Only One Thing is Necessary: How Catholic Families Can Strive To Be United in This Life and the Next
By Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda,
Archbishop,
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis: The Church recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the canonization of Marie Azélie (Zélie) and Louis Martin, the parents of the Little Flower, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Canonized in Rome on October 18, 2015, the saintly couple were held up to the Church universal as role models for holiness in married life. They were the first married couple to be canonized together.

Archbishop Hebda releases pastoral letter to families
On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, marking 10 years since his installation as Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Archbishop Bernard Hebda released his pastoral letter to families, Only One Thing Is Necessary.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Amazing patrons of heroic family life
With the celebration of Mother’s Day just yesterday, I spent a good bit of the weekend thinking about my mother (and father).

Appointments – May 7, 2026
Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Action Alert: Tell Legislators to Support the Protect All Kids Package
The Minnesota Catholic Conference believes a comprehensive three-tiered approach, which addresses gun violence, school safety, and online protection, is the best way forward in 2026. Use this simple form to urge legislators to protect all children.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Serve God in the day-to-day
I often think that candidates for confirmation have made it a game to try to stump me with obscure saint names but I still haven’t encountered a “Zita” here in the Archdiocese.

Appointments – April 23, 2026
Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Pax et Bonum, peace and goodness
At the beginning of this year, Pope Leo announced that 2026 would be a special Jubilee Year in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. It would be hard not to be inspired by that great saint. Even so many centuries after his death, he continues to capture the Catholic imagination.

Appointments – April 9, 2026
Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointment in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Knowing God’s mercy, pouring out blessings
While the Easter octave concluded yesterday, we’re blessed that the Easter season continues for another six weeks—as should the joy that we share when we reflect on all that our merciful Lord has done for us. Our readings from the Acts of the Apostles, continuing throughout these 50 days, illustrate that joy so powerfully.
Stop Mandated Coverage of Harmful IVF Practices
Source: Minnesota Catholic Conference Lawmakers are working to mandate fertility insurance coverage, an industry fraught with unethical practices. Use this action alert to tell legislators to stop

Statement Regarding Prayers for Peace this Saturday
Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has asked that all people of goodwill join him to pray for peace tomorrow, Saturday, April 11. While thousands are expected to join him in Saint Peter’s Square at 6 p.m. in Rome, I am inviting you to join in praying for peace, whether at home or at your parish.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Holy Week
Blessed Holy Week. I hope that your Palm Sunday was as inspiring as mine. I was blessed to celebrate Mass at St. John the Baptist parish in New Brighton and found the liturgy to be very moving. It’s a parish with a great liturgical tradition. The music was well chosen and the church meaningfully decorated. The liturgy began with an impressive procession involving lots of families carrying palms and wearing red, the liturgical color of the day. It was easy to get my “steps” in before the opening prayer of the Mass even began.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect and promotes the social and emotional well-being of children and families.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Passiontide
Yesterday, we began a period of Lent, traditionally known as Passiontide, marked by even greater solemnity and sobriety. Perhaps your parish veiled its crucifix with purple cloth, reminiscent of Jesus’ hiding in the eighth chapter of John’s Gospel (Jn 8:56).

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: An ‘open eyes’ glimpse of Easter joy
We passed the midpoint of Lent yesterday—Laetare Sunday! The name comes from the Latin entrance antiphon for the Mass, which begins, Laetare Jerusalem (“Rejoice, O Jerusalem”). It’s a little like a Lenten 7th inning stretch (even though we’re really only halfway through this penitential season).

Appointments – March 5, 2026
Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: How encounter leads to conversion
How’s your Lent? There have already been a few days when I have found myself in the midst of a Lenten desert, grumbling like the Israelites in yesterday’s first reading, longing for something to quench my thirst. On others, however, I’ve been at Jacob’s well, with both the Samaritan woman from yesterday’s Gospel and Jesus, reflecting on the “living water” that only he can offer.

Pope Leo XIV bestows honors upon two individuals for exceptional service as Catholic educators
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is grateful to announce that Pope Leo XIV has bestowed papal honors upon two individuals for their exceptional service to the Catholic Church, especially in Catholic education. This is the second consecutive year that Catholic educators of the Archdiocese have received this honor.

Statement Regarding MN Supreme Court’s Decision to Hear Employment Case
Decades of precedent from courts across the country, including the United States Supreme Court, confirm that the Constitution protects the freedom of religious schools to choose employees who are faithful to their core religious principles.

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Almost too joyful for Lent?
The first Sunday in Lent marks the annual “Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion” and I’m still on the proverbial “cloud nine.”

Archbishop’s Weekly Word: Be bold in what you ask
People returning from pilgrimages to Rome often ask me if I miss my time in the Eternal City. While I loved all 18 of the years that I lived there, I consider it a blessing that there’s actually very little that I miss. I have been thinking these days, however, about the Italian version of Mardi Gras—Carnevale.

Standing with Our Parish and School Communities – Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund
As Catholic institutions in the Twin Cities, we continue to hold in prayer the families, students, clergy, educators, lay leaders, and neighbors across Minnesota who are experiencing fear, grief, and disruption in this moment. With missions rooted in the Gospel and in the Church’s social teaching, we affirm the inherent dignity of every person and the call to respond with compassion, accompaniment, and concrete care.