The annual retreat for the priests of the Diocese of Superior will be held September 12-16, 2010 at Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo, MN. Archbishop Harry Flynn, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Paul/Minneapolis, will direct the retreat.  Registration materials were sent to the priests in August. For further information, contact Fr. Kevin Gordon,715-394-0229 or kgordon@catholicdos.org.

 

 

Among the free online materials, parishes participating in Catechetical Sunday can find prayer resources, art, catechist commissioning materials, plans for a catechist in-service, and an array of materials for teachers, pastors, catechists and others working with couples preparing for marriage. Also included are a plan for a family and intergenerational retreat on Christian marriage, articles on Church teaching on various aspects of marriage, and resources for adult faith formation. Materials are provided in English and Spanish.
           
This year’s theme has been chosen to coincide with a variety of new PriorityInitiatives from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including the release of a pastoral letter on marriage and the For Your Marriage Web site (www.foryourmarriage.org), as well as other Conference initiatives intended to strengthen marriage.

 

 

This program trains lay people to become leaders of prayer for their parishes, with a primary focus on the use of the ritual book Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest. Consisting of two mandatory Friday-Saturday sessions which take place at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Phillips, they are led by Sr. Marla Lang and Pat Pintens, both of whom have had extensive experience as leaders of prayer in our diocese. Click here for registration form. 

 

The annual clergy ongoing formation workshop will be held October 18-20, 2010.  Please note that the workshop will be held at Hotel Chequamegon, Ashland, and will run from Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon.  The workshop will focus on the new Roman Missal. The Liturgical Institute from Mundelein, Illinois, will offer the “Mystical Body – Mystical Voice” workshop which is a sacramental approach to the new Roman Missal and liturgical renewal.

 

 

 

 

Bishop Christensen encourages parish leaders to take time to carefully read through the material and make use of the information throughout the year.  The brochures are particularly well written and certainly give clarity to the full spectrum of life issues that we deal with as Church.  Perhaps the information can be used in preaching and writings as well as in religious education programs, parish schools, adult groups and organizations.

Contact Debra Lieberg, 715-394-0240, dlieberg@catholicdos.org.   

 

On Thursday, October 28, 2010, a workshop on Social Media – Basic Website Development and Information Technology For Small Organizations, will be held at Turtleback Golf & Conference Center, Rice Lake from 9:30a.m. – 3:00p.m. The speaker is Rick Mahn, a social media and technology professional. See enclosed flyer for further information.

 

 

Whenever Jan. 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, or Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.

 

 

Many leaders from parish RCIA programs in our diocese have indicated that they would like information on how to present a retreat that is designed specifically for catechumens/candidates and their sponsors. “Heart Wishes” is an opportunity for RCIA leaders and their teams to experience such a retreat, which they may bring back and use in their parish settings. While experiencing the spirituality of the retreat themselves, participants will also be taught what makes a retreat work and why experiential retreats can help to move people to the next level in their relationship with God. Click here to for further information RCIA Catechetical Leaders Day of Reflection.

 

 

The date assigned in the liturgical calendar for the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is December 12. This year, the feast falls on the Third Sunday in Advent. Therefore, only the texts and readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (Year A) may be used.

 

While observing the Third Sunday of Advent, attention may be given to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The placement of her image in the liturgical space can call attention to this celebration. Intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful may appropriately include themes reflecting concern for unity in the Americas and may conclude with the collect customarily used for the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Processions in honor of Our Lady may take place as well. Many otherlocal traditions, including the re-enactment of the story of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe outside the liturgy may also enhance the celebration of the last weeks of the Advent season.

 

In those places where the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe has very special significance, a request may be made of Bishop Christensen to allow the liturgical celebration to be transferred to either Saturday, December 11 or Monday, December 13. For more information please contact Paul Birch in the Office of Worship pbirch@catholicdos.org or 715-394-0233.

 

Effective Monday, August 30, 2010, the Chancery hours of operation, including the Bishop Hammes Center and the Office of Consultation and Leadership Development, will return to the regular hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  On Fridays, the front desk office will close at 3:00 p.m. 

 

 

Reverend Paul A. Schumacher, age 86, died Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

 

Pastors, parish life coordinators and parish directors are reminded that the following notice should be published in the parish bulletins. If there are questions, please contact Richard Lyons, Director of Administrative Services: 715-394-0203, rlyons@catholicdos.org

 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual misconduct by a priest, deacon, parish employee or volunteer, and you need to talk with someone about your feelings of betrayal or hurt due to this abuse, exploitation or harassment, we urge you to contact one of the following:

 

Cathy Koerpel

715-369-2676

 

Gary Nelson

715-363-2623

 

We are open to and respect your complaint. Both justice and compassion call us to respond to the harm you or someone you know has experienced from a person in a position of trust. We want to listen and address the hurt that may have occurred.

 

Any current incidents of sexual abuse of a minor by anyone must be reported to civil authorities.

 

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