Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and St. Casimir Parish

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

2012-02-28T21:04:00.001-06:00

Luke 11:39-42

The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.”

Holiness is Allowing God to Take the Driver’s Seat: It is not uncommon for us to discover in the autobiographies of saints their own recollections of a kind of spiritual clumsiness, of a profound sense of inadequacy in the face of God’s call. It is not unusual to find that a growing surrender to God left them with interior confusion, uncertainty and all manner of interior trials. In modern terms, we might say they didn’t seem to “have it together.” Don’t we, especially as beginners in the spiritual life, experience something like this at times? When we give ourselves to God and decide to take our call to holiness seriously, we can’t forget to allow God into the driver’s seat. That means we have to let go. We have to give him control in our pursuit of holiness. Then, and only then, will that pursuit be genuine. by Father Alex Yeung, LC regnumchristi.org

Soup and Pie Luncheon

2012-02-27T19:43:00.001-06:00

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Court #191

Soup and Pie Luncheon

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Holy Family Hall

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Cost: $7.00

Tickets can be purchased
from any Catholic Daughter or at the door.

Take Out Available

Mark your calendars for Ministry Day Enrichment

2012-02-27T19:43:00.000-06:00

On Sunday, March 18, Fr. Michael will host an afternoon of enrichment and training for all liturgical ministries: lectors, eucharistic ministers, sacristans, and ushers. All people currently serving one of these ministries and all those interested in beginning a new ministry are invited to attend. Please mark your calendars for this date. The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m. .

Chrism Mass

2012-02-27T19:42:00.000-06:00

This year the Chrism Mass of the Diocese of Winona will be celebrated on Monday of Holy Week, April 2, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester beginning at 7:00 p.m. At this Mass, the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens will be blessed and the Chrism will be consecrated. Priests will also renew their priestly promises.

Thank you Deacon Adam McMillan

2012-02-27T14:22:00.000-06:00

Thank you Deacon Adam for your service to the parish communities of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and St. Casimir, as well as the WSU Newman Center. We wish you well as you move to the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester on February 29.

Fr. Michael's Canonical Corner

2012-02-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

Do you have a canon law question? Check out Fr. Michael's new blog, leave a question, and check back later for his response. Fr. Michael received his licentiate in canon law at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, in 2002. http://canonicalcorner.blogspot.com/

Ad Limina Visit

2012-02-27T11:56:00.001-06:00

This weekend Bishop Quinn is travelling to Rome for his visit ad limina Apostolorum. Please pray for safe travels for Bishop Quinn, Fr. Colletti, and Fr. Melvin. Here is the text of Bishop Quinn's letter.

Cardinal Dolan's Sunday Homily

2012-02-25T20:23:00.003-06:00

Archbishop Timothy Dolan was recently made a cardinal. On his return to New York, he gave the following homily on this Sunday's readings which all might benefit from watching.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan: Homecoming Homily from Rocco Palmo on Vimeo.

Benedict XVI: Message for Lent 2012

2012-02-25T08:32:00.000-06:00

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
BENEDICT XVI
FOR LENT 2012

“Let us be concerned for each other,
to stir a response in love and good works” (Heb 10:24)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favourable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments. This journey is one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter.

This year I would like to propose a few thoughts in the light of a brief biblical passage drawn from the Letter to the Hebrews:“ Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works”. These words are part of a passage in which the sacred author exhorts us to trust in Jesus Christ as the High Priest who has won us forgiveness and opened up a pathway to God. Embracing Christ bears fruit in a life structured by the three theological virtues: it means approaching the Lord “sincere in heart and filled with faith” (v. 22), keeping firm “in the hope we profess” (v. 23) and ever mindful of living a life of “love and good works” (v. 24) together with our brothers and sisters. The author states that to sustain this life shaped by the Gospel it is important to participate in the liturgy and community prayer, mindful of the eschatological goal of full communion in God (v. 25). Here I would like to reflect on verse 24, which offers a succinct, valuable and ever timely teaching on the three aspects of Christian life: concern for others, reciprocity and personal holiness.

1. “Let us be concerned for each other”: responsibility towards our brothers and sisters.

This first aspect is an invitation to be “concerned”: the Greek verb used here is katanoein, which means to scrutinize, to be attentive, to observe carefully and take stock of something. We come across this word in the Gospel when Jesus invites the disciples to “think of” the ravens that, without striving, are at the centre of the solicitous and caring Divine Providence (cf. Lk 12:24), and to “observe” the plank in our own eye before looking at the splinter in that of our brother (cf. Lk 6:41). In another verse of the Letter to the Hebrews, we find the encouragement to “turn your minds to Jesus” (3:1), the Apostle and High Priest of our faith. So the verb which introduces our exhortation tells us to look at others, first of all at Jesus, to be concerned for one another, and not to remain isolated and indifferent to the fate of our brothers and sisters. All too often, however, our attitude is just the opposite: an indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for “privacy”. Today too, the Lord’s voice summons all of us to be concerned for one another. Even today God asks us to be “guardians” of our brothers and sisters (Gen 4:9), to establish relationships based on mutual consideration and attentiveness to the well-being, theintegral well-being of others. The great commandment of love for one another demands that we acknowledge our responsibility towards those who, like ourselves, are creatures and children of God. Being brothers and sisters in humanity and, in many cases, also in the faith, should help us to recognize in others a true alter ego, infinitely loved by the Lord. If we cultivate this way of seeing others as our brothers and sisters, solidarity, justice, mercy and compassion will naturally well up in our hearts. The Servant of God Pope Paul VI stated that the world today is suffering above all from a lack of brotherhood: “Human society is sorely ill. The cause is not so much the depletion of natural resources, nor their monopolistic control by a privileged few; it is rather the weakening of brotherly ties between individuals and nations” (Populorum Progressio, 66).

Concern for others entails desiring what is good for them from every point of view: physical, moral and spiritual. Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil, yet there is a real need to reaffirm that good does exist and will prevail, because God is “generous and acts generously” (Ps 119:68). The good is whatever gives, protects and promotes life, brotherhood and communion. Responsibility towards others thus means desiring and working for the good of others, in the hope that they too will become receptive to goodness and its demands. Concern for others means being aware of their needs. Sacred Scripture warns us of the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort of “spiritual anesthesia” which numbs us to the suffering of others. The Evangelist Luke relates two of Jesus’ parables by way of example. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite “pass by”, indifferent to the presence of the man stripped and beaten by the robbers (cf. Lk 10:30-32). In that of Dives and Lazarus, the rich man is heedless of the poverty of Lazarus, who is starving to death at his very door (cf. Lk 16:19). Both parables show examples of the opposite of “being concerned”, of looking upon others with love and compassion. What hinders this humane and loving gaze towards our brothers and sisters? Often it is the possession of material riches and a sense of sufficiency, but it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else. We should never be incapable of “showing mercy” towards those who suffer. Our hearts should never be so wrapped up in our affairs and problems that they fail to hear the cry of the poor. Humbleness of heart and the personal experience of suffering can awaken within us a sense of compassion and empathy. “The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it” (Prov 29:7). We can then understand the beatitude of “those who mourn” (Mt 5:5), those who in effect are capable of looking beyond themselves and feeling compassion for the suffering of others. Reaching out to others and opening our hearts to their needs can become an opportunity for salvation and blessedness.

“Being concerned for each other” also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian life, which I believe has been quite forgotten:fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. This was not the case in the early Church or in those communities that are truly mature in faith, those which are concerned not only for the physical health of their brothers and sisters, but also for their spiritual health and ultimate destiny. The Scriptures tell us: “Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it. Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more” (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15). The verb used to express fraternal correction - elenchein – is the same used to indicate the prophetic mission of Christians to speak out against a generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11). The Church’s tradition has included “admonishing sinners” among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other. As the Apostle Paul says: “If one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way” (Gal 6:1). In a world pervaded by individualism, it is essential to rediscover the importance of fraternal correction, so that together we may journey towards holiness. Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1 Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.

2. “Being concerned for each other”: the gift of reciprocity.

This “custody” of others is in contrast to a mentality that, by reducing life exclusively to its earthly dimension, fails to see it in an eschatological perspective and accepts any moral choice in the name of personal freedom. A society like ours can become blind to physical sufferings and to the spiritual and moral demands of life. This must not be the case in the Christian community! The Apostle Paul encourages us to seek “the ways which lead to peace and the ways in which we can support one another” (Rom 14:19) for our neighbour’s good, “so that we support one another” (15:2), seeking not personal gain but rather “the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33). This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity must be part of the life of the Christian community.

The Lord’s disciples, united with him through the Eucharist, live in a fellowship that binds them one to another as members of a single body. This means that the other is part of me, and that his or her life, his or her salvation, concern my own life and salvation. Here we touch upon a profound aspect of communion: our existence is related to that of others, for better or for worse. Both our sins and our acts of love have a social dimension. This reciprocity is seen in the Church, the mystical body of Christ: the community constantly does penance and asks for the forgiveness of the sins of its members, but also unfailingly rejoices in the examples of virtue and charity present in her midst. As Saint Paul says: “Each part should be equally concerned for all the others” (1 Cor 12:25), for we all form one body. Acts of charity towards our brothers and sisters – as expressed by almsgiving, a practice which, together with prayer and fasting, is typical of Lent – is rooted in this common belonging. Christians can also express their membership in the one body which is the Church through concrete concern for the poorest of the poor. Concern for one another likewise means acknowledging the good that the Lord is doing in others and giving thanks for the wonders of grace that Almighty God in his goodness continuously accomplishes in his children. When Christians perceive the Holy Spirit at work in others, they cannot but rejoice and give glory to the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:16).

3. “To stir a response in love and good works”: walking together in holiness.

These words of the Letter to the Hebrews (10:24) urge us to reflect on the universal call to holiness, the continuing journey of the spiritual life as we aspire to the greater spiritual gifts and to an ever more sublime and fruitful charity (cf. 1 Cor 12:31-13:13). Being concerned for one another should spur us to an increasingly effective love which, “like the light of dawn, its brightness growing to the fullness of day” (Prov 4:18), makes us live each day as an anticipation of the eternal day awaiting us in God. The time granted us in this life is precious for discerning and performing good works in the love of God. In this way the Church herself continuously grows towards the full maturity of Christ (cf. Eph 4:13). Our exhortation to encourage one another to attain the fullness of love and good works is situated in this dynamic prospect of growth.

Sadly, there is always the temptation to become lukewarm, to quench the Spirit, to refuse to invest the talents we have received, for our own good and for the good of others (cf. Mt 25:25ff.). All of us have received spiritual or material riches meant to be used for the fulfilment of God’s plan, for the good of the Church and for our personal salvation (cf. Lk 12:21b; 1 Tim 6:18). The spiritual masters remind us that in the life of faith those who do not advance inevitably regress. Dear brothers and sisters, let us accept the invitation, today as timely as ever, to aim for the “high standard of ordinary Christian living” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31). The wisdom of the Church in recognizing and proclaiming certain outstanding Christians as Blessed and as Saints is also meant to inspire others to imitate their virtues. Saint Paul exhorts us to “anticipate one another in showing honour” (Rom 12:10).

In a world which demands of Christians a renewed witness of love and fidelity to the Lord, may all of us feel the urgent need to anticipate one another in charity, service and good works (cf. Heb 6:10). This appeal is particularly pressing in this holy season of preparation for Easter. As I offer my prayerful good wishes for a blessed and fruitful Lenten period, I entrust all of you to the intercession of Mary Ever Virgin and cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 3 November 2011

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

Lenten Opportunities Around Winona

2012-02-25T08:15:00.001-06:00

Lenten Opportunities

Soup Supper and Stations of the Cross

2012-02-24T07:30:00.000-06:00

Parishioners gathered Thursday evening for a simple soup supper followed by the Stations of the Cross. Be sure to check the bulletin for dates and times of soup suppers, Stations of the Cross, and other devotional opportunities during the season of Lent.

February 26 Bulletin

2012-02-23T16:12:00.001-06:00

February 26

Ad Limina Letter

WACS Round-up

Lent Begins!

2012-02-22T21:27:00.000-06:00

FOCUS Team Members Mary, Mark, Aaron, and Emily with Bishop Quinn following the 12:10 Ash Wednesday liturgy at Cathedral.

Cathedral March/April Ministry Schedule Now Online

2012-02-22T17:09:00.001-06:00

March and April ministry schedules have been posted for Cathedral under the "Ministry Schedule" area. Or you can click here to view it.
Looking for the Jan-Mar St. Casimir Schedule? Click here.

Want to become a minister? Email us!

Knights of Columbus Chicken Q

2012-02-22T15:32:00.000-06:00

The Knights of Columbus will be holding their annual charcoal chicken dinner at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Saturday, March 3rd from 11am to 3pm (or until gone). Meal includes 1/2 chicken, beans, baked potato and roll. Price is $8. Two or more meals will be delivered free by calling 313-9094. Tickets can be purchased by calling Mike Orlowske at 452-9024, from any Knights of Columbus member or at the door. All proceeds go toward the Scholarship Fund.

Lent

2012-02-21T21:02:00.000-06:00

Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

2012-02-21T20:21:00.001-06:00

As we begin the Lenten season, we are reminded of the need to make reparation for our sins and be reconciled with God. Any attempt to build a spiritual life that neglects the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is building on sand. Prayer purifies our intentions and relates all we do to God. Fasting detaches us from our comfort and from ourselves. Almsgiving reflects our brotherhood with the poor of Jesus’ family and reminds us that our true wealth is not in things, but in the love of God. We all need to do a reality check on our spiritual lives to make sure we are committed to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, they neglect their appearance so that they may appear to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Catholic Foreign Exchange Program

2012-02-21T17:42:00.000-06:00

Mate Kiss, a foreign exchange student from Hungary, who is studying at Cotter High School, recently spoke at two Cathedral Masses to share his experiences as a foreign exchange student living in Winona and the work of Global Outreach. Thank you for welcoming him. He was very pleased with the positive response and interest. Please contact the parish office if you might be willing to host a student from the Global Outreach Program.
www.globaloutreachprogram.com

Week 1: Everyone Makes a Difference!

2012-02-21T17:33:00.004-06:00

Thanks for a great start toward our goal for the the Annual Diocesan Appeal. Keep up the great work! See diocesan-wide results so far.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart	23.90%
St. Casimir	10.40%

Annual Diocesan Appeal - Now Online

2012-02-21T14:33:00.001-06:00

Thank you to all who have already given to the Annual Diocesan Appeal! If you forgot to grab an envelope after Mass, or didn't get one, you can now make your donation online. The website allows donations in the form of credit card or PayPal account. If your envelope is ready to return, you may drop it in the collection baskets at Mass, mail or drop it by the parish office. Your monthly or one-time gift helps us meet not only our monetary goals, but also our participation goal of 25% per parish. Thank you for your continued generosity.

Click here for more information or to make an online donation.

Pancake Breakfast This Sunday

2012-02-21T13:35:00.000-06:00

The Winona State University Chapter of Habitat for Humanity will be holding a pancake breakfast this Sunday, February 26th in Holy Family Hall at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Breakfast includes all the pancakes you can eat, fruit and your choice of milk, juice, or coffee. Cost is $5.00 for Adults and $3.00 for kids.

Funds from this event will go toward the participation in Collegiate Challenge. Collegiate Challenge is an alternative spring break program where participants from across the country volunteer with Habitat in over 200 locations during school breaks. Groups spend one week working in partnership with the local affiliate, the local community and partner families to help eliminate poverty housing in the area. This year WSU students will be going to West Virginia.

Be the Hero. Fight Hunger.

2012-02-20T11:03:00.003-06:00

Thank you to everyone who has helped us get an early start to our Lenten food drive for Minnesota Shares! The theme for this year is: Be the Hero. Fight. Hunger. All food and donations raised in Winona stay in Winona County. Our cluster has already collected two barrels of food for the Food Shelf!

Food can be left in the barrels at Cathedral entrances, or inside the church at St. Casimir. If you would like to donate money, please drop off or mail your check to the parish office. Checks may be made out to Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with Minnesota FoodShare in the memo line. We thank you for your continued generosity in the fight to end hunger in Winona County.

What will you give up for Lent?

2012-02-20T10:49:00.003-06:00

Thinking about what to give up for Lent? Watch the video below to get some ideas.

Rite of Sending

2012-02-19T17:47:00.001-06:00

On Sunday, February 19, members of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) class and their sponsors participated in the Rite of Sending at the 10:30 a.m. Mass with Fr. Michael presiding and Fr. Rick concelebrating. Next weekend these young adults will be welcomed at the Rite of Election with Bishop Quinn at a liturgy in Austin, along with others throughout the Diocese of Winona. Continue to pray for these individuals who are preparing for full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Annual Diocesan Appeal

2012-02-18T12:50:00.004-06:00

This past weekend began the 2012 Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA). The ADA is a primary source of funding to help sustain and expand ministries in the 114 parishes, 30 schools, seminary, programs and departments of the diocesan church. If you missed an envelope, they are available in Church. Contributions can also be made online at www.dow.org.

A Gift of Prayer -- pray for the Church, for our diocesan family and for all people who support or are supported by the ADA.

Time and Talent -- volunteer in your parish, school, community and in diocesan ministries.

A Sacrificial Gift -- consider making a pledge or one-time financial gift. Please continue working toward your Stewardship Commitment of 10%; designating 5% to your parish, 1% to the diocese, and 4% of annual income to other charities.