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104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
January 14, 2018
Message from Pope Francis
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).
Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty. This situation is undoubtedly a “sign of the times” which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013. When I instituted the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section – under my personal direction for the time being – to express the Church’s concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking.
Full message
The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota have designated January 7, 2018 “Immigration Sunday MN” and encourage people to take action in response to Pope Francis’ Share the Journey (sharejourney.org) campaign, to support those who have left or been displaced from their home countries.
The Archdiocese is working with the Minnesota Catholic Conference to provide resources to learn about action they can take in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
Post cards to send to your legislators will be available at The Basilica January 6 and 7. The postcards and information are also available online at:
www.mncatholic.org/advocacyarea/immigration-sunday-mn/
The Basilica of Saint Mary proudly releases BASILICA Magazine, Fall 2017: The Basilica Community, Our history and our future.
Thank you to the volunteer Magazine team for their dedication creating this issue.
Melissa Streit, Carol Evans, Rita Nagan, Elyse Rethlake
www.mary.org/sites/default/files/assets/files/2415-2482-basilica-magazine-fall-2017.pdf
Inside this issue
Ascension: A Shelter from the Storms of Life
by Margaret Nelson Brinkhaus
Kristian Mauel Nguyen’s Next Milestone
Building a passion for The Basilica
by Steve Rudolph
Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation
The 500th Anniversary: 1517-2017
by Dirk G. Lange
Reflections on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Local faith leaders share their perspectives
Introduction by Johan M.J. van Parys, Ph. D.
Welcoming Dr. Sharon Pierce
Leading collaboration in our community
by Janice Andersen
Come As You Are
Creating connections through Pathways Ministry
by Elyse Rethlake
Hearing Jesus’ Call
Basilica Young Adults - faith, fun, and service
by Melissa Streit
The Life of a Swiss Guard
Vatican Museums exhibit stops in Minneapolis
by Johan M.J. van Parys, Ph. D.
Innovative Gifts
Reflecting what matters most in life
by Peggy Jennings and Monica Stuart
The Basilica Block Party and Landmark Ball: Captured in images
by Mae Desaire
The award-winning BASILICA magazine is sponsored by The Basilica Landmark, a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is the preservation and restoration of the historic Basilica of Saint Mary and it campus. BASILICA is published twice a year (spring and fall) with a circulation of 20,000.
For advertising information please contact Peggy Jennings.
The Basilica of Saint Mary dedicated the new Timothy P. Schmalz Homeless Jesus bronze sculpture on November 19, 2017, the World Day of the Poor, designated by Pope Francis.
The bronze sculpture of a life-size Christ figure shrouded in a blanket on a park bench has been stopping traffic on Hennepin Avenue and creating a flurry on social media. This addition to The Basilica’s sacred art collection has generated responses that have ranged from disgust to tears of compassion.
The meaning of the Homeless Jesus sculpture is to truly change hearts and minds towards people in need. The sculpture is designed to challenge and inspire each of us to be more compassionate and charitable and to see Jesus in each person we meet, and to take action to help end homelessness locally and around the world.
The dedication events included a presentation from the artist Timothy P. Schmalz who shared images and stories from his body of work. His powerful sculptures create an impact in each city and community they are installed.
Parishioners and community members then joined together in prayer for a beautiful dedication around the sculpture in front of The Basilica with music from the Schola Cantorum and StreetSong-MN, a community choir for those who have been or are currently experiencing homelessness.
For more information about the sculpture mary.org/HomelessJesus.
The Basilica of Saint Mary received a 2017 Building Energy Performance Award for outstanding energy reduction from the City of Minneapolis. Dave Laurent, Director of Buildings and Grounds accepted the award along with Peter Crain from the Basilica Landmark Board and Facilities Assessment committee, and Dennis Dillon from the Ecological Stewardship committee.
The Basilica Landmark has made significant renovations and capital investments possible for our historic building and campus to meet our ecological goals. The Landmark works with The Basilica’s Facilities Assessment and Ecological Stewardship volunteer committees to identify energy savings solutions.
The Basilica’s energy saving improvements for over the past three years include replacing the three original 1913 boilers with new more efficient equipment and renovating the Rectory and School buildings with central air conditioning to replace 35 window units. LED lighting updates have made throughout the campus inside and out including the bell towers, Church sanctuary, and lower level. These improvements have resulted in a 21% energy use reduction that has lowered our energy costs and improved our energy efficiency.
The Catholic Spirit Feature:
For years, icons created by local iconographer Nicholas Markell have been included in the Basilica of St. Mary’s icon procession, held annually at the Minneapolis parish to coincide with All Saints Day.
It coincides, however, with the opening of “Windows to Heaven: A Visual Hymn of Praise,” a retrospective of Markell’s work and life. On display in the Basilica’s John XXIII Gallery, the exhibition will focus on Markell as an artist and theologian.
Full article
http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/work-local-iconographer-subject-basilica-exhibition/
Join us November 5 for the icon processions during the 9:30 and 11:30am Masses.
Join the Wall of Conscious conversation.
The Timothy P. Schmalz Homeless Jesus bronze sculpture has arrived at The Basilica. It is currently located in the lower level and will be placed in front of the Church for the dedication on November 19, the World Day of the Poor.
The sculpture of a life-size Christ figure shrouded in a blanket on a bench is an internationally recognized symbol of compassion and awareness for the homeless, with sculptures located in major cities throughout the world.
What do you think?
The sculpture is intended to invite conversation. We invite you to share your reactions to this powerful piece of art on a post-it note or on social media posts.
From Wall of Conscious
The sculpture of the Homeless Jesus is meant to challenge people and to affirm people. It should call us out of our comfort zone and make a difference.
The message of welcome and hospitality can be expressed in words and actions as well as through the arts which are like 24 hour a day ‘visual sermons.’
When it was put on display in Davidson, North Carolina, several local homeowners called the police to complain about a homeless man sleeping on the bench.
“Some iconography is very grand and glorious. This is earthy and speaks of the fragility of the human condition.” Martyn Atkins
November is the month of remembrance, beginning with solemn Evening Prayer for all our beloved dead. The names of all those who have died within the last year will be mentioned during the Litany of the Saints. All other names of the faithful departed will be listed in the worship leaflet.
Please submit names of the faithful departed.
EVENING PRAYER FOR ALL SOULS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 3:00PM
BASILICA
The Basilica celebrates its 2nd Disability Awareness Month this October. After several years of “Disability Dialogues” our community was asked to identify and eliminate barriers to participation. The designation of a month long series of presentations and other events was established based on what the committee heard. This has included bringing in national speakers, partnering with other events at The Basilica, and culminating with a Disability Awareness Resource Fair where local organizations are on hand to educate and communicate to our parishioners the resources available to help themselves, family members, and friends to live more inclusive lives.
Taize Prayer with added accessibility
Tuesday, October 10, 5:30pm, Saint Joseph Chapel
Disability Awareness Ministry Fair
Sunday, October 15, After the 9:30 and 11:30am Masses
Parking and accessibility information