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Archives: June 2022
Second Archdiocesan Synod
Synod Parish Delegates
Last Call for Vatican Synod Survey
The Vatican Synod survey will close Tuesday, June 21 at 8 p.m. CDT. Please continue to encourage parishioners to take the survey at archspm.org/vaticansurvey. Find further information and resources below.
Change is an inevitable part of life. Some people dread change while others relish it. Both The Basilica and The Basilica Landmark are facing many changes, navigating transitions from the old to the new.
Over the past two years, the pandemic has presented The Basilica with one of our biggest challenges. Pivoting to livestreaming services and virtual programming required thinking outside the box and an all-hands-on deck approach. Likewise, The Basilica and The Basilica Landmark events have gone through a number of transitions. The Basilica Block Party was cancelled in 2020, as was the Landmark Spark gala. 2021 shifted the Block Party to September and Spark to a virtual format. Last year also brought the 25th and final Basilica Ascension Golf Tournament. 2022 has produced even more change: hiatus and reimaging of the Block Party and back to an in-person celebration of Landmark Spark.
Staff and volunteer departures and arrivals have prompted shifting relationships and job responsibilities. Mara Stolee Cable knows all about change. She leaves the Parish Council after four years of service as the Development Representative. Mara has gone through many transitions at The Basilica. She joined The Basilica Young Adult group after college, participated in Bible Study and volunteered with Christian Life outreach but was unsure how to transition from being a Basilica “young adult” to being a Basilica “adult.” Serving on the parish council was a big step, but Mara says she has always tried to discern what steps God is calling her to take. God is now calling Mara to move to Boston to pursue a PhD program.
Meade Arseniadis, while not new to The Basilica, is a most recent addition to The Basilica Landmark Board. Meade witnessed her mother’s and friend’s involvement in The Basilica community, in particular the golf tournament. This motivated her to become involved. She would like to pass down that passion for what The Basilica stands for to her own children. She is excited to be part of The Basilica Landmark Board with all its knowledge and passion. “There is a lot of transition in the works for both The Basilica and The Basilica Landmark. We can create a new story with a lot of strategic direction behind it.”
Of course, one of the biggest changes we all face is Fr. John Bauer’s departure for Our Lady of Lourdes, after fifteen years as pastor of The Basilica and Fr. Daniel Griffith’s installation as our new pastor. Mara is happy for Fr. Bauer and pleased with how much confidence he has that Fr. Daniel will carry The Basilica into the future. “God gives us the courage to move forward,” states Mara. “Prayer is a resource in our faith. We need to invite God to walk with us through changes like this.” Likewise, Meade says, “While Fr. Bauer’s stepping aside is sad, Fr. Daniel brings a whole new chapter. This change is an opportunity for growth. We are ready for this transition.”
As Fr. Bauer’s tenure comes to a close, many parishioners and community members have been asking what they could do for him before he departs. You can follow Fr. Bauer’s example of commitment to The Basilica by making a tribute gift to The Basilica Fund. Fr. Bauer’s steady leadership has set a foundation for The Basilica’s future and your gift can support our beloved Basilica in delivering on our mission as we welcome our new pastor. You can make a gift online at mary.org/tributegift or by calling Nicole at 612.317.3472.
Homelessness in our Community:
A Zoom Forum
Saturday, June 25 at 9:00am CST
An update to Basilica Strategic Area of Focus:
Homelessness—Responding to the needs of people experiencing or at risk of homeless.
Homelessness is a reality in our community. As people of faith, we seek to learn from and support those experiencing homelessness. Together, we work to reduce its impact and make homelessness rare, brief, and a one-time experience.
Come to hear from people with lived experience of homelessness and from leaders in the state, county, and city. Learn about progress made through collaborative efforts to address homelessness in Minnesota. What has worked? What has not worked? How can we move forward to reduced homelessness in our community?
The Forum Panel will include:
- MN State: Cathy ten Broeke, Director to Prevent and End Homelessness for the State of Minnesota—along with consultants with lived experience of homelessness
- Hennepin County: David Hewitt, Director of Housing Stability
- Minneapolis: Katie Dillon, Director of Align Mpls
- Street Voices of Change: insight and wisdom from people with lived experience of homelessness
Register for the zoom credentials: Click HERE
For more information, call 612.317.3477.
Ending Homelessness
Resources and more information
All Mass recordings can be found at Mass Recordings.
Farewell Fr. Bauer Ice Cream Socials
June 19, 25, & 26
Basilica West Lawn and Plaza
Join us in celebration and appreciation of Fr. Bauer. You are invited to thank Fr. Bauer and wish him well as his tenure as pastor of The Basilica comes to an end.
Sunday, June 19 - after the 7:30 and 9:30am Masses
Saturday, June 25 - after the 5:00pm Mass
Sunday, June 26 - after the 11:30am Mass
Please take time to vote. The Parish Council represents you—our parishioners. The Council plays a key role in working with the pastor to ensure that The Basilica of Saint Mary community continues to live out our mission and vision.
We are in need of two parishioners to serve on our Parish Council—one to represent our Learning ministries and the other to represent the Liturgy and Sacred Arts ministries. By voting, you will help elect two members to the Council.
We are pleased to announce our candidates, who are well qualified and exhibit the spirit of stewardship, volunteerism, and leadership that make The Basilica of Saint Mary such a special place.
Please take a few minutes to read the biographies included, written in each candidate’s own words and chronicle their personal commitment to The Basilica and its vital programs.
Thank you in advance for your participation and your continued support of The Basilica. Every registered adult parishioner in each household is entitled to vote once.
The deadline for voting is 5:00pm on Monday, June 13.
https://mybasilica.mary.org/page.aspx?pid=656
To vote, log into your MyBasilica account.
If you need assistance contact Lucy at lsorensen@mary.org
The last few weeks have been tough. The news cycle has been heartbreaking. We continue to struggle with the ongoing pandemic. People are tired - physically, emotionally and spiritually. I hope you’ll take time to take care of yourself and to take advantage of The Basilica’s services and programs to nourish your spirit. Visit the events calendar at mary.org/news.
Now, for some good news:
Parish Council Elections: This spring we have a great roster of candidates seeking election on behalf of a variety of ministry areas of the parish. Voting will be active on the parish website through Friday, June 13 at 5:00pm. Please take a moment to read the candidates’ biographies and cast your vote for your parish representatives at mary.org/vote.
Parish Council Chair: I am delighted to announce that Dr. Jill Reilly will be succeeding me as chair of the Parish Council.
Jill has belonged to The Basilica since 2007. She served in various ways including six years on Finance Committee, work on the Strategic Plan, and the Assessment Team. Dr. Reilly was President of the Academy of Holy Angels (AHA) and Superintendent of Schools within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. She received the 2008 Leading with Faith Award from The Catholic Spirit. Jill is a wife, mother of three adult children, and grandmother of six. You can get in touch with Jill at mary.org/parishcouncil.
Celebrating Fr. Baur and Welcoming Fr. Griffith: We’ll have an opportunity to say farewell and thank you to Fr. John Bauer as he departs to become pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Minneapolis. Mark your calendars for ice cream socials after Mass on June 19, 25 and 26. We also look forward to welcoming Fr. Dan Griffith as pastor and rector of The Basilica in July and at his Installation Mass on August 13 at 5:00pm.
The Basilica Fund Update: Thanks to parishioner support, we are so close to our philanthropic goals for this year! We have just $48,000 left to raise by June 30 to continue powering our mission, ministries and programs. If you have already given this year, thank you! If you have not yet made a gift, please consider a gift of any size by June 30 to help meet our goals. The Basilica Fund powers everything we do, and every gift matters. Visit mary.org/give to give.
As this is my final newsletter as Parish Council chair, I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve. It has been an honor, and I look forward to seeing you around The Basilica!
Katelin Richter Davis
Chair, Parish Council
The Basilica of Saint Mary
All Mass recordings can be found at Mass Recordings.
