sacraments

Deacon John Wocken talks about his spiritual journey to the diaconate and his hopes for the National Eucharistic Revival.

At the chrism Mass, Bishop Donald Kettler will bless the oils that will be used for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, initiation, holy orders and the anointing of the sick.

“This feels like a metaphor — and a relevant one for the seemingly interminable winter we find ourselves in. … How can we, in our weariness, throw together a Frost Fair of our own design?”

Diocesan officials learned from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the baptisms were invalid because of the form used during the ritual.

“Who are we becoming? Let us receive the gift of God himself. Let us become what we receive.”

As the coronavirus pandemic upended normal activities and routines across the United States, Catholic parishes, schools and organizations had to quickly, and continuously, find ways to adapt.

St. Cloud Bishop Donald Kettler called it an “important breakthrough” in a May 23 letter to the people of the diocese. “This breakthrough is consistent with our need to protect public health as we take significant precautions in how we come together and pray,” he said.

“We understand that these are difficult decisions for our civic leaders and that they have many factors to consider in the reopening of life in Minnesota,” Bishop Kettler says in his latest video message.”The bishops of Minnesota also have difficult decisions to make as we determine when to allow public worship with more than 10 people.”