St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish News
August 27, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
It is hard to believe, but we have been dealing with all sorts of COVID 19 regulations and restrictions now for about 5 months. First, as you will recall, all Masses with people attending them ceased. Then, after about 2 months of this, we were able to begin Masses with people, but with a variety of protocols, most of which were developed by the Thomistic Institute, and given to our bishops to implement. So many of us have been wondering if all of this effort has been working. Well, there is some very good news on this front.
Just this past week I read that a report was released from the same Thomistic Institute on the success of the common-sense measures of COVID 19 prevention in Catholic liturgical celebrations. The essay is co-authored by the Physician Members of the Thomistic Institute Working Group on Infectious Disease Protocols for Sacraments & Pastoral Care. They have been able to calculate that: “…over one million public masses have been celebrated following guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus” made up of the “17,000 parishes in America typically holding three or more weekend masses – and a greater number of daily masses – for the last 14 or more weeks.” The cases of (unknowingly) infected people attending Church that the physicians are aware of did not result in transmission of the virus to others. They report that churches that followed the simple guidelines have not reported any infections during their services. The few church-based transmissions that have been reported in the media “did not follow social distancing or require masks … [and] also promoted congregational singing.”
What does all this mean? That the hard work of sanitizing, social distancing, and masks that we have been insisting on, and advocating, are working to keep us safe. Let’s not politicize these things. Our proper authority, to whom we owe obedience, Fr. Bissonnette, has set forth these regulations. So let’s continue to be vigilant, doing things that at times may seem unpleasant, but are working to allow us to attend Mass AND do so safely.
-Fr. Tony
INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO FR. TONY & FR. MATT
We realize in this time of social distancing, it is difficult to connect with our new priests. To help Fr. Tony and Fr. Matt get to know you a little better, parishioners are encouraged to send in a photo and tell the priests a bit about yourself and your family! Send your photo and note to stmarystarofthesea@duluthcatholic.org, subject line “Family Photo” or mail it to:
St. Mary Star of the Sea
Attn: Family Photo
325 East Third Street
Duluth, MN 55805
They would really love to hear from you!
USHERS AND COLLECTION PLAN
We are returning to the previous method of taking collections with the handled baskets at Mass. With that, we are in need of more ushers to assist with the offertory collection. Please contact Rebecca in the parish office at 218-722-3078 or stmarystarofthesea@duluthcatholic.org if you are willing to help.
LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS: NEW PROCEDURE
Low gluten hosts are available at all liturgies. If you need a low-gluten host, stop by the sacristy before Mass begins to let the priest know and then join the presider's line during Holy Communion. Thank you!
LABOR DAY MASS
Mass will be celebrated at 9 AM at the Cathedral on Labor Day, Monday September 7. There will be no 7 AM Cathedral Mass or 12:10 PM St. Mary Star of the Sea Mass that day. The parish office will also be closed.
BEWARE: EMAIL SCAM
If you receive an email from one of the priests asking for help or a favor, please double-check the sender’s actual email address. If it is not from duluthcatholic.org, it is not real. Unfortunately this type of fraud has been happening throughout the country including in our own Diocese. If you have any questions or doubts about the legitimacy of an email, please call the parish office.
JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION FOR 6TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS
The eastern Duluth Catholic Parishes are working in a collaborative effort to create a combined Religious Education program and are accepting applications for the Director of Faith Formation for 6th – 12th grade students. This is a full-time position with benefits. We are looking for someone who possesses a sincere and demonstrated ability to share their Catholic faith in the dynamic environment of a large scale middle and high school religious education program and beyond. Please see the full job description at https://www.duluthcathedral.com/s/employment. If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter, resume and references to lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org.
CATHEDRAL JOB OPENING
The Cathedral is hiring a part-time receptionist to work 12 hours per week in the parish office. The receptionist will oversee the flow of all incoming phone calls, greet, help and direct all visitors who come into the office, and assist with a wide range of clerical duties including data entry, sacramental record-keeping, and basic database upkeep. We are looking for a friendly and welcoming individual with strong clerical and organizational skills. For the full job description, visit https://www.duluthcathedral.com/s/employment. If you are interested in applying, please submit a cover letter and resume to Lauren McCracken at lauren.mccracken@duluthcatholic.org.
INDIVIDUAL & GROUP GRIEF SUPPORT
The Cathedral is offering a 5-week Grief Educational/Support Group beginning Tuesday, September 29 in the Multi-Purpose Room from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The group will continue for the next 4 consecutive Tuesdays: October 6, 13, 20, and 27th. The group will be limited to 10 people, we will social distance, and masks will be required.
If you are concerned about participating in a group setting, or for any other reason would prefer a private individual or family session, the Cathedral is offering individual and/or family grief educational/support sessions the first and third Wednesdays of each month beginning September 2. The first Wednesday’s time will be from 9 AM to 12 PM and the third Wednesday’s times will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. To sign up for the Grief Education/Support Group and/or the individual/family sessions, or if you have any questions regarding any of the sessions, please contact Bridget A. Leighton at 218-724-8597 or 218-348-8593.
STAYING HEALTHY AT MASS
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 take a moment to sanitize the area in which you are sitting. Sanitizing wipes can be found at the Main Door and the West Door. Thank you.
Face Masks: The State of Minnesota 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 5. While we provide masks for people at the church entrances for those that forget theirs, please make the attempt to bring your own mask from home. Thank you.
Cleaning Ministry: While pews are being cleaned by parishioners, we still need a few people who are willing to stay after Mass for a few minutes and clean door handles and other common areas. Please call Rebecca in the parish office at 218-722-3078 if you can assist with this ministry.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Please continue to support us however you can, especially with your prayers. We are still here! Questions, call Deacon Jim at 218-348-6258. We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month in the Social Hall at 6 PM. Social distancing will be observed. If you don’t have mask of your own please let us know. We look forward to serving our neighbors
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.
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.
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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!
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!
MASS TIMES
Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea at the following times with an attendance limit of one-half seating capacity of the church. Please read and follow the protocols.
- Monday-Friday 12:10 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM
- Sunday 9:15 AM
CONFESSIONS
The Sacrament of Penance is offered on Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 12 PM and on Saturday from 3 PM to 3:45 PM at St. Mary Star of the Sea. Confessions can also be scheduled privately by calling 218-722-3078 ext. 12 or 218-728-3646.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AT THE CATHEDRAL
Eucharistic Adoration is held at the Cathedral each Tuesday from 3 to 7 PM.
HOLY INNOCENTS PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL HOURS
The Adoration Chapel is open Sunday 4 PM to Monday 8 AM and Tuesday 7 PM to Thursday 9 AM.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
The parish staff is practicing social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19. During office hours, you can reach us at 218-722-3078 or ring the doorbell. You can also email rebecca.domagala@duluthcatholic.org. Our hours are 9 AM to 1 PM, Monday through Friday.