Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Congratulations to Bishop Andrew Cozzens and Professor Robert Kennedy, who today were honored at The Saint Paul Seminary as Distinguished Alumni. Bishop Cozzens graduated from the seminary in 1997 and now serves as the Bishop of Crookston. Dr. Kennedy, a professor of Catholic studies at the University of St. Thomas, was the first layman to graduate from the seminary’s master’s program. While seminaries have traditionally formed men studying for the priesthood, they now often train men and women hoping to serve the Church in various forms of pastoral ministry. We’re grateful that our St. Paul Seminary provides that broader educational role, forming joyful Catholic leaders pursuing various vocations.
Later this week, I will be traveling to St. Louis to attend the beatification Mass of one of the most famous alumni of our seminary, Archbishop Fulton Sheen. As a seminarian for the Diocese of Peoria, he attended the St. Paul Seminary prior to his ordination in 1919. (Today is the anniversary of his ordination.) He would often speak fondly of his time at our seminary, noting that it was there that he began his practice of a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. I am thrilled that all of the present seminarians at the St. Paul Seminary will be in attendance at the beatification, and I trust that they will find in the new Blessed a worthy role model.
The Archdiocesan Center for Mission will also be leading a pilgrimage to St. Louis and to Peoria, Archbishop Sheen’s final resting place. As director of the national office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, he was a great promoter of the Church’s missionary efforts. Our Center for Mission continues that great work.
Fulton Sheen is probably best known as a pioneer in using new technology to spread the Gospel—which has evolved into what Pope Leo now calls digital evangelization. Long before Catholic influencers took to Instagram, he shared the Gospel using the most influential media of his time—TV and radio—to meet the people of America, no matter where they lived or what their religious affiliation might be. With both his radio show, The Catholic Hour, and his weekly television program, Life Is Worth Living, Fulton Sheen presented the full range of our Catholic tradition, ranging from explaining the teachings of the Church on morality to explaining our love for the Blessed Virgin Mary in terms that our Protestant brothers and sisters could understand, always using his well-honed intellectual gifts (honed at our St. Paul Seminary) and years of experience as a teacher and pastor to share the truths of the faith with the world.
In the process of this work of evangelization, he won an Emmy for Most Outstanding Television Personality in 1952 (and offered gratitude to his "four writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John"). His example reminded the Church, especially here in America, that when we're rooted in prayer, we can spread the Good News of Jesus Christ anywhere.
We’re still able to watch and listen to his shows in the present day, as they still air on Catholic networks, and we’re able to find them on YouTube as well.
From the days of the apostles, communication has always been a key part of the ministry of being a bishop. As the shepherd of this archdiocese, it’s not surprising that I want the people of this local Church to know Jesus and to know what motivates me to put my trust in Christ and his Church. With that in mind, I’ve been so grateful for this series, Together on the Journey. Your comments help me to know what is on your mind, and I hope that these Weekly Words help you to know what is important to me. While I don’t have the flair or jawline to win an Emmy like Fulton Sheen, his use of the media as a bishop will always be a great source of inspiration for me. You can be sure that at his beatification—and then again at his tomb in Peoria—I’ll be asking for his intercession with these columns and our monthly videos. Please keep me in your prayers as well, so that our efforts to touch hearts and bring people to Christ might bear some of the fruit that Archbishop Sheen enjoyed.
The Archdiocesan Center for Mission will also be leading a pilgrimage to St. Louis and to Peoria, Archbishop Sheen’s final resting place. As director of the national office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, he was a great promoter of the Church’s missionary efforts. Our Center for Mission continues that great work.
Fulton Sheen is probably best known as a pioneer in using new technology to spread the Gospel—which has evolved into what Pope Leo now calls digital evangelization. Long before Catholic influencers took to Instagram, he shared the Gospel using the most influential media of his time—TV and radio—to meet the people of America, no matter where they lived or what their religious affiliation might be. With both his radio show, The Catholic Hour, and his weekly television program, Life Is Worth Living, Fulton Sheen presented the full range of our Catholic tradition, ranging from explaining the teachings of the Church on morality to explaining our love for the Blessed Virgin Mary in terms that our Protestant brothers and sisters could understand, always using his well-honed intellectual gifts (honed at our St. Paul Seminary) and years of experience as a teacher and pastor to share the truths of the faith with the world.
In the process of this work of evangelization, he won an Emmy for Most Outstanding Television Personality in 1952 (and offered gratitude to his "four writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John"). His example reminded the Church, especially here in America, that when we're rooted in prayer, we can spread the Good News of Jesus Christ anywhere.
We’re still able to watch and listen to his shows in the present day, as they still air on Catholic networks, and we’re able to find them on YouTube as well.
From the days of the apostles, communication has always been a key part of the ministry of being a bishop. As the shepherd of this archdiocese, it’s not surprising that I want the people of this local Church to know Jesus and to know what motivates me to put my trust in Christ and his Church. With that in mind, I’ve been so grateful for this series, Together on the Journey. Your comments help me to know what is on your mind, and I hope that these Weekly Words help you to know what is important to me. While I don’t have the flair or jawline to win an Emmy like Fulton Sheen, his use of the media as a bishop will always be a great source of inspiration for me. You can be sure that at his beatification—and then again at his tomb in Peoria—I’ll be asking for his intercession with these columns and our monthly videos. Please keep me in your prayers as well, so that our efforts to touch hearts and bring people to Christ might bear some of the fruit that Archbishop Sheen enjoyed.
Called and Gifted™ Workshop (Sept. 26)
Explore the ancient teaching of the Church on how the gifts (or charisms) of the Holy Spirit work in your life and in the life of your parish. During these workshops, you will learn the signs and characteristics of the most common charisms of the Holy Spirit.
Explore the ancient teaching of the Church on how the gifts (or charisms) of the Holy Spirit work in your life and in the life of your parish. During these workshops, you will learn the signs and characteristics of the most common charisms of the Holy Spirit.
Archbishop’s Discernment Retreat (Oct. 16-18)
Have you thought that maybe God is calling you to be a Catholic priest? This annual discernment retreat is for men who are juniors in high school through age 24 (who do not have a college degree) and are interested in the priesthood. The weekend retreat is led by Archbishop Hebda and Father Mark Pavlak, director of vocations.
Unity in diversity
With a mission to meet the spiritual, educational and cultural needs of African American and African diaspora communities, the Archdiocesan Commission of Black Catholic Ministry has been reestablished in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Archdiocese’s capital campaign strengthening scholarship efforts
One in six Catholic elementary school students in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis started this school year with a scholarship from St. Paul-based Aim Higher Foundation, a 21% increase from the 2025-2026 school year.
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What God can do with a yes
What can happen when we say yes to where God is leading? Scott Blackwood shares his journey into Catholic education and his new role at Way of the Shepherd Montessori School in Blaine. Then, Jenni and Jeff Fuchs share how their podcast, Kept in Her Heart, began and where God has led it since.
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
Golden Hour, Madeline Orsinger, Stillwater
Path the family is called to take
"Jesus explained to His disciples that, in real life, the seed is the Word of God, who is not an ideology but rather a Person, True God and True Man. And the soil? Pope Leo concludes that 'it is our heart, but also the world, the community, the Church.' Here the question arises: What soil does the Lord find in my heart, our world, our community, our Church? How do I receive His daily offering of His very self? On what path am I, my spouse, my children and my parents traveling?"
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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Sept. 21, 2026