Ah, the great outdoors! Minnesotans far and wide (and even some of us Wisconsinites!) look forward to the warmer weather for one reason: the chance to spend extended time outside and shake off the build-up of Cabin Fever.

By all means, the Church encourages us to immerse ourselves regularly in the splendor of creation—there is just something restorative and rejuvenating about it for us—and for our faith! With us this past weekend to reflect more on this and talk about upcoming retreats for folks of all ages was Jen Messing, founder and executive director of Into the Deep.

https://idretreats.org/calendar/

Kicking things off this past weekend, it was a rather monumental weekend for our local Church, as the Synod Assembly met at Cretin-Durham Hall, Holy Spirit Church, and the Cathedral. We’ve got the post-Assembly wrap-up for you, headed up by Maria Wiering of The Catholic Spirit. First up, there’s an excerpt from the homily that Archbishop Hebda gave at the Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.

Next, Maria caught a brief moment for some responses from Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams and Father Joseph Bambenek, Assistant Director of the Synod.

Finally in our wrap-up of the Synod Assembly, Archbishop Hebda shared some of his reactions to the Assembly with Maria.

With all the news of the Dobbs v. Jackson pending case in the U.S. Supreme Court, it’s now more important than ever to be supporting women and families in crisis pregnancies to build up a culture of life.

How can we uplift women who may be faced with an unplanned pregnancy? How can we do our part at a local and practical level?

Well Abria Pregnancy Centers around the Twin Cities are doing just that – providing life-saving services, resources, and care for women in need. Joining us this past weekend to share how we can get involved was Angela Franey, Executive Director of Abria Pregnancy Resources.

https://abria.org/

While our kids are getting ready for summer vacation, we head back to school. It’s time for our first “Mass Class" with Fr. Tom Margevicius!

Submit your questions for Fr. Tom's June "Mass Class" centered on the Entrance Rites by emailing [email protected], or by leaving a voicemail at 651-251-7737. Keep an eye on our social media pages for an opportunity to enter questions there as well!

As Practicing Catholics, you may have heard the phrase, “the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.” And it’s true.

The Eucharist is one of the most beautiful mysteries of Catholicism, and we have the honor of receiving Jesus in this way every time we attend Mass (if we’re in the right state to do so). But how do we share that mystery with others?

Holy Cross Catholic Church in NE Minneapolis has been offering/hosting/inviting each of us to a public Eucharistic Procession for 17 years now, and Fr. Spencer Howe and Sam Backman joined us this past weekend to share more about this unique devotion.

archspm.org/events 

This past weekend on Practicing Catholic, Archbishop Hebda delved deeper into the Indian Boarding School report, the Dobbs v. Jackson case pending in the U.S. Supreme Court, and much more.

It's a segment you won't want to miss! Find resources (including official statements from the Archbishop) on all these topics at archspm.org.

As all of us Practicing Catholics in the Archdiocese (hopefully) know by now, we’ve been involved with a Synod for nearly three years!

There’ve been many, many conversations had throughout the whole process which have resulted in Prayer and Listening events, formation of the Focus Areas, four unique video series, Parish Small Groups, the Parish Synod Leadership Team Consultation, and now finally, the Synod Assembly.

With his foot in the door to nearly everything-Synod is Fr. Joseph Bambenek, Assistant Director of the Synod Executive Committee, and one of the champions behind all these wonderful materials and progress.

Calling all Blesseds! Or at least the ones native to the great state of Minnesota...

With the Archdiocesan Synod assembly taking place this upcoming weekend, Archbishop Hebda is calling on the intercessions of three ‘Blessed's’ - that meaning, those holy men and women who have been beatified but not yet canonized - throughout the Synod assembly.

Joining us this past weekend for a closer look at these three local saint-like intercessors was Allison Spies, Archives Manager for the Archdiocese.

It’s our annual ordination show, and this time we’re speaking with not one, but TWO transitional deacons about to receive the sacrament of Ordination to the Priesthood in a week’s time. We’re going to find out a bit more about each of them.

www.10000vocations.org

We know for Practicing Catholic listeners and for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese, the Saint Paul Seminary (along with the Saint John Vianney College Seminary and the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity) is a name that is cause for some good local pride and for thanksgiving.

Joining us this past weekend to talk more about the mission, role, and scope of the Saint Paul Seminary is its Rector, Father Joseph Taphorn.

www.10000vocations.org