The COURIER
Hundreds Called
Diocese Celebrates Largest Rite of Election This Century
�ishop Robert Barron celebrated the diocesan Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at Queen of Angels Parish in Austin on Sunday, March 9.
At this liturgical rite, our diocesan Church gathers in prayer with the catechumens and candidates of our diocese, accompanied by their godparents and sponsors, to acknowledge that God has called them to initiation and full communion with the Catholic Church. They now spiritually prepare, during Lent, to receive and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil and in the Easter Season.
This year’s 251 catechumens and candidates for our diocese is the largest cohort in this century.
Foreign and Domestic Funding Cuts Hinder the Catholic Church's Charitable Work
By ISAAC LANDSTEINER
�hile many have heard about the current administration’s efforts to cut or freeze foreign and domestic programs, some may not be aware of how this impacts the Catholic Church’s ability to live out our Gospel calling to serve our brothers and sisters who are most in need.
On March 10, the federal government announced that 83 percent of programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were being cut. This includes many programs operated by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian funding organization of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. For over 80 years, CRS has been on the ground in countries around the world feeding the hungry, fighting disease, improving access to education, and promoting sustainable economic development.
Although there will always be a need to evaluate and reform programs to ensure that they are using taxpayer dollars responsibly and efficiently, the widespread cutting of USAID’s programming will have disastrous effects on
The Sacred Paschal Triduum Questions and Answers
By the U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
When does the Triduum begin and end?
The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.
May another Mass besides the Mass of the Lord's Supper be celebrated on Holy Thursday?
Ordinarily, no other Mass may be celebrated on Holy Thursday. However, by way of exception, the local Ordinary may permit another Mass in churches and oratories to be celebrated in the evening, and, in the case of genuine necessity, even in the morning. Such Masses are provided for those who in no way are able to participate in the evening Mass.
Is the "Mandatum," the washing of feet at the Mass of the Lord's Supper, requried?
No. The Roman Missal only indicates, “After the Homily, where a pastoral reason suggests it [ubi ratio pastoralis id suadeat], the Washing of Feet follows.”
Does the Church encourage any other liturgical celebrations on Good Friday?
On this day the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer could appropriately be celebrated with the participation of the people in the churches. Note that Evening Prayer is only prayed by those who do not participate in the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.
Do devotions have a particular importance on Good Friday?
The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2002) provides the proper perspective in paragraphs 142-145. Clearly the central celebration of this day is the Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. In no way should manifestations of popular piety, either by the time or manner in which they are convoked, substitute for this solemn liturgical action. Nor should aspects of the various acts of piety be mixed with the Good Friday celebration, creating a hybrid. In recent times, Passion processions, celebrations of the Stations of the Cross, and Passion Plays have become more common. In such representations, actors and spectators can be involved in a moment of faith and genuine piety. Care should be taken, however, to point out to the faithful that a Passion Play is a representation which is
commemorative and they are very different from "liturgical actions" which are anamnesis, or the mysterious presence of the redemptive event of the Passion.
How does the Adoration of the Holy Cross on Good Friday begin?
The Adoration of the Holy Cross begins with one of two forms of the Showing of the Holy Cross. The First Form begins as the deacon or another suitable minister goes to the sacristy and obtains the veiled Cross. Accompanied by two ministers with lighted candles, the veiled Cross is brought to the center of the sanctuary in procession. The priest accepts the Cross and then, standing in front of the altar and facing the people, uncovers the upper part of the Cross, the right arm, and then the entire Cross. Each time he unveils a part of the Cross, he sings the acclamation, Behold the wood of the Cross. In the Second Form of the Showing of the Holy Cross, the priest or deacon goes to the church door, where he takes up the uncovered Cross. Accompanied by two ministers with lighted candles, he processes to the sanctuary, stopping at the door of the church, in the middle of the church, and before entering the sanctuary, to sing the acclamation, Behold the wood of the Cross.
How is the cross venerated by members of the congregation on Good Friday?
After the showing of the Cross, the priest or deacon may carry the Cross to the entrance of the sanctuary or another suitable place. The first person to adore the Cross is the priest celebrant. If circumstances suggest, he takes off his chasuble and his shoes. The clergy, lay ministers and the faithful then approach the Cross. The personal adoration of the Cross is an important feature in this celebration and every effort should be made to achieve it. The rubrics remind us that "only one Cross" should be used for adoration. If the numbers are so great that all cannot come forward, the priest, after some of the clergy and faithful have adored the Cross, can take it and stand in the center before the altar. In a few words he invites the people to adore the Cross. He then elevates the Cross higher for a brief period of time while the faithful adore it in silence. It should also be kept in mind that when a sufficiently large Cross is used even a large community can reverence it in due time. The foot of the Cross as well as the right and left arm can be approached and venerated. Coordination with ushers and planning the flow of people beforehand can allow for this part of the liturgy to be celebrated with decorum and devotion.
When should the Easter Vigil take place? The Vigil, by its very nature, must take place at
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Most Reverend Robert E. Barron, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor
Telephone: 507-361-3068 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org
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Articles of Interest
St. Joseph Retreat, Preparing for Pilgrimage__6 Catholic Schools News__________________7 Walk with One Testimony Guide, Parish Events_8 We Rise from Ashes, Think Before You Speak!_9 Obituaries______________________________10 Divine Mercy Sunday____________________12
night. It is not begun before nightfall and should end before daybreak on Easter Sunday. The celebration of the Easter Vigil takes the place of the Office of Readings of Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil begins and ends in darkness. It is a nocturnal vigil, retaining its ancient character of vigilance and expectation, as the Christian people await the Resurrection of the Lord during the night. Fire is blessed and the paschal candle is lighted to illumine the night so that all may hear the Easter proclamation and listen to the word of God proclaimed in the Scriptures. For this reason the Solemn Beginning of the Vigil (Lucernarium) takes place before the Liturgy of the Word. Since sunset varies at different locations throughout the country, local weather stations can be consulted as to the time of sunset in the area, keeping in mind that twilight concludes (i.e., nightfall occurs) somewhat later.
What considerations should be given for the paschal candle used at the Easter Vigil?
This candle should be made of wax, never be artificial, be replaced each year, be only one in number, and be of sufficiently large size that it may convey the truth that Christ is the light of the world. The paschal candle is the symbol of the light of Christ, rising in glory, scattering the darkness of our hearts and minds. Above all, the paschal candle should be a genuine candle, the pre-eminent symbol of the light of Christ. Choice of size, design, and color should be made in relationship to the sanctuary in which it will be placed.
In the case of mission churches and cluster parishes, can multiple paschal candles be used for the Service of Light?
The Roman Missal, not envisioning the pastoral situation of mission churches or cluster parishes, specifies that only one paschal candle is used. To accommodate the particular circumstances, the Secretariat of Divine Worship might suggest that the candles from the mission churches or other parish churches could be present at the Easter Vigil, having been prepared in advance, and blessed alongside the main candle (perhaps having deacons or other representatives holding them). In keeping with the rubrics, for the lighting and procession only one candle should be lit (the principal one, or the one which will remain in that particular church). As the other candles in the congregation are lit, the other paschal candles could be lit and held(but not high, in order to maintain the prominence of the one principal candle) by someone at their place in the assembly. Once all the candles are extinguished after the singing of the Exsultet, the other paschal candles are put aside. On Easter Sunday morning, those candles could be taken to each of the missions and carried, lit, in the entrance procession at the first Mass at each church and put in place in the sanctuary.
How is the First Communion of the neophytes to be emphasized during the Easter Vigil?
Triduum, cont'd on pg. 11
Child Abuse Policy Information
The Diocese of Winona-Rochester 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-Rochester 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-Rochester’s implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Michael Gerard at 507-361-3377, or mgerard@dowr.org.
The Courier is the official publication of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester
April Saint St. Zita
Feast Day: April 27
From Catholic News Agency
�n April 27 the Catholic Church honors Saint Zita, a 13th century Italian woman whose humble and patient service to God has made her a patron saint of maids and other domestic workers.
Born into poverty during the early 1200s, Zita was taught by her mother from an early age to seek God's will in all circumstances. She had already developed a strong prayer life by the time she was sent, at age 12, to work in the home of the Fatinelli family in Lucca.
The Holy Father's Intention for April 2025
For the Use of New Technologies
Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
Dan Bauer, Youth Minister for Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Parishes in Owatonna, receives the "For God and Youth Award" from last year's winner, Joni O'Brien. The award comes from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and is given to only one person in the diocese per year. The award is given to those whose service to, and leadership for, youth has been recognized as exceptional and effective.
Reprinted from April 2000.
Zita's employers lived near a church where she managed – by waking up extremely early in the morning – to attend daily Mass. She looked upon her work primarily as a means of serving God, and kept herself mindful of his presence during long hours of exhausting tasks.
Her presence in the Fatinelli household, however, was inexplicably unwelcome and met with harsh treatment for a number of years. Zita suffered hostility and abuse from her employers, including fits of rage and beatings.
The young woman faced these trials with patience and inner strength developed through a life of prayer. In time, the members of the household came to value her service, and appreciate the virtues she had acquired through God's grace.
Zita maintained her humility when she was promoted to a position of responsibility within the Fatinelli home. She continued to view her earthly responsibilities as a service to God, and to seek his presence through prayer and fasting. She also refused to hold a grudge against those who once mistreated her.
Within her new house hold role, Zita was faithful to Christ's admonition that superiors should conduct themselves as the servants of all. She was kind to those under her direction, and mindful of the poor through frequent almsgiving to the point of personal sacrifice.
Throughout her life, Zita found a source of strength and consolation in the Mass and Holy Communion, which frequently moved her to tears. Despite her many responsibilities, she frequently set aside
time to recall God's presence through contemplative prayer in the course of the day.
One anecdote relates a story of Zita giving her own food or that of her master to the poor. On one morning, Zita left her chore of baking bread to tend to someone in need. Some of the other servants made sure the Fatinelli family was aware of what happened; when they went to investigate, they claimed to have found angels in the Fatinelli kitchen, baking the bread for her.
After foretelling her own death and spiritually preparing for it, Saint Zita died in Lucca on April 27, 1271. Many residents regarded her as a saint and began to seek her intercession, to which a large number of miracles were attributed. Some writers even began referring to the city of Lucca as “Santa Zita” in her honor.
The Fatinelli family, which had once caused St. Zita such extreme suffering, eventually contributed to the cause of her canonization. The earliest account of her life was found in a manuscript belonging to the family, and published in 1688.
The Church's liturgical veneration of St. Zita was introduced in the early 1500s, and confirmed by Pope Innocent XII in 1696. In 1580, her body was exhumed and found to be miraculously incorrupt, but it has since been mummified. It is venerated today in the Basilica of St. Frediano, where she attended Mass during her life..
The choice is put straight on the line with these side-by-side billboards in Winona.
The outdoor display is part of the vocation campaign planned by Father Gerald Mahon, vocations director for the Diocese of Winona.
This is the second year for the use of the billboard idea, one which Father Mahon considered very successful last year. The simple design of one word "The Priest," he says, seems to catch the eye better than a lot of text.
The two billboards put perspective to "Lay up treasure for yourself in the Kingdom of Heaven."
Reprinted from April 11, 1975.
Mankato - Sweeping two of three rounds of debating, the Mankato Loyola debate squad picture above garnered runner-up honors in the State Catholic Debate Tournament held at Lourdes High School, Rochester, Saturday, March 25.
The final round decided the championship as Loyola met the teams from St. John's of Collegeville, representatives of Region IV, and dropped two close decisions to the eventual state champions, who had previously lost one encounter.
[...]
The debaters pictured above with the regional trophy which they copped at the Region III tourney at Faribault are, left to right: Jack Johnson, S. Byron Mutch, David Sanger, and Ted Hottinger.
Reprinted from April 2, 1950.
From the Bishop
Something Happened: A Sermon for Easter
� 've spent much of my life reading and studying religious and philosophical texts. I’ve perused the works of Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, etc. I love such texts and the ideas that these great thinkers share. What all of these figures have in common is a certain calm, a measured manner of sharing what they have learned. And consequently, one reads their texts in a sort of abstracted way. I have wonderful memories of reading great books while sitting by the Seine in Paris when I was a doctoral student: thinking, wondering, reflecting.
And then there are the Gospels. They’ve certainly inspired philosophers and spiritual writers, but they’re not philosophical texts. No, they are called “Gospels,” precisely because they are conveying good news. They are not about abstract ideas or timeless spiritual truths
Officials
that anyone in principle could understand. They are about something that happened.
Listen to St. Peter as he speaks in the first reading for the Easter Sunday liturgy: “You know what happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached.” One could imagine his hearers saying, “Yes, we remember.” Peter goes on: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.” It’s about this very particular man Jesus, some things that he did, and finally something that happened to him: “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day.” There it is. There is what happened. There is the breathtaking event upon which all of Christianity rests. And then this: “he became visible to us…who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
Now his interlocutors must have thought, “What in the world..?” It’s eminently clear that the Apostle is not talking about myths or legends or philosophical abstractions. No, he’s making the jaw-dropping observation that he ate and drank with a dead man who had come back to life.
With all of this startling concreteness in mind, I would like to turn to the Gospel for Easter Sunday, which is taken
The Most Rev. Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, announces the following:
Catholic Cemeteries
Rev. Alex Salazar, IVE: appointed Canonical Administrator of Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Mankato, effective March 1, 2025.
Senior Priest
Rev. Msgr. Gerald Kosse: currently Pastor of St. Catherine Parish in Luverne and St. Leo Parish in Pipestone; granted Senior Priest status, effective July 1, 2025.
Rev. John Kunz: currently Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Mankato; granted Senior Priest status, effective July 1, 2025.
Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon: currently Rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester; granted Senior Priest status, effective July 1, 2025.
Rev. Edward McGrath: currently Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Chatfield, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Canton, and St. Columban Parish in Preston; granted Senior Priest status, effective July 1, 2025.
from St. John’s account. The first thing I would like you to notice is just how much running is going on! Mary Magdalene runs; Peter runs; John runs. In fact, John runs so fast that he outpaces Peter. Let me observe that it’s hard even to imagine Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, or Immanuel Kant running. We run when something urgent has happened, when we’ve got somewhere to go, something to say, someone to tell.
We are told that Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark. She was heartbroken, probably in tears, and she had come as anyone would come to a tomb: to pray, to meditate, to muse. But then she noticed that the heavy stone was rolled back, and this got her attention. Something unexpected had obviously occurred. Presuming that the body of Jesus had been stolen, she ran with the urgent news to the disciples. Then, upon hearing this, Peter and John— the head of the Apostles and the Apostle whom Jesus specially loved—“both ran.” Something had happened and they had to find out what it was. Then comes that intriguing detail that the younger man outran the older man and got to the tomb first. This line, by the way, helped the great novelist Graham Greene to convert to Catholicism. His novelist’s eye
Bishop's Calendar
*indicates event is open to the public
April 1, Tuesday
1 p.m. - Clergy Personnel CommitteeThe Chancery, Rochester
*5 p.m. - Easter TV Mass RecordingThe Chancery, Rochester
April 3, Thursday
*8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The Chancery, Rochester
*5 p.m. - 40 Days for Life Prayer VigilPlanned Parenthood, Rochester
April 5, Saturday
*8:30 a.m. - Men's Conference Mass and Keynote - Resurrection, Rochester
April 6, Sunday
*10 a.m. - Young Adult Mass - St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato
April 8, Tuesday
5 p.m. - St. Vincent de Paul Mass and Soup Supper - St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester
April 9, Wednesday
*11:45 a.m. - Mass - St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul
caught that this quirky detail spoke to the historical veracity of the scene.
The two runners, most likely still panting from the effort, bent in to look into the tomb. They noticed the burial cloths that had wrapped the body of Jesus, and something struck them as very odd. First, why would thieves have bothered unwrapping the body? Wouldn’t they have just spirited it away? But second, even if they had stripped them off, would they be lying neatly in place, with the cloth that had covered his head “rolled up in a separate place?” I mean, what thieves would be so meticulous? Was this why, when John entered the tomb, we are told “he saw and believed?” Was this the moment when he realized it wasn’t that someone had broken into the tomb; rather, someone had broken out of it?
And because of this everything changed, all expectations were reversed; everything they believed about life and death had to be re-evaluated.
If you look at the account of the resurrection in the earliest Gospel, that of St. Mark, you find that the women, upon hearing from the angel that the Lord had been raised, “went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.” Most cemeteries
April 10, Thursday
Catholic School Administrators Retreat - Buffalo, MN
April 11, Friday
6:45 p.m. - Generose SymposiumLourdes High School, Rochester
April 13, Sunday
*8 a.m. - Palm Sunday Mass - St. Patrick, West Albany
April 14, Monday
*2 p.m. - Chrism Mass - Sacred Heart, Heron Lake
April 17, Thursday
*7 p.m. - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper - Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester
April 18, Friday
*12:10 p.m. - Good Friday of the Lord's Passion- Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester
April 19, Saturday
*8 p.m. - Easter Vigil - Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester
are places of peace; this one gave rise to holy terror. And until we understand why, we haven’t understood Easter. Until we share some of that same fear, we are in danger of domesticating the most revolutionary event in human history.
This is what happened! This is what the Gospel is all about. This is what Christians have been shouting from rooftops ever since. God’s love is more powerful than death, because Jesus found his way out of his grave. Let us all run out to meet everyone we can to share the news!
April 20, Sunday
*10 a.m. - Easter Mass - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona
April 23, Wednesday
2 p.m. - Bishop's Cabinet - The Chancery, Rochester
7 p.m. - Confirmation - Resurrection, Rochester
April 24, Thursday
9:30 a.m. - Q&A with UpperclassmenLourdes High School, Rochester
April 25, Friday
4:30 p.m. - Bishops and Rector Dinner - International Event Center, Rochester
April 26, Saturday
2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Mary, Madelia
April 27, Sunday
2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Charles Borromeo, St. Charles
April 30, Wednesday
7 p.m. - Confirmation - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona
Non Nisi Te Domine
Bishop Robert Barron
Sucedió algo: Sermón de Pascua
Por EL OBISPO ROBERT BARRON
�e pasado gran parte de mi vida leyendo y estudiando textos religiosos y filosóficos. He leído detenidamente las obras de Platón, Aristóteles, Confucio, Cicerón, Marco Aurelio, Anselmo, Aquino, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, etc. Me encantan estos textos y las ideas que comparten estos grandes pensadores. Lo que todas estas figuras tienen en común es una cierta calma, una manera mesurada de compartir lo que han aprendido. Y, en consecuencia, uno lee sus textos de una forma un tanto abstraída. Tengo recuerdos maravillosos de leer grandes libros sentado junto al Sena en París cuando era estudiante de doctorado: pensando, preguntándome, reflexionando. Y luego están los Evangelios. Ciertamente han inspirado a filósofos y escritores espirituales, pero no son textos filosóficos. No, se llaman "Evangelios" precisamente porque transmiten buenas noticias. No tratan de ideas abstractas ni de verdades espirituales atemporales que, en principio, cualquiera podría entender. Tratan de algo que sucedió. Escuchemos a San Pedro cuando habla en la primera lectura de la liturgia del Domingo de Resurrección: "Ustedes saben lo que sucedió en toda Judea, comenzando por Galilea, después del bautismo que predicó Juan." Uno podría imaginar a sus oyentes diciendo: "Sí, lo recordamos." Pedro continúa: "cómo
On Saturday, Marc� 22, the deacons of our diocese and their wives gathered at St. Pius X in Rochester for Mass and a luncheon with Bishop Robert Barron. During their time together, Bishop Barron spoke to them about the role of deacons as servants and how to minister to the people with a servant’s heart. Along with this, they also discussed the Diocesan Synod, the mental health of parishioners in our parishes, bringing back Catholics to Sunday Mass, and vocations to the Permanent Diaconate.
Keep all of these men and their wives in your prayers as they continue to serve the people of our diocese!
T�e next m�rn�ng, Sunday, March 23, Bishop Barron celebrated Mass at St. Mary's Church in Winona, where beautiful new furniture adorns the sanctuary.
Steve Speltz, Master Craftsman of Custom Hardwoods in Rollingstone, built the new altar, ambo, tabernacle stand and baptistry. Stop in to take a look next time you are in Winona!
Dios ungió a Jesús de Nazaret con el Espíritu Santo y con poder." Se trata de este hombre tan particular, Jesús, de algunas cosas que hizo y, finalmente, de algo que le sucedió: "Le dieron muerte colgándole de un árbol. A éste, Dios lo resucitó al tercer día." Ahí está. Ahí está lo que sucedió. Ahí está el impresionante acontecimiento sobre el que descansa todo el cristianismo.
Y luego esto: "se hizo visible a nosotros... que comimos y bebimos con él después que resucitó de entre los muertos." Ahora sus interlocutores deben haber pensado, "¿Qué rayos...?" Es evidente que el Apóstol no está hablando de mitos o leyendas o abstracciones filosóficas. No, está haciendo la asombrosa observación de que comió y bebió con un muerto que había vuelto a la vida.
Con toda esta sorprendente concreción en mente, me gustaría volver al Evangelio del Domingo de Resurrección, que está tomado del relato de San Juan. Lo primero que quiero que observen es lo mucho que se corre. María Magdalena corre; Pedro corre; Juan corre. De hecho, Juan corre tan rápido que supera a Pedro. Permítanme observar que es difícil incluso imaginar a Platón, Aristóteles, Confucio o Immanuel Kant corriendo. Corremos cuando ha ocurrido algo urgente, cuando tenemos que ir a algún sitio, algo que decir, alguien a quien contárselo.
Se nos dice que María Magdalena acudió al sepulcro por la mañana temprano, cuando aún estaba oscuro. Estaba desconsolada, probablemente llorando, y había venido como cualquiera iría a una tumba: a rezar, a meditar, a musitar. Pero entonces se dio cuenta de que la pesada piedra había sido removida, y esto llamó su atención. Era evidente que había ocurrido algo inesperado. Presumiendo que el cuerpo de Jesús había sido robado, corrió con la urgente noticia a los discípulos. Al oír esto, Pedro y Juan -el jefe de los Apóstoles y el Apóstol a quien Jesús amaba especialmente- «corrieron los dos». Algo había sucedido y tenían que averiguar qué era. Luego viene ese detalle intrigante de que el hombre más joven se adelantó al más viejo y llegó primero a la tumba. Esta frase, por cierto, ayudó al gran novelista Graham Greene a convertirse al catolicismo. Su ojo de novelista captó que este detalle peculiar hablaba de la veracidad histórica de la escena.
Los dos corredores, seguramente aún jadeantes por el esfuerzo, se inclinaron para mirar dentro de la tumba. Se fijaron en los lienzos funerarios que habían envuelto el cuerpo de Jesús, y algo les pareció muy extraño. En primer lugar, ¿por qué se habrían molestado los ladrones en desenvolver el cuerpo? ¿No se lo habrían llevado sin más? Pero en segundo lugar, aunque se los hubieran quitado, ¿estarían bien colocados
en su sitio, con el paño que le había cubierto la cabeza "enrollado en un lugar aparte"? ¿Qué ladrones serían tan meticulosos? ¿Fue por esto que cuando Juan entró en la tumba, se nos dice que "vio y creyó"? ¿Fue en ese momento cuando se dio cuenta de que no era que alguien hubiera entrado en la tumba, sino que alguien había salido de ella? Y debido a esto todo cambió, todas las expectativas se invirtieron; todo lo que creían sobre la vida y la muerte tuvo que ser reevaluado.
Si nos fijamos en el relato de la resurrección en el Evangelio más antiguo, el de San Marcos, encontramos que las mujeres, al oír del ángel que el Señor había resucitado, "salieron y huyeron del sepulcro, porque el terror y el estupor se habían apoderado de ellas, y no decían nada a nadie porque tenían miedo." La mayoría de los cementerios son lugares de paz; éste suscitó un santo terror. Y hasta que no entendamos por qué, no habremos entendido la Pascua. Hasta que no compartamos algo de ese mismo miedo, corremos el peligro de domesticar el acontecimiento más revolucionario de la historia de la humanidad.
Esto es lo que ocurrió. En esto consiste el Evangelio. Esto es lo que los cristianos han estado gritando desde los tejados desde entonces. El amor de Dios es más poderoso que la muerte, porque Jesús encontró la salida de su tumba. ¡Salgamos todos corriendo al encuentro de todos los que podamos para compartir la noticia!
Recapping the St. Joseph Retreat
By BRIAN HANSEN
[Moses spoke to the people, saying:] "Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statues, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice."
-Deut. 26:17
�n Saturday, March 15, Catholics from across the Diocese of Winona-Rochester gathered at St. Joseph Parish in Owatonna to partake in and experience the St. Joseph Retreat. This retreat was the second in a series entitled The Holy Family Retreats & Pilgrimage Msgr. Thomas Melvin was the retreat’s keynote speaker and spiritual leader. Over 100 retreatants were in attendance to experience and participate in prayer, faith formation, and fellowship. During this time, Msgr. Melvin taught these retreatants about the theological significance of Jesus Christ’s earthly father, St. Joseph.
When teaching on the Guardian and Head of the Holy Family, Msgr. Melvin structured his formation talks around the “Litany of St. Joseph” and the Beatitudes spoken by Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-12). Msgr. Melvin utilized both the litany and the Beatitudes as a means of revealing, more fully, St. Joseph’s character. In particular, Msgr. Melvin focused on the litany’s description of St. Joseph being “most chaste” and “most just;” he showed, through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, how St. Joseph possessed and embodied the virtues of justice and chastity during his life. Msgr. Melvin then demonstrated that, in the daily practicing of these virtues, St. Joseph in turn was emulating two of the Beatitudes articulated by Jesus. By practicing the virtue of chastity, St. Joseph was fulfilling the beatitude, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8). Likewise, his practice of the virtue of justice fulfilled the beatitude, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6).
Preparing for Pilgrimage
By BRIAN HANSEN
Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.... Go and fear nothing. I will help you.
-Our Lady of Champion's message to seer Adele Brise
�n Friday, May 2, 31 pilgrims from the Diocese of Winona-Rochester will be traveling to Wisconsin. Led by their chaplain Fr. Joshua Miller, this group of pilgrims will participate in the annual Walk to Mary, a 21-mile pilgrimage walk. Every year in early May, people of various ages, races, and nationalities all come together to participate in this sacred pilgrimage experience.
On Saturday, May 3, the pilgrimage walk will commence, and, in one day, our diocese’s pilgrims will walk 21 miles to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (OLC). This shrine is the only Churchapproved Marian apparition site in the United States of America.
In 1859, Mary appeared to a young woman named Adele Brise and instructed her to teach the Catholic faith to the children of the land. On this pilgrimage, pilgrims not only remember this beautifully simple Marian apparition, but they also journey spiritually with Joseph and Mary to witness their love and fidelity to Jesus Christ.
Upon arriving at the OLC Shrine, our diocese’s pilgrims will then join other pilgrims in the celebration of Vigil Mass, which will be presided over by Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay. The next day (Sunday, May 4), our pilgrims will then travel back to the diocese from their pilgrimage. Please join us in praying for these pilgrims by praying the following Novena to Our Lady of Champion with the specific intention included:
Novena to Our Lady of Champion
O dear Lady of Champion, you revealed yourself as the Queen of Heaven to your servant Adele. You gave her a mission to pray for the conversion of sinners, to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to others and to prepare children for the reception of the sacraments.
I trust that, as you called Adele to holiness, you are calling me, in my station in life, to live a holy life, devoted to Jesus Christ, with the help of your maternal love. I bring before you now my worries and anxieties. I abandon my attachments to them and place them at your feet.
As a result of these demonstrations, the retreatants received a deeper and fuller understanding of the virtues of chastity and justice and their beatitude counterparts. This, though, according to Msgr. Melvin, was intended to help the lay retreatants realize that as Christians, we too are called to actively habituate the virtues of chastity and justice in our daily life. Msgr. Melvin stressed that such a calling is not an impossible task for the lay person. Why? Because, St. Joseph, the exemplary lay man, who shares in our human struggle, modeled in his life the fulfillment of this call to live chastely and justly. May Christians throughout our diocese rise to this holy challenge and, through the intercession of St. Joseph, receive God’s grace to become men and women of chastity and justice!
What was most beautiful about Msgr. Melvin’s faith formation talks was that, when communicating these important ideas and messages, he always connected them to his personal experiences in his priestly vocation. The retreatants witnessed, firsthand, Msgr. Melvin’s gift of being a masterful storyteller. Not only did his personal life stories help retreatants better comprehend the theological concepts he was conveying, they also were very relatable and revealed the priestly heart of Msgr. Melvin. When listening to these stories, I got the sense that all of us who were listening to them would be coming away from this retreat more hopeful and inspired to practice our Catholic faith more intentionally amidst the daily struggles. I am confident that this reaction of mine was just one of many that were realized by retreatants while on this retreat!
St. Joseph Retreat, cont'd on pg. 8
I ask you to hear the deepest longings of my heart as I pray most earnestly for (mention request here...). Dear Lady, you told Adele, and you say to all of us, “Go and fear nothing. I will help you.” Help me now as I place this intention with complete confidence and trust. Amen.
Novena Intention to OLC April 23 - May 1
For the 31 DOW-R pilgrims participating in the 2025 Walk to Mary Pilgrimage, that these pilgrims may have a safe, joy-filled, and spiritually fruitful pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.
As these pilgrims witness their Catholic faith, may they have profound and loving encounters with the Lord Jesus Christ while growing in deeper relationship with him through greater devotion to his earthly father, St. Joseph, and his immaculate mother, St. Mary. May this pilgrimage be a transformative experience for these pilgrims that leaves a lasting impact on their lives.
Brian Hansen is the coordinator of adult lay formation for the Diocese of WinonaRochester.
Striving for Sainthood at St. Mary's School, Caledonia
Submitted by REBECCA STUTZMAN
�
t. Mary’s School in Caledonia has had an exciting, eventful, and knowledgeable school year! The theme for this school year is “Students Striving for Sainthood”. Each month students learn how they can become more like the saints before us. Saints are not just people of the past, they are role models for us! All Christians are called to be saints. Catholic saints used their strong faith to overcome challenges, guide their lives’, and lead their spiritual journey. They had positive character traits that helped them be more Christ-like. We too, can become more Christ-like by imitating and developing these character traits. Each month, the school focuses on a quality and a story of a saint.
Throughout the school year students, teachers, and staff members have been grateful to have several opportunities for both learning and fun! We had a very successful Marathon which concluded with
an afternoon of celebrations. We had an all-school scarecrow decorating contest and hosted a SOUPer Bowl soup drive. Each grade also has an upcoming spring field trip to celebrate all the hard work they have done this year!
The St. Mary’s Student Council Team has put in a lot of time and effort to plan events and activities for the school. They have led trivia days, dress up days, and gave back to the community with a very successful Penny Wars to raise money for our local Thanksgiving dinner. They also hosted a Winter Snowball Fun Night and are currently working on a Spring Middle School Dance.
Catholic Schools Week was celebrated with lots of energy and school spirit! Throughout the week students participated in different whole-school activities. We kicked off the week with a Pancake Breakfast and continued on with the Four Corners Game, Cornhole Tournament, Olympics, making tie blankets for the
Future Historians
First Graders Dive into U.S. Presidents at Sacred Heart School, Waseca
Submitted by JACOB OLSON
at Sacred Heart School, history isn’t just a subject - it’s an adventure! Our first graders dive into the stories of America’s presidents, learning fascinating trivia that brings the past to life in a fun and engaging way.
More Than Just Names and Dates
While many students first encounter U.S. presidents in middle or high school, our first graders are already building a foundation in American history. They don’t just memorize names and dates; they discover interesting facts, inspiring stories, and fun details that make each president unique.
Did you know that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence? Or that Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president ever sworn into office? Our students do! One of their favorite facts is that Grover Cleveland was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms - until Donald Trump.
The Value of Knowledge in a Skills-Driven World
In today’s education landscape, there is a strong emphasis on teaching critical thinking, problemsolving, and communication skills. While these are essential, they must be built upon a strong foundation of factual knowledge. You can’t think critically about
history if you don’t know the history to begin with. Learning concrete facts - like who our presidents were, what they did, and how their leadership shaped the country - equips students with a deeper understanding of the world. A well-formed mind requires both knowledge and the ability to analyze it. At Sacred Heart, we ensure our students develop both.
Why Teach Presidential Trivia?
Memorization is often undervalued in modern education, but knowing key facts helps students make connections and build confidence in their learning. When they learn that Abraham Lincoln was a champion wrestler or that William Taft got stuck in a bathtub, history becomes real to them. They start asking great questions and making connections to what they see in the world today.
Blending Faith and Leadership
Beyond just fun facts, these lessons also instill values that align with our Catholic mission. As a Catholic school, we emphasize not just knowledge, but also the values of leadership, integrity, and service - qualities we hope our students will embody, just as many great leaders have before them. We highlight presidents who relied on faith and prayer, like George Washington, who often sought God’s guidance during the Revolutionary War. This helps our students see that leadership is not just about power, but about serving others.
local assisted living facility, and BINGO! The week ended with a Snowball Fun Night for St. Mary’s students and families and Mass with Bishop Barron.
The Believe and Read program is in our second year in our kindergarten through second grade classrooms and in our first year being implemented in our third grade classroom. We have seen phenomenal growth with our students throughout these past two years! We are so grateful to CSCOE for providing us with this wonderful opportunity for our students, staff, and school!
Throughout the various activities and events during the school year, St. Mary’s students and staff have modeled what is meant to be striving for sainthood. We look forward to the continued growth academically, spiritually, and growing stronger in our faith! St. Mary’s School has been blessed with another wonderful school year!
Rebecca Stutzman is the principal of St. Mary's School in Caledonia.
Fe�ruary 24-28, C�tter Sc���l� celebrated International Week, a cherished tradition that showcases the rich cultural diversity within its community. With more than 53 students from 13 countries living and learning at Cotter, the school embraces its global connections through a series of meaningful events and experiences. Tammy Hoeger, Director of Student Life, shared her excitement about International Week, calling it a time of pride and celebration at Cotter, especially in the residence hall.
One of the highlights of the week was the International Prayer and ceremony, led by Cotter’s boarding students. During this special gathering, students proudly processed in with their country’s flags, shared insights about their home countries, and introduced their peers to unique traditions, holidays, and cuisines. They also taught classmates how to say “Peace be with you” in their native languages. This powerful display of cultural pride and unity set the tone for the week’s celebrations.
Photo and caption submitted by JANA KORDER, communications, marketing & brand identity for Cotter Schools in Winona.
A Love for Learning That Lasts
Sacred Heart’s focus on academic excellence and engaged learning ensures that students develop a lifelong love of history. Whether it’s through trivia games, classroom discussions, or reenacting historical moments, our first graders are well on their way to becoming informed and thoughtful citizens.
Want to test your own presidential knowledge? Stop by our first-grade classroom - you might just learn something new from our future historians! Jacob Olson is the principal of Sacred Heart School in Waseca.
Testimony Guide
The following text was released by the U.S. BISHOPS as part of the Walk With One initiative of National Eucharistic Revival.
Why Give a Testimony?
Sacred Scripture reminds us, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence…” (1 Peter 3:15-16). A personal testimony is a powerful narrative through which the grace of God’s work in your life can be shared. It's through these stories that connections are forged, and relationships deepen. Sharing personal experiences creates a sense of community, grounded in shared lessons and moments that can transform lives and inspire real change. When we open up about the ways God has touched our lives, the impact deepens even further. The purpose of sharing a personal testimony is to illuminate the divine intervention you’ve experienced, thereby enriching the faith of those who hear your story.
How to Structure a Testimony
A testimony is typically broken down into three distinct parts:
1. You set the scene by explaining your situation before God acted. While you don’t want to glorify sin or past struggles, people will connect with you as you share your history with sincerity and vulnerability.
2. You describe the moment God intervened in your life. Share your feelings and the change of heart you experienced in this breakthrough moment.
3. Offer insight into your current situation and how God has changed your life because of that graced experience.
Remember that the situation may dictate your time to share your story. Therefore, it is best to think through multiple versions of your testimony. Consider how you could share your story in one, three, and 10 minutes. Preparing a few different versions will ensure you are equipped for any opportunity, just as the Sacred Scripture instructs.
How to Prepare and Give a Testimony
• When preparing, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in sharing the most important truths of your story. Believe that God will empower you through His Spirit to be his witness, as he promised.
• Remember, your testimony is a personal story of faith and transformation. Be authentic, and focus on how Christ has impacted your life. This story is ultimately about him, so ensure that you are authentically sharing about God’s actions.
• Your story does not have to be about an unhappy or distressing time in your faith journey. Your testimony could be anything. It could refer to the birth of a child, an encounter with God through a joyful encounter with a stranger, etc.
• In your testimony, avoid criticizing or judging others. Instead, use words that give hope and meaning to your listeners, sharing with them the goodness of life in God.
St. Joseph Retreat,
A special feature of the St. Joseph Retreat was the presence of Bishop Robert Barron. Bishop Barron presided at this retreat’s Mass; during his homily, Bishop Barron reflected on the life and example of St. Joseph, as well as other saints, like St. Patrick and St. Therese of Lisieux. Bishop Barron used these reflections on St. Joseph and other saints to reveal that in the spiritual life, the Christian must strive not to fall in love with the benefits of God, but rather to fall in love with the will of God. Bishop emphasized that St. Joseph and the Communion of Saints are those who did just that - their love for God was one out of love for his will, not for the benefits that were received from being in relationship with him. Following Mass, Bishop Barron then had lunch with the retreatants and spent time visiting with them. In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to Msgr. Melvin and all those who participated in this second retreat of The Holy Family Retreats & Pilgrimage series. Also, a special thank you to Bishop Robert Barron for presiding at this retreat’s Mass and having lunch with the retreatants! Finally, I would like to extend a personal invitation to all Catholics living throughout our diocese to attend and participate in our diocesan event’s
cont'd from pg. 6
final retreat. The St. Mary Retreat will be held on Saturday, April 12, at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Blue Earth (22 people are already registered for this retreat!). Some important reminders about this retreat:
• Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, & Confession will be offered;
• Breakfast, snacks & lunch are provided and included in one's registration fee;
• Daycare assistance will be provided for those Catholics with young children;
• A Spanish translator will be present to offer translation services for those Catholic Hispanics whose primary language is Spanish. For questions, more information, or to register for this final retreat, please go to the diocese’s website or contact me (bhansen@dowr.org | (507)-361-1939). We hope you will attend this final retreat of our diocesan event!
Brian Hansen is the coordinator of adult lay formation for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
Parish Events
March 2 - April 13, Sundays
Resurrection Parish, Rochester, will host the Life in the Spirit seminar from 2-3 p.m. on Sundays, at the church (1600 11th Ave. SE in Rochester). This free event is sponsored by the Lumen Christi Prayer Group to teach participants about the gifts of the Holy Spirit this Lent. Topics: The Life of Grace in the Holy Spirit (March 2), God's Praise and the Gift of Tongues (March 9), Faith and the Gift of Mighty Deeds (March 16), Spreading the Word and the Gift of Prophecy (March 23), Renewal of Baptism Vows and Baptism in the Holy Spirit (March 30), Sacrament of Anointing and the Gift of Healing (April 6), Next Steps and Testimonies (April 13).
April 13, Sunday
St. Ann Parish, Slayton, will host its Spring Dinner at the church (2747 29th Street in Slayton) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dine-In and Carry-Out from St. Ann's Hall. Ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, cole slaw, desserts and beverage. $12 adults and take-outs. $7 kids 10 & younger. Raffle prizes drawn at 1 p.m. Proceeds to church bell repairs and framing stained glass windows from St. Columba in front of the church.
April 27, Sunday
St. Patrick Parish, Brownsville , will host its Spring Fling at the church (604 Adams Street in Brownsville) from 9 a.m. to noon. Breakfast, Big Ticket raffle, silent auction, quilt raffle, basket raffles, jewelry sale, bake sale and kids' games. Drawings at 1 p.m. Breakfast menu is egg bake, sausage, pancakes, fruit juice and coffee. $15 per adult meal. $10 kids 6-12. Free 5 & younger. Dine-in or carry-out. Facebook at stpatrickschurchbrownsvillemn
April 28, Monday
St. Bernard Parish, Stewartville, will host its famous Mama Tranchita's Spaghetti Dinner at Riverview Golf & Event Center in Stewartville. Seating times are 4:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:40 p.m., or take-out. Spaghetti & meat balls are homemade by Mama's Boys of the St. Bernard Men's Club, and served with garlic toast, salad, wine, dessert and entertainment. $25 per person. Advance online purchases at sbsbparishes.org.
May 9, Friday
Sacred Heart Parish, Waseca, will hold a 25th Anniversary of Ordination Celebration for Father Glenn Frerichs, beginning at 6 p.m. with a Mass of Thanksgiving in the church (111 4th Street NW in Waseca). Following Mass is dinner at The Mill Event Center (310 2nd Avenue SW in Waseca). Kindly reply by May 1 to parishoffice@sacredheartwaseca.org, or by calling the parish office at 507-835-1222.
May 10, Saturday
Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, will be the location of a Living Rosary for the Unborn at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald Assembly 548 of the Knights of Columbus. The cemetery is located at 500 11th Ave NE in Rochester. All are invited to participate. Call Alan Peterson with any questions: 507-421-3205.
*Divine Mercy Sunday Events on Back Page*
We Rise from Ashes
By SHELLY HOLT
dear Sisters in Christ,
As we step into this sacred season of Lent, we are invited to journey together in faith, hope, and renewal. I always think of the hymn “Ashes” which many of us sang on Ash Wednesday. It begins with the line, “We rise again from ashes to create ourselves anew.” Lent is such a powerful reminder that even in our brokenness, God is at work, bringing forth new life.
NCCW Spiritual Advisor Fr. Thomas Washburn wrote in the March issue of NCCW's President's Pen, "The ashes we received on our foreheads are not just a sign of our mortality but also a symbol of transformation. They call us to humility, repentance, and surrender - to let go of the things that weigh us down and embrace the grace that lifts us up. No matter our struggles, our wounds, or the burdens we carry, we are never beyond God’s mercy.”
The first months of 2025 have been very challenging for me personally and may have been for many of you as well. God is doing a transformational work in each of us and in our family, all the circles, institutions, and systems with which we are surrounded. Personally, illness in myself and various family members, death of a friend by suicide, being pulled in multiple directions due to being in the
“sandwich generation” with challenges of elderly parents and my youngest grandson spending five days in the Mayo NICU due to RSV, all while trying to meet the needs of my clients, has at times taxed my nervous system. I teach my clients to “reframe thinking” and look at situations from all angles. I teach them to put themselves in the “eye of the storm” where it’s the calmest or “in Jesus' lap on the boat,” if they are Christian, breathing deeply and rhythmically to calm their central nervous system. I’ve had to practice this daily myself!
I choose to believe God is “upleveling” his people to himself as the chaff (non-essentials) is “burned away.” Sometimes it is the “good and Godly stuff” that needs to be put aside to get rebalanced with God at the center of everything and to draw closer to Jesus. The only true essential is looking to the Holy Spirit for guidance in how we are to become more like God as we use our God-given charisms to build up the kingdom.
By the time you read this, Lent will be half over. It may be time to recommit to your prayer, fasting, and almsgiving practices so eloquently described in the March Courier. The east side CCW Lenten retreat that was to be held on March 1 in Albert Lea is going to be rescheduled, and the date will be announced and flyers updated. The west side Council of Catholic Women morning retreat will be held on April 5
Think Before You Speak!
By DEACON ROBERT T. YERHOT, MSW
"
�rom the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks" (Lk 6:45), and, “When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear; so do one’s faults when one speaks” (Sir 27:4). How we speak about others says a lot about us. Our heart and our desires are revealed in our speech. How true it is. It reminds me of a particular caution and a particular sin. The caution is: Think before you speak! Do not needlessly harm a man’s reputation, or your own, with rash speech! The sin is detraction, which, according to the Catechism, is the disclosure of another’s faults and sins, without an objectively valid reason, to persons who did not know about them, thus causing unjust injury to that person’s reputation. Everyone has a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation, and to respect. Detraction is a sin against this right and against the truth.
So much political speech nowadays is pure detraction. When I turn on the radio, it seems to flood my home with loud, accusatory, and negative speech, always attacking someone’s reputation. Free speech, they claim. First Amendment rights, they assert. Really? Even courts of law recognize no one has the right to slander or libel another.
Years ago, I heard coworkers dumping on their wives, devaluing them
publicly, exposing their faults. It said a lot about those men’s characters. I also heard wives always finding fault with their husbands rather than looking for that which was admirable about them.
I tire of it. Enough, I say. Stop it!
Detraction is a sin against the truth. God is truth, the source of all truth, for each one of us and for the person we are tempted to criticize and expose. The truth is each person is a child of God and infinitely loved by him. How different we would treat each other if we really believed that!
One reason the sin of detraction is so widespread is that people do not believe that truth is from God. This denial of the divine origin of truth is a big deal. For many, truth is relative to their feelings. “If I feel
at Brewster from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. All ladies from anywhere in the diocese are invited to attend.
I’ll conclude with the rest of Fr. Tom’s column:
Like the phoenix that rises from the ashes, we, too, are called to riserenewed, strengthened, and filled with the fire of God’s love.
Lent is not just a season of sacrifice but a time of deepening our relationship with Christ. Through prayer, we open our hearts to His voice. Through fasting, we detach from the distractions that pull us away from Him. Through almsgiving, we extend His love to those in need. In each of these practices, we find healing and renewal, allowing us to rise from the ashes of our past into the light of His grace. As Catholic women, we are called to be bearers of hope. Whether in our families, our workplaces, or our communities, we can be instruments of God’s love.
This Lent, let us walk together, encouraging one another in faith. Be women who rise—women who lift each other up, women who reflect Christ’s light, and women who prepare our hearts for the glory of Easter.
Shelly Holt is the president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She may be reached at shellyholttotalwellness@gmail.com or 507-381-2842.
violates my personal viewpoint. We become our own god.
No, my friends; God is the source of truth. If something is really true, then it comes from God. So, what I am about to say about someone else - is it of God, and from him?
I read in a church bulletin that there are three questions we need to ask ourselves before revealing the faults of others. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary to say it?
If it is true, it is from God, not from us.
If it is kind, our motivation will be pure. Lies are never kind. Half-truths are cruel. Hatred is evil. Anger is destructive. Wounding others’ reputations is sinful. Is it necessary to reveal it? To answer, we must sleep on it. We must pray about it before we speak. When might it be necessary? On the witness stand in a court of law. Before God in the confessional or in spiritual direction. When intervening to save a man’s life and well-being. When protecting a vulnerable individual from serious harm. In other words, it is seldom necessary to reveal someone’s faults to
From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks! Fill your heart with good things. Fill your heart with the Lord. Fill your heart with the truth which comes from God himself. Fill your heart with the love of God for you and for all. Fill your heart with the truth who is God. Then your heart will be full of good things and your speech will be just, and true, and honorable.
Deacon Robert Yerhot serves the parishes of St. Mary in Caledonia and St. Patrick in Brownsville.
Obituaries
Sister Denay Ulrich, SSND, 83, died March 13, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community – Windermere, Shakopee, Minnesota. Her funeral Mass was celebrated March 31 at Windermere Chapel, Shakopee, with Fr. Joe Fogal as presider. Burial followed in the Good Counsel Cemetery, Mankato.
Sister Denay (Cleo Ulrich) was born in 1941 in Mankato. She attended St. John the Baptist School in Mankato for grades one through eight, and Good Counsel Academy in Mankato for her high school years. She entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato following her high school graduation in 1959. After profession of First Vows in 1961, she continued her college education and completed her BA degree in 1963. She taught elementary and high school students at Catholic Schools in Minnesota and North Dakota, including St. Felix High School/ Wabasha Public School, Wabasha (1966-70) and Good Counsel Academy, Mankato (1970-72). At Wabasha, when
The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday
Sioux Falls - ODLT Channel 7 at 7 a.m.
Sioux City - KPTH Channel 44 at 8:30 a.m.
Mankato - KEYC Channel 12 at 7:30 a.m.
Digital Channel 12.2 or Charter Channel 19 NEYC at 9:30 a.m.
Digital Channel 7 (DirecTV) or Channel 11 (DISH) KMNF at 9 a.m.
Rochester/Austin/Mason City
KIMT Channel 3 at 7:30 a.m.
MyTV 3.2 at 9 a.m.
Twin Cities - WFTC Digital Channel 29 or Channel 9.2 at 11:30 a.m.
Southeastern MN - HBC Channel 20 at 3 p.m. (repeated Wed. at 3:30 p.m.)
Winona/La Crosse/Eau Claire - WLAX/WEUX Channel 25/48 at 7:30 a.m.
and on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass")
St. Felix High School closed, she and two other School Sisters of Notre Dame were hired to teach in the public school to help accommodate the increase in enrollment. Other areas of ministry included assisting at Cabrini House, a residence for unwed mothers in Winona; pastoral ministry in Rio Bravo, Guatemala; SSND leadership as a member of the Provincial Council in Mankato; and director of initial formation for women interested in becoming School Sisters of Notre Dame. In 1999 she began working as a teacher of immigrants who were learning the English language at MORE in St. Paul. She returned to Good Counsel in 2018 and moved to Shakopee in 2022 with other School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Sister Denay is survived by her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates, her sisters Denny Longbottom and Vee Kuehnl, and her brother, Chip. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Vera (Hye) Ulrich and her sister, Karen Long. A longer obituary and a recording of her funeral will be available at www.ssndcp.org/obituaries. Memorials may be directed to the School Sisters of Notre Dame; 11 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 310; Mankato, MN 56001.
Sister Kathryn Minar, OSF, 81, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Kathryn Ann Minar was born on April 28, 1943, in Northfield to James and Agnes (Zelenka) Minar. She was very proud of her Czech heritage. Her father’s baptismal name was Wenceslaus, and her parents grew up in New Prague. After marriage, they moved to rural Northfield and had nine children. This is the first generation to marry someone of non-Czech heritage. Sister Kathryn Minar entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1962, received the name of Sister Agnella, and made perpetual vows in 1970.
Sister Kathryn dedicated more than 50 years of service as a librarian in several communities, including Rochester and Winona, MN; and Huron, SD. Her career began at Cotter High School in Winona, where she served from 1970 to 1978. She then moved on to Huron College in Huron, SD, serving as a librarian from 1979 to 1982. From 1982 to 1989, Sister Kathryn worked as an audio-visual librarian at the College of St. Teresa in Winona. In 1992, she began a new chapter at the Tau Center in Winona, where she served as librarian and contributed to
Franciscan Studies until 2002. Sister Kathryn continued her service as the Franciscan Life Librarian at Assisi Heights in Rochester from 2002 until her retirement in 2022.
Survivors of Sister Kathryn Minar include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 63 years; one brother, James Minar; five sisters, Mary Ann Damm, Barbara MacDonald, Monica Boe, Agnes Paul, and Geralyn Lindblom. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Ann Minar, and Margaret Minar.
A Resurrection Liturgy was held at Assisi Heights on Thursday, March 27, 2025, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.
Urge Congress to Protect the Persecuted
The following action alert from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops appears on the following webpage, alongside an easy-to-use guide for writing or calling lawmakers: votervoice.net/USCCB/Campaigns (select "Urge Congress to Protesct the Persecuted").
"[I]t �� t�e ���t�r�c p�l�cy �� t�e Un�ted State� to respond to the urgent needs of persons subject to persecution in their homelands. ... Congress further declares that it is the policy of the United States to encourage all nations to provide assistance and resettlement opportunities to refugees to the fullest extent possible."
These opening lines of the Refugee Act of 1980—the law creating the statutory authority for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)—communicates the importance of responding to the needs of those forced to flee their homes because they are persecuted on the basis of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Carrying out the Gospel’s mandate to care for the “least of these” (Mt. 25:31-46), the Catholic Church has served refugees in the United States since well before USRAP’s creation.
Today, no refugees are being resettled through USRAP. This ban impacts thousands of refugees who had already been fully processed, undergone extensive security checks, and approved for refugee status by the federal government while outside of the United States. This includes many persecuted Christians, as well as Afghans who had been approved for special immigrant visas because of the assistance they provided to the U.S. mission and U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan.
The indefinite suspension of USRAP is the result of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 20. The order requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report by April 20, 2025, regarding whether refugee resettlement is in the national interest. However, the order leaves the decision about whether to resume refugee resettlement to the President alone, without any timeline stated for that decision.
On January 24, the State Department issued suspension notices to domestic resettlement agencies, including the USCCB, impacting their ability to carry out services under the Reception and Placement (R&P) Program. The R&P Program provides crucial assistance to refugees and Afghan special immigrant visa holders during their first three months in the United States to support their successful integration and help them to achieve self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. Services provided through the R&P Program include help finding initial housing, securing employment, enrolling children in school, scheduling medical appointments, and English language classes.
The chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, addressed the suspension of USRAP on January 22, stating: “Indefinitely halting refugee resettlement is unmerited, as it is already proven to be one of the most secure legal pathways to the United States.”
Ask your members of Congress to lift up their voice in support of upholding our nation’s bipartisan legacy of refugee resettlement.
Funding Cuts, cont'd from
American economic, foreign policy and national security interests as well as global stability and prosperity.
While the administration’s funding cuts have had devastating effects on our brothers and sisters in other countries, their impact has also been felt much closer to home. Here at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, fully half of our programs have been impacted by the termination or freezing of federal grants since January.
In particular, our Refugee Resettlement program has had 42 percent of its funding cut, with another 22 percent frozen. In addition to this loss of future funding, the federal government has also failed to reimburse Catholic Charities for $75,000 worth of assistance we have already provided to the 51 refugees we have welcomed recently. These families, who have already been forced to flee persecution, subjected to a rigorous vetting process, and
Triduum, cont'd from pg. 2
The celebrant, before he says, Behold the Lamb of God, may make a brief remark to the neophytes about their first Communion and about the importance of so great a mystery, which is the climax of initiation and the center of the Christian life. This is a night when all should be able to receive Holy Communion under both forms.
What directions are given for the celebration of Masses on Easter Sunday?
Mass is to be celebrated on Easter Day with great solemnity. A full complement of ministers and
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required to wait for years before arriving in the United States, now face further uncertainty because of these funding cuts.
You can help in two different ways. First, you can reach out to your elected leaders and urge them to reinstate funding for foreign assistance and refugee resettlement programs. CRS has an action alert that can be accessed here: https://support.crs.org/act/foreign-aidoperations?ms=mamcrs0225app00fea00
Secondly, Catholic Charities’ annual appeal is just around the corner! In the next couple of weeks, you should be receiving information on how you can support the work that we do to help not only refugees, but also our unhoused neighbors, older adults, and families in need all throughout Southern Minnesota.
Isaac Landsteiner is the director of parish social ministry for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.
the use of liturgical music should be evident in all celebrations. On Easter Sunday in the dioceses of the United States, the rite of the renewal of baptismal promises may take place after the homily, followed by the sprinkling with water blessed at the Vigil, during which the antiphon Vidi aquam, or some other song of baptismal character should be sung. (If the renewal of baptismal promises does not occur, then the Creed is said. The Roman Missal notes that the Apostles' Creed, "the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church," might be appropriately used during Easter Time.) The holy water fonts at the entrance to the church should also be filled with the same water. On the subsequent Sundays of Easter, it is appropriate that the Rite for the Blessing and Sprinkling of Water take the place of the Penitential Act.
Divine Mercy Sunday in the
Diocese of Winona-Rochester
April
27, 2025
Adams
Sacred Heart Parish will hold a 2:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Service. 507-582-3120.
Austin
Queen of Angels Parish will hold a 2 p.m. Divine Mercy Prayer Service. All welcome. 507-433-1888.
Caledonia
St. Mary Parish will hold a Holy Hour from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. 507-725-3804.
Fairmont
St. John Vianney Parish will observe Divine Mercy Sunday from 2:30 - 4 p.m. with a Holy Hour, Exposition, Adoration, Chaplet and Confession. 507235-5535.
Lake City
St. Mary of the Lake Parish will hold a 3 p.m. Holy Hour, with Divine Mercy Chaplet and Confession available. 651-3454134.
Madelia
St. Mary Parish will observe Divine Mercy Sunday from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., with Chaplet, Adoration, Confession, and Benediction. 507-642-8305.
Mankato
Ss. Peter and Paul Parish will observe Divine Mercy Sunday from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession available throughout, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Messages from St. Faustina's Diary, Rosary, Consecration to the Divine Mercy, and Benediction. 507388-2995.
Origin of Divine Mercy Sunday
from usccb.org
mankind’s need for the message of Divine Mercy took on dire urgency in the 20th Century, when civilization began to experience an “eclipse of the sense of God” and, therefore to lose the understanding of the sanctity and inherent dignity of human life. In the 1930s, Jesus chose a humble Polish nun, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, to receive private revelations concerning Divine Mercy that were recorded in her Diary. St. John Paul II explains: This was precisely the time when those ideologies of evil, nazism and communism, were taking shape. Sister Faustina became the herald of the one message capable of off-setting the evil of those ideologies, that fact that God is mercy—the truth of the merciful Christ. And for this reason, when I was called to the See of Peter, I felt impelled to pass on those experiences of a fellow Pole that deserve a place in the treasury of the universal Church.
-Pope St. John Paul II, Memory and Identity (2005)
Divine Mercy Sunday: St. Faustina’s Diary records 14 occasions when Jesus requested that a Feast
St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish will have 26 college students entering the Church at 10 a.m. Mass. 507387-4154.
Owatonna
St. Joseph Parish will hold a Divine Mercy Service from 36:30 p.m., featuring Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3, Adoration and Confessions from 3:30 to 5:45, and Solemn Vespers and Benediction at 6:00. 507-451-4845.
Plainview
St. Joachim Parish will begin its Divine Mercy Service at 2:30 p.m. with Exposition and Reconciliation, followed by Chaplet at 3:00, and Benediction and Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image at 3:30. 507-534-3321.
Rochester
Resurrection Parish will observe Divine Mercy Sunday from 2-4 p.m., with Adoration, Confession, Rosary, and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. 507288-5528.
Slayton
St. Ann Parish will observe Divine Mercy Sunday from 2 - 3:15 p.m., with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction. 507836-8030.
Wabasha
St. Felix Parish will begin Exposition and Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m., followed by Confession. Vespers and Benediction at 4:30. 651-5653931.
of Mercy (Divine Mercy Sunday) be observed, for example:
My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. … Let no soul fear to draw near to Me. … It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.
-St. Faustina, Diary, no. 699
On May 5, 2000, five days after the canonization of St. Faustina, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.
The Image: Jesus appeared to St. Faustina in a vision, with his right hand raised in a blessing and
Waseca
Sacred Heart Parish wll hold a Divine Mercy Service at 2 p.m., featuring Exposition, Confession, Chaplet and Benediction. 507-835-1222.
Winona
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart will observe Divine Mercy Sunday from 2:30 - 4 p.m., with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a short Divine Mercy Exhortation, Confession, Chaplet, and Benediction. Following the service will be refreshments and fellowship, and continuing confessions if need be. 507450-0112.
Worthington
St. Mary Parish will begin with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 2-3 p.m., followed by bilingual Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00. Final Blessing at 3:15. 507-3766005.
his left touching his garment above his heart. Red and white rays emanate from his heart, symbolizing the blood and water that was poured out for our salvation and our sanctification. The Lord requested that “Jesus, I trust in You” be inscribed under his image. Jesus asked that his image be painted and venerated throughout the world: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish” (Diary, no. 48) and “By means of this image I will grant many graces to souls” (Diary, no. 742).
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy: The Chaplet was also given to St. Faustina with this promise: “Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you” (Diary, no. 1541). “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. … Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy” (Diary, no. 687).
The Divine Mercy Novena: Jesus gave St. Faustina nine intentions for which to pray the Chaplet beginning on Good Friday and ending on the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday.
