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

The Mission Office will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3rd for Independence Day. Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

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    triangle bullet Homa Bay, Kenya
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    triangle bullet Notable Missioners
triangle bullet Parish Mission Groups
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:
  • It's VBS time! If you're looking for theme ideas, materials, speakers, fun activities or service ideas for your parish's Vacation Bible School this summer, contact Kateri at the Mission Office (320-251-1100) for some great global ideas! You can also view our Educator's page for issues of the Educator's Bulletin for ideas that have been shared throughout the year.

  • World Mission RosaryPray the World Mission Rosary with us on October 2nd, 2009!

    We need your help! The Mission Office is in great need of World Mission Rosaries, as we share them with schools and parishes in our diocese and our global connections, to pray together on Holy Childhood Day, the first Friday of October. Please consider making and donating these special rosaries!

  • The spring mission meetings were a success!  425 men and women from around the diocese gathered to learn more about our diocesan mission connections.  In addition to the wonderful spirit of mission shared, participants also donated over $1,600 to the Crosier Fire Fund for rebuilding the seminary in Agats, as well as a multitude of items made and collected by parish mission groups.  Thank you to all who attended and shared so generously! 

  • We're back! Members of our staff were in St. Louis last week for the National Pontifical Mission Societies gathering Check out highlights, including blogs and videos of the conference presenters at the National Gathering website, under "Live @ Meeting."
  • This past March's delegation from St. Cloud Diocese has returned from our Partner Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya! Check out this video interview of one delegate's experience! Contact us if you are interested in having any of these delegates come out to your parish, school or group to talk about their experience.

    Tracy receives a calfTracy from Cold Spring receives a gift of a calf from her hosts in Homa Bay Diocese, Kenya during the March 2009 delegation

  • Check out a great video to share with people young and old to help them understand that we're all neighbors - it will make you smile while sharing an important message!

View our Spring 2009 Newsletter here, or contact us if you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive it at home.

 

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.

Mission Office staff pictureMission Office staff (left to right): Rosanne Fischer, Kateri Mancini and Mary Lou Janski

 

The office is staffed by 3 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, Director of Social Concerns for Catholic Charities of 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
  • Sister Carol Schmidt, OSF, Franciscan sister of Little Falls and minister at Clare's Well in Annandale

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 Jul 2, 2009. Created by DM. Maintained by KM.