August 14, 2026
Greetings in Christ,
This weekend, we will hear about the Canaanite woman’s persistence in asking Jesus to free her daughter from the torment of a demon. After Jesus' initial reminder that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, she hangs in there and asks for help. She says that even the dogs or puppies eat from the scraps that fall from the master’s table. She will happily receive the scraps of Jesus’ goodness! In response, she received what she wanted – healing for her daughter. Hey, let’s be honest. Not only is this a great lesson on the value of humility and persistence, but it’s nice to see how dogs, too, can help us see how good Jesus is. :)
Greetings in Christ,
This weekend, we will hear about the Canaanite woman’s persistence in asking Jesus to free her daughter from the torment of a demon. After Jesus' initial reminder that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, she hangs in there and asks for help. She says that even the dogs or puppies eat from the scraps that fall from the master’s table. She will happily receive the scraps of Jesus’ goodness! In response, she received what she wanted – healing for her daughter. Hey, let’s be honest. Not only is this a great lesson on the value of humility and persistence, but it’s nice to see how dogs, too, can help us see how good Jesus is. :)
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not a holy day of obligation this year. Naturally, we will still have Mass to celebrate and honor all that our Lord has done for our Blessed Mother on Saturday, August 15 at 8:00 am. I invite you to come and celebrate our Blessed Mother’s Assumption into heaven! We will have confessions as usual after the 8:00 am Mass.
Capital Campaign Update: This weekend we offer our second frequently asked questions (FAQ) series on our capital campaign projects. This weekend’s fact sheets on the parish’s maintenance fund and school endowments are critically important investments for our parish community.
We have approximately $700,000 in our maintenance fund to take care of our beautiful campus, which includes larger expenditures such as repairing church and school roofs, replacing HVAC units, and improving the parking lot. Please take some time to read facts about the school endowment and the maintenance fund.
The school endowment provides tuition assistance for families with financial needs, helps us recruit and retain the best teachers, and keeps us up to date with technology that enhances teaching and learning. Today, the fund holds about $1.3 million, which provides a 4% annual distribution to support our school. Each year, the Finance Council decides how the distribution is used.
We have approximately $700,000 in our maintenance fund to take care of our beautiful campus, which includes larger expenditures such as repairing church and school roofs, replacing HVAC units, and improving the parking lot. Please take some time to read facts about the school endowment and the maintenance fund.
The school endowment provides tuition assistance for families with financial needs, helps us recruit and retain the best teachers, and keeps us up to date with technology that enhances teaching and learning. Today, the fund holds about $1.3 million, which provides a 4% annual distribution to support our school. Each year, the Finance Council decides how the distribution is used.
Campaign Information Session: We held a capital campaign information session for the parish on Thursday, May 28. We will host a second campaign information session for our projects that will be available to our neighbors who live within 600 feet of the parish on Wednesday, August 19, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. This gives them an opportunity to learn more about our projects, ask questions, or express concerns. Naturally, any parish or school families are most welcome to attend the session as well.
Notre Dame Football: I recently came across a short video called “A Day in the Life,” featuring Notre Dame football player Aneyas Williams. It’s a great glimpse into discipline, teamwork, and purpose—an inspiring reminder to give our best every day. Notre Dame Football players always give their best as they are challenged to “Play Like a Champion” each day. As we begin our capital campaign, I invite everyone to give their best as we strive for excellence in serving Christ and one another at St. Therese!
Notre Dame Football: I recently came across a short video called “A Day in the Life,” featuring Notre Dame football player Aneyas Williams. It’s a great glimpse into discipline, teamwork, and purpose—an inspiring reminder to give our best every day. Notre Dame Football players always give their best as they are challenged to “Play Like a Champion” each day. As we begin our capital campaign, I invite everyone to give their best as we strive for excellence in serving Christ and one another at St. Therese!
Missionary Appeal: Thank you to everyone who supported our missionary, Fr. Daniel Mallam, who was with us last weekend. He expressed multiple times how welcome he felt at St. Therese. May God bless and reward you for all the ways you support our beloved parish, missionaries, and other charitable organizations. Because of your generosity, we raised close to $10,000 for our missionary appeal this year! Thank you!
Psalms Course: Join Father Andrie this fall for an adult Bible study on the Book of Psalms. Given to us as prayers and heard at every Mass, the Psalms teach us how to pray and offer a beautiful school of prayer. This study will help participants discover their richness more deeply. Registration is available on our website.
Psalms Course: Join Father Andrie this fall for an adult Bible study on the Book of Psalms. Given to us as prayers and heard at every Mass, the Psalms teach us how to pray and offer a beautiful school of prayer. This study will help participants discover their richness more deeply. Registration is available on our website.
Recurring Giving: You are welcome to set up recurring giving and let your stewardship be a continued expression of faith, even while you’re away. Your generosity helps sustain our ministries, strengthen our parish family, and share God’s love throughout the year. If you are currently enrolled in online giving, please prayerfully consider increasing your donation amount to help support our parish and its mission. Thank you for your faithful commitment.
Heaven in Stone and Glass: Bishop Barron’s brand-new film, Heaven in Stone and Glass, is coming to movie theaters on September 20 and 23. Tickets are on sale now! You can purchase advance tickets at:
REBOOT A Life‑Changing Event: REBOOT, a powerful evening of renewal with internationally acclaimed Catholic speaker Chris Stefanick, is coming right here to St. Therese. This dynamic experience is designed to help you rediscover and deepen your faith in a fresh, practical, and inspiring way.
Please see the information below for details on how to participate. We hope you’ll join us for this exceptional opportunity.
Please see the information below for details on how to participate. We hope you’ll join us for this exceptional opportunity.
Food Garden Updates: Thank you to everyone who plants, waters, weeds, harvests, and delivers. Your quiet acts of service are feeding hearts as well as bodies. Here are the latest donation numbers from the garden. As of this week, we have donated 1915 pounds of produce to Sharing and Caring Hands and ICA. In the last 2 weeks, we have harvested 1050 pounds. We are so blessed to be able to have such a bountiful harvest.
We have had some great donations from home gardens as well. We encourage you to bring your extras to the ministry.
Any questions can be directed to gardenatst.therese@gmail.com.
We have had some great donations from home gardens as well. We encourage you to bring your extras to the ministry.
Any questions can be directed to gardenatst.therese@gmail.com.
Share your Hobby or Skills: Do you have a hobby, skill, or passion you would like to share with our students? St. Therese School is looking for adult instructors to offer elective classes for our middle school students. Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes and last for one trimester (10 meetings total). Instructors must be Virtus-trained and willing to work with students ages 11-14. Please contact our principal Adam Groebner or our assistant principal Clarey McInerny if you are interested.
There's Still Time to Apply for the Catechetical Institute at St. Bartholomew: The Saint Paul Seminary's Catechetical Institute has extended the application deadline for its two-year Pillars Program to August 31, 2026. Beginning in September, the course walks through the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a story from blessing to blessing. Weekly classes are on Mondays from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at St. Bartholomew in Wayzata. To learn more or apply, call (651) 962-5072 or visit
There's Still Time to Apply for the Catechetical Institute at St. Bartholomew: The Saint Paul Seminary's Catechetical Institute has extended the application deadline for its two-year Pillars Program to August 31, 2026. Beginning in September, the course walks through the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a story from blessing to blessing. Weekly classes are on Mondays from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at St. Bartholomew in Wayzata. To learn more or apply, call (651) 962-5072 or visit
Adoration: Currently, we are seeking a bit more assistance during the following times:
For more information, call Geri at 952-473-4422 or Marilyn Olson at 952-474-4344.
- Tuesday, 3–4 pm
- Wednesday, 12–1 pm
- Wednesday, 1-2 pm
For more information, call Geri at 952-473-4422 or Marilyn Olson at 952-474-4344.
"In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering." Pope Benedict XVI
The August focus for Reclaiming Sundays is Service: Megan Plum, mother of six and executive director of Guiding Star Wakota, who is one of our Giving Tree partners, shares how prayer and service go hand-in-hand and help to keep the Lord’s Day holy. Let’s reclaim Sundays for the Lord and our families.
The August focus for Reclaiming Sundays is Service: Megan Plum, mother of six and executive director of Guiding Star Wakota, who is one of our Giving Tree partners, shares how prayer and service go hand-in-hand and help to keep the Lord’s Day holy. Let’s reclaim Sundays for the Lord and our families.
August Happenings from the Archdiocese:
Confirmation Classes for Persons with Disabilities:
Tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., St. Richard, Richfield
These classes are for those with special needs or mental or physical disabilities aged 14 or older who have not received the sacrament of confirmation. Both classes are mandatory for guardians and candidates. Find details and registration at archspm.org/events/confirmation-classes-for-persons-with-disabilities.
The World Mission Rosary Project:
Be part of a nationwide effort to create 75,000 rosaries for the beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The introduction of the World Mission Rosary was a concrete way to inspire Catholics to live out their baptismal call of mission through prayer to Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, for the success of the Church’s missionary efforts across the world.
Whether you make 100 or 1,000, every rosary becomes part of something larger. Each one will be blessed before the Beatification and will continue to be prayed long after the day is over.
World Mission Rosaries need to be mailed or dropped off by Sept. 1 to the Archdiocesan Catholic Center
777 Forest Street
St. Paul, MN
See more information about the World Mission Rosary and what you’ll need to make a rosary.
Sunday, Aug. 16, following 11:30 am Mass, Holy Cross, Minneapolis
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday and the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the Center for Mission will be praying the World Mission Rosary at different parishes throughout the Archdiocese where there is a larger presence of parishioners representative of one of the five regions of the World Mission Rosary. Find more information and upcoming dates on the event page
Estate Planning: A reminder that we have a Little Flower Legacy Society at St. Therese to encourage planned and estate gifts to our parish, our school, or one of our endowment funds. Please include St. Therese as a beneficiary in your estate planning! It is an opportunity to give back to our beloved parish and ensure that our parish remains financially viable for generations to come!
Confirmation Classes for Persons with Disabilities:
Tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., St. Richard, Richfield
These classes are for those with special needs or mental or physical disabilities aged 14 or older who have not received the sacrament of confirmation. Both classes are mandatory for guardians and candidates. Find details and registration at archspm.org/events/confirmation-classes-for-persons-with-disabilities.
The World Mission Rosary Project:
Be part of a nationwide effort to create 75,000 rosaries for the beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The introduction of the World Mission Rosary was a concrete way to inspire Catholics to live out their baptismal call of mission through prayer to Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, for the success of the Church’s missionary efforts across the world.
Whether you make 100 or 1,000, every rosary becomes part of something larger. Each one will be blessed before the Beatification and will continue to be prayed long after the day is over.
World Mission Rosaries need to be mailed or dropped off by Sept. 1 to the Archdiocesan Catholic Center
777 Forest Street
St. Paul, MN
See more information about the World Mission Rosary and what you’ll need to make a rosary.
Sunday, Aug. 16, following 11:30 am Mass, Holy Cross, Minneapolis
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday and the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the Center for Mission will be praying the World Mission Rosary at different parishes throughout the Archdiocese where there is a larger presence of parishioners representative of one of the five regions of the World Mission Rosary. Find more information and upcoming dates on the event page
Estate Planning: A reminder that we have a Little Flower Legacy Society at St. Therese to encourage planned and estate gifts to our parish, our school, or one of our endowment funds. Please include St. Therese as a beneficiary in your estate planning! It is an opportunity to give back to our beloved parish and ensure that our parish remains financially viable for generations to come!
Flocknote:You can receive my daily Mass reflections sent right to your
phone! To sign up, just text the word “ANDRIE” to 84-576 to follow the link.
Stewardship:Thank you to everyone who continues to support St. Therese! I invite you to continue supporting our beloved parish as it helps us to serve you and remain connected with you! This can be done in the following ways:
Blessings,
Fr. Andrie
phone! To sign up, just text the word “ANDRIE” to 84-576 to follow the link.
Stewardship:Thank you to everyone who continues to support St. Therese! I invite you to continue supporting our beloved parish as it helps us to serve you and remain connected with you! This can be done in the following ways:
- Click the donation button on our main parish website. You can contribute as a guest or log in if you have previously created a profile. You can choose the frequency of your gift (one-time, weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually).
- Bring or mail your stewardship envelope to our parish office.
- Consider transferring a stock “gift” to St. Therese. It’s a tax-free donation.
Blessings,
Fr. Andrie
Goldy: “Jesus, it’s me, Goldy! Could you give me a chocolate frosty paws ice cream cone? Can you hear me? C’mon, even the puppies eat the scraps from the table. Jesus, please, I’m begging you!”