Ordinations ahead as one will be ordained to the priesthood, another as deacon
Thursday, May 16, 2013
1:55 PM
The ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Sioux Falls is scheduled for May 24 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls.
Bishop Paul J. Swain will ordain Deacon Robert Wullweber to the priesthood.
Seminarian Melvin Kuhn is scheduled to be ordained to the Order of Deacon the previous day at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph.
Deacon Robert Wullweber is completing his seminary studies at Mt. St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD.
He was born October 15, 1975 in Huron.
His parents, Ann and Dwight, reside in Huron.
He has two older brothers, Kirk and Paul.
Growing up, Wullweber attended St. Martin Catholic School, Huron at the primary level followed by secondary studies at Huron High School.
"As a future priest, I look forward to bringing the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, to the faithful," he said. "Also, I desire to evangelize through preaching, singing, teaching and writing because it is a joy to put people in contact with Truth.
"Priesthood is ultimately about love; it is about pouring oneself out in sacrificial love for others just as Christ poured himself out for us in love on the cross," Wullweber said.
Wullweber says his mother was most influential in encouraging his vocation to priesthood. "She taught me to know and love the Catholic faith, to stay close to God, and to seek His will for my life," Wullweber said. "She brought me to daily Mass and other Catholic activities, which opened me up to the richness of the faith and holy priests. Her spiritual depth, insights, love, and personal example helped me to consider things from a faith-filled perspective."
Wullweber adds that his father was also a major influence in his discernment. "He showed me how to strive for virtue and excellence by his words and example," said Wullweber. "He so clearly modeled unconditional love, and he showed me the importance of knowledge, leadership, service, generosity, loyalty, and sacrificial love."
Various priests in his life have also been sources of inspiration to Wullweber.
"In a particular way, I credit my childhood pastor at St. Martin Church, Huron, Father Gerald Thury, for being a kind and humble priestly role model for me," he said. "I am also grateful to Father James Morgan and his gifted witness as a pastor at Holy Spirit Parish in Sioux Falls as I completed a pastoral year before re-entering seminary two years ago."
Seminarian Melvin Kuhn is concluding his latest year of studies for the priesthood at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
He was born July 26, 1965 in Quincy IL, to Thomas and Barbara Ann Kuhn.
Kuhn's father passed away in 2011.
Melvin has five brothers and two sisters.
He attended Mendon Elementary School and St. John the Baptist, Quincy, IL, while growing up.
In high school, he attended Quincy Notre Dame High School Quincy, IL, graduating in May 1983.
Prior to entering the seminary, Melvin studied for and attained Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in dairy science and animal breeding from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana and a Ph.D. in animal breeding and genetics from Iowa State University.
Melvin Kuhn now considers St. Benedict Parish, Yankton, as his home parish while he continues his seminary studies.
Masses of Ordination for the diocese are always special liturgies for the men being ordained, the clergy and the people of the diocese.
Both Masses of Ordination are open to the public.
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church is one of the highest levels of teaching
Thursday, May 16, 2013
1:49 PM
We continue our introduction to the documents of the Second Vatican Council by looking at another of the constitutions, the four central documents of the Council. This month we’ll look at the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, which has as its latin title Lumen Gentium (LG), which means “light of the nations”.
Let’s begin with an explanation of the subtitle: “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church”. As a constitution, it is one of the highest levels of Church teaching. And as a dogmatic constitution, it pertains to Catholic dogma, or teaching at the highest level. In other words, this document gives us the highest level of Church teaching on the nature of the Church itself: what is the Church, what is its mission, etc.
It terms of the structure of the document, Lumen Gentium consists of eight chapters. The first serves as an introduction to the mystery of the Church and hence to the entire document. The second chapter uses the Scriptural image of the Church as the “people of God” to explain the status that all Catholics have as part of the Church, as well as the relationship between the Church and other Christians, members of other religions, and even those who practice no religion. The third chapter focuses on the hierarchy, the ordained members of the Church, with an emphasis on the bishops and their place in the Church. The fourth chapter addresses the lay men and women as members of the Church and their place within the Church and its mission (we addressed the Council’s document on the specific mission of the laity last month). The fifth chapter discusses the fact that all members of the Church are called to sanctity, to holiness, not just the ordained and religious. The sixth chapter then addresses the unique place which religious men and women -- those who have publicly committed themselves to lives of poverty, chastity and obedience -- have within the Church. Chapter Seven discusses the relationship between the members of the Church on earth and the members of the Church in purgatory and heaven. Finally, the eighth chapter looks at the relationship of the Blessed Virgin Mary with all the members of the Church.
What does all of this matter? The first words of the document explain: “Christ is the Light of nations. Because this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature, to bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church. Since the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more fully to the faithful of the Church and to the whole world its own inner nature and universal mission.”
In other words, in order for us to effectively spread the Gospel and bring others to Christ in the Church, we need to understand the nature and mission of the Church.
Having given this overview of the document, next month we’ll look more closely at the central themes of Lumen Gentium.
Bishop’s Charity Golf Classic and Broom Tree Banquet is set for August 25-26
Thursday, May 16, 2013
1:44 PM
Banquet; August 25 and Golf action: August 26:
The 19th Annual “Bishop’s Charity Golf Classic” is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, August 25 and 26. The Sunday night Broom Tree Banquet will be held at the Ramkota beginning at 5:00 p.m. with social and silent auction.
On Monday, there will be two simultaneous golf tournaments - “The Bishop’s Scramble,” and “The Bishop’s Cup” – which will be held at Westward Ho and Minnehaha Country Clubs with a shotgun starts at noon.
The day ends on Monday with a relaxed BBQ at Westward Ho Country Club, where experiences from the day will be shared and the awards presented to the winning teams in “The Bishop’s Charity Golf Classic.”
This is a great time for Catholics from around the state to gather for fun, fellowship, and to show their support and learn more about the Broom Tree Retreat Center.
The beneficiary: Broom Tree Youth and Family Camp - Everyone struggles for the time, the opportunity and the place to experience and grow in our journey to holiness. All of us need to be able to hear God’s call. To be more fulfilling, this often times requires leadership, support, and adequate facilities.
An ecumenical retreat facility at Broom Tree Farm has become a significant regional center for faith formation and spiritual renewal. Broom Tree Retreat and Conference Center provides a natural and peaceful setting and atmosphere for young people and adults searching for personal and spiritual growth.hank you to all who participated in this year's Tournament and Broom Tree Banquet!
Through the combined efforts of supporters the event was able to raise over $115,000 for Broom Tree scholarships and programming activities!
Cursillo weekends being planned for fall
Thursday, May 16, 2013
1:41 PM
Oct. 10-12 for men and Oct. 17-20 for women - Cursillo weekends are being planned for fall at St. Thomas More Parish, Brookings.
For additional information or to register, contact Ronda Kantack at 605-690-0756.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land being planned
Thursday, May 16, 2013
1:40 PM
November 14-23 (earlier registration deadline) - Join Father Tom Anderson, of Sacred Heart Parish, Westport, on a ten day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Detailed information of a Holy Land pilgrimage can be found at www.petersway.com.
Please call Father Tom Anderson at 605-223-1209 or Margaret Artz at 605-225-7639 for more information and to register.
Special vocation section featured in this issue of The Bishop's Bulletin
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
10:47 AM
The subject of vocations is featured in a special way in this month's issue of The Bishop's Bulletin.
In the center of the May issue (pp. A1-A4), you can find the focus on vocations with the theme "Sharing Acts of Faith in the Year of Faith."
Readers will find Father Paul Rutten, director of vocations for the diocese sharing what he has experienced in his work as vocations director.
Readers will also see several different vocation stories from priests, sisters, families as well as a listing of the various religious communities serving the diocese.
Diocesan priests hit the road via bicycle to raise money for schools
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
10:44 AM
Father Terry Anderson, pastor at Holy Trinity Parish and School, Huron, and Father Mark Lichter, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish and School, Yankton, recently completed a bike trek across the state of South Dakota (from south to north) to support Catholic education at their schools.
The purpose of the long bike ride was twofold: to raise funds for their schools and religious education programs, and to raise awareness of what our Catholic schools have to offer the children of South Dakota.
In addition, the two priests competed to see who could raise the most money for their school programs, which was be a bit tougher for Father Terry, as there are 158 students enrolled at Holy Trinity as opposed to 390 students at Sacred Heart.
The bike race began April 25 on the Nebraska/South Dakota border at Yankton.
The two priests received a warm send-off from Sacred Heart Catholic School students and were on their way.
The two cyclists biked to Tyndall the first day, then went from Tyndall to Parkston April 26 and returned to their parishes for the weekend of April 27-28 for Masses and to drum up support for their schools.
The two priests resumed their trek April 29 going from Parkston to Mitchell.
April 30, they rode from Mitchell to Huron.
From Huron, they planned to ride to Redfield May 1, from Redfield to Aberdeen May 2 and if all goes well, they plan to finish the race on Friday, May 3 on the North Dakota border.
Students from both schools are collecting pledges for each mile of the priests' journey across South Dakota.
At the conclusion, Holy Trinity came out on top with a count as of this past Wednesday of $16, 081.63 for Holy Trinity School and $11,771.15 for Sacred Heart School.
Pilgrimage planned from Sioux Falls to Chicago
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
10:40 AM
July 23-25 - The Office of the Marian Apostolate is putting together a pilgrimage starting from Sioux Falls to some Catholic shrines near Chicago.
Details are still being formulated. For more information, please contact Kathy at 605-371-2320.
Marriage Encounter planned for Pierre
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
10:39 AM
Sept. 6-8 and Nov. 8-10 - Worldwide Marriage Encounter is planning a weekend at Broom Tree Retreat and Conference Center in September and another in Rapid City Nov. 8-10.
Go to www.wwme.org for additional information or call John and Dawn Elsinger at 605-362-0924.
Bishop’s Fishing Tournament almost ready to go
Monday, May 13, 2013
11:24 AM
There is still time to take part in the annual “Bishop’s Charity Fishing Tournament” to benefit seminarian education.
The tournament action is in its 17th year and is scheduled for Monday, June 3 at Big Stone City Lakeside Park, Big Stone City and Monday, June 10 at West Whitlock Resort on Lake Oahe near Gettysburg.
Proceeds from the tournaments go towards the formation and education of our diocesan seminarians.
There is always activity for the non-fishing crowd as well including an outdoor Mass with Bishop Paul J. Swain and a banquet celebrating the activity.
In addition to raising needed funds for seminarian education, the fishing tournaments keep the importance of vocations before the people of the diocese and participants, encouraging additional vocations.
In recent years, the Bishop’s Charity Fishing Tournament generates nearly $65,000 annually for seminarian education. That approximately funds the educational expense of two diocesan seminarians for the year.
Through fishing registrations, banquet tickets, and raffle ticket sales individuals are helping to support the future of our diocese.
For more information or to register, contact the Catholic Foundation at 605-988-3765 or toll free at 1-888-246-3386 or on line at www.cfesd.org.
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