Pastoral Vision
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
After two years of planning, prayer, and broad consultation, the Diocese of Crookston’s diocesan visioning process culminated into Bishop Andrew Cozzens authoring and releasing his first pastoral letter in July 2024. Entitled, New Life Through the Tender Compassion of Our God, the document is accessible and inspiring, and well lays out Bishop Cozzens’ vision for 1) reviving the faith life of our people, 2) planning to use our resources well for mission, and 3) evangelizing by inviting others to discover new life in Jesus Christ and his Church. The letter is entrusted to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the New Evangelization.
“In his very first apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis spoke powerfully about this new life. He pointed out that the ‘resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up.’ Then he added, ‘Often it seems that God does not exist: all around us we see persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty. But it is also true that in the midst of darkness something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit. On razed land life breaks through, stubbornly yet invincibly’ (Evangelii Gaudium, 276). This is what I see in the Diocese of Crookston,” said Bishop Cozzens. “New life is breaking through, springing up.”
Bishop Cozzens asks that Diocese of Crookston faithful read New Life Through the Tender Compassion of Our God and discuss it with family and friends. Be sure to review the Implementation Plan as well.
Yours in Christ,
Janelle C. Gergen, M.S.
Chancellor | Chief Operating Officer -