Hundreds gather for vigil Mass, Pentecost prayers at Cathedral of St. Paul

By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit

For a second straight year, Archbishop Bernard Hebda celebrated the vigil Mass of Pentecost at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul and hundreds of people remained afterward for more than an hour to pray and sing hymns of praise and worship.

“It’s one year ago that we gathered here for the conclusion of our Archdiocesan Synod,” the archbishop said in his homily at the May 27 Mass. “Since that time, we’ve been unpacking what was discussed and decided at the Synod. Those of you who were there will remember it was a graced evening.”

That should not be a surprise, the archbishop said, “because the Holy Spirit never disappoints. And this great feast of Pentecost with its vigil is a time when the Lord makes his presence known in the rumblings of the Holy Spirit.” Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the Apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, filling them with the grace and power to spread the love of Christ far and wide.

Signs of the Spirit’s movement through the multi-year Synod — which culminated in an assembly last June that was followed by the archbishop’s post-synodal pastoral letter “You Will Be My Witnesses” in November and is now being implemented — have included physical and spiritual healings and “people coming back to the Church because of the prayers to the Holy Spirit of their family members,” the archbishop said. “The Holy Spirit is indeed active and calls us forth into a deep unity.”

At the Mass, Patty Rosno of St. Joseph in West St. Paul said she saw announcements beforehand about plans for Archbishop Hebda and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams to celebrate the vigil Mass and be part of the prayer service afterward.

“I just thought it was amazing, that the bishops would be leading us in an evening of awakening of the Spirit,” said Rosno, 57, who came with her husband, Jim, 59, their oldest daughter Michelle, 34, and her two children. All were dressed in red, representing the fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The two-hour, extended vigil Mass included five Scripture readings, prayers between each and the Gospel. Readings, prayers and hymns were proclaimed in Spanish, Vietnamese, Polish, Hmong, French and English.

“How beautiful that we were able to hear those readings proclaimed in those languages that are so important to this archdiocese,” the archbishop said in his homily. “The Spirit brings together people from many cultures, many languages, many continents, all to be fixed on that love that is shared by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“We gather here this evening in thanksgiving for the ways in which we’ve seen the presence of the Holy Spirit,” the archbishop said. “But it’s not just thanksgiving. We also pray for more. We want the Holy Spirit to be so evident in the life of this Church that more would be attracted to Jesus and his Church.”

Preston Richter, 24, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, attended the Mass and prayer service that followed. A member of college and university campus ministry St. Paul’s Outreach, based in Mendota Heights, he and others were gathered for summer training. Striving to rely on the Holy Spirit in his ministry, Richter said, “I am right at home here.”

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

Effective June 1, 2023

Reverend Patrick Evans Bello, PES, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Mark in Saint Paul. Father Evans Bello is a priest of the community of Pro Ecclesia Sancta.

Reverend Christopher Collins, SJ, assigned as parochial administrator to the Church of Saint Peter Claver in Saint Paul. This is in addition to his assignment as Vice President for Mission at the University of Saint Thomas.

Reverend Joseph Gifford, assigned to academic studies at the Catholic University of America. Father Gifford previously served as pastor at the Church of Saint Peter Claver in Saint Paul.

Effective July 1, 2023

Reverend Aric Aamodt, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of All Saints in Lakeville. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen.

Reverend Paul Baker, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Agnes in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of the Epiphany.

Reverend Richard Banker, granted medical retirement status. Father Banker has served the Archdiocese as a priest since his ordination in 1988, most recently at the Church of Saint Edward in Bloomington.

Reverend Robert Barry, OP, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville. Father Barry is a priest of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great.

Deacon John Belian, granted retired deacon status. Deacon Belian has served the Archdiocese as a permanent deacon since his ordination in 2008, most recently at the Church of Saint John the Baptist in New Brighton.

Reverend Timothy Combs, OP, assigned as chaplain to St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. Father Combs is a priest of the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great.

Reverend Michael Creagan, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary in Stillwater and the Church of Saint Michael in Stillwater. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul. Father Creagan is also assigned as canonical administrator to Saint Croix Catholic School in Stillwater.

Reverend Allan Paul Eilen, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Patrick in Oak Grove. Father Eilen is also assigned as Moderator of Frassati Catholic Academy in White Bear Lake.

Reverend Kyle Etzel, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul. Father Etzel was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2023.

Reverend Samuel Gilbertson, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury. Father Gilbertson is returning to the Archdiocese after completing academic studies in Rome.

Reverend Nels Gjengdahl, assigned as formation director The Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul, and as sacramental minister to the Church of Saint Lawrence in Minneapolis. This is a transfer from his current assignment as chaplain for Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria and as sacramental minister for the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Loretto and the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Corcoran.

Reverend Ryan Glaser, assigned as sacramental minister to the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Medina, until returning to Rome in September to continue academic studies. Father Glaser was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2023.

Reverend Nathan Hastings, assigned as pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Saint Paul. Reverend Hastings has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.

Reverend Paul Hedman, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Peter in Forest Lake.

Reverend David Hottinger, PES, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Mark in Saint Paul. Father Hottinger has been serving as parochial vicar of the same parish.

Most Reverend Michael Izen, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Lake Saint Croix Beach, while continuing as vicar general for the Archdiocese. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary in Stillwater and the Church of Saint Michael in Stillwater.

Reverend William Kratt, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen. Father Kratt was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2023.

Reverend Joseph Kuharski, assigned as spiritual director and adjunct instructor at The Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as formator and spiritual director at Saint John Vianney Seminary in Saint Paul.

Reverend Matthew Malek, OFM Conv., assigned as parochial administrator of the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville. Father Malek has been serving as sacramental minister of the same parish.

Reverend Kevin Manthey, assigned as priest in solidum of the Church of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin in Saint Paul, and the Church of the Holy Childhood in Saint Paul. Father Manthey is also assigned as formator to The Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul. Father Manthey is returning to the Archdiocese after serving abroad with the Emmanuel Community.

Reverend Luke Marquard, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Golden Valley.

Reverend Thomas McCabe, assigned as pastor of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Goodhue. Father McCabe has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.

Reverend Marcus Milless, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Helena in Minneapolis. Father Milless has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.

Reverend Bruno Nwachukwu, assigned as parochial administrator of the Church of Saint Charles in Bayport. Father Nwachukwu has been serving as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul. Father Nwachukwu is also assigned as chaplain to Chesterton Academy of the Saint Croix Valley in Stillwater.

Reverend Edwin Nyuydine, CFIC, assigned as parochial vicar of the Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne in Shakopee. This is a transfer from his current assignment as chaplain at Hennepin Country Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Reverend Humberto Palomino, PES, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Mark in Saint Paul. Father Palomino has been serving as pastor of the same parish.

Reverend Mark Pavlak, assigned as priest formator and faculty member at Saint John Vianney Seminary in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as chaplain to Saint Thomas Academy in Saint Paul.

Reverend James Peterson, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Odilia in Shoreview. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights.

Reverend John Powers, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Dayton. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Andrew in Elysian and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Waterville.

Reverend Matthew Quail, assigned as parochial administrator of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saints Joachim and Anne in Shakopee.

Reverend Michael Reding, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Joseph in New Hope. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Minneapolis.

Reverend Michael Reinhardt, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of All Saints in Lakeville.

Reverend Timothy Rudolphi, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Edward in Bloomington. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, and as temporary parochial administrator of the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville.

Reverend John Rumpza, assigned as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Odilia in Shoreview. Father Rumpza was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2023.

Reverend Erich Rutten, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Minneapolis and the Church of Christ the King in Minneapolis. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Odilia in Shoreview. Father Rutten is also assigned as canonical administrator of Carondelet Catholic School in Minneapolis.

Reverend Matthew Shireman, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Gregory in North Branch and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Rush City. Father Shireman has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parishes.

Reverend Andrew Stueve, assigned as pastor of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Waterville and the Church of Saint Andrew in Elysian. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Charles in Bayport and as chaplain to Chesterton Academy of the St. Croix Valley in Stillwater.

Reverend Ralph Talbot, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake. Father Talbot is also assigned pastoral advisor to Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria.

Reverend Rolf Tollefson, assigned as pastor of the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen.

Reverend Benjamin Wittnebel, assigned as parochial administrator of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Golden Valley. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury.

Reverend Timothy Wratkowski, assigned as parochial administrator of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata. Father Wratkowski has been serving as parochial vicar of the same parish.

Reverend Timothy Yanta, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Patrick in Oak Grove. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Dayton.

Reverend Andrew Zipp, assigned as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary of the Lake in Plymouth. Father Zipp has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.