The Weekly Rundown: May 11-17
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If you don't receive our Morning Memo or missed one of our parish updates, here is a quick snapshot of our most recent resources and links shared in the last week.
Archdiocesan Update
Following Gov. Walz's Stay Safe Minnesota Order
People of St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s – Thank you for your patience and support during these difficult times. Please see the following letter and video from Archbishop Hebda regarding the possible return of public Masses. I share the Archbishop’s disappointment in these continued delays and support him in his decisions. Fr. Powers and I continue to pray for your health. -Fr. Izen
A Letter from Archbishop Hebda
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Two weeks ago, I communicated with you that the bishops of Minnesota had decided to ask our parishes to plan and prepare for the opening of public Masses May 18, based on the indicated expiration date of Governor Walz’s Stay-at-Home order. At the same time, the bishops proactively engaged public officials about the importance of some limited opening of our churches for Mass. A plan to resume public Masses in a limited manner on May 18—but only in places where parishes were willing and ready to follow a prescribed set of sanitization protocols—was submitted May 8 to the governor for feedback. Read more.
Scripture to Ponder from Last Week's Liturgies
Mass Recordings from May 11-17
- Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17: Mass
- Sixth Sunday of Easter (Vigil), May 16: Mass
- Fifth Saturday of Easter, May 16: Mass
- Fifth Friday of Easter, May 15: Mass
- Fifth Thursday of Easter, May 14: Mass
- Fifth Wednesday of Easter, May 13: Mass
- Fifth Tuesday of Easter, May 12: Mass
- Fifth Monday of Easter, May 11: Mass
Our Favorites this Week
READ: Regina Caeli Address - Jesus says 'Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled' (by Pope Francis, May 10): Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! In today’s Gospel (Cf. John 14:1-12) we hear the beginning of Jesus’ so-called “Farewell Discourse.” They are the words He addresses to the disciples at the end of the Last Supper, just before facing the Passion. In this dramatic moment, Jesus began by saying: “Let not your hearts be troubled” (v. 1). He says it also to us, in the dramas of life. But what can one do not to have one’s heart troubled, because the heart does get anxious? The Lord points out two remedies for anxiety. Read more.
LEARN: Our Lady of Fatima's 5 Lessons for 2020 (by Tom Hoopes): May 13 is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. It celebrates the first of the apparitions of Mary to three Portuguese shepherd children in 1917. The Church learned valuable lessons from the Fatima apparitions that the world needs now. Lesson 1: Fatima keeps demanding to be noticed. Too often, Fatima makes me think of old newspaper clippings about the Miracle of the Sun, grainy photographs of frowning shepherd children next to a ramshackle house, and the holy card my Mexican grandmother had on her nightstand with her rosary. But what happened in Fatima, Portugal, keeps asserting itself into the life of the Church. Read more.
WATCH: For Everyone Doubting Themselves (from Ascension Presents) Leah Darrow, Catholic speaker and former model, has a message to share with those who are looking for a deeper purpose in life. While telling a little of her own story, she speaks of how she went from feeling alone even while surrounded by friends to being surrounded by the satisfying love of God.
Online Daily Mass & Drive-Thru Confessions
Join us in prayer for Daily Mass every morning (Monday-Saturday) at 8:00 a.m. on Facebook Live. Drive-Thru Confessions are available every week day 5:00-5:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday) in addition to 8:00-8:30 a.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m. (Saturday).