About the Mission Office
A Message from Rosanne Fischer, Director of the St. Cloud Mission Office
The Saint Cloud Mission Office carries the primary responsibility for promotion of the global outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud. The staff considers their role to be bridge-builders between our diocesan church and communities of faith throughout the world. We carry this out in numerous ways, including programs of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Catholic Relief Services, as well as our Global Solidarity Faith Partnerships with the Dioceses of Homa Bay, Kenya and Maracay, Venezuela. The overall goal of the office is to engage as many members of the diocese as possible in the global mission of Christ.
Fr. Gregory Ombok from Kenya shares about his life and country with students from St. Ann's School in Wadena |
The office serves as a conduit for both people and monetary exchange with the missioners from our diocese as well as the numerous relationships we have with faith communities around the world. We encourage and support mission curriculum development in our schools and Faith Formation programs, the World Mission Rosary, sister parish relationships, our mission Speakers Bureau, the Missionary Cooperation Plan, the sharing of Mass stipends and prayers throughout the world, parish mission groups and the encouragement of mission vocations.
Our ministry is about building right relationships with GOD and with others. It is about transformation: healing ourselves and our world; building up and being taken up into the Reign of GOD. A profound realization that our own salvation is linked with the salvation of others guides our spirit and our work. For as the missionary document from Vatican II, Ad Gentes, states, we go to God "not just singly, apart from any mutual bond," but molded together as a people, made one by the Spirit.
Mission Office staff and diocesan seminarians visit with Bishop Paride Taban of Sudan |
The office is staffed by 3 full time employees:
- Rosanne Fischer, Director
- Mary Lou Janski, Office Manager
- Kateri Mancini, Coordinator of Mission Education
Fr. Bill Vos, past office director, also volunteers in the office as Diocesan Director of Catholic Relief Services
Delegates from St. Cloud visiting their partner Diocese of Maracay, Venezuela |
Two 12-member Committees assist with coordination of the activities of our diocesan partnerships with:
- The Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya
- The Diocese of Maracay, Venezuela
Our Board of Directors, which meets quarterly, includes:
- Fr. Marv Enneking, Vicar General of St. Cloud Diocese
- Rosanne Fischer, Mission Office director
- Kathy Langer, Social Concerns Coordinator for the Diocese of St. Cloud
- Jim Schulzetenberg, permanent deacon for St. Louis Parish in Paynesville, St. Agnes Parish in Roscoe, and St. Margaret Parish in Lake Henry
- Fr. Bill Vos, retired diocesan priest and director emeritus
- Bishop Al Sowada, Crosier Fathers and Brothers, Bishop Emeritus of Agats, Indonesia
- Deacon Ernie Kociemba, Businessman and permanent deacon of St. Mary's parish in Melrose
Our Corporate Board, which meets once annually, includes:
- Bishop John Francis Kinney, Ordinary of St. Cloud
- Fr. Marv Enneking, Vicar General
- Fr. Bob Rolfes, Chancellor
- Rosanne Fischer, Director of Mission Office
Fair Trade chocolates for sale |
The St. Cloud Mission Office also serves as an advocate and small outlet for Fair Trade sales. The Office has a selection of Fair Trade coffees from various countries, chocolates, hot cocoa, artisan crafts, jewelry, etc. In addition, we also carry many items made and donated by the approximately 200 Mission Groups in parishes throughout the diocese; these items include quilts, baby quilts, embroidered dishtowels, homemade greeting cards, rosaries, and more.
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