Sr. Betty Larson, OSB has worked for the Diocese of New Ulm for the past 13 years as director of the Office of Catholic Schools. Her resignation will go into effect July 1, 2004.

Sr. Betty is a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN and has been very committed to the ministry of Catholic education since 1960.

She came to the Diocese of New Ulm in 1984, when she became principal of St. Mary’s School in Bird Island. During her 8 year tenure the enrollment increased steadily - especially at the time of the closure of St. Aloysius School in Olivia. Sister Betty was very instrumental in making this a positive event both for the parents and the students. She also led the upgrade of the building and greater use of classroom space.

In the fall of 1991 she took on the additional task of director of Schools for the Diocese, while completing her last year as principal at St. Mary’s.

In the fall of 1992 she moved to New Ulm and began work in the Diocesan Office full-time where she focused on a goal of greater faith formation for the principals and the teachers. She implemented a book Resource Book for Catholic Schools, the outline of which came from a group of principals. At the time of RENEW 2000 she created materials for the teachers and students to use in the schools which assisted them in preparing for the Sunday Liturgy. All three cycles of the church year are now completed.

Sr. Betty will begin work in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, on August 1st. She will take on the role of Assistant Superintendent for Personnel for the Catholic Schools.

JoAnn Borchert, Director of Religious Education and Adult Religious Education, is to retire from full-time ministry in the New Ulm diocese effective July 1, 2004. JoAnn has served in the diocese in this capacity for 12 years. She is a life-time member of the New Ulm Diocese and Holy Rosary Parish in North Mankato.

JoAnn began her interest in catechesis as a catechist in 1960 and a Catholic school teacher in 1962. In the mid 60’s she became a Director of Religious Education (DRE) in her home parish long before anyone knew what that title or role was in parish life. This choice led to a lifelong commitment to catechesis. The role eventually evolved to include Liturgy and Social Concerns. She also served as DRE at St. Mary’s in St. Peter for four years.

JoAnn has provided a variety of volunteer services in the Diocese of New Ulm. The first of which was to serve as DCCW Family Life chair. She and her husband, Curt, were appointed to the Diocesan Worship and Spiritual Life Commission in 1968 by the first bishop of New Ulm, Bishop Alphonse J. Schladweiler. She has served on the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, and on the first Diocesan Long Range Planning team. JoAnn and her husband were part of the core team which prepared and started Riverbend TEC in 1976. They are still active in the TEC community. In 1987 she and her husband received the Diocesan Distinguished Service Medal from Bishop Raymond A. Lucker for fostering family life, education, youth ministry, stewardship, liturgy, and spiritual life in the diocese.

After completing her masters degree at the University of St. Thomas in Pastoral Studies, JoAnn became a member of the diocesan staff in 1992. The main focus of her work has been in the development of leadership people for the parishes, DRE’s who plan, implement, and evaluate parish programs and processes. She has been a leader in developing a state wide certification process of DRE’s and Youth Ministers. RENEW was a focal program for Adults Religious Education. Faith sharing in small groups has been an emphasis. JoAnn currently serves as the Region VIII representative on the National Advisory Committee on Adult Religious Education for the USCCB.

Following her retirement, JoAnn will do consultant work in the area of Religious Education/Faith Formation.