October 2021
MONTHLY DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
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Please feel free to put the Sunday TV Mass
October 2 ♦ Honoring Marriage Day – This event will be held at St. Mary’s Parish in Melrose. This is for couples celebrating their 5th, 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60 plus anniversaries in 2021. Invitations have been mailed.
October 3 ♦ Respect Life Sunday – A link to Respect Life Month materials is currently available on our website at https://stcdio.org/respect-life/. If you have any questions, please contact Patrick Flynn at (320) 258-7619.
October 7 ♦ Mass of Hope & Healing – This event will be held at Sacred Heart Parish, 2875 10th Ave NE in Sauk Rapids at 7:00 p.m. This special Mass is for couples experiencing infertility as well as those who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage, abortion, SIDS, an illness or accident. Refreshments to follow the event.
October 23 ♦ DMD 2021 will be held on Saturday, October 23 at Saint John's Abbey and University. The day will gather the people from across the Diocese of Saint Cloud to celebrate who we are as a diocese and to share with one another the gifts each of our Area Catholic Communities offers. We will be joining together for a presenter, rally, information on the upcoming Synod of Bishops and Mass with the bishop to celebrate the opening of the diocesan phase of the synod process.
Please consider publishing this UPDATED bulletin announcement:
OCTOBER 23 – Diocesan Ministry Day 2021– One Body: Gathered, Nourished, Sent
This year, Diocesan Ministry Day will be a rousing celebration of all that we are as a diocese. This rally-themed day, to be held at Saint John’s Abbey and University, will honor the gifts of each of our parishes and ACCs and will be a day to launch our local participation in the upcoming Synod of Bishops. Come and cheer on the whole diocese and be filled with the love of community and the spiritual gifts of our faith. All are welcome to attend this bilingual event. The day also will include Mass, lunch and a presentation by Cindy Liliana Gonzalez, who teaches through the Emmaus Institute in Collegeville. For more information or to register, visit https://stcdio.org/2021-diocesan-ministry-day.
October 30 ♦ Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference - DCYC 2021 is in full swing, with the theme “Strengthened.” Packets have been mailed to youth ministry leaders in each parish. If you have not received a packet for your parish, please contact Laura Gorder at [email protected]. More information about the event and registration materials can be downloaded from https://stcdio.org/event/diocesan-catholic-youth-conference-dcyc/.
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NOTES FROM THE DIOCESAN OFFICES |
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David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111
Catholic School Updates – The 2021-2022 school year is off to a great start! We are so thankful for our wonderful school staff and families. Your commitment and flexibility are blessings that make our Catholic school ministry possible. We ask your prayers and understanding to continue in the months ahead.
Emmaus Institute – As the 16 men and women in Cohort 1 finish their preparations to receive their Certificate in Pastoral Ministry from the diocese in November, please continue to pray for all in ministry formation. Five men from Cohort 1 will continue their study through May for the diaconate. Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about their faith or ministry? We would love to have you come check us out! Contact Kristi Bivens at (320) 251-0111 or [email protected] for more information or to attend a class.
Diocesan Confirmation Retreats are planned for this school year. They will be held at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids from 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays: October 9, and November 13. The February 5 Confirmation retreat will be held at the CM TEC Center in Belle Prairie. Each retreat can host between 40-50 people, so sign up early at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4CACA729A2F49-september. This link is for confirmation coordinators. Please do not share with parents or students. We are happy to accept one or forty students or as many as we have room for to accommodate parishes. Each parish is requested to bring at least 1 adult leader per 8 students. Cost for the retreat is $40.00 per student and $15.00 per adult. We are very willing to come to individual parishes or ACC’s to lead retreats. Contact Kent at [email protected] to schedule a retreat.
First Things in Ministry Training – If you are new to parish ministry, CEM has a new endeavor to train you and your parish/acc team(s), primarily in the areas of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation. We hope to have a few cohorts begin training in the next few months. Feel free to visit: https://nfcym.org/first-things/ for more details. Please note we will have at least 1 Diocesan group, rather than the national group. You may also contact Kent Schmitz at 320-251-0111 x4 or email at [email protected].
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Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624
Calling all communications staff and volunteers! — The office is working to compile a list of staff and/or volunteers responsible for coordinating communications in their parishes as well as Area Catholic Communities. This includes websites, social media and bulletins/newsletters. The purpose is to share pertinent information directly with these individuals, foster networking, and share best practices and learning opportunities geared specifically to communications personnel. If you haven't already, please send names and contact information to Joe Towalski at [email protected].
Bishop’s Annual Appeal Update – As of Sept. 27, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2021 has raised total cash and pledges of $1,185,876 toward our goal of $1,400,000 (84.71%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 7,918 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese.
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Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 252-4721
Natural Family Planning Instruction for October & November 2021
Instruction will be by personal appointment following COVID precautions or virtual by Zoom or Google Meetings. A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
- Little Falls: Tuesday, October 5 & November 2 at 7:30 p.m.
- Long Prairie: Monday, October 25 & November 22 at 7:00 p.m.
- Rice: Monday, October 4 & November 1 at 6:30 p.m.
- Sauk Centre: Monday, October 18 & November 15 at 6:30 p.m.
- St. Cloud: Thursday, October 28 & Monday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m.
- St. Michael: Tuesday, October 5 & November 2 at 6:00 p.m.
- Wadena: Friday, October 22 & November 26 at 5:30 p.m.
October 8-10 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter – This event will be held in Buffalo, MN at Christ the King Retreat Center. Looking for a way to increase the love and romance in your marriage? Do you need time just for the two of you? A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Experience may be the answer! Instead of simply listening to lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will learn a practical communication technique and have an opportunity to rediscover your hopes and dreams for your marriage. Find more information at www.wwme.org or call Brent & Tracy Chessen at (612) 756-8720.
October 9 –2nd Marriage Course – This event will be held in St. Cloud at the Pastoral Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Second Marriage Preparation Course is for couples preparing to marry after the death of a spouse or an annulment (https://stcdio.org/tribunal/annulments/). Marriage preparation must be completed at least three months before the date of the wedding celebration. It is recommended you complete the course well in advance (six months or more). Many couples take the course one year before their wedding. For more information, visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/.
October 15-17 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter – This event will be held in Owatonna, MN. Even when a marriage is going smoothly, there are always opportunities to make it work better. The Marriage Encounter experience is a heart haven that helps you listen, share and connect more deeply. There is no group discussion. It is just about the two of you learning to be the best, most loving and thriving couple you can be. Find more information at www.wwme.org or call Miki Schultz at (507) 227-8229.
October 30 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Rockville, MN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Visit the website at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 252-4721.
November 6 – Sponsor Couple Training – NEWLY ADDED – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please register couples by October 22 with names and contact information to Janet Dusek at [email protected] or (320) 258-7616. Your parish will be billed $110 per couple for the cost of training (which includes Fully Engaged supplies).
November 13 – Spanish Speaking Marriage Course – This event will be held in St. Cloud at the Pastoral Center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Couples should register at least two weeks before the course (October 31) and include the $110 registration fee per couple. For more information, contact the Office of Marriage & Family at (320) 252-4721 or visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/.
November 19 – Natural Family Planning Witness Couple Gathering – We are blessed to have 10 NFP “Witness Couples” in our diocese. We would like to add a few more to this amazing group! Many couples tell us that NFP brought joy and blessings to their marriage & family life. If you know of a couple willing to speak for 10-15 minutes about their experience using NFP, please invite them to consider witnessing. Ask them to call Sheila Reineke or forward their names and contact information to: Sheila Reineke, NFP Program Coordinator, 320-258-7609 or [email protected]. Thank you!
December 4 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Rockville, MN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will be open at 8:30 a.m. Visit the website at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 252-4721.
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Elizabeth Neville Brown ♦ (320) 251-1100
October is Mission Month around the world! You will be receiving a packet in the mail as well as an email with World Mission Rosary Posters (Friday, October 1) as well as resources for World Mission Sunday. Please be sure to check in with us if there is anything else you may be needing for the promoting of these days and collection. Resources are also available on our website at www.stcloudmissionoffice.com.
If you would like a returned missioner or diocesan delegate to share their story with your community/ies during the month of October or anytime throughout the year, please contact the Mission Office at (320) 251-1100 to schedule an opportunity.
Thank you to all who have been such gracious and welcoming hosts for our Missionary Appeal presenters these past few months. We greatly appreciate the opportunity for these missionary organizations, orders and dioceses to present in your parishes.
If you are looking to promote a Fair Trade and alternative market for the holiday gift giving season in parish/es, please contact us at (320) 251-1100 for ways that we can help, support and supply your community/ies in this great adventure!
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Brenda Kresky ♦ (320) 251-2340
Mass Counts – The Planning Office requests Parish Mass counts during the month of October. We use these numbers regularly for planning purposes. As you know, this is becoming more important as demographics change and our Area Catholic Communities use these numbers to plan for the future.
Please take care to add the time of the Mass when submitting Mass counts. Many Mass schedules have changed in many of the ACCs in the last two years. It is important for us to know the Mass time as well as the number of people attending.
ACC Joint Councils – In an effort to set up our ACCs for success, we are asking the ACC Planning Council to dissolve and an ACC Joint Pastoral Council to take its place. Before a joint council becomes a permanent group a constitution and bylaws need to be established. When your ACC has completed their constitution and bylaws please send them to the Planning Office and they will be shared with the Vicar General.
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Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340
October is Respect Life month. Making sure all children and youth are safe is a real way to show respect of all life. Thank you to everyone for the patience in getting the new curriculum for children and youth to you. If you are a new site administrator, principal, DRE or youth minister and want to know how to make sure all your volunteers or staff are up to date with training, just let me know and we can start planning a training in the near future. I realize how hectic things are in the fall preparing for the new catechetical year. The diocese is starting its fourth year using Catholic Mutual CMGconnect. It has offered a good way to complete background checks and training of all who work with children and youth in the diocese.
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Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020
Thank You – Special thanks to Christ Our Light Parish for helping host our Parish Social Ministry Gathering last month. It was a beautiful day, and your space and hospitality were a blessing!
Thank you also to all the parishes who supported the CCHD Collection the weekend of September 19. The support of parishioners in our diocese will continue to help our Catholic Church fight against poverty and build up the dignity of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable, in our diocese. Please be sure to share our thanks in your parish bulletins for those parishioners who gave generously of their prayer and resources to support the work of CCHD!
November 14 – Fifth annual World Day of the Poor – Read Pope Francis’ message for this day at: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/20210613-messaggio-v-giornatamondiale-poveri-2021.html. He reminds us “The poor, always and everywhere, evangelize us, because they enable us to discover in new ways the true face of the Father. ‘They have much to teach us. Besides participating in the sensus fidei, they know the suffering Christ through their own sufferings. It is necessary that we all let ourselves be evangelized by them.’” We invite you to mark your calendars now and begin thinking about how your ACC can reach out to the poor in your community in honor of this day. Contact us at social concerns at (320) 229-6020 if you need help.
Mental Health Resources – October 4-10 is October is Depression and Mental Health Month, including Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 4-10) is World Mental Health Day. Below is a free, virtual resources available to families through NAMI-MN:
Family-to-Family – Learn about mental illnesses, the brain, treatment, and resources to help a loved one living with a mental illness. Participants will also build communication skills, reduce stress, find support and discover the common Stages of Emotional Responses when supporting someone with a mental illness. This course meets regularly for eight weeks and is for family and friends of an adult living with a mental illness. Meets Tuesdays (Online), starting Oct. 5, 5:45 p.m.-8:30 p.m. To register contact Susan at 612-618-9011 for a short interview. After acceptance into the program, you will be sent the registration link.
Learn more about this and other resources available to individuals and families at www.namimn.org
Or contact the Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Clinic if you or someone you love is in need of assistance. In-person and telehealth is available at (320) 650-1660.
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Fr. Virgil Helmin ♦ (320) 251-6557
The work of the Tribunal has continued throughout these months – but with the inability to meet in person with clients we have made several adjustments to meet the needs of the people. In this process the staff has chosen to make some adjustments to the annulment process.
The adjustments are as follows:
- The documents required are the same for each annulment process and are:
- baptismal certificates for both principals;
- marriage certificate
- divorce decree.
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For the formal annulment process, the petitioner can submit the completed form (Formal Petition (PDF) or Formal Petition (DOC)) and a narrative –or– participate in a telephone interview –or– appear in person at the Tribunal Office for a scheduled appointment.
- In the formal process, hearing the witnesses will not have to be in person at the Tribunal. The witnesses will be contacted by phone and the petitioner will assure the availability of the witnesses for a phone interview at a time designated by the Tribunal.
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Fr. Doug Liebsch ♦ (320) 251-5001
Totus Tuus
Parishes: Signup for Totus Tuus 2022! If you’re interested in reserving a week for our dynamic team of college students to come and lead this program for the youth in your parish(es) please contact Julie at (320) 251-5001 or [email protected]. Weeks begin June 11, 18, 25 and July 9, 16 and 23. Deadline is October 29, 2021.
Leaders: We are looking for college students who are ripe to taking their fruit to the next level. How about inviting them to apply to be a Totus Tuus team member? Totus Tuus offers them an intense summer of growing in their faith and sharing it with the younger generation. Application deadline is February 1. There’s more information at https://stcdio.org/vocations/totus-tuus/leaders/.
November 7-13 – National Vocation Awareness Week– Resource Packets for those pastors who ordered these will be available at Arrowwood Clergy Conference to pick up. Please consider doing one of the following during NVWA:
- Saying the vocation prayer at the conclusion of the petitions.
- Preaching on vocations.
- Offering your vocation story. People love to hear them!
Seminary Visits – If you know of young men interested in visiting a seminary, please let Fr. Doug know. Thanks!
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Aaron Carpenter ♦ (320) 251-5001
Looking Ahead – As we look forward to the new liturgical year, be sure to check your Ordo to see that on December 25, 2021 you celebrate The Nativity of the Lord in the morning hours but, for evening Masses (Masses of anticipation), you celebrate The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Liturgical Resources Order from LTP – We will, once again, be allowing all parishes within the Diocese of Saint Cloud to utilize our diocesan account to receive a discount on all LTP orders until November 15, 2021. Please remember all individual parishes are responsible for making payment directly to LTP. For details about ordering, contact the Office of Worship.
Confirmation for Baptized Catholics – Bishop Kettler will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (18+) at the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Mary. This is for Catholic candidates who are seeking to complete their Christian initiation. Each parish that is preparing adult candidates for this sacrament is strongly encouraged to send its candidates, along with their sponsors and families, to the cathedral for this Diocesan Confirmation Liturgy. Registration coming soon.
Important Dates
November 28 – First Sunday of Advent
March 6, 2022 – RCIA: Rite of Election
April 7, 2022 – Chrism Mass
June 4, 2022 – Diaconate Ordination
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Bethany Tollefson ♦ (320) 251-2700 Ext. 54621
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Virtual Course
Interested in becoming a Faith Community (Parish) Nurse or know someone who is? Save the dates for the November 2021 course. Please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected] with any questions. Scholarships are available.
- November 11: 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
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November 12: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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November 18: 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
- November 19: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Being a Faith Community Nurse can be an extension of the work of cergy and staff in our faith community. A Registered Nurse who adds FCN to their practice, has specialized education in spiritual care and nursing ministry. FCNs provide care at all stages of life and its many transitions from adjustments at birth through midlife to end-of-life, using education, community resources, and church resources. A current RN license is required.
Other Helpful Links:
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(funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc’s Thriving Congregations Grant)
Bridge-Builders for a Thriving Mission: Are you curious about your charisms and gifts?
There are more possibilities in the diocese than perhaps one has imagined or experienced to understand one’s giftedness. The discernment of charisms and gifts provides pastoral leaders and parishioners ways to discover how to serve and share in the mission of the Area Catholic Community (ACCs). Since January 2021 eight of the 29 Area Catholic Communities have a parishioner involved in forming intentional disciples and learning how their gifts can be used for a thriving mission through the Catherine of Siena Institute. And five of the 29 ACCs have gathered pastoral leaders to discern their natural talents and build a team through CliftonStrengths. If you are open to learning more intentionally what your charisms and gifts are and how to contribute them to your ACC, there are financial resources available. Request more information at https://www.csbsju.edu/forms/GMA15YVSU0 or send an email to [email protected].
God is always near us. Save time this Advent to prepare to encounter God in and through the gift of differences in other people. Join the Bridge-Builders for a Thriving Mission Initiative for a 4-week discussion group “A Culture of Encounter: Advent(ures).” Through sharing our Catholic faith, exploring our own culture, and praying with Scripture, we will foster our cultural humility to engage with differences in our community as a disciple of Christ. The group will meet Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom starting November 23. Watch for an announcement about participating in a Spanish-language version of the group. Visit https://www.thrivingmission.org for more information and to register.
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Happy Birthday to our Retired Priests
Reverend Joseph Korf will celebrate his 73rd birthday on October 9.
P.O. Box 107 – 302 Main Street
Elrosa, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 224-9850
Reverend Mark Willenbring will celebrate his 90th birthday on October 13.
308 Third Street South, Apt. 104
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 492-0917
Reverend Timothy Wenzel will celebrate his 81st birthday on October 16.
21949 100th Avenue
Randall, MN 56475
Telephone: (320) 749-2532
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