The Courier - November, 2016

Special Insert:

Jubilee Year of Mercy

The

COURIER

All Saints Day November 1

November 2016

Into the Future

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Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN

Open Adoption An Adventure and a Blessing

By MICHAEL and JESSICA ANDRING

Plans and Progress of the IHMS Renovation �

By FR. ROBERT HORIHAN

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or several decades, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary has been assisting men in answering the question: “Is God calling me to be a priest?” The seminary provides an environment in which men can explore this question with great candor and humility, all with the aim of discovering if Christ is calling them to walk this path. For those who do find that the Lord is summoning them to the ordained ministry, this very work of discernment is itself a preparation and formation for priestly life. By honing their ability to detect the Lord’s voice resounding in their hearts, they will be better able to serve God’s people as they seek to hear the chief shepherd guiding them in their work of tending to the flock.

The roots of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) stretch back into the early decades of the 20th century, when there already existed within the Diocese of Winona a program of discernment for those exploring the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. As an institution, however, IHMS dates back to 1948, when it was formally established on the campus of the then Saint Mary’s College of Minnesota; at this time, though, there was no separate residential building for the seminary community. It was in 1950 that a distinct edifice was constructed, named Kelly Hall in honor of Bishop Francis Kelly, who had served as Bishop of Winona from 1928-1949. A little more than a decade later, in 1962, a second hall was added to the seminary complex in the form of Leo Hall, named after Bishop Leo Binz, who had served as Coadjutor Bishop of Winona from 1942-1949.

This physical facility of the seminary has certainly served its purpose admirably in the years since its construction. However, as is well known, such physical structures need periodic revamping and updating to account for both the march of progress and

xpanding our family through adoption was a tremendous blessing from God! In April 2015, we welcomed our daughter, Mallory, into this world, and she stole our hearts. Through her adoption, we have been blessed in countless ways, and we know that we are following the plan that God has created for us. Our lives continue to change every day as she learns and explores new things in the world. We look forward to each new challenge and appreciate every day with her.

As we began pursuing adoption, we decided to work with Catholic Charities.

It was important to us to work with a non-profit organization that shares our values. Through the adoption process, we had many decisions to make regarding the type of adoption we hoped for. One of those decisions was choosing between an open adoption and a closed adoption.

Phase 1 (top) and Phase 2 (bottom) courtesy of River Architects.

the ravages of time. Thus, it is hardly surprising that the need for some kind of renovation project to improve the seminary complex was recognized in recent years. When the Rooted in

Future, cont'd on pg. 4

Adoption, cont'd on pg. 13

INSIDE this issue

Pondering a Politics of Encounter and Mercy page 6

Vocations: "I Want to Ask, but How?" page 10

Remembering Sister Generose

page 14

New Saints Canonized The Courier Insider

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n October 16, Pope Francis elevated seven Blesseds to sainthood: Alfonso Maria Fusco, Elizabeth of the Trinity, Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, José Sanchez del Rio, Lodovico Pavoni, Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, and Solomon Le Clercq. In this issue of the Courier, we especially celebrate two of these new saints for their connections to schools within our diocese. José Sanchez del Rio shares his name with the minor seminary in Mankato, and Solomon Le Clercq was the first martyred De La Salle Christian Brother, who helped established a legacy for such Lasallian universities as St. Mary's in Winona.

Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio [from iveminorseminary.org]

Saint José Luis Sanchez del Rio was born in Sahuayo, Michoacan (Mexico), on March 28, 1913—his parents were Macario Sanchez and María del Río. At the age of 13 , José begged God that he too might be able to die in defense of his Catholic faith. In response to the bitter persecution of the Catholic Church by the government of Plutarco Calles, a movement of Catholics called the “Cristeros” rose up in defense of the Faith.

José Luis Sanchez del Rio told his mother, “In order to go to Heaven, we have to go to war.”

He begged his mother to permit him to accompany the Cristeros, saying, "Never has it been so easy to obtain Heaven!" Eventually she allowed him to join the other men in his family who were going. Given his youth, it required much pleading before the Cristero general finally gave him permission to join them, albeit only as a flag bearer. Only a short while after José joined the Cristeros, a battle was fought between the government forces and the Cristeros, in which the general’s horse was killed. The young man said to the general, “Take my horse and save yourself. You’re the general, and what am I worth to the cause?” The general refused at first to take the young man’s horse, but José insisted, and finally the general got on the horse and fled.

When the government troops caught up to the youth, he said to them, “You are going to take me, but I don’t surrender.” When José was first captured, the government troops forced him to witness the execution of another Cristero, thinking that he would weaken in his defiance when he saw the killing.

Instead, rather the opposite happened—José encouraged the man, who, while preparing to be executed, was wavering in the face of death, to embrace his martyrdom, and the man died heroically for his faith!

José was imprisoned in a town called Sahuayo (in Michoacan), in the parish church, which government forces were using as a jail. The local government authority, a man named Rafael Picasso, asked for a large ransom to let José go, because, despite his age, they were going to shoot him as they did all the other Cristeros who refused to apostatize. However, José told his people not to offer them any money since, because he wanted to go to Heaven, he would just go back to the struggle.

The government officials encouraged José to write a letter to his aunt Maria Sanchez, and they told his aunt to tell José’s mother that she should come and pass by the church. They thought that if José could see his mother close-up, he would weaken in his resolve at seeing her tears, but he did not waiver. Witnesses say that his food was brought to him in a small basket, and in that food his uncle, Fr. Ignacio Sanchez, would November, 2016 w The Courier

put a consecrated Host. When he got it, he knelt there in the church, gave thanks, and then gave himself Holy Communion. People walking by the church on the street said that they could hear José praying the rosary and singing hymns to Our Lady—he never wavered in his prayer life while he was imprisoned.

Picasso, the government official, had decided not only to use the parish church as a jail, but also as a chicken coop. He had a collection of fine and valuable imported fighting roosters, and had decided to house them in the church. When José saw the roosters running around the church he was indignant and said, “This is not a barnyard!” He took them all by the neck and killed them, hanging them from a banister. According to some, Picasso had imported some of those very fine birds all the way from Canada, and this was the last straw; he was so indignant that he commanded that they execute the boy by firing squad. The soldiers noticed that José didn’t have any shoes on and they offered to give him some. He told them, “Why do I need shoes? What I want is to go to Heaven.”

Therefore, the soldiers brought José to be executed, and as they did so they began to strike him with the machetes they carried. Even worse, they chopped off the soles of José’s feet, and they forced him to walk along the rocky unpaved road to the cemetery. Instead of complaining, he shouted, “Long live Christ the King!” Witnesses said that the stones where José had trodden were all soaked in his blood, and although he moaned from the pain, he never weakened in his resolve.

When they got to the cemetery, José was already covered in his own blood. The soldiers showed him the grave, and said, “This is where we are going to bury you.” The boy responded, “That is good. I forgive all of you since we are all Christians.” He offered them his hand and said, “We’ll see each other in Heaven. I want you all to repent.” Perhaps trying to work on his love for his family, the soldiers asked him what he wanted them to tell his family; his response was, “Tell them that we will see each other in Heaven.” Finally, the soldiers told José that if he would say “Death to Christ the King,” they would free him and allow him to go home to his family. His response was, “Long live Christ the King!” At that point they shot him. As he was still alive after that, they gave him a coup de grace to the head and he died. Some versions of his story say that José made the sign of the cross in the ground with his own blood before being finally shot in the head.

José Luis Sanchez del Rio was killed on February 10, 1928, and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on November 20, 2005. [His canonization follows Pope Francis' Jan. 21, 2016, verification of a 2008 miracle in Mexico, by which a severely brain-damaged baby who doctors said had "no hope of survival" made a full recovery after her parents prayed to Blessed José.]

For us, he is a constant reminder that the call to follow Christ is for all people, whether young or old. His feast day is February 10—the day he died.

Saint Solomon Le Clercq [from lasallian.info] Nicolas Le Clercq was born in Boulogne, France, on November 15, 1745. He attended the Brothers' school there and entered the novitiate in Rouen at the age of 21. Before being named in 1782 as secretary to the Superior General, Brother Agathon, Brother Solomon had been a teacher, director, finance manager and director of novices.

He lived in a time when France suffered military defeats abroad. In 1789, King Louis XVI recalled the Assembly of the States General, in the hope that rais-

Saints, cont'd on pg. 4

Articles of Interest

Let Us Honor Our Lady!___________5 ...Politics of Encounter and Mercy__6 Catholic Schools Updates__________7 A Witness to Love_________________8 Jubilee Insert_________________after 8 Mats for the Homeless_____________9 "I Want to Ask, but How?"_________10 Deacons: Servants of Christ_______11 Three Reasons to Have a Will______12 Diocesan Headlines_______________14 Diocesan Calendar________________16

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Vist www.dow.org for online access to: The Courier TV Mass Diocesan News Our Events Calendar and more!

The Holy Father's Intentions for November 2016 Universal: That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity.

Evangelization: That within parishes, priests and lay people may collaborate in service to the community without giving in to the temptation of discouragement.

Officials The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, announces the following: Appointments Rev. Edward McGrath: appointed Parochial Administrator of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Harmony, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Canton, and St. Olaf Parish in Mabel, effective October 1, 2016, in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of the parishes of St. Mary in Chatfield, St. Patrick in Lanesboro, and St. Columban in Preston.

Child Abuse Policy Information Diocese of Winona - Child Sexual Abuse Policy Information The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan web site at www.dow.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact 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 107 - 11

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.

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Pray for All Souls �ear Friends in Christ, All Saints Day

All Souls Day

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

On November 2, the day after All Saints Day, the Church celebrates the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, or All Souls Day. This is when we remember and pray for all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. For those who have died in God’s grace and friendship but are still in need of final purification, God in His mercy provides us with the state of purgatory, to achieve the purity and holiness necessary to enter heaven. The souls in purgatory are indeed assured of their salvation, but are in need of final purification before they see God face to face. Death is

November 1, Tuesday 7:45 am – Teach at SMU 12 pm – Mass with St. Mary School Students and Staff – St. Joseph Church, Owatonna November 2, Wednesday 2 pm – Mass with Winona FOCUS Missionaries November 3, Thursday 7:45 am – Teach at SMU 10 am – Annual Meeting with Ascension Health 1 pm – Holy Hour 2 pm – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting November 6, Sunday 10 am – Pastor Installation Mass for Fr. Thomas Niehaus – St. Columbanus Church, Blooming Prairie 2 pm – Confirmation – St. Teresa Church, Mapleton, with St. Joseph Church, Good Thunder, St. Matthew Church, Vernon Center, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Easton, St. Casimir Church, Wells, and St. John the Baptist, Minnesota Lake

something we all will face, and it is comforting to know that if we are not yet ready to enter into heaven, God provides us with the time for Christ’s purifying love to free us from any remaining attachments to sin or things of the world.

As we celebrate All Souls Day, and the Month of All Souls in November, let us remember to pray for those who are still in purgatory, that their time of purification may be quickened and that they may soon enjoy the splendor of heaven in the presence of God. One of the corporal works of mercy is burying the dead, and this also includes praying for those who have died.

Let us not forget those who have gone on before us. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Sister Generose, O.S.F. On the Feast of St. Luke, October 18, I celebrated the Funeral Mass for Sister Generose, who spent most of her years as a Franciscan Sister as an administrator, ministering to people at St. Marys Hospital. It was her special gift to treat every patient with loving care, and she taught the importance of keeping Christ at the center of compassionate care to generations of hospital employees at St. Marys.

From the time I came to the Diocese of Winona, I heard about her legendary leadership in Catholic health care and her continuing influence in Rochester among health care providers. “Be as good as people think you are,” Sr. Generose often said to staff at her beloved St. Marys, because she believed patients deserve the

November 8, Tuesday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University 1 pm – Clergy Personnel Board Meeting November 9, Wednesday 11 am – Mass with DOW Priest Retreat – Winona November 10, Thursday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University November 10, Tuesday – November 16, Wednesday USCCB General Assembly – Baltimore, Maryland November 17, Thursday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University 12:10 pm – Mass for Deceased Clergy – St. John the Evangelist Parish, Rochester November 18, Friday 6:30 am – Lauds and Mass – IHM Seminary, Winona 1 pm – Holy Hour 2 pm – College of Consultors Board Meeting

very best care. She could have spoken those words to all of us, who are responsible for the welfare of people entrusted to our care.

It was my blessing to be with her three times near the end of her journey. On one visit, Sr. Generose was alone and was praying the Rosary, when I came to her hospital room. I thanked her for living a faithful life and for starting the Poverello Fund to help pay hospital expenses for the poor. I asked her to seek blessings and favors for God’s people in the Diocese of Winona when she is in heaven. She nodded and took my hand and smiled warmly.

What a consolation for me. Sr. Generose came from a little town named Currie, and she enriched so many lives by her Franciscan vocation and ministry. She is a lasting treasure of the Diocese of Winona. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

Adoption: the Gift of Life November is National Adoption Month. Adoption is a beautiful affirmation of life, giving children the gift of parents and a family. It is important that we as Catholics are known as being for life, and not only against abortion. We want women in crisis pregnancies to know there are other options than abortion. I especially want to thank Catholic Charities for all their efforts in helping generous couples and these wonderful children find each other. This is a great service in helping others to live out our prolife belief. I am so grateful to all who are involved in the adoption ministry; may God bless your work as you continue to be a light of hope to those in need.

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National Vocation Awareness Week

The annual National Vocation Awareness Week is November 6-12, the first full week of November.

This month we also celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, which illustrates how people of all vocations are called to holiness and to be saints. National Vocation Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to promote the beauty of ordained and consecrated life. It is important to not only encourage vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious, and consecrated life, but also to pray for those who are in formation and considering one of these vocations. May they be inspired

by Jesus Christ, supported by our faith communities, and respond generously to God’s call in their lives.

Thank you for your continued prayers for me, our priests, and the consecrated men and women in our diocese. I entrust you to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying that the Lord may lead us ever closer to Himself. God bless you.

From the Bishop

On November 1, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, when we joyfully recall all those who have completed their earthly journey and have reached their heavenly home.

This feast reminds us that this world is passing away and that our true home is in heaven. There are many saints the Church has officially canonized, but there are also many saints whose names have been forgotten in the course of history, but who lived lives of heroic virtue and holiness, and who now behold the mystery and beauty of the Trinity in heaven.

All Saints Day also reminds us that we are all called to be saints.

A few weeks ago, our Holy Father Pope Francis canonized seven new saints for the whole Church.

Two of those saints have a special

connection to the Diocese of Winona. St. José Sanchez del Rio was a martyr for the Catholic Faith in Mexico during a period of persecution around 1928. St. José was fourteen years of age, when he witnessed to Jesus Christ and was willing to die for the Faith.

The seminary in Mankato, that prepares young men of high school age for entry into the Institute of the Incarnate Word, is named St. José Sanchez del Rio Seminary, whose namesake is a great inspiration for young men.

Also, our diocesan family rejoices with the Christian Brothers, who lead and sponsor St. Mary’s University in Winona, on the elevation of Brother Solomon Le Clercq, F.S.C., to sainthood.

St. Solomon was martyred during the French revolution when he refused to renounce Jesus Christ and his Catholic Faith in order to spare his own life. The Saints are intercessors for us on our pilgrim way to heaven and model for us holiness by leading lives of fidelity, humility and service.

St. José Sanchez del Rio and St. Solomon, pray for us.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona

November 19, Saturday 4:30 pm – Pastor Installation Mass for Monsignor Thomas Cook – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Rochester 8 pm – Pastor Installation Mass for Fr. Peter Schuster – Resurrection Parish, Rochester

December 1, Thursday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University 1 pm – Holy Hour 2 pm – Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 5 pm – Holy Hour with Winona Serra Club and FOCUS Missionaries

November 20, Sunday 10 am – Confirmation and Organ Dedication – St. Columban, Preston, with St. Mary, Chatfield, and St. Patrick, Lanesboro

December 2, Friday 9 am – Winona Area Catholic Schools Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance – St. Stanislaus Kostka Basilica, Winona

November 21, Monday 4 pm – Conference Call – Sacred Heart Major Seminary Board Meeting

December 3, Saturday 5:15 pm – Confirmation – St. John the Baptist Parish, Mankato

November 22, Tuesday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University November 29, Thursday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University 4 pm – Mass of Thanksgiving – St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Minor Seminary – Mankato November 30, Wednesday 4:45 pm – Vespers and Mass at IHM Seminary

December 4, Sunday 5 pm – Dinner with SMU Christian Brothers of the Midwest December 6, Tuesday 7:45 am – Teach at Saint Mary’s University 11 am – Deans Meeting – Albert Lea 2:30 pm – Clergy Personnel Board Meeting – Albert Lea November, 2016 w The Courier

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Future, cont'd from pg. 1

Faith - Rejoice in Hope campaign was launched in 2013, IHMS was designated as one of the main beneficiaries of the capital campaign. Happily, thanks to the generosity of benefactors who donated to the campaign, the renovation project has now begun in earnest!

A great deal of time and consideration was dedicated to the question of how best to carry out the renovation.

Ultimately, a three-phase approach was deemed the most feasible.

Phase 1 will involve nearly a whole-scale renovation of Kelly Hall, the original structure built in 1950. The physical infrastructure of Kelly Hall is a key target of Phase 1, as the plumbing, heating, ventilation, and electrical facets of the building will be considerably updated. In addition, office spaces will be adjusted to meet the shifting needs of the seminary community. Further, the kitchen will be entirely revamped, and additional student lounges will be added to facilitate small-group gatherings.

Phase 2 will bring the most detectable change to the exterior of the seminary facility, as it involves an addition which will help tie Kelly and Leo Halls more tightly together.

Arguably of even greater importance, the addition will include the elevator, which will allow barrier-free access to

Saints, cont'd from pg. 2

ing revenue through taxes would halt the ruin of the country. Matters deteriorated rapidly, and the monarchy was overthrown.

The Catholic Church became the next target in the revolution. All church belongings were confiscated. Clergy were required to swear the oath of "the Civil Constitution of the Clergy," denying their loyalty to the church.

As Brother Solomon refused to take the oath, he lived in secrecy in Paris. In his last letter to his sister, on the feast of the Assumption, he wrote: "I wish you happiness and a joyful feast. I pray that you may spend it in good health with your dear family, and in peace and quiet, so rare in our day." Following his arrest, he walked a short distance to Saint Sulpice where a sort of tribunal had been set up. The interrogation

November, 2016 w The Courier

all floors of the seminary. The addition will also include a hospitality area especially conducive for welcoming guests.

Finally, Phase 3 consists primarily of a renovation of Leo Hall, which remains entirely untouched in Phase 1 and only somewhat affected in Phase 2. All individual rooms of Leo Hall will be renovated, and some new guest suites will be created, as well.

As of this writing, the construction component of Phase 1 is on the verge of commencing. Prior to this construction work, two major aims had to be achieved: first, given that asbestos had been used when Kelly Hall was originally build, abatement work was obviously necessary; second, a fair amount of demolition work needed to be done on the existing structure. The abatement work is already completed, and the demolition work is soon to be finished, as well. Hopefully, by the time you are reading these words, the construction itself for Phase 1 will be well underway.

One of the advantages of the phased approach to the project is that it allows some flexibility in executing the renovation while financial resources continue to be gathered for the complete project. As of this writing, between funds on-hand and pledges to Rooted in Faith - Rejoice in Hope yet to be redeemed, there is sufficient capital to cover the cost of Phase 1 in its entirety, as well as approximately half of the cost of Phase 2. For this reason, we were able to launch readily into Phase 1. However, to state the all too obvious, we are in need of additional resources simply to realize Phase 2, let alone Phase 3.

In fact, it will take nearly another million dollars to bring

was formal, ending with the question: "Have you taken the oath?" The answer was, "No." He was then sent to the improvised prison of the Carmelite Convent with others.

On September 2, 1792, each prisoner was ushered along a corridor and, at the few steps which led down to the garden, put to death by the sword. Brother Solomon and his companions were beatified on October 17, 1926. He was the first Brother of the Christian Schools to be martyred, and the first to be beatified.

Brother Solomon's October 16 canonization follows the confirmation of a miracle attributed to his intercession. The miracle occurred in 2007, when a five-year-old Venezuelan girl was cured of complications from a venomous snake bite through the prayers offered by Sisters, children and parishioners before their church's statue of Blessed Brother Solomon, who was venerated in the area. Against all odds, the girl survived for two days after the bite with no medical intervention. When she was taken to the hospital to have her leg amputated in

Phase 2 alone to completion. As the relatively recently appointed rector of the seminary, I am exceedingly grateful to all those who have contributed to the project thus far in any way. At the same time, I also find myself in the position of inviting the People of God of the Diocese of Winona to consider some further investment in the renovation of the seminary. As you read these words, I ask you to consider how the Lord might be inviting you to be part of this ongoing endeavor. If you sense God calling you to provide financial support, Monica Herman of the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota can assist in working out the logistics of such a gift.

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, my gratitude goes out to all those who have helped bring the renovation project this far. Whether you have been part of the work by providing financial and material resources or by aiding us with your prayers and petitions, it is very much the case that the renovation of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary is only possible thanks to the support and encouragement provided by God’s holy people. As rector, my hope and prayer is that this renovation will enable IHMS to be even more effective in preparing men to serve Christ’s flock after the model of the Lord himself.

Fr. Robert Horihan is rector of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona. To discuss ways you can contribute to the renovation of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, contact Monica Herman at 507-858-1276 or mherman@ catholicfsmn.org.

order to save her life, she regained her health and the use of her leg suddenly and without explanation as if nothing had happened. The miracle was confirmed in 2016 by the diocese of Caracas at the end of a five-year process, and on May 10 Pope Francis proclaimed the decree of canonization. *** [From Brother Francis Carr's call to worship at a celebration of Brother Solomon's canonization held at St. Mary's University's St. Thomas More Chapel on October 23] Brother Clair Battersby, One of the first Lasallian biographers who wrote in English said this: And what of Brother Solomon? Had the Revolution not occurred to make a martyr of him, who would know anything about him? Nobody.

That he was a good man it is impossible to deny, and we must concede also that he was an exemplary religious.

But that he was in any way remarkable or outstanding among hundreds even in his own Congregation is impossible to maintain. Yet for this very reason his life is worth telling and holds a lesson for us. It shows that a good life is worth living for its own sake, as even Plato saw long ago, and it shows also that the good man has within him reserves of fortitude and moral courage which lie dormant perhaps and unsuspected, but which circumstances may at any moment bring to light. It is encouraging to know that there is more in each one of us than meets the eye, and that in

a given situation, with the grace of God, we might do more than we thought ourselves capable of.

So today we celebrate the commitment of a man to his Church and to his vows as a religious – a De La Salle Christian Brother – as well as the faith of a community of believers in a country far from France and the French revolution.

We recall a man who didn’t demonstrate any particularly saintly qualities but who quietly went about his work and, like Mary, the patron of this university, said “yes” when approached with a serious decision, and then, over two hundred years later, inspired a group of Sisters, children and parishioners who prayed fervently before his statue in their parish church in Venezuela to entrust the health of a child to Solomon with sincere hope that he would intervene with God who could cure her.

It’s a lesson to all of us. On the day of his imprisonment, Brother Solomon had written a letter to his sister, which included these words: Do not be troubled. Ask constantly for the help of God ... Let us then suffer joyfully and with thanksgiving the crosses and afflictions which he may send us. As for myself, it would seem that I am not worthy to suffer for him, since I have not as yet encountered any trials, whereas so many followers of Jesus Christ are in affliction.

And a few hours later, he was killed when he refused to swear the oath denying his loyalty to the church.

We never know when God will call upon us to witness to our faith. Most of us will not die for our faith. But during this Mass, let us all pray that we will joyfully and with thanksgiving accept the gifts and the crosses that are part of our lives and, like Saint Solomon, be worthy when God calls on us.

Let Us Honor Our Lady!

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Sr. Paul Mary Rittgers, R.S.M.

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n the words of Our Lady, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord” for His many blessings and graces bestowed upon our third annual Diocesan Women’s Conference! Over 80 women joined together at Lourdes High School in Rochester on Saturday, October 15, for this year's conference. The theme was “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,” and the day was steeped in just that: hailing (honoring) Our Lady for the gift of her Son

Grace Mazza Urbanski

and the virtues she has modeled, and for being such a loving mother to each of us.

Keynote Speaker Grace Mazza Urbanski teacher, author, mother of five, and former director of children’s ministry for the Apostleship of Prayer - led the women in several talks about Our Lady, from why we “Hail” her to how, in our femininity, we, like Mary, can bring Christ to life in the world. Mary tangibly brought mercy to the world through the gift of her Son, and we too should also tangibly bring God’s loving mercy to the world, most notably through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Grace led what felt like a mini-retreat as she encouraged the women to respond to their baptismal call to offer sacrifices in union with Jesus in the Eucharist.

Ann Marie Cosgrove, founder of Silent No More Minnesota, touched the crowd with her moving testimony. She emphasized that the Lord’s Divine Mercy is for all sins, including the unthinkable ones. After 12 years of suffering from the shame and guilt of having an abortion, Ann Marie shared how she was physically, emotionally and spiritually healed while praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. She then spoke on how Mary, the Mother of God, is the ultimate role model. After falling into sexual sin and abortion, Ann Marie believed that imitating Mary was an impossibility, but God had other plans. After being healed of the abortion, Jesus brought her to Mary, who received her with open arms and brought her on a journey of love like no other.

Sister Paul Mary, RSM also spoke on the effect

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Mary has had in her life as a Catholic growing up in a very Protestant, often anti-Catholic, area of the South, and how she learned from St. Maximilian Kolbe to “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

Thank you to the women who were able to join us for our Diocesan Women’s Conference!

For those of you who were not able to make it, we look forward to having you there next year.

November, 2016 w The Courier

Lay Formation

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Pondering a Politics of E n c o u n t e r and M ercy This is something striking about the Gospels: Jesus is often walking, and he teaches his disciples along the way. This is important. Jesus did not come to teach a philosophy, an ideology… but rather "a way," a journey to be undertaken with him, and we learn the way as we go, by walking. Yes, this is our joy: to walk with Jesus.

- Pope Francis, Homily at the Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals, February 22, 2014

�

t Bishop Quinn’s first press conference after being named our new bishop, he was asked by a member of the media if he considered himself to be “a conservative or a liberal.” I remember his answer very clearly that day some eight years ago. He said, “I am a Catholic.”

In our culture in general, and particularly during election seasons, Catholics are portrayed in ways that tend to divide us as Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, traditionalists or progressives, etc. To a certain extent, such identification is inevitable and we do need to vote for a particular candidate and party, to be active in the political process, and to work for values that support the moral ordering and the common good of our society.

But, there is a great temptation here as well, I believe, in that we can allow these particular political allegiances and ideologies to define and form us in terms of our faith, rather than allowing our faith to form us as citizens. As Pope Francis reminds us, our faith in Jesus Christ is not a philosophy or ideology, but a way and a “journey [of] walk[ing] with Jesus.”

Pope Emeritus Benedict stated this as well in his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est: “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction” (No. 1).

There are many philosophies, ideologies, political organizations and affiliations, etc. that seek to lay claim on us in terms of our beliefs and activities.

As Catholics, we do not seek to separate ourselves from the culture and political environment in which we live. And, as lay women and men, our vocation within the life of the Church is to bring the witness of Christ and of the Gospel into the secular realm.

It is essential, then, for us as Catholic women and men living and acting in the world to always be attentive, first, to following the way of Christ, to being open to the working of his Spirit within us, and to allowing ourselves to be guided and formed by the November, 2016 w The Courier

traditions, teachings, and sacramental life of his Church.

So, what might this look like in the midst of a bitterly divided, highly partisan, and deeply polarized political context? I would offer some brief guidance from reflections that I have read recently.

In one article, “Focus on Divine Mercy would make for better politics” (Crux / cruxnow.com, October 7), Kathryn Jen Lopez reflects on this election season in the context of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and of St. Faustina Kowalska (whose feast day we celebrated on October 7th). She quotes Saint Pope John Paul II’s homily from Saint Faustina’s canonization: Humanity must let itself be touched and pervaded by the Spirit given to it by the risen Christ. It is the Spirit who heals the wounds of the heart, pulls down the barriers that separate us from God and divide us from one another, and at the same time, restores the joy of the Father’s love and of fraternal unity.

Lopez then comments, When Pope Francis visited the U.S. last year, the theme was "Love Is Our Mission." People need to encounter that love in the Church. They need to see Christians as those people who do love…

Rather than doubling down on promoting one campaign or another and adding to the anger and noise, a prayerful focus on Divine Mercy might just make for a more merciful politics, not to mention sow peace in homes, office water coolers, the check-out line, and on Facebook.

In another article, “Bishop’s editor says mercy is the answer to growing polarization” (Crux, October 7), Peter Finney, Jr. reports on Greg Erlandson’s recent keynote address at the annual conference of the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

Mr. Erlandson is the director and editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service.

Erlandson laments the present divisions and fragmentation within our Catholic community, and he believes that “the ‘importing of political categories into the church’ is a problem that needs to be addressed.” He asks us to consider, “When others listen to us, are they seeing Christ, or are they seeing someone else entirely – someone angry

or snarky or dismissive?” In light of these realities, he offers two paths for Catholics to take in moving us in a more positive direction. The first path is... ...civility [as] an expression of mercy…. It starts with us. We can’t wait for politicians to start being nice or for some great civility program to come down from the [bishops]. We are called to be disciples of mercy. We are called right now, in this inglorious scrum, this merciless age, to be agents of mercy.

Erlandson's second path is to walk with and to accompany those... ...who are wounded and hurting, … [including] those with whom we disagree. Accompaniment involves listening…. This takes humility, especially when we disagree.

And, the context for such accompaniment and listening is... ...the parish, in all of our diversity, in all of our conflicts and our woundedness. It is here where we can, where we must, bridge the divides. It is here where we can encounter the other members of our family.

To encounter Christ. To encounter one another.

And to do so in openness and mercy. Whether you are reading this before or after our national elections, this is sound spiritual advice for our current age. As Mother Teresa advises, “Yesterday is gone.

Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today.

Let us begin.” Deo Gratias!

Todd Graff Director tgraff@dow.org

[T]he lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in 'public life,' that is, in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good."

(Pope John Paul II, Christifidelis Laici, #42) This would include the promotion and defense of goods such as public order and peace, freedom and equality, respect for human life and for the environment, justice and solidarity.

- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “The Participation of Catholics in Political Life,” #1

Our Children Are Our Future

By SUSAN AMUNDSON

� are to dream of what our future could be. A new school year is under way, and the days are quickly passing.

New Additions at St. Felix School

By DEBORAH BEACH

S

t. Felix School in Wabasha started off the school year with many new additions. We welcomed a new preschool, kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade teacher to our already amazing staff. We are building a solid team, with each staff member bringing unique qualities and experiences to the table for an educational atmosphere of excellence. It promises to be an exciting year, for sure. In addition, St. Felix welcomed Fr. Gregory Parrott at the beginning of September.

It has been a period of adjustment for all of us, but the one constant we have is our students - a caring group of young individuals who strive to know, love, and serve the Lord. One way we help to develop this at school is

As we continue to think about our future, it is very important to make sure our children learn about our faith by coming to school, going to religion classes, and attending church. This is how we keep the faith alive. Activities to get children involved include altar serving, lectoring, joining the choir or playing an instrument at Mass.

As your children grow, will you teach them how important it is to learn about our faith, to build on it, and to keep reaching? One way you can help keep your children on this journey is to enroll them in our Catholic School. We offer PreKindergarten through Fifth Grade, and we love to talk with our students about our loving Father. through the Virtues in Practice program created by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, TN. The program was developed for children to grow in virtues and to see the virtues as concrete expressions of their Catholic faith. It covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, each focusing on a theological virtue: faith, hope, and charity. The students focus on one virtue each month, as exemplified by different saints.

At St. Felix, we stress virtues as something we must live by, not just something to talk about; we have to “walk the walk." Last year, the Year of Faith, focused on Catholic devotions and the idea that “faith works” by a schoolwide emphasis on service projects. Although the school performs several service projects throughout the year, we tried to add new projects to help highlight our faith. This year, the Year of Hope, emphasizes study skills, because in order to fulfill God’s plan for our lives we need to develop the talents He has given to us. Next year, the Year of Charity, emphasizes community, particularly in regard to students’ interactions with one another. As a staff, we look forward

7 Catholic Schools

What are we doing to help our children prepare for the future? This year, the children at St. Theodore School in Albert Lea are studying virtues. In September we focused on responsibility - what it means and how we can show it.

In October (Bullying Prevention Month), students learned about kindness and mercy. They were asked to reflect on how they treat their friends and to ask themselves if they were showing kindness and mercy or if they were a bully, and we discussed ways to stop bullying, if we see it, with kindness and mercy.

In addition to showing kindness and mercy to schoolmates, our students reached out to others outside our school by writing letters and cards and creating pictures for homebound parishioners and those who live in nursing homes. The children love to show the parishioners that they are loved and not forgotten.

In November, our virtue focus is on gratitude.

Veteran’s Day falls during this month, and we are planning a special activity to thank our veterans. We will also collect food for the local food shelf. The children hope to give others a reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving.

As we learn about our faith, we realize how important it is to build relationships with others. This allows us the opportunity to put words into action. The children build special friendships that teach them that they truly are not alone. We all belong to one family.

Along with our faith formation, we help our students become responsible young adults. They will know the meaning and importance of virtues, hard work, and giving their best in all they do. This shows in how well our students do academically. We continue to achieve great results in NWEA testing and academic competitions.

We cannot predict the future; only God can do that. It is our job to help our children prepare for the future. Remember that our Catholic Schools provide all students with a well-rounded academic curriculum in a Christ-centered environment.

Take time today to pray and become involved in your church and school.

Susan Amundson is principal of St. Theodore Catholic School in Albert Lea.

to sharing this opportunity with our parents as we nurture those in our care.

Another way that we help to develop caring students is through visits from CLIMB Theatre of Inver Grove Heights.

During their visits, they have presented educational theatre on topics such as bullying prevention, self-control, respect, empathy, and taking turns/ sharing. The performances are highly interactive and help to strengthen character development. Students are fully engaged and consider these classes to be beneficial and well-received.

Deborah Beach is principal of St. Felix Catholic School in Wabasha.

Commended Students Elaine Adams and Ella Haefner, of Loyola Catholic School in Mankato, have been named Commended Students in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Principal Adam Bemmels presented a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, to these scholastically talented seniors during an all-school Mass on October 5. y's Mar l , o r St. h o - Olde ty c i n v i t o S ac al gt thin et up c r i s o y W ts s each ph ents n e d t stu ns to tud ! ger s statio to youn allahan C skills Fr. Jim d n a

Ella Haefner (left) and Elaine Adams (right)

Marsha Stenzel Superintendent mstenzel@dow.org

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more that 1.6 million students who entered the 2017 competition by taking the 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success, “commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “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. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

November, 2016 w The Courier

Life, Marriage & Family

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A Witness to Love

�n September 25, I was blessed to

attend the Marriage Celebration in Wabasha. Married couples from around the diocese gathered to celebrate anniversaries and the gift of marriage. Bishop John M. Quinn offered Mass for the group and thanked those in attendance for their commitment and witness to love. It was a blessed day.

This was my first experience of the Marriage Celebration, and I’m glad I went, not only because of how it encouraged me in my own marriage, but also because of the witness of the other couples in attendance. Events like this provide an opportunity to see the fruit of marriage over time. At these gatherings, there are couples who have been married 40, 50 and even 60+ years. As I looked around the church and saw these couples, I could see their genuine love for one another, and I started to wonder, “What is their secret?” In a world that has blurred the notion of love, how did these couples succeed through years of marriage?

While everyone’s story and experience is different, I’m convinced that the presence of God and support of the Church have played a significant role.

The Power of “I Do” These days, many weddings are documented through photos and video, and a highlighted moment is always the wedding vows. There is a general understanding that the pledge at the altar goes beyond words or contracts, as it is a solemn pledge and promise before God. Through a Sacramental marriage, a man and woman enter into a covenantal union, which is a promise that is meant to never be broken. In the vows, a bride and groom stand before family, friends and God, and promise to freely love one another faithfully until death, with the intention of welcoming children lovingly from God. The promises on the wedding day are beautiful and powerful, but they also come with challenges.

The forging of two lives involves sacrifice, and it does not come easily. In an increasingly secularized culture that elevates individualism, infidelity and material-

ism, it’s easy to see the challenges that marriage is facing today. For so many, the idea of a lifelong commitment can seem contradictory to the messages of our world.

Witness of Hope

Ben Frost Director bfrost@dow.org

While marriage is not easy, and involves incredible sacrifice, couples living the truth and beauty of matrimony can change the world around them. For me, this was what was so profound during the Celebration of Marriage. I have a great respect for couples who have remained faithful to their wedding vows. Through good times and bad, these couples have persevered. Even as society has elevated an individualistic worldview, these men and women respond by putting their spouses before themselves. You turn on the TV and see countless examples of infidelity; these people remain true to their spouses.

And in a world which emphasizes the “easy way out," these couples have decided to meet adversity head on. This is an incredible witness to hope.

Following Bishop Quinn’s Marriage Celebration homily, he offered a special blessing. The couples recalled their wedding promises and prayed for the continued outpouring of God’s grace. For these couples, the vows are not merely words spoken 40, 50 or 60+ years ago. These vows are a lived experience, through every trial and joy, they came back to this unbreakable promise--a covenantal commitment to love one another.

So what is the secret for these couples?

Only God knows, but I have a hunch that the grace of the sacrament has helped significantly.

When my wife and I were married 10 years ago, we came across a quote that has really stuck with us: “It is not your love that will sustain the sacrament of marriage, but rather it is the sacrament of marriage that will sustain your love.” May our loving God pour out his graces on all couples seeking lifelong fidelity and joy. it is

November, 2016 w The Courier

Jubilee Year

of

M e rc y

For a Heart Full of Love, Be Merciful The following is excerpted from Pope Francis' General Audience delivered at Saint Peter's Square on September 21.

D

ear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!

We have heard the passage from the Gospel of Luke (6:36-38) that inspired the motto of this extraordinary Holy Year: Merciful like the Father. The complete phrase reads, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (v. 36).

It is not a catchphrase, but a life commitment. To understand this expression well, we can compare it with the parallel text from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (5:48).

In the well-known Sermon on the Mount, which opens with the Beatitudes, the Lord teaches that perfection lies in love, the fulfillment of all the precepts of the Law. In this same perspective, St. Luke specifies that perfection is merciful love: to be perfect means to be merciful. Is a person who is not merciful perfect? No! Is a person who is not merciful good? No! Goodness and perfection are rooted in mercy.

Certainly, God is perfect.

However, if we consider Him in this way, it becomes impossible for men to aim towards that absolute perfection. Instead, having Him before our eyes as merciful, allows us to better understand what constitutes his perfection, and this spurs us to be, as He is, full of love, compassion, mercy.

I ask myself: are Jesus’ words realistic? Is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like He is?

If we look at the history of salvation, we see that the whole of God’s revelation is an unceasing and untiring love for mankind: God is like a father or mother who loves with an unfathomable love and pours it out abundantly on every creature. Jesus’ death on the Cross is the culmination of the love story between God and man.

A love so great that God alone can understand it.

It is clear that, compared to this immeasurable love, our love will always be lacking. But when Jesus calls us to be merciful like the Father, he does not mean in

quantity! He asks his disciples to become signs, channels, witnesses of his mercy. The Church can be nothing other than a sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, at every time and for all of mankind.

Every Christian, therefore, is called to be a witness of mercy, and this happens along the path of holiness. Let us think of the many saints who became merciful because they allowed their hearts to be filled with divine mercy.

They embodied the Lord’s love, pouring it into the multiple needs of a suffering humanity. Within the flourishing of many forms of charity you can see the reflection of Christ’s merciful face.

We ask ourselves: what does it mean for disciples to be merciful?

Jesus explains this with two verbs: “forgive” (Lk 6:37) and “give” (v. 38).

Mercy is expressed, first of all, in forgiveness: “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” (v. 37).

Jesus does not intend to undermine the course of human justice, he does, however, remind his disciples that in order to have fraternal relationships they must suspend judgment and condemnation. Forgiveness, in fact, is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because it shows the gratuitousness with which God has loved us first.

The Christian must forgive!

Why? Because he has been forgiven. All of us who are here

today, in the Square, we have been forgiven. There is not one of us who, in our own life, has had no need of God’s forgiveness. And because we have been forgiven, we must forgive.

We recite this every day in the Our Father: “Forgive us our sins; forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." That is, to forgive offenses, to forgive many things, because we have been forgiven of many offenses, of many sins. In this way it is easy to forgive: if God has forgiven me, why do I not forgive others? Am I greater than God? This pillar of forgiveness shows us the gratuitousness of the love of God, who loved us first.

Judging and condemning a brother who sins is wrong.

Not because we do not want to recognize sin, but because condemning the sinner breaks the bond of fraternity with him and spurns the mercy of God, who does not want to renounce any of his children. We do not have the power to condemn our erring brother, we are not above him: rather, we have a duty to recover the dignity of a child of the Father and to accompany him on his journey of conversion.

Jesus also indicates a second pillar to us who are his Church: “to give." Forgiveness is the first pillar; giving is the second pillar.

“Give, and it will be given to you...

For the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (v. 38).

God gives far beyond our merits,

but He will be even more generous with those who have been generous on earth.

Jesus does not say what will happen to those who do not give, but the image of the “measure” is a warning: with the measure that we give, it is we who determine how we will be judged, how we will be loved.

If we look closely, there is a coherent logic: the extent to which you receive from God, you give to your brother, and the extent to which you give to your brother, you will receive from God! Merciful love is therefore the only way forward. We all have a great need to be a bit more merciful, to not speak ill of others, to not judge, to not “sting” others with criticism, with envy and jealousy. We must forgive, be merciful, and live our lives with love.

This love enables Jesus’ disciples to never lose the identity they received from Him, and to recognize themselves as children of the same Father. In the love that they practice in life we see reflected that Mercy that will never end (cf. 1 Cor 13:1-12).

Do not forget this: mercy is a gift; forgiveness and giving. In this way, the heart expands, it grows with love. While selfishness and anger make the heart small, they make it harden like a stone. Which do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart full of love? If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful!

Special Insert - November, 2016

Inside...

Living the Year of Mercy

read more on page 2

Meditations on Mercy

read more on page 3

Be a Witness of Mercy

read more on page 4

Fridays of Mercy: A Hospital and a Hospice

�ope Francis continued the “Fridays of Mercy” in September, visiting two hospital facilities to under-

score the importance of life from its beginning to its natural end.

The first was the emergency room and the neonatal department of the Hospital of Saint John (Ospedale San Giovanni) of Rome, where about 12 babies with various neonatal illnesses were hospitalized. Five of the babies were in very grave condition and in intensive care; among these were a set of twins. On the upper floor of the department was a nursery where other babies were hospitalized.

There was great surprise among all of the staff, who never expected to see Pope Francis when they responded to the ring of the intercom and opened the door. The Pope had to put on a mask and go through the usual hygienic precautions necessary for sterile environments as he entered the department. He paused in front of every incubator and greeted all of the parents who were present, seeking to offer them comfort and support.

After he left the Hospital of Saint John of Rome, the Holy Father went to the House of Hope (Villa Speranza) hospice where 30 patients with terminal diseases were staying. The facility belongs

to the Gemelli Foundation of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.

When he arrived, the administrators welcomed the Pope, and then he asked to visit all the patients in their rooms. There was great surprise from everyone, both the patients and their relatives. The visits led to several moments of intense emotion, including tears and smiles of joy.

Through these visits, the Holy Father wished to offer a strong witness to the importance of life, from its first instant to its natural end. The importance of welcoming life and of guaranteeing its dignity in every moment of its development is a teaching that he has emphasized many times.

Taking place just after the canonization of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Pope Francis’ actions on this recent "Friday of Mercy" have, in a concrete and tangible way, taught us again of how fundamental it is for mercy to include attention to those in the most weak and precarious of conditions.

November, 2016 w The Courier

Jubilee Year of Mercy

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Living the Year of Mercy Practical suggestions to help you walk more virtuously through the Jubilee Year

In his Bull of Indiction announcing the Year of Mercy, Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis offers a series of practical suggestions for how Catholics should celebrate the Jubilee Year. In this and the coming issues, we will offer one of these practical suggestions drawing from an article by Emily Stimpson, a contributing editor for Our Sunday Visitor.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

At the end of Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis points to St. Faustina Kowalska as a “great apostle of mercy” (No. 24). That’s understandable, considering that the devotion God entrusted to the Polish nun in 1935, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, comes loaded with more promises and graces than the Year of Mercy itself:

Moments of Mercy Mercy as the "Theme of Our Life"

Each month, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops publishes, “Moments of Mercy,” offering a brief reflection on mercy and concrete suggestions of how we can live out the mercy that God offers us all. These are perfect for busy days since they help us to slow down for just a few minutes and think about the gifts God has blessed us with and how we can share them.

This Jubilee of Mercy is not the first time that Pope Francis has emphasized the need for the faithful to live their lives in a witness to the mercy of God. In Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”), Pope Francis highlights the connection between mercy and continually spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in our everyday lives.

In paragraph 24 of Evangelii Gaudium, the Church is called to be "missionary disciples" as an "evangelizing community" seeking "to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father's infinite mercy" (EG, no. 24). Our faith is not our own; it is ours as members of the Body of Christ, who continually testify to the truth of the Gospel through all of our actions. Just as mercy is an overarching theme for Pope Francis's pontificate and his life, we are all called to make mercy the theme of our life.

- Throughout this month, read Evangelii Gaudium (available at the Vatican web site). Take note of the various places that the mercy we show others is described as a reflection of God's merciful love and compassion.

- Share your faith with someone else. This is somewhat intimidating, but it can be done in a variety of ways since all of our words, actions, and lives should reflect the joy of God's great gift of mercy and love. Even something as simple as stating that you are a Christian can help someone recognize the connection between your actions of compassion and your faith in Jesus Christ.

November, 2016 w The Courier

great mercy at the hour of death, great mercy for the dying, grace for sinners, grace for the world, and more.

Through a series of private revelations, God showed St. Faustina a glimpse into the depths of his mercy. He tasked her with sharing that glimpse with the world and teaching others to pray the simple chaplet, which implores God’s mercy, “for the sake of [Christ’s] sorrowful passion.”

Although St. Faustina especially urged people to pray the prayer in the nine days before the feast of Mercy (the Sunday after Easter), it is also commonly prayed after Holy Communion, at the bedside of the sick and dying, and during the Hour of Mercy—the hour of Christ’s death, 3 p.m.—every day.

Forgive Those Who Have Hurt You

Extending pardon to those who have wronged us is one of the spiritual works of mercy. During the Year of Mercy, however, Pope Francis has asked men and women to pay special attention to this particular demand of the Church.

Referencing Jesus’ words to Peter—that we must forgive our enemy “not seven times but 77 times”—and the parable of the ruthless servant, who refuses to forgive when he has been forgiven, Pope Francis writes, “Pardoning offenses becomes the clearest expression of merciful love, and for us Christians, it is an imperative from which we cannot excuse ourselves” (Mt 18:22-35; Misericordiae Vultus, No. 9).

Ultimately, we cannot live the Year of Mercy, unless we are merciful. We can pray, sacrifice, read Scripture, go on pilgrimage and walk through Holy Doors, obtaining indulgences on a daily basis. But unless we strive to forgive those who have hurt us

How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet Using an ordinary rosary, with five decades of beads: 1. Make the sign of the cross 2. Pray an Our Father and Hail Mary, and say the Apostles' Creed 3. On the large bead of the first decade, 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."

4. On the 10 small beads that follow, pray: "For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

5. Repeat the prayers of steps three ("Eternal Father...") and four ("For the sake of his sorrowful Passion..."), on the remaining beads (for a total of five decades).

6. Conclude by praying the following prayer three times: "Holy God, holy Mighty One, holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

and do what we can to repair broken relationships, we’re missing the point. It’s the merciful who obtain mercy, so if we want to receive mercy during this great Jubilee and become the witnesses we’re called to be, we have to extend it to others (Mt 5:7).

To some, this can seem impossible. But the Angel Gabriel was clear: with God’s grace, all things are possible.

And during this Year of Mercy, the grace to be merciful is sure to abound.

Let Mercy Be Our New Norm

By LEISA ANSLINGER

As we conclude this Jubilee Year of Mercy, the question we must ask ourselves is, “Has the year made any change in the way I live my life?”

While the year has given us many opportunities to pause, reflect on God’s merciful love, and embrace our call to share mercy throughout our daily interactions with others, the year is not intended to be a singular moment in time, but rather the beginning of an enhanced way of life, a commencement as it were.

We may have found ourselves urged to go out of ourselves, out of our way, to show and share God’s mercy with others. Our reflections may have caused us to be uncomfortable with our complacency and the ways we take God’s mercy for granted.

We may have had our eyes and minds opened to the needs of others; we likely have been unsettled by the messages of homilies, reflections, and reminders of the radical call of Jesus to show mercy even if, and most especially when, it is challenging to do so.

Hopefully, the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of

Mercy has caused the establishment of a new norm, the beginning of a deeper, more spiritual and more merciful way of life.

• What difference does faith make in your life?

• Can you truly say that Jesus is your Lord, Savior, Teacher and Friend?

• Does this relationship guide your living, so that your daily decisions and actions take faith into account?

If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing.

-St. Katharine Drexel Leisa Anslinger is co-director of the Catholic Life and Faith group. This article is reprinted with permission from Mercy Now, a Catholic Life and Faith publication and free resource for parish and diocesan leaders.

Year of Mercy Sunday, November 13

Closing of Holy Doors - Rome (and around the world)

In Rome and the Universal Church…

Sunday, November 6

Jubilee for Prisoners - St. Peter's Basilica

Friday, November 11 - Sunday, November 13 European Festival of Joy and Mercy - Rome

Fratello (an association that hosts events for excluded people) is organizing the European Festival of Joy and Mercy, which will allow 6,000 vulnerable people to experience an extraordinary event in Rome and meet Pope Francis several times.

Saturday, November 12

Special Jubilee Audience of Pope Francis - St. Peter's Square

Sunday, November 20

Closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and Conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy "The Jubilee year will close with the liturgical Solemnity of Christ the King on 20 November 2016. On that day, as we seal the Holy Door, we shall be filled, above all, with a sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity for having granted us an extraordinary time of grace. We will entrust the life of the Church, all humanity, and the entire cosmos to the Lordship of Christ, asking him to pour out his mercy upon us like the morning dew, so that everyone may work together to build a brighter future."

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Friday, November 4 Diocesan Holy Hour - 3pm - Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Calendar of Events In November...

In the Diocese…

S u n d a y , November 13 Closing Mass for the Jubilee Year of Mercy Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona Closing of the Holy Doors Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona, and in pilgrimage sites across the diocese

-Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, #5

Meditations on Mercy: Parables of the Lost and Found I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

Luke 15:7 In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:10 He said to him, "My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found."

Luke 15:31-32

�n the 15th chapter of Luke's Gospel, we hear three different parables of things that have been lost but are then found: the lost sheep (vv.

4-7), the lost coin (vv. 8-10), and the lost son (vv. 11-32). At the conclusion of each of these parables, the characters express joy over having found what was lost. In fact, they have a party to celebrate the return of what was lost!

The Christian faith is not a gloomy faith—it is one of wondrous joy at the marvels God has worked in creation and his plan for our salvation.

These parables show that the mercy of God is also a cause for joy. We rejoice that we are able to return to God even if we have lost our way.

God and all of heaven rejoice when we turn our

hearts back to God. Though there are serious aspects involved in our works of mercy and acts of compassion, we remain hopeful because we know the joy that occurs in the fullness of God's love and mercy.

As the Jubilee of Mercy draws to a close, these parables remind us that God is always seeking us out and rejoices when we return to him.

Throughout this past year, we have journeyed to a deeper self-awareness of God's mercy acting in our lives and the way in which our actions demonstrate God's love to others. While we may not have always acted with mercy, we are continually being found by God and drawn back into his loving mercy.

In these parables, "mercy is presented as a force that overcomes everything, filling the heart

with love and bringing consolation through pardon" (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, #9).

Even if we stray far from God, we can always come back, because God is eternally offering his love, mercy, and compassion to us.

Like the lost son who realizes that his father will have mercy on him if he returns, it may take us a while to open our hearts enough to recognize where God is offering his mercy to us.

Nevertheless, that offer of mercy is always there, and God rejoices when we find our way back to him.

Reflection Questions • Do you take time to celebrate and rejoice in your relationship with God? Why do you think it is important to include this sense of joy in your Christian life? What does your family or parish community do to celebrate and acknowledge the mercy and love God has for those who return to their faith?

• Think back to a time when you were lost or when you lost something. How did it feel when you made your way back to a place you knew or found what you were looking for? Can you imagine God's response to your return to him or an opening of your heart more to receive his mercy? What would he say to you? How would you rejoice with him?

The content for this article is from the web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: www.usccb.org.

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Jubilee Year of Mercy

4

Holy Doors and Be a Witness Pilgrimage Sites in the

of Mercy

As this Jubilee Year of Mercy comes to a close, it is good to reflect again on Pope Francis' vision for the year, and on the Church's continuing mission "to introduce everyone to the great mystery of God's mercy." The following is taken from Misericordiae Vultus, #25.

... I present, therefore, this Extraordinary Jubilee Year dedicated to living out in our daily lives the mercy which the Father constantly extends to all of us.

In this Jubilee Year, let us allow God to surprise us. He never tires of casting open the doors of his heart and of repeating that he loves us and wants to share his love with us.

The Church feels the urgent need to proclaim God's mercy. Her life is authentic and credible only when she becomes a convincing herald of mercy.

She knows that her primary task, especially at a moment full of great hopes and signs of contradiction, is to introduce everyone to the great mystery of God's mercy by contemplating the face of Christ.

The Church is called above all to be a credible witness to mercy, professing it and living it as the core of the revelation of Jesus Christ.

From the heart of the Trinity, from the depths of the mystery of God, the great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceasingly.

It is a spring that will never run dry, no matter how many people draw from it.

Every time someone is in need, he or she can approach it, because the mercy of God never ends. The profundity of the mystery surrounding it is as inexhaustible as the richness which springs up from it.

In this Jubilee Year, may the Church echo the word of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, strength, aid, and love. May she never tire of extending mercy, and be ever patient in offering compassion and comfort.

May the Church become the voice of every man and woman, and repeat confidently without end: "Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old" (Ps 25:6).

Diocese of Winona

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

-Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus #4

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

Sacred Heart Church – Adams

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

Sacred Heart Church – Brewster

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

Sacred Heart Church – Hayfield

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

Sacred Heart Church – Heron Lake

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

Sacred Heart Church – Owatonna

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

Sacred Heart Church – Waseca

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

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

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

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

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

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Mats for the Homeless Director bfrost@dow.org

�Loyola t our DCYC youth event on November 12 at Mankato's High School, young people will make sleeping

mats for the homeless, bringing used plastic grocery bags to turn into balls of material that will then be crocheted into comfortable floor mats.

The “Mats for the Homeless” service project is significant for two reasons. First, it is a response to the Holy Father’s call for mercy. In this Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has called on the Church to find ways to reach those on the margins and infuse love into suffering. In a small way, this project will educate teens on the problems of poverty and homelessness, and help them to tangibly respond to the issue.

The “Mats for the Homeless” service project also is

9 Youth & Young Adults

Ben Frost

an opportunity to grow in our understanding of ecology. In Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si, the Holy Father offers a framework of how we are called to be good stewards of the earth. By recycling plastic bags that would otherwise be discarded into the trash, our group of teens are also helping out from an ecological point of view.

Watching our young people respond in faith is A sleeping mat crocheted from plastic bags. Photo courtesy always a pleasure. There of Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. is such goodness in the hearts of teens, and they If your parish would like to partner generally do want to make a difference. Please continue with the Diocesan Youth Office in making to pray for them as they grow in faith and respond in sleeping mats for the homeless please contact Ben Frost for more information. action.

How to Keep Our Youth

By MATT HADRO WASHINGTON D.C., Sept 5, 2016 (CNA/EWTN News) - Young Catholics are leaving the faith at an early age – sometimes before the age of 10 – and their reasons are deeper than being “bored at Mass,” the author of a new report claims.

“Those that are leaving for no religion – and a pretty big component of them saying they are atheist or agnostic – it turns out that when you probe a bit more deeply and you allow them to talk in their own words, that they are bringing up things that are related to science and a need for evidence and a need for proof,” said Dr. Mark Gray, a senior research associate at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.

“It’s almost a crisis in faith,” he told CNA. “In the whole concept of faith, this is a generation that is struggling with faith in ways that we haven’t seen in previous generations.”

Gray recently published the results of two national studies by CARA – which conducts social science research about the Church -- in the publication Our Sunday Visitor.

One of the surveys was of those who were raised Catholic but no longer identified as Catholic, ages 15 to 25. The second survey was of self-identified Catholics age 18 and over.

In exploring why young Catholics were choosing to leave the faith, he noted “an emerging profile” of youth who say they find the faith “incompatible with what they are learning in high school or at the university level.” In a perceived battle between the Catholic Church and science, the Church is losing.

And it is losing Catholics at a young age. “The interviews with youth and young adults who had left the Catholic Faith revealed that the typical age for this decision to leave was made at 13,” Gray wrote. “Nearly twothirds of those surveyed, 63 percent, said they stopped being Catholic between the ages of 10 and 17. Another 23 percent say they left the Faith before the age of 10.”

Of those who had left the faith, “only 13 percent said they were ever likely to return to the Catholic Church,” Gray wrote. And “absent any big changes in their life,” he said to CNA, they “are probably not coming back.”

The most common reason given for leaving the

Catholic faith, by one in five respondents, was they stopped believing in God or religion. This was evidence of a “desire among some of them for proof, for evidence of what they’re learning about their religion and about God,” Gray said.

It’s a trend in the popular culture to see atheism as “smart” and the faith as “a fairy tale,” he said.

“And I think the Church needs to come to terms with this as an issue of popular culture,” he continued. “I think the Church perhaps needs to better address its history and its relationship to science.”

One reason for this might be the compartmentalization of faith and education, where youth may go to Mass once a week but spend the rest of their week learning how the faith is “dumb,” he noted.

In contrast, if students are taught evolution and the Big Bang theory at the same school where they learn religion, and they are taught by people with religious convictions, then “you’re kind of shown that there’s not conflicts between those, and you understand the Church and Church history and its relationship to science,” he said.

With previous generations who learned about both faith and science as part of a curriculum, that education “helped them a lot in dealing with these bigger questions,” he explained, “and not seeing conflict between religion and science.”

Fr. Matthew Schneider, LC, who worked in youth ministry for four years, emphasized that faith and science must be presented to young people in harmony with each other.

A challenge, he explained, is teaching how “faith and science relate” through philosophy and theology. While science deals only with “what is observable and measurable,” he said, “the world needs something non-physical as its origin, and that’s how to understand God along with science.”

“It was the Christian faith that was the birthplace of science,” he continued. “There’s not a contradiction” between faith and science, “but it’s understanding each one in their own realms.”

How can parents raise their children to stay in the faith? Fr. Schneider cited research by Christian Smith, a professor of sociology at the University of Notre Dame, who concluded that a combination of three factors produces an 80 percent retention rate among young Catholics.

If they have a “weekly activity” like catechesis, Bible study or youth group; if they have adults at the parish who are not their parents and who they can talk to about the faith; and if they have “deep spiritual experiences,” they have a much higher likelihood of remaining Catholic, Fr. Schneider said.

More parents need to be aware of their children’s’ beliefs, Dr. Gray noted, as many parents don’t even know that their children may not profess to be Catholic.

The Church is “very open” to science, he emphasized, noting the affiliation of non-Catholic scientists with the Pontifical Academy of Science, including physicist Stephen Hawking.

There is “no real conflict” between faith and science, Gray said.

“The Church has been steadily balancing matters of faith and reason since St. Augustine’s work in the fifth century,” he wrote.

“Yet, the Church has a chance to keep more of the young Catholics being baptized now if it can do more to correct the historical myths about the Church in regards to science,” he added, “and continue to highlight its support for the sciences, which were, for the most part, an initial product of the work done in Catholic universities hundreds of years ago.”

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"I Want to Ask, but How?"

�

Rev. Will Thompson Director wthompson@dow.org

Vocations

any of our priests have the practice of asking Confirmation candidates if they have ever thought of the priesthood or consecrated life during their Confirmation interview. For a lot of these teenagers, it's the first time they've ever been asked such a question. The answers are often surprising to the pastors in terms of who and how many acknowledge they have at some point considered one of these vocations.

I know of many parishioners who have done the same thing: finding a youth after Mass some Sunday and asking "the question." It is not easy, and there is the likelihood that the individual will say no or avoid the question, yet it is so important to ask. As much of a risk as it might appear to ask someone if they've thought about the priesthood or consecrated life, I still think the scariest response is "yes." I'm not sure we even expect that answer, and so we might be unprepared on where to go from there. What can you do to help someone with his or her vocation?

Well, let's go back a little bit. The first step in making an effective invitation to a vocation is not to ask "the question." Instead, encourage people to grow in the faith and get to know them personally. Let them know that you notice them and ask if they're involved in the youth group in the parish, Newman Center at college or in lay organizations (like CCW or Knights of Columbus) for adults. Encourage them to pray and serve. Ask them about themselves and why they like

coming to church. By starting with questions like these, you are building relationships. From there you can start asking more challenging questions. Before doing so, you yourself should discern if a given person is a good choice to talk to about the priesthood or consecrated life.

Not every youth who regularly attends Mass is called to one of these vocations. Think about the qualities that you would want to see in a priest and pastor.

Consider the life of a nun or brother and who might fit well into that path of holiness. If you truly believe that a vocation could be present, go ahead and ask.

Just don't stop there. It's one thing to ask if another has ever considered a vocation; it's another to invite one to consider it. Share why you are asking! It can be

very awkward when a young man is asked to consider being a priest while on his way to have lunch with his girlfriend. It's a different experience when you tell the person why you're asking.

If you ask and they say no, tell them why you asked.

Let them know what you see in them. This can be more illuminating than the question itself. It can be hard for young men to relate to priests, and so much more challenging for women to relate to nuns (especially because so many of our youth have never seen a nun in person!). If they say yes, you can still tell them why you asked, but take the time to listen as well. What do they think about these vocations? How serious are they?

Have they talked to their pastors or youth ministers?

When you find a person who is considering a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, it is important to let the pastor know. There is a lot that a pastor has to balance, and he won't always be aware of how the Holy Spirit is moving in the depths of every parishioner's soul. Once you identify these people, it is also important to pray for them. It is better that the Hound of Heaven come after them than you. When we ask every weekend, or every month, it can often turn a person off from the vocation. It is important, however, to keep building up relationships. Let them know you're praying for them and supporting them. That response is never left outside of God's grace.

Reducing Debt Aids Vocations, Laboure Society Says

By KEVIN J. JONES ST. PAUL, Oct 24, 2016 (CNA/EWTN News) - Personal and student debt can slow down or prevent prospective seminarians and aspirants to religious orders from pursuing their vocations, but one organization with national scope aims to change that.

“The Laboure Society's work is critical because thousands of discerning men and women are seeking to answer the Lord’s call to serve his Church, but they are blocked from entering formation because of outstanding student loan debt,” said Bill LeMire, director of advancement for the Laboure Society.

“These are vocations [in] the Catholic Church that we will lose if they are not helped.”

According to LeMire, there are about 4,000 men and women seriously discerning the priesthood or religious life, but they have outstanding student loans.

“Through the Laboure program, five figure debt has been erased in six months, and six figure debt has been eliminated in 12-18 months,” LeMire told CNA. “These timelines would be impossible if the aspirants were trying to raise money on their own.”

Aspirants accepted to the society’s November, 2016 w The Courier

program have an average of about $60,000 in loans. The Laboure Society says it has helped more than 240 men and women enter formation for the priesthood or religious life, raising over $5 million since 2003.

The society works with each aspirant to assure that he or she has used all means to mitigate debt before they are accepted to its program.

They are mentored and trained in ethical fundraising, with the society’s staff providing accountability. They raise funds for every aspirant in their class, not individuals. Once an aspirant is in formation, he or she will receive monthly payments towards his or her financial loans and receive a final payment after three years of service.

If they leave formation, they must resume their own debt payments.

The society aims to help aspirants share their vocation stories to help build “a culture of vocations and evangelization.”

Among the aspirants is Mallory Deschamp, a 22-year-old from Minnesota. She said her twin sister’s discernment of a religious vocation opened her own eyes.

“Jesus gently asked me to devote myself to Him more exclusively to better discern this question, as well as

to grow deeper in my love for Him. Throughout this period of discernment, I found myself experiencing profound peace during a time that is often filled with immense stress and anxiety,” she said in Laboure Society materials.

Before she had begun to discern, a seminarian had asked her to learn more about Mother Teresa, now St. Teresa of Calcutta, and the Missionaries of Charity. During her discernment, she visited their communities in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Argentina.

“I hope to help satiate Christ’s thirst through serving Him in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor; however, I am humbly asking for assistance to make this possible,” said Deschamp, who graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in the biology of global health.

Nicholas Martell, 29, is discerning a vocation to the priesthood for the Diocese of San Bernardino.

He said the coverage of procession of the cardinals for the 2013 papal conclave that would elect Pope Francis particularly affected his vocation.

“At that moment, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that God was telling me that he expected more out of me. He wanted me to give myself entirely to Him, to the service of

His Church, and to others,” he said.

Martell, an attorney, still has debt from law school.

Patricia Clark, a 58-year-old research assistant from Michigan, grew up in an Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church, where she first had thoughts of religious life. She was received into the Catholic Church at the 2010 Easter Vigil, and felt a special call from God during Eucharistic Adoration that autumn.

“I had been attracted to the Carmelite Saints since the beginning of my Catholic journey. It seemed that God had been showing me the way all along and He sent a complete stranger to invite me further down the path He had planned for me.”

When she left a church after time in prayer specifically asking God about his will, a woman followed her and asked if she had ever considered becoming a Carmelite.

A Carmelite prioress later responded to her concerns about her age by reminding her of St. Elizabeth, who conceived St. John the Baptist at an old age.

The Laboure Society was founded

by Minnesota businessman Cy Laurent in 2003, and it is based in Eagan, Minn.

Its website is https://labouresociety.org.

Deacons: Servants of Christ 11 Deacon Chris Walchuk Parish Social Ministry of Catholic Charities cwalchuk@ccwinona.org

�

eacons are ordained to serve Christ in the poor, the marginalized, and the most vulnerable among us. This special character of diaconal ordination is exemplified by Saint Lawrence, a deacon of Rome in the third century, who was ordered by the Roman prefect to turn over the gold chalices and other valuables of the Church to the state. In response, Deacon Lawrence distributed the material goods of the church among the poorest citizens of Rome for their benefit. When the prefect insisted that Lawrence give him the treasure of the Church, Saint Lawrence gathered together the poor, the lame, and outcasts from society and presented them to the prefect saying that here was the true treasure of the Church of Christ. Saint Lawrence was painfully tortured and martyred for his powerful witness to our duty to love and serve the poor and the weak as Jesus did.

Saint James writes, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves” (1:22). The deacon is charged by Christ and his Church with helping all believers to act on the Word of God through charitable works in the parish and community. The very first act of the newly ordained deacon is to receive the Book of the Gospels from the bishop who proclaims, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

Deacons live this admonition every day of their lives as they seek to serve the people of God by helping them to be “doers of the word” through acts of charity in their families, parishes, and communities.

While bishops and priests serve Christ and his people through the “degrees of priestly participation,” the character that a deacon receives at ordination is of a different nature; he serves the Church through “the degree of service (diaconate)” (CCC 1554). The Catechism states, “Deacons share in

Deacon Pat Fagan (far right) presents a check for a new roof to the board of the Hospitality House for homeless men in Owatonna.

Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (“character”) which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all” (1570). As you can see, the very name “deacon” means servant.

The deacons of the Diocese of Winona take their responsibility as servants of the Church very seriously. You will find our deacons serving the poor and vulnerable at homeless shelters, at prisons and jails, at food pantries, with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with pro-life groups, and with many other organizations in the community. Deacons are also regular visitors at nursing homes and hospitals. Our deacons perform these acts of love with joy in their hearts and selfless zeal, for the deacon has given himself up to Christ.

Yet all of this individual activity is not the primary mission of charitable service for the deacon.

If the deacon only acted alone he would fail in his

Diaconate

purpose. The deacon’s greatest mission and strength is to help the laity understand that they are especially called to serve the poor and vulnerable wherever they meet them in their daily lives. The deacon does this through preaching, teaching, and organizing at the parish and in the community.

Love of neighbor, expressed as Charity, is one of the fundamental missions of the Church. In Matthew 25:3146, Jesus identifies charity as the key to eternal salvation, and in God Is Love, Pope Benedict XVI writes:

The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia). These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable. For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being (25).

Pope Benedict also states, “As a community, the Church must practice love [Caritas = Charity],” but he notes that in order for the practice of love to be effective, it must be organized (God Is Love, 20). The deacon’s task is to bridge the gap between the altar and the street, to present Christ, alive, in businesses, schools, restaurants—anywhere that the people of the community are gathered, and especially where anyone suffers alone. They are not called, however, to do it by themselves. Rather, deacons are called to empower the laity to be the face of Christ in the world.

If you have a deacon in your parish, seek him out and take some time to talk with him regarding our collective responsibility to service in our communities. If you don’t have a deacon serving in your parish, contact me at the office of Parish Social Ministry of Catholic Charities—cwalchuk@ccwinona.org. Deacons are ordained to serve, and we look forward to serving Christ with you.

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Three Reasons to Have a Will

Catholic Foundation

�onsider

these three reasons why everyone should have a will: Peace of mind - Your will gives you an opportunity to make certain that critical decisions are made by you not the state, a court or a relative.

Clarity of intent - Your will is a legally enforceable document that clearly states your intentions.

Service to others - Your will is a thoughtful gift to your family and loved ones and relieves them of the burden of determining how you would have wanted your assets to be distributed.

Where to Start

Talk to your family - Tell them that establishing your legacy of faith is important to you, and that you want to build that legacy with the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota so it can honor your wishes now and in the future.

Talk to your professional advisor - Your financial legal advisors can help you structure your gift to your greatest advantage. Although the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota does not provide legal or financial advice directly, our professional staff can meet with you and discuss your options.

Everyone Should Plan It is estimated that 70% of Americans have no will or other estate plan. Many believe that estate planning is just for the wealthy. But estate planning is for everyone. The first step is to have a will.

A will allows you to make choices regarding the distribution of assets you have accumulated during your lifetime. If you do not have a will, the laws of the State of Minnesota may determine who receives your assets.

What we do for ourselves dies with us.

What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.

Albert Pine November, 2016 w The Courier

Bequests As a Catholic steward, you provide gifts, both past and present, that benefit your parish, school and programs within the Diocese of Winona. Just as you control the distribution of your assets through your will, you also have the ability, through a bequest, to create a lasting legacy for the ministries that have helped shape souls.

A bequest allows you the flexibility to use your assets during your lifetime for any unforeseen expenses while also achieving your long-term philanthropic goals. You can bequeath a specific item, a specific amount of money, or a percentage of your estate.

You are entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for bequests made to qualifying charitable organizations.

You can make a lasting gift to your church, school or ministry through the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota by simply adding a few sentences to your will. A bequest may be expressed in these words: I give and bequeath the sum of $___ or ___ % or residual of my estate to the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota for its general purposes (unrestricted) or for the benefit of a specific named parish, school, ministry (restricted).

OR I give and bequeath the sum of $____ to ____ (parish, school, ministry) for its general purposes (unrestricted) or for a specific named program.

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

Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance of every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 A charitable bequest is one of the easiest ways to leave a lasting impact on your parish, a Catholic school, or another organization within the Diocese of Winona. A gift in your will or revocable trust proclaims your confidence that we will continue to fulfill our mission and make a difference in the lives of future generations. A bequest is easy to arrange and will not alter your lifestyle in any way!

Donor Bill of Rights

Phillanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

I.

VI.

To know the organization's mission, the way it intends to use donated resources, and its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

To have information about their donations handled with respect and confidentiality to the extent provided by the law.

II.

VII.

To know the identities of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.

To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.

IV. To have their gifts used for the purposes for which they were given.

V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

VIII. To know whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

IX. To have their names deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

X. To ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Developed by: Association of Fundraising Professionals, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits. Originally endorsed by: National Catholic Development Conference, National Committee on Planned Giving, Council for Resource Development, United Way of America.

Adoption, cont'd from pg. 1

Post-Adoption Services at Catholic Charities

By JODI OLSON, LSW

�re you an adult who was adopted or a birth

parent who placed a child for adoption? Did you know that, regardless of when the adoption took place, adoptees age 19 and older and birth parents can contact the placing agency to be informed of their rights as a member of the adoption triad and discuss the various services that are available to them? We get calls every week from people whose lives have been touched by adoption, who are wondering if they can find information on their birth parents or on the children they placed

for adoption. A common misconception with adoptions that took place decades ago is that no information can be gained by contacting the adoption agency due to the adoptions being “closed," meaning there was no contact between the birth parents and the adoptive parents.

However, Minnesota statutes allow for adopted adults and birth parents to request information from the placing agency. Genetic siblings also have the right to pursue post-adoption services.

Laws differ based on the year of the adoption, but generally the following services are available to adopted adults and birth parents:

relationships that will benefit everyone involved. We know that a relationship with her birthmother will allow Mallory to understand how much she is loved.

As she grows to understand adoption, she will know that her birthmother chose adoption out of that love for her. We hope that openness will ease the grief of her birthmother, because she can see how much Mallory is loved and taken care of. We also love and admire Mallory’s birthmother for the gift she has given us.

We enjoy getting to know her more with each visit.

Our entire journey to adoption was not an easy one, but it was worth it.

We are grateful for Catholic Charities and the services that they provide to adoptive families and to birthfamilies. We are also extremely appreciative of our families and friends for the love and support they have given. Overall, we are thrilled with our open adoption and excited that Mallory will have more family in her life to love and who love her. Having grown up in large families, we know that there can never be too many people to love and share your life with. In the future, we hope to continue expanding our family through adoption, and we look forward to the adventures God has in store for us!

13 Catholic Charities

We felt that an open adoption was the best choice for our family.

An open adoption is when the child, the adopting parents and the birthmother (and sometimes other members of the biological family) have some form of contact with each other. Sometimes this contact occurs directly, while, other times, it occurs through an agency or a lawyer. Contact could include sending letters and photos, emails, online blogs, texting, phone calls or visits. The degree of openness varies greatly from case to case and is based on the comfort level of all those involved.

Our social worker at Catholic Charities offered guidance and encouraged us to find the right balance of openness that we could all be comfortable with. We were fortunate to meet with Mallory’s birthmother a few times during her pregnancy. In these visits, we shared our hopes for Mallory’s life and talked about what our relationship might be like. We considered how to handle birthday parties, Christmas plans, and other possibilities for regular visits.

Though we truly wanted openness, it was difficult to discuss what everyone wanted, because we were just getting to know one another.

This being our first child, our lives were about to change drastically, and we were nervous about how busy we would become.

It was difficult to know how much time we would have available to schedule visits and keep in touch. We were hesitant to make promises that we could not keep.

Fortunately, we had a couple of months before Mallory was born to work out the details.

Our relationship is probably more open than many families would be comfortable with, but we couldn’t imagine it any other way. We stay in contact through text messages, photos, and monthly visits. We also have a photo sharing website where all family members can add pictures of Mallory smiling, growing, learning, and even causing mischief. We were blessed that Mallory’s birthmother was able to be a part of her baptism, first birthday party, first Christmas, and other milestones.

They will be able to cherish those memories together throughout their whole lives.

Our belief is that maintaining openness between biological and adoptive families will lead to lifelong

November is National Adoption Month!

Catholic Charities’ Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Program provides supportive, professional and compassionate pregnancy counseling, so that women experiencing unplanned pregnancy can decide between parenting or adoption and confidently pursue the best plan for themselves and their babies.

Social Workers are available 24/7/365 on our pregnancy line: 800-222-5859. We also work with couples looking to adopt infants and grow their families. Please call us for more information about adoption!

• Summary of nonidentifying background social and medical information • Opportunity to file a waiver in the record with their identifying information to be available to another member of the adoption triad if that person has the record open • Right to ask the adoption agency to search for biological family • Right of birthparents to file an Affidavit of Disclosure/ Nondisclosure Regarding an Original Birth Certificate with the MN Department of Health • Right of adopted adults to request their original birth certificate from the MN Department of Health, and

right of birthparents to accept or deny this request Catholic Charities Diocese of Winona postadoption work is cared for out of the Winona office.

If you were adopted, or placed a child for adoption, through Catholic Charities Diocese of Winona, you may call the Winona office at 507-454-2270 and ask to speak to Jodi for more information on your rights and services available. If your adoption took place through another adoption agency in Minnesota, you can call that agency directly for services.

Jodi Olson is a Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Social Worker for Catholic Charities.

November, 2016 w The Courier

Remembering Sister Generose ROCHESTER--The 16-foot, 4,000-pound bronze doors of Mayo Clinic's Plummer Building were closed at 4 p.m. on October 18 in honor of former St. Marys Hospital Administrator Sister Generose Gervais, who died on October 7. Preceding the closing of the doors, visitors gathered at the St. Marys Campus chapel at Mayo to remember the Franciscan Sister who shaped the development of the clinic and its service to patients for decades.

"I consider Sister Generose a treasure, not only for the Franciscan sisters and for us, but for the Diocese of Winona," said Bishop John M. Quinn at the memorial service. "There was a light inside her that could only come from loving Christ and serving others. May we continue to treasure that legacy of compassion, of caring for others, of seeing Christ in others."

After serving as hospital administrator (1971-1985), Sister Generose remained active at St. Marys for the rest of her life.

In the Diocese

14

More than 13,000 patients have received assistance in paying medical bills through the Poverello Foundation, which she founded in 1983, and for which she served as president until her death. She helped the hospital integrate with Mayo Clinic, and she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Health Association of the United States in 2011. The Generose Building on Mayo Clinic's St. Marys campus bears her name.

An online statement by the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association reads, "Sister Generose worked tirelessly on behalf of patients and the staff of Saint Marys Hospital, focusing on perpetuating the Franciscan legacy nurturing the values of respect, integrity, compassion, healing, teamwork, innovation, excellence and stewardship among all Mayo Clinic staff."

The memories shared at the October 18 memorial service echoed these sentiments and also highlighted Sister Generose's selfless and joyful spirit.

“Miracles happen every day, all around us—we just fail to notice,” said John Noseworthy, M.D., President and CEO of Mayo Clinic, quoting Sister Generose. “But, she was wrong, at least on one account. Sister Generose herself was a miracle among us for more than a half-century. We recognized it as

she joyfully went about her life’s work, and we celebrate it today. We are deeply grateful for Sister Generose’s selfless presence and steady guidance. We know that her spirit lives on in the work we do every day to serve patients.”

Sister Lauren Weinandt, who worked with Sister Generose for many years, said, "She served on so many boards and organizations, but her pleasures were simple. She enjoyed life, a cup of cappuccino and a cookie, peanut M&Ms, a Twins game and a good joke in the afternoon."

Bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" as the Plummer Building doors closed for the tenth time since their installation 88 years ago. Other occasions that have prompted the closing of the doors include the John F. Kennedy assassination and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Before October 18, they were last closed in 2013 following the deaths of three Mayo Clinic personnel in a helicopter crash in Florida.

"The ceremonial closing of the Plummer Building doors is one of the most profound expressions of respect accorded by our organization," Dr. Noseworthy said. "We do it to honor the passing of significant people in Mayo's history and in periods of national mourning. The Plummer Building doors are a symbol of Mayo Clinic - open, welcoming, and reflecting a wide diversity of human life."

Veteran Choir Member Receives Bishop's Medal HERON LAKE--Sacred Heart parishioner Joyce Pelzel received the Bishop's Medal on October 16 after the parish's celebration to close the Year of Mercy. The medal was presented by Bishop John M. Quinn to honor Joyce's 70 years as a member of the Sacred Heart Church choir.

Life Chain Spans Nation WINONA--On October 2, Respect Life Sunday, community members of all faiths in over 1,500 locations in the U.S. and Canada gathered for the 29th year of the National Life Chain. Prayers were offered for our country, for the end of abortion, and to witness to the more than 60 million lives of pre-born babies lost to surgical abortion.

Pictured is Fr. Jonathan Fasnacht with members of the Winona community.

For infomation on the National Life Chain, or to view the national listing of Life Chain locations or register your own Life Chain location for next year, visit www.lifechain.net.

Attention Catholic Boy Scout Leaders in the Diocese of Winona: If you know of a Catholic young man whose Eagle Scout Board of Review... a. occurred in 2016 or b. occurred earlier than 2016, but he is still registered with your tropp as a youth on 1/1/2017 ...then please send his name, home parish, troop number, BSA council, and Eagle B.O.R. date to Loren Dahling of the Winona Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting via the email address listed at www.rc.net/winona/wdccs/ November, 2016 w The Courier

Obituaries

Father Donald Francis Connelly, 83, joined his Heavenly Father after passing away at Mayo Clinic Hospice in Rochester on October 6, 2016.

Fr. Don was born February 24, 1933, in Rochester to Leo and Mayme C o n n e l l y.

He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona and completed his studies at St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Winona on May 31, 1958, at St. John's Church in Rochester. During his seminary years, he spent summers at home farming with his dad Leo, uncle Chris, and brother Leo. Fr. Don served in eight parish assignments and as chaplain at St. Marys Hospital during his 58 years as a priest. He was an associate pastor of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona and St. Catherine's Church in Luverne. He then served as pastor of St. Anthony in Lismore and Mission at St. Kilian, St. John Vianney in Fairmont, St. Mary's in Winona, St. Peter's in Rose Creek, Queen of Peace in Lyle, and St. Joachim's in Plainview. He was granted senior priest status on June 30, 2004.

From 2004-2007, he served as a priest chaplain at St. Elizabeth's Health Care Center in Wabasha. He also performed weekend ministries in local parishes and was involved in many other ministries for the Diocese. He served four years on the Priests' Advisory Council, eight years as a member of the board of directors for Catholic Charities, 10 years as a priest advocate on the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, as Chaplain for Teams of Our Lady, and for the Knights of Columbus.

Fr. Don enjoyed traveling, golfing, and being with family and friends. As time allowed, he spent time on his family home farm west of Rochester, which held a special place in his heart.

He is survived by his sisters, Sister MaryLou Connelly and Eunice (Alfred) Dols; nine nieces and nephews; and 16 great-nieces and greatnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mayme Connelly; and brother, Leo (Marg) Connelly.

Mass of Christian Burial was on October 11 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Rochester, with Bishop John M. Quinn celebrating and the priests of the Winona Diocese concelebrating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.

Sister Generose Gervais, 97, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our lady of Lourdes, Rochester, and former administrator of St. Marys Hospital, died at Mayo Clinic Hosptal, St. Marys campus, on October 7, 2016.

Jeanne Rose Gervais was born to Philip F. and Elizabeth (Sandgathe) Gervais on September 18, 1919. She was one of seven children and grew up on the family farm near Currie. Following graduation from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Currie, she entered the Franciscan Sisters in 1938, receiving the name of Sister Generose.

Sister Generose began her ministry as an elementary teacher. She went for further study and graduated in 1945 is a BS in Home Economics Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, WI. She did her internship in dietetics at St. Marys Hospital, where she received a diploma in dietetics in 1948. From 1948 to 1951, Sister Generose served as co-director and instructor of the school of practical nursing and administrative dietician at St. Marys. Beginning in 1951, she served as administrative assistant at St. Marys and was a postgraduate student at the University of Minnesota, where she received a Masters in Hospital Administration in 1954. She continued to serve as an

assistant administrator and associate administrator of St. Marys until 1971 when she was named hospital administrator. Sister Generose served in this capacity from 1971 to 1981, and then as executive director from 1981 to 1985, after which she served as hospital consultant. She was president of the Poverello Foundation since its inception in 1984. During her years of ministry, she also served as consulting dietician at Mercy Hospital in Portsmouth, OH (1950-51), and as consultant in dietetics and hospital administration at San Ignacio Hospital in Bogotรก, Colombia (1966).

Her service on boards, both as a member and as an officer, spanned over 30 years and included more than 20 organizations. Some of the prominent ones include St. Marys Hospital's board of trustees; Catholic Health Assocation, St. Louis, MO; Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce; First National Bank, Rochester; Federal Reserve Bank, Minneapolis; St. Francis Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI; Regina Medical Center, Hastings; Madonna Towers, Rochester; Olmsted County Historical Society; Senior Citizens Center board of directors, Rochester; Winona State University board of advisors; finance council and foundation board of the Diocese of Winona; Caledonia Health Care, Inc. board; Southeastern Minnesota Health Countil board; United Way of Olmsted County and Minnesota Conference of Catholic Health Care facilities board.

Sister Generose has also been the recipient of numerous awards and

honors, the most significant of which is the naming of the Sister Generose Gervais Building, St. Marys Hospital (1991). Other awards include University of Wisconsin-Stout Alumni Distinguished Service Award (1978); Teresa of Avila Award, College of St. Teresa, Winona (1980); University of Minnesota Alumni Association (Rochester Chapter) Outstanding Achievement Award (1981); Rochester Woman of Achievement Award (1985); the Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice Medal (1985); Mayor's Medal of Honor, Rochester; Service to Mankind Award, Rochester Sertoma Club (1987); and the Catholic Health Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2011). In 1988, she became a Lady in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Sister Generose is survived by her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 78 years. Also surviving are her sisters Marian Manis of Woodland Hills, CA; Elizabeth Connors of Rochester; and Glenna (Francis) Boyle of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vincent and Hugh; and a sister, Julienne Mulligan.

A Funeral Liturgy was held on October 18 in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, Assisi Heights, Rochester.

Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Poverello Foundation, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

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Dove Release Honors St. Francis ROCHESTER--On October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, students at St. Francis School participated in their annual peace dance and releasing of doves. Laura Smith, a communications specialist for the school, said, "This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn more about our patron saint and follow his example of peacemaking, respect and dignity.

Catholic Daughters Support Confirmation Students SLAYTON--On September 11, Court Queen of Peace #1558, in support of local Confirmation students, served a retreat meal of barbecue sandwiches, fresh fruit and bars to the students, and then presented them with a religious CD recorded by IHM Seminary's Immaculate Heart Folk Band.

Pictured are (back row) Catechist Jim Cowan;

students Tyler Penoyer, Brad Schreiber, Wyatt Staples, Nick Dierks, Ethan Clarke, Brady Woldt and John Sweetman; CDA Regent Joyce Risacher; (front row) students Matt McNab, Patrick Platt, Mary Doom, Kayla Bass, Mariah Beckmann and Michaela DeGreeff; Fr. Thien Nguyen and CDA Vice-regent Joann Halbur.

November, 2016 w The Courier

November, 2016 • 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 list of events is also available at www.dow.org. Thank you!

- Courier Staff

Action with Prayer St. Mary’s Church, Winona holds Mass for Life & Marriage the first Thursday each month at 5:15 p.m.

Holy Hour of Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty is held the first Saturday of each month 8:30-9:30 a.m. (after Mass) at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 360 Main Street, Winona. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and a rosary offered. Gather in the Adoration Chapel. 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. For times & locations: cb@wabashaemail.com

Traditional Latin Mass Chatfield, St. Mary's, 1st & 3rd Sun. 1 pm Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul, 1st Sat. 9 am Wabasha, St. Felix, every Sat. 8 am

The Televised Mass

Other Events

St. John the Evangelist Church, Rochester November 6, Sunday 4 p.m. concert by renowned organist Aaron David Miller, one of the most famous organ improvisers in the world and winner of numerous international awards. Don't miss this unique event. Freewill offerings accepted.

St. Patrick Church, LeRoy November 6, Sunday Turkey and Ham Fall Dinner served 11a.m.-1p.m.

Turkey & dressing, baked ham, potatoes and gravy, vegetable, homemade pies, beverage. Adults $10. Kids 5-10 $5. 4 & under free.

Event includes bake sale & bucket raffle. Handicapped accessible.

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

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

Lourdes High School, Rochester November 10-13, ThursdaySunday Lourdes Fine Arts Dept. presents The Perfect Idiot.

In this amusing 1950s farce, boy-genius Dan must prove he is a social success.

November 10, 11 & 12 at 7p.m. November 13 at 1:30p.m. at the Lourdes fine arts auditorium (2800 19th St. NW in Rochester). Adults $7. Seniors & students $5.

RCS students free with student ID. Info: 507-289-3991.

Crucifixion School, La Crescent November 12, Saturday Crucifixion Parish's annual roast beef dinner served 3:30-7:30 at Crucifixion School gym (420 S 2nd St.).

Homemade roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, coleslaw or apple sauce, rolls & MN's best apple pie squares (from La Crescent-grown apples!).

Also, autumn boutique & bake sale. Dinner tickets $10 in advance (from parish or school office), $11 at door. $5.50 kids 12 & under.

Preschoolers free. Info: 507-895-4720.

St. James Coffee Shop, Rochester November 19, Saturday Mary McCarthy will sign her book, A Pilgrimage of Hope: A Story of Faith and Medicine, 9 a.m. - noon. McCarthy's story chronicles her challenges of radiation and chemotherapy after learning she had brain cancer. Her story will inspire you to turn to God and trust in Him with any struggles you have. He has a plan for everyone.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Easton November 27, Sunday 2p.m. Sounds of the Season, a free-will offering concert in support of our handicap accessibility project.

Performances by 6 vocal and instrumental groups: MN Valley Sweet Adelines Sunday Punch Quartet (Mankato), Highland Worship (Mankato), the Murry Brothers (Delavan), the Wells Community Chime Choir (Wells), Forever Young (Winnebago), and OLMC's own Twisted Sisters (Easton).

Refreshments to follow concert. Enjoy Christmas music favorites in our beautiful, century-old, Gothic style church.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona December 2, Friday On the first Friday of the month, the Cathedral hosts Cor Jesu, a night of Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Praise & Worship. The December date is Friday, Dec. 2, from 7-9p.m. All are welcome to attend; invite your family and friends! The Cathedral is at 360 Main St. in Winona.

For details, search Winona Cor Jesu on Facebook, visit winonacorjesu.gitlab.io, or call Leandra Hubka (507990-3402) or Steven Lehn (507-312-9041).

St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lake City December 3, Saturday Holiday Bazaar 8a.m.-12p.m.

Crafts, bake sale, cookie walk, mission sewing, silent auction.

Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Mankato January 29, Sunday Prayer Service for Life presided by Bishop Quinn at 3 p.m. 105 N 5th Street in Mankato.

Hispanic Priests / Sacerdotes Hispanos Padre José Morales Vicario Parroquial de Sacred Heart, Owatonna. jloralesr2008@yahoo.es Tel. 507-451-1588

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

Padre Mariano Varela IVE Párroco de “SS. Peter and Paul”, Mankato. mvarela@hickorytech.net 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

Spanish Mass Schedule Albert Lea, St. Theodore 11 a.m. Sunday

Owatonna, Sacred Heart 1 p.m. Sunday

St. James, St. James 12 p.m. Sunday

Austin, Queen of Angels 11 a.m & 5 p.m. Sunday; 5:15 Friday

Pipestone, St. Leo 2:30 p.m. Sunday (bilingual)

Waseca, Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m. Sunday

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

Thursday

Windom, St. Francis Xavier 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Lake City, St. Mary 6:30 p.m. every 3rd Saturday Madelia, St. Mary 10 a.m. Sunday Mankato, Ss. Peter & Paul 1 p.m. Sunday

Worthington, St. Mary St. Charles, St. Charles 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.

Sunday; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Borromeo & Friday 11:30 a.m. Sunday November, 2016 w The Courier