Rebecca Omastiak

Rebecca Omastiak is the news editor at The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda blesses two trees and a plaque outside the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul Aug. 27, 2026, in memory of Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, who died during a shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis Aug. 27, 2025. (OSV News/Catholic Spirit/Dave Hrbacek)

At school shooting 1-year mark, Archbishop Hebda says: Be 'beacons of light'

Archbishop Bernard Hebda encouraged the St. Paul-Minneapolis faithful to be "beacons of light" one year after a fatal shooting during an all-school Mass at Annunciation School and Church in Minneapolis.

Catholic leaders focus on hope as Minneapolis ICE drawdown announced

As U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan announced on Feb. 12 plans for federal agents to leave the Twin Cities metro area, Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis acknowledged the need for hope as they look to next steps in the local community.

Amid protests, ICE operations, archbishop prays for community, for family of slain protester

"Ever since the deadly shooting of Renee Good on Portland Avenue last Wednesday, I find myself googling 'Minneapolis' every few hours to learn of the latest developments in a situation that truly tears at the heart," wrote Hebda in his Weekly Word newsletter.

Archbishop Hebda calls for prayers after woman shot dead by ICE officer in Minneapolis

"Following this morning's deadly shooting in Minneapolis, I reiterate my plea for all people of good will to join me in prayer for the person who was killed, for their loved ones, and for our community," Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said in a statement following the incident.

Haarman stands at a podium, holding mic.

Gathering aims to foster understanding of Native American boarding school harms

Roughly 130 people registered for an Oct. 5 event called "Toward Healing Minds and Hearts: Reflecting for Right Relationship and Conciliation." The gathering was held at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, and hosted by the Catholic Racial Justice Coalition and Gichitwaa Katera. 

 

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