A Minneapolis native whose Catholic ministry has served parishes in the Twin Cities metropolitan area for the past 27 years has been appointed the fourth bishop of the 68,000-member Diocese of New Ulm.

Come late August or early September, the Rev. John M. LeVoir will be installed in the lead position at the diocese, filling a vacancy left in 2007 by the Rev. John C. Nienstedt, now archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Nienstadt issued a statement Monday praising LeVoir for his dedication as a parish priest.

The children's choirs of Peace Lutheran Church will present an operetta at 7 p.m. on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 1, in the church at 400 Franklin St. S.W., Hutchinson.

The operetta is titled "The Amazing Jerusalem Makeover.” It presents in song and humor the Biblical story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. The part of Nehemiah is played by Alex Goodwin, and King Artaxerxes is played by Jordan Woube.

There’s no charge to attend and the public is welcome. For more information, call Paul Otte at (320) 587-3031.

By Corey Roskamp, Crow River Youth for Christ
Member of HEY Ministries

As the night of the grand gala nears, excitement runs high for students planning to attend prom. Many arrangements have been made for this special night. Prom carries with it many great traditions based in having a good time. The memories made will last a long time. Students, how many of your parents have told you about their prom experience? Many, I am sure.

More than 10 years ago, Whoopi Goldberg starred in the hit movie “Sister Act.” She played the role of a Las Vegas lounge singer who is sent to an inner-city convent under a witness-protection program. Masquerading as Sister Mary Claire, Goldberg turns the convent upside when she leads the nun’s choir from its traditional program of hymns and turns them into a group of swingin’ singing sisters offering a Biblical spin on pop songs.

This is the first of a three-part series on prom written by local youth pastors. The series begins running today, Tuesday, April 15, and will appear Tuesday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 29. Watch for it and share it with your teens.

If you’re a fan of old-time gospel music, mark 9:20 a.m. Sunday, April 20, and plan to head to Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin St. S.W., Hutchinson.

The Praise Team will present old-fashioned gospel music and hymns in a Praise and Worship setting. Songs will include “Old Time Religion,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Will the Circle be Unbroken,” “I Saw the Light” and many more.