From the Bishop’s Desk

Advent and Christmas Message

Christmas greetings of renewed peace, joy and good health to each of you and your families.

Many of you have sent in prayer requests to me personally while responding to the recent Diocesan Ministries Appeal—thank you. Similar to last year, the top two requests are prayers for family members and friends facing medical challenges and family members returning to the practice of their faith. The next most requested prayer intention is one for “peace.” This truly grabbed me to the core of my being.

As I reflect on the past year there truly is a dire need to pray for peace. It seems that one media headline after another races by with a senseless murder, acts of violence, racial hatred and discrimination of various sorts. This truly is the “cry of the poor” talked about in scripture. The poor are not financially destitute but spiritually bankrupt. All of this attack on the divine order of peace flows from a moral emptiness that has distanced itself from our Creator who by divine design formed us to live in a holy order of peace.

I invite you to join me in prayer for peace in our world and nation. Also, let’s put this into action by being active ambassadors of peace. May our speech, sentiments and actions flow from a re-birth of peace in our hearts, minds and souls.

May the Prince of Peace usher in a new era of peace transforming hearts and minds so we may live as a family of God.

Dear Friends,

 I am Bishop Chad Zielinski, serving the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm. I want to extend my heartfelt greetings during this sacred season of Advent. As we journey through these weeks of preparation, we are guided by the powerful messages of the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist, both of whom remind us to "prepare the way of the Lord."

 Throughout these four weeks of Advent, let us strive to create a welcoming environment for Christ to be born anew in our lives. Please be assured of my prayers for grace and peace for each of you as we prepare together for the miraculous celebration of Christ's birth on December 25th. May you feel the warmth of His blessings in your hearts.

PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE: Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of New Ulm blesses the Headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville early at 6 a.m. on the morning of June 25, 2025. Also pictured are (back) Deacon Paul Treinen and Fr. Shawn Polman from the Spirit of Life Area Faith Community (Ortonville, Rosen, and Madison), and Diocese of New Ulm seminarian Matthew Colllins of Murdock, Minn., one of the seven Pilgrimage of Hope pilgrims.

Reflections on Bishop Zielinski’s one year anniversary in the Diocese of New Ulm