Bp. Christensen among bishops studying the impact of border issues

Eight Roman Catholic bishops are in El Paso to study the effects of immigration, human trafficking and the violence in Juárez and what impact they are having on the local diocese.

But more important, the bishops, who arrived on Wednesday, are here to help the El Paso Diocese financially.

"It is the first time that we have all these bishops visit," said Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso. "They approached me at our summer meeting about wanting to come and have the opportunity to get a flavor of what is happening on the border region."

The bishops make up the Subcommittee on the Home Missions, a group of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, that awards about $8å million each year in grants to many "mission" dioceses and parishes.

Mission dioceses are dioceses and parishes in the United States that can't provide basic pastoral services without outside help, according to the subcommittee Website. El Paso is one of those mission dioceses.

The Most Rev. Michael W. Warfel, bishop of the Diocese of Great Falls and Billings, Mont., and committee chairman, said the group likes to visit different dioceses each year.

The visiting bishops are the Most Rev. Peter F. Christensen, bishop of Superior, Wis.; the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, bishop of Salina, Kan.; the Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, bishop of Beaumont; the Most Rev. Thomas Olmstead, bishop of Phoenix; the Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, archbishop of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia for Ukrainians; the Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa, bishop of Baker, Ore.; and the Most Rev. Joe S. Vasquez, bishop of Austin.

 El Paso Times

Bp Christensen awards volunteer for work with the mentally handicapped

Bishop Peter F. Christensen makes a visit to Rhinelander and surprises a hard-working, local volunteer.

Christensen presented an award to Dennis Hermann, the president of Headwaters Incorporated in Rhinelander.

It's for distinguished service to the community after Hermann's many years of service at Headwaters. "Those that may have a little bit of a disability are challenged with life and how they're cared for with the community," Christensen says. "And a community that steps forward and cares for some of its weak members, weakest members, at times. It shows the heart of that community which is a wonderful thing."

Headwaters is a partner with the Catholic Charities Bureau.

The Bishop presented the award after the 26th annual Headwaters Charity Golf tournament in Rhinelander.

WJFW12

No words can describe how disturbed I am

Bp Christensen celebrating a "Polka Mass" in 2008

Iron River: The 2011 Lion’s Blueberry Festival Polka Mass begins at 10 a.m. with Bishop Peter F. Christensen of the Diocese of Superior, at Moon Lake Park, County Highway H, one mile south of U.S. Highway 2. Music provided by the “Singing Slovenes,” a popular group of musicians from Gary-New Duluth well known for their Polka Mass” and ethnic music. The group will also perform after the Mass for the enjoyment of the visitors at the Blueberry Festival.

Superior Telegram


His Excellency has celebrated the "Polka Mass" at Iron River for the past three years.  As a recent commenter from the north woods said:

Diocese of Superior is definitely a liturgical back-water. Please pray for us.

Let's all stop for a moment and say a prayer for the liturgical renewal for our brothers and sisters to the north.

You may remember that I posted on this quite a bit last year.  Along with "worshiping more vigorously" I would say the Polka Mass profanes what is sacred.  The fact that it is done outdoors on a ridiculous looking stage with a polka band standing right next to the altar isn't the worst part.  Sacred music is an integral part to normal Catholic worship.  We need appropriate music to worship our God.  The Polka Mass cannot provide what we need.  Even when done in a church it is totally inappropriate.  Apparently when someone is thirsty in a desert and asks for a glass of water, they are given a glass of sand instead of something to quench their thirst.

BTW for you new readers, The Polka Mass fiasco inspired the somewhat regular tradition of Polka Fridays on the Badger Catholic.

Superior Diocese priest gets probation for stealing from church

A Hudson priest who resigned under allegations that he stole funds from an account used to help needy families was sentenced Thursday in St. Croix County Court.

The Rev. Daniel J. Dahlberg, 68, of Superior, who admitted to having a gambling addiction, entered into a two-year deferred prosecution agreement on a felony theft charge and was placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of misdemeanor theft.

Dahlberg, who has been receiving gambling addiction treatment, according to court records, will not be sentenced on the felony charge unless he violates conditions of the agreement.

Dahlberg already has paid $13,000 in restitution to St. Patrick Catholic Church, but was ordered Thursday to pay an additional $250. He also was ordered to continue treatment, perform 100 hours of community service and not gamble.

St. Patrick officials reported $10,800 was missing from a charity account used to help the needy. Dahlberg spoke to parishioners March 20 and resigned the next day. He had sole control of the account.

Eau Claire LT