LOCAL
November 5, 2015
Nuncio rep confirms listening sessions will have role in pope’s naming of new archbishop
Minnesota Historical Society to buy Hayden
By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit A representative of the apostolic nunciature to the United States observed two listening sessions Nov. 2-3 to gather information to aid Pope Francis’ selection of the next archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Msgr. Michael Morgan, secretary to the apostolic nunciature, attended listening sessions at St. Peter in Forest Lake and Divine Mercy in Faribault on behalf of Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the apostolic nuncio, or papal diplomat, to the United States. “My mission is essentially to listen to what the faithful have to say, to report it back objectively and, thereby, to increase . . . the closeness of the people of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to the selection process,” Msgr. Morgan said Msgr. Michael following the Nov. 2 listening MORGAN session in Forest Lake. Archbishop Bernard Hebda, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ apostolic administrator since the June resignation of Archbishop John Nienstedt, held a series of 10 listening sessions in October and November to get feedback from local Catholics ahead of the pope’s appointment of the next archbishop. Attendees shared their opinions on the archdiocese’s strengths and challenges, as well as characteristics desired in the new archbishop. Archbishop Hebda is also accepting feedback via mail and www.archspm.org. Archdiocesan officials have already shared information from the first four listening sessions with the nuncio and plan to submit a full report later this month. Msgr. Morgan said the listening sessions are unprecedented in the United States. Typically, the nuncio seeks confidential input from some local leaders, including lay people, but never before on this scale. “This is the closest the Church comes to direct democracy, you might say,” he said. He called the extraordinary process “experimental,” but said it was appropriate for an extraordinary situation, citing the archdiocese’s sexual abuse scandal, Reorganization, and the resignations of Archbishop Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché. He said the nuncio planned to include information from the listening sessions in a report to Pope Francis, but said he did not know what form that would take, or when a new archbishop would be named. He was “favorably impressed” after witnessing a listening session, he said, because participants’ enthusiasm conveyed their care for the Church.
A primary Work of the Order of Malta
The Catholic Spirit • 5
By Maria Wiering The Catholic Spirit The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis plans to sell the Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Center, one of its chancery properties, to the Minnesota Historical Society for $4.5 million, officials announced Nov. 3. The property is directly across Kellogg Boulevard from the Minnesota History Center, home to the Minnesota Historical Society’s museum and library. In a Nov. 3 email to chancery corporation staff members, Father Charles Lachowitzer, the archdiocese’s moderator of the curia, said the purchase agreement allows the archdiocese to lease the building from the Minnesota Historical Society for up to a year following the closing. He expects the sale to close before March 1, 2016. “To be clear, relocation is not imminent and you need not start packing moving boxes tomorrow morning,” he wrote. U.S. Bankruptcy Court must approve the sale for it to proceed. The archdiocese entered Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in January in response to mounting clergy sexual abuse claims against it. In May, archdiocesan officials announced the archdiocese was voluntarily selling four of its St. Paul properties: the Hayden Center at 328 W. Kellogg Blvd., the chancery offices and archbishop’s residence at 226 Summit Ave.; 244 Dayton Ave., which houses the archdiocese’s evangelization and communications offices, including The Catholic Spirit; and a vacant lot at 250 Dayton Ave. The properties are adjacent to the Cathedral of St. Paul. The Hayden Center is the first to sell.
ST. PAUL
CCF grants $120,000 to six Catholic schools Six K-8 schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis received grants totaling $120,000 from the Catholic Community Foundation, the organization announced Oct. 30. Awardees are Pope John Paul II Catholic Preparatory School in northeast Minneapolis; St. Pascal Baylon Catholic School on St. Paul’s east side; Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis; Guardian Angels Catholic School in Chaska; Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School in Rogers and St. Jude of the Lake Catholic School in Mahtomedi. Schools intend to use the grants for
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis plans to sell the Hayden Center on Kellogg Boulevard to the Minnesota Historical Society, which runs the Minnesota History Center across the street. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit At the time the sale was announced, the archdiocese’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Mertens said the archdiocese was selling its buildings to generate cash to assist the archdiocese in moving through Reorganization efficiently. The archdiocese plans to lease property for its central offices. The site has yet to be determined. The archdiocese’s College of Consultors, an advisory council of priests, approved the sale of the Hayden Center Nov. 3. The sale was previously approved by the Archdiocesan Finance Council and the Corporate Board of Directors. The archdiocese is selling the properties through real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq. The Hayden Center is home to most archdiocesan offices. It is named for Msgr. Ambrose Hayden, a priest and librarian who served as the Cathedral’s rector and the archdiocese’s vicar general. He died in 1997. Built in 1914, the building served as the parish school for the Cathedral of St. Paul until 1979. marketing, technology, capital improvements and community outreach.
PLYMOUTH
CSAF gives out $400K in student scholarships The Catholic Services Appeal Foundation distributed $400,000 in scholarships to 320 students attending Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Oct. 5. The organization awarded $2,500 per student based on finanical need. “We are gratified that these awards are spread across the archdiocese, to over 90 parishes,” said Jennifer Beaudry, CSAF executive director.
Subscribe to the print edition today!
All are cordially invited to an Advent luncheon benefiting mothers, babies and families of the Holy Family Hospital, Bethlehem.
The University Club of St. Paul Ballroom 420 Summit Ave. Saturday, December 12, 2015 12 noon — 2 p.m. For more information: Phone: 952-443-6100 Email: anne@giannahomes.org Reservations Required
Hosted by: The Minnesota Area of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
It’s OK to spill your coffee on it! Call 651.291.4444