Resources

General Documents
St. Cloud Diocese Guiding Change PDF
Prayer card
All Things New prayer card PDF
All Things New prayer card – Spanish PDF
Suggested uses for the “All Things New” prayer:
- Religious congregations (OSBs, OSFs, Crosiers, Poor Clares, OPs)
- ACC Pastoral Councils
- Parish Finance Councils
- Stewardship committee
- Various meeting of parish volunteers
- Liturgy committee
- Staff meetings
- Adoration
- Other parish/ ACC groups, i.e., sewing/knitting, Knights of Columbus, Altar Society,
- Music rehearsals
- Bible study, Book clubs
- School faculty/staff meetings
- School board meetings
- All Things New prayer – 1920 x 1080 Digital Slide
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
Work continues for the diocesan-wide pastoral planning process: All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
This month, we focus on Missionary Discipleship. To focus our work this month, we invite you to pray the All Things New prayer, which can be found at www.stcdio.org/planning or by scanning the QR code.
A Call to Missionary Discipleship
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
In ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ Pope Francis reminds us:
“In virtue of their baptism, all members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.”
The All Things New diocesan planning process challenges us to reflect upon ways we embody our role as disciples (someone who follows Jesus) and as missionaries (someone who shares Jesus with others).
How can you share Jesus with others this week?
Feb. 15/16
A Call to Missionary Discipleship
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
To move in the world as missionary disciples, we must first build our relationship with God. Participation in the sacraments and regular prayer habits help build us up spiritually and intellectually. What are some ways you can enhance your prayer life? Is there an ACC program to assist with regular prayer?
Feb. 22/23
A Call to Missionary Discipleship
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
Have you ever thought about the impact of intercessory prayer? Intercessory prayer is the act of praying to God for others. When you ask someone how you can pray for them, it provides a way to show your love for them and for God and creates an opportunity for you to carry someone with you in prayer.
Will you accept the challenge of asking someone how you can pray for them this week?
JANUARY 2025
Jan. 4/5
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
Prepatory Work continues for the diocesan-wide pastoral planning process: All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
We invite you to pray the All Things New prayer, which can be found at www.stcdio.org/planning or by scanning the QR code.
Jan. 11/12
Exploring our Current Reality
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
As part of the diocesan-wide planning process, we are all asked to contemplate the truth of the current reality.
Clergy, staff and laity are bearing a heavier administrative burden than in the past.
For example, in 1999, the diocese had 97 priests serving 140 parishes; today there are 62 priests serving 131 parishes.
The average number of parishes per priest is 2.4 (U.S. average is 1) while the median is 3.
How are you being called to support your Area Catholic Community to lighten the load of clergy, staff and laity?
Jan. 18/19
Exploring our Current Reality
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
As part of our exploration of our current reality, we realize we must adapt to the changing demographics.
Currently, the overall population in our diocese has increased 7% since 2010 while the number of Catholic parishioners has decreased from 22.4% to 16.6%. Those from ages 7-42 make up 45.7% of the population. Also, sacramental numbers have decreased.
Pray this week that all Catholics will find a community and a home in the Church.
Jan. 25/26
Exploring our Current Reality
All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
Our current diocesan reality shows us that our average church utilization is at 39%–which means there is a lot of empty space.
The diocesan-wide planning process calls us to reflect upon this reality. How are we being called to best support vibrancy in our Church and what can we do to ensure the Church remains a living, breathing community of faith across our diocese?
November 2024
Full-Length Announcement:
Next phase of diocesan planning process begins
The Diocese of St. Cloud is embarking on a diocesan-wide pastoral planning process: All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
Our current reality illustrates we must adapt. Our diocesan demographics are changing, sacramental and Catholic household numbers have decreased for nearly 15 years while the overall population has increased, clergy, staff and laity are bearing a heavier administrative burden than in the past and four out of five parishes in our diocese operate with a consistent budget deficit for their annual collections.
Every one of us can fulfill our baptismal mission by inspiring hope, renewal and a vibrant future for the Church and ensure it remains a living, breathing community of faith across our diocese.
We are called to recognize the shifting needs in today’s world and anticipate others that will impact the Church. We must use creative approaches to stewardship, evangelization, education and outreach, adapting to these new realities while remaining faithful to the Gospel.
To learn more about the pastoral planning process visit www.stcdio.org/planning
Shortened Announcement:
Next phase of diocesan planning process begins
The Diocese of St. Cloud is embarking on a diocesan-wide pastoral planning process: All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.
Our current reality illustrates we must adapt.
We are called to recognize the shifting needs in today’s world and anticipate others that will impact the Church. We must use creative approaches to stewardship, evangelization, education and outreach, adapting to these new realities while remaining faithful to the Gospel.
To learn more about the pastoral planning process visit www.stcdio.org/planning
FEBRUARY 2025
Feb. 1/2
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Just as Simeon was attuned to the presence of the Lord, help us to engage in active listening to allow those we encounter to know the presence of the Lord through our presence.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Feb. 8/9
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We ask God to help us embody the role of missionary disciples this week. Allow us to shine your light and share with others the joy we experience as your beloved.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Feb. 15/16
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We pray for the courage to answer the call to carry Jesus into the world to nourish those around us, just as we are nourished by your word and the eucharist at this Mass.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Feb. 22/23
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are built for relationships and connection, Lord. Help us to move outside our communication comfort zone—particularly social media and electronic communication—and call us to connect with our friends and loved ones in a new way this week.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
JANUARY 2025
Jan. 4/5
Just as the Magi brought their finest gifts to the Newborn King, may we be called to bring our greatest gifts and talents forward to stimulate a renewal in our Area Catholic Community.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Jan. 11/12
As we embark on a diocesan planning process, we pray the Holy Spirit will descend upon the diocese of St. Cloud in the same way it descended upon Jesus’ during his baptism in the Jordan River.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Jan. 18/19
We pray for our Area Catholic Community leadership teams, who, alongside our pastor(s), as they begin reflecting upon our strengths and work to determine how to best stimulate renewal in the Church.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Jan. 25/26
We call upon the intercession of the Apostle Paul, whose conversion feast we celebrate this weekend, just as his heart was open to all God had in store for him, that we too, will be open to what God has planned for us through the diocesan-wide planning process.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
November 2024
Option 1:
Trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit, we pray for our parish community, ACC leadership teams and all diocesan leaders as we embark on a diocesan-wide pastoral planning process. May we listen to each other and be guided by our strengths to stimulate renewal in the Church to preserve its mission of love, service and evangelization for generations to come.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer.
Option 2:
We pray, guided by the Holy Spirit, the diocesan-wide pastoral planning process will give birth to an even more dynamic diocese, reenergized and more focused on knowing Christ on the deepest level.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer.
Option 3:
As we embark on the diocesan-wide pastoral planning process, help us to embrace the love that flows from the Eucharist, remind us that you promised to ‘make all things new,’ and trust that the Holy Spirit will never abandon us and will show us the way.
We pray to the Lord
Lord hear our prayer.
Stay up-to-date through The Central Minnesota Catholic magazine. Remain connected with the mission of our diocesan faith community. The magazine offers updates on planning for our future as we journey towards our call for renewal and transformation.
Dianne Towalski, digital media manager for the Diocese of St. Cloud talks with Deacon Joe Kresky and Karen Handeland from Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids about their passion for mission and trips they have been on, including their most recent trip to remote villages in Alaska.
All Things New: Jon Ruis on being agents of change
John Ruis, owner and principal of Ruis Consulting Group, talks with Joe Towalski, chancellor of
the Diocese of St. Cloud.
Daniella Zsupan-Jerome, assistant professor of pastoral theology at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary and director of the Sustained Encuentro grant, discusses her new book, Speak Lord Your Servant is Listening: Reflections on Faithful Communication in the Digital Age, with host Amber Walling. Zsupan-Jerome provides insight on the format of her book and how its devotional format is accessible for all adult readers. The themes of scripture, prayer, communication and digital media are discussed as well as ways being a faithful communicator can assist in missionary discipleship.
All Things New: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Brenda Kresky, director of planning for the Diocese of St. Cloud and Mike Laughery from Emmaus Partners about the history behind the planning process and some of the challenges facing the diocese now and in the future. (Minnesota Catholic podcasts)
All Things New – Current realities to consider in the planning process
Brenda Kresky, director of planning for the Diocese of St. Cloud and Mike Laughery from Emmaus Partners about some of the current realities the diocese is dealing with. (Minnesota Catholic podcasts)
All Things New: Diocesan Planning Council
Brenda Kresky, director of planning for the Diocese of St. Cloud and members of the Diocesan Planning Council, Karen Pundsack and Andy Klinnert. (Minnesota Catholic podcasts)