Joe Ruff

Encouraged by his parents, blessed by priestly role models and a desire to seek God’s will in silent, attentive prayer led Deacon Sebastian Spencer to the priesthood.

Deacon Alexander Hall’s road to the priesthood included deeply questioning the faith he grew up with before prayerfully encountering Christ’s love, peace and a call to ministry.

From left, newly-ordained Fathers Sebastian Spencer, Peter Romens, Dominic Miller, Steven Lang, Alexander Hall and Charles De Reuil II face the congregation during their ordination Mass May 30 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Years of preparation — even before entering formation for the permanent diaconate — are coming to fruition for Patrick Conley, a former host of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show.

Father Jim Livingston, pastor of St. Paul in Ham Lake, has been offering healing Masses for nearly 30 years. He invites people to “come and see, come and see.”

Families from Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis are recognized before the Minnesota Twins game against the Kansas City Royals June 7 at Target Field in Minneapolis. During the on-field ceremony, the Twins announced that the organization will lead an effort to renovate and enhance a beloved Wiffle ball field at Annunciation. COURTESY BRACE HEMMELGARN, MINNESOTA TWINS

The monstrance is held high by Father Paul Shovelain, pastor of St. John the Baptist in New Brighton, during a June 10 Eucharistic procession honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Adorers gathered on a bridge on Lake Valentine Road that spans Interstate 35-W near its interchange with Interstate 694. COURTESY TINA BOBNICK

Catholics’ ability to shape public policy was apparent in the Minnesota legislative session that ended May 18, two leaders of the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) emphasized in a recent conversation with The Catholic Spirit.

Among 21 awards received by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis' Office of Communications at the annual Catholic Media Conference (CMC), The Catholic Spirit received a first-place award for its special issue covering the Aug. 27 shooting at Annunciation in Minneapolis.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda expressed “great sadness” July 2 in reading that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) had rejected Pope Leo XIV's plea and consecrated four new bishops in Switzerland without the requisite papal mandate.