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communications
Diocese of Winona-Rochester Press Releases
MEDIA ADVISORY
November 18, 2020
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263 email: mwillkom@dowr.org
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP QUINN IN RESPONSE TO THE VATICAN'S MCCARRICK REPORT
The release of the Vatican’s report detailing sexual abuse by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and his decades-long abuse of power, brings to light once again the painful reality of sin, even within the Church’s hierarchy. There is no excuse or explanation for the steady rise of Theodore McCarrick within the Church, nor for the Church’s failure to correct and admonish deviant and harmful behavior.
My thoughts and prayers at this time turn to the survivors of clergy sexual abuse, who have suffered so greatly, yet who have also courageously stepped forward for the cause of justice, and in order that such egregious behavior might never again be tolerated within the Church. I am grateful for the steps we as a diocese have already taken to address the scourge of clerical abuse. The Vatican’s report reinforces our commitment as a diocese to continuously strengthen and update our protocols for a safe environment for both children and adults in our parishes and schools.
MEDIA ADVISORY
April 28, 2020
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263 email: mwillkom@dowr.org
BISHOP QUINN TO LIVE STREAM CONSECRATION IMPLORING MARY’S MATERNAL CARE IN TIME OF PANDEMIC
As the world continues to face the crisis brought about by the global coronavirus pandemic, the bishops of the United States and Canada have joined to collectively implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary by renewing a consecration of the two nations to her maternal care under the title Mary, Mother of the Church. The act of consecration will take place this coming Friday, May 1st, 2020, and follows a similar action of the bishops’ conference of Latin America and the Caribbean. The consecration is a reminder of the Blessed Mother’s willingness to accept God’s plan, enabling her to become the vessel through which he might heal and restore humanity.
Bishop John M. Quinn of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester said, “the renewal of this consecration acknowledges our relationship as spiritual children of Mary, who always points to her son Jesus as the answer to every human question. This consecration is particularly meaningful for our local Church, as the Diocese of Winona-Rochester has always recognized the special patronage of Mary, whose symbolism is present on our diocesan coat of arms. I pray that Mary, Mother of the Church, with her loving child, might bestow a blessing of hope and comfort to all those struggling with the effects of COVID-19.”
Bishop Quinn will participate in the consecration with a private liturgy on Friday, May 1st at 2:30pm at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. All are welcome to join Bishop Quinn via live stream on the diocese’s YouTube channel or Facebook page. A worship aid in English and Spanish is available at www.dowr.org.
MEDIA ADVISORY
April 8, 2020
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263 email: mwillkom@dowr.org
LOCAL CATHOLICS OPEN COVID-19 PRAYER LINE
People across Southern Minnesota are suffering in multiple ways that would have been hard to imagine a month ago. In response to the physical, mental, economic and spiritual suffering brought by the Covid-19 crisis, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester has created a prayer support initiative called Southern Minnesota Covid-19 Prayer Response. Catholics across southern Minnesota deeply involved in pastoral prayer ministry are engaging and supporting this prayer initiative by making themselves available to listen and pray with people via phone.
People of any or no religious faith who want prayer are welcome to go to the website (www.SouthernMnPrayerSupport.com) and make a request for a “prayer call.” A prayer partner will contact you at your requested time of day within 24 hours, and pray with you and for you. Most phone prayer sessions last around 10 minutes, and all that is required is a desire for prayer. Requests can be largely anonymous, by first name only.
If you prefer, you are welcome to contact any Catholic parish as well with prayer requests. Let us help each other by bearing each other’s burdens and bringing them to our loving God.
MEDIA ADVISORY
March 18, 2020
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263 email: mwillkom@dowr.org
STATEMENT REGARDING SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC MASSES BY BISHOP JOHN M. QUINN
In response to the guidance by the Center for Disease Control and the Governor of Minnesota regarding the COVID-19 virus, to provide for the health of our community, and after much prayer and consultation, Bishop John M. Quinn has made the following decisions.
Beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester all public Sunday and weekday Masses will be suspended for the next eight weeks, through Friday, May 15, 2020. On or before that date, a decision will be made to continue or to lift the restrictions on public Masses. The faithful of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester will continue to be dispensed from their Sunday obligation for the duration of time that public Masses are suspended. During this time, Perpetual Adoration will also be suspended.
- Priests will continue to offer daily a private Mass for the intentions of their parishioners.
- Churches may remain open for private prayer.
- Sacramental ministry will be available for the Sacrament of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum, on an individual basis.
- Funeral Masses, Baptisms, and Weddings will continue, but only a small number of immediate family members are to attend.
Calling the suspension of public Masses, “the most difficult decision I have ever made,” Bishop Quinn said it is, “based on my desire to protect our people as advised by public officials and health care experts. By not coming together and having personal contact, we hope to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
Even with the suspension of public Masses, Bishop Quinn noted that the more fundamental obligation of keeping holy the Lord’s Day still remains, and encouraged the faithful to, “take advantage of the many Masses that are broadcast on radio and TV in English and in Spanish and unite yourself spiritually in deep communion with the Lord.”
To view the full statement and decree from Bishop Quinn, visit www.dowr.org.
MEDIA ADVISORY
March 13, 2020
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263 email: mwillkom@dowr.org
STATEMENT REGARDING DISPENSATION FROM SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATION
In consideration of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and upon consultation, Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona-Rochester, has "decided and decreed that it is prudent and necessary to dispense Catholics in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until Monday of Holy Week, April 6, 2020. At that time, a further dispensation may be necessary, if the COVID-19/coronavirus is still spreading. This is a fluid, evolving situation that may call for further guidance and directives in the coming days and weeks. Masses will continue to be celebrated in our parishes, but God's faithful people are not obligated to attend if they determine there is risk to themselves or others. Priests and Deacons will continue to be available...for sacramental and pastoral needs."
For the full statement from Bishop Quinn, along with a reflection and prayer from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, visit www.dowr.org.
MEDIA ADVISORY
September 27, 2019
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263 email: mwillkom@dowr.org
St. John the Evangelist Co-Cathedral, 11 4th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN, will host a relics tour of St. Padre Pio on Wednesday, October 2nd from 1:00pm to 9:00pm. Being held in collaboration with the St. Pio Foundation, the event will begin with Bishop John M. Quinn of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester celebrating Holy Mass in honor of St. Pio at 12:10pm in the main church.
Born Francisco Forgione in 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, Pio was ordained a priest in 1910. The Capuchin Franciscan was known for his wisdom and charity, as well as the quality of his preaching. He famously urged his listeners to, “pray, hope and don’t worry.”
Pio’s gifts hinted at the supernatural. For example, many penitents coming to him in the sacrament of confession have said that he knew details of their lives that they had never mentioned. He also received the stigmata, or wounds of Christ, in his hands, feet and side – a phenomenon which remains unexplained. Pio suffered from other health problems, including cancer which was miraculously healed after just two treatments. Seeing Jesus in all the sick and suffering who came to him for help, Padre Pio inspired the construction of a new hospital in 1946, called the “House for the Alleviation of Suffering”. Pio died in 1968 and was proclaimed a saint of the Catholic Church in 2002. Several people have reported cures they believe were received through the saint’s intercession.
“It is a great privilege and blessing especially in this city, so well-known for healing, to host the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, identified by many as a sign of hope and healing in the midst of extreme suffering,” said Bishop Quinn. “I invite anyone who wishes to encounter God’s love through the veneration of these holy objects.” While distinct from the sacraments, which provide God’s grace, Catholics believe that the veneration of, viz., giving honor to, relics, such as the bodily remains or personal effects of saints, can lead people to receive or respond to grace.
Bishop Quinn is available for interviews about the tour. Those media representatives also wishing to attend the event are asked to contact the Office of Communications at 507.858.1263 or email mwillkom@dowr.org. More information is available at www.dowr.org.
Padre Pio - Image
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 24, 2019
CONTACT: Matt Willkom
Director, Office of Communications
Phone: 507.858.1263
Deacon Matthew Wagner will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John M. Quinn at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona on Friday, June 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m.
Deacon Wagner is from Stillwater, MN, the son of Daniel and Nancy Wagner, and brother of Andrew Wagner. He graduated from Stillwater Area High School, attending college at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. While studying Business and Sports Management, Wagner was fully received into the Catholic Church, receiving his first Holy Communion and Confirmation as a Catholic. After growing in his own love of God, and inspired by the witness of several friends and classmates, he started discerning a call to the priesthood, joining Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHM) in the fall of 2013. Wagner graduated from IHM Seminary in the spring of 2015, and continued his theological studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI, where he recently graduated with both a Master of Divinity degree and a Bachelor in Sacred Theology degree as well. After ordination he will serve as Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and St. Casimir's Parish in Winona.
The ordination Mass will be streamed live on the DOW-R Facebook page. Media representatives wishing to attend the ordination Mass June 28 are asked to contact the Office of Communications at 507.858.1263 or email mwillkom@dowr.org.
Deacon Matthew Wagner - Image
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