Dear parents! I ask you to help your children to grow in faith, I ask you to accompany them on their journey towards First Communion, a journey which continues beyond that day, and to keep accompanying them as they make their way to Jesus and with Jesus. Please, go with your children to Church and take part in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration! You will see that this is not time lost; rather, it is the very thing that can keep your family truly united and centered. Sunday becomes more beautiful, the whole week becomes more beautiful, when you go to Sunday Mass together. And please, pray together at home too: at meals and before going to bed. Prayer does not only bring us nearer to God but also nearer to one another. It is a powerful source of peace and joy. Family life becomes more joyful and expansive whenever God is there and his closeness is experienced in prayer.

Dear catechists and teachers! I urge you to keep alive in the schools the search for God, for that God who in Jesus Christ has made himself visible to us. I know that in our pluralistic world it is no easy thing in schools to bring up the subject of faith. But it is hardly enough for our children and young people to learn technical knowledge and skills alone, and not the criteria that give knowledge and skill their direction and meaning. Encourage your students not only to raise questions about particular things - something good in itself - but above all to ask about the why and the wherefore of life as a whole. Help them to realize that any answers that do not finally lead to God are insufficient.

Dear priests and all who assist in parishes! I urge you to do everything possible to make the parish a "spiritual community" for people - a great family where we also experience the even greater family of the universal Church, and learn through the liturgy, through catechesis and through all the events of parish life to walk together on the way of true life.

These three places of education - the family, the school and the parish - go together, and they help us to find the way that leads to the sources of life, and truly all of us, dear children, dear parents and dear teachers, want to have "life in abundance". 

Congratulations to all of our First Communicants!

Today marks a very important day in these young people's lives as they get to receive Jesus for the first time in the Eucharist. It is also a great day for all of us to reflect on the fact that what makes it so special to receive the Eucharist the first time is the same thing that makes it special every time we receive the Eucharist, no matter how many times we have done so.

As Catholics, we know that the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith: it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When He comes in the Eucharist, we receive Him into our body and our soul where he remains with us forever.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that his relationship with them will not end after his death; he will remain with them always. Through the Eucharist, Jesus dwells in us, remains with us, and transforms us. The pinnacle of our life of prayer is our communion with Jesus in the Eucharist. Through this sacrament, we receive Jesus himself, and he remains with us.

Please continue to hold our First Communicants and their families in your prayers, that they may continue their relationship with God through prayer and most importantly through the Eucharist and that they may never forget what the celebration is truly about.

          

Beginning Wednesday, May 12, weather permitting, we will gather outside at 6:30 PM for Sunday readings and to pray the Rosary.  If you have questions, contact Deacon Dick at 218-391-6730.  

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.

It was the end of April 2020 and two family members and I were preparing to celebrate Mass at my hunting shack.  We were getting away from the effects of the pandemic for the weekend and doing some work on the land.  We had a strong enough signal that my computer was able to play one of the many Mass options that had become available.  I felt it was special because it had never occurred to me to celebrate Mass at a special place in my life. We did our best and felt joy that we had participated in a Mass that way. The convenience of the event was unmistakable.  Months rolled by and I had celebrated Mass in so many forms and places, always trying to fulfill a reverence and commitment to the celebration of Mass that my faith asks for.  The restrictions were a necessity for the safety of the parish and the new accessibility was very helpful in keeping us connected.

Thursday of Holy Week 2021 was here and I was blessed to participate as an altar server.  I arrived an hour early and witnessed the events of preparation by over a dozen people.  The Cathedral was alive, Holy Week added even more anticipation as roles were discussed, songs were practiced, items were prepared, directions administered, and equipment tested.  I was outfitted properly and stood in the circle as Father led us in a prayer just before that start of Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The pews were filling up, people were coming back to celebrate in person. Then it began.

I could not sleep that night.  The tradition of Mass and our Catholic faith poured out of that celebration in a vibrant wave like I had not felt.  What a gift!  COVID had stripped me of everything I seemed to have taken for granted in our traditions but now was seeing them in new light.  Tradition and Scripture are the foundations of how the Catholic Church carries God’s Revelation to the people Mass after Mass.  I encourage you to come celebrate the Tradition at Our Lady of the Rosary.

 -David Gunnarson, Cathedral Parish

A second collection for UCA will be taken this weekend May 1-2. Thank you for your generosity as we make progress towards our 2021 goal!  

The local Knights of Columbus council # 15761 would like to thank all of those who took tootsie rolls and donated to the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities April 24-25 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Mary Star of the Sea.  Donations will be used to support the Special Olympics and possibly other local organizations who assist disabled people.  

The council also held a membership drive at both parishes and we might have missed you.  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.  If you would like to join today, simply go to KofC.org/JoinUs and enter our council #15761 for local information.  For further details call Bob Spehar 218-349-5051.

Silent Auction Donations Needed 
Stella Maris Academy is looking for donations from local businesses to include in our online Silent Auction as part of the Stellabration Fundraiser on May 21. Please contact Sarah Pennings at 218-623-6253 if you would like to donate an item or become an event Sponsor! We are grateful for all donations given. All parishioners are welcome to participate in the Stellabration, visit one.bidpal.net/Stellabration2021 to learn more!

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.