October 2020

By Renae Kranz As we begin Respect Life Month in October, much of the focus shines on abortion and euthanasia. And while those issues are important, other facets of the pro-life movement need to be brought to the forefront more often. One of those facets is promoting the dignity of those with disabilities and special needs, and the diocesan Special Needs Ministry works to do just that. The Special Needs Ministry (formerly REACH) exists to serve and support those with special needs in the diocese. Their mission says it perfectly: Our hope is to raise awareness for those with disabilities in our diocese, and to provide religious education services in both our parishes and schools. We aim to educate the hearts of all clergy, staff, volunteers and parishioners to the…

By Emily Leedom Most of us don’t have to look very far into our circle of family and friends to find a single parent, often a single mother, raising her child. Chances are one of our daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughters or friends has faced an unplanned pregnancy at some point in her life. In fact, about 40 percent of births in the U.S. are to single or “unwed” mothers. While there is much to be said about the fracture of the family unit in the modern age, I want us to instead look at the reality at hand. In a recent podcast episode of Leedom to Life, I had the great honor of sitting down with a friend of mine who just so happens to be a single mother. She…

The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following assignments to become effective on September 7, 2020: Reverend Barry Reuwsaat, granted personal leave from assigned ministry, effective September 7, 2020. Reverend Shane Stevens, in addition to his current assignment of pastor St. Mary Parish, Dell Rapids, to temporary parish administrator of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Garretson, and St. Joseph the Workman Parish, Huntimer. Reverend Dana Christensen, granted request to retire from assigned ministry effective October 1, 2020. Respectfully submitted, Matthew K. Althoff Chancellor

Question Can you explain/describe the various orders such as Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits? Do all priests belong to an order? Do the orders for priests and religious brothers differ from the orders for the religious sisters? Answer We’ve got another good question this month, because while most of us are familiar with the reality of religious orders in the Church, far fewer of us have a deeper understanding of their origins, how they relate to one another and to diocesan priests, etc. Because it would take at least one column to do justice to each of the major religious communities, including those present in our diocese, this month I’d like to offer some broad explanations of religious orders in the Church. Perhaps in future columns we will be able to…

Parishioners at St. Charles Parish, Big Stone City, have started a ministry to pray for the sick and the dying. Called the Healing Rosary, prayer warriors gather once a week to pray the rosary, placing all prayer requests at the feet of the Blessed Mother. Many of the prayer requests are for the sick and infirm, as well as those in hospice or near death. The ministry started at the request of parish member Pat Meyer. According to her husband Vince, she prayed the rosary “from the time she got up until the angels would take her for the night.” As Pat’s battle with cancer drew to an end, parishioners quickly gathered at her farm and outside the window of her hospital room to pray the rosary (pictured above). The…

The Catholic Community Foundation is producing a special Christmas at the Cathedral production this December celebrating the incredible story of God’s incarnation into humanity. “That’s my God!” will be performed six times, Dec. 17-20 and will feature individual narratives that tell a story of someone living in our community today who is experiencing a crisis or uncertainty similar to what Jesus and the Holy Family experienced 2,000 years ago. It is an important message of hope for this very time and for all time, reminding us that we are not alone and we should never give up hope. When it appeared as though the human race was doomed to self-destruction, God sent not simply a prophet or an esteemed representative but his own Self, his own divine heart. And this…

St. Michael Parish, Herreid, celebrated the 125th anniversary of its first church, a sod structure built near the parish cemetery in rural Herreid. Parishioners met at the sod church site August 7 to pray the rosary with current pastor Father Tom Clement and former pastor Father Jim Friedrich. The gathering began with a novena to St. Michael the Archangel and concluded August 16 with the celebration of Mass, a meal and a history display. Sr. Joan Marie Brandner also shared memories of her hometown parish during the celebration. (Photo courtesy of Father Tom Clement)