Now that you're all comfortable with Tridentine Traditions

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It's time for some etiquette lessons! Fisheaters.com

Pope
Face-to-face Greeting	Holy Father Your Holiness Most Holy Father
Envelope Address	His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (abbreviated: H.H. Benedict XVI)
Letter Salutation	Your Holiness Most Holy Father
Formal Closing	Kissing the Sacred Foot [It's been a while lsince I've seen a photo of this, I must say.]
Abbreviations	His Holiness: H.H.
Other	Kneel on your left knee [Kneeling on the right knee is for God.] and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, bow at the waist and proceed. Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Women should have their heads covered and be dressed in black (only Queens wear white in the Pope's presence); men must remove their hats in his presence. Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence. Note: If you'd like a very nice papal souvenir, bring a brand new white zucchetto with you when meeting the Pope. His Holiness will trade his for yours. [Check first with an informed person; Make sure you don't buy a cheap one, too!]

Cardinal
Face-to-face Greeting	Your Eminence
Envelope Address	His Eminence, John Cardinal Doe, Archbishop of Erewhon ("Cardinal" goes between first and last names)
Letter Salutation	Most Revererend Eminence Most Eminent Cardinal
Formal Closing	Kissing the Sacred Purple [See note under "Pope" on "Kissing the Sacred Foot."]
Abbreviations	His Eminence: H.E.; Eminence: Emus. (Eminentissimus)
Other	Kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, bow at the waist and proceed (do not do either if the Pope is present). Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.

Patriarch
Face-to-face Greeting	Your Beatitude
Envelope Address	His Beatitude
Letter Salutation	Your Beatitude
Other	Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. When it is your own Patriarch, kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, or if he is not your own Patriarch, bow at the waist and kiss his ring (do not do either if the Pope is present). Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.

Archbishop/Primate
Face-to-face Greeting	Your Excellency
Envelope Address	The Most Reverend John Doe, Archbishop of Erewhon
Letter Salutation	Your Excellency
Formal Closing	Kissing the Sacred Ring
Abbreviations	Archieps. (Archiepiscopus), or Arch.
Other	Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. When it is your own Archbishop, kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, or if he is not your own Archbishop, bow at the waist and kiss his ring (do not do either if the Pope is present). Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.

Bishop
Face-to-face Greeting	Your Excellency
Envelope Address	The Most Reverend John Doe, Bishop of Erewhon
Letter Salutation	Your Excellency Your Lordship
Formal Closing	Kissing the Sacred Ring [My grandpa used to do this, on his knees, to the wonderment of most.]
Abbreviations	Ep., Epus. (Episcopus)
Other	Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. When it is your own Bishop, kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, or if he is not your own Bishop, bow at the waist and kiss his ring (do not do either if the Pope is present). Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.

Monsignor
Face-to-face Greeting	Monsignor
Envelope Address	The Very Right Reverend Monsignor Doe The Reverend Monsignor John Doe
Letter Salutation	Dear Monsignor
Abbreviations	Right Reverend Father: RR. (for Reverendissimus)
Other	Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.

Priest
Face-to-face Greeting	"Father," "Reverend Father," or "Your Reverence." Though it is common, it's not proper to address a priest using his first name, as in "Hi, Father John!"
Envelope Address	The Reverend Father John Doe
Letter Salutation	Dear Father Reverend and Dear Father Doe
Abbreviations	Father: F. or Fr. Fathers, Plural: FF. Reverend Father: Rev. Fr. (or "R.P." for Reverendus Pater)
Other	Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. If a priest visits your home, it is customary to ask for his blessing; the simple words, "Father, bless" are fine. When blessed by a priest, kneel on both knees until he is finished. It is also customary for many people, especially those in Latin cultures, to kiss the priest's hand to honor the Eucharist, as they alone are able to consecrate (unless the Pope is present).

Deacon
Face-to-face Greeting	Deacon
Envelope Address	Reverend Mr Deacon
Letter Salutation	Dear Mr. Deacon

Abbot
Face-to-face Greeting	Father Abbot
Envelope Address	Right Reverend John Doe, (Initials of Order) Ex. Right Reverend Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations	Abbot: Ab.
Letter Salutation	Dear Right Reverend Father Dear Abbot

Brother
Face-to-face Greeting	Brother
Envelope Address	Brother John Doe, (Initials of Order) Ex. Brother Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations	Br. or Bro.
Letter Salutation	Dear Brother

Mother Superior
Face-to-face Greeting	Reverend Mother
Envelope Address	The Reverend Mother Jane Doe, (Initials of Order) Ex. The Reverend Mother Jane Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations	Rev. Mother
Letter Salutation	Dear Reverend Mother

Sister
Face-to-face Greeting	Sister
Envelope Address	Sister Jane Doe, (Initials of Order) Ex. Sister Jane Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations	Sr. (for Soror)
Letter Salutation	Dear Sister Dear Sister Jane Doe

The Mass Series - Part III: Christ is present in the word proclaimed

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The following is the third part in a seven-part series on the Mass.

Of the articles I am writing for this series on the Mass, I am really excited about this one: the Liturgy of the Word.

For too long, we have assumed, "Protestants get the Bible, Catholics get the sacraments."

Wrong.

One is not more Catholic than the other; both are essential for the celebration of the Eucharist.

The General In­struction of the Roman Missal says the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist "are so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship."

The word proclaims what the sacrament enacts: it's the same Christ, really present. The Second Vatican Council's "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy" taught that Christ is present in multiple ways in the liturgy: in the people assembled, in the word proclaimed, in the ordained minister, in the other sacraments and especially in the Sacred Species.

Three years ago, the world's Catholic bishops held a synod discussing the Eucharist. Pope John Paul II followed up with the wonderful document "Ecclesia de Eucharistia," resulting in resurging interest in the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the church.

That's great, but we need to go further. Pope Benedict XVI has instructed the bishops that when their next synod meets in October 2008 the topic will be the word of God.

I predict the Holy Father will follow up with his own document on the word of God. (You heard it here first.) The bishops already have their "homework" assignment: you can read it on the Vatican Web page (www.vatican.va) if you search for "synod," "word" and "lineamenta," which is Latin for "outline."

No better food

Maybe you know someone who left the Catholic Church because they found another church where they "get fed," meaning they hear the word preached better.

Of course, the irony is they can't get fed any better than in our Eucharist. But we should take their departure seriously: a fuller celebration of the word of God will only enhance participation in the Eucharist.

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" directs: "The Liturgy of the Word is an integral part of sacramental celebrations. To nourish the faith of believers, the signs which accompany the Word of God should be emphasized: the book of the word (a Lectionary or a Book of the Gospels), its veneration (procession, incense, candles), the place of its proclamation (lectern or ambo), its audible and intelligible reading, the minister's homily which extends its proclamation, and the responses of the assembly (acclamations, meditation psalms, litanies and profession of faith)."

Notice how we offer the word what we usually associate with the sacred Species: incense, gilded books, even processions.

The General Introduction to the Lectionary goes so far as to say, "The church has honored the word of God and the eucharistic mystery with the same reverence, although not with the same worship, and has always and everywhere insisted upon and sanctioned such honor."

Proper preparation

To honor the word of God, let the ambo be a fixed, dignified place that parallels the altar itself, since there is "one table of the word and the Eucharist." Don't proclaim the word from disposable booklets - for the same reason wine should not be consecrated in a throwaway cup. Let there be adequate lighting and amplification.

Regarding preparation, Pope Benedict writes, "I ask that the Liturgy of the Word always be carefully prepared and celebrated. Consequently I urge that every effort be made to ensure that the liturgical proclamation of the word of God is entrusted to well-prepared readers."

Just as we appreciate silence after receiving Communion, include periods of silence after the word so it can resonate in our hearts.

Finally, encourage priests and deacons when they preach homilies. Not a single preacher I know thinks it's easy.

Pope Benedict is straightforward on this issue: "The quality of homilies needs to be improved. The homily is 'part of the liturgical action' and is meant to foster a deeper understanding of the word of God, so that it can bear fruit in the lives of the faithful. Hence ordained ministers must 'prepare the homily carefully, based on an adequate knowledge of Sacred Scripture.' Generic and abstract homilies should be avoided.

"In particular," he said, "I ask these ministers to preach in such a way that the homily closely relates the proclamation of the word of God to the sacramental celebration and the life of the community, so that the word of God truly becomes the church's vital nourishment and support."

That intersection of three terms - word, sacrament and community - all come together in a beautiful way in the part of the liturgy we'll examine next week: the preparation of the gifts. Catholic Spirit

Father Tom Margevicius is instructor of liturgical theology at St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul.

• The Mass Series - Part I: What we believe is what we pray and live


• The Mass Series - Part II: Entrance rites - Getting ready to meet God

Opening fall enrollment at SJV over the past 16 years

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		St John Vianney Seminarians
		Catholic Spirit
		StP--M	Total
1992		14	46
1993		16	36
1994		24	40
1995		22	60
1996		21	74
1997		22	89
1998		23	103
1999		23	88
2000		22	97
2001		16	70
2002		16	72
2003		22	80
2004		27	84
2005		32	106
2006		34	142
2007		35	154
While only a percentage of SJV's graduates
graduates go on to priesthood, those who
aren't ordained still bring their Catholic for-
mation into their communities, businesses
and families.
Of the men that begin studies at SJV, 35 to
40 percent will go on to ordination, according
to Father Baer. Eighty-five percent of the men
who end up graduating from SJV will go on to
major seminary; 70 percent who graduate
will become priests.

SJV: Filled to Overflowing

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They've increased their housing; they've increased their staff; they've increased the rigor.

And the men keep coming.

St. John Vianney Seminary's enrollment is at an all-time high, with 154 men from 28 dioceses, which currently gives it the largest college seminary enrollment in the United States. It has more than doubled in size in the last six years.

Seminarians at college seminaries are typically in their late teens and early 20s, studying for their bachelors degrees and gaining backgrounds in philosophy. This preceeds major seminary, which is where seminarians study theology and work toward ordination. Not all major seminarians have attended college seminary.

An attitude of adventure

"There is a strong heroic sense of calling among these young men," said Father William Baer, SJV's rector since 1998. "They have a love for the church and the Catholic faith that strikes them as a mission, a battle, an adventure." 

It's no secret SJV life is challenging. The men attend a 6 a.m. holy hour daily; they fast from technology - including phones and e-mail - on Fridays until the evening; they fast from the Friday midday meal; they undergo room inspections and maintain a tightly ordered schedule. They're encouraged to embrace difficult studies with prayer, grow in fraternity with the other men, get in shape, and face their social fears.

And the men rise to the occasion, said Father Rolf Tollefson, a "formator" and spiritual director, who lives with seminarians on SJV's fifth floor. "The men don't want to live a life of mediocrity," he said.

Matt Kuettel, 19, a freshman seminarian from Maternity of Mary in St. Paul, said that seminary is an adjustment.

"They throw a lot at you at once, they expect a lot of you," he said. "A lot of times you're more busy than you think you should be. But, if I had to do this all over again, there's no doubt in my mind that I would.

"It's not that you're busy and you regret it, it's that they give you the skills and they give you the help to accomplish more," he added.

If seminary were easy, a healthy man would leave because he wasn't challenged, added Father John Klockeman, who also serves SJV.

"The initiatives and the heroism sound too strong for some, but that's exactly what young men and women want," he said. "They want a faith to die for. They want a faith for which to live. And they want a God that is real." 

The local seminary's enrollment upturn mirrors national trends, which indicate an uptick in the number of Catholic seminarians in undergraduate college programs, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, based at Georgetown University.

Father Baer attributes the seminary's growth to an increase in students coming from other Midwestern dioceses. This year 35 of SJV's seminarians are from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This is the largest group of archdiocesan seminarians at SJV in at least 25 years, Father Baer said.

He credits the increased number of archdiocesan seminarians to Archbishop Harry Flynn's dedication and support, vocations director Father Tom Wilson's work, and parishes and families encouraging vocations.

"There is a renewed commitment to the Catholic faith by high school and college students," Father Baer said, attributing the phenomena to events like World Youth Day, more young people participating in eucharistic adoration and vocation directors and bishops actively promoting vocations.

A cut above

More dioceses are sending their college seminarians to SJV than ever before, Father Baer said.

Father Burke Masters, vocation director for the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., has 11 men at SJV. He said he is impressed with Father Baer's leadership and the personal attention he gives the men.

"He's able to talk about each of our 11 guys in a way that they're not just numbers," Father Masters said.

Father Jerry Vincke, the vocations director of the Diocese of Lansing, Mich., described Father Baer as dynamic, faithful and courageous, listing his leadership as one of the greatest reasons his diocese sends their 21 college seminarians to SJV.

"The seminary is centered on Christ," Father Vincke said. "Our seminarians love it there." 

Their SJV graduates are well prepared to begin their theology studies in major seminary, and they are formed in the spiritual, academic, pastoral and human levels, both Father Masters and Father Vincke said.

"St. John Vianney is very well respected among the bishops," Father Masters added.

The seminary has outgrown its own building at the University of St. Thomas: 103 men live in the on-campus seminary dorms, 41 live in six rectories and houses in nearby neighborhoods and 10 men are currently studying in Rome. Catholic Spirit

2007 St John Vianney Seminarians

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Diocese embraces new bishop like a son

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The dancers from St. Francis Solanus School on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation wanted to be photographed with Bishop Peter F. Christensen at the reception in the cathedral school gymnasium following the installation ceremony. From left they are James Martin, Joshua Martin, Simone Stevens, Jeffrey Taylor, Alayna Benitez, Cody Wilson, Billie Jean Chosa and in front wearing a single feather, Georgia Rose Bogat. (Catholic Herald photo by A.M. Kelley)

SUPERIOR -- Bishop Peter F. Christensen was installed as the 10th bishop of Superior on Sept. 23. But the crowd who packed the Cathedral of Christ the King on this auspicious day made the celebration seem like a homecoming, greeting and embracing him as a son.

It was the kind of day that people in the north are so fond of: sunny and warm--but not too warm--breezy, but not enough to warrant protection. And everyone who planned and anticipated the event was certain that it was not going to rain. It just would not happen.

Rain would have made the rite difficult as it began outside on the plaza. The visiting bishops, diocesan priests and deacons lined up with an honor guard of more than 50 Knights of Columbus.

Two children, American Indian drummers from St. Francis Solanus School on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation under the care of their teacher Sr. Felissa Zander, SSSF, signaled the start of the procession and 10 dancers led the new bishop from the rectory to the massive doors of the cathedral.

There he knocked three times. He was asking to be admitted. During his ordination ceremony a week earlier in St. Paul, Minn., a 13-year-old student at Christensen's former parish school, Nativity of Our Lord, said that he had explained this part of the unique liturgy during a visit to her classroom.

"He's worried," she said. "Will they open the door for him?"

Yes, it was opened and later during Christensen's first homily in his new home parish, he introduced himself simply: "It's good to be here."

About 900 people filled the cathedral and another 100 were seated in front of a video screen downstairs. At a reception afterwards many waited in line in the cathedral school gymnasium to personally greet their new bishop and introduce themselves.

The prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minn., Sr. Lois Eckes, OSB, told Christensen that the sisters would like him to be their guest at the monastery when he is "settled" in his new job.

Rice Lake residents Deacon Ron and Karen Novotny presented the former Minnesota resident with their (well-intentioned) idea of a welcome-to-Wisconsin basket of goodies: a Packer cap and paraphernalia.

"The Vikings lost today," Christensen said, a little redundantly. (For the record, Green Bay won.)

Many in the crowd, like Superior resident Char Bachlund, were excited to witness the installation of the new bishop.

"It's so wonderful to be a Catholic," Bachlund said. "That's how (the ceremony) made me feel. It was almost like being in Rome."

She has never been to Rome but imagines that ceremonies there could not be any grander than this one at the cathedral where she received her first Communion, was confirmed and married her husband Ramon.

"I enjoyed the service," she said. "We're so lucky to have him.

Douglas County district attorney Dan Blank felt the same way.

"This reminds you how great it is to be Catholic," he said. "The ritual, the assembled priests, the vestments. This just really takes it back to our traditions."

Blank was able to share a few words with Christensen about his particular concern: the diocesan schools.

"I told him that the parents of all the Catholic students are praying for you," Blank said. "The schools are hurting. Enrollments are declining."

Sr. Jeanne Wiest, OP, the pastoral associate at St. Peter the Fisherman in Eagle River said she felt "hopeful" and cathedral parishioner Terry Mikel said, "he's wonderful and I thought the last bishop was wonderful."

Christensen's interaction with Bishop Raphael M. Fliss during the ceremony was the "most touching" moment of the day for Sr. Virginia Schwartz, OSM. She is the parish director of St. Ann Parish in Cable and thought that the new bishop showed himself to be "caring and sensitive" in thanking Fliss and then embracing him. It was a small action that meant a lot.

Schwartz also said she liked Christensen's easy handling of some minor blips during the liturgy: dealing with annoying feedback in the sound system and then later forgetting to pick up his crosier.

"I'm still so new at this," he said.

Most of the attendees were meeting Christensen for the first time, but some at the installation held long histories with him.

A number of Nativity parishioners were in Superior to see their pastor off, among them were, Lucy and Jerry Alfveby. However, they didn't have tickets, which were distributed equally to all parishes in the diocese to manage the limited number of seats.

"I asked Fr. Peter about it," Alfveby said. He told the couple not to worry. "'You're family,' he said."

Another couple not meeting Christensen for the first time on Sunday were Patrick and Diane Ricci.

"We met Bishop Peter 17 years ago in our home when he came to interview Andy for the seminary," Patrick said.

"Andy" is Fr. Andrew Ricci, their son who is now the pastor of St. Francis de Sales and also the director of vocations for the diocese.

The installation drew at least one couple that thinks the naming of a new bishop will close a difficult chapter in the life of the diocese.

Allan Jirele and his wife Mary, members of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Crescent Lake, felt that the Pope Benedict XVI's choice of Christensen heralds significant changes for the diocese and a separation from past abuse scandals.

"This new bishop will put a renewed face on Catholicism," he said.

While Jirele welcomes moving forward he also hopes Christensen will take the diocese somewhat back to what once was.

"We are students of our faith, Mary and I," Jirele said. "The cathechesis was lost between Vatican II and today. The church has realized that we have an adult population who does not know its faith."

Then alluding to Christensen's background as the rector of Saint John Vianney College Seminary, Jirele talked about his hope for more seminarians in the future.

"We've got a huge priest shortage," he said. "(Christensen's) gift to the church will be (more) vocations."

Deacon Joseph Wesley from St. Francis de Sales in Spooner stood in line with his wife Ruth to greet and welcome their new bishop. Smiling afterwards he summed up the feelings of many present.

"He's one of us," Wesley said, "one of the people." Superior Catholic Herald

Superior's Tenth Bishop Installed at Christ the King Cathedral - Peter F. Christensen

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The Cathedral of Christ the King was filled to overflowing Sept. 23, for the installation of Bishop Peter F. Christensen as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Superior. Christensen was ordained a bishop Friday, Sept. 14, at the St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul, Minn. Christensen has been pastor of Nativity of the Lord Parish in St. Paul.

The installation began with a group of American Indian dancers from St. Francis Solanus Parish in Reserve leading Christensen to the doors of the cathedral. Christiansen knocked three times on the cathedral door and was welcomed by Fr. Daniel Dahlberg, rector of the cathedral. After crossing the threshold, he reverenced a crucifix with a kiss and proceeded to the baptismal font, where he blessed himself and everyone attending the Mass.

The procession into the cathedral included a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, priests and deacons, Christensen, who was the celebrant of the Mass, Bishop Emeritus Raphael M. Fliss, and visiting bishops, including Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee, who was the installing bishop and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Fliss said a few words of welcome. "It's with great delight that I welcome all of you here on this beautiful autumn day in northern Wisconsin. I welcome you to this cathedral church, in the see city of Superior, which takes its name from the great lake, which the native people called Gitchee Gumee." He added that Lake Superior inspired both awe and dread in the early missionaries who traveled the area by canoe and snowshoes.

Fliss welcomed Sambi and Dolan, as well as all the other bishops and archbishops in attendance. "But, most of all," he said, "I joyfully welcome you, Bishop Christensen." He added that for two years the diocese had waited and hoped and prayed and "speculated with abandon" about his successor. "Today all this comes to fulfillment. É and so, as my final act as apostolic administrator, I entrust to you, Bishop Christensen, the church of Superior--the many people and priests who have endeared themselves to me these 28 years. I trust you will be as inspired by their lives and enriched by their faith as I have been. Welcome, Peter, and God bless you."

Following the welcome, the apostolic letter from Pope Benedict XVI, appointing Christensen bishop of Superior, was shown to Sr. Eileen Lang, chancellor of the diocese; the college of consultors, which is made up of some priests of the diocese; and the assembly.

The chancellor then announced, "Let it be known that, in accord with the provisions of canon law, the college of consultors has duly examined the apostolic letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI by which the Most Rev. Peter F. Christensen is appointed the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Superior."

The apostolic nuncio then read the letter aloud. Applause signified the assembly's consent.

To formally acknowledge Christensen's position as bishop, Dolan led him to the cathedra (bishop's chair) and presented him with the symbol the office of bishop, his crosier.

As they were each introduced by Lang, FSPA, representatives from the presbyterate, the diaconate, religious congregations, the local ecumenical community, local civic officials, the laity, the American Indian community, the diocesan pastoral and education departments, Catholic Charities and the chancery staff came forward to greet their new bishop.

One of the lighthearted moments came when Lang introduced "Mrs. Patricia Wildenberg, your secretary." That got a laugh from the bishop and all of those assembled.

The newly installed bishop delivered the homily, which was interrupted with applause several times. He began with, "It's good to be here. What a beautiful cathedral, a magnificent symbol of our Catholic faith, filled with good, faithful people. It's good to be here."

He thanked the various individuals and groups involved in planning and participating in the installation liturgy. Of Fliss, the retiring bishop, Christensen said, "You are known for your kindness, gentleness and your gracious service to the people here."

Christensen talked about his motto. He said he chose "You are the Christ, son of the living God," when he was ordained to the priesthood, but the meaning has never been more evident that the past three months since he learned of his appointment.

He told the story of the call he received from Sambi, telling him he had been appointed bishop of Superior. He said he was so surprised that he didn't say anything and there was a long pause. Sambi asked, "This is Nativity Parish -- You are Fr. Peter Christensen?"

Christensen said Sambi introduced the call with a beautiful Scripture passage where Jesus and the Apostles are out on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus approaches on the water and says, "Come to me, Peter. Come to me. Do not be afraid. The archbishop said to me, 'Do not be afraid.'"

Christensen also talked about the proclamation of faith and oath of obedience he had to make before his ordination. Included was a pledge to be faithful in carrying out the ministry that has been entrusted to him and to ensure that the truths and teachings of the church are handed down pure. He added that he delights in these promises.

Part of his mission as a bishop, Christensen said, will be to show particular affection to all priests and deacons, to all men and women religious. "I will likewise take great care to promote spiritual vocations."

He will also recognize and promote ministries of lay people and especially promote the work of evangelization and will encourage family life. "I will stand with you to build strong families in faith," he said.

"I would encourage all of us, including myself, to remain faithful to prayer. That's where the dialogue takes place."

He held up a small volume of St. Augustine's "Confessions." One of his parishioners at Nativity Parish in St. Paul had given the 1686 edition of the book to Christensen as a going away gift. St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron saint of the Diocese of Superior.

He said the parishioner pointed out that when that volume was printed, missionaries were just beginning to preach Christianity in what would become the Diocese of Superior.

Christensen quoted Augustine's prayer about his coming late to the faith, "Late have I loved thee, O beauty, so ancient and so new," and said his feelings for the diocese echo Augustine's words. Christensen is getting to know the diocese "late" at the age of 54.

After a few remarks by Dahlberg, welcoming Christensen as bishop and as pastor of the cathedral, the installation Mass ended. Superior Catholic Herald

I Tell Ya, There's Trouble Right Here in UST, Trouble with a capital T, and it rhymes with P that stands for Justice and Peace, that rhymes with Dease

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Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu Banned From UST Campus Over Israel Criticism

Back in April, when University of St. Thomas staffer Mike Klein informed his colleagues in the Justice and Peace Studies program that he'd succeeded in booking Archbishop Desmond Tutu for a campus appearance, the faculty buzzed in anticipation. For a program dedicated to fostering social change and nonviolence, there were few figures who embodied that vision more aptly than the world-renowned civil rights activist and Nobel Laureate.

Tutu's appearance—slated for the spring of '08—was made possible by the university's partnership with PeaceJam International, a youth-centered project that taps Nobel Laureates to teach young adults about peace and justice. For four straight years, the Catholic university's St. Paul campus had played host to PeaceJam festivities featuring Nobel Peace Prize winners such as Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Shirin Ebadi.

But in a move that still has faculty members shaking their heads in disbelief, St. Thomas administrators—concerned that Tutu's appearance might offend local Jews—told organizers that a visit from the archbishop was out of the question.

"We had heard some things he said that some people judged to be anti-Semitic and against Israeli policy," says Doug Hennes, St. Thomas's vice president for university and government relations. "We're not saying he's anti-Semitic. But he's compared the state of Israel to Hitler and our feeling was that making moral equivalencies like that are hurtful to some members of the Jewish community."

St. Thomas officials made this inference after Hennes talked to Julie Swiler, a spokeswoman for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

"I told him that I'd run across some statements that were of concern to me," says Swiler. "In a 2002 speech in Boston, he made some comments that were especially hurtful."

During that speech, titled "Occupation Is Oppression," Tutu lambasted the Israeli government for its treatment of Palestinians in occupied territories. While a transcription clearly suggests his criticism was aimed at the Israeli government ("We don't criticize the Jewish people," he said during the speech. "We criticize, we will criticize when they need to be criticized, the government of Israel"), pro-Israeli organizations such as the Zionist Organization of America went on the offensive and protested campus appearances by Tutu, accusing him of anti-Semitism.

Hennes says the input officials received from "the Jewish community" in this case was confined to Swiler and a few rabbis teaching within St. Thomas's Center for Jewish-Christian Learning. "I think there's a consensus in the Jewish community that his words were offensive," Swiler reiterates.

That was news to Marv Davidov, an adjunct professor within the Justice and Peace Studies program.

"As a Jew who experienced real anti-Semitism as a child, I'm deeply disturbed that a man like Tutu could be labeled anti-Semitic and silenced like this," he says. "I deeply resent the Israeli lobby trying to silence any criticism of its policy. It does a great disservice to Israel and to all Jews."

The controversy didn't end there. Incensed at the administration's decision, Professor Cris Toffolo—chair of the Justice and Peace Studies program at the time—sent Tutu a letter on May 24 informing him of the administration's decision. She also indicated her disagreement with the move and warned Tutu that he might be in for a smear campaign.

University brass caught wind of the letter, and on August 1, Tom Rochon, executive vice president of academic affairs, sent a letter of his own to Toffolo informing her that St. Thomas administrators had decided to revoke her position as chair of the Justice and Peace Studies program.

Asked about the reasoning behind the demotion, Rochon and Hennes decline to comment. Toffolo herself is hesitant to offer any statements about it due to the sensitivity of her situation, though she did confirm that her letter to Tutu was the catalyst for her demotion.

"This is pure bullshit," says Davidov. "As far as fighting for civil rights, I consider Tutu to be my brother. And I consider Cris Toffolo to be my sister. They're messing with my family here. If Columbia permits a Holocaust denier [Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] to speak at their university, why are St. Thomas officials refusing to let Tutu, an apostle of nonviolence, speak at ours?"

Davidov and other professors maintain that the situation at St. Thomas is emblematic of a larger issue.

"What happened at the University of St. Thomas is not an isolated event," says Toffolo. "Until we have an honest debate about U.S. policy related to Israel, and about Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories, the spiral of violence will continue." City Pages

See more detail here from AlterNet.org a Left Wing San Francisco web page.

The Mass Series - Part II: Entrance rites - Getting ready to meet God

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By Father Tom Margevicius The following is the second part in a seven-part series on the Mass.

Last week I mentioned a few concepts that help us appreciate the Mass, such as symbolic objects, words and actions, timelessness, active participation and changed lives. Now let's look more closely at the beginning of Mass.

Of course, we don't think that in the Upper Room one of the apostles fired up an organ, Jesus put on a stole and chasuble, got in line be­hind the altar servers carrying in­cense and candles, and they sang "Gath­er Us In" before be­ginning the Last Supper.

Around the year A.D. 155, St. Justin explained to a pagan emperor how Christians did it: "On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read . . ." (See "Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1345).

The rest of St. Justin's liturgy looks remarkably familiar, and it is reassuring that the early church celebrated Mass pretty much the same way we still do.

But notice that St. Justin says nothing about the entrance rites. These developed gradually over several hundred years.

Altar. One of the earliest things to develop is the symbolism of the altar itself. At the start of Mass, when everyone reaches the sanctuary, we bow to the altar, even if the tabernacle is in a different chapel. And bishops, priests and deacons kiss the altar. Why?

That's because according to St. Am­brose (late 300s) the altar is a symbol of Christ. The liturgy calls Jesus Christ priest, victim and altar: As High Priest, he makes the offering (Hebrews 5:1-10). As Victim, he is the one being sacrificed, the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 13:8).

But why altar? St. Paul says we "offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, our spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). Since we know the Father accepts Christ's sacrifice, we place our lives on Christ himself; he is the one through whom we sacrifice our lives. Reverencing the altar is reverencing Christ himself.

Greeting. The celebrant greets the assembly with the Sign of the Cross and a scriptural text such as, "The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Titus 1:4).

This is much richer than merely saying, "Good morning." No matter how much the priest and people like one another, something more is happening: The priest is wishing God upon the people, and the people respond not just to the man, but to Jesus Christ himself. That's why the literal translation of the people's response is, "And with your spirit." Christ greets his bride (the church), and the bride greets the spirit of Christ present in the priest.

Penitential rite. Are you ready to meet Jesus, who really comes to us in the Eucharist? Sometimes, neither am I. That's why we usually ask for mercy next. This can take several forms: The most ancient predates even the use of Latin in Mass: We cry out "Kyrie eleison," Greek for "Lord have mercy."

The Confiteor ("I confess . . .") first shows up around the eighth century. And sometimes, such as at Easter and Masses with baptism, we renew our baptismal promises and replace the penitential rite with a sprinkling with water.

The Gloria comes from the song the angels sang at Jesus' birth (Luke 2:4) and originally was used only during the Christmas season. It found its way into Mass during the sixth century. Christ is born anew in each Mass we celebrate, and we sing his praises with the angels and saints who are continually praising him. Each time we pray Mass, we join with the liturgy already going on in heaven (CCC, 1090).

Opening prayer. The opening prayer is also called the "collect." The priest intones, "Let us pray," and then a brief silence follows. The silence is not just waiting for the server to bring the book; each of us is supposed to be praying silently during that time, and after a short while the priest "collects" all those silent prayers into the opening prayer.

When the priest ends, we all acclaim "Amen!" signaling our agreement with the prayer, and we are ready for God to speak to us. Catholic Spirit

• The Mass Series - Part I: What we believe is what we pray and live

How come our Catholic high school boys aren't becoming priests?

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If you're a regular reader of The Catholic Spirit, you've likely noticed we've been publishing Coadjutor Archbishop John Nienstedt's weekly calendar along with his regular column, "In God's Good Time." And you also may have noticed that his calendar features a good number of Masses at schools around the archdiocese.

Well, as he told the Spirit recently, there is method to this madness. Soon after being appointed to the archdiocese, Archbishop Nienstedt wrote to all of the local Catholic high schools, asking them if he could visit and offer an all-school Mass.

He thought it would be a good chance to get around the archdiocese in a way parish visits wouldn't allow. He said he also appreciates the mission of our Catholic schools and wants to encourage families who send their children to them. And, he added, it's also a good time to pitch vocations - something he's passionate about - to young men and women.

"At the end of each school Mass, I give a plug for vocations," he said. "I tell them that this year I'm putting together a new team, and I need some quarterbacks, I need some fullbacks, I need some blockers. And would they think this year about what God might be calling them to, and would they consider being part of my team that I'm putting together." Catholic Spirit

Last spring when Father Bill Baer, Rector of the St John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St Thomas spoke about vocations. And while SJV with 154 seminarians this Fall (there only 70 in 2001) is doing well, they are not getting their men from the Catholic high schools where you might expect.

The Archdiocese has 13 Catholic high schools with about 9,000 students. Father Baer said that about one-half of one percent of those students enter the seminary. He added that If the Catholic Church were in the business of training doctors, lawyers, engineers, or even architects, and only one half of one percent of their students would decide to pursue degrees in those subjects, everybody would agree that the schools were failures (he didn't use that word). He used the word "outrageous."

Most of his students in the seminaries are coming from public high schools and universities.

Father thinks those kind of results are "unacceptable" and that we can do better.

The Diocese of Duluth has become one of the must successful in the U.S. in terms of its vocations. And the thanks are due to Bishop Dennis Schnurr and his crack Vocations Team. I'm predicting the Archbishop Nienstedt will form his own crack Vocations Team when he assumes command next May. He's getting ready now.

"The Little Flower" Certainly Wasn't Camera Shy

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With the possible exception of the non-cloistered Padre Pio, now Saint Pio, Ste. Therese of Lisieux, "The Little Flower" certainly has to be the most photographed Saint ever, especially when you figure that, being cloistered, almost no non-religious people ever saw her. Apparently one of her sisters who was in the convent with her had a camera. Ste. Therese may have never seen many of her photographs herself.
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Fargo's Bishop Samuel Aquila led the rosary at North Dakota’s only abortion facility

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Facing the busy street in front of the state of North Dakota’s only abortion facility this morning, Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo, led the prayers of the rosary. The dozen or so men and women who joined him drew close to hear his words above the sounds of the traffic and occasional nearby trains.

The bishop had scheduled an hour of prayer at the abortion facility as part of the 40 Days for Life North Dakota campaign which began Wednesday, Sept. 26. The campaign includes prayer and fasting, community outreach and a 40-day, 24-hours-a-day prayer vigil in front of the Red River Women’s Clinic.

40 Days for Life is a nationwide, ecumenical effort to increase awareness about abortion, save the lives of unborn children and bring healing to those who have had abortions, those who have encouraged abortions, and those who perform and assist with abortions. The campaign is being undertaken simultaneously Sept. 26 through Nov. 4 in 89 cities in 33 states.

In an Aug. 28 letter to priests of the Diocese of Fargo, Bishop Aquila asked the priests to schedule an hour of prayer in front of the abortion facility sometime during the 40 days and to encourage their parishioners to do the same.

Forty days of round-the-clock prayer equals 960 hour-long prayer slots to fill. Today, on only the third day of the campaign, less than 250 of those hours remain open. One or more people are already scheduled to pray during the other 710 hours.

People of many faith backgrounds are responding to the call to prayer. And dozens who have not officially signed up to pray are dropping by to join in prayer. One woman who prayed on Sept. 27 wrote of her experience of a man who stopped by. “He told me how he had been involved in an abortion decision many years ago, and how he had never prayed outside a clinic before. He stayed for over an hour.”

Abortions typically take place one day a week at the Fargo facility, with the number of children killed through abortion at the facility in 2006 totaling more than 1,200. At least 25 women entered the facility on Sept. 26. The following day, one of those women told a 40 Days participant that she had entered, but then changed her mind. The campaign web site notes, “She entered, but, while inside, decided to allow her baby to continue to live. The young mother left the abortion facility with her baby still cradled within her womb.” Catholic News Agency

Speaking of Church Music

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I went to the 8:00 this morning and a visiting priest assumed the responsibilities. He and his processional team were speedy walkers and reached the altar about the same time that the organist finished the first verse. Then obediently, observing Commandment No. One of the Church Organists Society Manual of Instructions, the organist continued to play until all four verses of the processional had been sung (feebly, I might add, by the congregation), while Father patiently waited.

He got his turn though, when after the Kyrie, he rushed right into a spoken Gloria, ignoring the plan that was to have the congregation sing the Gloria, as usual. Thanks, Father!

What a Wonderful Sentence!

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Sound doctrine will make it possible for me (I pray) to tolerate Masses where the priest sits in the Captain Kirk chair while the miasmal excrescences of Marty Haugen and David Haas [ROFL!] waft into the nave.

'God, can you please give me a sign?'

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Why has Duluth, which has one of the fastest declining Catholic populations in the nation, been producing such a crop of seminary students? For its population of Roman Catholics, more young men from the Duluth Diocese have become priests than in most other dioceses in the country. In a report to be issued this fall, the Duluth Diocese will come in at number 21 out of the country's 176 ranked dioceses.

For a while, Brandon Moravitz was "duking it out with God."

Was he meant to be a married man? Perhaps a youth minister? Moravitz, now 29, tried both those suits on, but they didn't feel quite right.

What about the priesthood?

"What, God? Really?" Moravitz, of Ely, remembers asking. And God, for now, has told him yes.

Moravitz is in the middle of eight years of seminary education and soul-searching, a process that all priests go through to discern if God has chosen them to be priests. Brandon's younger brother, Ryan, is set to be ordained as a priest next year.

The Moravitz brothers are two of 20 young men enrolled in seminary and committed to serving in the Duluth Diocese, a collection of 93 parishes across northeastern and central Minnesota. For its population of Roman Catholics, more young men from the Duluth Diocese have become priests than in most other dioceses in the country.

The seminarians are spread among schools and universities across the country. But once a year they gather in Duluth for a weekend of fellowship and bonding. It's a time for the men who might one day be priests to get to know each other and the people of their home diocese.

When he tells people he is part of that group, Brandon Moravitz sees two reactions.

"Some people are very intrigued and inspired," he said. "And to others, you're going against the grain of our culture, you're giving up the ideal."

Perception of priests

People can't believe priests would choose to forgo marriage, sex and a career where they are free to make their own choices, seminary students say, but that's a narrow lens with which to examine the priesthood.

"There's an impression that when a man goes into celibate priesthood, they are shutting themselves off from joy," said Dan Weiske of Duluth. He was working toward a master's degree in public administration when he decided to enter seminary.

"But a man that goes into seminary can have very, very full joy, a joy that flows out of relationships with other people, but especially God," Weiske said. He said he is excited about being able to bring that joy out in others.

Why Duluth?

Why has Duluth, which has one of the fastest declining Catholic populations in the nation, been producing such a crop of seminary students?

Some chalk it up to prayer, others to the bishop, deacons and priests who actively encourage men to consider the priesthood, still others to the "John Paul II generation" of young Catholics who were energized by the popular pope.

It's a tricky thing to predict how many young men from the diocese might enter seminary in a given year, said Duluth Diocese Deacon Mike Knuth. People often think about seminary for years before they enter, and there is much that can happen to encourage -- or discourage -- them along the way.

"You plant the seed, put in fertilizer, and wait," Knuth said. "Some years are abundant while other years are real lean."

Knuth chalks it up to prayer and an active, involved vocations team, which includes Bishop Dennis Schnurr, the Rev. Richard Kunst and himself.

Between 450 and 500 new Catholic priests are ordained every year, said Mary Gautier, senior research associate of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University. But the church as a whole needs about three times that number to replace the priests who retire, die or otherwise leave the priesthood during that same period, she said.

The center periodically ranks dioceses based on the number of newly ordained priests over several years. In a report to be issued this fall, the Duluth Diocese will come in at number 21 out of the country's 176 ranked dioceses, Gautier said.

Hearing the call

There is no one road that leads these men toward the church, Knuth said. Some, like 19-year-old Adam Isakson of Cloquet, have been traveling that path since they were very young.

Isakson, who attended his first day of undergraduate seminary classes at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity this month, has felt called to the priesthood since sixth grade, when he witnessed Bishop Schnurr's ordination.

"I felt a sense of peace in my heart; I felt a sense of belonging" during Schnurr's ordination, Isakson said.

Just once did Isakson really question if he was meant for the priesthood.

"Maybe I'm called to married life," Isakson wondered. "But then God gave me a slap in the face at Eucharist. I asked, 'God, can you please give me a sign?' And right when I prayed, a lady I didn't know turned to me and asked if I had ever thought about entering the priesthood."

And just once did Isakson's mother, Christine, question whether her only child should devote his life to the church. When she asked Adam if he was sure he wanted to enroll in seminary school this fall, "he looked at me and said, 'And not go into the priesthood?"' Christine Isakson recalled. "So I left it at that; I didn't say anything more. I leave it in God's hands."

Whenever seminary students talk about being ordained, they automatically add "God willing." The phrase is an acknowledgement that a handful of students leave seminary each year and that no matter how sure they are now that the priesthood is for them, that could change.

Ryan Norrell, 23, formerly of Meadowlands, entered seminary with a sense of "peace and joy" in his heart, and when he left seminary two years later, his heart was filled with the same emotions.

"I had been praying about it for a while, just wanting guidance about where I should go," Norrell said. After months of prayer, he discerned the right decision was to leave. The hardest part was walking away from the 50 young men he had spent years praying, learning and living with, Norrell said. Six months later, he met his future wife. Both now live in Grand Forks, N.D., where Norrell is enrolled in law school.

"If everyone who went into seminary became a priest, the seminary wouldn't be doing its job," Norrell said. "Not everyone is meant to become a priest."

Career exploration

Questioning whether they are meant to be priests is a normal part of seminary. When the current class of seminarians met in Duluth this year, they seized on a rare opportunity to ask the diocese's newest priests about the lifestyle.

The young men dragged chairs into a rough circle and slowly began to ask the Revs. Francis Kabiru, Gabriel Waweru and Thomas Galarneault the most practical of questions.

How do you find time to prepare a meal?

What if you run out of spiritual sustenance?

And, by the way, how's the whole celibacy thing?

Many of the answers focused on finding the time for prayer, and making that time your center.

"If you allow yourself, you'll be run into the ground," Bishop Schnurr said. "What you have to do is structure in, all the time, the need for prayer. If you remain faithful to that time of prayer, it's amazing. Everything gets done."

During the days that followed, there was time to talk about faith and about the diocese's resources, time to pop a beer by a campfire and play a mean game of ultimate Frisbee. For Isakson, it was a chance to meet his fellow seminarians before the rigors of the school year began.

"You want to be a man of God, and that's what the seminary does," Isakson said. "It takes you from being a boy into being a man of God." Rochester Post Bulletin

Rushford, MN: Still reeling after a devastating flood, the town faces another worry: Winter's arrival.

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The arrival of fall color is usually inspiring in southeastern Minnesota. But for many in flood-ravaged Rushford, it is bringing a sense of dread this year. "It seems so early," said Nancy Benson, looking up from her soon-to-be-demolished house at a pair of orange-leafed maples across High Street a few days ago. "We don't want fall to come too quickly. We need more time to get things done."

Six weeks have passed since Rush Creek, swollen by an unprecedented 15 inches of rain over the area, jumped dikes and filled much of Rushford. The old stone school has reopened downtown. But only one business, the Subway sandwich shop, has fully reopened. . . . [Snip] StarTribune

Bishop Hoeppner Pleased to be a "Mississippi River Rat" in Crookston; but now he has the "Red River" to really pray about!

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The Rev. Michael Hoeppner got a call that turned out to be the call.

As he was driving to Austin, Minn., with Winona Bishop Bernard Harrington Hoeppner’s cell phone rang. It was Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Pope Benedict XVI’s representative in America. The Holy Father had named Hoeppner the Bishop of the Crookston (Minn.) Diocese.

Sambi knew Hoeppner was on the road with Harrington and asked him to call back in an hour.

“OK,” was about the only words that Hoeppner could find when he was told the news.

Hoeppner pulled the car over and asked Harrington to drive the rest of the way. On their way to Austin, they continued in prayer together, saying the rosary.

When Hoeppner called back, Sambi asked, “Do you accept?”

“Gratefully, I do,” Hoeppner replied.

Winona’s native son will leave one corner of the state and head to another.

“I am just delighted. It’s a very happy day,” Hoeppner said. “I grew up a river rat and now I am going to be in the diocese that has the Mississippi River headwaters in it. They also probably didn’t want to appoint someone who doesn’t love the Minnesota winters. I love Minnesota.”

The pope accepted the resignation of longtime Crookston Bishop Victor Balke on Friday. Hoeppner served as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Winona.

“I have enjoyed working with Bishop Harrington — he is a very pastoral bishop,” Hoeppner said. “People have asked me what I plan to do first, and I’ve told them I want to visit the parishes and the priest and be that kind of pastoral bishop.”

Hoeppner, 58, now the bishop-elect, is scheduled to be ordained a bishop and installed Nov. 30 in Crookston.

Hoeppner was born June 1, 1949, to Joseph and Anna Hoeppner in Winona and has three siblings, Patricia, Edward and Mary. He attended Cathedral Elementary School, Cotter High School, Saint Mary’s College and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, all in Winona. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Winona on June 29, 1975, by Pope Paul VI at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

He served at number of parishes in the Winona Diocese, including St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Casmir’s in Winona, and parishes in Minnesota City, Lewiston and Altura.

“He is well-prepared and well-qualified, and I know the people and the clergy of the Diocese of Crookston will welcome him with open arms and work with him to build up the Church of Crookston,” Harrington said.

Balke, who will turn 76 on Saturday, was ordained a bishop Sept. 2, 1976, in Crookston. Bishops are required to submit their resignations to Rome when they are 75.

Balke said during spring 2006, he had asked to retire and in recent months has told the Grand Forks Herald he was looking for it to happen sooner, rather than later.

Mary Gautier of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University in Washington said Balke has been a bishop in his diocese longer than any other active bishop.

The Crookston diocese includes 14 counties in northwestern Minnesota and serves about 36,000 Catholics.

Balke has been seen as one of the more progressive bishops in the U.S. Roman Catholic church, particularly in his promotion of women to leadership roles. For example, he has appointed nuns as pastoral administrators and associates of parishes.

He also spoken publicly in favor of ordaining married men, although he supports the church position that women should not be priests.

Balke has, at times, taken public stands on controversial issues. He said in 1993 that he would not willingly pay his federal income taxes if Congress mandated public funding of abortions. He also came out against the Vietnam War in the 1970s.

He wrote about the Iraq war in the most recent issue of the diocesan newspaper. He said he thought the decision to go to war a mistake, but said the next move had to be decided by military and political leaders.

“Does that mean we can do nothing? Not at all! To say that we can do nothing is to say that we no longer believe in the power of prayer. We can and, as Christians who are called upon to be peacemakers, we must pray for peace in Iraq,” he wrote.

“I dare say, and this is saying a lot, that we can and must pray that the terrorists, even Osama bin Laden, will turn from their violent ways to thoughts and works of peace based on justice. Nothing is impossible for God!“ Winona Daily News

For those of you not familiar with Minnesota geography, the "Red River of the North, the border between Minnesota and North Dakota, has its source near Breckenridge, MN, and flows north, through Lake Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. This means that as Spring comes and the melt begins in Breckenridge, the ice is still frozen to the north and annual flooding of the Red River as water backs up when it encounters the ice is a common occurrence, causing much concern to the towns along the border, affecting particularly Moorhead and East Grand Forks in the Diocese of Crookston. Bishop Hoeppner will regularly be calling for prayers to avert floods in the springtimes. Winona got rain last month.

Fargo In-Forum article on the appointment.

Diocese of Crookston web page (pdf file)

Father George Rutler: How to Make a Good Confession

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I was reading something by Peggy Noonan about Father Rutler's activities near Ground Zero on "That Day" and looked up a bit of information on him to send with the article to my brother in California. I came across this wonderful list of Father Rutler's on "How to Make a Good Confession." Having watched him many times on EWTN, there is no doubt in my mind that Father Rutler would know something about that subjected.

I recommend that you copy it to your computer, print it out, and use it, often!

1. Fundamental Truths
   
2. Steps To Be Taken Before Going to Confession
   
3. Prayer Before making the Examination of Conscience
   
4. Biblical Passages to Be Read
   
5. Grid for the Examination of Conscience
   
6. Questions Based on The Ten Commandments
   
7. Immediately Before Confession
   
8. During Confession
   
9. After Confession

Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner, Shepherd of the Diocese of Crookston!

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I haven't seen the official report yet, but CatholicHierarchy.org and my pal, Google, tell me that Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner, the new Bishop of Crookston, was the Vicar General of the Diocese of Winona!

More information later.

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I just don't know how Rocco does it. Maybe his mom's maiden name was Ratzinger?

A New Shepherd's Crook(ston)

As intimated last night (see next post), Crookston's day has arrived.

This morning, the Pope accepted the resignation of Bishop Victor Balke, who turns 76 tomorrow, naming in his stead Msgr Michael Hoeppner, heretofore vicar-general of Winona.

A native Minnesotan, the 58 year-old bishop-elect comes with a background steeped both in parish work and administration, and with a good bit of teaching ministry, to boot. An alum of the Pontifical North American College, Hoeppner is yet another member of the class of 29 June 1975 -- when Pope Paul VI ordained 359 priests to mark the Holy Year -- to be elevated to the episcopacy, and the second US appointee this year to come from the group, which also counts Archbishops Raymond Burke of St Louis, the prefect of the Papal Household James Harvey and Michael Miller CSB, now the coadjutor of Vancouver, among its members.

Possessed of a JCL from St Paul's in Ottawa and a master's in Education from a Winona-area university, the bishop-elect's priestly ministry included a seven-year stint in the triple roles of high school teacher, school administrator and diocesan director of vocations. He served as Winona's judicial vicar from 1988-97, when then-Bishop John Vlazny named him vicar-general.

Following Vlazny's 1997 transfer to the archbishopric of Portland in Oregon, Hoeppner was elected to oversee the diocese during the interregnum before the appointment and arrival of Bishop Bernard Harrington, who subsequently confirmed Hoeppner as his chief deputy.

For the northern diocese of 36,000, Balke's resignation marks the end of an era -- the bishop observed his 31st anniversary in the Northwestern Minnesota outpost earlier this month.

To become the seventh ordinary of Crookston, the bishop-elect must be ordained and installed in the post within four months from his reception of the papal decrees of his appointment. And once he does, another celebration won't be far off -- the diocese marks its centenary on the last day of 2009. Whispers


West Central Tribune article, Willmar

The 58-year-old bishop-designate will be installed Nov. 30.

The Diocese of Crookston has a population of 250,941. There are 35,780 Catholics, 45 priests, 13 permanent deacons and 123 religious.

Rocco the Irrepressible has an Alert for Crookston: New Bishop Being Announced about 5:00 a.m. CDT (noon Roman time) tomorrow

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And, lastly, the warning bells have gone off in Northwestern Minnesota’s diocese of Crookston, where an e.mail sent earlier today to the clergy announced a “press conference” scheduled for tomorrow morning. Home to the nation’s longest-serving ordinary, Bishop Victor Balke will turn 76 on Saturday. After more than 31 years of leading the 36,000-member diocese, Rome’s sending the bishop's birthday present a day early -- the gift of his successor. And the mitre goes to… an in-stater with a sterling reputation. More after Roman Noon. Whispers in the Loggia