Local News
With a broad zeal for life, Brother Paul remembered for love of fellow man, and man’s best friend
Rocky and Ruby are fixtures at the Franciscan Brothers of Peace friary in St. Paul. They arrived in 2003, not long after the death of Brother Michael Gaworski, who founded the order in 1982.
The two Labrador retrievers were a gift to thebrothers, specifically Brother Paul O’Donnell, from friends Nicole and Ryan Selleck, who belong to the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. The couple originally chose to give the brothers one puppy to help console them after the loss of Brother Michael. But Brother Paul, a lifelong animal lover, chose two.
Hill-Murray School names new president
Jim Hansen, a 1973 graduate of Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, is its new president, the Hill-Murray board of trustees announced Feb. 25.
World Meeting of Families pilgrims urged to commit
Catholics planning to join the local pilgrimage to September’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia — and see Pope Francis there — are encouraged to register soon due to limited space, said Jean Stolpestad, director of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Office of Marriage, Family and Life. The pilgrimage is Sept. 22-28.
Catholic advocates seek to bridge immigration divide in Congress, communities
Sister Simone Campbell calls it “grocery store missionary work,” and it’s one way she suggests Catholics support immigration reform and other justice issues. Engaging others in conversation, she said, is a good first step toward bringing about social change.
White Bear Lake parish a partner in the fight to end human trafficking
For nearly 150 people gathered at White Bear Lake City Hall Feb. 17, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and St. Paul Police Sgt. Ray Gainey quashed the glamorization of prostitution as seen through Julia Roberts’ character in the 1990 film “Pretty Woman.” What they wanted to reveal instead was “one of the greatest human rights atrocities in our community” — sex trafficking, according to Choi.
Rite of Election approaches
The annual Rite of Election, in which catechumens and candidates on their way toward becoming Catholic are presented to the local bishops, takes place at two locations in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Sunday, Feb. 22
Minnesota musicians behind Church’s liturgical shift featured in documentary
When the Catholic Church needed new liturgical music to fulfill the Second Vatican Council’s call for “full, conscious and active participation” by laity at Mass, composers, lyricists and Minnesota musicians heeded the call.
Renaissance horns enhance Rose Ensemble’s Spanish requiem
Lent is a time of prayer, penance and sacrifice in preparation for the resurrection of Christ on Easter. The Rose Ensemble, an award-winning vocal group, will provide the season’s soundtrack.
Chinese New Year, with a Catholic twist
This display was put up at St. Anne/St. Joseph Hien in Minneapolis in honor of the Chinese New Year.
Women come together for first WINE conference
On a cold St. Valentine’s Day, organizers of a new Catholic women’s conference at Epiphany in Coon Rapids did their best to set the hearts of close to 1,000 women on fire for Christ and to encourage them to share his love with others.
How do you live the #SpiritOfLent?
The Catholic Spirit wants to see how you live the “Spirit of Lent” by sharing on Instagram.
A new approach to responsible investing
How to integrate investing with Catholic social justice principles highlighted at Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota’s annual conference
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