There are so many aspects of The Basilica of Saint Mary that are inspiring – from the beautiful liturgies and music, to the promotion of the arts, and of course our emphasis on Christian outreach and helping our neighbors and friends in need. The Basilica of Saint Mary is a parish fully alive, even amidst the struggles that all parishes face. Perhaps the dimension of which I am most proud, is Basilica’s willingness to open our doors to those in need – those suffering from the loss of their loved ones – including those taken too soon.
In these times, The Basilica is a refuge – a place of consolation, healing, and restoration. This occurred after 9-11 and has occurred for countless funerals throughout the history of the parish. In my first three years as pastor The Basilica has celebrated the lives of many parishioners and friends. Additionally, The Basilica has opened its doors recently to celebrate the lives of many prominent Minnesotans, including Melissa and Mark Hortman, Michael Dougherty, Thomas Holloran, Paul Ehlen, Michael Paparella, John Rimarcik, Jim Marshall, and Jack Farrell. I am so grateful to my Basilica colleagues for their great care in planning and celebrating these funerals – for those who were well known and those who were known to God, and their families and friends.
The Summer of 2025 was a particularly tragic time in the Twin Cities – with the violent deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman in June and the horrific school shooting at Annunciation Catholic school in August, which saw the death of two children and the wounding of others who were celebrating Mass. At The Basilica, our hearts and prayers accompany those who have lost loved ones in June and August – the Hortman family and the families of Fletcher Markel and Harper Moyski. Our prayers also accompany all the communities affected by these senseless and brutal acts of violence.
With the killing of George Floyd five years ago and now the tragic killings this summer, the Twin Cities is ground zero for multivalent violence. We are a community that is wounded and experiencing collective trauma. I have experienced this as I am sure many of you have as well. Nothing of course compares to those who have experienced the direct harm of loosing a loved one from violence. My heart and mind go to all the families and friends who have experienced this loss in Minnesota and beyond. May the memories of their loved ones be a blessing.
I remember well the Saturday morning that the Hortman’s were killed in mid-June. One of my staff colleagues reached our about a possible expression of prayers and support from The Basilica. I turned on the news and waited for more details. Once we learned of the deaths of Melissa and Mark, The Basilica expressed our prayers and support. Soon after, a good friend of mine who had mentored Melissa at the U of M law school sent me a beautiful post he had written on LinkedIn about Melissa – it was consistent with everything I had read and heard about Melissa in the wake of her death. The Basilica of Saint Mary was honored to open our doors for the funeral Mass of Melissa and Mark in late June. It was an invitation only funeral, and I was honored to preside and preach. Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Richard Pates attended, as did many friends, colleagues, and dignitaries. I was proud of The Basilica staff and volunteers for welcoming all who attended. The funeral Mass was deeply moving for those who attended.
I would have never imagined that in late summer the Twin Cities community would again be suffering under the weight of another tragic and violent event – the Annunciation Catholic school shooting. On the morning of the shooting, I was packing for a short trip to France as The Basilica will be the first church in North America to host Luminiscence – an integrative show of light, music, and architecture. As the news unfolded that morning, I cancelled my trip. I offered The Basilica to Archbishop Hebda and others as a place of interfaith gathering. The Basilica hosted a beautiful interfaith prayer service the day after Annunciation school shooting. Archbishop and others offered stirring reflections as many gathered across creed, class, and race at The Basilica to offer their prayers and support for the victims and for our Twin Cities community.
As The Basilica of Saint Mary seeks to support our important ministries, restore our historic church, and celebrate the 100th anniversary of being named America’s First Basilica, I could not be more proud of a community that has consistently opened its doors to all, including those who have lost their loved ones – the precious souls made in the image and likeness of God. May their memories always be a blessing and may the doors of The Basilica always be open to all.