Share the Journey: Mission Rally 2018 - The Central Minnesota Catholic

Members of mission groups from around the diocese gathered for the fifth annual Diocesan Mission Rally April 26 at St. Joseph Church in Clarissa.

Participants shared breakfast and lunch, celebrated Mass with Bishop Donald Kettler and listened to speakers.

The rally, titled “Share the Journey: The Faces behind Pope Francis’ Campaign,” was an opportunity to explore the changing face of mission in the diocese and hear from speakers. Ayan Omar, Gladys Gutiérrez and her mother, Maria Elena Gutiérrez, talked about the realities faced by refugees and immigrants in central Minnesota.

St. Cloud Mission Office staff also gave updates on their current needs and collected items such as quilts, dish towels and rosaries made by mission group members.

Eileen Young of Battle Lake laughs with friends during breakfast. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Hellen Lotara, a refugee from South Sudan who has been in the U.S. for just over a year, gave a short talk on advocacy and the work of Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Arlene Skov, left, Dawn Adamietz and Mary Lou Sapp, from the Motley-Staples mission group, look over some of the quilts and other items on display during the event. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Mary Ann Smith of Sauk Rapids prays during the Mass. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Ayan Omar visits with a group of women after her keynote address. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Maria Elena Gutiérrez spoke after her daughter Gladys and told the story of how she came to the United States. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Gladys Gutiérrez, a senior at the College of St. Benedict, explains her work with civil rights group La Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, a faith-based immigrant empowerment organization. She was born in the U.S., but works to help others that were brought here as young children and now fear deportation. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Alice Oehrlein and Blanche King, both of Mora, visit during lunch. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)
Rita Clasemann, parish life coordinator at St. Mary Church, Mora, and St. Kathryn Church, Ogilvie talks with someone during the lunch. (Photo by Dianne Towalski/The Visitor)