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Diocesan Headlines
The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday
Sioux Falls - KTTW Channel 7 at 7 a.m.
Sioux City - KPTH Channel 44 at 8:30 a.m.
Mankato - KEYC Channel 12 at 7:30 a.m.
Rochester/Austin/Mason City
KIMT Channel 3 at 7:30 a.m.
MyTV 3.2 at 9 a.m.
NEW Twin Cities - WFTC Digital Channel 29 or
Channel 9.2 at 11:30 a.m.
Southeastern MN - HBC Channel 20 at 3 p.m. (repeated Wed. at 3:30 p.m.)
Winona/La Crosse/Eau Claire - WLAX/WEUX Channel 25/48 at 7:30 a.m.
and on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass")
By JEANETTE FORTIER
t was an Advent moment in Lent. Those women with no oil for their lamps followed me into Walmart and stayed close by my side. I knew I needed to get a few things so I would have some nourishment during the stay-at-home period as directed by the governor, but what should I buy?
Those women with their torches kept laughing, and I could hear them talking amongst themselves. “She doesn’t have a clue! And they talk about us not being prepared well enough to welcome the bridegroom when he comes. She doesn’t have a chance.”
I bought a few items and left those women at the exit doors. They were still laughing as I drove away.
These weeks of staying indoors have brought many insights, those of which pertaining to Lent involve: the writings from my Lenten devotional books, watching Mass on TV, reflecting on years of preparing for Holy Week liturgies and the gift of gathering together for Mass and our other rich Catholic rituals and rites. I have longed to once again gather with the choir and parishioners for the 8 a.m. Mass. Other insights include what an awful cook I am, how limited my knowledge of the workings of a computer are, how much greater the mess is when you’re trying to clean and organize, and how
much I miss the people I sing with. I can’t wait for the day we can gather together for the laughter and fun of those sing-alongs.
To my sisters in the Council of Catholic Women, I hope you are finding ways to nourish yourself in the branches of our organization: spirituality (many wonderful prayers on the nccw.org website), service (make masks, sending a note of support or making a phone call to check on a neighbor) and leadership (help those in need in your parish and community).
As I write this article, there are two events coming up that will gather CCW women for days of fellowship and learning. Our Province
Conference is scheduled for June 19 & 20, 2020, and our National
Convention is in August. At this moment, I do not know if they will be held as scheduled or canceled. We will have to wait and see.
Shall we gather? Indeed we shall! When that date will be only the Lord knows, and the Holy Spirit will inspire the
Governor to let us all know. What a gathering it will be! I won’t bring a torch and oil, but I will bring the best I have to offer of my time and talents. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces. Alleluia! Christ has risen. May these days be filled with hope. Jeanette Fortier is the president of the WinonaRochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
Obituary
Sister Monique Schwirtz, 81, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights, May 7, 2020.
Ellen Elise Schwirtz was born May 24, 1938, in Grand Rapids to John Robert Schwirtz and Victoria Radosevich. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1958, received the name of Sister Monique, and made perpetual vows in 1964. In 1962 she completed studies for a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and, in 1972, a master’s degree in elementary education administration. Further studies included gerontology and spiritual direction.
Sister Monique taught elementary students at St. Priscilla School, Chicago, IL; Sacred Heart School, Norfolk, NE; and St. Theodore School, Albert Lea. She also served as principal at St. Theodore School, Albert Lea; Portsmouth Catholic Schools, Portsmouth, OH (1971- 1977); and Sacred Heart School, Waseca (1977-1984). Following a sabbatical year and a year of study, she served as family resource coordinator at Minnesota Valley Action Council in Mankato. In 1992, Sister Monique returned to Assisi Heights where she served as the director of daily life and service until she
was elected to congregational leadership in 2000. In 2007, she moved to Janesville, where she served on the retreat center team and as a spiritual director. For several years, Sister Monique was a volunteer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca.
Sister Monique is survived by her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 62 years; her brother John (Meredith) Schwirtz of Santa Rosa, CA; and her sister, Dora Ann Severson, of Bayport. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, George Schwirtz.
A Memorial Liturgy will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.
A Lot for the Masses
On Sunda y, May 3, Father Tim Biren, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in St. Charles, made use of the church parking lot and a 1/2-watt FM transmitter to allow parishioners to engage with the Mass from the safety of their vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
