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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.
All Souls Vespers
Sunday, October 30 at 3:00pm
If you wish to include names of the faithful departed, please submit names by Friday, October 21.
In this Vespers celebration, we are reminded that our family members and friends are with God and that we will be reunited with them.
Submit names
Please consider making a special gift in honor of your loved one. A gift is not required to include a name in the leaflet. On the giving form, please select the All Souls designation.
Make All Souls gift
From the Pastor: Open Wide the Doors for Christ
When John Paul II was elected pope in October of 1978, he greeted the world in his inaugural homily with these words – “brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power….open wide the doors for Christ.” This message of opening up to Christ and the broader world was also a consistent theme of the Second Vatican Council which was initiated by John XXIII, who when calling the council, a surprise to many at the time, said the Catholic Church needed to throw open its windows so we could look out to the world and have the world glimpse inside the Church. This evocative description was accompanied by the overarching Italian word, aggiornamento which means “update” and provided a clarion call as the ecumenical council began. Notwithstanding the strengths and weaknesses of our modern popes and notwithstanding the disagreements about whether the reforms of Vatican II have been fully realized or integrated, this call – the call for the Church to open up and to go outside of herself has continued. This has also been the consistent message of Pope Francis since 2013, who has called the Church to go out to peripheries—geographical and existential—with the joy of the Gospel.
As I begin my first fall as your new pastor and as we continue our new journey of faith together, the call to open-up, to build-up, and to go out with our message of love and faith has been in my heart and on my mind. Getting to know more and more of you has been a gift—I have remarked to friends, colleagues, and brother priests that the parishioners and friends of The Basilica have been warm, gracious, and welcoming. I remain so impressed with the great care for and beauty of the liturgies, the generous and compassionate outreach to those on the margins, and the commitment to learn and grow in our faith, so that we can live as intentional disciples of Christ. As I continue the process of listening and learning as your new pastor, the call to strengthen and build up our community, especially after the toll that the pandemic has wrought, and the readiness to engage our broader community—outside the doors of our church—has been communicated to me by many of you. Consistently in Scripture, we learn that the Spirit of God is a Spirit of openness, courage, and generosity. Sadly, another spirit at times rules our hearts—one of fear, insecurity, and exclusion. As Christians, we follow a God who calls us to freedom – freedom for God and for others. This Spirit bids us to open wide the doors for all.
In looking back at my first few months as pastor, highlights include getting to know parishioners and friends at lunches, dinners, other gatherings, and over coffee and doughnuts after Mass. What has struck me about these opportunities to engage with you is how proud everyone is to be associated with The Basilica. I also enjoyed the opportunity to enter into days of retreat with The Basilica staff—both at St. John’s University and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. These were important days of prayer, fellowship, and fun. Speaking of our Basilica staff, I admire the commitment to The Basilica and excellence our staff manifests. We are going through an unprecedented shift in the labor market here in the United States and globally. The Basilica is part of our broader society and thus not immune from these shifts. You have no doubt seen that some staff members have moved on to their next adventures—with warm regard in their hearts for The Basilica community—while at the same time we have welcomed new staff members who bring their own passion and unique gifts. Change and transition, which is part of life and can be challenging, also provides opportunity for growth and new life. My installation as pastor was also a highlight—a highlight that was both humbling and inspiring. The liturgy was truly beautiful and friends and family who attended remarked at how special The Basilica is—in the beauty of our liturgies and the warmth of your hospitality. I came away from that weekend with a full and grateful heart.
In looking ahead to the fall, there are so many opportunities for parishioners and friends to engage with one another and with the broader community. The Charles Caldwell exhibit now on display at The Basilica invites us to interact with the Arts in a way that is transformative. Additionally, fellowship opportunities abound this fall, including many opportunities for families and a robust early October celebration of creation and Blessing of the Animals through the intercession of the beloved St. Francis. Please join us for these special events. In the areas of Christian life and learning, a dynamic new series which focuses on Faith, Justice, and Healing invites us to engage with regional and national speakers on a variety of topics related to building a more just and peaceful society. Other ways to become involved at The Basilica include volunteering in important ministries, participating in our beautiful weekend liturgies, and financially supporting The Basilica through Sunday giving and through your support of The Basilica Fund. The call to meet this moment—the call to open-up, build-up, and go out takes all of us as we approach our present and future at The Basilica with confidence and hope that comes from God.
Peace,
Fr. Daniel
Seek the well-being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well-being, you shall find your own.
Jeremiah 29:7
What does it mean to ‘seek the well-being of the city,’ as this prophetic verse from Jeremiah calls us to do? As the new pastor of The Basilica, I am humbled and honored to discern and to live out this call with you, on our shared journey of faith. With over 12,000 parish members, The Basilica community has robust capacity to meet the noble goal of serving the well-being of the city.
We are grateful to reflect on this past fiscal year and the remarkable work that has been done, and look ahead to the opportunity to create and build a vision that is filled with light and hope for all. Both our parish and city face challenges, including financial, but I am confident that with God’s grace and your commitment, we can meet these challenges and together chart a course to a sustainable future. Our work at The Basilica is aligned to our Strategic Areas of Focus: The Arts, Inclusivity, and Homelessness—which remain central to our mission. This annual report captures the highlights of the year, including a few items I’m excited to share with you.
- This past year, we launched our Intergenerational Faith Formation program online with 22 participating families—giving families the opportunity to grow in faith together.
- Throughout the year, our Immigration Family Support ministry worked with nine families, including refugee, asylum, and sanctuary families. Recently, in partnership with St. Constantine Church, The Basilica is also seeking housing for families coming from the Ukraine.
- In August of 2021, we had the opportunity to host the incredible Angels Unawares sculpture that depicts more than 140 refugees. We worked with over 20 local organizations and churches to gather, reflect, and share the message of this amazing piece of art.
This coming year we plan to build on our commitment to justice and peace here at The Basilica and within our broader community as we fulfill God’s command to ‘seek the well-being of the city.’ Thank you for your commitment to The Basilica and to our shared journey of faith as we walk together in the light of the Lord.
Peace,
Fr. Daniel Griffith
Pastor and Rector, The Basilica of Saint Mary
A Message from Fr. Daniel Griffith: All are welcome
A Message from Fr. Daniel Griffith: All are welcome
The Basilica is a place of refuge, a place of welcome, a place of healing for all.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the wonderful events and programs held this past weekend.
I’m proud to be your pastor and journey with you and I hope you will join us.
Peace,
Fr. Daniel
Faith, Justice and Healing Series
Save the dates for this fall series.
Ministering On The Margins: A Conversation with Monsignor Chad Gion
Sunday, November 13, 11:00am, Lower Level
Monsignor Gion serves as the pastor of the Catholic Indian Mission in Sioux County, North Dakota. The Catholic Indian Mission (CIM) consists of three parishes, the St. Bernard Mission School, and Keya Childcare Center on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in south central North Dakota. Monsignor Gion organized a contingent of boarding school survivors from North Dakota to attend the Papal visit in Canada during his visit July 2022. Come to be part of this powerful and relevant conversation about ministering to the sacred people of North Dakota.
A Place at the Table: African-Americans on the Path to Sainthood
Film Screening with Message from Filmmaker
Saturday, November 19, 1:00pm, Lower Level
November is Black Catholic History Month. Did you know there are no African-American Saints formally recognized within the Catholic Church? But that could soon change! There are six incredible black men and women who are on the path to Canonization. The Catholic Church is starting to recognize their impact and may soon name any or all of them Saints. It's time to hear their stories. Come together to learn about their stories and recognize the important contributions our African-American brothers and sisters have contributed to our faith.
Truth Telling Forum
Saturday, December 3, 9:00am, Lower Level
The Basilica of Saint Mary is committed to work toward the elimination of racism within the parish and the broader community. An important step in this work is naming the realities we live in. Join together as a parish community, rooted in respect and love, to learn, reflect, and begin healing from the racial injustice in our midst.