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Friebohle, Strommer ordained transitional deacons

Deacons Charles Russell Friebohle and Paul Anthony Strommer were ordained transitional deacons, a step toward ordination to the priesthood, June 5 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.

“I’ve had the privilege of being bishop long enough to have accompanied you on a good part of your vocational journey,” Bishop Paul Sirba told them in his homily before he ordained them. “... I can attest to the growth that I have been able to witness in both of you.”

ordination

Deacons Charles Friebohle (left) and Paul Strommer pose with Bishop Paul Sirba after their ordination as transitional deacons. (Kyle Eller / The Northern Cross)

Deacon Friebohle, 26, is the son of Russell and Connie Friebohle and comes from All Saints Church in Baxter. An Eagle Scout, he is the fourth of five children with two brothers and two sisters.

The bishop described him as “quiet by nature, I think,” but as someone who has grown into being able to confidently tackle a conversation with his bishop on a question of philosophy. The bishop said he had done amazing things in his seminary formation.

Deacon Strommer, 28, is the son of Michael and Ann Strommer and is from St. Mary of the Lake Church in White Bear Lake. He came to the Duluth Diocese by being active in the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is the second of three children, with a brother and a sister.

Bishop Sirba described him as “able to speak with anyone.” His homiletics professor also had high praise, the bishop noted: “He has been described already as a very good preacher.”

Both of the deacon candidates are finishing theology studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.

Advice: Be men of prayer

Bishop Sirba focused his homily on one out of a series of promises deacons make at their ordination: maintaining and deepening a spirit of prayer.

“God’s people come to us with many needs,” he said. But among them is that the faithful will come to them, asking them for their prayers.

“How humbling is that?” he said.

“So Charlie and Paul, pray for God’s people.”

Citing the spiritual classic “The Soul of the Apostolate,” the bishop said that in the sacrament of holy orders, their prayer comes not just as “a private citizen.” “We speak and act in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior.”

“My brothers in orders, we forget this truth to our own condemnation,” he said. “So don’t forget. St. Augustine said, ‘God is more pleased with the barking of dogs than with the prayer of such clerics who forget their purpose and meaning.’ ”

In a world in search of immediate responses, the prayers of clergy point to a dependence and trust in God.

“What a gift for us to pray for our people,” he said.

Deacon Friebohle was assigned to St. James, St. Margaret Mary and St. Elizabeth parishes in Duluth, and Deacon Strommer was assigned to Holy Spirit and Sacred Heart parishes in Virginia and Sacred Heart in Mountain Iron. There were no ordinations to the priesthood this year for the Diocese of Duluth.

— Kyle Eller / The Northern Cross

Here’s what you need to know about the big 125th diocesan anniversary celebration coming up Sept. 12

125th logo

The Northern Cross

The date is getting closer! On Sept. 12, the Diocese of Duluth will complete its celebration of the diocese’s 125th anniversary with a Eucharistic Procession through downtown Duluth, culminating with Mass and a reception at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

The whole diocese — every member of every parish — is invited to participate as a celebration and public witness to our faith in Jesus Christ, truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

So to help you make your preparations, here are some of the nitty-gritty details on exactly where to go and how to get involved.

Should I go?

Definitely yes. Opportunities to gather with so many of our brother and sister Catholics to celebrate our faith in an event like this don’t come along every day, or even every year or decade, and the more of us there are, the more joyful and beautiful it will be. Every Catholic in the diocese, of all ages, vocations and abilities, is invited to come and be a part of it. Parishes and groups like the Knights of Columbus and CCW and so on are invited to find colorful ways to represent their vibrant parts of the local church too. This is also a way of evangelization, of showing the “Joy of the Gospel” in a positive way in the largest city in the diocese. As Pope Francis recently said, “A Church or a Christian who does not give witness is sterile; like a dead person who thinks they are alive; like a dried up tree that produces no fruit; an empty well that offers no water!”

OK, give me the basics.

The procession is going to start from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 East Fourth Street, Duluth, at noon, and continue to the DECC, where there will be Mass in the DECC Arena with Bishop Paul Sirba at 4:30 p.m., followed by a light reception.

What’s the route?

The procession will follow Fourth Street with stops near St. Mary’s Hospital and the Damiano Center. Then it will continue down Fifth Avenue West to the DECC. The entire route is about four miles.

Wait, go back a minute. I’ve seen that parking lot. We can’t all park at the Cathedral.

Right. People are encouraged to park at the DECC instead, where there’s ample parking. (The DECC charges $5 per car.) The diocese will be providing shuttles from the DECC to the Cathedral and then also to other spots along the procession for those who can’t or don’t wish to walk the whole way.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to have buses from the different parishes?

Often it would. Parishes are encouraged to organize those. Parish buses can drop people off for the procession and park at the DECC too.

I don’t think I can do a four-mile walk. Can I still participate?

Definitely. You can join part way along the route with the help of the shuttles. If you are not up to walking in the procession at all, you can still participate. There will be opportunities to pray at the DECC with others and participate that way as you wait for Mass. It’s not certain yet, but it’s also possible there will be a live feed of the procession there at the DECC.

What if I have to use a restroom along the way?

Bathroom facilities will be provided at two stops along the route, if nature calls.

How about water or a little snack?

You’re covered there too. All participants will receive a small backpack with water, a snack and other goodies for the procession.

You said parishes and groups can use their creativity to make their presence and their faith known. What does that mean?

Parishes and groups like the Knights of Columbus, CCW, Serrans and so on are strongly encouraged to come up with creative ways to participate. Examples could be banners or T-shirts or scarves or flags. Have fun!

How should I dress?

It’s an outdoor event in Duluth, so use good judgment and dress for the different weather possibilities.

I still have more questions! What should I do?

We’re happy to help! Contact the Diocese of Duluth at (218) 724-9111. You can also write to reichmueller@dioceseduluth.org.

Bishop Paul Sirba: Pope’s new encyclical is both pro-creation and pro-life

“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (Laudato Si’ 160).

This question is at the heart of the new encyclical Laudato Si’, which Pope Francis issued last month. The greatly anticipated encyclical takes its name from the invocation of St. Francis of Assisi — ‘Praise be to you, my Lord’ — and reminds us all that the earth is our common home.

Bishop Paul Sirba

Bishop Paul Sirba
Fiat Voluntas Tua

The encyclical is developed around the concept of integral ecology, as a paradigm able to articulate the fundamental relationships of the person: with God, with oneself, with other human beings, with creation.

In continuity with St. John Paul II, who called for a “global ecological conversion,” and Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, the “green pope,” Pope Francis points to St. Francis of Assisi as the “example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully

and authentically. . . . He shows us just how inseparable is the bond between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace” (10).

While the secular press will want to spin or reduce the document to a discussion of climate change, it reveals much, much more. Some of the principal concepts are continually taken up and enriched:

  • The intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet;
  • The conviction that everything in the world is connected;
  • The critique of new paradigms and forms of power derived from technology;
  • The call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress;
  • The value proper to each creature;
  • The human meaning of ecology;
  • The need for forthright and honest debate;
  • The serious responsibility of international and local policy;
  • The throwaway culture and the proposal of a new lifestyle (16).

Everyone, everything matters

Our stewardship is based on the Gospel of creation. In the Bible, “the God who liberates and saves is the same God who created the universe, and these two divine ways of acting are intimately and inseparably connected” (73).

Not only is the earth a gift and not our own creation, but our bodies are not our own. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20). The document is pro-creation and pro-life.

In our beautiful corner of God’s creation in northeastern Minnesota, the Holy Father’s words challenge us to confront threats to our “common home” from pollution, from waste, from the issue of water and from the “throwaway culture.” They call us to respect human dignity and to hope for joy and peace based on the Gospel of Jesus.

Everyone’s actions matter, from in-home recycling to good stewardship with our precious natural resources in local mining, logging and our unsurpassed recreation. The encyclical offers our world hope for change in dialogue, prayer and action.

Pope Francis asks us to turn to Mary the Queen of all creation. “All creature sing of her fairness” (241). At her side, St. Joseph appears in the Gospel as a just man and worker, full of the tenderness of one who is truly strong (242). Both can teach and motivate us to protect this world that God has given us.

Bishop Paul Sirba is the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth.

Supreme Court Decision on Marriage “A Tragic Error” Says President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference

June 26, 2015

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court decision, June 26, interpreting the U.S. Constitution to require all states to license and recognize same-sex “marriage” “is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The full statement follows:

Regardless of what a narrow majority of the Supreme Court may declare at this moment in history, the nature of the human person and marriage remains unchanged and unchangeable. Just as Roe v. Wade did not settle the question of abortion over forty years ago, Obergefell v. Hodges does not settle the question of marriage today. Neither decision is rooted in the truth, and as a result, both will eventually fail. Today the Court is wrong again. It is profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage.

The unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is inscribed in our bodies as male and female. The protection of this meaning is a critical dimension of the “integral ecology” that Pope Francis has called us to promote. Mandating marriage redefinition across the country is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us, especially children. The law has a duty to support every child’s basic right to be raised, where possible, by his or her married mother and father in a stable home.

Jesus Christ, with great love, taught unambiguously that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. As Catholic bishops, we follow our Lord and will continue to teach and to act according to this truth.

I encourage Catholics to move forward with faith, hope, and love: faith in the unchanging truth about marriage, rooted in the immutable nature of the human person and confirmed by divine revelation; hope that these truths will once again prevail in our society, not only by their logic, but by their great beauty and manifest service to the common good; and love for all our neighbors, even those who hate us or would punish us for our faith and moral convictions.

Lastly, I call upon all people of good will to join us in proclaiming the goodness, truth, and beauty of marriage as rightly understood for millennia, and I ask all in positions of power and authority to respect the God-given freedom to seek, live by, and bear witness to the truth.

Statement from Bishop Paul Sirba marking the release of Laudato Si’

Bishop Paul Sirba, ninth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth, released the following statement today marking the release of Laudato Si’, an encyclical by Pope Francis on “caring for our common home”:

Pope Francis has released his greatly anticipated encyclical Laudato Si’, which takes its name from the invocation of Saint Francis of Assisi — “Praise be to you, my Lord” — and reminds us all that the earth is our common home. The encyclical is developed around the concept of integral ecology, as a paradigm able to articulate the fundamental relationships of the person: with God, with oneself, with other human beings, with creation.

In our beautiful corner of God’s creation in northeastern Minnesota, the Holy Father’s words challenge us to confront threats to our “common home” from pollution, from waste, from the issue of water and from the “throwaway culture” and call us to respect human dignity and to hope for joy and peace based on the Gospel of Jesus.

Everyone’s actions matter, from in-home recycling to good stewardship with our precious natural resources in local mining, logging and unsurpassed recreation. The encyclical offers our world hope for change in dialogue, prayer and action.

 

All creation sings God’s praise, but people are silencing it, pope says

The earth, which was created to support life and give praise to God, is crying out with pain because human activity is destroying it, Pope Francis says in his long-awaited encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

All who believe in God and all people of good will have an obligation to take steps to mitigate climate change, clean the land and the seas, and start treating all of creation — including poor people — with respect and concern, he says in the document released at the Vatican June 18.

A lack of respect for creation is a lack of respect for God who created all that exists, the pope says. In fact, he continues, a person cannot claim to respect nature while supporting abortion, nor can one claim to be pro-life without a commitment to reversing damage to the environment.

With unusually blunt language for a papal document, the pope decries centuries of exploiting the earth, exploiting other people and acting as if the point of human life is to buy and consume as much as possible.

“The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth,” the pope writes in the document.

While acknowledging science is not the Catholic Church’s area of expertise, Pope Francis says “a very solid scientific consensus” points to global warming and indicates “human activity” has seriously contributed to it, threatening the planet and all life on it.

Situating ecology firmly within Catholic social teaching, Pope Francis not only insists that wealthier nations — who contributed more to despoiling the earth — must bear more of the costs of remedying the damage, he also calls for their solidarity with the poorest of the earth. He urges generosity in transferring clean technology, protecting small farms, opening access to markets and protecting people’s jobs.

Quoting St. John Paul II and a constant theme of the church’s social doctrine, Pope Francis says the church recognizes the “legitimate right” to private property, but that right is never “absolute or inviolable,” since the goods of the earth were created to benefit all.

Regarding pollution and environmental destruction in general, he says it is important to acknowledge “the human origins of the ecological crisis,” and while ecology is not only a religious concern, those who believe in God should be especially passionate on the subject because they profess the divine origin of all creation.

Pope Francis singles out for special praise Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who has made environmental theology a key topic of his research and teaching since the early 1990s. Before the encyclical’s release, the pope told a group of priests that he had asked the patriarch to join him for the public presentation of the encyclical, but the patriarch had a scheduling conflict and so sent one of his top theologians, Metropolitan John of Pergamon.

People are fooling themselves, Pope Francis says in the document, if they think “things do not look that serious, and the planet could continue as it is for some time.” Such people in all honesty are giving themselves permission to carry on with their current lifestyles and habits; their attitude is “self-destructive,” he says.

In large sections of the encyclical, Pope Francis’ language is poetic, echoing the tone of St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures,” which is the source of the “laudato si’” (praised be you) in the encyclical’s title. He quotes a large section of the hymn of praise in a section on the place of each creature in the harmony of creation. The canticle is most famous for its references to “Brother Sun,” “Sister Moon” and “our sister, Mother Earth.”

But, the pope says, “sister earth” is crying out, “pleading that we take another course” marked by healing and protecting the earth and all its inhabitants.

While Christians cannot “put all living beings on the same level nor ... deprive human beings of their unique worth and the tremendous responsibility it entails,” St. Francis’ hymn expresses the truth that God is creator of all things, that every part of creation speaks of God’s love and power and that every created being is part of interdependent whole, the pope writes.

“Everything is related,” the pope says, “and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.”

In the document, Pope Francis calls on national governments and the leaders of international institutions to be serious and courageous in adopting strict measures to slow and reverse global warming, protect the rain forests and ensure the availability of clean water for all. Courage will be needed, he says, to adopt policies that initially may slow the pace of economic growth, but which will be farsighted in ensuring a future for their voters, their voters’ grandchildren and all humanity.

“We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels — especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas — needs to be progressively replaced without delay,” he says.

But he also calls on every Catholic and all people of good will to do their part by, for example, using only non-polluting detergents, recycling paper, using public transportation and putting on a sweater instead of raising the heat in the winter.

And he urges Catholics to return to the practice of saying grace before meals, a habit that reminds them regularly that the food they are about to eat is a gift that comes from the earth and from God.

At the end of the document, Pope Francis offers two prayers he composed himself: “A Prayer for Our Earth” and “A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation.”

The first prayer includes asking God to “bring healing to our lives that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.”

The second prayer includes the petition, “O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty.”

In the encyclical, Pope Francis urges Catholics to cultivate simplicity; it is good for the soul and for the planet, he says. “A constant flood of new consumer goods can baffle the heart and prevent us from cherishing each thing and each moment,” the pope writes.

The encyclical presents the vision of an “integral ecology” that highlights not only the interconnectedness of all created life, but recognizes how political, economic, social and religious values and decisions are interrelated and impact the way people live with one another on the planet and use its resources.

“A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings,” Pope Francis insists.

For example, he says, “it is clearly inconsistent to combat trafficking in endangered species while remaining completely indifferent to human trafficking, unconcerned about the poor, or undertaking to destroy another human being deemed unwanted.”

“Everything is connected,” the pope writes. “Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.”

— By Cindy Wooden/Catholic News Service

A baseball signed by the pope!

Duluth diocesan priest adds to his collection of papal memorabilia

Father Richard Kunst, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Duluth and St. Joseph in Gnesen, has made an international name for himself as a collector of papal memorabilia and as the host of the EWTN show “The Papacy: A Living History,” which is based on his collection.

The most recent addition — from the popular Pope Francis — drew a flurry of media attention in May from coast to coast and even to Sports Illustrated: a signed baseball.

Pope signs basball

At a papal audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Father Richard Kunst hands a pen and a baseball to Pope Francis, who autographed the ball for the Duluth Diocese priest. (Photo courtesy of Father Richard Kunst)

Getting to meet the pope wasn’t easy. “This was my fourth attempt to get to meet him,” Father Kunst said. He finally was one of about 50 for the event who got a prized ticket allowing him a brief moment to greet the pope.

He handed the pope a copy of the DVD of his EWTN show, and he said the pope took it and thanked him. Then came the other part.

“I had the baseball in my other hand, and quickly I handed it to him,” Father Kunst said. The pope seemed happy to sign it, Father Kunst said.

“I was super pumped about it,” he said. “I actually had the idea for quite a long time.”

He said the idea of asking him to sign a baseball wasn’t related to any particular interest by the pope in the game — he’s a well-known soccer fan — but rather the uniqueness of it as a piece of papal memorabilia. Signed baseballs are a unique niche.

He said he knows of maybe four or five other baseballs signed by popes in the past 50 years or so.

The story was picked up by Duluth’s ABC affiliate WDIO and then quickly spread through an Associated Press story and some coverage by other Minnesota media outlets.

That has meant a lot of comments in day-to-day life. “A lot of people want to see it,” Father Kunst said. “I jokingly tell people, ‘No, I’m still sleeping with it,’” he added.

He has shown it to a relatively small group of people, including weekly Mass-goers at St. John’s. He said the baseball will be part of his famous collection.

— Kyle Eller / The Northern Cross

Clergy assignments

Bishop Paul D. Sirba has made the following clergy assignments:

Effective May 31, 2015:

Father Eric Hastings, from pastor of St. Benedict, Duluth, and judicial vicar and chancellor, to a leave of absence.

Effective July 15, 2015:

Father Steven Laflamme, from studies for his license in canon law at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C., to pastor of Holy Spirit, Two Harbors, and St. Mary, Silver Bay.

Father Michael Lyons, from pastor of Holy Spirit, Two Harbors, and St. Mary, Silver Bay, to retirement.

Father Peter Lambert, from pastor of St. Louis, Floodwood; St. Mary, Meadowlands; and Immaculate Conception, Cromwell-Wright, to residence.

Father Pio Antonio, from residence at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary to pastor of St. Louis, Floodwood; St. Mary, Meadowlands; and Immaculate Conception, Cromwell-Wright. Father Antonio was incardinated into the Diocese of Duluth March 31, 2015.

Father Joel Hastings, from pastor of St. Rose, Proctor, and St. Philip Neri, Saginaw, to pastor of St. Benedict, Duluth.

Father Joseph Sobolik, from pastor of St. Raphael, Duluth, to pastor of St. Raphael, Duluth; St. Rose, Proctor; and St. Philip Neri, Saginaw.

Father Paul Larson, from pastor of St. Mary, Deer River; St. Joseph, Ball Club; and Sacred Heart, Federal Dam, to pastor of Holy Family, McGregor, and Our Lady of Fatima, McGrath.

Father Anthony Craig, from studies for his license in marriage and family at the John Paul II Institute in Washington, D.C., to pastor of St. Mary, Deer River; St. Joseph, Ball Club; and Sacred Heart, Federal Dam, and to assist in the Marriage and Family Life Office.

Father Paul Fruth, from pastor of Holy Family, McGregor, and Our Lady of Fatima, McGrath, to retirement.

Father Stephen Solors, from administrator of St. Mary, Willow River, and St. Isidore, Sturgeon Lake, to sabbatical.

Father Kristoffer McKusky, from pastor of Holy Angels, Moose Lake, to pastor of Holy Angels, Moose Lake; St. Mary, Willow River; and St. Isidore, Sturgeon Lake.

UPDATE REGARDING FATHER BRIAN LEDERER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2015

UPDATE REGARDING FATHER BRIAN LEDERER

We are continuing to closely monitor the situation involving Father Brian Lederer. We’ve also been in contact with the civil authorities to offer them our full cooperation in their investigation.

In light of the serious allegations against him and in keeping with our safe environment policies and procedures, Father Lederer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the legal process. While on leave, he is not allowed to minister as a priest and or have contact with anyone under age 18.

Much still remains unknown, and we continue to learn about the circumstances that led to Father Lederer’s arrest. Diocesan officials were not aware of any allegations against him prior to his arrest.

“We are all saddened by these events and especially for anyone who may have been hurt by sexual abuse,” said Father James Bissonette, vicar general of the diocese. “We remain absolutely committed to assisting victims, to ensuring justice is done and to doing all in our power to make our parishes and schools safe places for children.”

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Press release regarding Father Brian Lederer

May 6, 2015

Father Brian Lederer, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, was arrested in Hibbing May 5 as a result of allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor. While the circumstances leading to his arrest are currently unknown to us and while we believe Father Lederer is entitled to the presumption of innocence, we take this development very seriously and are monitoring it closely. We will cooperate fully with civil authorities in any investigation and, as more facts emerge in this case, we will uphold our responsibilities to civil law, to church law and under our policies and procedures for the protection of young people. We continue to pray for all those affected by sexual abuse and urge anyone who has been a victim of it to come forward to church authorities and to civil authorities.

Father Lederer, 29, was ordained in June 2012 and is parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Hibbing.

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