Maybe you’ve heard about the upcoming Tekakwitha Conference: a nationally-renowned summit bringing Native American Catholics together in fellowship and appreciation for their shared faith and cultures. We are fortunate enough to be hosting this year’s gathering within our very own Archdiocese!

We were joined by two key Native leaders for the Tekakwitha Conference, Charlene Patton, Board President and Interim Director; and Margie Creel – Board Member.

Leading off the show this weekend, His Excellency, our Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams is with us to share some reflections on the first year of his episcopal ministry.

We have an upcoming day of advocacy coming up at the end of February where you’ll have the chance to walk with moms and babies on the path to life, and to publicly show where you stand as a Minnesota Catholic. Maggee Hangee, Policy and Public Relations Associate for the MN Catholic Conference, joins us this weekend to provide some details on this advocacy day.

Event details: https://www.mncatholic.org/united_for_life

As Practicing Catholics, we’ve all likely heard the argument that faith and science don’t go hand in hand. But we know that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The late Pope Benedict XVI conducted work on the relationship between scripture and evolution and joining us this weekend was Professor Matthew Ramage - Professor of Theology at Benedictine college – who has extensively studied these works and is presenting a talk on Pope Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution at the beginning of March. Also joining us was Professor Philip Rolnick of the University of St. Thomas Theology department to give us some insight into the event.

As it’s February already, that means Valentine’s day is just around the corner! We’re going to revisit an interview with Joseph Pribyl, licensed marriage and family therapist, where he shares some tips on strengthening your marriage.

The World Day of the Sick Mass is coming up on February 11 at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Oakdale, and Dianne Johnson and Fr. Andrew Jaspers of Curatio Healthcare Apostolate are joining us today to share about the significance of this day of healing.

https://www.archspm.org/world-day-of-the-sick-mass/

By now you’ve heard the news about our newly appointed Bishop-elect: Fr. Michael Izen of St. Mary and St. Michael in Stillwater and Saint Charles in Bayport. He will be ordained to serve as the second auxiliary bishop for our Archdiocese on April 11th! We are so grateful to the Holy Father for his appointment of Bishop-elect Izen, and we’re fortunate enough to be chatting with the good Bishop-elect today to hear about how this first month has been preparing for his new role.

We don’t like to play favorites, but we know he’s your favorite guest! Archbishop Hebda sat down with Tom Halden, our Director of Communications, to talk about the March for Life, Bishop-elect Izen, and our Catholic schools.

New year, new look for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. Doctor Jason Slattery – Archdiocesan director of Catholic education – is here to discuss the new brand, colors and why Catholic schools are so important. Follow their new social media accounts for more:

We know here on Practicing Catholic that receiving a Catholic education is truly a gift.

The beauty of being able to pray in a classroom, the friendships and morals that are shaped around truth and love, and of course the catechesis that goes on in the classroom is certainly invaluable. But not everyone is able to easily afford to send their children to private schools, which is where our friends at the Aim Higher Foundation come in.

Joining us to share more about scholarship opportunities and the impact of financial aid was Laura Hester, Director of Scholarship Programs for the Aim Higher Foundation.

https://aimhigherfoundation.org/