Rural Life Celebration

The 2012 Celebration will be held on August 19 and will be hosted by St. Anne's in Wadena and St. John the Baptist Church in Bluffton.

Since 2005, the Rural Life Celebration co-sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud and Catholic Charities to celebrate rural living and the goodness of God's creation. 

The celebration includes Mass with Bishop Kinney or his representative, a picnic lunch, children's games, and other activities related to the life and loves of the host parishes and community.

Past Rural Life Celebrations:

• 2010: Was held at Quaal Dairy in rural Underwood. The event was hosted by the parishes of St. James in Maine Township, Our Lady of Victory in Fergus Falls and Our Lady of the Lake in Battle Lake.
• 2009: Was held at the Don and Judy Koep certified organic farm in Clitherall,MN 56524. The event was hosted by the parishes of Sacred Heart of Urbank, St. Ann of Brandon, Our Lady of Seven Dolors of Millerville, and St. William of Parkers Prairie.
• 2008: Hosted by St. Mary's parish of Little Falls, Holy Family of Belle Prairie and Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls. Over 700 people attended the event, held on the Jim and Debbie Knopick Farm in rural Little Falls
  
• 2007: Hosted by St. Rose of Lima Parish in St. Rosa, Immaculate Conception Parish in New Munich and Sacred Heart Parish in Freeport. Held on the Sacred Heart parish grounds in Freeport
  
• 2006: Hosted by St. Mary's Church in Melrose. Held on the St. Mary's parish grounds in Melrose. Over 350 people attended. St. Mary's Parish and Spanish choirs provided bi-lingual accompaniment to the Mass.
  
• 2005: Hosted by St. Thomas of Kent and St. Mary's of the Presentation of Breckenridge. Held on the farm of Bob and Darlene Yaggie of Breckenridge

Rural Life Fund:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud has established a Rural Life Fund to help rural families in need. Small emergency funds are available for rural individuals and families in financial hardship.
To access the fund, contact your local pastor.  Needs will be reviewed and assessed on a case by case basis. Unfortunately, available funds do not allow us to assist with mortgage, utility or rent payments.

Rural Life Fund Brochure (PDF)