Holy oils blessed during annual Chrism Mass

Priests, deacons and parishioners from all over the diocese attended the annual Chrism Mass held Thursday, March 22 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in St. Cloud.

Janie Novak Day of St. Stephen hugs Barb Brenny, a friend visiting in the diocese, during the sign of peace. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Father Jim Maderak prays during the Mass. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Volunteers fill the bottles that the priests will take back to their parishes. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
After blessing, the oils are displayed on lighted pedestals. The tapestries hanging from the stands were created by Candice Koopmeiners of Sartell from fabric gifted to the diocese from the Diocese of Home Bay, Kenya. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Deacon Rick Scheierl from St. Augustine, St. Cloud places the Sacred Chrism on a lighted pedestal after it is blessed. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
After the blessing of oils, Brenda Kresky, diocesan director of planning, lead a dismissal with the catechumens. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Bishop Kettler blesses the oil for the sick. It is presented by Karen and Scott Reinholz from St. Francis Xavier in Sartell, Deacon James Trout from St. Joseph in Waite Park, Rebecca Schmidt from St. Francis of Assissi in St. Francis and Betsy Clark and Bill Lawrence from St. Andrew in Elk River. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Priests and deacons from all over the diocese attend the annual Chrism Mass. Also as part of the Mass, priests of the diocese renew their priestly promises. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)