July 2022
MONTHLY DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
LINKS
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
Please feel free to put the Sunday TV Mass
in your parish bulletins at www.stcdio.org/tvmass.


July 20-22 ♦ Social Action Summer Institute coming to Central MN – This annual conference for Catholic parish and diocesan social ministry leaders will be held at St. John’s University in Collegeville on July 20-22. 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   Registration deadline is July 13.  Please share this information with your Parish Social Ministry team or other individuals and groups who may be interested. Contact Kateri.Mancini@ccstcloud.org if you are interested in scholarship possibilities for parish leaders to attend. 

July 24-30 ♦ Celebrate Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week – Plan now to celebrate NFP Week. This year’s theme from the USCCB is, “Called to the Joy of Love”. Resources can be found at usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/national-nfp-awareness-week. Parishes can find specific resources by clicking these links:
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 sreineke@gw.stcdio.org
 
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/.

SYNOD 2021-2023

We have now finished our synod listening consultations in our diocese. We have received over 600 reports from synod listeners and over 350 self-guided consultations online. Currently, the Diocesan Synod Team is reading all of the reports and writing the synthesis to be sent to the U.S. bishops. We are hoping to have that report available soon. Thank you for your participation and feedback over these past few months.

— Diocesan Synod Team

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
National Eucharistic Revival update

Thanks to all who have been promoting and supporting initial efforts. A huge thank you to all who attended and/or helped with the June 18 kickoff!

Just to provide a little more about the framework of this initiative, this first year is meant to be at the diocesan level. During the diocesan year, some of the things to look forward to are the DCCW Source and Summit Tour Aug. 4, Regional Ministry Gatherings, diocesan-level prayer activities and opportunities and more. All of this will lead up to what used to be called Diocesan Ministry Day.

In 2023, the plan is to host a diocesan-wide Eucharistic Congress. The hope is to have a multi-day event with something for everyone. Many of the traditional diocesan events will culminate into this one event for that year to show unity and the importance of the Eucharist. 

In 2023 and 2024, ACCs will be asked to hold their own Eucharistic Congresses (one in each ACC) to build up the Body of Christ together in their families of worship as well as those outside parish walls. More to come on that as it unfolds.

The third year is the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July 2024. Hopefully, our diocese will send a healthy delegation!

Please stay tuned to the diocesan website, social media and The Central Minnesota Catholic magazine for more information.  

Want to get involved? Have a Eucharistic story to tell? Hosting a special event? Email us at eucharisticrevivalstcloud@gmail.com.

NOTES FROM THE DIOCESAN OFFICES
David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111
 
Catholic School Updates – Summer is both a time of rest and preparation for our Catholic school teachers, staff and administrators. In addition to changes in our student and parent populations, we have new and shifting roles in our school staff members. Help us stay up to date by sending any changes to Kate Steinbach at ksteinbach@gw.stcdio.org.
 
Emmaus Institute – Registrations are still being taken to begin classes this fall in English or in Spanish. Applications can be found on the Emmaus Institute website:  https://stcdio.org/emmaus-institute/. If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Bivens at kristi.bivens@gw.stcdio.org or 320-251-0111.

Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624

Diocesan Stewardship Day 2022 – SAVE THE DATE: This year’s Diocesan Stewardship Day will be Friday, September 16, at Seven Dolors Church in Albany, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This will be a retreat day that will integrate stewardship with the celebration of the Eucharist. More information to come.
 
Bishop’s Annual Appeal – As of June 27, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2022 has raised total cash and pledges of $1,062,733 toward our goal of $1,400,000 (75.91%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 6,627 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese.
 
Parish/school distributions from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal – Distribution checks supporting Catholic education were mailed to pastors June 20. A total of $182,230 was distributed to parishes and our two Catholic high schools. Pastors, please make sure to cash your checks in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please contact Anna Kampa at akampa@gw.stcdio.org or 320-258-7654.
Bethany Tollefson ♦ (320) 251-2700 Ext. 51637

Intentional Care of the Spirit: Eight Nurses Commissioned as New Faith Community Nurses – Congratulations to eight Registered Nurses who were commissioned as new Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) at a virtual ceremony on May 20th after completing the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing class.

Faith community nursing is a specialized area of professional nursing recognized by the American Nurses Association. These nursing professionals are integrators of faith and health who focus on intentional care of the spirit. Faith Community Nursing is a part of a broader outreach of health ministry. Faith Community Nurses promote connectedness, encouragement, hope, and love through various focus areas. The class members who were commissioned include:
  • Therese Drey
  • Christine Haasser
  • Jeny Holthaus*
  • Sheila Klous
  • Kari Salzer
  • Doris Schmidt
  • Jackie Sullivan*
  • Michelle Wentland*
    *CentraCare employee
 
The next Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Class will be offered on November 3, 4, 10, and 11. Please contact me at bethany.tollefson@centracare.com with any questions.

Interested in a short training on Mental Health for your group or ministry? A 90-minute introduction to mental health First Aid content is available upon request. Please email me at bethany.tollefson@centracare.com for more information.

Bailey Ziegler ♦ (320) 258-7655

Frontline Worker Pay – A bill has been passed by the Minnesota Legislature providing bonus pay for eligible COVID-19 frontline workers. It seems that some of our parish and Catholic school employees may be eligible to receive some of this pay.

The application window opened on June 8 and employees have until July 22 to apply. It is the employee’s responsibility to apply if they feel they are eligible, but it is the employer’s responsibility to notify employees this is happening. Below is the information you need—you may need to post it in your building and provide an electronic or paper notice to employees. There is an employer notice available on the website listed below.

Please visit the website for more information: frontlinepay.mn.gov  

Notice requirement for employers – employers in a frontline sector must provide notice, in a form approved by the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, advising all current workers who may be eligible for payments of the assistance potentially available to them and how to apply for benefits.

An employer must provide notice using the same means the employer uses to provide other work-related notices to employees. This notice must be at least as conspicuous as:
  • posting a copy of the notice at each worksite where workers work and where the notice may be readily observed and reviewed by all workers working at the site; or
  • providing a paper or electronic copy of the notice to all workers.

Please contact Bailey Ziegler in Human Resources if you have any questions at bziegler@gw.stcdio.org.

Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 252-4721

Natural Family Planning Instruction for July & August 2022
A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
• Alexandria: Monday, July 18 & August 15 at 6:30 p.m.
• Little Falls: Tuesday, July 5 & August 2 at 7:30 p.m.
• Long Prairie: Monday, July 25 & August 22 at 7:00 p.m. 
• Rice: Monday, July 11 & August 1 at 6:30 p.m.
• Sauk Centre: Thursday, July 21 & August 18 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Cloud: Thursday, July 21 & Monday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Michael: Tuesday, July 5 & August 2 at 6:00 p.m.
• Wadena: Friday, July 22 & August 26 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.
 
August 5-7 – Retrouvaille weekend – 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.

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 pflynn@gw.stcdio.org 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 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 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 or will be hosting the various mission organizations, religious orders, dioceses,... in your parish/es this summer. We so appreciate your generosity and hospitality in welcoming the global church into the diocese!

We will be sending our collected funds from your parishes for the Catholic Relief Services appeal as well as the Rice Bowl to the national office in early July. If you have not sent your contributions in to the Mission Office please do so as soon as possible. Thank you!
 
Please remember the Mission Office for all your Fair Trade gift-giving needs for birthdays, weddings, confirmations, new home. We have beautiful and unique gifts, coffee, chocolate and quilts. from around the world!

Brenda Kresky ♦ (320) 251-2340

July Mass counts – It is time again to track the number of attendees at Mass. Each weekend in July we are asking all parishes to count the number of people attending each Mass. We are trying a new online approach for submitting the Mass counts at the end of the month. To submit the numbers, you will need to include the name/email of the person submitting the information, the Mass time, and the number of people attending. Here is the link to submit the July Mass counts: https://forms.gle/R25nyn5CH89xp5G77. If you have any questions regarding this online form, please contact Brenda.

Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340

July starts a new year for safe environment in the Diocese of Saint Cloud.  Each parish and school has access to the new lesson plans for the year at https://www.virtusonline.org. If your parish or school does not have a username or the password or it was forgotten, send me an email and I can share that with you or create a new one. (lkaiser@gw.stcdio.org)

Please go through the database and make sure all employees have training and background checks and that volunteers are set to go in the fall when programs or school starts. All adults who volunteer with children or youth and all employees must have background checks and training. 

I do want to say “thank you” to all the site administrators for trying so hard to be sure folks are up to date.   

Now relax and enjoy the summer sun.

Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020

Mental Health Resource for Pastoral Leaders – Social Concerns is working on a collaborative Mental Health Ministry within our Diocese, to better equip pastoral leaders and parishioners with the tools they need to accompany others who may be dealing with a mental health concern or crisis. A first step is knowing where to call or refer someone for help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please be sure that you have these important mental health call or text line numbers and information available:  https://mcusercontent.com/8e0611452ce52822388976e78/files/a3127d45-f21e-db0f-5944-4032e01a3f7b/Mental_Health_Resources_Handout.pdf. 

Please share the following two announcements in parish bulletins and announcements:
Catholic Century Farm Awards – Deadline Extended
Catholic Charities Social Concerns is still accepting applications for the Catholic Century Farm Awards, and has extended the deadline to July 8. 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 information and application form: https://www.ccstcloud.org/services/social-concerns or reach out to JoAnn.Braegelman@ccstcloud.org or Rebecca.Fiedler@ccstcloud.org 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 on August 14. Help us honor these farm families! 

August 14 – SAVE THE DATE: Rural Life Celebration  
Please join us and our hosts at St. Louis Bertrand Parish along with the Four Pillars in Faith ACC, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the David Trunk farm south of Foreston (address: 4383 – 120th Ave, Princeton MN). The day includes an outdoor Mass with Bishop Kettler, including presentation of the Catholic Century Farm Awards and the brand new Rural Business Award, and will be followed by food and family-friendly activities. The event is free and open to all, though a second collection will be taken at Mass to help benefit the Rural Life Fund. Bring your blanket, lawn chair, family and friends, and come celebrate our rural diocese and God’s beautiful creation! 
 
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:
  1. baptismal certificates for both principals;
  2. marriage certificate
  3. 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. 

If you are uncertain about the annulment process or any have other questions, you can contact the Tribunal Office at (320) 251-6557 or email vhelmin@gw.stcdio.orgtwyburn@gw.stcdio.orgmcrane@gw.stcdio.org or kmollner@gw.stcdio.org.

Fr. Doug Liebsch ♦ (320) 251-5001

July 11-13 – Bus Tour – This tour will explore some of the true gifts of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, the people, churches, and faith stories of Central Minnesota. The tour will visit local churches within the Diocese of Saint Cloud. More information or to register go to https://stcdio.org/vocations/vocation-events/.
 
August 13 – Paschal Challenge – For young men grades 9th – 12th. Follow Jesus and experience the Last Supper, the Way of the Cross and His Resurrection in a WHOLE new way! For more information or to register, go to https://stcdio.org/vocations/vocation-events/.
 
Prayer Requests – Please pray for priests and parishes during this transitional time for them as new assignments begin
.
Aaron Carpenter ♦ (320) 255-9068

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 you might be able to serve. Sign up at https://stcdio.org/worship/tv-mass/tv-mass-volunteer-musicians-information/.
We are in need of:
  • July 12 – Music ministers
  • August 9 – Presider
 
If you have questions, contact the Office of Worship at worship@gw.stcdio.org.

Happy Birthday to our Retired Priests

Reverend Timothy Baltes will celebrate his 72nd birthday on July 1.
1125 – 1st Street S. # 414
Sartell, MN 56377
Telephone: (320) 492-8986

Reverend Frank Tomasiewicz will celebrate his 89th birthday on July 3.
308 Third Street S, Apt. 201
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 292-2606
Email: fstomjr@q.com

Reverend Edwin Kraemer will celebrate his 93rd birthday on July 6.
308 Third Street S, Apt. 202
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone: (320) 248-6352

Reverend Harold Pavelis will celebrate his 96th birthday on July 11.
1181 Court Lane
Concord, CA 94518
Telephone: (925) 825-8259

Reverend Lauren Germann will celebrate his 71st birthday on July 31.
303 5th Street NE
Staples, MN 56479