Greetings to the people of Our Mission Field,

 

One year ago, we embarked on a new adventure together as a Catholic people here on the Iron Range. Under the leadership of Bishop Daniel, a new Mission Field was established that consists of the parishes of Our Lady of Hope in Aurora, St Joseph’s in Gilbert, Resurrection in Eveleth, Holy Spirit in Virginia, and Marquette Catholic School. This new way of life together has been both exciting and challenging for all of us. The experience of things being exciting and challenging would make sense, as we have moved into a new way of life that is different than the days and years past.

 

In the establishment of this particular Mission Field, Bishop Daniel entrusted the leadership to our priest team, deacon team, leadership team and Mission Field staff. This group has been meeting, praying, and working so hard over this past year to bring about a strong foundation that will lead to a culture of encounter and community rooted in the healing, hope, and joy of Jesus. One of the areas that has been a focus of those meetings, prayer times, and work has been on Faith Formation here in our Mission Field. After a full year of meetings, prayer times, work, and discernment we are excited to lay out the direction the Holy Spirit is leading us as we enter into this upcoming school year. For some this will be exciting, and, yes, for some this will be challenging. This will be a “stepping out of the boat” moment for all of us in the Mission Field. Yet, our team is truly excited for the potential of “abundant life” this upcoming year.

 

This letter and the video on our newly established Faith Formation website is the beginning of our communication efforts as we move into the Fall season. It is critical that everyone continues to frequent the website for updates, schedules, registration info and all communications. We have discerned that one location is crucial for all of our information to be, to cut down on confusion or misunderstandings – so everyone is being asked to utilize this website early and often. As we move forward here is a brief overview of what we are looking forward to this upcoming year....

 

1. An Intentional Focus on Adult Education:

Shifting the focus in our Mission Field to adult education and formation every Monday night over the months of October through April. Monday nights will be every week for adults and there will be an elimination of Wednesday night programing every single week in Our Mission Field.

 

2. A New Mission Field Family Faith Formation Model:

This year every first Wednesday of the month October through May there will be Family Faith Formation nights. Anyone and everyone in Our Mission Field are welcome to these evening that will consist of food, inspiring talks, lively conversations, fruitful prayer time and so much more. These nights will launch our children, teens and families into the rest of the month with intentional ways to live and grow in faith together as moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunts, etc.

 

3. Intentional Relational Youth Ministry:

Relational ministry will become a primary focus for our middle school and high school students. We hope to have all of our young people and families at every Family Faith Formation night on the first Wednesday of each month and then to have our teens participate in a variety of youth ministry activities throughout the year. There will be opportunities for retreats, service projects, bonfires, board game nights, bible studies, adoration nights and much more. These opportunities will be sprinkled throughout the year and will be the primary Faith Formation program for our teens.

 

4. Sacramental Prep for First Confession, First Communion and Confirmation:

This year we will have short intentional preparation sessions for students and families. First Confession will happen in December, First Communion in May and Confirmation Next Fall.

 

5. Our Lady of Hope parish in Aurora will continue their after-school Faith Formation program on Wednesday’s for the elementary students that go to Mesabi East.

 

The goal of this particular letter and the website Faith Formation video is to simply begin to lay the foundation for what lies ahead for Our Mission Field. As stated above, some will be excited at the fresh approach, others may feel challenged by the changes. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to get more details and information out to all of you. Please stay connected right here on this website to get more info, to register for the year and to communicate any questions you might have.

 

Lastly, we as the priest team and Faith Formation Staff offer this invitation to each person reading this letter. Please consider being open, supportive and very prayerful as we move ahead. Jump in with us as we move into year two as a Mission Field. The Holy Spirit has so much in store for us – we hope and pray this is truly the beginning of mighty things here on the Iron Range!

 

Come Holy Spirit Come!

​

Fr. Brandon Moravitz 

(Pastor)

​

Fr. David Forsman

(Parochial Vicar)

​

Fr. Daniel Hammer

(Parochial Vicar) 

​

Naomi Ringhand

(Youth Minister)

​

Michelle Hacker

(Family Faith Formation)

​

Taylor Mudgett

(Sacramental Prep Coordinator)