This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. Years back, I was curious to discover the roots of this Holiday. I learned that the earliest Mother's Day celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of the mother of the gods. During the 1600's, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday". Celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent, "Mothering Sunday" honored the mothers of England. During this time many of the England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most jobs were located far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday, the servants would have the day off, and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. At some point, the celebration also honored the Mother of God, Mary. Finally, President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day a national observance that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May. So, in honor of this special day, I present to you a poem for all mothers:

Together for Life Northland will be selling carnations at the end of Masses this weekend for $2 each.  Together For Life connects women centered services and resources that support and empower families to make positive life-affirming choices. We are creating a culture of life to transform our community.

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.  

Last week you should have received the UCA kickoff mailing for the 2021 campaign.  As stated in the materials, there are multiple ways to give.  Please be generous and prayerful in your giving plans.  Let’s strive to meet our goal with time to spare this year!  Thank you.

The residents of our sister diocese, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, are in the midst of terrible volcanic eruptions, creating tragedy and instability for our brothers and sisters. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves reports: "The lives and livelihoods of our people have been terribly affected. We are in a dire situation, frankly." 20,000 people have been evacuated, and the humanitarian crisis will exist for a long time. Our diocesan administrator, Fr James Bissonette, has spoken with Bishop County of the Diocese of St Vincent who would appreciate any assistance we can offer.  A special collection will be taken up the weekend of May 15/16th. Please be as generous as possible, so we can assist our brothers and sisters in this vulnerable area.  

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus has much to tell his disciples about his love for them. He gives them the commandment to Love one another as I have loved you.  

Children are often naturally generous in showing their love and care for others, but they are also discovering that it can be difficult to follow Jesus’ example to love others. We can teach them that Jesus helps us overcome the obstacles we might face when we try to show our love for others.  

Jesus demonstrates love in action by his sacrifice on the cross. He calls us to follow his example. In family life, we have many opportunities to show love in action. Sometimes the sacrifices we are called upon to make for others are small. But these small choices to love and to serve others prepare us for the larger choices and sacrifices that we may be called upon to make. If we are people who have practiced showing our love for others with generosity, we will also be people who are willing to lay down our lives for those we love. 

Generosity is one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, to be generous is to give freely to others without counting the cost. In today’s Gospel, Jesus promised that God will give us whatever we ask for. One of the things we can ask for from God is a generous spirit so that we can love others as Jesus did.

As our faith formation year comes to an end, I would like to thank all of our volunteers who so generously gave of their time and talent to be with our young people this year. We could not have done it without you.  

We have some great summer activities planned to continue the formation of our young people over the summer. 

TOTUS TUUS June 20th-25th at the Cathedral for all East Duluth Parishes: TOTUS TUUS is a Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. The goal of TOTUS TUUS is to help young people develop their relationship with Jesus Christ through Mary. Day program is for students who have completed grades K-5 and evening program for students who have completed grades 6-11. More details to follow.

Teen Discipleship Nights Thursdays July 15, 22, 29 from 5PM-10PM at the Newman House, Duluth:  We provide three nights throughout the month of July for high school students across the diocese to join us for an evening that has the following components: Mass, BBQ, Talk, Speedball, Dairy Queen.

Camp Survive Monday- Friday August 2-6 & August 9-13 at Big Sandy Camp, McGregor Camp for Grades: Completed 6-8 Camp Survive is a week-long junior high camp sponsored by the Diocese of Duluth. The primary focus of Camp Survive is to provide an atmosphere where our students are immersed in the richness and beauty of their Catholic faith. Just like all of the diocesan youth programs the sacraments are at the center of this camp. Students have the opportunity to attend daily Mass, go to confession, spend time worshipping our Lord in Adoration, and connect with other youth their age through small groups and the many traditional activities of camp.

          

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.

The Diocese of Duluth is restarting in-person Engaged Weekends.  Engaged Weekends are part of the preparation for couples as they prepare and approach the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Please register for one of these upcoming date at Marriage, Family and Life | Diocese of Duluth  or call Betsy Kneepkens at 218-724-9111. 

Location/Dates: 

Duluth: Cathedral of Our Lady, June 5-6

Duluth: St. Benedicts, June 12-13

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 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.

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.