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From left, Deacons Randy Skeate, Zachary Ochsenbauer, Alexander Marquette, Benjamin Eichten and Stephen Boatwright listen to Archbishop Hebda during the homily just before their ordination to the priesthood May 31 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.  DAVE HRBACEK  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

‘Extreme joy:’ 5 men ordained to the priesthood in archdiocese

Newly ordained, bestowing his first priestly blessings, Father Randy Skeate smiled with quiet gratitude when asked how he felt May 31 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. “Extreme joy,” he said. “Fulfillment and a lot of peace.”
Nation + World
Young Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive react May 21, 2025, while waiting to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.

Situation in Gaza reaches ‘catastrophic levels,’ warns Catholic humanitarian organization

Food insecurity in the Gaza Strip "has reached catastrophic levels," a Catholic humanitarian organization has warned.
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From left, Deacons Randy Skeate, Zachary Ochsenbauer, Alexander Marquette, Benjamin Eichten and Stephen Boatwright listen to Archbishop Hebda during the homily just before their ordination to the priesthood May 31 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.  DAVE HRBACEK  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

‘Extreme joy:’ 5 men ordained to the priesthood in archdiocese

Newly ordained, bestowing his first priestly blessings, Father Randy Skeate smiled with quiet gratitude when asked how he felt May 31 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. “Extreme joy,” he said. “Fulfillment and a lot of peace.”
Young Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive react May 21, 2025, while waiting to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.

Situation in Gaza reaches ‘catastrophic levels,’ warns Catholic humanitarian organization

Food insecurity in the Gaza Strip "has reached catastrophic levels," a Catholic humanitarian organization has warned.
Venezuelan migrants arrive on a deportation flight from the U.S. at Simon Bolivar International airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Feb. 10, 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court on May 30, allowed the Trump administration to end deportation protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Supreme Court allows Trump to end deportation protections for 500,000 CHNV migrants

The U.S. Supreme Court on May 30 allowed the Trump administration to end deportation protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela -- typically Catholic-majority countries -- while an appeal of the president's order is still pending.
KatieSteiner2

WCCO meteorologist says getting to heaven is not a competition

For a long time, WCCO meteorologist Katie Steiner said she lived life without her identity rooted in Christ. Striving to live a holy life is difficult in today’s culture, she said, because it is easy to go astray. In an episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show set to air at 9 p.m. May 30 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, Steiner told the show’s producer, Rachael McCallum, “I don’t know if the majority of people that we live with, their number one goal is heaven. It’s easy to lose sight of that. It’s just a daily focus of, ‘Where are my priorities? Where do I get my satisfaction?’ … You need to figure out where you want to be and who you want to serve.”
Robert F. Prevost, the future Pope Leo XIV, during his senior year at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., is pictured in this undated photo.

Future pope helped found Villanovans for Life, marched against Roe v. Wade

The four years Robert F. Prevost spent at Villanova University in Philadelphia -- from the fall of 1973 until May 1977, when he graduated with a degree in mathematics and began his novitiate with the Augustinian order -- included the opening salvos of the pro-life movement.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, known as Padre Pio, is seen in this undated photo that was part of a Vatican-hosted presentation of 10 new photos of the Capuchin saint on April 29, 2024. A habit worn by the beloved saint and other rare relics are coming to the U.S. Oct. 11-18, 2025, brought by Capuchin friars from the very monastery that was home to Padre Pio.

Padre Pio’s habit, rare relics coming to US — along with his fellow Capuchins

A habit worn by St. Pio of Pietrelcina and other rare relics are coming to the U.S., brought by Capuchin friars from the very monastery that was home to the beloved saint known as Padre Pio.
Father Jim Livingston

Father Livingston believes heavenly wisdom is simple and binary

Being immersed in the Holy Spirit brings a new way of thinking and responding to the Lord, said Father Jim Livingston, pastor of St. Paul in Ham Lake. “Within us there is an innocence that we go through, and as children. I think there’s a phase in life where we’re kind of binary. We’re either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Do you believe, or do you not believe? Are you obedient or are you not obedient?”
Archbishop Bernard Hebda

Archbishop Hebda looks forward to young Catholics unwrapping Holy Spirit’s gifts in confirmation

Archbishop Bernard Hebda said that Catholics must remember that God has a plan for them and the Catholic Church. This plan is implemented, he said, through the distribution of gifts by the Holy Spirit.
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Archbishop Bernard Hebda prepares to ordain 5 men to the priesthood

Five men will be ordained to the priesthood at a 10 a.m. Mass May 31, with Archbishop Bernard Hebda presiding at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.
Deacon Randy Skeate

Deacon Skeate: ‘The Mass is the greatest act of evangelization that we have’

At a retreat during his sophomore year in high school in 2013, Deacon Randy Skeate realized the Lord had a unique plan for him.
Deacon Zachary Ochsenbauer

Deacon Zachary Oschenbauer: A pilot for spiritual skies

As a child, Deacon Zachary Ochsenbauer imagined becoming a pilot. A natural idea, considering his father, Tom, has been flying commercial planes for Delta Air Lines since before the 26-year-old seminarian was born.
Faith
Pilgrims from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif., and St. Agnes School in St. Paul, Minn., receive Communion and pray during a Jubilee Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 17, 2025.

Five ways to prepare for Mass

Most events in life require preparation. When you go on a trip, you get to the airport early so you can get through security. When you go to a concert or sporting event, you arrive early to find your seat. When you host a party, you make sure you have all the right food and supplies.

Peace be with you!

Commentary
Mother holding sleeping child soft light

On Ascension, absence and true love

One year ago, on the feast of the Ascension, we attended Mass in a hotel basement.

Month of May is month of Mary

Why I am Catholic
Practicing Catholic

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