News in brief

150th anniversary 

(Submitted photo)

Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Beginning with the first Mass in 1873, the message of Jesus Christ continues to spread in Aitkin County. Pictured in the photo are Deacon Mike Barta, Father Keith Bertram, Father Ben Hadrich, Bishop Daniel Felton, and Father Mike Patullo. 

Seven Sisters Apostolate 

Seven Sisters Apostolate members are committed to one holy hour per week with the intention of a particular priest. This hour is typically done during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or in front of the Tabernacle. Women interested in learning more about this important ministry are encouraged to contact Anna Koski, Seven Sisters Apostolate coordinator for the Duluth Diocese at (218) 565-0122 or email [email protected]. 

40 Hours Devotion 

The East Duluth mission field will hold a 40 Hours Devotion at St. John the Evangelist Church, 4230 St. John’s Ave., Duluth, from 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17, to noon, Sunday, Nov. 19. Talks will be led by the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus. Mass on Sunday will be celebrated by Bishop Daniel Felton at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by a Eucharistic procession. Free to attend. All are welcome. Adorers are needed. Visit www.saintjohnsduluth.org to sign up and for more information. 

Scholarship available for training young organists 

Many area churches continue to look for organists to support their congregational hymn singing and cantoring. Educating young 12- to 18-year-old students through organ lessons has been the vision of the local guild, the Arrowhead Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, since 2012. The three-year scholarship program educates the students for leadership in hymn playing, liturgy, and organ music for the needs of the church. Some students go on to study at the college level, others are hired as part-time organists of a church. 

One way the Organ Guild introduces potential students to the organ is through its Pipes, Pedals and Pizza Program. This three-hour event invites students to attend and experience playing the organ and touring the organ chambers of pipes. This year the Arrowhead Chapter has added the Orgelkids Kit, which is a small playable pipe organ. It is a “hands-on” experience of building the instrument after it has been taken apart. The organ comes complete with bellows and an operational keyboard. Following the workshop about “The Science of Sound,” the event ends with a pizza lunch and information on how to apply for the Arrowhead Chapter Organ Scholarship Fund. Youth ages 12-18 years are invited to attend, as well as parents. This year, the free event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St., Duluth. 

There are two area scholarship funds available. The Arrowhead Guild of Organist Scholarship Fund: [email protected] and The Range Scholarship Fund: Vicky Gornick at [email protected].