Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus

Look what I found on the Diocese of New Ulm website. Good News!

UPDATE: More info can be found in the Prairie Catholic on page 5.


Historic day for the Diocese of New Ulm!
New religious order of women religious is established:
Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus



(Above: front, l-r): Sr. Regina Marie of the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar, Sr. Miriam Rose of the Incarnate Word, Sr. Magdalena Marie of the Trinity, and Mother Mary Clare of the Heart of the Father. With Bishop John M. LeVoir (center) are visiting bishops and friends of the Handmaids, Bishop Paul D. Sirba, Diocese of Duluth (far left), and Bishop Peter F. Christensen, Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin (far right) and Fr. Andrew Cozzens (far left), who assisted the Handmaids in their discernment of becoming a religious order.



Mother Mary Clare takes her solemn vows as the foundress of the order.




Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus: Four Sisters received the habit and a new name on March 24 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm.

Almost ready for Christmas - NUJournal.com - The Journal, New Ulm, MN

NOTE: IF anyone has pictures of Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary's I'd love to see them.
Almost ready for Christmas - NUJournal.com The Journal, New Ulm, MN

NEW ULM - So you think you've had a hard time getting your home ready for the holidays?

Be glad you don't have the kind of last minute projects that St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm has been undertaking as it rushes to finish most of its sanctuary remodeling in time for Christmas Eve services today.

The project has been underway since June to turn the church's sanctuary from a nice, comfortable wood-paneled rec-room look to a dramatic limestone wall that draws all of one's attention to the altar and the tabernacle.

The wall has the look of an ancient temple, or maybe a gateway to the New Jerusalem, with its large blocks and its archway capped by 5,000 pound lintel. The floor of the sanctuary has been stripped of its carpet and paved with limestone matching the wall. The altar has been replaced with a dark red granite altar imported from Italy, with a matching lectern.

While the Christmas Eve and Christmas services will unveil the largely finished sanctuary, the blessing of the new altar will take place at 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, with Bishop John LeVoir presiding.

The altar is the focal point of any Catholic church. "It is on the altar that bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. In a very real way, an altar is where heaven and earth meet," according to the church's bulletin.

Underneath the altar are the relics of four saints, which had been stored at St. Mary's for many years. The relics include St. Luke the Evangelist, the apostle of Jesus, who lived and died in the first century; St. Bonaventure, (1221-1274), bishop and Doctor of the Church; St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639), known for his tireless work for the poor and his devotion to prayer, and St. John Vianney (1786-1859), universal patron of priests.

On Tuesday, workers from Twin Cities Tile and Marble were busy moving the granite altar pieces into place. A large base was set in the floor, covering the aperture where the relics of the four saints are being kept. Four columns on the corners support two large slabs of granite that make up the altar table. All together, the altar weighs about 6,500 to 7,500 pounds.

The workers also placed the matching lectern, which weighs about 2,500 pounds.

Meanwhile, crews from Heymann Construction were grouting the floor stones and putting plasterboard up along the side walls.

Tim Clyne, who is overseeing the engineering for Heymann Construction, the contractor on the job, estimates the wall itself contains about 60,000 pounds of stone. The wall also includes several tons of structural steel in back, and there are tons of supporting steel below holding it all up.

Msgr. Douglas Grams, pastor of St. Mary's said the work on the inside of the church began in June when footings were sunk in the basement, six feet into the ground. Supporting steel pillars and crossbeams were added to support the weight.

Upstairs, the wood panel faade behind the altar was removed while work crews cut two large vertical windows behind the sanctuary, to throw natural light around the side of the stone wall. The paneling was moved forward to cover the construction from view during the week when Sunday Mass was held upstairs. Daily masses were said in the church basement.

The church should be ready for Christmas Eve services today. The only parts remaining to be placed are the seven-foot tall tabernacle, the cabinet that holds consecrated hosts, that will stand in the archway, and a new presider's chair for the altar, and a new lighting system for the church.

When all is finished, it will complete the remodeling project on the church that has been in the works since plans were first presented and approved to diocesan committees in 2000. A $1.3 million capital campaign is financing the work, which included a needed repair of the church roof, the addition of offices on the north side of the church, a new faade over the front entrance and a bell tower that houses the old bell and statue of St. Mary salvaged from the former St. Mary's Church and School next door.

The project this year included paving the parking lot near the church, remodeling the kitchen and basement bathrooms, and a new sound system for the church.

The design work was overseen by Fr. James Notebaart, a liturgical consultant who has overseen many projects throughout Minnesota, said Msgr. Grams. R.L. Engebretson was the architectural firm overseeing the project, and Heymann Construction was the main contractor.

Contact Kevin Sweeney at editor@nujournal.com

Venerable Solanaus Casey Relic In Marshall

Today a relic of Venerable Solanus Casey came to Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall Minnesota. The relic was used in at the 8 AM Mass as the whole church prayed for Venerable Solanus Casey's intercession for the healing of John Verly, a young man who is fighting a very rare form of brain cancer. The church was full of people praying for his intercession. I wish that I could have been there.

Venerable Solanus Casey pray for John Verly, that he may be healed.

Information about John's battle with cancer:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnverly/journal

Information about Venerable Solanus Casey and his cause for beatification:

http://www.solanuscasey.org/

Solanus Casey on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2224144568&ref=ts

Bishop LeVoir joins the Cause for Beatification of the Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J Sheen

[NOTE: I'm a bit late with this. Sorry]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2009
Media Contact: Sara Worrell
309.671.1550 x 309
sworrell@cdop.org


BISHOP LeVOIR TO AID IN THE CANONIZATION OF A SAINT:
HIS EXCELLENCY JOINS THE ARCHBISHOP FULTON J SHEEN FOUNDATION

PEORIA, IL-- The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation is pleased to welcome His Excellency Bishop John M. LeVoir to the Episcopal Advisory Board for the Cause for Beatification of the Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. Bishop LeVoir joins bishops from around the US in supporting the cause. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979) was a universally popular evangelist, radio/TV personality, writer and missionary. In 2002, his cause for beatification and canonization was officially opened by the Diocese of Peoria, IL, Sheen’s birthplace. The Sheen Foundation is the official promoter of the beatification cause. The Foundation welcomes Bishop LeVoir and encourages the Diocese to visit the Foundation’s website, www.archbishopsheencause.org to learn more about Archbishop Sheen’s Canonization and how to help the Cause.

About the Fulton John Sheen Foundation:

The purpose of the Sheen Foundation is to make known the life, works and thoughts of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, to educate people in the values that he taught, to assist the missions to which he dedicated his life, to assist others in seeking his intercession, and to undertake and pursue all acts ancillary thereto, including, but not limited to, the advancement of the Cause of Canonization of Archbishop Sheen in the Catholic Church, according to the process prescribed in the Code of Canon Law under the supervision of the bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois.

Holy Redeemer's 125th Celebration

An article from the Marshall Independent. I have added some pictures that I took at the end.

History on the table
by Cindy Votruba

MARSHALL - Parishioners got the chance to remember some of the good old days of mass at Holy Redeemer as they approached one of the tables set up for the church's 125th anniversary celebration Sunday.

A table filled with various vestments, chalices, books and other items used during the masses of the past at Holy Redeemer Church were on display.

There was an ablution cup that was filled with water and used after communion as well as a few maniples, which are liturgical vestments.

"Everything has been in the sacristy," said Holy Redeemer parishioner David Johnson, who helped organize the display. "That little sacristy holds a lot of stuff." Johnson said a couple of items were borrowed from the Lyon County Historical Museum, which included a green vestment.

Johnson said it took a little time to find things to go into the display.

"We spent the last two Fridays (sorting)," Johnson said. And, he said, there's still plenty more in the sacristy.

Jon and Jennifer Hansen of Marshall and their sons, Seth, Joshua, and Caleb looked at the items on the table. Jennifer Hansen said she remembered when altar boys used patens, a circular-shaped platter with a handle. It was used to catch crumbs from the Eucharist host.

"Mom, what are these called?" Caleb Hansen asked his mother as they looked at different-colored chalice covers.

"That's the top of that, to cover the chalice," Jennifer Hansen said.

Val Blair of Marshall closely inspected the bottom of one of the chalices, noting a familiar name.

"This is H.O. Gregoire's," Blair said.

After setting down the chalice, Blair looked through the different chalice covers.

"I had to look it over," Blair said.

Blair found a small silver-colored piece and asked Johnson what it was. He said it was used during a baptism.

"I don't know what it's called, I'm looking for someone who knows," Johnson said.

Parishioners Mariann Vandeputte, Marie Gluth and Betty DeVos marveled at all the historical church items on the table.

"The vestments are just beautiful," Vandeputte said.

"They've changed a little," Gluth said.

Gluth said she remembered other altar pieces that weren't part of the display Sunday.

"We used to have decorative candelabras," Gluth said.

After learning about the history behind the items stored in the sacristy, Johnson said he would like to see something happen.

"If I could have my wish, I'd like to see all this used again," Johnson said, referring to the old chalices, chalice covers and other altar decorum.

Congratulations Deacon Zachary Peterson

On Saturday November 7, 2009 Zachary Peterson was ordained to the Order of Deacon in an incredibly moving Christ-filled ceremony.

Congratulations Deacon Zachary. You can be assured of my family's daily prayers as you continue your journey toward priesthood.

Traditional Latin Mass celebrated in Diocese of New Ulm

[NOTE: The following article appeared in the November 2009 issue of the Prairie Catholic. This news is encouraging to me because not only has the number of EF Masses being celebrated in our diocese doubled, but so has the number of priests celebrating them.]

On July 7, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI wrote a letter titled Summorum Pontificum to the Universal Church granting explicit permission for the Mass to be celebrated in Latin as it was according to the Missal of 1962 for those of the faithful who request it, as well as the celebration of other sacraments as they were at that time.

The Holy Father asked the bishops of the Church to do what they can to make the celebration of this Mass available. Pope Benedict called it the extraordinary form of the Mass to distinguish it from the Mass that is presently celebrated in English.

Soon after the Holy Father’s letter, Bishop John C. Nienstedt, third bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, (2001-2008) established a monthly Traditional Latin Mass in the
Diocese of New Ulm offered at the Church of St. Michael in Morgan on the 2nd Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. For the past two years that Mass has been celebrated.

As of October 2009, a second Mass each month is being celebrated according to the Missal of 1962 on the 4th Sunday of every month, at the Church of St. Michael in
Morgan, also at 11:30 a.m.

At this time, the Mass on the second Sunday of each month is a High Mass by Msgr. Robert Wyffels, and the Mass on the fourth Sunday of each month is celebrated as a Low Mass by Fr. Mark Steffl. For those who wish, attendance at these Masses counts for their Sunday obligation to attend Mass.

A Web site has been established that will be updated regularly with information (schedules and times) on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of New Ulm. Visit [LINK REMOVED: I have removed the link to this site. After reviewing the site I have problems with some of their content -- Dave]

Bishop John LeVoir

Bishop John LeVoir of New Ulm will be giving a talk on "A Mission for Christ - Ways you can carry out your baptismal mission and imitate Christ by acting as prophets, priests, and kings" on Tuesday October 6th at 7PM. This will take place at the Church of St. Mary in St. Paul. The event is sponsored by the Holy Name Society of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.