June 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 4 ♦ ACC Pastoral Council Formation Day – This event will be held from 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s University, Quad 170 (Founders Room). All ACC Pastoral Council members are invited to attend. To register, visit https://forms.gle/WfGFBNnZ8n1E5i2v6. Read more about the day under the Planning Office below.
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.
June 22-29 ♦ Religious Freedom week begins – Religious freedom gives us the space to carry out the mission that Jesus has entrusted to the Church. Religious freedom means that Catholics, and all people of goodwill, are free to seek the truth and to live in accordance with that truth, and so to strengthen our common life as a nation. Beginning June 22, we will take time to pray, reflect and take action on religious liberty, both here in this country and abroad. Find resources from the USCCB at https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-freedom-week.
|
|
THANK YOU to all who participated in a synod consultation! Your voice has been heard! Our synod team is reading ALL of the reports. Please encourage others to participate through a one-to- one session or the online self-guided survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HGRMJ6X . Everyone’s voice is important!
Deadline for submitting listener reports is June 15. We will be keeping the survey open through the summer if others want to submit responses. The Diocesan Synod Team will be submitting the diocesan synthesis to the U.S. secretariat on June 30. In addition to the synthesis, the information gathered will be shared at the local level. First, we will be posting our synthesis on our diocesan website and highlights in the Central Minnesota Catholic. Secondly, our new bishop (when he comes) will receive a more detailed version of the synthesis. Third, we will be sharing this information with various groups including, but not limited to, the diocesan Pastoral, Planning and Presbyteral councils. Fourth, we will be sharing specific information gathered from ACCs with each ACC Pastoral Council this Fall. Last, we intend to share information gathered about specific topics with groups or people who directly relate to that topic.
_______________________________________
If you have not already participated and are still looking for an opportunity to participate in a group synod listening consultation, below are the upcoming sessions across the diocese. These sessions are open to the public. All are welcome.
-
June 2 (Thursday), 8:45 a.m. One in Faith ACC at St. Andrew in Greenwald (Church basement)
-
June 5 (Sunday), 7:00 p.m. One in Faith ACC at St. John the Baptist in Meire Grove (Church basement)
-
June 7 (Tuesday), 9:15 a.m. One in Faith ACC at St. Rose of Lima in St. Rosa (Church gathering space
-
June 13 (Monday), 7:00 p.m. at Holy Family in Belle Prairie (Fellowship Hall)
|
|
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL |
|
National Eucharistic Revival update
Plans are well underway for the local kickoff June 18 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud. The event includes a keynote message from Father Derek Wiechmann, reflections from local guest speakers, small group activities and more. The hope is that each ACC will send representatives to the event. For more information, visit stcdio.org/eucharistic-revival/.
Teams are still forming to help with future events and prayer opportunities. If you or someone you know would like to get involved, email Kristi Anderson at [email protected].
|
|
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 – There is much to celebrate with our Catholic schools! Congratulations are in order for all teachers, staff, parents and especially our students. We give thanks to God for the blessings of each of you. You have been points of light and love in the world, especially in times of challenge over this past school year.
We give thanks also for the many, many supporters of Catholic education–especially those who contributed to the Schulze Family Foundation Challenge grants, and school fundraisers over this past year. These gifts will allow for greater excellence in learning, formation, enrollment and growth of our incredible teams of educators.
Many preparations are in order for the future, and we are proud of how our school communities are caring for the holistic needs of students. Catholic Education Ministries will be providing support in building Catholic identity in a professional learning community format for principals, starting this fall. Many schools are focusing especially on social and emotional needs of students, teachers and staff to build greater resilience and capacity for differentiation and individualized learning needs.
Let us all pray that we can grow our efforts to build the Kingdom of God through the ministry of our Catholic schools. Enjoy these first days of summer!
Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) – The purpose of the Diocesan Youth Council is to provide valuable input and help plan and assist in the implementation of diocesan-sponsored youth ministry events. These events are primarily, but not exclusively, the Annual Diocesan Sr. High Youth Rally in the fall each year and the Diocesan Middle School Youth Rally in January each year.
The Youth Council meets approximately five to six times a year. The council helps set rally themes, workshops, schedules, formats, etc. Youth ministry is meant to be by, to, for and with youth, making the DYC an essential part of ministry in the diocese. The gifts each youth is blessed with are essential to the life of youth ministry. The DYC takes on a large leadership role in the running of youth rallies. Please share this link with youth who may be interested in applying, https://stcdio.org/cem/faith-formation/leadershiptraining. Applications are due July 15.
Emmaus Institute – The Emmaus Institute for Ministry Formation is looking for people who feel called to be a witness in their parish and community. This program’s purpose is to create well-formed ministers who will serve the mission of the Gospel in their families, parishes and the wider communities throughout the diocese. Use this link to hear from a current instructor, https://youtu.be/TKYkH2t01bU. Do you know someone who could benefit from theological and ministerial formation? Would you? Two current students offer their reflections on the program in this video, https://youtu.be/kb5ama97vVc. For more information, visit www.stcdio.org/Emmaus-Institute or contact Kristi Bivens at (320) 258-7642 or email [email protected].
|
|
Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624
Bishop’s Annual Appeal update — As of May 23, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2022 has raised total cash and pledges of $964,593 toward our goal of $1,400,000 (68.90%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 5,904 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese.
September 16 Stewardship Day 2022: Save the Date – The diocese is still in the planning phase of a retreat day that will focus on stewardship and its connection to the celebration of the Eucharist. Please watch this newsletter for updates.
|
|
Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 252-4721
June 3-5 & 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.
June 11 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids, MN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. See our website for more details at https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ or call (320) 252-4721 with questions.
Natural Family Planning Instruction for June & July 2022
A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
• Little Falls: Tuesday, June 7 & July 5 at 7:30 p.m.
• Long Prairie: Monday, June 27 & July 25 at 7:00 p.m.
• Rice: Monday, June 6 & July 11 at 6:30 p.m.
• Sauk Centre: Monday, June 20 & July 18 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Cloud: Monday, June 27 & Thursday, July 21at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Michael: Tuesday, June 7 & July 5 at 6:00 p.m.
• Wadena: Friday, June 24 & July 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Please provide your parishioners this opportunity to learn about NFP and God's plan for married love. If you would like an NFP Week display table, an NFP witness couple or additional information, contact Sheila Reineke at (320) 258-7609 or email [email protected]
July 28 – Humanae Vitae Mass & Award Reception – This event will be held at Saint Mary's Cathedral, Saint Cloud. We will celebrate the 54th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae with Mass at 7:00 p.m. with Bishop Donald Kettler presiding. A reception will follow, with the presentation of the 2022 Humanae Vitae Award to Mary Hughes. For more details, visit https://stcdio.org/event/2022-humanae-vitae-mass-award-reception/.
August 24 – 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 those entities are invited to attend a luncheon, so they can be honored and supported for the work that they do.
September 10 – Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held at Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids, MN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. See our website for more details visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ or call (320) 252-4721 with questions.
September 17 – Catholic Women’s Conference – This event will be held at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria, MN from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is Eucharist – God’s Greatest Gift and our keynote speakers are Marge Steinhage Fenelon and Leah Jacobson. 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 by visiting 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 a.m. 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 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 15 – 2nd Marriage Course, Saturday – 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, MN from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. See our website for more details, visit https://stcdio.org/engaged-couple-marriage-preparation/ details or call the office with questions, (320) 252-4721.
|
|
Elizabeth Neville Brown ♦ (320) 251-1100
Thank you to all who have hosted or will be hosting your presenters for the 2022 Missionary Appeals in your parish/es! Your welcome, hospitality and generosity are greatly appreciated!
Please be sure to send to the Mission Office your Catholic Relief Services and Rice Bowl collections before the end of June so that we can distribute funds for our local Rice Bowl grant requests and to the National Office. Thank you in advance.
|
|
Brenda Kresky ♦ (320) 251-2340
June 4 – ACC Pastoral Council Formation Day – This event will be held from 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s University, Quad 170 (Founders Room). All ACC Pastoral Council members are invited to attend. To register, visit https://forms.gle/WfGFBNnZ8n1E5i2v6.
The goals for the day are:
- To present the key elements of the diocesan vision for ACC pastoral councils
- To learn about canon law guidance for governance of the ACC
- To recognize how ACC pastoral councils plan and implement goals
- To show the roles and responsibilities of the pastor, pastoral staff, ACC pastoral council, parish finance councils, and trustees.
- To hear examples of promising practices from various ACCs
- To list and prioritize the strengths and growth areas of your ACC
|
|
Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340
June is here and time to enjoy some summer rest. Please make sure that all data for children and youth training is entered. The diocese completes this audit year by June 30.
Encourage all leaders (principals, DREs and youth leaders) to go to virtusonline.org after July 1 and see the new lesson plans for the upcoming catechetical year. Look for ways to incorporate these lessons into your planning for next year. This curriculum should look like it is part of your plans rather than an add-on.
May you find time to rest and enjoy the slower pace of summer and the warmth of the summer sun.
|
|
Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020
August 14 – SAVE THE DATE: Rural Life Celebration returns! – After two years off from the diocesan Rural Life Celebration due to the pandemic, we are proud to announce the return of this great diocesan event this summer! Please join us and our hosts at St. Louis Bertrand Parish for an outdoor Mass with Bishop Kettler at the David Trunk farm south of Foreston, followed by food and family-friendly activities. The Rural Life Celebration will include the presentation of Catholic Century Farm Awards, as well as a new award this year, the Rural Business Award! The event is free and open to all, though a second collection will be taken at Mass to help benefit the Rural Life Fund.
July 20-22 – 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. 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.
Please share the below information in parish bulletins and announcements:
Catholic Century Farm Awards
Catholic Charities Social Concerns is taking applications for the diocese’s 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 of the Social Concerns website for requirements and form at https://www.ccstcloud.org/services/social-concerns or reach out to JoAnn Braegelman at [email protected] with questions. Families may nominate themselves online or by mailing in a simple form, and all qualified farms will be honored at the Rural Life Celebration Mass with the bishop in August.
|
|
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
THANK YOU to all who participated in the Good Shepherd Event on May 7. It was very life-giving for me. A real grace was an awareness of being rooted in being a sheep, and only in following Jesus the Good Shepherd am I able to shepherd as he would.
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)
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.” We have limited space for this event, if you know of young women interested, please have them contact the Vocation Office at (320) 251-5001.
Prayer Requests: Please pray for priests and parishes during this transitional time for them as new assignments are made.
|
|
Aaron Carpenter ♦ (320) 255-9068
2022 TV Mass Schedule
Please contact the Office of Worship at (320) 255-9068 with questions.
Currently, we need minister to tape on the following evenings:
- June 14 – Presider, 6:45 p.m., 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- July 12 – 2 Presiders, Musicians and Lectors, 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., 18th and 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- July 26 – Presider, 6:00 p.m., 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- August 9 – 2 Presiders, 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., 22nd and 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Important Dates
- June 4 – Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults
- June 11 – Ordination of Deacons
- June 27 – Priest Jubilee Celebration
|
|
Happy Birthday to our Retired Priests |
|
Reverend Gregory Lieser will celebrate his 85th birthday on June 1.
308 Third Street S, Apt. 103
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 654-8846
Reverend Steven Binsfeld will celebrate his 71st birthday on June 5.
308 Third Street S, Apt. 107
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 217-2368
Reverend Anthony Kroll will celebrate his 88th birthday on June 17.
308 Third Street S, Apt. 203
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 493-7873
Reverend Robert Kieffer will celebrate his 79th birthday on June 23.
509 12th Avenue East, P.O. Box 11
Alexandria, MN 56308
Telephone: (320) 241-1589
Reverend Stanley Wieser will celebrate his 80th birthday on June 25.
909 1st Avenue South
Wheaton, MN 56296
Telephone: (320) 815-9696
Reverend Thomas Becker will celebrate his 71st birthday on June 29.
800 Main Street N
P.O. Box 169
Browerville, MN 56296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
