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“As the chief pastor of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, I am writing to let you know of an important development that, if suc­cessful, will pro­foundly im­pact families throughout Min­nesota,” Arch­bishop John Nienstedt wrote in a letter to Cath­olics in the archdiocese. “That is, the or­gan­ized effort to re­define marriage in our state.”

Oblate Father Wilfrid Upson, 80, died Sept. 5 at St. John’s Hospital in Maple­wood. Father Upson served in the archdiocese as pastor of St. Mary in downtown St. Paul from 1976 to 1985. In 1998, he became a resident at St. Casimir in St. Paul and a pastoral volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission. He was noted throughout his priesthood for working with alcoholics and the poorest of the poor. For the past two years, he was a resident at the Cerenity Center in St. Paul.

“You can’t cheat an honest man,” says W.C. Fields in the 1939 film of the same title. Jeff Robinson, owner and founder of Family Financial Services, believes this phrase provides key insight into everyday financial situations. Con artists, just like W.C. Fields’ character, are looking to take advantage of anyone they can — especially those nearing retirement, said Robinson.

If you’ve visited TheCatholicSpirit.com since Sept. 10, you’ve likely noticed it received a makeover.

Of all the kids she encounters at Burnsville High School, Patti Durham has gotten to know some special ones. During the past five years, she’s spent her study hall time at school working with severely handicapped peers, who, she said, have shown her more about what it means to be pro-life.

The board of directors of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis has named Robert K. Spinner as co-CEO to share responsibility and authority with CEO Paul Martodam.

Notice anything different? You probably do – and hopefully you like the changes we've made to www.TheCatholicSpirit.com.

An anonymous donor has offered $25 million to the University of St. Thomas as a matching grant, the largest such gift in the university’s history.