Pelican Valley ACC
All are Welcome
Welcome
In 2019, the Diocese of St. Cloud combined the three parishes of Church of Our Lady of Victory, St. Leonard Parish and St. Elizabeth’s Parish into an Area Catholic Community. As the Body of Christ, we come together and are known as the “Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community”

YOU are invited – All are Welcome!! Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community’s faith family looks forward to dining regularly with you at the Lord’s table. The Venerable Fulton Sheen shares his wisdom: ‘He seeks us before we dream of seeking him; he knocks before we invite him in; he loves us before we respond.’
Our Pastor, Father Alan Wielinski, recognizes each of our parishes has its own identity; however, together we work for the common good of our ACC through our mission:
The Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community reaches out
and is comprised of an ethnically diverse population,
young and old, rich and poor…celebrating Eucharist, praying,
witnessing, educating, and sharing our Catholic traditions
and love for Jesus.
We look forward to seeing you at the banquet of the Lord.
Blessings and Joy!
Father Alan Wielinski
Pastor
Father Lucho Palomino
Parochial Vicar
218-731-2939
fatherlucho@ffolvchurch.org
Annual events
Fish Fries – February and March, Our Lady of Victory
Ash Wednesday Soup Supper – February 18, Our Lady of Victory
Christian Men's Club Breakfast – April, St. Elizabeth
Spring Gala – May, Our Lady of Victory
Pork in the Park – June, St. Leonard
Pork Out - August 17, St. Elizabeth
Fall Festival – September 21, Our Lady of Victory
Roast Beef Dinner – October, St. Leonard
Marathon for Catholic Schools – October, Our Lady of Victory
Turkey Bingo - November 8, St. Elizabeth
Holiday Expo - November 22, St. Elizabeth
Feast of Guadalupe - December 12, St. Leonard
Faith Formation Bake Sale – December, Our Lady of Victory
Important News & Updates
Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions or concerns.
List of Services
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Jubilee Year Celebration
For the 2025 Jubilee Year, OLV is planning a special Saturday of outdoor and indoor activities at beautiful Inspiration Point Camp in Vining, MN. This day (August 23rd) will be funded through generous donations that have been made to Faith Formation, so there is no cost to participants, and a school bus will be available to ride to camp from OLV and back (leaving at 8 AM and returning at 5:30 PM). A buffet lunch will be provided, and the weekend Mass will be celebrated at the Inspiration Point Chapel. Deadline to register is August 5th.
Please click here to complete the registration form.
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St. Leonard hiring office assistant
St. Leonard Office Assistant Needed We are grateful for the amazing work done by Alejandra Mancilla, who is stepping away from the parish office by the end of June. If you are interested in this very part-time position, please visit Alejandra, Fr. Lucho, or Fr. Alan!
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St. Elizabeth Pork Out Aug. 17
Pork Out Join us for the annual Pork Out on August 17, 2025. We will have pork, bingo, and a raffle. Tickets are for sale at the OLV Temporary Office. $5 per ticket or $20 for book of 4 tickets. All are welcome.
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Kris' Food Crusade accepting donations
Kris' Food Crusade for Kids The social concerns committee is now accepting financial donations in the office for the children's summer food delivery program. We bring bags of groceries right to local children's homes who are in need during the summer. Your help is greatly appreciated! If interested, please call Char Zens at 218-770-9959.
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Father Lucho will visit the Pope
Dear ACC Pelican Valley Parishioners,
As some of you have already heard, Father Lucho has been blessed with the opportunity to visit Rome and the Vatican for the first time. He has safely arrived in Rome on June 16. During his time in Rome, he will participate in several celebrations with Pope Leo and will stay with the Crosiers, where Father Alan lived during his sabbatical. Please pray for a successful journey for Father Lucho and the mission of Pope Leo.
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Father Lucho: a long-time student of Pope Leo XIVList Item 4
When Father Lucho Palomino was attending seminary school in Peru, he spent time learning canon law, playing tennis and having theological discussions at coffee shops with his professors. Little did he know then that one of those professors, Robert Prevost, would become Pope Leo XIV.
“He was a kind guy, a quiet and shy person,” said Father Lucho, who now serves as the parochial vicar for Our Lady of Victory, St. Elizabeth and St. Leonard churches. “At the same time he was wise, a good listener, with a gentle heart and compassion for everyone.”
Prevost served as a parochial vicar at Chulucanas, Peru, and then received his doctorate in canon law in Rome. He returned to Trujillo, Peru to teach seminary students in 1985. Lucho, who was raised in Peru, was in the seminary from 1987 to 1994.
Father Lucho recalls many experiences with Prevost, including attending a number of his classes, many focusing on canon law. He also had many experiences with Prevost visiting parishes in rural areas of Peru and working the fields of the seminary’s farm.
“I have a lot of experiences with him,” Father Lucho said. “We felt very comfortable with all the professors. They were like our fathers. I really liked my time in seminary.”
Father Lucho most recently connected with Prevost four years ago at a reunion in Peru, when he actually met the current and future pope on the same day. “(Bishop) Prevost talked about how the church can be closer to the people, like Pope Francis wanted,” Lucho said.
Father Alan said he’s also thrilled to have a pope with a connection to his church. “I’m thrilled to have our new pope being from the US, and then for us, it’s very significant that he also lived in Peru for so long,” he said.
The Journey
Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community Newsletter
May 2025 issue
We have journeyed once agian through Lent to Easter, reflecting on the Saving Events of our Faith. We congratulate the newly confirmed, the children who received their First Communion those who celebrated special Easter Sacraments and are fully initiated into the Church!
Pastoral Column
A Message From Father alan
Dear brothers and sisters,
We welcome Father Lucho back among us this weekend, back from Rome! I'm sure he will be full of joyful stories to share. It sounds like he has had a really fine trip. Well, you know what they say about summer after the Fourth of July...but that's just an attitude, right? Let's savor the summer with meditation time on the beauty of the earth, the wonders of creation, and hopefully good fishing, gardening, bicycling, and fulfilling summer vacation travels! Jesus himself is an advocate of rest and refreshment. For instance, on the Sabbath, He knew when it was time for Him to "get away from the crowds" a bit. Although, like us with whatever's pressing on us, he wasn't always so successful. We are in good company, but His example is at least to make the effort for both times of rest and above all, times of prayer to the Father. Special thanks to those who are helping with Kris's Food Crusade for Kids at OLV, those engaged with providing/selling goodies at St. Leonard and around the Pelican Rapids community, and those at St. Elizabeth who are hosting the “All Things New” planning meetings and providing the refreshments. May God bless all of you and your summer refreshment!
Father Alan
Queridos hermanos y hermanas,
Le damos la bienvenida al Padre Lucho de nuevo entre nosotros este fin de semana, ¡de regreso de Roma! Estoy seguro de que estará lleno de historias alegres para compartir. Parece que ha tenido un viaje realmente bueno. Bueno, ya sabes lo que dicen sobre el verano después del 4 de julio... pero eso es solo una actitud, ¿verdad? ¡Disfrutemos del verano con un tiempo de meditación sobre la belleza de la tierra, las maravillas de la creación y, con suerte, buena pesca, jardinería, ciclismo y viajes de vacaciones de verano gratificantes! Jesús mismo es un defensor del descanso y el refrigerio. Por ejemplo, en el sábado, sabía cuándo era el momento de "alejarse un poco de las multitudes". Aunque, como nosotros con lo que sea que nos presione, no siempre tuvo tanto éxito. Estamos en buena compañía, pero su ejemplo es al menos hacer el esfuerzo por los dos tiempos de descanso y, sobre todo, los tiempos de oración al Padre. Un agradecimiento especial a quienes colaboran con la Cruzada de Alimentos para Niños de Kris en OLV, a quienes se dedican a proporcionar y vender golosinas en St. Leonard y en la comunidad de Pelican Rapids, y a quienes en St. Elizabeth organizan las reuniones de planificación de "Todo Nuevo" y ofrecen los refrigerios. ¡Que Dios los bendiga a todos y a su refrigerio de verano!
Padre Alan
Upcoming Events
To discover more upcoming events, please check our bulletin.
Pork Out
Aug. 17
11:00 - 3:00 PM
Join us at St. Elizabeth for the annual Pork Out Festival. We will serve pork, play bingo, and hold a raffle drawing. Raffle tickets are $5 each and will be sold at the OLV Temporary Office starting June 8. All are invited.
Fall Festival
Sept. 21
11:00 - 2:00 pm
The OLV Fall Festival is an exciting place to take your family for great food, a cake walk, bingo, and fun children's games. There will also be a raffle drawing at the end with plenty of prizes, so be sure to get your tickets early by contacting the school.
Ash Wednesday Soup Supper
Feb. 16
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Faith Formation families will be serving a soup supper in the Fellowship Hall after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Ash Wednesday at Our Lady of Victory Church. A variety of meatless soups and bread will be served. This is a fundraiser for Faith Formation programs. Free will offerings will be accepted.
Fergus Falls, MN
207 N. Vine St.,
Fergus Falls, MN, 56537
218-736-2429
contact@ffolvchurch.org
Weekend Masses:
Saturday 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Weekday Masses:
Tuesday 12:05 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m.
Friday 9 a.m.
Reconciliation:
Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Pelican Rapids, MN
36 1st Ave NE,
Pelican Rapids, MN, 56572
218-863-5161
stleonard@loretel.net
Weekend Masses:
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. (Espanol)
Weekday Masses:
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Reconciliation:
By request
Elizabeth MN
706 W. Pleasant Ave.
Elizabeth, MN 56533
218-736-5230
carriewedll@yahoo.com
Weekend Masses:
Sunday 8:30 a.m.
Reconciliation:
By request
ACC Council members
Rhonda Peterson
John Schmidt
Dec. Dean Pawlowski
Andrew Heinrich
Judy Zenner
Diane Aschnewitz
ACC Council members
Rosaneli Barrogan
Alejandra Mancilla
Deacon Mario Mancilla
Jose Escobar
ACC Council members
Bill Riestenberg
Catherine Wilde
Mike Rengel
Walter Paler
Carla Shermerhorn
