In a continuation from last week’s bulletin article talking about the baptismal imagery in funerals, it might be helpful to talk a little bit about planning your own funeral.

As a priest this is something that we are asked to do so that when we die all that is needed is to pull out the file and see what has already been put in place for funeral arrangements, and those arrangements can simply be acted on or adjusted slightly when necessary.

None of us knows when we will die, and the more prepared we can be for our funeral arrangements the better. Even for families who have very faithful children and grandchildren and there isn’t a concern about things being done against your wishes, it is a merciful act to have things ready for your funeral. This is because when you die your family will be dealing with the grief of the loss and to know that things are already taken care of will help them to focus on praying for your soul as well as seeking the Lord to give them consolation in their time of loss.

Perhaps more significantly though, there are parishioners who are concerned that their family might not have a funeral Mass for them because some of their family members no longer practice the Catholic faith. This is an important factor in planning for your funeral now. Get things in writing, so that your wishes are clear. I would even recommend meeting with the funeral home that you intend to do your funeral, and they can have everything on file so that when your family meets with the funeral home they can give your family all of the information that you have prepared.

If you would like to meet with one of our priests or deacons to have a discussion on what sorts of things you should prepare ahead of time, please feel free to contact us. We are very happy to help. You are Catholic, so you should have a funeral Mass. Don’t miss out on the graces Jesus offers to you through the funeral Mass because family members might not want to have it. We never know the day nor the hour that we will be called from this life, so it is never be too early to begin the planning.

Lastly, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus during this Easter Season, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk about burying the dead. Jesus rose from the dead from the place He was buried, and so we too bury the dead with the hope of Resurrection in mind. Even though the Church allows for cremation, there has never been a change in what the Church teaches should happen with the deceased after a funeral Mass whether a full body in casket or cremains. The deceased is always to be buried. Just as we follow Christ in death, we wait in our own burial plot for the Resurrection just as Christ was buried before His Resurrection.

Not only is it not permitted to scatter ashes or keep them at home for theological reasons, but it is also a reality that finality and closure are crucial elements of the natural grieving process. Failure to bury the dead, or the delay of a burial without cause, can prolong and impede the grieving process. I have seen this many times in my priesthood. People choose to keep the cremains of a loved one on their mantle, and they are never able to truly move through the grieving process and find healing. Furthermore, there is a guilt that sets in when we no longer give the reverence and respect to the cremains of a loved one that we did at first because we begin to forget to do so as time goes on and the cremains end up getting treated like another piece of furniture or ornament.

If you have cremains of a loved one, there is no need to feel discouraged or anxious about it. Start by calling the parish office and one of clergy will be happy to meet with you to make plans for burial. 

God Bless. –Fr. Seth

The Knights of Columbus will host their monthly pancake breakfast at St. Michael’s next Sunday, June 8, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. The cost is $9 per person, with a family maximum of $20. All are welcome to come enjoy good food and fellowship! 

The Polish Cemetery Association will be having its annual yearly meeting on Tuesday, June 10th at St Mary Star of the Sea Church-325 East 3rd Street.  The meeting will be held in the social hall beginning at 2:00 PM.  Refreshments will be served following the meeting.  If individuals currently have a cemetery plot or a loved one buried at the cemetery, you are encouraged to attend.  Questions:  Contact Shirley Baker @ 218-727-2093. 

Beginning June 1 on Sundays at 6 pm Deacon Dick Laumeyer will be leading a scripture study on the up-and-coming Sunday’s scripture readings.  There will also be a rosary and prayers for people’s needs.  The meeting will be outside by the Mary statue at St. Mary Star of the Sea.  If weather is not conducive to meeting outside, the study will be held in the Social Hall.  All are invited.  

The St. Michael's office will be closed from noon on Wednesday, June 4, through Thursday, June 12. Please note that St. Michael’s office hours will change for the summer. The office will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Do you have a desire to serve at Mass? Altar serving is for children and adults alike. We are seeking those who have a desire to help out for Sunday masses, Holy Days and/or funeral masses.  Even if you only can serve funerals, we would love to hear from you. If interested or if you have any questions, contact the office at St. Mary Star of the Sea at 218-722-3078. Training is available. 

Due to the wonderful response it has received, the Knights of Columbus have extended their Into the Breach video series.  This inspiring program is designed to encourage and equip Catholic men to boldly live out their faith in today’s world.  Meetings are held every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church, with each week focusing on a key theme—such as brotherhood, leadership, fatherhood, and spiritual warfare—offering thought-provoking insights and engaging group discussions.  While the series is geared toward men, both men and women are warmly welcome to attend.  The next meeting will take place on Thursday, May 29.

Food Shelf/CHUM: Donations of non-perishable foods appreciated:  Whole grain cereals, pastas and crackers needed, as well as peanut butter and canned goods.  Drop off at St Michael's in the "shopping cart" by the front door.

Laundry Love:  Thank you for your donations to support our monthly service event at Spirit Valley Laundry.  We serve no/low-income persons by paying for them to do their laundry, while offering compassionate hospitality.  Cash/check donations appreciated:  Checks can be written to St. Michael's Church, adding "Laundry Love" in the Memo line.

Damiano: We will be preparing and serving the Saturday meal on June 14 and July 12 and are in need of 3 volunteers from 1:30-6 pm.  Monthly Beatitudes meetings are from 3-4 pm at the Damiano cafeteria during the break between food prep and serving.

SMA is hiring for the upcoming school year! Open positions include full and part-time teaching, and support positions. For more info please visit our website stellamaris.academy/employment. In particular, the High School is expanding the course offerings to include college level courses on campus for our upper level students including courses in advanced mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Instructors of these courses need an advanced degree (Masters or higher) in the specific area of instruction. If you or someone you know is passionate about their studies/profession and would be great at instructing a course at our high school campus, contact Mr. Jesse Murray, our HS principal for more details  at 218-623-6252 or via email: jesse.murrray@stellamaris.academy. 

Thank you to everyone who helped support the important work of SMA through their participation in the Stellabration! Whether an event attendee or bidder in our online silent auction your generosity and support of our event has made a huge impact on our school community!

The St. Paul Seminary Catechetical Institute’s two-year Pillars Program is going to be offered at Immaculate Conception Church in Pine City starting this fall. You will study the Creed, Sacraments, Moral Life, and Prayer taught by well known instructors such as Jeff Cavins, Deacon Joe Michalak, Christina Smith and many more. This program will “make sense of all things Catholic, deepen your faith, and lay out the roadmap to heaven.” Mark your calendar
for Wednesday, June 4 at 7:00pm to attend an Open
House at Immaculate Conception headed by individuals from the Catechetical Institute to discover if this program is right for you. You can also visit https://
saintpaulseminary.org/ci or call (651) 962-5072 for more information on how you can be a part of the Class of St. Carlos Acutis.

Please join the Duluth Serra Ministry in praying for our June Seminarian of the Month, Grant Sharstrom. Grant is entering his first year of Discipleship at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. His home parish is St. Michael.