In both of our Churches, you will find relics of the saints. In the Cathedral, a first-class relic (a bone chip) of St. Matthew can be found under the altar. At St. Mary Star of the Sea, you can go up to the high altar and even the side altars, and see a few reliquaries of a variety of the saints. So, what’s the deal of us Catholics honoring the relics of the saints? 

In order to develop a proper understanding of the place of relics in the Christian tradition, it might be helpful to consider them within a different context — that of family. It’s not uncommon for many people to honor the memory of their loved ones by keeping pictures or cherished belongings of family around the house. These belongings likely are treasured, and treated with honor and reverence. They’re kept in safe and honorable places. They’re often handed on from one generation to the next. These secular “relics” assist us in recalling the person and his or her life, and the memories that remind us of who they were.

And so why wouldn’t a similar reverence translate into our family of the Church? The saints are those men and women from our family who are deserving of our honor for their life of spiritual greatness. Moreover, they have put on Christ in baptism and become members of his body. Catholics see the members of the Church as members of a family. Of course, as human beings — composites of body and soul — the Church honors their bodies after death. We, of course, do this as well in our families when we visit and decorate graves on birthdays, death dates or holidays. Made in God’s image and likeness, we recognize the dignity of the human person by honoring their earthly remains — that is why the Church demands of proper disposal of a person’s remains (burial of body or cremains).

Within this context, then, we should understand that relics are meant to be honored and venerated, not worshiped. In fact, the saints lead us to fuller worship of God in spirit and truth. By honoring their memories, bodies and belongings, we give thanks to God for the saint’s holy witness. Relics are physical, tangible, concrete reminders that heaven is obtainable for us — so long as we recognize what made the saints holy and work to apply those qualities to our lives. When venerating relics, we express gratitude to God for those members of our spiritual family. In the presence of the relics we recall their holy lives and we pray for the grace to achieve what they’ve achieved — eternity with God in Heaven.

In Christ & Mary Immaculate, 

Fr. Tony

This weekend is Donut Sunday!  Join us after all Sunday Masses at the Cathedral and St. Mary Star of the Sea for donuts, coffee and fellowship.  

When a loved one dies and the family makes funeral arrangements, they are invited to have a luncheon or reception at the Cathedral. You can expect a call or email from a church volunteer seeking help for a few hours of your time to help set up, serve a catered lunch and clean up the social hall allowing the family to share a meal while visiting with guests and remembering their loved one.  If you would like to be added to the funeral luncheon list, please contact Greg at greg.jung@duluthcatholic.org or 218-623-5013

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary will be offering a 5 week Educational/Support Grief Group for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. The Group will meet for 5 consecutive Tuesdays beginning April 18th and continuing April 25th, May 2nd, 9th and 16th. The Group will meet in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary Multi-Purpose Room from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. To Register for the Group, please contact Bridget A. Leighton at 218-348-8593 or 218-724-8597. 

For the month of March, we will meet on the 16th and 30th (the 3rd and 5th Thursdays) at 6 PM in the Cathedral Multipurpose Room. There will be no meeting April 6.  We resume our regular schedule on Thursday, April 20th. Questions? Email svdpduluthmn@gmail.com.  

Stations of the Cross will be held at both parishes during Lent.  At the Cathedral, please join us Fridays at 5:30 PM for Stations followed by Lenten Suppers in the Social Hall.  At St. Mary Star of the Sea, please join us on Wednesdays at 5:30 followed by a Soup Supper in the Social Hall.

Please note:  there will be no Stations or Soup Supper at St. Mary Star of the Sea on Wednesday, March 29. Instead, all are encouraged and invited to attend the Mission that evening beginning at 7 PM.  

St. Mary Star of the Sea will be having an Easter Ham Bingo on on Sunday, March 26 beginning at 1 PM.  Sloppy Joe and Hot Dog lunch served at 11:30 AM.  Price of boards: $2 each or 3 boards for $5.  Silent auction and Easter basket raffle for children.  $1 raffle: First prize is $500, Second prize is $300 and Third Prize is $200.  Plenty of parking and handicap accessible.   

SMA is considering starting an Early Catholic Family Life (ECFL) program for parents and children ages 0-5 years old. ECFL is an 8 week program with weekly evening classes that consists of a parent-child interaction component, a parent discussion, and a children’s activity time. Each class includes faith based and fun activities for families. We are currently surveying families to better understand the interest level of our local young families. Please checkout our survey at www.stellamaris.academy/ecfl

Save the date! SMA’s spring gala, known as the Stellabration, will be held on Friday, 5/19, at the SMA High School Campus! More info to come. Tickets go on sale on 4/11! 

March is Minnesota Food Share Month:  During this month, donations to registered food shelves are matched by sponsors throughout the state to stock our local food pantries. The effort goes from February 27 through April 9. This is an excellent way to fulfil our call to feed the hungry. 

Donate Food to the Food Shelf:  Drop off non-perishable items and/or monetary donations at the Cathedral for area food shelves.  Donation bins can be found in the narthex and the Tower entrance.  If you wish to make a monetary donation, place your donation in an envelope and mark Food Shelf on the envelope or memo line.  To give electronically, contact the office at 218-728-3646.  

Lenten Fish Fry Dinners at St. Ben’s: The Knights of Columbus will be serving their famous fish dinner in the St. Ben’s parish hall 4:30 PM to 7 PM on Friday, March 17th, March 24th,  and March 31st. Enjoy a choice of deep-fried, Cajun, or baked fish plus all the extras.  Take outs available.  Adults $12, Children 4 -12 $8, 3 and under free.

Holy Family Pastie Sale: Taking orders until the 20th of March, made with  or without rutabaga.  $6 per pastie.  Call Jeanine at 218-624-3456 or Ginny at Holy Family at 218-722-4445 to place your order.