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.