http://www.dow.org RSS feeds for Diocese of Winona 60 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/87/PRESS-RELEASE-WINONA-MN--Vatican-Names-Saint-Stanislaus-Kostka-Parish-a-Minor-Basilica.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=75&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=87 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=87&PortalID=0&TabID=75 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/87/PRESS-RELEASE-WINONA-MN--Vatican-Names-Saint-Stanislaus-Kostka-Parish-a-Minor-Basilica.aspx WINONA, MN - St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish named Minor Basilica by the Vatican             Through the faculties granted by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has declared that Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Winona, Minn., has assumed the status of “Minor Basilica,” emphasizing the special bond that the parish has with the Pope and with the whole Catholic Church.  This Decree was made on November 10, 2011 and announced to the congregation this past weekend. In May, His Excellency, Bishop John M. Quinn of the Diocese of Winona sent a petition to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, an office of the Vatican, so that Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Winona, might take on the status of “Minor Basilica.” In November, the Congregation replied in favor of the petition, conferring this title of Minor Basilica on the parish. The decree is intended to “strengthen the relation of this important church with the Chair of Peter and to make it an ideal center of special liturgical and pastoral ministry” in the diocese, Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, OP, the secretary to the Vatican congregation wrote to Bishop Quinn. One way the link is demonstrated is by celebrating feasts in a special way that are linked to the papal office, including the feast of the Chair of Peter, the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul and the anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal symbol of crossed keys may be exhibited on banners and furnishings and on the seal of the basilica and those who devoutly make a visit to the basilica on certain feast days may obtain a plenary indulgence.   ”Saint Stanislaus Kostka is now a member of a small number of churches in the United States to be recognized as a Minor Basilica, and only the second in Minnesota. The other being the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, which was the first U.S. church designated as a basilica in 1926.” stated Bishop Quinn. “It is a very significant and important occasion for not only the parish and the diocese, but the entire region.” The word basilica comes from the Greek term for “royal hall.” There are two kinds of basilicas: major basilicas, the six great Roman churches, and the minor basilicas, which are important churches in Rome and abroad which the Holy Father has honored with this title. A church designated as a minor basilica must be a center of active and pastoral liturgy with a vibrant Catholic community and may have unique historical, artistic or religious importance. In seeking the distinction, the parish must provide a detailed report with an album of photographs documenting the origin, history and religious activity of the church and its exterior and interior form, particularly regarding celebration of the sacraments.  Conferring the title of Minor Basilica is also a formal recognition of the beauty and dignity of the parish church. Father Thomas Hargesheimer, pastor of Saint Stanislaus Kostka, says that one of the reasons that the petition was sent was due the extraordinary architectural quality of the parish, as well as the significant Polish heritage that accompanies it. “We really wanted to recognize the Polish immigrants that settled in the Winona area. Their heritage has had such a large impact on the development of the region. We also want to honor this parish as a faith community that contributes to not only the religious aspects of the community, but also the secular side of society as well,” said Father Hargesheimer. This church was built and paid for by Polish immigrants and dedicated to God in honor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, a popular saint from Poland on Thanksgiving Day 1895. Now, along with The Polish Cultural Institute, more commonly known as The Polish Museum, Winona has truly become a destination and pilgrimage center for people of Polish heritage. Fr. Paul Breza, founder of the museum said “the news about St. Stans is very exciting - the church was built on “nickels and dimes” by the Polish immigrants during a time when wages were only around a dollar per day. This will be a great opportunity for people to learn more about the Polish heritage of Winona.” Fr. Hargesheimer said a Mass of elevation, with Bishop Quinn presiding, will take place in 2012 at a date to be announced. For more information, contact the Saint Stanislaus Parish office by calling (507)452-5430 or e-mailing ststans@hbci.com. Joel Hennessy Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:87 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/86/Pope-Benedicts-Prayer-Intentions--December-2011.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=75&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=86 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=86&PortalID=0&TabID=75 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/86/Pope-Benedicts-Prayer-Intentions--December-2011.aspx General Intention: Peace among All Peoples. That all peoples may grow in harmony and peace through mutual understanding and respect. Missionary Intention: That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that they may be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation. To view all of Pope Benedict's prayer intentions for 2011 - visit: http://www.ewtn.com/faith/popeprayer.htm Ali Kremer Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:86 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/85/Rosary-Essay-Contest.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=75&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=85 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=85&PortalID=0&TabID=75 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/85/Rosary-Essay-Contest.aspx Rosary Essay Contest -- "Gazing on Christ Through the Rosary" The Diocese of Winona is pleased to announce a Rosary Essay Contest sponsored by the Offices of Catholic Education and Faith Formation. We strongly encourage all of your students in grades 4-12 to participate.    Rosary Flier – post in each room Rosary Essay Entry Form – make as needed Teacher Guide – make as needed Rubrics for grading the essays-- please note the Catholic Identity rubric Student Guide – make as needed Rosary Guides for students   On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Rosary will be prayed at 2:00 p.m. by every Catholic school in the Diocese of Winona. Please make arrangements with each of your school sites to decide the place to pray the Rosary in a school wide assembly. This is the official start of the contest.   Archbishop Fulton Sheen said,   The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.   Students and staff may focus the power of the Rosary on any intention they choose such as positive experiences in school, the health of a loved one who is sick, for other little children around the world or for world peace.   Thank you for your commitment and loyalty to our Catholic Schools Ali Kremer Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:85 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/84/December-Courier-is-online.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=75&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=84 http://www.dow.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=84&PortalID=0&TabID=75 http://www.dow.org/News/tabid/75/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/84/December-Courier-is-online.aspx Click the "read more" link to view the December issue of the Courier. Ali Kremer Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:84