Local
In this file photo from 2019, Ashley Roque Garcia is baptized by Father Don Willard at St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center during the Easter Vigil Mass April 20. At left is Father Aaron Meszaros. Both priests were serving the parish at the time, with Father Willard serving as the pastor.  DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archdiocese: 1,122 non-infant baptisms, receptions into the Church this Easter season

This year, the Archdiocese of S. Paul and Minneapolis began collecting information from its 185 parishes about the number of non-infant baptisms and non-infant receptions into the Catholic Church during the Easter season.
Nation + World
A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died when the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. The flight crashed midday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport with more than 240 people on board.

Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by tragic Air India plane crash

Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to victims' families after an Air India flight headed to London Gatwick airport crashed shortly after takeoff in the western city of Ahmedabad.
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In this file photo from 2019, Ashley Roque Garcia is baptized by Father Don Willard at St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center during the Easter Vigil Mass April 20. At left is Father Aaron Meszaros. Both priests were serving the parish at the time, with Father Willard serving as the pastor.  DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archdiocese: 1,122 non-infant baptisms, receptions into the Church this Easter season

This year, the Archdiocese of S. Paul and Minneapolis began collecting information from its 185 parishes about the number of non-infant baptisms and non-infant receptions into the Catholic Church during the Easter season.
The flyer for the His Name Hallowed concert July 10 at Holy Family Catholic High School football stadium.

Holy Family Catholic High School football field site of Catholic-Christian concert

Hoping to bring Christ’s love into more lives, Catholic singer-songwriters Seph Schleuter and Aly Aleigha will perform July 10 at the Holy Family Catholic High School football stadium in Victoria at a concert billed as His Name Hallowed.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda

Archbishop Hebda prepares to review ideas from 2025 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly

Archbishop Bernard Hebda described the Archdiocesan Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly as a day of hope. The 2025 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly was shorter than the previous one in 2022, which Archbishop Hebda believed helped prepare assembly members to discuss propositions more intently. The format of the day was the same as in 2022, but assembly members expressed to Archbishop Hebda that they were grateful for more time to discuss the propositions.
Steve Broszko and Nikelle Morris

Missed the Boat Theatre thespians explain their roles in ‘The Matchmaker’

People familiar with musical theater may recognize that the musical “Hello Dolly” is based on “The Matchmaker,” Broszko said. The play is written by Thornton Wilder, a writer known for unique twists. Wilder’s focus, Broszko said, is making ordinary moments of life extraordinary.
A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died when the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. The flight crashed midday shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport with more than 240 people on board.

Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by tragic Air India plane crash

Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to victims' families after an Air India flight headed to London Gatwick airport crashed shortly after takeoff in the western city of Ahmedabad.
The "Black Cloud" installation by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai (Liosha Say) is displayed near Holy Wisdom Cathedral, or St. Sophia Cathedral, in central Kyiv June 8, 2025. The cathedral was damaged in large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv and Odesa June 10 that killed up to seven people and injured up to 13 others. In a chilling evocation of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, the art installation includes the sounds of artillery fire, explosions, drones and military vehicles.

Kyiv’s historic cathedral damaged in Russian air strikes

Up to seven people were killed and up to 13 injured in a large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv and Odesa June 10, which also damaged the historic Holy Wisdom Cathedral, also known as St. Sophia Cathedral.
This photo shows the second-grade class of Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, at St. Mary of the Assumption School in Riverdale, Ill., in 1962. He is the fourth boy standing next to the blackboard. The Sisters of Christian Charity taught the future pope at the school.

Pope’s brother says even as a baby, future pontiff had a spiritual ‘air’ about him

Much has been reported about Pope Leo XIV's earliest days of playing priest at the family's home in Dolton, a suburb south of Chicago.
From left, lectors Naomi Hasegawa, Julie Le and Marzena Laugen join the processional for the Extended Vigil Mass of Pentecost at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul June 7.  DAVE HRBACEK  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Archdiocesan Synod 2025 Be My Witnesses Assembly opens, closes with prayers to the Holy Spirit

“How can our hearts not be moved?” Archbishop Bernard Hebda asked the congregation at the Extended Vigil Mass of Pentecost June 7 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.
People gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on May 7 hold signs showing their support for nonpublic education during an event called Rally and Advocacy Day. Nonpublic school pupil aid was protected in a June 9-10 special session. DAVE HRBACEK  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Special session ends, Minnesota Catholic Conference notes key victories

The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) is celebrating five key victories at the conclusion of the Minnesota State Legislature’s special session to finalize Gov. Tim Walz’s two-year budget.
Smoke rises from a burning car on Atlantic Boulevard during a standoff by protesters and law enforcement, following multiple detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Compton, Calif., June 7, 2025.

LA archbishop calls for prayer, restraint, immigration law reform amid ICE protests

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles is calling for prayer, while urging "restraint and calm" as clashes have broken out in that city over recent immigration arrests. President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard amid pushback from California officials and is threatening to mobilize Marines.
Tom Florczak, right, a synod member, offers comments during a large group session during the afternoon session of the 2025 Synod assembly June 7 at Cretin-Derham Hall high school in St. Paul. Holding the microphone is Estela Villagrán Manancero, director of Latino ministry for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Prayerful listening, idea sharing highlights of 2025 Synod assembly afternoon session

Prayerful listening and idea sharing were highlights of the Archdiocesan Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly afternoon session, as members of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis sought to assist Archbishop Bernard Hebda in discerning the archdiocese’s trajectory in upcoming years.
Faith
A stained-glass window at St. William Church in Waukesha, Wis., depicts Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles at Pentecost. The feast of Pentecost, often referred to as the birthday of the church, is celebrated on May 19 this year.

The room rarely matters; who is present does

With respect to Lin Manuel Miranda — and bearing in mind that a title cannot be copywritten — what or where is “the room where it happened” for you? The first reading and the Gospel for Pentecost (Acts 2:2; Jn 20:19) describe the descent of the Holy Spirit and its gifts upon our ancestors when they are gathered in a room.

Vestments worn by priests

Peace be with you!

Commentary
Pope Leo XIV gives his homily while celebrating his first Mass as pope with the cardinals who elected him in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican May 9, 2025.

My personal hope for Pope Leo’s pontificate

Pope Leo XIV has been in the Petrine office for less than a month, but that hasn’t stopped tons of people from expressing their hopes for how the American-born pontiff can improve the Church and the world.

Gateways of faith

The gift of taking our time

Why I am Catholic
Practicing Catholic

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