Our Catholic Duty
Dear Mater Dei Community,
As uncertainty abounds in our nation and in the world, we are blessed to provide our students with a little pocket of "normalcy" during their time at Mater Dei. It is so easy to get swept away in the current events of society...which are certainly significant. However, as Christians we are called to keep our focus on what is eternally significant. Namely, the salvation of our souls.
In this month's newsletter we will give you an update on how the students are doing and share an inspiring story about one of our Mater Dei families. Also, thank you to everyone who joined us in-person and in-spirit for our Rosary Walk and Marian Procession! Regardless of what's to come, it is our duty as Catholics to remain united in prayer. We are so grateful for the strong faith within our Mater Dei community. May God bless you.
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Ad Jesum Per Mariam
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Day-to-day at Mater Dei
Students are engaged daily in the learning process through a variety of lab experiments and hands-on applications, as well as philosophical and rhetorical discussions in their humanities courses. At the beginning of the month our freshman students had the opportunity to visit Greysolon Ballroom for an etiquette lesson. Far more than table manners and place settings, the lesson focused on interpersonal skills and character.
Students have been working hard to excel in our hybrid education model which requires independence and organization. We offered a study skills seminar for the students and will continue to work with them one-on-one as they develop these skills. They are well on their way to being prepared for college and adulthood.
Just being teenagers is important too and it's fun to see the interaction among the students during their down-times, whether it is shooting hoops in the parking lot or coming up with unique smoothie concoctions to try, which has become a weekly tradition. "Mater Dei Blueberry Delight" takes the lead as the favorite so far. The boys' creation "Candy Bar Red Bull" was highly anticipated but quickly dumped down the drain.
Rosary Walk
It was a beautiful morning on the 31st for our Rosary Walk and Marian Procession. 70 people joined us in-person, with dozens more praying in-spirit from their homes. Before beginning the procession we gathered together for a scripture reading and prayer, uniting in supplication for our nation and for the conversion of souls. As we processed through the neighborhood and Lincoln Park, we implored the intercession of Our Lady with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the signing of Marian hymns. We concluded by processing into the church for Eucharistic Benediction. Praise God for His mercy and may He be attentive to our continued prayers.
Mater Dei Mission
We would like to recognize Gina and Chris Lemke this month, parents of Mater Dei sophomore, Anthony. The Lemkes have been unwavering in their commitment to provide their son with a Catholic high school education, despite the lack of options near their home. Living 25 miles from Duluth, there were many unknowns with how the daily commute to Mater Dei would be possible for their family with both parents working a full-time job.
Despite the uncertainty, they were bound by their duty as parents to make it work so they registered Anthony in the fall last year without a clear plan. According to Gina, they have found that "the Holy Spirit tends to remove any barriers necessary to make this option work for us". And He certainly has. By second semester, Chris was providentially called to leave his teaching job at their local high school in order to join Mater Dei as our Dean of Students. This has been an immense blessing for their family and for the apostolate. Thank you Chris and Gina for faithfully fulfilling your duty as Catholic parents.
“Parents and those who hold their place are bound by the obligation and enjoy the right of educating their children. Catholic parents also have the duty and right of selecting those means and institutes by which, in light of local circumstances, they can better provide for the Catholic education of their children.”