What a strange time we live in. By now, we have been living through a number of weeks trying to deal with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. I have said many times how I can’t remember in all my life living through something like this. I must confess that when this all began I thought that much of this was overblown. It didn’t take long to wake up from that fantasy, once I saw the numbers of people who were getting sick, many of them quite serious and dying. I saw an article in all of this that talked about Faith during the time of this pandemic in America magazine. So I share with you some of the ideas that were mentioned that I think we need to continue to be aware of. 

First and foremost we need not panic. When things began getting serious, people panicked: some even giving into hysteria. We have all seen the run on stores: first hand sanitizer, then toilet paper, and then food. Yes, we need to be serious, but we need not panic. Panic and fear are not from God. Faith and hope are. Jesus said, “Be not afraid.” St. John Paul II said the same. And by the way, it has taken great courage for the leaders in our Church to make difficult and unprecedented decisions to keep us safe. Let’s thank them, and not demonize them. 

We also need to do what we can to care for all those who are sick. This is a disease that has spread very fast. We need to do what we can to help others, especially the elderly, disabled, poor and isolated. Take the necessary precautions; don’t be reckless and don’t risk spreading the disease, but also don’t forget the fundamental Christian duty to help others. “I was sick, and you came to visit me,” Jesus said. We won’t be able to see many of them face to face, but how about using your phone and calling them, checking up on them, and even praying with them over the phone!

We are living through a time of Catholic churches around the world having Masses not publicly celebrated. Other parish events have been cancelled. These are necessary measures done to keep people healthy. As America Magazine put it: “For many people, this removes one of the most consoling parts of their lives—the Mass and the Eucharist—and isolates them even more from the community at a time when they most need support.” Yet it is important that we need to increase our prayer, not decrease it. We have been reaching out to you to keep in touch such as with podcasts. Keep making Spiritual Communions. Say your rosary. Read the Bible.

Finally, I beg you to trust in the Lord! Trust that God is with us in all of this. Trust that He will pull us through the most difficult aspects of this pandemic. And trust that His love and mercy will continue to be offered to us each and every day!

In Christ & Mary Immaculate, 

Fr. Tony

Our Business Manager, Lauren McCracken married Patrick Finnegan on October 2nd and has changed her name to Lauren Finnegan. Please note that Lauren's new email address is lauren.finnegan@duluthcatholic.org. May God bless them abundantly with love, happiness, and joy as they begin their married life together.  

We are at 76% of our UCA goal with $5,500 left to collect in 3 months! Please check your mail for a letter with more details on our UCA campaign. If we do not make much progress by November, we will begin to take a second collection each weekend at Mass. Thank you for your generosity!

Have you felt God touch your heart with a desire to become Catholic? Do you know someone who has expressed interest in entering the Catholic Church? Are you a baptized Catholic adult who would like to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation?

You are invited to an Information Session on Thursday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Cathedral, St. Benedict’s, St. John’s, St. Joseph’s/Gnesen, St. Mary Star of the Sea and St. Michael’s will be working together for RCIA. The sessions will be held in the Fireside Room at the Cathedral. Park in the Holy Rosary School lot, follow signs to the Cathedral parish office and follow the directions to the Fireside Room.

If interested, contact the pastor of one of the East Duluth parishes or Bob and Sandi Arola, 218-525-2962, arola71@gmail.com.

We are looking forward to meeting you.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society: Please continue to support us especially with your prayers. Questions, call Dcn. Jim at 218-348-6258.  We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6pm.  1st Thursday at SMSS; 3rd Thursday location: TBD.  Email svdpduluthmn@gmail.com or call Deacon Jim for details.

The 40 Days for Life Duluth Prayer Vigil has started and prayer warriors are needed to pray outside the abortion center, located within the Building for Women, 32 E. 1st St.  Vigil is keep between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, ending October 31st.  Peaceful vigil hours may be registered for at www.40daysforlife.com/Duluth or by contacting Paulette at 218-348-1345 or 40daysduluth@gmail.com.  YOU and your prayers are needed to fill the many vigil hours as we pray to save the babies and their mothers.

America Needs Fatima Public Square Rosary: Saturday, October 16 at 12:00 noon at the NE corner of 6^th Ave. E. and 4^th St, across the street from Whole Foods Coop. This hour-long rally is held to offer reparation for the sins and offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to fervently pray for the conversion of the United States. You can bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather. This public square rosary will be one of over 20,000 rallies nationwide that day. Call Renee 218-723-1321 or Joe at 218-626-1499 with any questions. Your presence is needed for this public prayer to our Mother, Mary. Rosaries will be provided.

Pancake & Egg Breakfast, Sunday October 17th, 9-12 noon, at St. John's Church, 4230 St. John's Avenue. Adults: $7; Youth 6-13: $4 and children under 6: Free

Stella Maris Academy is now hiring for additional Extended Day Aides at St. James and Holy Rosary campuses. The Extended Day Aide is responsible for supervising children before school and/or after school. Teens are welcome to apply for this part time (up to 15 hours per week) position! Learn more and apply today at www.stellamaris.academy/employment

The Diocese of Duluth Office of Marriage and Family Life has restarted in-person Engaged Weekends. Engaged Weekends are part of the preparation for couples as they prepare and approach the Sacrament of Matrimony. We have a retreat weekend scheduled for October 23rd at St. Joseph parish in Grand Rapids. Please register for this weekend at Marriage, Family and Life | Diocese of Duluth (dioceseduluth.org) or call Betsy Kneepkens at 218-724-9111. Registration closes on October 14th. Although there is a charge for this event, your UCA contributions help cover the cost of the weekend.  

East Duluth Catholic Faith Formation, a collaborative effort of the parishes in East Duluth, is accepting applications for the Director of Relational and Youth Ministry for 6th – 12th grade students. This is a part-time position with flexible hours. We are looking for someone who possesses a sincere and demonstrated ability to share their Catholic faith in the dynamic environment of a larger-scale middle and high school religious education program. The director is responsible for opportunities whereby faith can be sparked and nourished through retreat experiences and other opportunities for building relationships with our young people. Please see the full job description here. If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter, resume and references to lauren.finnegan@duluthcatholic.org.  

KofC.org/JoinUs Call Bob Spehar: 218-349-5051

Did you know that the Knights lead the rosary at 6 PM on the first Tuesday of the month at the Cathedral? Please join us.  

The Diocese of Duluth's Pastoral Center is filling their building maintenance position. This role is casual, therefore one will be called upon as needs arise. The successful candidate will assist in maintaining and monitoring building operations, equipment, and grounds of the Diocese of Duluth. The goal is to maintain an efficient, safe, and effective environment for staff and visitors. Please contact Mary Rasch at mary.rasch@duluthcatholic.org for a job description and an application.