The Center for Mission serves the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis by offering opportunities to engage with mission communities overseas as well as expressing mission spirit here at home. This What’s New section is updated frequently with important events, dates and activities for the archdiocese.
National and Diocesan Collections Schedule for 2023
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National and Diocesan Collections Schedule for 2022
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Catholic Home Missions
This April 29/30, 2023, the Catholic Home Missions Appeal will be supported in your parishes. This US Conference of Catholic Bishops appeal aids dioceses in the U.S. that need help meeting their faith formation and sacramental needs. Today, nearly 40% of dioceses in the U.S. receive assistance from this appeal! That includes Dioceses of Crookston, New Ulm and Duluth in our own state. In addition, with the influx of Ukrainian refugees to the US, this appeal helps with their needed material and pastoral support. Please do what you can to make this a successful appeal in your parish. All collections should be forwarded by parishes to the Center for Mission for distribution. Questions, contact Deacon Mickey Friesen at friesenm@archspm.org
Holy Land Appeal – Good Friday
This annual appeal on Good Friday supports the Church in the Holy Land. Pope Francis has asked parishes to help as the Holy Land, which relies on pilgrimages and visitors, has been hit particularly hard by the Covid pandemic. You can help the Franciscan Friars in the Holy Land continue their efforts maintaining our sacred shrines, parishes and formation programs, Catholic schools, and providing basic humanitarian needs of food and shelter. When you contribute to the Good Friday collection you join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land and our brothers and sisters in Damascus.
Global Solidarity Sunday: March 18/19
On the weekend of March 18/19, we observe Global Solidarity Sunday with the theme “…I was blind and now I see” (Jn 9:25). This theme is an invitation for all to reach out around the world, and let our light shine for those who still hunger and thirst for God’s mercy, love and healing. This is especially needed today as one of the appeals, the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, is struggling from results of conflict. This appeal also supports spiritual and material needs of three other global priorities of the U.S. Catholic Bishops: Africa, Latin America and humanitarian activities of Catholic Relief Services. Documents for download: Click Here>>
Living Water Program
This program for schools and parishes is designed to connect us as individuals to children and families in Kitui, Kenya, our partnership diocese. By learning about how children and families cope and struggle to meet their daily needs during drought, we can support them in solidarity through prayer and raising money to improve their physical and spiritual rights. A daily calendar and water bottle for each individual to encounter the people of Kitui, is provided during Lent or post-Easter season. To find out more, contact Janine Ricker:Click Here>>
For additional information regarding CCHD and grant recipients, watch our Journey to Justice video, click here>>
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Lenten Rice Bowl; CRS Program
Wondering what to do for Lent? Don’t forget to order your Rice Bowl materials now as it is a remarkably rich Lenten program designed for schools, parishes and families that honors the three pillars of Lent: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Participants experience a sense of solidarity and awareness with our global family through many different activities that include prayer, teachings, video and recipes related to specific communities and individual stories around the world. Best of all, materials are free! Go to www.crsricebowl.org. If you have questions, contact Adam Fitzpatrick, fitzpatricka@archspm.org.
Season of Creation
Season of Creation Calendar>> Season of Creation Prayers>>
Writing Contest
Thank you to all who submitted your 2023 contest entries. Winners will be selected and notified around Easter.
MCP: Applications for 2024 are now being accepted. Application deadline is December 1, 2023. Accepted applicants will be notified by February 2024. Application forms available click here>> If you have questions, contact Deacon Mickey Friesen, click here>> or contact Bonnie Curry-Gabel at the Center for Mission at: click here>>
Pray the World Mission Rosary with the Center for Mission: Click Here>
Care for Creation: has a new contact email. If you are interested in joining, or discovering planned activities, email us click here>>
