July 2026
The
COURIER
Three New Priests Called
Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, MN | dowr.org
Fr. Riley Becher, Fr. Cullen Gallagher, and Fr. Adam Worm Ordained
and Sent
Synod Goals Discussed at Diocesan Gathering
By BRIAN KUSEK
�ur diocesan gathering this year was a deparL to R: DOW-R Director of Vocations Fr. Brian Mulligan, Deacon Gabriel Rysavy (ordained May 23), Fr. Adam Worm, Fr. Riley Becher, Bishop Robert Barron, Fr. Cullen Gallagher, St. Paul & Minneapolis Auxiliary Bishop Michael Izen, Rapid City Deacon Todd VanderMay (now a priest). Photo credit: Word on Fire
vicar at Resurrection Parish in Rochester, �n Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Basilica of St. parochial and assistant priest chaplain at Lourdes High School Stanislaus Kostka in Winona, Bishop Robert Barron ordained three new priests for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Fr. Riley Becher is a Wausau, WI, native who, at the age of five, moved to Rochester, where he attended Pax Christi Parish and Lourdes High School. Fr. Becher has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Worthington, effective June 15, 2026. Fr. Cullen Gallagher was raised in his home parish of St. Timothy in Maple Lake, in the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis. He has been appointed
in Rochester, effective June 15, 2026. Fr. Adam Worm was raised in Cologne, in the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis. He came to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester as a student at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and entered seminary formation after attending the St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish there. He has been appointed appointed parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in St. Charles and Holy Redeemer Parish in Eyota, and priest chaplain at Lourdes High School in Rochester, effective June 15, 2026. Photos on pages 8-9
ture from the familiar “Ministry Days” format, as we opted instead for a more prayerful gathering to discern together a path forward for our diocese, in the spirit of the kind of synodality that our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, initiated. To be clear, this was not meant to be an exercise in redefining doctrines or flattening the hierarchy. Rather, we are trying to change the culture of the local Church by calling all her members to communion and participation; action and accountability. Bishop Barron mentions over 20 of the Synod’s proposals in his pastoral letter that are easy to apply to local situations. Last month at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 200 leaders in our diocese discerned what things in the parishes are already happening that can be elevated, perfected, and more intentionally directed toward concrete goals. The Diocese, for its part, offered resources for parishes to utilize over the coming months that directly correlate
Called and Sent, cont'd on pg. 6
INSIDE this issue
Pope's Advice to Priests
With Gratitude and Joy page 2
page 7
Strengthen Your Marriage, Save the World! page 10