Recent Articles
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.
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
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
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.
Vatican today — January 24, 2012
• Presentation of Message for World Communications Day
• Silence and Word: Path of Evangelisation
• Other Pontifical Acts
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.”
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.
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.
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
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
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.”
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?”
Fruit of parish harvest makes national calendar
Colorful produce from Minnesota parish garden makes it onto Catholic Charities USA 2012 social ministry calendar.
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.
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.
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.
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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