"And miles to go" Bishop Nienstedt's Pastoral Letter (English and Español)

Year of the Eucharist - an opportunity to grow spiritually

Second National Audit - diocese again in full compliance

Rev. Edward Wojtowicz dies at age 84 - a few weeks short of celebrating 60 years as a priest

Official Appointments

Plan for Parishes Map

100th Anniversary! - Way of the Cross celebration a big success

Because he was here.....Fr. Alexander Berghold Memorial to preserve memory of missionary priest

New web site devoted to founder of the Knights of Columbus - priest is candidate for sainthood

Knights Fall Exemplification in Willmar - Bishop John C. Nienstedt to be class honoree

In the Catholic tradition - responsible citizenship a virtue; participation in the political process a moral obligation

Minnesota Catholic Conference looks to 2005 legislative session

Questions for the Campaign

Movie about modern day saint filled with faith/values

'The Da Vinci Code' - merely writings of fiction not history

The Eucharist - the core to being a Catholic

Shaping political life through the understanding of Catholic tradition

History/tradtion foundation of John Ireland School

Annual youth festival this month!

Diocesan discipleship formation program inaugurated in September

Good News TV & Radio October

October Formation & Education Calendar

Bishop's  October Calendar

Plan for Parishes 2003-2008 continues to move forward

by Mark Kemmeter

Diocesan Coordinator of Staff

In November of 2003, Bishop John C. Nienstedt approved the diocesan Plan for Parishes 2003-2008.  The Plan called for the formation of all diocesan parishes into Area Faith Communities. 

Less than one year later, more than half of the parishes in the Diocese of New Ulm are working on or have already completed the planning process to implement the Area Faith Community model. The map on page 3 reveals that four Area Faith Communities have already established an Area Pastoral Council. Five other Areas continue to work on their plans. An additional four Area Faith Communities are at various stages in the planning process.

 The diocesan Committee on Parishes has developed a system of semi-annual reports to monitor the progress of the Area Faith Communities. The reports are reviewed by the Committee and each report is individually responded to.  So far, the progress has been impressive. The Committee is prepared to provide additional consultation and support if an area requests or appears to need assistance.

Four additional proposed Area Faith Communities were selected to begin the planning process this fall. (see map)

The new regional sites are:

Region 1 - St. Mary, Arlington; St. Michael, Gaylord; St. Brendan, Green Isle.

Region 2 - St. Joseph, Clements; St. Joseph, Lamberton; St. Michael, Morgan; St. Thomas, Sanborn; St. Raphael, Springfield.

Region 3 - St. Peter, Canby; St. Eloi, Ghent; St. Edward, Minneota; St. Leo, St. Leo; Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Taunton.

 Region 3 - Ss. Peter and Paul, Ivanhoe; St. Genevieve, Lake Benton; St. Dionysius, Tyler; St. John Cantius, Wilno.

 The planning process to implement the model includes meetings at each individual parish site, combined parish pastoral council meetings, and the formation of a planning council. The process results in the development of a two-year implementation plan that is reviewed by the Committee on Parishes and approved by the bishop.

The remaining five proposed Area Faith Communities will begin the planning process in the next fiscal year. Several individual parishes that are collaborating with parishes from the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis and the Dioceses of Winona and St. Cloud will be scheduled for an abbreviated form of the planning process in the near future.

 As part of the Diocesan Plan for Parishes process, Bishop John C. Nienstedt is pleased to announce the approval of a new Area Faith Community plan. 

New Plan

Region 3

St. Michael, Milroy; St. Mary, Tracy; and St. Paul, Walnut Grove

 WORD:

- Provide common adult education

- Explore ways to welcome and invite inactive

   parishioners

- Combine youth ministries and activities

- Increase parental involvement in religious

  education K - 12

 WORSHIP:

- Develop liturgical ministry training

- Adopt a common hymnal for the area

- Establish an Area Worship Committee

- Develop a common Mass schedule

- Develop a program of worship that involves

  children and youth

SERVICE:

- Create an Area Social Concerns Committee

- Reach out to area elderly, sick, and homebound

- Coordinate the local Councils of Catholic Women

STEWARDSHIP:

- Establish an Area Pastoral Council

- Coordinate each calendar between parishes to avoid      conflicts

- Provide fiscal resources to support joint efforts

- Improve communications among member parishes

(See Plan for Parishes Map)