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As many of you have heard, our Minnesota bishops have announced that, effective July 1, the dispensation from Sunday Mass is lifted. Here at Saint John’s, we are so excited to welcome even more of our parishioners back to weekly Mass!

Coming off of Gov. Walz's latest executive order and Archdiocesan guidance, Saint John's updates pandemic protocols and procedures, effective May 28.

Ad Orientem simply means “to the East” and refers to the priest facing the same direction as the people during the Mass—towards the Lord. I first experienced praying the Mass this way as a lay person in a small chapel near New Ulm several years ago...

Christian Services needs your help to collect supplies for summer fun bags, which will be compiled for less fortunate youth right here in Little Canada at our next Discipleship Sunday on May 23.

Don't miss this annual tradition for the kids, socially safe and outdoors this year!

"How greatly today's world needs God's mercy! In every continent, from the depths of human suffering, a cry for mercy seems to rise up." — Saint Pope John Paul the Great. Join us at 3 PM in the church on Sunday, April 11 for our Divine Mercy Celebration.

Per Vatican and Archdiocesan guidance, this year we will be doing a sprinkling of the ashes on the head for Ash Wednesday. Sprinkling ashes, rather than marking foreheads, is the customary practice at the Vatican and in Italy. This got us thinking about the history of this Lenten tradition, and we’ve got a few resources to share here.

You might notice a slight change in Mass beginning on Ash Wednesday. Learn what and why here.

Catholics at the Capitol is back, and the need for Minnesota Catholics to speak up for life and dignity is greater now than ever. The big day is April 15, but registration is open now

Expanding on this week's bulletin article, I wanted to share this prayer to Saint Joseph (in the year of Saint Joseph), that's seldom been known to fail. Tradition holds that, upon finishing the ninth day of this morning prayer, if you receive roses or smell the scent of roses on that ninth day, the answer to your prayer is affirmative.

Saint John's School students share a message of hope and happiness as they celebrate this annual tradition of Catholic Education.

On February 6 & 7, we will be conducting our “Soup-er” Bowl Food Challenge for the poor. The challenge? To beat our monthly record of bags donated. This year we are looking to collect 120 bags or more. Let’s “soup-er” size the donation for February! Bags will be handed out this weekend at the doors with a list of items most needed.

Over the past several years, parish staff has been working to audit and digitize our records. One of the exciting features of our new software is the ability to offer a public online cemetery database and map.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, the parishioners of Saint John's continue to show their generosity to those in need. For 2020, we were forced to move our annual giving tree program to a completely online format. Nevertheless, as a parish, we raised almost $9,000 to help out at Christmas! Thank you!

9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. The novena runs from January 21-29

Twenty-five years ago, Pope St. John Paul II wrote that the Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ saving message to the world (Evangelium vitae 1). We offer this respect life reflection reprinted from the USCCB as we approach the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on January 22.

Director of Faith Formation Joe Block raises important national and world issues that might be under-represented in mainstream media. Here he lists important alternative resources.

Coming off of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we are reminded of the amazing power of a Mother's love. Saint John's youth took this one step further, consecrating themselves to Jesus through Mary. Here's how you can participate, too.

This year has been one for the books. Let's wrap it in prayer, love, and the peace that comes with complete surrender to our Lord. Join us as we lift up our Saint John's community, in humble recognition of 2020's challenges, in thanksgiving for the mysteries Jesus has offered. Read on to learn how you can get involved.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, the original "Santa Claus." When I think of St. Nick, the word "generosity" immediately springs to mind. Bishop Nicholas, who originally lived in what is now Turkey during the third century, was born wealthy, and spent his entire life giving what he had to those more in need. He especially loved the little children. There are famous stories of him dropping coins in through open windows and even chimneys ... sound familiar? These days there are many among us who we might not even realize are in need in unprecedented ways. If we can give to charities, food shelves and even our own Saint John's initiatives (Giving Tree, the school, weekly collections, even new pledges to our capital campaign), let us do so with generosity, and offer it up asking for the intercession of this great saint. Even if you cannot give more this season, let us all be sure to take the example of Good St. Nick, and lead our interactions and conversations with love, empathy and patience this season.