With this edition of The Central Minnesota Catholic, we’re launching a new feature titled “The Big Question.” Each month, we’ll convene a panel of local experts to discuss a topic of current and/or ongoing interest in the Church.
This month’s question is: “What does it really mean to be pro-life?” A priest, social concerns director and faith formation director discuss Church teaching on the topic, how their ministries support pro-life values and where they draw their inspiration for their work. In the next few issues we’ll explore questions related to Catholic education, the challenges of evangelizing youth and pastoral planning on the diocesan level.
Presented in a Q&A format, “The Big Question” isn’t meant to be provocative or stir controversy. The goal, in fact, is to offer readers a deeper understanding of important issues facing the Church today and as it looks to the future. The articles are a bit longer than usual, but we hope you’ll see the value in taking an in-depth, rather than soundbite, approach on these topics. With this inaugural big question, I also encourage you to note the civil tone of the conversation and exchange of ideas. It’s a model for the way conversations should — but too often don’t — happen in our Church and broader society.
Included with each article will be a question for individual or group reflection as well as a schedule of topic-related podcasts available at www.TheCentralMinnesotaCatholic.org. We encourage families and parish groups to read and discuss the “The Big Question” together, sharing their experiences and insights on the topic.
Let us know what you think about the new feature by emailing me at jtowalski@gw.stcdio.org or calling 320-258-7624.
Also in this edition
Almost a year ago, Birthline in St. Cloud changed its name to ELEVATE Pregnancy and Family Resource Center to better describe its mission, which continues to be life-affirming empowerment and encouragement for pregnant women and their families. On pages 10-11, read how the organization is working to meet the needs of today’s clients.
Peace, poverty awareness, praying for the unborn: these are just some of the topics with special days devoted to them in the month of January. Turn to pages 16 and 17 for snapshot explanations of these specially designated commemorations and why Catholics should care.
In the middle of the month, Bishop Donald Kettler and other bishops from the region will make their “ad limina” visit to Rome. The trip is part pilgrimage and part business to talk about the state of their dioceses. One highlight is an audience with Pope Francis. Read more about the visit on page 24.