October 2020
MONTHLY DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
LINKS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Calendar
Notes from Diocesan Offices
Birthdays of Retired Priests

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



September 23-November 1 40 Days For Life Fall Campaign View the St. Cloud 40 Days for Life website for details - https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/st-cloud/.

October is Mission Month Please contact the Mission Office if you would like a visit, resources or anything else to help you share with your community our call to mission.

October 3 Parish Social Ministry Gathering going Virtual – A last-minute reminder that the annual Parish Social Ministry Gathering is taking place on Saturday, October 3 from 8:30 a.m.-Noon. This is an entirely virtual event, offered free of charge to parish staff, leaders and community members. The event will include two plenary sessions with keynote presenter Laura Kelly Fanucci, as well as breakout sessions with social concerns staff members, and opening and closing prayers. Participants can register for some or all of the sessions, as their schedule allows. The event is free, but registration is needed. Find out event details, including schedule and session topics here,(https://www.ccstcloud.org/events#UpcomingEvents) or register directly here (https://ccstcloud.formstack.com/forms/2020_virtual_parish_social_ministry_gathering).

October 4 Praise in the Parking Lot Tour This free outdoor event will feature local musicians leading households through praise and worship music from their cars, socially distanced by household in the parking lot. Join us Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3:30 p.m. in Sauk Rapids at Sacred Heart. This event is sponsored by the St. Cloud Diocese, The Central Minnesota Noon Optimists Club and Central Minnesota TEC. More information can be found on the diocesan event page http://cem.stcdio.org/events/.

October 4 World Mission Rosary Day – Resources have been mailed and emailed to parishes, schools, faith formation and youth ministry programs. If you would like to request World Mission Rosaries for your programs, please check our website for more information: http://mission.stcdio.org/mission-office-homepage/mission-education/world-mission-rosary/

October 11 Praise in the Parking Lot Tour This free outdoor event will feature local musicians leading households through praise and worship music from their cars, socially distanced by household in the parking lot. Join us Sunday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Motley at St. Michael’s parish. This event is sponsored by the St. Cloud Diocese, The Central Minnesota Noon Optimists Club and Central Minnesota TEC. More information can be found on the diocesan event page http://cem.stcdio.org/events/.

October 14 “Beloved Obligation: Participation in Sunday Mass,” a webinar featuring Father Paul Turner from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. Fr. Turner is pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri and director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. This webinar, offered by the Diocese of Saint Cloud, is the first in a three-part series focused on our 2020-21 diocesan theme, “One Body: Gathered. Nourished. Sent.” Webinars in November and December will focus on different aspects of the Eucharistic theme. All parish staff, pastors and other parish leaders/volunteers are invited to attend. An email will be sent out with more information and a link to register for the upcoming webinars.

October 16 M.A.S.K.S. Service Event On Friday, October 16, Fr. Michael Wolfbauer will lead youth in grades 6-12 through a day of both inside and outside service opportunities in the Alexandria area. The cost is $10/youth. Registration information can be found at http://stcdio.org/service.  
 
October 18 World Mission Sunday This day is celebrated everywhere around the world with all dioceses as the feast of catholicity and universal solidarity so that all Christians will recognize their common responsibility to the evangelization of the world. Resources have been mailed and emailed to parishes, schools, faith formation and youth ministry programs. Please check our website for more information: http://mission.stcdio.org.


NOTES FROM THE DIOCESAN OFFICES
David Fremo ♦ (320) 251-0111
 
Emmaus Institute Update The first weekend of the Emmaus Institute for this year was a success! 46 students gathered in person or through Zoom for courses in Ecclesiology, Pastoral Care, Christology, and Gifts Discernment. Perhaps one of these classes sparks an interest for you and you want to know more about Emmaus. Visitors are always welcome to observe a class. We just ask that due to COVID-19 you let us know you are coming. Please contact Kristi Bivens at 320-251-0111 or kbivens@gw.stcdio.org to set up a visit or with any questions you may have.     

Becoming Eucharist – Mealtime Table Talk for Families, the newest resource from Catholic Education Ministries, offers family reflection questions based on the Lectionary readings for each Sunday of the month. You can access it at http://familytogether.stcdio.org, where you also can download a monthly, printable PDF edition. This is a great formational resource for families without adding more to their already full plates.

 

Joe Towalski ♦ (320) 258-7624

Election 2020 – As we prepare for Election Day Nov. 3, parishes are encouraged to assist parishioners with their faithful citizenship responsibilities by sharing resources in line with Catholic teaching. Resources from the diocese, the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are available on the diocesan website at: http://stcdio.org/faithfulcitizenship. This page includes links to the U.S. bishops' document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" in English and Spanish, "Do's and Don'ts Guidelines for Election Season" and an "Election Novena." Please only use resources from the diocese, MCC or USCCB.

Election Resources


Bishop’s Annual Appeal update – As of Sept. 21, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2020 raised total cash and pledges of $1,161,867 toward our goal of $1,300,000 (89.37%). This was made possible through the donations of 8,123 people throughout the 16 counties of our diocese. If you would like to know how your parish is progressing toward its goal, please contact Anna Kampa at akampa@gw.stcdio.org or (320) 258-7654.


Patrick Flynn ♦ (320) 252-4721

Natural Family Planning Classes for October
A first instruction in the Billings Ovulation Method will be offered in:
  • Little Falls: Tuesday, October 6 & November 3 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Long Prairie: Monday, October 26 & November 23 at 7:00 p.m. 
  • Rice: Monday, October 5 & November 2 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Sauk Centre: Monday, October 19 & November 16 at 6:30 p.m.
  • St. Cloud: Monday, October 19 & November 16 at 6:30 p.m.
  • St. Michael: Tuesday, October 6 & November 3 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Wadena: Friday, October 23 & November 27 at 5:30 p.m.
For additional sites, information and to register, visit www.stcdio.org/omf/nfp or contact Sheila Reineke at sreineke@gw.stcdio.org or call (320) 252-4721 ext. 308

October 3 – Sponsor Couple Training – This event will be 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 one week (September 25) before training. Call Janet at (320) 258-7616 or email jdusek@gw.stcdio.org to register. The parish will be billed $110 per couple for the cost of training (which includes Fully Engaged supplies).
 
October 10 – 2nd Marriage Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held in St. Cloud at the Pastoral Center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This retreat is for couples preparing to marry after the death of a spouse or an annulment (http://tribunal.stcdio.org/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. http://omf.stcdio.org/marriage-ministries/marriage-preparation/.
 
October 24 – Engaged Couples Retreat – Location TBD from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. See our website for more details http://omf.stcdio.org/marriage-ministries/marriage-preparation/.
 
November 14 – Spanish Speaking Engaged Couples Retreat – This event will be held in St. Cloud at the Pastoral Center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Couples should register at least two weeks before the course (October 31) and include the $110 registration fee per couple. For more information contact the Office of Marriage & Family at (320) 252-4721 or click http://omf.stcdio.org/marriage-ministries/marriage-preparation/.
 
December 5 – Engaged Couples Retreat – Location TBD from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. See our website for more details http://omf.stcdio.org/marriage-ministries/marriage-preparation/.




Elizabeth Neville ♦ (320) 251-1100

The Mission Office is open for Fair Trade coffees, teas, chocolates, artifacts and crafts, quilts for your gift list or your own enjoyment. Please remember to shop local and support fair trade.



Linda Kaiser ♦ (320) 251-2340

October is Respect Life Month and a great time to complete the student training for safe environment for 2020-21.
 
Please remember to input the training date and data for the students into the CMGConnect platform.  If you need help, please let me know.
 
Starting in October the safe environment office will be reaching out to parishes and schools with a list of names currently on the database. Please make sure all the information is accurate. Do we have the current names and parishes of the site administrators?  With all the new changes in ACC, there have been many changes. Please look at your parish or school site to be sure all information is accurate.
 
If you have employees or volunteers that are no longer working or volunteering, please archive them or let me know so I can archive them.  
 
Selection.com is the background check company used by the Diocese. Most background checks cost $19 but those from out of state may have extra charges.  These fees are minimal compared to a lawsuit!!
 
Please be sure all employees of parishes and schools have background checks and training.  This is just part of the employment process.  
 
May God keep all the children and youth safe and smart!!!



Kateri Mancini ♦ (320) 229-6020
 
Thank You – Thank you to all the parishes that helped promote and encourage parishioner participation in our diocese’s special collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development on September 19-20. As the USCCB celebrates 50 years of anti-poverty work through CCHD, it is a blessing to know that our diocese has been and continues to be so supportive of our brothers and sisters experiencing poverty and marginalization. Thank you for your support! 


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:
 
  1. All testimony is gathered and sent to the Court Members.
  2. The defender of the bond presents its brief to the Judge.
  3. Judge(s) renders a decision. Petitioner and respondent are notified.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.


Fr. Scott Pogatchnik ♦ (320) 251-5001

November 1-7 – National Vocation Awareness Week Pastors and parochial vicars have received an email asking if you’d like the 2020 National Vocation Awareness Week packet. Cost is $10. Please let us know no later than October 5 at jjacobs@gw.stcdio.org or (320) 251-5001.
 
Seminary Visits – Seminary visit on Saturday, November 21. If you have young men interested in visiting a seminary, please contact Fr. Doug at (320) 533-0291. Thank you.


Aaron Carpenter ♦ (320) 255-9068

Mass for Health Care Professionals – Bishop Kettler has decided to cancel the Mass for Health Care Professionals. The planning team is putting together a packet of information and liturgical tools for parishes to use locally. Watch the November newsletter for information.
 
November 1 (Sunday) – All Saints Parishes may want to consider displaying any relics, which may be processed in during Mass. You may also consider creating a display of icons of saints on this day and/or throughout the month of November.
 
November 2 – Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) – November is considered the Month of Remembrance. How might your parish find ways to remember those saints who have gone before us? You might consider a Book of Remembrance where parishioners and guests can write the names of all those who have died. During the Universal Prayers, your community could mention the Book of Remembrance. For example, “For all the names of those entered into the Book of Remembrance and for all who have gone before us, we pray:”. Another idea would be to invite your community members to bring in pictures of their deceased family and friends and place them in a location where all could see and remember.
 
Liturgical Resources Ordering – The Office of Worship is once again offering the use of its account with Liturgy Training Publication (LTP) for parishes in the diocese to receive a discount. Please see the ordering guide (PDF) for details on ordering items like: Lector Workbooks, Liturgical Calendars, etc. Contact Laura at lgorder@gw.stcdio.org in the Office of Worship with any questions.
 
Important Dates
  • All Saints – November 1, 2020 (Sunday)
  • First Sunday of Advent – November 28/29, 2020
  • Rite of Election – February 21, 2021
  • Chrism Mass – March 25, 2021
  • Confirmation of Adults – May 22, 2021


Bethany Tollefson(320) 251-2700 Ext. 54621
   
Hello everyone – it is with great humility that I step into the position of health ministries coordinator. I have really been impressed with the grace and welcome that has already been in place for me and cannot give enough thanks to Annette Jesh for all she has done in this role. It has been an honor to learn from her and she has graciously continued to train me. Please feel free to contact me any questions about the information provided in this newsletter, resources for Faith Community Nurses or Health Ministries, or even just to network. I look forward to getting to know this community better. 

Upcoming events:

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Classes for 2020 – November 12-13, 19-20. This class will be held on-site at Grace United Methodist Church in St. Cloud or virtually if in-person is not possible. $250 scholarships are available from the Central MN FCN Committee and other financial support options are listed on our website. *This 38 hour class is required for currently licensed Registered Nurses who want to add the specialty of Faith Community Nursing and minister in churches. Sign-up Information

CANCELLED – October 20 – CMFCNMC Fall Workshop, “Developing Trauma Responsive Caring Faith Communities”  

The FCNs now have a private Facebook site to share news and communicate with the group. To connect or if you have information to share, contact our president, Carol Engelhart, FCN, at CLENGING38@msn.com or Bethany.tollefson@centracare.com

Minnesota Catholic Conference ♦ (651) 256-7579

Feast of St. Francis is Oct. 4 – Mark the feast with a 6-week study of “Minnesota, Our Common Home”
 
Is your parish looking for an easy way to engage parishioners this fall? The “Minnesota, Our Common Home” small-group study guide explains Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ in terms of its significance for Minnesotans today. You’ll better understand “integral ecology” and how caring for all of God’s creation is connected. Learn more and order copies here: www.MNCatholic.org/ourcommonhome.


Happy Birthday to our Retired Priests

Reverend Joseph Korf will celebrate his 72nd birthday on October 9.
P.O. Box 107
302 Main Street
Elrosa, MN 56325
Telephone (320) 224-9850

Reverend Mark Willenbring will celebrate his 89th birthday on October 13.
308 Third Street S, Apt 104
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Telephone (320) 224-9850
 
Reverend Timothy Wenzel will celebrate his 80th birthday on October 16.
21949 -100 Avenue
Randall, MN 56475
Telephone: (210) 749-2532