St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish News
October 1, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Confirmation: On Saturday, September 26th, Fr. Tony welcomed the RCIA candidates into full communion with the Catholic Church, a rite that includes Confirmation. This past Tuesday, we were grateful to have Bishop Peter Muhich confirm many of our high school students. It is a great joy to have so many of our brothers and sisters confirmed, yet what happens when one is confirmed?
While other Christian denominations have confirmation ceremonies, Confirmation for Catholics is a sacrament. Sacraments are, as the Catechism says, efficacious signs instituted by Christ to give Grace (CCC, 1131). The sacraments are the primordial ways Christ gives us to encounter him, the Source and Summit of which is the Eucharist. Nonetheless, Confirmation holds a prominence as it confirms and strengthens grace revived in Baptism (CCC, 1289); particularly, the Holy Spirit, comes into the confirmed person in a personal and intimate way. This is not to say that Baptism does not bestow the fulness of the Holy Spirit, quite the contrary. Analogously speaking, Baptism is like a cup filled to the brim with the presence of the Holy Spirit. The “confirming” and “strengthening” of Confirmation takes this full cup and overfills it, so that it can fill other cups around it.
Thus, Confirmation instills a sense of mission, which presupposes we choose to live for Jesus and his Church. Were we to receive the sacrament of Confirmation without either of these resolves, we lie to Jesus and his Church. We would not enter into Marriage with the intention to be unfaithful to our spouse; in the same way, we should be Confirmed with the intention to be faithful to God. The example of our courageous brothers and sisters who chose Confirmation inspires us to live for Christ and his bride, the Church.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Welcome Bridget! Please join Fr. Tony and me in welcoming Bridget Leighton to the Cathedral staff. Bridget will be working part-time in the office in reception, maintaining parishioner records, and managing the Cathedral’s sacramental records. We are delighted to have Bridget on board.
-Fr. Matt
CONFIRMATION 2020
Congratulations to the Confirmands from the Cathedral of Our Lady, St. Mary Star of the Sea and St. Michael's parishes! These 20 high school students were sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit on September 29, 2020 at the Cathedral with Bishop Peter Muhich celebrating. We rejoice with them!
WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS
We welcome and congratulate the following adults who were received into full communion with the Catholic Church by Father Anthony Wroblewski at the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.
From Cathedral parish:
Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist
Celine Durgin
Profession of Faith, Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist
Gardner Ellis
Tatyana Gallagher
Melissa Swor
From St. Mary Star of the Sea parish:
Profession of Faith, Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist
Deborah Medlin
Sacrament of Confirmation
Susan Pavich
We thank these fully-initiated Catholics for their patience during the pandemic as they waited for this joyful day to finally arrive. God’s grace and abundant blessings be with them as they continue their journey of faith in the Catholic Church.
K-11 FAITH FORMATION
The start of a brand new faith formation year is upon us! We are blessed to be able to bring all of our faith formation programs together this year to collaborate and form the East Duluth Catholic Faith Formation program.
This model will include the parishes of Cathedral of Our Lady, St. Mary Star of the Sea, St. Benedict’s, St. John’s, St. Joseph’s-Gnesen and St. Michael’s. Together we envision a faith formation program that utilizes the talents, resources, and gifts of all 6 parishes. These gifts and talents have helped create the vision of this new program and will continue to help us develop this program into one that is inspirational to our youth and our families.
We are looking forward to getting this year started. Registration packets are available by clicking the link below and at each parish. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Sonya Morris at sonya.morris@duluthcatholic.org.
GOD BLESS THE SISTERS OF ST. SCHOLASTICA
The Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery receive a ministry assignment each year to pray for priests and parishes in the Diocese of Duluth. This year, the three sisters who will be prayer advocates for Fr. Tony and Fr. Matt as well as for the parishioners at the Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Mary Star of the Sea are:
Sister Clare Marie Trettel
Sister Joan Marie Stelman
Sister Josine Krausnick
We thank the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery and will keep them in our prayers as well!
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
Have you felt God touch your heart with a desire to become Catholic? Do you know someone who has expressed interest in entering the Catholic Church? Are you a baptized Catholic adult who would like to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation?
You are invited to an Information Session on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m., at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Cathedral, St. Benedict’s, St. John’s, St. Joseph’s/Gnesen, St. Mary Star of the Sea and St. Michael’s will be working together for RCIA this year. The sessions will be held in the Multi-purpose Room at the Cathedral. Use the “Tower” entrance on 4th Street and follow signs to the Multi-purpose Room.
If interested, contact Fr. Anthony Wroblewski or Fr. Matthew Miller, 218-728-3646, or Bob and Sandi Arola, 218-525-2962, arola71@gmail.com.
We are looking forward to meeting you.
CARDS FOR FR. BEN
One of our diocesan priests, Fr. Ben Hadrich, had a stroke and letters and cards are requested. He is a grandnephew of Dcn. Ted Windus. Thank you.
Fr. Ben Hadrich -Patient
Mayo Clinic Hospital
St. Mary's Campus
1216 2nd St. SW
Rochester MN 55905
TRANSITUS PRAYER SERVICE
Parishioners are invited to a special prayer service, called the Transitus, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. The “poor little man” of Assisi is beloved by Catholics and many faith traditions and is the patron saint of the environment. The Transitus will be held at 7:00 PM on Oct. 3 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea. For more info. contact Bob at 218-724-3457 or chapbob@hotmail.com.
CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION- ST. RAPHAEL'S GUILD
White Mass October 18: The annual White Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 10:30 AM at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary with Fr. Jim Bissonette presiding. There will be a blessing of the health care workers at the Mass. Given the pandemic, there will be no speaker or reception, but people are encouraged to stay after Mass to pray the Rosary for health care workers.
Join the CMA: Our local chapter of the Catholic Medical Association, St. Raphael’s Guild, is always looking for new members. If you are a local health care worker (doctor, nurse, EMT, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, therapist, etc.) and you are interested in growing in your faith and being supported by fellow Catholics, contact Gordy Harvieux at gordon.harvieux@essentiahealth.org. For more information, visit our website at https://duluthcathmed.org/
40 DAYS FOR LIFE
Your help is really needed this year as a Prayer Warrior for Life as a participant in the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil. The vigil began on Wednesday, September 23. We need a peaceful, prayerful presence at the local abortion center, within the Building for Women, 32 E. 1st Street, for 12 hours/day, for 40 days. This is not a protest or sidewalk counseling. Please prayerfully consider joining other Christians praying and fasting for an end to abortion. Visit the website at http://www.40daysforlife.com/duluth for more information and to register for hours. You may also call the vigil coordinator Paulette Moreland, 218-348-1345, or the St. Mary Star of the Sea contact Renee Zurn, 218-723-1321. Please join us as a visible presence for Life during these 40 days of pray and fasting. The babies and mothers need your help and prayer protection.
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.
INDIVIDUAL & GROUP GRIEF SUPPORT
The Cathedral is offering individual or family grief educational/support sessions . To sign up or if you have any questions, please contact Bridget Leighton at 218-724-8597 or 218-348-8593.
PRAYER FOR A NEW BISHOP
God Our Father,
In Jesus, your Son, You have given to your Church the perfect model of priest, prophet and king, and so You have blessed us through His sacrifice, taught us through His Word, and guided us through His rule.
We thank you for the previous bishops who have cared for the people of the Diocese of Duluth. We ask You, father, to guide and enlighten those who will be tasked with helping to choose the next bishop of our diocese. May the man they choose be a man of deep and true prayer, a man of compassionate heart and firm resolves, and a man of joy and peace, who desires above all to do your will.
We entrust our prayers to our Patroness, Mary, queen of the Rosary, and ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
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 in the side aisles. 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
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.
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!
SUPPORT REAL PRESENCE RADIO
FORMED.ORG
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.