Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
On Thursday of this week, the faithful of our archdiocese and friends from around the world will be recalling the tragic events that took place last year on Aug. 27, 2025. The shooting at a Mass to mark the beginning of the school year at Annunciation School took the lives of two amazing young students, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, and continues to have an impact on so many others connected with the parish, its school, and its families.
While I do not think that I ever had the pleasure of meeting Harper or Fletcher, I feel like I have come to know them through the stories that have been shared. They loved life, had already made many friends, and consistently brought joy into the lives of their classmates and families. I have no doubt that their absence will be forever felt. My heart continues to go out to all who feel their loss.
At the same time, I give thanks to God for the many ways in which he continues to bring healing into the lives of the others who were directly impacted by last year’s shooting. How blessed we are to have such excellent first responders and medical care here in our corner of Minnesota! I know that the Lord was compassionately working through them and through the perseverance and courage demonstrated by each of those who were injured.
A tragedy of this magnitude could have easily embittered hearts and turned many away from their faith. Anyone who attended last Wednesday’s “Evening with Annunciation Parents: Faith, Hope and Resilience” at Our Lady of Grace, however, would be able to tell a different story. The four speakers who shared their experiences from last Aug. 27 (an Annunciation teacher, two parents, and a student wise beyond her years) each provided proof that even in the midst of such tragedy, there can be an outpouring of compassion, a meeting of hearts, a deepening sense of solidarity, and a turning to the Lord.
I am grateful that the over 300 attendees who were privileged to hear their stories, to pray with them, and to break bread with them could walk away that evening with assurances that faith had been shaken, but not destroyed. While many hearts are understandably still hurting, we can also see how they have been fortified by the love, prayers and support that have been poured out in response to this tragedy. I sure hope that the Annunciation Light Alliance, the sponsor of the event, will be welcomed into other parishes and schools for similar evenings.
You might recall that prior to last Aug. 27, Annunciation School had chosen for its annual theme a quotation from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah: "A Future Filled with Hope." How providential! Not surprisingly, many of those who attended last Wednesday’s event were sporting that motto on their t-shirts and hoodies. In choosing to hope, the Annunciation community has managed to consistently shine the light of Christ on our broader community, even during the year’s darkest moments.
Given the prophetic impact of last year’s theme, I was anxiously awaiting an unveiling of this year’s. They did not disappoint. For the upcoming school year, Annunciation School chose, “Guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79) from the Canticle of Zechariah. It’s both a heartfelt plea and an inspired choice, and it relates perfectly to the African proverb that Principal Matt DeBoer had quoted to the world last year on the day of the tragedy: “When you pray, move your feet!”
When announcing this year’s theme, Principal DeBoer explained that "peace is not passive—we must work towards it." That certainly resonates in my heart, and I hope that it will touch the hearts of the Annunciation community and your hearts as well. We are blessed that the families of Annunciation continue to choose "to be beacons of light and to pursue peace." What a necessary and powerful reminder for our world.
As we approach Aug. 27, I invite you to find a way to be a beacon of light within your own community, no matter your state in life. Our sisters and brothers at Annunciation will be spending the day engaged in acts of service, and they have invited us—in our own communities and homes—to do the same. Please join me in praying for Annunciation and for all those in need of healing as we are guided to walk together in the way of peace.
At the same time, I give thanks to God for the many ways in which he continues to bring healing into the lives of the others who were directly impacted by last year’s shooting. How blessed we are to have such excellent first responders and medical care here in our corner of Minnesota! I know that the Lord was compassionately working through them and through the perseverance and courage demonstrated by each of those who were injured.
A tragedy of this magnitude could have easily embittered hearts and turned many away from their faith. Anyone who attended last Wednesday’s “Evening with Annunciation Parents: Faith, Hope and Resilience” at Our Lady of Grace, however, would be able to tell a different story. The four speakers who shared their experiences from last Aug. 27 (an Annunciation teacher, two parents, and a student wise beyond her years) each provided proof that even in the midst of such tragedy, there can be an outpouring of compassion, a meeting of hearts, a deepening sense of solidarity, and a turning to the Lord.
I am grateful that the over 300 attendees who were privileged to hear their stories, to pray with them, and to break bread with them could walk away that evening with assurances that faith had been shaken, but not destroyed. While many hearts are understandably still hurting, we can also see how they have been fortified by the love, prayers and support that have been poured out in response to this tragedy. I sure hope that the Annunciation Light Alliance, the sponsor of the event, will be welcomed into other parishes and schools for similar evenings.
You might recall that prior to last Aug. 27, Annunciation School had chosen for its annual theme a quotation from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah: "A Future Filled with Hope." How providential! Not surprisingly, many of those who attended last Wednesday’s event were sporting that motto on their t-shirts and hoodies. In choosing to hope, the Annunciation community has managed to consistently shine the light of Christ on our broader community, even during the year’s darkest moments.
Given the prophetic impact of last year’s theme, I was anxiously awaiting an unveiling of this year’s. They did not disappoint. For the upcoming school year, Annunciation School chose, “Guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79) from the Canticle of Zechariah. It’s both a heartfelt plea and an inspired choice, and it relates perfectly to the African proverb that Principal Matt DeBoer had quoted to the world last year on the day of the tragedy: “When you pray, move your feet!”
When announcing this year’s theme, Principal DeBoer explained that "peace is not passive—we must work towards it." That certainly resonates in my heart, and I hope that it will touch the hearts of the Annunciation community and your hearts as well. We are blessed that the families of Annunciation continue to choose "to be beacons of light and to pursue peace." What a necessary and powerful reminder for our world.
As we approach Aug. 27, I invite you to find a way to be a beacon of light within your own community, no matter your state in life. Our sisters and brothers at Annunciation will be spending the day engaged in acts of service, and they have invited us—in our own communities and homes—to do the same. Please join me in praying for Annunciation and for all those in need of healing as we are guided to walk together in the way of peace.
WINE in the Vineyard (Aug. 30)
Join WINE for the 5th Annual WINE in the Vineyard—an enchanting evening of elegance, faith, music, and joy for men and women at beautiful Sovereign Estate Winery in Waconia. The evening begins with Mass in the vineyard at 4 p.m., celebrated by Archbishop Hebda, followed by fabulous food expertly paired with Sovereign Estate wines. Enjoy an inspiring concert by acclaimed Catholic singer-songwriter Marie Miller.
Deacon Discernment Day (Sept. 26)
Are you drawn to a life of service? Have you ever considered a vocation as a permanent deacon? Do others ask you about it? If so, The Saint Paul Seminary Institute for Diaconate Formation invites you to attend this Deacon Discernment Day. Discerners and their wives (if applicable) will learn about the vocation of the permanent deacon, as well as the application and formation process.
Are you drawn to a life of service? Have you ever considered a vocation as a permanent deacon? Do others ask you about it? If so, The Saint Paul Seminary Institute for Diaconate Formation invites you to attend this Deacon Discernment Day. Discerners and their wives (if applicable) will learn about the vocation of the permanent deacon, as well as the application and formation process.
Moving forward in hope as a family
Molly Stommes was working from home the morning of Aug. 27, 2025, when she heard “very loud noises” coming from just across the street, where Annunciation Catholic Church and School sit.
Mass for Bishop Kenney’s health
“Ezekiel says God will create ‘a new heart and a new spirit within you,’” the bishop said. “As I was pondering upon that this morning, I also added a new lung. Create in us clean hearts, new hearts, new spirits and new lungs, oh Lord, so that we can continue to work,” he said.
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Family movements made to encounter Christ
This week on Practicing Catholic, we learn about some of the movements in the Church that are bringing the faithful closer to Christ. First, Carlos Pedevila and Claudia Swett share their experience with the Schoenstatt family movement and the upcoming jubilee celebration. Then, James Shackelford, director for the Encounter School of Ministry Twin Cities campus, shares the fruits of Encounter's first two years in the Twin Cities and the impact on the local Church.
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.
Only One Thing Is Necessary: How Catholic Families Can Strive To Be United in This Life and the Next
Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and family
Holy examples for living family life
"While Józef and Wiktoria are now remembered for their martyrdom, the museum in their hometown paints a picture of a couple who had been deeply in love with one another and committed to their children, desiring to teach them about Christ and His command to be like the Good Samaritan in loving our neighbor, understood in the broadest of contexts. Józef had the only camera in Markowa and his photographs chronicled not only wartime life in his village but also the ordinary life of his extraordinary family, poor as church mice but rich in love.
"Even in Minnesota, we can journey together with those holy families, and in that way, we are never alone."
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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Aug. 24, 2026