These announcements are for parishes to use in their weekly bulletins. To submit bulletin announcements for use of all diocesan parishes, please email them.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS – Serra Monthly Calendar is available here for download (PDF) for parish bulletins.
Lenten Healing Mass at the National Shrine of St. Odilia
3/7/23
The Crosier Fathers and Brothers invite you to join them for a Lenten Healing Mass at the National Shrine of St. Odilia in Onamia on Sunday, March 19, at 9:00 a.m. The Mass will include the Anointing of the Sick and a ritual blessing with the relic of St. Odilia. Coffee and rolls will be served in Holy Cross Center following the Mass. For further information call the Crosiers at: 320.532.3103. Reservations are not required. All are welcome!
Beginning Experience
2/21/23
Beginning Experience of Central MN hosts a weekend program for divorced, widowed, or separated adults March 24-26 at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria. A nondenominational organization designed to facilitate the grief resolution process for adults, the goal of Beginning Experience is to free people to live and love themselves, others and God. For information or to receive an application, visit www.beginningexperiencemn.com or call 320-319-8863.
April Annual Appeal 2023 Bulletin Announcements
3/24/23
April 1 – 2, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Thank you to those who have already supported diocesan ministries through the Appeal. As of March 23, the diocese has raised $553,753 in gifts and pledges toward the goal of $1,400,000, with gifts from 3,499 households. Every dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose. Will you help these ministries meet their funding needs? Visit www.stcdio.org/annualappeal.
April 8 – 9, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: The Lord is risen! Blessings to you and those you love on this most holy of days.
April 15 – 16, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Do This in Memory of Me.” The Appeal supports ministries that benefit you, your family and your greater parish community. Please make a gift today. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.
April 22 – 23, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Please remember the diocesan ministries that, through your generosity, continue to build the Kingdom of God here in Central Minnesota. Keep them thriving by making a gift at www.stcdio.org/annualappeal.
April 29 – 30, 2023
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: The Diocesan TV Mass has been a lifeline for the homebound. Other diocesan ministries continue their work in support of faith formation, family life, Catholic schools, multicultural ministries, evangelization and vocational discernment. Will you help keep these ministries strong? Visit www.stcdio.org/annualappeal.
April 2023 Stewardship announcements
posted 3/24/2022
April 1 – 2, 2023
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “As they were marching out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.” Matthew 27:32
The Lord calls us to love God and to love our neighbor. Every day we are presented with opportunities to love our neighbor and help them carry their crosses. Theseopportunities aren’t usually big events; they are usually ordinary occurrences like helping someone carry their groceries or holding the door open for them. The key is putting the other person’s needs before our own and not expecting anything in return.
April 8 – 9, 2023
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
Do you put God first in all things? Possessions, money, power, ego can easily become gods to many of us. Do a quick check of what is important to you. Is God at the very top of the list? If not, your priorities need to be readjusted. Don’t let earthly things become a god before God. This is also the first commandment – I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any strange gods before me.
April 15 – 16, 2023
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.” John 20:19
Are you good at making people feel welcome? When you meet someone new, like a new neighbor, a new work colleague or a new parishioner, do you make them feel at home? When we make people feel welcome, we make them feel like they are included instead of being excluded. We are made for relationships – with God and each other. When you see yourself as a beloved son or daughter of God, you tend to see others the same way, too – just as God, our Father, sees us.
April 22 – 23, 2023
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:32
How often do you take the time to discern what Jesus is calling you to do with your life? Are your prayers always petitions, asking Jesus to do things for you? If so, that’s a one-sided relationship. Living our faith means developing a personal relationship with Jesus. Just like any friendship, there is give and take, each side listening to theother and helping each other out. Take time, in silence, to listen to what Jesus is asking of you today.
April 29 – 30, 2023
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ…’” Acts 2:38
The word “repent” means to turn from sin — to change our thoughts, words and actions. Change that is permanent comes from within – a transformation or conversion of the heart. This requires prayer, discipline, and perseverance. Change is hard. The first step is recognizing that we are broken and that we need God’s help. The good news –– we are not alone in our journey. Ask Jesus daily for guidance and patiently listen for his response.
Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline
Catholic Rural Life, a national Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to the vitality of the American countryside, is helping to spread the message about the 24/7 confidential “Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline” to all Catholic dioceses in Minnesota. Need help finding a confidential financial or legal adviser? Feeling alone, sad or worried and need a listening ear? Call the hotline at 833-600-2670. “Our farmers are facing hard times and this is one way we can help them. This helpline is offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and all calls are answered locally by trained staff and volunteers,” said Annie Huntington, Catholic Rural Life project coordinator.