Bishop Zielinski; "Pilgrimage brings a new era of Hope, Healing and Peace"

Pilgrims are joined by the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, Bishop Zielinski, and artist Damien Walker on the walk from Marshall to Ghent.

by Bishop Chad W. Zielinski

On December 29, 2024, Pope Francis invited all bishops to launch the Jubilee of Hope in their respective dioceses with a celebration of Mass in their Cathedral Church. Our Holy Father had no idea that during this Year of Jubilee of Hope God would call him to his eternal rest.

Pope Francis has preached countless times that our Hope is in the person of Christ, risen from the dead, from whom we encounter and receive a pouring forth of mercy and forgiveness. Christ draws close to us most intimately in the sacramental life of the Church, urging us on with hopeful confidence that he passionately desires that we share eternal life with him. Our Hope as Christians is in the Risen Christ – in his rising from the dead, in his continual rising in each one of us, transforming us and his Mystical Body, filling us with great confidence when all may seem darkened, abandoned, and lost. It is a hope like no other hope that has triumphed over sin and death, a hope that stands victorious. It is a hope that pierces through the locked doors of fear, breathing forth the very person of the Holy Spirit, “peace be with you,” with the command to forgive sins. The disciples, who were confused, lost, and fearful, encountered peaceful and courageous hope that filled them with a holy order.

The same Holy Spirit came to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was bathed in prevenient grace, opening her entire body, mind, and soul to receive the Word made flesh. Her encounter with the Holy Spirit ignited a new order, a holy order with an unstained “Yes” – the New Eve. This movement and new order launched her into action. In haste, Mary, the living Tabernacle, moved on a pilgrimage to Elizabeth. Her maternal greeting, as the new Mother of All the Living, stirred deeply, rousting John the Baptist in the womb. He rejoiced before the Ark of the New Covenant, our Tabernacle of Hope.

Mary has come to our diocese in a most unique encounter as Our Lady of the Prairie. Her maternal beauty reflects that she is the Mother of all peoples, of all cultures. She holds her Son, raising his hand in blessing to our diocese. It is he who offers himself on Holy Thursday, united to the Sacrifice on Calvary, risen to be represented here today as the Bread of Life, the Apostolic Church held firmly in the right hand of Our Lady of the Prairie.

During the 27-weeks leading up to the recent Pilgrimage of Hope, we were invited to intensify our prayers for vocations to the priesthood and for our priests, who recently claimed Mary, Our Lady of the Prairie, as their Mother. I ask for your prayers to Our Lady for both me and our priests. Pray that her Son transforms our hearts to his priestly heart, that it be rightly ordered leading the flock in a newly ordered holiness brightly shining with God’s beauty, goodness and truth.

During the Pilgrimage of Hope, Our Lady of the Prairie led seven dedicated young adult pilgrims for nine days. Young men and women! Thanks for your “Yes” to Mary and Jesus. Thank you for your “Yes” to move forward in haste in this new Holy Order in the Diocese of New Ulm. As disciples, witnessing the holy and healing presence of her Son you courageously moved with Our Lady of the Prairie who has come to this diocese to usher in a new era of Hope, Healing, and Peace as well as a new season of grace. She will lead some young men to hear the words of her Son, “Come follow me; I will make you disciples, fishers of men,” to serve at the sacrifice of the Mass through Holy Orders, unleashing a new order through the river of grace flowing from the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus. She will lead young women to consecrate themselves to a particular religious charism in serving and making holy the Mystical Body of Christ. Through poverty, chastity, and obedience, their consecration will transform a world, filling hearts with renewed joy. A holy joy!

Brothers and sisters, we have the pearl of great price buried deeply in the hearts of the faithful in this diocese. Our Lady will fan the flame of the Holy Spirit to identify, invite, and ignite a thirst for vocations.

Please join Our Lady of the Prairie in this holy awareness, a joyful shout to increase the awareness of vocations through prayer, invitation, and igniting a thirst within.

A celebration of Chuukese Catholic faith and heritage

Youth from the Chuukese Catholic community of Milan, Minn., gather around Bishop Chad Zielinski (front-left) and Fr. Brian Mandel for a photo opportunity inside the packed Milan Community Center during the May 3, 2025 celebration.

by Deacon Ryan C. Pope

MILAN, Minn. – Nestled in the Saint Isidore the Farmer Area Faith Community (AFC) in the small western Minnesota town of Milan, a jubilant celebration of faith and heritage unfolded on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as the Chuukese (pronounced “Choo-keys”) Catholic communities from across the Midwest and the Pacific gathered in praise and celebration.

More than a mere reunion, this moment marked the beginning of festivities celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the Caroline Islands located in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. Bridging generations, cultures, and distances in a profound testament to the universality of the Catholic faith, and with voices raised in worship honoring their traditions, a vibrant tapestry of colors enveloped the gathering, uniting the family of Chuukese Catholics from Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, South Dakota, Minnesota, and even the distant shores of the Caroline Islands.

The Chuukese are from the state of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia. They are a Micronesian-speaking ethnic group indigenous to the islands of Chuuk.

A standing-room-only crowd gathered for the opening Mass at the Church of St. John in nearby Appleton. The Mass celebrant was Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, the bishop of New Ulm, along with concelebrants Father Brian Mandel, pastor of the AFC, and Father Floran Akkin of the Diocese of Caroline Island. The liturgy included traditional Chuukese processions, liturgical music with a harmonious chorale from the congregation, and Holy Scriptures proclaimed in both English and the Chuukese language.

During his homily, Bishop Zielinski paralleled his experiences with Native Alaskan cultures as the bishop of Fairbanks, Alaska, with the Gospel. He emphasized the importance of culture and language in understanding and practicing the Catholic faith. “You have a culture, you have a particular language, and you learned about Jesus through your culture and language,” the bishop said. “Don’t let that go.”

He continued, “Your culture and your language are deeply connected to your relationship with Jesus Christ. Hold on to that, thank God for that; honor God generation to generation, through your ancestors, and embrace the experience of Jesus Christ that lives on through you today.”

Highlighting the unity of the Catholic faith amid the differences in culture and expression of liturgy, Bishop Zielinski concluded, “You who receive the same Jesus that I do, carry Christ in you, and together, that makes us blood brothers and blood sisters in Jesus Christ. That goes deeper than any cultural or genetic connection; it is the Blood and Body of Jesus Christ that unite us as a family of God. That is the Gift and the Good News of our Risen Lord.”

After Mass, over 300 attendees packed into the Milan Community Center, where the all-day celebration continued. Even for those attending who could not understand the Chuukese language, which included me, there was a profound sense of welcome. I was honored to receive an Amwàråmwår, or a Chuukese necklace, extended by Michael Elias, President of the Midwest Catholic Chuukese. Similar to a Hawaiian Lei, an Amwàråmwår symbolizes “welcome.” Local parishioner Lorenzo Herman, leader of the local Chuukese group, and Henry Buruta of the LeMars, Iowa group, assisted me with translations that were second to none!

Surrounding the room were groups dressed in colorful regalia to signify their affiliation, and they took turns presenting a worship motto. This traditional Chuukese practice symbolizes their commitment to God and their community. This was followed by singing what could only be described as harmonious praise to God through music. For Angkelita Ponun, one of the organizers of the festivities, as well as many others, this event was the first time they had seen the Milan gymnasium so full of people: a family and a community gathered for heritage and worship.

Reko Buruta, the Emcee for the day, assisted in introducing each of the honored guests, including Father Mandel, Father Akkin, and Bishop Zielinski. In the Chuukese tradition, only certain elders possess the native language and the privilege of speaking the language called Fosun Fonu Ika Fosun Erunii.

During the celebration, Sisinio Tokoche, an Elder of the local Chuukese community, highly respected for his wisdom and faith, approached the bishop in a form of dance while speaking in the Chuukese native language. He bestowed upon Bishop Zielinski a gift of a lei, which, for the Chuukese people, symbolizes welcome, love, appreciation, and the connection between people, nature, and the Divine. The presentation was a powerful symbol of the honor and blessing the Chuukese community felt to have the bishop in their presence.

Sisinio Tokoche, an Elder of the local Chuukese community, highly respected for his wisdom and faith, presented Bishop Zielinski through dance and his native language, a gift of a lei, symbolizing welcome, love, and appreciation. (Photo by Deacon Ryan C. Pope)

Father Mandel spoke of the blessing the Chuukese community has been to the entire faith community. “Because of parents and community sharing the Catholic faith through the culture, we had 32 First Communicants from this community,” he said.

Reflecting on the story of Saint James sharing Jesus with the Call, Father Mandel said, “We are called to bring Jesus to the people we meet by sharing of our faith with all around us. We should show mercy, bring Jesus to our workplaces, and spread the joy of the Good News. I commend all of you for sharing this message today and throughout our communities.”

In a similar tone, Father Akkin praised the Risen Christ and the connection through community and culture, linking the Diocese of the Caroline Islands to the local dioceses of each group, including the Diocese of New Ulm, and calling all groups to continue working together as a people of faith.

Hallmarked by fellowship, community, and worship, as the day came to a close, the Chuukese Catholic community spirit was palpable. The celebration not only honored their rich heritage but also strengthened the bonds between groups spanning across distances. The shared Catholic faith and the diversity of cultures became a catalyst for enduring growth and evangelization.

As I departed from the day’s events, I could not help but carry with me a profound sense of togetherness and the promise of continued community and celebration of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic faith that unites our worldwide communities. We are all part of this larger family, bound by our faith and our shared heritage.

You are mine - I am yours!

Bishop Chad Zielinski blesses the sacred art of the new patroness of the diocese, Our Lady of the Prairie. The unveiling and the blessing took place on Saturday, May 31, (the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Also pictured is Deacon Rick Christiansen and altar server Solomon Pekrul of New Ulm.

The unveiling of Our Lady of the Prairie on May 31, 2025

That They May have Life

by Bishop Chad W. Zielinski

In his Summa Theologica (Summary of Theology), Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274), an Italian philosopher and theologian, called God “the unmoved mover.” It is God who initiates and is always first to reach out with creative and restrained love, as he did in the Garden of Eden.

During our 27-week preparation leading up to the Diocese of New Ulm’s Pilgrimage of Hope (June 22-29, 2025), Leonard Gutierrez, director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization, has hosted a weekly podcast titled “Behold Your Mother,” www.dnu.org/beholdyourmother.

During these podcasts, Leonard has led us on a journey, reflecting on the different titles of Mary and drawing us deeper into an understanding of her Maternal love for us. Each podcast reflects on a section of Saint John Paul II’s document, “Mother of the Redeemer.” Saint John Paul II writes, “For it must be recognized that before anyone else it was God himself, the Eternal Father, who entrusted himself to the Virgin of Nazareth, giving her his own Son in the mystery of the Incarnation.” (Redemptoris Mater #39)

It is this impetus of God the Father’s love for humanity that Mary encounters with God’s messenger, the Archangel Gabriel, at the Annunciation. It is through prevenient grace, a divine grace poured forth at her Immaculate Conception, that Mary fully surrenders and opens herself as a handmaid of the Lord, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” She encounters the Holy Spirit in a profoundly redemptive and transformative way. Her “Yes” immediately changes the course of salvation history.

By divine design, the Holy Spirit stirs her into action. Mary is on the move! It is Mary’s choice to run forth with Christ. The Holy Spirit orders this movement. It is a Holy Order, a new world order, a new way of living and relating to God and one another. Her surrender allows the Holy Spirit to guide and shape her as the New Eve. Her Immaculate Heart desires to move in haste to claim us. She, as Mediatrix, carries the Redeemer of the world. Together, she and her Son claim the mission that Father has given to the Son. She says, “You are mine!” Brothers and sisters in Christ. In haste, this same Mary has come to the Diocese of New Ulm as Our Lady of the Prairie. She is declaring today that all of us are children of God in the diocese. The surrounding prairies are being claimed by the “Mother of Our Lord.” She is making a bold statement today: “You are mine.”

As one gazes at the beautiful image of Our Lady of the Prairie, there is a profound depth. In the weeks, months, and years to come, we will discover something new each time we gaze upon her, which is filled with inexhaustible meaning. This depth invites us to delve deeper into our faith and the role of Mary in our salvation history, sparking our curiosity and eagerness to explore the profound layers of this image.

The artist of the painting, Damien Walker, founder of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand, spent numerous hours in fasting, prayer, and reflection during the creation of the image of Our Lady of the Prairie, a process that took roughly seven months.

I am deeply grateful to Damien for his insightful spiritual reflection on the symbols in the painting and the profound meaning behind the entire piece. His contribution has enriched our understanding and deepened our spiritual journey.

Mary: Mother and Disciple

by Leonard Gutierrez

In the recent rededication of our diocese to Our Lady of the Prairie, countless titles give Mary proper honor, and each uniquely reveals beautiful aspects of her identity and role. Mary’s life is the perfect model of what it means to be and live as a disciple. Specifically, she models for us four very important themes that we ought to strive to live as disciples.

The first theme is Mary’s “Fiat,” or “yes,” to conceiving Jesus in her womb. In Luke 1:38, we read Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord…” Her “yes” and openness to God’s Will sets the tone for her discipleship with Christ. Saints witness, profess, and follow the example of Mary in her fiat. St. Alphonsus Ligouri reminds us that “the greatest glory we can give to God is to do his will in everything.” He continues, “The man who follows his own will independently of God’s is guilty of a kind of idolatry… instead of adoring God’s will, he adores his own.” Mary’s fiat teaches us to move from idolatry to adoration, thereby leading the soul onwards toward perfection.

Another theme of a discipleship model is found in Luke 2:19, where “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Her thoughtfulness and prayerful disposition should not be viewed as synonymous with passivity but rather as an attentive maturity in the faith. Mary models for us the incredible value of listening deeply. Only in this state of pondering what we receive are we able to then “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

A third theme is to suffer well. A measure of faith can be directly linked to the peace one and one’s family experience in the midst of suffering. Mary’s heart was pierced as she watched her son be scourged and crucified.

Scripture does not tell us that she experienced peace, but it does tell us that she remained close to Christ as she stood by him at the cross. In doing the will of God, we can find ourselves united and close to Christ, even in the midst of joys and suffering, although we may not always feel it.

This brings us to the last theme of Mary, which is Mary on mission. It was God’s will that she gave birth to Christ. It was God’s will that she be the Mother of the Universal Church and help us carry out the mission of Christ, and she did so early on as she prayed with and accompanied the Apostles in the upper room. In this, Mary shows us her unique role as Mother, disciple, missionary, and intercessor. She partakes in the mission of Christ not only by bearing the child Jesus in her womb and giving birth to him but by joining in community with those who would go out into the world to tell the Good News.

As we welcome Our Lady of the Prairie into our lives, may she teach us to do the will of God, ponder in our hearts the voice of the Lord, cling to the cross in our suffering, and live mission amid a community of friends and believers.

Our Lady of the Prairie, pray for us!

Welcome Home Celebration

Special Coverage of Our Lady of the Prairie

by Deacon Ryan C. Pope
Prairie Catholic correspondent

The final day of the 2025 Diocese of New Ulm Pilgrimage of Hope (June 22-29) culminated with a Welcome Home Celebration at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm.

The pilgrimage, a time to ask for Our Lady’s intercession, began on June 22 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, following the rededication of the diocese to Our Lady of the Prairie by Bishop Chad Zielinski. The 8-day, nearly 90-mile pilgrimage, undertaken on foot and at times by car, touched every Area Faith Community in the diocese; it was framed at its beginning and end with consecrations to the diocese’s new patroness, Our Lady of the Prairie. As the image of Our Lady traveled with the pilgrims through the rural landscape leading to 20 parishes in the diocese, it was an opportunity for the Christian faithful to gather in palpable communion, worshipping Christ and experiencing a connection that only Our Lady of the Prairie herself could orchestrate.

Welcome Home Celebration

After a week of pilgrimage, it became clear to the pilgrims what Our Lady’s message was to every person in the diocese. Leonard Gutierrez summed it up by saying, “You are close and cherished by God and Our Lady. You are fully known and wanted, and you can share your life with them.” Leonard is the director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and was instrumental in coordinating and supporting the pilgrimage. The extreme heat, winds, and rains throughout the days of the pilgrimage did not deter the pilgrims from bringing Christ and Our Lady to the 18 Area Faith Communities in the diocese. The pilgrims’ perseverance in the face of extreme adversity was truly inspiring. “Walking in the rain was no mere coincidence during several of our days. It was clear in our interactions with parishioners that what God was doing in the hearts of each was big and transformative. The rain made us increasingly aware of the abundance of graces. Our Lady was asking Our Lord to send down grace upon us all with each drop,” Gutierrez said.

“Allow our Mother to love us and care for us”

During the Welcome Hope Celebration, perpetual pilgrim Aleah Vetsch from the Holy Family Area Faith Community shared her testimony of profound growth in fellowship with each pilgrim and with the parishioners of all the faith communities visited along the way. More importantly, she discerned from the pilgrimage to “Allow Our Mother to love us and care for us, and to share that love with others through love and care.”

New Ulm diocese seminarian and perpetual pilgrim Matthew Collins from the Saint Isidore the Farmer Area of Faith Community quipped with a smile that he walked the pilgrimage “Simply because I was asked.”

Collins said that he used the pilgrimage to discern why he said ‘Yes’ [to the priesthood] and said he found it to be an honor to share in the prayer intentions of parishioners of each community along the pilgrimage route.

For the miles and miles of prairie land that the pilgrims covered on foot, it is a wonder that they were able to kneel and genuflect at the parish prayer gatherings. However, the overall consensus from the pilgrims was that fatigue, pain, and sores were all offered for the greater purpose of sharing Christ and Our Lady through the pilgrimage. Following a 17-mile walk in one day, Collins shared, “As I was carrying the replica of Our Lady’s image, she brought hope to me as I walked. Just as she carried Jesus, she carried me, and I was privileged to bring that hope and carry it to all the diocese.”

“Our Lady - a reminder of your consecration”

The Consecration to Our Lady of the Prairie “is not merely a formality but lived out in the heart and mind of each of us,” Archbishop Emeritus Allen Vigneron said in a keynote address at the Welcome Home Celebration. “The Consecration to Our Lady of the Prairie is a consecration to the son of Our Lady of the Prairie… This consecration will be a living and dynamic reality, an overflowing font of grace, to the degree that it is lived out by each of you,” the former archbishop of Detroit said.

The archbishop talked about how in our Baptismal consecration, our Lord Jesus takes possession of us and we, in turn, take possession of him through mutual self-gift, so too does the consecration of the diocese, of its parishes, of its priests and religious, and of all the Christian faithful to Our Lady of Prairie. “Offer the Lord Jesus, who has consecrated himself as a gift to you, the gift you want to give back to him through Our Lady of the Prairie. Not just some gift in general, but what is most personal, most precious to you,” encouraged the archbishop.

He continued, “In ascribing to the Mother of God the title ‘Our Lady of the Prairie’ you have taken what is most your own, the prairie – what shapes and sustains your lives here in south and west central Minnesota – and placed it into her possession,” sharing how this consecration is specifically for us, as the people of the Diocese of New Ulm. “From our heart to his Sacred Heart, each of you can own the consecration made by all of you.” Archbishop Vigneron went on to say, “Know of the prayers of the sisters and brothers around you. Be mindful of them. Remember to lift them up in your prayer, especially those who, unknown to you, rely on your solidarity in prayer in order to receive the graces they need to win the struggle they face in a time of testing.”

In conclusion, Archbishop Vigneron urged, “And be resolved that every time in the days ahead you see this icon of Our Lady of the Prairie, whether at church or in your home, it will be a reminder of your consecration and an invitation to renew it.”

New Ulm’s bishop, Bishop Chad Zielinski, addressed the inception of the image of Our Lady of the Prairie and noted his heartfelt gratitude for the talent of the painting’s creator, artist Damien Walker of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand. Walker was present in the diocese during the days of the pilgrimage and at times walked alongside the pilgrims including 6 miles in the rain. On June 25, Walker delivered an evening presentation at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar where he spoke about the painting, addressing the specific symbols within the art.

“…She revealed herself through the paintbrush!” Walker exclaimed, referring to his handiwork. “She is your image. She is for you! She is your Mother. She is not just here as a painting; it is she who revealed herself through the paintbrush. She sees you and knows you, and she wants to lead you to Christ through love of Christ.”

The Diocese of New Ulm’s Pilgrimage of Hope has proved to be a profound journey of faith, unity, and devotion for the diocesan family. Through the consecration to Our Lady of the Prairie, it is Bishop Zielinski’s hope that parishioners, clergy and religious, and pilgrims alike have experienced a deepened connection to Christ and to one another. The pilgrimage has not only celebrated the rich traditions and faith of our parish communities in this prairie we call home, but has also fostered a renewed sense of hope and commitment to living out the example of Our Mother and her Son, Jesus Christ.

As Damien Walker noted, “you can’t have Christ without His Mother and His Mother without Christ.” May we continue to reflect on this sacred journey, and carry forward the blessings and graces received, always remembering the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Prairie and the unwavering love of Christ her son.

Election of a new pontiff continues to generate excitement

In May, Dan Wambeke, a parishioner of the Church of St. Eloi in Ghent, led a group of high school seniors from the Good Teacher Great Books Classical Homeschool Co-op, which meets at the Church of St. Edward in Minneota, on a pilgrimage to Rome. They were blessed to be outside of the conclave in St. Peter’s Square during the announcement of new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Pictured l-r, Dan Wambeke, Ana Wambeke, Elia Koch, Hannah Hofer, and Kathryn Hofer. (Photo submitted)

Local Catholics share their thoughts on learning about first American-born pope

by Katie Roiger
Prairie Catholic correspondent

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, when “Habemus papem!” (We have a pope) rang out in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, where people gathered awaiting the announcement of who would be the next pope, they heard “Peace be with all of you!,” the first words of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome. These words elicited strong emotions from the faithful, joy being foremost among them.

Dan Wambeke, a parishioner at the Church of St. Eloi in Ghent, Minnesota, had what he termed the “great good fortune” of being part of the crowd of approximately 100,000 waiting expectantly outside of St. Peter’s Basilica. Wambeke was in Rome at the time, leading a group of high school seniors on a Jubilee pilgrimage. He said they immediately canceled their planned itinerary so that the students could enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We were there for the first two black smoke signals, and while they were slightly disappointing, they were very expected,” said Wambeke. “On the afternoon that Pope Leo was elected, there was a palpably different energy in the crowd, as we all knew that it was quite possible that at any moment we might see the next successor to St. Peter,” said Wambeke. “It’s surreal to be in a crowd of thousands of people just staring at a metal pipe sticking out of a roof!”

Wambeke described the moment when the white smoke finally plumed from the pipe as almost unreal despite the cheers from the crowd. “The shared surge of joy of all of us gathered there in that moment was euphoric,” he said.

When the new pope first presented himself, Wambeke recalled a sense of exuberance to see his steady and joyful demeanor. “I think we can look forward to good things from him.”

On the other side of the world, in New Ulm, Cathedral High School student Teresa Fischer was spending time in Eucharistic adoration with classmates when one of her teachers received a notification that white smoke had been seen over St. Peter's Square.

“We ran back to school when we were done and pulled up the livestream,” she said. “We were all really excited.”

The same feeling of excitement was shared by Deacon Mark Kober, director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of New Ulm. Watching on his phone in an optometrist’s waiting room, he said that when he heard the name Robert Provost, he thought the Chicago cardinal had been simply given the task of announcing the new pope.

“I think it’s just marvelous,” he said about the Church’s first American pope. “[Provost] worked for Pope Francis in the capacity of finding new bishops. When you think about it in hindsight, a lot of the cardinals are involved in making recommendations for new bishops, and a lot of them probably knew him,” Kober said.

Kari Niles, director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry for the Church of St. Dionysius in Tyler, was also watching the livestream with other staff members as the new Holy Father stepped onto the balcony for his first address.

“For him to be an American was really shocking,” Niles said. “I thought it was really cool that my daughter posted on Facebook how excited she was to have an American pope in her lifetime. It’s wonderful to see all the generations of the Church talking about it. I heard somebody speculate that more Americans might come back to the Church because we have an American pope,” Niles said. “Maybe it will spark some interest. It’s something to pray for!”

For Flormira Garcia, originally from Chiclayo, Peru, and who now lives in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, the fact that the new pope had been a missionary in her homeland was fantastic news.

Referring to Pope Leo’s years of ministry in Peru, Garcia said, “His professional formation was among the poor and humble people, sharing the culture, the food, and the needs of the forgotten communities. He worked hard for the poorest during COVID and natural disasters.” Garcia believes that the time the new pope spent in Peru has helped him understand the genuine needs of Latin America and has taught him how communities live their faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Perhaps the continued discussion about the Church’s first American pope will bring a sense of hope that Catholics may see a rise in their numbers, and Deacon Kober thinks that an American pope will help the world view Catholicism in a new light, particularly in the United States.

“It gives us a marvelous opportunity to let the world know a little more about the American Church,” Kober said. “We have eight people now who want to do the summer course to enter the Catholic Church in the fall, which we’ve never had before. There’s an awakening, and I know the inspiration of the new pope has not hurt that.”

“The idea that the new pope is familiar with the United States’ customs and interests doesn't hurt, either,” Kober said. “[Provost] was at the World Series when the White Sox won, so maybe he can become a Twins fan, and we’ll win a championship,” Kober joked.

Garcia said she hopes most of all that the new pope will be a force for unity and growth, a beacon of hope for the Church's future.

“There is so much conflict in humanity these days,” she said. “After we heard the news [of the new pope], I felt it was God’s response to the prayers of his people. I think [Pope Leo XIV] will take the best of Pope Francis’s works and add his own experience. He brings together groups with different points of view. I think he will be a tireless worker for peace.”

Pilgrimage of Hope Spiritual Highlight: Blessing of the Headwaters of the Minnesota River by Bishop Chad Zielinski

Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of New Ulm blesses the Headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville. 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.

ORTONVILLE, MN - Early on the morning of June 25, 2025, in a light rain, Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota, blessed the headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville. The river flows through the heart of the Diocese of New Ulm, and this sacred blessing was one of the spiritual highlights of the diocese’s Pilgrimage of Hope. During the blessing, in a holy moment, Bishop Zielinski dipped a relic of the True Cross, a significant symbol of the Christian faith, into the flowing waters.

The Pilgrimage of Hope, which began on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22, 2025, is an 8-day sacred journey, during which seven young adult pilgrims walk and, at times, drive through approximately 90 miles of the rural landscape of the diocese, stopping at designated parishes for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and fellowship with all who choose to join them. On their journey, which began at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, the pilgrims are praying for the diocese while inviting the Christian faithful to join in prayer, kindling hope through Mary under her title, Our Lady of the Prairie. On Corpus Christi Sunday, Bishop Zielinski rededicated the Diocese of New Ulm to Our Lady of the Prairie, now the patroness of the diocese. The pilgrims carry with them a replica of a life-sized painting of the new patroness, which was specially commissioned last year for this occasion. The painting’s creator is Damien Walker of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand.

“As we stand at the headwaters of the Minnesota River asking God to pour forth his blessing, we are reminded of the grace flowing from Our Lady of the Prairie,” Bishop Zielinski said during the blessing of the headwaters. “I pray that as this blessing joins the Minnesota River flowing through the heart of our diocese, a new era of grace flows into the hearts, minds, homes, farms, and parishes of the Diocese of New Ulm. Our Lady of the Prairie has claimed us as her children, and with great joy, we claim her as Our Mother. With her embrace, we will encounter a new season of hope and healing, especially as we encounter her Son in the Sacramental life of the Church,” the bishop said.

Roman and Carol Taffe, parishioners of the Catholic Church of St. John in Ortonville, were among about 50 people who rose early to attend the 6:00 a.m. ceremony, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As droplets of rain fell, Roman Taffee likened the moment to a “trifecta” of divine grace: the heavens' rain, the river's flowing waters, and Bishop Zielinski's sprinkling of holy water.

Six parish communities in the Diocese of New Ulm are located along the Minnesota River: Granite Falls, Montevideo, New Ulm, North Mankato, Ortonville, and St. Peter.

The Pilgrimage of Hope will come to a conclusion on Sunday, June 29 with a Coming Home Celebration at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm. Guest speakers for the event will be Archbishop Emeritus Allen H. Vigneron and creator of the Our Lady of the Prairie painting, Damien Walker. Everyone is welcome.

For more information about the Pilgrimage of Hope or to watch the events surrounding the pilgrims' journey, visit the Diocese of New Ulm website at www.dnu.org.

Our Lady of the Prairie is now the Patroness of the Diocese of New Ulm

Our Lady of the Prairie was painted by Damien Walker, artist and founder of The Studio of Saint Philomena

June 22, 2025, was a day of great blessings for the Diocese of New Ulm. Bishop Chad Zielinski rededicated the diocese to Our Lady of the Prairie during the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  Following the Corpus Christi procession, the seven young adult perpetual pilgrims left the Cathedral with a replica of Our Lady of the Prairie for the Schoenstatt Shrine in Sleepy Eye, thus beginning the Pilgrimage of Hope  

 “This very day, Our Lady of the Prairie will move in haste, leading seven dedicated young adult pilgrims the next nine days: Jake Brost, Matthew Collins, Aaron Gnerer, Molly Koralewski, David Rabaey, Amber Rosemeier, and Aleah Vetsch,” said Bishop Zielinski during his homily  “Thank you for your “Yes” to move forward in haste in this new Holy Order in the Diocese of New Ulm. You are courageously moving with Our Lady of the Prairie as disciples, witnessing the holy and healing presence of her Son.”

Everyone is invited to participate in the Pilgrimage of Hope, which will be stopping at each local Area Faith Community. More information can be found at PilgrimageMap — Diocese of New Ulm or at Diocese of New Ulm - YouTube.

Memorial Day - Mass with Bishop Zielinski

Monday, May 26, 2025

 Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm celebrated Mass at the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery on May 26 to commemorate Memorial Day. Concelebrating was Fr. Gerald Meidl, Senior Associate Pastor of the Holy Cross Area Faith Community (AFC), and assisting was Deacon Richard Christiansen of the Holy Cross AFC. The faithful were invited to attend and pray for all who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

(Photos by Christine Clancy)

Photo highlights from the 2025 NUDCCW Convention in Tracy

The New Ulm Diocese Council of Catholic Women hosted their annual convention at the Church of St. Mary in Tracy on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Dorothy Vandenriessche was named Woman of Year for her faith and service. In the absence of New Ulm’s bishop Chad Zielinski, former bishop of New Ulm Bishop John LeVoir attended and presented the NUDCCW 2025 Woman of the Year Award.

Bp. LeVoir and Woman of the Year, Dorothy Vandenriessche

Sharon Illikman, President of NUDCCW

Msgr. Lozinski, Spiritual Advisor of NUDCCW

Barb Mathiowetz

Camille Pauley from Healing the Culture

Nominated Amy Waibel for Treasurer and Lori Timmerman for President Elect

Breakout Session with Rep. Brad Finstad

Donations for "Help Tuck Them In"

2025 Chrism Mass at St. Aloysius in Olvia

OLIVIA – On April 10, at St. Aloysius, the Most Rev. Chad W. Zielinski, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm, presided over the Chrism Mass. This solemn Mass highlights the unity of the Church and the sacred calling of the priesthood. During the Mass, the priests renewed their vows to serve Christ, the Church, and to be moved by zeal for souls.

 Bishop Zielinski consecrated the Oil for the Holy Chrism which will be used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. He blessed the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens. These oils will be used by parishes throughout the diocese until the 2026 Chrism Mass.

 For more information about the Holy Week liturgies or the Diocese of New Ulm, visit www.dnu.org.

Shroud of Turin – the Science and Spirituality visits the Church of St. Andrew in Fairfax

On April 7, Jim Bertrand from the American Confraternity of the Holy Shroud delivered a captivating presentation at the Catholic Church of St. Andrew in Fairfax on the history and spirituality of the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial shroud of Christ.

Physical Characteristics

The Shroud is approximately 14’ 6” tall and 3’9” wide. Expert consensus is the man was about 5’ 10” tall and about 170lbs. The image is hard to discern by the human eye but when photographed in 1898, the features of the man jumped out in the photograph’s negative.

The Shroud of Turin reveals the man was crucified with nails like how the Romans had done it, scourged, had a crown of thorns on their head, and with a lance wound in their side. From the Shroud, 372 wounds were counted across the body and this count is low because the Shroud does not show the sides of the body.

Scientific Evidence

There are many remarkable attributes of the Shroud of Turin that lean towards its authenticity as the burial Shroud of Christ. For example, the pollen analysis found 49 different kinds of pollen. Thirteen species were unique to the Jerusalem area, while other species were linked to Constantinople (now Turkey), France and Italy. This follows the path the Shroud is believed to have travelled after leaving Jerusalem and finally coming to Turin, Italy.

In addition, rare soil was found on the Shroud and Jerusalem is one of the few locations in the world where this dirt can be located. The soil was on areas of the cloth that were touching the nose, knees and soles of the feet. These parts of the body which would have made contact with the ground on Good Friday, especially as those often crucified by the Romans had their hands tied to the bar of the cross, which prevented them from using their hands to break a fall.

Another unusual feature is the Shroud’s fibers, which are only colored on the very top surface. One thread of the shroud is thinner than a strand of hair (less than 1/3 of a millimeter thick). A cross-section of the thread shows that the color only penetrates 0.2 microns into the fiber.

The shroud reveals an image in three-dimensions unlike what is seen in a traditional painting.  When analyzed with 3D imaging technology, it revealed a sculpture-like image of a man. The cloth shows the parts of the body that were closer to the cloth as lighter, like the nose or the swollen check, while those parts of the body further away from the cloth, like the eyes, as darker.

Carbon-14 Dating of the Shroud from 1988

In 2019, the raw data from the carbon-14 dating of the Shroud of Turin was released. And though it was claimed that the shroud was from the Medieval Ages due to the dating, the raw data showed the tests were invalid. One thread of the Shroud was tested (versus several threads to provide a comparison) and as they tested the thread from the outside to the inside of the shroud, each inch of the thread tested was 100 years younger.  This is not plausible that the thread would be hundreds of years apart in age depending on which end you start at. 

A Sign of Love

The Shroud of Turin shows the immense love Christ bears for each person and the tremendous suffering he endured.  This amazing relic remains as an invitation for a deeper more profound faith and trust in God.  As science and technology continue to examine the Shroud, more secrets are revealed. It is a divine love letter to a society obsessed with only what can be proven - behold how much he loves us that he gave his only begotten Son that we may have life.

Presenter Jim Bertrand and Fr. Brian Oestrich, pastor of St. Andrew in Fairfax

A black and white photo compared to a colored photo of the Shroud of Turin

A display of how the shroud was wrapped over the body and how the body was positioned

The Shroud of Turin is approximately 14ft 6in tall and 3ft 9in wide

Jim Bertrand’s presentation on the Shroud of Turin at the Church of St. Andrew in Fairfax

Minnesota bishops advocate at the capitol for families, students, and vulnerable

Bishop Chad Zielinski of New Ulm (far left) along with bishops from across Minnesota met with Gov. Walz and legislators March 27 at the Minnesota State Capitol building to discuss pertinent topics such as the Minnesota Child Tax Credit, online sports gambling, protecting nonpublic pupil aid and MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants.

by Minnesota Catholic Conference

ST. PAUL, MINN. - On Thursday, March 27, the bishops of the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) gathered at the State Capitol for their annual advocacy day. While MCC staff represent the bishops' voices year-round, this annual visit allows the bishops to engage with lawmakers directly, advocate for key issues, and foster personal relationships with elected officials.

Throughout the day, the bishops engaged in principled, nonpartisan advocacy, discussing a range of legislative issues. Even in areas of disagreement, they upheld the Church’s moral teachings while fostering constructive dialogue and collaboration across political lines.  Below, we highlight a few of those issues discussed.

Engaging Legislative Leadership

During their visit, the bishops met with Governor Tim Walz and key legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Majority Leader Harry Niska, and House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman. They also met with Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart.

Beyond these high-level meetings, the bishops made it a priority to connect with lawmakers from their individual dioceses during a morning reception. These conversations reinforced the importance of faithful citizenship and strengthened the relationships between Church leaders and elected officials. Throughout the day, the bishops met with more than 25 legislators and engaged in numerous discussions with staff, lobbyists, and visitors in the Capitol hallways.

Protecting Nonpublic Pupil Aid

One of the bishops’ primary concerns was Governor Walz’s proposal to eliminate nonpublic pupil aid from the state budget—a move that would strip $50 million in funding for essential services such as transportation, nursing, and standardized testing for nonpublic school students. If enacted, this cut would increase costs for families by over $1,000 per student annually. The bishops emphasized that this funding represents just less than one half of one percent of total state government education spending, yet its removal would have a disproportionate impact on thousands of Minnesota families. Lawmakers have already received thousands of emails, calls, and meeting requests from constituents urging them to protect this vital funding.

Expanding the Child Tax Credit

The bishops also advocated for expanding Minnesota’s Child Tax Credit by 20%, enabling more middle-class families to benefit. As of February 2025, the program has positively impacted 566,000 children, and an expansion could reach an additional 200,000. During their discussion with Commissioner Marquart, the bishops emphasized that strengthening the Child Tax Credit aligns with the state’s commitment to supporting families and alleviating childhood poverty. There is broad bipartisan support for expanding the credit.

Opposing Online Sports Gambling Expansion

The bishops voiced concerns about proposals to legalize online sports gambling, warning that placing a virtual casino in every pocket via smartphones could have devastating consequences—especially for individuals susceptible to addiction. They urged legislators to consider the long-term social costs before expanding access to gambling.

A Model of Faithful Citizenship

As the Minnesota Legislature reaches the midpoint of the 2025 session, lawmakers are making critical decisions about which bills will advance and ultimately become law. In this pivotal moment, the bishops of Minnesota are calling on legislators to support policies that serve the common good, strengthen families, and protect the most vulnerable.

Visit www.MNCatholic.org/actionalerts to contact your legislators via email, phone, or video message. Together, we can advocate for policies that prioritize the dignity and well-being of all Minnesotans.

Bishop to place diocese under the protection of Our Lady the Prairie

by Katie Roiger
Prairie Catholic correspondent

NEW ULM – Our Lady has many titles that encourage her children to turn to her in confidence and hope, and her evocative local name, “Our Lady of the Prairie,” is no exception.

Rededicating the Diocese of New Ulm to the Blessed Mother under this name has been on Bishop Chad Zielinski’s heart almost since his installation in September 2022. Combined with a specially commissioned painting and a pilgrimage evoking the area’s history, the rededication is intended to encourage parishioners to renew their relationship with Mary and seek her intercession.

In his previous role as the bishop of Fairbanks, Alaska, Bishop Zielinski understood the importance of understanding an area’s culture and history in order to understand its people. The bishop’s far-flung former diocese encompassed several ethnicities, including many whose faith backgrounds extended to the Jesuits’ first visit in the 1800s.

Regardless of personal history or location, Bishop Zielinski found that healing and hope are two uniting elements that the faithful consistently seek.

“There is a profound need for healing,” the bishop said of the Church at large, adding that in Fairbanks, one very effective tool for spreading the message of divine healing was a local painting titled “Our Lady of the Arctic Snows.” The painting depicts the Blessed Mother and her infant son as Yupik Eskimos, wearing traditional garments. The bishop had a prayer coin created with the image on one side, and he frequently gave them away on visits.

“I would give it to suffering people and say, ‘I’m praying for you,’ and sometimes when I came back later, they still had this coin,” he said.

Damien Walker, founder of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand, award winning artist, restorer, gilder and consultant has been commissioned by Bishop Zielinski to create an icon artwork of Our Lady of the Prairie. (Photo submitted)

After familiarizing himself with New Ulm, Bishop Zielinski wanted to emphasize the same message of healing in the parishes and area faith communities throughout the diocese. A search for a local image of Our Lady of the Prairie found only one statue in Bird Island, so the bishop expanded his quest. This led him to Damien Walker, founder of The Studio of St. Philomena in New Zealand. Walker specializes in creating and restoring church art and won a prestigious contest for creating the country’s national Marian image. “Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atu,” which translates as “Hata Maria, the Mother of God,” depicts Mary and the Christ Child inside a traditional Māori meeting house.

“New Zealand is bicultural,” said Walker. “There’s been a great division, and the image brings dialogue and conversation. The whole point of it is to use art to bring healing.”

Unknown to Bishop Zielinski at the time, Walker had a personal reason to love the message of God’s divine healing as accessed through Mary and the saints. At 18 years old, around the same time that he was planning to open his studio, Walker was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood disease known as polycythemia. His specialist was not hopeful, but his mother was determined to pray for a miracle.

“Mom got the oil of St. Philomena and put it on my head, heart, and all the areas I was in pain, and then started praying a novena to St. Philomena,” Walker said. “Lots of people were praying. Next morning, I got up and started walking. I hadn’t been able to before. I’d been bedridden for six months.” A follow-up visit to his specialist revealed that the disease was gone.

When Bishop Zielinski contacted Walker about potentially creating a painting of Our Lady of the Prairie, Walker flew to Minnesota last spring to see the diocese and learn about its history.

“I did a lot of time just observing as much as I could and listening to the bishop’s perspective,” Walker said. “I visited the museum [Brown County Historical Society], and the curator there is an awesome guy. I visited a lot of the sites of the big historic battles. It gave me a beautiful perspective on the area. It’s given me the opportunity to understand the essence of what Our Lady should be for your culture.”

Following Walker’s visit, Bishop Zielinski commissioned the artist to create a nearly life-sized image for the Diocese of New Ulm in honor of its upcoming consecration on June 22, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. A replica of the image will be processed throughout the diocese from June 22 – 29. On June 29, all pastors will dedicate their Area of Faith Communities to Our Lady of the Prairie. The painting has been funded solely through the generosity of individual donors, and its creation process has taken Walker roughly a year. Using a technique similar to the one popularized by Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and other Italian Renaissance masters, Walker uses layers of thin glazes to create the Blessed Mother’s image.

“She’s developing herself in a way that’s surprising me,” said Walker, adding that, when finished, the painting will reflect elements of the diocese’s Native American and Western European heritage.

Both Walker and Bishop Zielinski see art as a unique pathway to experiencing divine love, healing, and connection. “When an iconographer paints an icon, there’s tradition that goes with it,” Bishop Zielinski said. “What I saw in Damien’s work is that he gets the theology behind colors, proportions, the way that Jesus holds his hands – it’s not just a piece of art. The whole theology behind architecture and art is that you’re entering into an encounter with Christ that is sacred.”

“There’s a lot of hope with this image,” Walker said about “Our Lady of the Prairie.” “There’s a lot of strength because she’s very strong, but there’s a gentleness, too. I think this will be very relatable.”

To celebrate the rededication and the painting’s unveiling on June 22, Bishop Zielinski asked the diocesan director of Evangelization, Leonard Gutierrez, to plan a local pilgrimage. From Sunday, June 22 to Sunday, June 29, Gutierrez and some young adult pilgrims will walk from Area Faith Community to Area Faith Community in the diocese, (close to 90 miles), beginning at the Cathedral in New Ulm and stopping daily at different churches for Mass and holy hours. Walker is currently planning to make an appearance at the pilgrimage, and everyone is invited to join.

“This is a beautiful way to show people what life is like in our diocese,” Gutierrez said regarding the pilgrimage. “I think what makes this special is that it helps people to understand that their life right now is a pilgrimage, that they don’t need a whole week away from normal life. They can participate in a small way, but they’re participating with the rest of the Body of Christ.”

Gutierrez said he thinks that the rededication, painting, and pilgrimage combined will help lead the faithful to Jesus through Mary: “People will be able to look at Mary and say, ‘Mary gets me; she understands me,’ and they can relate to her in a very special way.”

Ultimately, the goal of the rededication is to lead the world to Our Lord through His mother, starting with the Diocese of New Ulm.

“Our Lady is so powerful,” Bishop Zielinski said. “We look around the world and see Our Lady leading people to Christ.”

Minnesota and So. Dakota Catholic school students achieve new fundraising records though raffle program

Father James Peterson of St. Odilia’s Catholic Church in Shoreview, Minn., and former Diocese of New Ulm Bishop John LeVoir have some fun as they pull tickets from the nine-foot raffle drum on March 27th. Photo by Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit

ST. PAUL, Minn., – Catholic students and staff achieved more than a million dollars in ticket sales to support their schools through the 2025 Catholic United Financial Raffle. The raffle program is just one way Catholic United Financial fulfills its vision to help people be financially secure, faith-filled and engaged in their communities.

Students, families and staff at 72 Catholic schools in Minnesota and South Dakota participated in the raffle program. Between January 20 and March 2, 2025, more than 12,000 students sold $10 tickets, with their respective schools keeping 100 percent of the ticket sales.

Participating schools achieved a combined total of more than $1.3 million in ticket sales, the sixth highest total in the program’s 16-year history. Since its inception, the Catholic United Financial Raffle has contributed more than $16 million to Catholic schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“We’re excited to see this level of success among our partner schools. Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Mike Ahles, Senior Vice President of Distribution for Trusted Fraternal Life. Catholic United Financial is a member of the Trusted Fraternal Life family of brands.

Of the schools participating this year, 18 had their best results ever. St. Peter’s School in Canby, Minn., and St. Anastasia School in Hutchinson, Minn., have been participants since the program’s beginning in 2009. Both schools raised record totals, making it their most successful year.

“We all know that living costs are high, so are educations costs. We believe that Catholic education is invaluable to our faith communities and society at large,” Ahles said. “We’re honored to offer this program free to schools and we’re ecstatic to see students and staff leverage the opportunity to make a financial impact for their schools.”

Many schools used social media to express their thanks to surrounding communities for supporting raffle ticket sales. Staff at St. Scholastica Academy of Isanti, Minn., posted: “We’re feeling the love and so grateful for everyone who has purchased raffle tickets for our school fundraiser sponsored by Catholic United Financial! Your support is truly a gift from the heart.”

During the March 27 prize drawing ceremony, Alyssa Niedenfuer of Ramsey, Minn., was announced as the grand prize winner of a new 2025 Chevy Trax SUV or $20,000 in cash. Catholic United Financial announced 40 additional winners of prizes, including vacation getaways, gift cards, Minnesota Twins tickets, Apple watches, and more. The live-streamed ceremony ended with 25 top-selling students receiving $200 tuition scholarships.

More details about the Catholic United Financial Raffle and a list of the 2025 prize winners can be found at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle.

About Catholic United Financial

Catholic United Financial is a brand of Trusted Fraternal Life™,  member-owned, not-for-profit dedicated to connecting people of faith, protecting their future, and generously impacting parishes, schools, and communities in the Upper Midwest since 1878. Learn about our products that protect and our programs that connect at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org.

Catholic advocate Barbara Heil keynotes Bishop Lucker Lecture held March 7; presentation available online

What inspired an Evangelical pastor, international missionary, and church planter to find her spiritual home in the Catholic Church?

REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. - This was the focus of evangelist’s Barbara Heil’s presentation during the Diocese of New Ulm’s Bishop Lucker Lecture held Friday, March 7 at the Church of St. Catherine’s in Redwood Falls. The yearly lecture, named after the late Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, is a significant event in the diocese’s calendar. Heil’s evening presentation, “Beauty of the Eucharist,” focused on her journey from Protestant missionary to Catholic advocate.

Heil’s journey to becoming Catholic is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith. In 2014, Heil found her spiritual home in the Roman Catholic Church in April 2014. Since then, her desire to share the deep love of our Heavenly Father led her to found From His Heart Ministries, a living testament to her unwavering faith and commitment.

Since becoming Catholic, Heil has traveled in the United States and worldwide. She has appeared on EWTN’s The Coming Home Network, spoken at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, and on numerous television and radio programs. As an associate of Renewal Ministries and Encounter Ministries, Heil conducts parish missions, revivals, retreats, conferences, and ministers in foreign missions.

NOTE: Heil’s presentation can be viewed online at https://www.dnu.org/bishop-lucker-lecture

Bishop Chad Zielinski celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass, marking the beginning of Lent

NEW ULM - Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, Bishop of New Ulm, celebrated Mass and distributed ashes on Ash Wednesday (March 5) at the Noon Mass at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm.

This season of Lent is a period marked by practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, allowing individuals to deepen their faith and prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.

Ash Wednesday begins the Christian observance of the season of Lent. As is customary, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made by burning the blessed palms distributed the prior year on Palm Sunday. Lent ends with the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, the three holiest days of the year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Easter Sunday will be celebrated this year on April 20.

Click here for Pope Francis’s 2025 Lenten Message.

New Report Unveils $5.4 Billion Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota

Serving where government falls short, the Church strengthens communities and saves taxpayers billions

Saint Paul, Minn. – The Catholic Church in Minnesota is a pillar of faith and service, and it also plays a significant role in the state’s economic and social well-being. A new report released by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Fruits of the Vine: The Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, estimates that Catholic programs contribute over $5 billion annually to the state’s economy and serve 1.2 million people across various communities.

 The report was commissioned by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado and associated with the Institute for Policy Research at The Catholic University of America. The comprehensive study highlights the often-overlooked economic contributions of the Catholic Church in Minnesota - both economically and socially. The report provides an overview of these benefits and the estimated monetary value of each.

 “This report affirms the Catholic Church’s commitment to Minnesota goes beyond spiritual and moral leadership,” said Jason Adkins, Minnesota Catholic Conference Executive Director. “From creating jobs and supporting small businesses to easing the burden on taxpayer-funded programs, the Church delivers real, measurable benefits to Minnesotans in areas where government resources are limited. In return, all we ask of our elected leaders is the freedom to serve in accordance with our faith—without government interference.”

 Significant report findings include:

 Healthcare: As the largest non-governmental provider of healthcare in the world, Catholic healthcare organizations in Minnesota contribute $3.2 billion annually through hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice care, and home care services.

• Education: Catholic schools serve 40,000 students from Pre-K through high school in Minnesota. Combined, from pre-K through higher education, Catholic education organizations provide $1.45 billion in economic benefits to the state.

• Volunteer Service: Catholic-affiliated organizations contribute over 500,000 volunteer hours each year, serving over 80,000 people and generating a combined benefit of nearly $80 million.

• Events: Weddings, funerals, festivals, and other events hosted by the Catholic Church attract 900,000 visitors annually, contributing over $56 million to local economies through spending on food, services, and lodging.  

Beyond the direct economic impact, the report also examines the social impact of the Catholic Church, citing the critical role parishes and independent organizations play in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and providing direct financial aid to those most in need in Minnesota communities.

 “These initiatives not only transform lives but also reduce the strain on public resources, demonstrating the Catholic Churches’ long-term mission of service,” Adkins said. 

 By releasing this report, the Minnesota Catholic Conference is highlighting the Church’s continued mission to serve Minnesota and inspire further collaboration with government agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen the state’s financial and social foundations.

 Read the full report at www.mncatholic.org/fruitsofthevine.

Bishops of Minnesota Statement on Immigration

 “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.”
Leviticus 19:33 (NAB-RE)

 (February 6, 2025) - Sadly, our nation’s immigration system is broken. For too long, our laws on paper said “stop, no entry,” while in fact, for economic and political reasons, undocumented migrants were allowed inside, sometimes with the encouragement of business interests and even our government. As Pope Francis has said, migrants have been too often treated “as pawns on the chessboard of humanity.”

Elected officials in both major political parties have failed to rise above political calculation and collaborate on a solution rooted in respect for migrants and the common good of the nation. This leadership failure has resulted in repeated conflicts at the border and in our communities that have only grown worse.

The Biden Administration’s migration policies exacerbated these problems, and as a response, President Trump has resolved to instigate measures focused primarily on enforcement and deportations. Of particular concern is his decision to rescind the policies that had previously limited enforcement at “sensitive” locations such as churches, schools, shelters, and hospitals. It is often precisely in these places that we, as Catholics, respond to Christ’s command to care for our “neighbors” without discrimination. It is not difficult to imagine how the changed policy could interfere with the exercise of our faith to serve those in need (cf. Matt. 25:35).

To the extent that the new Administration’s actions focus on detaining and deporting those with criminal records who pose a danger to society, we offer our whole-hearted support. We oppose, however, any campaign of indiscriminate immigration enforcement that threatens to unnecessarily or unjustly separate the families of those we have come to know as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We repeat our plea to Congress for comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken system, and we appeal to the Administration for a revised order that would establish that, absent exigent circumstances, no immigration enforcement action may take place on Catholic church or school property without a properly executed warrant.

Keeping Families Together

In the past few decades, millions of migrants have settled in the United States. Many have built their lives in our communities and started their families here. Their children born here, like us, enjoy U.S. citizenship.

Many of these immigrants have been long strengthening the fabric of our society and American life.

The reality is that even though we, as a nation, have come to rely on undocumented migrants and their many contributions to our communities, they have far too often been treated as political pawns. Their labor is exploited, and they are threatened with deportation and demonized whenever it is politically expedient. They are forced to live in fear and operate often within the shadows of society and the economy. And now they are at risk even in our Catholic churches and schools. Such behavior is a hallmark of what Pope Francis calls a “throw-away” culture.

We encourage the Administration to conduct immigration enforcement prudently, cautiously, and always with human dignity in mind. Central to protecting human dignity is respecting the security and integrity of the family. And families—especially those with minor children and those whose children or siblings are citizens—should not be separated and deported. As church leaders ministering to many of the immigrant families in Minnesota, we see the wisdom in compassionate “families first” policies, such as the “deferred actions” for childhood arrivals (DACA) and for parents of Americans (DAPA) that have been suggested in the past.

We are a nation of laws that must be respected, but taking immigration enforcement actions using a simplistic calculus based on an individual’s legal status is unjust. Justice is about establishing right relationships with one another and giving the other their due. Some proportionate penalties for those who have broken the law may be warranted, but many of our migrant brothers and sisters deserve better than swift deportation given their contributions to our society.

Not ‘Open Borders’

The fact that we advocate for comprehensive immigration reform and the just enforcement of laws against those already residing here is not simple-minded advocacy for “open borders.” We recognize that public officials have the responsibility of protecting their citizens and both promoting public safety and putting the needs of their people first. When necessary, governments should institute orderly migration policies, which sometimes require strong border security measures. Walls, for example, can have doors in them for those who need refuge and who exercise the right to migrate.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, “[p]olitical authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions.” A nation is not required to receive all who seek to enter. It may, from time to time, pause immigration and refugee resettlement when necessary to ensure or restore an orderly system free of corruption and abuse, or when the well-being of citizens needs to be prioritized due to limited resources or other concerns. (See, e.g., Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, “The Church and Racism: Towards a More Fraternal Society,” 1988). Among those concerns includes the ability and desire of immigrants or refugees to “respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens” (CCC 2241).

It is incumbent, however, on the nation to ensure that it continues to evaluate in justice how, in solidarity, it can welcome the stranger consistent with its duties toward its citizens.

A Human Rights Test

In his book, Immigration and the Next America, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles describes our response to the broken immigration system as an important human rights test for our nation. We repeat our call for citizens to appeal to Congress and the President for comprehensive reform of our broken system that includes resources for improved border security, a generous but also prudent welcome of refugees and those seeking asylum that does not overly burden local communities, and pathways to legal status for long-term undocumented residents.

May Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, intercede for us so that we can see and respond to each other, immigrant and citizen, through our common identity as children of the one Father, and therefore as brothers and sisters. This is the identity that transcends all others, including legal status.

Inside the Capitol video series keeps Minnesotan's informed; Governor’s Budget Puts Nonpublic School Students at Risk

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Conference of Catholic Bishops, (the political voice of the Catholic bishops of Minnesota) Inside the Capitol video series provides weekly updates on key legislative developments in Minnesota, offering insights into the work of Minnesota Catholic Conference staff at the State Capitol. Each episode breaks down policy issues, advocacy efforts, and how Catholics can take action to promote the common good.

In the LATEST EPISODE, Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, breaks down the Gov, Walz’s proposed budget and its call to eliminate nonpublic pupil aid, a move that could significantly impact families across Minnesota. Plus, hear about the Minnesota bishops’ letter to the governor and legislative leaders urging them to reject the push to legalize online sports gambling.

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GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PUTS NONPUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AT RISK

The governor's new budget proposal targets Minnesota’s nonpublic school students by eliminating nonpublic pupil aid and transportation aid—cutting more than $100 million in aid over two years. This proposal defunds essential services such as busing, textbooks, nursing, and counseling that support students regardless of their school choice.

Ensuring all students have access to essential educational resources—regardless of where they attend school—is critical. The staff of Minnesota Catholic Conference are working with stakeholders from other associations and faith traditions to prevent legislators from enacting the proposed elimination of aid, but we need your help! 

Click t below to send an email to your state Senator and state Representative, asking them to oppose the governor's efforts to eliminate critical aid for students. 

Learn more about this issue by reading out latest blog post here.

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