St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish News
July 17, 2020
Dear St. Mary Star of the Sea Parishioners-
There is a song that the musicians did at my last Masses in Brainerd called “Heart of a Shepherd” by Rory Cooney. St. Francis’ music director, Kathy Binsfeld, planned to do it at my 25th Anniversary celebration in June, which was canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. So she did it for my farewell Mass last Sunday. It is a beautiful hymn, using the 23rd Psalm. But the refrain is the following:
If you love me, feed my lambs;
Be my heart, my voice, my hands.
If you love me, feed my sheep.
And for my part, I give you the heart of a shepherd.
The refrain is based upon the encounter of the Risen Lord with St. Peter along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, found in the 21st Chapter of St. John’s Gospel. You will recall that Jesus asks St. Peter three times if he loves Him. St. Peter responds in the affirmative. And then Jesus tells St. Peter to feed and tend His sheep and lambs, and then predicts that St. Peter will completely give up even His life for the Lord Jesus.
The Cathedral and St. Mary’s are losing a shepherd named Peter who led them well, but getting a man whose heart is similar to St. Peter’s: sometimes impetuous and flawed, but always ready to say yes to Christ, and to give his entire heart and life to God’s people. My spiritual director these past years certainly has agreed that I’m very much like St. Peter in my temperament! But my dedication to you, and of course to Jesus Christ, will never be in question.
Over the next few weeks we will give you brief biographies of ourselves to allow you to get to know your new priests. You are getting two priests who are outgoing and ready to get to know you, so that we can serve you, and thus God, better. We are so happy to be with you. Let’s hope God, and our bishop of course, will give us many happy years!
- Fr. Tony Wroblewski
WELCOME FR. ANTHONY & FR. MATTHEW!:
The Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Mary Star of the Sea parishes are delighted to welcome Fr. Anthony Wroblewski and Fr. Matthew Miller as our new priests. Fr. Anthony comes to us after serving many years at St. Francis and All Saints Catholic Churches in Brainerd and Fr. Matthew Miller was just ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Duluth this June.
We thank God for the gift of your faith-filled lives and your dedicated service!
We thank God for the gift of your faith-filled lives and your dedicated service!
CITY OF DULUTH MASK REQUIREMENT:
The City of Duluth has mandated the wearing of face masks in all public indoor places including churches. Please wear a mask when inside St. Mary Star of the Sea. There are exemptions for those who are unable to medically tolerate face coverings and for children under 10. We have extra masks available in each of the entrances. Thank you.
LECTORS NEEDED:
We are looking for lectors for the month of August. Email or call the parish office by Monday, July 27 to sign up. There are five weeks to fill in the month of August plus the 6 PM Vigil Mass on August 14 for the Assumption of Mary. The office will email or mail the final schedule. Thank you!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER:
Come and join Deacon Dick outside in front of the Mary statue every Wednesday at 6 PM to pray the Rosary and Sunday scriptures, weather permitting.
CLEANING MINISTRY:
Help is needed cleaning the church after weekend Masses. Cleaning supplies and gloves are provided. You are encouraged to bring and wear your own mask. Many hands make light work!
HOLY WATER BOTTLES AND HAND SANITIZER:
We have a limited supply of both at the church!
For holy water bottles, please bring your own. It should be clean inside and out. A little remaining paper on the outside of the bottle is acceptable. If you need more than a small bottle, bring your own filled water bottle and ask Father to bless it.
For hand sanitizer, if you have any at home, please bring your own supply to church. It will assist us in helping you to stay healthy!
PARISH NURSE OFFICE HOURS:
Parish Nurse Nancy Turchi holds office hours Tuesdays from 1 PM to 5 PM each week. She can be reached at 218-722-3078 ext. 13.
WEEKLY BULLETIN:
The Sunday bulletin for July 19 includes the weekly stewardship report and Mass intentions for the week ahead.
A limited number of paper copies are printed and placed at church entrances. If you know of someone who does not have internet access, please let them know that the bulletin will be available at church entrances. If they prefer to have the bulletin mailed to them, please ask them to call our office.
FORMED.ORG:
Pick of the Week: The Way of St. James
Over the lovely "Camino de Santiago," the Way of St. James, which is the ancient route leading from the Pyrenees to the famous and ancient shrine of Santiago de Compostela, this documentary follows the journey of several pilgrims who differ in culture and religious faith, united only by a mysterious attraction towards the same spiritual destination.
Across breathtaking landscapes, we experience a journey that is at once concrete, mystical and metaphorical in a continued alternation between past and present, between the history and legends that have fashioned the destiny of the Way of St. James. This ancient route that concludes at the shrine where St. James the Apostle is buried is the most famous Christian pilgrimage in the world. Now you can take this ancient journey through this beautifully produced film.
Sign up for free at formed.org/signup.
STEWARDSHIP, OFFERTORY COLLECTION, & FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
Thank you for your continued financial support of our parish. Your contributions have enabled us to continue the important work and mission of St. Mary Star of the Sea!
As the option for public Masses resumes, you will now have the opportunity to make your contribution when you attend a weekend Mass. Out of an abundance of caution, the ushers will not be bringing collection baskets through the pews. Instead, we will place a collection basket at the main entrance of the church where donations can be placed before or after Mass.
Contributions can also be mailed or dropped off at the parish office at 325 E. 3rd Street Duluth, MN 55805 or made through our online giving platform at https://www.duluthcathedral.com/ and clicking on the Giving Tab, then St. Mary Star of the Sea Fund. Please contact Lauren McCracken, Business Manager at 218-728-3646 or lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org if you need assistance.
UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL
During these challenging times “You are the Light of the World.” The work of Christ and the mission of the Church continue within our parish and diocese. You make this happen. Please prayerfully consider a gift to the United Catholic Appeal this year.
There are various giving options for you to choose from depending on how you prefer to contribute. You are able to mail your gift in the envelope enclosed in the recent mailing or give throughout the year by using your yellow UCA envelopes. If you would like to donate to UCA online, please contact Lauren McCracken at 218-728-3646 or lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org to set this up. You change lives, including your own through your prayer and sacrificial generosity. Thank you for the gift you are to this parish community!
CATHEDRAL JOB OPPORTUNITY:
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary is hiring a part-time (20 hours/week) Building Maintenance/Assistant Boiler Engineer. This position includes assisting in building operations, and maintaining the boiler, equipment and grounds at the Cathedral and Stella Maris Academy - Holy Rosary Campus. Please see the full job description.
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Lauren McCracken at lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org. Questions can be directed to Lauren via email or phone at 218-728-3646.