September 2022 Serra Calendar (PDF)

2022 Special Collections (PDF)

2023 Special Collections (PDF)



Please feel free to put the Sunday TV Mass

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

September 10 ♦ Blue Mass to Honor First Responders – Bishop Kettler will celebrate the annual Blue Mass to honor, thank, and pray for emergency responders. This Mass will take place at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria at 5:00 p.m. Those who are first responders and all people of the diocese are invited to participate in this Mass. For more information, contact the Chancery at (320) 251-2340.

September 16 ♦ Stewardship Day – Join fellow Catholics from around the diocese from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Seven Dolors Church in Albany for a day of reflection on the Eucharist and the four pillars of stewardship. Don’t miss this opportunity to re-energize your faith and grow closer to Christ. This free retreat will include inspiring talks by Fr. Michael Troha of the Diocese of Cleveland who has sucessfully developed stewardship as a way of life at his parishes. There also will be time for quiet reflection, small-group discussion, lunch and Mass. For more information, visit: https://stcdio.org/event/stewardship-day. Register by September 9 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/53D7LW6.

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 speakers are Marge Steinhage Fenelon and Leah Jacobson. Join women of all ages and walks of life for a “faith lift”. 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 by visiting https://stcdio.org/event/catholic-womens-conference-2022/. **We need priests to hear confessions. Confessions will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Email Janet at jdusek@gw.stcdio.org if you are able to help. 

September 21-October 30 ♦ 40 Days For Life Fall Campaign – View the St. Cloud 40 Days for Life website for details at https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/st.cloud.

September 24 ♦ Parish Social Ministry Gathering (Please share from the below information in your parish announcements)

Please join us for the annual Parish Social Ministry Gathering, on Saturday, September 24 at St. Michael’s Church in St. Cloud. This year’s event, “Eucharist and Living Justly: Blessed, Broken and Outpoured” runs from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and will include Mass with Bishop Kettler, keynote speaker Bernie Evans, additional speakers, fellowship and activities with participants from across the diocese. All presentations will be available through interpretation in English and Spanish. Lunch will be provided and childcare is available upon request. Thank you to the generosity of our co-sponsors, the Together As One ACC and Knights of Columbus. There is no cost for the day, but registration is required. Find details, schedule and registration online at https://tockify.com/ccstevents/detail/494/1664028000000

or contact Kateri.Mancini@ccstcloud.org  320-229-6020.

September 30-October 5 ♦ Revival relic tour – Relics of St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia and Blessed Carlo Acutis will be available for veneration in parishes around the Diocese of St. Cloud. The relics are on tour as part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year focus on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. For more information, visit https://stcdio.org/eucharistic-revival.

The diocesan synthesis of the listening consultations held in diocese over the last several months is being compiled into booklet form and will be mailed to households with the October edition of The Central Minnesota Catholic. For more information about the synod process, visit https://stcdio.org/synod-2021-2023.

SAVE THE DATE – Oct. 5 – A Regional Ministry Gathering is being planned in Fergus Falls. This is a joint event with the Diocese of Crookston. Bishop Andrew Cozzens, bishop of Crookston and chair of the National Eucharistic Revival for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be the keynote speaker and will share with us his vision for the three-year initiative. Information about the talk will be made available at http://stcdio.org/eucharistic-revival.



Office of the Vicar General ♦ Rev. Robert Rolfes ♦ (320) 251-2340

Effective September 1, 2022, Reverend Matthew Crane, J.C.L. will be processing marriage papers. Please mail all marriage papers directly to Reverend Matthew Crane, J.C.L. at: 

                       Tribunal Office

                       305 7th Avenue North, Suite 101

                       St. Cloud, MN 56303

David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111

Welcome Christine Pinto! Christine Pinto joined the Catholic Education Ministries team in August as the new Associate Director for Faith Formation. Christine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in parish educational ministry, and is excited to connect with staff and volunteers in our parishes and ACCs. Her major areas of focus include: supporting faith-formation directors and catechists, RCIA implementation, assistance with identifying and designing curriculum and programs, and advocating for effective practices in these ministries. Christine can be reached at cpinto@gw.stcdio.org.

Catholic School Updates – Catholic schools are looking forward to the return of students for the 2022-2023 school year! They are committed to journeying with young minds, hearts and souls in the way of the Gospel, our guiding light.  

Among the new faces in our schools are school principals. We especially welcome:

• Jacob Raths, Our Lady of Victory, Fergus Falls
• Peggy Frederickson, St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Joseph
• Lisa Otte, Holy Family School, Sauk Centre

Please pray for our students, their families, our teachers, staff and principals as we begin!

September 1 – New Catechetical Leader Day – If you are a new faith formation or youth ministry leader in your parish(es) or ACC or know of someone who is newer to ministry, we invite you to come to the Diocesan Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This orientation day is meant to help those new to their position become familiar with the events, meetings, expectations, procedures, and staff that are unique to the Diocese of Saint Cloud. To RSVP, call or email Christine at cpinto@gw.stcdio.org or Kent at kschmitz@gw.stcdio.org or visit: https://forms.gle/4nJpj1mFGDxbT2n76. 

September 8 – Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leader Gathering: “The Well” – The first gathering for parish faith formation, youth and young adult ministry will be held at St. John’s University in Emmaus Hall. The day will start at 9:30 a.m. for fellowship and refreshments. We will be gathering from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for prayer, learning and networking. Our topic for this day will be recruiting volunteers and building leadership teams. To register, please visit: https://forms.gle/mJQ12c6fjyERUJt28. For more information about our scheduled gatherings and events, please visit: https://stcdio.org/cem/.

Emmaus Institute – The fourth year of Emmaus Institute will be starting September 10. There are two cohorts this year. 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 kristi.bivens@gw.stcdio.org for more information or to attend a class.      

Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) – We still need youth! The Diocesan Youth Council is composed of youth in grades 9-12 from parishes across the Diocese of Saint Cloud. Youth meet during the year to plan and prepare for events like the Middle School Youth Lock-In, the Senior High Youth Conference, and Castaway Retreats. If you have involved youth leaders, please consider inviting them to serve in this way. Applications may be downloaded from: https://stcdio.org/cem/youthministry/leadershiptraining/. Feel free to contact Kent Schmitz at CEM (320) 251-0111 ext. 4 with any questions.

September 11 – Diocesan Youth Council and Parish/ACC Youth Leadership Training – This event will be held from 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. High school peer leaders are invited to participate in a training to better learn how to work as a team, lead ice breakers and lead prayer and retreats in their own parishes and ACCs. To register for this training, or to learn more about the day, please visit: https://forms.gle/WdiKti6nn6UGnnnD6 or feel free to reach out to Kent Schmitz at kschmitz@gw.stcdio.org.

September 18 – Catechetical Sunday – Catechists from parishes across the nation will be commissioned in their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role each person plays in witnessing the Gospel and handing on the faith to others. The theme this year is "This is my body given for you" (Luke 22:19). A multitude of free resources can be found at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/evangelization-catechesis/catechetical-sunday-2022.

Diocesan Confirmation Retreats – Are you looking for a retreat for your confirmation candidates as they prepare to receive the sacrament? Diocesan Confirmation Retreats are a great option for parish leaders who would like to have someone else prepare materials and lead the youth through the retreat. Retreats are planned for this school year and will be held at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids from 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

• September 25
• October 9
• November 13

A February 5 retreat will be held at the Central Minnesota 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 as many students as we have room to accommodate parishes. Each parish is requested to bring at least one adult leader per eight students. Cost for the retreat is $40.00 per student and $15.00 per adult. As always, we are also willing to come to individual parishes or ACCs to lead retreats. Contact Kent at kschmitz@gw.stcdio.org for more information or to schedule.

Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624

Bishop's Annual Appeal — As of August 22, the Appeal for 2022 has raised total cash and pledges of $1,125,855 toward the goal of $1,400,000 (80.42%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 6,840 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 September & October 2022

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

• Alexandria: Monday, September 19 & October 17 at 6:30 p.m.

• Little Falls: Tuesday, September 6 & October 4 at 7:30 p.m.

• Long Prairie: Monday, September 26 & October 24 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Rice: Monday, September 12 & October 3 at 6:30 p.m.

• Sauk Centre: Thursday, September 15 & October 20 at 6:30 p.m.

• St. Cloud: Thursday, September 22 & Monday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m.

• St. Michael: Tuesday, September 6 & October 4 at 6:00 p.m.

• Wadena: Friday, September 23 & October 28 at 5:30 p.m.

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

September 10 – 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. See our website for more details: https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ or call (320) 252-4721 with questions. 

September 23-25 – Retrouvaille weekend – This event will be held in St. Cloud. 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. For more information and to register, visit 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 jdusek@gw.stcdio.org to register. The parish will be billed $125 per couple for the cost of training (which includes Fully Engaged supplies).

October 2 – 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 14-16 – Beginning Experience of Central MN – This event will be held at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, MN. This is a retreat for adults who have suffered a loss through death, divorce or separation. Beginning Experience is a program designed to facilitate the grief resolution process enabling adults to again love themselves, others and God. Individuals attending the weekend should be beyond the initial feelings of anger and despair. For more information, visit www.beginningexperiencemn.com or call (320) 319-8863.

October 15 – 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 22 – 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. See our website for more details: https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ or call the office with questions, (320) 252-4721.

October 29-30 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter – This event will be held at St. Mary’s in Alexandria, MN. The focus is on helping good marriages become better. It’s a positive, private experience that has been around for over 50 years. It helps couples and priests “thrive rather than only survive”. All are welcome. Registration information can be found at https://stcdio.org/event/worldwide-marriage-encounter-alexandria/.

November 12 – Spanish Speakers 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 jdusek@gw.stcdio.org or (320) 258-7616 or register at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/.

December 3 – 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. See our website for more details: https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ or call (320) 252-4721 with questions. 



Elizabeth Neville Brown ♦ (320) 251-1100

Thank you to all who have welcomed and hosted your Missionary Appeals during the past few months. We appreciate your hospitality! Please be sure to send all contributions for the appeal to the Mission Office before the end of September as we like to report to the national office and send the funds to the respective diocese/order/organization as soon as possible.

World Mission Sunday packets and information will be mailed as well as sent in email format before the end of September for use in your programs and for promotion in your community/ies for the October 23 celebration. Thank you for your efforts in sharing this information.



Brenda Kresky ♦ (320) 251-2340

Mass counts – Thank you to those who have submitted Mass counts. If you have not submitted July Mass counts, please follow this link to do so https://forms.gle/fgdkKN7SZFtG9QFY9. We count on these numbers for planning at the diocesan and local levels. Mass counts should also be taken in October. Please, plan accordingly. We will use the same online form to submit the October Mass counts in early November. 

October 15 – ACC Joint Pastoral Council Formation Day – The Joint Pastoral Council Formation day will be held from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Saint John’s University room 170. All ACC joint pastoral council members are invited to a day of study and reflection exploring how we use data to create pastoral plans. We will specifically be walking through two items:

1. the synod results
2. demographic data specific for your ACC

We will take the information presented and begin to ask questions about what the data means for your ACC and how to develop goals and action steps from what is learned. More details on the agenda will come soon.  

Goals for the day:

• Explain pastoral planning and why it is important to our mission
• Explore how research and data are an essential part of the planning process
• Analyze information from the synod and demographics (from MissionInsite) to begin to build upon current plans or create new ones

To register, visit: https://forms.gle/UjHB6SPKKTBjCmdSA.



Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340

September marks the beginning of a new school and catechetical year in the diocese. May God’s blessings be on all who are instrumental in sharing the faith.

2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth. This past year over 11,000 students in the parishes and schools of the diocese received safe environment training.  

Here are some other impressive numbers:

• 520 Catholic school educators are background checked and trained
• 982 employees of the parishes and diocese are background checked and trained.
• 105 priest are background checked and trained (this is all active clergy)
• 49 deacons are background checked and trained (this is all active clergy)
• 20 candidates for ordination are background checked and trained (all seminarians)
• 4326 volunteers are background checked and trained

This shows the dedication of everyone to keep our children and youth safe. Thank you!

Just a reminder: The curriculum for children and youth is online at Virtusonline.org.

If you can’t get access, please let me know. The username is an email address from the parish or school.

Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020

Congratulations – Thank you to all those who helped make this year’s Rural Life Celebration such a success! Heartfelt thanks to Fr. Derek Wiechmann and the staff and volunteers of St. Louis Bertrand Parish in Foreston and the Four Pillars in Faith ACC of St. Mary’s, Milaca, St. Kathryn’s, Ogilve and St. Mary’s, Mora. And special congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Catholic Century Farm Awards and Catholic Rural Business Award. Please be sure offer a special word of congratulations and blessing for any of these families in your parishes.  

2022 Catholic Century Farm Award recipients:

• Bauer Farmily Farm of St. Louis Bertrand, Foreston
• Czech Family Farm of St. Edward, Elmdale
• Ebnet Family Farm of All Saints, Holdingford
• Kern Farm of St. Hubert, Bluegrass
• Michael Farm of St. Kathryn, Ogilve
• Rausch Family Farm of St. Boniface, Cold Spring 

2022 Catholic Charities Rural Business Award recipient:

Steve and Shirley Worms of Worms Lumber & Ready Mix of Immaculate Conception, New Munich 

Check out this brief video with highlights from the Rural Life Celebration on August 14: https://youtu.be/-k0wToK3i5M.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development Special Collection

The special collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) office of the USCCB should be taken up in all parishes of the St. Cloud Diocese the weekend of September 18. Envelopes should be in your parish packets already; please contact Kateri.Mancini@ccstcloud.org if you need additional materials as you promote this special collection in your parishes.  

Please share the following announcement in your parish bulletins for at least 1-2 weeks prior to the collection. Note: Please also indicate in the announcement the specifics of where your parishioners can find their special collection envelopes (ie. in envelope packets, with bulletins, in the back of church, in the pews, or donate directly to the parish office or Chancery).  

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the anti-poverty arm of the US Catholic Bishops. Did you know that the US has the fourth highest poverty rate, despite being the largest economy in the world? Our Diocese will take up a special collection the weekend of September 18 to support the Bishops’ important work of fighting against poverty and helping our nearly 40 million US neighbors living below the poverty line. Twenty-five percent of funds collected are used for local grants to groups working with those in poverty directly here in our diocese, and all funds collected support further grant possibilities and efforts for our low-income and marginalized neighbors in central MN and throughout the United States. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the CCHD collection on September 17/18. Thank you!  

***September 24 – Parish Social Ministry Gathering (Please see the details, contact information and registration link under the Calendar at a Glance at top of this email.)

Suicide Prevention Conference for Rural Faith Leaders – This free event brings together rural faith leaders to discuss, learn, and share suicide prevention information and resources. Conference speakers include Deacon Ed Shoener, president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Scott Roeder, founder of Jackson Roeder Memorial Fund, Dr. Dan Reidenberg Psy D., executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), and Ann Ellison, director of Interfaith Health at M Health Fairview. The conference includes two panel discussions focused on helping faith communities position themselves to be communities of hope, healing, and support. Lunch is included. 

To register for the September 27 conference in Bemidji, MN visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suicide-prevention-conference-for-rural-faith-leaders-tickets-377511776887 or contact Stephanie Downey at stephanie.downey@state.mn.us or call (218) 308-2148. 

To register for the September 29 conference in Mankato, MN visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suicide-prevention-conference-for-rural-faith-leaders-tickets-377388297557?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or contact Melissa Dau at melissa.dau@state.mn.us or call (507)-344-2747.

Fr. Doug Liebsch ♦ (320) 251-5001

Totus Tuus – The Totus Tuus Summer Catechetical Youth Program, ended July 29. This is the sixth summer Totus Tuus was held in our diocese. Thank you for your participation in this awesome program! 17 areas held Totus Tuus, and it was a successful summer! We are taking reservations for next summer; the deadline is October 31 for Totus Tuus 2023. If you have questions, please contact at (320) 251-5001.

New Seminarians – Please welcome two new seminarians, Neal Anderson who is from Seven Dolors, Albany, and Henry Statz who is from St. John Cantius, St. Cloud. Neal will begin at Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, and Henry will be in College 1 at St. John Vianney in St. Paul. Please pray for all seminarians as they start studies this fall.

October 6 – Andrew Dinner – 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 the bishop while priests share their vocation story. Young men find it very meaningful and special to have a night with the bishop and priests! 

November 6-12 – National Vocation Awareness Week – Pastors and parochial vicars please make a special effort for vocations during National Vocation Awareness Week. If we can help in any way, please contact the Vocation Office at (320) 251-5001. Stay tuned next month for some ideas to promote priestly vocations!



Worship Office ♦ (320) 255-9068

The Office of Worship will be staffed part-time for the month of August as we search for a new director of worship. If you know anyone who would be a good fit for this role, please share the job posting from this link, https://stcdio.org/human-resources/job-openings/diocesan-job-openings/. 

2022 TV Mass Ministers Needed – Thank you to the many people who support the ministry of the TV Mass for the Diocese of Saint Cloud. The minister schedule through January 2023 is available using the link below. All priests and musicians (along with lectors) are encouraged to take a look to see how they might be able to serve. Sign up at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/496986700532104088/false#/invitation.

We are in need of:

• Sept. 6 – Presider
• Oct. 11 – 2 Presiders
• Oct. 25 – Musicians and a Lector

If you have questions, contact the Office of Worship at worship@gw.stcdio.org.

Reverend Ralph Zimmerman will celebrate his 72nd birthday on September 15.

308 Third Street South, Apt. 207

Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Email: ralphgz@aol.com

Telephone: (320) 281-5924

Reverend Silverius Schmitt will celebrate his 94th birthday on September 20.

11590 Meadowbrook Avenue NE

Hanover, MN 55341

Telephone: (612) 987-7375

Reverend Kenneth Riedemann will celebrate his 84th birthday on September 22.

800 Anne Marie Circle, Apt. 217

Little Falls, MN 56345

Telephone: (320) 232-0726

Email: kenwrn@gmail.com

Reverend David Maciej will celebrate his 73rd birthday on September 27.

808 Anne Marie Circle, Apt. 301

Little Falls, MN 56345

Telephone (320) 232-0346

Email: frdmaciej@gmail.com

Reverend Eberhard Schefers will celebrate his 84th birthday on September 27.

702 2nd Avenue NE

St. Joseph, MN 56374

Telephone (320) 363-4693

Email: eschefers@q.com



Diocese of Saint Cloud Chancery and Pastoral Center

(320) 251-2340 • (320) 258-7600

www.stcdio.org

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