Event to highlight value of sister parish relationships
More than 40 parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have sister relationships with parishes across the globe, a tangible way to heed Pope Francis’ call to be a Church of missionary disciples.
An annual conference dedicated to supporting and establishing sister parish relationships will take its inspiration from the pope’s “Joy of the Gospel” from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park. The event is hosted by the Archdiocesan Parish Partnerships Team and will feature lay missioner Marty Roers.
Various sister parish relationships have been insightful and educational for St. Joan of Arc (Minneapolis) parishioner Louise Eidsmoe and Our Lady of Grace (Edina) parishioner Steve Kraemer.
In sharing about their respective parish partnerships, Eidsmoe and Kraemer have sparked ideas, such as using Skype to “attend” Mass with their sister parish, or “sharing a meal” by hosting a parish dinner with the same food at the same time.
The conference will highlight ideas such as these and help attendees identify what global solidarity means to them.
The cost of the conference is $10. To register, visit http://www.centerformission.org, or contact John Twohy at (651) 439-1943 or johntwohy@centurylink.net. Free copies of Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel” will be available.
African immigrant retreat slated for Nov. 8
The Archdiocesan Commission for Black Catholics is sponsoring an African immigrant Catholic retreat for adults from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at St. Peter Claver in St. Paul.
The retreat is an outcome of the African Immigrant Catholic Summit held in October 2013. The event’s theme is “A Day of Reflection on Growing in the Faith with Family.” All parishioners of African descent are encouraged to attend.
RSVPs are not required, but are strongly encouraged and appreciated for planning and logistic purposes. RSVP by Monday, Nov. 3, via email to CommBlackCatholicsMN@archspm.org.
CCF Legacy of Faith Award goes to Tom Gainor
Tom Gainor of St. Joseph in West St. Paul received the Legacy of Faith Award from the Catholic Community Foundation on Oct. 16 at Town and Country in St. Paul. Founding board member Larry McGough and Bishop Andrew Cozzens presented the award.
Gainor served as president of the foundation’s board of directors from 1992 to 2001 and has continued to help promote The Legacy Fund, which recently offered grants totaling $103,500 to eight Catholic elementary schools in the archdiocese.
He continues to serve the board and also is involved with other local Catholic organizations, including Catholic Charities, St. John Vianney College Seminary, Total Life Care Centers, St. Thomas Academy and Convent of the Visitation.
The foundation was established in 1992 to financially support the Catholic community.
