A woman becomes emotional as she prays with a rosary during Eucharistic adoration following the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life Jan. 19, 2023, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. OSV News photo/Bob RollerFather Benedict Groeschel, a founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, pointed out in his book “In the Presence of Our Lord: The History, Theology, and Psychology of Eucharistic Devotion” that there are “four kinds of prayer most appropriate in the presence of the Eucharist, namely adoration and praise, thanksgiving, repe ..read more

Brandon Dunn wipes his eyes during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington Feb. 1, 2023, on the impact of illicit fentanyl use in the U.S. Dunn is sitting with a small urn holding ashes of his late son Noah Dunn, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. OSV News photo/Jonathan Ernst, ReutersCatholics working to address the nation’s fentanyl problem told OSV News a new congressional report naming China — and blaming its government — as the key source of the drug is important but old news, and that healing rising rates of addiction ultimately demands divine assistance. On April 16, the Hou ..read more

Kenna MilleaKenna Millea and her husband, Pat, felt called to offer their gifts to the Church in an “intentional” way — she as a licensed marriage and family therapist, he as a speaker and parish minister. In 2022, after much discernment, they founded The Martin Center for Integration — which offers faith-based mental health services for individuals, couples and organizations — and they host a free podcast called “This Whole Life.” As parents of seven, ages 4 to 13, and members of both St. Agnes in St. Paul, where their kids attend school, and St. Joseph in West St. Paul, the couple was alread ..read more

The debate over the legalization of sports gambling has intensified at the Legislature, raising concerns about the potential negative impact on individuals and communities. The Minnesota Catholic Conference stands firm in our opposition to the expansion of gambling, advocating instead for strict limitations and expansive safeguards against addiction. The proliferation of online sports betting, easily accessible via smartphones, poses significant risks to society. It exploits vulnerabilities, particularly among young men, by capitalizing on addictive tendencies and exacerbating gambling-related ..read more

On May 25, starting at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, 13 transitional deacons will be ordained to the priesthood. Two of these men, Deacons Brent Bowman and Sean Mulcare, shared their journeys to the presbyterate this week on the “Practicing Catholic” radio show with producer Kayla Mayer. Deacon Bowman said his journey to the priesthood began when he was confirmed in eighth grade. Deacon Brent Bowman and Deacon Sean Mulcare “I had a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit for the first time and I didn’t understand what that was. But I think looking back I can say, I think th ..read more

A priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, will bring his experience ministering in the oil-boom northwestern part of that state to pastoral formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. Father Brian Gross told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley that he will take the post of director of pastoral formation, a position currently held by retiring Father Michael Skluzacek, who has ministered for 44 years in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Father Brian Gross “If you’ve heard of the oil field or the oil boom or any of those sorts of things in northwestern Nor ..read more

Looking back as he prepares to leave his post as director of pastoral formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul — and to retire after 44 years of active ministry — Father Michael Skluzacek said it is hard to pick the greatest joys of being a priest. “I’d say the number one joy is celebrating the sacraments,” he told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley. “That, by far, is the greatest joy, to be able to celebrate the Eucharist. After 44 years, that’s still the highlight of every day, when I’m able to celebrate the Eucharist. Right up with that would be celebrating the sacra ..read more

Moviegoers tempted by a title like “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (Warner Bros.) are presumably not in search of Shakespearian levels of dramatic insight. Even so, the disparity between the reasonably impressive special effects on offer in the film and its low-grade human interaction remains noticeable. In creating this sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” returning director Adam Wingard and screenwriters Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett and Jeremy Slater at least set themselves a fresh goal. Namely, to have the two familiar creatures of the title abandon their longstanding feud and unite for ..read more

Toward the end of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (Columbia), the fifth film in a supernatural comedy franchise that dates back to 1984, Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman says to a group of other characters, “I knew you had one more dance in ya!” Sadly, a different verdict might have to be rendered about the venerable series itself. As the original movie approached its 40th anniversary, director Jason Reitman and his co-writer Gil Kenan crafted a promising reboot in the form of 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” In following up on that picture, with Kenan now at the helm, the two maintain the good-nat ..read more

Bishop Michael Izen delivers the homily during the annual Emblem Mass Feb. 24 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis sponsored by the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRITReflecting on his first year as a bishop and an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Bishop Michael Izen recalled a bright and joyful ordination day, shaking hands with Pope Francis in Rome and helping people spiritually. He also shared some upcoming responsibilities. This April 10 interview has been edited for clarity and length. Listen to the intervie ..read more