Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Happy Catholic Schools Week! Each year in the last week of January, the Church in the United States celebrates the mission of our Catholic schools. In our Archdiocese we are blessed with 91 Catholic schools, which serve more than 31,000 preschool-12 students by providing an excellent education that fosters the faith and serves our beautifully diverse communities. I love visiting our schools and was thrilled this morning to celebrate Mass with 7,000 of our students at the Xcel Energy Center. The presence of nearly 60 pastors certainly demonstrates that there is widespread support in this local Church for the work of Catholic education.
Here in the Archdiocese, we have placed our schools under the patronage of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom. Saint John Henry Newman explained, “Mary has this title in her Litany, because the Son of God, who is also called in Scripture the Word and Wisdom of God, once dwelt in her, and then, after His birth of her, was carried in her arms and seated in her lap in His first years. Thus, being as it were, the human throne of Him who reigns in heaven, she is called the 'Seat of Wisdom.'"
I have been counting on the Blessed Mother to intercede for our schools and our students, pointing them to her son, Wisdom Incarnate, as their educational model. Catholic schools take a holistic approach to forming the mind, heart, and soul of each student, always with the aim of helping them to know Jesus Christ. The various subjects that are taught—math, literature, science, etc.—all come together in the person of Jesus.
That encounter with Jesus hinges on the phenomenal ministry of the women and men in our Archdiocese who have dedicated themselves to the work of Catholic education. I think not only of our principals and teachers, but also of the committed professionals who work in the Archdiocesan Office for the Mission of Catholic Education (OMCE). They are the heroes in our midst, and I can understand why parents would be willing to give us the privileged opportunity to collaborate with them in the education of their children.
We are also really blessed to have so many generous Catholics in our Archdiocese who are committed to the success of our schools, even when they no longer have school-aged children. I know that many are acting from the deep gratitude that they have for what they received from Catholic schools. Others point to the positive impact that excellent Catholic education has on our community. All recognize that the future of our Church depends upon our ability to pass on the faith to our youth.
As we begin Catholic Schools Week, I’d encourage you to not only learn more about Catholic education in our Archdiocese (perhaps by going to spmcatholicschools.org, or joining one of our school communities for Mass), but also to join me in praying for our Catholic schools. I love the prayer Saint John Paul II shared in his encyclical, Fides et Ratio: "May Mary, Seat of Wisdom, be a sure haven for all who devote their lives to the search for wisdom. May their journey into wisdom, sure and final goal of all true knowing, be freed of every hindrance by the intercession of the one who, in giving birth to the Truth and treasuring it in her heart, has shared it forever with all the world.” Through Mary’s intercession, may God bless in abundance our Catholic school students we well as their families, principals and teachers, and reward all who sacrifice to make Catholic education possible.
Join this evening of fellowship, excellent dinner, and engaging conversations with theologian, author, and well-known Catholic speaker Dr. Edward Sri. Dr. Sri will speak on “The Good, the Messy, and the Beautiful” as he both entertains and helps guide married and engaged couples through a great evening!
Fire on the Hill (February 10)
On the second Saturday of each month, the 5:15 p.m. Saturday evening Mass will be followed by a time of praise and worship. Prayer ministry will also be included for healing and prophetic encouragement. This month, Archbishop Hebda will be presiding.
Minnesota Catholics oppose ‘one of the most aggressive’ assisted suicide bills in the country
Minnesota legislators on Jan. 25 moved toward passing a bill that would allow anyone — without the requirement of a psychological evaluation or even the presence of a doctor when the drug is administered — to get a prescription for a lethal drug in the state.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Enrollment, mission remain strong in archdiocesan Catholic schools
One thing’s for sure: Interest in Catholic education is growing in the archdiocese.
According to the 2023-2024 Annual Report on Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, for the 2023-2024 academic year, archdiocesan schools saw another K-12 systemwide enrollment increase. According to the report, 42% of the 79 elementary and 16 high schools are serving more students than the year before while achieving a 90% average retention rate.
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Consecrated life: the glue that holds our Church together
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
"You may recall that key Synod events happened on Pentecost. The 2019 Pentecost Vigil Mass and prayer service was the first public event of the Synod process, and the 2021 Pentecost Vigil Mass and prayer service included the promulgation of the Synod decree. The Synod process culminated with the Synod Assembly held over the 2022 Pentecost weekend. My dear friends, this was no coincidence. I was entrusting the entire Synod process to the fire of the Holy Spirit. Why? I have long felt that there is something too often missing today in our beloved Church. That something – if I had to find a single word – is witness."
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
777 Forest Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106 | 651-291-4400 | hello@archspm.org
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January 29, 2024