Archive Posts
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Meet the 18 New Priests From The Saint Paul Seminary’s 2022 Ordination Class
Faith and MissionThe Saint Paul Seminary is sending 18 men into the Catholic priesthood this year. The seminary’s Class of 2022 includes eight different dioceses from around the Upper Midwest. Here’s a bit more about each new priest. (Priests listed are pictured left to right.) Father Michael Selenski Hometown: Coon Rapids, MinnesotaHome parish: Church of St. PaulParents:…
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Deepening Discernment: Inside the Newly Instituted Propaedeutic Stage at The Saint Paul Seminary
Faith and MissionNineteen young men in one household kitchen is a fascinating sight. And sound. And smell. Sizzling bacon, sausage and eggs. A table scattered with oatmeal, cereals and fruit. And every once in a while, a unified singing of a '90s rock song. But for the men in The Saint Paul Seminary’s new “propaedeutic” year, it’s… -
A Flannery O'Connor Pilgrimage
Faith and Mission“You have got to be kidding me.” This was my first thought upon finishing Flannery O’Connor’s The Violent Bear It Away. “This is Catholic? How? Why? Who is this O’Connor woman?” My sentiments bordered on bewilderment, maybe even anger, as I was sideswiped by this dark, violent story that left me hanging with depraved characters… -
Alumnus Finds a New Mission and Culture
Faith and MissionAs more than 20 sixth-grade boys tumble into Mr. Barker’s room for religion class, oxford shirts are tucked in, ties are straight and voices are loud. Barker smiles at the innocent chaos around him as he calmly walks to the whiteboard to start the period with a prayer. The volume drops and class begins. A.J.… -
Trusting the Church
Faith and MissionThroughout the history of the Church, many of the great writers, artists and saints have not been shy in their critique of Church leadership. From Dante and Michelangelo putting prominent figures of the curia in hell to Catherine of Siena telling the pope, in no subtle terms, that he must return to Rome to lead… -
St. Thomas of the Creator: The Return to the Savior Through Recognition of the Creator
Faith and MissionEmma Miller is a current senior at the University of St. Thomas, studying biology, Catholic studies and philosophy. After hearing about Ave Maria University’s undergraduate essay contest from Dr. William Junker, she submitted her paper, “St. Thomas of the Creator: The Return to the Savior Through Recognition of the Creator.” Miller received first place and… -
From the Heart of Catholic Studies Alumni Vocations Thrive
Faith and MissionThe heart of Sitzmann Hall is the chapel. On any given day, dozens of students greet our Lord as they arrive to study, attend class, or pray a holy hour. After all, Catholic Studies isn’t just about a degree; it’s about knowing and loving Christ. While most students leave Catholic Studies to bring Christ to… -
Navigating Higher Education With Catholic Studies
Faith and MissionAs chairman of the Department and director of the Center for Catholic Studies, we spend a lot of time helping high school students and their parents navigate the often difficult process of choosing a university. Our first question is simply this: What do you want at the end of four years? We then propose three… -
Reflections from St. Thomas Community Two Years After George Floyd's Death
Diversity, Equity and InclusionMay 25 marks two years since George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police. It’s the nine minutes and 29 seconds that sparked an international movement for racial justice. Political leaders vowed change, businesses across the globe committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and many others, including some at the University of St. Thomas, began having… -
Four Volunteer Perspectives From the BIG Event
Center for the Common GoodThis past weekend saw the return of St. Thomas’s annual BIG Event on May 7, a campuswide day of volunteering across the local community. The BIG Event is a collaboration between the Center for the Common Good and Tommies Together Volunteer Center to mobilize St. Thomas students to volunteer at various locations across the metro…