Three transitional deacons and two permanent deacons were ordained June 8 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud.

Barb Friederichs from St. Mary Parish in Alexandria and Tami Rieland from St. Paul Parish in Sauk Centre are among five registered nurses who completed the program.

Members of the committees working on the project gathered under and around a small tent on the future site for a blessing and photos as some parishioners watched from their cars because of the pouring rain.

The 130 students received certificates from Bishop Donald Kettler during a graduation ceremony at St. Andrew in Elk River, where they have been attending classes for the past two years.

Bishop Donald Kettler answers students’ questions — everything from, “What’s the hardest part of being a bishop?” to “What is the magisterium?”— in this regular series featuring students from Catholic schools around the diocese.

Kindergarten and first-grade students at St. Wendelin School in Luxembourg excel using the Montessori Method.

As of May 23, contributions to the 2019 Bishop’s Annual Appeal have reached $887,320 in gifts and pledges. A total of 6,016 people have donated, with an average gift of $147.49 per donor.

Bishop Donald Kettler celebrated the Easter Vigil at St. Mary’s Cathedral April 20.