Category Archives for "Community Contributors"

The experience of going on a mission trip means to give some, and receive more.  I was profoundly blessed by this ‘could never possibly give more than received’ experience when I traveled with a group of people, primarily from Our Lady of Victory Church (OLV) in Fergus Falls, to live and do work coordinated through […]

Living a life of gratitude is something I strive to do every day and something I try to raise my children to do. I have found that there is always something to be grateful for. Every night, when we say our bedtime prayers with the boys, I ask them for three things that they are […]

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Guest blogger Peter Mullin writes about “Aging Gracefully,” in a chapter of his latest book, False Financial Finish Lines. Peter grew up in St. Cloud. He brings his expertise as a professional together with his personal experiences to this idea of aging through retirement. The heart of “Aging Gracefully” is […]

Current and retired health care professionals from around the diocese gathered Nov. 4 in the Sacred Heart Chapel of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph for a special “White Coat” Mass in recognition of their dedicated work. The Mass, which takes its name from the white coat most commonly worn by those in the medical […]

Recently I was invited to attend a meeting of dialogue for people of different political persuasions for the purpose of understanding and finding areas of common ground. I did not respond immediately, only to receive a follow-up email saying they were still looking for participants, but they had enough people who considered themselves “blue” (liberal) […]

What I really want, dear reader, is to encourage you to watch the film, Romero, starring Raul Julia as Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who is to be canonized this weekend in Rome! Paulist priest, Bud Kieser, the indomitable producer of the film faced equally indomitable conditions as he searched for information and a […]

The last five months have been a whirlwind, lots of moving. Moving from Kent to St. Cloud. Moving from parish ministry to diocesan ministry. Moving from pastoral associate to associate director of lay leadership formation. Moving from a well-established position to a brand-new position that I had no idea where it was heading. Moving. It […]

“Mission”… In general, one may define the word mission as a task or goal in life that is driven with conviction.  How many times have you heard people talk about “being on a mission!”?  I can get behind that, but there is also so much more!!  What mission does God call us on?  Aren’t we […]

Have you ever been surprised? I have…sometimes by joy, sometimes by grief. Among life’s unexpected happenings, being surprised by God has opened me to experiences and perspectives I could have never even imagined. Here are a few musings from my journey of discernment, seeking peace and purpose in my life. Born in Forest Lake, Minnesota, […]

This story is written by guest blogger Tom Hintgen, eighth grade student of Sister Adela at OLV in 1961-62. Former Our Lady of Victory School Principal Sister Adela Gross, known in Fergus Falls as Sister Mary Peter in the 1960s, has fond memories of her service to others. She is 87 and resides at the […]