Twin Cities

Fr. Neuhaus on his recent visit to the Twin Cities, echoing the sentiment expressed here, in comments from observers, that, St. Joan of Arc not withstanding, many good things are happening in that diocese under the leadership of Archbishop Flynn.

Comments

[Christine]

"One priest put it nicely: “He’s a great hirer but a lousy firer.” By that he meant that, when there is an opportunity for renewal, the archbishop puts the right people in charge, but he shies away from confronting doctrinal and moral miscreants."

Sigh. That's really not very helpful. Almost makes me wish we could dig up and clone St. Athanasius.

[midwestmom]

“He’s a great hirer but a lousy firer.”

This would explain the Minneapolis priest that currently sits on the 'Leadership Team' of Dignity USA.

[Tim Ferguson]

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is going to be in very good stead in the near and long-term future. There are some energetic young priests and lay folks, building on the solid foundations laid and preserved through the chill of arctic winter by sacerdotal giants like Msgr. Schuler (having just celebrated his 60th jubilee), Fr. Welzbacher, Fr. Hogan, Fr. Skluzacek and many others. The seminaries are much more solid than they've been for a generation and the faith of the people is solid and remarkable (every year for many, many years now, the annual rosary processions in May at the Cathedral and Basilica draw big crowds). I wouldn't be surprised, and certainly not disappointed, if the next generation of bishops draws heavily from the ranks of priests ordained in the Twin Cities in the last twenty years.

[JoAnna]

My husband and I went through RCIA and were confirmed at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. We had an incredibly positive experience - it is a terrific church and a great diocese.

We gave our daughter the middle name of "Mary," and we've made it a family tradition to attend the Easter Vigil every year. Harry Flynn is not without his faults, but he's a fantastic guy, as are the staff at the Basilica.

[Marc]

An exceptional parish in the diocese is St. Agnes in St. Paul. The pastor there is Fr.
Altier. A shepherd's shepherd.
Read his daily homilies at:
http://www.stagnes.net/fr-altier.html

Marc

[Marc]

An exceptional parish in the diocese is St. Agnes in St. Paul. The pastor there is Fr.
Altier - a solid shepherd for his flock.

Read his daily homilies at:
http://www.stagnes.net/fr-altier.html

Marc

[Tim Ferguson]

Actually, Fr. Welzbacher is the pastor and Fr. Altier is the associate. Both are incredibly holy and good priests in their own way (and a good demonstration of how holiness and orthodoxy can present themselves in two very different personalities).

[Jill Christensen]

I went to college in Minneapolis and experienced the best and the worst the diocese had to offer. I never visited Joan of Arc, but right around the corner from my art college was St. Stephen's. I'll spare you the gory details but, Whoooa-nelly!

OTOH, St. Olaf's parish, located downtown, was wonderful. I went through RCIA there, and attended a Lenten seminar on the documents of V2. Thanks to that seminar I know any reference to the "spirit of V2" is a big, bright, red flag. The priests there really seemed to have a fire in their soul. They preached on the readings with clarity. And the liturgy was beautiful. If ony every liturgical director could be both orthodox and have a doctorate in litugy.

The down side is that I've been spoiled for my parish life here in Southern California.

[Vivian]

Jill

Pope Benedict today made a plea to "keep the spirit of Vatican II alive". A red flag I guess?

Most conservative/traditionals as I were totally taken for a ride when we thought he was actually going to fight for more use of the Latin mass, but I guess the truth is in the actions unfortunatly

[Nicholas]

Pope Benedict today made a plea to "keep the spirit of Vatican II alive". A red flag I guess?

Well, there is a Spirit of Vatican II: the Holy Spirit. Without knowing the exact source and context of this quote, I'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and presume he is referring to the third person of the Trinity, and not to the faux-spirit with which we have often been burdened.