In continuation of the bulletin series that began a few weeks ago, I want to begin with another legal disclaimer. Often times Holy Mother Church does not give an exact answer of when or how someone should do something, because there are all kinds of pastoral exceptions that are made and speak to the complexity of individual circumstances that come down to making an individual prudential judgment. The advice I am about to share this week is simply meant to be something for you to inform your own conscience while making those prudential decisions regarding the mass and the Eucharist.

The most common questions people have concerning the mass are, “How late can I come to mass and still fulfill my Sunday obligation”, and “How late can I show up and still receive Holy Communion?” Now if you ask another priest this question you might get a different answer. But for myself and Fr. Seth, we are of the opinion (Personally I think that it’s a good moderate opinion) that you should be there by the Gospel at a minimum. As there are two parts to the mass, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, you really do not attend mass if you miss one or the other.

If you accidentally miss the opening prayer or the first reading due to weather or you have to wrangle small children into the car to get to mass, you can probably still receive Holy Communion because your intention was to make it to mass on time. However, if you miss the Gospel because of unforeseen or unintended circumstances, it’s probable that you did fulfill your Sunday obligation. Now the love of our Lord would suggest that you should find another mass time if possible, and the abundance of variable mass times we have in our city would make that a reasonable sacrifice to make, but a one-off mishap shouldn’t weigh on your conscience. If this does happen, I would recommend that you don’t receive the Eucharist out of reverence for the sacrament. Remember that reception of Holy Communion is not necessary to fulfill your Sunday obligation, if it was then people like my sister who only receives once a year due to medical conditions would be unable to fulfil their Sunday obligation.

Finally, as someone entrusted with care for your souls, I want to note there are two extremes that I have observed within our parishes that need to be formally addressed. Now I hate to single out a particular mass time, but if you frequent the 6:00pm mass that is shared with the UMD Newman Center, you should not show up 15min late just because you do not want to socialize with the youths or the people sitting next to you at the beginning of mass. Simply when you commit to a mass you commit to everything that is offered at that particular mass. Remember that the mass begins at 6:00 and you should strive and try your best to show up on time for the 6:00 mass.

On the other hand you should not leave mass early. It seems that no matter how many times I preach about it, it still happens often. Both Fr. Seth and I make deliberate efforts to keep our homilies short and the masses under one hour so unless there is an emergency, or Father dies at the altar, there just really isn’t a good reason to leave mass early. As a matter of perspective please remember that your Sunday obligation takes up about 1/168th of your week which is a half of a percent of your week. For the God who has given us so much, we shouldn’t think twice about giving him that hour of our time.

I pray that everyone is staying warm, and may God bless you always!

In Christ our hope,

Fr. Jacob Toma 

Next week is Catholic Schools Week!  Please note that the All School Mass with Bishop Felton will be held on Tuesday, January 28 at 9:30AM at the Cathedral.  There will not be an 8AM Mass Wednesday, January 29. Pray for our Catholic Schools that they continue to be places where students and families grow in faith, knowledge, and service, becoming true disciples of Christ. 

We have an overflow of lost and found items at the Cathedral.  Please check the tables in the narthex for lost items.  Anything not claimed by January 30 will be donated. 

The Holy Rosary Society will be meeting Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 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 at 218-723-1321 if you have any questions. 

For St. Michael's Catholic Church Parishioners:  Three $1,500 scholarships are being awarded if all eligibilities are met.  Eligibility:  All traditional and non-traditional students, college bound, vocational or associate degree.  The Perrault scholarship committee will make the final decision on all eligible applicants.  Deadline for applications is Monday, April 14, 2025.  Apply for scholarship at Perraultscholarship.com 

The Knights of Columbus would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for your incredible support of our pancake breakfast!  We broke a record on Sunday, January 12! All profits go directly towards supporting Catholic education, making your generosity even more impactful.  We invite you to join us every second Sunday at St. Michael's for a wonderful and hearty breakfast.  We're also considering adding delicious blueberry pancakes to the mix - stay tuned for updates!  

All men of St. Michael's Parish are invited to attend a Knights of Columbus meeting and see what we’re all about. You might find an old friend—or make new ones—among our members, who range in age from 24 to 80.  With 13 active members, we work together on Catholic projects that benefit our parish and the community. Come discover how you can be part of this mission of faith, service, and fellowship. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the St. Michael's rectory basement. Refreshments are provided after the meeting.  We’d love to see you there! Feel free to contact Al Robins at 218-260-0399 with any questions.  

Thank you to everyone who has already stepped forward to volunteer for the funeral luncheons—we deeply appreciate your support. We are still in need of a few more helping hands, so please consider joining us if you can.  If you would like to be a volunteer, please contact Sharene at 218-525-1902.   

Men and women, young and old, strengthen and grow in your faith for your families with five short videos produced by the Knights of Columbus called the “Mission of The Family”.  The videos can be found on the Knights of Columbus website for free!  Here is the link to find “The Mission of The Family” videos.  The five videos are less than 14 minutes in length. You can also find the original “Into The Breach” video series by rolling down on this webpage and under "Categories" click on “Into The Breach”.  This series is also free of charge and is sure to help you grow in your faith.

High School Open House: SMA is hosting a Senior High Information Night on Monday, Feb. 3rd, from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. This event is for current and prospective students, and their parents. The event will provide an opportunity to visit classrooms, meet our teachers and staff, and take a tour of campus. Dinner will be available. 

RSVP www.stellamaris.academy/openhousersvp

Tour the new SMA High School Science Wing! We would like to invite our wider community to come see our newly completed science wing on Thursday, Jan. 30th. Stop by anytime between 6:00 - 8:00pm for a tour of the new space and to learn more about what the Holy Spirit is doing through our school!  Our high school campus is located in Woodland at 4321 Allendale Avenue. 

SMA is seeking to hire a 2nd grade teacher, kitchen manager, and long-term subs for spring maternity leaves. If you or someone you know might be interested in a rewarding career at SMA please visit the below link for more details about each opening  at www.stellamaris.academy/employment

Communion and Liberation is a movement for the ongoing education in the Catholic faith. Our formation doesn’t end at a certain age, but lasts a lifetime because it is always being renewed and deepened. The same is true in the experience of love, of artistic creativity, and even in the simplicity of everyday life. The search for what is true, beautiful, good, and for happiness is never-ending. We may find this in community with one another, continually learning and experiencing the life our Lord has given to us as a beautiful gift. In Communion & Liberation we deepen our faith through “School of Community,” in which we study and meditate on texts written by Father Luigi Giussani and other associates. Ultimately we view our Christian faith not only as training for life, but as an adventure of life. Locally we meet in Duluth on Sunday evenings, with occasional gatherings in between. Additionally, we participate in one monthly charitable work project. Explore Communion and Liberation further at https://english.clonline.org/cl, and please consider joining us in this wonderful, blessed journey! Contact our local facilitator wfvouk@gmail.com for more information. 

Please join the Duluth Serra Ministry in praying for our January Seminarian of the Month, Ben Sundlie. Ben is in his second year of Discipleship at St. John Vianney Seminary. His home parish is Our Lady of the Lakes in Pine River. 

The Duluth, MN Catholic Schoolhouse Chapter invites you to our Open House on February 20th. Catholic Schoolhouse is a homeschool community that encourages "Homeschool Success Through a Classical Approach". Join us to observe class leaders leading our scholars through memory work, art and science projects, and chat with fellow homeschooling families.  Please email duluthmn@catholicschoolhouse.com for more information.