Local News

Deacon John Masla, who served about a decade in the permanent diaconate — including nearly two years at St. Ambrose in Woodbury before retiring from active ministry, and eight years in Sacramento, California — died April 3. He was 94.

The letter program isn’t the only aspect of Alexander Marquette’s life touched by Bishop-elect Izen; the bishop-elect was instrumental in Marquette’s early discernment to become a priest.

Jerry Wind, 71, vividly remembers driving home from a house party his first year in college after he declared — to himself, aloud — “I don’t want to live this way anymore. This is not freedom.”

Quiet time alone with the Lord on a canonically required retreat and a trip to Chicago with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams marked important moments of Bishop-elect Michael Izen’s preparation for his April 11 ordination at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women is recognizing four women from across the archdiocese with its annual Laywoman Volunteer Awards. The awards recognize women’s involvement in their CCW groups, parishes and communities. The four women will be honored at the ACCW’s 90th annual convention April 28 at St. Peter in Mendota.

Maria Sinchi tells her conversion story with tears.

Jan Koelsch finally had the time to explore her spirituality, which led the retired grandma on a journey that culminates this Holy Saturday when she becomes Catholic. Then she’ll celebrate Easter and, two days later, her 66th birthday. “It’s a big week!” said Koelsch, a member of St. Peter in Mendota and a longtime 3M executive assistant.

Bishop Emeritus Richard Pates, a native of the Twin Cities who served as an auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis from 2001 to 2008, has been appointed apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Dubuque as Archbishop Michael Jackels resigns because of health reasons.