Rural Life Fund

The Rural Life Fund is available to help individuals and families in rural areas throughout our diocese who experience a sudden financial set-back or emergency. Funds up to $2,000 can be available through the Social Concerns department to help qualifying individuals with expenses that arise unexpectedly which would push a family into financial crisis or further a situation of poverty.

• Requests must be made through a Faith Leader (pastor, parish or diocesan staff or Parish Social Ministry team member).
• Funds cannot be used for rent, mortgage or utility payments; all other requests will be considered on a case to case basis, in communication with the faith leader who made the request.
• Those looking to request funds, as well as those able to donate to it and help support their neighbors in need, should contact a Social Concerns staff member for more information.

Rural Life Initiative

The Rural Life Initiative, through our shared call to holiness and building upon faith foundations, offers relationship-building, acts as a resource, and provides opportunities to enhance leadership skills, service and advocacy around rural concerns and the needs of the marginalized and underserved in our rural diocese.

This will be accomplished by:

• Focusing on ongoing faith formation and education
• Providing Resources and guidance
• Identifying, forming and supporting leaders
• Relationship-Building/ Community-Building
• Encouraging the Two Feet of Love in Action (Service and Advocacy)
• Identifying and addressing rural issues

Rural Life Celebration

The Annual Rural Life Celebration is sponsored by the Diocese of Saint Cloud and The Catholic Foundation each year during the month of August to celebrate and honor God’s creation. The event consists of an outdoor mass followed by a meal, music, and fellowship. All are welcome to attend this annual event.

Catholic Century Farm Award

The Diocese of Saint Cloud would like to honor Catholic families who have farmed and nurtured the same land for 100 years or more. These families, meeting a certain set of criteria, will be honored at the annual Rural Life Celebration, with a certificate and award for their home. Registration deadline is July 1 for presentation at a special Mass with Bishop in August 2023. If you, or someone you know, has a Catholic Century Farm, please view the requirements and application form below, to be honored for your century or more of farming with faith!

Catholic Rural Business Award

The Catholic Rural Business Award is given to a Catholic business owner of a rural business within the St. Cloud Diocese, in recognition of their significant contributions to rural life through time, talent or treasure; the award is a way of honoring those who demonstrate their faith in how they run their business. It is presented to Catholic business owners who demonstrate: Catholic values in all areas of their life; serves rural areas; are recognized as leaders in their community; are committed to supporting the dignity of their employees and customers; and in these and other ways exemplify the faith and the work-ethic of St. Joseph the Worker. Any community member, including the owners themselves or their employees, can nominate a Catholic rural business to receive this award each year. One award will be given annually, presented at the Rural Life Celebration in August.