507-858-1275
info@catholicfsmn.org
Select a Witness Testimonial Mini Stories each week to include in your bulletin, your website and your Facebook page. You may also want to consider printing a mini story to hand out to parishioners or make available in public gathering spaces. You are free to pick and choose which stories to feature. Note: if you choose to use the Text Only version, please attach the official Appeal Logo.
There are many churches throughout the Winona-Rochester Diocese with rich historical backgrounds that date back as far as the mid-1800s. While many of these churches sustain most of their original art, architecture, and charm, we have a responsibility to perform regular maintenance on these buildings to continue to have these beautiful spaces in which we can worship our Lord.
Fr. Jim Berning has shared the impact the Catholic Ministries Appeal has had on his parish cluster this year:
“The parishioners in all of these parishes... love their parishes and school and are supportive of the Catholic Ministries Appeal.” Fr. Jim Berning
Please give generously to the Catholic Ministries Appeal: www.catholicfsmn.org/catholic-ministries-appeal
This year, our diocese is welcoming over 250 women and men into the Church who have been formed in the Catholic Faith through the Office of Adult Christian Initiation (OCIA) process. This is the largest number of people being initiated and received into the Church this century, and is over 100 people more than last year! This wonderful growth is due to the work of our dedicated and faith-filled parish OCIA coordinators, team members, and catechists, and to the support of their pastors, deacons, and parish staff.
The diocesan OCIA serves and supports our clergy and lay parish leaders in welcoming people coming into the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Through the OCIA process, adults come to know and follow the way of Christ as they prepare to be initiated and received into the Catholic Church. The diocese provides support and guidance to our parish leaders working in this ministry through trainings and consultation, regional gatherings, and resources. The Catholic Ministries Appeal makes this diocesan ministry possible – Thank you!
Please consider donating generously to the 2025 Catholic Ministries Appeal.
Bishop Robert Barron celebrated the diocesan Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at Queen of Angels Parish in Austin on Sunday, March 9. This year’s 251 catechumens and candidates for our diocese is the largest group of people entering the Church in this century.
Bishop Robert Barron looks on at the signing of the Book of the Elect during the diocesan Rite of Election. At this diocesan service, women and men preparing to be initiated and received into the Church gather in prayer with the bishop, accompanied by their godparents and sponsors, and Catholics from across the diocese.
Please give generously to the Catholic Ministries Appeal: www.catholicfsmn.org/catholic-ministries-appeal
Every year, Bishop Robert Barron celebrates a mass specifically for young adults in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The Young Adult Mass offers an opportunity for individuals roughly between the ages of 18 and 35 to gather in prayer and, after mass, ask Bishop Barron questions about our Catholic faith. Aaron Lofy, Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester says, “Young adults can take time out of their schedules to come together and be built up in their own discipleships with Jesus as the talk with other young adults around the diocese. Bishop Barron is able to encourage these young adults to be evangelizers in the diocese.”
The annual Young Adult Mass, as well as several other youth ministry events and programs, is partially funded by CMA donations. Your CMA donations “has helped provide an environment where young adults can… be supported in their Catholic faith,” (Aaron Lofy). If you are interested in supporting programs such as Young Adult Mass, please consider donating generously to this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal.
Please give generously to the Catholic Ministries Appeal: www.catholicfsmn.org/catholic-ministries-appeal