The Courier - March 2018

The

COURIER Welcome!

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary - March 19

March 2018

Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

Pipestone Artist's Local Support Inspires AwardWinning Painting

By JEN BURRIS

This story first appeared in the Pipestone County Star on February 7, 2018. It is reprinted here with permission.

AUSTIN--Bishop John M. Quinn joined 31 catechumens and 139 candidates for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on Sunday, February 18, at Queen of Angels Church in Austin.

Bishop Quinn addressed the group with the help of Fr. Raul Silva, the pastor at Queen of Angels, who provided a Spanish translation for the large number of Hispanic faithful.

"Christ is incarnate in every culture, and he has redeemed all people," Bishop Quinn told the group.

The catechumens, now called "the elect," will spent the Lenten season as a Period of Purification and Enlightenment, and will then be initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

The candidates, already baptized, will also spend Lent as a time of purification, before receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. They will also prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.

All of those who will have been initiated into the Church, as the elect, or who will have completed their initiation into the Church, as candidates, will receive a special invitation to join Bishop Quinn in celebration of the diocesan Pentecost Vigil Mass at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Pax Christi Church in Rochester. All of those who have been part of their RCIA process (pastors, RCIA coordinators and team members, godparents, sponsors, etc.) are invited to accompany them to this liturgy.

Welcome, cont'd on pg. 4

PIPESTONE--Local artist Angel Lopez, 22, was awarded second place at the Benedictine Center's 2018 Seeing God Juried Exhibit of Sacred Art at St. Paul's Monastery in Maplewood and awarded $125 for his artwork.

The painting, “Touched by One,” features Mother Teresa handing fruit to a patient in a hospital with a painting of the Last Supper hanging on the wall and a church visible through a window. He started the painting Jan. 2 and finished about 70 hours later.

“There were 70 entries originally, they juried 50 and awarded the top three,” Lopez said.

Lopez described this painting as his favorite to date.

Painting, cont'd on pg. 4

INSIDE this issue

Deanery Youth Rallies Are Gaining Steam page 12

Ask a Canon Lawyer page 14

How to Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday page 17

Pope Francis Watch

The Courier Insider

2

Photo Credit: CNA

Pope Francis: Don't Be Intimidated by Confession

VATICAN CITY, Feb 27, 2018 (CNA/EWTN News) - During the penitential season of Lent, Pope Francis pointed to confession as the means to true conversion, saying the faithful should approach the sacrament with trust and confidence.

“The Lord says, ‘Come now, let us reason together, let’s talk for awhile.’ He doesn’t frighten us,” said Pope Francis during Mass on Feb. 27 at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

“Let us thank the Lord for His goodness. He does not want to beat us and condemn us. He gave His life for us and this is His goodness,” the Holy Father continued, saying God is “always looking for a way to get to the heart.”

Pope Francis referenced the first reading during Mass from the book of Isaiah, which says, “Wash yourselves clean… cease doing evil; learn to do good…though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.”

While some people are intimidated by the sacrament of confession, Pope Francis said that

the confessional is not threatening, but should welcome sinners to conversion. It is a sacrament that leads to “forgiveness, and a change of heart,” he said.

“He [Jesus] does not threaten” but instead prompts his children with “kindness, gentleness, giving us confidence,” Francis said.

The act of going to confession is like God inviting you to coffee, he continued.

“This is how the Lord calls us: ‘Come on, let’s have a coffee together. Let’s talk this over, let’s discuss it. Don’t be afraid.’”

The Pope encouraged priests, who act in the person of Christ in the confessional, to reflect God the Father’s mercy during confessions.

“When we priests, in the place of the Lord, have to hear confessions, we too should have this attitude of goodness,” he said.

In hearing confessions, priests should be welcoming and approachable, so as to “open the heart” and make the individual feel “at peace,” he said.

Articles of Interest

Christian Stewards Find Hope in the Cross_____5 This Lent, Try a Team Approach_______________6 Missionary Disciples Are Sent Forth on Mission_8 Catholic School Updates_____________________9 How We Spent Catholic Schools Week 2018__10 Deanery Youth Rallies Are Gaining Steam___12 Stable Like Joseph________________________13 Ask a Canon Lawyer______________________14 ...Engagement, Advocacy, Learning...________15 The Inseparable Link..._____________________16 How to Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday______17 Diocesan Headlines________________________18 Diocesan Calendar_________________________20 Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following appointments: Dean Rev. Marreddy Pothireddy: appointed Dean of the Austin/Albert Lea Deanery, in addition to his appointment as Pastor of St. Ignatius Church, Spring Valley; St. Patrick Church, Leroy; and St. Finbarr Church, Grand Meadow, effective February 8, 2018.

Finance Officer Mr. Andrew Brannon: appointed Chief Finance Officer for the Diocese of Winona for a five-year term, effective January 24, 2018.

Presbyteral Council Very Rev. Raul Silva: reappointed to the Presbyteral Council for a second three-year term, effective January 1, 2018.

Rev. William Thompson: appointed to the Presbyteral Council for a three-year term, effective January 1, 2018.

Rochester Catholic Schools Mr. Laurence Eckel: appointed to the Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees for a three-year term, effective July 1, 2018.

Corrections On page 6 of our February 2018 issue, we failed to include St. Mary Parish, Lake Wilson, in a list of parishes who met their goals for the 2017 Catholic Ministries Appeal. In fact, St. Mary Parish surpassed their CMA17 goal.

The Courier regrets this error.

The Holy Father's Intention for

March 2018

Formation in Spiritual Discernment That the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, both on the personal and communitarian levels.

Child 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 507454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries.

The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Mary Hamann at 507-858-1244, or mhamann@dow.org.

The Courier is the Official Publication of the Diocese of Winona 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 109 - 3

Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate 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.

Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior.

March, 2018 w The Courier

(ISSN 0744-5490)

IHM Seminary: 70 Fruitful Years Bishops and Rector Dinner

On Sunday, April 22, I invite you to join me for our Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary’s 15th annual Bishops and Rector Dinner.

IHM Seminary was established in 1948, to aid young men in discerning the priesthood and forming them as men to serve our Church as Priests of Jesus Christ. In 2018, IHM Seminary will be celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Since its founding by Bishop Binz, IHM Seminary has served thousands of young men from both the Diocese of Winona and various other dioceses

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

and religious communities. It counts among its alumni a large number of priests, including most of the priests who have served and currently serve in the Diocese of Winona, and also several bishops.

In addition to the historical milestone of the seminary’s founding, this year’s Bishops and Rector Dinner will also celebrate the completion of the extensive renovation of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, which began in 2016. The main building of IHM Seminary, Kelly Hall, was built in 1950, soon after the erection of the seminary two years prior. Since that time, there has been very little in way of major repairs or updates, leaving the building in need of new systems and updated facilities. It was also of vital importance for the entire IHM Seminary facility to be handicap accessible for both seminarians and guests. Therefore, Phase I of the renovation consisted of renovating Kelly Hall, where most of the day-to-day life of the seminary occurs, and Phase II, only recently finished, involved building an addition that included an elevator, reception area, and student lounges.

This work in providing a more modern and welcoming place for our seminarians to live, pray, and study, is not possible without your generous support. Funding for these renovations came through the five-year Rooted in Faith campaign and many of you have also made separate donations to fund Phase II. All of these have contributed to the work of

March 3, Saturday 5 pm - Mass at St. Luke Church, Sherburn

March 4, Sunday 8:30 am - Mass at Good Shepherd Church, Jackson 10:30 am - Mass at St. Joseph Church, Lakefield March 6, Tuesday 5 pm - St. Vincent de Paul Soup and Bread Supper - Rochester March 7, Wednesday 10:30 am - 140th Anniversary Mass - St. Mary School, Owatonna March 8, Thursday 6:30 am - Lauds and Mass - IHM Seminary, Winona 9:30 am - 3:30 pm - DOW Seminarian Evaluations - IHM Seminary, Winona March 9, Friday 7:45 am - Teach at SMU 1 pm - Holy Hour 2 pm - Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 6-7 pm - Confessions - 24 Hours for the Lord - St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester March 11, Sunday 10:30 am - Mass at St. Mary Church, Winona

updating our seminary facility.

Fruits of this work will positively impact not only our current IHM seminarians, but also our future priests for many years to come.

For all your generosity, past, present, and future, I am very grateful!

Because our 2018 Bishops and Rector Dinner will serve to highlight both the history and also the renovation of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, this year the dinner will be held in Winona on the campus of St. Mary’s University, where Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary is located. It will be held on a Sunday, and in the afternoon before the social and dinner guests will have the opportunity to tour the seminary buildings, to see for themselves the extensively renovated facilities.

I hope that many of you will attend this year’s Bishops and Rector Dinner to see the seminary, greet our seminarians, and support the formation of our future priests in the Diocese of Winona and local Church.

This year we will be honoring, and be privileged to hear from, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The 2018 Bishops and Rector Dinner promises to be a special event, and I look forward to seeing many people from across the Diocese of Winona in attendance.

Praying

for the End Abortion

to

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These practices can be offered up not only for our

March 12, Monday 1-5 pm - USCCB Priorities and Plans Committee Meeting, Washington D.C. March 13, Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm - USCCB Administrative Committee Meeting, Washington D.C. March 14, Wednesday 9 am - 2 pm - USCCB Administrative Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C. 2-4 pm - USCCB Catholic Higher Education Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C. March 15, Thursday 8 am - 3 pm - USCCB Catholic Education Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C. March 16, Friday 7:45 am - Teach at SMU March 17, Saturday 11 am - Mass and Irish American Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebration - Sacred Heart Parish, Waseca March 18, Sunday 5 pm - Travelers’ Mass - St. John the Evangelist Parish, Rochester

own conversion, but for others’ as well. This Lent, I encourage you to pray and offer sacrifices for the end to abortion. Abortion is one of the greatest evils of our time; if we as a society have no qualms with killing a child in its mother’s womb, it should not be surprising that we find acceptance of widespread killing outside of the womb as well, in forms such as euthanasia, assisted suicide, and mass shootings. St. Teresa of Calcutta pointed out this contradiction in our culture when she said, “If we can accept that a mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?” We must recognize that respect and defense for the lives of children in the womb is a fundamental part of our call to protect all human life from conception to natural death.

One of the ways we can work to convert hearts on the issue of abortion is by praying outside of clinics such as Planned Parenthood, which perform or refer people to places for abortions. Here in the Diocese of Winona, I will once again be traveling to Rochester with our Immaculate Heart of Mary seminarians, in order to offer a prayerful witness to the sacredness of all human life and pray outside of the Rochester Planned Parenthood clinic. This Lent, please join me in praying and offering up penances for the respect and protection of all human life, and work for the end to the tragedy of abortion.

March 20, Tuesday 11 am - Deans Meeting - St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea 2:30 pm - Clergy Personnel Board Meeting - St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea March 21, Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm - Minnesota Catholic Conference - Chancery/Capitol, St. Paul March 22, Thursday 1 pm - Holy Hour 2 pm - Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting March 23, Friday 7:45 am - Teach at SMU

March 25, Palm Sunday 10:30 am - Mass - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona 4 pm - Lenten Communal Penance Service - Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Winona

3

Man of God Conference

On Saturday, April 7, the Diocese of Winona will hold its third annual diocesan men’s conference, Man of God, at Lourdes High School in Rochester.

This year’s conference will focus on the person of Jesus Christ. Christ was the perfect man and is the model for all men in how to live an authentic manhood striving for holiness, rooted in Jesus Christ. During the course of the day, men will hear from keynote speakers on how to live Christcentered lives, and will also have the opportunity to directly encounter Christ Himself, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrament of Penance, and in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. You can register and find more information at https://www.dow.org/offices/ life-marriage-family/mensconference.html. I encourage all men to come join other men from around the diocese for a time of fraternity, fellowship, and faith!

From the Bishop

�ear Friends in Christ,

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

March 29, Holy Thursday 7 pm - Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona March 30, Good Friday 12 pm - Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona March 31, Holy Saturday 8 pm - Solemn Easter Vigil - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona April 1, Easter Sunday 10:30 am - Solemn Easter Mass - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona April 6, Friday 7:45 am - Teach at SMU 2 pm - Mass - Federal Medical Center, Rochester

March 26, Monday 7 pm - Diocesan Chrism Mass - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

April 7, Saturday DOW Men’s Conference 11:15 am - Mass - Lourdes High School, Rochester

March 27, Tuesday 7 pm - Teach RCIA - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona

April 8, Sunday 11 am - Confirmation - St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center Parish, Mankato March, 2018 w The Courier

4

Welcome, cont'd from pg. 1

Painting,

cont'd from pg. 1 The painting was inspired by the people who have helped support Lopez in America.

“I think our mission in this world is to help each other,” he said.

Lopez was required to write an artist’s statement for the contest explaining his painting. He wrote: “My artwork is titled ‘Touched by One.’ One can lead to some and some can lead to many.

Mother Teresa’s life shows the impact of one.

The last supper reflects the power of some. By our faith and through our church, we are bound to many. This is how my life from Guatemala to America has unfolded. Someone was kind to me.

From that kindness, I developed some friends.

From that small group of friends, I discovered my

"Touched by One" March, 2018 w The Courier

(L to R) Katie Bunker Mendoza, Sis Bunker, Angel Lopez and Bob Bunker at the Jan. 31 artist reception next to Angel's painting, "Touched by One." Credit: Pipestone County Star

faith community at St. Leo’s parish in Pipestone. I have been touched by one.”

Pipestone resident Sis Bunker, who saw an ad for the contest in a Catholic newspaper, thought it might be a good contest for Angel to participate in and passed the information to another Pipestone resident, Mary Lapthorn. Lapthorn told Lopez about the contest and helped him with the registration and preparation.

The acrylic painting was done on a 16×20 canvas. To participate, the image had to be framed.

“I went to the VIM [Volunteers in Mercy] store – they gave me the frame,” Lopez said.

LuAnn Bosma with VIM, who has helped Lopez during his time in Pipestone, helped him find the frame and local business woman Sue Haupert helped frame and package the painting. The painting was then shipped to Katie Bunker Mendoza, daughter of Bob and Sis Bunker, who delivered the painting to the Monastery.

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Lopez attended the artist reception with Bob and Sis Bunker at the Monastery.

“He wouldn’t have been able to go to the reception without Bob and Sis Bunker,” Lapthorn said.

Lapthorn had introduced Lopez to the Bunkers, who have a Guatemalan son-in-law, and he became like family to them, according to Sis Bunker.

“We were so proud to be able to facilitate him to get this award and his talent exposed,” Bunker said. “He’s so kind.”

Lopez began painting at Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) in art classes with PAS art teacher Monica Kennedy. Initially, he painted a lot of landscapes, but over the past year, he has enjoyed painting animals and people as well. He has also integrated surrealism into his work and started sketching.

During the fall of 2016, Lopez’s work was featured at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center. In 2017, he completed 33 paintings and has a goal to complete 36 in 2018.

Lopez currently works at Pizza Ranch, but paints four to seven hours a day. Within the past six months he has started getting requests for commissioned work on a regular basis. Right now he is working on a painting of St. Joseph Church in Jasper for St. Leo Church in Pipestone.

“Touched by One,” is on display at the St. Paul Monastery through March 2 and is available for purchase there for $500.

Jen Burris is a reporter for Pipestone Publishing.

Angel Lopez is an RCIA candidate at St. Leo Parish in Pipestone.

Christian Stewards Find Monica Herman

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

This article first appeared in the International Catholic Stewardship Council's April 2014 e-bulletin, Catholic Stewardship. It is reprinted here with permission.

�o you ever think about how you experience

the cross of Jesus Christ? Do you ever think about the power of that cross in your daily life? Is the cross even relevant to your life? It is to stewards of the Lord, who recognize the hope Christ brings through the gift of his cross. They acknowledge that for them, the cross is their only hope.

Being good stewards of our life in Christ is not easy, but to embrace the cross is not only countercultural, it seems absurd. Then again, we cannot avoid what Jesus said to his disciples: “If you wish to come after me you must deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow me. For if you wish to save your life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake you will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

What is preached about the cross from the pulpit sounds good, but in reality something more tangible is desired.

The cross is more readily embraced by people of faith who suffer, are poor, broken, or are the victims of such things as violence, oppression or natural disasters. They see the cross as the hope that, no matter what has happened to them, God will see them through. The Father did it for Jesus who hung on the cross, so surely their sufferings will be redeemed by

Thank You!

Jesus’ sufferings.

Where people possess much material abundance, comfort and leisure, however, there is a tendency to de-emphasize the cross, to draw away from it. They can’t touch it or feel it, so they wish to “save” their lives by looking to other things: power, wealth, fame, relevance, being the center of attention. What is preached about the cross from the pulpit sounds good, but in reality something more tangible is desired.

Christ emptied himself completely in humble obedience, allowing himself to suffer and die out of compassion for the world (Philippians 2:6-11).

Good stewards follow his example and work dayto-day to empty themselves and live compassionately; most noticeably by sharing their lives with others.

As we approach the climax of our liturgical year, the Easter triduum, let us ask the Holy Spirit for an even deeper awareness of the cross in our lives. Let us find hope in the cross and pray that, as we embrace it, we too will experience in a special way the joy of new life in the risen Lord.

CMA 2018 is off to a great start thanks to the many generous parishioners who have contributed so early to the appeal!

Anyone with questions regarding the CMA can reach me at 507-858-1276 or mherman@catholicfsmn.org.

Catholic Foundation

Hope in the Cross

5

Stewardship Prayer for the Easter Season

Christ is risen and with him all creation!

Light replaces darkness, joy replaces death.

There is no failure the Lord's love cannot reverse, no humiliation he cannot exchange with blessing, no anger he cannot dissolve, no routine he cannot transform.

All is embraced by the victory of his cross and resurrection.

May we always be good stewards of Easter's light, see Resurrection as a daily event, and yearn for Jesus' love as intensely as he yearns for ours.

We pray this in Jesus' name.

Amen.

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Faith Formation

6

This Lent, Try a

Team Approach

This article first appeared with the title, "Observing Lent? Try a Team Approach," on For Your Marriage (www.foryourmarriage.org), a website sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

�

he 40 days of Lent can seem like a long time, especially if one is giving up a favorite food or video game. It’s helpful to have a friend to keep us going. He or she can encourage us, challenge us, and pick us up if we falter. And if that friend happens to be our spouse, so much the better!

This year, consider approaching Lent as a team. That doesn’t mean you have to give up—or do—the same things as your spouse, although that’s a possibility. It does mean sharing your Lenten resolution(s) and asking for each other’s prayers and active support. People often find that they’re much more likely to keep their resolutions when they hold themselves accountable to another person. Knowing that someone walks with us, even if it’s not exactly the same path, can be a great comfort and motivator.

If you’re thinking about Lenten resolutions, consider the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (works of charity). Here are some ideas to get started.

Prayer is the foundation of Christian life. Lent is an excellent time to evaluate our prayer life and, if necessary, make improvements. Have I been faithful to prayer each day? Have I used Scripture, spiritual books and other resources to deepen my prayer? Do I try to listen as well as speak? A few suggestions:

Second Men's Conference Keynote Announced

�

he men's conference will be held at Lourdes High School, Rochester, on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

Our second keynote speaker is our very own Peter Martin. Peter directs the offices of Life, Marriage & Family and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Winona.

March, 2018 w The Courier

•

• •

• •

Set aside a time for prayer each day and invite your spouse to do the same. It can be the same time, or different times depending on your schedules. If you’re parents, take turns looking after the kids so that each of you can have quiet time.

Watch a video reflection on the day’s Scripture readings. Exchange an insight or two with your spouse.

If you’d like to try to pray together but need help to get started read How to Pray with Your Spouse: Four Simple Steps and Who Me, Pray?…With Her? Also check out Ten Pointers for Prayer.

Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Most parishes have added times for confession during Lent.

Dip into a spiritual classic, for example, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, or the autobiographies of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Avila.

Fasting can take various forms. Giving up a favorite food or drink is a tangible reminder of our commitment to draw closer to Christ. Or we can fast from a nonproductive behavior or attitude. Some ideas: • •

Participate in your parish’s weekly soup supper, or serve a simple supper in your home once or twice each week.

Give up a video game, TV program or social networking site. Use the time to do some spiri-

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome, and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. Peter has been active in marriage ministry for many years by offering marriage preparation and by speaking on the beauty and sanctity of marriage. He and his wife Theresa have six sons and one daughter.

Peter Martin

Director of Faith Formation and Life, Marriage & Family pmartin@dow.org

•

tual reading, visit an elderly relative, or help your children learn a new skill.

“Fast” from negative comments, put-downs, and sarcastic remarks to and about your spouse. Apologize if you slip up.

Many parishes offer extra opportunities for works of charity and service during Lent. Consider making a commitment that will last beyond the Lenten season.

Here are some suggestions: • •

•

Take out your household budget and review your charitable contributions. Do you need to increase them or change the allocations to the various charitable organizations?

Do you volunteer in your parish or community? If so, discuss how you can support each other. If you’re not already a volunteer, prayerfully discern whether you are called to some kind of service.

Simplify your life. Clean out a drawer, closet, or other storage area each day during Lent and give unneeded but usable clothes and household items to charitable organizations.

Peter helped to initiate the Men’s Conference three years ago and is excited to present.

Becoming the man God called each of us to be is not easy in this day and age. Come and find encouragement by joining hundreds of other men who are striving to live a life in Christ as you are! The schedule of the day is on pg. 7, and registration is available on our website at www.dow.org.

Register now and bring a friend!

Man of God

Conference Schedule

7

9 a.m._____________________Registration

Life, Marriage & Family

9:45____Welcome from Bishop John Quinn, Morning Prayer 10:15 __________________Jason Angelette 11:00 ___________________________Break 11:15 ___________Mass with Bishop Quinn 12:15 _____________________Confessions 12:30 __________________________Lunch 1:30_______________________Breakouts I 2:00____________________________Break 2:15_______________________Breakouts II 2:45_______________________Peter Martin 3:30______________Adoration/Benediction

Bishop Quinn and the staff and seminarians of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary prayed for a greater respect for the dignity of human life (especially the unborn) in front of Planned Parenthood in Rochester on Thursday, Feb. 15.

4:00____________________________Close

!

5 1 h c r a dline: M

a e D n o i t Registra

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Sent Forth on Mission

Lay Formation

8

Missionary Disciples Are Todd Graff

Director of Lay Formation & RCIA tgraff@dow.org

The first form of evangelization is witness. People today put more trust in witnesses than in teachers, in experience than in teaching, and in life and action than in theories. The witness of a Christian life is the first and irreplaceable form of mission: Christ, whose mission we continue, is the "witness" par excellence (Rv 1:5; 3:14) and the model of all Christian witness.

-Pope Saint John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio #19

�

n their recent statement, Living as Missionary Disciples: A Resource for Evangelization, the U.S. Catholic Bishops describe how Jesus forms us as his disciples, and provides us with the model and the method for evangelization. They describe this method as: Encounter, Accompany, Community, Send.

In previous articles, I have focused on “Encounter” (November), “Accompany” (January), and “Community” (February). In this article, we will explore the final aspect of this method, “Send.”

Send (on Mission) Go, and Make Disciples (Matthew 28:19)

Evangelization leads disciples to accept God’s desire to send them on mission.

-Living as Missionary Disciples, p. 17

“Send” is about how the Church lives out its mission in and to the world. We, as Christ’s disciples, are sent to bring the good news, the “gospel,” of his saving work to the people and to the institutions around us. “As they get to know and love the Lord, disciples experience the need to share with others their joy by proclaiming Jesus Christ, not just with words, but also through service to those most in need” (Living as Missionary Disciples, p. 17).

Two important points to note here: First, to go out in this way presumes an encounter with Christ that is personal and fruitful in one’s life of faith. We cannot share what we have not experienced. And, to clarify again a point made in an earlier article, this encounter takes place in various ways for us as Catholics – primarily through the sacraments, and especially the Eucharist, and also through personal prayer, reflecMarch, 2018 w The Courier

tion on Scripture, catechesis, family life, service of others, etc.

In these experiences, we come to know the living Christ present and active in the Church and in our love and care for others. These encounters with Christ draw us into an experience of “the joy of the Gospel,” as Pope Francis describes it. And it is this joy in Christ that we are sent out to proclaim and to give witness to in our lives. “We become missionary disciples when we take our encounter with Jesus Christ out into the world” (Living as Missionary Disciples, p. 17).

Second, our encounter with Christ, while deeply personal, is not a private experience for us as Catholics. We come to know Christ, and are saved, within a community of believers – i.e., the Church. And it is this communion with one another – brought about by the grace of the Eucharist – which leads us out in mission. There is an intimate connection between community (communion) and sending (mission).

Pope Saint John Paul II describes this relationship of communion and mission clearly in his Apostolic Exhortation, Christifidelis Laici.

Communion and mission are profoundly connected with each other, they interpenetrate and mutually imply each other, to the point that communion represents both the source and the fruit of mission: communion gives rise to mission and mission is accomplished in communion. It is always the one and the same Spirit who calls together and unifies the Church and sends her to preach the Gospel "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8) (CL #32).

So, our sending, our mission, is fruitful and faithful if it arises out of an encounter with Christ, and as an expression of our communion with one another in the Church. And it is helpful also to note that these experiences of encounter and communion come together and find mutual expression in our celebration of the Eucharist. “[T]he liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1332).

It is good to explore as well what we are being sent into the world to do.

First, the work of missionary discipleship is entrusted to every baptized member of the Church. “[A]ll of us are called to take part in this new missionary ‘going forth’” (Evangelii Gaudium #20).

While formation and catechesis are always valuable for believers, to share the saving love of Jesus Christ that one has experienced does not require “formal education or lengthy training.”

Second, while all are called to evangelize, we must discern our particular path of missionary discipleship. This path will take into account our family, community, and cultural contexts, and how the gospel needs to be proclaimed and shared in light of these. As Pope Francis states, “Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel” (EG #20).

Third, to echo the last part of Pope Francis’ statement above, the joy of the Gospel is for all people, and no one is to be excluded from the Church’s mission. In particular, we must reach out to the most vulnerable and most marginalized in our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our world. We reach out “not just with words, but also through service to those most in need.”

Again, Pope Francis’ teaching is instructive here: “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society” (EG #20).

Finally, our Holy Father offers us an eloquent description of our mission together as the community of disciples who encounter their Lord in the guise of our wounded sisters and brothers. “An evangelizing community gets involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives; it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself if necessary, and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others.”

We are blessed both to encounter Christ in our neighbors, and, together in community, to be his presence to them in their need. Deo gratias!

Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks all, he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love.

-Pope Francis, World Youth Day Homily, 2013

WACS & Cotter Shine!

Cotter's National Merit Commended Students The WACS Way

Submitted by LINDA SCHRUPP

�Social-Emotional n the last few years, the importance of incorporating Learning (SEL) into a school’s cur-

riculum has gained nationwide support. The Winona Area Catholic Schools have been a leader in promoting and teaching SEL for the last seven years.

The beauty of SEL is that it fits seamlessly with our Catholic faith. Our Top 20 curriculum is our formal SEL approach, while our faith is what takes it to another level of importance and effectiveness.

SEL should not be confused with the self-esteem, everyone-gets-a-trophy movement. SEL is developing knowledge, skills and attitudes that help our students manage their emotions and develop “star qualities,” such as empathy, resilience, self-discipline and many others, to help them become adults with a strong moral foundation. This goes hand in hand with teaching our students a growth mindset, a belief that while I have not accomplished a task yet, with hard work and perseverance, I will eventually succeed.

The WACS Way

When you enter a Winona Area Catholic School, you are greeted by a sign that proclaims the WACS Way. It is the school culture that we are establishing with our staff, students and parents every day. We believe the four principles not only can serve our students now, but can be used as a guide to help our students lead lives of Christian witness throughout their lives.

Art at St. Stan's

1. Help others succeed.

2. Let others know they matter.

3. See the problem—own the problem.

4. Honor the absent.

The Arts at WACS

Whether our students are singing in a music class, performing a band concert, or making beautiful masterpieces in Mrs. Berhow’s art classes, there is one thing that is certain: the arts are important! And, during a time of extreme budget cuts in community schools, WACS is proud of the opportunities afforded to all of our students.

Cotter's Commended Scholars

Cotter Schools President Sr. Judy Schaefer announced with great pride this fall that four Cotter students had been named Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. A letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented to these scholastically talented seniors during an all-school assembly in September.

Catholic Schools

Choir with Mrs. Olstad at St. Stan's

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Throughout the nation, 34,000 Commended Students are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2018 competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

A national program spokesperson states, “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation."

Founder's Day at Cotter

Cotter Schools celebrated its fourth annual Founder's Day on Thursday, November 9. Cotter Schools was founded in 1911 by Bishop Patrick Heffron and named in honor of Bishop Joseph Cotter (1844-1909), the first bishop of the Diocese of Winona. This year’s celebration included an all-school convocation in the newly renovated St. Cecilia Theatre. The school remembered and celebrated the dedication and vision of the Sisters of Saint Francis from Rochester, the founders of the College of Saint Teresa and first caretakers of this campus on which Cotter Schools stands today.

Performing Arts at Cotter

Cotter students are afforded so many opportunities to shine in performing arts programs. The band and choir programs are well-known and respected. These programs are considered to be among the best in the state! Many students also choose to perform on the stage in one of many theater opportunities offered each school year.

Linda Schrupp is the local admissions coordinator for Cotter Schools and Winona Area Catholic Schools.

St. Stan's Band Founder's Day at Cotter

Christmas Concert at St. Mary's Preschool

The Cotter Band

Cotter's Fall Musical March, 2018 w The Courier

How We Spent

Catholic Schools Week 2018

10

St. Mary's, Owatonna

Catholic Schools Week Jan. 29 - Feb. 2, 2018

Marsha Stenzel

Superintendent of Catholic Schools mstenzel@dow.org

Rochester Catholic Schools & Lourdes

St. Theodore, Albert Lea

St. Felix, Wabasha

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

St. John Vianney, Fairmont

St. Mary's, Caledonia

S t .

Casimir’s, Wells

Crucifixion, La Crescent

Catholic Schools Week 2018

Sacred Heart, Waseca

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WACS & Cotter Sacred Heart, Adams

Loyola, Mankato

St. Mary’s, Madelia

St. Mary’s, Worthington

Pacelli, Austin March, 2016 w The Courier

Youth & Young Adults

12

Deanery Youth Rallies Are

Gaining Steam Ben Frost

Director of Youth & Young Adults, Communications and Public Relations bfrost@dow.org

Young people adore the Eucharist during Unite at Holy Spirit Church in Rochester.

�n an effort to continually engage through youth ministry and discipleship in the diocese, several deaneries have been offering youth rallies for local young people.

In our diocesan history, we’ve seen trends of large rallies offered as a means of diocesan solidarity, but, in recent years, there has been a shift away from one large event toward more regular and local events run by deanery youth ministers.

Last year a delegation of youth leaders in the Mankato Deanery started a series of events called Blaze.

That initiative started with a handful of students coming once a month for a program centered on prayer and community, and now is seeing as many as 75 students attending.

Connie Wallin, a youth minister at St. Joseph the Worker in Mankato, is on the planning board for Blaze and believes in the effort to keep young people's faith on fire.

March, 2018 w The Courier

“The Blaze event brings the communities together, and it opens kids up to the full range of what their faith can be,” she said. “Stuebenville and NCYC taught us so much about the value of getting kids in groups, and not just once a year at an event but rather more frequently.”

Wallin expressed optimism with the event and the quality experience that it is providing. Speakers have consisted of local priests, religious and lay leaders who encourage the youth to go deeper in faith and grow in friendship.

Wallin also described the use of powerful music.

“The Newman Center band played and sang (at the last Blaze), and it was such a beautiful adoration because music brings us all together” In the neighboring Rochester Deanery, a similar initiative has sprung up this year. Unite is a monthly youth rally offering Mass, Adoration, keynote speakers and community. The event has been drawing between

80 and 100 people per gathering. The planning committee includes an intentional component of offering prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, as more young people are asking for this experience.

Brian Kusek, a youth minister at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Rochester, expressed enthusiasm for this Eucharistic intentionality.

“The most fruitful thing we can do is to get young people before the Blessed Sacrament," he said. "It’s amazing to see the response of young people who long for that.”

John Gust is a youth minister at the parishes of St. Augustine and St. Edward in Austin, and he sees great value in making the trek to Rochester with his students.

“It’s beautiful to see young people taking charge of their faith," he said. "It’s a good opportunity for them to prioritize as it fosters holy friendships”.

Youth ministers Dennis Kunkel and Zach Rawson, of St. Joachim in Plainview and Pax Christi in Rochester, respectively, emphasized the value of community and solidarity through the events.

“There is value in students seeing other people in a large group compared to what they get at their own parish,” said Rawson.

Kunkel agreed. “Our young people need fellowship to guide their relationship to Christ," he said. "They need companions along the journey.”

Blaze and Unite are a few of many examples of geographic communities working together to grow and intensify youth ministry efforts. This February, the

Gaining Steam, cont'd on pg. 19

Stable Like Joseph Rev. Jason Kern Director of Vocations jkern@dow.org

May and October being specifically devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The month of March also claims a patron saint we know well. The month of March is traditionally a month of devotion to St. Joseph. The reason this month is chosen is because of his very prominent feast day (which so often falls right in the middle of Lent) on March 19th, the Solemnity of Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We all know the importance of St. Joseph in salvation history and his role as protector of the holy family. This we remember with great fondness around December as we read the nativity passages in the Scriptures. This month I would like to focus on one aspect of St. Joseph that can encourage each of us in our Vocations and that aspect is stability.

St. Joseph was a man who was incredibly stable. St. Joseph chose the will of God in all things and did it with great courage.

The definition of stability that I would like to propose was given to me on a recent retreat that I made and is as follows: stability is a readiness to accept suffering in order that love (vocation) is served. It is in stability that we endure whatever trials and circumstances that arise where we would initially desire to flee away. In this definition of stability we find a maturity to choose the good of love rather than escape into what is comfortable or convenient. We find

path of stability in the face of trial.

I invite you who are discerning to resist running away and all who desire a deeper prayer life to allow yourself the grace to become more like St. Joseph as you pray for the same stability that he teaches us in suffering the will of God in everyday life. No greater stability could ever be shown than what was done in the home of Nazareth—this is where Jesus learned to suffer love and experience a daily death that led to His ultimate death for our salvation. Might we go to Nazareth with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and learn the stability of love and sacrifice that teaches us how to do the will of God each day.

Vocations

�e hear a fair amount about the months of

an invitation to enter into the ordinary circumstances of our lives and to find the will of God in the midst of those circumstances.

Stability does not fear the ordinary and does not go looking for a latest adventure or new opportunity.

The younger generation has coined acronyms like “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and “FOBO” (fear of a better offer). Stability sees through those tendencies as losing the opportunity to encounter God in our day to day lives. We must shift the disposition from moving about from thing to thing in a superficial manner to staying with Jesus even in the midst of pain or deep surrender. The certainty of God must become our anchor in a restless sea of waves that crash against us in this life. In other words, the greatest stability in life is the acceptance of the Cross.

Jesus’ Cross is the anchor that shows us the

13

A Prayer to St. Joseph

To Know One's Vocation in Life O Great St. Joseph, so docile to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, obtain for me the grace to know what state of life Divine Providence destines for me. Do not allow me to be deceived with regard to so important a choice, upon which depends my happiness in this world, and even my eternal salvation. Obtain for me that, being enlightened to know the Divine Will and being faithful in accomplishing it, I may embrace that state of life which God has destined for me and which will lead me to a happy eternity. Amen.

Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph, Tan Books, 1997

March, 2018 w The Courier

Ask a Canon Lawyer

14

Ask a Canon Lawyer �s this is my first time writing for the

Courier, my name is Jenna Cooper and I am a consecrated virgin and a fulltime canon lawyer for the Diocese of Winona. After completing a degree in canon law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and spending some time working as a parish director of religious education in New York state, I came to the Diocese of Winona in the fall of 2016, where I have been serving as judge and coordinator of the tribunal ever since.

While tribunal work is both challenging and highly rewarding, at the same time it’s also a somewhat hidden ministry. And, at times, even the field of canon law in general can seem obscure and mysterious to the normal Catholics in the pews! So to start out, here a few points which will hopefully make canon law seem a bit less baffling: What Is Canon Law?

Basically, canon law is the internal legal system of the Catholic Church, or the structure of laws the Church has set in place in order to ensure the good governance of the community of Christian faithful.

In fact, canon law is the oldest continuously-functioning legal system in the world. But while canon law is true law in the proper sense of the term, it is still different from “normal” law in that canon law deals predominantly (although not exclusively) with spiritual things. Hence, in this sense canon law also has a strong theological dimension, with some canon lawyers and theologians even classifying canon law as a branch of theology.

One thing canon law is not, however, is the inspired Word of God. Unlike Sacred Scripture, canon law is not a perfect, unchangeable product of direct Divine Revelation. Rather, canon law is created by human beings in the Church as a best practical attempt to order the Church’s life according to contemporary circumstances.

Because of this, canon law can be—and, in fact, is—updated on a somewhat regular basis.

Where Do We Find the Church’s Laws?

Often when Catholics hear the term “canon law,” they immediately think of the Code of Canon Law that was officially published by St. John Paul II in 1983 as the post-Vatican II renewal of the earlier 1917 Code. The current Code of Canon Law contains 1752 individual laws (called “canons”). These are organized into seven major sections, or “books,” which cover the major aspects of life in the Church.

Book I is “General Norms,” or the basic principles for approaching and interpreting the Church’s laws. Book II is “The People of God,” which deals with the rights and obligations of states of life in the Church, from the March, 2018 w The Courier

clergy to men and women in consecrated life to the lay faithful. The Latin title of Book III is usually translated as “The Teaching Function of the Jenna Cooper Church,” and it includes those laws which govern Tribunal Coordinator & Judge Catholic schools and other educational institujcooper@dow.org tions, as well as including guidelines on preaching and catechetical work. The sanctifying function of the Church, i.e., the celebration of the sacraments can also issue documents that set out additional or and other aspects of divine worship, is covered in more specific norms than what is included in the Book IV of the Code, while Book V deals with “the Code, whether this be a document created by the Temporal Goods of the Church,” or the laws on Holy Father on his own personal initiathe Church’s administration of finances tive (what we call a “motu proprio”) and other material property. Book VI Do or one written by the appropriate y ou is titled “Sanctions in the Church,” que hav s and duly-authorized offices of e t ion cano a and it pertains to canonical n a the Roman Curia. And besides b you law out crimes and their corresponding t w h legislative documents como a to s penalties. Finally, Book VII regee u l d l i k e t ing from Rome, there is also her answ ulates “processes,” or the stepe e such a thing as “proper law,” r e ? d jcoo by-step procedures for differEm p or laws specific to a pare a ent kinds of official actions in w i t h r@dow i l ticular diocese or group of .o the Church, such as marriage que " C o u r i rg people within the Church. nullity trials. stio er n (If this seems like a lot to " the But while the Code is quite subj i n keep track of, that’s because it ect comprehensive even on its own, l i is! A big part of studying canon ne. canon law actually encompasses law is simply learning where to the entire body of Church law, and find what.) this goes beyond just what is contained in the single volume of the Code of Canon Why Does the Church Need Canon Law? Law. For example, the Church’s liturgical laws— such as the red-lettered instructions in the Roman Occasionally, I will hear from people who object to Missal which direct a priest’s actions at Mass—are the idea that the Church should have any kind of also a part of canon law. What’s more, the Holy See legal system at all in the first place. Their thought is that a list of rules and regulations supposedly restricts the faithful’s legitimate freedom in relating to God, or is somehow contrary to the loving spirit of the Gospel.

A quick response to such objections would be to point out how it’s just common sense that any organization needs at least some rules, otherwise it would be so busy coping with chaos that it wouldn’t be able to fulfill its own mission. Even most families usually have their own “house rules” for this reason.

But on a deeper level, the fundamental purpose of canon law is to provide justice for the faithful. That is, canon law exists first and foremost to protect the rights of each individual, to ensure that all are treated fairly, and to be sure that the spiritual needs of every baptized Catholic are duly provided for. As such, the very fact that we have canon law in the first place reflects the Church’s firm belief in the worth and dignity of each and every human person, especially those whom Christ has redeemed.

Insofar as it communicates this message of human dignity and the mystery of our redemption, the Church’s law can even be understood as having an evangelizing function. As the Code of Canon Law itself concludes in its final canon, the most central value of any ecclesiastical legal system is: “…the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church.”

Live Your Faith Through

Tom Parlin

Parish Social Ministry Program Administrator Catholic Charities

The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word ... The Church's deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacraments, and exercising the ministry of charity. These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable.

-Pope Benedict XVI, God Is Love

�n the above excerpt from God is Love, we are given

a mission to put our faith into action. Attending to the word and sacraments without putting our faith in action, means something is missing in our lives as Catholics. Conversely, attending to issues of social justice must be accompanied by a life of prayer, sacraments and the word of God. The work of Parish Social Ministry in the Diocese of Winona is to be an advocate for and educator of Catholic Social Teaching. Catholic Social Teaching requires us to give particular attention to those in poverty, the refugee, and others who are in the margins of society. This excerpt from the Letter from James illustrates this point: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:14-16).

This past year, the Parish Social Ministry program has engaged in a number of activities within our diocese to put faith into action. Three examples are outlined below.

On September 27, 2017, Pope Francis launched the two-year campaign entitled “Share the Journey” to bring into focus the plight of refugees and immigrants. He encouraged the faithful to enter into an “encounter” with the displaced people in our society.

An encounter means to think of the refugees and immigrants not only in abstract terms as a population we need to help, but as individuals who we meet in person, who we might befriend. This year our Parish Social Ministry program sponsored immigration retreats in Iona (in the Worthington area) in August and in St. Charles in October. Our next immigration retreat will occur at St. Theodore Parish in Albert Lea on March 10. By bringing together Hispanic and Anglo persons, we move from the abstract to the real.

We encounter each other as persons. We share our stories and perspectives; and in doing that we gain understanding.

Catholic Charities

Engagement, Advocacy, Learning and Sharing

15

Participants at Catholic Charities' last immigration retreat watched Dying to Live on DVD at St. Charles Borromeo Church in St. Charles on Sept. 27, 2017.

Our faith requires us to enter into the political arena to affect change that is socially just. To that end, the Minnesota Catholic Conference advocates for issues at the state capital that advance Catholic Social Teaching. In our diocese we are forming networks of active Catholics to lobby our local politicians on important issues. District leaders, faithful Catholics throughout our diocese, have been appointed to form teams of other Catholics to meet with their state representatives and senators to advance our Catholic positions. District leaders need other Catholics to join in this work. Contact our office if you would like to be put in touch with your District Leaders.

It is important to be educated in Catholic Social Teaching in order to engage in activities that help us live our faith. To that end, the Parish Social Ministry office has written an eight-week Bible study on Catholic Social Teaching. During Lent the Bible studies are being piloted in Winona for St. Mary, St. Casimir and the Cathedral parishes and Cotter Catholic High School, and in Mankato at Ss. Peter and

Paul Parish. This Bible study is now available free of charge for other parishes and Catholic Schools who would like to engage in this study, with support and training from the Parish Social Ministry office.

Contact our office if you would like to know more about this opportunity.

The work of Parish Social Ministry in advocacy and education in the area of Catholic Social Teaching is challenging and is never finished. Jesus’ call from Matthew chapter 25 that says, “What you did to the least of these little ones you did for me,” is a challenge and call to reach beyond our comfort zones and help the “least” in the kingdom of God.

March, 2018 w The Courier

Faith in the Public Arena

16

The Inseparable Link

Pornography and Human Trafficking Shawn Peterson

Associate Director for Public Policy Minnesota Catholic Conference

� very second, people spend $3,075.64 on pornography; every second, 28,258 people view it online; every

39 minutes, a new pornographic video is made in the United States; and every day approximately 11 million teens access some form of pornography.

No matter where or how it is accessed, Americans’ views support a $13 billion industry.

Consuming pornography is often considered a victimless act with no consequences other than to the consumer. But that is wrong. The connections between pornography and sex trafficking are often neglected, or even dismissed. Even more importantly, too few realize pornography itself is a form of sex trafficking.

The insidious influence of pornography changes people into objects; making it easier to dehumanize and lack empathy for other human suffering. This pornography-induced mass desensitization to the suffering of others is akin to an infection of our society.

To fight this infection, we need to purify our hearts, as well as take steps in the public arena to help people understand the social disease of pornography and its effects.

The Social Dimension of Sin

The Church reminds us pornography is not simply a private matter that impacts only the viewer. Pornography harms others, too.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2354) states: “Pornography…. does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.”

What people often miss is that pornography is sex trafficking with the camera turned on. It perpetuates sex trafficking through its creation of debauched “fantasy worlds” that need to be experienced firsthand and with persons who can be discarded when the act is complete.

According to a report by Shared Hope International, an organization that exists to prevent sex trafficking, pornography is the primary gateway to purchasing humans for commercial sex. A survey of 854 women in prostitution in nine different countries makes it clear – pornography is inextricably linked to prostitution. In each surveyed country, almost half of the respondents March, 2018 w The Courier

said traffickers forced them to make pornography while enslaved.

By choosing to consume porn, we “vote with our wallet” to support the continuation of these offenses against human dignity. It is impossible to consider pornography a private affair; it is directly linked to the systematic commodification of human persons, who are victims of both the pornography and sex trafficking industries.

Anti-Pornography Must be the New Anti-Smoking Campaign

In the past few decades, powerful social movements have promoted public health and well-being.

Campaigns to ban smoking in public places or to promote recycling each sought to connect our individual choices with how our choices could harm others or the planet.

We must raise the fight against pornography to this level of consciousness. The consequences of its use—the failed marriages and broken families, the violence against women and children, the desensitization to violence and suffering—are too great to ignore.

Purifying our hearts and homes is the first step, for our culture needs witnesses, not just teachers. As the U.S. Bishops say in their pastoral letter, “Create in Me a Clean Heart,” “[t]he Church as a field hospital is called to proclaim the truth of the human person in love, to protect people—especially children—from pornography, and to provide the Lord’s mercy and healing for those wounded by pornography.”

Raising awareness also involves public witness and effective use of public policy. Because pornography is ubiquitous and often protected by courts, making the link between pornography and the public health crisis it has created will require incremental, judicious steps.

One such measure is legislation being proposed this year. Supporting SF 2554 (Benson)/HF 2967 (Lohmer) will help impose additional fines on convicted child pornography offenders, and direct those monies to victims of sex trafficking. It would also direct public officials to further study the connections between pornography and human trafficking.

Understanding the links between pornography and sex trafficking forces all of us to see that pornography is not a victimless act nor a harmless, private activity. It is instead a root cause of human sex trafficking and a major contributor to the commodification of our fellow human beings.

Ask Your Legislators to Support the Bill SF 2554 / HF 2967 SF 2554 / HF 2967 publicly recognizes the link between pornography and human trafficking. This bill also directs fines collected for the offenses of child pornography and the dissemination and display of harmful materials to minors to the Safe Harbor Program – a program that assists human sex trafficking victims. You can reassure your legislators that this bill does not redirect funds from any existing programs.

Call your legislators and ask them to support bill SF 2554 and HF 2967. To find contact information for your state senator and state representative, call 651-296-8338.

How to Celebrate

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Our Lord taught Sister Faustina a prayer for mercy that she was to pray "unceasingly," the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. He said if she prayed this way, her prayer would have great power for the conversion of sinners, peace for the dying and even control over nature. Jesus further says that, through the Chaplet, you will obtain anything, if what you ask for is compatible with His will.

The Divine Mercy Novena

The Chaplet can be said anytime, but the Lord specifically asked that it be recited as a Novena, especially on the nine days before the Feast of Mercy. He promised, by this Novena (of Chaplets), to grant every possible grace to souls. This Novena is especially beneficial for the dying.

The Three o'Clock Hour

Jesus, I Trust in You

Divine Mercy Sunday falls on the Sunday after Easter - this year, April 8. To help us prepare for this day, the Courier turns once again to MARY ZIMMERMAN, a member of St. Mary Parish in Winona and tireless promoter of Divine Mercy Sunday. The following is an updated version of the article Mary contributed to last March's issue of the Courier.

�or the 24th year, Divine Mercy Sunday is being

.

St

celebrated in the Diocese of Winona. Just what is Divine Mercy Sunday, and how do we prepare for it?

In the 1930s, Sister Faustina Kowalska, a devout nun from the order of the Sisters of our Lady of Mercy, began to receive messages and revelations from Jesus.

Jesus said, "You will prepare the world for my second coming."

When the second coming will be, no one knows, but there seems to be a sense of urgency. Can anyone deny that the world is in crisis and needs God's mercy as never before?

God keeps reminding us of that need through many approved apparation sights and messages. Within this article, we'll focus mainly on those given to Sister Faustina.

God gave her the title of Secretary of His greatest attriubte, His Mercy.

Jesus instructed her on the many aspects of the Divine Mercy devotion. Here are a few of those aspects:

Jesus told Sister Faustina, "At three o'clock, implore my mercy, especially for sinners... This is the hour of great mercy. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion."

The Image of Divine Mercy

a

tin

us

Fa

There is so much to be said about this beautiful image; for more information, please refer to a pamphlet or to the diary of St. Faustina's words from Jesus.

Jesus said, "I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish... I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is the image, with the signature: "Jesus, I trust in You." As we gaze upon the Divine Mercy Image, we see Jesus taking a step forward to come to meet us, his right hand in a blessing position, his left had pointing toward his heart, where two rays come forth: the pale ray stands for the waters of Baptism; the red ray stands for the blood which is the life of the soul-the Eucharist. Jesus desires that every home and church have an Image of Divine Mercy.

Jesus said of Divine Mercy Sunday, "On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment."

This is how we can prepare for the Feast of Mercy: sincerely repent, confess, completely trust in Jesus, receive Holy Communion on that day, venerate the Image, and be merciful to others.

Sister Faustina has now reached her heavenly home and was declared a Saint by St. John Paul II in the year 2000, the same day Mercy Sunday was officially put on the Church calendar.

Now it's up to us to be the hands and feet and voice for Saint Faustina, to spread the good news of God's Mercy.

For this, Jesus gives us this promise: "Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death, I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior."

See pg. 20 for information on Divine Mercy celebrations to take place around the diocese on April 8.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday

17

How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy [Optional Opening Prayers] You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.

O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself upon us.

(Repeat 3x) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! [Say the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostle's Creed] [For each of the five decades, on each "Our Father" bead, pray:] Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

[On each of the 10 "Hail Mary" beads, pray:] For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

[Concluding Prayer] (Repeat 3x) Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

[Optional Closing Prayer] Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

March, 2018 w The Courier

18

Obituaries

In the Diocese

Sister M. Margareta Bertrand, SSND, 100, professed in 1940, died January 29, 2018 at Good Counsel in Mankato.

A native of Clements, she entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1937 and professed first vows in 1940. She served as a high school teacher and as Provincial Leader of the Mankato SSND Province (1965-71). In the Diocese of Winona, she taught at St. Felix, Wabasha (1954-59); Loyola High School, Mankato (1949-51 and 1992-94); Good Counsel Academy, Mankato (1948-49 and 195965); Cotter High School, Winona (197580 and 1986-90); and Lourdes High School, Rochester (1981-83). While teaching in the diocese, she served on several diocesan committees, as well.

She is survived by her nieces Sisters Mary and Catherine Bertrand, SSND, and by her Bertrand and Turner nieces and nephews and their families; her friends, former students and colleagues; and by her sisters in community, the School Sisters

Junior Catholic Daughters Court Instituted in Wilmont

WILMONT--Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas (JCDA) Court Saint Maria #839 was instituted on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at Our Lady of Good Council Church in Wilmont. Msgr. Richard Colletti celebrated Mass, and 22 girls formed the new court.

The new court is named after Saint Maria Goretti, the patron saint of youth, children of Mary, teenage girls, and rape victims.

On hand to institute JCDA Court St. Maria #839 were Minnesota Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) State Regent Evonne Seivert, First Vice State Regent Marlys Knuth, and State Treasurer Jackie Svenby.

National Supervisor and Second Vice National Regent Vickie Feist and Immediate Past National Regent Shirley Seyfried were also in attendance.

The fourth degree Knights of Columbus performed

M ore t ha n D i nn er and Dishes, My Dear

By JEANETTE FORTIER

�

re you a woman without plans for April 11, June 25-26, or August 29-September 1, this year?

If so, I invite you to come and experience the joy of gathering with the Council of Catholic Women on the diocesan, provincial, and national levels. Come and be empowered by dynamic women, welcome new friendships, and share the challenge of living the values of the Gospel in today’s world. Yes, our members serve dinners, wash the funeral lunch dishes, and bake those great pies and cookies, but CCW does so much more! We act on respect life issues, human trafficking, anti-pornography, family and community concerns. We educate on liturgical issues, we March, 2018 w The Courier

of Notre Dame and SSND Associates. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benno and Margaret (Neudecker) Bertrand; her sisters, Alice Turner and Agnes (who died in infancy); and her brothers, Francis and Leo, and Isidore (who also died in infancy).

Her funeral liturgy, with her nephew Father Paul Turner presiding, was held February 9 in Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel, followed by burial in Good Counsel Cemetery.

Sister Antoine Murphy, 104, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes in Rochester, died February 15, 2018, at Assisi Heights.

Dorothy Murphy was born January 15, 1914, in Springfield, SD, to John J. and Mary E. (O’Connor) Murphy. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1934 from St. Mary Parish in Waterloo, IA. Sister Antoine made first vows in 1937 and perpetual vows in 1940.

She completed training as a registered nurse at Saint Marys Hospital in 1941 and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, in 1949.

their honorary salute for the occasion.

Pictured (L to R) in the top photo are: (front row) Regent Joan Joens of Court Madonna #839, Wilmont; Morgan Penning; Tarryn Joens; Kaitlyn Brunk; Riese Penning; Kierra Reetz; Chloe Joens; Regan Penning; Abigail Bertrand; (middle row) Vice Regent Ashley Harberts of Court Madonna #839, Wilmont; Jena Joens; Hunter Penning; Addison Joens; Morgan Reetz; Clara Joens; Makayla Brunk; Abigail Reetz; Macy Joens; Tarren Spartz; Jayden Spartz; Courtney Penning; Kamryn Spartz; State Regent Evonne Seivert; Second Vice National Regent Vickie Feist; Past National Regent Shirley Seyfried; State Treasurer Jackie Svenby; (back row) First Vice State Regent Marlys Knuth; District Deputy Mary Metz; Financial Secretary Melanie Penning of Court Madonna #839, Wilmont; Msgr.

Richard Colletti; and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Ken Roskamp, Les Madison, Jim Joens, Pat Schonfelt and David Hennen.

Missing in the top photo are JCDA members Alana Steve and Quinn Steve, who are pictured in the bottom photo.

encourage and promote programs on an international scale. We are of service to those in need.

(Two million acts of service in 2016) NCCW was formed by the U.S. Bishops in1920.

Archbishop Hebda stated in the fall, 2016 archdiocesan CCW newsletter, that the Council of Catholic Women is not the backbone of the Church; it is the heart of the Church.

Dearest ladies, if you have never experienced CCW, come and join us for a meeting.

The diocesan meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on April 11 at Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Blue Earth. No registration is required.

The provincial meeting will be held June 25 (leadership training) and June 26 at St. John Vianney Church in Fairmont. Registration is required for this meeting; contact us at wdccw@ dow.org for details. The time of the meeting will be announced in parish bulletins as the date approaches.

Sister Antoine had an 80-year career at Saint Marys, beginning with nurse’s training in 1937, until her move to Assisi Heights in 2018.

Her only other place of ministry was at Mercy Hospital in Portsmouth, OH, where she served as a nurse from 1952-53. At Saint Marys, she served for 35 years as a nurse, during which time she took care of the first patient with a knee replacement and the first patient to have dialysis. After her years of nursing, she coordinated the patient visitors. In 1980, she retired and continued as a volunteer.

Sister Antoine is survived by several cousins and her Franciscan Community with whom she shared life for 83 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sister Titus Murphy, O.P.; and a brother, James A. Murphy.

A Funeral Mass was held February 22 in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at Assisi Heights, Rochester. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.

The national convention will be held August 29-September 1 in Pittsburgh, PA. More information on this event can be found on the NCCW website, www.nccw.org.

View our e-newsletter and check out the National Council of Catholic Women website. If you are interested in starting a Council in your parish the Winona Diocesan Council of Catholic Women executive board members would be more than willing to assist you! Contact Jeanette Fortier, Diocesan President at fortierjeanette@ gmail.com A parish without a CCW is less than what it could be and misses an opportunity to promote the role of women within its faith community.

Spirituality, leadership, service! Come be a part of a great organization. Come share your heart!

Jeanette Fortier is the president of the Winona Diocese Council of Catholic Women.

Gaining Steam, cont'd from pg. 12

19

In the Diocese

Worthington Deanery offered InterMission, a similar rally to Blaze and Unite. There were also middle school rallies in Owatonna and Adrian recently. The list goes on and on.

As we see these deanery rallies growing and spreading, it’s encouraging to see the parts of the greater diocese supporting one another. While these events are generally attended by local youth, it’s not out of the ordinary to see youth traveling to neighboring deaneries to attend their programming. For many youth, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends from Steubenville or Camp Summit and, ultimately, to spend more time with our Lord through word and Sacrament.

Connie Wallin likes what she sees happening around the diocese. She said, “If our kids can’t make it to Blaze, we talk to them about organizing a group to go down to Rochester to experience their event.”

The shift from larger diocesan events to more frequent engagement at the local level calls to mind some of the language of Pope Francis and the bishops as they encourage the task of “accompaniment." The idea is that faith is not just a onetime experience, but rather a lifelong journey, and what are desperately needed are mentors to take the energy of conversion and transform it into lifelong discipleship. Platforms like Blaze, Unite and InterMission are helping this type of accompanying relationship to flourish.

Community is fostered; young people begin to walk regularly with peers and adult mentors, making a lifelong commitment to Christ much more realistic.

We thank the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota for its support of these events, as it has generously provided assistance to get these initiatives up and running.

Please pray for our youth, our leaders and our communities as we continue to explore where the Lord calls us in our diocesan youth ministry. For more information on these events and other youth opportunities, please email bfrost@dow.org or visit www.dow.org.

March, 2018 w The Courier

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 to nreller@dow.org by the deadline to assure receipt and possible inclusion in the events calendar.

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.

A current list of events is also available at www.dow.org.

Regular Prayer Mass for Life & Marriage is held at St. Mary Church in Winona the first Thursday each month at 8:30 a.m.

Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage & Religious Liberty is held first Saturday each month 8:30-9:30 a.m. (after Mass for Life & Marriage) in the Cathedral's Adoration Chapel, 360 Main Street, Winona. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and a rosary offered. All welcome.

Prayer Vigil & Public Witness Against Abortion is held 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays in front of Semcac Clinic (delegate of Planned Parenthood) at 62 E 3rd Street in Winona. Contact: Patti (507) 429-4636 Masses of Reparation for Sins in the Diocese are held daily in parishes throughout the diocese. Info: cb@wabashaemail.com Cor Jesu is held at the Cathedral in Winona, 7-9 p.m. first Friday each month, September through May. Cor Jesu is an evening of Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, and music in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. All are welcome to attend! For more details, search for Winona Cor Jesu on Facebook,

Traditional Latin Mass Chatfield, St. Mary, 1st & 3rd Sun. 1 pm Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, Sundays 4:15 pm Wabasha, St. Felix, Saturdays 9 am

The Televised Mass

visit cascwinona.org/prayer/corJesu, or call Kristopher Kaufman (859-7601619) or Steven Lehn (507-312-9041).

Other Events St. Stanislaus Church, Winona March 8, Thursday St. John Nepomucene Parish of Winona to serve Annual Soup & Sandwich Supper 4:30-6:30 p.m. in St. Stanislaus Church Hall (625 East 4th Street in Winona). Homemade chicken noodle soup, ham salad sandwiches, and homemade desserts. Adults $7.

Children 6-12 $3. 5 & under free.

Tickets available at the door. Carryouts available. The public is welcome.

St. Theodore Church, Albert Lea March 10, Saturday Catholic Charities Immigration Retreat held 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. An opportunity for Hispanic and long-term Minnesota residents to see the face of Christ in one another. Special microphones will allow instant translation of talks in English and Spanish. Put a human face to the immigration issue.

St. Patrick Church, LeRoy March 11, Sunday Mulligan stew served 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Family style service. Mulligan stew, cabbage slaw, dinner rolls, dessert.

Adults $8. Students $5.

St. Rose of Lima Church, Lewiston March 15, Thursday Annual Mission Supper served in church hall 4:30 - 7 p.m. or until gone.

Turkey & all trimmings. Adults $10.

Kids 4-10 $5. 3& under free. Carryouts available. Proceeds benefit local and global charities.

Offered as a service for the homebound 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: Diocese of Winona, Attn: TV Mass, PO Box 588, Winona MN 55987.

Hispanic Priests / Sacerdotes Hispanos Padre José Morales Capellán en la Mayo Clinic, Rochester Tel. 507-266-7275

Padre Miguel Eduardo Proaños Vicario Parroquial de St. James, St James frmiguel2005@yahoo.com Tel. 507-375-3542

Padre Luis Alfonso Vargas Vicario Parroquial de St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester frluisvargasdw@gmail.com Tel. 507-288-7313

Padre Ubaldo Roque Vicario Parroquial de St. Mary’s, Worthington el_hermano_roque@hotmail.com Tel. 507-440-9735

March 2018 MN State Capitol, St. Paul March 16, Friday MCC's Capitol 101. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

An event to help Catholics take part in state government. Learn what goes on at the Capitol, such as how an idea becomes a law, and hear from legislators about how you can make a difference. Opportunities for prayer on behalf of our state legislators.

3 dates offered: Feb. 26, Mar. 16, Apr. 17. Each session is alike; they are not designed to build upon one another.

Registration required for this free event. www.mncatholic.org/capitol-101

What Do You Think?

St. Mary Church, Geneva March 16, Friday Annual fish fry 4-7 p.m. Free-will donation. Located 2 miles north of Maple Island on County Rd. 30. Or from Geneva, 5 miles east on County 35, turn south on County Rd. 30 1 mile.

Polish Heritage Center, Winona March 24, Saturday Many Hands Many Lands Fair Trade Market 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 363 E 2nd St. in Winona. Info: www. manyhandsmanylands.org

St. Columbanus Church, Blooming Prairie April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 10 a.m. Mass followed by adoration. 3 p.m. Holy Hour with sung chaplet. 4 p.m. benediction.

St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester March 24, Saturday Concert by famed Argentinian pianist Horaccio Lavandera at 7:30 p.m.

Will perform Beethoven, Schubert, Gershwin & others, and the US premiere of some pieces from his CD Imágenes, rated among the 20 best albums of the year by Ted Gioia (New York Times). A once-in-a-lifetime recital in Rochester!

Free-will offerings accepted.

St. Felix Church, Wabasha April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 3 p.m. exposition and chaplet followed by vespers & benediction at 5:30. Confession available.

St. Mary Church, Winona March 16, Friday Fish Fry & Luck of the Irish Festival starts 4:30 p.m. Fish fry $10/plate.

Pot of Gold prizes throughout the evening ($1/chance), silent auction, casino tables with fun money, and raffle drawing for cash prizes totaling $6,000. Winners announced at 9 p.m.

St. Mary School, Caledonia March 16, Friday Annual fish fry in the gym 4-8 p.m. 3 pieces of cod, Irish potatoes, coleslaw, bun, and coffee or milk. $10. Several basket and cash raffles available, with $3,000 grand prize. Carry-outs available by calling 507-725-5405. School is at 308 E South St. in Caledonia.

St. Mary Church, Lake City March 17, Saturday St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef Dinner served 5-8 p.m. Homemade Irish soda bread, live entertainment, beer and wine available, prize for best costume. $15 advance tickets. $20 at the door. Send check and selfaddressed envelope to: St. Mary of the Lake, 419 W Lyon Avenue, Lake City, MN 55401, or call 651-345-4134.

Tickets limited; call soon.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel, Mankato March 18, Sunday 2 p.m. organ concert featuring sacred music played by Ryan Mueller on the historic Johnson & Son pipe organ.

Free-will offering. No tickets required.

Contact Sr. Lucille Matousek at 507389-4223 or lmatousek@ssndcp.org.

St. Augustine Church, Austin March 18, Sunday St. Patrick's Day Dinner 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m. in Jennings Hall. Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, glazed carrots, cole slaw, pickles, rolls, apple or lemon meringue pie. Adults $10.

Kids 5-12 $5. 4 & under free. Tickets available at the church office: 507437-4537.

Spanish Mass Schedule

American Legion, Dodge Center March 23, Friday Annual fish fry sponsored by St. John Church's Catholic Women's Group, served 4-7:30 p.m. All you can eat fish (battered or baked), baked potatoes, baked beans, salads and desserts. $10 adults. $6 kids 6-12. Free 5 & under. Quilt sale sponsored by Common Thread Quilters. Proceeds to St. John's youth faith formation.

Albert Lea, St. Theodore Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul St. Charles, St. Charles Borromeo 11 am Sun. 1 pm Sun. 7 pm Sat. Austin, Queen of Angels Owatonna, Sacred Heart St. James, St. James 11 am Sun.; 5:15 pm Fri. 11:45 am Sun. 12 pm Sun. Windom,St.FrancisXavier Lake City, St. Mary Pipestone, St. Leo 2:30 pm Sun. 6:30 pm each 3rd Sat. 2:30 pm Sun. (bilingual) Worthington, St. Mary Madelia, St. Mary Rochester, St. Francis 7 pm Sat.; 11 am Sun.; 10 am Sun. Noon Sun. & 7 pm Thurs. 6:30 pm Tues. & Fri.

Nicollet Co. Fairgrounds, St. Peter March 24, Saturday Luck of the Irish evening event (21+) to benefit John Ireland Catholic School in St. Peter. Pork dinner 5-7 p.m. at fairgrounds' Johnson Hall. Silent & live auctions, cash raffle drawing, bingo, other games. Dinner tickets $15. Raffle tickets $30. Mail checks to Joseph Yokiel 912 N 4th Street, St. Peter, MN 56082, or purchase tickets at the door.

Padre Javier Ibarra IVE Párroco de SS. Peter and Paul, Mankato Tel. 507-388-2995 ext. 103

Padre Raul Silva Vicario de la Pastoral Hispana en la diócesis de Winona Y Párroco de Queen of Angels, Austin PadreRaulSilva@gmail.com Tel. 507-433-1888

• The Courier

thank you for your comments on The Courier's proposed format transition. If you haven't sent feedback, please do!

An online prototype of The Disciple, can be found at faithdigital.org/Winona/WINSpring17/ This quarterly magazine would place heavier emphasis on catechesis and evangelization, leaving some news and events coverage to our diocesan website (dow. org). While the online prototype shows mostly sample material, a real issue of The Disciple would be printed on

All Saints Church, New Richland April 7, Saturday Vigil Mass & Divine Mercy service.

4 p.m. exposition. 4:30 chaplet followed by Mass at 5.

Lourdes High School, Rochester April 7, Saturday Man of God diocesan men's conference. Info on page 6.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 12:45 p.m. video in Gathering Space followed by celebration 2-3, with exposition, prayers, confessions, fellowship.

Good Shepherd Church, Jackson April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 8:30 a.m. Mass followed by adoration until 3:30.

Confessions 12-3. Chaplet at 3.

Holy Redeemer Church, Eyota April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 2-3:15 p.m.

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament & second-class relics of St. Sr. Faustina, St. Francisco and St. Jacinta, followed

by Rosary, confessions & choir music.

Chaplet at 3.

Queen of Angels Church, Austin April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 1:45 p.m.

Adoration and confessions.

Resurrection Church, Rochester April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. The Face of Mercy film at 1 p.m., followed by testimony to Divine Mercy in Great Hall. Devotions 2:30-4:30 in church, including adoration, confessions, blessing of Divine Mercy Image, sung chaplet, solemn vespers, veneration of DM Image & 1st-class relics of St. Faustina. Refreshments served.

Sacred Heart Church, Waseca April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 1 p.m. hour of prayer with chaplet and confessions.

St. Ann Church, Janesville April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 9 a.m. exposition.

9:30 chaplet followed by 10 a.m. Mass.

St. Ann Church, Slayton April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 2 p.m. exposition of Blessed Sacrament, followed by confessions til 3. Chaplet at 3.

St. Casimir Church, Wells April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 3 p.m. Holy Hour, exposition, chaplet.

paper (with an online version available) and would prioritize content from our diocese.

Please send feedback on the magazine prototype, or on your experience as a reader of The Courier, to Associate Editor Nick Reller at nreller@dow.org or 507858-1257. What do you like about the magazine format? What is it missing?

How does it compare to The Courier?

If your church group is interested in holding a focus group (of about 20 people) regarding this prototype, please indicate that as well. Thank you!

St. John Vianney Church, Fairmont April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 12:30-2 p.m.

Holy Hour, exposition, adoration, sung chaplet, confessions.

St. Joseph Church, Owatonna April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 3-4 p.m. Adoration, chaplet, rosary & benediction.

St. Joseph Church, Waldorf April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 7 a.m. exposition followed by chaplet at 7:30 and Mass at 8.

St. Mary Church, Caledonia April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 11 a.m. Adoration, chaplet, confessions. 507-725-3804.

St. Mary Church, Lake City April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 2-4 p.m. Exposition, confessions, rosary, readings, hymns. chaplet at 3 followed by benediction.

St. Mary Church, Madelia April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 3 p.m. chaplet followed by adoration & confessions.

Benediction at 5:30.

St. Mary Church, Worthington April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday. 2 p.m. Holy Hour. 2:50 procession & benediction.

Prayers, readings & chaplet at 3.

St. Patrick Church, West Albany April 8, Sunday Pancake breakfast served 9-11 a.m.

Proceeds benefit the cemetery.

St. Peter Church, Rose Creek April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 3-4 p.m. Holy Hour, exposition, adoration, prayers, chaplet, readings, confession.

Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Mankato April 8, Sunday Divine Mercy Sunday 2:15 - 4 p.m.

Confession & consecration to Divine Mercy.

St. Patrick Church, Brownsville April 15, Sunday Breakfast in Breza Hall follows 8 a.m.

Mass, served til noon. French toast, southern-style scrambled eggs, sausage, cheesy hash browns, fresh fruit, coffee, milk, orange juice. $7 adults. $3 6-12. Free under 6. 604 Adams St. in Brownsville.

St. Patrick Church, West Albany April 29, Sunday Annual chicken bbq served 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. or until gone. On scenic Hwy 60 between Zumbro Falls and Wabasha.

Sacred Heart Church, Adams May 6, Sunday Celebrating Fr. Swamy Pothireddy's 25th anniversary of priesthood with a reception following 11 a.m. Mass.