Catholic Trends
May Catholic Trends

New Ulm - At the recent Chrism Mass, Father Jerry Berger, diocesan Administrator, formally and officially announced the Diocesan Festival in these words, "We’re having a party! It will be Sunday, August 19, 2001 at the Redwood Area Community Center and absolutely everyone in the diocese is invited!"

The party that Father Jerry is talking about will celebrate our diocesan celebration of the millennium. It will celebrate the renewing of our hearts and the refreshing of our spirits. It will celebrate the many ways parishes and people have been doing the work of renewal for nearly four years. Some have made a deeper commitment to personal prayer. Others have made evangelization a real and tangible priority. Some have learned more about ecumenism and have made a commitment to strengthen their relationships with other Christians. Others have organized Bible studies and classes for people to learn more about their faith. Some have rejuvenated their liturgy committees and RCIA teams. Others have made a deeper commitment to out reach and social concerns. Some have made evangelization a real and tangible priority. And there has been a whole lot of faithsharing going on . . . in small groups, in schools and youth groups and religious ed classes, in families and nursing homes and local cafes too. People have been sharing about how God has touched their lives. People have been supporting one another as they live their lives day in and day out in the real world as God’s people.

And now it’s time to celebrate all that and launch ourselves into our future as faithful disciples in service to the world. Parish choirs are invited to be part of the "Festival Choir" for Mass. There will be 83 tables set up around the perimeter of the arena, one for each parish to decorate and to display items that are important to the life of the parish. . . pictures, crafts etc. Quilters from around the diocese are working on six quilted hanging panels that will enhance the environment for the festival. There will be childcare for the littlest ones and special programs for children. The children’s program will have sessions for two age-groups, Kindergarten - 3rd grade and 4th - 8th grade and will include creative drama and scripture, story-telling and a song-fest. The afternoon will begin with the bilingual celebration of the Eucharist. We will conclude with a picnic supper. Our presenters will be: Father Dick Rice, Sister Rose- marie Whitehead, and John Buscemi, along with musicians Marty Haugen, Jaime Cortez, and Donna Peña; and for the children’s program, Bob Gebhart, Patti Cogley, Sister Pam Donelan and friends.

Here’s a look a the schedule for the day. . .

11:00 a.m. - Choirs from around the diocese gather for music practice under the direction of Marty Haugen, Donna Peña and Jaime Cortez.

1:00 p.m. - Bilingual Mass: Father Tony Stubeda will be the presider, unless we have a new bilingual bishop.

2:00 - 2:15 p.m. - There will be two big parades, accompanied by festive music. Spanish-speaking people are prayed for and sent to their sessions and the children are prayed for and sent to their session.

FESTIVAL Part I

2:15 p.m. - English sessions: Presentation by Father Dick Rice (with musical "punctuation" by Sister Rosemarie Whitehead on our baptismal call to faithful discipleship.

Spanish session: Jaime Cortez: Baptism, Discipleship and Ministry.

2:45 p.m. Break

FESTIVAL Part II

3:15 p.m. - English session: Witness talks by several people (multi-generational`) from parishes. This section will also include some of our favorite music that has been part of diocesan life over the past years from the original RENEW theme song, "Here I Am, Lord" to our recently commissioned song, "Beneath the Tree of Life."

Spanish sessions: Formation, Mission and Ministry through Song (Jaime Cortez, Donna Peña,

Father Tony and the community)

FESTIVAL Part III

4:15 p.m. - English session: John Buscemi will help us explore where we are going as pilgrim disciples called to evangelization, just living, and reconciliation in the world.

Spanish session: We are Sent Forth to the World: a presentation by Father Tony Stubeda.

4:45 p.m. - Spanish-speaking people and children are prayed and welcomed back from their sessions . . . another big parade! 5:00 p.m. - Closing Prayer

5:15 p.m. - Picnic Meal

There have been confirmed reports that several parishes are canceling the last Mass that day and hiring a bus or several buses to transport parishioners to Redwood Falls for the Festival. These folks are definitely in a party mood!