In Memory of Pope Francis:
Archbishop Hebda celebrated a special Mass in honor of the late Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The recording of the Mass is available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F_GR33KbKI&list=PLbUheNz4CRLikkpAgq2I9rLUbB5w5cb3F&index=3
Read the statement from Archbishop Hebda regarding the death of Pope Francis here: https://www.archspm.org/statement-regarding-the-death-of-his-holiness-pope-francis/
A Novena in Memory of Pope Francis is attached to this email as a PDF document. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during the time of mourning. The daily novena – lasting for the novendiales period from April 26 to May 4, 2025 – consists of a short reading from Scripture or some other ecclesiastical text and some brief prayers, including orations drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals. Contact the Parish Office if you need a printed copy.
EWTN, The Global Catholic Network is offering for free many videos of Pope Francis through the years, and will live stream many events over the next few days and weeks. Live coverage will include Masses, devotions, and special programming of everything from the Solemn Funeral Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis on April 26, to the Interregnum, the Conclave and beyond all for free. Visit https://www.ewtn.com
At St. Gregory’s, Fr. Matt plans to memorialize Pope Francis, the Cardinals of the Conclave, and the new Pope with several Masses. Note, as the Conclave is anticipated to start on May 5, the Mass for May 6 may instead be in celebration of the new Pope if one is chosen quickly.
May 6, 8:30am – Memorial Mass for Pope Francis
May 7, 9:00am at Sacred Heart – Mass for Election of a new Pope
May 7, 5:00pm at St. Gregory – Mass for Election of a new Pope
TBD – Mass for the Newly Elected Pope
Upcoming Events:
Father Matt will be away for Spiritual Director training next week. We will have Word and Communion Service in place of Daily Mass for April 29 through May 2. Reconciliation and Bible Study are cancelled. Note: There is 9:00am Daily Mass and Reconciliation at Sacred Heart on April 30.
- May 1, 7:00pm – Catholic Watchmen gathering, Parish Hall (Last meeting until Fall)
- May 2, 5:30-7:30pm – OLSW Homeschool Open House event, Parish Hall and Classrooms
- May 3, 9:30am – M&M Prayer Partner Breakfast, Parish Hall
- May 3, 11:00am – Options for Women Tea Party at St. John’s in Stacy (see below)
- May 4, 1:30pm, St. Paul – Archdiocesan Family Rosary Procession, MN State Capital to the Cathedral of Saint Paul
- May 4, 3:00-6:00pm, Lindstrom – The 2nd Annual Environmental Event at St. Bridget of Sweden (see below)
- May 6, 8:30am – Mass for Pope Francis (St. Gregory’s)
- May 7, 5:00pm – Mass for Election of a new Pope (St. Gregory’s)
Divine Mercy Celebration:
St. Joseph’s Church of Taylors Falls is having Divine Mercy devotions on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 27) with Eucharistic Adoration and confessions from 1:30 to 3:00pm. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 3:00pm followed by Eucharistic Benediction. (490 Bench St, Taylors Falls, 651-465-7345)
Homeschool Open House Event
The students, teachers, and parents of the homeschool group invite you to attend an open house of presentations and dinner at St. Gregory’s on Friday, May 2, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They look forward to meeting anyone curious to see what they do.
Tea Party at St. John’s Lutheran in Stacy – Saturday, May 3 at 11:00am
Join Fr. Matt at the annual Options for Women Tea Party. Tickets are $45 each for adults, $20 per child 12 and under. Purchase your tickets by April 26 by phone 651-674-2121, email info@pregoptions.org, or online pregoptions.org/events
Join Fr. Matt at the annual Options for Women Tea Party. Tickets are $45 each for adults, $20 per child 12 and under. Purchase your tickets by April 26 by phone 651-674-2121, email info@pregoptions.org, or online pregoptions.org/events
Annual Family Rosary Procession, St. Paul – Sunday, May 4, 2:00pm
Line-up at 1:30pm at the State Capitol to process to Cathedral of Saint Paul
Line-up at 1:30pm at the State Capitol to process to Cathedral of Saint Paul
Join in the annual Archdiocesan Family Rosary Procession. Those who cannot walk the procession route may go directly to the Cathedral to pray the Rosary with those who are in procession. See details on the event page. https://www.archspm.org/annual-family-rosary-procession/
2nd Annual Environmental Event at St. Bridget of Sweden – Sunday, May 4, 3:00-6:00pm
In recognition of Pope Francis’ message to take care of our planet, St. Bridget of Sweden’s Care for Creation Synod Group presents a film screening of “The Letter, Care for Our Common Home”, the documentary based on Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ (Praise Be), which addresses our urgent need to care for our planet. The film will be accompanied by guest speaker Marty Roers. There are free Norway Pine seedlings and refreshments for attendees. (13060 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom)
Mary and Martha Interest Forms
The M&M Interest Forms are due by May 11. Completed forms can be placed in the wooden church box in the church or returned to the office. Alternatively, you can fill out the Google Form online by following this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrH1FCj2OA-IeAMrb7DW7i19vzEXBR-KBhZZnEMs9vuU19Bg/viewform?usp=sharing
Youth Events
Here is a list in brief of upcoming youth events and sacramental celebrations:
- May Crowning of Mary – During 10:30am Mass on May 4
- First Communion – During 10:30am Mass on May 4 and May 11
- Sunday School – May 4 after Mass (Last class until Fall)
- Friday Fun Night, grades 6-8 – May 9, 6:00pm (Last meeting until Fall)
- DOC Y1 & Y2 Last Class – May 11, 5:30pm
- KIC End of the Year Barbeque – May 14, 6:00pm, meet in the church (Last class until Fall)
Weekend Hospitality – Save the Date
Saturday Hospitality after Mass will take place the same weekend as Coffee Sunday, which is always on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Most of the time, that will mean Saturday Hospitality will be the 2nd Saturday, but not always, which is the case in June. As a quick reference, here are the upcoming dates for Saturday Hospitality and Coffee Sunday. Regular Sunday Hospitality of coffee, juice, and donuts occurs on every Sunday.
May 10 – Saturday Hospitality
May 11 – Coffee Sunday and May birthdays
June – No Saturday Hospitality due to Graduation Dinner
June 8 – Coffee Sunday
Road Construction – CR30 (Forest Blvd) Project
Forest Blvd is currently closed to through traffic. Both church parking lots are still accessible via Forest Blvd, but we encourage you to drive in on Maple or Oak from the East. This project is anticipated to last through September. More information can be found on the project website: https://www.ci.north-branch.mn.us/residents/parks/safe_routes_to_school.php
Marian Pilgrimage to Wisconsin – August 6-8. Registration is open now.
*Spaces are still available, but registration will soon be open to people of neighboring parishes.*
Travel plans for the Marian Pilgrimage from our parish have been finalized. We will travel by coach bus from St. Gregory’s 8:30am Wednesday, August 6th and return 9:30pm Friday, August 8th. The trip involves a 2-night stay at a hotel in Appleton, WI, and daytime visits to 3 holy sites: Our Lady of Champion (Champion, WI), Holy Hill Basilica (Hubertus, WI), and Our Lady of Guadalupe (LaCrosse, WI).
Call or email the Parish Office to reserve your spot – 651-674-4056, donna@stgregorynb.org. The costs for participants will be $300 per person payable to St. Gregory’s, and $220 for a single room or $110 per person for a double room. The pilgrims will be reserving and paying the hotel directly via credit card – details will be distributed to those who register for the trip. For any questions, please contact Father Matt (fathermatt@stgregorynb.org) or call the Parish Office.
Formed.org Catholic Resource – Video of the Week:
Francis, The People’s Pope: On March 13, 2013, cardinals stunned the world when they elected Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope. But what did they see in the 76-year-old Jesuit? Who was Jorge Mario Bergoglio? In this documentary, ROME REPORTS travels to Argentina to discover more about what shaped Pope Francis. We hear unedited testimonies from those who knew Bergoglio best. The documentary begins with the moment that the young Jorge Mario discovers his priestly vocation. After decades of service to the Church, a historic conclave would forever change his life and begin the extraordinary papacy of Francis. https://watch.formed.org/the-pope/videos/francis-the-people-s-pope#comments
Francis, The People’s Pope: On March 13, 2013, cardinals stunned the world when they elected Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope. But what did they see in the 76-year-old Jesuit? Who was Jorge Mario Bergoglio? In this documentary, ROME REPORTS travels to Argentina to discover more about what shaped Pope Francis. We hear unedited testimonies from those who knew Bergoglio best. The documentary begins with the moment that the young Jorge Mario discovers his priestly vocation. After decades of service to the Church, a historic conclave would forever change his life and begin the extraordinary papacy of Francis. https://watch.formed.org/the-pope/videos/francis-the-people-s-pope#comments
Looking Ahead:
Totus Tuus: Summer Youth Program, grades 1-12:
We are excited to announce another fun, energetic summer faith experience for our youth – A Totus Tuus team will spend a week at St. Gregory’s inspiring, teaching, and leading youth in a rich experience of what it is to be Catholic. This experience will take the place of Vacation Bible School, but it will include a wider range of ages. The program for grades 1-6 will be during the day, while the program for grades 7-12 will be in the evenings, all during the 4th week of July. More information and registration coming soon! https://www.archspm.org/catholic-education-youth-formation/family-ministries/totus-tuus/
