Announcements

I hope you all enjoyed the rose-colored candle in the Advent Wreath this weekend as the Church celebrated Gaudete Sunday. While we continue our wait with the Church for the coming of Jesus, you probably sensed that there was a special emphasis on this Third Sunday of Advent—a focus on finding joy in the anticipation.

Today, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception. It’s a Solemnity that is theologically important for us as Catholics and yet often misunderstood.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the true gems of our American culture: a time for us as a nation and individually to acknowledge all for which we are thankful and the many blessings that our gracious God has given us.

As our Archdiocese has been journeying through this Year 2 of implementation of my pastoral letter, You Shall Be My Witnesses, and as the Church in the United States continues with our Eucharistic Revival, still benefiting from the graces of this summer’s Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, we have rightly been focusing on the Eucharist as being the source and summit of all Christian life. How we celebrate the Mass and participate at Mass is of utmost importance. I

In solidarity with immigrants, Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso and chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, chairman of the board for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) issued a statement of pastoral concern.

The bishops elected as chairmen-elect are: Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, as treasurer-elect, and chairman-elect of the Committee on Budget and Finance in a 156-84 vote over Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford.

Archbishop Hebda has granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception which is transferred this year to December 9, 2024.

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

Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a statement following the results of yesterday’s presidential election.

I am still reeling from the great gift of the Holy Spirit that allowed me to enter into my Episcopal Ordination with ease and grace. Yes, at times my heart was racing, but I was able to take in all that happened and felt such peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

I’d like to begin today’s Weekly Word by thanking each of you for your outpouring of support for Bishop Kevin Kenney, whose episcopal ordination we celebrated today.

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

To the many faithful prayer warriors during the pandemic and while Anointing Corps was in service: We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your critical and instrumental work in praying for 1,660+ faithful afflicted with COVID, their families, the priest providing the sacraments, and the medical professionals caring for them.

From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: I was deeply saddened to learn that the Little Sisters of the Poor will be leaving the Holy Family Residence and our Archdiocese. They have been an important part of this local Church for more than 140 years and their Christ-like witness and example will be greatly missed.

I’m not a betting man, but I would be willing to bet that if we would ask most Catholics to complete the biblical phrase, “Whatsoever you did for the least of my brothers...” they would respond “you did it to me.” It’s right from the 40th verse of Matthew 25.

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

Archbishop Bernard Hebda has asked parishes to take up a second collection to support our sisters and brothers in Christ affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.