The Most Rev. John M. LeVoir has resigned as bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm due to health reasons, according to a news release emailed Wednesday.
The release said Pope Francis accepted his resignation effective today. LeVoir, 74, who was appointed bishop of New Ulm on July 14, 2008, is now considered a retired bishop. The diocese said a typical retirement age for a bishop is 75.
Since early July, Bishop LeVoir has been undergoing a physical and psychological assessment at Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, Mich., operated by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, the release said. He will remain in Alma until early September to undertake a therapy plan.
“Although these last years have been very challenging for the diocese and the life of the Church, it has been a privilege to have served the faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm. As bishop, it has not only been a great honor, but an enriching experience as I have come to know many people throughout this local Church. I have been impressed by their love for Jesus Christ, their willingness to share their Catholic faith, and their concern for the less fortunate. It would not have been possible to serve as their shepherd without their continued support, cooperation, and prayers,” said Bishop LeVoir.
According to the Code of Canon Law, when the bishop of a diocese vacates his office, and no simultaneous appointment is made by the Holy See to fill the office, a diocesan administrator is elected by the diocesan College of Consultors to govern the diocese. The diocesan administrator is elected from the active priests of the diocese and is at least 35 years of age. Once he accepts the election, he holds the power of a bishop until the pope appoints a new bishop.
There is no timeline for the appointment of a new bishop. However, the search for a replacement will begin immediately, a process run primarily by the Vatican.
Msgr. Douglas Grams, the vicar general of the diocese under Bishop LeVoir offered prayerful best wishes to him. “I applaud Bishop LeVoir for recognizing his health concerns and making the request for early retirement. I thank him for his devoted leadership during his tenure as the shepherd of our diocese.”
A native of Minneapolis, Bishop LeVoir was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1981. He was serving as pastor at the Church of St. Michael and the Church of St. Mary in Stillwater, Minn., when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him on July 14, 2008, as the fourth bishop of New Ulm.
Established on Nov. 18, 1957, the Diocese of New Ulm consists of 15 counties in south and west-central Minnesota: Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift, and Yellow Medicine, a total of 9,863 square miles. It encompasses nearly 50,933 Catholics in 61 parishes served by 35 assigned priests and 19 permanent deacons. There are 13 Catholic elementary schools and three Catholic high schools.
Supporters of Library Director Andrew Kelton joined forces outside the Sleepy Eye Council Chambers prior to a special meeting to show support to Librarian Andrew Kelton. The special City Council meeting held on Wednesday 8/5 was held to determine the fate of Kelton. Kelton was facing unspecified diciplinary charges,
The council approved a motion to dismiss Kelton from employment with the City of Sleepy Eye as of Aug. 10, on a 4-1 vote. Councilors Joann Schmidt, Gary Windschitl, Doug Pelzel and Nate Stevermer voted in favor of the termination while Larry Braun dissented.
There has been indications that other library employees will be resigning their positions in protest of the decision.
Photos courtesy Crystal Uys.
Shari P. Fischer has been selected to the 2020 Minnesota Rising Stars list as an estate planning and probate attorney.
Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Fischer owns Fischer Law, PA, located at 500 N. Broadway in New Ulm. She focuses her practice on estate and trust planning and settlement, real estate, business and agricultural law, and is a licensed title insurance agent.
Dr. Bryana Andert at New Ulm Medical Center shares about the importance of masking in public and the science behind why masks are an effective way to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Each summer, the Rolling Prairie ABATE Chapter cycle club delivers “Buddy Bears” to Public Service agencies in the communities of St. James, La Salle, New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Odin, Trimont, Sherburn, Ceyon, Granada and Truman. The stuffed bears are a security blanket to the young kids if they experience a traumatic or serious event.SouthPoint Financial Credit Union Board of Directors Chair Gordon Osmonson announced his retirement at SouthPoint’s virtual Annual Meeting on July 21. Osmonson was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1976, and has been board chairperson for 24 of those years.
Osmonson has been an instrumental part of SouthPoint Financial Credit Union since becoming a member 60 years ago. He has been a steadfast SouthPoint and credit union movement advocate 100 percent of the time. His approach to membership and retention has been a large part of SPFCU’s key to success.
“Gordie’s leadership, passion for our purpose and desire to make a difference in our communities has impacted thousands of people and spanned multiple generations,” SouthPoint CEO Jay Gostonczik said. “We are grateful for the time we were blessed to have him and he will be greatly missed as he retires.”
In addition to Board Chair, Gordie has been a Sleepy Eye Lion’s Club member for 58 years, serving as a two-time president throughout his 16 years on the Board of Directors; Junior Achievement and Biz Town volunteer and representative; board member of the Sleepy Eye Medical Center for 24 years, 15 as Board Chairperson; and a volunteer for St. Mary’s Church, the American Legion and Brown County United Way.
“We truly thank Gordie for his volunteerism, dedication and helping SouthPoint become a trusted financial partner,” Gostonczik said.
Matt Lux (previous vice chairperson) will succeed Gordie as board chairperson and Mike Krueger (previous director) will serve as vice chairperson.
Twenty-one teams participated in the socially distanced 30th Annual Chamber Golf Tourney July 23 at the Sleepy Eye Golf Club. Winners included: 1st Flight – Mathiowetz Construction Co. (Chad Mathiowetz, Brian Mathiowetz, Brett Mathiowetz), 2nd Flight – First Security Agency (Mike Peterson, Kathy Haala, Zach Haala), second place – Schutz Family Foods (Shannon Schutz, Bill Eckstein, Ron Hormon) Not pictured: second place 1st Flight- Leader One Financial (Dan Zufall, Trent Weicherding, Tim Weicherding).
The Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club presented Sleepy Eye Fire Chief Ron Zinniel with $1000 (above) and Sleepy Eye Ambulance Service representatives Heather Kaduce and Katy LaCourse (below from left) with $750. Sportsman’s Club representatives are Sam Domeier (Twins shirt) and Dale Evers.
