News briefs for July 26, 20185 min read

Scammers using bishop’s, priests’ names
Email accounts falsely registered to Bishop James P. Powers were being used by scammers last week, Chancery employees said. Requests for gift cards, iTunes cards, credit card information or cash supposedly sent by the bishop should be immediately deleted.

The Chancery has also received word that email scam messages are being falsely sent from priests and parish leaders to their employees and others. Anyone receiving an email message asking for a favor involving money or gift cards should not follow through without verifying the information with the sender by phone, text or some other means of communication.

Come and see at Cistercian abbey
The Trappist abbot and monks of New Melleray Abbey, near Dubuque, Iowa, invite interested men ages 21-45 to visit in August. Visitors can deepen their faith by drawing on a 1,600-year-old monastic tradition; pray, work, study, and share some meals with monks; attend daily Mass and pray the full cycle of the Liturgy of the Hours; learn about monastic practices; delve into the monastic library; and experience solitude amidst the natural splendor of the grounds. Contact Fr. Stephen Verbest at for details.

Flood damage at St. Peter
Insurance will cover damage to St. Peter, Dauby, caused by last month’s flooding. More than 5 feet of muddy water backed up through the tile drain and filled the basement, destroying the furnace, stored items, hot water heater, fans, electrical and telephone panels and more. Professional cleaning and removal has begun, and the furnace and electrical panel, among other things, are being replaced.

Effort to save bookstore
Loome Theological Booksellers, an independent bookstore carrying theological books in Stillwater, Minnesota, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to keep the store open. According to a video posted at www.gofundme.com/protect-our-independent-bookstore by owner Chris Hagen, the store is in danger of closing due to unforeseen medical and moving debts incurred in 2017.

Sister’s novel inspired by mom
The sister of Kathryn Stipetich, a parishioner at St. Peter’s Church, Dauby, has self-published a novel inspired by childhood and their mother. “Faith in the Time of Aridity,” by Roslyn Gallagher, was released in September. The novel tells the story of a teenager who leaves home to support her family following her father’s death. In real life, Stipetich said their mother was forced into single parenting by their father’s alcoholism; to send her children to Catholic school, she worked as a full-time mail sorter and one of the first female bus drivers in Milwaukee, in addition to being active in their Croatian Catholic church and overcoming illness. The book is available on Amazon.

La Crosse shrine celebrates 10th anniversary
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the church of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, there will be a two-day event. On Monday, July 30, solemn Vespers will take place in the shrine church at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, July 31, a thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke at 11 a.m. Following the Mass, a reception will take place on the plaza until 3 p.m., at which time Cardinal Burke will bless the ground for the planned future retreat center. For more information, contact the shrine at 608-782-5440 or guadalupeshrine.org.

Tomahawk to host vocation event
As part of diocesan efforts to increase understanding and exposure to the priestly vocation, there will be a St. Andrew Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, hosted by St. Mary Church, Tomahawk. Males in high school and older are invited with their parents for a casual evening learning more about the priesthood and the discernment process. The evening will include dinner served by St. Mary’s permanent deacons, testimonials, questions and answers, fellowship and prayer. RSVPs are requested to Kay Berg, 715-453-2878 or .

College send-off retreat
College-bound adults from the Diocese of Superior are invited to a send-off retreat Aug. 5-6 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Dobie. Beginning at 5 p.m. Aug. 5, the retreat will included a potluck dinner, games, fellowship, adoration and confessions. There will be a bonfire and overnight camping; those unable to attend Monday are still encouraged to attend Sunday. Contact Bryn Rademaker at 715-234-5044 or .

Catholics rock in Duluth
A free outdoor Catholic concert, Built Upon a Rock Fest, takes place Saturday, Sept. 15, in Duluth, Minnesota.

For the second consecutive year, the concert will be held on the grounds of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, a natural amphitheatre with Lake Superior as a backdrop. Admission and food are free.

This year’s headlining act is Ike Ndolo, a nationally known Catholic recording artist from Tempe, Arizona. Opening for him will be Luke Spehar, a Twin Cities musician who has performed at youth rallies in the Diocese of Superior.

Built Upon a Rock Fest is an event for all ages. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the concert ends at 9 p.m.

The event was first organized by a small group of Duluth residents in 2017. Their vision was to put on a simple, free concert that would be authentically Catholic while still appealing to all people, regardless of their faith background. With the contributions of 22 Minnesota parishes, 15 sponsoring organizations and a number of individual donors, the inaugural event drew more than 900 people.

After discernment, the Built Upon a Rock Fest team believes it is God’s will for the concert to occur annually. They have received support this year from more than 30 parishes, 22 sponsors, individual donors, and state and local Knights of Columbus councils, who led the way with a contribution of nearly $10,000.

To learn more about the concert, visit builtuponarockfest.com or call Marie Mullen at 210-563-8859.