The Basilica of Saint Mary

Each of us possesses useful gifts which are infused and sanctified at Baptism. God calls us to prayerfully and critically assess our talents, gifts, and skills.

Learn about the our volunteer ministries in greatest need at The Basilica in our new virtual volunteer ministry fair at https://bit.ly/VirtualVolMinistryFair or see a listing of all our volunter opportunties at mary.org/volunteer

During Basilica liturgies this weekend, we prayed with St. Phoebe, who served in the early Christian church. September is the month of her feast day.

We are joining over 150 parishes throughout the country in listening in a special way to the voice of women in the church. Special thanks to Janice Andersen (in photos) and Sr. Janet Ryan from the Precious Blood Ministries of Chicago (pbmr_chicago) for their insightful Scripture reflections.

Parish member and Star Tribune environment reporter Greg Stanley was today’s Season of Creation speaker, offering a menu of practical ways we can all reduce our carbon footprint via choices in our home, transportation, food, clothing, and more.

Consider making updates in your home, reducing your consumption of beef, using an energy smart power strip with your electronics, air drying your laundry, or reusing/donating your clothing. Read Greg’s article at https://www2.startribune.com/you-can-fight-climate-change-starting-right-now/600359013/

Do you know how much happens every year at The Basilica? Check out our new annual report to learn about everything that goes into making this amazing place run. https://www.mary.org/annualreport

Impact! Two restorative justice opportunities today - Father Daniel Griffith presented at the Focolare.org "Hearth for the Human Family" conference, while Director of Christian Life Janice Meberg Andersen and Sr. Janet Ryan from conducted a four-day circle keeper training session at The Basilica of Saint Mary. Grateful for the partnership between the Basilica and the Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing and excited about the ways we can share tools to foster justice, accountability, and healing.

Hope and Healing: The Promise of Catholic Social Teaching for a Divided America. The Reverend David T. Link Lecture Series.

"The Power of Faith and Values-Based Education in the Pursuit of Hope and Healing," at The Basilica of Saint Mary on Thursday, October 3rd. Reception at 5:00 pm. Lecture at 6:00 pm. Featuring Rob Vischer, president of the University of St. Thomas, and Marcus Cole, Dean of the Notre Dame Law School. Co-sponsored by the Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing.

The Hope and Healing series is a new interdisciplinary lecture series in honor and memory of Reverend David T. Link, former Dean of the Notre Dame Law School, founding Dean of the St. Thomas School of Law, faithful husband, father, and, later in life, a Roman Catholic priest who, throughout, served compassionately those on the margins of society. Hope and Healing will bring together Catholic and non-Catholic scholars, leaders, and advocates to educate, inspire, foster dialogue, and propose practical solutions to the complex issues and challenges facing American society and the Catholic Church.

https://mary.org/event/hopeandhealingseries100324/

Second-year novice Taylr Bahr, nSJ, (center) with the Jesuit Novitiate of the Midwest USA is volunteering ten hours per week this semester at The Basilica, primarily on Sundays, to gain valuable experience in an active parish setting on his journey to the Jesuit priesthood. If you see Taylr at The Basilica on a Sunday this fall, please be sure to introduce yourself!

He and fellow second-year novices Bobby Nichols (left) and Mark Tromley (right) joined some of The Basilica staff for lunch in our Reardon Rectory dining room this afternoon. Bobby and Mark are getting their parish experiences at St. Joan of Arc and St. Thomas More parishes.

Join us for fun and fellowship on Saturday, October 12 after 5pm Mass for Oktoberkest! Free bingo with gift card prizes. Food options (brats, German potato salad, soft pretzels, and apple cake) and variety of beverages all available for purchase. What’s the “wurst” that can happen?

Pre-registration is appreciated for planning purposes at https://bit.ly/bsm-oktoberfest

This weekend we are having a second collection to support our St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Ministry. Your donation to SVdP helps those in need with housing, food, gas cards, bus cards, hygiene items, and more—like our Mentor Program.

The Basilica St. Vincent de Paul Mentor Program with Minneapolis College accompanies college students with lived experience of homelessness and generational poverty. These relationships are transformational for both student and mentor alike. As we begin a new school year, we reflect on the impact this program had on a student last May. One participant shared, “School was really hard—and to have my mentor hold me accountable helped me by not letting me hide. That’s something I have done my whole life. Learning that, is so true. Thank you for always being there. My mentor is there for me all the time.”

Please make your gift online to support this important work at https://mary.org/svdpgive. Thank you!

Our Pastor, Fr. Daniel Griffith, Trustee, Tom Paul, and Managing Director of Ministries, Dr. Johan van Parys invite you to join them to learn about the planned Restoration Projects at The Basilica of Saint Mary. Hear about the assessment results, findings, and plans for future restoration projects.
Please register for one information session.
https://mary.org/.../restoration-project.../2024-09-24/
Tuesday, September 24, 5:15pm
Saturday, September 28, 3:45pm

Our Pastor, Fr. Daniel Griffith, Trustee, Tom Paul, and Managing Director of Ministries, Dr. Johan van Parys invite you to join them to learn about the planned Restoration Projects at The Basilica of Saint Mary. Hear about the assessment results, findings, and plans for future restoration projects.
Please register for one information session.
https://mary.org/event/restoration-project-sessions/2024-09-24/
Tuesday, September 24, 5:15pm
Saturday, September 28, 3:45pm

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Saint Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in the early fourth century in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. During the excavation of the Temple of Aphrodite, tradtionally believed to have been built over Christ's tomb in the second century, workers found three crosses. The cross on which Jesus died was identified when its touch healed a dying woman and immediately became an object of veneration. Constantine ordered construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on this site in about 326. The Eastern Churches, Catholic and Orthodox alike, celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the September anniversary of the church's dedication.

For all who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001, for those whose memories of that tragic day still haunt them, and for those who so selflessly responded to the needs of others, we pray to the Lord. Amen.

Photos from Pope Francis' visit to the Ground Zero memorial on September 25, 2015.

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2015/9/25/usagroundzero.html

Usher/greeters are often the first face of welcome for visitors at Basilica liturgies. It is a wonderful ministry for people who desire to share their enthusiasm for our community with others. It is also great for new members to get to know others at Mass or for families to minister together.

We especially need help at 5pm on Saturdays and 7:30am and 5:30pm on Sundays. Learn more from Rámond at [email protected]