Silence is key ingredient to meaningful communication, pope says

Silence is key ingredient to meaningful communication, pope says

Amid the deluge of information and nonstop chatter in today’s media, the church needs to help people find safe havens of silence, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Praying, marching for life in St. Paul

Praying, marching for life in St. Paul

The Mass for Life at the Cathedral of St. Paul Jan. 22 featured a standing-room-only crowd. Afterward, many attended a pro-life rally at the state Capitol.

HHS delays, but does not change, rule on contraceptive coverage

HHS delays, but does not change, rule on contraceptive coverage

“The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Parish supports missing couple’s family with prayer

Parish supports missing couple’s family with prayer

Friends and parishioners of St. Pius X in White Bear Lake reflected on the lives of Jerry and Barb Heil during a prayer service Jan. 18. The couple is among those missing in the aftermath of a Jan. 13 cruise ship disaster.

Catholic Services Appeal

Catholic Services Appeal

As the Feb. 18-19 announcement weekend approaches for the 2012 Catholic Services Appeal, The Catholic Spirit will be spotlighting various ministries supported by the CSA. This edition focuses on the pro-life efforts and other ministries of the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life.


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HHS move amounts to ‘to hell with you,’ bishop says as protests mount

HHS move amounts to ‘to hell with you,’ bishop says as protests mount

A week after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told individuals and institutions who oppose contraception “to hell with you,” as one bishop put it, members of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy were mobilizing their followers to fight.

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Vatican today — January 27, 2012

Vatican today — January 27, 2012

• The Renewal of Faith Must Be a Priority for Church Today
• Message for World Leprosy Day
• Meeting of the Holy See – Israel Working Commission
• Audiences
• Other Pontifical Acts

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Vatican today — January 26, 2012

Vatican today — January 26, 2012

• Positive Signs of Fraternity on Ecumenical Journey
• Priests Should Promote Sanctity with Their Own Lives
• Holy See Signs UN Conventions against International Crime
• Press Note on Italian Television Programme
• Celebrations to Be Presided by the Pope: February-April
• Audiences

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Minnesota court ruling allows same-sex marriage lawsuit to proceed

Minnesota court ruling allows same-sex marriage lawsuit to proceed

A lawsuit by three same-sex couples seeking to invalidate Minnesota’s definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman was sent back to Hennepin County District Court after the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Jan. 23 that the lower court improperly dismissed the case.

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Vatican today — January 24, 2012

Vatican today — January 24, 2012

• Presentation of Message for World Communications Day
• Silence and Word: Path of Evangelisation
• Other Pontifical Acts

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Governor listened, takes Basilica site off Viking playing field

Governor listened, takes Basilica site off Viking playing field

UPDATE: Gov. Mark Dayton takes the proposed Vikings stadium sites near the Basilica off the table for consideration. Father John Bauer said in a statement he was “pleased” with the decision and “very grateful for (Dayton’s) leadership on this challenging issue.”

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Cardinal links religious liberty fight with abortion struggle

Cardinal links religious liberty fight with abortion struggle

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, made his remarks during his homily at the Jan. 22 opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life.

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Tommies rally at national pro-life conference

Tommies rally at national pro-life conference

A dozen students from the University of St. Thomas Pro-Life Club are bringing home ideas from the Students for Life of America conference they attended in Bethesda, Md.

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Vatican today — January 23, 2012

Vatican today — January 23, 2012

• Authentic Law Is Inseparable from Justice
• Presentation of the Lambs for the Feast of St. Agnes
• Christian Unity, a Gift of God and a Daily Task
• Audiences

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Daily Scriptures — Sunday, January 22, – Sunday, February 5, 2012

Daily Scriptures — Sunday, January 22, – Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sunday, Jan. 22
Third Sunday in ordinary time
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

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Father Joncas honored for theological scholarship

Father Joncas honored for theological scholarship

Minnesotan Father Mike Joncas will receive the Sophia Award Feb. 12; the honor recognizes his work that discloses “the riches of the liturgical tradition in ever new and creative ways.”

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Pope warns of threat to freedom of religion, conscience in U.S.

Pope warns of threat to freedom of religion, conscience in U.S.

Pope Benedict XVI called on the church in America, including politicians and other laypeople, to render “public moral witness” on crucial social issues

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Relationships among Christians continue to need prayer for unity

Relationships among Christians continue to need prayer for unity

The Catholic Spirit asked Father Erich Rutten, who serves on the Archdiocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, to explain to readers as we celebrate the Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “What makes Christian unity relevant today?”

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Fruit of parish harvest makes national calendar

Fruit of parish harvest makes national calendar

Colorful produce from Minnesota parish garden makes it onto Catholic Charities USA 2012 social ministry calendar.

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Single parent retreat set for Feb. 4 in St. Paul

Single parent retreat set for Feb. 4 in St. Paul

The Archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life is sponsoring a retreat for single parents Feb. 4 at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin in St. Paul.

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Archbishop says Rev. King was ‘courageous leader’

Archbishop says Rev. King was ‘courageous leader’

Archbishop John Nienstedt attended the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast Jan. 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Catholic Spirit conducted a short question-and-answer interview with him before the event.

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2012 Minnesota Legislature Guide for Catholics

2012 Minnesota Legislature Guide for Catholics

This year’s public policy priorities. How can I keep track of what’s going on? Do’s and Don’ts when contacting lawmakers.

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Initiatives to end poverty needed as much as ever

Initiatives to end poverty needed as much as ever

There was good news from the Legislature in December when we learned that the state will have an unexpected budget surplus of $876 million projected for fiscal year 2012-13.

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