News Release #406

Diocese of New Ulm to host a

Celebration of Marriage and Families

With the intent of highlighting the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage, the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm has planned a Celebration of Marriage and Families to be held on Sunday, October 1, 2006, at the Church of St. Mary in Bird Island, MN, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a light supper. There will be a prayer service presided by the Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, Bishop of New Ulm, who will offer a special blessing to all those in attendance – married and unmarried, widow and widower, young and old. 

The celebration will include age-appropriate focus sessions on marriage and family. Adult sessions will be held in English and Spanish. The English session will feature a panel of married couples facilitated by Christopher Loetscher, Director of the New Ulm Diocesan Office of Family Life. Facilitating couples are Christy and Steve Arnold of St. John in Morton, Lori and Don Clasemann of St. John in Hector, and Joanne and Glenn Pohland of St. Pius X in Glencoe. The couples will offer reflections on the Church’s teaching about marriage and then proceed into questions and responses with the audience. A similar session in Spanish will be facilitated by Msgr. Eugene Lozinski.

Bishop Nienstedt will meet with high school students followed by a question and answer format. The session for grades 5 through 8, will feature Kara Kleina songwriter and advocate for life.  She will speak and give a short concert. There will also be a session for elementary-age children, and kindergarten through grade 4. Child care for the very young is available.

The celebration will conclude with a blessing and prayer in the church followed by a catered light supper in the hall and gym. A free book of family prayers will be available to each family.  Religious articles will also be available for purchase in the church hall.

Preparations for the event are coordinated by a joint committee of the New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. For further information contact the New Ulm Diocesan Pastoral Center, (507) 359-2966.