The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud
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Drawing of the world in someone's hands.

Mission Office

11 8th Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4278
320-251-1100      fax 320-251-2061      Mission Office e-mail

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    triangle bullet Homa Bay, Kenya
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triangle bullet Mission Education . . .
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What is New in Mission in the St. Cloud Diocese?

Here are some of the great goings-on in Mission througout the St. Cloud Diocese:
  • This week, November 16-22, is Geography Awareness Week! How is your geography knowledge? How will you pass this knowledge and excitement on to the next generations? Check out a great resource as you celebrate this week: My Wonderful World website
  • A diocesan delegation is planned for March of 2009 to Homa Bay, Kenya. Please pray for the 21 individuals from all over our diocese as they begin to prepare for this important pilgrimage of solidarity!

    Kathy and Dana in HBKathy and Dana enjoy their friends in Homa Bay, Kenya as part of a previous diocesan delegation.

  • Educators and parish ministers, check out this month's Educator's Bulletin; this is a special monthly 1-page edition of our office's Mission Connections newsletter geared at connecting young people to our world, and helping you do so!
  • World Mission RosaryPray the World Mission Rosary with us on October 3rd!

    Learn more about the World Mission Rosaries (those with a different color bead for each decade, representing the different areas of our world). Thank you to the wonderful mission groups and volunteers throughout the diocese who make these special rosaries - we need more, so please keep sharing! Contact us if you are interested in being a part of prayer and celebration of mission in your school, parish, or group.
  • The St. Cloud Diocese was featured, along with others in Minnesota, in the September issue of Maryknoll Magazine. Congratulations to EVERYONE in St. Cloud for your wonderful spirit and contribution to the mission of Christ in our world! Contact us if you'd like a copy, or if you're interested in using the Maryknoll educational supplement in your school or faith formation classroom.
  • View a brief video from the Pontifical Mission Societies.
A special Mission Insert can be found in the St. Cloud Visitor's October 9th issue with great stories and prayers from mission - check it out!

Christ-mission logo

"I cannot posses Christ just for myself; I can belong to him only in union with all those who have become, or who will become, his own. Communion draws me out of myself towards him, and thus also towards unity with all Christians. We become 'one body,' completely joined in a single existence. Love of GOD and love of neighbor are now truly united."

Message of Pope Benedict XVI

About the Mission Office

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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 with studentsFr. 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.

Bishop Taban with crewMission 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

Girls in MaracayDelegates 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
chocolateFair 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.

 

Regular office hours are 9am-4pm, Monday thru Friday. However, due to limited staff and our busy outreach schedule the building will not always be unlocked during these times. Please call ahead to ensure that we will be available to help you. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Map and directions to the Mission Office.

 

 



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©2005 Diocese of Saint Cloud. All rights reserved.
"World in Hands" graphic used under license.
Last modified Nov 17, 2008. Created by DM. Maintained by KM.