April 2021
MONTHLY DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
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Please feel free to put the Sunday TV Mass
April 15 ♦ Catholics at the Capitol – There is no time more important than now to speak out in defense of life and dignity at the State Capitol! Even just a handful of people can influence the laws passed by our elected officials; just imagine the impact of every Catholic voice joining together!
Catholics at the Capitol is designed for YOU! Whether you are an "old pro" in the political arena, exasperated with divisive politics, or someone who doesn't know where to begin, “CatCap” will fortify your faith, provide you with the hope needed to heal the cynicism and division in politics, and equip you to speak with your lawmakers.
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2021 Diocesan Ministry Day (DMD)
Save The Date ♦ DMD 2021 will be held on Saturday, October 23 at Saint John's Abbey and University. The day will gather the people from across the Diocese of Saint Cloud to celebrate who we are as a diocese and to share with one another the gifts each of our Area Catholic Communities offer. We will be joining Catholics from around the diocese for a keynote, rally and Mass with the Bishop.
Please consider publishing this bulletin announcement:
SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2021 Diocesan Ministry Day 2021
One Body: Gathered, Nourished, Sent
We’ve got Spirit! Yes, we do! We’ve got Spirit. How about you? This year, Diocesan Ministry Day will be a rousing celebration of all that we are as a diocese. This rally-themed day, to be held at Saint John’s Abbey and University, will honor the gifts of each of our parishes and ACCs. Save the date to come and cheer on the whole diocese and be filled with the love of community and the spiritual gifts of our faith. All are welcome to attend this event. Stay tuned for more details.
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Regional Ministry Gathering 2021
Nine Regional Ministry Gatherings are being planned for this spring, summer and fall under the theme “One Body: Gathered, Nourished, Sent.” The gatherings — 3 for all people of the diocese and 6 geared toward parish and school leaders — will focus on relevant issues facing our Church and Area Catholic Communities. They will be offered using virtual and hybrid models in the lead-up to Diocesan Ministry Day in October. Watch for more information soon.
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Office of the Vicar General ♦ Rev. Robert Rolfes ♦ (320) 251-2340
Reminder: Guidance for the Paschal Triduum
Diocesan offices will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
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NOTES FROM THE DIOCESAN OFFICES |
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David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111
Celebrate Catholic Schools – Catholic schools around the Diocese are now enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year. Please make sure to support your school staff and administrators as they prepare for enrollment for 2021-2022 and open houses showing off their schools. Thank you for your continued prayers and generous support of the ministry of Catholic education in our diocese. Together, we are building a brighter future!
Emmaus Institute – As Catholics, we have the greatest story to tell – the story of Jesus Christ. Our parishes, now more than ever, need well-formed leaders to help tell the story. Do you feel called to be a witness in your parish and community? Do you know someone who could benefit from theological and ministerial formation? The Emmaus Institute invites you to develop your faith with others seeking the same goal.
Come hear the story of our formation journey from current students, instructors, and others. Open houses will be held in Spanish and English and registration is required. See the list of dates and times with their registration links below:
Becoming Eucharist: Mealtime Table Talk for Families – The April edition of Becoming Eucharist is now available. A special Holy Week edition is available as well to help families, small groups, and individuals reflect on the Triduum, the three holiest days of the Church year. These printable resources can be accessed at http://familytogether.stcdio.org. All resources are available in English and Spanish!
National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC 2021) – Parish leaders interested in attending the National Catholic Youth Conference met in early March. If you were unable to attend the meeting but are still interested in joining the diocesan delegation, or would like to view the recording of that meeting, please contact Kent Schmitz at [email protected].
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Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624
As of March 29, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2021 has raised total cash and pledges of $853,744 toward our goal of $1,400,000 (60.98%). This was made possible through the generous donations of 5,849 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese.
Please remember to turn in gifts collected at your parishes since the launch of the appeal. Your timely response helps us process gifts in a timely manner and set up pledges that are able to be complete by December 31, 2021.
Thank you so much to our pastors and parish staff who are working to make this year’s appeal a success and support our diocesan ministries.
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Bailey Ziegler ♦ (320) 258-7655
This month’s HR newsletter includes COVID-19 updates, information on the hiring process which will be covered as a series over a couple of months, and some resources on position descriptions.
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Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 252-4721
Natural Family Planning Instruction for April & May 2021
Instruction will be by personal appointment following COVID-19 precautions or virtual by Zoom or Google meetings. A First Instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
- Little Falls: Tuesday, April 6 & May 4 at 7:30 p.m.
- Long Prairie: Monday, April 26 & May 28 at 7:00 p.m.
- Rice: Monday, April 5 & May 3 at 6:30 p.m.
- Sauk Centre: Monday, April 19 & May 17 at 6:30 p.m.
- St. Cloud: Thursday, April 15 & Monday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m.
- St. Michael: Tuesday, April 6 & May 4 at 6:00 p.m.
- Wadena: Friday, April 23 & May 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Nominations open for the 2021 Humanae vitae Award – July 25, 2021 will mark the 53rd Anniversary of Humanae vitae! In celebration, we'll host our annual diocesan Humanae vitae Mass & Award Presentation on Thursday, July 29, at Saint Mary's Cathedral, Saint Cloud at 7:00 p.m. with Bishop Donald Kettler. We are blessed to have people in our diocese who have dedicated themselves to the promotion of Natural Family Planning and the principles of Humanae vitae. If you know a person(s) who has demonstrated courage in promoting Natural Family Planning, submit your nomination in writing (500 words or less). For more information, visit: https://stcdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Humanae-vitae-nomination-flyer-FINAL.pdf. You may send, fax, or e-mail nominations before April 29, 2021 to the Office of Marriage and Family, Natural Family Planning Advisory Committee, 305-7th Avenue North, Suite 100, Saint Cloud, MN 56303; fax: 320-258-7658; e-mail: [email protected]. If you have any questions, contact Sheila Reineke at [email protected] or (320) 252-4721 ext. 308.
September 18 – Sponsor Couple Training – Held at the Pastoral Center in St. Cloud from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration for couples (names, address, phone number, parish and email address) should be made at least two weeks (September 3) before training. Call Janet at (320) 258-7616 or email [email protected] to register. The parish will be billed $110 per couple for the cost of training (which includes Fully Engaged supplies).
October 2 – Honoring Marriage Day, RESCHEDULED – Location TBD. This event is for couples celebrating their 5th, 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60 plus anniversaries in 2021.
Parishes are asked to send names and addresses of parishioners celebrating 5, 25, 40, 50, 60 & 60 plus years of marriage in 2021 to the Office of Marriage & Family, 305 7th Avenue North, Suite 100, Saint Cloud, MN 56303 or email Jan at [email protected] or fax (320) 258-7658 as soon as possible. Invitations will be sent to the celebrating couples.
October 8-10 – World Wide Marriage Encounter – Held in Buffalo, MN at the 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 actually 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.
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Elizabeth Neville Brown ♦ (320) 251-1100
Thank you to all for your promotion and support of the CRS appeal as well as the CRS Rice Bowl throughout Lent. Your generosity assists with emergency food programming throughout the world by those most affected with food scarcity due to COVID, natural disasters, political conflict and emergencies. 25% of your generous contributions remain here in our diocese to assist with food scarcity through the Rice Bowl grant program.
2021 Missionary Appeal scheduling is underway with many parishes already planning for more 'in person' opportunities. Thank you for your willingness to welcome these presenters into your community/ies to share their call to mission.
The Spring Mission Rally has unfortunately been cancelled for this year as we continue to keep our mission groups safe and healthy. We have asked that as mission groups you please consider a visit from our office later in the spring/summer to reconnect with you. We miss you!
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Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Below is a link to resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Let’s continue to be vigilant in keeping all children and youth safe in the Diocese of Saint Cloud.
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Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020
Please share from all of the below information in parish bulletins and announcements, and/or plan to attend yourself as a parish leader.
The diocese is invited to join us for the Rural Life Initiative’s monthly virtual sessions, Conversations of Hope: Sharing Community Concerns and Resources. Participants will pray and share together in a community conversation around pressing issues in our communities; community leaders will also be part of the conversation to answer questions and share ideas for how to address these community concerns. Join us the second Thursday of every month at Noon. Our next session, on April 8, will focus on Human Trafficking and Pornography. To join in this Conversation of Hope, email Rebecca Fiedler at [email protected] or register online at https://www.ccstcloud.org/services/social-concerns.
Catholic Century Farm Awards – Catholic Charities Social Concerns is now taking applications for the diocese’s third annual Catholic Century Farm Awards. Especially during this challenging year, our farmers have endured hardships and called upon their faith to help them persevere, and we want to honor them for that! If your family or members of your parish have been farming the same land for 100 years or more, please visit the social concerns website (https://www.ccstcloud.org/services/social-concerns) and look under “Rural Life” for the application form, which includes requirements and deadlines to apply. Recipients will be honored by Bishop at a special celebration Mass in August.
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Fr. Virgil Helmin ♦ (320) 251-6557
ANNULMENT PROCEDURE
The Tribunal of the Diocese of St. Cloud has established a policy that the annulment process will not be started until six months after issuance of the final divorce decree.
No wedding date must be set until an affirmative decision has been rendered.
The annulment process requires the following:
A) The petitioner contacts his/her parish priest or a Tribunal staff member in order to petition and begin the annulment procedure.
1. The petitioner needs to present the following documents at the time of the application:
a) Baptismal certificate and/or Profession of Faith of self and of former spouse.
b) Certificate of marriage and/or Validation and/or Dispensation
c) Divorce decree (Final Judgment).
d) Current address of former spouse.
2. The petitioner has a recorded preliminary interview (conducted by a parish
priest, deacon, parish minister or a Tribunal Staff Member) -OR- writes a
narrative that covers in depth the following factual information about the
petitioner and his/her former spouse:
a) Description of childhood and home life of self and former spouse. Alcoholism
or chemical addiction in family background?
b) Description of dating process and maturity of self and former spouse.
c) Description of how the decision to marry was reached.
d) Description of ability to communicate and resolve conflicts.
e) Description of problems that developed in the marriage and when they
began.
f) Description of attempted solutions to the problems.
g) Description of performance of roles of husband/wife, father/mother.
h) Description of how the decision to divorce was reached.
B) When there are ground(s) for a declaration of nullity, the Tribunal will contact both, the petitioner and the respondent.
C) Prior to the formal hearing, the petitioner must complete and return the witness list. Witnesses include 2-3 adult people who knew them prior to and during their marriage and can give us information about the marriage. At the time of the formal hearing, the petitioner must bring these witnesses in with them. A witness can be a brother, sister, parent, friend, co-worker, neighbor or a member of the wedding party. Witnesses should not all be relatives. We do not interview children of the marriage. At the formal hearing the petitioner and the witnesses will be questioned privately.
D) If the petition comes to formal hearing the following will occur:
- All testimony is gathered and sent to the Court Members.
- The defender of the bond presents its brief to the Judge.
- Judge(s) renders a decision. Petitioner and respondent are notified.
- Both the petitioner and the respondent have the right to appeal the decision of the Court of First Instance. Also, both are notified of the decision and given 15 working days to review that decision and/or to appeal the decision.
- If the decision is not appealed by either person, the defender of the bond signs off on the waiver. Once that is returned to the Tribunal office the process is complete and the petitioner and the respondent are notified along with the parish of baptism and parish of marriage.
- A vetitum (prohibition) may be attached to the decision, requiring that either or both spouses must attend professional counseling with a counselor approved by the Tribunal before being allowed to marry in the Catholic Church.
The average length for the Tribunal to process a petition is 12 months. If the process is appealed by either parties, the process may take longer than 18 months. No wedding date can be set until an affirmative decision has been rendered. The Court could require that the person participate in an evaluation or counseling with their intended spouse. This requirement is made so that the future marriage may be happy and fulfilling.
As of July 1, 2016, the Tribunal of the Diocese of St. Cloud no longer charges a set fee for annulments. If you wish to make a donation to help defray the cost(s) of the work of the Tribunal, it would be greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to: Tribunal of the Diocese of St. Cloud. Or, you may go to: www.stcdio.org/pay to make an online donation, under “Tribunal – Annulments”. Thank you for your kind donation.
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Aaron Carpenter ♦ (320) 255-9068
Confirmation for Baptized Catholics – Bishop Kettler will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults (18+) at the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, May 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Mary. This is for Catholic candidates who are seeking to complete their Christian initiation. Each parish that is preparing adult candidates for this sacrament is strongly encouraged to send its candidates, along with their sponsors and families, to the cathedral for this Diocesan Confirmation Liturgy. Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Adult_Confirmation_2021.
2021 TV Mass Schedule Now Online – Thank you to the many people who support the ministry of the TV Mass for the Diocese of Saint Cloud. I’m sure you can imagine how important this has been over the past several months. Our viewership and requests for Living Liturgy guides has seen a substantial increase. The 2021 recording schedule is now live. All priests and musicians (along with lectors) are encouraged to take a look to see how you might be able to serve. Sign up here. If you have questions, contact the Office of Worship.
Important Dates
Confirmation of Adults – May 22, 2021
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Bethany Tollefson ♦ (320) 251-2700 Ext. 54621
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Catholic Charities ♦ (320) 650-1641
Catholic Charities Pack the Porches Food and fund drive – Catholic Charities gives thanks for the generous support received during the 11th annual Pack the Porches food and fund drive on March 19.
Part of the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, Pack the Porches benefits Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf and raised $23,011 in donated funds and received 4,403 pounds of food during the six-hour event from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thank you to Coborn’s for matching all food and fund donations up to $10,000.
40th Anniversary Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign – The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign continues through April 11!
The largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign brings together various community organizations, businesses and faith communities to help stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide, including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.
Minnesota FoodShare envisions a future where all Minnesotans have access to healthy food and no one struggles with food insecurity. The March Campaign addresses these issues directly and Catholic Charities invites you to join our efforts and advocate for long-term solutions to food insecurity and poverty in our community.
Please bring nonperishable items to Catholic Charities Food Shelf and donate funds in person or online. Together we can give our neighbors the hope and stability they need. Together we can ensure food for all throughout Minnesota. Together we can make a different tomorrow.
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Modified Donation Hours – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Charities Emergency Services is accepting food donations during limited hours through a drop-off model on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. at the loading area of its location at 157 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, Door D. Outside of these hours, contact [email protected] or (320) 229-4560 to coordinate another drop-off time.
Please do not leave donations outside our doors. Donations must be collected and weighed by Catholic Charities staff to ensure food safety standards and inventory tracking.
Catholic Charities Senior Dining Frozen Meal Distribution – Catholic Charities Senior Dining has adapted services amid the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to serve our most vulnerable population. With our congregate dining sites suspended since March 2020, the Frozen Meal Expansion Project provides our senior neighbors with easy-to-prepare, healthy food options in a no-contact, drive-through format.
These nutritious frozen meals meet one-third of the recommended daily allowance for seniors. The meals are packaged in oven-safe containers that are easy to heat and eat in both conventional and microwave ovens. Meals are available in quantities of 10 and up to 30 per calendar month. Participants must be 60 years of age and older to be eligible, and all clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate; however, donations are accepted.
At the time of writing, events are currently scheduled in the following locations in April: Askov, Avon, Big Lake, Brainerd, Crosby, Foley, Hinckley, Little Falls, Long Prairie, Milaca, Mora, North Branch, Ogilvie, Paynesville, Pierz, Pillager, Rush City, Sandstone, Sartell, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Staples and Wadena. Visit ccstcloud.org/events for a current schedule of locations.
The project is partially funded under a contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act.
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Prison Ministry Virtual Workshop
Saturday, April 17
9 a.m.-Noon
This free virtual workshop, sponsored by Twin Cities Prison Ministry, will be livestreamed and provide information about the opportunities and importance of prison ministry both inside and outside prison walls. It will feature a panel discussion on support to returning citizens and transitional housing. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.tcprisonministry.com/coming-soon. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Connors at [email protected] or 952-426-8633.
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Happy Birthday to our Retired Priests
Reverend Arlie Sowada will celebrate his 75th birthday on April 14.
10961 State Hwy 87
Menahga, MN 56464-2171
Telephone: (218) 298-1099
Reverend Richard Leisen will celebrate his 91st birthday on April 26.
Benedict Court
1980 15th Avenue SE, Apt. 104
St. Cloud, MN 56304
Telephone: (320) 217-8369
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