April New Earth 2013

New Earth CATHOLIC DIOCESE

OF

April 2013 Vol. 34

FARGO

No. 4

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” — Rev. 21:1

www.FargoDiocese.org

Brothers in Christ

New Earth photo / Katie Wise

Bishop-elect John Folda appointed to Fargo See Allowing God’s grace to continue to work

By Tanya Watterud

“W

e have great news for the Diocese of Fargo and for our state of North Dakota,” Bishop David Kagan said as he began the April 8 press conference announcing the appointment of Msgr. John Thomas Folda as Bishop of Fargo.

The press conference was held at 10:30 a.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Fargo.

Bishop-elect Folda then stopped by Shanley High School prior to departing for Carrington where many of the priests of the diocese were gathered for Spring Education Days.

“It’s an honor to be asked to serve as your new shepherd,” Bishop-elect Folda said in his opening statement, “and I gladly begin my service here in the Year of Faith.” Being from the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., which is also a rural Midwestern diocese Bishop-elect Folda said “I already feel very much at home.

I feel very comfortable in the setting of North Dakota and the Diocese of Fargo, in particular.”

When the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, called to tell him of CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters

Please turn to BISHOP ELECT on page 3

Pope Francis embraces emeritus Pope Benedict XVI at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 23.

Pope Francis sees Benedict as example of humility Catholic News Service

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ith a warm embrace, a helping hand, shared prayer, a long discussion and lunch together, Pope Francis spent several hours with retired Pope Benedict XVI March 23 at the papal summer villa.

Pope Francis gave Pope Benedict an icon of Mary and Jesus that the Russian Orthodox delegation to his inauguration had given him just a few days earlier.

“They told me this was Our Lady of Humility. If I may say, I thought of you,” Pope Francis said. Pope Benedict, obviously moved, grasped his successor's hands.

Pope Francis told Pope Benedict, “You gave us so many examples of humility and tenderness.”

The meeting took place in Castel Gandolfo, where Pope Benedict is staying while a Vatican monastery is being remodeled as

“When the two went into the chapel of the papal villa to pray, Pope Benedict indicated that Pope Francis should take the front pew, but Pope Francis, reaching out to help his predecessor walk, said, ‘We’re brothers,’ and they knelt side by side.

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a residence for him.

The retired pope moved with much greater difficulty than he did a month ago.

Walking with a cane, he took smaller and slower steps.

When the two went into the chapel of the papal villa to pray, Pope Benedict indicated that Pope Francis should take the front pew, but Pope Francis, reaching out to help his predecessor walk, said, “We’re brothers,” and they knelt side by side.

Traveling by helicopter from the Vatican,

Pope Francis arrived shortly after noon.

While the two had spoken by telephone at least twice, this was their first meeting since Pope Francis’ March 13 election.

Pope Benedict was driven to the garden heliport to greet his successor. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said that, after their visit to the chapel, the two spent 45 minutes talking alone. They had lunch together at Castel Gandolfo, then reportedly went for a short walk.

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Live your faith by celebrating Easter every day

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ith the Solemnity of the ResThe two Easter symbols which remain urrection of the Lord celebefore us for our thanksgiving and medbrated earlier this year, we itation are the cross and the empty have an opportunity in this month of tomb. Again, both help us not forget April to live the Easter season in relative what he has done for us and both stand calm. as constant reminders that we belong Graduations are still a bit off in the to him and must carry our cross daily future; civil holidays like Memorial Day and follow him in this life and through are not for another month; and school death to heaven. and work continue as usual.

After the Easter Octave, we celebrate Let’s look at this liturgical season several more weeks of the Easter season, more closely. and the Mass prayers Beginning with Easter and readings from saSunday and continuing cred Scripture draw our through the following attention to the proSunday, we celebrate found and life-changthe Octave of Easter. In ing effect the resurrecthese first eight days, we tion of the Lord had on relive literally the day of his apostles, disciples the Lord’s resurrection. and all who heard the The Gospel for each Good News and conof these eight days is an verted to Christ. Literaccount from one of the ally, they were different four Gospels of that people! great and glorious day.

We have an almost This is at the heart of continuous reading at our faith and the Mass from the Acts of preaching of the Gospel the Apostles and this is by the apostles. The resnot just very good, acurrection of Jesus from curate and interesting Bishop David Kagan the dead not only Church history, it is a brings about our salvaliving witness for us as tion but is the prefiguring of our own to the how and why of turning our own bodily resurrection on the last day. lives over to Christ Jesus.

I recommend that we read this book s joyous as these first eight days are of the New Testament from beginning for every Catholic, we are never far to end and compare our faith and how from the remembrance of how we have we live it with the faith and lives of our been saved by the Son of God. It is by ancestors in the Church. his saving passion, death and resurrection that we have salvation. he second great message of Easter and the Easter season is that if “we die with Christ we shall also live with “Then I saw a new heaven Christ” as St. Paul proclaims this beautiful truth. It is the dying with Christ in and a new earth.” order to live with him now as our prepaRevelation 21:1 ration for life in heaven that can be a problem.

Our faith does not promise us anything but a life just like his, with its joys and satisfactions, and its sufferings and sorrows.

(ISSN # 10676406) If we celebrate Easter as we should every day, then we are living our faith as it is meant to be lived — as the Godgiven means to save our souls.

Apostolic Administrator

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NewEarth

SERVING CATHOLIC PARISHES AS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FARGO, N.D. Member of the Catholic Press Association Bishop David Kagan Apostolic Administrator, Fargo Publisher Tanya Watterud Interim Editor news@fargodiocese.org

Published monthly by The Catholic Spirit Publishing Company, a non-profit Minnesota corporation, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. (651) 291-4444. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional post offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Boulevard, Suite A, Fargo ND 58104-7605. (701) 356-7900.

Personal subscription rate for 11 issues of New Earth per year: $9.

Diocesan policy: Reporting child abuse The Diocese of Fargo is committed to the protection of youth.

Please report any incidents or suspected incidents of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to civil authorities.

If the situation involves a member of the clergy or a religious order, a seminarian, or an employee of a Catholic school, parish, the diocesan offices or other Catholic entity within the diocese, we ask that you also report the incident or suspected incident to Msgr. Joseph P. Goering at (701) 356-7945 or www.Victim Assistance@fargodiocese.org.

For additional information about victim assistance, visit www.fargo diocese.org.

Bishop Kagan’s Calendar April 29 May 10 May 17 May 22

May 30

Administrative meetings, Pastoral Center, Fargo Administrative meetings, Pastoral Center, Fargo Administrative meetings, Pastoral Center, Fargo 10 a.m.

Baccalaureate Mass for Shanley seniors, Nativity, Fargo 11:30 a.m. Brunch, Holiday Inn, Fargo 6 p.m.

Shanley High School Graduation, Fargo Administrative meetings, Pastoral Center, Fargo

Journey to Italy with Bishop Kagan If you ask most Catholics about the Second Vatican Council, a flood of memories will follow. Some will recall the tumultuous 1960s, the Cuban missile crisis, the Civil Rights movement, and “those hippies with loud music.” The Church’s response was an ecumenical (worldwide) council known as Vatican II. Held from Oct. 11, 1962, to its closing on Dec. 8, 1965, Vatican II has been called “the greatest religious event of the 20th century” (Blessed Pope John Paul II). Pope Benedict XVI dubbed Vatican II a “compass for the Church” and, heeding that vision, Bishop David Kagan will cap this Year of Faith with a pilgrimage to Italy Oct. 29 through Nov. 7. You are invited!

In the footsteps of Blessed Pope John XXIII During this Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI challenged all followers of Jesus Christ to go deeper . . . deeper in our prayer and reflection, deeper in our study, and deeper in our service to the world. The pilgrimage of everyday life inItaly vites us to walk through the “porta fidei” (Door of Faith) and heed Vatican II’s invitation to ongoing conversion. To help us do that, Bishop Kagan has designed a pilgrimage to Italy which highlights Blessed Pope John XXIII’s life and pastoral ministry.

Flying into Milan, our pilgrimage begins by praying at the Duomo il Milano. From there we will journey to Sotto il Monte, the hometown of Angelo Roncalli (John XXIII) and the Church of St. Mary where he was baptized. From his humble roots, we will reflect on God’s call in Roncalli’s life before he became “Good Pope John” as he was revered.

The joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties Vatican II was a surprise to everyone including Pope John XXIII. He called the council a movement of the Holy Spirit “shedding sweetness in mind and heart.”

As our Italian pilgrimage moves from glorious Venice, where John XXIII was patriarch, to Loretto and Assisi, we will remember his prayerful preparation for Vatican II. A great gift of the council is its placement of the Catholic Church and its ministry in the modern world. The constitution, Gaudium et Spes, begins with these words, “The joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.”

Our faith journey with Bishop Kagan will conclude in Rome where we will pray at St. Peter’s Basilica, explore the Vatican Museum and savor an audience with our new Holy Father, Pope Francis. The art and basilicas of Rome will become a living catechism as we heed Vatican II’s invitation to renew our faith in Christ and the Church. Join Bishop Kagan in Italy and bring the opening words of Vatican II to life in your heart, “In this assembly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we wish to inquire how we ought to renew ourselves, so that we may be found increasingly faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Register today by calling Faith Journeys toll free at (877) 732-4845, Ext. 100.

Seminary scholarship funds consolidated with foundation endowments With the closing of Cardinal Muench Seminary and the expansion of endowment listings in the Catholic Development Foundation, all seminary scholarship funds have been consolidated with foundation endowments under the Catholic Development Foundation umbrella.

With this change there is no longer a printed list of contributors in New Earth. Instead, all donors receive a letter of acknowledgment, which can also be used for tax deduction purposes. A quarterly and/or annual listing of donors is provided on the Catholic Development Foundation website [www.cdfnd.org or www.catholicdevelopmentfoundation.org].

Scholarship and endowment funds for seminarian education consist of restricted contributions, of which only the income or earnings may be used, and only for the purpose stated. Earnings from seminarian scholarships are restricted for the use of funding candidates to the priesthood who are completing required seminary education, and to supplement education of clergy currently serving the diocese. Contributions for seminarian and clergy education are vital to the support of the diocese and your future priests. Without this aid, many of our young men would not be able to discern their vocation.

To donate, please mail your gift to: Catholic Development Foundation, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605, call (701) 356-7930 or donate online at www.cdfnd.org.

If a specific scholarship or endowment for seminary education is not noted, contributions are applied to the General Endowment for Seminarian/Clergy Education.

On behalf of the seminarians and clergy who benefit from your generosity, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.

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Getting to know our new Bishop-elect Editor’s note: Bishop-elect John Folda visited with the Southern Nebraska Register of the Diocese of Lincoln about his April 8 appointment as Bishop of Fargo.

Q: When and how did you find out about your new appointment?

A: I found out on March 26, Tuesday of Holy Week. I was in my office at the seminary talking with one of our faculty members and happened to answer the phone. It was the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Vigano, who told me that the Holy Father has appointed me to be the next Bishop of Fargo.

Q: What was your reaction?

A: At first I was stunned, and didn’t really know what to say.

The Archbishop may have thought for a moment that I hung up on him! I was overwhelmed at this news, but also felt very honored by this appointment. I felt humbled by the magnitude of this responsibility, and by the confidence the Holy Father has placed in me. Although I was conscious right away of all that I would leave behind, I know that the Lord calls us to go forward wherever he leads us. When I told the Archbishop that I accepted the Holy Father’s appointment, I had a great sense of peace.

Dakota is no exception. I will do whatever I can to support and strengthen family life and to encourage a true and holy living out of the married vocation.

Q: What do you find most daunting about your upcoming ministry as Bishop of Fargo?

A: As a new bishop, it will be a challenge just to get a broad understanding of the life of the diocese. I’ve had the opportunity to work in the Chancery in Lincoln and to see the “big picture” of diocesan life, so I know how multi-faceted a diocese is. It will take some time to meet the many people who work in the diocese and to understand the various needs. I will certainly depend on the priests and the diocesan staff to help me get up to speed.

Q: You grew up in Omaha, studied in Rome, served as master of ceremonies, worked in parishes and Catholic schools, and have served as rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary for nearly 14 years. How have those experiences prepared you to face the tasks of your ministry?

A: I’ve been blessed with a wonderful variety of experiences in my life. I grew up in Omaha, which is a medium-sized city, and I went to school in Lincoln, so I’m definitely a Midwesterner. I also studied theology in Philadelphia and Rome, and Q: How do you feel about your upcoming move to Fargo it was great to experience the life of the church in and when will you actually move there? those two places as well. In Rome especially, you become aware of the history of the church and its A: I feel a mixture of excitement and apprehentradition and universality. As a priest, I’ve served sion. The call to go to a new place and to serve in parishes and taught in Catholic schools, and the People of God there is exciting and filled with this helped me to understand the faith lives and Bishop-elect Folda opportunity. I am thrilled to go to Fargo and to the challenges that our people face in these days. become a part of the Church there. I’m also quite aware of my I still keep in contact with former parishioners and students, own limitations, so I’m a little apprehensive about taking on and I can truly say that they taught me how to be a priest! I the responsibilities of a bishop, especially the spiritual leadership also had the opportunity to work closely with Bishop [Fabian of an entire diocese. But I know God chooses whom he wills, W.] Bruskewitz throughout his years as Bishop of Lincoln, and so I’ll just trust that he knows what he’s doing! I also trust that that was a wonderful blessing. He is energetic, zealous for the he will lead me and give me the grace I need to carry out the faith, and incredibly erudite, so I hope I’ve learned something office of Bishop. The date of my ordination has not yet been from him over those years. Especially as his master of cereset, and must occur within three months of my appointment, monies, I grew in my appreciation for the beauty of the church’s so it will probably be sometime in mid to late June. I will try to liturgy and the role of the bishop as leader of prayer and worvisit Fargo again after my appointment, and then will make ship. Despite my fumbles, he was always very patient! And the final move several days before the ordination date. now, for the last six months or so, I’ve also worked with Bishop Conley, whom I’ve known for a number of years. His friendship Q: What apostolates do you see to be a priority for you as bishop? has been very important to me. For the last 14 years, I have been rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary, one of the greatest A: Naturally, I will want to learn more about the needs of the blessings of my life. It has been a great joy to live and work diocese, but a few issues come to mind immediately. Of course, with prayerful, dedicated and zealous young men who are giving my first apostolate will be to help people to know Jesus Christ their lives to God with such generosity. My own love for the and to welcome him into their lives. As a pastor, I will try to be priesthood has grown through my time with our seminarians, a shepherd to the people of the diocese by teaching the Gospel, and I will always be grateful for the years I’ve had with them. celebrating the sacraments, and leading the entire diocesan family towards holiness in Christ. Because of my background in Lincoln, I will certainly be very interested in fostering vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. Fargo is blessed to have a great presbyterate and a good number of seminarians, so we’re already very fortunate. I will simply try to build on the good work that is being done there. I will also be interested in Catholic education and formation, so that the faith can be passed on and become deeply rooted in the hearts of all the faithful. Young people especially need to know the joy of having Christ at the center of their lives, and I will try to reach out to them in any way I can. Family life as it is designed by God is under assault all over our nation today, and I’m sure North

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add? Or, what would you like the faithful of the Diocese of Fargo to know about you?

A: Only that I am delighted to be coming to Fargo, and I trust that God will help us grow together in faith. On the personal side, I love music, especially classical music, I like to go for walks, I enjoy working outside, I’m not very athletic but I love to ski, and I enjoy a good movie. I’m sure we’ll get to know each other well before long. We are always blessed when we put our trust in God, and I am excited at the great things he has in store for us. I am already praying for the people of Fargo, and I would ask them to pray for me, too.

Bishop-elect says first mission to learn, meet people, listen Continued from page 1 Pope Francis’ decision to appoint him Bishop of Fargo, “I was very conscious of my own unworthiness . . . and for all the reasons the pope should choose somebody who was more qualified," he said. "But . . . I realized that what matters most isn't my own qualifications or talents, but rather . . . the grace of God and his plan for the church.”

A reporter at the press conference asked if it is difficult to be a religious leader today with all of the moral issues in the news, like abortion and same sex unions. “It's only tough from the perspective of sharing the truth of our faith with a culture that doesn't always necessarily want to hear it or accept it.” That has been a challenge throughout the history of the Catholic Church, he said, in-

cluding when Jesus sent the apostles out to teach.

“The church has to be, if I can say, counter-cultural,” he said. “Our desire is only to be heard and to share the . . . message that we have, and to allow God’s grace to continue to work.”

In an interview with Real Presence Radio earlier that morning, Bishop-elect Folda said, “My first mission is just to learn, and to meet people, and to listen, and to try to get a grasp of the situation of the diocese. . . . Once I have a better understanding of everything that is in place here, then I’ll be able to evaluate what needs to be done and what I should be doing.

“I have no immediate plans to make any changes. Bishop Aquila worked very, very hard for the last over 10 years and

did some remarkable things in the Diocese of Fargo and I only have admiration for him, for his zeal, and for the energy that he put into his work as bishop here.

I feel very fortunate. I think I am taking over as bishop at a great time in the history of the diocese. I feel very comfortable and very confident that things are moving in a good direction and so my plan is to, I guess, maintain continuity with what Bishop Aquila had put in place. Again, as time goes on, as changes are necessary or as new initiatives are necessary, I’ll study those and do my best to make the right choices.”

For audio and video recordings of Real Presence Radio's interview with Bishop-elect Folda and the press conference, visit www. fargodiocese.org and click on Real Presence Radio under the notice of his appointment.

Biography John Thomas Folda, 51, was born on Aug. 8, 1961, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Mabel and the late James Folda.

He is the youngest of three children. His brother, James, and his wife, Paula, live in Brookfield, Wis. His sister, Mary, and her husband, Karl, live in Adams, Neb. They have four children and one grandchild.

Bishop-elect Folda grew up in Omaha, where he attended St. Thomas More Grade School and Archbishop Ryan High School. After graduating from high school in 1979, he attended the University of NebraskaLincoln, where he studied architecture and electrical engineering.

In August 1983, he entered seminary formation for the Diocese of Lincoln. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and graduated in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He continued his theological studies at St. Charles Seminary, where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1988 and a master of arts in theology in 1989.

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n May 27, 1989, Bishop-elect Folda was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lincoln by Bishop Glennon Patrick Flavin.

For two years, he served as parochial vicar at Cathedral of the Risen Christ, and taught religion at Pius X High School in Lincoln.

In 1991, he was sent to Rome, where he earned a licentiate in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. Upon returning to the Diocese of Lincoln in 1993, he was assigned as pastor of St. Paulinus in Syracuse and Holy Trinity in Avoca. He was also guidance counselor and religion teacher at Lourdes Central Catholic Schools in Nebraska City.

During this time, he also served as assistant to the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lincoln.

In 1995, he was appointed pastor of St. Leo in Palmyra and St. Martin in Douglas, while continuing to work in the diocesan offices. In 1997, he was appointed diocesan Director of Religious Education, Co-Vicar for Religious, Master of Ceremonies and Censor Librorum. He was also appointed Delegate of the Bishop to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and continues as vice president of the Board of Directors.

He has been a member of the Board of the Nebraska CatholicConference since 1993, a member of the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, Finance Council, Priests’ Continuing Education Committee, Catholic Social Services Board and the Ethics Committee of St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center.

In 1999, Bishop-elect Folda was appointed rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Neb. He served as president of the National Association of College Seminaries from 2008 to 2010. On Oct. 10, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named him “Chaplain of His Holiness” with the title of monsignor.

On April 8, 2013, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Fargo.

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DIOCESE OF FARGO

OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS Most Rev. David D. Kagan, Apostolic Administrator of Fargo, and Bishop of Bismarck has made the following appointments, announcements, and/or decrees: Reverend Kevin J. Boucher has been appointed pastor of Nativity Parish in Fargo for a one-year term, beginning June 26, 2013.

Reverend John L. Cavanaugh has been appointed pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Reynolds, and St. Jude’s Parish in Thompson for a oneyear term, beginning June 26, 2013.

Reverend Philip K. Chacko has been appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Rolette, Holy Rosary Parish in Bisbee and Notre Dame des Victoires Parish in Willow City for a one-year term, beginning June 26, 2013.

Reverend Thomas M. Graner has been appointed pastor of St. Therese the Little Flower Parish in Rugby and St. Mary’s Parish in Knox for a one-year term, beginning June 26, 2013.

Reverend John F. Kizito has been appointed pastor of St. Helena’s Parish in Ellendale and St. Patrick’s Parish in Fullerton for a one-year term, beginning June 26, 2013.

Reverend Robert F. Smith has been appointed pastor of St. Boniface’s Parish in Lidgerwood, Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish in Cayuga and St. Martin of Tours Parish in Geneseo for a one-year term, beginning June 26, 2013.

Reverend Thomas M. Feltman has been appointed administrator of St. Boniface’s Parish in Walhalla, and Sts. Nereus & Achilleus’ Parish in Neche. This appointment takes effect on June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Jerome E. Hunkler has been appointed administrator of St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s Parish in Oriska, St. Agatha’s Parish in Hope and Sacred Heart Parish in Sanborn. This appointment takes effect on June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Arogyaiah Gadagotti has been appointed administrator of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Steele, St. Mary’s Parish in Medina and St. Paul’s Parish in Tappen. This appointment takes effect on June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend John Kleinschmidt has been appointed administrator of St. John Nepomucene’s Parish, Pisek, Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish, Bechyne and St. Joseph’s Parish, Lankin effective March 22, 2013, and continues until May 28, 2013. This appointment is in addition to his current assignment as pastor in Minto and Warsaw.

Reverend Prasad Marneni has been appointed administrator of St. John Nepo-

Teacher training available for Theology of the Body for teens An opportunity to learn more about sharing Pope John Paul II’s teaching on Theology of the Body with teenagers and pre-teens can be found April 19 and 20 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 702 Summit Ave., Crookston, Minn.

Training for those who work with middle school age students will be Friday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Training regarding high school age students will follow the next day at the same time.

For both days, registration begins at 8:15 a.m.

The training is suggested for principals, teachers, priests, deacons, directors of religious education, catechists, youth ministers, parents and anyone who works with pre-teens and teenagers.

Five hours of continuing education credit is offered with this training.

Colin MacIver, who teaches theology and serves as the religion department chairperson and campus ministry coordinator at St. Scholastica Academy in Covington, La., will lead the training.

He has extensive experience teaching the “Theology of the Body for Teens: High School Edition” and is a co-author of the Middle School Edition.

He works with DumbOx Ministries, a non-profit that provides chastity and vocation formation for teens and young adults.

He and his wife, Aimee (also a co-author of the Middle School Edition) reside in the Archdiocese of New Orleans with their young son.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Rzepka at (218) 281-4533, ext. 435, or erzepka@crookston.org or contact the Diocese of Fargo Respect Life Office at (701) 356-7910.

mucene’s Parish in Pisek, Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish in Bechyne and St. Joseph’s Parish in Lankin. This appointment takes effect on May 29, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Msgr. Gregory Schlesselmann has been appointed administrator of St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s Parish, Oriska, St. Agatha’s Parish, Hope, and Sacred Heart Parish, Sanborn, effective March 11, 2013 and continuing until June 25, 2013.

Reverend James Gross resigned as pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish, Velva, and Sts. Peter and Paul’s Parish, Karlsruhe. He is currently on sabbatical.

Reverend Anthony L. Hession has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Ann’s Parish in Belcourt and its mission parishes. This appointment is effective June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Timothy D. Johnson resigned as pastor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s Parish, Oriska, St. Agatha’s Parish, Hope, and Sacred Heart Parish, Sanborn.

Reverend Timothy D. Johnson has been appointed parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo. This appointment is effective May 29, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend B. Alex King, HGN, has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Joseph’s Parish in Devils Lake. This appointment is effective May 29, 2013, through August 13, 2013.

Reverend B. Alex King, HGN, has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Michael’s Parish in Grand Forks. This appointment is effective August 14, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Matthew J. Kraemer has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Joseph’s Parish in Devils Lake. This appointment is effective July 24, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend T. Thomas Paulraj, HGN, has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Catherine’s Parish in Valley City. This appointment is effective June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Sean P. Mulligan has been appointed parochial vicar at St. James’ Basilica in Jamestown, St. Margaret Mary’s Parish in Buchanan, St. Michael’s Parish in Pingree and St. Mathias of Windsor Parish in Windsor. This appointment is effective June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Troy K. Simonsen has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua’s Parish in Fargo. This appointment is effective June 26, 2013, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reflecting on Catholic social teachings Call to family, community and participation The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society — in economics and politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined.

We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Questions to consider: ■ Do I try to make positive contributions in my family and in my community?

■ Are my beliefs, attitudes and choices such that they strengthen or undermine the institution of the family?

■ Am I aware of problems facing my local community and involved in efforts to find solutions? Do I stay informed and make my voice heard when needed?

■ Do I support the efforts of poor persons to work for change in their neighborhoods and communities? Do my attitudes and interactions empower or disempower others?

Provided by the Social Justice Committee of Catholic Charities North Dakota.

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Legislature and governor thanked for defending the right to life

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ishop David Kagan, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Fargo and Bishop of Bismarck, issued a statement March 26 after Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed three pro-life bills. (See an explanation of the bills on page 17.)

“The protection of all human life from the moment of conception to natural death is the primary purpose of government. All persons, including our elected officials, are obligated to unceasingly seek protection of this basic human right,” the bishop noted. “I applaud the members of the North Dakota legislature who bravely supported measures to extend protections to unborn human life and to advance the health of women.

“I also applaud Governor Jack Dalrymple for signing SB 2305, HB 1305 and HB 1456. His signature affirms our state’s commitment to the protection of all human life. Finally, I ask that all Catholics of the state join me this Holy Week in praying for all of our elected leaders. May the Author of Life grant them wisdom in all their endeavors.”

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achelle Sauvageau, director of the Fargo Diocese torn from its mother's body can hardly doubt whether Respect Life Office, said, “I applaud our North it is a human being. The real question for him and Dakota Legislature for passing the most pro-woman for all of us is whether that tiny human life has a and pro-life health laws in God-given right to be proour nation with the intent tected by the law - the same I applaud the members of the right we have’.” to uphold the sanctity of human life. For all the Sauvageau noted that the North Dakota legislature who bills “passed by both chamcriticism these bills have withstood from the secuof our legislative assembravely supported measures to bers lar media and pro-aborbly have said to the people of tion antics, these sources extend protections to unborn our state and our nation that have failed to respond to North Dakota values every human life and to advance the human being from the mothe one question that defines why the good people ment of conception to natural health of women. of North Dakota have death. We have chosen to act pursued this type of legisboldly and courageously to Bishop David Kagan lation. The late U.S. Presidefend the lives of the most dent Ronald Reagan put vulnerable, the voiceless it this way, ‘The real question today is not when huamong us, the unborn children in their mothers’ man life begins, but, what is the value of human life? wombs that are threatened daily by abortion. But not The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of only do we vow to defend the unborn child, we are a tiny baby to make sure all the body parts have been committed to affirming women in choosing life.”

“

”

Catechist retreats at Valley City and Lake Metigoshe this summer Anyone involved in catechesis is invited to come away for a day of retreat Aug. 10 at the Lake Metigoshe Retreat Center or Aug. 30 at Valley City Presentation Center where Father Andrew Jasinski will direct catechists on retreat with a series of talks on receiving the special grace and charism of being a catechist.

All those who direct or coordinate religious education programs, those who teach children and adults, and youth ministers should consider attending. In addition to the talks, there will be time for Mass, lunch, sharing and reflection with the chance to enjoy the beautiful grounds.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. If you would like to stay overnight at the retreat center the evening before either retreat, please call Mary Hanbury for more details and room prices at (701) 356-7909.

We must have a minimum of 12 retreatants registered for each retreat or the retreat will be canceled.

The registration deadlines are July 31 for the Lake Metigoshe retreat and Aug. 21 for the Valley City retreat.

There is a registration fee of $20 per person. Please register online at www.fargo diocese.org/catechistretreat and select which location you prefer. Credit cards can be accepted for payment. Directions for the retreat centers are on the website.

2013 FirstChoice Clinic’s “Swing Fore Life” Golf Marathon Tuesday, June 4th – Rose Creek Golf Course Do You Golf And Have a Heart For Life? If so become a member of the FirstChoice Clinic Golf Team. Find others with the same passion for life to sponsor you and continue to help FirstChoice Clinic provide FREE life affirming medical services and support to those most vulnerable in need.

Golfers, this event is specially tailored with you in mind.

Where else can you take a day and play golf, meet other golfers, have fun and help others in need all in one day?

Please call Mona at 701-237-5902 or email mona@firstchoiceclinic.com to register or ask questions.

Putting Life First — 3 sites with 1 mission

FirstChoice Clinic Administrative Site 1351 Page Drive, Suite 205 Fargo, ND 58103 FirstChoice Clinic - West 1120 College Dr. Suite 204 Suncrest Office Park, Bismarck, ND 58501 FirstChoice Clinic - Lake Region 1031 7th St NE Mercy Hospital, 4th Floor Devils Lake, ND 58301

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In thanksgiving to God, our governor, our legislators, and all who supported the historic pro-woman and pro-life legislation passed in our state,we pray that God will bless you during this holy Easter Season and that He will give each of us the courage and fortitude to continue to defend the dignity of all human life at every stage of development and to provide loving support to women, children and families in need, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Sponsored by the Diocese of Fargo Respect Life Office.

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Presentations offer a look at Faith through the Ages What is faith? What does faith look like in sacred Scripture? Is this current crisis in faith unique to our times?

In thanksgiving for the gift of Education for Parish Service, graduates of the diocese’s EPS program have organized a three-part series of talks titled “Faith through the Ages” for the people of the Fargo Diocese. This three-part lecture series will examine how the Catholic faith was lived in various times throughout history, and how can we apply these lessons to our own time.

In the first presentation, “Faith in Sacred Scripture and the Early Church,” Leroy Huizenga, chair of the Theology Department at the University of Mary, Bismarck, will explore the time period of the Old and New Testament, the

apostles, Christian persecution and the early church fathers. This presentation will be April 7 at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Devils Lake and April 28 at 1 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua in Fargo.

The second presentation, “Faith from the Middle Ages through the Reformation,” will be presented by Bishop David Kagan, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Fargo and Bishop of Bismarck. He will explore the time period of a world suffering through the bubonic plague, the Dark Ages and the Inquisition, but with faith as a light guiding St. Benedict’s monastic movement, and the scholastic movement of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure, leading up to Martin Luther

and his questions on faith and justification.

Bishop Kagan will offer this presentation at St. Michael’s in Grand Forks June 23 at noon and at St. James’ Basilica in Jamestown July 21 at 2 p.m. Bishop Kagan will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. at these churches prior to his presentation.

“Faith from the Reformation to Contemporary Times” is the topic of the third presentation, and will be given by Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary. It covers the time period of Galileo, the scientific, industrial, and intellectual revolutions, Darwin and evolution, communism and church councils to the contemporary issues of our times.

A Glimpse of the Past These news items, compiled by Dorothy Duchschere, were found in issues of the Diocese of Fargo newspaper, New Earth, and its predecessor, Catholic Action News.

April

perior at St. John’s Orphanage in Fargo and was active in the Catholic Welfare Bureau. Sister Joseph, at the time of her death, had completed 66 years of dedicated service to the Catholic Church and the diocese.

50 years ago — 1963

20 years ago — 1993

Sister Mary Joseph, one of the pioneer members of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sacred Heart Convent, Fargo, died in early April. She entered the convent in 1897, coming here from Ireland. Sister Joseph played an active role in the early development of Sacred Heart Academy in Fargo, later Shanley High School. She served as teacher and superior at St. James Academy, New Rockford, was superior of the Presentation Convent and Sacred Heart Academy from 1920-1937 and under her direction two schools were organized and staffed in Fargo and Langdon. She served as director and su-

People bought bicycles, child care, fresh eggs, piano tunings, deer processing and car washes at the fundraising auction for St. William’s parish in Argusville on April 23. The most-coveted item was Father Leo Kinney’s beard. The associate pastor at St. William’s offered to have his full beard shaved if the going price was at least $250. Father Al Bitz coaxed patrons to bid $300. The present church facility for the 102-family parish was dedicated in 1984 when the parish was assigned as a mission parish to St. Mary’s Cathedral, as it had been from 1942-1973. It was a mission of St. Agnes of Hunter from 1973-1984.

10 years ago — 2003

Bishop Samuel Aquila and the Diocese of Fargo had a ground breaking ceremony April 14 for the new Diocesan Pastoral and Administrative Center at 5201 Bishops Boulevard in Fargo. The new building will be situated just east of the new Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church and northeast of the new Shanley High School in south Fargo. The current Pastoral and Administrative Center resides at the Queen of Peace building at 1310 Broadway. The new center will house all the diocesan departments in Fargo, including the Chancery, Catholic Education and Formation, Development and Finance, Communications, Technology, Pro-Life, Family Life, Catholic Family Service, Education for Parish Service and the Marriage Tribunal. This will be the first time all the departments will be in the same building. A projected “move-in” date is planned for Dec. 1.

This final presentation will be offered Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua in Fargo and Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s in Devils Lake.

Presentations will be followed by a question and answer session, and conclude with refreshments and fellowship.

Bring your family and friends and join us as we learn from the past, walk in the present, and move our faith into the future.

A detailed schedule is available on the diocesan webpage at www.fargodiocese .org/faiththroughages.

This project is being underwritten by Blessed Sacrament Parish in West Fargo and Knights of Columbus councils in Devils Lake, Jamestown, Grand Forks and Fargo.

Events across the Diocese For more events throughout the diocese, visit www.fargodiocese.org/events.

April 14 (Sunday): Annual Spring Dinner, Holy Trinity, Fingal, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $9 for adults, $4 kids 12 and under, and free for preschoolers.

April 14 (Sunday): Spring Dinner, Sacred Heart, Carrington, 4 to 7 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 kids ages 6-12 and free for preschoolers. Proceeds matched by Catholic United Financial up to $500.

April 18-21 (Thursday-Sunday): Women’s Cursillo in Hankinson; rectora, Joy Olson. Visit www.cursillond.org.

April 19-21 (Friday-Sunday): Ignatian Retreat, Maryvale Spiritual Life Center, Valley City. Suggested donation is $60. Contact Sister Dorothy Bunce at dorothy.bunce@fargodiocese.org or call (701) 845-2864.

April 28 (Sunday): Spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the St. William's and St. Agnes youth mission trip to the Twin Cities, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Argusville Community Center. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 kids ages 5-10 and free for preschoolers.

April 28 (Sunday): Faith through the Ages is a series of three talks which will examine how the Faith was lived in various times throughout the history of the Catholic Church, and how we can apply these lessons to our own time. Visit www.fargodiocese.org/faiththroughages.

See story above.

May 2 (Thursday): Dining with the Word of God, 6:15 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo. Father James Meyer will explore the Acts of the Apostles.

Visit www.fargodiocese.org/wordofgod.

May 14 (Tuesday): Serra Club dinner, an opportunity to visit and pray with others who support vocations in the area, 6 p.m., Holy Cross, West Fargo.

June 7 (Friday): Ordination Mass for priests, 4:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo. The faithful are invited to attend this special liturgy.

To submit events for New Earth and the diocesan website, mail them to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605 or email news@fargo diocese.org. The deadline for May’s New Earth is April 24.

NewEarth Special Section APRIL 2013 ■ PAGE 7

’We have a pope’

CNS photos / Paul Haring

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina — Pope Francis — is flanked by cardinals as he makes his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after his election March 13 at the Vatican.

Argentina’s Cardinal Bergoglio takes Francis as his papal name Catholic News Service

O

n March 13, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, the leader of a large urban archdiocese in Latin America, was elected the 266th pope and took the name Francis.

He is the first pope in history to come from the Western Hemisphere and the first non-European to be elected in almost 1,300 years. The Jesuit was also the first member of his order to be elected pope, and the first member of any religious order to be elected in nearly two centuries.

The election came on the second day of the conclave, on the conclave’s fifth ballot. It was a surprisingly quick conclusion to a conclave that began with many plausible candidates and no clear favorite.

The new pope was chosen by at least two-thirds of the 115 cardinals from 48 countries, who cast their ballots in secret in the Sistine Chapel.

His election was announced in Latin from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, to a massive crowd under the rain in the square below and millions watching around the world.

W

hite smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 7:05 p.m., signaling that the cardinals had chosen a successor to retired Pope Benedict XVI. Two minutes later, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica began pealing continuously to confirm the election.

At 8:12 p.m., French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the senior cardinal in the order of deacons, appeared at the basilica balcony and read out in Latin: "I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope! The most eminent and most reverend lord, Lord Jorge Mario, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Bergoglio, who has taken for himself the name Francis."

The crowd in the square responded with cheers, applause and the waving of rain-soaked national flags.

Ten minutes later the new pope appeared. He sought prayers for Pope Benedict and spoke of the journey the church was about to begin.

“Now I would like to give my blessing. But first, I will ask a favor. Before the bishop blesses his people, he asks that you pray to the Lord to bless me, the prayer of the people for the blessing of their bishop.

Let’s pray for me in silence,” he said.

Celsa Negrini, an older woman from Rome, said the new pope’s choice of name was “beautiful. Francis is the patron of Italy. It’s a humble choice, a choice of one who will reach out to the poor.”

P

ope Francis has had a growing reputation as a very spiritual man with a talent for pastoral leadership serving in a region with the largest number of the world's Catholics.

Since 1998, he had been archbishop of Buenos Aires, where his style was low-key and close to the people.

He rode the bus, visited the poor, lived in a simple apartment and cooked his own meals. To many in Buenos Aires, he was known simply as “Father Jorge.”

He also created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, led pro-life initiatives and started new pastoral programs, such as a commission for divorcees. He co-presided over the 2001 Synod of Bishops and was elected to the synod council, so he is wellknown to the world’s bishops.

The pope has also written books on spirituality and meditation and has been outspoken against abortion and same-sex marriages.

In 2010, when Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage, Pope Francis encouraged clergy across the country to tell Catholics to protest against the legislation because, if enacted, it could “seriously injure the family.”

He also said adoption by same-sex couples would result in “depriving (children) of the human growth that God wanted them given by a father and a mother.”

In 2006, he criticized an Argentine proposal to legalize abortion under certain circumstances as part of a wide-ranging legal reform. He accused the government of lacking respect for the values held by the majority of Argentines and of trying to convince the Catholic Church “to waver in our defense of the dignity of the person.”

His role often forced him to speak publicly about the economic, social and political problems facing his country. His homilies and speeches are filled with references to the fact that all people are brothers and sisters and that the church and the country need to do what they can to make sure that everyone feels welcome, respected and cared for.

Pope Francis’ Coat of Arms The Vatican has updated the coat of arms of Pope Francis.

The insignia borrows much from his former episcopal emblem. On the blue shield is the symbol of the Society of Jesus. Below it is a star and the buds of a spikenard flower, which represent respectively Mary and St. Joseph. The papal motto is the Latin phrase “Miserando atque eligendo,” which means “because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him” or more simply, “having mercy, he called him.” The phrase comes from a homily by St. Bede.

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Photo of Pope Francis embracing boy captures worldwide attention Pope as a child, photographed for his first Communion

CNS photo / courtesy Maria Elena Bergoglio via Reuters

Young Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, is pictured, left, with his brother, Oscar, following their first Communion in this 1942 family photo.

Gregorio Borgia, AP via CNS

This photo by AP photographer Gregorio Borgia of Pope Francis embracing 8-year-old Dominic Gondreau, who has cerebral palsy, captured the attention of people around the world. The moment took place after the new pontiff celebrated his first Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 31.

Through pope’s embrace, 8-year-old Rhode Island boy touches the world

By Rick Snizek Catholic News Service

By Easter Monday, it would be the shot seen around the world.

But a day earlier, Christiana Gondreau could not have imagined that a chance encounter she and her 8-year-old son, Dominic, had with Pope Francis in the middle of St. Peter’s Square following his first Easter Mass would touch the hearts of so many around the globe.

While making his way in the popemobile through a sea of faithful estimated at 250,000, the newly elected pontiff smiled and waved as he offered Easter greetings to those gathered.

At one point in his second journey around the square, on the way to delivering his Easter message “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world), the white Mercedes transporting the pope stopped. He reached over to greet Dominic after a compassionate Vatican usher named Augustino had repositioned mother and son at a corner of the path so the pontiff could better see them.

Pope Francis lifted Dominic, who has

cerebral palsy, while embracing and kissing him. He also spoke to the boy before gently placing the child back into his mother’s arms.

“The pope definitely was whispering to him, but there’s no way of knowing what he said. Is it a secret?” Gondreau said in a telephone interview from Rome with the Rhode Island Catholic, newspaper of the Providence Diocese.

She is certain, however, that the meeting was divinely inspired, and serves as a message that God shows favor to all his little ones.

“I do believe that it was a kiss from heaven, to say this child is loved and I know him,” Gondreau said.

As the pope moved on through the crowd, camera shutters continued to click on Dominic as those in attendance quickly realized they were witnessing a very moving moment.

“Your son is here to show others how to love,” Gondreau said one woman shouted out to her from the crowd after the pope departed.

Others asked her for her email, promising to send photos they had captured

“Pope Francis lifted Dominic, who has cerebral palsy, while embracing and kissing him. He also spoke to the boy before gently placing the child back into his mother’s arms.

”

of the pope and her son. She would be asked for interviews by news organizations from around the world.

“There was a part of me that didn’t want to leave that spot,” she said, savoring the special moment.

After the papal address she then made her way back across St. Peter’s Square from the special seating area offered to one parent or family member accompanying someone with a disability to the Mass.

It was there that she met up with her husband, Paul Gondreau, a theology professor at Providence College who is teaching a class in Rome this semester, and their four other children, including 5-year-old twin daughters Maria and Junia.

Paul Gondreau had become mesmerized by the encounter between his son and the pope that he had just witnessed on one of the large television screens broadcasting a live feed of the event from Vatican TV. His elder son Lucas, 12, was the first to notice the loving attention his brother was receiving from the pope, and quickly pointed it out to his father.

“I was just speechless. Lucas and I started crying,” Paul Gondreau said. “It seems the pope was captivated by Dominic.”

He likened the tender moment between pope and child to an encounter of a modern Francis with a modern Dominic, referring to an historic encounter tradition holds once occurred between St. Francis and St. Dominic.

For Lucas, an altar server back home who since arriving in Rome has already experienced the honor of serving Mass at the subterranean tomb of St. Peter beneath the Vatican basilica, witnessing the pope stop to greet his younger brother was something he’ll never for-

get.

“It was so touching to see my brother being picked up and held by the pope,” he said. “You could see on (Dominic’s) face how happy he was.”

The professor, along with his family of seven, is living in Rome this semester as he teaches a course on the New Testament and the Eternal City.

Together, they’ve been there for momentous events in the life of the church, from the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI to the election and installation of Pope Francis.

But the kindness shown to Dominic

by Pope Francis will be the most enduring part of their experience together.

Paul Gondreau believes no one shares in God's cross more intimately than the disabled, and that he extends his hand over the weak and the vulnerable so that they may serve as models of inspiration.

“No one plans to have a special needs child,” he said. “They are a tremendous blessing.”

He describes Dominic as “cognitively normal,” meaning he understands what is going on around him and can speak some words and some simple sentences, but that his limitations are purely physical.

“God has touched our family all our lives, now, he has touched the whole world with Dominic,” he added.

The Gondreaus’ eldest child, daughter Alena Maria, 16, has been using technology to keep family and friends back home up to date on the all the exciting events unfolding around them in Vatican City.

“I didn’t think that in being here all this would happen,” Alena Maria said.

Snizek is editor of the Rhode Island Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Providence.

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Pope washes the feet of 12 young detainees on Holy Thursday to serve them ‘from the heart’ Catholic News Service

Pope Francis told young inmates that, just as Jesus came to help and serve others, he, too, was at their service as a priest and bishop.

During the evening Mass at the chapel of Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young people of different nationalities and faiths, including at least two Muslims and two women, who are housed at the juvenile detention facility.

The ceremony of washing another’s feet “is important,” the pope said, because it shows that “the person who is most high among us must be at the service of the others.”

It also means that “we have to help one another, each one,” he said during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper March 28.

The pope broke with a papal Holy Week tradition of celebrating the evening Mass at a Rome basilica.

While the prison Mass marked a first for the modern papacy, the practice was nothing new to Pope Francis who, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, used to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper — which reflects on the call to imitate Christ by serving one another and commemorates Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist — in prisons, hospitals or shelters for the poor and marginalized.

The nearly 50 detainees, including about a dozen women, attended the Mass. Detainees did the readings and led the prayers of the faithful.

A group of young people who volunteer at the prison as well as a local charismatic group provided the music, playing acoustic guitar and leading the singing.

In his brief homily, which he delivered off-the-cuff,

Pope Francis explained what the ritual he was about to perform meant and what Jesus was teaching his disciples when he washed their feet at the Last Supper.

“To wash your feet, this is a symbol, a sign that I am at your service,” the pope said. “But it also means that we have to help each other.”

He told the young detainees that it was normal to get mad at others, “but let it be, let it be.” If that person “asks you a favor, do it. Let’s help each other,” he told them.

“This sign is a caress from Jesus,” he said, “because Jesus came exactly for this, to serve and to help us.”

He said that, while he was washing the feet of the 12 young men and women, all at the Mass should ask themselves, “Am I really willing to help others?”

He urged all the detainees to follow the Lord’s example and help others because that way “we will also do good” in the world. The pope knelt on both knees before the youths, washed, dried and then kissed their feet.

The pope later exchanged the sign of peace — a hug and kiss — with the young people whose feet he washed.

He also distributed Communion, which he had not been doing at more public Masses.

At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis greeted the residents and 150 members of the prison staff and other guests in the gym.

The pope thanked everyone for their warm welcome and said he was happy to be with them. In strong words of encouragement, he told the young people “Press on!

Don’t let yourselves be robbed of hope. Understood?”

One of the inmates asked the pope why he chose to visit their prison for Holy Thursday.

The pope said he wanted to go someplace “where there are people who perhaps can help me more in being humble, to be a servant as a bishop must.”

CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters

Pope Francis washes the foot of a prison inmate during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors March 28. Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young people of different nationalities and faiths, including at least two Muslims and two women, who are housed at the juvenile detention facility.

The pope’s Easter message

Holy Father calls Christians to be channels of mercy, justice, peace Catholic News Service With Jesus’ resurrection “love has triumphed, mercy has been victorious,” Pope Francis said in his first Easter message “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).

“Let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish,” the pope said after celebrating Easter morning Mass March 31.

Pope Francis offered special prayers for peace in Syria and the rest of the Middle East, for an end to violence in Africa — especially in Mali, Nigeria, Congo and the Central African Republic — and in Asia, particularly on the Korean peninsula.

He prayed for “peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century.”

Pope Francis said he would like to bring the good news of Christ’s resurrection to each person on earth, “to every house and every family, especially where suffering is greatest: in hospitals, in prisons.”

Easter, he said, “means that the love of God is stronger than evil and death itself; it means that the love of God can transform our lives and let those desert places in our hearts bloom.”

Easter dawned with blue skies and sunshine in Rome, but as the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, dark clouds began gathering overhead.

Still, some 250,000 people gathered for the Mass, and thousands more arrived for the pope’s blessing.

CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters

Pope Francis delivers his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica March 31.

“(Easter) means that the love of God is stronger than evil and death itself; it means that the love of God can transform our lives and let those desert places in our hearts bloom.

— Pope Francis

”

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In St. Peter’s Square

Students celebrate Easter Monday with Alleluia Party

Submitted photo

Seminarian William Slattery, in St. Peter’s Square. Read his thoughts, page 18.

‘Viva il Papa!’

Submitted photo

The third and fourth grade students are pictured on Easter Monday with Father Tom Graner, pastor, and Charley Epperson, principal, at the Alleluia Party.

By Sister Jean Louise Schafer, OSF

On Easter Monday the students at Little Flower School in Rugby processed with the “Alleluia” which they had buried on Ash Wednesday.

Since the Catholic Church does not use this word during Lent, a wise Franciscan Sister once impressed upon students one aspect of the sacrifice offered during Lent by burying the “Alleluia” on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

At Little Flower we did the same this year. Armed with ribbons and an “Alleluia” pennant, the staff and students marched through the halls of the school singing “Alleluia”, then went to the school cafeteria where all enjoyed cookies with morning milk break. Here students exchanged homemade Easter cards with the prayer partners whose names they had drawn on Ash Wednesday.

Good Friday prayers for an end to abortion

Photo by Eric Hylden, Grand Forks Herald

Elementary students at St. Michael's School in Grand Forks give an enthusiastic response as Father Gerard Braun tells them the name of the new Pope March 13.

By Nancy Kochmann

What a blessed time to be part of St. Michael’s Catholic School in Grand Forks!

When Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would be stepping down as the leader of our church, prayer and discussion about the conclave became part of our communal morning gathering time at St. Mike’s. The anticipation and enthusiasm erupted Wednesday [March 13] when white smoke signaled that a new pope had been selected.

I immediately made an intercom announcement and the classrooms exploded with thunderous cheers. I called Father [Gerard] Braun who said that he would ring the church bells once a name was announced.

When we witnessed movement of the curtains on the Sistine Chapel balcony, I made a second spontaneous intercom announcement asking teachers and students to drop everything, grab coats, and assemble on the church steps just as we had done in October to ring in the Year of Faith.

The atmosphere was electric. Our music teacher had instinctively grabbed the small hand bells each child had rung in October. Children and staff poured onto the church steps enthusiastically shaking their bells and chanting “Viva il Papa! Viva il Papa!”

(Italian for “Long live the pope”). More cheers erupted when Father Braun stepped out of the church to announce that our new leader is Pope Francis.

Then the reverberating St. Michael’s Church bells began ringing overhead sending chills, cheers, and praise heavenward. Following the bells, Father Braun led our St. Michael’s family in prayers of thanksgiving. Students returned to school filled with the Holy Spirit; knowing they had been part of a momentous, historic event—an aweinspiring memory etched in their hearts and souls forever.

Kochmann is principal of St. Michael’s Catholic School, Grand Forks.

Photo by Colleen Samson

On Good Friday, people gathered outside the Red River Women’s Clinic in downtown Fargo to pray the Stations of the Cross. Led by Msgr. Joseph Goering, vicar general for the Diocese of Fargo and rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Stations helped those who were praying relate the sufferings of Jesus to the sufferings of the innocent unborn who are killed through abortion. They also prayed for mothers, fathers and those who work in the abortion industry. Twenty or more babies are aborted on average each week at the clinic.

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Bishop blesses oils, priests renew vows at Chrism Mass

By Katie Wise

The Chrism Mass for the diocese was held on March 26 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo. Priests of the diocese renewed their priestly commitment and representatives from parishes throughout the diocese were present to accept oils for their respective parishes.

Bishop David Kagan, Bishop of Bismarck and Apostolic Administrator of Fargo, presided at the Mass and blessed the three oils to be used in the coming year. The oils blessed were sacred chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation and in the ordination of priests and bishops; the oil of catechumens, which is also used in baptism; and the oil of the sick, which is used in the anointing of the sick.

In his homily, Bishop Kagan spoke directly to priests as he reminded them of their sacramental vocation, “a personal call to conform ourselves to Jesus Christ, not just in mind but in mind and heart, body and soul. Not first, for our sakes, but for the fulfillment of his will and his work,” he said.

Bishop Kagan continued by saying, “We know that his plan and purpose for the world is its salvation. Moreover, we know that his purpose and his will are realized in the most holy sacrifice of the Mass, the perfect offering of the Son to the Father for our sakes,” he added.

The bishop noted that Pope Benedict XVI confirmed this same truth in his September 2008 homily in Paris. Pope Benedict said, “Do not be afraid to give your life to Christ! Nothing will ever replace a Mass for the salvation of the world!”

Following the homily, the priests in attendance stood to renew their commitment to priestly service. Bishop Kagan asked the priests if they, in the presence of God’s holy people, were ready to renew their priestly promises.

“I am,” the priests responded as one.

Bishop Kagan then asked the priests

Photo by Katie Wise

Bishop David Kagan blesses the oils to be used in anointings, baptisms, confirmations and ordinations this year in the diocese at the March 26 Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.

if they were resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to him.

“I am,” the priests responded together.

“Are you resolved to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls?” the prelate asked.

Again, the group answered in unison, “I am.”

The oils blessed were sacred chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation and in the ordination of priests and bishops; the oil of catechumens, which is also used in baptism; and the oil of the sick, which is used in the anointing of the sick.

St. Catherine students celebrate a Seder Meal A first for many in Valley City Students in grades 5 and 6 at St. Catherine School in Valley City celebrated a Seder Meal on Holy Thursday.

The Seder Meal celebrates and remembers the Passover night when God rescued the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt.

The Seder Meal is done in a very specific sequence as the word Seder means “order” in Hebrew.

The meal reminded the students of the rich Jewish heritage and how Jesus celebrated the First Eucharist at the Passover Meal.

Religion class during Lent focused on Moses and the Israelites and their journey to the Promised Land.

Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, pastor of St. Catherine’s Parish, joined the classes for the meal and prayer service.

For most of the students it was their first time eating lamb.

As part of the preparation for the meal, each student made their own matzah (unleavened bread).

Submitted photo

Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, pastor of St. Catherine, Valley City, dines with some of the St. Catherine School students at the Seder Meal on Holy Thursday.

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New wine in new skins First-person report on the papal transition from a Fargo Diocese priest stationed in Rome

By Father Michael Hickin

A

s news of Pope Benedict’s resignation spread through the North American College [in Rome], a crosscurrent of reactions created some interesting weather patterns.

Some men felt angry, others struggled with resentment, even a sense of betrayal; some expressed respectful wonder or found the decision admirable and heroic. Everyone without exception had first to pass through disbelief in order to come to grips with what was happening.

In those closing days of Benedict’s pontificate, I ventured down to St. Peter’s Square more often than usual. I took articles to be blessed by him for the final public Mass and last Angelus address.

An uncommon mix of joy and sorrow hung in the air.

The serenity in his voice put me at ease, and I was led to see that this man who sat upon the most influential seat in the Catholic Church was declaring with great peace of conscience that the most important thing he could do for the church was retire into a life of prayer. I felt my own prayer life and that of so many contemplatives scattered throughout the Church, hidden in countless homes or in myriad religious communities, deeply affirmed.

As Benedict flew overhead in the helicopter ride to Castel Gandolfo, I was in my room meeting with someone who preferred to grapple with the particulars of the spiritual life rather than participate in the hoopla of those on the roof waving goodbye.

A change in the hovering patterns of the escort helicopters alerted me to the fact that his moment had come. I arose and leaned out my fifth story window to see his vehicle fly into the distance and bank over the Lateran Basilica. I smiled big with a wave. I was happy for him. I was hopeful for us, for I knew he knew what was best for the church.

Still, the following days were mournful. Looking at the papal apartments

Photo by Father Michael Hickin

For Pope Francis’ first Mass, Father Michael Hickin of the Diocese of Fargo helped distribute holy Communion. Here are the hosts to be consecrated during the Mass.

with the lights out was like looking upon the body of a loved one who had just passed into the next life. The shell is there but nobody’s home.

T

he somber tones of a popeless Church were soon lifted by the incoming cardinals, who brought with them a solemn excitement.

The NAC offered hospitality to a majority of the U.S. cardinals. The faculty had to clear out of our dining room so they could be left at peace to take their meals free to air whatever needed discussing in those crucial days of exami-

nation. Talk of a possible American Pope imbued the seminary with additional electricity and chatter. Focus for prayer was not difficult.

After the emotionally charged Mass opening the conclave, the faithful were able to mingle freely with the cardinals.

I especially enjoyed watching big Cardinal Timothy Dolan offer his arm to hobbling Cardinal Francis George, as New York escorted Chicago to the St. Martha guest house where the papal electors would be staying during the conclave.

The atmosphere was truly jovial. But

as one cardinal told us after the election, when the doors of the Sistine chapel closed, an indescribable weight of responsibility descended upon those scarlet shoulders.

Like most people, I ventured down to sopping wet St. Peter’s Square Wednesday evening, March 13, with little expectation of seeing a new Holy Father. I have an amateur video of the white smoke with my voice cracking in tears of wonderment as we begin to pray for the one who will appear on that balcony.

Packed like sardines under a web of umbrellas, we gradually closed them as the rains subsided between the “Habemus Papam” and his appearance.

Unlike many, I found myself in the midst of some impish young men as we waited. In particular, there was a pair of twenty-something chain-smoking Italians who kept making irreverent jokes. I mention it only to accentuate the miracle.

When Pope Francis asked to be blessed by the crowd, within very few seconds the silence was absolute. These two men next to me, who’d been rather disrespectful to their fellows in their actions and to the church in their talk, became instant angels.

When a few minutes later Francis spoke about the new evangelization of Rome, I felt as though I’d just witnessed exhibit #1 in the two guys who had just done a spiritual 180 degrees. I’ve never felt God so palpably present in a gathering of people.

From the sounds of what we’re hearing with each new day, something has been unleashed in our midst. From what I saw and heard, I believe it is nothing less than a someone, the Holy Spirit — surely no stranger to our company, and yet so many agree: newness is everywhere.

Father Hickin is a priest of the Diocese of Fargo and serves as a spiritual director at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

1417 South University Drive, Fargo, ND 58103

Go to www.fargodiocese.org to learn more.

APRIL 2013 ■ 13

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Home Missions Appeal serves U.S. dioceses, including Fargo Local programs supported

by April 27-28 collection The 2013 Catholic Home Missions Appeal will be taken up in many dioceses the weekend of April 27 and 28, helping to bridge the gap for isolated parishes and missions in dioceses and eparchies across the United States and in the U.S. territories of the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

The annual appeal is the primary source of funding for grants from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions. In the United States, 44 percent of all dioceses and eparchies currently receive support from the appeal for basic and essential pastoral programs.

For 2013, the Diocese of Fargo is receiving grants from the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions for a small parish cluster, permanent diaconate formation, graduate studies for priests, the Young Disciples program and the diocesan newspaper, New Earth.

These five funded areas provide for a Catholic presence, trained and ordained clergy, summer catechesis (camps) for our youth, and communications, which includes catechesis and evangelization through our newspaper.

“Many Catholics in the United States don’t realize how many dioceses are struggling, often right next door,” said Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior, Wis., chairman of the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions.

“Once appointed bishop of Superior, I became painfully aware that my former parish budget and staff were more than double the operations of the entire diocese I now serve.”

Grants from the Catholic Home Missions Appeal help support 84 struggling dioceses.

More information on the Catholic Home Missions Appeal and the projects it funds can be found at www.usccb.org/catholic giving/opportunities-for-giving/catholichome-missions-appeal/.

Catholic United Financial gives grants to seminarians Twelve men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Fargo were among 142 men who received grants from the Msgr. Richard J. Schuler Seminarian Charitable Trust administered by the Catholic United Financial Foundation.

The funds are intended for use as dayto-day money for the seminarians.

Studying at seminary is mentally and spiritually challenging. According to some past recipients, it is almost impossible to earn an income during their formation. Because of this, even the modest sum of $200 to $400 can make a big difference in just going to a movie, paying an insurance co-pay or getting some auto work done.

The seminarians are Riley Durkin, Zachary Howick, Robert Keller, John Klocke, Paul Kuhn, Kyle Metzger, John Miller, Deacon Sean Mulligan, John Norberg, Patrick Parks, Eric Seitz and Steven Wirth.

Photo by Christopher Brashears, Pontifical North American College

Archbishop Joseph A. Di Noia, O.P., instituted 62 seminarians, including William Slattery from the Diocese of Fargo, as acolytes March 3 in Rome.

William Slattery instituted to the ministry of acolyte William Patrick Slattery, a seminarian of the Diocese of Fargo, was among 62 seminarians of the Pontifical North American College who were instituted to the ministry of acolyte March 3 during a celebration of the Eucharist. He is in his second year of theological studies.

Archbishop Joseph A. Di Noia, O.P., vice president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, celebrated the Mass and instituted the new acolytes.

Among the concelebrants of the Mass were nine cardinals from the United States, present in Rome for the conclave.

Handing to each seminarian the gold paten used in the celebration of the Eucharist, Archbishop Di Noia said, “Take this vessel of bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your lives worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his church.”

In his homily, Archbishop Di Noia explained that through their institution the church has given the new acolytes the responsibility to assist priests and deacons in carrying out their ministry, and as special ministers to give Holy Communion to the faithful at Mass and to the sick.

Archbishop Di Noia exhorted the newly instituted acolytes to “strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be conformed ever more perfectly to Christ himself.”

He encouraged the newly instituted acolytes to “strive to understand the deep spiritual meaning of what you do, so that you may offer yourselves daily to God as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Jesus Christ”.

These seminarians have now received both the ministry of lector and acolyte

in anticipation of their diaconal, and then priestly, ordination. As the rite indicates, an acolyte is charged with assisting at the celebration of the Eucharist, purifying the sacred vessels and when needed to assist with the distribution of holy Communion.

The Pontifical North American College, founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, serves as the American house of studies in Rome; where over 5,000 priests have been formed for service in dioceses across North America and around the world. The college strengthens the bonds between Rome and local churches worldwide, and it allows its students to study the Catholic Church’s rich religious and cultural heritage at close proximity.

Vatican asks that we pray on April 21 — World Vocations Day The Vatican has set the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations for April 21, the fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Vocations as a sign of hope founded in faith.” The theme underscores the hope that vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life bring to the entire Catholic Church.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, echoed the challenge.

“The Church’s basic mission is to preach the Gospel and help build a civilization of love in our world today,” he said. “We need good holy priests and dedicated men and women committed to the consecrated life to help build the Kingdom of God here and now. Therefore, we want a stronger culture of vocations in our own nation to help each Catholic realize that we all have a responsibility to invite young people to consider if God is calling them to the priesthood or consecrated life.”

The U.S. Bishops’ website at www.usccb.org/vocations hosts resources to help laity and clergy build a culture of vocations in homes and parishes. Elements include videos of priests and religious men and women giving witness to their vocations, videos of testimonies from parents whose children have answered a vocation to the priesthood and consecrated life, prayers and discernment resources for men and women, downloadable lesson plans for educators, and retreat resources for

parishes.

“We have seen a slight increase in religious vocations in the U.S. over the past few years. It is our hope to continue this development by helping every member of the church to encourage and promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life,” said Father John Guthrie, associate director of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. “The resources on the website are valuable tools in this effort.”

Seeking continuous prayer for vocations The website www.invisiblemonastery.com allows people the opportunity to pledge to pray for vocations as a response to the March 2012 recommendation in the Holy See’s Pastoral Guidelines for Fostering Vocations to Priestly Ministries, which said, “It would be good . . . to organize an ‘invisible monastery’ in which many persons, day and night, are committed to continuous prayer for priestly vocations.’”

When you sign up on the site, you can designate how often you will pray, what your prayer will include, and the country and diocese that you are from.

Providing your contact information will allow the vocation director of the diocese to contact you occasionally with special prayer requests and will ensure you receive a quarterly e-newsletter with prayers, resources and ideas for promoting vocations.

14 ■ APRIL 2013

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Star Parker tells banquet attendees:

‘You are the Harriet Tubmans of today’

By Roxane B. Salonen

At the recent FirstChoice Clinic fundraising banquet in Fargo, Star Parker said it was worth traversing chilly, snow-filled flatlands in her first-ever trip to North Dakota to meet those she considers “the Harriet Tubmans of today.”

“I always look forward to opportunities to go out and meet decent people in quiet communities doing this amazing work,” she said.

Speaking before a crowd of around 750 at Fargo’s Holiday Inn March 11 — a scene she repeated the next evening to nearly 450 in Mandan — Parker, a conservative political activist and postabortive mother and grandmother, said the work being done here is making a difference.

Even after Harriet Tubman escaped slavery, Parker said, she kept going back to the site of her enslavement like other abolitionists, working largely underground, “pulling people off the tracks one by one as the trains passed.”

“There are many in the pro-life movement today working in the 5,000 pregnancy care centers across the country,” she said, “and people like you saying, ‘We can make a difference in our community.’”

Testimony speaks loudly Parker said in those earlier times, as now, a big moral question lay on the table. While most of the nation grappled over how to answer it, others went about the work of saving lives.

She likened those brave deeds to what happens every day at FirstChoice Clinic, referencing the two clients who’d earlier given testimonies on having chosen life for their children because of the clinic’s care and support.

“We just saw two (babies) that were spared,” Parker said, repeating how one young father had called FirstChoice Clinic not realizing its mission wasn’t to abort — “a miracle in itself.”

“This isn’t the first time we’ve confronted ourselves with what we’ve done,” she said. “For the last 40 years, we’ve been pulling apart, limb by limb, what God calls his reward. Fifty-five million dead later should give us great

pause.”

Abortion may be legal, she said, but it’s not lawful in God’s eyes. “We want people to stay focused on getting rid of this horrible crime against humanity,” she said, “reminding them that God will overturn Roe v. Wade someday.”

Continuing to draw on the past, Parker mentioned others from history, including Frederick Douglas, who escaped slavery to become a great orator and “went up against the legislators of that day, reminding them that we have to look for ways to remove this horrible stitch from our society.”

She recalled slave-abolitionist activists like William Lloyd Garrison and said he was not unlike those who stand on street corners today carrying signs to remind us what we’re fighting for.

And then there was Elijah Lovejoy, who kept putting out his abolitionist newspaper despite his shop being burned numerous times.

Parker said if there had been a FirstChoice Clinic in her life when she was younger, it might have prevented her from making “horrible decisions.”

It wasn’t until after her fourth pregnancy that she realized deep down inside there must be something wrong with killing your offspring, she said.

Each day for the past 40 years, Parker reminded, up to 5,000 women got up in the morning and said, “Today’s the day.”

“They go into a room with piped-in music, maybe a little picture of a flower on the wall, and sit with their heads down,” she said. “Then your name gets called and they put you to sleep, and you go out changed forever.”

Parker said God gave man instructions through the Scripture on how to live well, but we started changing the rules, to our detriment.

“Within five years after Dr. (Martin Luther) King’s death, we started a war on poverty and the sexual revolution,” she said. “We began to get lost, and I got caught up in it, too.”

Now, she said, we’ve got Planned Parenthood receiving about $500 million from taxpayers a year, and aborting a

Photo by Roxane B. Salonen

Two FirstChoice Clinic clients, left, shared their testimonials at the Fargo banquet and introduced their babies, who live as a result of FirstChoice Clinic’s efforts. Holding one of the babies, right, is Lisa Swan, FirstChoice Clinic client services director.

child every 94 seconds. “They’re cooking the books, pretending there’s no blood on our hands.”

Places like FirstChoice Clinic have a crucial first answer to the conundrum, she said. “Our job isn’t to determine what’s going to happen to the child, but determine whether that child has life,” she said. “God will answer the rest of these questions…we just need to make sure these children are born.”

Parker said we all have a role to play in this great, cultural war. In the meantime, we need to tell people God loves them. “When I heard that it freed me

to make different decisions in my life,” she said.

“You don’t want to be the silent one that heard the trains go by and said, ‘That’s not my business,’” she concluded. “You want to be the one who said, ‘I did everything I could do to stop it.’”

FirstChoice Clinic has three sites in North Dakota — Fargo-Moorhead, Bismarck-Mandan and Devils Lake.

Roxane B. Salonen is a freelance writer and member of Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo.

FirstChoice Clinic to host Swinging Fore Life event If you golf and have a heart for life, consider FirstChoice Clinic’s 19th annual Golf Marathon Tuesday, June 4, at Rose Creek Golf Course in Fargo. Golfers work to complete 100 holes of golf in one day, with a few modified rules.

Golfers collect pledges ranging from $1 a hole to $100 a hole. There is no dollar limit. All proceeds go to FirstChoice Clinic, which provides life-affirming services for vulnerable mothers and their families.

Volunteer golfers can join the event on their own, partner with a friend to raise funds and golf together, or organize a group of golfers from their church, business or community to golf as a team. Sponsorships are available, with signs indicating sponsoring businesses on the greens.

To golf, sponsor the event, or ask questions, contact Mona Franck at FirstChoice Clinic at (701) 237-5902 or mona@firstchoiceclinic.com.

Give A Gift to Help Keep the TV Mass on the Air! The best gift for those you love who are nursing home residents, shut-ins, or non-practicing Catholics WDAY, Channel 6, Fargo — WDAZ, Channel 8, Grand Forks 10:30 a.m. Sunday Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip _____________________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________________________________________________________ A GIFT FOR: Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip _____________________________________________________________________

“I support the TV Mass because it was an important part of my mother’s life. My husband and I would sometimes watch it with her. I’m thankful that the TV Mass was there for her.”

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Or, IN MEMORY OF: Name ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ I would like this listed at the end of the TV Mass on this date(s): ____________________________ MAIL TO: TV Mass, Diocese of Fargo, 5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605

APRIL 2013 ■ 15

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St. James Academy memories

Alums share stories before Mass of Thanksgiving June 30

By Sandra Nystrom

To quote the New Rockford Centennial History Committee, “It goes without saying that history is people. Therefore our stories . . . are really about people.”

Sister Andrea remembers Sister Andrea Arendt shared the following about her years at St. James Academy in New Rockford: “One of the big things for me is that my vocation to religious life was nurtured, poked and prodded during my four years of high school at St. James, 1959-1963. It is a big part of my vocation story every time I tell it.

“In religion classes with Father John Wanzek, we studied the four vocations: priesthood, religious life, marriage and the single life. Then we had to write a paper about what vocation we thought we were being called to. All those who said they thought they had a vocation to priesthood and/or religious life got called into his office.

“I remember wanting to go to college for one year but I didn’t have any good reason why, so I entered the community of Presentation Sisters the September after graduation and have not regretted it.

“I also remember that this was before Vatican II, but Father Wanzek had us participating at Mass as much as we pos-

sibly could, answering or chanting the prayers in Latin. Liturgy was very important and it continues to be important for me to this day.

“The presence of the Presentation Sisters was important as they also were very encouraging. We got to know the sisters at Sodality of Mary gatherings and realized they enjoyed their life and wanted to share it. I am ever so grateful for the education they gave us and that they have put up with me for 50 years!”

Father Haas remembers Father Lawrence Haas, who served as an associate at St. John the Evangelist Church in New Rockford, has this amusing memory to share: “As I remember, the sisters were always so dedicated to teaching the students about their faith and how to live it and make their faith an important part of their lives. They also tried to help form good habits for daily living.

“Sister Camilus, the principal, heard that one of the eighth grade boys had started to smoke. So being concerned about his health, she decided to help him quit. She had someone buy a big, black, strong, stinky cigar. She called him in to her office after school, shut the door and said, ‘I hear you like to smoke.’ He said, ‘Yes, Sister, I do.’

“She said, ‘Then I have a special treat for you this afternoon.’ She brought out the big cigar and handed it to him,

Submitted photo

Father Peter Hughes roller skates with New Rockford youth during his tenure at St. John’s Parish and St. James School.

thinking that he would get sick and never smoke again.

“He took the cigar, took the paper off, licked the outside of the cigar and put it in his mouth. Sister lit a match and lit the cigar for him. He sat there smoking the cigar and even blew some smoke rings as the cigar got shorter and shorter.

Finally the butt got so short he could hardly hold on to it. As he snuffed the butt out in the ash tray, he said, ‘Thanks, Sister, that was very good. You wouldn’t happen to have another one, would you?’ No name is mentioned in order to protect the guilty.

dressing up in their homemade costumes as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds and wise men. Acting out the story of Jesus’ birth really made Christmas seem much more tangible and special. Most of my memories from St. James are fond ones and bring a smile to my face as I reminisce about my short time there.”

Gietzen was a student at St. James the last year the school was open.

A Mass of Thanksgiving for St. James Academy will be held on Sunday, June 30, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in New Rockford. Anyone who has memories they are willing to share in the “history” of St. James is asked to send them to Sandra Nystrom at sdnys2@gmail.com or mail them to St. John’s Parish, Box 389, New Rockford, ND 58356.

Maris (Nicolai) Gietzen remembers “My strongest memory of St. James School,” says Maris (Nicolai) Gietzen, “is participating in the Nativity play at Christmas time. I remember all the kids

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16 ■ APRIL 2013

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Bismarck Diocese expects 5,000+ to attend THIRST 2013 Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Scott Hahn, Catholic rock band and Mass scheduled for free Eucharistic Conference

Submitted photo

Participating in the 24-hour Food Fast in Casselton were, front row from left, Sue Knoll, Desiree Wilson, Abby Reitan, Grace Absey, Maddie Bessler, Sarah Ambuehl and Father James Ermer; back row, Austin Reitan, Rebecca Carvell, Lia Coyle and Natalie Lies.

Students experience challenge of hunger via 24-hour Food Fast

By Natalie Lies

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” — Matthew 25:35.

Ten youth and adults fasted for 24 hours from 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, for the Catholic Relief Services 24-hour Food Fast. This was a great Lenten activity to raise money and awareness for the hungry in our world.

St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Casselton hosted the event. Participants included Sarah Ambuehl, Grace Absey, Lia Coyle and youth minister Natalie Lies from St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and Maddie Bessler and youth minister Desiree Wilson from Nativity Church, all in Fargo. The host church had Rebecca Carvell, Abby Reitan, Austin Reitan and youth minister Sue Knoll participate.

The 24 hours were filled with prayer, service and fun. Friday night started with a brief outline of fasting and the youth got to decorate shirts to unite them in solidarity for the fast. They also heard from a Peace Corps volunteer, Deidra Lies, about her experience in Panama and how the people there did not have much but still lived life to the fullest. Father James Ermer led the group in Eucharistic adoration and evening prayer and they ended the night with the movie “The Human Experience.”

Saturday began with Morning Prayer

and a breakfast of water and Powerade.

No solid foods were allowed during the 24 hours. Youth and adults split into groups to play Bingo at Casselwood Retirement Center in Casselton and the Good Samaritan Retirement Home in Arthur. A lunch of liquid followed, as did finishing the shirts and helping with a mailing for the Community of Care, a rural outreach program in Cass County.

On Saturday afternoon, the participants organized and restocked the Casselton Emergency Food Pantry at St. Leo’s with food from the “Fill the Dome” project. The food looked tempting but the youth just drank more water.

Tie blankets were made to help provide warmth to those who are hungry. Mass was celebrated at 5 p.m. on Saturday and the fast was broken by receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord. A dinner for the 24-hour fasters and their families after the Mass was a great welcome after 24 hours of hunger.

“Going hungry for 24 hours makes you appreciate what you have,” Lia Coyle said, summing up the feeling of the group.

The fast was a choice for the group, but others have no choice in their hunger. May we always remember to help those in need.

“Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours. Blest are you who hunger; you shall be filled” — Luke 6:20-21.

Obituary Father Samuel Ezeibekwe served in diocese for 15 years Father Samuel Okafor Ezeibekwe, 65, died unexpectedly at the rectory of St. John Nepomucene Church in Pisek on Sunday, March 10. His funeral Mass was celebrated March 14 at the church.

He was born on April 2, 1947, in Anambra State, Nigeria. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained on June 30, 1979, for the Diocese of Awka, Nigeria. In 1991, Father Ezeibekwe came to the United States to pursue advanced degrees in religious studies

and systematic theology.

Father Ezeibekwe began serving within the Diocese of Fargo in 1998.

He served as parochial vicar at Holy Family parish, Grand Forks, from 1998 to 1999.

He served as pastor of St. Lawrence O’Toole parish in Michigan, with its mission parishes in Bechyne and Lomice, from 1999 to 2005.

In 2005, Father Ezeibekwe was appointed pastor of St. John Nepomucene parish in Pisek, Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Bechyne, and St. Joseph parish in Lankin, and he was serving these three parishes at the time of his death. He was also Dean for Deanery IV from 2005 to 2010.

The Catholic Diocese of Bismarck is planning to finish the last month of the Year of Faith in a huge way with the THIRST 2013 Conference at the Bismarck Civic Center Oct. 25 through 27.

“When brainstorming events for the Year of Faith, the planning committee began discussing the idea of having a conference as a climactic event to bring the diocese together,” said Michelle Duppong, the Bismarck Diocese coordinator for the Year of Faith. “At a minimum, we’re expecting 5,000 people, but we want to pack the place and experience the power of the presence of Christ’s body!”

The event will begin Friday evening with Mass and a keynote by Dr. Scott Hahn, an internationally renowned Catholic author, speaker and former Protestant minister followed by a concert by “The Thirsting,” a four-piece Catholic alternative rock band from Vancouver, Wash. Saturday will feature a highly anticipated presentation by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Other speakers include popular youth presenter Chris Stefanick and husbandwife tandem Peter and Debbie Herbeck, among others.

“The caliber of speakers is the best of the best,” said Msgr. Chad Gion, chair of the Speakers Committee for THIRST

Father Pavone to speak at Bismarck pro-life rally April 17 Bishop David Kagan and several pro-life organizations are urging attendance at an important rally to celebrate the enactment of the new pro-life laws in North Dakota and to show appreciation to the legislators and Gov. Dalrymple for their support.

Father Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life, will be the key speaker at the rally to be held Wednesday, April 17, at 3 p.m. on the steps of the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck.

For more information, call 1-800247-0343.

2013. “These are nationally known speakers on the faith and we’re phenomenally blessed to be able to host an event of this quality. It’s not an exaggeration to say that you really couldn’t do better in terms of quality of speakers.”

The event also includes time for prayer, confession and Eucharistic adoration and ends with Mass on Sunday which Duppong hopes will include many priests, deacons and lay people from North Dakota and the surrounding region.

Duppong said individuals of all faith denominations are invited to attend in order to “have an encounter with Jesus Christ and see the friendship he desires to share with every one of us.”

“People should come to THIRST to find Jesus and say ‘yes’ to his offer of friendship with them because they will never have a better and more faithful friend,” said Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck. Bishop Kagan added that those who attend will “be sent home much different from when they arrived” with “peace of mind and heart.”

THIRST 2013 is a free event, but participants are encouraged to reserve their spot at the conference by registering online and getting more information at www.bismarckdiocese.com/events.

Cathedral to host its Spring Celebration On May 4 and 5, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 604 Broadway, Fargo, will host its 8th annual Spring Celebration. Your mission: to attend St. Mary’s “Reborn Identity” event, along with the rest of the area’s secret agents and spies.

Saturday night will feature “Top Secret” entertainment. A live auction will be offering some great items, including gifts from many local restaurants and vendors. A delicious meal will begin at 5:30 p.m., featuring a pork loin with mustard sauce and rosemary roasted potatoes dinner. The cost is: adults, $9; ages 6-12, $6; ages 5 and under are free.

Sunday features a carnival for sleuths and gumshoes of all ages, and the Knights of Columbus will grill their famous Buffalo Burger Baskets from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is: adults, $7; ages 6-12, $5; ages 5 and under are free.

Raffle winners will be drawn on Sunday at 2 p.m. for a chance at $4,400 in cash and prizes.

Commentary

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APRIL 2013 ■ 17

Legislature and governor enact three pro-life measures Campaign of misinformation by Planned Parenthood will likely continue

N

orth Dakota’s legislature and Gov. Jack Dalrymple have enacted three pro-life measures.

Even before their enactment, opponents of the measures started a campaign of misinformation and attacks that, backed

by Planned Parenthood’s money, will probably continue for years.

Some of the claims, even if ultimately without merit, deserve detailed discussion. Others, however, are so silly and factually baseless that we should immediately dispose of them as having no legitimacy. Thus:

ing” rights, the bills expand rights. No one today calls the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment “restrictive.”

Claim: All the legislation was jointly dictated by Rep. Bette Grande and Sen. Margaret Sitte.

Nothing infuriates proabortion groups more than women taking the lead for pro-life legislation. Not able to intellectually explain why women are pro-life, abortion activists released a barrage of vitriol directed personally at Sitte and Claim: The “bills” ban Grande. So quick are all abortions. they to attack that they Only one of the bills do not check the facts. bans abortion and that Sometimes Grande has one has exceptions. One been criticized for somebill prohibits gender and thing involving Sitte and genetic abnormality disvisa versa. In some cases, Christopher Dodson crimination in the neither were involved. womb. Another merely Moreover, although Grande and Sitte requires that an abortionist have admithave certainly played leadership roles ting privileges at a local hospital. on pro-life bills it takes majorities in committees and chambers to pass legisClaim: North Dakota has moved lation. The sole reason for animosity di“backwards” with the most “restrictive rected at them is that they were women laws in the nation.” who dared to speak out for the defense This turns the issue on its head. Proof life, violating the “all women are protecting more human lives under the law choice” picture abortion proponents try is moving forward. Rather than “restrictso hard to paint.

Catholic Action

Claim: The legislation is anti-science and establishes a theocracy.

Anyone who sat through the committee hearings and floor debates will attest that the bill’s proponents relied on science and rarely, if ever, used religious arguments. The opponents, however, evaded scientific questions and invoked fuzzy religious-sounding arguments about when life begins. The mere fact that supporters of life are motivated by religious beliefs does not mean that the law itself is religious.

Claim: The number of letters in the paper and Facebook posts opposing the bills means that most people oppose the measures.

Facebook posts are a silly way to measure public sentiment and anyone who has tried to get their letter printed in a newspaper will tell you that not every letter gets published. We actually have a system for determining public opinion called representative democracy. It is not a perfect system but representatives elected directly by local citizens better reflect the will of the people than the number of letters in a newspaper.

Claim: The legislature is obsessed with abortion this year.

Taxes, roads, energy, and many other issues dominate the legislature’s time and attention. They gave the pro-life bills due attention, but were not preoc-

cupied by them. The preoccupation comes from the media and blogs that, lacking an explanation that suits their pro-abortion rights world-view, have tried to portray the North Dakota legislature as a bunch of wild-eyed theocrats intent on only passing abortion bills.

Claim: Legislators were bullied by a few into making bad law.

The writer of this accusation certainly has little understanding of how the legislature works or respect for legislators.

Do they really think that a handful of legislators could intimidate a majority of legislators from both political parties?

Moreover, it was the abortion rights groups, not the pro-lifers, that used rallies and heavy-handed tactics to try to convince legislators to oppose the bills.

Claim: Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.

Roe v. Wade has not been the law of the land for decades. The U.S. Supreme Court, though not going far enough in the direction of protecting life, has repeatedly reshaped abortion jurisprudence, usually moving in the direction of protecting human life. Let us pray the court continues to move in that direction.

Dodson is executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. For more information, visit the NDCC website at ndcatholic.org.

Five ways a gift annuity can benefit you

H

ave you considered the benefits of obtaining a charitable gift annuity with Catholic Development Foundation? Here are five points to consider: 1. Attractive rates. As an example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, in their mid-80s, are receiving a modest income from their certificate of deposit. When the CD matures in two months, they plan to obtain a gift annuity through the Catholic Development Foundation and start receiving 7.5% percent.

Many folks in their retirement years will be pleased when they compare their low investment rates with the current annuity rates offered by Catholic Development Foundation.

In the case of Mrs. Jones mentioned earlier, her $25,000 gift annuity produced a charitable tax deduction of $14,000. The deduction is available for the tax year when the gift annuity is established. If it cannot be used entirely, the donor has up to five years to carry forward the unused amount. The tax advantages with the charitable deduction make the effective rate of the gift annuity even higher than the rate used to establish the annuity.

4. Fixed, regular payments. It is nice to be able to count on a specific amount of payment no matter what happens to the financial markets.

Your annuity payments will remain the same every year. And since gift annuity payments are backed by the full assets 2. Tax-free payments. of the Catholic DevelopSteve Schons Part of each annuity payment Foundation, you ment is tax- free. For exhave assurance that your check will be ample, Mrs. Jones, age 82, contributed in the mail (or direct deposited) every a check for $25,000 toward a gift annupayment date for the rest of your life. ity. Every year, she will receive $2,000 (8%). Of this amount, $1,750 will be ex5. Personal satisfaction. Perhaps the cluded from income taxes. The tax-free greatest benefit of a Catholic Developportion of the annuity payment is conment Foundation gift annuity is the persidered "return of principal" and consonal fulfillment you receive by helping tinues through the annuitant's estithe Catholic program of your choice, as mated life expectancy. well as yourself.

Stewardship

3. Income tax deduction. Because a charitable gift annuity is partly a gift and partly an investment in an annuity contract, the donor who itemizes is entitled to an income tax deduction for the gift portion of his or her annuity amount.

T

here are additional reasons for obtaining a gift annuity with the Catholic Development Foundation.

Some people like the idea of reducing the size of their estate, thus lowering potential estate taxes. Others like the ease and simplicity of establishing a gift

(Please complete and return this reply form.)

YES, I would like a personalized gift annuity illustration. ❑ Please mail the illustration to me. ❑ Please contact me to arrange for a visit. _____________________________________________________________________

NAME

_____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS

_____________________________________________________________________

CITY

___________________________ STATE

_____________

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PHONE

Information needed to complete illustration (confidential): ____________________________________________________ NAME AND BIRTHDATE OF PERSON TO RECEIVE ANNUITY PAYMENTS

____________________________________________________ NAME AND BIRTHDATE OF SECOND PERSON TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

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Amount to be used for illustration: $__________ Type of asset: ❑ cash

❑ stocks/bonds (original cost: $ _______________)

Desired frequency of payment: ❑ annually ❑ semi-annually

❑ quarterly

❑ monthly

Mail this form to: Catholic Development Foundation, 5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104.

annuity.

People with highly appreciated stock can also benefit from a gift annuity.

They particularly like the partial bypass of capital gains they receive.

If a charitable gift annuity is a plan you would like to know more about, I’d

be happy to provide you with a personalized illustration. Simply complete and return this form or contact me at (701) 356-7926 or steve.schons@fargodiocese.org.

Steve Schons is director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Fargo.

18 ■ APRIL 2013

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The experience of the last few weeks in Rome Editor’s note: William Slattery is a seminarian studying for the Diocese of Fargo at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Father Matthew Kraemer, a priest of the Diocese of Fargo, is doing continuing education there. Interviewed via email, they offered these thoughts, edited for New Earth, on the final days of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate and the announcement of the election of Pope Francis.

Pope Benedict XVI William Slattery: I was in my last hour of lecture when I first heard about the resignation address that Benedict had given. One of my fellow classmates who had a smartphone received an electronic update and informed the class as we were leaving. I certainly was shocked, and so were my classmates. Many of us did not believe the reporting at first, but as we arrived home and we checked all the news sites it was unanimous.

It was an interesting experience to go to his last events. Many of the faithful wanted to be there to support him in his last days of his papacy, but in many ways he supported us and consoled the faithful who gathered around him with his words of encouragement and hope for the future of the church.

Father Kraemer: The time of sede vacante, i.e., the time between Benedict XVI’s resignation on Feb. 28 and pope Francis’ election on March 13 was a strong experience for me. Watching the pope’s white Seahawk helicopter rise up out of the Vatican gardens and fly South over the Eternal City toward the Alban hills for the last time was a somber experience. I’ve seen the Pope’s helicopter

come and go many times, but this time he was going away and wasn’t coming back. The windows of the papal apartments were sealed up, leaving St. Peter’s square feeling empty.

The media and trust Father Kraemer: It seemed that some in the media, noticing that the vicar of Christ was absent, took the opportunity to criticize the church even more and poke around in her wounds. It really was an experience of the vulnerability of our mother, the church. It was also an opportunity to trust that Jesus, in the absence of his visible representative on earth, does not abandon his bride the church. This confidence that Jesus would care for his church was confirmed by the white smoke and ringing bells that filled the rainy, dark, Roman winter sky on Wednesday, March 13.

Election of Pope Francis William Slattery: I was present for all the burning of the ballots. Around 7:10 p.m. the first wisps of smoke flowed from the chimney, and the color resembled that of the burning of the second and third ballots. Our excitement reached a critical low and silence filled the square followed by an unusual sound of “ahs” turning into “hurrahs” and shouts of “yes,” “yeah,” and “oh yeah” as white smoke began to pour out of the smoke stack. This was followed by a little nervousness, as we all began to doubt our perceptions and wait for the bells to ring in confirmation. Ring they did, and as the smoke continued

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to flow white, the mass cheered as we began to surge closer to the presentation windows.

At 7:20 p.m. I found myself about 150 yards away from the window and being pressed upon by the crowd in a way that would make any man uncomfortable. With barely enough room to breathe we waited . . . waited . . . and waited until around 8:10 p.m. when the lights of the Portico turned on and the cardinals began to emerge from the adjacent windows.

The time had arrived! My heart was racing, my mind consumed with questions of who it will be and will I be able to recognize his name in Latin. (I wished I had studied harder). And while my subconscious was shouting “who”, my lips and lungs were projecting shouts of joy, and also shouts of “chuidete gli ombrelli” (close the umbrellas)! After more shouting of “Viva il Papa,” the central windows opened and the dean of the College of Cardinals emerged and said those famous words, “Anuntio vobis gaudium magnum, Habemus Papam!” This was followed by the Cardinal's name Giorgium Marium Bergoglio, and that he was taking the name Francis.

Father Kraemer: When Pope Francis came out on the loggia of St. Peter’s, hardly anyone knew who he was. But it didn’t matter, because he was the one the Holy Spirit had led the cardinals to elect. He was the one Jesus wanted to help care for his church, and that’s what was important. I am excited to get to know our new Papa Francesco and am confident that he will be an excellent spiritual father to all of us.

Newman Centers gear up for annual bike race April 27 For 28 years the Newman Centers from North Dakota State University, Fargo, and University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, have competed in the 40-mile trek to or from Hillsboro. Winning depends on the number of riders, the amount of money raised, and the top ten fastest riders.

The 28th Annual NDSU-UND Bike Race will take place Saturday, April 27. Registration for those participating for St. Paul’s Newman Center/NDSU team is online at www.bisonCatholic.org or at the Newman Center during normal business hours. Registration for St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center/UND team is online at www.undcatholic.org.

The route will be clearly marked and there will be stations along the way with refreshments and snacks.

Vehicles will be patrolling if riders have trouble. Medical aid and transportation will be provided.

Best of all, a free lunch will be served after the race.

For more information about the race or to donate toward this fundraising effort, call the Newman Centers at (701) 235-0142, Fargo, or (701) 777-6850, Grand Forks.

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APRIL 2013 ■ 19

NEWEARTH

Extreme Makeover: Superhero or saint If you are in grades 6, 7 or 8 and have never experienced a weekend retreat, we have the event for you.

On the weekend of May 3 through 5, the Diocese of Fargo Youth Department and youth ministers from the area will be hosting a retreat at Cooperstown Bible Camp, very close to the city of Cooperstown.

Submitted photo

These campers can tell you, there’s never a dull moment at MI Youth Camp.

MI Youth Camp:

An experience your child will never forget Summer is just around the corner and teenagers don’t want to be bored the whole summer! Why not register your teens for MI Youth Camp being held at the Sisters of St. Francis of Dilligen Convent in Hankinson either July 7 through 12 or July 14 through 19?

MI Youth Camp, which stands for Militia of the Immaculata, is a camp for students ages 13 through 17 who are interested in learning more about their Catholic faith and having a great time doing so.

Guest speakers are invited each year and you never know what golden thread of knowledge of the Catholic faith they will share with the many campers who attend. This year’s theme is our beautiful sacraments.

We will be going on a one-day pilgrimage to “Grasshopper Chapel” in Cold Spring, Minn., and to see the

largest ball of twine ever made. Every year’s pilgrimage is a highlight for the campers.

During one of the weeks, Father Scott Sautner, pastor at St. Philip’s Church in Hankinson, will be helping campers discover the beauty of our Catholic sacraments and how they lead the faithful right to Jesus and heaven.

Sister Jean Louise Shafer will be at each week of camp sharing how her faith has grown through her participation in the sacraments. She’ll also be sharing her funny life stories and teaching great songs that campers hum even after they leave camp.

Sister Mary Ruth will be on hand, also, to play volleyball, basketball and baseball with the campers, and she always has a special game up her sleeve that she wants all to participate in. Her

testimonial to her faith growth through the sacraments will also be shared this year.

There will be swim time at Lake Elsie, a talent show to plan and some very different participation activities that everyone will love. MI Camp is very Catholic, very interesting and very fun!

The cost is $250 per camper. Some scholarship money is available for campers who need financial assistance.

Deadline to register is June 3. More information and registration forms are at www.fargodiocese.org/micamp. Call or email Kathy Loney at (701) 356-7902 or kathy.loney@fargodiocese.org Don’t delay, register your teenager today. All checks should be made out to “Diocese of Fargo.” Consider enriching your child’s faith and their summer by coming to MI Youth Camp!

This weekend event will begin on Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. There will be tons of fun, lots of time to play with friends, a bonfire, praise and worship music, time to talk to Jesus (our ultimate friend), reconciliation, Mass and an opportunity to meet some superheroes and find out how to live like a saint (our Catholic superheroes).

We even have a low ropes course that is a blast and there will be a few talks from some of our superhero youth ministers.

You are not going to want to miss out on a thing!

The cost is $100 per person for the weekend. This includes housing, meals and any retreat materials handed out. For those who need a little help with the fee, we do have some scholarship money available.

Please ask Kathy Loney about a scholarship form when you call for a registration form.

Let’s fill this retreat and make it the best ever! To register, contact Kathy Loney at (701) 356-7902 or go on the diocesan website at www.fargodiocese .org/jhretreat to get your registration forms. In the Bottineau area, please contact Amanda Estabrook at (701) 477-5601, ext 7.

The deadline to register with Kathy or Amanda is April 26.

Carl Adolphson joins Sacred Heart High School in East Grand Forks as principal

States should follow North Dakota, stopping abortions of Down Syndrome babies

Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks recently announced that Carl D. Adolphson has been hired as the new high school principal for the 2013-14 school year.

Adolphson replaces Phillip E. Meyer who is retiring after servAdolphson ing Sacred Heart High School for over 35 years in various roles including coaching, teaching and administration.

LifeNews.com

Adolphson is a graduate of Argyle High School in Argyle, Minn. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, majoring in education and natural science.

He received his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minn. He holds a Minnesota teaching license and is currently teaching Life Science at Middle School West in Albertville, Minn., as well as coaching football. He will officially begin his position July 1, 2013.

Correction In the March issue of New Earth, an incorrect donation amount was listed in the Scholarships for Seminarian/Priest Education section. St. Mary's Altar Society of Munich donated $100.

North Dakota recently enacted firstof-its-kind legislation: a bill prohibiting abortion when it is performed solely on the basis of a genetic abnormality of the unborn child. The provision was enacted along with a prohibition on abortion based solely on the sex of the unborn child.

Both provisions are significant strides toward protecting the unborn against violent discrimination.

Persons with genetic abnormalities are a prime target in the womb — oftentimes based upon inaccurate medical data. While state and federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibit discrimination against persons with genetic abnormalities, that protection was not afforded to such persons before they are born.

North Dakota became the first state

to stand in the gap for these unborn children. House Bill 1305 — signed into law by Gov. Jack Dalrymple — prohibits abortion providers from performing abortions sought solely because the child has a genetic abnormality. Likewise, North Dakota joins Arizona, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania in prohibiting abortions when they are sought solely because the child is an “unwanted” sex.

Results from various studies show that up to 90 percent of unborn children diagnosed with a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome are aborted.

Recent years have seen an increase in the use of amniocentesis and other prenatal testing to diagnose potential health problems in unborn children.

However, amniocentesis and other prenatal testing are known to give false positives, further compounding the tragedy.

20 ■ APRIL 2013

The deacons who celebrated 25 years of ordination, together with their wives, include, from left, Deacon Gene (and Dorothy) Klein, Deacon Arlie (and Pat) Braunberger and Deacon Ray (and Lela) Grim.

NEWEARTH

In Valley City, St. Catherine parish celebrates deacon anniversaries St. Catherine Parish in Valley City recently honored the 25th anniversary of ordination of three parish permanent deacons. Celebrating their 25th were Deacon Gene Klein and his wife, Dorothy; Deacon Arlie Braunberger and his wife, Pat; and Deacon Ray Grim and his wife, Lela.

Mass was celebrated with all six of the parish’s deacons present. After Mass, a meal was served to the many parishioners, guests and family members who came to celebrate with the honored deacons.

Following the meal a program of song, testimonials and gratitude was presented.

Parishioner Tom Zinke provided the music and Deacon Carl Orthman was emcee for the event. Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, pastor, thanked the three deacons and their wives for the 25 years of ministry to St. Catherine’s.

Your Holy Land Pilgrimage to Crown the Year of Faith!

Submitted photos

St. Catherine’s six deacons and pastor include, from left: front row, Deacon Ed Didier and Deacon Joe Leitner; back row, Deacon Carl Orthman, Deacon Arlie Braunberger, Msgr. Dennis Skonseng, Deacon Gene Klein and Deacon Ray Grim.

Anniversary Father Schroeder marks 25 years of priesthood Father Timothy Schroeder will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination Sunday, June 2, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1515 Western Ave., in Grafton. Father Schroeder was ordained June 4, 1988, by Bishop James Sullivan.

A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at 4 p.m. with a dinner reception following the Mass. If you would like to attend, please contact St. John’s office at (701) 352-1648 or by email at bev.stjohns@midconetwork .com.

Papal prayer intentions April General intention: Liturgy, Source of Life. That the public, prayerful celebration of faith may give life to the faithful.

Reflection: How can I better prepare for Mass and enter more prayerfully into its celebration?

Mission intention: Mission Churches.

That mission churches may be signs and instruments of hope and resurrection.

Reflection: How does my faith in the resurrection of Jesus help me to face situations that seem hopeless?

Provided by Apostleship of Prayer, www.apostleshipofprayer.org.