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In Defense of Diocesan Conferences
Life, Marriage & Family
Peter Martin
Director of Life, Marriage & Family and Communications pmartin@dowr.org
Fellowship of Catholic University Students' annual SEEK Conference, usually held in a single location and attended by thousands from around the country, was this year livestreamed to smaller groups.
�re we going to have a Men’s/
Women’s Conference this year? This is a question that I often get, and I both love receiving it and hate it at the same time. I love it because it tells me that they are valuable and that people want to go to the conferences we host. I hate it because it’s such a difficult question right now. I really want to host a conference and I know that some dioceses are, but due to the risks involved I have decided not to host a Women’s Conference this fall and likely the same decision will be made for the Men’s Conference in the spring. Why? Well, it all comes down to prudence. Bishop's Calendar
October 2, Saturday 5 p.m. - Mass and Dinner with Knights of Columbus October 3, Sunday 9 a.m. - Mass and Talk - Deprecor Retreat - St. Mary’s University, Winona October 4, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona 6 p.m. - 40 Days for Life Prayer Service - Rochester October 5, Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. - Meetings with Seminarians – IHM Seminary, Winona October 6, Wednesday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Meetings with Seminarians – IHM Seminary, Winona October 7, Thursday 10:32 a.m. - Guest on Real Presence Catholic Radio 1 p.m. - Holy Hour and Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 5:15 p.m. - Mass - Renewal of the Consecration of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona October 8, Friday 11 a.m. - COVID-19 Task Force Meeting October 2021 w The Courier w dowr.org
Let’s say I have all things planned and the pandemic ramps back up to where we were in the past with limited gatherings; then I’ve spent money and time on an event that is unable to take place. Deposits on speakers, food, venues can all be costly and sadly are not reimbursed because the Governor limited large gatherings. On the other hand, let’s say there are no such limits and the conference happens with men or women gathering from all across our diocese. A great time is had by all, but what we did not know is that a group came from a location in the diocese that had a recent spike in transmissions of COVID, and now several men/women are sick because we hosted a conference. Obviously, no one wants to
October 10, Sunday 2 p.m. - Confirmation at St. Ann Church, Slayton, with: St. Columba, Iona; St. Mary, Lake Wilson; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Currie; St. Anthony, Westbrook; and St. Gabriel, Fulda
contract COVID and everyone knows the risk, but you can see the reason for the hesitation on hosting a conference. So what do we do now, if we want to gather with other men/women? That’s a great question! Let’s answer another question first: Why do you want to gather? Most often the answer is: “We gain strength in faith by gathering and praying with others!” That’s awesome and yet, that can still be done! By now you are familiar with the many online conferences that are made available (the St. Joseph Conference which is happening now, for example). I suggest that people host “mini-conferences” and watch these virtual talks together maybe over drinks in someone’s home. Then enjoy each other’s company while discussing the beautiful truths of the faith that you just witnessed. One of the goals we have for our annual conferences, in fact, is the building up of our parish communities. We know that there is great fruit that comes from our large conferences, but we also know of the tremendous value that comes from the smaller gatherings of men and women who share the faith! I pray that our local Men’s and Women’s Groups grow in strength and in number and that through them, people grow closer to Jesus while assisting their friends to do the same!
October 17, Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Diocesan Opening Mass in Celebration of the XVI Ordinary Synod of Bishops to Be Held in Rome in 2023 - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona
October 11, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona
October 19, Tuesday 10 a.m. - Holy Hour and Diocesan Finance Council Meeting - Pastoral Center, Winona
October 12, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Holy Hour and Priest Pension Plan Board Meeting - Pastoral Center, Winona
October 20, Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Bishop’s Dinner - Rochester Golf & Country Club
October 13, Wednesday 6:30 a.m. - Lauds and Mass - IHM Seminary, Winona
October 21, Thursday 1 p.m. - Holy Hour and Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 7 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word and Dinner - St. Joseph Church, Owatonna
October 14, Thursday 11 a.m. - Mass and Lunch with the Poor Clare Sisters - Assisi Heights, Rochester October 15, Friday 2 p.m. - Dedication of the New Business, Science & Nursing Building - St. Mary’s University, Winona 4:30 p.m. - Benefactor Mass - St. Thomas More Chapel - St. Mary’s University, Winona October 16, Saturday 5:15 p.m. - Confirmation at St. Theodore’s Church, Albert Lea; with St. James, Twin Lakes
October 23, Saturday 4:30 p.m. - White Mass - Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester October 24, Sunday 10 a.m. - Mass with Blessing of New Building - St. Ann Church, Janesville 2 p.m. - Blessing of Restored Stations of the Cross - Immaculate Conception Church, St. Clair October 25, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona
October 26, Tuesday 11:30-4:30 p.m. - All Priests & Deacons Safe Environment Training - St. Joseph the Worker, Mankato October 27, Wednesday 6:30 a.m. - Lauds and Mass at IHM Seminary, Winona
October 28, Thursday 11 a.m. - Clergy Personnel Committee Meeting - Pastoral Center, Winona 4 p.m. - Virtual Meeting with MCC and MN Catholic Bishops - Zoom 6 p.m. - Rochester Serra Club Priest Appreciation Dinner - Willow Creek Golf Course, Rochester October 29, Friday 8 p.m. - Theology on Tap - St. Mary’s University, Winona October 31, Sunday 2 p.m. - Confirmation - Holy Spirit Church, Rochester November 1, Monday 8 a.m. - Class - St. Mary’s University, Winona 5:30 p.m. - All Saints Day Mass - St. Casimir Church, Winona November 3, Wednesday 10:32 a.m. - Guest on Real Presence Catholic Radio 5 p.m. - Taping of Christmas TV Mass Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona
