We continue to keep Father Bob Kieffer in our prayers as he recovers from a mild stroke. If you would like to send encouragement, his home address is: 

509 12th Ave. E., Alexandria, MN 56308

You may also send him a text message at 320-241-1589.

As we approach Memorial Day weekend, St. Otto’s Cemetery needs your financial help! The cemetery committee has identified several urgent needs:

• The cemetery will be purchasing a new lawnmower at a cost of $6,000. The high cost of gas will also increase mowing expenses.
• Three trees will need to be removed at an approximate cost of $2,000.
• The front gate needs repainting.
• The altar and crucifix need repairs.

If you would like to make a special memorial donation or would like more information about any of these needs, please contact Mark Graff or Father Alan. To donate, checks can be made payable to St. Otto’s Cemetery and sent to 207 N. Vine St., Fergus Falls, MN 56537, or dropped off at the church office at the same address.

May as Mental Health Awareness Month frames a conversation with Father Alan Wielinski and Deb Forstner of the Pelican Valley ACC. They discuss why mental health ministry belongs in parish life, addressing stigma, normalizing conversation and integrating faith’s gifts of hope and community.

The team’s efforts include a suicide prevention remembrance and healing Mass, faith formation presentations on bullying, weekly “mental health minutes” in bulletins and emails, a Mental Health Novena, small-group learning using St. Dymphna’s Playbook, a community resources brochure and a talk by psychiatrist Dr. David Mach.

They encourage education, prayer intentions and using resources such as 988, reminding listeners they are not alone and help is available.

CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.

We are encouraging you to search your hearts to see if God is inviting you into the beautiful ministry of Stephen Ministry. It is a wonderful way to serve as Jesus did, ministering to those who are struggling with life's difficulties.

Our training for new ministers begins on June 1, 2026.

For more information, contact Gail Welle at 218-739-3648, Jennifer Dummer at 218-770-1594, or Peggy Rezak at 218-731-5528.

Catholic Daughters Court St. Cabrini #1466 would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your generous donations to the baby shower we sponsored for our local Health Resources Center. We are so fortunate to have this pro-life facility in our community. We are also grateful to Erin Tysver and her staff for their life saving work.

Kris' Crusade 4 Kids is a summer food program to supply food for children in need in our church and community.

We supply bags of groceries every other week all summer, but we need your support.

Our summer fundraiser is at Service Food on May 22 and 23.

Some of the non‑perishable items will be on display to purchase. Thank you in advance.

If you prefer to give a cash donation to "Kris' Crusade 4 Kids", please drop it in the collection baskets.

If you have any questions, please call Char Zens at 218‑770‑9559.

The following are positions open:

• Grand Raffle Co-chair (prizes, sales, distribution/ collection drawing)
• Dining Room Co-Chair (set/wait tables, seating)

Please contact Mary Widiger at (218) 770-2435 if you are interested in learning more about these opportunities.

Thank you to the many who have signed up already to chair and co-chair positions. You are appreciated!

— Mary Widiger

The success of the OLV raffle depends on the generosity of our parish members. 

For many years, parish members and local businesses have generously supported the raffle by donating cash gifts and goods for raffle prizes. 

Please consider donating a raffle prize this year to make the 2026 raffle the most successful ever. No gift is too big or too small. Smaller donations may be combined to make single prizes. Donors’ names are listed on the raffle tickets unless there is a request to be anonymous.  

If you would like to contribute a raffle prize this year, please call or text Myles Vosberg no later than May 22nd at 701-471-3381. 

Thank you so much!

Please be thinking ahead to the Fall Festival - 

Are you a gardener? Perhaps you could plant an extra row of veggies, squash or melon to donate for the Country Store. 

Do you woodwork or have a hobby? Perhaps you could make something this summer to put on the Silent Auction. 

Be creative! We still have leadership positions available. 

Please contact Mary Widiger for more information (218) 770-2435. 

Our brain has a few ways of protecting us when we are at risk of going into shock because a situation is too dramatic and stressful for us to comprehend. One of those is detaching us from the present reality;  called dissociation.  This can feel like being in a dream. It helps to ask questions such as Where am I? What am I doing right this minute? Our physical senses can help us come back to reality.  

“But whoever obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33

Not receiving our weekly Pelican Valley ACC email? Please contact Emily Schmidt at 218-736-2429, or email her at emilys@ffolvchurch.org. Our weekly email newsletter contains information about upcoming church events and happenings, so you don’t want to miss it! In your email, just tell us to put you on our email list!