By now you are probably aware that Pope Francis has named Father Daniel Felton the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth.  We have prayed for over a year that God would send us a holy and faithful bishop after the death of our beloved Bishop Paul Sirba. I do believe that our prayers were answered. As you may be aware, Bishop-elect Felton had served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Green Bay since 2014. He was born Feb. 5, 1955. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., in religious studies and psychology; a master’s degree in theology from St. John University, Collegeville; and a licentiate of sacred theology and a master’s degree in social communications from the Gregorian University in Rome. Felton was ordained a priest on June 13, 1981, by Bishop Aloysius Wycislo for the Green Bay Diocese, and has served in a variety of parish assignments since his priestly ordination. Bishop-Elect Felton was also the director of affiliate affairs for the Catholic Telecommunications Network of America.

The day before his appointment was announced, he drove west here to Duluth. I had the opportunity to meet him, as I showed him the Cathedral which would be his! He made an immediate impression on me: he is a kind, warm, energetic, well-prepared, prayerful and faithful priest. As you come to know him, I am sure you will be grateful to God that he has been sent to us.

We have prayed for a good bishop, and now I ask you to continue to keep Bishop-elect Felton in your daily prayers as he shepherds us. He will be ordained here at the Cathedral on May 20^th.  

 

On a separate note, as I think back to Holy Week, I was so glad to see how many people have returned to the Cathedral to worship “in person.” We have so many protocols in place to keep people safe, and they have worked! As more vaccines take place, I am inviting you back! We miss you! I can’t wait to be able to greet you one day when I can see your whole face! But until then, I’d rather see half of your face, but have you pray with us both at St. Mary Star of the Sea and the Cathedral. 

In Christ and Mary Immaculate, 

Fr. Tony

Director of Faith Formation for 6th-12th Grade Students: East Duluth Catholic Faith Formation is a collaborative effort that has created a combined Religious Education program. We are accepting applications for the Director of Faith Formation for 6th – 12th 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. If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter, resume and references to lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org.

When Minnesota bishops stated that they would open up churches to 1/3 capacity on May 20th, I was very excited. Our spiritual leaders demonstrated boldness, courage, and trust in opening up masses in the midst of a pandemic despite the governor’s orders. In my experience, as a worker at St. Mary’s hospital, the initial months during the pandemic were most challenging with extensive planning about the near future & caring for all the patients who needed it. Some emotions that stand out in my mind from that time period (March-May 2020) are loneliness, dread, and fatigue. Some days at work I’d view SMSS from above and wish that I could attend just one mass. Seeing the beautiful church so quiet & empty was very sad. When SMSS opened back up for public worship, it was a spiritual & physical shot-in-the-arm for me. The leadership of the priests & staff to logistically manage the space & bring our focus to the Lord in the difficult time was wonderfully implemented. Parishioners at SMSS also were & still are respectful of space & wearing masks, an encouraging act of love in a turbulent time filled with fear and anxiety for many. For me, though, the biggest role that SMSS has played during Covid-19 has been the steadiness of being able to go to mass and receive the sacraments. Before masses opened up, confession at SMSS became a routine thing for me as it was the only sacrament I was able to physically be a part of. Being able to go to mass at SMSS, then and now, has become a driving force the Lord has used in my life. He has reminded me and encouraged me that despite Covid-19 or whatever else is going on in our lives, we are not meant to live in loneliness, dread, and fatigue, but meant to live in community, with hope, and with life. 

The Knights of Columbus will be providing Tootsie Rolls after Masses April 24-25 at the Cathedral and St. Mary Star of the Sea and at Mt. Royal Market between 10 AM and Noon Saturday April 24 as part of the campaign to help people with Intellectual Disabilities. Donations for this event are most welcome.

The Knights will also be holding a membership drive after Masses at both parishes this same weekend. Whether you become an individual member or a member of our council you will find that Knights of Columbus membership brings Catholic men together in a powerful way. Council Knights will be available after Masses to answer any questions. If you would like to join today simply go to KofC.org/JoinUs and enter council # 15761 or call Bob Spehar 218-349-5051.

Family life is strengthened through storytelling and shared meal times. In a similar way, Christian life is sustained by God’s word in Scripture and by Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. We are especially sustained in our faith through our weekly celebration of Mass.

As our children grow and take on more responsibility for daily tasks, so they can take on greater responsibilities for witnessing to Christ in our world. The Church recognizes that we can accept greater responsibility as witnesses to Jesus as we mature. But what kind of tasks are we called to do as Disciples of Christ?

In today’s Gospel, we hear Luke’s account and further proof of Jesus’ identity and of his resurrected body. Jesus eats with his disciples, the disciples have known Jesus best through the meals that he has shared with them. By eating with his disciples after his Resurrection, Jesus recalls all these meals, and most importantly, gives the disciples their mission to be witnesses to Him, especially by preaching forgiveness of sins in His name.

We too get to share a meal with Jesus in the celebration of the Mass. Through the Word and the Sacrament of the Eucharist we share an encounter with Jesus. As Jesus commissioned His disciples to be witnesses to what Scriptures foretold, our celebration of the Eucharist commissions us to announce the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins.

Favorite family memories and sharing family meals strengthens the love you share as a family. In a similar way, our Christian life is strengthened by sharing God’s Word and the Eucharist at Mass. The Eucharist sends us to be Christ’s witnesses in the world today and to help others know that Jesus forgives sins.

Continue to be strengthened by God’s word and by Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist to be witnesses to Christ, your family and the world.

Faith Formation Classes are quickly wrapping up. There is no class on Wednesday, April 21st, classes resume on Wednesday, April 28th with our last First Communion and Confirmation classes. Our last class will be on Wednesday, May 5th for our K-5 students.

             

The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month.  Our next meeting is April 15. Email svdpduluthmn@gmail.com for the meeting link. If you have questions, please contact Deacon Jim at 218-348-6258.  

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.