Shepherding a hope-filled future

reflecting on Bishop Nienstedt’s first five years of leadership in the Diocese of New Ulm

by Rev. Joseph Steinbeisser and

Mrs. Barb Kloster

What is the first thing that most people recall about the Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt’s installation as the third bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm? They usually comment on the temperature!

Minnesota temperatures are not often associated with the word "hot." However, August 6, 2001 turned out to be one of the hottest days on record. The 1200 people who attended the installation in the temporarily air-conditioned Church of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye were comfortable but also anxious to find out about their new bishop. How would he shepherd the diocese? We didn’t know it then but, looking back now, it was very clear from the words in his homily.

Bishop Nienstedt’s homily addressed some diocesan efforts that should be continued and advanced.

These were: The work on the Plan for Parishes, 2003-2008; our commitment to the San Lucas Mission in Guatemala; our support for Catholic schools and religious education; and our efforts to overcome the culture of death and affirm life.

He also identified his top priorities as: The work of fostering priestly and religious vocations, and a concern for the present crisis facing family farmers.

Not only has Bishop Nienstedt followed this outline faithfully but he has poised the Diocese of New Ulm for some significant new developments.

The Plan for Parishes, 2003-2008 was approved in 2003 and included five diocesan priorities. One focused on the implementation of the Plan which formed all of the parishes and proposed oratories into Area Faith Communities. This process should be completed by November of 2006. Second, an annual diocesan appeal will be established. The first appeal will take place this November. Third, the recruitment of priestly and religious vocations over the past five years in the diocese has been blessed with four ordinations, six seminarians and five women religious. Fourth, the establishment of permanent deacon and lay minister formation programs. A proposal is in draft form. Fifth, the initiation of a diocesan wide evangelization process. This is scheduled to begin in 2008 and is planned in conjunction with the diocese’s 50th Anniversary.

In 2004, Bishop Nienstedt visited the Diocese of New Ulm mission of San Lucas Toliman in Guatemala and lived among the people. It was an opportunity to affirm the diocese’s commitment to the mission in person.

His support for Catholic schools and religious education has been evident in school and parish visits, attendance at graduations, and presiding at every youth rally and junior high festival. He has traveled to each World Youth Day and National Catholic Youth Convention. A preliminary Future Plan for Catholic Schools will be discussed soon. A grant from the Catholic Extension Society was secured which will be directed toward youth evangelization in the diocese.

Bishop Nienstedt is a staunch advocate for life and the unborn. He has participated in anti-abortion activities and has become a national speaker in opposition to the use of embryonic stem cells for research. Over the past several years, he has championed the sanctity of marriage as a union between a man and a woman and led efforts which called for a state constitutional amendment.

In regard to recruitment for priestly and religious vocations, Projects Andrew and Miriam dinners were initiated throughout the diocese. Local pastoral leaders were encouraged to invite prospective candidates for priesthood and religious life to a dinner with the Bishop. Hundreds of young people have attended these events. A new Serra Club, lay Catholics devoted to vocation recruitment, was formed in the Sleepy Eye area. Bishop Nienstedt even found time to serve as the chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Priestly Formation and guided that group through the writing and approval of new norms.

The Bishop has been active with the local bishops’ province as well as the National Conference in his support for family farmers.

Although he comes from Detroit, he has made it a priority to get first-hand experience of the planting and harvesting seasons. His concern also extends to the migrant and resident Hispanic Catholics in the diocese. A new Future Plan for Hispanic Ministry (see page 3) has been approved and a grant was requested to allow for pastoral leaders to study the Spanish language in order to better serve the growing Hispanic population.

There is so much more that could be added to this impressive review of Bishop Nienstedt’s first five years. His motto, Ut Omnes Unum Sint ("that all may be one") is evident in the introduction of a number of new diocesan celebrations which gather people together in prayer, such as the Mass for deceased bishops, priests, and deacons, Advent Prayer Services, a Diocesan Festival, Rosary Rally, Year of the Eucharist Celebration, and the upcoming Celebration of Marriage and Families (see page 1). The events for the 50th Anniversary observance of the New Ulm diocese will be announced soon. This past year, all of the pastoral leaders in the diocese were invited to overnights at the Diocesan Pastoral Center to meet with Bishop Nienstedt and his staff. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of unity in the diocese and collaboration in ministry.

So, how has our newest bishop shepherded the diocese after five years? Jesus reminds us in the Gospels that "every tree is known by its own fruit" (Luke 6:44). Over the past five years, many signs of new "fruit" have appeared in the Diocese of New Ulm. We are grateful and feel blessed that Bishop John C. Nienstedt has come to shepherd us. We look forward to working together for many years!

Rev. Joseph Steinbeisser is Chair of the Diocesan Priests’ Council and Mrs. Barb Kloster is Chair of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.