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New Ulm , MN – In recognition and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm on November 18, 1957, the diocese is busy making plans for the upcoming 50^th Anniversary Festival to be held on June 22, 2008, at the RedwoodAreaCommunity Center, 901 Cook Street, Redwood Falls, MN. The festivities are scheduled to begin informally at 2:00 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to browse diocesan and individual parish history displays which will be set up on the perimeter of the field house of the community center. 50th Anniversary History Books will be on sale, along with items from the San Lucas mission, and olive-wood carvings from the Holy Land.

At 3:30 p.m., a concelebrated Mass with all the priests of the diocese will be offered. Following Mass, a picnic supper of hamburgers, hot dogs, and bratwurst with all the fixings will be enjoyed indoors or out. The evening will conclude at 6:00 p.m. in the field house where there will be an hour-long concert featuring singer, songwriter, and musician John Angotti.

Due to the anticipated large numbers, pre-registration is essential so food quantities and seating can be planned. As an added incentive, special commemorative 50^th Anniversary medallions will be awarded to certain lucky registrants in the order that registration is received: 1, 50, 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1250. Winners will be notified by mail and medallions will be presented prior to the Festival’s evening concert.

To register, contact Jeovana Michels at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 1400 6^th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073; phone: (507) 359-2966; email: jmichels@dnu.org. Deadline is June 10, 2008.

The Diocese of New Ulm is comprised of 15 counties including: Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift and Yellow Medicine, a total of 10,000 square miles, serving a Catholic population of approximately 68,000.

News Release #419