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Seven parishes were asked to come together to form a pastorate as a part of Bishop DeGrood's 'Set Ablaze' plan for the Diocese of Sioux Falls. The following parishes joined together to become Ave Maria Pastorate.
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Blessed Sacrament, Florence
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Holy Rosary, Kranzburg
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Saint Henry's, Henry
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Saint Michael's, Clark
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Holy Name of Jesus, Watertown
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Immaculate Conception, Watertown
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Saint Mary's, Bryant
About Our Logo
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The "A" and "M" featured in our logo represent our pastorate name Ave Maria which is Latin for Hail Mary.
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The colors gold and blue. The gold was chosen to signify Mary's crown as she is queen of Heaven and Earth. The blue hues of the logo were chosen as Mary is often depicted in hues of blue.
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The seven stars represent the geographic locations of our seven parishes. Beginning at the top with St. Mary's in Bryant, St. Michael's in Clark, and Blessed Sacrament in Florence. The middle star is St. Henry's in Henry. The two stars next to each other are the two parishes in Watertown, Holy Name of Jesus and Immaculate Conception. The star located at the bottom represents Holy Rosary in Kranzburg.
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The waves were chosen to represent the waters found in our pastorate, but also signify that Mary is with us here, on the waters and through the waves.
There is also a hidden meaning shown in our logo. If our logo was rotated and was shown as it appears on the map, west to east, it would face towards the east as Mary does. Christians have always believed that Christ would be coming again at the end of time from the east with the sun as it rises. Above all Mary has the hope for the future and is awaiting the coming again of Christ.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for our pastorate!