Janice Wuebkers, Kimberly Hansen and Kelli Kleinschnitz speak about the local Healing the Whole Person retreat initiative inspired by Dr. Bob Schuchts' and Sister Miriam Heidland's work with the John Paul II Healing Center. They explain the retreat's focus on identity in Christ, recognizing wounds and lies, inviting the Holy Spirit into memories and suffering and grounding healing in the sacraments, forgiveness and supportive relationships. The team describes the impact of smaller local retreats and the desire to build a "culture of healing," especially amid diocesan changes. They share upcoming retreat dates and ways to connect via www.healingstcloud.org.

Catherine DiNuzzo, a licensed professional counselor, author and founder of Sacred Heart Mental Wellness, encourages shifting the conversation from "mental health" to proactive "mental wellness," integrating evidence-based strategies with a Catholic perspective rather than separating counseling from faith. She also explains the biology of anxiety as a fight/flight/freeze response and how understanding the brain helps people stop self-bullying and break the "hamster wheel" of being anxious about their anxiety. The discussion highlights bringing the Lord into anxious moments, advocating self-care and boundaries modeled on Jesus in Scripture and encouraging parishes to talk about mental wellness through training. For additional information about Catherine DiNuzzo and Sacred Heart Mental Wellness visit https://www.sacredheartmentalwellness.com. To purchase Catherine's book, 'The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety,' visit her website above or you can purchase the book on Amazon. To explore the Diocese of Saint Cloud Mental Health Ministry page, visit https://stcdio.org/mental-health-ministry/

This episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith previews the two-day Singing Praise Wisely Workshop at St. John's University (Sept. 25–26), focused on storytelling, sacred song, the wisdom of the saints and music's role in prayer and worship. Dr. Katharine Harmon, pastoral liturgist and director with St. John's Obsculta Preaching Initiative, and acclaimed composer Steven C. Warner, founder of the Notre Dame Folk Choir, share their vocational journeys into liturgy and explain why singing is embodied, communal and healing, helping memory and prayer. They discuss what distinguishes liturgical music ministry and what participants can expect at the workshop including prayer experiences, reflection, stories behind songs and insights into composing from saint texts and gospel narratives. The free event is open to the public, with registration requested. Register here. Learn more about Katharine Harmon or Steven C. Warner.

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Kristi Bivens, Director of Lay Leadership Formation, and Tammy Huss, Director of Faith Formation for the Come to the Water ACC, share about the Emmaus Institute for Ministerial Formation, a diocesan four-year program developed to strengthen laypeople in intellectual, human, spiritual and pastoral formation. Meeting one weekend a month (Sept–May), with English and Spanish tracks, participants learn through courses including scripture, sacraments, morality, evangelization, liturgy, listening and conflict resolution. Tammy shares how the program strengthened her faith, confidence and ability to minister, and both describe graduates creating new parish ministries and leadership. They note opportunities to sit in on a class and encourage all to participate in the upcoming season. Learn more on the diocesan website: Emmaus Institute for Ministerial Formation Contact Kristi Bivens at [email protected]

In this episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith, Amber interviews Patty Weishaar, recipient of the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary Ezekiel Prophet of Hope Award, honoring alumni who embody collaborative ministry and hope. Patty reflects on nearly 36 years at Saint John's, beginning as a graduate student and later becoming a cornerstone of student services who welcomes and supports students on campus and remotely. She shares how Benedictine community rhythms, mentors, colleagues and generations of students have shaped her vocation and why creating a safe, home-like space helps people "unfurl their wings." Patty describes hope as a lifelong gift to be used for good, offers advice about surrendering to being "chosen" and shares her desire to leave a legacy of courage, gratitude and hospitality, specifially through the Patricia Weishaar Scholarship which helps to remove financial barriers for SOT students. To learn more about the Ezekiel: Prophet of Hope Award, visit https://www.csbsju.edu/sot/our-community/our-alumnae-i/alumni-awards/ezekiel-prophet-of-hope-award/ To learn more about the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, visit: https://www.csbsju.edu/sot/ To contribute to the Patricia Weishaar Scholarship, visit: https://www.csbsju.edu/sot/about/giving/the-impact/scholarships/ Gifts to the SOT are currently (through October 2027) matched 2:1. Your gift of $5 becomes $15!

The Very Reverend Father Matthew Crane to explains the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX): its founding in 1970 to form priests, growing conflicts with Vatican II teachings, suppression in 1975 and subsequent disobedience culminating in unauthorized episcopal consecrations in 1988 and again on July 1, 2026. He clarifies that SSPX priests are validly ordained and that Pope Francis granted provisions for valid confessions and marriages under certain conditions which Pope Leo XIV upheld until recent ordinations which resulted in excommunication. Father Crane outlines how excommunication applies to the bishops involved and the SSPX clergy who formally adhere to the schism, while lay attendees require individual discernment. He also notes the location of SSPX chapels in the diocese and urges Catholics to pursue unity of the Church through charity, prayer and attention to the Church's liturgical prayers for unity.

In this episode Lexi Torres, a second-year MDiv student at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, and Liz Hamak, volunteer coordinator at Catholic Charities, share about attending the Bread for the World Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. They describe learning hunger-related policies, praying and worshiping with Christians from many denominations and meeting with congressional staffers to advocate for issues like food access and WIC virtual services. They share ways all Catholics can participate in advocacy and emphasize the power of sharing real stories from rural Minnesota. Lexi and Liz also reflect on connecting advocacy to faith, Catholic social teaching's "charity and justice," challenging biases about who experiences hunger and taking simple local steps like education and volunteering while trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you. To learn more about Bread for the World, visit: https://www.bread.org To learn more about the Bread for the World Advocacy Summit, visit: https://www.bread.org/advocacy-summit-2026/ To learn more about Catholic Charities, visit: https://www.ccstcloud.org To learn more about the social concers office at the Diocese of St. Cloud, visit: https://stcdio.org/social-concerns/

On the Diocese of St. Cloud's Speaking of Faith podcast, we learn about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) from Reyne Alishouse, parishioner at St. Lawrence in Duelm, former catholic school teacher and current homeschool mom and a CGS Level 1 catechist. CGS is a Catholic, Montessori-style, hands-on faith formation held in an "atrium." Reyne explains how the child-centered, quiet space uses Scripture, prayerful "work" and carefully designed materials to help children — ages 3–12 across three levels — encounter Jesus as the Good Shepherd, learn the Mass, parables, and salvation history and develop calmness and deep understanding. With the host, Amber, Reyne discusses parents' growing interest, the need for trained catechists, and an upcoming Level 1 training at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud, August 10–15. You can find more information about CGS at their national website and more about the upcoming trainings at The Wonderings of Sheep in the Atrium.

This episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud's "Speaking of Faith" features reflection on the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) in San Antonio immersion program — "Hispanic Ministry in the 21st Century." Participants from both MACC (Adriana Gomez and Martin Martinez) and the Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary (Chris Conway and Kateri Mancini) explain MACC's history and the program's blend of lectures, prayer, reflection and group dialogue to explore cultural identity, diversity within Hispanic/Latino communities, pastoral ministry and social justice. The immersion component—especially visits to the border and local ministries—helps "enflesh" classroom learning by providing firsthand encounters with immigration realities, power dynamics and stories of hardship and courage. Participants share how their experience in the program deepened their faith practices, strengthened community and relational ministry, inspired devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and encouraged listeners to seek genuine encounters and understanding across differences.

In this episode of Speaking of Faith from the Diocese of St. Cloud, host Amber interviews Ben Epper, incoming Faith Formation Director at the Church of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, about his M.Div. capstone, "Setting the Table: A Reversal Model for Including Youth and Young Adults in Ecclesial Restructuring and Renewal." Ben shares survey findings from 15 ACCs showing minimal youth and early young adult representation on All Things New planning committees and argues that building planning committees with strengths around administrative and corporate restructuring misses giving youth and young adults the opportunity to participate in the necessary pastoral renewal. Using a "one table" metaphor grounded in synodality and Church teaching, he outlines five practical steps — inviting, setting the table, sharing the meal, eating dessert and cleaning/departing — to foster belonging, mutual listening and ongoing discernment so the Church is reshaped through youth and young adults. Find Ben at the Church of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, MN: https://www.benedictinecatholiccommunities.org