Calendar

Adult faith formation 

St. Francis Church, 31 County Rd. 1, Carlton, is hosting an adult faith formation course on Catholic worship and sacraments Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. The course is being presented by Father Joel Hastings and covers topics such as sacraments and liturgy, baptism, confirmation, the Holy Mass, and more. The sessions are held at St. Francis Church in the parish social hall. Come early for Mass at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments to follow. Sessions are also available online via livestream. Visit www.stfmjcatholic.org for links to sessions and course schedule.

Pasty sale 

Holy Family Church, 2430 W. Third St., Duluth is taking orders for pasties until March 4. Pasties are $6 each, made with or without rutabaga. To order, please call Jeanine at (218) 624-3456 or Tina at the Holy Family office at (218) 722-4445. 

Retreats 

Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo will host silent retreats for women Feb. 13-15, Feb. 23-25, and March 12-14. They will host silent retreats for men Feb. 9-11 and March 8-10. They will host a Lenten day of prayer for both men and women on Feb. 28, as well as a married couples retreat Feb. 16-18. Call (763) 682-1394 or visit www.kingshouse.com for online registration or more information. 

Workshop 

The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment at St. Scholastica Monastery will host “Coping with Overload: A Lenten Journey with Jesus to Jerusalem” on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Scholastica Monastery or on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. In these times, most of us struggle to cope with overload: too much news, too many social media connections, back-to-back activities throughout the week, and more. Is this a sustainable life? During Lent we can relate a bit to the load Jesus carried on his road to Jerusalem, along with disciples’ mental conundrum while following Jesus in the latter part of his ministry. Was rejection and suffering really necessary? Can’t we just stay in Galilee? This workshop will deepen our awareness of the paradoxical truths that Jesus taught and modeled to his disciples, and thereby give us a way to discern between the bearing of compassionate loads from exhausting loads. For more information and to register visit www.retreatduluth.org/coping-with-overload/. 

Children’s program 

The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment at St. Scholastica Monastery will offer “All Ways Pray” for children in fourth grade on Monday, Feb. 19, and Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at McCabe Renewal Center and for students in fifth and sixth grade on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Thursday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon at McCabe Renewal Center. For more information and to register visit www.retreatduluth.org/all-ways-pray-4th-grade/ or www.retreatduluth.org/all-ways-pray-5th-6th-grade/. 

Lenten recitals 

The Arrowhead American Guild of Organists is offering its 2024 Lenten recital series in regional churches 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays in February and March: Feb. 21 at First United Methodist Church, Duluth, with Velda Graham Bell; Feb. 21 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, with Jan Bilden and Darcy Reich and Friends; Feb. 28 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth, with Brian Kapp; March 6 at St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, with Thomas Hamilton; March 13 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Duluth, with Barbara Erickson and David Tryggestad; March 20 at Zion Lutheran Church, Cloquet, with Vicki Anderson and Rebecca Hanson; and March 20 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Two Harbors, with Rosemary Guiney and David Tryggestad. Admission is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be accepted for the chapter’s Organ Student Scholarship Fund. A full schedule of the recitals can be found at www.arrowheadago.com. 

Lenten retreat 

The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment at St. Scholastica Monastery will offer “An Extreme Makeover: Our Journey through Lent” on Wednesdays, Feb. 28, March 6, and March 13, from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at St. Scholastica Monastery or via Zoom. Lent is a marvelous time to take a deep look at our lives to see what needs to be changed in our love journey with the Lord. When we make ourselves available to the Lord, amazing things can happen with our soul’s makeover! For more information and to register visit www.retreatduluth.org/an-extreme-makeover/. 

Prayer 

Taizé prayer will be offered on Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace chapel at St. Scholastica Monastery. Taizé prayer is a very reflective, meditative prayer in a common setting. Gather for an hour of prayer to encounter the mystery of God through the beauty of simplicity. No registration is necessary, all are welcome! For more information, visit www.retreatduluth.org/taize-prayer/. 

Lenten retreat 

The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment at St. Scholastica Monastery will host “Befriending Brokenness” on Friday, March 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Scholastica Monastery. During this Lenten retreat, facilitator Diane Millis will introduce practices for befriending the tender, painful places that arise in our bodies, our hearts, and our wounded world. Through prayer, reflection, writing, and sacred conversation in small groups, we will collectively hold space for our heartbreak. For more information and to register visit www.retreatduluth.org/befriending-brokenness/. 

40 Hours Devotion 

The Brainerd Lakes Catholic Churches are holding their annual 40 Hours Devotion on Friday, March 1, through Sunday, March 3, at St. Francis Church, 404 N. Ninth St. N., Brainerd. 40 Hours is an intentional time of Eucharistic Adoration for the entire faith community. The theme this year is “The Eucharist – Sacrament of Love” with special presentations by internationally known speaker Father Louis Merosne. Born in Haiti, Father Louis grew up in Boston. After completing his studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville, he responded to a call to return to his homeland, where he was ordained and now serves the church and the poor. More details and a full schedule are available at www.brainerdcatholic.org. 

Parish mission 

The Duluth East Side parishes are sponsoring a parish mission at 6:30 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, March 11-13, at St. Michael Church, 4901 E. Superior St., Duluth. Dominican Friars from St. Jude Shrine in Chicago invite you to experience St. Jude’s powerful message of hope and prayer. Dominican Father Mike Ford will be leading daily reflections on Catholic spirituality, devotions, prayers, and veneration of relics. Each evening will include a talk, veneration of a St. Jude relic, and blessing with St. Jude oil. A closing Mass in honor of St. Jude will be celebrated on Wednesday. For more information, please check out St. Michael’s website at www.stmichaelsduluth.org. 

Women’s Mornings of Reflections 

The Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus will be hosting women’s Mornings of Reflection Saturdays, March 16, April 6, and May 11, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. Fourth St., Duluth. The mornings will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. and will include breakfast, talk, small group discussion, Eucharistic Adoration, and time for confession. For breakfast count, please RSVP to [email protected]. 

Visio Divina 

The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment at St. Scholastica Monastery will host an evening of contemplative prayer through the use of images, music, and sacred writings via Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m. No prior experience is needed. All are welcome to this hour of peace and communal hope. Register at www.retreatduluth.org/visio-divina. 

Grief group 

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. Fourth St., Duluth, will be offering a five-week educational/support grief group for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. The group will meet for five consecutive Tuesdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., beginning April 2, and continuing April 9, April 16, April 23, and April 30. The group will meet in the cathedral social hall for the first meeting, and the remainder of the meetings will be in the multi-purpose room. To register for the group, please contact Bridget A. Leighton at (218) 348-8593 or (218) 724-8597. 

St. Vincent de Paul Society 

The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. Fourth St., Duluth, in the multipurpose room. They meet regularly to grow in holiness and help neighbors in need, including car repairs, rent, and utility assistance, and more. Email [email protected] for more information. 

Carmelite community 

A third order Carmelite community meets monthly at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 315 S.W. 21st St., Grand Rapids. Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month. Rosary at 8:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 9 a.m., and morning prayer. Meetings are 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. For information on the Carmelite community, please call Marie Gibeau at (218) 999-7168 or Karen Tok at (218) 245-3402. 

Communion and Liberation 

The Communion and Liberation School of Community meets every Sunday evening at 5:45 p.m. at St. Benedict Church, 1419 St. Benedict St., Duluth. Prayer, singing, and sharing experiences in light of our friendship in Christ. The community is a companionship that educates. For more information, please contact William Vouk at (320) 630-8119 or at [email protected]. 

Living in God’s Divine Will 

An introductory study group meets in Duluth every Thursday after the noon Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea, 325 E. Third St., Duluth. There is also a group that meets online every Monday at 1 p.m. Come learn how living in God’s divine will is so much more than doing God’s will. For more information, call Jean Esler at (218) 576-8239 or Barb Larson at (218) 724-0368 and visit the web page at www.littlechildreninthedivinewill.com. 

Adoration and Divine Mercy Chaplet 

Every Friday, immediately after the noon Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea, 325 E. Third St., Duluth, there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with adoration until 3 p.m. At 3 p.m. the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited, followed by Benediction. 

Grief support 

A grief support group meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart Church, 35208 County Road 37, Crosslake, in a lower level classroom. For more information, call Jean at (218) 839-1958. 

Prayer group 

A prayer group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the St. James Church cafeteria at 721 N. 57th Ave. W., Duluth. Please park in the back parking lot. Coffee and goodies for a social after prayer. Handicapped accessible. Contact Sharon at (218) 590-2265 with questions. 

Carmelite community 

A third order Carmelite community meets monthly at St. Patrick Church, 203 Lawler Ave. S., Hinckley, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the third Monday of the month. For more information on the Carmelite community, please contact Gail Von Reuden, TOC, at (320) 384-7305. 

Charismatic prayer group 

Proclaimers of Christ Catholic charismatic prayer group meets the second Thursday of the month at St. Agnes Church, Elm at Division Street, Walker. A potluck supper starts at 6:15 p.m. with praise and worship at 7 p.m. On the fourth Thursday of the month gatherings will be at Sacred Heart Church, 300 First St. N., Hackensack, at 7 p.m. For information, contact David LaFontaine at (651) 503-0168. 

Father Solanus Casey Fraternity 

The Father Solanus Casey Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order meets the third Sunday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Family Church, 2430 W. Third St., Duluth. Secular Franciscans are lay Catholics and diocesan priests who commit themselves to living lives of simplicity, prayer, peacemaking, and service to the church and others, especially the poor. Secular Franciscans are part of the worldwide Franciscan family, including friars and religious sisters, who follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. For more information contact Franz Hoefferle, fraternity minister, at (218) 728-4904. 

Secular Franciscan Order 

The Spiritus Sanctus Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order meets the fourth Thursday of each month at St. Francis Church, 411 N. Tenth St., Brainerd. Gatherings begin at 5 p.m. with evening prayer, followed by Mass, a potluck dinner, and meeting. For information about the Secular Franciscans, contact Rose Clack at [email protected] or Esther Reagan at [email protected]. 

Young adult group 

Zenith City Catholic is a Catholic young adult group in the Duluth area that meets regularly for various events and fellowship opportunities. For details on upcoming events, please join the Zenith City Catholic Facebook group or email [email protected]. 

Public square rosary 

Our Lady of Fatima, Garrison, and Holy Family, Bulldog Lake, hold a public square rosary the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. near the big walleye fish at the lookout on Mille Lacs Lake in Garrison (Highway 169). All are invited to join in prayer. The rosary is prayed for the intentions of our Blessed Mother, the conversion of sinners, and to reconcile ourselves, our families, and our nation back to God. For more information contact Jean Fetters at (218) 764-2665. 

Log church tours 

Tours are offered of the old log church at Sts. Mary and Joseph Church in Sawyer. The log church is on the National Register of Historic Sites. Narrated tours are led by Deacon Bryan Bassa. Call Deacon Bassa at (218) 879-6933 or call St. Francis Church, Carlton, at (218) 384-4563 to schedule a tour. For more information on the church visit www.stkaterisawyer.com. 

Courage/EnCourage 

Are you experiencing same-sex attractions and looking for support in living your Catholic faith? Contact Deacon Walt Beier at [email protected]. Do you have a family member or loved one who is experiencing same-sex attractions? EnCourage is a support group for Catholics seeking to balance the love of their faith with the love for their family member. For more information, contact Deacon Walt Beier at [email protected]. For additional resources, visit www.couragerc.org. 

Catholic Singles Group 

Catholic Singles Group in the Twin Ports serves singles age 40 and up and hosts weekly and monthly events such as swing dance lessons. Contact Laverne at (218) 491-3241 or visit www.twinportscatholicsingles.blogspot.com. Call at least one day in advance of event to register. 

Serra Club 

Serra International promotes and fosters vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The Duluth chapter meets on the first and third Monday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at Black Woods on London Rd. All are welcome to attend. For further information, call Karen Newstrom at (218) 343-7782.