August 11, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER ANTHONY WROBLEWSKI
This Monday, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, this year it will not be a Holy Day of Obligation. So why is it that sometimes August 15 is a Holy Day of Obligation, and sometimes it’s not? And is it the case that a Solemnity is always a Holy Day, and sometimes it isn’t? Well let me answer those questions. It’s important for us to understand though, the differences between a Holy Day, a Solemnity, a Feast Day, and a Memorial.
We tend to use the word "Feast" to cover all levels of celebration, even though the word also has a precise technical meaning in the hierarchy of celebrations. The three basic classes are: Memorial, Feast, and Solemnity, although Memorials are often divided up into obligatory and optional. The difference between the three basic categories is reflected in the presence or absence of different liturgical elements.
Solemnities are the highest degree and are usually reserved for the most important mysteries of faith. These include Easter, Pentecost and the Immaculate Conception; the principal titles of Our Lord, such as King and Sacred Heart; and celebrations that honor important saints in salvation history, like Sts. Peter and Paul, and St. John the Baptist on his day of birth. Solemnities have the same basic elements as a Sunday: three readings, the Creed and the Gloria which is done even when the Solemnity occurs during Advent or Lent. Now this is where it can get confusing. Some Solemnities are also Holy Days of Obligation, but these vary from country to country. The Holy See determines which of these are Holy Days, which are left up to the bishops of a country, which ones are never Holy Days, and which ones aren’t obligatory when they fall on a Saturday or Monday. Assumption falls in the last category, which is why it remains a Solemnity but is not a Holy Day this upcoming Monday. An example of a Solemnity that is always a Holy Day for the USA is the Immaculate Conception, since she is patroness of our country.
Let me finish up with the other categories. A Feast honors a mystery or title of the Lord, of Our Lady, or of saints of particular importance. The Feast usually has some proper prayers but has only two readings plus the Gloria. A Memorial is usually of saints, but may also celebrate some aspect of the Lord or of Mary. Examples include the optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus, or the obligatory Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. From the point of view of the liturgical elements there is no difference between the optional and obligatory Memorial. The Memorial has at least a proper opening prayer and may have proper readings suitable for the saint being celebrated. The readings of the day may be used, and the lectionary recommends against an excessive use of specific readings for the saints so as not to interrupt too much the continuous cycle of daily readings.
So there you have it! I hope it’s not too confusing, and helps you to understand why we do what we do at Mass.
In Christ & Mary Immaculate,
Fr. Tony
PLEASE NOTE
As the Solemnity of the Assumption on Monday is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year, all are invited to attend the regularly scheduled daily Masses at the Cathedral (7:00 AM) and Star of the Sea (12:10 PM).
ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10!
ORDER THE MAGNIFICAT
The daily devotional booklet, The Magnificat, is once again available to be ordered at a discount. The Magnificat is a monthly Mass/prayer booklet which includes all the readings for daily and Sunday Mass, Saints of the Day articles, explanations of Catholic artwork, reflections by Bishop Barron, Fr. Richard Veras, Heather King, Anthony Esolen and others. It is a wonderful tool to have for Mass and Adoration and for other times of prayer as well. Those who order through the parish will receive a one year subscription at a reduced price of $39.00 compared to the full price of $59.00. This will begin in November 2022. Each month the issues will be available for pick up at the Cathedral or at St Mary Star of the Sea. We will not be able to send them via mail.
If you would like to order, please call the Cathedral Parish Office or fill out the form found in the weekly newsletter. The deadline to order and to submit payment is Monday, September 12.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE MEETING
There will be a 40 Days for Life Meeting on Monday, August 15th, at 6:30 pm at St. Benedict's Church, 1419 St. Benedict St. Duluth. At this meeting an update on the planning for the fall prayer vigil will be provided, with discussion on suggestions and ideas to improve the vigil this year. All are invited to attend. For more information visit http://www.40daysforlife.com/en/duluth.
THE RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS: DEALING WITH THE UNEXPECTED
EAST DULUTH CATHOLIC FAITH FORMATION
Jesus warned us in last Sunday's Gospel, that a commitment of faith requires us to change our attitude toward material possessions and to take even more seriously our moral responsibilities. Now in this week's Gospel, Jesus tells us that those that commit to him may find that it affects the way they relate to friends and family members, and we must be prepared to make difficult decisions that will bring us into conflict with those closest to us.
We don't expect to hear such difficult words from Jesus in the Gospel and it can be hard to hear sometimes. But it is good to be reminded once in a while that the decision to do the right thing, the good thing, is not always easy and without conflict. When we make the commitment to follow Jesus and change the way we live our lives, it can put a strain on some relationships we have with family and friends, but we do it because we know it to be right, and good.
Families strive for unity and togetherness. We share meals together, go to church together, celebrate special occasions, or share family traditions. All of these things are important and Jesus wants us to show this kind of love for one another. To some, this week's Gospel may sound like it is saying something different.
As parents we have to make decisions that may be unpopular with our children. We don’t do this to cause conflict or division within our families, we do it because it is the right thing to do. In the short term, our decisions may cause some division between us as parents and our children, but in the long run doing the right thing will bring deeper unity within our family.
Our children will also be faced with decisions that may go against their friends and cause division amongst them. Peer pressure is a very powerful thing and even thinking about going against their friends can be frightening for our kids. It’s not easy going against the crowd, but Jesus calls us to make good choices and to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
Following Jesus, even though difficult at times, makes all the difference because it is the way that leads to eternal life with God. Encourage your children and remind yourselves to ask the Holy Spirit, to help us use the gift of courage (fortitude) when making decisions that might be unpopular with others. Jesus himself did not make easy decisions and avoid conflict, let us live our lives like Jesus.
-Sonya Morris, Director of Faith Formation K-5
CATHEDRAL CHATS: LITURGY OF THE HOURS
MASS INTENTIONS
We have a number of open Mass intentions in August and September. If you would like to have a Mass celebrated for a special occasion, on behalf of a family member, a friend, or a deceased loved one please call the parish office. The suggested donation for each Mass is $10.
STELLA MARIS ACADEMY
We are still enrolling for pre-k through 9th grade for the coming school year! Visit our www.stellamaris.academy for more information and to connect with our admissions team.
We are also still hiring various positions including a school cook, music teacher and kindergarten teacher. Please visit www.stellamaris.academy/employment for more details!
LITURGICAL MINISTERS
Please sign up for July and August Masses at the Cathedral below!
If you are interested in becoming a Liturgical Minister, please contact Greg at greg.jung@duluthcatholic.org
ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY GIFT SHOP
St. Scholastica Monastery Books and Gifts is now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-3:30p.m. or by appointment. A destination for books, icons, greeting cards, rosaries, medals, First Communion and Confirmation cards and gifts, and more.
Located within the Monastery at 1001 Kenwood, Ave. Duluth. 218.723.6589. Thank you!
THE VATICAN UNVEILED
An Exploration of Legacies: It’s time to experience the largest Papal Artifacts Collection outside of Rome! Father Richard Kunst will be unveiling the curated collection August 19-21, 2022 at the DECC. This is the closest that most people will ever get to the Vatican or to meet a Pope. General Exhibit hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Early bird tickets available now at VaticanUnveiled.com or call 218-724-6201.$20/person, $18/senior, $40 family.
Formal VIP events are also planned for the Kitchi Gammi Club as well as the DECC with Mark Hall-Patton from the TV Show, Pawn Stars. We are currently seeking volunteers, sponsors and supporters for this fundraising event where all proceeds will benefit Stella Maris Academy and Star of the North Maternity Home. If you are interested in supporting the event in some way, please send us an email at: hello@vaticanunveiled.com.
FAMILY ACTIVITY GUIDE
Pick up your family Activity Guide for the Vatican Unveiled Event at church entrances which is happening on August 19-21st. This Family Activity Guide is brought to you by the Diocese of Duluth's Office of Marriage, Family, and Life and is available at church entrances. It is full of activities for children to do before they arrive at the display. This book has pages to color, word finds, crossword puzzles, and a scavenger hunt to do at the collection. Children that work on the booklet and bring it to the display will be given a prize donated by Perkins Restaurants when they show their booklet to the clerk. Not only will this be fun for the whole family, but your children will also learn more about our church history.
ELECTRONIC GIVING AT THE CATHEDRAL
You are invited to sign up for electronic giving. Enroll today by scanning the QR codes or clicking on the Electronic Giving buttons below. Contact Lauren at the parish office with any questions at 218.623.5012 or lauren.finnegan@duluthcatholic.org
ELECTRONIC GIVING AT ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA
