Announcements

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.

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.

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has formally launched a national search for the next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools. This search, conducted with Partners in Mission, represents an important moment of discernment as the Archdiocese looks to the future of Catholic education, while remaining firmly grounded in a shared mission, traditions and commitment to forming students in faith, excellence, and service.

Congress recently passed the first Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, which would provide millions of dollars in educational resources for students across the U.S. For Minnesota's students to benefit, Governor Walz must opt in or the Legislature must pass a bill to opt Minnesota into the program.

If you watched the Super Bowl yesterday, you might have seen the commercial that is part of the “He Gets Us” series. This year, the ad addressed the excessive noise and misleading expectations of our culture—more toys, more fun, more beautiful, more pleasure, more thrills, more wealth.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointment in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis:

Many are surprised to learn just how richly blessed we are in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis with the presence so many consecrated women and men and the various expressions.

Catholic Schools Week is kicking off throughout our nation this week. The auxiliary bishops and I will be at schools all over the Archdiocese to celebrate with our joyful students, faculties and families.

Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota, in partnership with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, has reactivated a relief fund to help Catholic parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis that are strained by responding to increased needs in their communities.

The loss of another life amidst the tensions that have gripped Minnesota should prompt all of us to ask what we can do to restore the Lord’s peace. While we rightly thirst for God’s justice and hunger for his peace, this will be not be achieved until we are able to rid our hearts of the hatreds and prejudices that prevent us from seeing each other as brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

As the leader of the Catholic community in St. Paul-Minneapolis, I see the human cost on all sides. The chaos benefits no one.

Greetings on this Martin Luther King Day! If your offices are closed for the federal holiday, you might want to spend some time at the Vatican Unveiled exhibit at the Mall of America.

In a reflection commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Archbishop Coakley focused on a portion of Dr. King’s sermon, "Drum Major Instinct."

I suspect that most would agree that there’s been a heaviness in our community these days. Ever since the deadly shooting of Renee Good on Portland Avenue last Wednesday, I find myself googling “Minneapolis” every few hours to learn of the latest developments in a situation that truly tears at the heart.

Following this morning’s deadly shooting in Minneapolis, I reiterate my plea for all people of good will to join me in prayer for the person who was killed, for their loved ones, and for our community. 

Merry Christmas! Today’s the fifth day of our celebration of Christmas and I’m hoping that you’re still feeling the excitement of this holy season as we celebrate the great gift of Our Lord’s birth in Bethlehem.