The
COURIER
Pentecost May 23
May 2021
Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org
'Don't Pretend You Didn't Hear' USCCB Bishop Quinn Encourages Class of 2021 to Listen for the Lord's Voice ROCHESTER - On Wednesday, April 28, at Lourdes High School in Rochester, Bishop John M. Quinn celebrated the 2021 Baccalaureate Mass honoring seniors from the Diocese of Winona-Rochester's four Catholic high schools: Cotter in Winona, Lourdes in Rochester, Pacelli in Austin, and Loyola in Mankato. Concelebrating were several pastors from the students' home parishes. Due to precautions taken in response to the COVID19 pandemic, only administrators and Lourdes students attended the Mass in person. However, students from the other three schools were able to watch online via livestream. The Mass had been scheduled for St. Augustine Church in Austin, but was relocated to Lourdes after pandemic-related circumstances forced Pacelli students to return to distance learning for two weeks. Lourdes students stepped up to fill the liturgical roles with two days' notice. In his homily, Bishop Quinn recalled the way he and his siblings sometimes pretended not to hear their father's voice calling them home as children, in order to continue playing. He urged the Class of 2021 not to respond in such a way to the voice of Christ in their lives after graduation: I want to encourage our seniors - our Class of 2021: be sure and follow the voice of the Shepherd. You’ll hear it. Don’t deny it’s there. And as you leave us and go on to college or university, as you go into the military or other work ... you will hear the Lord calling you with love. On weekends, those of you who are Catholic, the Lord is calling you to the Eucharist. Don’t deny He wants to nourish you with His body and blood.
Welcomes Commitments at Climate Summit from usccb.org
Screenshot from Lourdes High School's livestream
Also, He wants you in a relationship of love and is calling you because you are His beloved son, you are His beloved daughter. He wants to lead you. He wants to be part of your life. In every experience, whether it’s a joyful one or a challenging one, or one when we experience our limitedness, perhaps failure, the voice of the Shepherd is there, still leading and guiding. You hear that voice every day, the Lord calling you and me to prayer, to acknowledge His goodness. Take time to respond to that voice, so that you hear Him and you allow Him to touch your heart. As you respond, you’ll find in prayer that you’re following Him, because there are lots of other voices in
Baccalaureate, cont'd on pg. 9
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden convened the Leaders Summit on Climate on April 22-23, which included a video message by Pope Francis. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, respective chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development and International Justice and Peace, have released the following statement in support of the Holy Father: Pope Francis addressed a virtual gathering of over 40 leaders from the highest levels of world government at the White House’s Leaders Summit on Climate, saying, "our concern is to see that the environment is cleaner, healthier and conserved, and to take care of nature so that it takes care of us."
Summit, cont'd on pg. 4
INSIDE this issue
Creating a Parish Culture for Mission page 5
Warmest Welcome!
New Principal Mary Spring pages 6-7
page 9
Pope Francis Watch
Articles of Interest
Creating a Parish Culture for Mission_________5 Warmest Welcome!______________________6-7 Charles I. Passe Endowment Fund____________8 Catholic Schools Updates___________________9 What the Equality Act Could Mean_______10 Person-Centered, Court-Appointed Services___11 Diocesan Headlines______________________12
The Courier Insider
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The Televised Mass Is Offered Every Sunday
Sioux Falls - KTTW Channel 7 at 7 a.m. Sioux City - KPTH Channel 44 at 8:30 a.m. Mankato - KEYC Channel 12 at 7:30 a.m.
Photo Credit: CNA
Pope to Discerners on World Day of Prayer for Vocations: Follow in St. Joseph's Footsteps
from usccb.org WASHINGTON, April 21, 2021 - The 58th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated by the Catholic Church on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. The World Day of Prayer for Vocations unites the faithful in praying for those currently discerning and living out vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life. Last December, Pope Francis marked the 150th anniversary of the Church’s declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the universal Church and proclaimed the Year of Saint Joseph (December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021). In his message for the 2021 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis again turns to Saint Joseph, as a guide for fathers and mothers, both biological and spiritual, who seek to foster the gift of vocation in the hearts of those entrusted to them, saying: “The Lord desires to shape the hearts of fathers and mothers: hearts that are open, capable of great initiatives, generous in selfgiving, compassionate in comforting anxieties, and steadfast in strengthening hopes. The priesthood and the consecrated life greatly need these qualities nowadays, in times marked by fragility but also by the sufferings due to the pandemic, which has spawned uncertainties and fears about the future and the very meaning of life. Saint Joseph comes to meet us in his
gentle way, as one of “the saints next door”. At the same time, his strong witness can guide us on the journey.” Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations (CCLV) stated that Saint Joseph teaches us the value of holy perseverance and patience. “We are living in very challenging times full of uncertainty and fear,” he said. “Yet, Saint Joseph teaches us, especially our young people, that consistent, quiet fidelity to God is what opens our hearts to receive Christ’s grace and peace. In imitation of Saint Joseph, may we entrust our hearts and desires completely to Our Risen Lord.” In conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the CCLV Committee released the Ordination Class of 2021 Study, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. A few of the major findings of the report are: • •
On average, responding ordinands first considered priesthood when they were 17 years old.
Two-thirds of responding ordinands (65%) are Caucasian. One in six (16%) are Latino/Hispanic. One in ten (10%) are Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian. And one in twenty (6%) are African/African American/black.
The Courier is the official publication of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester 55 West Sanborn, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987 Vol 112 - 5
Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Publisher Nick Reller, Associate Editor Telephone: 507-858-1257 Fax:507-454-8106 E-mail: nreller@dowr.org Publishing Schedule: Monthly - Deadline for advertising & articles is the 10th of the month prior. (ISSN 0744-5490)
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Vocations, cont'd on pg. 4
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. NEW Twin Cities - WFTC Digital Channel 29 or Channel 9.2 at 11:30 a.m. Southeastern MN - HBC Channel 20 at 3 p.m. (repeated Wed. at 3:30 p.m.) Winona/La Crosse/Eau Claire - WLAX/WEUX Channel 25/48 at 7:30 a.m. and on our website, dowr.org (click "Weekly Mass")
The Holy Father's Intention for
May 2021 The World of Finance Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.
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 Mary Hamann at 507-858-1244, or mhamann@dowr.org.
Where to Find the Courier
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hard copies of the Courier are currently not available in our churches. • Hard copies of the Courier are available in the churches of the Diocese of WinonaRochester at the first weekend Masses of each month. • An online version may be viewed at www.dowr.org/offices/ courier/index.html • To be added to the home delivery list, readers should send their names and addresses to: Diocese of Winona-Rochester The Courier 55 W Sanborn St. Winona, MN 55987 or nreller@dowr.org
Graduates, Stand Firm in Christ!
Vocations
Rejoice in Hope Bishop John M. Quinn
�ear Friends in Christ,
Graduation and Bearing Witness to Our Faith
Late spring marks the end of another academic year, when we congratulate our graduating high school and college seniors and send them out into the world with our love, prayers, and support. The last two years have not been easy; last spring, students had to suddenly adjust to distance learning and this year they navigated a combination of in-person, hybrid, and/or distance learning, all while observing many protocols. Yet through it all they persevered and are now graduating and moving onto the next step of their life. Those graduating in 2021 will face a culture that has become ever more hostile to truths about human nature, and religious freedom. As our high school and college graduates head into the world, we pray that they may ground their lives in the Good News of Jesus Christ, and stay close to Him and His Church. In the Easter season,
Despite the many difficulties in both our world and the Church, the Lord continues to call forth men and women to dedicate their lives to a deeper relationship with Him, and to serve Him and His Church. Jesus lived the vocation of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God, and through every age men and women have embraced the vocation of the priesthood and consecrated life, by which they lay down their lives for Christ and in service to their brothers and sisters. The priesthood and consecrated life have always been countercultural in a world that esteems wealth, power, sex, and personal autonomy. By freely offering their lives to Christ, priests and consecrated men and women proclaim that what the world considers important cannot compare with the riches of an enduring relationship with Christ, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in heaven. However, the call of Christ is often quiet and subtle and easily drowned out in our world of noise and distractions. Media, entertainment, sports, academics, relationships, and many activities all vie for one’s attention. We are to accompany our young people – and lead by example – by taking time for silence and prayer. Our Triune God has initiated an intimate relationship with each one of
us. He invites from us a free and loving response. For our young people facing many choices at the threshold of their lives, encourage them to consider how the Lord is working in their lives. Help them to encounter Christ in the sacraments and prayer so that they may come to have a deeper relationship with our Triune God. Finally, pray that He will reveal to them His will for their lives and that they may have the courage to say yes to the call to lay down their lives for Him in joyful surrender. Diaconal Ordination
This year, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester is blessed to have a young man who will be ordained to the transitional diaconate, and, God-willing, will be ordained to the priesthood in 2022. On June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I will ordain Michael Churchill to the Order of Deacon. His ordination will be at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona at 2:00 p.m. Due to COVID restrictions, only a limited number of people will be able to attend in person, but the Mass will be livestreamed and available for viewing online. Please keep Michael in your prayers as he prepares for ordination and enters his final year of formation. Mass for Consecrated Life
On May 21, I will celebrate our annual Mass for Consecrated Life, in order to thank and pray for all the consecrated men and women in the Diocese of WinonaRochester. In February we were able to observe the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life but were not able to have a large gathering afterwards. This month, I look forward to welcoming all the consecrated men and
women in the diocese to the Cathedral for a special Mass and luncheon. Our diocese is blessed by the presence of many consecrated men and women who radiate the joy of serving Christ in both active and contemplative life, and it is always a privilege to gather with them for prayer and fellowship. Evangelization Retreats
Do you desire to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Church in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, in your parish, your workplace, to friends, and the broader community? Are you unsure about how to go about the work of evangelization or do you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of proclaiming your faith to a world that is often indifferent or hostile to Christianity? Do you feel alone in your yearning to grow closer to Christ and develop Christ-centered friendships? If so, then I would encourage you to sign up for one of this summer’s evangelization retreats, held on the eastern and western ends of the diocese. These retreats will focus on the importance of spiritual friendship, both with Christ and others. It is not uncommon that those who deeply desire to live out their faith and share it with others face hostility, ridicule, and rejection, leading to discouragement and loneliness. It is important that we who are part of the Body of Christ forge and maintain strong relationships firstly with Christ and also with our brothers and sisters in Christ, who can strengthen and encourage us in our faith and work of evangelization.
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T h e evangelization retreats will be held June 18-20, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, and August 13-15, at Shalom Hill Farm near Windom. Retreat leaders will be Fr. Jeff Dobbs and Dr. Susan WindleyDaoust (east) and Fr. Jonathan Fasnacht and Dr. Deb McManomon ( w e s t ) . Participants can either stay overnight or commute, and the current state / diocesan COVID protocols at that time will be in place. For more information, you can contact Susan Windley-Daoust at swindley@dowr.org or 507858-1277. This retreat is a wonderful opportunity for both new and veteran evangelists to grow in fellowship, prayer, and knowledge of how to more effectively spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in southern Minnesota. Blessed are you!
From the Bishop
we are reminded that our God can overcome the most seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including death. May we all draw our hope and strength from the Risen Lord and joyfully live out our faith, standing firm on the Rock that is Jesus Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. John M. Quinn Bishop of Winona-Rochester
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Summit,
cont'd from pg. 1
We commend the Biden Administration’s commitment to climate stewardship and environmental justice, consistent with the decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. The Leaders Summit on Climate reflects renewed American leadership on climate change, and the pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 is an ambitious and welcome national goal. Consistent with the Holy Father’s call for integral ecology, the movement towards a net-zero emission world must also emphasize just transition so that working families who rely on the energy sector are not left behind.
Vocations, cont'd from pg. 2 • • • • •
The four most common countries of origin among foreignborn ordinands are Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Poland. Three in five (60%) completed an undergraduate or graduate degree before entering seminary.
In regard to participation in various activities before entering the seminary, half of all responding ordinands (46%) participated in a parish youth group. A quarter (25%) participated in Catholic campus ministry/Newman Center.
Nine in ten responding ordinands (93%) report being encouraged to consider the priesthood by someone in their life (most frequently, the parish priest, a friend, or another parishioner). Half of responding ordinands (47%) indicate that they were discouraged from considering the priesthood by one or more persons. Most often, this person was a family member (other than parents) or a friend/classmate.
The full CARA report and profiles of the Ordination Class of 2021 can be accessed here: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/ordination-classes
Bishop's Calendar
May 1, Saturday 5 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Mary of the Lake Church, Lake City; with St. Patrick, West Albany May 2, Sunday 1 p.m. - Confirmation - Sacred Heart Church, Waseca 4:30 p.m. - Confirmation - All Saints Church, New Richland; with St. Joseph, Waldorf; and St. Ann, Janesville May 3, Monday 8 a.m. - Final Exam for Theology 380 at SMU May 4, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Deans Meeting - Zoom 3 p.m. - Clergy Personnel Committee Meeting May 5, Wednesday 3:30 p.m. - Real Presence Radio Live Drive Interview 7 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Felix Church, Wabasha; with St. Agnes, Kellogg May 6, Thursday 1 p.m. - Zoom with Presbyterate 2 p.m. - Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting May 7, Friday 7 p.m. - Confirmation 1 of 2 - Pax Christi Church, Rochester; with Ss. Peter & Paul, Mazeppa May 8, Saturday SMU Commencement Ceremonies: Arts & Humanities 10 a.m., Business & Education 1 p.m., Sciences & Health Professionals 4 p.m.
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May 9, Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Confirmation - Sacred Heart Church, Adams; with St. John, Johnsburg; Queen of Peace, Lyle; and St. Peter, Rose Creek 2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Finbarr Church, Grand Meadow; with St. Ignatius, Spring Valley; and St. Patrick, Leroy May 11, Tuesday 1 p.m. - IHM Seminary Finance Council Meeting 3 p.m. - IHM Seminary Bishop’s Advisory Board Meeting May 12, Wednesday 11 a.m. - Mass at IHM Seminary - Formation Week 7 p.m. - Confirmation - Christ the King Church, Byron; with Holy Family, Kasson; and St. John Baptiste de la Salle, Dodge Center May 13, Thursday 10 a.m. - Prayer & DOW-R Finance Council Meeting 4 p.m. - Zoom Conference with MN Bishops 6-7 p.m. - Parish Civil Corporation Meetings May 14, Friday 7 p.m. - Confirmation 2 of 2 - Pax Christi Church, Rochester; with Ss. Peter & Paul, Mazeppa May 15, Saturday 11 a.m. - Confirmation - St. John Vianney Church, Fairmont; with Holy Family, East Chain; Ss. Peter & Paul, Blue Earth; and St. Mary, Winnebago
May 16, Sunday Confirmation at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona - 2 p.m. for: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart; St. Casimir, Winona; and St. Mary, Winona - 5 p.m. for: Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Winona; St. John Nepomucene, Winona; St. Anthony, Altura; St. Rose of Lima, Lewiston; Immaculate Conception, Wilson; Holy Trinity, Rollingstone; St. Paul, Minnesota City; and St. Mary, Minneiska May 18, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Mass for Priest Retreat - IHM Seminary, Winona 6 p.m. - Confirmation - St. James Church, St. James; with St. Mary, Madelia May 19, Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - St. Mary School Mass - St. Mary Church, Caledonia 7 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Joachim Church, Plainview; with Immaculate Conception, Kellogg May 20, Thursday Ordination of Bishop-elect Daniel Felton Diocese of Duluth May 21, Friday 11 a.m. - Mass and Luncheon for Consecrated Life - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona May 22, Saturday 2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Augustine Church, Austin; with St. Edward, Austin, and Queen of Angels, Austin May 23, Sunday 2 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Joseph Church,
Owatonna; with Christ the King, Medford 5 p.m. - Confirmation - Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna May 24, Monday 7 p.m. - Confirmation - Crucifixion Church, La Crescent; with Holy Cross, Dakota; and St. Patrick, Brownsville May 25, Tuesday 11 a.m. - Holy Hour & Presbyteral Council Meeting May 26, Wednesday 7 p.m. - Confirmation - St. Francis Xavier Church, Windom; with Sacred Heart, Brewster; and Sacred Heart, Heron Lake May 27, Thursday 1 p.m. - Holy Hour & Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 4 p.m. - Zoom Conference with MN Bishops May 28, Friday 9 a.m. - Cotter Schools Baccalaureate Mass Cotter Schools, Winona 7 p.m. - Lourdes High School Graduation Ceremony - Lourdes High School, Rochester June 2, Wednesday 7 p.m. - Pacelli Schools Graduation Ceremony - Pacelli High School, Austin June 4, Friday 5 p.m. - Priest Ordination of Dcn. Trevor Peterson from the Diocese of Duluth - The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth June 11, Friday 2 p.m. - Ordination of Dcn. Michael Churchill - Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Creating a Parish Culture for Mission
� oes your parish have a culture? Is it healthy, or unhealthy? Does it promote mission, or promote
something else? If you think it can be better, how do we even begin to change it? On Tuesday, April 20, the diocese was pleased to host Dcn. Keith Strohm, executive director of M3Ministries and former director of the New Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Chicago, as he led our latest Mission Forward gathering, “Creating a Parish Culture for Mission.” Dcn. Strohm began by laying down a proposal: programs do not change parishes, a parish culture does. Although we have many programs and processes that can effectively move us to becoming parishes that focus on discipleship and evangelization, they can often be employed without fruit. Why? Because we underestimate the power of parish culture to resist different ideas. When these processes flourish, it is in part because the parish culture embraces and supports the process. He then went on to challenge: “Imagine I sat here and said, ‘We need to abolish children’s graded faith formation.’ I’m not saying that. But imagine if I did. People would freeze and possibly stop listening entirely. It’s unthinkable to many - and that is the power of culture. It names what is acceptable and not acceptable, and we react according to our parish culture without even thinking about it.” Dcn. Strohm defined culture as “the accumulated shared learning of [a] group as it solves its problems of external adaption and internal integration; which has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, feel, and behave in relation to those problems” (from Edgar Schrein’s Organizational Culture and Leadership). In short, we inherit ways we treat problems and opportunities based in a combination of values and practices, and we operate out of that system we call a culture. Culture is that underwater current by which we judge, analyze, celebrate, evalu-
1. Values are deeply held and reinforced in rules, structures, and rewards systems. 2. They profoundly influence the way people act.
3. Because they eventually become second nature and are a part of the basic assumptions that we make about our individual and communal identities, they often drop off our “radar.”
4. When various deeply held values come together in a particular system or regular pattern, they reinforce and strengthen one another, developing into a full-fledged culture over time.
Dcn. Strohm admitted this could sound a bit abstract. But he also said diagnosing and shifting a culture is, in fact, possible - and necessary. It requires “stepping outside the cultural stream” as best you can and looking at the cultural values that underlie how the parish operates. Name and set the desired values, structure the parish offerings for those values a piece at a time, and, finally, make deliberate decisions to “reward” the actions that come from the desired values. For example: let’s say one value is “loving our neighbors.” But how does that get practiced as a parish, and encouraged? Do we define neighbor just as people attending our parish - or certain people in the parish? Do we extend that value to love to the larger community, even world? Do we forgive others quickly? Do we actively serve others? Do we invite our neighbors to meet Jesus Christ through our parish? Or, perhaps: let’s say one value is making disciples who make other disciples for Christ. That is the Great Commission in a nutshell. Are there practices in place to support that? Is the parish a welcoming space for
Dcn. Keith Strohm
5 Missionary Discipleship
Susan Windley-Daoust
Director of Missionary Discipleship swindley@dowr.org
ate, and reject. We teach it to newcomers through our practices. And we tend to resist the proposals which question it. A parish culture can be a powerful good or a powerful problem. One way to diagnose whether that is the case or not for your parish is to ascertain which values are driving your parish culture. Cultural values do not have to do with doctrine or moral teaching; they have more to do with how we operate from those constant beliefs, and they have certain characteristics:
outsiders to explore? Are there beliefs, habits, or energies that prevent adult disciple-making? Dcn. Strohm left us with diagnostic tool and a cliffhanger. The diagnostic tool is called the “Cultural Snapshot Inventory,” and it is meant to help parishes assess just how “mission forward” their parish culture is at a given moment in time. The inventory is free, and can be found at http://m3catholic.com/csi/ . Secondly, Dcn. Strohm and M3Ministries are coming back in August for an in-person (and online if you need) event, August 26 and 27. This is a combination of Ministry Days and Catechetical Day, and you are welcome to come to one day or both. Save those dates as Dcn. Strohm helps us consider how to re-enter a post-COVID church reality through a prayer for healing from the past year, re-focusing on the call to Christ, how to shift parish culture, and more. Registration information will be available in June. If you would like to prepare for our August Ministry and Catechetical Days, much of Dcn. Strohm’s April 20 talk is presented in his book Ablaze: 5 Essential Paradigm Shifts for Parish Renewal, Word Among Us Press, 2019. It is an accessible and helpful read. Dcn. Strohm also has a podcast with his colleagues at M3Ministries on best practices for parish renewal, which you can listen to or subscribe here: http://m3catholic.com/podcast/ .
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Announcing 2021-2022 Scholarship Program
Charles I. Passe Endowment Fund
Catholic Foundation
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�ear Parishioners of Saint Felix,
Saint Agnes, and Immaculate Conception parishes, Several years ago, Mr. Charles I. Passe, through his estate, established an endowment fund with the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota to fund scholarships to qualified students seeking higher education. The Board of Directors of the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, in exercising stewardship of this endowment, has established a process for awarding funds from the endowment. This year, up to $46,700 is available for qualified students. Funds from the Charles I. Passe Endowment Scholarship will be awarded in the following order: • Saint Felix parishioners enrolled in a diploma and/or certificate program at a trade/technical school,
• Saint Felix parishioners enrolled in an Associate’s degree program at a trade/ technical school,
Congratulations! Since our kick-off, the following parishes have met their goals for the 2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal: All Saints New Richland
Good Shepherd Jackson
Our Lady of Good Counsel Wilmont St. Casimir Winona
St. Finbarr Grand Meadow St. Joseph Waldorf St. Luke Sherburn
St. Patrick LeRoy
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• Cluster parishioners enrolled in a diploma and/or certificate program at a trade/technical school, or • Cluster parishioners enrolled in an Associate’s degree program at a trade/ technical school.
In the rare event that funds remain after all applications in these categories have been processed, the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota will consider other scholarship requests (i.e., Bachelor’s degree programs). All awards are made by the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota. Applications will be available starting on April 4, 2021, at the St. Felix, St. Agnes, and Immaculate Conception parish offices and websites, the Wabasha-Kellogg and PlainviewElgin-Millville High School counselor’s offices, and on the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota website at www.catholicfsmn.org/ granting. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO: Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105 PO Box 30098 Winona MN 55987
Monica Herman
Executive Director Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota mherman@catholicfsmn.org
Applications must be received by 4:30pm on Friday, May 21, 2021. Notification of awards will be made no later than June 30, 2021. Sincerely,
Monica Herman Executive Director Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota
A Stewardship Prayer for May Christ Our Lord, risen Lord, light of the world, to you be all praise and glory! Shine your light on us this Easter season so that we may reflect brilliantly the glory of your resurrection. Make us a blessing for those who suffer, live in fear or who are overwhelmed by life. And let the Spirit fill our hearts with your loving presence so that we may become good stewards of your Gospel out of love for you who, for our sakes, lived, died and rose from the dead; you who live and reign with your Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lourdes High School Welcomes New
Marsha Stenzel
Superintendent of Catholic Schools mstenzel@dowr.org
Submitted by HEIDI CAFARELLA
ROCHESTER - Rochester Catholic Schools announces with great excitement that Mary Spring has accepted the permanent position of principal at Lourdes High School. Ms. Spring served as assistant principal in 2019 and has led Lourdes as interim principal this academic year. “Ms. Spring continues to exceed all expectations for this role,” said Dr. John Wald, co-chair of the RCS Board of Trustees. “She is committed to developing a rigorous academic environment, including enhancing the math and science curricula and developing programs that allow students to pursue college credit.” Most recently, Ms. Spring was instrumental in launching the partnership with St. Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Program for Advanced College Credit (PACC) in which students can earn college cred-
it through Concurrent Enrollment courses while remaining on the Lourdes campus. Ms. Spring began as a member of the Lourdes teaching faculty in 2003 and has taught in both the English and Religion departments. During her tenure, she played a key role in developing the English curriculum and taught Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. Additionally, as a member of the administrative team since 2015, Ms. Spring co-wrote and managed the New Teacher Mentoring Program. Prior to teaching at Lourdes, Ms. Spring earned a Masters in Secondary Education as a participant in Seton Hall University's Educational Partners in Catholic Schools (EPICS). While teaching at Lourdes, Ms. Spring earned a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame's Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program. Both educational experiences have solidified her commitment to Catholic education. “Ms. Spring promotes the RCS tenets of wholechild excellence, faith-based character, and a devoted community,” said RCS Board of Trustees Co-Chair Fr. Tom Loomis. “She fosters a welcoming learning environment dedicated to helping all students discover their unique gifts and talents and reach their highest potential.”
Catholic Schools
Principal Mary Spring
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"I am honored to lead Lourdes High School in our mission to provide educational opportunities that prepare young men and women for lives that are rooted in faith, demonstrate a love of learning, and cultivate an understanding of the importance of living for the good of others. I am truly humbled," said Ms. Spring. Heidi Cafarella is the director of marketing and communications for Rochester Catholic Schools.
Shelley Schultz Recognized at Loyola School Mass By ADAM BEMMELS
MANKATO - On Wednesday, March 31, Bishop John Quinn celebrated Holy Week Mass with the students and staff of Loyola Catholic School in Mankato. The Mass included two special recognitions. The first was in honor of Shelley Schultz, past Loyola principal, educational consultant, mentor, and also described as Loyola’s biggest fan. Shelley’s final initiative at Loyola has been to help lead them through dual accreditation with the Minnesota Non-public Schools Accrediting Association (MNSAA). Shelley’s time and talent have been a true blessing to the Loyola community as they have worked through this process. At the end of Mass, Bishop Quinn presented
Baccalaureate, cont'd from pg. 1
this world. Some of them want to take you away from your faith in Jesus Christ, others from the beliefs of our faith. Don’t follow those voices. Those voices can come from the computer, encouraging us into sites that, when we watch, we’re not becoming virtuous; just the opposite. We are losing respect for each other, and we become objects of pleasure rather than respect and care. Be careful of those voices and those places that take away human dignity. Allow Jesus Christ to be
Shelley with the Bishop’s Medal of Honor, noting her unwavering dedication to Loyola and its students and families. The staff and students of Loyola also recognized Bishop Quinn at this Mass, as it was the only opportunity for Bishop Quinn to visit Loyola this year. Student ambassadors greeted him upon his arrival, and welcome posters were hung on the chapel doors. A special thank you at the end of Mass, delivered by Shelley Schultz, recognized his longstanding support of Loyola Catholic School. Bishop Quinn’s commitment to Catholic education has been a blessing to the Loyola school community. Adam Bemmels is the principal of Loyola Catholic School in Mankato.
the voice of the shepherd you follow. Wherever you go as you leave us, the world needs your compassion. The poor, the uneducated, the prisoners, the sinners, the dying, the migrants, those who are homeless – they need shepherds. Jesus invites us to care for them so when they hear our voice they know they are safe. They know they have people who are willing to help, not just pity them, but, like the Shepherd, to help make a difference and to lay down our lives, which often means getting beyond our own selfishness ... and, like Jesus Christ, to lay down our life in service... Keep listening for His voice. Some nights, I still can hear my dad’s whistle, although he’s been with God a long time. And I
(L to R) Superintendent Marsha Stenzel looks on as Bishop John M. Quinn presents Shelley Schultz with the Bishop's Medal.
always remember the foolish times when I should have come right away, along with my brother and my sister. But our preoccupation with ourselves—Jesus calls you and me out of ourselves. He is a voice that leads us to a life not only with Him at the center, but a life of compassion and service. Don’t pretend you didn’t hear His voice as He’s calling you. He’s laid down His life. He’s the Shepherd leading us to eternal life. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester's 2021 Baccalaureate Mass can be viewed on the "Rochester Catholic Schools Eagles Activities" Youtube page at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2nnQnGIRdMc
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Life, Marriage & Family
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What the Equality Act Could Mean for Catholics
WASHINGTON D.C., March 23, 2021 (CNA) - Legal experts on Monday explained how the Equality Act could threaten the integrity of Catholic parishes, charities, and schools. The Equality Act, passed by the U.S. House on Feb. 25, would amend federal civil rights law and create protected classes for sexual orientation and gender identity, extending those protections to all areas where race is currently protected. On Monday, several Catholic dioceses hosted an online webinar “The Equality Act and What it Means for Catholics.” A panel of legal experts explained how far-reaching the act is, and just how much it might affect religious practice in the United States. By codifying and protecting gender ideology in law, the Equality Act would essentially outlaw the Church’s teachings on the human person, said Ryan Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. The act “would make acting on a true anthropology, a true vision of the human person – in many circumstances, it would treat that as if it were unjust discrimination,” he said on Monday. And by not including religious exemptions, the bill is essentially granting religious people who believe in the true nature of man and woman “the same religious liberty protections as it [the Civil Rights Act] does racists,” Anderson said. Monday’s webinar was hosted by the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and New York, the Dioceses of Arlington and Green Bay, and the Catholic Conferences of Colorado and Virginia. Experts on Monday noted the expansive nature of the Equality Act, saying it would regulate a myriad of areas of public life including the mission of religious charities and non-profits. “The Equality Act, however, would mandate how we serve others,” said Robert Vega, a policy advisor to the U.S. bishops’ conference (USCCB). He explained that Section 3 of the bill extends to public accommodations and “greatly expands the May 2021 w The Courier w dowr.org
Peter Martin
Director of Faith Formation and Life, Marriage & Family pmartin@dowr.org
types of entities covered” under civil rights law, to include any place of public gathering or any business or service. Thus, the law’s onerous requirements could apply to hospitals, shelters, and possibly churches and funeral homes, Vega said. Section 9 of the bill, meanwhile, “requires others to speak or act” in favor of gender ideology, Vega said. The act “overrides sex-separated facilities and programs” and “allows anyone else to self-identify in any way at any time,” he said, thus allowing for men identifying as transgender women to access women’s shelters and locker rooms. Religious groups, churches, or organizations which serve people of all faiths could be considered public accommodations – and thus subject to the law, Vega explained. “Catholic foster care and adoption would be forced to place with same-sex couples, which violates children’s rights to a married mother and father, or be shut down,” Vega said. Support groups for women in crisis might have to be open to males, he noted. Church halls which serve people of all faiths might have to allow restroom access to people of the opposite sex. Even church grounds which host community events could be considered public accommodations, and thus forced to host events contrary to their faith. Catholic hospitals, which serve everyone, would have to provide gender-transition procedures, and at least five Catholic health entities are currently in legal battles over similar state and local mandates, he noted. The privacy of women could be at stake under the law, the panel experts warned. Some conservatives have cited federal Title IX law – which prohibits sex discrimination in federally-funded education activities – as a defense of the integrity of women’s sports and women-only spaces against transgender mandates. While the Equality Act technically does not amend Title IX, its Section 6 essentially overrides
it by applying the act to federally-funded activities, Vega noted. Furthermore, the act does not have religious protections that similar state laws have. Dr. Gabrielle Girgis, an EPPC postdoctoral fellow, noted that religious business owners have recently been forced to serve same-sex wedding ceremonies, and that adoption agencies have been forced to match children with same-sex couples. Girgis said the Equality Act would continue those coercive mandates in many areas. It is the “very first federal regulation to exempt itself” from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), Girgis noted. RFRA, a 1993 law, established a legal test for the government to meet when it violates someone’s religious beliefs – thus giving people a chance to argue their beliefs in court. By exempting itself from RFRA, the Equality Act would not allow legal remedies for those claiming religious freedom violations under the law. “In that respect, it is certainly the biggest and most aggressive effort so far to push traditional religious believers out of the public square,” Girgis said of the Equality Act. The act would create a right to sex-reassignment surgeries, and could create a right to an abortion, Girgis said. By adding “pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition” to a list of protected classes that cannot be discriminated against, the law could be interpreted to include abortion as “protected” pregnancy care. Federal law already bans discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, Girgis said, and with the addition of the Equality Act, a woman’s decision to end a pregnancy could merit the same legal protection as the decision to sustain a pregnancy. The bill will “almost certainly” be interpreted “to repeal the Hyde Amendment,” policy that prohibits federal funding of abortions, Girgis said. Greg Baylor, senior counsel with the legal group Alliance Defending Freedom which promotes religious freedom, said that ADF represents Downtown Hope women’s shelter in Anchorage, Alaska. While a man identifying as a transgender woman recently sued for not being able to access the womenonly shelter, Downtown Hope was ultimately ruled exempt from a local nondiscrimination ordinance. Under the Equality Act, however, the shelter might not be so lucky, Baylor said. The Equality Act’s “definition of public accommodation is much broader,” Baylor said, and “explicitly includes shelters.” Schools receiving federal aid would be subject to the act, and even those schools not receiving federal dollars could be subject to it if they are considered places of public accommodation, Baylor said.
Providing Person-Centered, 11 Court-Appointed Services Guardian & Conservator Program Director Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota
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t is a common misconception that legal guardians and conservators can solely make decisions for an individual. Popular culture adds to this mistaken belief of what a guardian or conservator is entitled to do. When the Catholic Charities Guardianship and Conservatorship Program (G/C Program) is ordered by a judge to provide guardian or conservator services, the goal is the same for each and every individual we are appointed to serve, no matter the differences in their situations. We strive to develop a trusting relationship, ensure personal safety and wellbeing, safeguard financial situations and deploy a person-centered approach in everything we do. As guardians and conservators, we serve those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, along with other diagnoses, as directed by the court. Those duties include everything from choosing an appropriate place for the individual to live, to approving or denying medical treatment. It is an awesome responsibility that lies heavily on the shoulders of our program, but it does not mean that we as guardians can force any individual to do whatever we tell them. The G/C Program follows the standards presented by the Minnesota Association of Guardianship and Conservatorship (MAGiC) in regards to providing a person-centered approach. MAGiC instructs person-centered practices to be “active, ongoing processes of listening to and focusing on an individual’s desires, hopes and intentions for that person’s life. This is a way of assuring that all persons have the right to make decisions and have choices about their life and the opportunity to contribute to their community. Being Person Centered is a broad concept and thought process; it is ongoing and continuous. Person-Centered planning seeks to identify what is important to a person, such as relationships, hobbies, residential choices, as well as what is important for a person, such as health, safety, policy, law compliance, and so on.” We believe the individuals we serve not only deserve the person-centered approach, but that they are entitled to it. According to the Bill of Rights for Persons Subject to Guardianship or Conservatorship as defined by Minnesota Statute § 524.5-120, indi-
viduals have the right to due consideration of current and previously stated personal desires and preferences, including but not limited to medical treatment preferences, cultural practices, religious beliefs, and other preferences and opinions in decisions made by the guardian or conservator. In fact, Minnesota statute dictates that a guardian “shall not consent to any medical care for the person subject to guardianship which violates the known conscientious, religious, or moral belief of the person subject to guardianship.” The person-centered approach makes it mandatory for the guardian to listen and develop a relationship with the individual so those beliefs and desires are known. Persons subject to guardianship or conservatorship also have the right to petition the court if they disagree with a decision made by a guardian. Minnesota Statute 524.5-313 Sudb. 6 states the guardian has the “duty and power to exercise supervisory authority over the person subject to guardianship in a manner which limits civil rights and restricts personal freedom only to the extent necessary to provide needed care and services. A guardian may not restrict the ability of the person subject to guardianship to communicate, visit, or interact with others, including receiving visitors or making or receiving telephone calls, personal mail, or electronic communications including through social media, or participating in social activities, unless the guardian has good cause to believe restriction is necessary because interaction with the person poses a risk of significant physical, psychological, or financial harm to the person subject to guardianship, and there is no other means to avoid such significant harm.” So, unless interaction with individuals, either in person or electronically, pose a risk for harm, it is against the law for guardians to tell individuals they cannot visit or interact with others. If a guardian does restrict someone’s ability to visit or interact, the guardian must submit the restriction to the court, the individual under guardianship and any other individuals subject to the restrictions. Anyone who disagrees with the guardian has the right to petition the court and have a judge determine whether the restrictions should continue or not. For example, if your loved one is under guardianship, he or she has the right to interact with you in person or on social media, but if your loved one is on a social media platform and gives away personal information like a Social Security number or a credit card number to strangers, then the guardian has the right
Catholic Charities
Michael Hanratty
to restrict that person’s ability to use social media because there is a clear risk of financial exploitation. The G/C Program is required to report annually to the court, to the individual, and to family members about a person’s well-being and financial accounting. We must account for the person’s mental and physical health, as well as social well-being. This ensures that the guardian is attempting to get individuals to be active in their communities and not isolated in their homes. Every year, with that reporting, we are required to send the individual’s Bill of Rights and a formal notice that they have the right to petition the court at any time to end or modify their guardianship or conservatorship status. There are many options for a person who is showing signs of needing supports. Court-appointed guardianship and conservatorship services are the most restrictive option and should be the last option when trying to find help for your loved one. Other options include the use of a health care directive and making a supported decision-making plan to identify people who can help the person with decision making. A power of attorney can be instituted to give it legal authority. Your loved one can work with case management to arrange and oversee services, or family members or close friends can be recruited to help ensure bills are paid and there is financial security. If your loved one has Social Security benefits, a representative payee can help manage those benefits and pay bills. If these least restrictive options have been exhausted for your loved one and it is determined that professional help is needed, the staff of Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota Guardian and Conservatorship Program are here to help. If you have any questions or would like more information, please address them to Program Director Michael Hanratty at (507) 454-2270 ext. 233 or at mhanratty@ccsomn.org.
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May 2021
Rochester Franciscans React to Chauvin Verdict By SISTER RAMONA MILLER
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he trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin is over, and he has been found guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd. This decision, made by a jury, has effects that ripple through all aspects of our society. We urge everyone to find it in their hearts to realize that we are all brothers and sisters. In the wake of this verdict, we must first stop and pray—pray for George Floyd, his daughter, his family, and his community. We pray, too, for former officer Derek Chauvin and his family. We pray for the larger African American community that the time for healing and justice will come swiftly and build a greater country for the next generation together. We pray that law enforcement officers remain protected from daily threats and that they can safely interact with people whether they are assisting them or arresting them. Regardless of where we stand politically, we need to listen to each other. We must strive for commitment to a shared humanity and a willingness to improve our communities. We, the Sisters of Saint Francis, are committed to a culture of nonviolence in our daily lives, as active participants in our communities, in response to violence large and small. Join us and follow examples of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Francis of Assisi, and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and turn towards nonviolent solutions. Forgiveness with Love will be the only antidote for a peaceful future. Sister Ramona Miller is the president of the Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester.
Obituaries Sister Alice Druffel, SSND, 84, professed in 1956, died April 2, 2021, at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mankato. Originally from Colton, WA, she attended Good Counsel Academy for three years and graduated in 1954. She entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame that same year and professed first vows in 1956. She taught in Catholic schools in Minnesota, Washington State and North Dakota until the early-1970s. In the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, she taught at Ss. Peter & Paul, Mankato (1963-70). From 1984 through 1991, she directed the audio visual department for the St. Paul & Minneapolis Archdiocesan Central Purchasing organization. For the next 20 years, she served as the receptionist for the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, along with providing general office assistance. She retired to Good Counsel in January 2021. She is survived by her sisters: Janet, SSND, and Pauline (Polly) Druffel; her nieces and nephews and their families; her colleagues and former students; and her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Hilda (Greif) Druffel; and her brothers, Donald and James. A Funeral Liturgy, with Fr. Eugene Stenzel as presider, was held April 8, 2021, followed by burial in Good Counsel Cemetery.
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MN Catholics Defend Life, Dignity Near End of Legislature's Regular Session By MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
�innesota’s legislature ends its regular session
in mid-May. This deadline makes right now a key time for Catholics to fulfill the missionary call to bring our faith into the public arena by speaking up for policies that uphold life and dignity. Hundreds of Catholics from nearly every legislative district across Minnesota answered that call to be missionary disciples by meeting with their legislators via Zoom on April 16th as part of the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s biennial “Catholics at the Capitol” event. The day prior, during the livestreamed event, attendees were formed in the faith, informed on several policy issues at the Capitol, and sent on mission to build relationships with their legislators. In virtual meetings with the senators and representatives, Catholic constituents spoke out against the legalization of recreational marijuana, H.F. 600 (Winkler) / S.F. 757 (Franzen), which would create a commercial marijuana industry in Minnesota that preys on the poor and vulnerable, especially our youth and those who already struggle with addiction. The attacks on human dignity by no means stop at legalizing marijuana; Catholics also spoke out in their meetings against a bill that would deny rights to prenatal children. H.F. 259 (Morrison) / S.F. 731 (McEwen), the “Protect Reproductive Options Act,” not only would further enshrine in Minnesota law a so-called mother’s “right” to abort her unborn child, but the bill goes even further to state that a human being at any stage of life before birth has no individual rights.
Despite the many attacks on life and human dignity in our state, as Catholics, we are called to be people of hope. Therefore, we do not only oppose these attacks, but we also find opportunities to promote the life and dignity of all. Because of this, attendees also spoke up in support of a bill that would enable immigrants who do not have U.S. citizenship the ability to apply for a driver’s license using other legal documentation. H.F. 1163 (Winkler) will help ensure that immigrants have the opportunity to legally drive to meet their daily needs without fearing family separation. Catholics at the Capitol attendees witnessed during their meetings with legislators how meaningful conversations with their elected officials can not only influence lawmaking but sway hearts and minds. Amid growing secular skepticism about faith in the public square, the livestreamed event encouraged Catholics to become missionary disciples, not activists, who are formed, informed, and equipped to transform our state as faithful citizens. Action Alert
Anyone who was unable to attend Catholics at the Capitol can still view the livestreamed talks by visiting the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ MNCathConference. We also encourage you to contact your elected leaders before the end of the session. The easiest way to send them messages on several key issues is to visit the Catholic Advocacy Network Action Center and click on “Act Now” for each of the issues listed.
CCW Plans Events for June, September by JEANETTE FORTIER
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On behalf of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, I extend to you an invitation to “Come To Conference” on June 11-12, by Zoom or in person. The theme of the conference is: “Honoring Our Past with God’s Mercy, Living Our Present with God’s Love, Hopeful for Our Future with God’s Providence.” This event gathers women from all dioceses of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Location: St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, St. Augusta, MN. Friday’s agenda will feature “A Musical Walk With Women of the Bible” (Jeanette Fortier presenter), “Gertrude Hill Gavin” (Past NCCW President Joan McGrath, presenter), and Jean Kelly our current NCCW President. Mass, dinner and entertainment concludes the day. Saturday’s agenda includes presentations by Kristin Molitor, the New Evangelization coordinator for parishes in the St. Cloud Diocese, Fr. Matthew Crane, who holds degrees from the University of
St. Thomas in St. Paul (Masters of Divinity) and St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada (JCL), of which he states, “neither degree makes me particularly an expert on women.” But he prays the Rosary! The day concludes with Rosary, Mass, and prayer. Like so many other events, this conference has been delayed by a year. The presentations are well worth your time and I hope you will join us. For more information and to register, please contact me by voicemail (507-289-6204) or by email: fortierjeanette@gmail.com. 80 Plus, We’ll Make a Fuss!
Plans are underway for our Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Convention to be held September 24-25, 2021 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, MN. Our Diocesan Council was established on September 23, 1941 by Bishop Kelly. We are planning a year of special events and gatherings to celebrate! Mark your calendar for this wonderful event! Jeanette Fortier is the president of the WinonaRochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.