St. Nicholas Parish was founded in 1857 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007. There are currently 375 members in 130 households. The information below is from a history book about the parish written by Shirley Lutgen on its 150th anniversary and from Brenda Kraemer, parish secretary. Q: What is an interesting historical fact about…
By Father Eric Hollas Come Lord Jesus! I don’t often draw inspiration from comedians, but you have to give them their due. Great comics succeed because of their keen insight into human behavior, and they get us to laugh at ourselves, even when it hurts. A case in point is a guy I heard recently…
Course’s themes help foster discussion on migration in light of current events By Kristi Anderson The Visitor Dressed in authentic period costumes of the early 1900s, seventh- and eighth-grade students at St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville traveled through time to be part of the Ellis Island immigration process during an interactive day of learning…
NCYC – National Catholic Youth conference Story and photos by Dianne Towalski The Visitor Youth and adult leaders from across the country converged on Indianapolis Nov. 19-21 for the 33rd National Catholic Youth Conference. The theme was “Here I am Lord.” The St. Cloud group, 141 youth and 55 adult leaders, joined the crowd of more…
By Kristi Anderson The Visitor Following a 9 a.m. Mass Nov. 21 at St. Michael Church in St. Cloud, national speaker Father Michael Schmitz from the Diocese of Duluth spoke to some 200 people about passing on the Catholic faith to children and teens. “The reality and the stakes are that it is possible to…
By Kristi Anderson The Visitor The Diocesan Pastoral Council met Nov. 14 to report back to Bishop Donald Kettler regarding what he requested at their September meeting — to provide feedback on what they have heard about the Catholic Community School system in the St. Cloud metro area as well as whether there are greater…
Bishop Donald Kettler sealed and locked a Holy Door for the Year of Mercy at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud Nov. 12. The door was sealed at a special Mass that also celebrated vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. It will reopen Dec. 13, the third Sunday of Advent, just a few days…
Pope Francis wrote his encyclical, “Laudato Si’” for “every person living on the planet” not only to read but also to “enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.” In an effort to keep the conversations going, The Visitor is publishing a six-part faith formation series in which guest writers help to “unpack”…
By Kristi Anderson The Visitor Isn’t the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe a Latino celebration just for Latinos? “No, it isn’t,” said Father Jeff Ethen, pastor of St. Leonard of Port Mauritius Parish in Pelican Rapids and St. Elizabeth Parish in Elizabeth. “It is a gift from the Latinos, but it is for all…
St. John Nepomuk Parish was founded in 1900. It currently has 227 households. (Information for this profile was provided by the pastor, Father David Maciej, with additional information from the parish’s website.) Q: What is an interesting historical facet of your church building? A: Father Ignatius Lager supervised the building of the frame church, which…
