A year-long celebration begins in November to observe the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of New Ulm, which was established Nov. 18, 1957.

In observance of the anniversary, there will be three diocesan sponsored events. The first will be a Mass for Deceased Pastoral Leaders at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Church of St. Anastasia, Hutchinson. This will serve as the “kick off” for the anniversary year-long celebration. On June 22, a 50th anniversary festival is planned at the Redwood Falls Community Center in Redwood Falls. A closing celebration is planned for 3 p.m. Nov. 16, 2008, at the Church of Holy Redeemer in Marshall.

On Nov. 18, 1957, Pope Pius XII announced the establishment of the Diocese of New Ulm and appointed Monsignor Alphonse Schladweiler as the new bishop. Schadweiler was ordained a bishop and installed on Jan. 30, 1958. He remained bishop until retiring in 1975.

Since then, the diocese has been led by Bishop Raymond Lucker (1975-2000) and Bishop John Nienstedt (2001-present). In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named Nienstedt as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Nienstedt remains apostolic administrator of the Diocese of New Ulm until a new bishop is appointed.