When Christians gather each year to celebrate Easter, we gather as a people of hope who believe in a God who keeps his promises. As St. John Paul II taught us, “we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” For Christians, the resurrection of Christ is not an abstraction or a theory, but rather a deep truth of our faith that gives meaning to our lives, purpose to our journey, and hope in the midst of trial and suffering.

Join us for this Culture of Encounter talk by sacred artist and iconographer, Nicholas Markell.  Markell created the Three Saint Mural, the Holy Spirit Mural, the medallions of the Four Evangelists, and the icons of St. Joan or Arc and St. Teresa of Calcutta here at Our Lady of Lourdes. This talk will take place in the church between the Sunday morning Masses. Everyone is welcome!

Janine Geske is a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice and Marquette Law School professor who has led conversations on restorative at the Vatican and throughout the world. Janine will lead a discussion on restorative justice at Lourdes from 4-6 pm on Sunday, April 29th. Panel members will include Mark Umbreit, Director of the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking and Father Dan Griffith. All are welcome!

You may recall that as I celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass last year, a group of Catholics unfurled a banner on the facade of our Cathedral stating: “Speaking up for unborn lives more than black and brown lives is white supremacy. Silence is sin.” Some of our brothers and sisters see the Church so consumed by our pro-life efforts and so “over[ly] vigilant on the single issue of abortion” that every other effort pales in comparison.

Lent is a season of conversion whereby, among other things, we practice almsgiving - a resolute commitment to live charity and justice. With this in mind, I would like to briefly apply the wisdom of Catholic Social Teaching to a number of contemporary issues that are on the mind of many of us these days.

Our Finance Council Chair, Linda Harty, shared an update on the parish financials at the Masses February 25th. Here is a summary of her comments and an update on our current financials.

Monday, February 26, is National Catholic Call-in Day for Dreamers.  The bishops of the United States are asking all people of good will to call their elected federal officials and ask them to protect our brothers and sisters who qualify as “Dreamers.”  Nearly two million young people are anxiously waiting for lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to come up with a bipartisan bill ahead of the March 5 deadline, when protections for DACA youth expire.

Is it really about chocolate, fish, Ash Wednesday or the Stations of the Cross? Another Lent is upon us! Will it really be just another Lent culminating with another Easter Sunday?

Father Griffith's Feast Day Homily: "Beauty in the Western philosophic tradition is a transcendental - along with truth and goodness. Through these, we are able to touch the very essence of God. In the sacred liturgy, God communicates with us through sign and symbol and thus the beauty of our churches and liturgy help disclose His living presence. Many of us worked so hard and sacrificed to renovate Lourdes because the beauty helps raise our minds and heart in worship of God."

We celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunday, February 11th and this year will be an extra special celebration. In addition to our Masses and Fleur de lis Awards, we will rededicate our newly restored church interior, the completed project of our Jubilee Year work. In this letter, Father Griffith shares his thoughts about the significance of the details in this work, and how Catholic liturgy, art and architecture converge to create a place of beauty, where everyone can experience God!

Does God have a favorite team?! Great MPR interview with Father Dan Griffith about sports, prayer and turning to heaven when the game gets tight.

Welcome to all our Super Bowl visitors! The weather may be cold but the welcome is indeed warm! While you're here, be sure to check out this list from Mpls St Paul magazine. We particularly like number 11!

Today’s readings are calling us to discover the real source of truth in our lives. What is the real source for authority? Where do you look for counsel; where do you look for the answers to meaning? Where do you look for direction?

Lourdes Justice and Charity team member Heidi Gibson was part of a mission trip to the Oblate Mission in October of 2017. She shared her thoughts and impressions in this article.

As Roe v Wade turns 45 on January 22, is it is particularly important to recognize the wound an abortion can inflict on the woman (her child, of course) and the father. Our Pastoral Care coordinator, Victoria Johnson, shares more.

Our Lenten Book Study small groups are now forming. This year, we will study Father Ronald Rolheiser's book titled, "The Passion and the Cross", a series of meditations that invites us to a new understanding of redemption, suffering and loss.

A Lourdes Facebook post has gone viral, and we're having great fun with the response! Here's more information on the social media reaction, as well as important information on a change in the Mass schedule at Lourdes for Super Bowl LII weekend, February 3rd and 4th, 2018.

Our Faith in Action series continues January 14th with a program on the topic of homelessness. Lourdes parishioner Tom Johnson, Kevin Abernathy, Father Griffith, and Amanda Horner from Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, will participate in this panel discussion. Our Sunday bulletin features an article on homeless in our state by Justice and Charity team member, Dave Beal.

Father Griffith shares two updates in this letter: his appointment as parochial administrator of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Northeast Minneapolis, which will be in addition to his current roles here at Lourdes and at the St. Thomas law school; and the success of our Jubilee Fund and the recent gifts that will allow us to complete the church interior projects.

Join us to celebrate His birth! Christmas Eve Masses are set for 4 and 10 pm and Christmas Day Masses at 9 and 11 am. The Lourdes choir will perform a Christmas music prelude beginning 30 minutes before each of these Masses. Everyone is welcome and Merry Christmas!