This coming weekend I can say: Happy New Year! No, I am not confused, and I do have a calendar. I can say it because we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent, which for the Church calendar begins the new Church year. Though many of us see this time as a preparation for Christmas, realize that Advent is not just a time to prepare a welcome for Christ at Christmas, but also a time in preparation for Christ’s Second Coming, and preparing to welcome Him every day of our lives! It is indeed a time of preparing a place for Christ in our very hearts and lives. And this year, for the first time since 2018, I can truly say “Happy” New Year, and mean it. In 2019, Bishop Sirba died; in 2020, Covid had taken hold, and in 2021, we were facing down a huge upturn in serious Covid cases. But Covid has been in decline for the most part, and hasn’t been as lethal as in the beginning. Life recently has started to get back on track.

The challenge we have this year is that it has become more and more difficult to concentrate on Advent, when already 4 weeks ago stores and other venues have already been proclaiming that Christmas is near. And yet, the Church asks us to concentrate not on Christmas yet, but on Advent. And that means we take time to prepare our hearts and souls. We spend hours going to malls, to parties and keeping busy with other duties. But how will you take time preparing your inner self to welcome the Lord? Will you even slow down enough to find a quiet time to pray?

Here in our parishes, we always have ways in which you can prepare your hearts and lives for Christ’s coming. We have plenty of opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We have daily Mass. And we even have some beautiful concerts for you to enjoy.

I know it’s a tall order nowadays, when everything around us screams “Christmas” to be able to focus our energies and efforts towards Advent. But believe me, if you do spend some time in Advent preparing for Christ, taking time for prayer and reflection, I can assure you the true meaning of Christmas will shine brighter in your heart. May God bless you this week, and the whole Season of Advent.

In Christ & Mary Immaculate, 

Father Tony

Please note that Thanksgiving Day Mass is at 9 AM at the Cathedral.  There is no 7 AM Cathedral Mass or 12:10 PM St. Mary Star of the Sea Mass this Thursday. Our parish offices are closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25.  We wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! 

Please consider bringing in non-perishable food items to the Thanksgiving Day Mass to support the local food shelf and those people and families in Duluth who rely on food assistance.  

Cathedral: Our Giving Trees are decorated with ornaments! Please take an ornament or two to support this wonderful project.  One tree's ornaments are for the Women's Care Center and the other tree's ornaments are for Life House, CHUM Families in Transition, McCarthy Manor, Residential Services of NE Minnesota, Franciscan Health Center, Hilltop Heathcare Center, Benedictine Health Care Center, Bayshore Residence, and Lakeside Manor. Gifts for the Women’s Care Center should not be wrapped, but all gifts from the second tree should be wrapped and returned to the church with the tag attached.  Please drop off all gifts by 6pm Saturday, December 10th. Gifts will be delivered on Sunday, December 11th.  

St. Mary Star of the Sea: Please take an ornament or two from the tree in the back  for the Women's Care Center. Gifts for the Women’s Care Center should not be wrapped. Please drop off all gifts by 5 pm Saturday, December 10th.  Gifts will be delivered on Sunday, December 11th. There is also an opportunity to give to the food tree which will be on the side entrance to give to our neighbors in need that need a little extra assistance this Christmas season.  Envelopes will be marked Food Tree on them. 

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Church Cleaning: All are invited to finish cleaning your church and get it ready for the Christmas season. There are tasks for all ages.  Please join us on Saturday, December 3th at 9:30 am.  We'll meet in the Sacristy to go over cleaning tasks, supply locations, etc.  We hope to be done in a couple hours.  Donuts will be provided.  Contact Renee Zurn at 218-723-1321 if you have questions.

The Holy Rosary Society will be meeting Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 pm in the Social Hall. The meeting starts with prayer and then continues with the official meeting.  All women are invited to attend, either for prayer or for the full meeting. The meeting will conclude at 3:30 pm.

 

Pancake Breakfast Sun. Dec. 4th  from 9:00 am to Noon.  The cost is $8.00 Adults and $4.00 children 10 and under. Pancakes are the best in town and gluten free is available! Volunteers are needed, we have a lot of fun.  Our Parish Nurse Nancy Turchi will be available for blood pressure checks and general medical questions.

Available at church entrances are 2023 printed calendars donated by Doughtery Funeral Home which provide scriptural inspiration coupled with seasonal images of God’s splendid creation. The month of January features the Diocese of Duluth and beautiful Lake Superior!  Take one for your household and for friends and family that are homebound.  

TOBIT:  Winter is tough, so is high school, so join us for a winter retreat this January! Theology of the Body Immersion for Teens (TOBIT) retreat will be held Friday, January 13th through Sunday, January 15th at Big Sandy Camp near McGregor, MN. Join us for a weekend retreat as we delve deep into Saint John Paul II's teaching on Theology of the Body.  This retreat is for students in grades 9-12 and will run through 6:30pm Friday - 2:00pm Sunday (If changes are needed, you will be notified).  Cost per student is $175. More information and the registration link can be found here

Did you attend Catholic school in the Duluth area? As a Duluth Area Catholic School alum, you have a home at Stella Maris Academy! Please use the link below to take a moment to fill out a survey and share your story with us so we can continue to honor this extraordinary legacy. By doing so, you will enlighten the history pages and also help us connect generations of alumni! Please visit www.stellamaris.academy/alumni to share your story! 

The Knights of Columbus will be selling "Keep Christ In Christmas" cards after all Cathedral and St. Mary Star of the Sea Masses the weekend of December 3 and 4.
Be sure to plan for the purchase of these beautiful cards!

The Knights of Columbus Monsignor O’Shea Council invites all Catholic men to take the exciting step to join the Knights of Columbus and to participate in charitable service to our parishes and communities.  Visit kofc.org/joinus today or call Bob Spehar 218-349-5051 

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is the largest lay Catholic organization in the world. SVdP is well known for its personal visits to the homes of neighbors in need.  The Cathedral & St. Mary Star of the Sea conference meets regularly to grow in holiness and help our neighbors in need including rental deposit and car repairs. We welcome new members.  Join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6pm in the Cathedral Multipurpose Room. Prayers and financial support are always appreciated. For more information email svdpduluthmn@gmail.com. 

St. Michael’s Christmas Tree & Wreath Sales:
4901 E Superior St. Duluth.  Christmas Tree sales begin on Friday, Nov. 25^th from 9:30 am to 5 pm . This is St. Michael's thirty-fifth year of selling trees. High quality Spruce, Balsam Fir, Norway Pine and White Pine trees, along with Christmas wreaths and sprays are available. Weekdays 10:00 am (self-serve) with helpers in the evenings starting at 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sundays 11:00 to 5:00 pm.  All net proceeds go to help with parish buildings and grounds maintenance needs.

Pancake/Egg Breakfast: November 27^th 9-noon at St. John’s Church in Woodland.  Adults: $3;Youth 6-13: $4 & under 6 yrs free.  Last one till spring. 

Advent Retreat: Searching for and Maintaining Peace: Saturday, December 3  from 8 am—2:30 pm,   8am registration, 8:30am Mass.  Do you long for the peace Jesus offers in the midst of the world’s confusion and chaos? An Advent retreat on the importance of interior peace in the spiritual life will be offered at St. Benedict Church in Duluth.  The retreat will be based around Father Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. The cost is $15; breakfast and lunch will be provided.  You can register on our website, stbensduluth.org, or by calling the St. Ben’s office: 218-724-4828.