January 26, 2023
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER ANTHONY WROBLEWSKI
Each year, during the last week of January, when we observe National Catholic Schools Week. The week’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service”, focuses on the core of Catholic education.
We would like to take this time to recognize the value of Catholic education and show our support to our families and Catholic schools in our diocese as they strive to educate our young people and form disciples. We acknowledge the vital role of school faculty, staff and volunteers in this effort. We celebrate our Catholic school students this week in a special way as they learn about their faith and acquire the academic skills needed to enter the mission fields of our communities and world as a disciple of Christ. As stated in Bishop Felton’s Pastoral Letter, “All baptized Christians are called to be disciples on mission who accompany one another to an encounter with Jesus. This can be as simple as learning how to pray aloud with the one in front of me who has asked for my prayers, a simple prayer to the Holy Spirit inviting Jesus to bring His healing, hope, and joy in response to a specific prayer request. Yes, missionary discipleship is that simple… and that challenging.” (pg.8). Our Catholic schools are called to develop and form disciples on mission. It is that simple… and that challenging.
Our Catholic schools are not isolated communities, they are part of the larger community, a larger mission field. Our schools strive to be places of healing, hope, and joy. Our schools develop and form our children into future model leaders and Christ-centered citizens that will bring healing, hope, and joy into the larger community, a larger mission field. We ask that you support them through prayer and where applicable, resources.
Our Catholic schools are part of our future as a Church, community, and a nation. May God bless them and all who contribute to the important work they do on behalf of the children in our parishes across the diocese and across the country.
Thank you for your support!
In Christ & Mary Immaculate,
Father Tony
STELLA MARIS ACADEMY
Next week the students at Stella Maris Academy will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week through various festivities and prayer experiences. In particular the students would like to intentionally pray for all of you. Please visit their table in the gathering space after Masses this weekend to drop off a few prayer requests for the students. These requests will be prayed for intentionally by our students over the next month.
Want to join the SMA community? We are currently enrolling Pre-K through10th grades for the 2023-2024 school year. Please visit www.stellamaris.academy for more information about upcoming open houses!
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
There are two youth ministry events coming up! All high schoolers are invited and welcome to join us at Holy Rosary campus on January 30th from 7:30 to 8:30 for sledding and hot chocolate. Please invite your friends for a fun night to just hang out! Also, we have rescheduled our middle school night for Tuesday, January 31st from 7:00 to 8:00 at St. John's gym. We will have pizza, games, and a short talk on prayer for all those in 6th - 8th grade.
DONUTS AND PANCAKES AT ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA
To help kick off Catholic Schools week we will be having a special donut Sunday hosted by Stella Maris Academy families downstairs in the social hall after the 9:15 mass on Sunday. Please join us to celebrate the great gift of Catholic education!
There will be a Pancake Breakfast at St Mary Star of the Sea Sunday February 5th 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 always needed and we have a lot of fun. Our parish nurse Nancy Turchi will be available for blood pressure checks and general medical questions.
HOLY ROSARY SOCIETY MEETING
The Holy Rosary Society will be meeting Saturday, February 4 at 1:30 pm in the Social Hall at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. 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 should conclude by 3:30 pm. Contact Rosary President Renee Zurn, 218-723-1321, if you have any questions.
CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION MEETING- JANUARY 29
The St. Raphael’s Guild of the Catholic Medical Association will hold its next meeting Sunday, January 29 in the Cathedral Social Hall. A rosary will be prayed beginning at 5 PM, followed by dinner and a talk. This month’s presenter will be Professor Kevin Vaughan who will be speaking on “Gluttony: Filling the Void with Nothing.” Dinner cost is $15, students eat free. RSVP and see more details at duluthcathmed.org. All medical professionals are invited.
HOLY INNOCENTS ADORATION CHAPEL IS OPEN
The Holy Innocents Adoration Chapel is now open continuously from Sundays at 5 PM to Thursdays at 9 PM. Thank you to everyone who has signed up as a permanent adorer or as a substitute adorer.
We continue to look for adorers and the goal is to have at least two adorers per time slot. All are encouraged to reach out to friends or family members to share an hour with. To sign up as a regular adorer or a substitute, visit adorationpro.org/starduluth or call the Star of the Sea office at 218-722-3078.
EAST DULUTH CATHOLIC FAITH FORMATION
Today’s Gospel offers a contrast to many of the messages we hear in our secular world about happiness. If we were to listen and believe the many messages we hear out there, we would think that happiness means having money, being successful, and having many possessions. When we think this way, we are not unlike the people who heard Jesus teach on the day that he taught the Beatitudes. The crowd that day also associated happiness with material possessions and status.
The people whom Jesus calls “blessed” and “happy” are not people we think of as blessed or happy. “Blessed” is sometimes translated as happy, fortunate, or favored. This Gospel is one of reversals. Jesus’ blueprint for happiness reflects little of what the world might call happiness. Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, those who mourn, and those who are persecuted.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus offers us the true prescription for happiness, one that promises lasting happiness to those who live by his teaching. He tells us that we are happy, or blessed, when we are kind to others, forgive them, and live peacefully with them. He tells us that we will find happiness when we put our faith in God and do the right thing, even when it’s hard.
Matthew reminds us today that our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. Those that act in the ways of the Beatitudes will find their reward with God.
Faith Formation continues this week with classes as normal.
-Sonya Morris, Director & K-5 Coordinator
LITURGICAL MINISTERS & GIFT BEARERS
The sign up for Masses in February is available below.
If you are interested in becoming a Liturgical Minister, please contact Greg at greg.jung@duluthcatholic.org
RESTORED RETREAT
All adults 21 and older are invited to come to a retreat weekend! Come enjoy good food and lodging, thought provoking content, engaging conversation and fellowship, time for reflection and prayer, and free time to enjoy the resort. Come be restored in both body and soul. The Restored retreat is taking place February 24 - 26, 2023 at Breezy Point Resort. This is a great opportunity for you, especially if you have never been on a retreat, or it could be a special gift for a loved one. More info & registration are available at www.dioceseduluth.org/Restored.
