About Diocese of New Ulm
The Diocese of New Ulm is a Roman Catholic diocese in western Minnesota covering 15 counties and 9,863 square miles, with a Catholic population of 42,068 (as of June 2024). Erected by Pope Pius XII on November 18, 1957 from territory of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul, it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The current bishop is Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski, the fifth bishop, installed September 27, 2022. Its mother church is the historic Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, a landmark of German Baroque architecture completed in 1903.
- Bishop
- Chad W. Zielinski
- Established
- 1957
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (605 N. State Street, New Ulm, MN 56073) — a Neo-Baroque brick cathedral begun 1890, completed 1903; famous for its German Baroque interior paintings by Alexander Schwendinger (with Christ Heller and Anton Gag), accented with gold leaf, and an apse featuring the Holy Trinity with the Twelve Apostles.
- Territory
- 15 counties in western and southwestern Minnesota: Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift, and Yellow Medicine — covering 9,863 square miles.
- Parishes
- 55 parishes (organized into 19 Area Faith Communities as of July 2024)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis)
About the Diocese of New Ulm
The Diocese of New Ulm serves Catholics across 15 counties of western and southwestern Minnesota — Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift, and Yellow Medicine. The diocese covers 9,863 square miles, with a total population of 282,719 (2023) and a Catholic population of 42,068 (as of June 30, 2024). Erected by Pope Pius XII on November 18, 1957, the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Its 55 parishes are organized into 19 Area Faith Communities (AFCs). Twenty-two counties — actually fifteen — sixteen Catholic high schools — actually three — and a robust diocesan school system anchor Catholic life in the rural region.
- Established: November 18, 1957 (erected by Pope Pius XII)
- Cathedral: Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm
- Bishop: Most Reverend Chad W. Zielinski (5th bishop, since Sept. 27, 2022)
- Territory: 15 counties in western/southwestern Minnesota, 9,863 sq mi
- Catholic population: 42,068 (June 2024); total population 282,719 (2023)
- Parishes: 55, organized into 19 Area Faith Communities (July 2024)
History of the Diocese
The diocese traces its origin to the missionary work of Father Franz Weninger, who began visiting Catholics in the New Ulm area in 1856. Central Minnesota's Catholics passed through the Diocese of St. Louis, the Diocese of Dubuque, the Diocese of St. Paul, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul before Pope Pius XII created the Diocese of New Ulm on November 18, 1957. The diocese's first cathedral was Holy Trinity Church in New Ulm — itself a third iteration after two earlier churches were destroyed by the Dakota War of 1862 and an 1881 tornado.
- 1826–1837: Diocese of St. Louis
- 1837–1850: Diocese of Dubuque
- 1850–1875: Diocese of St. Paul
- 1875–1957: Archdiocese of St. Paul
- Nov. 18, 1957: Diocese of New Ulm erected by Pope Pius XII
- Jan. 30, 1958: First bishop Alphonse Schladweiler installed at Holy Trinity
Bishops of New Ulm
Five bishops have served the Diocese of New Ulm: Bishop Alphonse Schladweiler (1957–1975), Bishop Raymond Lucker (1975–2000), Bishop John Nienstedt (2001–2007), Bishop John LeVoir (2008–2020), and the current Bishop Chad W. Zielinski (2022–present). Msgr. Douglas L. Grams served as diocesan administrator in the interregnum between LeVoir's retirement and Zielinski's appointment.
- Alphonse J. Schladweiler (1957–1975)
- Raymond A. Lucker (1975–2000)
- John C. Nienstedt (2001–2007)
- John M. LeVoir (2008–2020)
- Chad W. Zielinski (2022–present)
- John Jeremiah McRaith (diocesan priest, became Bishop of Owensboro 1982)
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 605 N. State Street, New Ulm, is the mother church of the diocese and a landmark of German Baroque architecture in Minnesota. Construction began in 1890, with the steeple completed in 1893 and the elaborate interior by Alexander Schwendinger, Christ Heller, and Anton Gag finished in 1903. The cathedral's lower level was renovated in 1987 into the Antony Leifeld Community Hall. Since 2005 the cathedral parish has been part of the Holy Cross Area Faith Community. Public visiting hours run daily, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Address: 605 N. State Street, New Ulm, MN 56073
- Architecture: German Baroque / Neo-Baroque brick
- Completed: 1903 (steeple 1893)
- Phone: (507) 354-4158
- Interior artists: Alexander Schwendinger, Christ Heller, Anton Gag
- Currently part of the Holy Cross Area Faith Community
Area Faith Communities & Parishes
In response to declining priest numbers and shifting demographics, the Diocese of New Ulm has grouped its 55 parishes into 19 Area Faith Communities (AFCs), each sharing one or more pastors, staff, and resources. The cathedral itself is part of the Holy Cross AFC, which was formed in 2005 with five parishes and now comprises four after St. Gregory the Great closed in 2021.
- 19 Area Faith Communities (as of July 2024)
- 55 parishes across the diocese
- 32 assigned priests; 17 retired priests
- 19 assigned permanent deacons
- Holy Cross AFC includes the cathedral; serves the New Ulm area
Clergy, Vocations & Permanent Diaconate
As of July 2024 the diocese has 32 assigned priests, 17 retired priests, and 19 assigned permanent deacons. The Office of the Bishop oversees clergy personnel, priestly vocations, and the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, with Penny Forst serving as the Bishop's Executive Assistant, Chancellor, Vicar General, Bishop's Delegate for Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct, and Bishop's Delegate for the Permanent Diaconate.
- Office of Vocations and Continuing Education of Clergy (Jeovana Michels)
- Bishop's Delegate for the Permanent Diaconate
- Bishop's Delegate for Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct
- Diocesan Administrator: Msgr. Douglas L. Grams (2020–2022)
Catholic Schools
The Diocese of New Ulm maintains one of its largest ministries through its Catholic school system. For 2025-2026 the diocese enrolls 1,811 students in PreK-12 and employs 218 teaching faculty across 13 elementary schools (K-8), 11 early-childhood Catholic pre-schools (PK), and 3 Catholic high schools, located in eight of the diocese's fifteen counties. Director of Catholic Schools is Dr. Michelle Kramer. The diocese maintains written religion curriculum standards for K-8 (currently under review for 2025-2026).
- Elementary schools (K-8): 13
- Elementary schools (PK): 11
- High schools (9-12): 3
- Total PreK-12 enrollment (2025-2026): 1,811
- Teaching faculty: 218
- Director of Catholic Schools: Dr. Michelle Kramer
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Office of Faith Formation and Religious Education supports parish catechetical leaders, directors of religious education, catechists, and parents involved in forming children and youth in the Catholic faith. The office provides written diocesan religion curriculum standards for grades Pre-K through 8, offers resources for catechists, and runs the Early Catholic Family Life (ECFL) program. Religious Education coordinator is Kari Nilles.
- Religion curriculum standards for PreK-8 (under review 2025-2026)
- Early Catholic Family Life (ECFL) program
- Coordinator: Kari Nilles, [email protected], (507) 233-5324
- USCCB-conformity curriculum review
Worship & Liturgy
The Diocese of New Ulm's Office of Worship is staffed by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict — Sister Cecelia and Sister Mary Joseph — who direct the diocese's liturgical formation, sacraments, and music ministry. They can be reached at (507) 233-5355.
- Worship Office: ext. (507) 233-5355
- Staffed by Sister Cecelia and Sister Mary Joseph (OSB)
Mass, Confession & Adoration Times (Cathedral of the Holy Trinity)
Published Mass and confession times at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity include daily morning Mass Monday–Friday at 7:00 a.m. and Saturday at 8:00 a.m., Sunday Masses at 5:00 p.m. (Saturday vigil), 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 6:30 p.m.; confession times on Saturday 9:00–10:00 a.m. and 4:00–4:40 p.m., Sunday 7:00–7:40 a.m., and First Friday at 6:30 a.m.
- Daily Mass: Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.; Sat 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday Masses: Sat 5:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 6:30 p.m.
- Confession: Sat 9–10 a.m., 4–4:40 p.m.; Sun 7–7:40 a.m.; 1st Fri 6:30 a.m.
Hispanic / Latino Ministry
Hispanic Ministry is coordinated through the Catholic Schools and Hispanic Ministry office under Jeovana Michels. The estimated resident Latino population across the diocese's 15 counties is 22,547, with vibrant Latino Catholic communities in Glencoe, Litchfield, Marshall, Montevideo, and Willmar along with smaller towns. The diocese sponsors Spanish-language liturgy, sacramental preparation, and faith formation for these communities.
- Estimated Latino population: 22,547 across 15 counties
- Vibrant communities in Marshall, Willmar, Montevideo, Litchfield, Glencoe
- Coordinator: Jeovana Michels, (507) 233-5302
Catholic Charities & Social Concerns
Catholic Charities and Social Concerns programming across the diocese is coordinated by Jessica Griebel. The Office supports outreach to those in need across the 15-county region, including emergency assistance, parish social ministry, and advocacy on behalf of the poor and vulnerable.
- Coordinator: Jessica Griebel, (507) 233-5318
- Combined with Catholic Charities and Social Concerns outreach
Safe Environment
The Diocese of New Ulm operates a Safe Environment program coordinated through Sherry Kalow, addressing background checks, training, and prevention of sexual misconduct across parishes and schools. The Bishop's Delegate for Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct (Penny Forst) works in conjunction with the Safe Environment Office. The diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017 in connection with sexual abuse lawsuits.
- Safe Environment coordinator: Sherry Kalow
- Bishop's Delegate for Sexual Misconduct: Penny Forst
- Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017
Communications & Development
Communications and Development for the diocese are coordinated by Christy Baker, supported by finance staff Anthony Ferk, Sherry Kalow, and Tammy Waibel. The diocesan newspaper, the Newsletter, has been published since May 27, 1972, replacing previous reliance on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis's Catholic Bulletin.
- Communications & Development: Christy Baker, (507) 233-5317
- Diocesan newspaper: 'the Newsletter' (est. May 27, 1972)
Evangelization & Family Life
Evangelization and Family Life ministry, along with the diocesan Committee on Parishes, is led by Miranda Evans. The office supports parish evangelization efforts, marriage and family life programs, and the formation of parish leadership across the diocese.
- Coordinator: Miranda Evans, (507) 233-5335
- Includes the diocesan Committee on Parishes
International Mission
Since Bishop Schladweiler founded the partnership in the early 1970s, the Diocese of New Ulm has staffed and supported the parish of San Lucas Tolimán in Guatemala — one of the diocese's longest-running international outreach commitments, sending clergy, lay missioners, and material aid to the Mayan Catholic community of the Lake Atitlán region.
- Sister parish: San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala
- Partnership established under Bishop Schladweiler (early 1970s)
Getting Involved
Catholics of the Diocese of New Ulm are encouraged to participate in their local Area Faith Community — there are 19 AFCs covering the diocese. Opportunities for involvement include parish liturgical ministries, Catholic school volunteering (across 26 schools), youth ministry, the Permanent Diaconate program, and the San Lucas Tolimán mission in Guatemala. Inquiries can be directed to the Catholic Pastoral Center at 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073, (507) 359-2966, [email protected].
- Volunteer in your local AFC parish
- Support Catholic schools (26 schools across 8 counties)
- Pray for priestly and diaconate vocations
- Support the San Lucas Tolimán Guatemala mission
- Contact the Pastoral Center: (507) 359-2966, [email protected]
Visiting the Cathedral & Pastoral Center
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity welcomes visitors daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is among New Ulm's most-visited landmarks. The Catholic Pastoral Center (chancery) is at 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073, open weekdays; phone (507) 359-2966, fax (507) 354-0268, email [email protected].
- Cathedral visiting hours: Daily 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Cathedral phone: (507) 354-4158
- Pastoral Center: 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073
- Pastoral Center phone: (507) 359-2966
- Pastoral Center email: [email protected]
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