Dear Marian Catechists,
My best wishes and prayers for an abundant outpouring of the Easter graces of joy and peace into your hearts and homes. Your intentions have been in my prayers, in a special way, during these holiest days of the Church Year.
Today, I am happy to inform you that, in accord with Article IV of the Statutes of the Marian Catechist Apostolate and in consultation with Monsignor Roger J. Scheckel, Spiritual Advisor of the Apostolate, I as Episcopal Moderator have appointed Mr. Patrick Brueggen of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Holmen, Wisconsin, to the office of International Coordinator of the Apostolate, effective June 1, 2022. Please join me in praying for Patrick as he takes up his new service on behalf of all who are blessed to be part of the Marian Catechist Apostolate.
Having known Patrick since the time of my service as Bishop of La Crosse (February 22, 1995-January 26, 2004), I am deeply grateful to him for his willingness to accept the position of International Coordinator of the Marian Catechist Apostolate. Patrick has been a faithful Marian Catechist since 2001. Since 2002 he has devoted himself full-time to the apostolate of evangelization and catechesis. He has completed the Basic Catholic Catechism Course, the Advanced Catholic Catechism Course, and the Masters of the Spiritual Life Course of the Servant of God Father John A. Hardon, S.J., and has a rich experience as a catechist, youth minister, and coordinator of pilgrimages and retreats. He has also served as a facilitator of the Courses of the Apostolate. Last year, he was accepted into the program of formation in preparation for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate for service in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is presently the Director of Faith Formation and Youth Minister at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Holmen, Wisconsin, a position which he is leaving in order to devote himself to the service of International Coordinator of the Marian Catechist Apostolate.
Patrick’s youngest child will be graduating from high school at the time of the Annual Consecration Weekend at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, but I will be able to present him to the participants on Sunday morning, May 29th next, during the Question-and-Answer session which I will conduct before the Holy Mass with the Consecration and Renewal of Consecration as Marian Catechists.
I take the occasion to express, in the name of us all, deepest gratitude to Don Fier who has served so generously and well as Interim International Coordinator. On Sunday, May 29th next, I will have the occasion to thank him publicly. May God richly reward him, and bless him, his family, and all his labors.
May God bless Patrick, his family, and all his labors, and may Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saints Joseph and Francis of Assisi, and his holy patron saints guide him and safeguard his way.
Asking God to bless you, your families and homes, and your labors, especially as Marian Catechists, and confiding your intentions into the all-loving arms of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I remain
Yours in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and in
the Purest Heart of Saint Joseph,
Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
Episcopal Moderator/International Director