May 2022
MONTHLY DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
|
|
Please feel free to put the Sunday TV Mass
June 4 ♦ Confirmation for Baptized Catholics – Bishop Kettler will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults, those 18 and older, at the Vigil of Pentecost at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Mary. This is for Catholic candidates who are seeking to complete their Christian initiation. Registration link for parishes under the Office of Worship section.
June 11 ♦ Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate – Jorge Armondo Carrillo, Jesus Hernandez Chavez, Mario Gonzalo Mancilla, Carlos Pesqueda Silva and Lorenzo Sanchez Rodriguez will be ordained to the permanent diaconate at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, St. Cloud, at 10:30 a.m. All deacons and priests are invited to vest. Please remember to bring your diocesan stole.
June 18 ♦ National Eucharistic Revival Diocesan-wide kickoff – The day will begin at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral and will include speakers, reflections, small group activities and refreshments. Opportunities for adoration and confession will be available. Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. with the bishop and will include a Corpus Christi procession. The event is free and no registration is required.
|
|
May 13 – Synod Listening Session for Lay Ecclesial Ministers –This event will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Founders Room in the Quad Building at St. John's University in Collegeville. The listening session is for those in formation, actively ministering in the workplace, or retired. It will include prayer, lunch, testimonials, listening circles, and large-group synthesis. It also will include a presentation by Dr. Robert Choiniere, professor of theology at Fordham University. Register at: https://www.csbsju.edu/forms/FK4OZ7L3RW.
May 14 – Listener Recap – All synod listeners are invited to a listener recap from 9:30 a.m.-noon at Seven Dolors Parish in Albany. Please register for this event at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19nMtxPuV2upHdZ6NHUONqu5-3_8u4lM93866KxSXRJk/edit#responses. Dr. Robert Choiniere will lead us in a morning reflection on our learnings and listenings so far in the synod. Our theme for the morning is “Naming the Graces.” Dr. Choiniere holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fordham University, an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College, and a BA in Theology and Theatre from DeSales University. He has served as a diocesan lay minister in the Dioceses of Brooklyn, NY, and Wheeling-Charleston, WV.
_______________________________________
Are you hosting a public group synod consultation? Please email the date/time/location to [email protected] and we the consultation will be added to the diocesan synod webpage.
We encourage you to encourage others to participate in the synod consultations. There is a self-guided consultation available for anyone to take. Visit the synod webpage https://stcdio.org/synod-2021-2023/. The goal is to have 12,000 participants in the Diocese of Saint Cloud. Visit the synod webpage to see our progress.
|
|
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL |
|
The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It begins on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) which is observed on the weekend of June 18-19.
In accordance with the national plan, a core team was formed in the St. Cloud Diocese. This team — under the direction of Bishop Donald Kettler and led by co-chairs Father Derek Wiechmann and Kristi Anderson — serves as a consultative body for the revival. It includes a broad range of men and women from various age groups, ideologies, cultures, vocations in life and apostolates. Four working teams are offshoots of this core team: Prayer and Devotion, Education, Outreach and Event Planning.
On Saturday, June 18, a diocesan-wide kickoff is planned to mark the beginning of the National Eucharistic Revival. The day will begin at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral and will include speakers, reflections, small group activities and refreshments. Opportunities for adoration and confession will be available. Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. with the bishop and will include a Corpus Christi procession. The event is free and no registration is required.
|
|
Office of the Vicar General ♦ Rev. Robert Rolfes ♦ (320) 251-2340
Requests for letters of suitability – Please email your requests for letters of suitability to Kate Steinbach, at [email protected]. Make certain to include information about the event or ministry including the date, the location (parish and diocese) and purpose. Please submit your request in a timely manner, with funerals being the exception.
Requests for priest substitution – Please email your weekend substitution requests to Kate Steinbach, at [email protected]. Be sure to provide the schedule for weekend coverage, including the location, Mass and confession times.
|
|
NOTES FROM THE DIOCESAN OFFICES |
|
David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111
Celebrate Catholic Schools – It has been a successful year for Catholic education in the Diocese of Saint Cloud. Overall, enrollment grew 4.5% as schools welcomed new students and families. Our communities have been tremendously supportive and generous with time and treasure, especially in giving for the Schultze Family Foundation grants this spring. We will see deeper and new ways of investing in academics and programming, scholarships and individual student support as a result of this generosity. We are very grateful for the sacrifices and kind works of our families and friends, without whom our Catholic educational mission cannot be fulfilled. We make our mission known through how we share it in word and deed – now is the time to testify to the gifts and fruits of our Catholic schools!
Emmaus Institute – The next Emmaus Institute weekend is May 6, 7, and 8, 2022. We love to have visitors! Are you interested in learning more about the Emmaus program? Come and join us - either in-person or over Zoom! This is the best way to learn more about it! Contact Kristi Bivens for details to join us at (320) 258-7642 or [email protected]. You can visit the website at www.stcdio.org/Emmaus-Institute.
June 27 – Save the date – Catholic Education Ministries and the Human Resources Offices are collaborating to provide a workshop day on common legal and operational issues and practices for parishes and schools. More information to follow. Contact David Fremo at [email protected] or Bailey Ziegler at [email protected] with questions.
|
|
Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624
Thank you for your support of the Bishop's Annual Appeal. As of April 25, the Appeal for 2022 has raised total cash and pledges of $931,530 toward our goal of $1,400,000 (66.54%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 5,766 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese.
Please pray for the success of the Bishop's Annual Appeal and its ongoing support of diocesan ministries.
|
|
Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 252-4721
Natural Family Planning Instruction for May & June 2022
A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
• Little Falls: Tuesday, May 3 & June 7 at 7:30 p.m.
• Long Prairie: Monday, May 23 & June 27 at 7:00 p.m.
• Rice: Monday, May 2 & June 6 at 6:30 p.m.
• Sauk Centre: Monday, May 16 & June 20 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Cloud: Thursday, May 26 & Monday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Michael: Tuesday, May 3 & June 7 at 6:00 p.m.
• Wadena: Friday, May 27 & June 24 at 5:30 p.m.
May 6-8 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter – This event will be held at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo. 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. For more information, visit www.wwme.org or call Brent & Tracy Chessen at (612) 756-8720.
May 7 – Honoring Marriage Day, Saturday – This event will be held at St. Mary’s in Alexandria from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for couples celebrating their 5th, 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60 plus anniversaries in 2022. Invitations have been sent to the celebrating couples.
May 14 – Honoring Latino Marriage Day – This event will be held at St. Mary’s in Melrose from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. This event is for all Latino couples who have received the Sacrament of Marriage. Bishop Kettler will celebrate Mass with the couples and their guests and offer a blessing to the couples.
June 11 – Engaged Couples Retreat – newly added – This event will be held at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. See our website at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 252-4721.
June 4 – Spanish Speaking Marriage Course – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Couples should register at least two weeks before the course and include the $110 registration fee per couple. For more information, contact Janet at [email protected] or (320) 258-7616 or register at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/.
June 3-5 – Retrouvaille weekend – This event will be held at the Best Western Dakota Ridge Hotel in Eagan, MN. Retrouvaille Marriage Help: Thinking about Separation or Divorce? Hurting? Angry? Feel helpless? Retrouvaille is a lifeline for troubled marriages. Couples learn the tools to rediscover each other and heal their marriage. 100% confidential. Find out more information and register at http://www.helpourmarriage.org.
July 28 – Humanae Vitae Mass & Award Reception – This event will be held at Saint Mary's Cathedral, Saint Cloud. Bishop Donald Kettler will celebrate Mass at 7:00 p.m. The award reception will follow.
August 5-7 – Retrouvaille weekend – This event will be held at the Best Western Dakota Ridge Hotel in Eagan, MN. Retrouvaille Marriage Help: Thinking about Separation or Divorce? Hurting? Angry? Feel helpless? Retrouvaille is a lifeline for troubled marriages. Couples learn the tools to rediscover each other and heal their marriage. 100% confidential. Find out more information and register at http://www.helpourmarriage.org.
September 10 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The doors will open at 8:30 a.m. See our website at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 252-4721.
September 17 – Catholic Women’s Conference – This event will be held at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is Eucharist – God’s Greatest Gift and the keynote speaker will be Marge Fenelon. Join women of all ages and walks of life for a “faith lift” at our 2022 Catholic Women’s Conference. There will be opportunities for additional breakout sessions, Mass with the bishop, Reconciliation, display tables and vendors along with lunch and refreshments. Find more information at https://stcdio.org/event/catholic-womens-conference-2022/. **We need priests to hear confessions at the Women’s Conference. Confessions will take place from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Email Patrick at [email protected] if you are able to help.
September 23-25 – Retrouvaille weekend – This event will be held in St. Cloud. Retrouvaille Marriage Help: Thinking about Separation or Divorce? Hurting? Angry? Feel helpless? Retrouvaille is a lifeline for troubled marriages. Couples learn the tools to rediscover each other and heal their marriage. 100% confidential. Find out more information and register at http://www.helpourmarriage.org.
September 24 – Sponsor Couple Training – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration for couples (names, address, phone number, parish and email address) should be made at least two weeks before training. Call Janet at (320) 258-7616 or email [email protected] to register. The parish will be billed $125 per couple for the cost of training (which includes Fully Engaged supplies).
October 7-9 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter – This event will be held at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo. 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 hopesand dreams for your marriage. For more information, visit www.wwme.org or call Brent & Tracy Chessen at (612) 756-8720.
October 15 – 2nd Marriage Course – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud 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 22 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. See our website at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 252-4721.
|
|
Elizabeth Neville Brown ♦ (320) 251-1100
Thank you to all for your promotion and support of the Catholic Relief Services and Rice Bowl collections during Lent. Please remember to submit your funds from the collections to the Mission Office as soon as you are able. As a reminder, 25% of what is collected in our diocese remains here to assist with our own challenges with hunger issues. The Local Rice Bowl Grant request form is on our website for any organizations that you are aware of that need assistance with emergency food programming.
We are always looking for opportunities to come to your parishes, schools, mission groups, youth groups and faith formation classes to connect with your community/ies about our baptismal call to mission and our connection to the Universal Church. Please contact us at (320) 251-1100.
|
|
Brenda Kresky ♦ (320) 251-2340
|
|
Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340
As things wind down for this catechetical year, be sure all your staff and volunteers are up to date with their training and background checks. Make sure all the data is entered for children and youth training which is required annually according to diocesan policy. The diocese completes the final part of the onsite audit with the data from each parish and school. This data is taken from the CMGconnect database and is due June 30.
Next year the diocese will again be using the curriculum from Virtus. There will be two new lesson plans. Parishes and schools should be able to access the curriculum soon after July 1. A good idea would be to plan to work these lessons into your catechetical planning for next year. If you want to know the lesson plans earlier, just contact Linda.
Much appreciation for all that parish and school leaders do to keep the children and youth of the diocese safe.
|
|
Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020
Please share the below information in parish bulletins and announcements:
Catholic Century Farm Awards – Catholic Charities Social Concerns is now taking applications for the diocese’s fourth annual Catholic Century Farm Awards. If your family, neighbors or members of your parish have been working the same land for 100 years or more, please visit the Rural Life section at https://www.ccstcloud.org/services/social-concerns for requirements and application form or reach out to JoAnn Braegelman at [email protected] with questions. Recipients will be honored at the Rural Life Celebration Mass with the bishop in August.
Social Action Summer Institute Coming to Central MN – The Social Action Summer Institute (SASI) annual conference for Catholic parish and diocesan social ministry leaders is coming to our diocese this summer! SASI will be held at St. John’s University in Collegeville on July 20-22, 2022. Find more information, including keynotes, schedule, registration form and even a special rate for local/commuter participants at https://www.catholicroundtable.org/events/social-action-summer-institute-sasi. Please share this information with your Parish Social Ministry team or other individuals and groups who may be interested. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in scholarship possibilities for parish leaders to attend.
Rural Life Coordinator position opening with Catholic Charities – Catholic Charities is looking for a second part-time Rural Life Coordinator to join the Social Concerns Team. The Rural Life Coordinators carry out Catholic Charities’ mission to families, individuals and communities in rural parishes and communities of the diocese. This position will be particularly be focused on the eastern region of the diocese. It will assist the team in providing support and resources to farm families and rural communities, as well as engaging in leadership development formation for parish social ministry. We are looking for someone with a bachelor’s degree, two years of work experience in a rural setting and a background connected to a farm or agricultural setting. If you know of a farmer or other member of your parish community who might be a good fit and is looking to make a difference in our rural diocese, please encourage them to contact [email protected] or learn more about the role at Catholic Charities’ employment page at https://www.ccstcloud.org/employment.
|
|
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
-
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.
|
|
Fr. Doug Liebsch ♦ (320) 251-5001
2022 Summer Vocation Events:
June 21 – 23: Avon Vocation Camp (7th – 10th grade)
July 11 – 13: Bus Tour (7th – 12th grade)
August 13: Paschal Challenge, Sauk Centre (9th – 12th grade)
May 8 – World Day of Prayer for Vocations – As a priest, please consider ways you can highlight your vocation story and pray specifically for more vocations.
June 28 - 30 – Nun Run – Fr. Doug would like to invite young women (rising juniors to mid-20s) who are interested in religious life to join the “2022 Nun Run.” There is limited space for this event. If you know of young women who might be interested, please have them contact the Vocation Office at (320) 251-5001.
|
|
Aaron Carpenter ♦ (320) 255-9068
Please contact the Office of Worship with questions at (320) 255-9068.
June 4 – Confirmation for Baptized Catholics – Bishop Kettler will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults, those 18 and older, at the Vigil of Pentecost 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. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Adult_Confirmation_2022.
Important Dates
- June 4 – Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults
- June 11 – Ordination of Deacons
|
|
Bethany Tollefson ♦ (320) 251-2700 Ext. 51637
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Virtual Course
Interested in becoming a Faith Community (Parish) Nurse or know someone who is? Take the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Virtual Course on the following dates:
-
May 12: 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
-
May 13: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
-
May 19: 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
-
May 20: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
May 4 – Mental Health First Aid for Faith Communities – This event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This is specifically for faith community nurses, leaders, and members
*CE available for nurses.
What it Covers:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a person in crisis.
- How to connect a person to resources.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):
-
A ssess for risk of suicide or harm.
-
L isten non judgmentally.
-
G ive reassurance and information.
-
E ncourage appropriate professional help.
-
E ncourage self-help and other support strategies.
|
|
Happy Birthday to our Retired Priests |
|
Reverend Vincent Lieser will celebrate his 81st birthday on May 10.
308 Third Street S., Apt. 204
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (218) 290-8768
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
