The week now passed has not been easy, and the weeks to come do not seem to be promising.

At home in Minnesota the week was dominated by the political assassination of a Minnesota political leader, Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark; and the severe injuries of another legislator, John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette.  The alleged assailant shot all four victims in early morning shootings at their home in neighboring Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota.  The Hoffmans are recovering from multiple gunshot wounds; the Hortman’s were memorialized by thousands at the State Capitol on Friday, and funeral service in Minneapolis on Saturday (Photos below).  The alleged assailant is in jail and the news has been non-stop and easily accessible to anyone interested so I will not add to it here.

 

 

The Saturday funeral at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, my parish, was by invitation only.  Every seat was taken by about 1300 people.  There will be a private burial later.  The obituary in the Minnesota Star Tribune (June 25, 2025) for the Hortman’s included the below suggestion.  Here is entire obituary: Hortman obit June 25 2025.

 

POSTNOTES:

This morning came a particularly pertinent commentary about happenings in the United States Congress, “as we speak”.  I would highly encourage you to also read this column, and to accompany the reading with action – since in the end analysis “we, the people” has to be all of us, reflected in our action or inaction in choosing who makes decisions impacting on our future.  This is no time to be sitting on the sidelines.

Here are some specific action ideas for this week from Indivisible.

Basilica of St. Mary is my Parish, and I was at Sunday Mass today.  There was no pre-notice of the funeral at Basilica, doubtless to have a reservations only attendance.  Fr. Gillespie, co-celebrant at the funeral, was the Priest this morning, and in addition he wrote a column for today’s newsletter.  I include the column here: Fr. Gillespie column June 28, 2025  It would have been written some weeks ago; nonetheless it seems particularly pertinent for today, and not only related to the Hortman’s.

COMMENTS (see also, end of post):

from John: Speaking, strictly for myself, I think it may be time to get worried.