The Catholic Spirit - May 9, 2024

AnnMarie Vance, a junior at St. Agnes School in St. Paul, holds the artwork she created for the Catholic School Visual Arts Exhibition May 3 at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul. Following the theme “The Eucharist,” Vance’s piece, “Lamb of God,” won Best of Show in the contest for seventh through 12th grade Catholic school students. She was one of 27 finalists from 14 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Izen presented certificates and monetary prizes to seven students for their winning artwork. All the artwork will be displayed at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center. The contest was sponsored by the archdiocesan Office for the Mission of Catholic Education. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

PAGETWO

‘SETTING FREE THE OPPRESSED’ A 3.5-ton bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz stands outside the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. Inspired by Isaiah 58:6, the sculpture “Let the Oppressed Go Free” depicts St. Josephine Bakhita releasing 50 “modern-day slaves” — men, women and children suffering from human trafficking, sex exploitation, forced labor and debt bondage — according to a description provided by the Basilica. The touring sculpture is on display through the spring at the Basilica before it continues its journey throughout the United States.

A FEAST TO CELEBRATE ST. MARK Volunteers James Dougherty, left, visiting from Irving, Texas, and David Rabaey, right, a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, carve a whole hog at St. Mark in St. Paul April 26 to celebrate the April 25 feast day of the church’s patron. St. Mark parishioner James Wilgenbusch, standing behind Dougherty, cooked the hog. Also assisting is Juekun Wen, a St. Mark parishioner, standing behind Rabaey. The hog was donated by Catholic farmer Harry Sloop and his wife, Kellie, who attend St. Francis de Sales in Winthrop, and was shared by about 200 people. Pro Ecclesia Sancta Father David Hottinger led participants in a trivia game about St. Mark. The tie-breaking question asked how many words are in the Gospel of Mark in Greek. The answer: 11,304.

PRACTICING Catholic

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the May 3

“Practicing Catholic” radio show included a discussion with Father Mark Pavlak, the new vocations director for the archdiocese, about the position and the crucial part that parents play in their children’s discernment. Also, Laura Haraldson, the archdiocese’s facilitator for implementing Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s 2022 pastoral letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room,” shared what is ahead in the second year of small groups and how implementing the letter relates to the National Eucharistic Revival. Also, Deacons Francis “Frankie” Floeder and Philip Conklin shared their journeys to the priesthood. Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.

The Catholic Spirit is published semi-monthly for The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Vol. 29 — No. 9

MOST REVEREND BERNARD A. HEBDA, Publisher TOM HALDEN, Associate Publisher JOE RUFF, Editor-in-Chief REBECCA OMASTIAK, News Editor

NEWS notes

Five eighth-grade students are set to graduate from St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic School in Delano this year — the first eighth-grade graduating class since 1975 when the school was formerly St. Peter’s Catholic School. According to the 2022-2023 Annual Report on Catholic Education, preschool through sixth grade enrollment had nearly doubled in five years at the school, which prompted administrators to reinstate a middle school program. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams will celebrate a graduation Mass for the students on May 28 at the parish.

St. Thomas Academy (STA) and Visitation School (VIS) broke ground April 23 on a $12 million family aquatic center with construction expected to be complete in summer 2025. The STA/VIS Michel Family Aquatic Center will be home to the swimming and diving teams at both Mendota Heights high schools, which combined have 43 state swimming and diving championships. In addition to serving as the schools’ training and competition site, the center on the STA campus will be used for curriculum-based initiatives and serve local swimming clubs and Catholic Athletic Association schools. It is the schools’ first joint capital campaign.

Mendota Heights’ St. Thomas Academy Innovation Center Director Mark Westlake has been named the 2024 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame. “Mark’s infectious love of engineering and drive to bring ‘real world’ STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) into the classroom and lives of every student he encounters were key factors in opening the St. Thomas Academy Innovation Center,” said the woman who nominated him for the award, Caroline Little, a middle school science teacher at nearby Visitation School and the 2021 Crossfield Educator of the Year. Westlake will receive the award on Sept. 13 as part of the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 60th Enshrinement events in Dayton, Ohio. The national nonprofit is the only congressionally chartered aviation hall of fame in the country.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda will celebrate this year’s Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul on May 18 at 5:15 p.m. Mass readings will be in multiple languages. A prayer meeting, led by Father Joseph Taphorn, rector of The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, will follow Mass. Twin Cities musician Abe Gross will lead praise and worship. The vigil Mass and praise and worship session have become another facet of the archdiocese’s prayers for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and inspiration as it implements Archbishop Hebda’s pastoral letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room.”

Four archdiocesan priests received the Franciscan International Award on May 9 at a Franciscan International Award Dinner. The event, held at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie this year, is hosted annually by the Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake and it recognizes “a person or an organization who embodies the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi,” according to the event’s webpage. This year, the event honored pastors Father Tom Walker of St. Michael in Prior Lake, Father Bill Murtaugh of Pax Christi in Eden Prairie, Father John Bauer of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka and retired Father Terry Rassmussen, as well as Conventual Franciscan Friar Father Phil Ley, a former pastor of Jesus de las Misericordias in El Salvador.

Dozens of students of Benilde-St. Margaret’s in St. Louis Park gathered May 4 to assemble resources for patients of pediatric hospital units. The initiative was organized by a student club, “Caring for the Courageous,” which has raised over $10,000 for children with health challenges since its inception in 2023. The students will host their next fundraiser for the cause on May 11 at Jerry’s Foods in Edina.

The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) and other faith groups held a rally in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol May 8 to demand that lawmakers reject changes to the state constitution that would include a right to abortion and that would not allow religious exemptions to actions based on gender identity and expression. The Minnesota Catholic Conference has been urging rejection of SF37 — or the “so-called” Equal Rights Amendment — and its companion proposal HF173 since they were introduced last year. On May 5, MCC Executive Director and General Counsel Jason Adkins testified against the proposed constitutional amendment in the House Rules Committee, arguing that lack of protection against religious discrimination “should be troubling to all Minnesotans.” Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester said in a YouTube video that the proposed constitutional amendment is designed to make a right to abortion difficult to legislate against. The amendment also would impose the belief on people that gender identity is a social construct that people can decide on their own, which is opposed to the Catholic Church’s teachings, the bishop said.

About 200 people, including 34 first-time attendees, gathered for the 91st St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women on April 19 at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville. The event honored four laywomen: Karen Hodgman from St. Paul in Zumbrota, Barbara Connolly from St. Genevieve in Centerville, Savern Guertin from Our Lady of the Prairie in Belle Plaine, and Mary Ellen Peterson from St. Pius X in White Bear Lake. The gathering featured speaker Angelina Amerigo, Miss Minnesota 2023, whose initiative “One Bottle, One Straw, One Bag at a Time” aims to reduce single-use plastics. Jessica Bartholomew — director and founder of Anti Child Trafficking, an organization based out of Carver County — spoke about her work.

REBECCA OMASTIAK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

ANNA WILGENBUSCH | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

FROMTHEVICARGENERAL

ONLY JESUS | FATHER MICHAEL TIX

May: A time to celebrate and create blessed memories

Soon enough, these days of May will focus on Memorial Day.

We think about Memorial Day as a long holiday weekend and the unofficial start of summer. It’s all of this, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that this national holiday is a pause to salute the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, with some giving the ultimate sacrifice to bring peace to our world and protect the many freedoms we often and easily take for granted. We also remember and pray for the safety of those who continue to serve at home and far away.

My dad was a World War II veteran who served overseas in Myanmar (then-Burma), China and India. I vividly remember Dad on Sunday nights, watching on the History Channel, “The World at War.” Dad’s service left such an impression on him that he rarely talked about it, and if he did, it was only to say, “You wouldn’t believe what I saw.”

Dad’s words remind me of the power of memory. We remember the events of the past, whether the memories of serving in war-torn places, or the happier memories we also associate with this time of year in events ranging from Mother’s Day to graduations, ordinations and weddings.

Congratulations to all celebrating these special days! These are joyous occasions that we relish and look forward to each year. They also help us to look forward to what the Book of Revelation calls, “the hope of a world made new” as we remember the love of a mother for her child and family, the excitement of those graduating as they look to a new chapter in their lives, the happiness of the Church over those being ordained to serve as priests or deacons, and the joy captured in the smile of a newly married couple. These are the kinds of memories that we treasure and that sustain us.

As we think about these times, there are also the daily

Mayo: un momento para celebrar y crear recuerdos benditos

Muy pronto estos días de mayo se centrarán en el Día de los Caídos. Pensamos en el Día de los Caídos como un largo fin de semana festivo y el comienzo no oficial del verano. Es todo esto, pero no podemos perder de vista el hecho de que esta festividad nacional es una pausa para saludar a los hombres y mujeres que han servido a nuestro país en las fuerzas armadas, y algunos de ellos han dado el máximo sacrificio para traer la paz a nuestro mundo y proteger las numerosas libertades que a menudo y fácilmente damos por sentadas. También recordamos y oramos por la seguridad de quienes continúan sirviendo en casa y lejos. Mi papá era un veterano de la Segunda Guerra Mundial que sirvió en el extranjero, en Myanmar, (anteriormente Birmania), China y la India. Recuerdo vívidamente a papá los domingos por la noche, viendo en History Channel “El mundo en guerra”. El servicio de papá le dejó una impresión de la que rara vez hablaba, y si lo hacía, era sólo para decir: “No creerías lo que vi”. Las palabras de papá me recuerdan el poder de la memoria. Recordamos los acontecimientos del pasado, ya sean los recuerdos de servir en lugares devastados por la guerra o los recuerdos más felices que también asociamos con esta época del año en eventos que van desde el Día de la Madre hasta graduaciones, ordenaciones y bodas. ¡Felicidades a todos los que celebran estos días tan especiales! Estas son ocasiones alegres que disfrutamos y esperamos cada año. También nos ayudan a esperar con esperanza lo que el Libro de las Revelaciones llama “la esperanza de un mundo hecho nuevo”, al recordar el amor de una madre por su hijo y su familia, la

With all the activities of May and the summer season ahead, we can’t forget Sunday Mass as a time and place of memory that connects us to one another and to God’s love as a vine to the branches. At the Mass we recall God’s presence with us in our past, God’s presence with us now, and the promise of God’s presence with us in the new life to come.

opportunities to make memories as an expression of our thanksgiving for the ways we have all been blessed. That might include summer gatherings of friends for an evening barbecue, or time spent with family at a lake camping or fishing. These are opportunities to create good memories that reflect something of the presence of God with us in our journey of life, and for each of us

emoción de quienes se gradúan al contemplar una un nuevo capítulo en sus vidas, la felicidad de la Iglesia por aquellos que son ordenados para servir como sacerdotes o diáconos, y la alegría capturada en la sonrisa de una pareja de recién casados. Estos son los tipos de recuerdos que atesoramos y que nos sostienen.

Al pensar en estos tiempos, también existen oportunidades diarias para crear recuerdos como expresión de nuestra acción de gracias por las formas en que todos hemos sido bendecidos. Eso podría incluir reuniones veraniegas de amigos para una barbacoa nocturna o pasar tiempo con la familia en un lago acampando o pescando. Estas son oportunidades para crear buenos recuerdos que reflejen algo de la presencia de Dios con nosotros en nuestro viaje de la vida, y para que cada uno de nosotros vivamos nuestro llamado bautismal de ser instrumentos del amor y la paz de Dios unos con otros y con nuestro mundo. Tampoco podemos perder de vista las oportunidades diarias para crear recuerdos dentro de nuestras comunidades mientras expresamos algo del cuidado y la compasión de Dios por nuestros vecinos y trabajamos juntos por la justicia y el bien común de nuestra sociedad.

Al considerar los recuerdos y las celebraciones conmemorativas, no podemos olvidar la Misa. Hay oportunidades para profundizar nuestra comprensión de la Misa, incluido el Renacimiento Eucarístico Nacional de las Conferencias de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos con su Congreso Eucarístico este julio en Indianápolis y la próxima Peregrinación Eucarística Nacional procesamiento a través de nuestra arquidiócesis como parte de este evento. A partir de este otoño se seguirá prestando especial atención a la Misa como parte de la implementación de la carta pastoral del Arzobispo Hebda, “Ustedes serán mis testigos: recogidos y enviados desde el Aposento Alto”.

La Misa es el lugar donde nos reunimos alrededor de la mesa del Señor para hacer lo que Jesús nos

to live out our baptismal calling of being instruments of God’s love and peace to one another and our world. We also can’t lose sight of the daily opportunities to create memories within our communities as we express something of God’s care and compassion for our neighbors and work together toward justice and the common good of our society.

In considering memories and memorial celebrations, we cannot forget the Mass. There are opportunities to deepen our understanding of the Mass, including the National Eucharistic Revival of the U.S. Conferences of Catholic Bishops with its Eucharistic Congress this July in Indianapolis, and the upcoming National Eucharistic Pilgrimage processing through our archdiocese as part of this event. A special focus on the Mass will continue this fall as part of implementing Archbishop Hebda’s pastoral letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room.”

The Mass is where we come together around the Lord’s table to do what Jesus asked us to do in memory of him. We talk about the Mass as a memorial banquet. It connects us to the events of the Last Supper and the sacrifice of Good Friday, which bring the promise of Easter resurrection and new life. At Mass, our memorial banquet connects us in a real way to the saving events of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, which calls forth our participation in a spirit of thanksgiving for the many blessings that God has given us. We are called into this mystery of God’s love and nourished by the body and blood of Christ as food for the journey of life. The Mass sends us out to create active memories of God’s love as present in our world today.

With all the activities of May and the summer season ahead, we can’t forget Sunday Mass as a time and place of memory that connects us to one another and to God’s love as a vine to the branches. At the Mass we recall God’s presence with us in our past, God’s presence with us now, and the promise of God’s presence with us in the new life to come.

pidió que hiciéramos en memoria de él. Hablamos de la Misa como un banquete conmemorativo. Nos conecta con los acontecimientos de la Última Cena y el sacrificio del Viernes Santo, que traen la promesa de resurrección y vida nueva. En la Misa, nuestro banquete conmemorativo nos conecta de una manera real con los eventos salvadores de la pasión, muerte y resurrección de Jesús, lo que suscita nuestra participación en un espíritu de acción de gracias por las muchas bendiciones que Dios nos ha dado. Somos llamados a este misterio del amor de Dios y nutridos por el cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo como alimento para el camino de la vida. La Misa nos envía a crear memorias activas del amor de Dios presente en nuestro mundo de hoy.

Con todas las actividades de mayo y la temporada de verano por delante, no podemos olvidar la Misa dominical como un tiempo y lugar de memoria que nos conecta unos con otros y con el amor de Dios como una vid a los sarmientos. En la Misa recordamos la presencia de Dios con nosotros en nuestro pasado, la presencia de Dios con nosotros ahora, y la promesa de la presencia de Dios con nosotros en la nueva vida venidera.

OFFICIALS

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

Effective April 1, 2024

Reverend Miroslaw Szynal, granted faculties of the archdiocese and assigned as chaplain for Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Unity Hospital in Fridley. Father Szynal is a priest of the Diocese of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg (Poland). As of July 1, 2024, Father Szynal is also assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of the Holy Cross in Minneapolis.

I STOCK PHOTO | WINNOND

Leaving debt in the dust

From left, Ben Zweber and Ralph Wagner together place a document representing the paid-off mortgage of Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster in a fire during a special ceremony April 28 at the school. The two men, parishioners of nearby St. Nicholas in Elko New Market, played instrumental roles in the building and financing of the school. Wagner, 90, and his late wife, Geralda, donated the 30 acres on which the school was built in 2005. Zweber, 93, and his wife, Mary, donated 160 acres to the project, which eventually was sold to developers for $3 million. Watching are Father Nick VanDenBroeke, fourth from left, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale, and Father Michael Rudolph, far right, pastor of St. Nicholas. These two parishes, plus a third, Most Holy Trinity in Veseli, support the school. The pastor of Most Holy Trinity is Father John Lapensky, who also attended the event. The building, called Lonsdale New Market Veseli Catholic Education Center, is also used for religious education by the three parishes.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Hundreds hear plans for year 2 of implementing Archbishop Hebda’s pastoral letter

By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit

Andrew Drees of St. Michael in Pine Island came to St. John Neumann in Eagan April 26 to participate in Mass, pray and absorb — with hundreds of other people — the year two plans in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for implementing Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s pastoral letter.

Those plans center on two things: Continuing the first year’s emphasis on forming and growing small groups that foster relationships and inspire evangelization — and learning more about the Mass and Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, which elicit love for God and neighbor.

“The most profound thing is getting to know people better, at a deeper level,” Drees said of his experience in helping set up small group ministry at St. Michael as part of that parish’s Synod Evangelization Team. “That will help prepare us to be stronger witnesses in year two and build up the parish.”

Drees, 39, said he participates in a small group he organized called Pipes and Parables. The group of about eight men meets every two weeks in a shed on his property set up with comfortable chairs to read and discuss Catholic literature. The group also forges friendships by praying for each other, for the people they know, for the parish, community and wider Church, he said.

The model is based on the archdiocese’s encouragement of the Parish Evangelization Cells System (PECS) of relational evangelization, Drees said.

More than 1,200 small groups formed in year one, involving more than 16,000 people across the archdiocese, said Deacon Joe Michalak, director of the Office of Synod Evangelization, while addressing those gathered at “Year 2: The Mass — Implementation Plan Unpacking Day.”

Even those estimates are low, and small group ministry is expected to grow in the next five years as a foundation is laid for relational evangelization, he said. Laying a foundation for deeper understanding of the Mass — a primary focus of year two as it begins in July — will take another three to five years, Deacon Michalak said. Plans for year three are underway as well, and work

done in years one and two will help strengthen the third year’s emphasis on parents as primary educators of their children in the faith, Deacon Michalak said.

Building the foundation for year three will take “three to five to 10 years — or maybe 30,” he said. “We’re talking about a sea change,” a cultural and generational change, for handing down the faith, he said. “The old ways don’t work today. They had their season.”

Those broad strokes for implementing the first three priorities of Archbishop Hebda’s 2022 pastoral letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room,” were part of a day that brought more than 100 clergy to a morning session with the archbishop.

That afternoon and evening, more than 600 parish staff and volunteer Synod Evangelization Team members gathered to hear about archdiocesan resources and plans for year two, enjoy dinner together and attend a closing Mass with the archbishop as homilist, followed by a reception.

During his homily, the archbishop thanked everyone for participating in the day and in the broader effort, including Auxiliary Bishops Michael Izen and Joseph Williams. “It gives me the opportunity to thank you for all that you are doing,” the archbishop said. “To have this PLEASE TURN TO PASTORAL LETTER ON PAGE 7

Liturgical Commission’s work is a ‘perfect fit’ with archbishop’s

By Rebecca Omastiak

The Catholic Spirit

Conversations on the Mass and particularly the Eucharist — in other words, “the preeminent experience of Church” and “the preeminent sacrament of faith,” said Father John Paul Erickson — have been at the forefront of Liturgical Commission meetings.

Pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale, Father Erickson is also interim chair of the commission, which began meeting during the fall and winter of 2023 and is assisting Archbishop Bernard Hebda as implementation of the archbishop’s pastoral letter — “You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room” — enters its second year in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Year two’s focus “seemed like a perfect fit for the work of this newly devised commission,” Father Erickson said. “We were very honored to be a part of such an important process.”

With a goal of supporting liturgical education among clergy, lay ministers and the faithful, the commission is

to consist of 10 to 15 members who are Catholic, all appointed by the archbishop for three-year renewable terms, according to its statutes. Currently, it has 12 members who have personal and professional backgrounds in liturgy, sacred music, liturgical art and environment, and architecture.

“There is a wide variety of expertise represented here,” said Father Tom Margevicius, an ex officio commission member and pastor of four parishes in Le Sueur County whose background includes being a onetime faculty member of The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. “The majority of our commission members, in fact, have doctorates in these various fields, so they are welleducated and formed.”

The commission, Father Margevicius said, is meant to be an “an ongoing commission to assist the archbishop in his important task of regulating and promoting the liturgical life of the archdiocese.”

At the time Father Margevicius became director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship about six years ago, the archbishop approached him with an interest in restarting the Liturgical Commission, which had first been established in the archdiocese in 1964, after the Second Vatican Council requested each diocesan bishop to create such a commission. However, COVID-19

pastoral letter

to talk about topics related to year two of implementing Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s 2022 pastoral letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room.”

struck, and plans to restart were delayed.

“Reconstituting the Liturgical Commission, although it had been in the mind and heart of the archbishop for several years, came to fruition as a direct response to the need to strengthen our plans for (Archdiocesan) Synod implementation,” said Father Margevicius, particularly as the archbishop “realized that one of the

most important initiatives to come out of the (Archdiocesan) Synod was strengthening the faithful’s appreciation of the liturgy.”

Set to begin in July, year two of the pastoral letter implementation will adopt two propositions put forth during

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Sister of Mercy Esther Mary Nickel talks about the Mass during her presentation April 26 at St. John Neumann in Eagan.

FATHER JOHN PAUL ERICKSON

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

From left, Father Tom Margevicius talks with Deacon Joe Michalak April 26 during a gathering at St. John Neumann in Eagan

SENIOR PROFILES

To honor graduating high school seniors in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, The Catholic Spirit asked school officials at three Catholic high schools — Bethlehem Academy in Faribault, Holy Family in Victoria and DeLaSalle in Minneapolis — to suggest students who might share their faith journey. The three students credit their Catholic education with deepening their faith and express a commitment to living out its principles. The Catholic Spirit congratulates all 2024 high school graduates! Stories by Anna Wilgenbusch.

Congats Grads

Leading her classmates to God

Lindsay

Rauenhorst

Bethlehem Academy in Faribault

hile the highlight of some high schoolers’ experience is homecoming or prom, Lindsay Rauenhorst said her favorite part of high school was living out her Catholic faith.

A soon-to-be graduate, Rauenhorst is an active member of the campus ministry team, which recently started an adoration hour after school on Mondays at Divine Mercy parish near the high school. She enjoys serving as a Eucharistic minister and sacristan during school Masses.

“I’m just grateful that I’ve been able, these past four years, to show my faith to others and grow in it,” she said. “I know you don’t get that opportunity sometimes, at some schools.”

Once, one of her classmates was afraid to go to confession. Rauenhorst told her that “there is nothing to be afraid of because it is just between you and Jesus in there. He will forgive you no matter what if you are truly sorry.” Due to her encouragement, the classmate went to confession and emerged overjoyed, Rauenhorst said.

Rauenhorst’s faith undergirds her accomplishments in and out of the classroom. She has succeeded in college-level classes during high school and serves as secretary and treasurer of the school’s National Honor Society (NHS). Recently, she helped a group of NHS members deliver Christmas presents and home essentials to a single mom and her three children.

“They were just so grateful,” she said.

Outside of the classroom, Rauenhorst served as the tennis team captain for three of her four high school years, and this year she was a Big 9 All-Conference tennis athlete. She said that, in addition to her love of the sport, she enjoyed having the opportunity to lead others.

“(Tennis) has helped me to become a more understanding person,” she said. “I’ll have teammates come up to me with things that they are struggling with.”

Rauenhorst plans to continue playing tennis on a club team at Ave Maria University in Florida, where she will study psychology next year. She hopes to become a speech therapist — a career that impacted her personally when she received speech therapy as a child.

“When I was choosing what I wanted to do, I knew it was going to be something to help people,” she said. “I remember the impact that my speech teacher had on me. I (hope) to leave that same impact when I become a speech therapist someday.”

Rauenhorst chose Ave Maria University because of its Catholic identity — although she said the warmer weather of Florida helped her decide, too.

Following the footsteps of her brothers

Sophia Zay

Holy Family in Victoria

enior Sophia Zay is the picture of an outgoing and ambitious student. She has been involved in student council since freshman year and is now a co-class president; she lettered in lacrosse, basketball and tennis; and she leads food drives through the school’s National Honor Society.

But she has also encountered difficulties in her high school career. In the first three years of high school, she became close friends with some girls in the grade above her. When they graduated Holy Family when Zay was a junior, she felt isolated.

“But then I just kind of went out of my way to reach out to people in my grade and tried to connect,” she said. “I ended up finding a really solid group of girls that I’ve become really close to.”

The confidence she has fostered in high school will set the stage for her future. She plans to attend the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University (IU), which is often ranked among the top 20 business schools in the nation. Her eldest brother recently graduated from the school and another brother will be a senior there while she is a freshman. Apart from pursuing her goals in finance, she chose the school to be close to her brothers.

Zay said she hopes to become involved in IU’s Newman Center to continue growing in her faith. The seeds of her faith were planted at St. Hubert in Chanhassen, where she attended elementary school, and at Holy Family, where she assists with school Masses.

“We usually pray every day at the beginning of class and at the end of the day on the announcements, we always end in prayer,” she said. “It is just kind of a constant reminder of my faith multiple times a day.”

Zay said she was grateful for the opportunity to learn about the faith in the classroom and put it into practice outside of the classroom.

“Just being able to take religion classes has been important because it’s helped me learn about Catholicism (and) even other religions,” she said. “Also, I get the opportunity to participate in the Mass ... I’ve done a couple of readings, brought up the gifts, things like that.”

Outside of school, Zay sometimes works with a Victoria-based nonprofit, The Humanity Alliance, which provides food to those in need. Sometimes she delivers meals on the weekends.

“When I delivered the food, it made me aware that I can make an impact by taking my time and doing something to help others in my community.”

From sports to seminary Zane Christianson DeLaSalle in Minneapolis

n May 1, Zane Christianson was at a baseball game with his DeLaSalle team. As team captain, he led his team in an Our Father before the game — a practice Christianson implemented this year.

Partway into the game, one of Christianson’s teammates accidentally threw the ball past the first baseman. The teammate was discouraged. After the play, Christianson encouraged him.

“I just went over to him (and) told him, ‘You’re fine, you’ll get the next one,’” he recounted.

The scene is emblematic of Christianson’s role at the high school, where he is set to graduate in May with a 4.11 GPA.

He credits his academic success first to God, and then to good time management skills.

Given his many extracurricular activities, he needs good time management: In addition to baseball, Christianson also manages the basketball team, which finished third in the state this year. He is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and the society’s tutoring subcommittee, through which he offers academic tutoring.

Christianson has completed over 300 hours of service through his high school career, mainly through altar serving at school Masses and at his home parish, Epiphany in Coon Rapids. He will be honored for his service with a special cord at graduation.

After graduation he plans to enter St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul. The desire to become a priest was fueled by the Eucharist, he said.

“Prayer time and adoration time has helped a lot, (as well as) being able to go to Mass as often as I can and ... being able to carry that (faith) here and to spread it to others,” he said.

The fact that not everyone at DeLaSalle is Catholic has only stoked his desire to evangelize, which he often does in and out of the classroom.

“(At) DeLaSalle ... I’ve been able to see people with different faiths and understand why they believe what they believe,” he said. “I’m able to hopefully help them better understand why I believe in the Catholic faith.”

Christianson said that he hopes the opportunity to evangelize his non-Catholic peers will help prepare him for the priesthood. During an English class in April, one of Christianson’s classmates asked him what sin and repentance are, and Christianson was happy to explain.

“That’s just one step closer to prepare myself for ... whatever God is calling me to. And even if it isn’t (priesthood), being either a father, or if God calls me to a single life as well, just being able to spread the good news and spread the Gospel to anybody that may need it,” he said.

COMMISSION MEMBERS

Father John Paul Erickson — interim chairperson of the Liturgical Commission and pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale.

Sam Backman — director of sacred music at Holy Cross in Northeast Minneapolis, Backman is also the principal organist. He is the conductor and founder of Holy Cross Choir, St. Helena Singers and Tenebrae Choir.

Carol Frenning — program director of the graduate certification program in liturgical art and architecture at St. John’s University School of Theology in Collegeville.

Father Ryan Glaser — Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis priest pursuing a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.

Father Jan Michael Joncas — a retired archdiocesan priest who continues to celebrate the sacraments in various communities, teaches in person or online, and writes music and articles.

Nicholas Markell — with a Master of Arts degree in theology and a Master of Divinity from Washington Theological Union, Markell is an iconographer and founder of Markell Studio in Stillwater.

Marta Pereira — associate director of campus ministry at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

Johan Van Parys — director of liturgy and the sacred arts and managing director of ministries at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

Elena Zolnick — director of sacred music at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul and director of the liturgical choir at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the University of St. Thomas’ St. Paul campus.

Susan Mulheron — ex officio member of the Liturgical Commission and chancellor of canonical affairs for the archdiocese.

Deacon Joseph Michalak — ex officio member of the Liturgical Commission and director of the archdiocesan Office of Synod Evangelization.

Father Tom Margevicius — ex officio member of the Liturgical Commission, director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship and pastor of four parishes in Le Sueur County.

LITURGICAL COMMISSION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

the Archdiocesan Synod Assembly, held over Pentecost weekend 2022: Proposition 9, to “educate God’s people on the beauty, form and meaning of the Mass, with special emphasis on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist” as well as Proposition 10, to “celebrate prayerful liturgies that inspire the faithful to offer their very selves in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass.”

The archbishop has asked archdiocesan clergy to participate in conversations with him and the Liturgical Commission “about your experiences of, hopes for, and understanding of liturgy,” the archbishop wrote in a year two implementation plan given to clergy, parish staff, Synod Evangelization Team members and others at a “Year 2: The Mass — Implementation Plan Unpacking Day” April 26 at St. John Neumann in Eagan.

“We have wonderful liturgical culture and diversity in so many of our parishes that we want to be able to preserve, but we also want to make sure that it’s always going to be reflective of what it is that the Church is asking from us,” Archbishop Hebda said during the April 26 event.

“How do we maintain that diversity while also celebrating the unity of our faith in that place where the faithful experience the religion of Catholicism in the most direct, concrete ways?” Father Erickson said. “Most people’s experience of the Church is Sunday Mass. How do we make sure that it’s an authentic expression of the faith while also respecting the great diversity? (As a commission), we’ve tried to grapple with that, and I look forward to further conversations about that — it touches upon the heart of what it means to be Church.”

Conversations about pastoral letter implementation, including year two, have been “collaborative right from the beginning,” said Deacon Joe Michalak, director of the archdiocesan Office of Synod Evangelization. He said recommendations crafted by members of the Liturgical Commission, of which he is an ex officio member, were ultimately woven into the year two implementation plan, including highlighting key archdiocesan liturgies; “Teaching Mass” exercises; and speaker, retreat and seminar opportunities for clergy and the faithful.

Another goal, “very near and dear to the archbishop’s heart, is trying to make sure that our parishes are welcoming,” Father Erickson said.

PASTORAL

LETTER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 chance, after all these months, to thank you is a great privilege for me.”

“What Happens at Mass: The Real Action” was an afternoon presentation by Sister of Mercy Esther Mary Nickel, director of the Office of Sacred Worship within the Department of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“It’s a great blessing to have the Holy Spirit prompt this meditation in the archdiocese,” Sister Esther Mary said. “We don’t want to know more, necessarily, but to learn to love more” through the Mass, she said.

Part of that is learning to pray the Mass, she said. “It takes work to sweep the floor. It takes more focus to work and study. It takes still more work to pray. It takes a lot of work to stay with the Mass.”

Deacon Michalak stressed a similar theme of praying through the liturgy. He also emphasized a call to move from the Mass to mission, serving neighbors and those in need while striving to reach people on the margins of society.

The National Eucharistic Revival sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is providing many entry points to understanding Jesus in the Eucharist and the Mass, Deacon Michalak said. It includes four National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes traversing the country and converging in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21.

The pilgrimage’s Marian Route starts at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and runs through the Twin Cities, including a Source and Summit procession down Summit Avenue in St. Paul on Memorial Day, May 27.

“This is a public statement that God rules the universe,” Deacon Michalak said, urging everyone to participate. “It does not matter who is elected president of the United States. It does not matter the state of the economy. We are declaring Jesus as Lord. ... We are going to honor him. And that’s just to kick off year two.”

Recommended, therefore, are workshops for liturgical ministers — including cantors, lectors and ushers. For example, “on Sunday, an usher plays an essential role … who can really be a welcoming presence, the presence of Christ.”

Year two of the pastoral letter implementation also builds upon work done so far in year one. The Liturgical Commission encourages small groups to incorporate year two topics into their teaching content — such as the meaning of the Mass, the Eucharist and its effect in the lives of the faithful, and the recovery of Sunday as “The Lord’s Day.”

Father Erickson said he looks forward to conversing with clergy and the faithful about the Mass. He explained how the Eucharist “is such a paragon of the faith because it contains within it the source and summit of our religion, which is faith in Jesus.”

“We are meant to be effective signs of Jesus in the world,” he said. “We become bread for the world and the Blessed Sacrament is given to us to become our food, and we become what we receive.”

To read the year two implementation plan in English, visit: tinyurl com/3jxuuwkk. To read the plan in Spanish, visit: tinyurl com/4pvhptmu

New church planned for growing parish community in Corcoran

By Tim Montgomery For The Catholic Spirit

St. Thomas the Apostle appears as a quaint country church along County Road 10 at a crossroads with County Road 116 in Corcoran, about 25 miles west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

The church’s white steeple and belfry with hanging bell rope inside harken back to a bygone era, though the bell pull is still used today. Wind gusts from across nearby farm fields still buffet the building. The rectangular space within has hosted worship congregations since the first Mass was celebrated there on Christmas Day in 1896.

Now, the rumble of semi-trailer trucks passing the front door can shake the church’s foundation. Once a bastion of faith on the fields, St. Thomas the Apostle is becoming a sanctuary for an increasingly urbanized community — and parish leadership has determined a new church is needed to serve the growing parish.

With 375 households, the number of parishioners now surpasses the current church’s capacity of 168 people. A study commissioned by the parish with Partners Edge LLC (a subsidiary of Catholic Finance Corp. of Inver Grove Heights) indicated there could be up to 1,910 registered parishioners by 2040 as Corcoran and nearby Maple Grove grow.

Bolstering that study, the City of Corcoran 2040 Comprehensive Plan projects that the area will nearly double in population. A new church would be designed to seat about 400 people with room for overflow.

Deceptive is the open space of farm fields surrounding the church. From the church cemetery atop a rise of land to the north is a view of the Rush Creek Reserve housing development, which borders church property to the west. Beyond the fields to the east are several more housing developments — Maple Hill Estates, Bass Lake Crossing, and, just west of the border with Maple Grove, the Rush Creek Commons and a new shopping center.

Along County Road 116 and to the north, a 206-unit St. Therese Senior Living development is under construction near Corcoran City Hall. To

the south are the Tavera Single-Family homes and Townhomes developments.

Even with an expanded basement seating area for remote viewing of the Mass, many in the parish feel the church is lacking in accommodations — especially during Christmas and Easter.

Parish capital campaigns and related investments have raised $4.6 million toward a goal of $8 million to build a new church, said Carl Thelen of the parish Facilities Planning Committee. Fundraising has been primarily within the parish, but campaign organizers are trying to raise money outside the parish. If enough funds are raised this year, the parish could celebrate Christmas Mass 2026 in the new church, he said.

“As the world develops all around us in the years to come,” Thelen said, “we want this space to become the center of a Catholic experience that people will

plans to bring elements of the parish’s heritage to the new church. This includes the church’s stained-glass windows, which were installed in the 1930s with donations from the families of William and Patrick Corcoran, the St. Thomas Altar Society, the 1931 St. Thomas Dramatic Club and other groups. The windows will be reset in a larger framework and provide natural light for the new church.

“We’ll use more art than was perhaps the case for many years,” said Father Glen Jenson, the pastor. “(There will be) symbols for the sacraments and the famous words of St. Thomas the Apostle — ‘My Lord and my God.’”

ABOVE A rendition of plans for the inside of a new church.

COURTESY STUDIO IO LEFT Inside the current St. Thomas the Apostle church in Corcoran.

TIM MONTGOMERY FOR THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

enjoy and admire.”

The Facilities Planning Committee has been plotting the church layout on the property — which has increased to about 24 acres with the purchase of an additional 4.5 acres from a developer to the west. The committee envisions centering the building facilities in the area beyond city setbacks from the road to create larger areas for parking and drop-off, while mindful of the cemetery space. A sizable narthex and vestibule at the entrance to the new building, which the current church lacks, would allow more pre- and post-Mass gatherings for greeting people and building friendships. The new building also would be engineered to accommodate future expansion of community space to the north.

Austin, Texas-based Studio io is helping make the design liturgically sound, with

Nick Vasko of Studio io said he approaches the new church build as a “catechism in stone” — a faith statement through architecture. As such, imagery around the altar will serve as a reminder that, like St. Thomas’ encounter with Christ in the flesh (probing Jesus’ wounds), people can draw close to Christ through the sacraments.

Father Jenson said there are plans for a large crucifix in place of the small metal crucifix that is currently part of the high altar — a style typical of country churches that is often supplemented by large wooden crucifixes during Lent. A strong image of the crucifix, Father Jenson said, will help bring focus to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which is what the Mass is all about.

“We want a feeling that will help people let go of what they come in with — all their preoccupations, anxieties and distractions — so that they can enter into divine worship,” Father Jenson said, “and so that the feel of the worship space itself will help people lift up their heart, mind and soul.”

“Our next big step,” said Thelen, “is to finish the work we need to do to submit a formal site plan to the city of Corcoran.”

St. Thomas the Apostle wants to offer a welcoming environment for young families as well as a space that continues to accommodate existing families, Thelen said. The hope for the new church is that it will have a feeling of reverence and the presence of God in a space that is poised to serve the needs of a growing community.

NEW ICONS St. Michael in St. Michael was updated recently with the completion of two new icons, plus additional painting of existing church features. An icon depicting the Resurrection, left, is located above the statuary apse, and an icon depicting Pentecost, below, is located on the opposite side of the church above the choir apse. The two new icons were created by the Prosopon School of Iconography in New York, the same company that created icons in the dome of the church and behind the altar in 2004. An estate gift from the late Father Leonard Siebenaler, who was pastor of the parish from 1993 to 2002, provided funding for the creation of the two new icons.

THE

DAVE HRBACEK

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Bishop Barron, Father Schmitz to speak at Star of the North Eucharistic Congress

By Anna Wilgenbusch

The Catholic Spirit

Before the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage launches from Lake Itasca on May 19, the dioceses of Crookston and Duluth will host the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress May 17-18 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

The congress, a joint effort of the dioceses and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. May 17 with adoration and a presentation by Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of WinonaRochester.

According to the Crookston diocesan website, the second day of the congress will begin with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by presentations from Father Mike Schmitz of the Diocese of Duluth; Sister Jude Andrew Link of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist; a special Eucharistic Revival panel; and an interactive presentation by Tanner Kalina, creator of “Saints Alive,” which is a podcast about the saints for families. Throughout the congress, Aly Aleigha — a Catholic indie-folk singer, songwriter and recording artist from Duluth — will lead participants in praise and worship.

The congress builds momentum for the kickoff of the Marian Route of the

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. The Marian Route is the northernmost of four routes that will converge July 17 in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress.

On May 19 at 10 a.m., Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston will celebrate the Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost in Itasca State Park’s Pioneer Village. Following Mass, Bishop Cozzens will lead a Eucharistic procession to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, where he will bless the water. From there, the roughly 1,000-mile pilgrimage to Indianapolis will begin.

Bishop Cozzens said he hopes that people of all ages attend the Mass on May 19 and the congress July 17-21.

“We’d love thousands to come (to the Mass),” Bishop Cozzens said in a promotional video. “It will be an incredible opportunity to celebrate our Eucharistic Lord and to begin this pilgrimage, which is going to change our country as we celebrate our National Eucharistic Revival.

“As we deepen our relationship with God the Father and our identity as his beloved sons and daughters, the Lord will strengthen us for the mission we have ahead of us — which is to be the body of Christ in the world today,” Bishop Cozzens said. “Join us in Bemidji May 17-19. Your participation

will help to make the Eucharistic Revival fruitful.”

Bishop Daniel Felton of the Diocese of Duluth also urged Catholics to attend.

“This Eucharistic Congress hosted by our two dioceses is a beautiful opportunity to come together with Catholics from far and wide to

Marriage, Family and Youth director: It’s about

By Anna Wilgenbusch

The Catholic Spirit

Corey Manning was preparing for the priesthood when he felt a call to leave seminary and to be open to marriage. At first, the call was daunting.

“I was struggling with leaving at the time because I really wanted to be a priest,” Manning said. He struggled to believe that he could be holy and married at the same time.

But through prayer, he realized that marriage is about “living a life of true holiness” just as much as any other vocation.

Now married with three children, Manning has devoted his career to

supporting holy marriages and families, first in college ministry and then as the director of faith formation for St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater. He said his new role as the director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Youth in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which he began on May 2, furthers his call.

The office’s mission is “to assist and encourage all Christians to fulfill their call to holiness.” The mission encompasses marriage preparation,

men’s ministry, small groups and respect life outreach, among other ministries. Manning said that the office’s mission aligns with his own efforts to strengthen and support families.

“The natural call is to marriage and family,” he said. But “that natural call doesn't mean we're not called to holiness ... Our Lord chose the family to become incarnate into and begin the salvation of the world.”

Family prayer is essential for holy families, Manning said.

“Try to figure out how to do it and then stick to a plan,” he recommended, although he added that family prayer can look different on different days and

This image by Valerie Delgado, owner of the online sacred art shop Pax Beloved, shows Mary holding a monstrance that magnifies Jesus’ heart. It adorns promotional material for the Star of the North National Eucharistic Congress, which will promote devotion to Christ’s Eucharistic heart, organizers say.

encounter Jesus more deeply in the Holy Eucharist,” Bishop Felton said. “May this deep encounter with Jesus light our hearts on fire with the Holy Spirit to bring his healing, hope and joy to all the people in our lives.”

To find the schedule of events, book lodging and register for the congress, visit crookstoneucharist org

in different seasons of life.

Holiness in marriage is sometimes “having screaming kids on your shoulder at Mass and working through it and not giving up when it's tough,” he said.

Community is also an important part of strong family life — something that parish-based small groups can foster, Manning said, as they are encouraged by Archbishop Bernard Hebda in his post-synodal pastoral letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses, Gathered and Sent From the Upper Room.”

“I was excited when (the) archbishop and the Synod chose small groups for year one,” he said. “The family is the original small group, but then you link a bunch of families. Now (parishes feel) a little smaller, everyone knows each other's name.”

Among all the apostolates his new role will oversee, Manning said he is “really excited to listen” to what families and parishes need to live out their call to holiness.

“I think we really need to look at this time and place in our culture and our society and ... figure out how the Church, the archdiocese and the parishes can better support marriages and families,” he said.

COREY MANNING

COURTESY DIOCESE OF CROOKSTON

uVatican to publish updated norms for investigating alleged apparitions. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will publish its new norms for the discernment of apparitions and other supernatural phenomena May 17, the Vatican press office said. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the dicastery, and Msgr. Armando Matteo, secretary of the doctrinal section of the dicastery, will present the document at a news conference, the press office announced May 7. The last time the Vatican’s doctrinal office issued norms for evaluating alleged apparitions and reports of supernatural events was in February 1978. At the time, the prefect, Cardinal Franjo Seper, said the norms were necessary given how news of alleged apparitions spreads rapidly thanks to mass media. “Moreover, the ease of going from one place to another fosters frequent pilgrimages, so that Ecclesiastical Authority should discern quickly about the merits of such matters,” he wrote.

uJesuit Catholic priest, Catholic Olympic champion swimmer are among those awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Father Greg Boyle, a Jesuit Catholic priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, and Katie Ledecky — the most decorated woman in swimming history — were among 19 Americans awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on May 3. The White House said the award is given to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.” In comments at a ceremony to award the medals, President Joe Biden said Father Boyle “changed countless lives” through his former gang member rehabilitation ministry. Father Boyle established Homeboy Industries in 1992 to improve the lives of former gang members. The organization has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab and reentry program in the world. Meanwhile, Ledecky added another distinguished medal to her already sizable collection. A native of the Washington, D.C., area and a parishioner of the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, Maryland, Ledecky, 27, is a three-time U.S. Olympic swimmer, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, a 21-time world champion and a 16-time world-record breaker in her sport. “Thank you, Mr. President and everyone at the White House today for this honor and an incredibly special day!” announced Ledecky, who also shared photographs of the event on her social media pages, following the Friday afternoon ceremony held in the East Room of the White House before hundreds of guests. A graduate of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington, Ledecky plans to compete in her fourth summer Olympic Games July 26-Aug. 11 in Paris.

uJordan’s king promises pope Christian holy sites will be protected. Pope Francis received assurances from Jordan’s King Abdullah II that Christian and Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem will be protected amid the Israel-Hamas war. The pope met with the king of Jordan — the Middle Eastern country that has the longest border with Israel — for 20 minutes at the Vatican May 2. King Abdullah told the pope that Jordan “will continue undertaking its religious and historical role in safeguarding holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship,” the court of the royal family said in a post on X. Established

in 1924, the custodianship refers to the role of the Hashemite royal family of Jordan in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The king also stressed the need to stop settler attacks against Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the post continued, and warned “of the consequences of continued Israeli violations of holy sites in Jerusalem.” King Abdullah also stressed Jordan’s commitment to safeguarding Christian holy sites in Jordan, particularly the baptism site of Jesus, “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” the X post added.

uNew Orleans Archdiocese investigated for child sex trafficking due to decades-old abuse claims. The Louisiana State Police and the FBI are investigating whether Archdiocese of New Orleans officials — including previous archbishops — covered up child sex trafficking by clergy over several decades, with some alleged victims reportedly taken out of state to be abused and marked for further exploitation among clergy. On April 25, the state police executed a comprehensive search warrant on the archdiocese for documents related to a widening investigation into how the archdiocese has handled allegations of abuse. The warrant — a copy of which OSV News obtained following the document’s April 30 release — cites the felony of “trafficking of children for sexual purposes” as the reason for its sweeping access to archdiocesan records, including the diocese’s canonically required secret archive and archdiocesan communications with the Vatican. Probable cause for the warrant, based on the testimony of a state police investigator also assigned to the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, details reports of clergy marking out victims for abuse on archdiocesan and out-ofstate properties, with complaints ignored or paid off and withheld from law enforcement. The warrant also claims several unnamed New Orleans archbishops were aware of the abuse but overlooked or obscured allegations. A spokesperson with the Archdiocese of New Orleans told OSV News the archdiocese “has been openly discussing the topic of sex abuse for over 20 years. In keeping with this,

we also are committed to working with law enforcement in these endeavors.”

uAmid protests, Columbia University Catholic chaplain urges prayer and charity. In recent weeks, Columbia University in New York became the epicenter of U.S. college protests and encampments demanding an end to U.S. support of Israel, now at war with Hamas following that group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on approximately 22 locations in Israel. Amid the turbulence at Columbia — where protesters overtook an academic building, with university officials calling police to end the occupation — the school’s Catholic chaplain, Father Roger Landry, has remained steadfast in his mission “to bring Jesus and the light of the Gospel into every circumstance and to help students view things and walk in that light.” He has focused on the importance of prayer and charity, urging the students to whom he ministers to “encamp” in Eucharistic adoration and engage in acts of kindness.

uCatholic evangelists ask NFL fans visiting Detroit to make Jesus their No. 1 draft pick. Catholic evangelists handed out rosaries, asked fans if they need prayers, and invited them to tour Detroit’s churches as hundreds of thousands of people congregated in downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL draft, which began April 25 in Cadillac Square. St. Paul Street Evangelization, a Warren, Michigan-based apostolate that focuses on evangelization and catechesis in the public square, set up shop on the corner of Congress and Randolf, just outside the designated NFL Fan Zone, offering people rosaries, miraculous medals and a prayerful listening ear. It was a ripe opportunity to bring up faith, Michael Miller of St. Paul Street Evangelization told Detroit Catholic, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Detroit. “I’ve witnessed people weep when we pray for them and we reach a part of their heart that they need desperate help for,” Miller said.

uBiden administration announces new regulations on gender identity policies. The Department of Health and Human Services announced new regulations April 26 that restore Obama-era protections for patients

who identify as transgender that the Trump administration rolled back in 2020. The new rule follows another controversial rule adding gender identity to Title IX protections. The HHS regulations, to be published May 6, seek to expand civil rights protections for patients by prohibiting health care providers and insurers receiving federal funding from discriminating against patients who seek treatment related to their gender identity or sexual orientation. Spokespersons for HHS argued the expansion would protect LGBTQ+ patients while also respecting federal protections for religious freedom and conscience. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said April 30 that the regulations “advance an ideological view of sex that, as the Holy See has noted, denies the most beautiful and most powerful difference that exists between living beings: sexual difference.” Earlier in April, the Department of Education also released its finalized regulations under Title IX, the 1972 federal civil rights law requiring that women and girls have equal access and treatment in education and athletics. The new regulation broadens existing rules to prohibit sex discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in policies governing educational institutions that receive federal funding.

uItalian leader says the pope will join a G7 discussion on AI. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Pope Francis would participate in a G7 “outreach” discussion on artificial intelligence when the leaders of the world’s leading industrialized nations meet in southern Italy in mid-June. “This is the first time a Pontiff is participating in the work of the Group of Seven and this can only bring prestige to Italy and the entire @G7,” Meloni wrote on X in a posting that included a video announcement. Meloni, U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, along with top officials of the European Union, are scheduled to meet June 13-15 at Borgo Egnazia in Puglia.

— CNS and OSV News

Grace that grows

The St. Paul Seminary enrollment outpaces national trend

By Debbie Musser For The Catholic Spirit

The sun shines brightly through the stained-glass windows of St. Mary’s Chapel on Summit Avenue in St. Paul as seminarians stream in for daily Mass at The St. Paul Seminary.

The pews fill up quickly; the seminary, adjacent to the University of St. Thomas campus, now has 100 seminarians in formation — the most in a decade, putting it essentially at capacity.

This year’s graduating class is a large one: 16 seminarians, including 11 from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, will be ordained priests this spring and summer. Two other seminarians studying in Rome for the archdiocese will be ordained.

“When I came here five years ago, we knew we needed to grow from that fall’s enrollment of 70 seminarians,” said Father Joseph Taphorn, 52, rector of The St. Paul Seminary. “We set a goal for ourselves to grow to 90 within three to five years and met that goal.”

The St. Paul Seminary’s growth bucks the trend of declining seminarian enrollment in the United States. Last June, data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University showed a continuing decline in priestly vocations, falling from 6,400 men in 1970 to 2,759 in the most recent academic year, 2022-2023.

“Maybe our numbers will go down as we’re graduating a large class, and there are always some men who will discern out — that’s normal and part of the process,” Father Taphorn said. “But we see growth continuing as we continue to have a quality program. Ultimately, it’s God, it’s grace, that grows our seminary.”

The journey through major seminary, as outlined by the Church, includes four dimensions of priestly formation: human, academic, pastoral and spiritual. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Program for Priestly Formation, Sixth Edition, consists of three stages: propaedeutic, discipleship and configuration.

“All seminaries have these stages; we’re all held to the same menu in a certain sense,” Father Taphorn said.

“But notably in 2021, The St. Paul Seminary was one of the first in North America to institute the new propaedeutic stage, a year set apart for seminarians to focus on human and spiritual formation,” he said. “That has served us well and is something I’m very proud of.”

The core of the propaedeutic stage is growth in prayer, trust and fraternity. At The St. Paul Seminary, a key component is individual and group counseling for seminarians, led by Paul Ruff, 67, assistant director of human formation and director of counseling

services, and a licensed psychologist.

“A seminarian’s process group meeting — I like to call it a growth group — attends to what’s going on within the person in the group and between members of the group,” Ruff said.

“We start with prayer and then a check-in — the seminarians can share how they’re doing and what’s on their mind, i.e. managing anxiety, past trauma, family of origin, how to live a chaste life; this reflective awareness is a way for men to be deeply known in a vulnerable way, and really lends itself to human growth and integration,” he said.

Ruff noted that during the propaedeutic stage, seminarians don’t use their phones or other devices except for

about an hour each Saturday to check email. They fast from social media.

“With the oversaturation of technology and media, there are such ready escapes, like ‘I’ll just turn on a YouTube video’ versus learning to understand what I am feeling, dealing with those feelings, and becoming more resilient in my life,” Ruff said.

Ruff said the seminarians appreciate the fast; “they usually find they’re happier.”

“I find our seminarians are very dedicated to the spiritual and prayer life and also willing to be challenged to grow humanly,” said Ruff. “That’s a testament to our sense of vision and the programming we’re doing here at the

seminary — we’re all rowing in the same direction.”

Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, 55, former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis who served as interim rector of The St. Paul Seminary from June 2018 to January 2019, believes that the seminary is ahead of the curve in terms of the propaedeutic stage and integrating deep human and spiritual formation with the rest of the program’s formation.

“That vision has permeated the whole seminary life; every seminarian has a human formator and a spiritual formator who meets with him every two weeks — consistent formation,” Bishop Cozzens said.

“I’ve

PAUL RUFF

Book the Seminary DAVE

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Father Joseph Taphorn, rector of The St. Paul Seminary, holds the Eucharist as he prays the prayer of consecration during the kickoff Mass.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT Seminarians pray during the kickoff Mass.

LEFT Deacon Ryan Sustacek carries the Book of the Gospels in the processional of annual kickoff Mass at The St. Paul Seminary Sept. 6, 2023.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

“I’ve often argued that you will not find in any other profession — no medical school, no law school — a more integrated formation than that in the current seminary experience, and The Paul Seminary is a leader in that formation,” he said.

Bishop Cozzens noted another strength the seminary: its spiritual formation, specifically an openness to the Holy Spirit the seminarians to be the new evangelists of today’s world.

“It’s the bishops who choose the seminary for their diocese; thus, the story success is when bishops begin to see that the men coming out of The Paul Seminary are able to give themselves freely, because they are formed well,” Bishop Cozzens said.

Another component of a seminarian’s journey is academic formation — studies that the Vatican and the USCCB deem necessary for the education of a diocesan priest.

“Seminarians prepare for priestly life and ministry through a rigorous Master Divinity degree that requires a great variety of coursework including classes in philosophy, theology and Latin as well as pastoral formation courses and ministry practica,” said Brandon Wanless, 38, assistant professor of dogmatic theology.

“Regarding theological formation, seminarians take several courses each in dogmatic theology, moral theology, sacred Scripture, Church history and sacramental theology,” Wanless said.

“The men I teach here in seminary formation are eager, friendly, bright and engaging — they are serious about serving God’s people and have clear aptitude for that work,” he said.

The seminarians complete the Master Divinity degree program over a four-year cycle, including summers and January terms, in a fully immersive residential experience. The daily schedule includes morning and evening prayer, Mass at 11:45 a.m., classes, meetings, recreation and study.

“We’re blessed here with the January term model; we’ve used that month to develop a core of international excursions, giving seminarians some space to be formed in very powerful experiences you can’t do in a classroom setting,” Father Taphorn said.

The St. Paul Seminary also offers a nationally-renowned teaching parish program, where seminarians receive hands-on experience in a parish setting, well as hospital ministry to the sick and suffering.

“And we’re proud of our rural ministry,” Father Taphorn said.

“Seminarians spend a week in the summer visiting farms, learning about ecology and understanding the differences between ministry in rural and urban settings.”

JOURNEYS TO PRIESTHOOD FUN FACTS

uFounded in 1894 by then-Archbishop John Ireland, The St. Paul Seminary was built on Summit Avenue in St. Paul due in large part to the generosity of James J. and Mary Mehegan Hill.

uThe St. Paul Seminary is one of 41 major seminaries in the United States; a man is ordained a priest only after completing major seminary. Some seminarians may have attended a college seminary such as St. John Vianney College Seminary, The St. Paul Seminary’s neighbor on the campus of the University of St. Thomas. Others discern their call following their completion of an undergraduate degree.

uSeminarians at The St. Paul Seminary currently come from 16 dioceses and religious orders: St. Paul and Minneapolis; Boise, Idaho; Crookston; Des Moines, Iowa; Duluth; Fargo, North Dakota; Hartford, Connecticut; Helena, Montana; Lafayette, Indiana; New Ulm; Omaha, Nebraska; Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; St. Cloud; Winona-Rochester and Pro Ecclesia Sancta, a Peru-based religious order with missions in California, Michigan, Minnesota and South Dakota.

u In 2021, the seminary experienced its largest one-year seminarian enrollment increase since 1975, going from 70 to 90 seminarians. Median enrollment across U.S. major seminaries is 72, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.

uThe St. Paul Seminary estimates that its priest alumni have celebrated the Eucharist over 24.6 million times.

uNotable alumni include a total of 37 Catholic bishops, including sainthood candidate Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Bishop Joseph Williams and Bishop Michael Izen.

uThe St. Paul Seminary is a hub of formation for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, also offering robust programs for deacon and lay formation. There are 33 men in the Institute for Diaconate Formation, 18 of whom were ordained in December — tying the record for the largest archdiocesan deacon class. Nearly 100 men and women are enrolled in lay graduate programs, and 800 participate in leadership institutes: the Catechetical Institute, the Institute for Catholic School Leadership and the Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation.

To learn more about the seminary, visit SaintPaulSeminary org

Father Taphorn said that about 80 percent of men who come to The St. Paul Seminary become priests.

“It’s a high percentage,” he said. “Our outstanding faculty, dedicated staff and robust counseling teams are probably what sets the seminary apart the most. And we try to set a vision to make this place a home, creating openness, honesty, transparency and, notably, a culture of growth, not a culture of conformity.”

“This is a place where seminarians want to be, and that attracts other men discerning their call, plus their vocation directors and bishops,” said Father Taphorn.

“It’s a privilege being a spiritual father to future priests and seeing them come alive,” Father Taphorn said. “They are making a commitment to something very big and bigger than themselves; they know that and are ready to engage.”

DEACON SEAN MULCARE, 28, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, of St. Peter in Forest Lake, will be ordained May 25.

“I first encountered the love of God in ninth grade at Extreme Faith Camp, and it was there that I sensed a call to the priesthood. After high school, I served a year with NET Ministries and discovered a deep love for serving people spiritually. I then entered St. John Vianney College Seminary in 2015 and began my studies at The St. Paul Seminary in 2019.” Seminary Experience

“In some ways, the brothers walking with me are one of the biggest sources of formation here at the seminary. When you are surrounded by 100 good-hearted men who want to lay their lives down out of love of God and his people, it naturally rubs off on you and inspires you to keep seeking higher things and move in the right direction.

“There’s a wonderful sense of fraternity here, and the halls are often filled with life and laughter ... I think one of the biggest reasons for The St. Paul Seminary’s success is the culture of the house. There is a genuine joy, and guys are free to be themselves, and this creates a very healthy atmosphere where guys are open to formation and growth.”

DEACON JOSH MILLER, 33, Diocese of Winona-Rochester, born in California and raised in Waseca, will be ordained May 25.

“After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2012, I served as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, Alaska. I found myself in a lot of conversations with my soldiers and recognized in myself a desire to be more of a spiritual father, which led me to start asking, ‘What is the Lord actually calling me to do?’

I entered Mundelein Seminary in Illinois from the Diocese of Fairbanks and transferred to The St. Paul Seminary after being accepted by the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.” Seminary Experience

“Studying rich, deep theology with access to outstanding resources like the seminary’s library has been phenomenal — dare I say I almost miss it already as I move on. And being in a community ordered toward fatherhood has been a highlight. A lot of that comes from Archbishop (Bernard) Hebda and Father (Joseph) Taphorn, both excellent father figures who live from a sense of joy and peace.

“There’s not a lot of encouragement in the secular world these days for men to be holy fathers, so for seminarians to come here and be encouraged is indescribable. I see guys coming into the chapel in the evenings for prayer. They don’t have to be there, but something draws them. They want to be there. It’s The St. Paul Seminary.”

DOMINIC WOLTERS, 24, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, born and raised in St. Paul, currently completing Discipleship stage.

“As a student at the University of Minnesota, I went to (the) St. Lawrence Newman Center in Minneapolis. I found myself thinking about Mass when I wasn’t in church. I got involved in campus ministry, and it was in adoration that I started to grow in my belief and respond. Some have a lightning bolt moment; for me, it was the lights coming on. Right after graduating with a degree in economics, I turned down a job offer and entered the seminary.”

Seminary Experience

“I began the propaedeutic stage in August 2021. Having that chance to set aside everything and be steeped in the life of Christ and the relationship with God the Father has been a tremendous blessing. I now know that the most important thing a priest can do every day is to pray. Next year we do apostolic outreach — volunteering at places like Catholic schools and nursing homes.

I’m looking forward to that pastoral formation as we recognize the role of charity in the life of Christians. “It may sound hokey, but the seminary’s vision is the Church on fire with the Holy Spirit. It’s such a beautiful image, and you see it in the instructors, in the seminarians — the wind is blowing on those embers, and the men are so excited to ignite a flame and share that spark with others.”

RONALD ONYEKWELU, 27, Archdiocese of Boise, Idaho, born in Ukpo and raised in Abagana, Nigeria, currently in the propaedeutic stage.

“My decision to discern the priesthood started at about age 12 when I entered minor seminary for my high school studies. Raised in a lovely Catholic home and fully involved in my local parish activities, I was influenced by my encounters with priests while serving as an altar server and by the religious sisters who taught me in elementary school.”

Seminary Experience

“After college studies at a seminary in Nigeria, I became familiar with the Diocese of Boise due to the good, humble and spirit-filled advice I received from my mentor during my pastoral year assignment in Rupert, Idaho. I started my studies at The St. Paul Seminary in the fall of 2023 and can honestly say, after so many years in the seminary, that my propaedeutic year formation here is the best formation I have ever received.

“The seminary’s daily liturgical practices including Mass, Holy Hour silent adoration, and praying ... the Divine Office have been so helpful in our spiritual formation and growth, as well as weekly prayer team training with praise and worship songs and praying for the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have time for private spiritual devotions, deep study of the Scripture and silent retreats — all of which help us cultivate a life of prayer and a deeper relationship with our Lord.”

BRANDON WANLESS

At 94, daily rosary and crossword puzzles anchor Larry McGough

By Christina Capecchi

For The Catholic Spirit

A host of programs are offered to assisted-living residents at Amira Choice Roseville at Lexington, but the “Active Minds” lectures are Larry McGough’s favorites. They help the 94-year-old keep his mind sharp, whether he’s learning about flowers or Indonesia. “I never realized how many islands make up Indonesia — thousands!” he said.

Keeping his spiritual life strong is another guiding force for McGough, who founded McGough Construction with his brothers in 1956 and belongs to St. Rose of Lima in Roseville.

Q You grew up in a family of nine kids and, for years, you were an altar server at the 6:30 a.m. daily Mass at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul.

A My two parents were very, very faithful. The whole family would say the rosary together every day after supper. We’d all be in the living room, kneeling down, and we’d be spread out in front of the chairs and the sofa.

Q Then you moved to Roseville and began helping the pastor at St. Rose of Lima, Father John Abbott, who was scared of dogs. You’d tag along on his sick calls to ward off any dogs in his path and then wait in the car until he was done.

A He’d call and it meant “go jump in when his car pulls up and, if there are any dogs, chase them away.” It could be two in the morning.

Q You learned to help whenever and however you could. That was part of your Catholic faith.

A I think we knew that. Another thing I remember from my childhood — and I’ve thought about it thousands of times — is we all had to work. It was the best thing that ever happened. We all had a work ethic. If there was something that needed to be done, you do it.

I started working as a teenager. My first job was on the Basilica (of St. Mary in Minneapolis). We were re-roofing the church. This was before tower cranes, so there was a hoist. There were 10-inch gaps between the columns going around the base of the dome where pigeon manure had piled up. They were determining how to get it out and my dad said: “That’s such a small space! I think Larry could squeeze in there.” I was a skinny kid, so I spent the first two weeks shoveling pigeon manure all the way around the basilica.

Q That work ethic helped you launch your construction business, which became a sweeping success, building dozens of Catholic churches and noteworthy buildings.

A My uncle broke off with his boys, so my brothers and I incorporated and started our own firm, McGough Construction. We started in the garage at 1872 Selby (Ave). It was Charlie, Leo and myself. We didn’t have a secretary. The very first date we were going to start — and we didn’t talk about when we were going to be there — all three of us showed up within a minute of each other at 5:30 in the morning. We all had a work ethic that never quit. I think the first job we did was for St. Rose. We built what then was the new convent — it’s now the parish offices. The only thing I remember about that is one night Father Abbott called and said: “The nuns are locked out! Can you do something about it?” My brother Greg had a set of lock picks — and he was registered with the police — because we needed him on the job with all the master keys. Father Abbott told us the next day that the nuns didn’t sleep all night after seeing how easily he picked the lock.

Q In the early ‘90s, Archbishop Roach approached a dozen Catholic leaders to bounce an idea off them: raising $45 million to found a foundation for the archdiocese. The others were doubtful, but you embraced the idea — and became his fundraising wingman.

A I did over 200 visits with Archbishop Roach. I’m sure we called on over 100 Minnesotans in Naples, Florida, alone. Boy, did he make a great case. When we left, he’d ask, “Well, how do you think it went, Larry?” And I said, “I thought it went really well, but we forgot to ask them for money. Do you want me to do it, Archbishop?” And he said, “Oh, that would be great!” So, every call we went on, he’d make the case and I’d ask for the money. And everyone gave. People defer to the archbishop. At least eight or nine of the ones we called on had hired a professional photographer ahead of time so they could have their picture with him. None of them wanted me in the picture!

We raised $78 million, with an additional $150 million offered, and the Catholic Community Foundation was founded.

Q And then Archbishop Flynn became a close friend.

A He was such a super guy. The one trait that always got me was how he could remember names. It was unbelievable. The first day he came to the archdiocese, for his installation (as archbishop), they had a lunch for him at the Radisson Hotel and a receiving line to meet him. We were instructed to just tell him your name and move on. So, my wife, Andrea, and I introduced ourselves and then quickly passed through. After the installation, three or four hours later, there was another gathering at this same hotel and another line, so we’re going through, and when Andrea gets there, he says, “How are you, Andrea? How are you, Larry?” I couldn’t believe it. He’d met at least 300 people! It was his first day in the city and he knew everybody’s names.

Q Andrea died eight years ago after a long battle with aphasia, brain degeneration and dementia.

A We were married for 61 and a half years. Every

morning, I talk to her. I look at her pictures. I go out to the cemetery pretty regularly. I tell her: “I’ll be joining you before long.”

Q Tell me about daily life here in assisted living.

A I go to bed at 6:30 p.m. and wake up at 4 o’clock. I shower and shave and dress and then I say my rosary and then I read four devotionals — “Give Us This Day,” “Easter to Pentecost,” the “St. Joseph Prayer Book” and “Living Faith.” It takes me an hour and a half at least. By then it’s time to go down and eat breakfast. I’ve got a lot of friends here. There’s four of us that sit at the same table — breakfast, lunch and supper. Rich and Vern and Dallas and myself. I didn’t know any of them ahead of time. I’ll get a coffee to go and then, when I come up from breakfast, I add my own French vanilla sugarfree creamer. I’m diabetic.

Q Then you settle in next to your basket of books, Sudoku and crossword puzzles.

A I enjoy doing the crosswords. It’s a challenge, plus it’s something to do. I have “The New Comprehensive A to Z Crossword Dictionary,” but I only use it when I’m really stuck. I also like to read. I’m reading “Over My Dead Body” by Jeffrey Archer. I pass along his books. People can’t pick up “The Cliffton Chronicles” (series) fast enough.

Q What’s the secret to aging well?

A Good genes, none of us drank, and we worked. I’ve taken a number of falls. I have to be really careful, but I’ve learned: don’t wheel around to get something real fast — move gingerly and get your cane out there.

Q Your faith has been an anchor your whole life.

A It’s a given, no two ways about it. It’s always been that way. It was a gift.

I never had a doubt at all about the Lord, and that’s all there is to it. I tell him every night: “If you take me tonight, Lord, take me with you.” And during the day, I can be doing almost anything and I figure, well, the Lord’s right here watching me.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

By Bishop Michael Izen

Editor’s Note: Bishop Michael Izen, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, shares the explanation that follows on plenary indulgences via a video that will be posted online mid-May at: archspm org/ eucharisticrevival

In early April, Pope Francis granted a plenary indulgence to all Catholics who participate in the upcoming National Eucharistic Pilgrimage or National Eucharistic Congress.

What does the Church teach about indulgences?

Every sin demands two responses: We must apologize, but we also must do our best to “make up” for the sin. An apology is accomplished when we confess our sins — ideally in the sacrament of reconciliation. That’s enough to receive absolution, but it’s not really the end of the story.

We also get a penance, which is an act that we do to show we are sorry for our sin. It’s similar to when a child might say, “I’m sorry, Dad, for spilling milk on the floor.” It’s a good start, but the spill must be cleaned up.

The concept of a penance is to show our desire to make up for the wrong we have done. We do our best to wipe up the milk on the floor and Dad might say, “OK, you have cleaned up the floor. You can go.”

An indulgence is similar. By completing the actions that the Church asks for indulgences — sacramental confession, praying

for the Holy Father and receiving holy Communion — the penitent demonstrates that he or she is sincere about “cleaning it up.”

In the case of the National Eucharistic Revival, the Holy Father is saying that our participation in the Eucharistic Pilgrimage or Congress suffices to “clean it up.” This is the reason our participation in these events carries the status of a plenary indulgence.

The Church, in her wisdom, sees the events of the National Eucharistic Revival as having a special value and wants to encourage the faithful to participate.

Anyone who participates in any part of the National Eucharistic Revival — including the Source and Summit Eucharistic procession here in this archdiocese on May 27 or the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July — while also going to confession, receiving the Eucharist and praying for the intentions of Pope Francis can gain an indulgence.

If you’re elderly, sick or can’t leave your home for a serious reason, you can also gain the indulgence if you unite your prayers, pains or inconveniences with Christ and the Revival.

Sometimes our human minds and the history of the Church can make us think this is just a transactional exchange. It’s important to keep in mind that perhaps the most important requirement for gaining a plenary indulgence is that we be completely detached from sin, even venial sin. This is the most difficult

POPE FRANCIS GRANTS PLENARY INDULGENCES

Participants in the National Eucharistic Congress and related National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will have opportunities to receive plenary indulgences, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced April 9.

Archbishop Broglio, who also leads the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, had requested that the Holy See grant a plenary indulgence for Catholics who participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and that he “or another prelate be designated to impart the Apostolic Blessing with a Plenary Indulgence to the Christian faithful present at the National Eucharistic Congress,” according to the statement.

The requests were granted in two separate decrees by the Apostolic Penitentiary, the office of the Roman Curia that grants the use of indulgences “as expressions of divine mercy,” the statement said. Both decrees were approved by Pope Francis.

Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, chair of the board of directors of the National Eucharistic Congress, told OSV News that the “tradition of giving an indulgence for pilgrimages and important celebrations is ancient.”

“We are grateful to the Holy Father through the Apostolic Penitentiary that offers this blessing to those who are seeking to grow in greater purity of heart through the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress,” he said. “These events will be great moments of conversion which this indulgence points to as we seek to be free from the effects of our sins. We are grateful for the Holy Father’s blessing on these events.”

He added, “Pope Francis himself said that (the) ‘National Eucharistic Congress marks a significant moment in the life of the Church in the United States’ and he prayed that the National Eucharistic Congress would guide men and women throughout our country to the Lord who, by his presence among us, rekindles hope and renews life.”

The congress and preceding pilgrimage are efforts of the National Eucharistic Revival, a threeyear initiative of the U.S. bishops that began in 2022 to inspire greater understanding of and love for Jesus in the Eucharist. Held in Indianapolis July 17-21 at Lucas Oil Stadium, the congress aims to bring together tens of thousands of Catholics for liturgies, devotions and well-known Catholic speakers.

Bishop Michael Izen gives Communion to Mara Thomas of St. Odilia in Shoreview during Mass Feb. 24 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. In recent comments, Bishop Izen noted that receiving Communion is one of the requirements for receiving a plenary indulgence.

part! Indulgences are a way to help us pursue holiness and be more conformed to Christ.

I hope you’ll join me, along with Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop

Joseph Williams, for the Source and Summit Eucharistic procession on May 27 and take advantage of the plenary indulgence granted by Pope Francis.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Short stories explore consequences of treating people without proper care

“ Fragile Objects: Short Stories” by Katy Carl. Wiseblood Books. (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 2023). 318 pp., $15.00.

In the opening story of this collection — which lends its title to the whole — the reader is introduced to Bub, a young boy reluctantly dragged off by his father to “help” his elderly grandmother.

Through Bub’s eyes, the reader is invited to pay close attention to the shrinking world of his grandmother’s house in rural Florida, filled to the brim with glass ornaments and porcelain knickknacks, as well as to the contentious relationship between his father and grandmother. With masterful command of setting and character, Carl teases out the dysfunctions of this family relationship and the traumas that continue to impact its multiple generations — and when the tension breaks out into an argument, shows how that dysfunction leaves more than just glass shattered in its wake. This is precisely the driving philosophy behind each of the stories in this debut collection: that the most fragile objects around us are, in fact, the people we encounter in our lives.

Throughout the 11 stories that follow, Carl does not spare the reader the consequences of failing to handle our fellow human beings with the care they deserve. In what one might consider the tradition of Flannery O’Connor — it should probably not surprise the reader that “Fragile Objects” is published by Wiseblood Books — Carl makes use of the grotesque, the offensive, the absurd and the searingly painful to prove her point. This book is not for the fainthearted: here there are wretched priests whose sins scandalize their flocks, miserable fathers who fail their children, lusts that give way to violence, and the inheritance of ugly family legacies; here, too, the more banal (but no less traumatic) evils of suburban gloryseeking, of making idols of ideologies, of racism, poverty and petty cruelty. If content warnings can be applied to books, then this collection earns every one of them.

Yet, there is gentleness here, too, and grace, and moments of striking human triumph accomplished by ordinary people. Parents (and grandparents) choose life and love for their children. A priest provides hope to a young woman whose only wish is to be left alone. A young man (whose melodramatic approach to conversion will make many adult Catholics cringe with self-recognition) nevertheless sets his sights on the one thing that matters. And in the collection’s final story, a family’s love for each other becomes a symbol of life-giving resistance against the all-too-real inequalities and dehumanizing tendencies of our society. After reading so many unflinching portrayals of all the ways we fallen humans get it wrong, one nearly shouts with startled joy at seeing someone get it right. Thoroughly modern, brutally honest and vividly illustrative of the value of Catholic personalism in a world that so often treats people as things, “Fragile Objects” is a worthwhile read for any Catholic hungry for substantial storytelling — provided, of course, that they have a strong stomach.

Reichert is publications administrative coordinator at The Catholic Spirit. She can be reached at reichertm@archspm org

May’s Marian feasts

By OSV News

The Catholic Church has dedicated numerous feast days throughout the year to events in the life of Mary and her various titles. The following are some of the feasts of Mary in the month of May:

Feast of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (May 13): Mary was called Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament by St. Peter Julian Eymard in 1868. In 1905, St. Pius X granted an indulgence to those who prayed to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Vatican in 1921 designated May 13 as her feast day (but the celebration is not on the Church’s universal calendar).

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima (May 13): This feast commemorates the first of six apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children at Fatima in Portugal on May 13, 1917. The feast has become a cultural celebration for Portuguese Catholics around the world and is celebrated in many parishes throughout the United States, often with a procession through the streets surrounding the church.

Feast of Mary, Help of Christians (May 24): After praying to Mary for his safe release from captivity when taken prisoner by the French, Pope Pius VII instituted this feast day in 1815. The feast venerates Mary for her intercession on behalf of those who pray to her. Many Catholics will traditionally mark this day by performing their own charitable deeds to help others in need.

Feast of the Visitation (May 31): Originally celebrated in July, the feast of the Visitation marks Luke’s Gospel account of Mary, having been told by the Angel Gabriel that she would bear the son of God, visiting her cousin Elizabeth. The feast, which originated in the 13th century, was transferred to its current date in 1969 after the feast of the Queenship of Mary, previously celebrated on May 31, was moved to Aug. 22 to follow the feast of the Assumption.

Catholic Community of St. Odilia Shoreview, MN

St. Peter’s Church Mendota, MN

SPRING AND SUMMER PARISH FESTIVAL GUIDE

MAY

St. Peter Claver, St. Paul — Chicken BBQ Fundraiser: May 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 369 Oxford St. N. Food, beverages, silent auction, bingo, kids’ games. Admission: $18. tinyurl.com/bde8837F5, 651-888-8161

JUNE

St. Stanislaus, St. Paul — West Fest on 7th: June 8, 2-9 p.m. 398 Superior St. Food, beverages, live music, silent auction, walking tours and family activities. westfeston7th.com

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Minnetonka — Block Party: June 15, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 13505 Excelsior Blvd. 4:30 p.m. Mass. Food, beverages, 5k fun run, bingo, magic show, children’s chalk art contest, children’s activities, classic car show, beer choir and adult cornhole tournament. Food options include food trucks and beer garden. ihm-cc.org/, 952-935-1432

St. Anne, St. Joseph Hien — Annual Summer Festival: June 21, 5-10 p.m., June 22, 2-10 p.m., June 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2627 Queen Ave. N., back parking lot between church and school buildings. Food, beverages, games for children, free music entertainment. Raffle drawing June 24 at 4 p.m. Food options include a variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes: egg rolls, meatballs, fried chicken, fried rice, soups, deserts and drinks. Food is also available to-go. gxannagiusehien.net, 612-529-0503

Annunciation, Northfield — Festival: June 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 4996 Hazelwood Ave. 10 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, live music, bingo, country store, several kids’ activities, quilt raffle, raffle. Food options include KC Food Truck. thechurchoftheannunciation.org, 952-652-2625

JULY

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Minneapolis — Parish Festival: July 14, noon-3:30 p.m. 701 Fillmore St. NE. 10:30 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, wine pull, silent auction, DJ. Food options include chicken, pasta, hotdogs, ice cream, candy and soda. olmcmpls.org, 763-567-1983

St. Patrick of Cedar Lake, Jordan — Summer Festival: July 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 24425 Old Highway 13 Blvd. 10 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, raffle, kids’ games, bingo, country store, silent auction, pull tabs, live music. Food options include grilled chicken dinner, snack bar, soft drinks and beer. 952-492-6276

St. Mary of Czestochowa, Delano — 41st Annual Summer Festival: July 21, 11 a.m.4 p.m. 1867 95th St. SE. 10 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, live polka band, country store, raffle, silent auction, bingo, bean bag tournament, color guard, kids’ games, inflatables. Food options include roast beef dinner with sides, homemade bars and poppyseed kuchen, and concession stand with beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, shaved beef, sandwiches and hotdogs. stmarydelano. org/our-parish/festival/, 952-955-1139

AUGUST

St. Raphael, Crystal — Parish Festival: Aug. 2, 5-10 p.m., Aug. 3, 2:30-10 p.m. 7301 Bass Lake Road. Food, beverages, multiple-day softball tournament, beer truck, raffle and pull tabs, and inflatable obstacle course; Saturday only: bingo, cornhole tournament, kids’ games, dunk tank, live music and more. Food options include hotdogs, corn dogs, brats, polish dogs, corn on the cob, mini donuts and beer truck; roast beef sandwiches on Saturday only. saintraphaelcrystal.org/

Nativity, Cleveland — Grill and Chill: Aug. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 200 Main St. 4:30 p.m. Mass. Food, beverages, live music, silent auction, cash raffle, and family yard games. Food options include hamburgers and hotdogs. Freewill donation.

Immaculate Conception, Lonsdale — AugustFest: Aug. 4, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 116 SE Alabama St. 10 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, bean bag tournament, inflatable obstacle course, big wheel, bingo, kids’ games, bucket drawings and more. Food options include grilled chicken dinner, KC grilling station, burgers, cheese curds, fries, ice cream, VanDenCookies, bakery, beer, pop and water. icchurch.cc/augustfest/, 507-744-2829

St. George, Long Lake — Corn Days: Aug. 10, noon-10 p.m. 133 N. Brown Road. 4 p.m. Mass. Food, beverages, live music, beer tent, inflatables, petting zoo, caricaturist, merchandise booths, silent auction, wine pull, SuperRaffle, car rally. Food options include a fiesta dinner, a Knights of Columbus breakfast, roasted sweet corn and Mexican corn, brats and hotdogs, snow cones, Greek food, beer, wine, pop, water and ice cream. stgeorgelonglake.org/corn-days/, 952-473-1247

St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake — Parish Festival: Aug. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4690 Bald Eagle Ave. 11 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, live music from Emerson Avenue (bring lawn chairs), marketplace, jewelry sale, raffles, bingo, free kids’ games. Food options include food trucks and wine. stmarys-wbl.org, 651-429-7771

St. Wenceslaus, New Prague — Parish Festival: Aug. 11, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 215 Main St. E. 10:30 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, polka Mass, live entertainment, bingo, cash and prizes. Food options include chicken dinner, pork stand, food trucks, ice cream and beer garden. npcatholic.org/parish-festival, 952-758-3225

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Minneapolis — Summer Festival: Aug. 17, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1315 Second St. NE. Food, beverages, live music, dancing, raffle, games. Food options include Ecuadorian and Mexican food, soft drinks and beer. 612-379-9736

Sts. Joachim and Anne, Shakopee — JACS JAM: Aug. 17, 4-10 p.m, Aug. 18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. SJA Marystown Church Campus, 15850 Marystown Road. 4 p.m. Mass Aug. 17, 9 a.m. Mass Aug. 18. Food and beverages. Aug. 17 events: 5-10 p.m. live entertainment and festivities, raffles, crafts, bake sale, bingo, pull tabs, adult and youth games. Aug. 18 events: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. festivities, family entertainment, Czech band, live quilt and silent auction, famous Chicken Plop and more. Food options include American, Mexican, Snack Shack, soda, beer, seltzers and wine. SSJACS.org/JACS-JAM, 952-445-1319

Immaculate Conception, Columbia Heights — IC Fun Fest: Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 4030 Jackson St. NE. 10 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, raffle bingo, kids’ games, Bottlemania, Bake Shoppe, pinatas, jewelry booth, bucket raffle, cornhole tournament.

Children enjoy the parish festival at St. Thomas the Apostle in Corcoran Aug. 20, 2023.

COURTESY ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

Food options include multiple food booths, beer, wine and soft drinks. ICCSonline.org, 763-788-9065

St. Thomas the Apostle, Corcoran — Parish Festival: Aug. 18, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 20000 County Road 10. 10:30 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, bingo, silent auction, craft sales and kids’ activities including games, prizes, face painting and inflatables. Food options include turkey dinner, hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and beer tent. Turkey dinner pricing: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and veterans, $12 for kids (4-10), free for young kids (3 and under), $55 for a family. 763-420-2385

St. Genevieve, Centerville — Parish Festival and Chicken Dinner: Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 6995 Centerville Road. Food, beverages, silent auction, kid and adult games, raffles, bingo. Food options include a chicken dinner and hamburgers. stgens.org, 651-429-7937

St. Henry, Monticello — Parish Festival: Aug. 24, 6-8 p.m., Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1001 E. Seventh St. 10 a.m. Mass. Food and beverages; Aug. 24 events: cash prize bingo. Aug. 25 events: live music, quilt bingo, raffles and prizes throughout the day, kids’ games including inflatable obstacle course and petting zoo. Food options include concessions and chili contest on Aug. 24, concessions and authentic Mexican food on Aug. 25. 763-295-2402

St. Mathias, Hampton — Fun Fest: Aug. 25, 11 a.m. 23315 Northfield Blvd. 10 a.m. Mass. Food, beverages, kids’ games, bingo, raffle, live music by Ron E. Cash, silent auction, country store, baked goods and live auction. Food options include local meat options of burgers, brats and more, German potato salad, traditional potato salad, beer truck, seltzers, soft drinks and water. stmathias-hampton. com, 651-437-9030.

‘Wildcat’ a reminder of Flannery O’Connor’s enduring attraction

By Maria Wiering OSV News

Ethan Hawke knows “Wildcat,” his film about the life and imagination of Southern writer Flannery O’Connor released May 3, is unlikely to attract general audiences.

“It’s a difficult subject matter for a lot of people. They don’t know what to make out of it,” he said in a Q&A with media April 30.

The film weaves the narrative of the 20-something Catholic writer (portrayed by Hawke’s daughter, actress and singer Maya Hawke) coming home to Georgia and grappling with having lupus, a debilitating disease that killed her father and would kill her, too, at age 39 — with scenes from her always strange and often unsettling short stories, whose characters are disfigured, uncouth and immoral.

Like O’Connor herself, the stories grapple with the nature of God’s grace and fallen people’s reception to it.

Although the film contains overtly religious themes, it neither proselytizes nor sensationalizes faith, unlike most religion-focused films on the market, said Hawke, its co-writer and director. Instead, he aimed to capture the mystery in faith, suffering and creativity.

“I wanted to make a movie that I wanted to see,” he said. “I am a very spiritually minded person. It’s the most important thing in my life. And I don’t see much about it (in film).”

“Wildcat” — named for one of O’Connor’s early short stories — is the latest in several recent contributions honoring O’Connor’s legacy and promoting her writing, suggesting an enduring and even growing fascination with her work, despite renewed controversy about O’Connor herself.

In January, O’Connor scholar Jessica Hooten Wilson published “Flannery O’Connor’s Why Do the Heathen Rage?”, a look at O’Connor’s unfinished novel through the lens of her other work and influences. Wilson told OSV News she hopes the culture is experiencing “a Flannery moment” beyond Catholic literary circles as next year’s centennial of the writer’s birth approaches.

She lamented that O’Connor, who produced two novels and 31 short stories, couldn’t have lived as long as her cousin Louise Florencourt, co-trustee of the Mary Flannery O’Connor Trust, who died at age 97 in July.

“We could have seen so many amazing O’Connor novels and stories, so many essays and letters from the devout genius

about how to understand what it means to faithfully follow Christ in our time and place,” Wilson said. “We are all hungry for wisdom — wisdom we can see lived out in story so we can imitate it in how we too live — which is why we look back to O’Connor’s work and bring her forward into 2024.”

Wilson, the Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University in California, plans to release lectures in the fall for “The Great Courses” on Audible “to share more about how to understand Flannery O’Connor and her scandalous faith,” she said. In 2015, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Flannery O’Conner stamp for its “Literary Arts” series, and 2019 saw the publication of “Good Things Out of Nazareth,” a compilation of O’Connor’s correspondence with friends. That same year, “Flannery” — the first featurelength documentary about her life, co-directed by Jesuit Father Mark Bosco of Georgetown University and Elizabeth Coffman, director of the film and digital media program at Loyola University Chicago — won the first Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film.

“She’s so unique because she brings so many things together,” Father Bosco told OSV News of O’Connor. “I’m just fascinated that artists find in her a kind of muse, almost. These artists read her work, they experience her work, and they’re taken on a journey as artists.”

Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, a professor at Fordham University in New York who has taught O’Connor’s work for four decades, said she “really is a writer who we keep coming back to.”

“Even though she’s writing about a very specific place and time, her native South in the 1950s and 1960s, there is a

timeless quality to O’Connor stories, so that she always is relevant, always has application to the time when people are reading her,” she said. “With all great writers, we’re constantly in the process of reassessing, ‘Well, what does this writer have to say to us now?’”

O’Connor’s frequent use of afflicted, disfigured and disabled characters “are indicators of brokenness in the person themselves,” O’Donnell told OSV News. “In O’Connor, everyone is broken, it’s just more obvious in some people than others, but it’s part of the human condition. It’s the inheritance of original sin. We’re all broken and we’re all in need of grace and mercy. So, I think people find that very compelling, even if they wouldn’t necessarily use that theological language.”

After writing a biography of O’Connor published in 2015, O’Donnell addressed, in her 2020 book “Radical Ambivalence,” O’Connor’s complex and contradictory attitudes toward race as a writer in Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement, in light of some of O’Connor’s previously unpublished

letters. In The New Yorker, Paul Elie, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, criticized O’Donnell’s work and other efforts to elevate O’Connor while downplaying her racist remarks. O’Donnell, who disagrees with Elie’s view, said his criticism played a role in Loyola University Maryland removing O’Connor’s name from a residence hall in 2020, a decision that O’Donnell publicly opposed.

“Wildcat” includes some of O’Connor’s short stories that center on race and racism, and Hawke addressed the controversy in the April 30 Q&A. “One of the challenges for Flannery in her personal life and one of the challenges to a contemporary audience is the fact that she grew up in a Jim Crow South,” he said. “She was fed on the water and soil of a country that was rife with racism and she saw all of that. She never wrote about what it was like to be oppressed, because she didn’t know anything about that. But she wrote a lot about white hypocrisy, and she wrote about it very beautifully and with a sharp razor’s edge.” Hawke’s inspiration came from his mother’s admiration for O’Connor’s writing. “In our house, Flannery O’Connor was the most important Southern writer in American literature, because that’s what my mother thought,” he said.

Coffman, the “Flannery” documentary co-director, was among the film’s coexecutive producers. After the September premiere of “Wildcat” at Colorado’s Telluride Film Festival, she told OSV News the connection between creativity and faith was a central theme in the actors’ discussions. While Coffman knows evangelization was not the Hawkes’ intent, she thinks the film may have a powerful impact on viewers. “I think,” she said, “the storytelling they accomplished, with her (O’Connor’s) commitment to both her faith and writing, will end up converting people.”

OSV NEWS | OSCILLOSCOPE

Maya Hawke portrays Flannery O’Connor in the movie “Wildcat.” The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

SUNDAY SCRIPTURES | FATHER JAMES PERKL

The body as a unity cannot be separated from the head

I was not alone on the Mount of Olives when I placed my foot in that stony depression where our Gospel takes place this Sunday.

From this stone that Jesus last touched, our tradition recalls his leaping — that is, ascending into heaven. I was on pilgrimage with Mater Dei Tours when each of the pilgrims wanted to follow Jesus by standing in that very place where our tradition holds that Jesus was taken up into heaven to take his seat at the right hand of God.

This Mother’s Day, it’s good to remind ourselves that before our feet can be lifted to heaven, we are called not to stand still, but rather to go to all the places Jesus is sending us to serve. Our Gospel records Jesus saying to his disciples, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Only by God’s blessing can such miraculous works be accomplished. While “these signs” seem remarkable, considering the Holy Spirit, I have seen such signs given close to home.

For example, I remember my own mom placing her hand on my forehead to take my temperature when I was sick. Through her loving care, I got better. While my mom did not handle serpents, I must admit, she was the first one to pick up the dirty dishes and wash them. My dad and I avoided them, as if they were serpents

FAITH FUNDAMENTALS | FATHER MICHAEL VAN SLOUN

Symbols of the ordained priesthood

Editor’s note: This column is part of a series on holy orders and the first on the priesthood. It follows eight columns by Father Van Sloun on the ordination and ministry of deacons in the Church.

The priestly stole is the primary symbol of the ordained priesthood. It signifies the priest’s authority to preside over the sacraments and his desire to take upon himself the yoke of obedient service to Jesus, his master (Mt 11:29-30). It is a long, narrow strip of high-quality cloth usually made of cotton, wool or silk. It is typically 4.5 inches wide, about 9.5 feet long, and it may have a fringe or tassels at the end. It is placed around the back of the neck and hangs down the front of the body in equal lengths on the right and left sides. It is worn over the alb and under the chasuble or cope. Stoles come in each of the liturgical colors: white, green, red, violet and rose. The color chosen corresponds to the liturgical season, the Mass of the day or the sacrament being celebrated. Some stoles are plain while others are beautifully embroidered with spiritual symbols. Many stoles are designed as a set to match a chasuble.

A book is also a primary symbol for the priesthood. The book often has a cross on the cover or behind it, and sometimes it has a stole laying over it. The book may represent the entire Bible or an Evangelarium, the Book of the Gospels. The priest presides over the Liturgy of the Word, proclaims the Gospel when a deacon is not present, and is the usual preacher of the homily. The priest is a “man of the book,” one who reads and prays with the book daily, and one who preaches the book, developing his homilies based on Scripture. Sometimes the book has three tabs lettered with a “P,” in persona Christi, because the priest is in the person of Christ; an “F,” fidelitas, Latin for fidelity, because the priest is called to be faithful to Jesus and his Gospel; and “SS,” sometimes interpreted to stand for Sacred

under the soapy water! Yet, my mom was not afraid to plunge into that soupy mess to scrub and wash each one with love. Love, we know, is the best medicine to remedy any poison of sin. As to driving out demons? How many Saturdays did my mom drive me to church, so she could go to confession, along with my dad, that I, too, could follow them where their feet led. I am furthermore grateful to both my mother’s and father’s belief in Jesus and for choosing to baptize me shortly after my birth. Having been born into the fallen human condition of Adam and Eve, they wanted me, from the first moments of my life, to be brought into the amazing grace of Jesus’ Holy Family.

On this Mother’s Day, it is the language of love we are learning by example. Jesus is teaching us to do more than speak — he is teaching us to live and joyfully put into practice the Gospel we love to share.

Not only do mothers have something to teach us, but so do fathers.

St. Augustine, a Church Father and doctor of the Church, teaches us about Jesus’ ascension into heaven: “Jesus did not leave heaven when he came down to us; nor did he withdraw from us when he went up again into heaven.”

The Apostle goes on to explain: “Just as the human body, which has many members, is a unity, because all the different members make one body, so is it also with Christ. He too has many members, but one body. Out of compassion for us he descended from heaven, and although he ascended alone, we also ascend, because we are in him by grace. Thus, no one but Christ descended and no one but Christ ascended; not because there is no distinction between the head and the body, but because the body as a unity cannot be separated from the head.”

United with our head, Jesus Christ, we can speak through our loving actions. We will be learning more about that language of love next Sunday, when on the Feast of Pentecost we will all be led into that Upper Room. There with Mary, Mother of the Church, we will receive the Holy Spirit! And with the Apostles, we will discover that — united with Christ and his Body, the Church — we can do all things in him who strengthens each one by his love.

Father Perkl is pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville.

Scripture, because the priest is charged to know and preach the truths of Scripture, or to stand for Sancti Spiritu, Latin for the Holy Spirit, because the priest depends upon the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to pray with Scripture, understand it, and preach about it. Sometimes the book has seven tabs, usually understood to represent the seven sacraments.

A host, a chalice, or a host and chalice together are also symbols of the priesthood. Only a priest presides over the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The priest holds the host, the round piece of bread, and the chalice, which contains the wine, and when he raises them and pronounces the Words of Institution at the time of the consecration, by the power of God they are changed into Christ’s body and blood.

A censer is a vessel usually made of metal that contains burning charcoal, and when incense is added, fragrant smoke curls upward. Scripture says that the smoke represents prayer: “May my prayer be incense before you” (Ps 141:2) and “bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones” (Rev 5:8). The censer represents the priesthood because the priest leads the congregation in prayer and is the minister who most often uses the censer at Mass, Benediction and other liturgies. The priest is a representative for the people before God, and he prays on their behalf as he offers “gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb 5:1) and “prayers and supplications” (Heb 5:7). Censers were used by the priests of the Old Testament (Ex 30:7; Lv 10:1; Lv 16:12; Nm 16:6-7,17b-18; Nm 17:11,12) and by the priest Zechariah in the New Testament (Lk 1:9-11).

Folded hands represent prayer, and a priest is a man of prayer. A priest has the obligation to pray the Liturgy of the Hours each day (Canons 276.3 and 1174.1) and “is earnestly invited to offer the eucharistic sacrifice daily” (Canon 276.2). Archbishop Fulton Sheen was a vigorous proponent that priests make a daily Holy Hour based upon Jesus’ question to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Mt 26:40).

A fishing net is a symbol for the priesthood because when Jesus called Simon Peter, he told him, “from now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:10b). Similarly, when Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew, he said, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19; Mk 1:17), and he presumably spoke likewise to James and John (Mt 4:21-22; Mk 1:20). The apostles were commissioned to

DAILY Scriptures

Sunday, May 12

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11 Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13 Mk 16:15-20

Monday, May 13

Acts 19:1-8 Jn 16:29-33

Tuesday, May 14 St. Matthias, Apostle Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Jn 15:9-17

Wednesday, May 15 Acts 20:28-38 Jn 17:11b-19

Thursday, May 16

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Jn 17:20-26

Friday, May 17

Acts 25:13b-21 Jn 21:15-19

Saturday, May 18

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 Jn 21:20-25

Sunday, May 19

Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-11 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25 Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15

Monday, May 20

Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the Church Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14 Jn 19:25-34

Tuesday, May 21

Jas 4:1-10

Mk 9:30-3

Wednesday, May 22

Jas 4:13-17 Mk 9:38-40

Thursday, May 23

Jas 5:1-6

Mk 9:41-50

Friday, May 24

Jas 5:9-12

Mk 10:1-12

Saturday, May 25

Jas 5:13-20

Mk 10:13-16

Sunday, May 26

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Dt 4:32-34, 39-40

Rom 8:14-17 Mt 28:16-20

COMMENTARY

ECHOES OF CATHOLIC MINNESOTA

REBA LUIKEN

Recalling festivals of former St. John in St. Paul

A parish festival is a great celebration and a great fundraiser, and St. John in St. Paul had plenty of reasons for both. Dedicated on Frances Street (known today as East Fifth Street) in St. Paul in 1886, the Irish Catholic parish quickly became known for its parish festivals, which happened multiple times each year. The Harvest Home festival was a fall event first held in 1887. Father Louis Cornelius asked his parishioners to bring to the celebration both alms and contributions of fresh fruits and jellies to share with local charities. In other years, St. John hosted an April Festival of the Seasons. The parish was most well-known, however, for two other events.

St. John’s August festival was considered a leading festival of the season between at least 1888 and 1922. It was a party — often lasting over a week — that drew crowds of parishioners and neighbors on multiple evenings. Music, refreshments, games, entertainment and ice cream were all on offer, but the parish’s active Catholic Total Abstinence Union made sure that alcohol was not the main event. People of all ages won prizes, some of which were quite valuable: a gold-headed cane, a gold watch and an ironing machine. Others were more sentimental, like a picture of the pastor. The result was money that could be used to help neighbors in need or to build church buildings. By 1890, they had raised $13,000 to build the parish school. They raised more to repair it a decade later after it was struck by lightning. The funds raised did not always go to such pious

The Holy Family helps us in our marriages

Every Catholic marriage has moments when spouses find themselves facing challenges they did not anticipate.

Mary and Joseph were betrothed when an angel visited her to explain how she would become pregnant.

During betrothal, which lasted about a year, the woman stayed at home with her parents. Mary was already in her sixth month, so imagine the pressure on Mary and Joseph as they began their marriage. Even the holiest couple would find a situation like this difficult. How did Mary and Joseph do it?

The first thing we know is that they both listened to the message of the angel: Mary to have the baby, and Joseph to take Mary as his wife. They participated in God’s plan. Neither one of them turned away and refused the message of the angel, which indicated they trusted God. When modern couples have difficult times, they must be willing to understand what God is asking of them and to follow it faithfully.

Second, Mary and Joseph followed the traditions of their faith. They were married and went to Bethlehem for the census. Joseph was from the house of David, the

causes. In 1897, St. John and the nearby Irish Catholic parish of St. Patrick competed against each other in a summer festival fundraising challenge. Whichever parish raised less money would have to cover the expenses of a trip to the old country for the other parish’s priest. It was an exciting and close contest, with St. John winning by only $7.70 with a total collection of $2,105.82. In the end, St. Patrick actually paid for both priests to take the two-month trip together.

St. Patrick’s Day was the other key event on the St. John calendar during its first few decades. Each year the parish’s young people organized an event. Some years they featured soloists and duets from the best local singers. Other years, parish plays were the main draw. In fact, these events drew so many people that there was not a space in the parish school big enough to hold them. Each year, the festive event moved from one neighborhood hall to another.

One year, it was hosted at Sacred Heart, the German Catholic church two blocks away. By 1922, it was clear that St. John parish had outgrown its 400-person worship space. The Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood had grown, and they built a new brick church to replace the first frame one. A new brick school followed in 1931, and both certainly played host to decades of festivals and other celebrations before the parish closed in 2013. Among other reasons, by 2013 there were no longer enough Catholics in the neighborhood to support two parishes within two blocks. In 2014, the buildings were sold to the Darul-Uloom Islamic Center, which continues to serve as a place for many East African immigrants in the area to worship and study today.

Luiken is a Catholic and historian with a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She loves exploring and sharing the hidden histories that touch our lives every day.

king who reigned 1,000 years earlier, and Bethlehem was his hometown. They were required to follow the Jewish law, as well as abide by the Roman law, and going to Bethlehem helped them fulfill both.

Third, they returned to Nazareth and created a holy home for Jesus, as he lived the Jewish faith, learned how to read and study the religious law, and became a good Jewish man. We know from the Gospel of St. Luke that Jesus took the scroll of Isaiah and read from Chapter 61. He knew how to read, and he knew the Jewish law.

Fourth, Jesus’ parents taught him integrity. He lived a life of virtue and holiness, relying on God at every moment of his human life, from the moment of his baptism to the moment he said, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” which is the first line of Psalm 22. Every Jewish person knew that if a Jew was not able to recite an entire Psalm, all they had to do was say the first line and everyone knew they meant the entire Psalm. Psalm 22 ends with the proclamation that Jesus trusted God completely.

Therefore, in our marriages, we can learn from the Holy Family. First, things might happen that we do not anticipate, and we must remain faithful. Second, we must follow our Catholic faith, through understanding our identity, the sacraments, Catholic social teaching, and the lives of the saints, to know how we must live. Third, we must take time to study our faith, and fourth, we will benefit from memorizing our favorite Scripture passage, which might be referred to as our life verse and will guide us in times of distress. Yes, there is so much we can learn from the Holy Family!

LETTER

Vatican II

I attended the lecture by George Weigel at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul on April 17 (April 25 edition, “Weigel: Contention around Vatican II is an invitation to evangelize”). He failed to acknowledge that the council generated a sense of tremendous excitement, hope and energy worldwide in the Catholic Church and all of Christendom. Vatican II had a major positive influence on the lives of millions of Catholics. The council was responsible for recognizing the coresponsibility of all the laity (including young people) in the Catholic Church and reversing the Catholic Church’s 1,500-year proneness toward clericalization. It changed how all members participate in the life of the Church and greatly expanded the role of women. Everyone's fuller participation is most visible in the Church's liturgical life and in their expanded roles in the local parish and diocese. The council’s approach was “more consistent with a predominantly pastoral view of the Church's teaching office” (St. John XXIII).

Joe Reid

St. Frances Cabrini, Minneapolis

Share your views by emailing TheCaTholiCSpiriT@ arChSpm org Please limit your letter to the editor to 150 words and include your parish and phone number. The Commentary pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Catholic Spirit.

Soucheray is a licensed marriage and family therapist emeritus and a member of St. Ambrose in Woodbury.

The Darul-Uloom Islamic Center in St. Paul is the former St. John church and parish school.

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

TWENTY

SOMETHING

| CHRISTINA CAPECCHI

Stop scrolling, start creating

The latest admonition comes from a 60-year-old social psychologist whose book hit the No. 1 spot on The New York Times’ hardcover nonfiction bestseller list.

Using a smartphone threatens a child’s mental well-being, Jonathan Haidt believes, and he makes the case in his book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.” His advice: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16.

Because social media platforms design “a firehose of addictive content” that prods kids to forgo the social for the solitary, Haidt writes, they have “rewired childhood and changed human development on an almost unimaginable scale.”

Adults are also addicted, which means we too must take a long, hard look in the mirror.

I speak from experience. I dropped my iPhone on Thanksgiving, and it landed with an ominous thud. The blinking neon in the upper-right corner looked like

ALREADY/NOT YET JONATHAN LIEDL

‘Both/and’ taken too far

If you’ve spent some time reading catechetical materials or hanging around theological circles, you’ve likely heard the venerable maxim that Catholicism is the religion of both/and. What this means is that the Catholic faith and its vision of reality holds together pairs that may seem to be mutually exclusive but aren’t. For instance, God is both three and one; the Eucharist is both a symbol and a reality; revelation is communicated to us via both Scripture and tradition; we should speak with both truth and charity; and, to cite the name of this column, the Christian on this earth is both already on the path to salvation and not yet completely there. The Catholic both/and recognizes a connection between paradoxical terms, such as the divine and human natures of Christ, and it doesn’t collapse the terms into each other. Jesus really is God and man, and divinity and humanity are not the same thing. To understand such a concept correctly, distinct elements need to be held together even while they are distinguished from one another.

Both/and is an important principle that helps illustrate how so many mysteries of the Catholic faith hold together. However, we can take both/ and logic too far. We can treat it as an absolute and begin to apply it indiscriminately to every pair of terms or concepts — which leads to major misunderstandings and distortions of our faith. The truth is that while Catholicism may give a special place to both/and, it’s also the religion of either/or.

blood at a crime scene.

My phone was mostly dead. Periodically I could coax it back to life with an unrepeatable series of taps and a certain angle on the charger, but it never lasted. I limped along in this state for more than a month as I ensured it was properly backed up on iCloud.

Meanwhile, I learned to live without a smartphone. Being excused from text messaging brought surprising relief. I missed other functions of my phone: the flashlight, the alarm, the navigation. (I borrowed my parents’ GPS a few times. What a dandy!)

But the biggest void was the lack of aimless online scrolling. When I climbed into bed at night, I stared at the ceiling. My mind went blank. And though the quiet masqueraded as boredom, I soon recognized it for what it was: a safe space.

I learned to accept the emptiness, trusting it to renew me, to lead me down interesting new paths. This is what it feels like to clear your mind! This is how you evaluate your day and talk to God and come up with ideas!

The blank space held infinite potential.

I had been freed from an onslaught of videos, images and text, and I was returning to the driver’s seat. Shouldn’t I be the one who gets to decide what I think about? Am I willing to let their algorithm become my agenda?

Mostly I thought about imagination. Do I want to create or consume? So often we pick one. Though I’m a writer by trade with a host of creative interests, I’d been defaulting to consumption day after day, shackled to a

or evil — even if there are all kinds of complicating factors and nuances that might go into determining its nature. And finally, we cannot grow in virtue and in vice. It’s one or the other.

It simply is not true that the best answer to any theological question is always both/and — and here’s why. Both/and is not an axiom handed down to us from God. Rather, it’s a common characteristic of many mysteries of faith that we’ve discovered, but only by first receiving and accepting these mysteries as part of God’s revelation. The most important thing is not the both/and principle, but fidelity to God’s word.

But that same word teaches us that either/or is also a part of the story: either sheep or goats, either wise or foolish virgins, either Peter or Judas. Therefore, we can’t get carried away in our both/ and absolutism to the point that we start overriding clear either/or principles that are laid down by Christ and his Church.

small glowing screen.

Now I’m writing fiction, which feels like swinging a bat with my left hand. I’m experimenting with rhyme. I’m doodling with a pencil. And I created a folder on my desktop titled “Imagination File” for fresh ideas untethered to paychecks or deadlines.

It isn’t both heaven and hell; it’s either heaven or hell. Similarly, an act can’t be both good and evil. It is either good

You may have noticed that a lot of the examples I’ve given of either/or truths deal with morality. Which makes sense: Evil is a privation of the good, so the two are contradictory and can’t be held together. But when both/and thinking gets carried away and turns into an end in and of itself, it begins to look for nuance and agreeability where there really isn’t any to be found. In doing so, it can verge on denying the existence of moral absolutes, or that certain actions — like abortion, adultery, lying, or depriving someone of what they’ve justly earned — are categorically wrong, everywhere and all the time.

There are some circles that cannot be squared. And sometimes, as Catholics, we just need to say no.

But perhaps we can lay out this article’s conclusion in a format that will satisfy both/and enthusiasts: There are both/and truths and either/ or truths. And the key to recognizing and accepting both lies in a more fundamental obedience to the word of God and the teachings of his Church.

Liedl, a Twin Cities resident, is a senior editor of the National Catholic Register and a graduate student in theology at The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul.

If Christians are called to imitate the Creator, then we are called to create. This means we must guard our sense of wonder, filling up on beauty like heaping bouquets of lilacs. We must open our eyes and use our hands, making something out of nothing — with words, with a paintbrush, with a half-empty fridge.

St. John Paul II issued this summons in his 1999 letter to artists, writing: “You are invited to use your creative intuition to enter into the heart of the mystery of the Incarnate God and at the same time into the mystery of man.”

That’s as epic as it gets. But it can’t happen if you’re busy watching TikTok.

Earlier this spring I spotted the perfect bench in Lower Manhattan’s Washington Square Park. It was beneath a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. I sat down and gazed upward, absorbing the outstretched pink. Then I noticed the woman beside me, a 60-something clasping a Danielle Steel paperback and beaming. We smiled and congratulated each other on our good fortune at finding the premier seat in the house and our good sense to embrace it.

inherent dilemmas associated with these arrangements. Consent within these contracts may be compromised by economic desperation, akin to exploitative labor practices.

On April 29, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to advance HF3567, a bill that would establish a legal framework for commercial surrogacy agreements in our state. This legislation should stir grave concerns among Catholics and our belief in the protection and promotion of human dignity and of human life from conception to natural death.

At its core, this bill poses a fundamental moral and ethical dilemma. Surrogacy, particularly when commercialized, commodifies women's bodies and reduces children to mere products. It creates a system ripe for exploitation and abuse.

Women are not vessels for rent, and children are not products to be bought and sold.

The surrogacy industry in Minnesota, as elsewhere, primarily targets lowerto middle-income women who are financially vulnerable yet not destitute. These women, often mothers themselves, are enticed by the promise of substantial compensation. But the power dynamics in surrogacy arrangements heavily favor the affluent "intended parents," leaving surrogate mothers vulnerable to coercion, inadequate healthcare and emotional trauma.

The intentional separation of a child from their birth mother in these arrangements raises profound questions. Unlike the robust legal protections in adoption, surrogacy lacks safeguards for the best interests of the child, leading to potential long-term emotional consequences for children born through surrogacy.

Surrogacy contracts, touted as solutions, often fail to address the

Legalizing these types of surrogacy arrangements poses significant risks to the well-being of all parties involved. While we can all empathize deeply with those facing infertility struggles, we cannot turn a blind eye to the inherent harms of commercial surrogacy, which often involve people from other parts of the world coming to Minnesota to work with Minnesota surrogates.

During floor debate on the bill, Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover) and Rep. Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) introduced amendments aimed at mitigating the harmful impacts of surrogacy, but unfortunately, these amendments were not adopted. For example, by failing to require that intended parents be United States citizens, the bill fails to protect against human trafficking.

Pope Francis himself has called for a global ban on surrogacy, recognizing the serious ethical questions it raises.

The surrogacy industry's relentless push for legalization in Minnesota raises red flags. States such as Illinois and California, where surrogacy is legal, have witnessed a surge in the industry without adequate consideration for the wellbeing of women and children.

This legislation, in its current form, falls short of ensuring justice and dignity for all by working to make Minnesota an epicenter of the global surrogacy industry. Fortunately, it is not likely to pass the Senate this year, but we must remain vigilant, as it returns year after year.

As Catholics, we are called to defend the sanctity of life and the dignity of every human person. We urge our elected officials to listen to the moral voice of conscience and reject the legalization of commercial surrogacy in Minnesota. Let us stand together to protect the vulnerable and uphold the values that define our faith.

“Inside

Capecchi is a freelance writer in Inver Grove Heights.

the Capitol” is a legislative update from Minnesota Catholic Conference staff.

They say that home is where the heart is. If that’s true, then my current home is the Catholic Church with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, with the aim of my ultimate home being heaven.

The short answer in response to the question of “Why am I Catholic?” can be summed up in three words: faith, hope and love. Let me elaborate.

Faith: I grew up in a Catholic family, went to Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, and attended Catholic grade school. I knew about God. I never had an “aha moment” during which suddenly God revealed himself to me and from then on, I followed Jesus.

I’ve always had some level of faith. I have always tried to place myself in situations and around people who helped plant those seeds of faith and cultivate them.

In 2004, my youth group attended our first Steubenville North conference in St. Paul. I was honestly a little upset that we were attending this conference because we had attended a non-denominational camp the prior two years. I wanted to go back to that other camp, but I (somewhat reluctantly) attended Steubenville. Boy, am I glad I did! I loved it so much that throughout the next seven years, I attended at least nine of the conferences including the St. Paul, Rochester and Steubenville, Ohio, locations. In 2007, I was part of their Young Apostle program, which was transformative in my journey. Every summer after a conference ended, I drew up a countdown to the next year’s conference, and every day I would cross a number off. It would be fair to say I was obsessed. My faith grew to a whole new level each time I attended one of those conferences or other Catholic retreats.

Hope: I have achondroplasia, which is the most common type of dwarfism. The difficulties of living in a world not built for me have left me feeling like an outcast in many areas of my life. One example is job searching — what a nightmare! As a teenager, I was never hired for any type of job, and it took a full decade after college for me to find a full-time job with a good paycheck and benefits — not for lack of trying.

Struggles like this and others have made life very bleak and hopeless at times, to the point where I’ve struggled with extreme loneliness, low self-esteem, major depression and social anxiety. But I made it through these challenges because of hope. I have learned that through trusting in him and hanging on to hope, God always provides. It might not be how we expect, but his plan

Why I am Catholic

By Theresa Windsperger

is always better than what we thought we wanted. From a young age, because of those seeds of faith that had been planted, I have relied on God for everything. I have found that he is my only constant — God is, in fact, my best friend. He always has and always will love me more than I could ever imagine. I know he has everything planned out for my life — all I have to do is trust and lean into hope as I follow him (so much easier said than done).

Love: First — look at a crucifix and the Eucharist. That’s the ultimate love. Second, remember when I said that I have felt like a bit of an outcast in many areas of life? Can you guess where I have not felt this way? It’s through conferences and retreats like Steubenville and organizations such as NET Ministries, St. Paul’s Outreach and now Cursillo, that I have found a community that God uses to push me to continue to grow in virtue and love for him. But that’s not all. God uses these amazing people to show me his love. I feel his love through them. As a Catholic, I believe this community is even bigger than the awesome souls I have met on my journey — it expands to include the communion of saints and Mary.

I would be remiss if I did not mention one very special person who played an integral role in my faith journey — my late grandma, with whom I was very close. Throughout my life, she and I prayed countless rosaries together, which helped foster the beginnings of my devotion to Mary. She was my role model and inspiration. I’m sharing my story here in her honor and memory.

So why am I Catholic? I’m Catholic because God has used the Catholic Church to show me my worth and dignity as his daughter and he gives himself to me in the Eucharist every time I go to Mass. Where else would I go? The Catholic Church is where my heart is. It’s home.

Windsperger is a parishioner at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Delano. She works in a call center for a local pest control company. She studied Catholic Studies and psychology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, where she was a student missionary with St. Paul’s Outreach. She enjoys attending Cursillo events, one-on-one coffee/ dinner dates, writing, reading and a newfound hobby of crocheting. She is a proud auntie to Samuel, Isaac, Amara and Milo.

“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to CatholiCSpirit@arChSpm org with subject line “Why I am Catholic.”

DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

CALENDAR

PARISH EVENTS

St. Bonaventure Garage Sale — May 8-11:

5-8 p.m. May 8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 11 at 901 E. 90th St., Bloomington. Saintbonaventure org/garage-Sale html

Church Rummage Sale — May 9-11: Church of the Sacred Heart, 4087 W. Broadway, Door #8, Robbinsdale. 2-6 p.m. May 9 pre-sale, $5 at door; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 10; 9 a.m.-noon May 11, $5 bag day. Furniture, clothes, jewelry, household items and more.

Blessed Sacrament Rummage Sale — May 16-18: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 16 and 17, 8 a.m.-noon May 18 at Blessed Sacrament, 2119 Stillwater Ave. E., St. Paul.

Art-A-Whirl at St. Clement — May 17-19: Noon8 p.m. May 17 and 18; noon-5 p.m. May 19 at St. Clement, 901 24th Ave. NE, Minneapolis. Over a dozen artists showcasing paintings, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking and more. Polish happy hour the evening of May 17. ourholyCroSS org/artawhirl

Children's Clothing and Toy Sale — May 18-19: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18 and 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 19 at St. Joseph the Worker, 7180 Hemlock Lane N., Maple Grove. Baby and toddler gear, toys, games, shoes and clothing sizes newborn to children's 16. Everything is 50% off on May 19.

Sjtw net/ChildrenS-Clothing-and-toy-Sale

SPC Chicken BBQ Fundraiser — May 19: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at St. Peter Claver, 369 Oxford St. N., St. Paul. Stop by for an afternoon of community and celebration. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online. tinyurl Com/bde883f5

Leadership Lessons with Kevin O’Connell — May 19: 6-9 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Ave., Edina. Meet and hear from head Vikings coach and OLG parishioner Kevin O’Connell. Learn about O’Connell’s leadership principles to build high-performing teams that can deal with adversity. Ben Leber will moderate. Cost: $50 per person, includes food/beverages. olgpariSh org/olg-newS-eventS/mC-may2024

St. George Rummage Sale — May 22-23: St. George, 133 N. Brown Road, Long Lake. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. May 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 23. Housewares, books, home decor, pictures, small appliances, toys, games, garden tools, infant to teen clothing and more. Half-price sale May 23, with a $5 bag sale the last hour. Stgeorgelonglake org

WORSHIP+RETREATS

Women's Midweek Retreat — May 14-16: Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, 16385 Saint Francis Lane, Prior Lake. Theme: Finding Meaning and Grace; I Came to Give You Abundant Life. franCiSCanretreatS net/womenS-midweek-CatholiC-retreatmay-14-16-2024

Preparing for Pentecost Day Retreat for Men and Women — May 16: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. Explore how the Holy Spirit is advocate, intercessor, teacher and comforter, as well as the profound impact of Pentecost and our relationship with God. kingShouSe Com

Reverencing Earth — May 18: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Road, St. Paul. This day of reflection celebrates the mysterious ways the gifts of creation influence inner life. tinyurl Com/yvkmveaa

Ven a pasar tiempo con El Señor — May 18: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. Presentado por el P. Hank Lemoncelli. Durante este día de retiro, buscaremos profundizar nuestra comprensión del año litúrgico de la Iglesia con 2 conferencias, compartir en grupo, tiempo para la oración personal y una comida comunitaria. kingShouSe Com

Special Mass for People with Memory Loss — May 23: 1:30-3 p.m. at St. Odilia, 3495 Victoria St. N., Shoreview. All are welcome, especially anyone experiencing memory loss and their caregivers. Hospitality after Mass with community resource information available. Call 651-484-6681 for more information. Stodilia org

Ignatian Men’s Silent Retreat — Thursday-Sunday most weeks: Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House, 8243 Demontreville Trail N., Lake Elmo. Let God meet you at a beautiful retreat location in Lake Elmo. The cost is a freewill donation. demontrevilleretreat Com

CONFERENCES+WORKSHOPS

Evening with Brother Peter Bray — May 13: 6:30-8 p.m. at Schoenecker Performance Hall Room 106, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Discussion on the mission and challenges of Bethlehem University in Palestine. tinyurl Com/mrynw92d

Radical Discipleship and Catholic Community: Mondays, March 18-May 27, 10:15-11:45 a.m.; or Thursdays, March 21-May 30, 5:30-7 p.m. at Assumption, 51 Seventh St. W., St. Paul. This free, 10week course envisions a Church deeply engaged with the liturgy, each other, our communities and the poor. Register online:

CatholiCSoCialthought org/radiCal-diSCipleShip-Community Chapter Two Marriage Prep Retreat — May 18: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at St. Paul, 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd. NE, Ham Lake. A marriage preparation retreat designed for couples in which one or both are entering a second marriage. It is designed to help couples prepare to live out their God-given vocations as husband and wife.

arChSpm org/Chapter-two-marriage-retreat

Save Our Sons Workshop — May 18: 9-11 a.m. at The Quarry at St. Mark, 1983 Dayton Ave., St. Paul. This workshop teaches practical strategies and methods to guide sons. Learn more at freedomtolove org/guild

Next Chapter Program Information Session for Recent Retirees — May 20, 21: 7 p.m. May 20 at the University of St Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. 7 p.m. May 21 via Zoom. Learn about this six-month program to discern what God may be calling you to in this next chapter of life. Sign up to attend: StthomaS edu/miSSion/offiCe/index html#next-Chapter

SCHOOLS

BSM Spring Choir Concert — May 21: 7 p.m. at Benilde-St. Margaret's, 2501 Highway 100, St. Louis Park. An evening of choral music presented by the BSM senior high choirs, presented in the campus chapel. bSmSChool org/Student-life/aCtivitieS/Choir

OTHER EVENTS

2024 Landmark Spark Gala — May 17: 5 p.m. at International Market Square, 275 Market St., Minneapolis. An evening of joy, community, connections and possibilities, beckoning a season of renewed hope for the Basilica Landmark while raising funds to restore and revitalize the Basilica of St. Mary.

thebaSiliCalandmark org/Spark

Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver Plant Sale — May 19: 9 a.m- 4 p.m., 265 Century Ave., Woodbury. Potted plants, pizza, eggrolls and baked goods for sale. Proceeds support seminarians in Tanzania. ClavermiSSionarySiSterS org

Memorial Day Mass at Catholic Cemeteries — May 27: 10 a.m. Memorial Day Mass will be celebrated at Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul; Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope; Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights; St. Mary’s Cemetery, Minneapolis (bilingual Mass: Spanish and English). CatholiC-CemeterieS org

ONGOING GROUPS

Restorative Support for Victims-Survivors — Monthly: 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. Open to all victimssurvivors. Victim-survivor support group for those abused by clergy as adults — 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. Support group for men who have been sexually abused by clergy/religious — fourth Wednesdays. Support group for present and former employees of faith-based institutions who have experienced abuse in any of its many forms — second Thursdays. Visit arChSpm org/healing or contact Paula Kaempffer, outreach coordinator for restorative justice and abuse prevention, at kaempfferp@arChSpm org or 651-291-4429.

Secular Franciscan Meeting of St. Leonard of Port Maurice Fraternity — Third Sundays: 2:15-3:45 p.m. at St. Olaf, 215 S. Eighth St., Minneapolis. General membership meeting.

CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE

Resurrection Cemetery: 2 lots. Price $3000/pr. 651-777-3785.

CEMETERY LOT WANTED

Seeking one full size-grave plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Minneapolis. Call: 612-382-7582.

GREAT CATHOLIC SPEAKERS

DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, 14 days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. We cannot guarantee a submitted event will appear in the calendar. Priority is given to events occurring before the issue date.

LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and organizations. If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your submission. Included in our listings are local events submitted by public sources that could be of interest to the larger Catholic community.

ITEMS MUST INCLUDE:

uTime and date of event

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FAITH FUNDAMENTALS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

“make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).

Crossed keys are a symbol of the priest’s authority to forgive sins, based upon the words originally spoken by Jesus to Peter: “I will give you the keys” and “whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt 16:19), an authority later extended to all the Apostles (Mt 18:18).

Other symbols used for the priesthood include a cross, the preeminent symbol for Jesus, because a priest loves Jesus and patterns his life on him; a burning candle, because a priest is guided by Jesus, the light of the world, and because it represents the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; wheat and grapes, which often accompany the host and chalice; and an altar, because the priest presides at an altar.

Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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(2); Market Value: $50,000+; Price: $20,000. 612-518-7130.

Calvary Catholic Cemetery: 1 lot; 2 graves (2nd must be cremains). Value: $3,795. Call: 612-200-8947.

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Window to the soul

Local Catholic produces movie about inspirational Chinese eye surgeon

By Dave Hrbacek The Catholic Spirit

Being the only boy in the seventh grade of a Catholic elementary school in Minneapolis more than 30 years ago turned out to be a blessing in disguise for David Fischer.

It eventually led to a feature film, called “Sight,” that his production company is launching in theaters in the Twin Cities and across the country at the end of this month. The film is based on the life of an eye surgeon who fled communist China to study medicine in the United States and whose medical technology has helped save the eyesight of millions.

Raised by a single mom, Fischer’s family moved right before the start of his seventh-grade year, said Fischer, 46, who is a member of St. Ambrose in Woodbury with his wife, Laura, and their nine children. “A couple of days before school started, Mom got me into the closest Catholic school that I could walk to — two blocks away, St. Thomas the Apostle,” he said.

On the first day of school, he made a startling discovery: He was the only boy in either the seventh or eighth grade.

“So, sports, which was my entire identity, was gone,” he said.

That’s when a life-changing pivot took place. With no athletic opportunities for him at school, his mother, Katherine LeDuc, looked for other activities he could try. Inspired by her acting career, she did some digging and learned the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis was holding auditions for the play “A Christmas Carol.” Two weeks after school started, she took Fischer and one of his brothers there on a Saturday for auditions. All three landed a part in the play, which would fill Fischer’s after-school calendar for the next three months.

“I ended up in the Guthrie system,” he said. “It was amazing.”

This child-acting experience beginning at age 12 and lasting through high school is the root of a filmmaking vision that has culminated in him producing “Sight,” scheduled for release May 24, Memorial Day weekend, in theaters in the Twin Cities and nationwide. The movie was filmed in Canada by a production company he and his wife started in 2021 called Open River Entertainment.

The film is based on the life of Dr. Ming Wang, a highly gifted eye surgeon who was born in China and now lives in the U.S. Fischer signed a contract with Angel Studios in Utah for distribution of the film. Angel Studios also distributed “Sound of Freedom” and “Cabrini” within the last year.

The path toward becoming a movie producer took hold when Fischer joined a production company called Origin Entertainment in 2011. He worked on several films, including the 2020 theatrical release, “Fatima.” Then, in 2014, his filmmaking aspiration came more into focus and he formed his own company.

“I felt like I was called to stories of conversion,” he said, “following people’s journey, not necessarily just conversion to faith, but transition in life from darkness to light.”

At a social gathering that year in Nashville, Tennessee, he met Wang, the man who seemed to embody the phrase “darkness to light.” By that time, Wang had developed a reputation as an eye surgeon who could restore people’s sight, even in situations that looked hopeless. He was someone people would travel hundreds — or even thousands — of miles to see for treatment.

“He just had this presence about him — bigger than life,” said Fischer, whose primary job is serving as president of St. Paul’s Outreach based in Mendota Heights. “It just felt like everyone in the room wanted to talk to him.”

They met several times after that for dinner. Wang, who is also a musician, invited Fischer to his home. While there, Fischer chose to sing “Amazing Grace.”

It was after that song and during dinner that Fischer learned Wang’s full life story, of living under the oppressive communist regime and its Cultural Revolution that led to thousands of Chinese youth being deported to labor camps. By learning to play an instrument known as the erhu (Chinese violin) and joining a government-sponsored song and dance troupe, Wang managed to avoid deportation. But, 10 years of living under communist tyranny had all but dashed his hopes of ever becoming a physician. Then, the harsh conditions softened and, through a series of events, Wang left the country for the U.S. in 1982. After studying medicine to become a physician, following in his parents’ footsteps, Wang launched a career that has produced remarkable — some say miraculous — results.

April

He is credited with restoring the eyesight of millions of people over a 30-year timeframe and has performed more than 55,000 eye surgeries. He is the founding director of the Wang Vision Institute in Nashville, which uses eyesight treatments he has developed to help patients with a variety of eye problems, including loss of vision.

One of those patients helped deepen the Christian faith Wang had embraced after coming to the U.S. In 2006, he learned of a young girl in India, Kajal, whose stepmother had intentionally blinded her by pouring battery acid into her eyes so she could be a more effective street beggar. After discovering Kajal couldn’t sing, her stepmother abandoned her at a train station. Kajal ended up at an orphanage with severe damage to both eyes. She later was flown to the U.S. to see Wang, who felt anguish at her condition and anger toward God for the first time since becoming a Christian. But the kindness and compassion of many people toward Kajal showed him the power of God’s love, which transformed him and further fueled his calling to help those who have lost their sight.

Fischer listened to Wang recount this story, and his fascination with Wang grew to the point of helping Wang write his autobiography, “From Darkness to Sight,” which was published in 2016.

Right after the book came out, Fischer decided he wanted to make Wang’s life story into a movie. He lined up some key people for it, including a director, Andrew Hyatt, who wrote and directed “Paul, Apostle of Christ” and “Full of Grace.” They were on the verge of filming when COVID-19 hit in 2020. When they finished the script in the fall of that year, they found their options for a filming location had dwindled to almost none.

“All the places that we planned on filming, including Malaysia, were not available to us anymore,” Fischer said of the lockdowns taking place because of the global pandemic. “The only place left was Vancouver, Canada.”

So, Fischer and his crew made what he called a “risky” decision to film in Canada. It would come at a great social cost.

“(I left) my family of eight kids at the time for 100 days,” he said. “(It was) three and a half months I had to leave. They couldn’t come and visit me. I could not come home.”

The movie stars Terry Chen, an accomplished actor, as Wang, with the cast

also including Greg Kinnear, whose movie credits include “You’ve Got Mail” with Meg Ryan (1998) and “As Good as It Gets” (1997). Filming started in March 2021 and ended six weeks later. During that time, Fischer was informed that the name he had picked for his film company, Ideation, was already spoken for by a Canadian company. That’s when he called Laura to brainstorm for a new name. With news articles about the film set to go to print, they needed to come up with a new name in the next 24 hours.

In his mind, that new name mattered. “This was my first film that I produced from the ground up,” he said. “All the other films I had been a part of, I was developing them, I was helping with scripts. But I wasn’t the producer.”

He called Laura and asked her to pray about it. She felt the Lord directing her to a Bible verse, Isaiah 41:17, which reads, in part: “I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights.”

“She said, ‘I think we need to call our company Open River,’” Fischer recalled. He liked the name, but worried that this name, too, might already be taken.

It wasn’t. From there, they did postproduction work and began showing the movie at film festivals. A major break was winning Best Theatrical Release at the International Christian Visual Media awards in 2022. The movie later won Best Theatrical Premiere at the Heartland Film Festival. The awards helped when Fischer started shopping for a distributor. He talked with Angel Studios, which was releasing “Sound of Freedom.” He closed the deal in January after Angel Studios conducted an audience vote on the film, sending it to the Angel Guild, which has more than 274,000 members.

Although the movie isn’t overtly Catholic, Fischer said it has themes that run parallel to Church teaching. He added that it has the potential to inspire young people to try to make a difference in the world.

“I want to inspire the next generation to consider how the Lord could be a part of their call and charism to do great things in this world,” said Fischer. “If we can inspire the next generation with that … I think this (movie) would be a beautiful, beautiful success.”

For more information about the movie, visit angel com/movies/sight

COURTESY ANGEL STUDIOS

David Fischer, left, sits with Jordan Harmon, co-founder and president of Angel Studios, at Angel Studios in Provo, Utah,

3 during a livestream promotion event of the movie Fischer produced called “Sight.”