PAGETWO
PAPAL HONORS Four former Catholic school teachers and administrators received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medallion and scrolls for their exceptional service to the Catholic Church, especially in Catholic education, at a special ceremony April 3 at St. Mary in Stillwater. Given during the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Office for the Mission of Catholic Education’s annual Catholic School Leadership Convocation, the awards mark the first time on record that a Catholic educator of the archdiocese has received the papal honor, and they come as the archdiocese celebrates the 175th anniversary of its founding. Translated from Latin as “For the Church and the Pope,” the award was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. It is awarded to Catholics who have shown long and distinguished service to the Church and to the papal office. Pictured, from left, are Bishop Kevin Kenney; Franciscan Clarist Sisters Pranitha Parambil and Sancta Ezhanikattu of St. Therese Catholic School in Deephaven, who accepted the award on behalf of retired Sister Tresa Jose Athickal; Jane Bona, retired principal of Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Columbia Heights; Archbishop Bernard Hebda; Frederick Blonigen, retired teacher from St. Agnes School in St. Paul; Gary Wilmer, retired Catholic school principal and former director of personnel and planning for the Catholic schools office; and Jason Slattery, director of Catholic education and superintendent of schools.
DEPTH, CONTRAST Joe Kaercher and Jessica Nelson of Packhorse Fine Art mount the second Station of the Cross — Jesus receives the cross — at St. Thomas More in St. Paul. More than 100 years old, the stations painted on copper panels were peeling, faded and dirty before conservation experts with the Midwest Art Conservation Center, located at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis, were enlisted by the parish Sacred Arts Committee to restore them. Funded by donations, the project cost more than $100,000, or about $10,000 per station. To fill the void as stations were removed during Lent to restore their original color, depth and contrast, students at St. Thomas More Catholic School were enlisted to recreate all 14 stations and place them on the church walls.
ON THE COVER This stained-glass image of the crucifixion scene is located behind the altar at St. Mary of the Purification in Shakopee, which is one of the churches of Sts. Joachim and Anne parish in Shakopee.
DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Forgiveness is part of the Lord’s passion; it is part of the fruit of an experience of suffering, of pain, but one that has been done with love, and Christ Jesus has done it because it has been the mission entrusted to him. Let that be a strong point when we have any doubt. Let us remember that God loves us and loves us intensely. As Pope Francis tells us, God forgives everything and forgives us all.
Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes of Managua in his homily on forgiveness during Palm Sunday Mass at the Nicaraguan Managua cathedral as police and paramilitaries maintained a heavy presence outside. Catholics across Nicaragua are celebrating Holy Week under surveillance as the Sandinista regime prohibits public processions for the third consecutive year. The restrictions deepen the repression from the regime of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, who have blasted Catholic leaders as “terrorists,” sent clergy into exile and increasingly attempted to control church activities.
NEWS notes
About 100 seminarians from St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul prepared and served a spaghetti dinner March 1 at the annual Knights of Columbus Council 3827 seminary fundraiser at the Knights Event Center in Bloomington. The event drew 620 people and raised about $5,000. The dinner has been served each year since 2006, but for a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in that time raised more than $100,000 for the seminary. Bishop Kevin Kenney will be the keynote speaker at a May 3 event at the University of St. Thomas campus in Minneapolis titled “Accompanying Migrants and Immigrants in Our Time.” The 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. gathering at Schulze Hall Atrium will include breakfast and a bilingual Mass at noon. In addition to St. Thomas, sponsors include the Catholic Racial Justice Coalition of the Twin Cities; GHR Foundation in Minneapolis; Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota in St. Paul; St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, based in Winona; St. Catherine University in St. Paul; the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Catholic Charities Twin Cities and the St. Paul Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. People are encouraged to register for the free event at ccf-mn org/crjc Questions can be directed to crjctwincities@gmail com
The robotics team from St. Odilia School in Shoreview placed third out of 459 teams this year in the Minnesota First Lego League State Championship. The team, called Donut Family Glazed, was one of 60 teams to advance to the state competition and advanced to the 2025 First Championship international competition in Houston April 16-19. The St. Odilia robotics team has made it to the state competition three of the last four years, with this year being its highest finish. Teams from St. Hubert Catholic School in Chanhassen and St. Joseph Catholic School in Waconia also competed in the state competition.
Two local Catholic school leaders recently were named recipients of Minndependent’s leadership awards. Brian Ragatz, president of St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, and Heidi Foley, principal of Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, will be honored at the organization’s annual awards banquet April 27 at Mendakota Country Club in Mendota Heights. David O’Connell, a teacher at St. Thomas Academy; Chris and Rachel Young of Holy Trinity Catholic School in South St. Paul; and the STEM Club at Communion of Saints Regional Catholic School in West St. Paul also will be honored at the banquet.
Practicing CATHOLIC
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the April 11 “Practicing Catholic” radio show featured a discussion with Joe Ruff, editor-in-chief of The Catholic Spirit, about his pilgrimage with a sibling in this Jubilee Year on the ancient Camino de Santiago through parts of Portugal and Spain. The program also included Ellen and Steve Untz of St. Patrick in Oak Grove sharing the story of their son Charles — a young man whose deep faith, quiet leadership, and desire for holiness continue to impact lives decades after his passing. Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm org/faith-and-discipleship/practicingcatholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
Blessed EASTER
The Catholic Spirit staff prays that all experience a blessed Easter season as we celebrate our risen Lord. Please watch for the next edition of The Catholic Spirit May 8.
COURTESY OMCE
COURTESY BRENNAN HALL, ST. THOMAS MORE
FROMTHEVICARGENERAL
ONLY JESUS | FATHER MICHAEL TIX
Finding hope in the Resurrection
Prior to the beginning of Lent, I celebrated the funeral of Jenny WiederholtPine. Wiederholt-Pine was 44 years old, a wife and mother of three who was actively involved with her kids, a successful businesswoman, and was recently elected to the local school board.
The news of Wiederholt-Pine’s death from a heart issue sent shock waves through our community in ways that left people stunned and silent before something that can only be described as a mystery. It filled hearts with questions of “how” and “why?”
Wiederholt-Pine’s visitation and funeral occurred on the coldest days of this calendar year, but people came out in amazing numbers despite the weather. On a day when the expected high temperature never rose above zero, more than 1,500 people passed through the doors of the Hastings funeral home for the visitation, with some waiting in line for at least two hours to greet Wiederholt-Pine’s family. For the funeral, when the temperature was at 18 degrees below zero, more than 500 packed St. Joseph in Miesville to overflowing.
If there is any doubt about the difference one person can make in the lives of others, all you needed to do was look around that day. Wiederholt-Pine touched the lives of many and shared with them the goodness of God’s
Encontrando esperanza en la Resurrección
Antes del inicio de la Cuaresma, celebré el funeral de Jenny Wiederholt-Pine. WiederholtPine tenía 44 años, era esposa y madre de tres hijos, participaba activamente en su cuidado, era una exitosa empresaria y recientemente había sido elegida miembro de la junta escolar local. La noticia del fallecimiento de Wiederholt-Pine por un problema cardíaco conmocionó a nuestra comunidad de tal manera que dejó atónitos y en silencio a todos ante algo que solo puede describirse como un misterio. Llenó los corazones de preguntas de “¿cómo?” y “¿por qué?”. El velorio y el funeral de WiederholtPine tuvieron lugar en los días más fríos del año, pero la gente acudió en cantidades asombrosas a pesar del mal tiempo. En un día en el que la temperatura máxima prevista nunca superó los cero grados, más de 1500 personas pasaron por la funeraria Hastings para el velorio, y algunas hicieron fila durante al menos dos horas para saludar a la familia de Wiederholt-Pine. Para el funeral, cuando la temperatura era de -18 grados bajo cero, más de 500 personas abarrotaron la
Where was God to be found in the sadness of (Jenny) Wiederholt-Pine’s death? God was found in the goodness of her life that was a blessing to many. God was found in the overwhelming community support for her family and one another in their time of loss. God continues to be found in our commitment — renewed at Easter in our baptismal promises — to live Jesus’ way of love and make a positive difference in the lives of others around us as we together witness to the Resurrection for our world today.
love as a wife and mother, a friend and neighbor, as a soccer coach and competitive horseback rider, as well as an insurance agent who helped people find positive solutions for the good of all.
At the funeral, Wiederholt-Pine’s high school-aged daughter, her eldest, shared stories of their special bond. Wiederholt-Pine’s brother also spoke, sharing stories of how she always ran from one thing to the next without breaking a sweat, resulting in her coming to know seemingly by name every state trooper between her home of Miesville and Winona, where she graduated from college.
Wiederholt-Pine’s brother told the story of how their dad was stopped one night driving from Winona to Miesville, and being told as he was handed a ticket by the state trooper, “Mr. Wiederholt, your daughter Jenny
iglesia St. Joseph en Miesville. Si hay alguna duda sobre la diferencia que una persona puede marcar en la vida de los demás, bastaba con mirar a su alrededor ese día. Wiederholt-Pine tocó la vida de muchos y compartió con ellos la bondad del amor de Dios como esposa y madre, amiga y vecina, entrenadora de fútbol y jinete de caballo de competición, así como agente de seguros que ayudaba a las personas a encontrar soluciones positivas para el bien común. En el funeral, la hija mayor de Wiederholt-Pine, quien cursaba la secundaria, compartió historias sobre su vínculo especial. El hermano de Wiederholt-Pine también habló, relatando cómo siempre corría de un lado a otro sin sudar la gota gorda, lo que la llevó a conocer prácticamente por nombre a todos los policías estatales entre su hogar en Miesville y Winona, donde se graduó de la universidad.
El hermano de Wiederholt-Pine contó cómo una noche detuvieron a su padre conduciendo de Winona a Miesville, y un policía estatal, al ponerle una multa, le dijo: “¡Señor Wiederholt, su hija Jenny conduce más rápido que usted!”. La historia llenó de risas a la iglesia, y por un breve instante rompió la tensión de una pérdida tan triste para todos. Aunque Wiederholt-Pine siempre corría, ese día todos recordamos el don del tiempo que Dios nos da y cómo podemos usarlo para alegrar la vida de quienes nos rodean. En palabras de Wiederholt-Pine: “La
drives faster than you!” The story filled the church with laughter, and for even a brief moment broke the tension of so sad a loss for everyone. While Wiederholt-Pine was always running, that day we were all reminded about the gift of time that God gives to any of us, and how we can use that gift to brighten the lives of others around us. In Wiederholt-Pine’s words, “Kindness is free.”
In our Lenten journey we now find ourselves at Holy Week. In these days we reflect on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. While we celebrate these saving events during Holy Week, we remember that the paschal mystery continues among us. We see the paschal mystery in the life of Wiederholt-Pine and so many more. Whether it be Wiederholt-Pine’s death and those who suffer her loss, or others grieving losses, there are many
amabilidad es gratis”.
En nuestro camino cuaresmal, nos encontramos ahora en Semana Santa. En estos días reflexionamos sobre la pasión, muerte y resurrección de Jesús. Mientras celebramos estos acontecimientos salvíficos durante la Semana Santa, recordamos que el misterio pascual continúa entre nosotros. Vemos el misterio pascual en la vida de WiederholtPine y en tantos otros.
Ya sea por la muerte de WiederholtPine y quienes sufren su pérdida, o por otras personas que sufren pérdidas, hay muchos en nuestro mundo que cargan pesadas cruces, conectadas colectivamente con la cruz de Cristo. La Semana Santa nos llama a ver a nuestro alrededor a quienes experimentan la pasión y la muerte. Pueden ser los enfermos y los que sufren, los hambrientos y los sin techo, o los maltratados y olvidados de nuestro mundo.
Al mismo tiempo, la fe nos llama a no perder nunca de vista la esperanza en la Resurrección. La muerte de Jesús trae vida y la promesa de vida eterna. Al igual que los discípulos ante la muerte de Jesús
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD 2025
in our world who carry heavy crosses that are collectively connected to the cross of Christ. Holy Week calls us to see around us those experiencing passion and death. It might be the sick and suffering, the hungry and homeless, or the abused and forgotten of our world.
At the same time, faith calls us to never lose sight of hope in the Resurrection. Jesus’ death brings life and the promise of eternal life. Much like the disciples at Jesus’ death on the cross, people at the time of WiederholtPine’s death were filled with questions, including where God was to be found in their tears and sadness. One of the great Easter lessons for us is that the risen Christ wasn’t always readily apparent to the disciples, but that didn’t mean Jesus wasn’t there. With the eyes of faith, people came to realize the presence of the risen Christ among them at unexpected times and in unexpected ways, and the same is true for us in our own journey of faith. Where was God to be found in the sadness of Wiederholt-Pine’s death? God was found in the goodness of her life that was a blessing to many. God was found in the overwhelming community support for her family and one another in their time of loss. God continues to be found in our commitment — renewed at Easter in our baptismal promises — to live Jesus’ way of love and make a positive difference in the lives of others around us as we together witness to the Resurrection for our world today.
en la cruz, las personas al momento de la muerte de Wiederholt-Pine estaban llenas de preguntas, incluyendo dónde encontrar a Dios en medio de sus lágrimas y tristeza. Una de las grandes lecciones de la Pascua para nosotros es que el Cristo resucitado no siempre fue evidente para los discípulos, pero eso no significaba que Jesús no estuviera allí. Con los ojos de la fe, las personas llegaron a percibir la presencia del Cristo resucitado entre ellos en momentos inesperados y de maneras inesperadas, y lo mismo ocurre con nosotros en nuestro propio camino de fe. ¿Dónde se encontraba Dios en la tristeza por la muerte de Wiederholt-Pine? Dios se encontró en la bondad de su vida, que fue una bendición para muchos. Dios se encontró en el inmenso apoyo comunitario a su familia y a los demás en su momento de pérdida. Dios sigue estando presente en nuestro compromiso —renovado en Pascua en nuestras promesas bautismales— de vivir el amor de Jesús y marcar una diferencia positiva en la vida de quienes nos rodean, al dar juntos testimonio de la Resurrección para nuestro mundo de hoy.
The most powerful way to participate in Archdiocesan Synod 2025 is prayer. In union with Holy Week and Easter prayers, pray for the powerful and transforming movement of the Holy Spirit in this archdiocese. Pray for our episcopate. Pray for all who are preparing for and attending Archdiocesan Synod 2025. Pray for the fruitfulness of Synod 2025.
Cultivate
generosity at home.
Generosity is taught by example. Talk to your family about your giving — the why, when, and how. This will plant the seeds of generosity and introduce your children to the joy of philanthropy.
And your estate plan can enable your children to carry on your legacy of generosity.
Call 651.389.0300 or visit ccf-mn.org to learn more.
Prayer vigil for immigrants
Bishop Kevin Kenney, center, joins others gathered outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis April 8 for a prayer vigil sponsored by the Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration. Bishop Kenney, who gave the final blessing, was joined by other Catholics in the crowd of several dozen, including Father Dale Korogi, pastor of Ascension in north Minneapolis; Anne Attea, Ascension parishioner and longtime minister and advocate for the Latino community; and members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Father Korogi and Attea delivered remarks at the event, which was designed to raise awareness and pray for those facing deportation. The Minnesota bishops released a statement in February on immigration law and respect for migrants and the common good. It’s called “Immigration Law and the Common Good of the Nation.” It can be found on the Minnesota Catholic Conference website: mncatholic org
DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
2nd annual St. Lawrence Newman Center Spring Wine Social hosted at Edina parish
By Josh McGovern The Catholic Spirit
Gopher Catholic and St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Newman Center hosted their second annual Spring Wine Social at Our Lady of Grace in Edina on April 5. A fundraiser for the Newman Center serving the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota, the social raised nearly $56,000 in donations, totaling over $163,000 when including ticket sales and sponsorships. The money will help support the mission of discipleship at the Newman Center.
Father Kevin Finnegan, the pastor of Our Lady of Grace, welcomed everyone to the school’s gymnasium. He said, “When we built this (gym), part of our intention was to allow for things like this, for our greater community. You’re bearing the fruit of many people who have worked hard.”
People in suits and dresses packed the school’s renovated gymnasium to hear from speakers Father Mike Schmitz, the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, and Father Jake Anderson, the pastor of St. Lawrence and director of the Newman Center. Samuel Galvin and Maddie Mautino gave student testimonies.
Bishop Kevin Kenney offered an opening prayer, saying the gift universities can give is accepting young adults as they are and journeying with them to build their faith, to “continue to affirm them in who they are.”
“If you’ve been there (St. Lawrence Newman Center), it’s not the easiest place to get to,” Father Anderson told attendees. “Nobody just accidentally finds themselves there. It’s kind of like a little Nazareth. We’re only two blocks from (the Minneapolis) campus, but it’s almost easy to walk by, not knowing that Jesus Christ is truly present there.”
With over 50,000 students at the University of Minnesota, Father Anderson said the Newman Center is meant to be a warm, welcoming Nazareth for everyone, and a place of mission.
“There is nothing more powerful than seeing young people at this most decisive period in their life, coming away to the power of mission, the power of their identity in Christ,” Father Anderson said. “We are not created just to tread water through life. And in the words of St. John Henry Newman, God has created this for some definite purpose. It’s so beautiful to see hearts being formed and hearts being set on fire for that purpose-driven life in the power of Jesus.”
By the end of a student’s four years at the University of Minnesota, Father Anderson said he and staff at the St. Lawrence Newman Center want him or her to walk out the door living in the power of the Gospel, reflected in three ways: “A sacramental life, a virtuous life, and a spirit-filled prayer life.”
“People kind of walk sagging like they don’t know their true baptismal identity,” Father Anderson said. “It’s so powerful to see students coming
alive to the Gospel and community and actually, even physiologically, standing upright and saying, ‘I know who I am.’”
Father Anderson said what “God is doing in St. Lawrence” is a movement of the Holy Spirit by working together all the charisms into a singular mission.
In his talk, Father Schmitz stressed the importance of the Catholic Church reaching the hearts and souls of youth, and how the mission of St. Lawrence to challenge young Catholics aligns with God’s mission. He pointed to Gopher Catholic signs around the gym with the tagline “Be seen. Be challenged. Belong.” Gopher Catholic is a Catholic community at the university’s Minneapolis campus.
Current perspectives on Jesus’ love for humanity conflict with the reality of suffering, Father Schmitz explained. To people of antiquity, suffering came first, so Jesus’ salvation on the cross brought his love to people by enduring suffering with humanity. But in current times, Father Schmitz said, people have come to know “Jesus loves you” first, which is seemingly contradicted by suffering.
This, Father Schmitz said, creates tension in the relationships between people and God, in that some people will ask, “Why are you letting me suffer?”
“God doesn’t just want you to be happy,” Father Schmitz said. “He wants you to look like his son.”
Mautino, in her testimony, shared that during a time of great loneliness while at the University of Minnesota, she felt abandoned by God because she was suffering, and she wondered why a loving God would allow her to suffer.
“I was mad at God,” Mautino said. “I did not understand why I felt so abandoned in my struggles, so I turned my back on him, and I sought validation and happiness from people and things that only caused me harm. … I felt like I had to go to parties to be someone I was not, to fit in. In a room full of people, I felt alone, and I often felt like no one cared if I was around or not. These friendships were built on gossip and judgment, but in the heart of my loneliness, God shined a light.”
When walking through her dorm, she noticed a door was open. She went inside the room and saw the face of Jesus on the wall in the form of a painting. Her newfound friend, a young girl living in the same dorm whose room had the painting of Jesus, showed her that practicing religion was possible at a major university. Together, they went to Mass at the Newman Center.
Mautino, a class of 2026 student at the university, explained that she felt in that moment like the prodigal son.
“I was living a lost life filled with sin, but in my return to Mass, I had received a very clear message from the Lord that he wants to celebrate my return,” Mautino said. “He wants to claim me as his daughter. I just had to let him.”
After a few struggles along the way, Mautino said her faith blossomed at the Newman Center. She joined
a women’s group that met every Thursday night. She joined a St. Paul’s Outreach household, which is a program for intentional living through community and daily prayer, and said she was shown “the depths of sisterhood” and “unconditional love.”
That support and love helped her navigate a difficult relationship with a boyfriend who didn’t value her faith, Mautino said.
Father Schmitz explained during his talk that people in the current culture tend to value faith for other people, but not on a personal level. Individually, he said, people tend to believe faith isn’t for them.
Father Schmitz’s main encouragement through the night was that St. Lawrence Newman Center, and other churches, seek to train parishioners to be ready to become martyrs, not in some distant land but here, in this country, by living the faith fervently. He commended St. Lawrence for not coddling its parishioners, but instead, as the signs said, challenging them.
The second student testimony began later in the night when Galvin, after taking the stage, jokingly gave a piece of advice to the audience: “When Joe Geiger (the director of development for Gopher Catholic) asks you to give a speech after Father Mike Schmitz, say no. Just say no.”
Galvin, a graduate with the University of Minnesota’s class of 2023, said he found his faith before he came to college, and after arriving at the university, he knew he wanted to continue pursuing his faith.
“I probably came in with a lot of pride as well because I thought, ‘I’ve got this figured out. I’m a
good Catholic guy and my main motivation was (that) I wanted to get married,” Galvin said. “My dream was I’m going to go to the student center, and I’ll make some good friends. … I will meet a beautiful Catholic girl, and I’ll get married. To no surprise, that did not happen. I got to the University of Minnesota and frankly, I was immersed not in a relationship, but rather a beautiful community.”
Galvin’s friendships and the community he found at St. Lawrence pushed him to go deeper into his faith, primarily through small groups, he said. When he came to college, he had a mindset that he was going to find his own mission, rather than God’s mission for him.
“I found that what I was doing was telling the Lord what I wanted him to do,” Galvin said. “I wasn’t looking for the Lord’s mission. I was looking for my own mission. Those first two years that I spent at St. Lawrence (were) a really beautiful time. I started to spend more time in my relationship with Jesus and listen to what he had for me. And for me, that culminated in moments at the end of my sophomore year.”
While in prayer during his sophomore year, Galvin offered his vocation to the Lord.
“I said, ‘Lord, I give my vocation to you,’” Galvin said. “‘You know what I want; I’ve made it abundantly clear. I accept whatever you desire for me.’ … And the Lord works in beautiful ways because two weeks later, I went back to school and I met my wife. I met her at a St. Lawrence event. I’m really indebted to St. Lawrence (Newman Center) for my vocation … for introducing me to my wife.”
ABOVE Bishop Kevin Kenney talks to Deborah and Steven Larson during the second annual St. Lawrence Newman Center Spring Wine Social on April 5. Bishop Kenney opened the event with prayer and a short speech.
LEFT Monica Butler enjoys a laugh and a glass of wine while attending the Spring Wine Social.
PHOTOS BY JOSH MCGOVERN THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
‘Fruits of the vine:’ MCC report outlines Church’s economic benefits to Minnesota
By Rebecca Omastiak
The Catholic Spirit
A report released this year estimates that the Catholic Church in Minnesota contributes more than $5 billion annually in economic benefits to the state.
The “Fruits of the Vine: The Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota” report was commissioned by the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) and sponsored by the Institute for Policy Research at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota in St. Paul.
“We wanted to quantify and highlight the economic impact in a way that demonstrates how the Church serves not only Catholics but all Minnesotans,” said Christopher Mulcahey, communications manager of the MCC, which represents the public policy interests of the state’s Catholic bishops. Mulcahey explained that the idea for the report was inspired by a similar study conducted in Colorado.
The “Fruits of the Vine” report highlights research conducted by Anna Faria and Grant Clayton. Faria is an assistant professor of economics at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Clayton is an associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the same university.
‘Catholic health care reaches all areas of the state’
According to the report, Catholic health care organizations provide some of the largest economic contributions to the state. The report’s researchers measured the direct economic impact of such organizations through those organizations’ operating expenses, which they determined to be $3.2 billion annually. Clayton said operating expenses were chosen as the measure because they “are the best measure of direct economic impact as they show spending in the community.”
The report’s researchers determined that in 2024, St. Cloud Hospital represented the single largest Catholic health care facility in the state, with operating expenses totaling roughly $927 million. The researchers highlighted other large Catholic health care providers, which included facilities within the Essentia, Benedictine, Avera and CHI systems, with operating expenses in 2024 totaling roughly $878 million, $208 million, $163 million and $144 million, respectively. The operating expenses of other Catholic health care organizations was determined to total just over $949 million in 2024, according to the report.
As a comparison, researchers included the Rochesterbased Mayo Clinic in the report, which reported $5.7 billion in operating expenses in 2022.
“Catholic health care reaches all areas of the state ... . These providers deliver a wide range of services across the state, including hospitals, assisted living, hospice and home care. Smaller Catholic providers in Minnesota are just as important as the larger organizations, with estimated services contributing nearly $1 billion to the economy,” the report states.
Catholic education and pre-K services
The state has 170 pre-K through 12th grade Catholic schools and more than 40,000 students are served at those schools each year, the report states.
According to the report’s results, from pre-K through higher education, Catholic schools and programs provide roughly $1.45 billion in economic benefits to the state annually — as of 2024, pre-K Catholic programs provided roughly $53 million, K-12 Catholic schools provided roughly $662 million and Catholic higher education institutions provided roughly $734 million.
To estimate the benefit that Catholic schools and programs in Minnesota provide to the state for the roughly 40,000 pre-K through 12th grade students, the report’s researchers used the state’s mean operating expenditures per pupil value of $16,251, identified in a guide published in 2023 by Tim Strom, a Minnesota
legislative analyst who specializes in K-12 education finance.
As a comparison, the “Fruits of the Vine” report’s researchers stated in their report that the St. Paul Public Schools’ operating budget for fiscal year 2025 was slightly more than $1 billion.
Additionally, using a methodology previously published by another research team and their own data from a statewide survey conducted with parishes, the report’s researchers estimated a net economic benefit of $9,550 per child receiving childcare from Catholic parishes. With an estimated 5,500 children enrolled in Catholic pre-K programs throughout the state, researchers calculated a total of $53 million in direct educational benefits was contributed to the state in 2024.
“Beyond direct financial contributions, pre-K services provide critical unmeasured benefits, such as enabling parents to participate in the labor force and preparing children to be school-ready for both public and Catholic elementary education,” the report states.
Parish operating budgets and social supports
According to the report, parish operating budgets account for just under $470 million “in direct economic impact annually across the state.” The researchers indicated that parish operating budget dollars are spent and recirculated through Minnesota’s communities, helping to support jobs throughout the state.
Meanwhile, the report states parishes provide a range of social supports, such as meal service, food pantry operation, clothing distribution, direct financial aid like rent assistance, burial services, assistance for immigrants, ministry to those who are sick and counseling services. According to the report’s researchers, such services introduce nearly $10 million into the state’s economy annually, serving nearly 1.2 million people statewide.
Catholic organizations and volunteer contributions
The report indicates that combined, independent Catholic organizations statewide contribute more than 500,000 volunteer hours each year. Volunteers serve more than 83,000 people in the state and this effort generates a roughly $80 million combined economic benefit annually. To arrive at this value determination, researchers multiplied the number of volunteer hours with the state’s minimum wage.
The report’s researchers cited two examples of independent Catholic organizations, among others: Catholic Charities of Minnesota and the Knights of Columbus. According to the report, Catholic Charities contributes roughly 350,000 volunteer hours for a combined economic benefit of over $86 million annually. Meanwhile, the Knights of Columbus organization contributes more than 173,000 volunteer hours and contributes $1.5 million in annual expenditures, according to the report.
For Catholics, we hope this report instills a sense of pride and responsibility — pride in the Church’s enduring commitment to service and responsibility to sustain and strengthen these ministries for future generations.
Christopher Mulcahey
DISTRIBUTING THE REPORT
Christopher Mulcahey — communications manager of the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC), which represents the public policy interests of the state’s Catholic bishops — said the conference plans to share the “Fruits of the Vine: The Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota” report “broadly, beginning with the Catholic community to help Catholics recognize the Church’s far-reaching impact.”
“For Catholics, we hope this report instills a sense of pride and responsibility — pride in the Church’s enduring commitment to service and responsibility to sustain and strengthen these ministries for future generations,” Mulcahey said.
“The sections on Catholic education, health care, charitable organizations, and parish services are particularly compelling, as they show the breadth of the Church’s engagement in areas that directly improve people’s lives.”
Mulcahey said the MCC plans to distribute the report to legislators and policymakers “to ensure they understand the Church’s vital contributions to Minnesota’s social infrastructure.”
“We hope legislators will recognize the Catholic Church as a key partner in addressing social challenges, from poverty alleviation to health care access and education,” Mulcahey said. “Given the Church’s significant contributions, particularly in areas where government services fall short, we urge policymakers to consider how legislation can support, rather than hinder, the work of faith-based organizations. This means ensuring religious organizations retain the freedom to serve in accordance with their beliefs and fostering policies that strengthen, rather than diminish, institutions that provide essential services to communities.”
In publicly sharing the report and by engaging with different public audiences, Mulcahey said the MCC hopes “to spark conversations about the importance of faith-based institutions in fostering human flourishing and serving the common good.”
“For all Minnesotans, we want to highlight the Church’s role as a significant economic and social force, and how the Church’s work ultimately saves taxpayers money,” Mulcahey explained.
“The report provides concrete data on employment, social services, and charitable giving, showing that the Church’s presence benefits communities far beyond its own members. It challenges the misconception that faith-based organizations operate solely for their adherents. We serve all Minnesotans, not because they are Catholic, but because we are.”
Read the full report online at mncatholic org/fruitsofthevine
“(W)e estimate the value of volunteer hours in the provision of social services either through the parishes or other state organizations,” Faria explained in an email.
Capital campaigns and local impact
The report’s researchers also highlighted the economic benefit that develops through the “goods and services” purchased via the Church in capital campaigns in Minnesota. According to the researchers, the capital campaigns contribute nearly $57 million in economic benefits.
iSTOCK PHOTO | KARA GEBHARDT
Man charged with assault, burglary in incident on St. John the Baptist property
The Catholic Spirit
A man has been charged with assault, burglary and damage to property in connection with an early-morning incident April 8 on St. John the Baptist property in Jordan.
A criminal complaint states that Father Neil Bakker, pastor of St. John the Baptist, was the victim of the assault, which ended without serious injury and occurred inside the parish rectory.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda said in a statement that he was shocked to hear of the attack.
“Father Bakker and I have been in contact, and I have reiterated to him the promise of my prayers, and Archdiocesan staff support for him and his parish and school community now and in the coming days and weeks,” the archbishop said. “We need to give thanks to our gracious God that the incident ended as peacefully as it did. I continue to be inspired by the pastoral way in which Father Bakker was able to de-escalate a frightening situation.
“My gratitude also extends to the women and men of the Jordan Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office,” the archbishop said in the statement. “I am told they rushed to Father’s aid, quickly arrested the
MCC ECONOMIC REPORT
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
suspected attacker, and have taken great care of Father since the incident. Their professionalism and compassion are appreciated by all.
“I ask at this time that all people of good will join me in prayer both for Father Bakker and for the person who broke into his rectory,” the archbishop said. “Please join me in praying as well for all those who are victims of violence.”
In an April 8 message to parish and school families, Father Bakker sought similar prayers for the intruder and all those who have been involved in violent incidents. “They truly need our prayers,” Father Bakker wrote.
The criminal complaint details the following:
At 5:24 a.m. April 8, police officers responded after receiving a call from a person reporting an attack from a man with a hammer.
Upon arrival, officers found the caller, Father Bakker. Father Bakker said he had recognized the man — identified in the complaint as 30-year-old John Hiegel — from the previous Sunday, when the man had inquired about doing some work around the church. This offer of work had been declined.
The morning of April 8, Father Bakker woke up hearing someone yelling his name. When he walked to the sitting room adjacent to his bedroom, he saw Hiegel standing there in priest vestments with a mallet in his hand. A physical
Clayton said that in compiling the “Fruits of the Vine” report, parishes were asked for the most recent capital campaign data they had, and depending on the parish, numbers are from 2023 or 2024, or a combination of both years.
Relying on previous research and methodology, the researchers assumed that 50% of the spending from these campaigns benefits the local economy as they estimated the economic impact of such campaigns and construction expenditures. “Not all spending is recirculated in the local community and (50%) provides a conservative estimate,” Clayton explained.
Using this approach, researchers found that the 50% estimate of parish capital campaign contributions in Minnesota results in an annual “direct local economic impact” of $28 million.
Catholic events and ‘magnet effects’
The report’s researchers used methodology developed in a 2016 report from the Program for Research on Urban and Civil Society at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia to estimate certain economic “magnet effects” of local Church-affiliated activities. The 2016 report indicates magnet effects occur when congregations “attract visitors and volunteers to their neighborhoods, sometimes coming from suburbs or outlying neighborhoods and spending their money at local stores and other businesses.”
The “Fruits of the Vine” report’s researchers state magnet effects develop as a result of Church events including weddings, funerals and festivals, attracting visitors who spend their money on accommodations, meals and other goods and services.
The researchers estimated that 50% — a figure based on prior research methodology, Clayton said — of local Church event attendees are out-of-town visitors and that the combined magnet effect of Church events in the state is roughly $56 million annually.
As an example, the report’s researchers indicate the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul attracts approximately
struggle ensued. At one point, Father Bakker was able to reach his cellphone and turned on its video recorder. When Hiegel left the residence, Father Bakker said he called 911.
Officers found a mallet on the residence’s bathroom floor as well as shattered glass next to the front door and a broken doorframe leading to the bedroom. Officers also found a hammer on the floor of the garage.
Later that morning, officers found Hiegel at another address in Jordan. He told officers he had gotten into his car and drove away after leaving Father Bakker’s residence. Officers took Hiegel into custody. While in custody, an officer executed a search warrant for a sample of Hiegel’s DNA; Hiegel said there was no need for a DNA test because the blood at the scene of the incident was his blood and that he left it on purpose.
Hiegel has been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary (one count with a dangerous weapon), second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and fourth-degree intentional damage to property.
Father Bakker’s message April 8 to parishioners and school families can be read, in full, below:
Dear St. John the Baptist Parish and School Families,
I am writing to you today to let you know of a break-in at our parish rectory early this morning.
100,000 total annual visitors (which includes out-oftown visitors) for an estimated economic benefit of roughly $4 million within the state.
The research behind the report
To help compile their report, Faria and Clayton conducted a survey between March and June 2024, with MCC’s assistance. The survey was sent to all parishes (approximately 600 in the state) in the dioceses of Crookston, Duluth, St. Cloud, New Ulm, Winona-Rochester, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The survey had a response rate of 85%, “which meant that our report covered a substantial share of the activities at the parish level in the state,” Faria wrote in an email.
To account for missing data related to the survey they conducted, the researchers imputed data using what was available to them at the parish level. They “extrapolated systematically from reported data,” Faria wrote. “This means we took into account diocesan characteristics to estimate missing values.”
As an example, Faria explained, survey results indicated that 29% of parishes in the archdiocese provide childcare. “To estimate how many children were enrolled over that year in the non-reporting parishes we assumed that the share of non-reporting parishes in the archdiocese that provided childcare was 29%,” Faria wrote. Comparatively, in St. Cloud, the share was 15%, according to Faria.
Additionally, Faria said she and Clayton had access to “diocesan aggregated information and financial reports for organizations that operate in the state” as they conducted their research.
“One key aspect of our methodology is that we do not account for services offered to members of the Church only,” Faria wrote. “This guarantees that the report represents the benefits to all Minnesotans.”
‘The Church’s mission in action’
As a comparison, the “Fruits of the Vine” report’s researchers suggest that the Catholic Church in Minnesota’s economic footprint of more than $5 billion annually “is nearly $700 million larger than
Around 5:00 a.m., I was awakened by noises in the rectory and found a man inside. After a brief struggle, the suspect left, and I called 911. Law enforcement responded immediately. Shortly after their arrival, they found the suspect nearby and took him into custody. Because of their quick work, there is no present danger to our parish, school or the community. I am grateful to the Jordan Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and great care of both me and the intruder.
Please know that I am physically fine, but that I welcome your prayers and support at this time. I am working with Archbishop Hebda, and the Archdiocese’s Offices of Safe Environment and Clergy Services to make sure the parish, school and I have what we need now and in the future.
Thank you for understanding that I am unable to share more about the incident because the police investigation is ongoing, and I do not want to jeopardize it in any way.
In addition to praying for me, please pray for the intruder and for all those who have been involved in violent incidents. They truly need our prayers. I will share more information as I am able, and I thank you in advance for refraining from spreading rumors and speculation while police continue their investigation.
In Christ, Father Bakker
the $4.7 billion reported for the direct expenditures of the Minnesota State University system.” The report highlights that the Church’s economic impact in Minnesota is both notable in scale and scope.
“This report is a testament to the Church’s mission in action,” Mulcahey said. “While the numbers and data tell an important story, what truly matters are the lives touched by Catholic education, health care and charitable outreach. The Church’s impact is measured not just in dollars and jobs but in the dignity restored to the vulnerable, the opportunities given to students, and the care provided to the sick and suffering.”
Faria said she and Clayton believe the report “underestimates the economic value of the Church in Minnesota.”
“The Church and its charitable organizations play a fundamental role in the provision of public services, often where the state cannot or will not go,” Faria wrote. “Putting a number on this and other effects of the Church in the state helps members of the community and policymakers see how the work of the Church complements the work of government organizations, relieves some of the fiscal burden to taxpayers and provides benefits to all the people of the state in different capacities.”
Mulcahey said MCC hopes the report “encourages collaboration between faith-based organizations, policymakers, and the wider community to address pressing social issues. We want decision-makers and taxpayers to recognize that the Catholic Church’s work isn’t just charitable — it’s also economically beneficial. By providing essential services, the Church reduces the demand for government-funded programs, easing the financial burden on the state and its taxpayers. If Catholic schools were to close, for example, the public school system would bear the burden of absorbing those students, increasing costs significantly. Similarly, Catholic hospitals and charities alleviate pressure on government-funded services.”
“We hope this report serves as both a recognition of past and present contributions and a call to ensure the Church can continue its vital work for generations to come,” Mulcahey said.
FATHER NEIL BAKKER
NATION+WORLD
In historic Assisi, pilgrims seek modern witness of holiness
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service
For centuries, pilgrims came to Assisi, Italy, to walk in the footsteps of a saint who preached to birds, embraced poverty and wandered the hills barefoot.
But today, many arrive in search of a different model of holiness: that of a teenager in Nike sneakers who built websites and coded for Christ.
“I came to Assisi for Carlo,” said Anne-Sophie, a mother of three from France, speaking outside the Church of St. Mary Major in Assisi, where the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis draws a steady stream of visitors. “Not only Carlo, but St. Francis, of course,” she added April 1, mentioning the town’s patron saint almost as an afterthought.
Individual devotees, pilgrim groups and students on school field trips visited Blessed Carlo’s tomb in the church, which stands next to the site where St. Francis famously stripped off his fine clothing to embrace a life of poverty.
In the cobbled streets leading to the shrine, souvenir shops that once featured only tau crosses and rustic Franciscan statues now prominently display Carlo’s face on refrigerator magnets and figurines — often in his signature red polo shirt. Listings on Airbnb even advertise their proximity to his tomb, signaling just how quickly Carlo’s presence has become part of the fabric of Assisi.
For Anne-Sophie, Carlo’s rise in popularity among Catholics feels providential. “In the 20th century, we had St. Thérèse of Lisieux,” she told Catholic News Service, referring to the French mystic who Pope Francis is known to be fond of. “Now, I really believe Carlo will be the saint for the 21st century. He is a big, big chance for us —
don’t miss it.”
Carlo, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15, was beatified in 2020 and is set to be canonized April 27 during the Jubilee of Teenagers at the Vatican, becoming the Catholic Church’s first “millennial” saint.
In life, he was known for his cheerfulness, his Eucharistic devotion and his talent with computers — traits that have turned him into a spiritual icon for young Catholics and families looking for a saint who seems to belong to their world. Pope Francis has long held up Carlo as a model for the digital generation. In his 2019 exhortation
“Christus Vivit,” published after the Synod of Bishops on young people, the pope wrote that Carlo “knew how to use the new communications technology to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty,” even while resisting the “consumerism and distraction” that often dominate online life.
Much of Blessed Carlo’s rise is attributed to his appeal to young Catholics, who see in him a figure who not only looks like them but lives like them, too.
Antonella Sacchi, who was accompanying a group of Italian high school students to his tomb, told CNS that her students were struck not only by Carlo’s age but by “his normal life, his way of living the Gospel in everyday life.”
“They were fascinated” standing before Blessed Carlo’s tomb, she said, “For them, he doesn’t feel far away.”
The pilgrims April 1 included whole families as well as teachers and catechists hoping to introduce young people to the saint. For some, Blessed Carlo is an intercessor, not just a model.
Paola Ventre, visiting the tomb with
her husband Massimo and son Michele, said she had prayed to Carlo for the grace of becoming a mother. “We had many difficulties,” she said, holding her son in her arms. “But I prayed with insistence, and I believe that thanks to his intercession our son was given to us with great love.”
For many, Carlo’s appeal lies in the way he lived his holiness: not by founding a religious order or performing public miracles, but by showing extraordinary faith in the midst of an ordinary teenage life. He channeled his interest in coding to create a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles around the world, hoping to share his love for the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist with others.
“He used social media well,” said Silvia Rodarte, a Mexican mother of four visiting Assisi with her husband,
Ramón Torres, for their 25th wedding anniversary. “The internet is great, but if it’s misused it’s terrible, and Carlo used it in a wonderful way. In fact, we know about Carlo Acutis due to social media.” The couple learned about Carlo through their daughter, who had seen a video about him online.
The image of a young saint can make young people “feel represented in the values of the Catholic Church,” Torres said. “I feel that he will be an important bridge between the youth, the new generations and the Church.”
Carlo’s story may have spread across the globe through screens, but for many pilgrims, it is the encounter with his physical presence — his body, his tomb, the hilltop town where it is located — that makes his spirituality feel tangible and close.
Holy See warns global nuclear disarmament, AI regulation ‘imperative’ at UN
By Gina Christian OSV News
With fear “the driving force” in the current global climate, nations must recommit to nuclear disarmament and the regulation of artificial intelligence, said Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations.
The Holy See established diplomatic relations with the U.N. in 1957, representing the Vatican City State as well as the supreme authority of the Catholic Church, including the pope as bishop of Rome and the head of the college of bishops.
In remarks Archbishop Caccia delivered to the U.N. Disarmament Commission April 8 in New York, he restated the Holy See’s call to all nations to “overcome the fallacy of nuclear deterrence” and “to accede to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”
Adopted by the U.N. in 2017, the treaty serves as a legally binding instrument toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons. To date, there are 94 state signatories and 73 states party to the treaty. Neither the U.S. nor Russia, which together account for approximately 88% of the world’s nuclear weapons, have adopted the treaty.
Archbishop Caccia urged “a spirit of
cooperation and mutual respect” at an upcoming session regarding the treaty in order to further its advancement.
The regulation of AI, which has increasingly transformed the defense industry, is also crucial, said the archbishop. He cited the “multiple challenges posed by the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence,” noting that their “increasing weaponization could pose further existential risks.”
In his statement, Archbishop Caccia surveyed the broader context for his calls to action. “As political instability and conflicts continue to rise across various regions of the world, many states have turned to military solutions in an effort to safeguard their sovereignty and protect their interests,” said Archbishop Caccia. As a result, he said, deterrence is “often seen as the essential guiding principle.”
Currently, more than 120 conflicts are taking place throughout the world, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Among the most prominent are Russia’s war in Ukraine; the Israel-Hamas war; civil wars in Myanmar and Sudan; insurgencies in various African nations, as well as in Afghanistan and Pakistan; and armed gang violence that has destabilized Haiti.
Defense spending has soared
worldwide, with the global total reaching a record high of close to $2.5 trillion in 2024, up more than 7% from 2023 and averaging just under 2% of nations’ gross domestic product. The European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have accelerated defense investments, as moves by the U.S. under the Trump administration have unsettled longstanding defense alliances.
Archbishop Caccia said the shift toward defense investment “comes at a significant cost, not only in terms of financial resources but also in terms of the erosion of multilateralism, dialogue and international cooperation, which have long been the cornerstones of our collective efforts.”
He quoted St. John XXIII’s 1963 encyclical, “Pacem in Terris” (“Peace on Earth”): “There is a common belief that under modern conditions peace cannot be assured except on the basis of an equal balance of armaments ... If one country increases its military strength, others are immediately roused by a competitive spirit to augment their own supply of armaments.”
Those words “resonate deeply today,” said Archbishop Caccia, adding that “the cycle of arms buildup and the logic of deterrence foster an atmosphere of suspicion and division.” This in turn, he said, “pushes the international community further from the prospect of
achieving lasting peace.”
In particular, he said, “the threat of nuclear conflict is once again alarmingly close,” stressing that “it is imperative to recommit, with renewed urgency, to the path of disarmament.”
Moreover, pursuit of nuclear deterrence fails to account for “the changing nature and complexity of conflicts and the undeniable reality that any use of these weapons would have catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences,” he said. “These repercussions would not discriminate between combatants and non-combatants and would cause lasting damage, harming both present and future generations.”
Archbishop Caccia concluded by quoting Pope Francis’ January address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See, saying, “In the face of the increasingly concrete threat of a world war, the vocation of diplomacy is to foster dialogue with all parties, including those interlocutors considered less ‘convenient’ or not considered legitimized to negotiate.
“Only in this way is it possible to break the chains of hatred and vengeance that bind and to defuse the explosive power of human selfishness, pride and arrogance, which are the root of every destructive determination to wage war,” said the pope.
CNS | JUSTIN MCLELLAN
Pilgrims visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in the Church of St. Mary Major in Assisi, Italy, April 1.
HEADLINES
uFrance to see a record 17,800 catechumens baptized at Easter, with requests still “pouring in.” In a historic surge, more than 17,800 catechumens in France will be baptized at the Easter Vigil on April 19 — the highest number since records began in 2002. Adult baptisms alone have jumped 45% over last year, totaling 10,384. The 18 to 25 age group now leads the way, reflecting a growing spiritual curiosity among young adults, many of whom come from non-practicing families. Church leaders point to social unrest, the pandemic and personal crises as catalysts for this renewed search for faith. At a press conference April 10, Church officials emphasized the need for more catechist teams to meet the rising demand. It’s not a passing trend, said Archbishop Olivier de Germay of Lyon, but a real “dynamic.”
uFour thousand process in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday amid the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Despite a gray sky and the ongoing war in Gaza, some 4,000 Christians celebrated Palm Sunday in Jerusalem with faith and festivity. Foreign pilgrim turnout was low for a second year, but local Christians from Jerusalem, Galilee and the West Bank filled the procession from the Mount of Olives into the Old City. Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa celebrated Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, urging unity and courage, saying, “We are not afraid … We are the children of light and resurrection.” Joyful music, palm-waving pilgrims, and heartfelt testimonies highlighted the day, even as violence cast a heavy shadow. The Episcopal Church condemned the bombing of its Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza — the last functioning in Gaza City — while Cardinal Pizzaballa decried Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis as “catastrophic.”
uRegistration opens for 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage events in 10 states. Organizers of the 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage announced April 10 that public events are posted and registration is open for stops along the Drexel Route. The route begins May 18 in Indianapolis and spans over 3,300 miles to Los Angeles, arriving June 22. Eight young adult “perpetual pilgrims” will accompany the Eucharist through 10 states, 20 dioceses, and four Eastern Catholic eparchies, with events centered on prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and hope and healing. “We’re excited about continuing to start the fire of evangelization and mission that’s been so much of the heart of the Eucharistic Revival, this encounter and mission,” said Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, chairman of National Eucharistic Congress Inc., which is based in Denver.
uPope Francis’ visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is a sign of improved health, the Vatican press office says. Pope Francis’ surprise visit to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray and see ongoing restoration work is a clear sign that his condition is improving, the Vatican press office said. The 88-year-old pope, pushed in a wheelchair by his nurse and using a nasal cannula to deliver supplemental oxygen, entered the basilica just before 1 p.m. April 10. Vatican News said he went to the basilica to pray at the tomb of St. Pius X. The Vatican press office said April 11 that the pope had asked his assistants to take him to the basilica to pray, and they did so. “He was happy to pray in the basilica and to encounter people,” the press office said. Tourists, pilgrims and even priests who minister in the basilica were taken by surprise. Pope Francis made a similar surprise visit in St. Peter’s Square April 6 at the end of the closing Mass of the Jubilee of the Sick and Health
Care Workers. That marked the first time the pope had been seen in public since he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23 after more than five weeks of treatment for breathing difficulties and double pneumonia. uUSCCB ends cooperative agreements with the U.S. government after work is suspended. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it would not renew its cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support after its longstanding partnerships with the federal government in those areas became “untenable.” Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended a federal refugee resettlement program as part of its broader effort to enforce its hardline immigration policies. The ensuing halt in federal funding for the USCCB’s refugee resettlement services is the subject of ongoing litigation, and it prompted the conference to lay off about a third of the staff in its Migration and Refugee Services Office in February. Anthony Granado,
associate general secretary for policy and advocacy for the USCCB, told OSV News, “this situation has been brought to us by the decisions of the government.” Despite decades of partnership with the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services, across administrations of both parties, including the first Trump administration, Granado said, “we’ve been placed in an untenable position now, and it is clear that the government has decided that it wishes to go about doing this in a different way that doesn’t include us, and so we were kind of forced into this position.”
uDisgraced former cardinal McCarrick dies at age 94. Theodore McCarrick, the former cardinal whose clerical career ended in disgrace amid decades of abuse allegations, has died at age 94. McCarrick’s attorney confirmed his death April 4 to OSV News. According to multiple sources, he died April 3. Once a prominent figure in the U.S. Catholic Church and a skilled Vatican fundraiser, McCarrick served as archbishop
God has blessed each of us with countless gifts. As Catholics, we are called to be stewards of these gifts and return them with increase to the Lord. Often, we do this by giving back and paying it forward — to our children, to our church, and to our community.
We can live our faith and values by investing not only our time, treasure, and talent, but also by creating a legacy of love that will benefit generations to come. That investment can begin with you. It begins with an endowment.
Endowments are a Gift for Today, Tomorrow, and Forever
An endowment is a fund that is invested and provides annual grants to your parish or favorite charity forever. Through a contribution to an endowment, your commitment to the causes you care about continues beyond your lifetime. An endowment is a reflection of our faith that is both charitable and perpetual in nature, which helps build the future and create a lasting impact.
of Washington from 2001 to 2006. His downfall began in 2018, when the Vatican removed him from ministry following a credible abuse allegation involving a minor. Further reports revealed long-standing accusations of abuse against both minors and adults, including seminarians and priests, with some cases resulting in settlements. In 2019, Pope Francis laicized McCarrick after a canonical trial found him guilty of abusing power and committing sexual abuse. A 2020 Vatican report detailed systemic failures that allowed McCarrick’s rise despite warnings. Facing criminal charges in two states, McCarrick was deemed unfit for trial due to dementia. At his death, he was residing at a Missouri treatment facility. In a statement, the current archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Robert McElroy, said he is “especially mindful of those who he harmed during the course of his priestly ministry. ... May we remain steadfast in our prayers for them and for all victims of sexual abuse.”
— CNS and OSV News
Give Today, Create a Legacy for Tomorrow
There are many ways to give to an endowment and support the causes close to your heart. One option is to establish a perpetual endowment fund at the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF). With this option, you can name one benefiting organization or many to receive any portion of the annual distribution from your fund. Meanwhile, you can rest assured that CCF will invest and manage your gift prudently and in alignment with our Catholic faith. Another option is to give to an existing endowment fund stewarded by CCF, such as your parish or school endowment. These endowments are invested, grow, and yield annual grants to fund ministries, providing consistent and reliable financial support. Your gift today will benefit your parish or school every year — forever.
At CCF, we are grateful to partner with Catholic institutions and with individuals like you who want to align their treasure with their Catholic values. Together we can build a vibrant and sustainable Catholic community for generations to come. Getting started is easy. Contact CCF to learn more about endowment funds and how we can support your charitable giving goals.
J
The signs and themes of
By D.D. Emmons OSV News
Just the name –– Easter –– brings thoughts of new life, springtime, of freshness, of the Resurrection. This is not only a day –– not only a few weeks on the Church calendar ––but, for Christians, a way of life.
Many, from St. Augustine to Pope St. John Paul II, have said we are an “Easter people.”
We carry the joys of Easter with us in every aspect of our lives. God gives us the assurance of eternal life on Easter, and the Church perpetuates this assurance, extending the glory of Easter, rich in tradition and meaning.
Despite our Lenten preparations, all the events of Easter Day are difficult to assimilate in a 24-hour period. In response to our human frailty, the Church gives us more time, until Pentecost, to absorb this miracle. For the next 50 days, the stories and events of that day are amplified to us.
The Church’s “General Norms of the Liturgical Year and the Calendar” says “The 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day, or better as ‘one great Sunday.’’’
The first eight days, beginning with Easter Sunday, is the octave of Easter. Each octave day is a solemnity, the highest-ranking feast in the Church, and we hear those vivid accounts of that first Easter. During the 50
days, the Church helps us to unlock the mysteries and miracles of Easter.
Earlier in Church history, the first week after Easter was known as “white week” because those baptized on Easter would attend daily Mass wearing their white baptismal garments. In our time, for those who received the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, these days are commonly used to continue their understanding of the sacraments and the paschal mysteries.
The last Sunday of the octave was, for centuries, called Low Sunday to differentiate it from the glories of Easter Sunday. Today, the octave ends with Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope St. John Paul II introduced this feast into the Church calendar during the canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska in April 2000. Often, this celebration takes place on Sunday afternoon and focuses us on the divine mercy of God, as reflected through the paschal mysteries and in our lives.
The Church offers us a plenary indulgence if we take part in these Divine Mercy devotions, have gone to confession, received Communion and prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Easter season is the time when Catholics perform their Easter duty. Canon law obligates us to receive Communion annually at least at Easter time and, in the United States, this period is between Easter and Trinity Sunday. Before Communion, those
The Easter candle represents the light that led the Israelites through the desert. new candle with the Greek letters ‘alpha’ proclaiming that Christ is eternal, the beginning
with mortal sin on their soul are, of course, obligated to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. First Communion for children is also often connected to Eastertide.
From Holy Saturday through the Saturday after Pentecost, the Church honors the Blessed Mother with the “Regina Coeli” (Queen of Heaven) instead of the Angelus. We recite the Regina Coeli while standing during prayers at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.
Forty days into the season, the Church commemorates the feast of the Ascension. Jesus returns to the Father and thus offers a foretaste of what is in store for us. St. Leo said, “Christ’s ascension is our own ascension; our body has the hope of one day being where its glorious head has preceded it.”
After the Ascension is another period of preparation, praying, readying our hearts for the great feast of Pentecost. This day commemorates Jesus sending the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, just as he said he would. With the celebration of Pentecost, a ceremony ranked by the Church only behind Easter and Christmas, we will return
to Ordinary season is We often Resurrection, no foundation. First Letter has not been preaching;
The crux for us; Christ alive. Hundreds four Gospel miracle through recounting Mass readings back to that roller-coaster arrive at the angelic message, been raised” to understand they had a Our Lord death like back to life
In this file photo from 2018, Deacon Don Tienter holds the Paschal candle at the start of the Easter Vigil Mass at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul. Lighting the candle is Father Patrick Hipwell, pastor of Nativity.
RIGHT In this file photo from 2018, Addison Clements holds a candle during the Easter Vigil Mass at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul. She was baptized during the Mass and became Catholic along with her twin sister, brother and parents. PHOTOS BY DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Eastertide
light of the world, the fire desert. The priest marks the ‘alpha’ and ‘omega,’ beginning and the end.
Ordinary Time. What we call the Easter over but Easter never ends.
often hear that without belief in the Resurrection, the Christian faith has no basis, foundation. Indeed, St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Corinthians that “if Christ been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, your faith” (15:14).
crux of the matter is that Christ died Christ rose from the dead; Christ is Hundreds saw the resurrected Lord; the Gospel writers separately confirm this through their beautiful and detailed recounting of the Resurrection story. The readings on Easter Sunday transform us that first Easter. We experience the roller-coaster emotions of the women who the empty tomb and hear the message, “He is not here, but he has raised” (Lk 24:6). They wouldn’t begin understand what really happened until a personal encounter with Jesus.
Lord was not medically revived from someone in a hospital or brought life in the manner of Lazarus. Christ
rose from the dead; he wouldn’t die again. The few followers who were at the crucifixion saw Jesus die and his body sealed in the tomb. They thought the story ended on that Good Friday; no one anticipated the Resurrection.
These followers were dismayed, confused, astounded and eventually, like us, joyous when they realized he lived. To confirm their shaken faith, Jesus would appear to them as many as 11 times during the next 40 days.
Symbolizing the risen Savior, the Easter candle was likely introduced into Easter celebrations soon after the Nicaea Council. Today, this ancient sacramental glorifies the beautiful rituals of the Easter Vigil. The Easter candle represents the light of the world, the fire that led the Israelites through the desert. The priest marks the new candle with the Greek letters “alpha” and “omega,” proclaiming that Christ is eternal, the beginning and the end. Five grains of incense representing Christ’s five wounds are also inserted onto the candle. For 40 days, standing near the elevated pulpit, the candle illuminates the Gospel. On the day of the Ascension, it is extinguished but remains perpetually visible near the baptismal font in every Catholic church. The candle is lit at baptisms and funerals, reflecting back on the Resurrection.
Emmons writes from Pennsylvania.
GUEST COLUMN | FATHER JOSHUA WHITFIELD
Hope in the tomb
Our hope begins at a tomb. It was empty, of course, but Mary Magdalene didn’t know it at the time. She thought he was in there, his body. It was only love that compelled her to be there, not hope. That was gone.
Love held her in place, that dark and sad place. I doubt she hoped for anything at all in those early, silent hours of mourning. She loved him, so she was there. She just had no idea what else to do. That’s what love does sometimes, it lingers around the graves of those who have gone.
But that’s where it all changed, that place where she loved without hope. That’s where her mourning in the morning was turned into joy –– at the tomb. Well, at first it was disorienting. Mary thought someone had stolen the body. She ran to get Peter and John. They ran to see. And only that young mystic, John –– or whoever that “other disciple” was — saw the empty tomb and believed, but still, it was an inchoate belief. But, of course, that’s how hope often begins: as something that feels like chaos.
Yet that would soon give way to the comfort of his voice. If you keep reading the story, he called her by name, “Mary!” (Jn 20:16). Like a child calmed in her father’s arms, like a sobbing friend quieted in a loving embrace, Mary Magdalene’s love without hope and her disorientation give way to him, Jesus risen from the dead.
It is something unimagined, beyond belief if it weren’t for the fact that he calls her by her name. But that’s how hope so often begins: within the personal call of the risen Christ.
This is the pattern. The alternative Easter offers is that now it’s possible to look for hope in unlikely places –– places like tombs. Not in palaces, not among politicians, not among the allegedly perfect, but in those other places where real love has carried you, especially those places where love hasn’t given up but where it probably, reasonably, should have –– in the tombs of our lives.
Maybe it’s the tomb of a friendship you’re afraid is dead forever, or the tomb of your child’s soul wandered away from the Church. Maybe, it’s the tomb of our country, the tomb of the world where hope is almost entirely inconceivable.
Maybe, it’s in the countless new tombs of today’s Holy Land.
Maybe it’s your own tomb, the death your sins have brought to your poor soul. Maybe it’s wherever you cry because you can think of nothing else worth doing. Easter begins there; that’s the point.
“One flame will pierce the eternal shadows,” Charles Péguy once wrote. I’ve always read that to mean that no matter how dark things get, those other things like faith and hope and love are still there in the darkness, hidden sometimes in the tears we cry because of love.
That’s what Mary Magdalene teaches. That hope begins sometimes in tears. And she also shows us that it’s OK to linger about the tombs of our sadness, broken relationships, our failures.
That’s OK. Just don’t forget to love, and don’t forget to listen. Because –– and this is so beautiful –– Jesus makes his first resurrection appearance precisely when and where we are disoriented and sad. He doesn’t wait for Mary Magdalene to sort herself out and calm down. He doesn’t wait for her tears to dry. He visits her at his own tomb. He visits her where she loves and hurts.
Again, this is the pattern, the lesson, Easter’s strange suggestion, that even in the tombs of our lives, even when there’s no reasonable ground to hope, we still do not despair.
Because that is how hope begins: when the risen Jesus walks into your own darkness and calls your name, with love for you for the love you held on to.
Father Whitfield is pastor of St. Rita in Dallas and author of “The Crisis of Bad Preaching” and other books. This column is offered by OSV News.
OSV NEWS | DEBBIE HILL
Mary Magdalene and Jesus mosaic mural in a chapel in the Duc In Altum at Magdala, Israel, March 31, 2023.
FAITH+CULTURE
Radical welcome: How to save a Catholic school
By Christina Capecchi
For The Catholic Spirit
Anne McNeill Gattman, 60, is principal of St. Jerome School in Maplewood, a Catholic elementary and middle school she helped salvage with a radical enrollment boost. She and her husband, Jim, are parents of three 20-something sons.
Q Was education always your calling?
A I knew (for) as long as I can remember that I wanted to be a teacher. I played school in our basement, and I received a chalkboard for Christmas when I was in eighth grade. I’d go through the dumpsters at the school down the street and dig out old teacher’s editions or worksheets. If my teacher had a particular cough drop she used, I wanted my mom to buy those cough drops so I would have the right ones to be a teacher.
Q You’re a longtime parishioner of St. Jerome, which is the only school you’ve run. Do you feel like you’re meant to be here?
A I do. So many times, that’s been made clear to me by God. My work is here.
Q You’ve welcomed the Karen community, immigrants who fled the Burmese military dictatorship and stayed at refugee camps in Thailand before resettling in St. Paul. They needed a school — and you needed students. Your school’s solvency was on the line.
A Yes. It was clear pretty quickly after I was hired. When I came here eight years ago, we had 99 students. The next year, Father Seraphim (Wirth) brought some kids from the Karen community to use our playground. He’s one of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, a religious community that has different ministries, including to the Karen community. I came outside and asked: “Who are these students? Where do they go to school?” At the time, we had no Karen students here.
We took a leap and figured out a tuition model that was very meager but doable. The first year, 10 Karen parents came in and gave me $50 and said: “We want to enroll our kids next year — will you hold a place?”
The next year we had about 12 kids. They made up 20 percent of our school, and then 40. Now we have 208 students pre-K through eighth grade, and 180 are Karen — more than 80 percent — so it’s become a defining part of our Catholic school story.
Q Wow! Were there growing pains along the way?
A There were some. Our parish hopes to support the school, but these kids don’t go to our parish. They go to St. Casimir, a church on the East Side (of St. Paul) where they can have Mass in Karen. It’s important to explain that.
But the meshing of the students was gradual and never felt like a takeover. It’s not that they’re taking the place of anybody — we just don’t have local children anymore. There are only four families in our parish who have children, and all but one come to our school.
The growing pains were more like: “Oh my goodness! We need to learn how to teach language as well as our content year!” So, every year, that’s been part of our faculty’s professional development. The teachers have embraced it. We’ve had great professional development from lots of different sources. They’re proud of it: “I don’t just teach math; I also teach language.”
Q What helped them scale that steep learning curve?
A There were probably some groanings here and there, but they see our kids bringing so much joy here and going on to succeed, and that’s motivating. Maybe someone who might be the grumbler on the outside is the first one to take home an idea and figure out how to make it work. It’s invigorating to
learn something new! And there’s good support — we try to spoil our teachers. Our teachers say they work here because they love the community and they love the kids. We’re not a highly paid Catholic school, but we have great staff retention.
I never sensed resistance. I always sensed a welcome — we don’t want to just welcome you, we want you to belong here.
Q You went the extra mile to learn about the Karen community by joining Father Seraphim and some local Karen people last December on a mission trip to Thailand refugee camps where you met relatives of your students.
A That was probably the most touching part of the trip, when our interpreter would say, “This is so-andso’s grandma, or aunt.” The day I was back in school, I was able to print out pictures and hang them on the students’ lockers and say: “This is your grandma. I met her, and I told her all about you.” That was really neat.
Their community has deep roots in our faith. To see the Karen people in these village churches — from young to old — so hungry for the Mass was amazing. The Karen love to sing!
The struggle is real. They are poor, poor, poor, but that isn’t what your takeaway would be. I always correct people when they say, “Oh, you work with the poor kids.” No — they’re so rich in spirit and hope and intelligence. Pope Francis said something early in his papacy about encountering the other: If you’re going to serve the poor, don’t serve them from afar but pass through the door and encounter the other. At St. Jerome, we really encounter God’s people and we see Christ in them. They aren’t other. They are us.
Q What’s the hardest part of your job?
A Funding the school. Trusting that this school is meant to be here and letting go of some control at times. It’s why I went gray, I’m sure — worrying about money. Every year we start over trying to come up with what we need.
Q How much is tuition?
A It varies. The stated tuition is $5,150. We have maybe 10 families who pay full tuition. And we have families who pay as little as $1,000. It’s a conversation between families to understand where they are and what they can do. The beautiful part is they make a
commitment and almost all of them keep it. Father Seraphim has helped me to understand: God is never going to put us in a position where we’re just rolling in funds. We’re going to always need him and always need support and just trust we will have what we need.
Q Pray — and fundraise!
A I hate asking for money. But I’ve learned a lot over the years how to do that. I can tell our story really well. It’s part of my heart. But creating the opening to tell the story can be tricky.
Q You must need time to recharge. Tell me about your cabin.
A We love our cabin! We’ve been renting it out for the last few summers to help pay for college tuition. We go up in the fall. It’s up in the Boundary Waters on White Iron Lake. It’s an old outfitting building that we turned into a cabin. We see wolves and black bears and eagles. It’s a chance for reading books, taking slow-and-easy boat rides and just enjoying the fresh air. It fills me with gratitude and stillness and quiet. I’m an introvert. I need quiet.
Q What’s your go-to prayer?
A I pray the Litany of Humility. I struggle with pride, thinking my way is the best way. I worked with a spiritual director last Lent and went through it phrase by phrase. There’s a line in there: “Deliver me from the need to be appreciated.” It’s like, “Yes!” I need to develop humility to care more about what God thinks versus what other people think of me. But it’s hard to have the courage to be disliked. That’s a big part of the litany, too. As a principal, you have to make some decisions that not everyone will like.
Q What do you know for sure?
A Not much. I know God is love. The first and foremost thing God asks of us is to love. That can make me a pushover in certain situations. It might make me give people too many chances. If someone’s talking about the fraudulent use of food stamps, I’d say, “Why not err on the side of generosity? Why not assume that person needs it?” That means I’m not mean enough for people to be afraid of me. But I believe God is love. That’s the bottom line.
DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Catholic Charities Twin Cities relies on archdiocese’s Catholic Services Appeal
By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit
Three months into leading Catholic Charities Twin Cities (CCTC), Jamie Verbrugge is getting to know employees, volunteers, lawmakers, stakeholders, donors and the people served by the largest social services agency in the metro area.
“What I’ve been focused on for the first couple months, and I shared this with the (Catholic Charities) board, is that it’s entirely about building relationships,” Verbrugge said.
Citing the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ significant financial support through the Catholic Services Appeal, Verbrugge said that kind of stable funding is critically important to Catholic Charities.
“We can’t do the work without that,” Verbrugge said. “It really is important to us to have the commitment and the knowledge that we have a sustainable source of funding from the archdiocese.”
With government and local organizations as partners, CCTC provides emergency shelter, permanent housing and housing assistance, meals, medical assistance, job hunting, haircuts, foot care and other services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Last year, CCTC served more than 33,000 children, families and adults in facilities and housing units across the Twin Cities.
Verbrugge met with Archbishop Bernard Hebda March 14 at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul, and said it was reassuring to hear from the archbishop “how the work that we do is consistent with what he believes is one of the primary ministries of the Church, which is to serve people who are experiencing homelessness, people who are living on the margins of society. That’s the mission of the Church. That’s being the Church to community.”
The archbishop said Catholic Charities Twin Cities and the Catholic Services Appeal have a long history of working together to serve the most vulnerable.
“The need continues to be great,” the archbishop said. “The archdiocese is blessed by the generosity of our donors, which allows us to partner with Catholic Charities to serve those whom Jesus would recognize as the ‘least of his brothers and sisters,’ providing them with a path toward hope. As an agency that serves those in need at all stages of life, Catholic Charities is an important partner as we strive to advance the mission of the Catholic Services Appeal and demonstrate to our community faith in action.”
Marci Franzen, associate director of the archdiocese’s Office of Mission Advancement, said that “as the leading voice for those experiencing homelessness, Catholic Charities provides services consistent with Catholic social teaching — without judgment, without condition, and welcoming all. They are a leader in this ministry and Catholic Services Appeal is a proud partner in their work.”
In January under Franzen’s leadership, the appeal began its annual effort to help fund Catholic education and ministries like CCTC that focus on social justice, evangelization, pro-life efforts, marriage, family and
youth. This year’s fundraising goal is $9 million. Promotional materials and impact statements demonstrating the appeal’s assistance to ministries in the archdiocese will continue to be released through 2025.
Also in January, Verbrugge, 55, began his work as president and CEO of CCTC. Verbrugge said he left a job he loved as Bloomington city manager and three decades in local government to have an impact on a more “individual level” at Catholic Charities.
Catholic social teaching, with its emphasis on human dignity and respect for all, is foundational to Catholic Charities, Verbrugge said during a recent tour of CCTC’s Dorothy Day Place emergency shelter, permanent housing and supportive services campus in downtown St. Paul.
Meeting with Archbishop Hebda was one of many touchpoints for Verbrugge as he visits elected officials, Catholic Charities staff, supporters and donors including representatives
ABOVE Jamie Verbrugge, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Twin Cities, begins a tour April 4 of the nonprofit’s Dorothy Day Place in downtown St. Paul.
JOE RUFF
THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
LEFT Auxiliary Bishop Michael Izen, right, and Verbrugge help prepare lunch April 12 at Dorothy Day Place.
COURTESY ELIOT BERVEN, CATHOLIC CHARITIES
CLOSE TO THE HEART
Jamie Verbrugge, 55, said he wants to finish his career in public service close to those in need, as president and CEO of Catholic Charities Twin Cities.
The organization is close to his heart. Born in then-Minneapolis City Hospital (now Hennepin County Medical Center), Verbrugge was adopted as an infant through Catholic Charities, which at the time facilitated adoptions.
The household had a heart for service. His late father, Jim, was a police officer at the University of Minnesota for 35 years. His mother, Patti, worked as a school secretary and later a public health nurse.
“I have a couple of older siblings,” Verbrugge said, “and I have an older sibling who was stillborn. My parents were going through the adoption process in light of that life event.”
Later, when his birth mother initiated a search, “the social worker from Catholic Charities (who) contacted me was just fantastic in terms of helping me navigate that issue, too.”
“I was really fortunate to land where I did,” Verbrugge said. “I’ve had a lifelong affinity and gratitude for Catholic Charities.”
of large foundations such as Otto Bremer Trust in St. Paul and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation in Edina.
“They’re essential to the work that we do, and it’s both individuals and large foundations that support us,” Verbrugge said. In the coming months, he said, he will dive more deeply into operations, and a strategic planning process for the nonprofit organization will begin in earnest in the latter part of 2025.
As the federal government looks at its own spending, Verbrugge said, Catholic Charities is evaluating possible impacts on its budget, with a new fiscal year beginning July 1 fast approaching.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty because we do get grant funding from the federal government,” Verbrugge said. “Most of that comes through HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). We do get some through the Department of Agriculture for our food programs. We’re seeing what’s happening in the rest of the nonprofit sector, where those grants are being terminated, often without any real explanation of why, other than it doesn’t comport with
executive orders. That’s frustrating for us trying to predict or be able to plan for the sustainability of that funding, and it impacts the services that we provide.”
Donations and grants, such as those from the Catholic Services Appeal, as well as volunteers are critical to CCTC, which has an annual budget of about $60 million. The nonprofit organization has about 500 employees, including social workers and mental health consultants, program leaders and fundraising specialists, Verbrugge said.
Catholic involvement in Catholic Charities runs deep. Last year alone, 1,087 men and women from Catholic parishes across the archdiocese volunteered 4,223 times, for a total of 9,677 hours, Catholic Charities estimates. That’s about a quarter of all volunteers helping at Catholic Charities, officials said.
Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Kenney is a new member of CCTC’s board, replacing Father Charles Lachowitzer. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Izen spent an afternoon April 12 helping to prepare lunch at Dorothy Day Place.
Franzen said that “for people to be successful, it starts with affordable housing. Catholic Charities
CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ SOURCES OF REVENUE
People can donate online at archspm org/catholic-services-appeal or by mail at Catholic Services Appeal, PO Box 6488, St. Paul, MN 55106. Questions? Contact csainformation@archspm org or 612-294-6622.
focuses on this, along with the health conditions and lack of available resources for those who spend a great deal of time outside. To find a job, people need an address and transportation. This all begins with housing.”
“Catholic identity is foundational to Catholic Charities,” Verbrugge said. “That’s rooted in Catholic social teaching. That is the core of why we do the work that we do.”
FOCUSONFAITH
SUNDAY SCRIPTURES
FATHER NATHANIEL MEYERS
Divine Mercy Sunday and the promise of peace
While priests have a few different options for how they greet people at the beginning of Mass, the bishop has only one greeting available for him to use: “Peace be with you.”
Of course, this is a translation of the Latin text, which reads “Pax vobiscum” and is itself inspired by the greeting Christ gives to the Apostles when they are gathered in the Upper Room as seen in St. John’s Gospel. In choosing these words for the bishop’s greeting at Mass, the Church is tapping into a rich spiritual theology that merits our careful consideration, especially as it relates to Divine Mercy Sunday, on which a passage of the Gospel according to John is read each year.
When the Lord greets the Apostles in their locked quarters — huddled in fear and unsure of the reports of the resurrection — these words of peace must surely have made a major impact upon them. The Greek text of St. John’s Gospel is formulated as “Εἰρήνη
(“Eirēnē humin”) and can easily be lost in our English translations of this passage. The Lord’s words are spoken in the present tense so that they indicate not merely a wish for some future reality, but convey the idea that peace is already with the Apostles. Far from just a simple greeting, the Lord is fulfilling the promise of peace at that very moment and creating for the Apostles a state of tranquility that is ongoing and habitual.
The Church’s instruction for bishops to use the same
COMMUNION AND MISSION
FATHER JOHN PAUL ERICKSON
The wonders of God’s mercy
To celebrate Easter well, we must know of our need for redemption. This knowledge is not speculative or conceptual. It is something we are aware of like a toothache, a hangover, or the sadness of mourning a loved one who has died. It is a fact that is felt deep within and affects us, shading everything.
Easter is not for the self-sufficient or the proud. To rise from the grave with Christ we must experience the yawning tomb within our own hearts, a desert place with no water, raging with passion during the burning day and isolated and afraid in the frigid, dark night. Without an acknowledgment of sin –– not faults or personality defects, but real sin, that stubborn thing of saying no to God and neighbor –– Easter is reduced to an egg hunt and a ham brunch at Grandma’s. I love ham as much as the next guy, but it is hardly worth 50 days of alleluias.
DAILY Scriptures
Easter Sunday, April 20
The Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Col 3:1-4 or Cor 5:6b-8
Jn 20:1-9
Monday, April 21
Octave of Easter
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Mt 28:8-15
Tuesday, April 22
Octave of Easter Acts 2:36-41 Jn 20:11-18
By our witness to hope, our practice of charity, and our commitment to faith, we can join the psalmist in saying ‘His mercy endures forever’ and help others to do the same.
greeting as Christ not only helps to illustrate that the bishops share in the fullness of Christ’s sacramental powers, but also that through his ministers, Christ continues to bring the same peace that was present in the Upper Room to all of us today.
As the recipients of Christ’s peace, which is a fruit of the Lord’s mercy, we must therefore have the courage to follow the example of the Apostles on how to use this peace for the good of others. The Apostles did not stay locked up in the Upper Room but allowed this greeting of peace to embolden them to go forth and proclaim the good news of salvation. In the Acts of the Apostles reading, we hear that the Apostles performed signs and wonders among the people and were esteemed by the crowds who were then drawn to faith. In a world that is marked by division, suspicion, resentment and fear in so many ways, the Christian
But let’s face it –– the resurrection of Christ doesn’t seem to have mattered much in world affairs. What I mean by this is that we are still killing each other 2,000 years after the appearance of the Risen One to the Apostles. Centuries after Jesus rose from the dead, parents still bury their children and the powerful still bully the weak. So … remind me –– what exactly have we been saved from?
Ourselves.
You see, you are not loved because you are lovable. You’re not saved because of your works of goodness or kindness. You are not a cherished daughter or son of God because you’ve got it all figured out. Rather, you are loved because he is love. And after enduring the absolute worst that humanity has to offer –– betrayal, false accusation, abandonment, denial, humiliation, even deicide –– Christ still comes back. Like the crazed hound of heaven, undaunted by any obstacle we use to seal ourselves within ourselves, he pursues the brokenhearted through the gates of death itself. “Peace be with you. Forgive one another as I have forgiven you.” His sacred wounds, probed by Thomas, our twin, are an eternal Gospel, born forever even in heaven. I know who you are, Christ proclaims through his wounds. I bear the marks of your weakness in my body and I love you still, he says. But again, this proclamation will mean little if we don’t think we need mercy. Christ has come to save sinners, not the righteous. If we are convinced of our own goodness there will be little time for, or insight
faithful have a duty to share the same peace that Christ brings to his Apostles in the Upper Room.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday and throughout the Easter season, we can each be deliberate witnesses to the peace that comes from the resurrected Christ. Steering conversations away from gossip, helping an elderly neighbor plant a garden, listening patiently to a friend who is overwhelmed by work, or helping a loved one break an addiction are just a few ways that we can help people encounter Christ’s peace. The mercy of God is a gift to be shared and in doing so, the Lord’s peace becomes a reality in our world. By our witness to hope, our practice of charity, and our commitment to faith, we can join the psalmist in saying “His mercy endures forever” and help others to do the same.
Father Meyers is pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale.
into, the real power of Easter. If we don’t need a messiah, we don’t need Jesus. Simple as that. And those alleluias will exhaust us.
Easter is not about vague new beginnings. It is a commemoration of a historical fact –– Love made flesh was put to death by human sin and rose again in mercy. And receiving that mercy — deep within, like rain from heaven upon a dry, weary land — we are called to love as we have been loved. To forgive. The command to forgive sins is not only given to the apostolic band. It is given to us. “Do this in memory of me.” Remember what I have done for you –– and then forgive and love, even unto death.
Easter is a graced time to remember the wonders of the Lord –– the wonders of mercy, which are known only by those who know they need mercy. The prostitute and the tax collector, the addict and the traitor are included in that number, as are all those who have finally surrendered the idea that they can save themselves and whose illusions have been washed away as in a flood. It is here, in the depths of the abyss of self-knowledge, that the Light of the World shines brightest. And saves.
Lumen Christi! Thanks be to God!
Father Erickson is parochial vicar of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul and interim chairman of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission.
Wednesday, April 23
Octave of Easter Acts 3:1-10 Lk 24:13-35
Thursday, April 24
Octave of Easter Acts 3:11-26 Lk 24:35-48
Friday, April 25
Octave of Easter Acts 4:1-12 Jn 21:1-14
Saturday, April 26
Octave of Easter Acts 4:13-21 Mk 16:9-15
Sunday, April 27
Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 5:12-16
Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 Jn 20:19-31
Monday, April 28
Acts 4:23-31 Jn 3:1-8
Tuesday, April 29
St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church Acts 4:32-37 Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday, April 30 Acts 5:17-26 Jn 3:16-21
Thursday, May 1
Acts 5:27-33 Jn 3:31-36
Friday, May 2
St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church Acts 5:34-42 Jn 6:1-15
Saturday, May 3
Sts. Philip and James, Apostles 1 Cor 15:1-8 Jn 14:6-14
Sunday, May 4
Third Sunday of Easter Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Rev 5:11-14 Jn 21:1-19
Monday, May 5
Acts 6:8-15 Jn 6:22-29
Tuesday, May 6 Acts 7:51—8:1a Jn 6:30-35
Wednesday, May 7 Acts 8:1b-8 Jn 6:35-40
Thursday, May 8
Acts 8:26-40 Jn 6:44-51
Friday, May 9
Acts 9:1-20 Jn 6:52-59
Saturday, May 10 Acts 9:31-42 Jn 6:60-69
Sunday, May 11
Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 13:14, 43-52 Rev 7:9, 14b-17 Jn 10:27-30
ABIDE IN HIM | ANGELA JENDRO
The compassion of Christ
During Holy Week, we draw near to Christ, remembering his final battle with sin and Satan on our behalf. No one had the power to crucify him against his will. Therefore, as St. Augustine concluded, “It was of compassion, then, that he suffered.”
Compassion means to suffer with. Christ not only suffered physically out of love for us, but he also shared in the mental, emotional and spiritual anguish we experience when we are face-to-face with the mystery of evil, despite having an all-powerful and all-loving God. Jesus ventured into the depths of our impoverished condition, with all its limitations and frustrations, that he might battle with us as he conquered for us.
There are some hard questions about the mystery of suffering that can only be met with the victory of the Easter Resurrection. Why did God let Satan into the Garden of Eden in the first place? Why does God let evil influences — from fallen angels or of human design — harass his children even today?
Theological answers can be found related to free will and that God knew he could bring about a greater good. Yet, when experiencing the painful realities of this mystery, our grief may challenge intellectual explanations and test our faith in divine providence. We might ask the question: What good really could come of this trial?
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we read, “Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God’s command ... . All subsequent sin would be disobedience toward God and lack of trust in His
GUEST COLUMN
MICHAEL HEINLEIN
A Eucharistic word: Habit
As any parent will understand, praying well at Mass with three children is not easy — or sometimes, even possible. There’s always a question about some ritual or phrase in a reading or a sippy cup dropped on the pew in front of you or just basic struggles of concentration. Oh, the distractions!
While praying as I’d like is far from reality most days, I’ve put my hope in the understanding that I’m planting seeds in the lives of my children that will continue to grow throughout a lifetime. I hope that the faith lived in our “domestic church” helps them to be aware of God’s presence in their lives and equips them with what is necessary to nurture and develop a relationship with him.
The challenges of praying well during Mass are not restricted to parents. Each of us experiences times of prayer that might be considered dry or empty. Sometimes this is because we aren’t sure what we’re doing or why we do it. Sometimes it’s because we are unfocused and distracted. Sometimes we are oblivious to those around us. A lot of the time, we don’t
Adam and Eve distrusted God’s goodness in his admonishment against eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. To them it appeared ‘the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom’ (Gn 3:6). Christ, on the other hand, looked upon the tree of the cross, which appeared bitter and terrible in the extreme, and yet trusted the Father’s will over his own.
goodness” (CCC 397).
Satan’s whispers to doubt God’s goodness continue to be a sly and potent poison, especially when we encounter affliction in our fallen world. In the desert, during Christ’s time of fasting and prayer in preparation for his public ministry, Satan tempted him to be king without the cross, and on the eve of his crucifixion, that temptation resurfaced as Christ sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane.
“Troubled and distressed” his soul was “sorrowful even to death;” in that anguish, he “fell to the ground and prayed” (Mk 14:33-35) the same prayer that many of us have prayed in times of heartbreaking desperation: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me” (Mk 14:36).
Yet, this is where our prayer often stops, whereas Christ, with complete trust in the Father’s goodness, went on to say in the same passage, “but not what I will but what you will.”
Adam and Eve distrusted God’s goodness in his admonishment against eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. To them it appeared “the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom” (Gn 3:6). Christ, on the other hand, looked upon the tree of the cross, which appeared bitter and terrible in the
pray well because we have not fostered good habits that allow us to do so.
Praying at Mass with three little kids has helped me realize the value of this in new ways.
A line from the late Cardinal Francis George lingers in my mind as I endeavor to help my children build habits in the practice of the faith, and I think it can be useful to all of us who hope to do the same. Cardinal George, one of the most impressive and inspiring American bishops in the last century, was once asked how he was able to remain tethered to Christ and his Church so effectively. Cardinal George, who died in 2015, thought for a while before he answered simply: “habit.”
Habit can give us an opportunity to deepen our reverence. Habit isn’t an absent-minded action. Habit, rather, presents the opportunity for reflection and limits us from distractions. Habit can help us to see how God makes himself present to us in the life of the Church. By its nature, much of our ritual lends itself to becoming habitual. Through the building of good habits, we allow God to be present in our lives in new and profound ways.
Consider the readings at Mass. Could we make a habit of reverencing God present in his word by spending time with the Sunday Mass readings? Is there a day in the week when we could make it a habit to listen to God more attentively
extreme, and yet trusted the Father’s will over his own.
Sometimes we can imagine God, especially when he seems silent, as a kind of faceless cloud in heaven. His silence, together with the vague image, feels unsympathetic and at times even harsh. Yet, when we look to the face of Christ, everything is different. He is the visible compassion of God. Jesus knows our agony and anger at what sin takes away and our anxiety for the salvation of souls, especially those we love. He felt the same way about his own friends and extended family in Nazareth, as well as his Apostles, followers and every person he encountered. There’s nothing we suffer that Christ hasn’t. There is no prayer we have cried to God that he hasn’t as well. Thus, when we fall to our knees in prayer, begging in tears to our Father in heaven to take this away, we find that we are not there alone. We find Christ “prostrate in prayer” (Mt 26:39) with us. Adam and Eve let their trust in God die in their hearts. May the compassion of Christ heal our doubts, and his resurrection restore our trust in a God whose goodness conquers all.
Jendro teaches theology at Providence Academy in Plymouth and is a member of St. Thomas the Apostle in Corcoran. She’s also a speaker and writer; her website is taketimeforhim com
and recognize his presence and his love and desire for us? What other good habits can we cultivate throughout the week to make Mass a place where we can sense God’s presence and love for us?
Times of silence can be more of a distraction for some, especially when we are not used to it. How could we plan to use that time more effectively so that God can be present to us?
For instance, instead of falling into the trap of watching others move through the Communion line after we’ve received the sacrament, what habit could we develop to deepen our relationship with God? Perhaps an examination of conscience? Perhaps a review of the day’s Gospel reading? Perhaps the recitation of memorized prayers that can help us to appreciate what God’s presence means in our lives?
When my kids get anxious when they
PIVOTAL PECS
have to do something specific at Mass, I always tell them: Watch others. Get to Mass a few minutes early and see how others act, behave and move in God’s presence in church. Ask a friend from church what helps them experience God’s presence more profoundly. We are a communion of believers, and we can reinforce and strengthen each other. Make it a habit to learn from our brothers and sisters.
Heinlein is author of “Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I.” and a promised member of the Association of Pauline Cooperators. This column is part of OSV News’ monthly column “The Eucharistic Word.”
Editor’s Note: Please watch for Laura Kelly Fanucci’s column, “Faith at Home” at TheCatholicSpirit.com.
“I have formed new friendships with others in our church. That is truly a blessing. Also, they pray for me and my intentions, and I pray for them and theirs.”
Bren Stepp, 63, St. Ignatius, Annandale
Archbishop Bernard Hebda is encouraging the faithful to experience the small-group model Parish Evangelization Cells System (PECS) in their parishes. Designed to strengthen parish life through small groups and encourage parishioners to share their faith and hope in Jesus Christ with each other and then the broader community, it is having an impact. At last count, there are nearly 1,800 groups and more than 16,000 participants in 138 parishes across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. See the opportunities to join a small group at archspm groupvitals com/groupfinder
CATHOLIC OR NOTHING | COLIN MILLER
The prophet Daniel and the kingdom of God
We’ve been looking at the way the kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed was the development of perhaps the central theme of the Old Testament: There would come a time when God would act, fulfilling his promises to give the Jews the land of Israel, to defeat their enemies, and to dwell with them in the Temple — all so that they could keep the Torah and be the light to the nations they were always called to be. Israel was hoping for, and often fighting for, a regime change to improve social, political and economic conditions — things the prophets addressed in their messages.
One text that makes this particularly clear is from the prophet Daniel. It begins by relating the story of how things went wrong and how Israel became exiles in Babylon. The whole book is about what would happen, or have to happen, for things to be made right again. At one point we learn about this when Daniel, a faithful Jew, interprets a dream of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed of a statue of a man whose various parts (head, legs, feet, etc.) were made of various materials. Daniel tells the king that the different parts symbolize different empires or kingdoms that would arise after him (see Dan 2:31-45). With the advantage of 20/20 hindsight, we can see clearly that they are the Medio-Persian empire, then the Egyptians, then the Greeks, and finally the Romans.
But after that, says Daniel, would come what all the Jews were waiting for: “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It shall crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever; just as you saw that a stone was cut from the mountain not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the
Like most practicing Catholics, I’m a member of a parish near my home. Yet I’m also blessed to have another “home” parish due to my diaconate assignment that is a bit farther away. Most days I consider the situation a gift, giving me an opportunity to experience parish life activities from different venues and perspectives. Albeit a small, anecdotal sample size, I look for unity with the universal Church in prayer and practices amidst both unique and similar approaches of the parishes to which I submit — methods that develop and engage followers and leaders for Jesus.
Through my archdiocesan outreach duties (i.e., Catholic Watchmen) and assigned-parish responsibilities, I have watched several small groups emerge and advance, including the small group of men I am a part of that has existed for a number of years: one designed to help make Catholic men better Catholic men. We all want to be better spiritual fathers and brothers for Christ. Hence, the crux of the Watchmen movement — through prayer, Scripture, service, sacraments and worship — to sharpen each other to be better men for God, family, friend and neighbor.
Not new news if we have kept up with the
silver, and the gold. The great God has informed the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation trustworthy” (Dan 2:44-45).
After all that pagan oppression, Daniel says, would finally come Israel’s time, the revolution that the prophets had foreseen, and the establishment of God’s long-hoped-for promise. This would be, as the text says, the coming of the kingdom of God. Notice that this cannot possibly be a purely spiritual, inward or invisible kingdom, any more than Babylon or Rome were purely spiritual or invisible. It must be, in some sense at least, a historical kingdom just like these.
And this kingdom, then, was exactly what the Jews were expecting at the time of Jesus under the dominion of that fourth kingdom, the Roman empire. So, when Jesus announces that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk 1:15), we have to take this context into consideration.
In Jesus’ day there were different parties offering different answers to what exactly this kingdom would look like, when and how it was coming, whom it would include and whom it would exclude. Daniel and the prophets had told us some basic things, but the specifics were up for debate.
Some, various historical sources tell us, imagined that God would bring in his new regime simply by his own divine power, with the help of his angels and sometimes a messianic figure descending from heaven in a sort of overwhelming apocalyptic invasion.
Others, including some of the Pharisees and those who were sometimes called “zealots” (like Simon the Zealot), imagined that the kingdom would come by more conventional means: Sharpen your swords, gather an army and fight the Romans.
Still others were like the Sadducees and others in power like the Herodians we read about in the Gospels. These were the compromisers — the status quo keepers, those comfortably in league with Rome — who wanted to keep “the kingdom” just the way it was, and themselves in charge.
Already you can probably see that this socio-political context is the background for much of the drama we read about in the Gospels. Next time, we’ll start to discuss how Jesus brought his own kingdom agenda into the fray.
Miller is the director of the Center for Catholic Social Thought at Assumption in St. Paul. He is the author of “We Are Only Saved Together: Living the Revolutionary Vision of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement,” published by Ave Maria Press.
multi-year Archdiocesan Synod implementation plan. Our group, and many like it, are in accord with Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s desire for all parish members across the archdiocese to get involved in a small group. Furthermore, the men’s group of which I’m a part has multiplied its efforts and divided into a couple of different group settings (that are competitively friendly).
I have seen similar growth with other men’s and women’s small groups –– especially lately with Lenten reflection studies and gatherings. Small groups continue. Men, women, parents, couples, singles and others seem to be gathering more and more. The archbishop’s wish is concurrent with an emphasis on the Mass and the Eucharist via the year two Synod implementation plan. Naturally, I’d like to see small groups in my own bailiwick grow a bit faster. I’m sure the bishops and priests I assist would like to see that as well. Yet the many faithful people I work with and the parishes we worship at, respectively, continue to press on, trying to make more disciples for Jesus in our various evangelical capacities. More small group leaders are always welcome and dearly needed. By the grace of God and our chief shepherd’s prayers and direction we go!
We are to be a unified flock following the guidance of its shepherd — whose model is the Good Shepherd. As I get out my Catholic Study Bible, it reminds me of the chapter-length prayer of John 17 that speaks to sacrifice, protection and Church unity. It is timely to read and meditate on this three-fold prayer. It is recorded in the Gospels as the “high priestly prayer of Jesus.” His sacrifice for us on the cross is approaching and Jesus offers this up to God in its first part: “Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you” (Jn 17:1). Then he prays for
Supporting families through smart tax policy
Minnesota took a major step forward in supporting families with the passage of the nation-leading Child Tax Credit (CTC) in 2023. This historic legislation, which the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) helped spearhead, has been an overwhelming success. It has helped families in need absorb the costs of inflation and meet the rising expenses of raising children. Now, legislators have the opportunity to build on that success by expanding the CTC to reach even more Minnesota families.
Policy prioritizes families
At its core, tax and budget policy should prioritize the well-being of families. Raising children is essential work, not just for individual households but for the future of our state. A society is only as healthy and stable as its families. It is in the state’s interest to help families thrive and truly make Minnesota one of the best places in the country to raise a family. Expanding the CTC is a concrete, bipartisan way to do just that. During 2023 tax filing, the CTC benefited 84% of eligible households, totaling 224,000 filers and impacting the lives of over 452,000 children. That is meaningful support in the face of skyrocketing costs for food, gas, housing and other necessities. On average, families receive about $1,200 per child, with some qualifying for up to $1,750.
Minnesota can do better
The current credit begins phasing out at a household income of $35,000. While it does reach into the middle class since the formula is calculated based on the number of children within a family, we are proposing to expand eligibility even further. By increasing the phaseout threshold by 20 percent, we could reach an additional 112,000 filers and around 200,000 more children. That would mean over half of Minnesota’s 1.3 million children would benefit from the CTC. That is a game changer, as the CTC provides meaningful tax relief by first and foremost putting trust in families. Families are free to use the money to meet their needs — whether that be for groceries, school supplies, clothing for their children, or even a family vacation so they can spend quality time with one another. The CTC helps remove financial barriers so parents can focus on the most important job there is: raising the next generation.
Tax relief we can agree on
This effort has genuine bipartisan momentum. Legislators from across the political spectrum have signed on as co-authors to HF2339 / SF2508, and support continues to grow. This bill cuts through partisan divides to deliver real, meaningful tax relief. It is perhaps the best hope this session for giving tangible relief to families. This is, however, just one of the proposals on the table, and other creative ways to expand the CTC are also being considered.
With limited resources and many competing priorities, it is critical that Minnesota invests where it matters most. Expanding the CTC is a fiscally responsible, morally sound and politically viable policy. Minnesota has already led the nation once. Let’s keep going. Families are counting on it.
Three-fold unity of small groups
CATHOLIC WATCHMEN | DEACON GORDON BIRD
Have you ever thought about why you are Catholic? I started reflecting on it after being invited to write an essay for The Catholic Spirit. I did not want to settle with a quick and shallow answer, so I tried searching deeper in my soul. There are multiple reasons why I love and believe in the Catholic Church. We have the ancient and living tradition; the beautiful liturgy; the sacraments that are sources of grace and divine life; and particularly the Eucharist, which is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus always present in our Church. We also have the moral teachings that continue to be revolutionary in our days, the myriad of charisms that the Holy Spirit brings to the communities of faith, the inspiring lives of the saints, and the works of mercy and social justice that have been present through the history of the Catholic Church. And of course, we have the doctrine that illuminates the truth that comes from the one who is the way, the truth, and the life –– “and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32).
But there is also a personal reason why I am Catholic. I could explain that I was raised Catholic since I was born, but that would be overly simplistic and would not reveal the deeper reality of my faith. There have been plenty of moments in my life when God has called me through a sequence of events that somehow emulate the story of the people of Israel. God has been there at every step, even if I did not see it at the time. God has been patiently and relentlessly calling me, even when my answer has not always been positive.
To shed some light on why I am Catholic, I need to talk about two women who have had an incredibly significant impact in my life of faith: my aunt, Bertha, and my wife, Veronica.
My earliest memory of praying is after my mom died. I was 7 years old, and I could not make sense of what was happening right away. When I finally realized that my mom was gone forever, I started praying with all my heart, asking God to bring her back, to make everything a dream, to make me wake up and see her again. To my disappointment, it did not happen.
However, what actually happened was that my aunt Bertha came to live with us. She educated us (my sister and me) in the Catholic faith: taking us to Mass every Sunday, teaching us to pray, guiding our Christmas and Easter celebrations, and even motivating me to become an altar server. She made sure we received our sacraments and she became my confirmation sponsor. My aunt Bertha was God’s response
Why I am Catholic
By Luis Rojas
to my prayer, as if he was saying: “Behold, I am with you always” (Mt 28:20).
Later in my life, I met the woman who became my wife, Veronica. She brought me closer to the Church from the very beginning. I met her “by coincidence” when she was serving on a mission with the Salesian order, 900 miles away from her home. Things started to get extremely difficult after our first year of marriage, to the point where we almost decided to get divorced. Fortunately, God had something greater in mind. We were invited to participate in a Church program of small groups for married couples, to which my wife responded in a final attempt to save our marriage. Things started to change after that.
Although I had no hope that our relationship could be saved, God had different plans. He not only healed our marriage, but he also transformed it and moved us to serve others. After a few years of participating in the program, we started leading small groups and giving formation to other couples. The more we got involved in service, the stronger our marriage grew. I continue to be grateful for the amazing miracle that God performed in our marriage. Once again, during a desperate time in my life, God answered me, saying: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).
Since then, I have been striving to learn more about my faith and to grow in discipleship.
As I reflect on every major event in my life, I discover how God has been calling me through the Catholic Church. So why am I Catholic? Because God calls me through his Church, and I feel deep inside my soul the thirst to respond. I know that God created me for him, planting the divine calling in my heart and providing me with the fertile soil of his Church. I trust that the humble fruits that I bear will help his mission and bring new seeds for expanding his kingdom.
Rojas, 48, is a parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus in Medina, where he leads a parish small group in Spanish. He has also served at St. George in Long Lake and currently serves with his wife at St. Odilia in Shoreview. They have three daughters.
“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
Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles — April 23-27: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. April 23-24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 25-27 at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road E., Burnsville. View this international exhibition of Eucharistic miracles created and designed by Blessed Carlo Acutis in 2002, who will be canonized on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday. mmotc org
AprilFest 2025 — April 26: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at St. Michael, 16400 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake. Live music, kids’ show, fair food, beer tent, kids’ and adult games, face painting, bingo, pull tabs, silent auction, bake sale, craft boutique, chicken dinner, 50/50 raffle. stmichael-pl org/aprilfest
Byzantine Ecclesiastical Art and Architecture — April 26: 3 p.m. at St. Constantine Ukranian Catholic Church, 515 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis. Deacon Nick Modelski will present on the history and symbolism of Byzantine ecclesiastical art and architecture. Afterward, vespers and Divine Liturgy (a.k.a. Mass). stconstantine org
Rich In Mercy: Celebrating God’s Mercy through Sacred Song — April 27: 3-4:30 p.m. at St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave. NE, Blaine. St. Timothy’s music ministers (adult choir, children’s choir, teen ensemble, and handbell choir, including a small orchestra) are presenting a concert on Diving Mercy Sunday. A Divine Mercy Chaplet will also be sung. Directed by Therese Jorgensen. churchofsttimothy com
Holy Name Spring Rummage Sale — May 1-3: 4-7:30 pm. May 1, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 2, 9 a.m.-noon May 3 at Holy Name, 3637 11th Ave. S., Minneapolis. $2 admission preview sale Thursday, $3 bag day Saturday.
St. Gabriel the Archangel Spring Rummage Sale — May 1-3: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. May 1, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 3 at St. Gabriel the Archangel, 1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins. Use the East entrance. $1 bag day Saturday. Cash or check only. stgabrielhopkins org St. Bonaventure Annual Garage Sale — May 7-10: 5-7:30 p.m. May 7, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 9, 9 a.m.1 p.m. May 10 at St. Bonaventure, 901 E. 90th St., Bloomington. $2 admission Wednesday preview sale, half-price day Friday, $5 bag day Saturday. saintbonaventure org/garage-sale html Luxury Bingo Annual Fundraiser for Women’s Care Center — May 8: 6-8:30 p.m. at Rush Creek Golf Course, 7801 County Road 101, Maple Grove. Prizes, food and drink, and fun with Women’s Care Center friends. All proceeds benefit WCC-Anoka, which provides expectant mothers and babies with wrap-around care from pregnancy to kindergarten.
Holy Childhood Rummage Sale — May 8-9: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Holy Childhood, 1435 Midway Parkway, St. Paul. Bag day Friday. holychildhoodparish org/events/rummage-sale WORSHIP+RETREATS
Divine Mercy Service — April 27: 2:30 p.m. at St. Bonaventure, 901 E. 90th St., Bloomington. Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayer, veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, reflection on St. Faustina’s writings. Concludes with exposition and Benediction. saintbonaventure org/lent–easter-schedule html
Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration — April 27: 1-3:30 p.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road E., Burnsville. Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Eucharistic adoration from 1-3:30 p.m., praise and worship music at 2 p.m., and a prayer service from 2:30-3:30 p.m., followed by refreshments and fellowship. All in the main church, enter from Door 4. mmotc org
CONFERENCES+WORKSHOPS
Empowered Catholic Leadership Weekend — April 25-27: 7-9 p.m. April 25, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. April 26, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. April 27 at the SPO National Offices, 2520 Lexington Ave. S., Mendota Heights. For leaders in any area of life who want to lead with clearer vision, more interior freedom, and greater influence. tinyurl com/mu6yaxak
SPEAKERS+SEMINARS
Terrence Nichols Memorial Lecture — April 23: 7-8:30 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Featuring “Holistic Economics from an Islamic Perspective: A New Economic Paradigm in an Era of Global Crises,” a lecture by Waleed El-Ansary. Sponsored by the UST Theology Department’s Encountering Islam Initiative.
A Jesuit Guide to the Stars — April 24: 7 p.m. at St. Thomas More, 1079 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Brother Guy Consolmagno, an astronomer at the Vatican Observatory, will help explore how science and deep appreciation of the stars is an act of prayer. tinyurl com/3x47xvhr
Abortion Survivor Testimony — April 26: 6-8:45 p.m. at Bloomington Event Center (Bloomington KC Hall), 1114 American Blvd. W., Bloomington. Robin Sertell, an abortion survivor, will share her testimony at the 10th annual Life Legal MN dinner. Reception from 6-6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the program. tinyurl com/ymtpjbzp
Unchaste Celibacy Part II: A Webinar for Survivors and Those Who Care for Them — April 28: 6:30-8 p.m. Virtual webinar on the topic of: “A continuum of gravity: from sexual crime to sexual activity.” Stephen de Weger, presenter, is an academic from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. He completed his master’s degree and Ph.D. on victimsurvivor experiences of both clergy sexual misconduct against adults in the Roman Catholic Church, and the reporting thereof. For more information, contact Paula Kaempffer at kaempfferp@ archspm org Register at tinyurl com/mvxjdrbj. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the meeting.
Accompanying Migrants and Immigrants in Our Time — May 3: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas, Schulze Hall Atrium, 46 S. 11th St., Minneapolis. With keynote speaker Bishop Kevin Kenney, gather united in the call to encounter one another in dignity and compassion. Breakfast included, bilingual mass at noon. Event is free, register at ccf-mn org/crjc. For questions email crjctwincities@gmail com
SCHOOLS
Nativity of Mary Middle School Information Night — April 24: 4:15-5 p.m. at Nativity of Mary, 9901 E Bloomington Freeway, Bloomington. Meet teachers, explore classrooms, and learn about house systems, electives and more. Enter by Door 9 from the south lot. Please RSVP via the website.
school nativitybloomington org
CALENDAR submissions
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.
TheCatholiCSpirit Com/CalendarSubmiSSionS
Catholic Schools Visual Arts Exhibitions — May 2: 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. The Office for the Mission of Catholic Education is thrilled to host its second annual Catholic School Visual Arts Exhibition for seventh through 12th grade Catholic school students. Judges will select finalists to be showcased at a public visual arts exhibition and reception on May 2 at the Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art with Bishop Michael Izen. Awards and prizes will be presented to students, and the finalists’ artwork will serve as the summer exhibit in the gallery.
Queen of May Gala — May 2: 5 p.m. at Banquets of Minnesota, 6310 Highway 65 NE, Fridley. Celebrate 86 years of faith-based academics at Immaculate Conception School, Columbia Heights. This year’s gala honors retired principal Jane Bona. Reception and silent auction at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., followed by live auction and program. onecau se/qom25
OTHER EVENTS
Options for Women East Gala — May 1: 6-9 p.m. at The Royal Golf Club 11455, 20th St. N., Lake Elmo. Celebrating 35 years of love in service to both souls of mom and baby with basic services, including no-cost prenatal and postpartum care and support up to three years. Featuring special guest Dr. John Bruchalski, The Paul Esch Band, and chaplain of Options for Women East Father John Paul Erickson. tinyurl com/3yh3tycu St. Joseph Business Guild Quarterly Dinner — May 1 (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker): 5-9 p.m. at St. John the Baptist, 835 Second Ave. NW, New Brighton. All Catholics are invited to the guild’s 20th dinner meeting, where a vision of the guild’s true potential will be shared. tinyurl com/ywtzcjah 2025 Landmark Spark — May 2: 5 p.m. at Machine Shop, 300 Second St. SE, Minneapolis. Join us at Landmark Spark, The Basilica Landmark’s fundraiser, to celebrate and support the restoration of the Basilica of St. Mary. This year’s fundraiser supports the culminating phase of exterior lighting and other critical restoration projects. thebasilicalandmark org/ spark
Family Rosary Procession — May 4: 2 p.m. Procession from the Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, to the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul. Line-up begins at 1:15 p.m. on the Capitol grounds; the procession will begin at 2 p.m. Parishes are encouraged to bring banners to represent their communities. First Communicants are invited to wear their First Communion attire. Those who cannot walk the procession route may go directly to the Cathedral to pray the rosary with those who are in procession. Additional information online at minnesotarosaryprocessions org
St. Mary’s Silver Tea for Women — May 4: noon-3 p.m. at The Lowell Inn, 102 N. Second St., Stillwater. Formal high tea, silent auction and great conversation for women of all ages. Hats encouraged, photo booth included. Tickets: $50 per person and can be reserved by calling St. Mary at 651-439-
Paul, Minnesota: Produce legal documents including Wills, Trusts, Briefs, Pleadings, and Reports. Administrative support to attorneys and paralegals. In addition, a paralegal or legal assistant is also needed with similar duties but expanded to include research and composition of documents and other related duties. QuickBooks experience preferred. Contact John Trojack 651-451-9696 or complete “Contact” on our website: TrojackLaw.com
Part-Time Registered Nurse – Options for Women East: We’re hiring a compassionate RN with experience in Obstetrics (a plus) to join our team. Paid position with flexible hours. Contact Jennifer Meyer at 651-776-2328 or edjm@optionsforwomeneast.com.
CATHOLIC WATCHMEN
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his inner circle in part two — his small group of disciples — for their protection from the devil and perseverance in keeping the faith: “Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth” (Jn 17:17). As it comes to fruition in its third and final part, our Lord prays for the unity of the universal Church “…so that they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I in you, that they may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me” (Jn 17:21).
Are we not doing this somewhat at our small group level? Whether you follow the PECs (i.e., Parish Evangelization Cells System) model to a T or customize it in a sensible manner for your small group — and I’ve seen both work — you are gathering in unity in perfect priority. First reaching out to God the Father in song (perhaps?) and prayer; secondly as disciples in your small group; and thirdly for all believers who love God and neighbor “so that they may be one…” (Jn 17:22). And if you’re unfamiliar with the PECS process and want to join a small group, ask your pastor, your deacon and/or lay leadership. As leaders, protectors and providers of the faith, this includes all small group leaders and participants. We should not lose heart despite the attacks against our faith in God, our family and our brothers and sisters in Christ, including attacks against the dignity of life and the human person — or the attacks against our unity as Catholics. We should pray as Jesus prays and learn from his prayer of devotion that promotes unity throughout the world.
Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. Contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail com
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Father Hedman hugs his sister, Serena, after the ceremony.
CALLED TO SERVE
Priest takes on role as National Guard chaplain
Story and photos by Dave Hrbacek
The Catholic Spirit
Father Paul Hedman first thought about becoming a military chaplain while in seminary prior to his priestly ordination in 2020.
With relatives serving in the military, it was a natural idea. But he put it on the shelf and focused on preparing for ordination and service as a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Then, in December 2023, he had an encounter with a parishioner at Epiphany in Coon Rapids, where he now serves as a parochial vicar, that set the stage for a calling he made official April 5, when he was sworn in during a small ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. Swearing him in was Father Jerome Fehn, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Father Hedman also will be serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard, joining the 134th Brigade Support Battalion, which has about 500 soldiers.
“It was just a beautiful, beautiful next step in my ministry,” said Father Hedman, 30. “It was special to have Father Jerry Fehn there as the one to swear me in, because he’s a bit of a legend in the Minnesota National Guard.”
Father Fehn served as a chaplain in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 20 years (1998-2018) and was called upon unexpectedly to step in to do the swearing in. Father Hedman has a cousin in the military he hoped might swear him in, but she was unable to come to Minnesota for the ceremony. Father Hedman’s immediate family was there — his parents, Mike and Sharon, and siblings Joel, Stephen and Serena. All but Joel live in the Twin Cities and attend St. Raphael in Crystal.
Father Fehn said having another Catholic chaplain in the military will be important because there is “definitely” a shortage of priests in the chaplaincy.
“There’s so few of them (serving in the military)” said Father Fehn, 72, who went on several deployments totaling 39 months. “They will do their best to keep them because they’re so needed.”
As a way to help Father Hedman get off to a good start, Father Fehn wrote him a check to cover the cost of his military uniform and is willing to go with him for a fitting. Father Hedman will put on that uniform soon as he prepares to meet the men and women of his unit at Camp Ripley in northern Minnesota, which will happen sometime in May or June.
Also attending the swearing-in ceremony was a key person in Father Hedman’s journey, Sgt. Terry Hong of the Minnesota Army National Guard, who is an Epiphany parishioner. The two men talked during a Veterans Day event at Epiphany in November 2023. Hong, who was at the swearing-in ceremony, recommended that Father Hedman consider becoming a chaplain. After some encouragement from the pastor of Epiphany, Father Thomas Dufner, Father Hedman contacted Archbishop Bernard Hebda in March 2024 to seek his approval. After the archbishop granted it in May, Father Hedman went through the application process, which brought him to a final meeting with National Guard leaders to make it official the morning of the swearing-in ceremony. Just a half hour after that meeting, he went to the Cathedral for the brief ceremony. He is now pondering what his future as a military chaplain will entail.
For more insight, he will talk with Father Michael Creagan, pastor of St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater, who currently is serving as a chaplain but is looking to step away in the coming months so he can better serve his parish and school, plus reduce the stress on his knees that comes with taking part in training exercises while serving in the Guard. He has helped Father Hedman through the application process and continues to provide support and guidance. Father Creagan has been a chaplain for the Minnesota Army National Guard since 2013 and has been deployed to both Afghanistan (2019) and Kosovo (2015). He said Father Hedman is a good choice to “take the baton” in the coming years after he steps away from the Guard.
“I think his joyful disposition and his faith as a
ABOVE Father Hedman, center, talks with Chaplain (Col.) Philip Winn, left, and Sgt. Terry Hong, right, a parishioner at Epiphany who in November 2023 suggested to Father Hedman that he consider becoming a chaplain for the Minnesota Army National Guard.
Catholic priest are two keys to being with the soldiers,” said Father Creagan, 54. “I think that’s going to be a great gift and asset not only to the Catholics, but to the other soldiers he serves as well.”
Chaplain (Col.) Philip Winn oversees all Minnesota Army National Guard chaplains (22) and was one of several leaders who came to Father Hedman’s swearingin ceremony. Chaplain Winn noted Father Hedman’s “youth, vigor, enthusiasm, strong degree of intellect, and passion” as attributes that will be helpful in the role of chaplain.
“Father Paul’s going to do a great job,” said Chaplain Winn, 54, who has been in the Guard for 37 years. “Soldiers will warm up to him just by his very presence.”
For the time being, the Guard will enjoy the double blessing of having two priests ministering to Minnesota soldiers, about 25% of whom are Catholic, Chaplain Winn said. He noted that Catholics represent the largest single denomination in the Guard, which makes having at least one Catholic priest important.
“We know how very in-demand Catholic priests are among parishes, cities, states and dioceses,” he said. “And so, for Father Hedman to respond to the call to military ministry as a Catholic priest is very exciting for us.”
Chaplain Winn has worked with Father Creagan since Father Creagan first became a chaplain for the Guard, and expressed deep appreciation for the priest’s ministry work, which now will include helping Father Hedman learn to serve in that role.
“Father Creagan is such a special member of our team because he truly, genuinely cares for all of his soldiers,” Chaplain Winn said. “Anyone (who) encounters Chaplain Creagan has a strong sense of his care for everyone.”
Father Hedman plans to follow the Stillwater priest’s example as he prepares for a six-year term of service, with the option to renew upon completion.
“I’m really excited to show up at my first drill weekend and meet the men in my battalion, meet the commanding officers and really start to get to know them,” Father Hedman said. “Just being able to be there for all the soldiers, of any denomination, to help them on their journey with God is really what it’s all about.”
TOP
Father Jerome Fehn, right, swears in Father Paul Hedman, parochial vicar at Epiphany in Coon Rapids, during a ceremony April 5 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.