Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Dates, Times for Ordination Cable TV Showing Changed

The original dates and times for the cable TV showing of Bishop Lee Piché’s Mass of Ordination have changed. Yesterday’s ordination was originally scheduled to run on Metro Channel 6 for consecutive Saturdays in July –the 11th the 18th and the 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

However, due to the length of the ordination Mass, it has been rescheduled to run on Metro Channel 6 every Monday during July from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and every Sunday in August from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The cable channel informs us, however, that these times are subject to change. Should you tune in on one of those dates in July or August and find the program is not available, they suggest you call the station at 612-339-3221.

Vatican Designates Cathedral of Saint Paul as National Shrine

Saint Paul, MN, June 16, 2009 – The Vatican has designated the Cathedral of Saint Paul to be the first national shrine in honor of the Apostle Paul. This special distinction was granted by the Office of the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, following a request by The Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

This will be the first national shrine in the State of Minnesota and the only national shrine in North America dedicated to honor Saint Paul.

According to canon (church) law, “The term shrine signifies a church or other sacred place to which the faithful make pilgrimages for a particular pious reason with the approval of the local ordinary (bishop).”

Tens of thousands of people, particularly tourists, already visit the Cathedral of Saint Paul every year. Bus loads of children also come to learn about the role of the Mother Church of the Archdiocese. The number of visitors is expected to increase significantly as a result of this designation as a national shrine dedicated to Saint Paul.

Over the decades, the Cathedral developed as a catechism in stone and glass by evangelizing through its grandeur and beauty. The patron Saint Paul is particularly honored through a series of bronze grills that depict major events in his life, from his conversion to his martyrdom. The Shrine of the Nations, which features patron saints of ethnic groups from Europe who settled the area, serves as a reminder that the work of the Apostle to the Gentiles continues through every age.

Considered one of the top five cathedrals in America, the cornerstone for the Cathedral of Saint Paul was laid over a century ago and it opened for worship on March 28, 1915.   Actually the fourth Cathedral of the then young Archdiocese, it owes its existence to the vision of Archbishop John Ireland and the architectural genius of Frenchman E. I. Masqueray.  It was paid for, in part, with the pennies of school children and the small contributions of the city's ordinary citizens.

To view or download photos of the Cathedral, go to www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/album.

Cathedral Heritage Foundation

The foundation is a secular, community-based effort to address the restoration and preservation of the Cathedral building for generations to come. To learn more about the foundation and how you can participate in the preservation of this great monument, contact:

Cathedral Heritage Foundation
239 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
Phone 651-228-1766 Fax 651-228-9942
National Shrine and Cathedral of Saint Paul
www.cathedralsaintpaul/cathedral-heritage-foundation

For information about the National Shrine of the Apostle of Saint Paul and the Cathedral of Saint Paul, contact:

National Shrine of the Apostle of Saint Paul
Cathedral of Saint Paul
239 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
Phone 651-228-1766 Fax 651-228-9942
www.cathedralsaintpaul.org

Guided tours are given every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. or by appointment. To schedule a tour, email: tours@cathedralsaintpaul.org. The public is also invited to visit the Cathedral Museum and Gift Shop on the lower level.

Strategic Task Force for Parish and School Planning

Please visit the planning process pages here to learn more about the task force and the planning process and to give us your feedback.

Catholic Services Appeal 2009

The Catholic Services Appeal, formerly the Archbishop's Annual Catholic Appeal, is now underway. 2009 is dedicated as the year of Saint Paul. Our theme was chosen from the writings of Saint Paul to the Romans 12:4-6 which states, “We, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them.”

For more information and to donate online, please visit the Catholic Services Appeal website at www.archspm.org/appeal.

Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
226 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 291-4400
communications@archspm.org