I’ve been thinking a lot about obedience. I suppose it’s because just 6 months ago I received a new obedience to take on a new assignment, and because a priest I know has had challenges in his congregation in this regard. It leads me to recall two things. First, the words of Saint Maximilian Kolbe: “God, who is all-knowing and all-wise, knows best what we should do to increase his glory. Through his representatives on earth he continually reveals his will to us; thus, it is obedience and obedience alone that is the sure sign to us of the divine will. A superior may, it is true, make a mistake; but it is impossible for us to be mistaken in obeying a superior’s command. The only exception to this rule is the case of a superior commanding something that in even the slightest way would contravene God’s law. Such a superior would not be conveying God’s will.” Secondly, I think of my ordination. Before a man can be ordained, whether as Deacon or Priest, he kneels in front of the Bishop, and places his hands into the Bishop's. Then looking squarely at the man, he asks: “Do you promise obedience to me and my successors?”  I did that twice, at my diaconate ordination, and priestly ordination. Every deacon and priest in the world does the same thing. We don’t just promise some general obedience to God, and it’s up to us to figure out what that means and to put flesh on it. We promise obedience very concretely, to the successor of the apostles in our midst. And what a rare thing that is in our culture today – to promise obedience to someone or something other than myself, or my own wants and desires. That spurred me on to a few more thoughts.

As followers of Christ, we must recapture that sense of obedience. Too often, we say we must follow what our consciences dictate. And while that is true, we forget that the Church also teaches other things: like a conscience must be properly formed in the Church, that God’s will should matter more than my own when they are in conflict, and that obedience is actually a virtue rather than something to be shunned and disposed of. And finally, that obedience, if it is kept as some abstract concept, can actually be a cop-out, because we are too easily swayed by our own desires. And so it must be expressed in very concrete ways.

Lately I get very agitated when I read that some priest or sister says they should be obedient to God, and not some human being. Well, they like me actually did promise, vow if you will, a concrete obedience to a human being. Saying anything else is simply forgetfulness to the max. But what great freedom that brings us. The Lord Jesus was obedient unto death. Can we then shun obedience in our own lives?

In Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr. Tony

Thank you to everyone who contributed to St. Mary Star of the Sea's UCA fund. Because of the generosity of many parishioners, we were able to fill a large portion of our shortfall in December! With that, we were still short of our goal by $2,400, finishing at 91% of the goal. We will aim to meet our goal for 2021 to ensure funds from the ordinary operating budget will not be needed to cover the difference. Please remember to utilize the pink UCA envelopes in your envelope packets throughout the year. We will also continue taking a second collection for UCA on the first weekend of each month.  

With the new year approaching, we have many open Mass intentions.  Please call the parish office at 218-722-3078 if you would like to have a Mass said for someone.  The suggested donation amount is $10 per Mass.

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, the sky opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus; a voice from heaven announced that God was pleased and said that Jesus was God's Son. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism shows that something new is beginning through the baptism and ministry of Jesus. Surprisingly, on this the last day of the Christmas season the Gospel does not tell a story from Jesus' childhood. Instead the Gospel reveals Jesus' relationship to God: the Son of Mary and Joseph is also God's own Son. We believe that through Baptism we are also made children of God.

When you were baptized, Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to you, and you became God's child. When this happened, God was very happy. Baptism helps us to continue to live in ways that are pleasing to God.

Although many of us may have already taken down our Christmas decorations, liturgically speaking, the Christmas season hasn't ended yet; today is the last day. Holidays like Christmas are highlights of our year, moments of great grace. This grace renews us and prepares us for our return to the season of Ordinary Time, to the continuing work of discipleship.

Gather as a family and discuss your feelings about the ending of the Christmas season. What will you take from this Christmas season to carry you forward into Ordinary Time, to renew and strengthen your life of Christian discipleship?

Faith Formation continues next week with our middle school and high school students. Classes will be held at St. John’s and Cathedral from 7 PM – 8:30 PM.

-Sonya Morris, Faith Formation Director 

New members are always welcome! You are invited to join us in the ministry of experiencing God in serving our neighbors living in poverty. Email svdpduluthmn@gmail.com for the meeting link, questions, or more details. St. Vincent de Paul Immaculate Conception Conference holds meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month via Zoom at 6 pm. For our neighbors in need of assistance, please call (218) 409-6887 to speak with one of our members.

Your decision to join the Knights

could define your year.

Join Catholic men just like you

striving to strengthen their faith,

their families,

and their communities

as members of the

Knights of Columbus

Every Knight makes a difference

Each man brings a unique story,

a particular set of skills,

and a heart that is ready to serve.

We invite you to take

this exciting step

and join us today.

It's an opportunity that could define

your year and change your life.

Join us at KofC.org/JoinUs

Bob Spehar 218-349-5051

Kindergarten Round Up- February 25:  Take the first step to giving your child the gift of Catholic education! Join us for a 45 minute session to learn all about the Kindergarten experience at Stella Maris Academy! Due to COVID-19, our annual Kindergarten Round Ups will take place throughout the day on February 25, 2021 with small groups or via Zoom. Go to www.stellamaris.academy/admissions to register for the Round Up. For questions, please contact Sarah Pennings, Admissions Director, at 218-623-6253 or sarah.pennings@stellamaris.academy.

As covid-19 cases increase in our area, it is a good time to make sure we are all taking the precautions that are in our control.  

Face Masks: Wear a face mask when you are at church. If you are not able to wear a face mask, please obtain a face shield.

Hand Sanitizing Before Communion: When you come up to communion, you will notice there is hand sanitizer in the aisle. To make sure we are doing things safely, first pull down your mask, then sanitize your hands prior to receiving communion.    

Cleaning the Pews: After Mass, please sanitize the area in which you are sitting. Sanitizing wipes can be found in the side aisles. Thank you.

The eastern Duluth Catholic Parishes are working in a collaborative effort to create a combined Religious Education program and are accepting applications for the Director of Faith Formation for 6^th – 12^th grade students. This is a full-time position with benefits. We are looking for someone who possesses a sincere and demonstrated ability to share their Catholic faith in the dynamic environment of a large scale middle and high school religious education program and beyond. Please see the full job description at https://www.duluthcathedral.com/s/employment.  If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter, resume and references to lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org.

God Our Father,

 

In Jesus, your Son, You have given to your Church the perfect model of priest, prophet and king, and so You have blessed us through His sacrifice, taught us through His Word, and guided us through His rule.

 

We thank you for the previous bishops who have cared for the people of the Diocese of Duluth. We ask You, father, to guide and enlighten those who will be tasked with helping to choose the next bishop of our diocese. May the man they choose be a man of deep and true prayer, a man of compassionate heart and firm resolves, and a man of joy and peace, who desires above all to do your will.

 

We entrust our prayers to our Patroness, Mary, queen of the Rosary, and ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.