August 2023 Serra Calendar (PDF)

**REVISED 2023 Special Collections Chart (PDF)

2024 Special Collections Chart (PDF)



Please feel free to put the Sunday TV Mass

in your parish bulletins at www.stcdio.org/tvmass.

August 20 ♦ Rural Life Celebration 

The Rural Life Celebration will take place on Sunday, August 20, beginning with an outdoor Mass with Bishop Patrick Neary, starting at 10:30 a.m. It will be held on the grounds of St. Nicholas Parish in Belle River. The offering at Mass will support the Rural Life Fund of the diocese; we will also honor this year’s Catholic Century Farm Awards and Rural Business Award recipients. Meal and family-friendly activities to follow Mass. The event is free and open to all ages. Learn more at: https://www.ccstcloud.org/rural-life-event-page-2023.

August 20 ♦ Ordination to the Diaconate: Jean-Claude Duncan, a seminarian of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, will be ordained a transitional deacon at 4 p.m. at St. Ann Church in Wadena. 

August 23 ♦ STEWARDSHIP DAY: Stewardship as a Eucharistic Way of Life –Please join us virtually from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for this exploration of the Eucharist as a guide for living a life of stewardship and developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Fr. Greg Paffel and Blanca Barragan will delve into the Four Pillars of Stewardship (Prayer, Hospitality, Formation and Service) and how they come to life in our celebration of the Eucharist. This bilingual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucu6grjgtHNJMSshJn-HOw9g6u6kgmnOQ. Feel free to share this information with anyone who is interested in stewardship as a way of life.

The following are links to flyers in English and Spanish: 

• Stewardship as a Eucharistic Way of Life – English at https://stcdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/stewardship-as-a-eucharistic-way-of-life.pdf
• Stewardship as a Eucharistic Way of Life - Español at https://stcdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/stewardship-as-a-eucharistic-way-of-life-spanish.pdf.



EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

Just a reminder that, although the National Revival team launched its parish year on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, our local diocesan year extends through the Eucharistic Congress Sept. 7-9. Parishes and ACCs are welcome to begin their own efforts at any time and are encouraged to read the Parish Leaders Playbook (PDF) for ideas. More local resources and options will be announced when our diocesan year closes Sept. 9. Come Holy Spirit!

Revival prayer team releases Mass resource – As part of Eucharistic Revival efforts, the local Prayer Team is concentrating on creating awareness and deepening understanding of the True Presence of Christ, especially at Mass. This guide encourages Mass-goers to be more intentional in encountering Christ at the Eucharistic table. It includes Gospel readings and reflection questions for nine consecutive Sundays through August 27, leading up to the "Becoming Eucharist" Eucharistic Congress Sept. 7-9. Visit stcdio.org/eucharistic-revival/ for more information. 

The nine Gospels and questions in this booklet are for individuals or families to print and use for the weekend liturgy. Parishes also can print and make them available before each Mass or distribute them as a booklet. The questions may also be printed in weekly parish bulletins.

Please add the 'Becoming Eucharist' Word and Art Contest event to your parish bulletins:

All Ages ‘Becoming Eucharist’ Word and Art Contest THEME

Theme

“What does the Eucharist mean to me?”

Age Categories – grades completed in 2023

Winners will be determined for each age group. Preschool-Grade 2 | Grades 3-5 | Grades 6-8 | Grades 9-12 | Age 18-23 | Age 24+

Submission Process

The contest began on June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The submission deadline is Aug. 6.

Please send original submissions to: 

The Central Minnesota Catholic

Attn: Word and Art Contest

305 7th Avenue North St. Cloud, MN 56303

September 7-9 – Eucharistic Congress – If you haven't already, please mark your calendars for the Becoming Eucharist Congress. 

The following is the lineup for the Congress (subject to change).

September 7 — Clergy retreat  – This day is designed specifically to revive and inspire our diocesan clergy. It includes an address by Dr. Tim O’Malley, author of “Becoming Eucharistic People,” Mass, personal and communal reflection time, a shared meal and fellowship. This event is by invitation only. Please pray for our clergy on this day.

Please add the Sept. 8 and 9 events to your parish bulletins:

September 8 — Diocesan-wide retreat – All are invited to Seven Dolors Church in Albany for a daylong retreat featuring Dr. Tim O’Malley, author of “Becoming Eucharistic People,” along with Mass, prayer, personal reflection time, small and large group discussions, a shared meal and fellowship. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by Mass. A registration fee of $15 will help offset the cost of lunch and materials. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RevivalRetreat2023.

September 9 — All-diocese family-friendly event – Join us for a day at the park at Lake George, located just blocks from St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. The day includes Mass at 8 a.m., a eucharistic procession around the lake, eucharistic adoration and confession opportunities. Dr. Tim O’Malley will give several addresses throughout the day, including mini-sessions for families and young adults. The band SONAR will provide music throughout the event. 

Other activities include a “Eucharistic Miracles” display, Eucharistic Word and Art display, service-learning opportunities, kids’ activities, inflatables, food trucks and more. The day concludes with Benediction, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and a multicultural procession to St. Mary’s Cathedral with Mass at 4:00 p.m. followed by St. Mary’s annual block party. 

This event is free. Guests should bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. Food will be available for sale from food trucks. (It is encouraged to support these local vendors; however, please feel welcome to bring a picnic lunch.) Those participating in the processions are invited to bring banners, sacred images, prayer cards, statues and/or other items that represent or inspire their faith.

Changes to your staff or ACC? If there have been changes to your staff over the past year, please send the updates to Kate Steinbach at [email protected] to ensure the diocesan database is up-to-date and we can maintain communication with all parish/ACC staff. 

______________________________________________________

Catholic Cemeteries ♦ (320) 251-5511

Notice regarding items at Assumption, Calvary, and Sacred Heart cemeteries: This is a reminder that all one-legged pot stands, related flowerpots, flowers, and any other temporary grave decorations must be removed from these cemeteries by August 25, 2023. This is necessary to allow a more complete Fall grounds cleaning to keep the cemeteries attractive and worthy places to honor our loved ones who have died. For a complete set of rules, please go to the website of the Diocese of St. Cloud (www.stcdio.org/diocesan_cemeteries_office/). For specific questions not covered in these rules, please call the main cemetery office at (320) 251-5511. Thank you for your cooperation – all those who remember their loved ones will benefit from your help.

David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111

Catholic School Updates – This fall, it is expected that Catholic K-12 schools across the U.S. will welcome another year of growth in our total enrollment. Over the past two years, the national increase has been about 4%. In the Diocese of Saint Cloud, we grew in that same time period by 4.1%, a total of 186 students. We know many of the reasons why new families have come to us: warm and welcoming communities, safe and nurturing classrooms, joyful celebration of our faith and strong academic programs. We also know that growth has not been uniform in every school community, and some have endured challenges and hardships.  

Over the 2023-2024 school year, CEM will be supporting schools more directly with unpacking one of the best resources available to Catholic schools, The National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools (NSBECS), published by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The benchmarks are available at: https://www.ncea.org/NSBECS/.

Supporting sustained enrollment and growing our schools requires more focus and deeper skills and collaboration than ever before. A true strength of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Saint Cloud is found in the collegial relationships and support our principals have for one another. As we take these next steps toward opening our doors for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, say a prayer and perhaps write a little note or text of encouragement to a principal peer. God has given us all this amazing privilege of educating and forming young people – but no less are we forming and learning from each other. Let’s help each other remember the blessings that we bring to Catholic education in our communities!

Emmaus Institute – Registrations are still being taken to begin classes this fall in English or Spanish. An online application is on the Emmaus Institute website: https://stcdio.org/emmaus-institute/. Classes will begin September 15. If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Bivens at [email protected] or (320) 251-0111.

Emmaus Institute: Foundations for Youth Ministry – This 9-session course is designed provides an introduction to Catholic youth Ministry and its theological foundations. It will equip volunteers, catechists and leaders with the knowledge and skills to effectively minister to and with young people in our parish communities. Participants will develop a deep understanding of Catholic theology as it relates to youth ministry and examine Church documents, Scripture, faith development theory and current research on adolescents and faith to develop, sustain and grow youth ministry programs that encourage, empower and support our youth in their faith journey. For more information about the program and to register, please contact Kristi Bivens at [email protected] or (320) 251-0111.

August 16 – DRE/YM Gathering – Join us from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Martin in St. Martin. We will be experiencing one of the Seek Sessions for Parents from the Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries’ Pathways Suite for Family Formation. Come see how easy it is to engage parents in meaningful faith conversations and reinvigorate your whole parish! There is no cost for this gathering, but please register by August 11 at https://forms.gle/L4axRsiPUk1YNF4H or contact Christine Pinto at [email protected] so we can provide materials for everyone. We encourage you to bring some of your faith formation team to experience this session as well.

New Catechetical Leaders – For those of you new to the diocese, welcome! Please reach out to Christine Pinto at [email protected] and she’ll come to your parish to meet with you and update you about how we can help you in your transition. If it is not your first year but you haven’t yet met with Christine, please reach out to her as well as she is trying to meet with everyone she hasn’t met with yet (320) 251-0111 x 3.

Save the Dates:

• August 5 - Emmaus Retreat   
• August 16 - DRE/YM Meeting in St. Martin
• August 21 - Diocesan Youth Council Meeting at the Pastoral Center, St. Cloud
• August 22 - Young Adult Ministry Gathering in Alexandria
• August 23 - Catechist Gathering in Freeport
• October 28 - Young Adult Day with Steve Angrisano
• October 29 - High School Rally 
• October 30 - Faith Formation Leadership with Steve Angrisano
• January 27-28 - Middle School Lock-In
• February 11 - Family Rally for Elementary Families
• March 22-24 - Castaway Retreat for High School Students



Deacon Richard Scheierl ♦ (320) 203-0554

God Bless you on your birthday 

August 9 – Deacon John Salchert

August 25 – Deacon Mike Benda

Prayer Requests especially for those who are ill:

- Deacon Jerry Schwarzbauer who is retired and lives in Mora. Deacon Jerry is recovering from kidney stone surgery.

2023 Diaconate Events:

• August 23 – Diaconate Information Night at St. Ann, Wadena from 4:30-8 p.m.
• October 1-5 – Clergy Conference
• October 26 – Deacon Formation Session at the Pastoral Center Lounge from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
• October 2 – Institution of Acolyte at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, St. Cloud at 7 p.m.
• October 27-29 – MEG Retreat at Camp Onomia, Onamia
• November 2 – Admission to Candidacy at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, St. Cloud at 7 p.m.

Welcome to new aspirants:

• Aaron and Zulema Korkowski who live in Alexandria,
• Adrian and Pamela Panther who live in Alexandria,
• Josh and Cheryl Ricard who live in Albany,
• Gary and Merrilee Stang who live in Cold Spring,
• Ruben and Lorena Uribe Mejia who live in Cold Spring.  

Please pray for all men in Diaconate formation as they begin studies this fall.  



Bethany Tollefsen ♦ (320) 251-2700 Ext. 51637

August 8 – Psychological First Aid for Faith Communities

from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

• Faith Community Nurse meeting to follow from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the St. Cloud Hospital Conference Center, Maple Room.

The presenter is Peter Bauck, PhD, BCC, director of spiritual care at CentraCare. Peter will incorporate Psychological First Aid skills and apply them to scenarios related to faith communities and experiences that Faith Community Nurses may encounter. This session is meant to be interactive. 1.5 Nursing CEs are available. You can register for In-person or virtual attendance. Join on your computer, mobile app or room device. To join virtually use the following link: bit.ly/3Y2W3NG with the meeting ID: 215 983 479 472

August 11-12 – Celebrate MN – A community-wide effort to connect, serve and impact the lives of the people in our community for the glory of God. Click below to find out more and/or to see volunteer opportunities. For more information, visit https://celebratemn.org/.

September 22 – Mental Health First Aid for Faith Communities Virtual Class from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Learn how to support your friends, family and neighbors. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance-use challenges among adults. You’ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support. To register, visit https://forms.gle/8mD3qyr6a8ENLaEM7. For more information, contact Bethany Tollefsen at [email protected]. 



Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 251-4721

Natural Family Planning Instruction for August & September 2023

A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:

• Alexandria: Monday, August 21 & September 18 at 6:30 p.m.

• Little Falls: Tuesday, August 1 & September 5 at 7:30 p.m.

• Long Prairie: Monday, August 28 & September 25 at 7:00 p.m.

• Rice: Monday, August 7 & September 11 at 6:30 p.m.

• Sauk Centre: Thursday, August 17 & September 21 at 6:30 p.m.

• St. Cloud: Thursday, August 24 & Monday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.

• St. Michael: Tuesday, August 1 & September 5 at 6:00 p.m.

• Wadena: Friday, August 25 & September 22 at 5:30 p.m.

For additional sites, information or to register, visit www.stcdio.org/omf/nfp or contact Sheila Reineke [email protected] at (320) 252-4721 ext. 308.

August 4-6 – Retrouvaille weekend – This event will be held at the Best Western Hotel, Eagan, MN. 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. Contact [email protected] with questions. Find out more information and register at http://www.helpourmarriage.org.

August 5 – Virtual Fully Engaged Sponsor Couple Training in English – This event will be held via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register at least 10 days prior to the class. The cost of the webinar is $25.00 per couple. You will also need a Pre-Marital Preview Package which is $45 plus shipping and handling. Register at https://getfullyengaged.com/new-mentor-training/ or contact Jill Svihel at [email protected] or 320-258-7611.

August 8 – Saving Lives Through Pro-Life Persuasion – This event will be held in the Mississippi Community Room #106 at the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. featuring Emily Albrecht from the Equal Rights Institute. View the flyer at https://stcdio.org/event/saving-lives-through-pro-life-persuasion/.

August 23 – Respect Life Luncheon – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center, St. Cloud. Respect Life grants are distributed once a year to crisis pregnancy centers and entities that uphold the dignity of life. By invitation, members from these entities attend a luncheon so they can be honored and supported for the work they do.  

September 10 – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the transfer of the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in the U.S. from the fourth Sunday in July, to the first weekend after Labor Day in September to coincide with National Grandparents (and the Elderly) Day that many local communities, schools and parishes have been accustomed to celebrating for some time. 

September 16 – Virtual Fully Engaged Sponsor Couple Training in Spanish – This event will be held via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register at least 10 days prior to the class. The cost of the webinar is $25.00 per couple. You will also need a Pre-Marital Preview Package which is $45 plus shipping and handling. Register at https://getfullyengaged.com/new-mentor-training/ or contact Jill Svihel at [email protected] or 320-258-7611.

September 23 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 258-7615. 

40 Days for Life Fall Campaign – Begins September 27 and ends November 5. More details can be found at https://stcdio.org/respect-life/forty-days-life/.

September 30 – Sponsor Couple Training – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register couples at this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCTraining2023, or contact Jan Zylla at [email protected] or (320) 258-7615 with couple’s names, address, phone numbers, email addresses and parish. Please register couples at least two weeks before the training session. The parish will be billed $125 per couple for the cost of training and all supplies.

October 5 – Mass of Hope & Healing – This event will be held at St. Mary of Mount Carmel, Long Prairie, at 7:00 p.m. This special Mass is for couples who have suffered from infertility or the loss of a child through miscarriage, SIDS, illness, accident or abortion. It Includes a candle-lighting ceremony remembering those who have died. Refreshments will be served after Mass. For the latest details, visit https://stcdio.org/event/mass-of-hope-healing-2023/.

October 5 & 12 – Virtual Fully Engaged Sponsor Couple Training in English – This event will be held via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register at least 10 days prior to the class. The cost of the webinar is $25.00 per couple. You will also need a Pre-Marital Preview Package which is $45 plus shipping and handling. Register at https://getfullyengaged.com/new-mentor-training/ or contact Jill Svihel at [email protected] or 320-258-7611.

October 6-8 – Beginning Experience of Central MN – This event, held at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, is a weekend program for separated, divorced, or widowed adults designed to facilitate the grief resolution process and thereby free people to live and love themselves, others and God. Participants should be beyond the initial feelings of anger and despair. For further information or to receive an application, please call (320) 319-8863. Visit http://www.beginningexperiencemn.com.

October 6-8 – Retrouvaille weekend – This event will be held at the Best Western Hotel, Eagan, MN. 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. Contact [email protected] with questions. Find out more information and register at http://www.helpourmarriage.org.

October 7 – 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. Marriage preparation must be completed at least three months before the date of the wedding celebration. It is recommended that 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 13-14 – Messy Family Project – This event will be held at the Church of St. Mary, Alexandria. Empowering moms and dads to embrace their calling. More info to come. Visit the parish's website for future postings at https://www.stmaryalexandria.org/event/messy-family-retreat-weekend-save-the-date/.

October 28 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ for more details or call the office with questions at (320) 258-7615. 

October 28-29 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter – This event will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alexandria. The Marriage Encounter experience helps you listen, share, and connect more deeply. There’s no group discussion. It’s just about the two of you learning to be the best, most loving and thriving couple you can be. Apply at https://wwme.org/.

November 11 & 12 – Honoring Veterans at weekend Masses – Please remember our veterans, those currently serving in the military and their families. For the blessing during the concluding rite, visit https://stcdio.org/from-the-director-2/clergy-resources/recognition-of-veterans-during-mass/.

November 11 – Spanish-Speakers Marriage Course – This event will be held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Couples should register at least two weeks before the course and include the $110 registration fee per couple. For more information, contact Patrick Flynn at [email protected] or 320-258-7619 or visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/.



Elizabeth Brown ♦ (320) 251-1100

Thank you! Asante Sana! Erokamano! Your hospitality and generosity in the welcoming of those doing Missionary Appeals this year has been wonderful! Thank you for your willingness to share all the stories of mission alive and well in the world!

Please welcome our new coordinator of mission education, Samantha Wiechmann, to the Mission Office. Samantha is not new to the diocese as she is originally from St. Rosa, and she is related to Sr. Janice Wiechmann and Fr. Derek Wiechmann. Be on the lookout for resources for mission education and animation coming soon!

Brenda Kresky ♦ (320) 251-2340

Mass Counts – July Mass counts are due by August 15. Submit counts online at https://forms.gle/YkqF4McXT88jgQf97. Please note that we are only taking counts for the first four weekends of July. 

Welcome! We would like to welcome Maria Koopmeiners as the office assistant for the planning office. Jayne Bruemmer retired at eh end of July. We wish her well in her retirement.



Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020

Congratulations to the following Catholic Century Farm Award families being honored this year:

• Kimman Family Farm in Pierz, established 1916 

• Gary and Diane Botzet Family Farm in Carlos, established 1874

• Waldvogel Family Century Dairy Farm in Osakis, established 1913

• Koudela Family Farm in Alexandria, established 1886

• Heitzman Family Farm in Avon, established 1916

• Bruce and Lourdes Botzet Farm in Carlos, established 1876

• Udermann Family Farm in Sartell, established 1916

• Lusty Farm in Miltona, established 1872

Congratulations to Rory and June Roers, owners of Roers Family Bakery in Alexandria. Rory and June are the winners of the 2023 Catholic Charities’ Rural Business Award. They will be honored for the ways they live out their Catholic faith through their business and community involvement at the August 20 Rural Life Celebration.  

**If any of the above farm or business families are in your parish or ACC, please consider acknowledging them within your faith community and offering a blessing for them at a Sunday Liturgy.  

October 14 – Save the Date: Parish Social Ministry Gathering

Please mark your parish calendars now for the annual Parish Social Ministry Gathering. If possible, please avoid other programming prior to the evening on that day to allow for your parish staff and parishioners to attend this annual diocesan event. More details will be available soon. 

Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340

There will be three training sessions for site administrators, principals, pastors, DREs, youth ministers and anyone else interested in the CMGConnect platform for safe environment. Please bring your laptops if possible.

• August 10 – Alexandria  10:00 a.m.-Noon at St. Mary’s Church Great Hall
• August 10 – Staples  1:00-3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish in the Church.   (Please note this is a change. It is in the church not the school.)
• August 16 –  St. Cloud in the Pastoral Center from 10:00 a.m. -Noon   

The training will cover the children and youth curriculum for 2023-24 which is already on the Virtus website. DREs should have received this information from Christine Pinto. The training will also show how the platform can be used to make sure adults are trained and up to date with background checks.

Before school or faith formation starts this fall, please look over your site to be sure folks who are employed or volunteering are shown. Anyone with an expired background check and training has been archived.  They will need to complete training before they can work or volunteer with children and youth.



Anna Kampa ♦ (320) 258-7654



Bishop’s Annual Appeal – As of July 17, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2023 has raised total cash and pledges of $1,153,782 toward our goal of $1,400,000 (82.41%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 6,363 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese. There will be a mailing and in-pew solicitation for Hispanic/Latino constituents in August. The next English-language solicitation will mail on August 22 to households that have yet to donate to the appeal.



Fr. Doug Liebsch ♦ (320) 251-5001

New Seminarians – Please welcome four new seminarians.

• Collin Prom from St. Mary, Upsala. Collin will begin his propaedeutic year at Saint Paul Seminary, St. Paul, 

• Thomas Dockendorf from Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Rockville, will begin College 1 at Immaculate of Mary Seminary, Winona,

• Leonidas Miller from St. Mary of Mount Carmel, Long Prairie, will begin College 1 at Immaculate of Mary Seminary, Winona,

• Vincent St. Marie Immaculate Conception, St. Anna, will begin College 1 at Immaculate of Mary Seminary, Winona,

Please pray for all seminarians as they begin seminary studies this fall.

Andrew Dinner – The next Andrew Dinner with Bishop Patrick will be Thursday, September 21st. Do you have young men in your parish grades 8-12 who have potential for a priestly calling? Fr. Doug would love to hear from you! This simple and powerful night consists of evening prayer and dinner with Bishop Patrick while priests share their vocation story. Young men find it very meaningful and special to have a night with the bishop and priests! Please contact Julie at the Vocations Office at [email protected] if you have young men interested in joining this evening.

Sr. Jeanne Wiest, O.P. ♦ (320) 255-9068

Fall Workshops for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – As the Eucharistic Revival moves into Year II – The Year of Parish Revival, the Office of Worship will present workshops in Fall 2023 for all new and current Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC). The single session workshop will discuss the role of EMHC and the theology that supports that role. The focus of the workshop will be on formation in both liturgical and eucharistic theology. General techniques for serving as an EMHC will also be presented. Q & A will be included.

There will be two presentations covering each deanery, though anyone can attend any workshop. No pre-registration is needed. Watch for the next month’s newsletter for location, dates, and times.

Free Learning Opportunities for pastors, deacons, musicians, liturgists, and liturgical ministers – The Center for Learning, a new division of Oregon Catholic Press (OCP), is offering 10 FREE webinars for pastoral leaders. The following is the schedule:

• Aug. 3​​1 – 2:00 p.m. – ​Creating a Culture of Hospitality in Parish Ministries
• Aug. 10​ – 12:00 p.m. – Recruiting Volunteers: The Art and Science of Invitation
• Aug. 17​ – 12:00 p.m. – Forming an Effective Liturgy Committee in Your Parish
• Aug. 24​ – 12:00 p.m. – Best Practices for Planning and Leading Effective Rehearsals
• Aug. 31​ – 12:00 p.m. – Developing Your Children’s Choir Program
• Sept. 21​ – 12:00 p.m. – Best Practices for Working with Aging Voices
• Oct. 5​ – 12:00 p.m. – Introducing New Music to Your Congregation
• Oct. 19​ – 12:00 p.m. – Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout (before it happens)
• Nov. 2​ – 12:00 p.m. – Sound System essentials for Pastoral Ministers​
• Nov. 16​ – 12:00 p.m. – Evaluating Worship: Liturgical Assessment Basics

Registration is required. To sign-up, visit www.learnwithocp.org. Read about other programs and resources the Center for Learning is offering.

October 22 – Mass for Healthcare Professionals – This event will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud. We will celebrate during the 9:30 a.m. Mass at which Bishop Patrick Neary will preside.



Reverend Robert Harren, JCL will celebrate his 83rd birthday on August 2.

1515 N 3rd Street

St. Cloud, MN 56303

Telephone: (320) 253-1513

Email: [email protected]

Reverend Laurn Virnig will celebrate his 86th birthday on August 3.

308 Third Street South #206

Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Email: [email protected]

Reverend LeRoy Maus will celebrate his 91st birthday on August 26.

308 Third Street S, Apt 208

Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Telephone (320) 281-5764

Email: [email protected]



Diocese of Saint Cloud Chancery and Pastoral Center

(320) 251-2340 • (320) 258-7600

www.stcdio.org

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