Pelican Valley ACC
All are Welcome
Welcome
In 2019, the Diocese of St. Cloud combined the three parishes of Church of Our Lady of Victory, St. Leonard Parish and St. Elizabeth’s Parish into an Area Catholic Community. As the Body of Christ, we come together and are known as the “Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community”

YOU are invited – All are Welcome!! Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community’s faith family looks forward to dining regularly with you at the Lord’s table. The Venerable Fulton Sheen shares his wisdom: ‘He seeks us before we dream of seeking him; he knocks before we invite him in; he loves us before we respond.’
Our Pastor, Father Alan Wielinski, recognizes each of our parishes has its own identity; however, together we work for the common good of our ACC through our mission:
The Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community reaches out
and is comprised of an ethnically diverse population,
young and old, rich and poor…celebrating Eucharist, praying,
witnessing, educating, and sharing our Catholic traditions
and love for Jesus.
We look forward to seeing you at the banquet of the Lord.
Blessings and Joy!

Father Alan Wielinski
Pastor

Father Lucho Palomino
Parochial Vicar
218-731-2939
fatherlucho@ffolvchurch.org
Annual events
Fish Fries – February and March, Our Lady of Victory
Ash Wednesday Soup Supper – February 18, Our Lady of Victory
Christian Men's Club Breakfast – April, St. Elizabeth
Spring Gala – May, Our Lady of Victory
Pork in the Park – June, St. Leonard
Pork Out - August 17, St. Elizabeth
Fall Festival – September 21, Our Lady of Victory
Roast Beef Dinner – October, St. Leonard
Marathon for Catholic Schools – October, Our Lady of Victory
Turkey Bingo - November 8, St. Elizabeth
Holiday Expo - November 22, St. Elizabeth
Feast of Guadalupe - December 12, St. Leonard
Faith Formation Bake Sale – December, Our Lady of Victory
Important News & Updates
Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions or concerns.
List of Services
-
Volunteers needed for VBS decoration Aug. 3
Everyone in our ACC is welcome to help DECORATE Brenny Hall for Vacation Bible School, starting at noon on August 3. Subway lunch boxes will be provided for helpers. We will also need help taking down decorations when program over Thursday August 7 starting at 8:30 PM.
Contact Deb Forstner at deb@ffolvchurch.org with any questions.
-
First mass back at OLV church Aug. 14
The first mass at Our Lady of Victory Church following the Jan. 14 fire will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 and 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15 to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day in the Catholic Church.
Special refreshments and fellowship will follow each mass.
-
All Things New meeting at St. Leonard following Sunday Mass
The All Things New Committee continues to support the pastoral planning process for the future of the Pelican Valley ACC. There will be meetings in each parish to discuss these parameters and parishioners' needs:
St. Leonard will host a town hall-style meeting Sunday following the both the 10:30 a.m. Mass and the noon Mass.
If you have questions or concerns about the planning process, ask the committee members, including Emily Stawarski, Mary Loreno, Michael Loreno, Peter Steinbach, Wanda Zimmerman, Bonnie Kunz, Rosaneli Barragan, Florencio Barragan, June Clark, Kelly Schroeder, Bridget Wedll, Father Lucho, or Father Alan.
-
Family Fun Pilgrimage
Join us on August 23 for a joyful day of faith, fun, and fellowship as we embark on a family pilgrimage to Inspiration Point Camp!
There are activities for all ages, including swimming, water slides, gym & game room, sand volleyball, kayaking, and more!
A buffet lunch is included with unlimited coffee, tea, cocoa & cider all day. We will end our day celebrating Mass in the Worship Center. A bus will depart from the OLV parking lot at 8 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m. Register by August 5 by clicking here.
-
Have you lost a spouse?
Beginning Experience (BE) is a Non-Profit Christian Support Group for anyone who has lost a partner/spouse due to being divorced, widowed, or separated. A 10-week session "Coping with Life Alone" begins September 8, 2025 in Fergus Falls. To sign up and for more info, please coll 218-560-1686 or click here.

The Journey
Pelican Valley Area Catholic Community Newsletter
July 2025 issue
Father Lucho reflects on the time spent in seminary studying under Pope Leo (previously known as Padre Roberto) in Trujillo, Peru. He notes that, despite being born in Chicago, Pope Leo had a very humble start to his ministry, serving the communities in Trujillo and later Chiclayo as bishop. He directly helped the needs of the people and grew very close to the community in Peru.
Pastoral Column
A Message From Father Alan
Dear Members of the Pelican Valley ACC,
Thanks to all participants in the All Things New town-hall meetings this past week (including this Sunday) and to our All Things New committee for their commitment to this process. It is a listening process. It is a prayer and trust adventure. We anticipate that from what we have heard at these meetings and from the parameters and guidelines the diocese has given, we will be able to make perhaps several alternative proposals. Once we consider the good of our own ACC, then we will also see how it fits with the needs of the ACCs near us and the overall diocesan plan. So yes, there's work ahead of us, and the ultimate decisions will be made by Bishop Patrick. He is a good, prayerful listener; we pray for the same gift. Come, Holy Spirit!
The festivals are upon us with Pork in the Park this weekend already at St. Leonard (Saturday the 26th), the Porkout and 10:00 Outdoor Mass at St. Elizabeth on Sunday, August 17 (no 10:30 Mass at OLV on the 17th), and the raffle tickets are already out for the OLV Fall Festival on September 21. These festivals are all about fun, fellowship, and yes, they benefit us with some funds as well. Many Thanks for all your participation and the work of preparation for these special parish and ACC events. More summer blessings to everyone!
Father Alan
Estimados miembros de ACC de Pelican Valley:
Gracias a todos los participantes en las reuniones comunitarias de Todo Nuevo de la semana pasada (incluido este domingo) y a nuestro comité de Todo Nuevo por su compromiso con este proceso. Es un proceso de escucha. Es una aventura de oración y confianza. Anticipamos que, a partir de lo escuchado en estas reuniones y de los parámetros y directrices que ha proporcionado la diócesis, podremos presentar varias propuestas alternativas. Una vez que consideremos el bienestar de nuestro propio ACC, veremos también cómo se adapta a las necesidades de los ACC cercanos y al plan diocesano general. Así que sí, tenemos trabajo por delante, y las decisiones finales las tomará el obispo Patrick. Él es un buen oyente y orante; oramos por el mismo don. ¡Ven, Espíritu Santo!
Ya estamos cerca de los festivales: este fin de semana ya tendremos Cerdo en el Parque en St. Leonard (sábado 26), el Cerdo al Aire Libre y la Misa al Aire Libre a las 10:00 a.m. en St. Elizabeth el domingo 17 de agosto (no habrá Misa a las 10:30 a.m. en OLV el 17), y ya están disponibles los boletos para la rifa del Festival de Otoño de OLV el 21 de septiembre. Estos festivales se centran en la diversión, la camaradería y, sí, también nos benefician con algunos fondos. Muchas gracias por su participación y el trabajo de preparación para estos eventos especiales de la parroquia y el ACC. ¡Les deseo a todos muchas bendiciones de verano!
Padre Alan
Upcoming Events
To discover more upcoming events, please check our bulletin.

Pork in the Park
July 26
11:00 - 2:00 PM
Join us at St. Leonard for a roast pork dinner in the park behind the church. We will serve roast pork on a bun, potato salad, and baked beans. Dinner is $12 and $6 for ages 11 and under. All are invited.

Pork Out
Aug. 17
11:00 - 3:00 PM
Join us at St. Elizabeth for the annual Pork Out Festival. We will serve pork with all the trimmings. There's fun for the WHOLE FAMILY!

Fall Festival
Sept. 21
11:00 - 2:00 pm
The OLV Fall Festival is an exciting place to take your family for great food, a cake walk, bingo, and fun children's games. There will also be a raffle drawing at the end with plenty of prizes, so be sure to get your tickets early by contacting the school.
Fergus Falls, MN
207 N. Vine St.,
Fergus Falls, MN, 56537
218-736-2429
contact@ffolvchurch.org
Weekend Masses:
Saturday 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Weekday Masses:
Tuesday 12:05 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m.
Friday 9 a.m.
Reconciliation:
Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Pelican Rapids, MN
36 1st Ave NE,
Pelican Rapids, MN, 56572
218-863-5161
stleonard@loretel.net
Weekend Masses:
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. (Español)
Weekday Masses:
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Reconciliation:
By request
Elizabeth MN
706 W. Pleasant Ave.
Elizabeth, MN 56533
218-736-5230
carriewedll@yahoo.com
Weekend Masses:
Sunday 8:30 a.m.
Reconciliation:
By request
ACC Council members
Rhonda Peterson
John Schmidt
Dec. Dean Pawlowski
Andrew Heinrich
Judy Zenner
Diane Aschnewitz
ACC Council members
Rosaneli Barrogan
Alejandra Mancilla
Deacon Mario Mancilla
Jose Escobar
ACC Council members
Bill Riestenberg
Catherine Wilde
Mike Rengel
Walter Paler
Carla Shermerhorn
