News in brief

Clergy assignments 

Bishop Daniel Felton has made the following clergy assignments: 

The Rev. Sekhar Dasari has been appointed associate chaplain to the Newman Center and Stella Maris Academy. Father Sekhar is from India. He was ordained a priest in 2018 and since that time has served as a principal and headmaster of Catholic schools in his home diocese. 

The Rev. Babu Mandagiri has been appointed priest celebrant and priest-in-residence at Resurrection, Eveleth, and St. Joseph, Gilbert, effective Oct. 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Father Babu is from India. He was ordained in 2001. He priesthood assignments have included being a secretary to the bishop, a parish priest, and a seminary professor. 

White Mass 

The White Mass, celebrated by Bishop Daniel Felton, will be held Sunday, Oct. 22, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. Fourth St., Duluth. All healthcare professionals are invited to attend Mass and receive a special blessing. A reception and talk hosted by the St. Raphael’s Guild of the Catholic Medical Association follows at Stella Maris Academy - Holy Rosary Campus, 2802 E. Fourth St., Duluth, with Dr. Francie Broghammer speaking on “A Catholic Response to the Mental Health Crisis.” 

Sanctuary renovation 

(Photo courtesy of Rosie Tarnowski)

St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Duluth recently completed construction of its sanctuary renovation. On Aug. 9, they held a Mass and blessing of the renovated sanctuary with Bishop Felton. 

Softball game 

(Submitted photos) 

On Sunday, Sept. 24, parishioners from Our Lady of the Lakes, Pequot Lakes, and St. Joseph Church, Grand Rapids and St. Augustine, Cohasset, came together to play each other in a softball game held in Emily. Deacon Ron Guertin and Father Trevor Peterson planned the event with hopes that it would become an annual tradition and designed a trophy for the winner. The trophy incorporates Bishop Felton’s “Call to Mission” and the Ven. Bishop Frederick Baraga, who used snowshoes to travel between missions and was also known as the “Shepherd of the Wilderness.” Many people from both parishes joined in the fun, as well as parishioners from Immaculate Heart, Crosslake, and St. Emily, Emily. The team from Our Lady of the Lakes were the winners of the inaugural Bishop Baraga softball game and brought home the trophy. There are already plans for a game between the parishes next year to battle for the trophy. 

Relics of three remarkable saints coming to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis 

Relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, are coming to the Twin Cities Oct. 4-15. Below are the locations and dates open to the public. Please visit the following websites for details and events — Oct. 4-5: St. Mary’s in Stillwater, www.stmichaelandstmarystillwater.org; Oct. 6-7: Cathedral of St. Paul, www.cathedralsaintpaul.org; Oct. 7-10: Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, www.mary.org; Oct. 12-15: St. Therese Parish in Deephaven, www.st-therese.org. Relics are classified as first, second, or third class. A first class relic is part of a saint’s body (e.g., bone, blood, flesh). Second class relics are possessions that a saint owned such as clothing or something used by a saint. Third class relics are objects that have been touched to a first, second, or another third class relic of a saint. The relics of these “visiting saints” are first class relics. Pope Pius X referred to St. Thérèse as “the greatest saint of modern times.” Her autobiography, “Story of a Soul,” and her “little way” of trust and love have inspired millions. Pope St. John Paul II declared St. Thérèse a Doctor of the Church in 1997. On October 18, 2015, Louis and Zélie were canonized by Pope Francis. They are the first non-martyred spouses canonized together as a couple in the history of the church. For questions and more information reach out to Laura Hunziker at [email protected]. 

Gratitude from the church in Ukraine 

The Office of National Collections of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops would like to thank the Diocese of Duluth for its part in the extraordinary giving to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, especially last year in response to the crisis in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. That generosity has allowed its office to send critically needed aid to dioceses/eparchies in Ukraine. Here are some of the messages they have received in recent weeks from the bishops, priests, and religious who are serving those who have lost their homes, livelihood, and even loved ones: 

From the Diocese of Lutsk (in the northwest of Ukraine): We want to thank you the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for support and for the opportunity to experience when fear changes into hope. We experience the events of the war, but it is a huge gift for us to be united in the church, with God, peers, and in families. This helps us to believe in Love and Goodness, which death cannot defeat. 

From Diocese of Odessa (on the Black Sea): Thank you so much for being with us in your heart …. It’s true, we awake in the nights from explosions and it’s scary. It’s a chance to pray more fervently. It’s also a trial for our faith but God is with us and He protects us. 

From the Archeparchy of Ivano-Frankivsk (in Western Ukraine): We are grateful to God and to people with sensitive hearts like yours, who helped us to support people who have become victims of war. We sincerely thank you for the help you provided us. God bless all of you! 

From the Eparchy of Kamianets-Podilskiy (in Western Ukraine): Your support provided 360 IDPs [Internally displaced persons] with hot meals. Together, we created a common table that served more than food. Your kindness gave them a sense of security, love, and belonging. You touched hearts with psychological support, healing hidden scars. Thank you for everything you do.