North Cluster

Worship & Sacraments

Baptisms

Baptisms can be scheduled once preparation sessions are completed and all paperwork, including sponsor/godparent forms, are completed and returned to the parish office. Baptisms are normally held the first or third Sunday of each month. Exceptions can only be approved by speaking to the Pastor. To register for the preparation program, complete the registration form below. For questions contact the parish office at 218-822-4040 or sfasoffice@duluthcatholic.org

  • Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

  • The parishes here in Brainerd offer a half-day retreat format for Baptismal Preparation. Our sessions are generally held every other month, from 9am to 1pm at St. Andrew's Church (1108 Willow St, Brainerd). There is no cost to you, but registration is required. Registration can be found online.

  • We are using a program called Reborn and are excited about what it offers for you as parents and godparents. Here's a bit more about the program we are using:

    Reborn explores the deeply personal power of Baptism, bringing to light the spiritual reality for parents and godparents and, most importantly, the child being baptized. Rendered with a cinematic beauty that's become the hallmark of the Augustine Institute's film productions, Reborn presents the foundation of the Church's teaching on Baptism, with a step-by-step explanation of the rite itself, including its profound place in Scripture and Tradition.

  • To become baptized as an adult, you will participate in a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA, which involves a yearlong preparation program. We use a program called FUSE to prepare adults for baptism.

First Reconciliation & Communion

Children from all Brainerd Catholic parishes attend sacrament preparation together at St Francis Church, incorporated into faith formation classes on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30. There will be three sessions plus one retreat for each sacrament.

  • St Francis of the Lakes Catholic School students as well as homeschool students who belong to any of the four parishes attend the three sessions and retreat in preparation for each sacrament.

  • ❖ Attend Mass in person every weekend (unless illness prevents attendance).

    ❖ One year of basic faith formation before attending sacrament preparation. This would be either parish based or through St Francis of the Lakes School or Catholic based home school.

    ❖ Attendance at either parish faith formation, St Francis of the Lakes School, or Catholic-based home school to receive basic teaching during their 2nd grade year.

    ❖ A copy of child’s baptismal certificate if not baptized at All Saints, St Andrew, St Francis, St. Mathias or St Thomas.

  • Each family and situation are unique! If you have a child older than second grade who has not received the sacrament of Baptism, Reconciliation and/or Eucharist please contact Celeste Badger to see what would be the best fit in preparing your child.

  • To become Catholic or receive First Reconciliation and/or First Communion as an adult, you will participate in a preparation program. We use a program called FUSE to prepare adults for these sacraments.

Confirmation

Confirmation Prep is a three-year (9th-11th grade) program to prepare young people to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as well as teaching them how to live out fully the grace that comes with the Sacrament.

  • The purpose of a three-year program is to provide time through relational ministry to help young people mature in the Catholic faith and acquire habits of learning and prayer.

    In small groups that stay together through all three years, the teens will build relationships with their peers as well as continue to grow in their Catholic Faith. These groups are led by adults of our parishes, called Discipleship Leaders. The curriculum that is used during High School Faith Formation is aimed specifically at teens to prepare them for Confirmation, help them meet Jesus in the challenges they face every day as well as seeing the relevance of Jesus and His Church in a world packed with distractions. Since sharing our faith as Catholics is not always easy the small group setting also allows teens this experience in a safe environment. Some of the curriculum that we use includes Altaration, Alpha, YOU, Chosen, Decision Point as well as unique talks and presentations given in large group settings.

  • Attendance: Attendance at Mass, and Wednesday night faith formation is an extremely important part of living and learning about the Catholic Faith and growing closer to Christ and His church. Regular attendance is necessary. If a confirmation candidate misses more than three classes in the given academic year, please contact Dan Johnson (218-829-1340) to arrange a plan for catching up. It is the candidate’s responsibility to seek out the make-up work needed.

    Faith in Action Hours: The purpose of service hours is to help foster in our young people a heart that desires to serve. Jesus said "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers you did unto me." As Christians we are called to serve those in need especially since we can count it as serving our Lord directly. The Diocese of Duluth requires five Faith in Action hours per year of high school, grades 9-11. At the beginning of the year each high school small group will decide on a service project to be done sometime during the school year.

    Retreats: A retreat provides the opportunity to set apart a time for God where we can take a break from the cares of the world for just a short time and let God act in our life. High School students are asked to make at least one retreat per high school year (total of three retreats). The retreat may be put on by staff from the Brainerd Lakes Catholic Churches or the Diocese of Duluth or another pastor/bishop approved facility and group. Those planning to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the upcoming year must attend a retreat specifically relating to the Sacrament of Confirmation put on by the Diocese of Duluth. The Confirmation Retreat is a mandatory retreat for a Confirmation student to attend, typically in 11th grade, in order to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

    Sponsor Form: This form is completed at the end of the candidate’s second year of preparation. This form shows the confirmation coordinator that a candidate has chosen a sponsor. This form also provides contact information for the sponsor so that the confirmation coordinator may send preparatory materials to the sponsor.

    Application for Confirmation: During their Confirmation year, the candidate will fill out an application to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is the candidate’s formal request to freely receive the sacrament.

    Letter to the Bishop: Prior to Confirmation, the candidate must write a letter of request to the Bishop. Further instructions will be given during Confirmation sessions.

    Interview With A Priest: Candidates must complete an interview with their priest prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. The interview schedule will come out in the spring. Students will be responsible for making and keeping their appointment with the priests.

  • To become confirmed as an adult, you will participate in a preparation program. We use a program called FUSE to prepare adults for confirmation.

Weddings

Engaged couples should contact the parish office at 218-822-4040 or sfasoffice@duluthcatholic.org and speak with a priest at least 6 months in advance of a desired wedding date. This allows time for the diocesan marriage preparation to be completed.

  • The proper place for the celebration of marriage is in the church. Man and woman enter a covenant with God and each other, and this is properly done in God's house. God is the one who, in His love, will unite the couple. Catholic marriage requires the man and woman to exchange their consent to each other before the Church's minister and two witnesses, and this is done in the presence of the Lord. Marriage is not simply a private affair, but it is a public commitment with wide consequences, involving the whole church and the whole community. So there are many reasons to hold your wedding in the church proper.

  • The Catholic Church sees marriage as sacred and God-given. Because it is the two Christian spouses who actually bring about a sacramental marriage when they exchange their consent, the Catholic Church recognizes marriages of non-Catholic Christians to each other as valid marriages. Thus, when a non-Catholic seeks to marry a Catholic in the Catholic Church, we presume that the person's first marriage is valid until proven otherwise.Description text goes here

  • Yes. The couple can be married, but even with the pregnancy, it is not wise to rush into anything. Each couple in this situation has a unique set of concerns that can be discussed with the priest.

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing for those who are seriously ill, face major surgery, are weakened by advanced age, or are preparing for death. The priests of the Brainerd Catholic parishes are more than willing to celebrate the Anointing of the sick at a time when family and friends are able to be present or any time in case of an emergency.

To request anointing, contact: 218-822-4040

  • The Church believes the Sacrament of Anointing gives the grace of the Holy Spirit whose anointing takes away sins, if any still remain, and the remnants of sin; this anointing also raises up and strengthens the soul of the sick person, arousing a great confidence in the divine mercy; thus sustained, the sick person may more easily bear the trials and hardships of sickness, more easily resist the temptations of the devil, and sometimes regain bodily health, if this is expedient for the health of the soul (cf. Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick).

  • A person suffering from serious illness. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing but becomes ill once again, or if, during the same illness, the person's condition becomes more serious.

    A person may be anointed before surgery when a dangerous illness is the reason for the intervention. Surgery to treat an illness is usually considered serious if it requires general anesthesia.

    Moreover, the elderly may be anointed if they are in weak condition even though no dangerous illness is present.

    Sick children may be anointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be comforted by this sacrament.

  • Bishops and priests are ministers of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

  • After a brief introduction, penitential rite, and Liturgy of the Word, the priest lays his hands upon the head of the sick person. He then anoints the forehead and hands of the sick person using the blessed Oil of the Sick. As he anoints the sick person, the priest prays, "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." In an emergency situation, the priest may proceed directly to the anointing itself.

    For those who are about to depart from this life, the Church normally offers Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist as Viaticum (food for the journey) given at the end of life. These are "the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland" (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church #1525).

    These rites are highly valued by Catholics as powerful aids to a good death. Since Holy Communion is the effective sign of Christ's Paschal Mystery, it becomes for the recipient the opportunity to unite his or her own suffering and death to that of Christ with the hope of life eternal with him. The special words proper to Viaticum are: "May the Lord Jesus protect you and lead you to everlasting life. Amen."

Funerals

If you have just experienced the loss of a loved one, we offer our sincere condolences. In this time of difficulty, we hope to assist you in prayer and in planning a funeral in collaboration with one of the local funeral homes.

  • At the time of death, one should contact the funeral home with which one has pre-arranged services or which one prefers to use, if no pre-arrangements have been made. The funeral home takes the lead, helping you to arrange all necessary details for care of the deceased and for the funeral rites. After you meet with the funeral home staff, they will contact our parishes to arrange a time for the funeral.

    Not long after meeting with the funeral director, members of the family meet with the priest or deacon who will officiate at the funeral. This is a time to plan the funeral itself.

  • Our parishes follow the Diocese of Duluth’s Funeral Guidelines.

    The most important part of the planning is the selection of Scripture readings. A funeral liturgy includes one reading from the Old Testament, one reading from a New Testament book, and one reading from a Gospel. Please choose from the Church's selection of Funeral Readings.

    Families will often have a wake service at the funeral home the evening before the funeral. This is an opportune time to visit, to share memories, and to comfort one another. Families may also have a time of visitation in the church preceding the funeral. The wake service, visitation, and luncheon are the most appropriate times for friends and family members to speak in remembrance of the deceased.

    The funeral itself is a time to call on the Lord's grace and to remember the saving acts the Lord has accomplished for us, especially for the deceased. Jesus' Death and Resurrection have opened the way to eternal life! We come to pray for the soul of our departed brother or sister and to remember the promises of God's saving grace.

    It is possible to have a short remembrance toward the end of the funeral liturgy. Please check our Guidelines for Remembrances at Funerals for more details. By the time of the funeral, all the arrangements have been made, and all the family and friends need to do is pray. Along with the Scripture readings above, the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are wonderful prayers to offer for the dead and for the comfort of those who have lost loved ones.

  • While it is not preferred because of the dignity of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit destined for resurrection, cremation is allowed, provided that the choice of cremation does not indicate a lack of belief in the resurrection of the body and provided that the cremated remains are treated with the same respect due to a human body. The cremated remains must be buried in blessed ground or placed in a mausoleum or columbarium like a body. The scattering or sharing of ashes is not permissible. Also, it is strongly encouraged that the cremation take place after the Mass of Christian burial.

  • Sacred music is used in keeping with the sacred character of the Mass. Also, music for the Mass is congregational by its nature and thus should be ‘singable’ by the congregation. Secular (recorded or performed) songs are generally not appropriate to the funeral Mass, however meaningful, and could very easily be used at the wake or luncheon.

Eucharistic Adoration

Queen of Peace Adoration Chapel is located at St. Andrew's Catholic Church's NE Willow Street Entrance. To enter the adoration chapel, please knock on the outside door and someone will open it for you. Contact Leonard Skillings for more info at 218-232-6688.

  • When we pray before the Blessed Sacrament, how often do we really realize that what, or rather who, we are looking at is really, truly Jesus Christ, the living Son of God. The practice of Eucharistic Adoration actually arose in the middle ages when frequent reception of Holy Communion was not terribly common.

    At that time, the people of God focused so completely on their own unworthiness, that they rarely approached the altar to receive the Lord. In response, the Church gave Eucharistic Adoration in order that they might at least look upon the Lord and adore Him (incidentally, this is also the reason why the Body of Christ, and His Precious Blood are elevated during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass.)

    Time with the Blessed Sacrament is time with Jesus. Like Mary in the Scriptures, we are able to sit for a time at the feet of Jesus himself. What do we talk about while there? One of the saints of the Church probably sums it up best. In his sermon to a group of children on the occasion of their First Holy Communion, St. John Vianney tells them (and us!) about why one would adore the Blessed Sacrament outside Mass: “…there He abides, day and night in the midst of His faithful, to receive and console all those who turn to Him in their need. “Come unto ME,” He cries out to us, “all who are sorrowful and heavily laden: I will refresh you; with me, you will find rest for your souls.”

  • Click here, then click the "SIGN UP" button under "Welcome!" at the top of the page, to sign up to be a regularly scheduled Adorer, or to be added to the substitute Adorer list.

  • Memorial Day
    Thanksgiving Day
    4 pm New Year's Eve
    Good Friday
    4th of July
    2 pm Christmas Eve
    New Year’s Day
    Labor Day
    Christmas day
    4 pm Holy Thursday

  • This is a tricky situation. During the summer months if the weather is such that you can not make it, such as a Tornado and or Severe weather, please call Leonard Skillings the Chapel coordinator and let him know. He will arrange to close the Chapel, or to find a replacement.

    During the Winter months the general rule of thumb is if School is closed then the Chapel will not open or will close. If this happens during the middle of the day, please call Leonard Skillings the Chapel coordinator and let him know. He will arrange to close the Chapel.

    If due to snow or the like you are unable to make it for your scheduled time, please do your best to find a sub if possible. You may otherwise contact Leonard Skillings.

    Messages and or phone calls will be sent out to all adorers regarding the status of the Chapel as needed regarding weather related closings.

    Leonard Skillings - 218-232-6688