Providential Transformation
Dear Mater Dei Community,
It's been a busy start to the year at Mater Dei. In the midst of the busyness, God has been shaping and transforming the apostolate. With a seeming blink of the eye we have a Dean of Students and we're recruiting instructors for year two. The more blessings we receive the more humble we become, as it is evident Who is truly in charge. We will continue to do our part which is to move forward with full confidence in Him. Read on for a glimpse into our past month at Mater Dei Apostolate. Thank you for your continued support and prayers which sustain us. May God bless you.
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Ad Jesum Per Mariam
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Day-to-day at Mater Dei
We enjoyed a slightly larger class for Theology during Catholic Schools week. Students from Marquette Catholic School in Virginia came to visit and sit in on a lecture from their own priest's brother. Two Fr. Moravitz's in the same classroom was a lot for them to take in but they handled it well!
Mater Dei students and families have been making their way across the Duluth area this past month to visit parishes, hand out flyers and mingle with parishioners. We are so blessed to have the enthusiasm of our first-year families to be ambassadors for Mater Dei Apostolate. It's been great to get out into the community and raise awareness about our education program.
Please help spread the word about our open house event for prospective incoming 9th graders and their families on February 27th from 7:00pm-8:30pm. Our guests will have the chance to learn about the Mater Dei education program, tour the education center, meet instructors, meet fellow students/families, and receive registration information. Open house flyer can be viewed HERE.
Caught in the act of kindness
We have been enjoying the presence of our new Dean of Students, Mr. Lemke, during our second semester. He has been a tremendous blessing to the apostolate. One thing that has been implemented right away is his own version of a “Dean’s list”. He attempts to catch students in random acts of kindness throughout the week and acknowledge them for their actions. Students receive a piece of candy from Mr. Lemke's candy jar every time he catches them. At the end of each week he chooses one act of kindness that stands out to him. That student receives a gift and earns a spot on the Dean's list. Going forward, Mr. Lemke will share an "Act of the Month" in this newsletter, chosen from among the Dean's list.
Dean's List - Act of the Month
We've had many acts of kindness already! This month, I would like to recognize James Lichty. James set the tone by earning the first piece of candy the first week. The church hall was being mopped in preparation for a program the following day and all the chairs needed to be put on top of the tables. James noticed the parish secretary moving the chairs and immediately dropped what he was doing and set about helping her with this task. Acts of kindness are all about forgetting your agenda and noticing the opportunity to help others around you. He set the tone for me as at the time, I was “too busy” to notice this opportunity right in front of me. Congratulations James!
Mr. Lemke
Dean of Students
March for Life
On January 22nd (the 47th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade) seven of our students had the opportunity to participate in the St. Paul March for Life. We started the day with Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea and then headed to the march with a busload of faithful from the Diocese of Duluth. We prayed the rosary together during the bus ride, offering our prayers for the intentions of the unborn and vulnerable. After a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Paul, we marched over to the State Capitol to participate in this powerful event in solidarity with pro-life marchers of all faiths. On the bus ride back to Duluth we reflected, prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and stopped for some ice cream. The whole trip was an incredible experience and one that will become an annual event for Mater Dei students.