C
atholic
Herald
DIOCESE OF SUPERIOR
www.superiorcatholicherald.org Vol 151/Edition 7, 12 Pages April 29, 2021
JENNY SNARSKI
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF JSNARSKI@CATHOLICDOS.ORG
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efore the final blessing at the Mass in celebration of Fr. Bala Raju Policetty's 25th anniversary of priestly ministry, cluster parish director Patty Gerber introduced a lineup of persons who wanted to share words of appreciation. Gerber started by acknowl- edging the large impact Fr. Bala Raju had made during such a small fraction of his years of priestly ministry in the clustered parishes of Barron, Cameron, Strickland and Chetek. We thank God and we praise God for your presence in all of our lives, she said. The anniversary Mass was held at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cameron on Friday, April 16, with Bishop James P. Powers as the presiding cele- brant and 18 concelebrating priests, assisted by Ashland-area Dcns. Owen Gorman and John Grek. In his homily, Bishop Powers thanked Fr. Bala Raju for shar- ing the gift of your faith that faith of yours that allowed you to be the reflection of Christ in the midst of so much. The so much to which the bishop referred included devas- tation faced by the cluster's com- munities from natural disasters and human tragedy. Tornadoes hit the area in both May 2017 and June 2019. In between those major events, there were the murders of parishioners James and Denise Closs in October 2018 and the abduction of their daughter, Jayme Closs, who returned safe in January 2019. The bishop praised the international priest's spiritual leadership, (and) persistent and innovative ministry. He iterated the gift of shared faith, noting that even though our faith is not perfect, when offered to our God can truly change the world. In reference to the Gospel - where Christ feeds the crowds with 12 baskets left over - Bish- op Powers said not only does Jesus provide for the immediate needs of the people, but there is no limit to God's provisions for our needs. He encouraged that we never doubt that all things are possible for our God That we never question that God can far exceed our wildest imaginations. After her introductory words, Gerber invited Fr. John Gerritts, pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson and supervis- ing pastor for the Barron cluster parishes, to speak. Fr. Gerritts expressed his gratitude for the friendship shared with Fr. Bala Raju, appreciation for his sacrifices as an international priest and acknowledgement of how greatly
Bishop James P. Powers blesses Fr. Bala Raju Policetty, who kneels before the altar holding the papal blessing the bish- op presented to him in honor of the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Bishop Powers invited concelebrating priests, assisting deacons and all present to extend their hands, calling upon God's blessing for the Indian priest, who will return to India due to complications in obtaining a green card. (Photo by Sarah Mertins, Magnificat Photo Co.)
Bless me and bless my people'
Fr. Bala Raju Policetty celebrates 25th jubilee
See JUBILEE, Page 4
JENNY SNARSKI
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF JSNARSKI@CATHOLICDOS.ORG
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atholic Home Mission funding has provided a great gift to the diocese,irms Chris Newkirk, one of the diocese's Chancery employees who leads and facilitates many of the ben- efitting programs. We are able to provide many pro- grams at very reduced costs because of the generosity of so many people, she added. Without this funding, several of these programs would cease to exit. Newkirk expressed her gratitude for the generosity of donors: The amounts (and programs) that it has helped us defray over the years has varied, but the positive impact has remained a constant. For 10 years, money received from Catholic Home Missions have offset the cost of programming in the following areas: International priests' orientation and ongoing training; continuing ed- ucation and formational resources for priests; permanent diaconate formation; seminary education and priestly vocations resources; School of Servant Leadership; lay ministry enrichment; and professional development days. Dr. Robert Lecheler serves various roles for Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and parish as well as working with the international priests and their staff member. He commented, I see the amazing impact these priests have had on their parishes and the diocese. I am impressed with how grateful the priests are for the opportunity to be spiritual leaders [and] how well received they are by parishioners and staffmembers. Lecheler called it a privilege to work with these persons and added, Provid- ing this additional support on behalf of Bishop Powers I believe sends a strong message of the valued ministry of our international priests. Newkirk encouraged people to contrib- ute and extended the invitation to partic- ipate in one of the programs mentioned, so that you can experience the positive impact first hand.
Home Missions Appeal has local impact
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