Announcements

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is hosting Vatican Unveiled, an exhibit of the largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rome. The exhibit is the personal collection of Father Richard Kunst, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth. Father Kunst has a deep knowledge of the items and a passion for telling their stories.   

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

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The following events are offered locally for those who have experienced or been affected by a pregnancy or infant loss.

Father Michael Ince, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, has been authorized to return to ministry after being on a leave of absence since May 2022. This leave followed an allegation of clergy abuse involving a minor dating back to the 1980s.

On the fifth anniversary of Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical letter on fraternity and social friendship, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released an invitation for reflection.

I often find it interesting to learn the history behind certain names. I’ve heard many stories from parents at baptisms of how their child was named after a beloved family member or patron saint. In my own family, “Bernard” was such a name – as it was shared by my father.

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

The Minnesota Catholic Conference, in collaboration with other religious communities and school advocates, proposes strengthening the Safe Schools Program by creating a consistent school safety funding stream of $100 per student for all students, irrespective of where they attend school—public, charter, nonpublic, or tribal.

While the extraordinary challenges of our times generally rule our news feeds—particularly in recent weeks—I find hope in the resilience and faith of our brothers and sisters overcoming tragedy.

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10, and the Catholic Church marks the Jubilee of Consolation on September 15. In recognition of the continuing mental health crisis, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced a new component within the ongoing National Catholic Mental Health Campaign focused on amplifying local engagement on mental health.

Today, the universal Church celebrates our Blessed Mother under the title, Our Lady of Sorrows. That Our Lady can be recognized under so many titles was confusing for me as a boy. I remember asking my mother if Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Loreto were cousins!

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

I am so grateful for the many promises of prayers that have been coming in from the Holy Father, Pope Leo, and from so many from all around the globe, all praying for the families of Annunciation Parish and School and for all who were impacted by this morning’s senseless violence.    

Please pray for all those affected by the shooting today at Annunciation in Minneapolis. Updates to come from The Catholic Spirit.

As America emerges from the “dog days of summer," it seems fitting that we would be celebrating National Dog Day. One of my predecessors, Archbishop Flynn, was a great dog lover and always had a few four-legged companions keeping him company. After he passed, I had the pleasure of sharing a residence with his Megan and Katie until they found their way to Louisiana, where they had been promised by Archbishop Flynn to a dog-loving priest.

In fall 2025, watch for a new video series on reclaiming the peace, rest and leisure of Sundays with the Lord and family.

Archbishop Hebda is asking all parishes of the archdiocese to join in a nationwide special appeal for humanitarian relief and pastoral support in Gaza on or near the weekend of August 30-31.

I was privileged this weekend to gather with Bishops Izen and Kenney and the seminarians from our Archdiocese for the annual “Seminary Expedition,” organized by our vocations director, Father Mark Pavlak.