Heart of the City Committee

Ever wanted to be part of something “new”?
YOU can be part of the start up team for a new ministry at Saint Olaf.
Announcing the Heart of the City Committee.
Saint Olaf’s response of offering welcoming hospitality to the new and existing residents in the heart of the city. 
We will find ways to share information and invite people to attend Saint Olaf for our plentiful worship opportunities, tell the story of our vibrant parish, and share our commitment to serving the poor, at-risk, and homeless with dignity and respect.

We are looking to build a team of Parishioners and Associate Parishioners who will help us creatively roll out the welcome mat to residents and visitors to downtown Minneapolis. 

Requirements are:  A love of Saint Olaf and willingness to share your story and invite others to participate in the life of our parish.  The commitment would be to attend monthly meetings as we develop the plan and set the goals for this committee, followed with opportunities to lead and/or assist with welcoming projects. 
If this sounds like a good ministry for you, sign up on the Ministry Form (click here) Print out the attached form, and turn it into the parish office and you will be contacted.

Be a Tutor

Back to school for kids, so back to school for tutors! The Catholic Tutor Corps is recruiting for the coming school year. A representative will be at St. Olaf after masses on Sunday, September 8 (8 am, 10 am and Noon). Join other St. Olaf members helping local students at Catholic schools and get back even more than you give. Call the parish office or contact Dick McGuire for more information at ctutorcorps@gmail.com.

Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical ministries at St. Olaf offer YOU an opportunity to witness your faith, meet people in the community, pray and serve with other ministers, and deepen your experience of the Eucharist.

Choose a liturgical ministry that is right for YOU — weekends or weekdays, behind the scenes or public, occasional or regular — there is a liturgical ministry for everyone.

Training and mentoring are provided for all liturgical ministries at St. Olaf. New ministers are ALWAYS NEEDED AND WELCOME. Search for opportunities in the "Serving Hub" at the VOLUNTEER SERVING OPPORTUNITIES link above.

Spiritual & Faith Formation

Formation as Catholics includes understanding and participation in the social mission of the Church and the local parish.

Spiritual and faith formation is essential to our journey as baptized members of the Body of Christ. Formation is a path to deepening our relationship with God and others. It includes instruction, but is more than instruction. It encompasses prayer and worship, being enriched by the word of God and the sacraments, knowledge of the faith, living an authentic Christian life, practicing the works of mercy, charity and justice. READ MORE

African Partnership

St. Olaf has been connected to people in Africa since 1995
In 1995, Father John Forliti, Pastor of St. Olaf from 1992 – 2004, established the St. Olaf African Missions when he traveled with five young adults from St. Olaf to Nairobi, Kenya. They returned home and partnered with a Maryknoll Community to raise funds for a variety of Catholic Missions in Kenya. READ MORE

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care at St. Olaf focuses on visiting parishioners who have become sick or have had an accident in the short term or due to age or illness in the long term are no longer able to come, worship, and pray with their Church community on a regular basis.  Pastoral Care Ministers bring...  READ MORE

Centering Prayer

This is an open and ongoing group offering support to persons committed to Centering Prayer or some form of meditation. It provides introduction and continuing spiritual formation...  READ MORE

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a process that offers formation into the Catholic faith and way of life for non-baptized adults, Christians of other denominations, and adult Catholics who have not been confirmed. RCIA members have the opportunity to...READ MORE

Grief Support

St. Olaf and the Downtown Coalition for Grief Support provide education and support for those grieving the death of a loved one. Seven sponsoring churches make up the coalition and host the grief meetings. The aim of the coalition is to provide...  READ MORE

Other Partnerships

League of Catholic Women
– Quarterly goods drives for Samaritan Ministry
– Tuesday Club, monthly mid-day meal and social time for guests of neighboring care centers, visitors, and guests of
    Samaritan Ministry.

12-Step Meetings at St. Olaf
St. Olaf hosts four 12-Step meetings each week for people looking for relief from addiction. Call the parish office at 612-332-7471 for more information.
Meeting times:  AA-Mondays at Noon and Wednesdays at 7:00am and Noon.  Alanon - Wednesdays at 6:00pm.

Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels
St. Olaf collects names of households interested in a meal on Thanksgiving.

Thanks to community partners for Samaritan Ministry support!
Starbucks at 1st and Hennepin has joined the location at 5th and Marquette in donating baked goods three times per week for our Samaritan Ministry hospitality efforts.
Benchmark Reporting Agency, our next door neighbor in the Campbell-Mithun Tower, recently donated 1,000 reusable tote bags for our Samaritan Ministry guests. The bags are great for those getting clothing or food.
The League of Catholic Women hosted the first of their quarterly drives recently and provided hundreds of items in support of Samaritan Ministry.