August 21, 2026
Greetings in Christ,
This weekend we have the famous double revelation. First, Peter identifies Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus, in turn, reveals that Peter is the rock upon which He will build His Church. Additionally, Jesus gives Peter the keys, a symbol of authority. Our gospel this weekend is the foundation for the office of the papacy in our Catholic tradition. Our Holy Father serves as a sacramental sign of unity and communion for a polarized world.
Capital Campaign Update: This week’s frequently asked questions (FAQ) is on the Martin Family Center. Named in honor of St. Therese’s family, the Martin Family Center is designed to be a welcoming place where parishioners of all ages can gather and grow in faith, fellowship, and community. It will provide much-needed space for ministry, school activities, and parish events while strengthening the connection between our church and school. The Martin Family Center will serve as a community hub that will be a central gathering space for parish and school events.
Volunteer Opportunity: St. Therese is preparing for an exciting new chapter in our story. As we continue planning our Growth in Christ Capital Campaign, we need your help!
We need a dedicated team of volunteers willing to share their time, energy, and passion for St. Therese. We’re looking for help reaching out to families to share information about the campaign, answer their questions, and offer encouragement – you will not be asking for money. You don’t need experience, just a willing heart. Training and support will be provided.
The first meeting will be held next week. If you’re interested in serving, please contact our campaign manager, Bridget Klosterman, at bklosterman@steiergroup.com. We would love to speak with you about how you can make a difference.
Psalms Course: I will offer an adult Bible study on the Book of Psalms beginning in October. We say or sing the psalms at every Mass, helping us to reflect more deeply on the first reading. The Psalms are a school of prayer that incorporates every human emotion as we offer our hearts to God through the twists and turns of life. Registration is available on our website.
We need a dedicated team of volunteers willing to share their time, energy, and passion for St. Therese. We’re looking for help reaching out to families to share information about the campaign, answer their questions, and offer encouragement – you will not be asking for money. You don’t need experience, just a willing heart. Training and support will be provided.
The first meeting will be held next week. If you’re interested in serving, please contact our campaign manager, Bridget Klosterman, at bklosterman@steiergroup.com. We would love to speak with you about how you can make a difference.
Psalms Course: I will offer an adult Bible study on the Book of Psalms beginning in October. We say or sing the psalms at every Mass, helping us to reflect more deeply on the first reading. The Psalms are a school of prayer that incorporates every human emotion as we offer our hearts to God through the twists and turns of life. 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.
Little Flower Chapel: Workers continue to make great progress in our chapel by finishing up the frames in our new windows and installing the floor tile. We are hoping that work will be finished in another couple of weeks so that we will be able to move Eucharistic Adoration back in the chapel. The stained-glass windows are being repaired and are expected to be reinstalled in October. Finally, we are working on the best way to present our new Stations of the Cross.
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.
Prayers for the Januszewskis: If you would be so kind, please say a little prayer for a parish family that lost their golden retriever, Morty, after a cancer diagnosis. As many of you know, pets are like members of our families. They can be a sign of God’s love and goodness. We cannot help but thank God for all the ways that He loves us with His furry little friends! May God comfort the Januszewski Family in the loss of Morty. :)
Fall Mum Fundraiser: Please support the Saint Therese School Parent Association through our Fall Mum Fundraiser! To access the site and place an order for your fundraiser group:
Delivery at St. Therese School on Friday, September 18.**PLEASE NOTE: Quantities are limited; order early to avoid items selling out.
Questions? Reach out to Meghan O’Keefe at mkellenbecker@gmail.com or 320-293-8949.
- Go to www.gertensfundraising.com
- Enter the Store ID code provided into the text field and click ‘Enter ID to Continue’.
Delivery at St. Therese School on Friday, September 18.**PLEASE NOTE: Quantities are limited; order early to avoid items selling out.
Questions? Reach out to Meghan O’Keefe at mkellenbecker@gmail.com or 320-293-8949.
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 get in touch with our principal Adam Groebneror 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, our most needed times are the following:
For more information, call Geri at 952-473-4422 or Marilyn Olson at 952-474-4344.
- Tuesday, 8–9 am
- Tuesday, 3–4 pm
- Wednesday, 12–1 pm
- Wednesday, 1–2 pm
- Wednesday, 7–8 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 and September Happenings from the Archdiocese:
New Catholic Service Appeal newsletter: CSA Newsletter August 2026
Solidarity Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27, 5 pm Cathedral of St. Paul
Archbishop Bernard Hebda invites you to join him at this Mass. Pope Leo XIV calls us to welcome migrant and refugee children with compassion, recognizing in each child the face of Christ. For the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every migrant child has infinite dignity and deserves our welcome, protection, and care. event page
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.
Vocations: Discerning vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and permanent diaconate; visit and learn information here on the Vocations 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!
New Catholic Service Appeal newsletter: CSA Newsletter August 2026
Solidarity Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27, 5 pm Cathedral of St. Paul
Archbishop Bernard Hebda invites you to join him at this Mass. Pope Leo XIV calls us to welcome migrant and refugee children with compassion, recognizing in each child the face of Christ. For the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every migrant child has infinite dignity and deserves our welcome, protection, and care. event page
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.
Vocations: Discerning vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and permanent diaconate; visit and learn information here on the Vocations 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 is getting ready for the Psalms course.