Dear Parishioners,

I hope you all are well. We have 6 new deacons in our diocese, it is always exciting to see God calling men forth to be ordained. I am grateful for the couples we have in our own mission field who are discerning this possible call along with their wives. 

Next weekend (May 9^th-10^th), Fr. Scott Padrnos will be coming to preach the weekend Masses. This is part of his role as vocations director. He has been trying to get to each mission field and preach the Masses. He has asked me to organize a dinner on Saturday May 9^th for any young men who are interested or at least open to the possibility of a call to the priesthood. If any young men who are in high school or college are interested, please reach out to me. Fr.elias.gieske@duluthcatholic.org

You probably heard that on April 12^th the collection for 10:30 Mass was stolen. Happily, the person turned themselves in and returned the collection (short some cash). I look at this as a chance for us to review our internal controls and make sure our system is as secure as possible. I hope it will also be a learning experience for this person. 

We have wrapped up faith formation for the year, as well as OCIA. Thanks to all who participated in these formation efforts. Catechists, presenters, prayer teams, musicians, participants, Tommy, Carmella and the kitchen volunteers, the KCs who do the dishes for the meals. It was a good year.  We made some changes from previous years. We are already working on making some further adjustments for next year, especially as we move into the new church. We will try to keep you posted as we clarify what the new schedule and layout for formation is next year.

Just a heads up we are working on developing an additional summer event for older students. We have Totus Tuus which is geared for younger students and many students also go to camp survive which is for junior high students, but we would like to offer something for the older students. We are looking to have a 3 day set of events for 8^th-12^th graders. I would like this to be a chance to do some field trips to the outdoors. We are still working on a plan, but it will likely happen July 14^th-16^th. The idea is to do a day trip each day somewhere, do some activity have some talks and have some fellowship time. If you are interested mark the days down, and get them off for work. More details to come. I hope some of our college age alumni might be willing to help with these events. 

I mentioned that we are doing a little bit of a collection for Zavior’s family to ensure they can all go. We will be taking up a special collection at the Masses on May 23^rd and 24^th. I plan to have a special envelope in the pews which people can put something in and then put in the collection. Or they can take it home and bring it the following week. I just wanted to make you aware that this will be happening and this will be our effort to help Zavior’s family attend his ordination. Some people have asked how they can help. This would be the opportunity to help. 

The ordination is October 1^st in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica. I will be going to the ordination. If other parishioners are interested in going you are welcome. However, there is not formal group organized to go, but if you would like to go you would be welcome. There is the ordination itself, and then a reception afterwards at the North American College, where Zavior attends seminary. I would be happy to meet with parishioners if they happen to be over there at the same time. I am hoping to work with some of the Missionaries of Charity during my time there, and visit Fr. Phil Stokman and Joe and David Stokman who are discerning with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Charles Borremeo in Rome.

In Christ,

Fr. Eli