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"I write to you on this day that commemorates the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country. This is a sobering time for our nation as we recall the horrific violence that changed the world. In the midst of this commemoration, we are also witnessing suffering on a grand scale throughout the world – in Afghanistan, as a result of many natural disasters, from the continued effects of a global pandemic, and the suffering that so many experience as a result of injustice and a lack of basic material goods. We believe in a God who has entered into our world in Christ Jesus and continues to extend his outstretched hand of grace. Having been lifted by Christ, we are called to extend our hands to our brothers and sisters in need ..."

"As a community, we must confront this disturbing reality – we must be willing to name the harm and to resolutely work for greater justice and healing. In my homily yesterday, I said that we are at a Kairos moment – a decisive opportunity for change in our lives, in our community and in our Church. Aided by the light of the risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians must lead as we seek to build a more just and peaceful community... "

Dear Friends in Christ, As we now have entered back into ordinary time, I write to you with mixed emotions. In the United States these are anything but ordinary times. Conversely, below I announce a number of positive developments in the life of Our Lady of Lourdes ...

Earlier this week, the Vatican Secretariat of State released a much anticipated 400 plus page report on theHoly See’s institutional knowledge and decision-making related to former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick ...

In his homily last Sunday, Father Griffith referenced an article and a video for further reflection on the topic of justice. They can be found here ...

In this letter to the parish, Father Daniel Griffith shares several updates: the passing of Timothy Neeb, the celebration of life for Barbara Bye, upcoming memorial services for George Floyd, and how restorative practices offer a path to healing during this time of heavy sadness and helplessness.

From Fr. Griffith: I write to you today with sadness in my heart at the senseless killing of George Floyd and the tumultuous response that has resulted over the last couple of days in Minneapolis and neighboring St. Paul. These are challenging days for our community. Yesterday, I released a statement on these events, wherein I called on our civic community to address the persistent and systematic patterns of racial injustice that have afflicted Minneapolis and indeed the state of Minnesota for decades.

I am deeply saddened by the senseless killing of George Floyd and the tumult that has resulted in Minneapolis. My prayers and thoughts and those of the Catholic Community of Our Lady of Lourdes go out to the family and friends of Mr. Floyd as well as the African American community and citizens of Minneapolis ...

On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this reflection from Father Daniel Griffith, and our continued prayers for respect for the dignity of life throughout its continuum.

‪Fr. Griffith joined Joe Ruff from The Catholic Spirit to talk about restorative justice, healing, and the path forward.

Archbishop Hebda has appointed Father Dan Griffith, Liaison for Restorative Justice and Healing in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, in addition to his assignment as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes and on the faculty at the St. Thomas Law School. To help support this new restorative justice ministry, Archbishop Hebda has also appointed Fr. Bryce Evans to Our Lady of Lourdes as a half-time Parochial Vicar. Both assignments are effective July 1, 2019...

From his recent experience at several forums on the church crisis, and from the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, Fr. Griffith offers a comprehensive reflection on the church crisis through the lens of Biblical and Catholic theology in this article titled, "From the Pit of Destruction to the Grace of Redemption: Biblical and Theological Foundations for the Renewal of the Catholic Church."

The reason we recognize the theme of restoration so prominently manifested on the Feasts of Christmas and Easter is because the work of restoration is central to the mission of Christ. We believe by faith that God’s incarnate love in Christ culminated in the paschal mystery of Christ – his dying and rising. Through the death and resurrection of Christ all of humanity is “wonderfully restored” and indeed reconciled to love of the Father ...

Father Dan Griffith in "The Catholic Spirit" - Many Catholics hope that the unprecedented anti-abuse summit held in Rome will usher in a sea change for the Church in its handling of clergy abuse and the attendant cover-up...

"It's really happening in this room, tonight," Ramsey County Attorney John Choi told those gathered of the archdiocese's progress. "Where there's reconciliation, where people are acknowledging harm that was caused to all sorts of families..."