Around the Diocese

Bishop Donald Kettler is continuing the suspension of in-person social activities and other gatherings in parishes until at least Feb. 1, he notified pastors in a letter Dec. 18.  

For nearly 30 years, the Cookie Connection tradition has brought Christmas cheer to the homebound or those unable to bake. This year, however, the tradition changed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The churches of St. Anthony in Watkins and Assumption in Eden Valley will host an outdoor depiction of the Nativity story. “The Story of Jesus’ Birth: A Drive Through Christmas Event,” will be held at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 23.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to limit the ways worshippers can safely gather, the diocese, parishes and area religious communities are doing what they can to make Christmas Mass accessible to all.

St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Long Prairie celebrated the eve of the feast Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 11 with a special Mass and telling of the story of the Virgin Mary’s appearance before Saint Juan Diego in a vision in Mexico in 1531.

The Diocese of St. Cloud has recorded a Christmas Mass that will be available online at www.stcdio.org/TVMass. The Mass will also air on select local access cable channels on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Thanks to generous donors, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is nearing its goal and making a difference in the lives of Catholics across the diocese.

The Compassion Connection is looking for help to provide a merry Christmas to children living in foster care in Stearns County.