Fish Fry Guide 'Tis the season for fish. Check out The Catholic Spirit's fish fry guide here.
What Happened To You? A Book Study for Victim/Survivors of Sexual Abuse – flyer First and third Wednesdays beginning April 5, 6:30-8 p.m., virtual event Join this book study which will discuss the book What Happened To You? by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey. The groundbreaking book offers a profound shift from asking “What’s Wrong with you?” to “What Happened to you?” and focuses on understanding people, behavior, and ourselves. For more information or to register, contact Paula Kaempffer, Outreach Coordinator for Restorative Justice and Abuse Prevention for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, at kaempfferp@archspm.org.
Holy Land Appeal Good Friday, April 7 This annual appeal on Good Friday supports the Church in the Holy Land. Pope Francis has asked parishes to help the Holy Land, which relies on pilgrimages and visitors and has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help the Franciscan Friars in the Holy Land continue their efforts maintaining our sacred shrines, in parishes and formation programs, in Catholic schools, and providing basic humanitarian needs of food and shelter. When you contribute to the Good Friday collection, you join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land, including our brothers and sisters in Damascus. Please be as generous as you are able. Thank you!
Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Michael Izen – QR code to the announcement Tuesday, April 11, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul On January 5, 2023, Pope Francis named Father Michael John Izen, a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Save the date for his Episcopal Ordination. Learn more about Bishop-elect Izen by scanning the QR code and keep updated at thecatholicspirit.com.
Cor Jesu for Young Adults – flyer Friday, April 14, 8 p.m., The Saint Paul Seminary (Saint Mary’s Chapel), Saint Paul Eucharistic adoration, confession, prayer ministry, praise & worship music and fellowship with young adults, college-age and older. Parking is waived on South Campus surface lots at the University of St. Thomas. For more information, call the Office of Vocations at 651-962-6890 or see 10000vocations.org/cor-jesu.html
Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women 90th Annual Convention – brochure Friday, April 28, 8 a.m., Saint Peter Catholic Church, Mendota Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women hosts 90th Annual Convention: Walking Together ~ Sharing our Gifts. Slate of speakers includes Lucy Johnson, Chloe Breczinski, and Father Tim Tran. Look forward to Mass with Archbishop Hebda, delicious meals, Lay Women Volunteer awards, annual meeting, mystery box and silent auction. Shop Marketplace for those special one-of-a-kind gifts. Welcome spring and invite a car full to join you in celebrating at this year's convention! Archdiocesan Youth Day Saturday, April 29, 1-9 p.m., NET Center, 110 Crusader Ave. W., West St. Paul Teens in grades 8-12 are invited to Archdiocesan Youth Day! Join our parish’s group as we come together with teens across the Archdiocese for a powerful day of speakers, adoration, games, and more. Contact [insert your youth minister and info] to learn more and sign up. Cost is $15. Archdiocesan Youth Day 2023 is a partnership between the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and NET Ministries. Learn more at archspm.org/ayd.
Volunteers Needed for Archdiocesan Youth Day Saturday, April 29, NET Center, 110 Crusader Ave. W., West St. Paul This year, NET Ministries is partnering with the Archdiocese to host Archdiocesan Youth Day (AYD), an opportunity to gather with youth from around the archdiocese along with Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Williams. Will you volunteer to help serve at this event? The event runs from 1 - 9 p.m., but the time commitment for volunteers is flexible. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old and up-to-date with VIRTUS Training, have a background check completed (at NET's expense), and sign a code of conduct. Volunteer at archspm.org/ayd.
Transitional Diaconal Ordination Saturday, May 13, 10-11:30 a.m., Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis All the faithful is invited to the diaconal ordination for seminarians of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis completing Theology III. Please pray for these men.
Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priesthood Saturday, May 27, 10-11:30 a.m., Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul All the faithful is invited to attend this joyous celebration of the presbyteral ordination for seminarians of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis completing Theology IV. Please pray for these men.
ARCHDIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Eucharistic Congress: Eucharistic Missionaries Eucharistic Missionaries are those who are experiencing a personal call from the Holy Spirit to more intentionally be an instrument of the Revival at home, in the work place, in their parish and in their community. If you are or someone you know are those aflame with this desire, the National Eucharistic Revival invites all to subscribe to a new way to “Get Involved” by becoming a Eucharistic Missionary. Go to eucharisticrevival.org/get-involved to sign up!
Pray for your Synod Evangelization Team and Read the Pastoral Letter Click here for three bulletin announcements that can be used to promote this at your parish.
Be Part of Archdiocesan History at Bishop-elect Izen’s Ordination Town Square Television (the non-profit that broadcasts priest ordinations each May) is looking for volunteers to assist with the production of Bishop-Izen’s ordination, scheduled for April 11 at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Those who are available that day and have audio mixing or video production experience are encouraged to contact Joe Conlon from Town Square Television (a Knight of Columbus and parishioner from Saint John Neumann in Eagan) at jconlon@townsquare.tv. This is a unique opportunity to participate in an episcopal ordination.
Pope’s monthly prayer intention – For a culture of peace and non-violence – reflection Month of April We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence, by decreasing the use of weapons by States and citizens.
Stay in the Know: Get The Catholic Spirit — for free! Be in-the-know with news from your Catholic community and the Church around the world. Get The Catholic Spirit, the award-winning newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, in your home. Free subscriptions for parishioners are available via each parish. Contact your parish office to be added to the mailing list. Or purchase an annual subscription for yourself or a friend at TheCatholicSpirit.com.
LOCAL EVENTS
Catholic Charities Giving Baskets Looking for a meaningful addition to your Easter Tradition? For 30 years, supporters around the Twin Cities have hosted Giving Trees around the Christmas season. This spring, Catholic Charities invites you to host your own Catholic Charities Giving Basket. It is a new family-friendly opportunity to collect those highest-need items for the families and individuals we serve.Catholic Charities is experiencing greater need across all programs and would love to partner with you on a Giving Basket in whatever way works for your community. To find out more, visit cctwincities.org/givingbasket.
Locked Out: Concepts of Criminality and Housing Security in Our Community Thursday, March 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., virtual event What comes to mind when you hear the word criminal? How does that impact your understanding of crime? Who gets confronted, who gets caught, and who is convicted all have cascading effects on livelihood, from finding an apartment to building generational wealth. Join Catholic Charities for their annual Social Justice Assembly as they explore “criminality,” how it impacts housing insecurity, and how we might shift the conversation to better untangle criminal justice and housing justice in our community. We will hear from Emily Baxter from We Are All Criminals followed by a panel of Minnesota voices working on housing security, restorative justice, and systems change. This webinar is free to attend, and all are welcome! Please register at cctwincities.org/our-organization/events/2023-social-justice-assembly. Contact Michael.Rios@cctwincities.org with any questions.
Life in the Spirit Retreat March 31-April 1, Saint John’s, Little Canada Join us for a Retreat in the Spirit this Lent. Susanne Kenton, Rick Dzurick and Jessica Balzarini provide Holy Spirit-inspired prayer and presentations, as they lead a prayer-packed, two-day journey sure to yield spiritual fruit, wherever you are at. Come for rest, come for clarity, come for Christ. Cost is $15 and includes two meals and snacks throughout the event. 6-9:30 p.m. March 31 (includes dinner) and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. April 1 (includes lunch and dinner). See more at www.sjolc.org/retreat.
Questions and Callings: A discernment retreat – flyer Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Carondelet Center, Saint Paul Young adults are invited to a day of personal and communal reflection. Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Visitation Sisters of North Minneapolis, the day will be based on Krista Tippett’s “On Being” Foundation series. Learn more and register by March 26 at ssnd.org/events/4-1-23.
Encountering the Compassionate God of the Bible Saturday, April 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Saint Bridget, Minneapolis The Bible reveals both a compassionate God and Jesus as the Compassion of God. This program will explore the biblical roots of compassion in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Gospels. Presented by scripture teacher, scholar and author Dr. Arthur E. Zannoni. No fee, all are welcome!
Converging Roads Catholic Healthcare Conference –Where Catholic Health Care Ethics and Medicine Converge Saturday, April 1, 8 a.m.-6:45 p.m., Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Converging Roads is a regional conference series offering continuing education for health care professionals that equips them to practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession. Catholics in healthcare and chaplains are invited to enjoy Mass and several talks on relevant issues facing Catholics in healthcare today. Learn more and register at forlifeandfamily.org/events/cr23-tcmn.
Good Friday Tenebrae – flyer Good Friday, April 7, 6:45-9 a.m., Holy Cross Catholic Church, Minneapolis Join us for a haunting reflection on Christ's Passion and Death. The Latin word "Tenebrae" translates to "darkness," thus this service is conducted in the dark. This moving meditation includes readings from the Psalms, the Prophet Jeremiah, St. Augustine, and the Letter to the Hebrews. These sacred words are accompanied by choral responses by Spanish Renaissance composer Tomas Luis de Victoria. This is a great way to enter more fully into the mysteries of Holy Week!
24th Annual Living Stations of the Cross – flyer options Good Friday, April 7: Noon – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Maplewood 3 p.m. – Saint Jude of the Lake, Mahtomedi 7 p.m. – Church of Saint Peter, North St. Paul The "Servants of the Cross" group will re-enact the Passion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. For more info or to view our YouTube presentation for those homebound or unable to attend, go to servantsofthecrossmn.com. Free-Will offering welcomed.
Way of the Cross – Flyer Good Friday, April 7, 9:15-11:30 a.m., starting and ending at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul The Way of the Cross is an annual procession on Good Friday. It emulates Christ’s walk to Calvary with four stations of singing, readings and meditations around the city. Come prepared to walk and dress for the weather. It is free and open to the public; all are welcome.
Women’s Retreat: Called to Joy – flyer Saturday, April 15, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Holy Name of Jesus, Wayzata Calling all women! Consider making the most of this Easter season by setting aside a half-day to explore the concept of joy and to embrace our shared identity as daughters of God. Holy Name of Jesus will be hosting a women’s retreat led by Mighty is Her Call. The cost is $45 (scholarships available). Breakfast and lunch are included. Mighty is Her Call (MIHC) is a fast-growing Catholic women’s ministry based in Dallas, Texas. Learn more and register at hnoj.org/adults/womensretreat2023.
The Eucharist as a Common Good Monday, April 17, 7 p.m., University of Saint Thomas (O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Auditorium), Saint Paul There is a rich common-good tradition in Catholic thought. By identifying what "common good" means, we can understand how the Sacrament of the Eucharist is a common good, and what that means for the life of the Church and our happiness. The presenter for this event is Dr. John Froula, Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Saint Paul Seminary. Visit saintpaulseminary.org for more information.
Special Mass for People with Memory Loss Thursday, April 20, 1:30-3 p.m., Saint Odilia Church, Shoreview All are welcome to this special Mass for those with memory loss and their caregivers. Hospitality will follow the Mass with community resource information available. (Please enter through Door 11 on the SE side of the building.) Information at 651.484.6681. No registration required.
Pro-Life Across America Banquet Thursday, April 20, 5:45-9 p.m., Banquets of Minnesota, Fridley and virtual event Join us in person or online for our Culture of Love Banquet, featuring keynote speaker, Melissa Ohden. Ms. Ohden is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion, but like every survivor, she is so much more. She is the Founder and Director of The Abortion Survivors Network, the only healing and advocacy organization. Join our celebration and learn about the power of PROLIFE Across AMERICA’s life-saving Media Mission - proven to change hearts and save babies’ lives! Cost $75. Register at prolifeacrossamerica.org/love.
Encounter: the Shroud of Turin April 20-23, Saint Patrick, Oak Grove Visit this self-guided exhibit of the Shroud of Turin. The exhibit will have a place to pray and venerate the Shroud replica and a life-size crucified corpus showing the wounds of Christ. This event is open to anyone and no RSVP is required. Visit st-patricks.org/events/encounter for exhibit times. Questions? Contact Linda Abel-Thomas at lmabel-thomas@st-patricks.org
Saint Joseph Business Guild Quarterly Dinner Meeting with Matt Birk – flyer Tuesday, April 25, 5:30-8:45 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church, Saint Louis Park Guests and members of the Saint Joseph Business Guild are invited to hear Matt Birk give what is sure to be a stirring fervorino to encourage us in glorifying God and supporting our families in our work. $12 for members, free for guests.
Becoming Holy - Fully Alive in the Spirit Saturday, May 6, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Shakopee Area Catholic School, Shakopee Do you want your faith to come more alive? Barbara Heil is a former Pentecostal minister who traveled the world as a missionary and evangelist. She recently discovered that she was baptized Catholic and felt drawn to take a class, which happened to be at the Catechetical Institute! On May 6th, she will equip us to be more Fully Alive in the Spirit! The event will include her inspirational teaching, praise and worship, and individual prayer ministry. Visit ccro-msp.org/spring-conference for more information and to register.
18th Annual Northeast Eucharistic Procession – flyer Sunday, June 11, 3-5 p.m., The Catholic Churches of Northeast Minneapolis Come and join us as we take Jesus to the streets and venerate his Eucharistic Presence! The procession will begin at Holy Cross Church and will conclude at All Saints Parish with Benediction. A reception will follow at St. Maron Catholic Church. You can park at Holy Cross, where the procession will begin, and ride the shuttle bus back there after the end of the procession. The shuttle buses will run between the parking lots of St. Maron and Holy Cross Churches.
ONGOING PROGRAMMING FROM MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
Capitol Thursdays – flyer Second and fourth Thursdays January-May, 10-11:30 a.m., Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul Join the Minnesota Catholic Conference during the legislative session to learn about policies that uphold life, dignity, and the common good and how you can advocate for them. We’ll also take you to the Capitol for a short tour and to meet with your legislators. Find details and RSVP at MNCatholic.org/events. First Friday Adoration at the Capitol – flyer First Fridays January-May, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul Join us for any amount of time from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Governor’s Dining Room located on the lower level of the Minnesota State Capitol (B420). Note that in April, Adoration will take place on April 14 due to Good Friday the week before. Find further details at MNCatholic.org/events. ONGOING ARCHDIOCESAN PROGRAMMING
Restorative Justice Groups – flyer These groups are held monthly from 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom and are open to all victim/survivors.
Victim/Survivor Support Group for those Abused by Clergy as Adults — First Mondays
Men’s Healing/Discussion Circle — First Mondays
Support Group for Relatives or Friends of Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse — Second Mondays
Victim/Survivor Support Group —Third Mondays
Survivor Peace Circle —Third Tuesdays
This group is not affiliated with any particular diocese or church group. If you are interested in participating in this virtual/online session, please contact Jim Richter (773-412-0909 or jrichter316@gmail.com) to obtain the ZOOM invitation.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) Classes teach couples the Church-approved methods on how to achieve or postpone pregnancy while embracing the beauty of God’s gift of sexuality. For a complete list of classes offered throughout the Archdiocese, visit archspm.org/familyor call 651.291.4489.