On Sunday, Sept. 18, the Diocese of Duluth Indian Ministry is sponsoring a Harvest Mass and Feast at Saints Mary and Joseph Church in Sawyer.
Father Michael Carson, Choctaw Indian priest of the Diocese of San Jose, Calif., and the new assistant director for Native American Affairs with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be in attendance to concelebrate with Father Dave Tushar, pastor. After Mass there will be a harvest meal. Tours of the old log church will be offered by Deacon Bryan Bassa. All are welcome.
At the Harvest Mass signs and symbols of the Ojibwe culture are used. For instance, instead of regular incense, natural sage is used in the smudging (incensing). An Honoring Song is drummed as the church honors St. Kateri Tekakwitha and its veterans. At the end of the celebrating there is a Traveling Song drummed to ask for a safe journey home.
