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On Friday, June 12, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholics throughout the United States will join in a special act of consecration to the Sacred Heart in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of our nation. Our parish will participate in this act of consecration during the regular daily Mass at 8:15am on Friday, June 12. Click here to find the consecration prayer, novena, and Litany of the Sacred Heart. 

June in Minnesota is like heaven on earth: the mosquitoes aren’t thick yet, the fish are biting, the flowers are blooming, and the sunsets are gorgeous. Sundays in June can be particularly glorious. The archdiocese encourages us this month to Reclaim our Sundays by skipping the screens—the phones, tablets, TVs, and computers--that dominate our senses and steal our time. But how can we do get along without these tools, even for a few hours a week? June offers special liturgical opportunities to begin building new habits...

We will be celebrating Father's 25th Anniversary on Sunday, June 7, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. The Celebration will include a neighborhood procession after the 9:00am Mass, 11:00am Mass a luncheon in Steiner Hall after the 11:00am Mass (all are welcome, please RSVP by clicking here), and a Holy Hour of Gratitude after the Luncheon.

Join us for an ice cream social after all Sunday masses on June 14 to wish Father Erickson well as he embarks on his new assignment at the Cathedral.

Sr. Mary Pieta will be replacing Sr. Teresa Rose. She grew up in Maple Lake, MN and then went to the University of St. Thomas where she studied Elementary Ed and Catholic Studies. She joined the Handmaids in 2017 and has over 8 years of experience serving in schools and parishes. From 2020-2025 she lived at our convent in the Archdiocese before being sent to Dickinson, ND to serve as the local superior there. From 2020-2025 she lived at our convent in the Archdiocese before being sent to Dickinson, ND to serve as the local superior there this past year. She is very excited to be coming home to Minnesota and I know she will be a great addition to Nativity!

After serving at the school and parish for 2 years, Sr. Teresa Rose has been given a new assignment. She will be moving to Rome for a one-year leadership program at the Angelicum which is a Pontifical University in Rome. She will be living with other American sisters while taking classes at the Angelicum which has students from all over the world. Sr. Teresa Rose shared how much she has treasured her time at Nativity, especially the many people she has gotten to know and love. She has really enjoyed being at the school and being a part of the beautiful work that is being done there. She assures us of her love and prayers as she goes forth. She will be leaving June 5th.

Archbishop Hebda has appointed Fr. Jason Asselin to serve the parishioners and school families o f Nativity Parish beginning July 1st, 2026. Fr. Asselin requested a move to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis from the Archdiocese of Fargo, where he hopes to incardinate, formally join our Archdiocese. He is exploring joining the Companions o f Christ priests, who are well-established in our Archdiocese. The Companions of Christ live in community - the closest house being at Holy Spirit in St. Paul just down the street from us. This is where he will reside while serving as Parochial Vicar at Nativity. He enjoys outdoor activities, especially biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. He will share more about his ministry and himself when he arrives in St. Paul this summer. Until then, please keep Fr. Asselin in your prayers as he prepares for his new assignment here at Nativity.

We know family life can be messy — even Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived amid the harsh realities of their own time. And our Church wants to walk with you and your families through those struggles, joys and everything in between.  Read Archbishop Hebda’s pastoral letter to families, “Only One Thing is Necessary,” available now by clicking this link. Alongside it find a Small Group Guide, podcast recordings in both English and Spanish, and a way to order your own hardbound keepsake version of the letter. It is Archbishop’s deep desire that, in it, every individual in this Archdiocese will see his or her role in the great task at hand, what’s at stake, and how we can all strive to be united with our families and with each other, in this life and the next. Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—pray for us. 

Our Spring Sundays are an especially lovely time to be together. This month, the archdiocese invites us in a particular way to Reclaim our Sundays by seeing springtime moments as opportunities to pray for and with those immediately around us, our community. Go to the Reclaiming Our Sundays Monthly Guide to think about these suggested activities for a Sunday afternoon-- or any day-- with the family, the grandchildren, or the neighbors. Click here to see more ideas.

We invite you and your family to tour the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium next Sunday, April 26th at an open house at Nativity School after the 9:00am mass from 10-11am.

Pop over for a popover! At home, we can Reclaim Sundays in the domestic Church by praying together and sharing a special meal. Click here for ideas from the Archdiocese as well as some particular ways we here at Nativity can break bread together.

Nativity of Our Lord was blessed to host this precious monstrance February 23-26 during Adoration, thanks to the local St. Paul Serra Club. The monstrance was then used for Adoration on March 6 at the Minnesota state Capitol, organized by the state’s Catholic bishops.

My dear brothers and sisters, on this the eve of Palm Sunday, I have several important parish staff updates to share. Click here to read the full letter that's inserted into bulletins this weekend.

The Nativity Choir is offering another Celebration Choir Sunday — an opportunity to meet with the choir, learn music, and participate from the loft at 11:00 AM Mass, all in one morning! The next date is Sunday, April 12. No prior singing experience is required — all are welcome!

Adoration will be suspended (and the church locked) on Friday, March 27 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for your understanding.

Registration for all summer youth events (Totus Tuus, Extreme Faith Camp, EFC Leadership Team, and Steubenville) are open and we encourage you to sign up right away! We also need adults to help out with these events. Click here for details and sign-up links.

Pope Leo XIV has recognized longtime parishioner Dr. John Boyle for his exceptional service to the Church, bestowing the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award upon him for over 35 faithful years of teaching at the University of St. Thomas.

There will be no Adoration beginning at 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 15 until 9:00 AM on Monday, March 16 due to forecasted inclement weather.

All are invited to join in reading "To the Heart of The Matter, The 40 Day Companion to Live a Culture of Life," a book of short daily devotions for busy people by Sean D. Carney.

Mary Ann Bambenek, mother of Fr. Joseph Bambenek, passed away Sunday, February 22. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for Fr. Bambenek and his family. (Click here for her full obituary and funeral arrangements.)