August 28, 2026
Greetings in Christ,
After Peter’s walk-off home run by identifying Jesus as Christ last week, this weekend Peter needs a little spring training about what it means to follow Jesus. Following Jesus means a willingness to embrace sacrifice and suffering, i.e., to pick up your cross and follow Him. Millions of faithful Christians have done it over the centuries. You are called to do the same!
Capital Campaign Update: This week’s frequently asked questions (FAQ) is on the rectory. It has been over 25 years since pastors have lived on campus at St. Therese. Traditionally, pastors live on the parish campus, where they can be more readily present to parishioners and serve them. Based on feedback from the planning study, we have adjusted the rectory to a three-bedroom home with a chapel for prayer. The rectory will also serve as a place for smaller gatherings for parishioners to help strengthen community.
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 or at the link below.
The Bible Project: The first reading in our daily Mass lectionary began with St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians this week. Many of you follow the daily Mass readings. If so, The Bible Project does a great job of providing animated overviews of each book or letter in the Bible. Below is a link for an overview of 1 Corinthians. The Bible Project is a good resource for growing in your knowledge of and love for Sacred Scripture.
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.
School Begins: Our students will begin their new academic year on Tuesday, September 1. As you can imagine, it is an emotional time for many of our school families, especially for our kindergartners. If you would, please keep our students and their families in your prayers as they begin the new school year.
Mass on Wednesdays: Starting next Wednesday, September 2, we will be moving Mass to 8:00 am given that school will be back in session.
Little Flower Chapel: Work continued in our chapel on the tile for the floor. We are also working on the frames for the Stations of Cross with lighting. The stained glass is being fixed. We are told it will be in November when it is finished and reinstalled. My hope is that we can be back in the chapel in September with everything finished by Advent.
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.
Mass on Wednesdays: Starting next Wednesday, September 2, we will be moving Mass to 8:00 am given that school will be back in session.
Little Flower Chapel: Work continued in our chapel on the tile for the floor. We are also working on the frames for the Stations of Cross with lighting. The stained glass is being fixed. We are told it will be in November when it is finished and reinstalled. My hope is that we can be back in the chapel in September with everything finished by Advent.
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.
Interested in starting the process of joining the Catholic Church? Do you have questions about Catholicism, or are you looking to learn more about the faith? OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes run almost every Thursday starting Sept. 17 until Easter!
Learn about what Catholics believe with a group of other Adults interested in growing in their faith. If you are interested or know someone interested in becoming Catholic, please email OCIA@St-Therese.org.
Learn about what Catholics believe with a group of other Adults interested in growing in their faith. If you are interested or know someone interested in becoming Catholic, please email OCIA@St-Therese.org.
Paver Engraving Orders Due Monday, September 14: Make a lasting memorial for your family or a loved one! Pavers are $150 for the first paver and $125 for each additional. Forms are available at entrances and online; turn forms in at the parish office. Questions? Contact John Thomas at 952-262-7182 or jdthomas48@comcast.net.
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 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, 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.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Do you know someone who would be comforted and blessed by a prayer shawl OR lap blanket? They are created with care, love, and prayer for someone in need. Perhaps you know of someone who has lost a loved one, is hospitalized, is preparing for surgery, or is suffering in any way? Maybe a friend, a relative, or even yourself. Contact Geri in the parish office at 952-473-4422 to help pick out a shawl or lap blanket to give to someone who needs comfort.
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 bringing an apple to the teacher for his first day of school.