The COURIER
The NeocaTechumeNal Way
Living Out the Faith in a Christian Community
By KAT LARSON
�he Neocatechumenal Way originated in the shanty town of ‘Palomeras Altas’ in Madrid, Spain. A Spanish painter, winner of the Special National Painting Prize in 1959, named Francisco José Gómez Arguello, also known as "Kiko," was experiencing a deep existential crisis. This crisis led him to abandon everything and, following in the footsteps of Charles de Foucauld, he went to live among the poor. Here he discovered, in
the suffering of the innocents, the mystery of Christ Crucified, who is present in the last ones of the earth. A lay missionary, Carmen Hernández, also a Spaniard from a wealthy family, was also drawn to live among the poor of ‘Palomeras Altas’ where she met Kiko.
In this process Kiko received an inspiration from the Virgin Mary: “We must make Christian communities like the Holy Family of Nazareth, who live in humility, simplicity and praise. The other is Christ.”
Growing in Our Faith through Lenten Practices
By CINDY MEYERHOFER
�o you feel a stirring in your heart as we approach the season of Lent on March 5? It is my favorite time of year to draw nearer to Jesus through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - reminiscent of the 40 days in the dessert that Jesus spent in prayer and fasting in preparation for his public ministry.
Unlike the Advent season, Lent offers a slower pace and there is simply more time to prepare for our desired growth in holiness through fasting, prayer and almsgiving. There are so many options available from great books, podcasts, retreats and parish missions. Sometimes I tend to focus on all the great resources and miss the importance of silence and prayer to really discern what God is asking of me. So, you may be wondering what the Catholic Church teaches us about prayer, fasting and almsgiving and how to create a personal plan to grow closer to the Lord this Lent.
Prayer
While we may not be able to go into the desert for 40 days of prayer, we can perhaps strive for 40 minutes of daily prayer or volunteer for a few hours of Eucharistic Adoration or attend a few daily masses. A friend recently shared a
L to R: Daniel Lopez, Alexa Lopez, one of their children, Tim Johnson, Rev. Melquisedec Salcedo, and Miguel Rodriguez at the Lopez home in Austin.
The Courier Insider
Pope Continues to Be in 'Critical,' but 'Stable' Condition
By CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Francis' "clinical condition remains critical but stable" and the "prognosis remains guarded," the Vatican's evening bulletin said Feb. 25.
The 88-year-old pope, who has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14, has had no recurrence of "acute respiratory episodes," the Vatican said.
The "hemodynamic parameters" that measure heart health "continue to be stable," the bulletin said.
In the evening, Pope Francis underwent the third CT scan of his hospitalization to monitor his double pneumonia, it said.
A source said the results of the CT scan were not expected until the next day and specified that the pope's "stable" condition included the "mild renal insufficiency" that the pope's doctors had reported Feb. 23 but that they said was "under control"
by the next evening.
"In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work," the bulletin also said.
In a sign affirming that Pope Francis has been able to work while in the hospital, the Vatican said earlier Feb. 25 that the pope had signed several decrees regarding sainthood causes the previous day during a meeting at the hospital with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and with Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute secretary of state.
The announcement followed a typically brief morning update on the health of the 88-year-old pope, which said, "The pope rested well, all night."
Hours after visiting Pope Francis in the hospital, Cardinal Parolin led the recitation of the rosary in St. Peter's Square, praying for the pope and his health. Some two dozen cardinals joined the nighttime prayer, along with officials of the Roman Curia and hundreds of Catholics from Rome and around the world.
The 9 p.m. rosary will be a fixed appointment, the Vatican said. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, led the prayer Feb. 25 with
This Lent, Compare Your
By JUSTIN MCLELLAN, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Francis urged Christians to examine their consciences in Lent by comparing their daily lives to the hardships faced by migrants, calling it a way to grow in empathy and discover God's call to compassion.
"It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father," the pope wrote in his message for Lent 2025.
The message, signed Feb. 6, before the pope was hospitalized Feb. 14 for treatment of double pneumonia, was released by the Vatican Feb. 25.
Reflecting on the theme "Let us journey together in hope," the pope said that Lent is a time to confront both personal and collective struggles with faith and compassion.
Comparing the Lenten journey to the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt, he recalled "our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones."
Articles of Interest
more than a dozen cardinals and hundreds of faithful.
"We pray for the health of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Tagle said. "Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may he experience the loving presence of the Risen Lord and the supportive closeness of the Christian community."
Life to
a Migrant's, Pope Says
"A first call to conversion thus comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life," he wrote. "Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone?"
Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of journeying together, saying Christians are called to walk "side by side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded."
Christians, he said, should reflect on whether they are open to others or focused only on their own needs.
The pope called on Christians to journey together in hope toward Easter, living out the central message of the Jubilee Year: "Hope does not disappoint."
Another Lenten call to conversion, he said, is to embrace hope and trust in God's promise of eternal life, made possible through Christ's resurrection.
Pope Francis encouraged Christians to consider whether they truly live in a way that reflects hope, trusting in God's promise of eternal life, seeking forgiveness and committing themselves to justice, fraternity and care for creation.
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"Christ," he wrote, "lives and reigns in glory. Death has been transformed into triumph, and the faith and great hope of Christians rests in this: the resurrection of Christ!"
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.
Pope Francis blesses Mbgengue Nyimbilo Crepin, a migrant from Cameroon whose wife and daughter died crossing the North African desert, during a meeting in the Domus Sanctae Marthae at the Vatican Nov. 17, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
March Saint St. Turibius of Mogrovejo
Feast Day: March 23
From Catholic News Agency
�
atholics in Latin America and throughout the world will celebrate the life and ministry of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo on March 23. The 16th century bishop upheld the rights of Peru's indigenous peoples, and became one of the first canonized saints of the Americas.
Turibius was born in Spain during 1538, to a noble family in the kingdom of Leon. He frequently
The Holy Father's Intention for March 2025
For Families in Crisis
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other's gifts, even in their differences.
prayed, fasted, and gave to the poor even as a child, and eventually developed the daily habit of praying the Rosary along with the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He went on to study law at the University of Salamanca, and eventually served as a judge for five years in the territory of Granada. His judicial wisdom and diligence drew the attention of King Philip II, who wanted Turibius – who was still a layman – to be consecrated as a missionary archbishop for the Spanish colony of Peru.
Turibius became greatly dismayed, protesting to the king and Church authorities that he was not even a priest and could not possibly accept the charge. In a series of letters, he pled that he was not personally capable of serving as the Archbishop of Lima – nor, he reminded them, did canon law permit a layman to become an archbishop.
Eventually, however, he had little choice but to comply. He was consecrated as a bishop in 1581, at the age of 43, and immediately left for Lima, Peru.
The new archbishop undertook to travel throughout the rugged and mountainous diocese, where he observed many of the worst effects of colonialism – both upon the enslaved and oppressed natives, and on many of the colonists who seemed to have lost their souls in the pursuit of wealth.
He responded with constant prayer and penance, as he traveled throughout his territory administering the sacraments, teaching the Catholic faith, and establishing schools, seminaries and hospitals.
To the indigenous Peruvians, the archbishop was a herald of the Gospel who held their lives as more precious than their country's supplies of gold and silver. But to the many colonists whose behavior showed no sign of their Catholic origins, he was a prophetic scourge – whose efforts to awaken the public conscience earned him rebukes and opposition.
Turibius ultimately managed to make three visi-
tations of his diocese, under rugged and dangerous conditions, which occupied about half of his 25 years as Archbishop of Lima. He united the Peruvian Church at an administrative level by holding several local councils of its clergy, but was also known to spend days traveling to reach a single individual with the message of Christ.
The archbishop became seriously ill in 1606. He sensed that his death was imminent, and decreed that his possessions should be distributed to the poor. St. Turibius died on March 23, and his body was found to be incorrupt the next year. He was declared a saint in 1726, and is now regarded as the patron of native peoples' rights and Latin American bishops.
This Month in The Courier Archives
50 & 75 Years
The beauty of the lush jungle foliage surrounding Bishop Bernard Harrington might obscure the fact that he is in one of the poorest dioceses in the world - the Diocese of Port Vila in the island nation of Vanuatu. In the spirit of jubilee, most parishes in the Diocese of Winona have pledged a one percent tithe of their incomes for this year to assist Port Vila in reducing its debt. Bishop Harrington visited Vanuatu in January to personally deliver the first payment of that pledge to Michele Visi, Bishop of Port Vila.
Reprinted from March 2000.
The Ark of the Covenant is one of Mrs. Paul Kronebush's favorite teaching aids. A CCD teacher at Holy Trinity, Rollingstone, Mrs. Kronebush made the ARK with her own children when they were in her classes. She continues to use it with her first, second and third graders.
Reprinted from March 28, 1975.
Wells - Pictured above is the architects drawing of the new church to be built for St. Casimir's parish here. The new structure will replace the one destroyed by the tornado in August 1946. As soon as the blue prints are ready the bids will be let and actual construction is expected to start this spring. The Rev. Leon Hazinski is the pastor.
Reprinted from March 5, 1950.
From the Bishop
� had the privilege of participating as an elected delegate in the two sessions of the Synod on Synodality in Rome. At the forefront of our conversations during those two Roman Octobers was the central importance of consultation with the laity. In that light, I want to bring synodality to our Diocese of WinonaRochester by sponsoring our own local synod this year. I want with all my heart to consult with the good Catholic people of southern Minnesota regarding the two issues I consider of primary importance to us: vocations and evangelization. You might wonder why our synod process would be restricted to those themes and not open to considering the range of hot-button issues that preoccupy Catholics: women’s ordination, gay marriage, LGBT rights, etc.
The main reason is that the resolution of these matters is simply beyond the authority of a local synod, and hence we would run the danger that our discussions would just devolve into pointless bickering. On the basis of my own authority
Officials
The Most Rev. Robert Barron, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, announces the following:
Parochial Administrator
Very Rev. Raúl Silva: appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish in Worthington, effective January 25, 2025. Leave
Rev. Timothy Biren: granted administrative leave, effective January 10, 2025.
As the Diocesan Synod Approaches
as bishop, I am designating vocations and evangelization as our topics, first, because they are of central significance to the flourishing of our diocese, and, second, we can actually do something about them. Therefore, we will focus, not so much on the what and the why, but the how. How precisely do we increase the number of our seminarians and the number of people in our pews?
One way to state the importance of vocations is by means of a simple calculus: the Church, as John Paul II said, comes from the Eucharist, and the Eucharist comes from priests; therefore, no priests, no Church. It really is as straightforward and sobering as that. We have a community of wonderful priests in our diocese, most of them pastoring two, three, or even four parishes. And many of our retired priests are helping out heroically. But we must come to terms with the fact that we have too few priests to cover our parishes and that many of them are fast approaching retirement. So, what can be done? I might make a few simple suggestions in anticipation of the fuller deliberation of the synod. First, if you know a young man who has the virtues necessary for the priesthood - prayerfulness, kindness, a love for the liturgy, an openness to service - tell him. Study after study has revealed that the most decisive factor in prompting a young man to enter the seminary is
Bishop's Calendar
*indicates event is open to the public
March 1, Saturday
11:30 a.m. - Marriage Retreat Mass - Alverna Center, Winona
March 2, Sunday
*10 a.m. - Mass for the Opening of the Diocesan SynodCathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona
March 3, Monday
*9:30 a.m. - Fr. Eugene Stenzel Funeral Mass - St. Casimir, Wells
March 5, Ash Wednesday
*7 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass (Spanish) - St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester
that someone he respected told him he would make a fine priest. Second, foster a culture of vocations, especially at home. This means that Catholic parents should discuss the possibility of priesthood with their children, invite priests over for dinner, pray regularly with their kids that they might find the path God wants for them. Make openness to the priesthood something natural and normal. Third, and most importantly, beg the Lord to send workers into his vineyard. In the Bible, nothing truly great is ever accomplished apart from prayer. So, pray, implore, ask for priests - with insistence and persistence.
How can one possibly overstate the significance of our second synodal theme? St. Pope Paul VI said that the Church exists for the sake of evangelization. He specified that the Church doesn’t have a mission to evangelize; it is a mission to evangelize. Every ecclesial institution - schools, universities, hospitals, parishes, seminaries, social service organizations, etc.has as its purpose to declare the Lordship of Jesus and draw people into his life.
That we need to evangelize in the Winona-Rochester Diocese is particularly clear. Our last October count - the numbering of all those who attend Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday throughout our diocese - revealed that roughly 21% of Catholics are coming to the Eucharistic liturgy. This represents a modest improvement over last year’s 18%, but it is still,
March 6, Thursday
*8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The Chancery, Rochester
12 p.m. - Deans Meeting - The Chancery, Rochester
2:30 p.m. - Clergy Personnel Committee - The Chancery, Rochester
March 9, Sunday
*3 p.m. - Rite of Election - Queen of Angels, Austin
March 10-12, MondayWednesday
USCCB Committee MeetingsWashington, D.C.
March 14, Friday
2 p.m. - Bishop's Cabinet - The Chancery, Rochester
frankly, a pathetic figure. To be fair, it is comparable to most other dioceses across our country, but still, it should deeply unnerve us. The Fathers of Vatican II taught that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Christian lifeand yet some 80% of baptized Catholics stay away from it. Bottom line: we need more people in our churches. So, what can we do? A first suggestion is one that, I promise, I am going to make during our synod: each person who is coming regularly to Mass should resolve to bring one person back to Mass this coming year. I don’t mean that you have to go out to the margins. Find someone in your family, in your circle of friends, among your colleagues at work, who is Catholic and who should be going to church and bring him or her back. Will this require some effort, some prayer, some risk? Of course. But each one of us by baptism is commissioned to be an evangelist. A second recommendation: get educated. St. Peter said that Christians should “always be ready to give a reason for the hope within us.” Many of the young people who are disaffiliating from the churches today say that they had questions about the faith that were never adequately answered. Happily, in the last 25 years, there has been an explosion in Catholic apologetics and catechetics, largely in response to the “new” atheism. Take advantage of these books, podcasts, films, and videos. Learn good
March 15, Saturday
11:15 a.m. - Mass for Diocesan St. Joseph Retreat - St. Joseph, Owatonna
March 16, Sunday
*10 a.m. - Mass - St. Francis of Assisi, Rochester
March 18, Tuesday
12 p.m. - Presbyteral CouncilThe Chancery, Rochester
March 19, Wednesday
9 a.m. - Q&A with Upperclassmen - Cotter Schools, Winona
10 a.m. - School Mass - Cotter Schools, Winona
March 20, Thursday Lecture - Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI
answers to the questions skeptics typically have and be ready to explain why being a Christian makes good sense. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, live your faith publicly and joyfully. Let others see that your Catholicism gives purpose and meaning to your life and makes you happy. Pope Francis has often warned against “prune-faced” Catholics, who are, necessarily, very ineffective evangelizers. So, can I ask all of you to get involved with the synod this coming year? There will be numerous opportunities to join the discussion at the parochial, regional, and diocesan levels. And the entire process will culminate in a festive gathering and liturgy. We need more priests and more people in our diocese. And I need your help!
March 22, Saturday
10:30 a.m. - Diaconate Gathering - St. Pius X, Rochester
March 23, Sunday
*10:30 a.m. - Mass - St. Mary, Winona
March 25, Tuesday
*8:30 a.m. - Staff Mass - The Chancery, Rochester
10:30 a.m. - College of Consultors - The Chancery, Rochester
March 26, Wednesday
Minnesota Catholic Conference
Meetings - St. Paul
March 27, Thursday
Meetings with Minnesota Bishops and State Legislators - St. Paul
Non Nisi Te Domine
Bishop
Robert Barron
Por EL OBISPO ROBERT BARRON
Ante la proximidad del Sínodo Diocesano 5
�
uve el privilegio de participar como delegado electo en las dos sesiones del Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad en Roma. En el primer plano de nuestras conversaciones durante esos dos octubres romanos estuvo la importancia central de la consulta con los laicos. En este sentido, quiero traer la sinodalidad a nuestra diócesis de Winona-Rochester patrocinando nuestro propio sínodo local este año. Deseo de todo corazón consultar al buen pueblo católico del sur de Minnesota sobre los dos temas que considero de primordial importancia para nosotros: las vocaciones y la evangelización.
Quizá se pregunten por qué nuestro proceso sinodal se limitaría a esos temas y no estaría abierto a considerar la gama de cuestiones candentes que preocupan a los católicos: la ordenación de mujeres, el matrimonio homosexual, los derechos LGBT, etc. La razón principal es que la resolución de estas cuestiones está sencillamente más allá de la autoridad de un sínodo local y, por tanto, correríamos el peligro de que nuestros debates se convirtieran en discusiones sin sentido. Basándome en mi propia autoridad como obispo, designo las vocaciones y la evangelización como nuestros temas, en primer lugar, porque son de importancia central para el florecimiento de nuestra diócesis y, en segundo lugar, porque realmente podemos hacer algo al respecto. Por tanto, nos centraremos no tanto en el qué y el por qué, sino en el cómo. ¿Cómo podemos precisamente aumentar el número de nuestros seminaristas y el número de personas en nuestros bancos?
Una forma de plantear la importancia de las vocaciones es mediante un simple cálculo: la Iglesia, como dijo Juan Pablo II, viene de la Eucaristía, y la Eucaristía viene de los sacerdotes; por tanto, sin sacerdotes, no hay Iglesia. Es así de sencillo y aleccionador. Tenemos una comunidad de sacerdotes maravillosos en nuestra diócesis, la mayoría de ellos pastorean dos, tres o incluso cuatro parroquias. Y muchos de nuestros sacerdotes jubilados están ayudando heroicamente. Pero debemos aceptar el hecho de que tenemos muy pocos sacerdotes para cubrir nuestras parroquias y que muchos de ellos se acercan rápidamente a la jubilación. Entonces, ¿qué se puede hacer? Podría hacer algunas sugerencias sencillas en previsión de la deliberación más completa del sínodo. En primer lugar, si conocen a un joven que posea las virtudes necesarias para el sacerdocio -oración, bondad, amor a la liturgia, apertura al servicio-, díganselo. Un estudio tras otro ha revelado que el factor más decisivo para impulsar a un joven a entrar en el seminario es que alguien a quien respeta le haya dicho que sería un buen sacerdote. En segundo lugar, fomentar una cultura vocacional, especialmente en casa. Esto significa que los padres católicos deberían hablar de la posibilidad del sacerdocio con sus hijos, invitar a sacerdotes a cenar, rezar regularmente con sus hijos para que encuentren el camino que Dios quiere para ellos. Hagan de la apertura al sacerdocio algo natural y normal. En tercer lugar, y lo más importante, ruega al Señor que envíe obreros a su viña. En la Biblia, nada verdaderamente grande se consigue sin la oración. Por tanto, rezar, implorar, pedir sacerdotes, con insistencia y persistencia.
On February 1, 2025, Bishop Barron attended a viewing and discussion of his favorite movie, A Man for All Seasons, at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, in Winona, sponsored by the university and the Knights of Columbus. In October 2024, Columbia Classics released an edition of this 1966 biopic of St. Thomas More that featured audio commentary by Bishop Barron. In his post-viewing discussion with students, Bishop Barron spoke of the importance of finding satisfaction in a life that serves God, and not being fooled into "playing to the wrong audience" of worldly authorities and elites.
The nex� morn�ng, February 2, Bishop Barron was back on campus at St. Mary's to celebrate the diocesan Mass for Consecrated Life in the St. Thomas More Chapel. He later shared on social media: "Friends, those in consecrated life - marked by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience - are like trees whose roots go deep into the ground, reaching all the way to the waters that bubble up to eternal life."
¿Cómo se puede exagerar la importancia de nuestro segundo tema sinodal? San Pablo VI dijo que la Iglesia existe para evangelizar. Precisó que la Iglesia no tiene la misión de evangelizar; es una misión para evangelizar. Cada institución eclesial -escuelas, universidades, hospitales, parroquias, seminarios, organizaciones de servicio social, etc.- tiene como finalidad declarar el Señorío de Jesús y atraer a las personas a su vida. Que necesitamos evangelizar en la diócesis de Winona-Rochester es particularmente claro. Nuestro último recuento de octubre -el número de todos los que asisten a Misa el sábado por la tarde o el domingo en toda nuestra diócesis- reveló que aproximadamente el 21% de los católicos acuden a la liturgia eucarística. Esto representa una modesta mejora respecto al 18% del año pasado, pero sigue siendo, francamente, una cifra patética. Para ser justos, es comparable a la de la mayoría de las diócesis de nuestro país, pero aún así, debería inquietarnos profundamente. Los Padres del Vaticano II enseñaron que la Eucaristía es la «fuente y cumbre» de la vida cristiana y, sin embargo, alrededor del 80% de los católicos bautizados se mantienen alejados de ella. En resumen: necesitamos más gente en nuestras iglesias. ¿Qué podemos hacer? Una primera sugerencia es una que, lo prometo, voy a hacer durante nuestro sínodo: cada persona que viene regularmente a Misa debería decidirse a traer a una persona de vuelta a Misa este próximo año. No quiero decir que tengan que ir a los márgenes. Encuentren a alguien en su familia, en su círculo de amigos,
entre sus compañeros de trabajo, que sea católico y que debería ir a la iglesia y tráiganlo de vuelta. ¿Requerirá esto algún esfuerzo, alguna oración, algún riesgo? Por supuesto. Pero cada uno de nosotros, por el bautismo, tiene el encargo de ser evangelista. Una segunda recomendación: instruirse. San Pedro decía que los cristianos debemos «estar siempre dispuestos a dar razón de la esperanza que llevamos dentro». Muchos de los jóvenes que hoy se desafilian de las iglesias dicen que tenían preguntas sobre la fe que nunca fueron respondidas adecuadamente. Afortunadamente, en los últimos 25 años se ha producido una explosión de la apologética y la catequesis católicas, en gran parte como respuesta al «nuevo» ateísmo. Aprovechar estos libros, podcasts, películas y vídeos. Aprender buenas respuestas a las preguntas que suelen hacer los escépticos y estar preparado para explicar por qué ser cristiano tiene sentido. En tercer lugar, y quizá lo más importante, vivir tu fe públicamente y con alegría. Dejar que los demás vean que tu catolicismo da sentido a tu vida y te hace feliz. El Papa Francisco ha advertido a menudo contra los católicos con «cara de ciruelo», que son, necesariamente, evangelizadores muy ineficaces.
Así que, ¿puedo pedirles a todos ustedes que se involucren con el sínodo este próximo año? Habrá numerosas oportunidades de participar en el debate a nivel parroquial, regional y diocesano. Y todo el proceso culminará con una reunión festiva y una liturgia. Necesitamos más sacerdotes y más gente en nuestra diócesis. ¡Y yo necesito su ayuda!
Recapping the Holy Family Retreat and Some Important Reminders
By BRIAN HANSEN
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
-Mark 6:30-31a
on Saturday, February 8, Catholics from across the Diocese of WinonaRochester gathered at St. Edward Church in Austin to experience the Holy Family Retreat. This retreat was the first in a diocesan event series entitled The Holy Family Retreats & Pilgrimage Fr. Robert Horihan was the retreat’s keynote speaker and spiritual leader. During this time of prayer, faith formation, and fellowship, Fr. Horihan masterfully taught the 36 retreatants about the theological significance of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, incarnating himself into a family. Fr. Horihan’s formation talks were structured in a way that first exposed retreatants to the socio-historical and economic world in which the Holy Family was living. This exposure then enabled retreatants to receive a deeper knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the Holy Family and their daily circumstances.
Fr. Horihan then highlighted in Sacred Scripture the moments where the Holy Family was on full display and actively participating in the story of salvation history. These moments, though brief, are nonetheless pivotal in God’s redemptive plan for humanity and all of creation, for they ultimately foreshadow and set in motion Jesus’ salvific mission. During this exercise, Fr. Horihan also helped retreatants realize that the life events of the Holy Family are not recorded in their entirety by a singular evangelist. Rather, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each have important details or stories about Jesus and his family life that are unique to their Gospel account. This, in turn, was an important reminder for retreatants on the necessity of having all four Gospels in the life of the Church as a means of truly encountering and knowing the person of Jesus Christ.
The remaining portion of Fr. Horihan’s talks invited retreatants to engage in theological reflection on the Holy Family. The purpose for this reflection was to discover concrete ways for retreatants to apply
the lessons learned from this family’s experience to their daily spiritual lives as Catholics.
For me, one important takeaway I received during this time was a paragraph that Fr. Horihan quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
During the greater part of his life Jesus shared the condition of the vast majority of human beings: a daily life spent without evident greatness, a life of manual labour. His religious life was that of a Jew obedient to the law of God, a life in the community.
(CCC 531)
The point being made in CCC 531 is that Jesus’ extraordinary ministry of proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven was merely three years long, whereas most of his lifetime on earth was experiencing ordinary human life. In other words, much of Jesus’ life consisted of simple living - a life rooted in relationship with his family and community.
Day in and day out, Jesus embraced and routinely experienced the ordinariness of human life with Mary, his mother, and Joseph, his earthly father. If Jesus, who is God, accepted this livelihood for himself, then this must mean that there is a significance to ordinary human life. Perhaps, however, its importance is not of itself, but rather is a result of God’s interaction with it. To put it simply, God, who is holy, entered into and lived an ordinary human life; therefore, the ordinariness of human existence has been made forever holy. I am confident that this reflection of mine was just one of many that were realized by retreatants while on this retreat!
In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to Fr. Horihan and all those who participated in this first retreat of The Holy Family Retreats & Pilgrimage event. I also would like to extend a personal invitation to all Catholics living throughout our diocese to attend our upcoming retreats and pilgrimage. The St. Joseph Retreat will be held on Saturday, March 15, at St. Joseph Parish in Owatonna. (More than 50 people are already registered for this retreat alone!) At this retreat, Bishop Robert Barron will preside at Mass and have lunch with the retreatants. Then, on Saturday, April 12, the St. Mary Retreat will occur at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Blue Earth.
Some important reminders about these retreats:
• Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, & Confession will be offered
• Breakfast, snacks and 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.
Finally, this diocesan event series' culmination is the Walk to Mary Pilgrimage. Pilgrims from our diocese will participate in this annual, 21-mile pilgrimage walk that journeys to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin. This shrine is the only Church-approved Marian apparition site in the United States of America. The pilgrimage will begin Friday, May 2, and end on Sunday, May 4. The registration deadline for the Walk to Mary Pilgrimage is Wednesday, March 12. For questions, more information, or to register for these retreats and/or pilgrimage, please go to the diocese’s website (dowr.org) or contact me (bhansen@dowr.org or 507361-1939). We hope you will attend these upcoming retreats and journey with us on this pilgrimage! Brian Hansen is the coordinator of adult lay formation for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
One Retreatant's Experience
Submitted by MARY WHALEN
�ather Robert Horihan had a “hope and a plan” as he led the Feb. 8 diocesan retreat entitled The Holy Family: God Indwelling and Sanctifying Family Life. Both his hope and plan were realized as those who journeyed for this day of stepping away from life's routines and making time for reflecting were abundantly blessed.
The day blended the richness of the Catholic Faith lived today by focusing on the ways Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as family, moved through their lives and what meaningful ways we can reflect and follow their example. Father Horihan skillfully wove together scripture and historic knowledge in order to express the sheer delight of being loved as God’s family. He continued by giving a theological means of transformation which inspired concrete ways to witness God's love in our daily lives. Then Father challenged us to apply our understanding of the Holy Family's example as we returned to our daily routines.
Attending this day of retreat beginning with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass then the tasty snacks/lunch along with Father’s informal teaching style and small group discussions, concluding with a Holy Hour and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, benefited those in attendance from across the Diocese in ways which are still unfolding.
Rite of Election to Be Celebrated by Bishop Barron
By TODD GRAFF
�he diocesan Rite of Election of Catechumens and of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion, celebrated by Bishop Robert Barron, will take place on Sunday, March 9 (the First Sunday of Lent), at 3:00 p.m., at Queen of Angels Parish in Austin. All members of our diocesan Church are invited to participate in this significant liturgy of our local Church of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
This rite marks a significant moment in the spiritual formation of those people who are preparing to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. Their journey takes place within the Church’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), a process which prepares and forms women and men for initiation and reception into the Catholic Church.
As the Church’s guiding text for the OCIA states, “The Order of Christian initiation is designed for adults who, upon hearing the proclamation of the mystery of Christ as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts, consciously and freely seek the living God and undertake the journey of faith and conversion.” (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults [OCIA], #1)
This journey of formation in the life of faith unfolds in several stages and is marked by several liturgical rites. After completing an initial time of inquiry into the Faith, called the “Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate,” an unbaptized person is accepted into the “Order of Catechumens” and enters the “Period of the Catechumenate.” In this period, the faith of the catechumens, and their conversion to God, is nurtured
and grows. They “receive pastoral instruction and practice appropriate disciplines” (OCIA, #75).
The completion and conclusion to this period is celebrated liturgically in the Rite of Election as “the Church makes her ‘Election’ … of catechumens, who by their dispositions are fit to take part in the next celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation” (OCIA, #119).
This rite is “the focal point of the Church’s concern for the catechumens” (OCIA, #107).
For those women and men participating in the OCIA who have already received the Sacrament of Baptism and are preparing to complete their initiation (as baptized Catholics), or to be received into the Catholic Church (from another Christian faith community), the Church celebrates the “Calling to Continuing Conversion.”
Celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, this rite also marks the beginning of the period of final, more intense preparation during which the elect [which the catechumens are now called] will be “encouraged to follow Christ with greater generosity” (OCIA, #118). For the baptized candidates as well, this rite marks the beginning of their final preparation to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and (for baptized non-Catholics) to enter into the full communion of the Church.
The faith community plays an important role in this rite. During the rite, the bishop asks parish members present if they support the testimonies of both the godparents and sponsors on behalf of the catechumens and candidates in affirming their readiness to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Not only is it important that parishioners take the time to
Man of God
Diocesan Men's Conference Returns
By PETER MARTIN
�he Diocese of Winona-Rochester is proud to announce the return of the Man of God Men’s Conference! We invite the men of the Diocese to the Church of the Resurrection in Rochester on Saturday, April 5.
The goals of the Men’s Conference are:
• To help men develop a more inti-
come to know those who are going through the OCIA process so that they can confidently answer this question, they are also called by the bishop to support them with their prayers and to accompany them as they journey closer to the Easter Sacraments.
Following the Rite of Election, the elect (formerly the catechumens) enter into the “Period of Purification and Enlightenment,” which takes place during the Lenten season and includes the celebration of the “scrutinies” on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent. This period, which immediately precedes their reception
Church functions.
• To increase the quality of life for men and their families.
• To increase an openness to vocations in young men.
of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, “is given to a more intense preparation of spirit and heart” (OCIA, #139).
Please consider joining our diocesan Church for this year’s celebration of the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. And, whether you are able to be present or not, please do pray for these sisters and brothers of ours in Christ who are preparing to become one with us in our Catholic faith community.
Todd Graff is the director of the OCIA for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
mate friendship and discipleship with Jesus Christ.
• To aid men in developing Christcentered leadership skills to be able to more effectively lead their families and communities.
• To aid parishes in developing a vibrant men’s group in every parish in the Diocese of WinonaRochester.
• To increase the presence of men in
We’re excited to start the day off at 8:30 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Barron (who will later give a keynote address). There will also be time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Adoration. You won’t want to miss this Men’s Conference. Bring your whole men’s group! If you are looking to start a men’s group in your parish, the Man of God Conference is the perfect solution for you!
Register now at www.dowr.org!
Peter Martin is the director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
How We Spent Catholic Schools Week
January 26 - February 1, 2025
St. Mary, Caledonia
Rochester Catholic Schools
Pacelli, Austin
St. John Vianney, Fairmont
Cotter, Winona
Crucifixion, La Crescent
St. Theodore, Albert Lea
St. Felix, Wabasha
St. Mary, Madelia
Sacred Heart, Adams
St. Casimir, Wells
Catholic Charities
Council of Catholic Women
Catholic Charities Diaper Drive Supports Families in Southern Minnesota
By SARAH VETTER
� or families across Southern Minnesota, diapers are a constant necessity but also a significant financial burden. Most newborns require 10-12 diaper changes a day, costing families over $80 per month. Nationally, 47% of families experience “diaper need” - meaning they do not have enough diapers to provide for their child. Diaper need creates stress and exacerbates the cycle of poverty. It has been linked to poor maternal mental health and is a social determinant of health for the child and parents. When parents can’t provide clean diapers, the child cannot attend daycare and parents then miss work hours. Other times parents may change diapers less frequently to stretch their dollars, but this can cause health problems for the baby. All babies deserve clean, dry diapers for their health and the well-being of their entire families.
Catholic Charities has been committed to supporting confident pregnancies and stable beginnings for decades. One way the agency provides stability is through essential items like diapers and wipes. The organization distributes diapers to nearly 200 families and over 250 children each month through its diaper banks in Winona, Rochester, and Mankato, as well as pop-up distribution sites in Owatonna and Worthington. These diapers are made available thanks to generous community donations and grant funds.
For some, the diapers provided by Catholic Charities are a crucial resource when money is tight,
while others rely on them monthly to help balance their budget.
As inflation rises, so does the need for diapers. To help meet this growing need, Catholic Charities is hosting its Annual Diaper Drive from March 1-31, 2025. We are collecting diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes of all brands and sizes. Donations can be dropped off at Catholic Charities’ offices in Winona, Rochester, and Mankato, as well as participating parishes across the Diocese of WinonaRochester (check your bulletin to see if your parish is a collection site). All donated diapers will go directly to families in need throughout Southern Minnesota.
Do you need help with diapers? Catholic Charities is committed to supporting stable beginnings for all children. Families in need can receive diapers, wipes, and/or pull-ups on a monthly basis. A copy of the child’s birth certificate or crib card is needed to enroll in the program. For more information, including locations and hours, call 507-454-2270 or visit www.ccsomn.org.
Plans in the Works for the NCCW
By SHELLY HOLT
�he National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) board meeting was January 31 and February 1 via Zoom. It was sobering to realize that, had we been able to meet in person like last January, depending on the start date of the meeting, most of us would have been attempting to fly into Reagan Airport when it was closed the morning after the terrible plane crash Wednesday evening. Sometimes, things work out for a reason. A place has been found in Washington, D.C., for the June Board Meeting, which will begin on June 4 and end with a rededication of the Mary Garden at the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception June 7.
NCCW is moving from its office in Alexandria, VA, to a suite of offices in the USCCB office building. As you know, we were founded by the US Bishops in 1920 and we still have a representative to the USCCB and vice versa. This move into their headquarters near the National Basilica is very exciting and can only strengthen those ties.
Candidates for NCCW offices will be announced March 1, and the nominating committee reports that there are a slate of officers for each position. If you represent an affiliate or are an individual member, you will be able to vote online for NCCW officers until May 1. That’s a good reason to become an individual member if you aren’t already.
Registration opens April 1 for the NCCW Convention at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Florida August 19-23. The planning team is making some changes in the convention schedule again this year, and it sounds really exciting. On the 19th, the tour option will be the Bok Tower Gardens, an all-day event at a botanical garden and tower south of Orlando. Wednesday will begin with the NCCW board meeting but all business meetings will take place that day instead of being spread throughout the convention. Thursday will be an all-day retreat off-site with Province dinners in the evening. Friday and Saturday will feature the commission presentations and special speakers. The Friday night fundraiser this year will be the purse auction and
Sarah Vetter is the director of child and family services for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.
of course the Convention will conclude with the Saturday evening banquet.
Finally, the fundraising campaign to repair and refurbish Mary’s Garden in Washington, D.C., will run until the end of May. Please consider a donation if you haven’t made one already.
Our next Province Conference will be Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. Victoria, Victoria. The evening before we will have an event at Sovereign Estates Winery and hopefully pray the rosary in their beautiful Mary Garden. This is the winery that makes the Ave Rose wine that I have used as an NCCW membership incentive. The Province Conference is chaired by the past Province Director which will be me at that point. I have a committee of volunteers from our ACCW board who are helping me plan and we are in the process of setting the theme and finding speakers.
Reminder: the Winona-Rochester DCCW is hosting a morning Lenten Retreat Engage Your Faith: Deeper Connection Through Your Senses on March 1 at St. Theodore in Albert Lea and April 5 at Sacred Heart in Brewster, The retreat is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and includes Mass and refreshments.
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.
Pioneering New Frontiers in Youth Ministry
By BILL MURRAY
among conversations of Catholics, in ministry or not, is Monsignor Shea’s book entitled From Christendom to Apostolic Mission. Far be it of me to give his book a review – it stands for itself. Rather, taking his conclusion to be true, that we have been living for some time now in this new apostolic age, I ask the question for our consideration: How should youth ministry be pioneering these new fronts?
Being an observant young Catholic – even from my adolescent years – I have noticed a consistent pattern among parish youth ministries, including faith formation efforts, which seeks to do the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Year after year, survey after survey, little tweaks after little tweaks, we have still seen little fruit regarding what we hope for: that young people be engaged disciples of the Lord and of the Church.
My opinion is that there are real human reasons why such little fruit has been seen, despite our wellintentioned laboring. Grace builds on nature; this means that grace is always effective despite our human frailty. However, it also means that the more we are properly disposed, grace can have a fuller effect. The icon that depicts this contrast is a servant versus a friend. Even though we can tend to operate in the vineyard out of a servant attitude, God’s grace still elevates it. Operating, yet, out of an attitude
Events
March 2 - April 13, Sundays
of friendship with the Lord, the missionary thrust Gospel takes full pentecostal effect. Also, think of the Blessed Mother; is not she the greatest friend to the Lord? Is not she also the greatest evangelist?
Sparing you the details of the historical emergence of youth ministry in the Catholic Church in the United States, I do want to point out two human reasons why our young people are neither coming to Mass nor are they engaged by the Church. First, we have unsuccessfully ‘copy and pasted’ a nondenominational approach toward youth ministry and second, we have been approaching said ministry with a spirit of activism. As a result, despite our greatest efforts of catechesis and evangelization, young people's needs have not been met adequately.
The content of the Gospel has been the same since the dawn of Christianity: Jesus, the Redeemer of humankind. His work, which is about bringing humanity into a restored relationship with the Triune God, has been extended to mortal men – but mortal men with special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the Apostolic Age much of the Gospel was spread not through mustached men wearing tweed jackets talking theology or women eager to do humanitarian service in the name of Jesus (although some things like the aforementioned occurred); but largely the effectiveness of the spreading of the Gospel came about through prayer, sacrifice, and martyrdom.
The Church was born from the side of the
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).
March 15, Saturday
Sacred Heart Parish, Waseca, will host the Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota’s 57th Annual St.Patrick’s Day Celebration in Waseca. Schedule: 10 a.m. Irish music starts at Sacred Heart Church, followed by 10:30 a.m. Mass. 12 p.m. Parade of Clans to The Mill for an Irish rally from 12:30-2 p.m., featuring Mulligan Stew and corned beef & cabbage served by Blake's Food Truck, served immediately after Mass until gone; bar open throughout the event; Irish music & live entertainment from local musicians including Crista Bohlmann and Muriah Miller; Irish activities, crafts and treats for sale. 2 p.m. Irish Auction. 4 p.m. Irish Bingo (with dinner available from Blake's Food Truck). 7 p.m. Miss St. Patrick & Miss Irish Rose Pageant. Immediately following the crowning, a dance will begin, with music by Jim Kozy Kozan.
March 16, Sunday
St. Patrick Parish, LeRoy, will host its annual Irish Festival/ Mulligan Stew from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the church (436 W Main St. in LeRoy). $12 all-you-can-eat Mulligan stew dinner. $6 hamburger & chips. $3 hot dog & chips. Carry-outs available. Also, silent auction, bake sale, crafts, Bingo with final game payout of $100, and games for all ages.
*For Lenten fish fries, see back page.*
archetypal Martyr, Jesus, on the cross. And this new-born Church continued to grow within the blood of the martyrs imitating the passion of our Lord. Youth Ministry in this new apostolic age should be approached no differently. Ranging across the Diocese, it’s time to root out the nondenominational methods of focusing on our programs, events, or youth group. We need to do our best not to allow the work of Directors of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation to be reduced to being an ‘event coordinator’ (even if it’s holy events). Rather, we need them to be, first, witnesses, then the rest will follow. We need them to be sitting at the feet of the Master (along with their Pastor) listening for the next steps. We have fallen prey to an activism in youth ministry which has reduced itself to keeping kids busy.
I don’t propose to know the solution of how to engage youth adequately – but we can do our part in ‘wasting’ time with the God who does and follow his lead from there. All I know is that we need to become witnesses for the sake of his friendship. We need to ‘waste’ time with him at our work. In this new apostolic age, if the blood of the martyrs has told us anything, it’s this: he is worth ‘wasting’ time with.
Bill Murray is the director of youth ministry for the Redeemer Saints Parish Cluster of St. Charles Borromeo in St. Charles and Holy Redeemer in Eyota.
Finding Connection and Support: An Invitation to Surviving Spouses
By JOE SMITH
�he death of a spouse is an immense and life-altering experience. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Surviving Spouses group offers a compassionate and supportive community for those who are walking this path. This virtual gathering brings together encountered widows, widowers, and retired priests once a month. Through presentations, dialogue, and small group sharing, members find connection with others who understand the unique challenges and joys of life after loss.
Key Beliefs
• The power of Encounter: The core of WWME is the belief that marriage is a sacrament lived daily. This group encourages members to continue living an "encountered lifestyle" - a life of deep listening, respect, and ongoing personal growth.
• Finding meaning and purpose: Even in grief, there is the possibility for healing and new beginnings. The group provides a space to explore faith, find meaning, and rediscover joy in life.
• Building community: By sharing experiences and supporting one another, members find strength and companionship.
My Story
Jane, my spouse of 56 years, passed away in September of 2022. We had the Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience in 1985 and
continued our daily dialogues for 15 years. Although I was blessed to have the support of grief groups early in my journey after Jane died, I recognized my need to share my feelings in loving detail. Thankfully, I discovered The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Surviving Spouses group. I still participate in a grief group, but The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Surviving Spouses group seems to help me connect in a deeper way to my feelings.
Join Us
If you are an encountered widow, widower, or retired priest seeking connection and support, we invite you to learn more about the Surviving Spouses group. To learn more, visit:
wwme.org/community/after-your-experience/surviving-spouses/
Please email survivingspousesboard@ wwme.org to receive an invitation to our next Zoom meeting. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Surviving spouses join us from all four continental U.S. time zones.
Joe Smith is a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Rochester.
The following excerpt is the introduction to a guide released by the U.S. BISHOPS as part of the National Eucharistic Revival. To view the guide online, visit: eucharisticrevival.org/walk-with-one and download "A Simple Guide."
�n the Scriptures, we hear over and over how Jesus invited people one by one to follow him. He also invites us to follow him more deeply and, just like him, to “walk with one” person to a new or renewed experience of God’s love. Evangelization, or “bringing the Good News,” typically happens in oneon-one moments that are not planned or scripted. This can happen at the
grocery store, the bus stop, or a sporting event. As Pope Francis has noted, “Anyone who has truly experienced God's saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 120).
You might be asking yourself: Where do I start with inviting someone to take a step closer to Jesus? How might I invite this person forward in his or her faith? Here’s a simple four-stage process of accompaniment that focuses on a “heart-to-heart” approach:
1. Identify someone in a spirit of humility
2. Intercede for that person in communion with the Holy Spirit
3. Connect in Eucharistic friendship
4. Invite that person on a path most suitable for him or her
In this guide, we have included some practical suggestions for how you - as an individual - can carry out each of these four steps. We have also included suggestions for how a parish can encourage participation in each of these steps, as we all Walk With One.
Throughout each stage of your “Walk with One” journey, we encourage you to pray the Eucharistic Examen to help you discern the path the Lord is calling you to follow (you can find this examen at www. eucharisticrevival.org/walk-with-one). The bottom line is this: If you can open your heart to speak about how Jesus has touched your life, your heart will touch the heart of whomever the Holy Spirit leads you to accompany.
of Catholic Church in Minnesota
Walk With One Report Unveils $5.4 Billion Economic Impact
Submitted by MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
ST. PAUL - The Catholic Church in Minnesota is a pillar of faith and service, and it also plays a significant role in the state’s economic and social well-being.
A new report released by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Fruits of the Vine: The Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, estimates that Catholic programs contribute over $5 billion annually to the state’s economy and serve 1.2 million people across various communities.
The report was commissioned by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado and associated with the Institute for Policy Research at The Catholic University of America. The comprehensive study highlights the often-overlooked economic contributions of the Catholic Church in Minnesotaboth economically and socially. The report provides an overview of these benefits and the estimated monetary value of each.
“This report affirms the Catholic Church’s commitment to Minnesota goes beyond spiritual and moral leadership,” said Jason Adkins, Minnesota Catholic Conference Executive Director. “From creating jobs and supporting small businesses to easing the burden on taxpayer-funded programs, the Church delivers real, measurable benefits to Minnesotans in areas where government resources are limited. In return, all we ask of our elected leaders is the freedom to serve in accordance with our faith—without government interference.”
Significant report findings include:
• Healthcare: As the largest non-governmental provider of healthcare in the world, Catholic healthcare organizations in Minnesota contribute $3.2 billion annually through hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice care, and home care services.
• Education: Catholic schools serve 40,000 students from Pre-K through high school in Minnesota. Combined, from pre-K through higher education, Catholic education organizations provide $1.45 billion in economic benefits to the state.
• Volunteer Service: Catholic-affiliated organizations contribute over 500,000 volunteer hours each year, serving over 80,000 people and generating a combined benefit of nearly $80 million.
• Events: Weddings, funerals, festivals, and other events hosted by the Catholic Church attract 900,000 visitors annually, contributing over $56 million to local economies through spending on food, services, and lodging.
Beyond the direct economic impact, the report also examines the social impact of the Catholic Church, citing the critical role parishes and independent organizations play in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and providing direct financial aid to those most in need in Minnesota communities.
“These initiatives not only transform lives but also reduce the strain on public resources, demonstrating the Catholic Church's long-term mission of service,” Adkins said.
By releasing this report, the Minnesota Catholic Conference is highlighting the Church’s continued mission to serve Minnesota and inspire further collaboration with government agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen the state’s financial and social foundations.
Read the full report at www.mncatholic.org/ fruitsofthevine.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference has been the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota since 1967. The voting members of the MCC's board of directors are Minnesota's Catholic bishops.
Obituaries
Father Donald Lovas, 88, of Winona, died Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Benedictine - St. Anne in Winona.
Father Lovas was born January 13, 1937, to Joseph and Marie (Sielaff) Lovas in Winona. He attended Cotter High School, graduating in 1955. He then entered St. Mary’s College in Winona, for studies in philosophy and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1959. He then entered the St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the Priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, on June 1, 1963.
After ordination, he served at a number of parishes throughout Southern Minnesota. On July 1, 2010, after 47 years of active parish work, he retired to his family home in Winona. There he helped in various parishes, usually with weekend Masses but also funerals during the week. While his ability to lay bricks waned as the years went by, his love and pride for the practice remained strong, as did his appreciation for fishing and the subsequent fish fries.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial was on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, with priests of the Diocese of WinonaRochester concelebrating.
Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona.
Online condolences or memories may be left at www. watkowski-mulyck.com.
Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home of Winona is assisting with arrangements.
Sister Judine Klein, OSF, 96, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Marie Delphine Klein was born on August 29, 1928, in Dell Rapids, SD, to Joseph and Mary (Mossong) Klein. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1947, received the name of Sister Judine, and made perpetual vows in 1953.
Sister Judine served in various roles across Minnesota, beginning as a convent housekeeper at St. Columbia Convent, Iona (1950-53), followed by St. Margaret Mary Convent,
Congra�ula��ons to the Bible Bowl team from St. Peter's School in Hokah, who took first place at the Aquinas Bible Bowl held in La Crosse, WI, on January 30.
St. Peter's was tied with Blessed Sacrament, of La Crosse, WI, at the end of the fourth round, and achieved victory in a sudden-death fifth round. Also competing were teams from St. Patrick's School of Sparta, WI; Holy Family School of Arcadia, WI; St. Charles School of Genoa, WI; St. Patrick's School of Onalaska, WI; and Crucifixion School, La Crescent. There were a lot of very tough questions, and the kids did great.
Pictured L to R are third-grader River Horn, fourth-grader Zayne Holzwarth, fifthgrader Kaleb Langen, and sixth-grader Carson Horihan.
Minneapolis (1953-54). She then taught elementary education at Sacred Heart School in Adams (1954-55), before returning to convent housekeeping at St. Mary Convent in Chatfield (1955-56) and Holy Trinity Convent in Rollingstone (1956-57). She continued at St. Mary Convent (1957-58), St. Kilian Convent in St. Kilian (1958-59), and St. James Convent in St. James (195960), before moving to St. Mary Convent in Tracy (1960-62). In 1962, Sister Judine served as a switchboard operator at Assisi Heights in Rochester, serving there until 1971. She also worked as a teacher’s aide at Sacred Heart School in Adams (1971-72) and continued at Assisi Heights while providing child care at Northgate Health Club in Rochester (1972-94). She retired in 1994 after over four decades of service.
Survivors of Sister Judine Klein include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 78 years; one brother, Jerome Klein; and one sister, Sr. Jeanette Klein. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Norbert, and Harold Klein; and one sister, Sr. Delphine Klein.
A Resurrection Liturgy was held at Assisi Heights on Friday, February 21, 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.
Father Eugene Francis Stenzel passed away on February 27, 2025 at the age of 85. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, March 3, 2025, at at St. Casimir Church in Wells, followed by burial in St. Casimir Cemetery, next to his parents.
It was a cold winter night in 1939. On December 11, at 11:50, a baby boy, Eugene Francis Stenzel was born. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
His parents, Simon and Loretta presented him at St. Casimir’s Church in Wells, asking for Baptism for their second child. After a few short years, they brought him to that same church for his First Holy Communion. Then Confirmation. Little did they know that their son would return to this holy place as a parish priest. As a beloved pastor, he would marry and bury, console and cajole. Now he is brought here one last time to receive the blessings of the Church that had become a part of him. Love of the land ran deep in his veins. He grew up on the farm purchased by his greatgrandparents in 1887.
He felt their holiness as he would walk through the grove, in his gardens, and through the fields. “I often thought how I am walking in the footsteps of my mom and dad, his parents, his grandparents,” he reflected not long ago.
Stenzel attended Country School-District #126. He loved his teacher Mrs. Hansen and had many fond memories of her. She taught him to read and write, the golden key that unlocked his future. It was there, in that small country school, that the world of making things with his hands opened up for him.
He was also in his first play there. “I remember performing in that small school. I thought that there were a thousand people watching me! I know now that there were probably only 25-30 people, but it was wonderful!
As a young child, his mother was stricken with a serious disease. The family would gather every night and pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart. Instead of the usual nine days like most novenas, this prayer went on for years. His mother experienced a miraculous healing. “More than curing my mother, that prayer changed my life,” Fr. Stenzel stated with conviction.
After high school, he felt a calling to the priesthood, but had no money for school. Stenzel worked for years and saved up enough to attend and graduate from St. Mary’s Seminary in Winona. The next four years were spent at Mt. St. Bernard’s Seminary in Dubuque, IA, with like-minded farm boys finishing their priestly formation.
As a priest, he became an integral part of each of his parishes; Christmas, Easter, and any event worth celebrating, made memories for the families attending. Music and food were important ingredients.
“I was always blessed with
talented musicians and choir directors at every place I was a priest.” The required lunch, maybe a sandwich and a pickle, maybe more, was always served up with his heartwarming hospitality.
Shortly after retirement he asked himself, “Now what do I do?” He found the answer at Good Counsel on the Hill in Mankato. Every Sunday, for 12 years, he would celebrate Mass with the School Sisters of Notre Dame - another group of friends to console and cajole. Fr. Stenzel continued his stone artistry into his later years. Over 11 yeasr, he built 11 stone arches joining his yard to that of his neighbor and nephew, Matt Zebro. Father Stenzel mentored Matt in life and in stonework. Matt’s wife Shannon was like a daughter to Fr. Stenzel. He was the ever-present ‘Bean’ to their children, Samuel, Lauren, Macy, and Maya. Fr. Stenzel is survived by his siblings and their spouses: Alvin and Bonnie Stenzel; his favorite sister Janice Thompson (deceased husbands, Lowell Zebro and Lowell Thompson); sister-in-law Mary Kay Stenzel (deceased husband Duane); Myron and Kathy Stenzel; Thomas and Linda Stenzel. Many nieces and nephews will miss him dearly. Fr. also leaves behind friends that became family in the parishes where he served: St. Mary, Geneva; St Aiden, Ellendale; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Curie; St. Anthony, Westbrook; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Easton; Mater Dolorosa, Delavan; St. John the Baptist, Minnesota Lake; and St. Casimir’s, Wells. They will all treasure the memories of family celebrations at his Stone House.
In his final days, Fr. Stenzel often thought about a popular saying: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” He knew that everything is a miracle.
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Photo and caption submitted by DOUG HARPENAU, principal of St. Peter's School in Hokah.
Lenten Practices,
free app called Discerning Hearts (discerninghearts. com/catholic-podcasts/). It has a wealth of content for Catholic prayer, meditation and contemplation to help you grow in your prayer life while doing your ordinary activities of driving to work or school, and household chores. Another free app is Laudate (available in the Google Play Store), with daily Mass readings, Liturgy of the Hours, New American Bible, Confession, the Catechism, and other Catholic Media. We are also blessed to have access to the Word on Fire prayer resources (wordonfire.org). Making time for silence and prayer can help you notice unhealthy attachments that you may wish to “fast” from this Lent.
Fasting
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) defines fasting as the voluntary reduction of food intake for spiritual purposes. It is typically observed during certain times in the liturgical calendar, especially during Lent, as a way to grow closer to God, seek penance, and cultivate self-discipline. The
requirements include:
• Fasting for all Catholics age 18 until age 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday to include one full meal and two smaller meals that don’t add up to a full meal.
• Abstaining from meat for all Catholics age 14 or older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. The USCCB also allows the substitution of some other form of penance for abstinence on all of the Fridays of the year, except for those Fridays in Lent.
• Children, pregnant and nursing women, and people with physical or mental illnesses are exempt from fasting.
The spiritual benefits of fasting include a closer connection to God, humility and sorrow for sins, selfdiscipline, discernment of God’s Will, and spiritual healing to name a few. I encourage you to fast from anything that draws you away from the Lord, and use that time for prayer or almsgiving.
Almsgiving
Almsgiving is more broadly focused on providing financial or other types of support to the poor, widows, orphans, and those in need. The recipients are
Neocatechumenal Way,
After a long series of providential events in the shanty town, Kiko and Carmen developed a catechetical synthesis, a new way to reach out to those disaffiliated and marginalized from the Church through those that are still in the pews. All the popes, particularly St. John Paul II, supported, encouraged and recognized the Neocatechumenal Way as an inspiration by the Holy Spirit. Today, this charism is present in more than 135 countries and is producing thousands of missionaries and vocations for the Catholic Church.
Daniel and Alexa Lopez and their six children are a missionary ‘itinerant’ family from Miami, FL. They owe their marriage and missionary vocation to the Neocatechumenal Way. Currently, they are living in Austin, where they are following five communities at Queen of Angels Parish. They are hoping to continue to evangelize - knocking on doors in the neighborhood, visiting families, and inviting anyone interested to a series of talks given in the parish. While on this mission to announce the Gospel anywhere, they remain connected to their own Neocatechumenal Way community back in Florida. If you were to enter their home, you would find a family living out their faith filled with the joy of the Father and the love of our mother Mary. The first thing one realizes in their home is that it is centered completely on Christ. Their home was built for the Lord, rather than for a family with some room for the Lord here and there. The welcome one receives on entering their home is a 'Christian welcome,' because it is based on Jesus and the love he has for his people. I had the pleasure of visiting their home and what could have been just a simple visit turned out to be so much more. They offered a lovely breakfast with many dishes all placed on an elegant white tablecloth. The gathering included not only Daniel and Alexa, but a missionary priest, Rev. Melquisedec Salcedo, and two seminarians, Tim Johnson and Miguel Rodriguez, who together form their missionary team. All of them owe their missionary call to evangelization to the Neocatechumenal Way and having a small community.
Daniel and Alexa had been in the Neocatechumenal community in Florida for many years when they both heard the Lord’s call to be missionaries. They accepted this call to go on mission
cont'd from pg. 1
and were sent to Minnesota and the two Dakotas 17 years ago in September 2007. When they accepted this call, it was a surprise even to themselves. They left their comfortable lives in Florida, where they had flourishing careers with all the material comforts in life, and moved to Minnesota. Like any normal human person, they were faced with difficult questions such as: where will they live, what will they eat, and could they provide for their family? They always received the same answer: “God will provide;” and he has. The Lopez family has proven to be an example of how God knows more what a family needs than they do. Daniel and Alexa received the grace to trust in God’s providence and experienced great freedom when they released their control and let God lead them.
Daniel and Alexa joined a community in their parish in Miami when they were only 14 and 16 years old. In the community, the Lord touched and healed their hearts. They had arrived at the community very wounded. Daniel had experienced the divorce of his parents which led him to hold big judgments and resentments mostly against his father. Soon after, he also fell into sexual sins and alcoholism. Alexa also grew up in a broken family and her mother was sick and dying of cancer. As a young lady she rebelled against God and, due to her reality/experience of loneliness and suffering, like many teenagers she just wanted to escape by trying every worldly pleasure she could put her hands on. Daniel and Alexa said, “it was in the community where little by little and with a lot of patience we experienced how the Lord – through the Church – was healing our wounds.”
Daniel said “the Lord made me see and experience how much he loved me when he forgave all my sins. God also gave me the grace to ask for forgiveness from my father when I understood that I am not God to judge him.” After so many years being separated, Daniel’s parents were reconciled and are living and walking together in a community in the same parish. In a similar way, Alexa also found peace and reconciliation with her parents and with God. She recounts how peacefully her mother’s passing was, how her community was always at their house during this time. She was able to see and experience
not limited to a specific religious group. Jesus spoke often about how we are to give alms “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:24)
Examples of almsgiving may include financial support, giving away food, clothing and toys, volunteering your time and talent to help those less fortunate, providing medical or educational assistance, and random acts of kindness. Almsgiving cultivates compassion, humility and gratitude and helps you to become more like Christ.
If you feel a longing for something more, God is likely calling you to go into the deep this Lent, and I pray that the Holy Spirit guides you to find the resources that will best feed your soul.
Cindy Meyerhofer is the director of human resources for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
the love of God also in the forgiveness of all her sins and in the reconciliation with her mother and her history.
After several years walking in a community in their home parish in Miami, Alexa began to see Daniel in a different way. At first, Alexa got to know Daniel as a brother and a friend in the community, but years later, God allowed her to see him as a potential spouse. They got married when they were 25 and 27 years old. A few years later – out of gratefulness for the love and mercy they received from God - they manifested their desire to become missionaries. The Lord blessed them with the sacrament of marriage and, although they were open to life, they were not able to conceive for the first seven years of their marriage. As soon as they went on mission, God blessed them with six children through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Rev. Melquisedec Salcedo, also a part of the conversation, spoke passionately about these communities. It was as if he was speaking to your soul; he said that the community is key and central to receiving faith. Fr. Salcedo said, “The Second Vatican Council spoke 54 times about opening a pastoral work of evangelization in the parishes. ‘The Way,’ as it is colloquially called, has been recognized by the Church as a Christian Initiation. It is a tool to evangelize, to reach the people who have fallen away from the Church or have no faith at all.” Rev. Salcedo is an 86-year-old priest from the Diocese of Buga, Colombia. He recounts how he always wanted to go on mission accompanying missionary families but his many responsibilities in his diocese did not allow him back then. He was Vicar General for four bishops and held several diocesan offices as well. He is grateful to have the opportunity to accompany missionary families and to witness God’s providence and action in the evangelization.
Although Fr. Salcedo, Daniel, Alexa, and the seminarians Tim and Miguel are far away, they remain strongly connected to their home community back in their places of origin. It is these strong roots that nourish them and move them forward in their mission to evangelize. And it is the fruits of this itinerary of faith formation lived in their community that fuels their mission to create new communities and glorify the kingdom of God through their lives.
Kat Larson is an administrative assistant to the Office of Evangelization in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
The Fish Fries of Lent in the
Albert Lea
St. Theodore Parish will host an indoor fish fry on Friday, March 7, and a drive-thru fish fry on Friday, March 28. Both fish fries served 5-6:30 p.m. at the church (323 E Clark St in Albert Lea). Tickets may be purchased in advance for $18 at the school or parish offices, or for $20 at the door. Indoor menu: fish, potato (baked or mashed), cole slaw, roll, ice cream, beverage. Drive-thru menu: fish, baked potato, cole slaw, roll, dessert bar.
Austin
Queen of Angels Parish hosts a Knights of Columbus Frish Fry each Friday night from February 21 - April 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Cunningham Hall of the church (1001 E Oakland Ave in Austin). $18 adults. $8 kids. Fried or broiled fish, baked potato or french fries, and full salad bar. Served with water or coffee (pop is available for purchase). Dessert of fried Oreos and ice cream served by Pacelli prom students. Handicap accessible entrance. Dine in or carry out.
Byron
Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Caledonia
St. Mary Parish will serve its annual fish fry on Friday, March 14, in the school gym, 4-7:30 p.m. for carry-outs, 5-7 p.m. for dine-in. Event includes basket raffles, desserts, music by Simply Sis (starting at 5), and a $3,000 grand prize drawing at 7 p.m. $14 fish dinner. Local deliveries available; call 725-3355.
Dodge Center
St. John Baptist de la Salle Parish will serve a fish fry on Friday, April 4, 4-7 p.m., at the American Legion (401 W Highway St. in Dodge Center). $15 adults. $6 kids 6-12. Free 5 & younger. Baked or fried fish, scalloped potatoes, hot vegetable, salads, buns, milk, coffee and desserts. All you can eat. Take-outs available. Sponsored by the families of the parish.
Fairmont
Mankato
Holy Rosary Parish will host a K.C. Council 5551 fish fry at the church (525 Grant Ave in North Mankato) from 4:307:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11. Adults $15. Kids 6-10 $8. Kids 5 & younger free. $50 maximum for immediate family.
St. John the Baptist Parish will host a K.C. Council 13680 fish fry at the church (632 Broad St. in Mankato) on Friday, March 28, from 4:307:30 p.m. Adults $15. Kids 6-10 $8. Kids 5 & younger free. $50 maximum for immediate family.
Fast & Abstinence
from usccb.org
ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
Christian tradition can name at least seven reasons for fasting:
Christ the King Parish invites you to its annual allyou-can-eat Fish Fry Fridays, March 14 - April 11, at the church (202 4th St. NW in Byron). Served 5-7 p.m. Fish baked or fried, cole slaw, potatoes, green beans, and famous homemade desserts. Dine-in (all-you-can-eat) $18 adults, $16 seniors, $10 kids. $150 punch cards available for 10 fish fry meals. Adult mac & cheese meal $10. Kids mac & cheese or pb&j $5. OR driveup service for $16 fish meal or $10 mac & cheese or pb&j. Drive up meals include 3 pieces of baked fish or 2 pieces of fried fish, cole slaw, green beans, potatoes, bread & butter, tartar sauce and dessert. Plastic utensils provided upon request.
The Knights of Columbus will sponsor and host three All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp & Fish Feeds at the K.C. Hall (920 E 10th St. in Fairmont), from 5-7 p.m. on the Fridays of March 7, March 14 and March 21. Proceeds of the March 7 and March 28 events benefit local girls' hockey program. Proceeds of the March 14 event benefit local youth golf program. Battered cod & breaded shrimp, with baked potato, cole slaw and beverage. $20 adults. $13 kids 12 & younger.
Grand Meadow
St. Finbarr Parish will serve a fish fry at the church (504 1st St SW in Grand Meadow) on Friday, March 14, from 4:30-7 p.m.
La Crescent
Crucifixion School will host K.C. Council 5115 "Famous Fish Fries" in the auditorium on the Fridays of March 14, March 28 and April 11, from 4-7 p.m.
St. Joseph the Worker Parish will host a fish fry at the church (423 W 7th St. in Mankato) from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7. Adults $15. Kids 6-10 $8. Kids 5 & younger free. $50 maximum for immediate family.
Ss. Peter & Paul Parish will host a K.C. Council 901 fish fry on Friday, March 14, and a K.C. 4th Degree shrimp dinner on Friday, March 21, both at the church (105 N 5th St. in Mankato) from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Adults $15. Kids 6-10 $8. Kids 5 & younger free. $50 maximum for immediate family.
• From the beginning, God commanded some fasting, and sin entered into the world because Adam and Eve broke the fast.
• For the Christian, fasting is ultimately about fasting from sin.
• Fasting reveals our dependence on God and not the resources of this world.
• Fasting is an ancient way of preparing for the Eucharist—the truest of foods.
• Fasting is preparation for baptism (and all the sacraments)—for the reception of grace.
• Fasting is a means of saving resources to give to the poor.
• Fasting is a means of self-discipline, chastity, and the restraining of the appetites.
Saint Charles
Spring Valley
The school is at 420 S 2nd St in La Crescent. $15 per meal of famous beer battered cod, choice of fries or baked potato, baked beans, cole slaw, dinner roll and beverage. Proceeds to benefit both Crucifixion School in La Crescent and St. Peter's School in Hokah.
St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish will serve a fish fry on Friday, April 4, from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Newman Center, 1502 Warren Street in Mankato. Suggested donations are $15 per plate, $50 per family of 5+, or $10 per child. Fried pollock, mashed potatoes, rolls, green beans, dessert and coffee bar. All proceeds benefit Newman Center Ministry, helping students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, to grow in their Catholic Faith. Please park in large lot next to the Newman Center (parking lot of the Beacon).
St. Charles Borromeo Parish will host the Tom Heim Memorial Fish Fry, sponsored by the St. Charles Borromeo Men's Club, at the church (1900 E 6th St. in St. Charles) on Friday, March 28, serving from 4 p.m. until gone. Fish, baked potato, cole slaw, dinner rolls, dessert bars and beverage. $10 one-piece dinner. $12 two-piece. $14 three-piece.
St. Ignatius Parish will serve a fish fry at the church (213 W Franklin St. in Spring Valley) on Friday, March 7, from 5-7:30 p.m.
Wilmont
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish will serve a Knights of Columbus Ash Wednesday Fish Fry on Wednesday, March 5, after 5:30 p.m. Mass. Fish fried or baked, bun, chips, assorted salads, beverages. All are invited for good food and fellowship.
