This past Saturday, we began a new method of baptismal preparation for parents here at our parishes. Previously when a couple called our parishes to schedule a baptism, one of the priests would meet with the couples individually as baptisms came up. Recently, our baptismal preparation program has evolved.

On the 3rd Saturday of each month, the parishes will host a mini-retreat for parents who are getting a child baptized in the near future. This affords couples who are getting their children baptized the opportunity to meet with other couples who are doing so as well. This retreat of a few hours will be a requirement for parents’ first 2 children; in addition, were 5 years to have passed since parents have attended a baptismal retreat, they would attend another. These retreats have the advantage of being led by parents of young families that we’re blessed to have at our parishes. The couples leading the retreats are exemplary witnesses of how to raise faithful and devout families. They will be able to iterate and demonstrate how to raise a Catholic family in a society where it is increasingly difficult to do so.

The program that our parishes use for baptismal preparation is the Reborn series produced by the Augustine Institute. This video resource explains well not only the theological understanding of baptism, but also the pragmatics of what parents profess they will do as they raise their children in the Catholic faith. Amidst watching these videos, the leader couple will lead a discussion on how to live out the Catholic and familial values that these videos demonstrate.

In addition, this retreat affords the opportunity to go to confession. Raising a child in the faith is a paramount responsibility in the Church, one that demands that parents prepare themselves well. A regular relationship with confession, along with attending Mass every Sunday, are habits that parents (and all Catholics) must develop if they are to witness the Catholic faith to their children.

Thankfully, the retreat is just the start of a relationship with the parish. The leader couples will continue to reach out to the families to whom they were blessed to minister. The faith is a communal reality, there is no such thing as “isolated” Catholicism, we need Catholic friends to sustain us. The leader couples become a gateway to the rest to the communal life of the parish for our young families who attend these retreats. 

Pragmatically, as these sessions are once a month, we ask for some diligence from our young families: we highly encourage that you attend a session BEFORE the birth of your child. Nonetheless, we do provide childcare, if need be. To reserve a place in the retreat, please call the Cathedral parish office. We look forward to the opportunity to serve the many families we have in our parishes, as their children become children of God. 

God Bless, 

Fr. Matt

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.

My favorite resurrection story is that of Mary Magdalene in the garden. We read in the Gospel of John that Mary had gone to visit Jesus’s tomb and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. After some commotion (with a lot of running disciples), Mary encounters the Risen Christ, at first thinking he’s the gardener. It’s not until Jesus says, “Mary,” that she finally recognizes who he is. The moment Jesus gently calls her name, Mary is brought into a fuller understanding. Like Paul when the scales fall from his eyes, Mary is now able to see more clearly the reality in front of her rather than remain blinded by what she thought should be. Jesus then tells her not to cling to him, but to go and tell the other disciples about the coming Ascension.
 
In addition to the pandemic upending our lives, this last year has laid bare so much in our world and demanded that we pay attention to the countless ways our systems and society are unjust and oppressive. Like Mary, we are being called from our many blindnesses into the light of understanding. The temptation is to “return to normal,” to ignore the clarion call for transformation, to cling tightly to what has been. But then Jesus upsets our plans again by telling us not to cling, to let go, to allow the wheat grains of our lives to fall to the ground. The challenge in this moment is to consider deeply which grains we need to pick up and which we should leave to die so that we can find a more fruitful way to live. This season of resurrection joy, I’m trying to let go of what I think should be, see fully the reality of what is, and begin working to heal the world around me.

The Knights of Columbus will be providing Tootsie Rolls after Masses this weekend 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.

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus describes his relationship with his followers as similar to the relationship between a good shepherd and his sheep. As a good shepherd will risk and lay down his life in order to protect his sheep, Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for the sake of his sheep. 

The concern of a good shepherd for his sheep is part of the shepherd’s job but the Good Shepherd makes sacrifices for the sheep not because it is required, but because it is a choice. One way that people show they care today is by making sacrifices for others, giving up something important or putting the good of another person before their own. 

That sounds a lot like parenting and the dynamics of a healthy family life. Parents choose to make sacrifices for their children out of love, not obligation.  Just as Jesus offered Himself up on the cross to redeem humanity, to save every individual person. He did so with love, in union with His Father’s love for us, parents sacrifice time, money and sometimes sanity for the love of their children and family. 

Christian parents' model and invite their children to choose to make sacrifices for other family members and for other people, acting out of love rather than obligation as Jesus did for us and as they do for them. 

Invite each of your family members to consider the attitude that permeates their participation in family life. Do they do family chores cheerfully and without having to be asked multiple times? Do they gladly share with others? Do they willingly contribute to the family good when asked?

Whenever we serve others in ways that put their needs before our own, we are following the example that Jesus gave us. By helping our young people identify actions they can take to follow Jesus’ example of loving service, we help them understand how important it is to make sacrifices for others as Jesus did for us.

As St. John Paul II wrote, “What a blessing it is to know Christ, the Good Shepherd, to know Him as the Redeemer who laid down His life for the sheep, to know Him as the Risen Lord, the source of everlasting joy and life. What a blessing it is to know the Good Shepherd and to believe in Him. This gift of faith is the greatest blessing we could ever receive in life.”

Faith Formation resumes this week on Wednesday, April 28^th, with our last First Communion and Confirmation classes. First Communicants will meet at St. Benedict parish from 6 PM –  7 PM. Confirmation students and their sponsors will meet at the Cathedral from 7 PM – 8 PM. 

             

The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month.  Our next meeting is May 6th. 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.