The debate over the legalization of sports gambling has intensified at the Legislature, raising concerns about the potential negative impact on individuals and communities. The Minnesota Catholic Conference stands firm in our opposition to the expansion of gambling, advocating instead for strict limitations and expansive safeguards against addiction. 

The post Legislators roll dice on sports gambling first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

On May 25, starting at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, 13 transitional deacons will be ordained to the priesthood. Two of these men, Deacons Brent Bowman and Sean Mulcare, shared their journeys to the presbyterate this week on the “Practicing Catholic” radio show with producer Kayla Mayer.

The post Deacons Brent Bowman and Sean Mulcare prepare for priestly ordination first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

A priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, will bring his experience ministering in the oil-boom northwestern part of that state to pastoral formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.

The post New director of pastoral formation at The St. Paul Seminary to bring experience ministering in North Dakota first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Looking back as he prepares to leave his post as director of pastoral formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul — and to retire after 44 years of active ministry — Father Michael Skluzacek said it is hard to pick the greatest joys of being a priest.

The post Father Skluzacek looks back with joy at his years of ministry first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Moviegoers tempted by a title like "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" (Warner Bros.) are presumably not in search of Shakespearian levels of dramatic insight. Even so, the disparity between the reasonably impressive special effects on offer in the film and its low-grade human interaction remains noticeable.

The post Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — PG-13 (A-lll) first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Toward the end of "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" (Columbia), the fifth film in a supernatural comedy franchise that dates back to 1984, Bill Murray's Peter Venkman says to a group of other characters, "I knew you had one more dance in ya!" Sadly, a different verdict might have to be rendered about the venerable series itself.

The post Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire — PG-13 (A-lll) first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Reflecting on his first year as a bishop and an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Bishop Michael Izen recalled a bright and joyful ordination day, shaking hands with Pope Francis in Rome and helping people spiritually. He also shared some upcoming responsibilities.

The post Bishop Izen’s first year highlights include meeting Pope Francis, helping others first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Addressing the John Carroll Society at its April 13 annual awards dinner in Washington, Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly underscored something that Pope Francis once told him, that the laity have a co-responsibility along with the clergy for the mission of the Catholic Church in today's world.

The post Lay Catholics have key role in Church’s mission in today’s world, says top Knight first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Planned Parenthood's latest annual report shows an increase in abortions from the previous year, while also showing a decrease in health services.

The post Planned Parenthood annual report shows increase in abortion, decrease in health services first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.

Over 400 people gathered April 17 at the University of St. Thomas campus in St. Paul to hear a lecture given by world-renowned author and Catholic intellectual George Weigel about the importance of the Second Vatican Council.

The post Weigel: Contention around Vatican II is an invitation to evangelize first appeared on TheCatholicSpirit.com.