimes be disheartening

Obituary

Sister Margaret Louise Branton Sister Margaret Louise Branton (Sister Lisette), 103, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, MN, died at Assisi Heights Sunday, May 8, 2016.

Margaret Louise Branton was born to Robert and Louise (Shipman) Branton May 3, 1913 in Minneapolis, MN. She entered the Sisters of Saint Francis in 1931 from Ascension Parish in Minneapolis and made profession of vows in 1934. Sister Margaret June, 2016 w The Courier

to think of how few seminarians we have.

We should not lose hope, however, nor should we be disappointed, because the reality is that men are hearing and answering the call. Where we can challenge ourselves is in our view of priesthood as a vocation. God calls. Will men answer? Will each of us see priesthood as a valid and satisfactory path in life? Do we believe that priests are happy and that your grandson, son or, perhaps you, can truly be happy in this life?

We should never ignore a possible vocation in a man because he seems to be too good at other things to be a priest.

Priests do come from all walks of life. There are amazing stories out there about priests and seminarians who were professional athletes or in Hollywood. Most priests, however, have normal (if varied) lives and backgrounds. Priests can come

Louise received a BA in English (1941) and a BS in Elementary Education (1957) from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, and later attended NW State College, Tahlequa, OK, and the University of Wisconsin in Platteville.

Sister Margaret Louise was an elementary teacher for 34 years in Catholic Schools in the southern Minnesota towns of Rochester, Winona, Rollingstone, Johnsburg, Waseca, Austin, Lake City, Caledonia, Iona, Golden Valley and Adrian. She also taught in Wausau, WI; Ironton, OH; Watertown, SD; and Chicago, IL. Following her teaching years, Sister Margaret Louise served as librarian, parish pastoral minister, senior citizen volunteer, hospital patient visitor and retreat center assistant. She retired to Assisi Heights in 1990.

Sister Margaret Louise is survived by her Franciscan Congregation with whom she shared life for 85 years.

A Funeral Mass was held Monday, May 16, at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at Assisi Heights, Rochester.

Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Rochester.

Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@dow.org

from families of line workers, doctors, custodians, teachers and farmers. They can be homeschooled or attend public or Catholic schools. They were athletes, musicians and student council members.

They can be converts and cradle Catholics.

Seminarians come straight out of high school, or are college transfers or have come out of the workforce. In other words, priests can come from anywhere. Wherever we come from, it is our commitment to the call that leads us to happiness.

Priesthood is not the option for those who have run out of options. It is a life for those who are called and want to live in service to others. Generous men make generous priests. Generous priests in turn open the door to faith for countless others. We should never ignore a possible vocation in a man because he seems to be too good at other things to be a priest.

Priestly vocations are not reserved to the mediocre. They are given to those God wants to be His priests.

A Father Who Is Always Present 11 Todd Graff Director tgraff@dow.org

--Pope Francis, General Audience, 2/4/2015

�ne of the best gifts of my work in the diocese over

these many years has been the relationships I have enjoyed with my colleagues here at the Pastoral Center. They have been, and are, deeply faith-filled people, with a great love and commitment to serving God’s people here in these 20 counties of southern Minnesota.

A special blessing of more recent years has been to work with a number of men who are fathers of young families. There’s Peter and his six sons, and Ben who’s the father of four children (and expecting another child this summer). There’s Nick, a new father as of this past January. And there are my former (but very recent) colleagues, Bill and his five children and Bryan with two young sons.

I am amazed at the dedication that all of these men, my brothers in Christ, have to their families, and I marvel at the great love and care they show to their wives and to their children while maintaining their professional and community responsibilities.

My Dad… My own father, Peter Marcel Graff, passed away about two and a half years ago at 90 years old. I think of him often, and know that he is still close to me in this great Communion of Saints that we are both a part of. I miss him, of course, but I feel at peace that he is now in God our Father’s eternal care.

With Father’s Day approaching, my thoughts will be with him again in a special way. One of the most powerful moments from his funeral was my brother Chad’s sharing the reflections of his 11 children on who he was as our dad and as a man. I’d like to share these reflections here, in this column, as a way to honor this man whom I was so blessed to have as a father. “… Dad maintained a remarkable calmness in life. One of the things he said was: ‘If it won’t be a big deal in 10 years, it isn’t a big deal now.’ Dad valued good character more than experience. He was fond of saying that if we don’t learn from our mistakes, then 20 years of experience is one year of experience times twenty.

“One of the greatest lessons we learned from Dad is that everyone deserves to be treated with honor and dignity regardless of their station in life.

Dad treated an individual falling on hard times and needing $20 for groceries with the same heartfelt kindness and respect that he treated the Governor.

He would give money out of his own pocket, and tell people they could pay him back when back on their feet.

“His heart contained no prejudice. His door at the bank was open to everyone, and he took the time to listen to what people had to say. He enjoyed helping people find what they loved to do. He taught us that people are important; money and things

are not.

“If you asked him how he was doing, Dad was fond of saying ‘Can’t Complain!’

“Dad was fascinated by conditions of nature that impact us all, none more than farmers. On the phone, he was quick to ask: ‘What’s your weather doing?’ He loved a drive to check on the crops and a glance at the sky to look for rainclouds. He enjoyed doing the small things that nature asks, such as mowing the lawn or shoveling snow.

“It wasn’t unusual for bank employees to leave work after a snow storm only to find their cars had been secretly cleared of snow by the Chairman of the bank. He taught us that there is beauty and God’s love in the things we do to help one another.

“Dad loved to say thank you and to show his appreciation. Let us express our heartfelt thanks for the kindness and love you all showed our Dad. The last weeks of his life were spent celebrating his 90th birthday and enjoying the good wishes of many, many people. To know our Dad was to love him.”

My dad meant the world to me, and he taught me so much about being a faithful husband and devoted father, and a man of integrity, character, and faith. What an incredible treasure to receive in one’s life – Thank you, Dad! Happy Father’s Day! To all of the fathers and grandfathers of our diocese: I wish you God’s special grace and blessings as you live out your vocation to nurture in faith, to guide in hope, and to protect in love the families entrusted to your care. Together, let us truly be, “Men of God.” Deo Gratias!

Lay Formation

The first need, then, is precisely this: that a father be present in the family. That he be close to his wife, to share everything, joy and sorrow, hope and hardship.

And that he be close to his children as they grow: when they play and when they strive, when they are carefree and when they are distressed, … when they take a wrong step and when they find their path again; a father who is always present.

As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, I rejoice in men such as these who give a profound witness to the essential role and sacred vocation of fatherhood.

To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others...

--Saint John Paul II; Homily at Capitol Mall Mass, Washington D.C., 10/7/1979)

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Celebrating the Courage of Refugees

By KRISTINA HAMMELL

�

Catholic Charities

he Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has proclaimed June 20th to be “World Refugee Day,” a day on which the world commemorates the courage, strength, and resilience of refugees.

The United States first answered the call “to welcome the stranger” and assist refugees during World War II, when the U.S. Congress created the first legislation Aline (left) and Kristina Hammell (right) to assist 250,000 displaced Europeans. With the fall of those seeking to harm them.

Saigon in 1975, Congress again took “I knew we would not be safe until we left on the great undertaking of assisting Africa,” Aline said. Unfortunately, the refugee hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees. process moves very slowly. Aline and her chilAs a country, we have a rich history of helping dren lived in constant fear for 10 years until they those who find themselves in incredibly difficult were finally granted refugee legal status and situations due to war, persecution, and oppreswere able to travel to the United States a year sion. One of those refugees is Aline. and a half ago.

Aline, like many refugees before her, came Now her family has seen the start of a bright to the United States because of war. Aline was new future. Aline works and her children attend a young mother of 5 children. When war broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo, her husband was one of the first to be killed. She stayed, hoping that things would calm down, "Refugees are people and was very hesitant to leave her homeland. like anyone else... They Unfortunately, that hope ended late one night when Aline and her children were forced led ordinary lives before to flee from terrorists who started their house becoming displaced, and on fire. “We fled into the bush in the middle of the night and walked and walked until we their biggest dream is to reached Uganda,” she says. be able to live normally Aline quickly realized there were many refugees already in Uganda and that there was no again." future for them there, due to limited resources -Ban Ki-moon and the constant fear that someone would recognize them and report their whereabouts to

school, with her two oldest now working their way through college.

Aline and her children began their new lives in the U.S. under the auspices of the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program. Our mission is to meet the needs of newly arrived refugees by providing one-on-one case management to guide them on their new journey and empower them in their new lives. Services include assistance in accessing stable and safe housing, food, clothing, employment services, and various other services that will lead to self-sufficiency. If you want to learn more about the program and of ways to help refugees in your communities, please visit our website at www.ccwinona.org or contact the Rochester Office at 507-287-2047.

On June 20th, 2016, we ask you and your family, as you go about your lives, to pause a moment and think, “What if I were a refugee?”

In the words of the General Secretary of the UN Ban Ki-moon, "Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me. They led ordinary lives before becoming displaced, and their biggest dream is to be able to live normally again. On this World Refugee Day, let us recall our common humanity, celebrate tolerance and diversity, and open our hearts to refugees everywhere."

Kristina Hammell is Director of Catholic Charities' Refugee Resettlement Program.

Masses of Reparation for Sins in the Diocese Many parishes throughout the diocese are committed to offer consolation to the Heart of Christ through a Mass of Reparation.

Please go online to visit dowcourier. org

to see the complete Mass list.

June, 2016 w The Courier

Happy Anniversaries!

Rev. Donald Leary (65 years of priesthood) was born in Caledonia to George and Margaret (Sheehan) Leary.

He studied philosophy at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, and completed theology at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD. On May 19, 1951, Father Leary was ordained to the priesthood at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona by the Most Rev. Edward A. Fitzgerald. His first assignment was parochial vicar at St. Mary in Winona. Other positions Father has held are parochial administrator at St. Nicholas in Freeburg, St. Margaret in Mantorville, St. Jarlath in Iosco, St. Patrick in LeRoy and St. Bernard in Stewartville; and pastor at Sacred Heart in Hayfield, Our Lady of Loretto in Brownsdale, Sacred Heart in Waseca, St. Mary in Lake City, St. Casimir in Wells, St. Mary in Chatfield, St. Anthony in Altura, St. Aloysius in Elba and St. Joseph in Theilman. Father was also principal at Lourdes High School in Rochester, superintendent for Catholic schools in Waseca, and director of both the Rochester Area and the Mankato Area. On January 10, 1995, Father Leary joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

Rev. Andrew Fabian, OP (60 years of priesthood) was born in Mingo Junction, OH, to Michael and Anna (Krizan) Fabian. He studied philosophy at Aquinas Institute in River Forest, IL, and completed his theology degree at Aquinas Institute in Dubuque, IA. On May 26, 1956, Father was ordained to the priesthood for the religious order of Dominicans in Dubuque by the Most Rev. Archbishop Leo Binz.

Positions that Father has held over the years are: assistant professor for the Philosophy departments at DePaul University, Loras College and St. Mary’s University; and associate professor of Philosophy at St. Mary’s University. He also held chaplain positions at St. Albert the Great Parish and Holy Rosary Parish in Minneapolis; and St. Casimir Parish, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Francsican Tau Center, St. Thomas More Chapel (SMU campus), and the Serra Club of Winona. He has been a member of the Evaluation of Students Aspiring to Healing Professions, Tomorrow’s Leadership Scholarship Committee, and the Presbyteral Council.

Msgr. James McCauley (60 years of priesthood) was born in Caledonia to John and Mary Ellen (Scanlon) McCauley.

He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at the Theological College in Washington DC. On May 31, 1956, Msgr. McCauley was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. Edward A. Fitzgerald. He was parochial vicar at St. Theodore in Albert Lea and St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona. As pastor, he served at Sts. Peter and Paul in Hart, St. Margaret in Mantorville, Sacred Heart in Hayfield, Our Lady of Loretto in Brownsdale, Pax Christi in Rochester, Christ the King in Byron, St. Joseph in Owatonna, St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, St. Bridget in Simpson, St. Mary in Lake City, and St. Joseph in Theilman.

Msgr. McCauley was the founding pas-

tor of Pax Christi Parish in Rochester and served there from 1973-81. Other notable assignments were: instructor for St. Mary Junior High School in Albert Lea and Cotter High School in Winona, principal for Cotter High School in Winona and Lourdes High School in Rochester, Continuing Education at Notre Dame, director of the Rochester Area, Presbyteral Council, Priests’ Assignments Committee, dean for the Rochester Deanery, College of Consultors, Vicar for Retired Priests and Priests Pension Board. On September 9, 2012, the Most Rev. John M. Quinn bestowed upon Monsignor the Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. On June 30, 1999, Msgr. McCauley joined the rank of senior priests of the diocese.

Rev. James Hennessy (55 years of priesthood) was born in Winona to William and Anna (O'Dea) Hennessy.

He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 27, 1961, Father was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. Edward A. Fitzgerald. He later attended St. Mary’s College in Winona for his graduate studies. Father’s assignments as parochial vicar were at St. Theodore in Albert Lea, St. Joseph in Owatonna, Queen of Angels in Austin, and St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester. As a pastor, he served at St. Martin in Woodstock, St. Mary in Lake Wilson, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Easton, Mater Dolorosa in Delavan, Assumption in Canton, St. Olaf in Mabel, St. Rose of Lima in Lewiston, St. Anthony in Altura, and St. Casimir in Winona. Other notable assignments were instructor at Marian High School in Owatonna, Pacelli High School in Austin, and Lourdes High School in Rochester; chaplain at St. Mary’s College in Winona; and the Presbyteral Council for the diocese.

On July 1, 2003, Father Hennessy joined the rank of senior priests for the diocese.

Rev. Paul Nelson (55 years of priesthood) was born in Rochester to Claude and Lenora (O'Connell) Nelson. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 27, 1961, Father Nelson was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. Edward A. Fitzgerald. He later attended St. Mary’s College in Winona and Winona State University for his graduate studies. Father’s assignments as parochial vicar were at St. Augustine in Austin, St. John in Winona, and St. Pius X in Rochester.

Father served as parochial administrator at Sts. Peter and Paul in Hart, St. Edward in Austin, and Our Lady of Loretto in Brownsdale. As a pastor he served at Queen of Angels in Austin, St. Joseph in Owatonna, St. Augustine in Austin, and as rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Father also held appointments as instructor at Pacelli High School in Austin and Cotter High School in Winona; director for Cotter High School in Winona; chaplain for the College of St. Teresa and the Newman Center in Winona; principal at Cotter High School in Winona, Loyola High School in Mankato and

Pacelli High School in Austin; director of Diocesan CCD, Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, Austin area Religious Education, Austin/Albert Lea Deanery and Winona Deanery; Episcopal Vicar for Region I; member of Presbyteral Council, Clergy Health Commission, College of Consultors, Priests Pension Board, and United Catholic Schools Foundation Board of Austin. Father Nelson is parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in Rochester.

Rev. Robert Stamschror (55 years of priesthood) was born in Wabasha to Joseph and Mary (Koob) Stamschror of St. Felix Parish. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree and an MA in Education Administration at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He also received an MA in Religious Education from Seattle University. On May 27, 1961, Father Stamschror was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by Most Rev. Edward A. Fitzgerald. He was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Casimir in Winona and instructor at Cotter High School. He then served as principal and instructor at Loretto High School in Caledonia and parochial administrator at St. Nicholas in Freeburg and St. John in Caledonia.

He was chaplain at Saint Mary’s College, diocesan director of Religious Education while also co-pastor and Pastor at St. John in Winona. He was executive secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. From 1976-79, he was Representative for Religious Education, Department of Education for the United States Catholic Conference, Washington, D.C. and executive secretary for the National Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education, CCD, Washington, D.C., Between 1980 and 2000, he was instructor and a member of the pastoral team for St. Theresa College and editor for Youth Ministry at St. Mary’s Press in Winona. On September 14, 2000, Father Stamschror joined the rank of senior priests for the diocese.

He continued his ministry as Liturgical Minister at St. Anne’s, Callista Court and Christian Brothers Residence (SMU) in Winona. He also served as a member of St. Anne of Winona Foundation Board (2002-11) and as chair for the Board of Directors of the Center for Ministry Development, Tacoma, WA (2007-10).

Msgr. Gerald Mahon (45 years of priesthood) was born in Rochester to Edward and Gertrude (McCoy) Mahon. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 28, 1971, Msgr. Mahon was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Francis of Assisi in Rochester by the Most Rev. Loras J. Watters. He later attended St. Louis University for his graduate studies. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s in Winona. As a pastor, he served at St. Casimir in Winona. Other notable assignments were: instructor at Cotter High School in Winona; faculty, vice rector, rector and spiritual director at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary; chaplain at Cabrini Home in Winona and Lourdes High School in Rochester; diocesan director of Youth and Vocations and of Continuing Education; director of Apostolic Activity, Pastoral Planning and Ecumenical/Interfaith Relations; spiritual director for RENEW; master of ceremonies for diocesan Liturgies;

member of the Presbyteral Council, Board of Consultors and Priests' Assignments Committee; Moderator of the Diocesan Curia; and Vicar General. On December 5, 1997, the Most Rev. John G. Vlazny bestowed upon Monsignor the Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. Msgr. Mahon is pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Rochester.

Msgr. Gerald Kosse (40 years of priesthood) was born in Caledonia to Clemens and Mary (Wilkes) Kosse. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 21, 1976, Msgr. Kosse was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. Loras J. Watters. Monsignor’s assignments as parochial vicar were at Sacred Heart in Waseca, St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester, St. Augustine in Austin, St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona, St. John in Winona and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. As parochial administrator he served at St. Columban in Preston, St. Lawrence O’Toole in Fountain, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Easton and St. John the Baptist in Minnesota Lake, later becoming pastor of East Chain and Minnesota Lake. Msgr. Kosse was also pastor at St. Adrian in Adrian and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Wilmont.

As priest moderator, he served at St. Anthony in Lismore and St. Kilian in St. Kilian. Other notable assignments were: chaplain for Courage and EnCourage for the Diocese of Winona, diocesan Tribunal, dean of the Worthington Deanery, and Presbyteral Council. On September 9, 2012, the Most Rev. John M. Quinn bestowed upon Monsignor the Prelate of Honor to His Holiness. Msgr. Kosse is pastor at St. Leo in Pipestone, St. Joseph in Jasper, and St. Martin in Woodstock.

Rev. John Kunz (40 years of priesthood) was born in Madelia to Robert and Evelyn (Lenhoff) Kunz. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 21, 1976, Father Kunz was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. Loras J. Watters. His two assignments of parochial vicar were at St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona and St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester. As pastor, he served at St. Matthew in Vernon Center, St. Mary in Winnebago, Mater Dolorosa in Delavan, St. Teresa in Mapleton, St. Joseph in Good Thunder, and Sacred Heart in Waseca. Other notable assignments were: instructor at Cotter High School in Winona, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Lourdes High School in Rochester and Loyola High School in Mankato; chaplain for the School Sisters of Notre Dame; canonical administrator at Loyola Catholic Schools in Mankato; Commission of Sacred Liturgy; dean for Mankato Deanery; member of the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, and Priests’ Committee for Capital Campaign. Father Kunz is pastor for St. John the Baptist in Mankato.

Rev. Joseph Pete (40 years of priesthood) was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Joseph and Martha (Klecker) Pete. He studied philosophy

at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. On May 21, 1976, Father Pete was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. Loras J. Watters. His appointments as parochial vicar were at St. Mary in Caledonia, St. Pius X in Rochester and St. Mary in Worthington. As pastor, he served at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Currie, St. Anthony in Westbrook, St. Joseph the Worker in Mankato, Holy Family in Lake Crystal, St. Joseph in Rushford, St. Mary in Houston, and St. Peter in Hokah. Other notable assignments were: Presbyteral Council, director of Vocations for the Mankato Deanery, and Diocesan Pastoral Council. Father Pete is pastor for St. Mary in Lake City and St. Patrick in West Albany.

Rev. Pratap Salibindla, OFM (25 years of priesthood) was born in Brahmanappally, Telangana, India, to Bala Reddy and Regina. He studied philosophy at St. Anthony’s Friary, Bangalore and completed his theology degree at Kripalaya in Mysore Karnataka. On April 25, 1991, Father Pratap was ordained to the priesthood at Lillipur, Dubbacherla post, Maheshwaram Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana, India, by the Most Rev. S. Arulappa Samineni Archbishop of Hyderabad. Before coming to the Diocese of Winona, he had assignments at the Diocese of Hyderabad, Diocese of Kurnool, and Diocese of Cuddapah. In the Diocese of Winona, he first served as parochial vicar at Pax Christi in Rochester and Sts. Peter and Paul in Mazeppa. As pastor, he has served at St. Joseph in Rushford, St. Mary in Houston, and St. Peter in Hokah, where he currently is pastor.

Thanks to all the parishioners of the Tri-Parish of St. Peter, St. Mary & St. Joseph, who organized a surprising and joyful celebration of Fr. Pratap’s 25th ordination anniversary on Saturday, April 23. The presence of Fr. Marreddy Pothireddy, Fr. Chinnappa Reddy Pothireddy, and Fr. Greg Havel made the celebration solemn. The beauty and the joy of the celebration was enveloped in its secrecy of extending invitations to friends and priests to the event of togetherness and a potluck dinner.

Rev. James Berning (25 years of priesthood) was born in Owatonna to James and Rita Berning. He studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his theology degree at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. On June 12, 1991, Father Berning was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by the Most Rev. John G. Vlazny. His assignments of parochial vicar were at St. Theodore in Albert Lea, St. James in Twin Lakes, Resurrection in Rochester, and St. Mary in Chatfield. As pastor, he served at St. Ann in Slayton, St. Mary in Lake Wilson, St. Mary in Madelia, St. Katherine in Truman, St. James in St. James, St. Theodore in Albert Lea, and St. James in Twin Lakes. Other notable assignments were: associate director of Vocations for the Rochester Deanery, Presbyteral Council, first spiritual director for Pathways (TEC) in 1997 (receiving the Spirit of TEC award in 2000), and College of Consultors. Father Berning is pastor at St. Mary’s in Winona. A celebration of his 25th anniversary will be held on June 12. See Diocesan Calendar.

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June, 2016 w The Courier

In the Diocese

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Franciscan Jubilarians Standing, left to right: Sisters Kay Wagner, Elaine Frank, Patricia Himmer, Mary Eliot Crowley, Valerie Usher, Jan Reisdorf and Jennifer Corbett Seated, left to right: Sisters Martha Matthew, Wanda Mettes and Joan Lewison ROCHESTER--On June 22, nine Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, will celebrate their *Golden Jubilee (50 years) with the Congregation, and one Sister will celebrate her *Silver Jubilee (25 years):

*Sister Elaine Frank was born in Caledonia and entered religious community from St. Mary’s Parish there. She professed first vows as a Daughter of Mary in Miami, FL, in 1966 and transferred to the Rochester Franciscan Congregation in 1975. Sister Elaine received a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in religious studies from Barry University in Miami.

She also completed Clinical Pastoral Education in 1990 to become a Certified Chaplain. Sister Elaine’s primary ministry was spent serving at retreat centers and offering spiritual direction in Winona and Janesville. She also served as a social worker in Miami and as a hospice/ hospital chaplain in Mason City, IA. Sister Elaine has been a member of the national board of directors for Retreats International and National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

She is the Congregational Secretary for the Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights in Rochester. *Sister Jan Reisdorf was raised in St. Charles and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from St. Charles Borromeo Parish, where she also professed first vows in 1966.

She received a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Saint Teresa in Winona and a Master of Pastoral Ministry in Theology from Seattle University in Seattle, WA. Most of her career was spent in education and pastoral ministry, serving in Fairmont, Winona and Owatonna, and spending 28 years

WDCCW Updates

By KATHY WILMES

T

he Winona Diocese Council of Catholic Women met at St. Columban Church in Preston on April 13.

Valerie Ehlenfeldt, our Church Concerns Commissioner, shared an opportunity to grow in our faith and share it with others. The program is called Treasures of the Church and is run by Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross, an evangelical organization whose mission is the renewal and strengthening of faith through the presentaJune, 2016 w The Courier

at the Diocese of Pueblo, CO. Sister Jan was the Director of Residential Life at Assisi Heights from 2006-11.

Recently retired, she volunteers in various ministries. *Sister Jennifer Corbett was born in South Bend, IN, and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation during her junior year at the College of St. Teresa in Winona. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1966. She began her nursing career at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, followed by 40 years in Chicago, IL, where she served in various nursing positions, including public health nurse in the Chicago Department of Health, Director of Parish Nursing, and positions in long term care and adult day programs for persons with dementia. While in Chicago, she received a Master of Theological Studies from Catholic Theological Union. Since 2013, Sister Jennifer has served on the staff of the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Janesville. *Sister Joan Lewison was born in Adams and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Sacred Heart Parish in Adams. She professed her first vows in 1966 at Assisi Heights. Sister Joan received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the College of St. Teresa in Winona and a Master of Science in School Administration and Psychology from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX. Most of her career was spent as a teacher and principal for Catholic Schools in Aurora and Colorado Springs, CO; Silver Springs, MD; Vista and El Cajon, CA; and Mission, TX. She held many Congregational positions at Assisi Heights, including Coordinator of Human Resources (1983-87), Co-Director of Assisi Heights (19992007) and Associate Minister on the Leadership team (2012-15). Before retirement, she was an Administrator for a retirement center in Chicago, IL.

Sister Joan is retired from active ministry and volunteers at Assisi Heights. *Sister Kay Frances Wagner was born in Watertown, SD, and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Immaculate Conception Parish in Watertown, where she also professed first vows in 1966. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the College of St. Teresa in Winona. She later received a Master of Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Chicago, IL, and a Master of Science in Social Work from Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. She started her ministry teaching primary grade students in Sleepy Eye. However, the majority of her career was spent in pastoral counseling in Winona and St. Paul; Chicago; Ashland, MT; Santa Fe, NM; and La Quinta, CA. She spent 20 summers – 13 on staff and 7 as director – of the Einsiedeln Conference on Jungian Psychology and Spirituality in Switzerland. She also founded the Family Life Center at St. Juliana’s Parish in Chicago and the Pastoral Counseling Center in Santa Fe. Sister Kay’s current ministry is offering spiritual direction. *Sister Martha Matthew was born in Barnesville and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Assumption Parish in Barnesville. She professed first vows at Assisi Heights in 1966. Sister Martha received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California in San Francisco. Most of her career was spent in nursing and nursing education in Winona, Duluth and Rochester; Charleston, SC; and Bogotá, Colombia. Sister Martha is retired from active ministry, but continues to volunteer in health care at Assisi Heights and present on the issue of human trafficking.

tion of 150 sacred relics. Forty-eight states have hosted this exposition; Companions of the Cross has asked if, this year, we in Minnesota would like that opportunity. Because the Companions group would like as many people as possible to attend, they have asked if a parish with sufficient space along the I-90 corridor would be willing to host an exposition. The parish pastor would have to request the exposition, and there must be sufficient table space to present the relics; Valerie has those exact specifics. I am told that the presentation is a powerful experience and that many miracles of healing do happen at these expositions,

so this is a life-changing event for all to witness. Please contact our president, Cindy Meling (507-220-1712), or secretary, Kathy Wilmes (507-6962942), for details.

The first speaker at our meeting in Preston was Kristina Hammell of Catholic Charities concerning the plight of the refugee. I did not realize how many requirements these people, who have been through so much, must meet to stay here; for some the process takes two years.

Please keep them in your prayers as they move toward a better life for themselves and their families.

Our second speaker was Fr. Thomas Cook, whose spirited pre-

*Sister Mary Eliot Crowley was born in Milwaukee, WI, and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from Church of the Visitation in Minneapolis. She professed her first vows at Assisi Heights in 1966. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the College of St. Teresa in Winona as well as a Master of Science in Community and Organizational Development at Loyola University in Chicago, IL, and a Master of Science in Bioethics at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Early in her career, Sister Mary Eliot taught at St. Adrian Catholic School in Adrian. Her years of ministry were also spent at CENCOAD (Center for Community Organization and Development) in Sioux Falls, SD; the Archdiocesan Consultation Service in Cincinnati, OH; and as the Coordinator of Franciscan Sponsorship at St. Marys Hospital Campus – Mayo Clinic Rochester. Sister Mary Eliot is retired and presents on the issue of human trafficking. *Sister Patricia Himmer, formerly known as Sister Donna, was born in Stewartville and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from St. Bernard’s parish in Stewartville, where she also professed her first vows in 1966. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, and studied Spanish and Pastoral Ministry in Lima and Chulucanas, Peru. Her early years of ministry were spent teaching in Rollingstone and St. James, and in Ironton, OH. Most of Sister Pat’s ministry was spent living and working among the marginalized poor in various parts of Latin America and the USA. She served in parish ministry in Vanceburg, KY (1971-79), then in Chulucanas, Peru (1979-91), then in pastoral ministry at the Rochester Franciscan mission in Bogotá, Colombia (1992-99). She returned to the U.S. to serve at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Janesville, followed by the Homeless Shelter for Women and Children in Albuquerque, NM. Before moving back to Rochester to work as a receptionist for the Gift of Life House, Sister Pat performed pastoral work in Metter, GA, for five years. Sister Patricia now works in the Administrative Support office at Assisi Heights and volunteers. *Sister Valerie Usher was born in Watertown, WI, and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from St. Victor’s Parish in Monroe,

sentation concerned Our Lady of Fatima and The Rosary. What touched me most about this presentation is the question that, Father said, should replace “What Would Jesus Do?” and that is “What do you want of me, Lord?” I leave you today with the prayer that he left us: My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you! I ask pardon of you for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you!

O Jesus, it is for love of you, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

WI. She professed first vows in 1966 at Assisi Heights. Sister Valerie received a Bachelor of Arts in French from the College of St. Teresa in Winona and a Master in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Her primary career was spent in education, pastoral ministry and congregational ministry.

She taught in Austin and Rochester, and in Bogotá, Colombia. Her pastoral ministry work began in Slayton and continued in Bogotá. She also served on the leadership team for the Congregation (1988-94) and as Community Minister and President (1994-2000). Sister Valerie’s current position as Coordinator of the Franciscan Mission in Bogotá serves as the legal representative of both the Colegio Santa Francisco Romana and the Colegio Anexo San Francisco de Asis, as well as the Congregational representative before the Archdiocese of Bogotá. *Sister Wanda Mettes was born in Shelbyville, MO, and entered the Rochester Franciscan Congregation from St. Peter Parish in North St. Paul.

Sister Wanda professed first vows at Assisi Heights in 1991. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO, a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul and a BeFriender Ministry certificate from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Her early career was spent teaching home economics to junior and senior high school students in Preston, IA. Later, she worked in retail management in Moline, IL, and St. Paul and helped open stores in nine other Midwestern states. Most of her career was spent in pastoral ministry, serving at St. Peter Church in North St. Paul (1987-89) and at Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia Heights (1991-97), while also participating in the Twin Cities Pastoral Ministry Association and the Nicaragua Sister Parish Support Task Force. She served on the first Clare Housing Board and volunteered for the Archdiocesan AIDS ministry.

After that, she moved to Rochester and served the Congregation as incorporation director and by working with those interested in joining the Rochester Franciscans. Most recently, she served as receptionist and office specialist in the business office at Rochester Community and Technical College until her retirement in 2015. Sister Wanda now serves on the Congregational Finance Committee and Communication Advisory Council for the Sisters of Saint Francis.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I offer you the most precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the sacrileges, outrages, and indifference by which He Himself is offended.

And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of you the conversion of poor sinners. Amen. [followed by the Angelus]

Kathy Wilmes is the WDCCW secretary. Call her at 507-696-2942 for group updates and information on how to become involved.

A Theology of Sports

By DEB NAHRGANG

� f the 109 presentations happening for Saint Mary’s University’s

St. Mary's Receives Innovation Grant ST. PAUL--Two teachers from St. Mary's School in Owatonna - Mrs. Kasper, grade 5 teacher, and Mrs. Berg, media specialist - were invited to receive a STEM Innovation Grant from the Minnesota Independent School Forum (MISF) on Sunday, April 24th, at the 2016 Minnesota Private and Independent Education Awards, held at the University of St. Thomas.

Thirty-three STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Grant Awards were presented to elementary and high schools throughout the state through the MISF’s STEM program. The awards program recognized a number of outstanding K-8 and 9-12 teachers of the year, academic programs, staff and volunteers contributing to the success of private and independent schools in Minnesota. The STEM grant helps schools develop hands-on curriculum to prepare students to be workforce leaders in STEM careers. Supporters of the

National Catholic Youth Choir to Perform in Diocese COLLEGEVILLE -- The National Catholic Youth Choir (NCYC) will be performing two concerts in late June in the Winona Diocese.

The first concert will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna.

The second concert will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Winona.

There is no charge to attend either concert, but a free-will offering will be collected to cover some of the camp and touring costs.

Selections to be performed at the concert include works by Gregorian Chant, Kirke Mechem, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Kevin Hildebrand, Judith Herrington, Giovanni Pierlugi da Palestrina, Dan Forrest, Psallite/Collegeville Composers Group, Jeffrey L. Ames,

“Sports, in fact, can make an effective contribution to peaceful understanding between peoples and to establishing the new civilization of love,” Pope John Paul II said.

Schumacher further used as an example how Pope Francis took a photo with members of the Italy and Argentina football squads at the Vatican. Pope Francis tasked the players to foster the “beauty, generosity, and camaraderie” that sport can produce. He went on to say, “Sport is a school for peace— it teaches us how to build peace.”

In another viewpoint, Pope Pius XII, Schumacher said, voiced his belief that if players are not showing justice, it isn’t fun, it isn’t fair, and it is not a sport.

Following graduation this May, Schumacher—who was named Saint Mary’s Oustanding Senior Male—hopes to coach at a high school level, as well as work

in a campus ministry office and possibly teach theology.

“For me (this topic) was a personal interest,” Schumacher said. “I’ve been a lifelong athlete, and I wanted to see what the Church has said and why.

If my students Mark Schumacher presents have issues, this "The Popes on Sport." is one of the Deb Nahrgang is ways that I want to relate to them, so I can listen C o m m u n i c a t i o n and give feedback based on their Director for St. experiences—using my experi- Mary's University ences but also the wisdom of the of Minnesota in Winona.

Church.”

MISF STEM program are the 3M Foundation, Schott Foundation, and Xcel Energy Foundation.

The grant monies awarded to St. Mary's School will be used to support two projects in grades 5-8 focused on using littleBits electronic modules for programming and design related to energy

conservation and impact on the environment. Implementation will begin with the creation of a makerspace to be used throughout the school day and extend beyond regular school hours. St. Mary's is excited to offer its students this hands-on curriculum to further develop their STEM skills.

Students Show Great Promise

Students learn the mechanics and design behind simple machines and circuits while creating a "hypnotizing Wheel" with littleBits electronic modules.

Isaac Watts, Leonard Bernstein, Ernani Aguiar, Jake Runestad and Donald Busarow.

Twenty-three high school students representing Minnesota, Wisconsin, Louisiana, California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Kansas, Maryland and Illinois will meet to prepare for their tour of five Minnesota cities on the campus of Saint John’s University beginning June 13 under the direction of André Heywood.

The choir will sing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, June 19, at Saint John’s Abbey and University Church, Collegeville, and then depart June 21 for the tour; see the complete schedule below.

The choir’s 2016 theme is “Psalms – The Voice of the People.” The choir seeks to implement the directive of the Second Vatican Council that the “treasury of sacred music” be preserved and fostered in the modern liturgy.

Chorister selection took place in early April and was based on

written applications, auditions and references.

The public is invited to view daily camp and concert tour photos posted on the choir’s website (www.CatholicYouthChoir.org) beginning June 14. Visit the website to make an online donation.

For more information, or to host a future concert, contact the NCYC office at ncyc@csbsju.edu.

ROCHESTER--The Rochester Serra Club presented its Great Promise Award to nine recipients on Sunday, April 24, at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

The event included a Mass celebrated by Fr. Mark McNea (a former Rochester Serran Chaplain), followed by an award ceremony and a brunch for the recipients, their families and their guests.

Each student received a Great Promise Award certificate. This year, students also received a holy medal and holy card of St. Junipero Serra, who was canonized by Pope

15

In the Diocese

annual Celebration of Scholarship on April 22, no two were alike.

Presentations ranged from studying the effect of overexpression of TBX4 on centrosome amplification and micronuclei in MCF10A Cells, to analyzing the Louisville Slugger production supply chain, to examining racial profiling in police investigations.

When Mark Schumacher decided on a presentation topic, the Cardinal basketball athlete and senior theology major looked for a way to combine his two passions.

At first, he considered taking a pessimistic look at modern professional sports. In a world filled with sports-related head-

lines spotlighting exorbitant pay, misconduct, and exploitations, Schumacher decided to focus on the papal view of sport.

His adviser admitted to being skeptical, Schumacher said. On everyone’s mind was the question, “What does theology have to do with sports?”

It turns out—everything.

The Perham, MN, native examined the papal perspectives on sports as avenues for human and social development from the 1890s to the present.

He called his presentation “The Popes on Sport.”

Pope John Paul II spoke about athletics many times, Schumacher said. The Pope alluded to the fact that when athletics are practiced the right way, athletes develop strength, proficiency, resistance, and harmony—in addition to loyalty, courage, endurance, tenacity, and brotherhood.

Francis last year in Washington D.C. The award, now in its sixth year in Rochester, recognizes sixth-grade students who show great potential for future leadership roles in the Catholic Church.

Recipients are nominated by their teachers and Faith Formation / Youth Ministers based on observed generosity, compassion and leadership. Mindful of Pope Francis' messages on vocation ("a vocation flows from the heart of God.. of mutual love that becomes mutual service"), these young students have demonstrated their faith in action and willingness to serve as disciples of Christ.

Front: Nico Lopez. Back: Sarah Watters, Ethan Lesser, Candence Ragland, Fr. McNea, Gabby Willaert, William Cleveland and Ava Gustafson. Not pictured: Sarah Wendorf and Dominik Nowakowski.

(Photo credit: Wendy Shepherd)

2016 Tour Schedule June 19 - 10:30 a.m. - St. John's Abbey, Collegeville June 21 - 7 p.m. - Church of St. Mary, Alexandria June 22 - 7 p.m. - Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna June 23 - 7 p.m. - Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Winona June 24 - 7 p.m. - St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Cloud June 25 - 10:30 a.m. - Great Hall, St. John's University, Collegeville June, 2016 w The Courier

June, 2016

SUBMISSION to the calendar Please note: submission deadline is the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. All submissions must be sent electronically on our website: www.dowcourier.org or by emailing: Courier@dow.org and by the deadline in order to assure receipt and possible inclusion in the Events Calendar.

We thank you for understanding that due to space limitations, not all events nor story submissions will fit; however, we strive to include as many as possible. Thank you! - Courier Staff

Action with Prayer 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 of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty will be held on the first Saturday of the month from 8:30 am to 9:30 am (after the 8:00 am Mass) at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 360 Main Street, 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 & Public Witness Against Abortion Semcac Clinic is a delegate of Planned Parenthood. Please consider joining to pray from 3-4 p.m. each Tuesday in front of Semcac at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona. Contact: Patti Woodworth (507) 429-4636

Other Events Resurrection Church, Rochester June 11, Saturday - 10am June 12, Sunday - 2pm June 13-14, Monday-Tuesday - 6 pm Healing Masses with Fr. Ivo Pavic, OFM. Come receive God's mercy and healing. Enrich spiritually in Fr. Pavic's charismatic presence. Seminar & Healing Mass Saturday. Holy Mass & Healing Services Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. 1600 11th Ave SE in Rochester.

Traditional Latin Mass

Join veteran tour leader Father John Vakulskas to Walk Where Jesus Walked

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Assisi Heights, Rochester June 13, Monday Mary McCarthy, author of A Pilgrimage of Hope: A Story of Faith and Medicine, will speak on the relationship she developed with God through her battle with brain cancer.

The event will take place from 6:308pm in the Spirituality Center at Assisi Heights. For more information, email marymccarthy2015@gmail.com.

St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lake City June 26, Sunday All-you-can-eat Dad's Belgian Waffles, toppings, sausage & beverages.

8:30am-12pm. Adults $8 at the door ($7 pre-sale), Kids 6-12 $5 (No presale), 5 & under free. 419 W Lyon Ave. Contact: 651-345-2715 or weber3264@gmail.com

Chatfield, St. Mary's, first & third Sunday of the month, 1 p.m.

Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, first Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.

Wabasha, St. Felix, every Saturday, 8 a.m.

&

VISIT Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Jericho,

Dead Sea, Mount Carmel, Cana, Wailing Wall, Way of the Cross

February 14 - 23, 2017

St. Mary's Church, Winona June 12, Sunday Father James Berning to celebrate 25 years of ordination to the ministerial priesthood 10:30am - Mass of Thanksgiving 12pm - Picnic-style meal on rectory backyard 1-1:30pm - Program on rectory backyard RSVP before May 25 at parish office 507-452-5656.

St. Felix Church, Wabasha June 13, Monday The St. Felix Church Ladies & St. Mary's Court #208, National Society of Foresters, will co-host their annual Salad Luncheon from 11am to 1pm in the St. Felix Auditorium. This year's theme: "Nature's Bounty." Tickets $7 in advance, $8 at door. Nathional Catholic Society of Foresters will match funds raised up to $500.

• The Courier

$3299 – Chicago

much more.

$3399 – Omaha

• Includes air, first class hotels, most meals, daily Mass,

all tours, transfers includes gov’t taxes and airline surcharges.

SEATING IS LIMITED. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.

For complete details contact: Father John Vakulskas Jr Box 347 Okoboji, IA, 51355 (712) 490-8047 or johnvakulskas@gmail.com www.carnivalpriest.com St. Kilian Church, St. Kilian June 26, Sunday "Gather 4 Faith" celebration commemorating our heritage as we move to oratory status. 1pm Mass with Bishop Quinn and Fr. Beerman, followed by big tent celebration on the church lawn. Entertainment by Dan Mahar and Audrey Brake. Rib-eye steak sandwich dinner (free-will offerings gratefully accepted). For Sale: St. Kilian history booklets, greeting cards, laser cut ornaments, & chances to win a St. Kilian quilt and a St. Kilian bench.

Proceeds support continued care of historic church, grounds & cemetery.

St. Vincent de Paul Church, West Concord July 23, Saturday Annual Chicken BBQ 5-7pm under the Big Tent on Main Street during West Concord Survival Days. $10 for half chicken dinner with baked beans, potato salad, bun & beverage. Note new date and location of this event.

Employment St. Mary's, Winona St. Mary's Parish seeks a Director of Liturgy and Music (up to 0.85 FTE) to help lead our vibrant faith community in prayer and worship.

12 or 9 mo. contract negotiable. Duties are: -liturgy and music preparation -piano accompaniment -liturgical minister recruitment and formation

The Televised Mass Offered as a service for the homebound and elderly every Sunday on the following stations: KTTC, Channel 10 (Rochester) at 9 a.m. KEYC, Channel 12 (Mankato) at 7:30 a.m & KEYC-DT2, Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 (Mankato) at 9:30 a.m.

Donations for the continuation of this program may be sent to: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN 55987.

Bachelor's / advanced degree in liturgy, music or related field required. Send resume to: 1303 W. Broadway Winona, MN 55987 or stmarys@wacs1.org Search remains open until position is filled.

For more information, call: 507-452-5656

Hispanic Priests / Sacerdotes Hispanos Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas: Capellán del Decanato de Worthington. lukiponcho@yahoo.es Tel. 507-341-0403 Padre José Morales: Capellán del Decanato de Rochester. jloralesr2008@yahoo.es Tel. 507-329-2931

Padre Mariano Varela IVE: Párroco de “SS. Peter and Paul” en Mankato. mvarela@hickorytech.net Tel. 507-388-2995 ext 103 Padre Raul Silva: Pastor de "Queen of Angels" en Austin, "Our Lady of Loretto" en Brownsdale, “All Saints” en New Richland, “St. Aidan” en Ellendale, “St. Mary” en Geneva. fatherraul@queenofangels.church

Spanish Mass Schedule Albert Lea, St. Theodore 11 a.m. Sundays Austin, Queen of Angels 11 a.m & 5 p.m. Sundays Lake City, St. Mary 6:30 p.m. every third Saturday

Madelia, St. Mary 10 a.m. Sundays Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul 1 p.m. Sundays Owatonna, Sacred Heart 1 p.m. Sundays Pipestone, St. Leo 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Rochester, St. Francis of Assisi 12 p.m. Sundays & 7 p.m.

Thursdays St. Charles, St. Charles Borromeo 11:30 a.m. Sundays St. James, St. James 12 p.m. Sundays

Waseca, Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m. Sundays Windom, St. Francis Xavier 12 p.m. Sundays Worthington, St. Mary 7 p.m. Saturdays & 11 a.m.

Sundays June, 2016 w The Courier