That is the Latin and English translation of the Sequence of Easter, sung just before the Gospel is read every Easter. We celebrate the most Holy Feast of our Christian Faith, the Resurrection of our Lord. He suffered, died, and rose that we may have life eternal. Jesus has conquered death! Last year was the strangest Easter I have ever celebrated. As you recall, it was completely celebrated in your homes. Yet the fact remained: Christ has conquered death! Praise God we can celebrate together in Church this year. Even though our voices can’t, at this moment with Covid protocols, sound an “Alleluia” together, His Resurrection still echoes that “Alleluia” loud and clear.

This feast reminds me that our faith is not just for today: it must be lived and practiced every day of our lives. The Lord’s passion and resurrection are best reflected in the world when we as His followers help others to see the face of Christ. Only when we have turned completely to the Lord, and when we extend our faith in loving service to our sisters and brothers, can we find ultimate fulfillment – not just in this world, but in the life to come. Our Christian lives are always to be lived in service to the least of our brothers and sisters. In doing so, we witness to the power of Christ’s Resurrection even to the lowest among us!  Our Lord showed us that if we can accept our crosses like Him, we’ll be able to rise with Him in newness of life. 

My dear friends, we don’t know how long this crisis will last: who would have thought we would still be in this crisis today? We don’t know how long it will last. And yet, we can still rejoice, because as the song above proclaims: “…the Prince of life, who died, reigns alive.” May you all have a very Blessed Easter!

In Christ and Mary Immaculate, 

Fr. Tony

The Parish Offices will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday.  We wish you a blessed and fruitful Easter season.

A Gift for You!  Mother Teresa’s Do Something Beautiful for God is being given out to parishioners at all Easter Masses. This book is a collection of 365 daily reflections from Mother Teresa.  It is easy to read and invites you to spend a year walking and talking with this icon of goodness.  

Being able to offer praise and thanksgiving to God through music is a blessing and a privilege. As St. Augustine stated, “He who sings, prays twice.” So to ask the congregation not to sing during liturgies has left an obvious void in our worship.

Thankfully, our music director, Jenny Campbell, installed barriers and developed procedures that allow David, our organist, and Wendy, our pianist, and a cantor and small quartet of singers to provide music in a safe and healthy manner for our Masses. I have been privileged to be one of the singers in this smaller music ministry team as a temporary solution during this unusual time and to give back for all of the blessings I have received. I pray that this arrangement has enhanced the worship of all attending Mass whether in person or electronically. Your patience with the current restriction is greatly appreciated.

It will be a glorious day when the sound of the congregation and the full choir worshipping and praising God in song and spoken prayer again fills the Cathedral. That will be “music to our ears”!
 
 -Candace Wegerson, Cathedral Choir

The long journey of Lent has ended. As a Church we have prepared our hearts to receive the gift of salvation Jesus offers to us. We have entered deeply into His Passion and Death, and have stood at the entrance to His tomb. And now, after these long weeks of penance and contemplation, we encounter Jesus’ Resurrection, His victory over sin and death.

On the third day after Jesus’ death and resurrection we are told that the Disciples do not yet understand the Scriptures, nor that Jesus has been raised from the dead. In our lives, our understanding of Christ’s Resurrection unfolds over our lifetime. Sometimes we find it easy to accept the truth of Christ’s Resurrection. Sometimes we face a time of doubt and skepticism like the doubting Disciple Thomas. Our human nature seeks hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to his disciples after his death is indeed the same Jesus who was crucified. Thomas gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who died. 

In the weeks ahead, we will hear how the first disciples moved from confusion, through doubt and skepticism, to full faith. Their experience can teach us how we, too, might receive this gift of faith from God. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed, for we have not seen and yet believe.

Easter is the most joyful time of the liturgical year. It is the time we celebrate the Resurrection and the peace and healing it brings us.  Take this time as a family to reflect on ways you can be messengers of the good news like the Disciples. What are some ways you can let people know that because of Jesus, we are all promised a life in heaven after death? Jesus gives us hope in the knowledge that God is with us even in difficult times. Do you know someone who needs to hear this message? 

I pray this Easter season is one of joy and renewed faith for you and your family.

Faith Formation classes resume on April 7^th with our K-5 students. Classes are from 6 PM- 7 PM. 

             

The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month.  Our next meeting is April 15. Email svdpduluthmn@gmail.com for the meeting link. If you have questions, please contact Deacon Jim at 218-348-6258.  

Your decision to join the Knights
could define your year.

Join Catholic men just like you
striving to strengthen their faith,
their families,
and their communities
as members of the
Knights of Columbus

Every Knight makes a difference

Each man brings a unique story,
a particular set of skills,
and a heart that is ready to serve.

We invite you to take
this exciting step
and join us today.

It's an opportunity that could define
your year and change your life.

Join us at KofC.org/JoinUs
Bob Spehar 218-349-5051

As covid-19 cases increase in our area, it is a good time to make sure we are all taking the precautions that are in our control.  

Face Masks: Wear a face mask when you are at church. If you are not able to wear a face mask, please obtain a face shield.

Hand Sanitizing Before Communion: When you come up to communion, you will notice there is hand sanitizer in the aisle. To make sure we are doing things safely, first pull down your mask, then sanitize your hands prior to receiving communion.    

Cleaning the Pews: After Mass, please sanitize the area in which you are sitting. Sanitizing wipes can be found in the side aisles. Thank you.

The annual Steubenville Conference Mission Trip for students in grades 9-12 is tentatively planned for July 6-12, 2021!  We are hoping to go to the Steubenville Conference in Springfield Missouri July 9-11.  

Registration is open and more information can be found at www.dioceseduluth.org/Mission-Trips