New Earth May 2019 by Fargo Diocese

New May 2019 | Vol. 40 | No. 5

Earth The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo

Teams of Our Lady

PLUS

Catholic couples enrich their marriages through the example set by Mary and the Holy Family

From Bishop Folda: Signs of life

Diocesan menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conference teaches men that God loves them unconditionally

Homebound evangelization: Letters provide a way to reach out with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NEW EARTH APRIL 2019 love 1

PLEASE JOIN BISHOP JOHN FOLDA AS WE CELEBRATE OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND INVOKE GOD’S BLESSING UPON OUR LAND

2nd annual

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2019 NOON – Welcome 12:30 – Lunch 1:30 – Blessing of Land and Animals 2:00 – Mass 3:30 – Entertainment

LOCATION Hiladore & Pauline Osowski Farm 15828 68th St. NE, Grafton, ND 58237

FOR MORE INFORMATION fargodiocese.org/rural-life

RSVP *This event is free, but please RSVP to (701) 356-7950 or tamara.krogman@fargodiocese.org

ALSO... *Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on *Bring a small container of soil from your fields or garden to be blessed 2

NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

SPONSORED BY THE DIOCESE OF FARGO

ON THE COVER: Statue of Mary from St. Paul’s Newman Center in Fargo. (Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(ISSN# 10676406) Our mission is to serve Catholic parishes in Eastern N.D. as the official monthly publication of the Diocese of Fargo.

Publisher

Most Rev. John T. Folda Bishop of Fargo

Editor Paul Braun Assistant editor Kristina Lahr

Designer Stephanie Drietz - Drietz Designs Subscriptions

FROM BISHOP FOLDA 4 Signs of life

ASK A PRIEST 7 What are the benefits of adoring the Lord in the Euchrist outside of Mass?

AROUND THE DIOCESE 8 Diocesan men’s conference teaches men that God loves them unconditionally

COVER STORY 14 Teams of Our Lady

NEXT GEN 19 Middle school kids told to keep coming to Jesus

19 24 33

FAITH AND CULTURE 21 Homebound Evangelization: Letters provide a way to reach out with God’s love

US/WORLD NEWS 33 Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka Easter bombings

SIDEWALK STORIES 35 “Black Hole” from Unplanned leaves mark

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Send address changes or subscription requests to: New Earth 5201 Bishops Blvd S., Suite A Fargo, ND 58104

Contact Information

Use the following contact information to contact the New Earth staff: news@fargodiocese.org (701) 356-7900 Deadline to submit articles, story ideas, advertisements and announcements for the June issue is May 29, 2019. All submissions are subject to editing and placement. New Earth is published by the Catholic Diocese of Fargo, a nonprofit North Dakota corporation, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S, Suite A Fargo, ND 58104. (701) 356-7900. Periodical Postage Paid at Fargo, ND and at additional mailing offices.

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NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

FROM BISHOP FOLDA

Signs of life

am heartened by recent legislation that was passed in the North Dakota legislature. Our lawmakers rightly prohibited an abortion procedure that involves dismemberment of the unborn child. Any abortion procedure is unthinkable, but this procedure is especially gruesome, and I’m glad the leaders of North Dakota were able to see that. Another new law requires giving information to mothers about the option to reverse a chemical abortion that is already underway. One would assume that mothers have a right to such information, but the abortion supporters objected strenuously. It would seem that they want to achieve an abortion at all costs, even when a mother has had a change of heart. Fortunately, our lawmakers exercised common sense and allowed mothers to receive as much information as possible about the decision that they are making. The news around our nation isn’t all so good. In the state legislature of New York, a new law was passed that removes any obstacle to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, even up to the moment of birth when any reasonable person would admit that a child feels pain. When the final vote was announced, the legislative chamber erupted in cheers from those who supported the bill. The governor of that state acclaimed this new success of the culture of death and dismissed the outcry of defenders of life. It should be pointed out that current court rulings already allow nearly unlimited abortion on demand, but the jubilation at this legislative vote was remarkable and chilling. Similar bills are in the works in Vermont and Rhode Island as well. Even more disturbing is the attitude toward so-called “botched” abortions. When asked about new pro-abortion legislation in his state, the governor of Virginia, a pediatric neurosurgeon, matter-of-factly described what should happen if an abortion procedure led to the live birth of a child. His chilling words left no doubt that the living child would be allowed to die. In most civilized societies we call this infanticide, and this is similar to what landed the notorious Dr. Kermit Gosnell in jail a few years ago. Frankly, I’m stunned that so little attention was paid to the governor’s apparent acceptance of infanticide, not to mention the failure of the media to call it what it is. What underlies this new effort to entrench unrestricted abortion into the fabric of our national culture? I believe part of the reason is fear, even panic. Those who demand acceptance of abortion 4

NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

are panicked over statutes enacted in some states that put reasonable limits on the freedom to abort a child. Pro-abortion campaigners are also distressed at the growing percentage of Americans who believe there should be limits on the right to end the life of an unborn child, much less a child who is already born. Survey after survey shows that a majority of Americans are still deeply uncomfortable with the wide-open availability of abortion and believe that restrictions are appropriate. The pro-abortion side can also see that the pro-life movement is young and getting younger. Teens and young adults are not falling into line with the so-called pro-choice movement. They are smart enough to recognize that the baby in the womb is a baby, a child, a human person already alive and waiting to enter this world. They understand the science, and they are not taken in by the rhetoric of choice. – Bishop John Folda The bigger issue is a grossly exaggerated understanding of autonomy: choice and self-determination trample every other right, even the right to life itself. Our culture has become so enthralled with the autonomous self that every choice is considered permissible, even the choice to end a child’s life. It’s ironic that we decry the moral blindness that allowed slavery, but at the same time we are unable to recognize the humanity of an unborn child, even one with a beating heart. Choice has become a demi-god, and our culture bows to it no matter the stakes. The most important reason of all is a failure to acknowledge God as the author of all life: my life, your life, the life of an unborn child, the life of a disabled adult, the life of an elderly person with dementia, every human life. We are all children of God, no matter how small, and no matter how weak. When we lose sight of the sovereignty of God, we tend to make ourselves gods, and we exercise power for self-interest and convenience. Other states have also enacted laws to put limits on the practice of abortion. Unfortunately, many of those laws, like some of ours here at home, have been overturned by courts that disregard the right of the child and the right of citizens to take reasonable measures to protect life. In the face of these events, those who still believe in the sanctity of life must stay the course and not grow discouraged. I won’t be surprised if attempts are made to overturn the new laws in North Dakota, but whatever the outcome is, our determination to keep working for life must remain firm and rooted in hope. In fact, I can’t thank enough

“We are all children of God, no matter how small, and no matter how weak. When we lose sight of the sovereignty of God, we tend to make ourselves gods, and we exercise power for self-interest and convenience.”

the many people who faithfully pray and witness for life at her example and walking away from the abortion industry. the Fargo abortion facility, as well as the many people in our Despite the heartbreaking news in some parts of the country, diocese who help women through their pregnancies and then there are encouraging signs of life in our culture, indications support them after the birth of their babies. that more and more people are coming around to the Gospel A recent film called Unplanned tells the story of Abby Johnson, of Life. Let us continue to pray for the conversion of hearts and a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who has now become the conversion of our nation. During this month dedicated to a fervent pro-life advocate. Her example and activism, as well her, let us ask our Blessed Mother, who carried the Son of God as the film about her life and conversion, have led many people in her womb, to intercede for us and lead us always toward the to change their views on the life of the unborn child. I’ve heard fullness of life in Christ. that a growing number of abortion practitioners are following

Bishop Folda’s Calendar May 11

| 10 a.m. Confirmation and First Eucharist, Holy Rosary Church, LaMoure

5:30 p.m.

Confirmation and First Eucharist, St. John Church, Wahpeton

May 17

| 6 p.m. Confirmation and First Eucharist, Blessed Sacrament, West Fargo

May 18

10 a.m.

Confirmation and First Eucharist, St. Michael, Grand Forks

5:30 p.m.

Confirmation and First Eucharist, St. Mary, Grand Forks

May 19

1 p.m.

May 22

10 a.m.

Confirmation and First Eucharist, St. Aloysius, Lisbon Baccalaureate Mass, Nativity, Fargo

6 p.m.

Shanley Graduation, Shanley, Fargo

May 27

Memorial Day, Pastoral Center closed

May 29

12:15 p.m.

Mass for Father James Meyer 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, Holy Cross, West Fargo

May 31

| 7 p.m. Ordination Week Holy Hour, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

June 1

10 a.m.

Ordination of Deacons, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

June 2

| 4 p.m. Mass for Father Al Bitz 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, St. Philip Neri, Napoleon

June 4

| 5:30 p.m. Mass for Father Chad Wilhelm 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, St. Joseph, Devils Lake

June 8

| 11 a.m. Jubilee Mass, St. Francis Convent, Hankinson

June 10–14

USCCB Spring Meeting, Baltimore Md. NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

FOCUS ON FAITH

Prayer for priests

Prayer Intention of Pope Francis

May The Church in Africa, a Seed of Unity That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

Dear Lord, we pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. St. John Vianney, pray for us.

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FOCUS ON FAITH

What are the benefits of adoring the Lord in the Eucharist outside of Mass? And can you tell me about the things I see at Eucharistic Adoration?

am writing this article in the midst of the bustle of Holy Week. Another Lent has ended, but we are also wrapping up a particular devotion we have been practicing this year in one of my parishes: 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration each week. I wish I could say it was my own initiative to extend the six weekly hours of Adoration we were already keeping, but no, it (happily) came from some enthusiastic ladies during their Tuesday-night Bible study. They thought our parish should have more time honoring the Lord by keeping vigil with him in the Eucharist, and they were ready to make it happen. We all know we need quiet in our lives, but we rarely take it. Sometimes it takes a commitment (like writing our name on a list—in ink—to take a weekly hour in Adoration) just to do it.

for the occasion. It is from these that we have the hymns “O Salutaris Hostia” (“O Saving Victim”), which is Ask A Priest often sung at the Father beginning of EuGregory Haman charistic Adoration, and the “Tantum Ergo,” (“Down in Adoration Falling”), from Benediction. Sometimes people ask about the monstrance itself. They are often ornate and beautiful works of art in their own right, though there are not a lot of laws that govern their shape or their materials. Today, all vessels that hold the Eucharist should be made from materials “that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious.” (General Instruction for the Roman Missal, #329) Therefore, one may see monstrances that contain gold or even jewels, but often they will be made of less expensive, though still beautiful, materials. When the priest or deacon closes a period of Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, he places what is called a humeral veil over his shoulders (so-called after the Latin word, “humerus,” for the –Father Gregory Haman shoulders) and blesses those present by making a cross over them with the monstrance. It is hard not to notice at Benediction Though the primary reason to keep the consecrated Eucharist that the priest or deacon is careful to lift the monstrance only between Masses is so that it may be brought to the sick, it is through the veil draped over his hands. That emphasizes that natural for the faithful to honor Christ’s presence as it remains Christ himself is blessing everyone present through the Eucharist. in the tabernacle. There are even written accounts (though the It is not from the hand of the priest of deacon. object itself has been lost to history) that an ornate tabernacle Now that Easter is here, my parish will go back to its earlier made in the shape of a dove and set with over 150 pearls was practice of having Eucharistic Adoration for several hours on suspended over the altar by the Roman emperor Constantine Wednesdays. It won’t be for a full 24-hour period like we did for the newly-constructed St. Peter’s basilica in Rome in the 300s. for a while, but there is no lack in that. It is a great thing to have The practice of placing the Eucharist in clear, visible case for any period of Eucharistic Adoration in our parishes, even from viewing by the faithful does not go back as far in Christian history, time-to-time. Nonetheless, Christ is no less present and ready though it has a long pedigree of its own. There are 800-year old to receive us in any parish tabernacle, and time spent with him monstrances, much like the star-burst kinds we are familiar there is no different than time in formal Eucharistic Adoration. It with today, in churches and museums across Europe. Such does good for the soul to spend time with Jesus, our Savior and vessels are used to process the Eucharist through city streets Redeemer. He has made himself available to us in the Eucharist for various festivals of the year, so that the Eucharist is visible for 2,000 years. He will continue to do so until the end of time. to all. Members of different groups would take their places in Father Haman serves as pastor of Holy Rosary Church in LaMoure, the procession and sometimes even take their turns carrying Assumption Church in Dickey, and St. Raphael’s Church in Verona. the Eucharist in elaborately-made shrines. It is from the 1200s that we received some of the rituals we Editor’s Note: If you would like to submit a question for consideration are familiar with in Eucharistic Adoration. When Pope Urban in a future column, please send to news@fargodiocese.org or mail IV instituted the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S, Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104. Christi), he commissioned St. Thomas Aquinas to write prayers

“It does good for the soul to spend time with Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. He has made himself available to us in the Eucharist for 2,000 years. He will continue to do so until the end of time.”

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

Diocesan men’s conference teaches men that God loves them unconditionally By Paul Braun

• “I left the talk motivated to put down my phone when ever one of my kids wants my attention and to purposefully seek purity.” • “I think more men need to hear the things presented.” • “This conference was a real game changer for me, and exactly what I needed at this time in my life.”

When asked what the most valuable thing men took away from the conference, attendees said: • “Being with like-minded men and hearing the words of encouragement from the speakers.” • “Realizing that in all my sin I am a beloved son of God.” • “I need not be ashamed of being a male.” • “That I am a beloved son of God and that we, as men, have Keynote Speaker Father Sean Kilcawley, Director of Family Life for some work to do.” the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., address those gathered at the Redeemed • “I’m not alone in my thoughts and actions.” 2019 Made for Greatness Men’s conference. (Father Kyle Metzger • “That I can be better in my prayer life. I also took many | Diocese of Fargo) tools to help be a better husband.” Attendees were also given an opportunity to take part in wo-hundred-sixty men gathered at the Delta Hotel in Fargo the RISE 30 Day Men’s Challenge that began as a conference on March 30, not to watch a sporting event or attend a follow-up on April 8. RISE is an international movement created sports game, but to gather as Catholic men and know that by Chris Stefanick, host of EWTN’s “Real Life Catholic,” and they are loved by God. This was a key objective of the Redeemed Bill Donaghy, a curriculum specialist at Theology of the Body 2019 Made for Greatness Men’s Conference. Institute and another keynote speaker for the conference. “The goal of the conference was to help men better understand “RISE has been helping to transform the way men relate to their foundational identity as beloved sons of God and for them God, their wives, their children, and the men around them,” to realize that this is not something we accomplish or achieve,” said Brad Gray. “This is a way for men to bring the conference said Brad Gray, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family home and gather a group of men in their area to continue to go Life at the Fargo Diocese and organizer of the conference. “We deeper. Seventy-five percent of those who attended the conference don’t need to be different to be loved by God; we are his, no said they were either planning on or considering joining in the matter what. Our sins, mistakes, and failures do not take away RISE Challenge.” our dignity and our identity.” Gray added when one man was asked a week into the The event was a chance for Catholic men, representing 50 challenge if it was helping to revitalize his Lent, he responded, “It’s parishes from across the diocese, to meet other men, renew old revitalizing my life!” friendships, and discover more about themselves as Catholic men. Several men brought their sons, and there were plenty of college-age men from Newman Centers at North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota. Keynote speaker Father Sean Kilcawley, Director of Family Life for the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., spoke of “their common woundedness as men,” according to diocesan Vocations Director Father Kyle Metzger, who attended the event. Father Metzger said that Father Kilcawley touched on “how men misunderstand their relationship with God. Men attempt to earn God’s love rather than simply recognize that he has always loved them as sons, and that there’s nothing to earn.” When surveyed, attendees had the following responses as to The younger generation was well-represented at the Men’s what they took away from the conference: Redeemed 2019 Made for Greatness conference. (Father Kyle Metzger • “I was inspired to be a better husband and father, and | Diocese of Fargo) have told my wife “you’re a gift to me” several times since the conference.”

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AROUND THE DIOOCESE

Ugandans will get fresh water and cattle, thanks to Holy Cross Church

By Paul Braun

n Uganda, fresh water wells are a luxury and difficult to find. Some residents of the impoverished African nation spend two to six hours daily just carrying fresh water. Parishioners at Holy Cross Church in West Fargo are doing what they can to help. Willie Gartner and Jonathan Ahl, parishioners of Holy Cross, wanted to get the parish involved with a service project that would affect the lives of as many people as possible. After speaking with Father Andrew Obal, a priest at Holy Rosary Church in Detroit lakes, Minn. and a native of Sedna, Uganda, they presented a plan to Holy Cross pastor Father James Meyer to work with Father Obal on his water well project. “We decided we wanted this to be a parish-wide project and get everyone involved,” said Gartner. “We had the Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus, Women of the Word, American Heritage Girls, Trinity School students, and children of Holy Cross work on the project. The biggest fundraiser was our Wild Game Feed which was a fantastic parish event. That put us close to the $10,000 we needed for the project.” At each Mass, children at Holy Cross donate change and dollars to the project, which has become so successful that enough money was raised to also provide some cattle to the community receiving the wells. As the cattle procreate, their calves will be distributed to families within the community. Father Meyer likes to say at Mass when talking about the project that “we’re all going to become ranchers.” Father Obal will be going home to Sedna, Uganda for vacation in May, and will be presenting the people there with the money for the wells and cattle.

Townspeople get their drinking water from the same source used by cattle and other animals. Holy Cross Church in West Fargo is raising money to provide fresh water wells to residents of Uganda. (submitted photo)

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NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Priests celebrating milestone anniversaries

his month we recognize our priests celebrating milestone ordination anniversaries. Congratulations to Father Joseph Senger, Father Al Bitz, Father Charles Leute, Father James Meyer, Father Thomas Graner, Father Gerald Myers, and Father Chad Wilhelm! Thank you for being our spiritual fathers and for all that you do to lead us closer to Jesus Christ.

Monsignor Joseph Senger

celebrated his 65th ordination anniversary on May 1. He began his priestly ministry as parochial vicar at St. Mark’s in Bottineau from 1954–56. He was secretary to the bishop from 1956–60. He was pastor of St. Arnold’s in Milnor and St. Vincent’s in Stirum from 1960–63. From Monsignor Joseph Senger 1963–71 he was pastor of St. Mary’s in Knox and St. Ann’s in Fillmore, and from 1971–85, he was pastor of St. Mary’s in Grand Forks. He was pastor of St. Cecilia’s in Velva and Sts. Peter and Paul’s in Karlsruhe from 1980–2000 and was also a member of the Diocesan College of Consulters from 1997–2002. He retired in 2000.

will celebrate Mass in Father Bitz’s honor on June 2 at 4 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Church in Napoleon.

Father Charles Leute, OP

will celebrate his 50th ordination anniversary on May 24. He pronounced his first vows as a Dominican in 1963. He began his ministry with the Native Peoples of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota as a deacon at Crow Creek Reservation. He served the Father Charles Leute, OP Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D. as pastor of the Porcupine District from 1970–79 and was pastor to Pastorate of Sacred Heart Parish in the city of Pine Ridge from 1979–85. He was assigned to Holy Rosary Church in Minneapolis from 1986–87 and worked with the parish and archdiocesan office of Indian ministry. He has been pastor of St. Jerome’s in Crow Hill, Christ the King in Tokio, and Seven Dolors Mission in Fort Totten since 1987.

Father James Meyer

will celebrate his 25th ordination anniversary Father Al Bitz will on June 4. He began his celebrate his 50th annipriestly ministry as paversary June 13. He began rochial vicar of St. James his priestly ministry as Basilica in Jamestown from parochial vicar of St. John’s 1994–96. He was chaplain in New Rockford and St. of Shanley High School William’s in Maddock, in Fargo from 1996–2003, and taught at St. James Executive Vice President High School from 1969– Father James Meyer of the school from 1998–99, 71. He then served at St. and Vocations Director for Alphonsus in Langdon, St. the diocese from 1996–97. From 1997–2000 he was administrator Father Al Bitz Joseph’s in Osnabrock, St. of St. John’s in Wyndmere. From 2000–03 he was pastor of St. Clotilde’s in Milton, and St. John’s in Wyndmere and St. Maurice’s in Kindred and chaplain Edward’s in Nekoma as parochial vicar from 1971–76. He briefly of Sullivan Middle School in Fargo from 2002–03. He was pastor served as administrator to St. Patrick’s in Enderlin, Our Lady of St. Agnes in Hunter and Our Lady of Peace in Mayville from of the Scapular in Sheldon, and St. Henry’s in Alice in 1976 and 2003–08. He is now the pastor of Holy Cross in West Fargo. then was named parochial vicar of St. Michael’s in Grand Forks, Bishop Folda will celebrate Mass in Father Meyer’s honor on serving from 1976–78. He was pastor St. Anthony’s of Padua May 29 at 12:15 p.m. at Holy Cross Church in West Fargo. in Fargo from 1978–83 and was rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral from 1983–93. From 1994–96, he was pastor of St. Boniface in Father Thomas Graner Wimbledon, St. John’s in Kensal, and St. Mary’s in Courtenay. He will celebrate his 25th became pastor at St. Thomas in Buffalo and St. Leo’s in Casselton ordination anniversafrom 1996–2003. His last assignment was as pastor of St. James ry on June 4th. His first Basilica in Jamestown, St. Michael’s in Pingree, St. Margaret’s in priestly assignment was Buchanan, Sacred Heart in Fried, and St. Matthias in Windsor as parochial vicar at Holy from 2003–14. While retired, he worked for the University of Family on Grand Forks Mary in Bismarck until 2017. Father Bitz was also Chairman from 1994–96. He was the of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, an advocate for the administrator of churches Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, North Dakota State Chaplain for in Rolette, Bisbee and Wilthe Knights of Columbus, president of the Diocesan Pastoral low City from 1996–98. He Father Thomas Graner Council, and the Dean of Deaneries I, II, and VII. Bishop Folda served as pastor at those

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parishes from 1998–2007. He was named pastor of St. Mary’s in Knox and St. Therese the Little Flower in Rugby in 2007, where he presently serves. In 2000, Father Graner was named the director of the Diocesan Rural Life Conference. St. Therese’s in Rugby will hold a celebration for Father Graner’s in the parish social hall on June 9th after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Father Chad Wilhelm

will celebrate his 25th ordination anniversary on June 4. His first priestly assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Michael’s in Grand Forks from 1994–96. Father Gerald Myers He was administrator of will celebrate his 25th churches in Sanborn, Dazey, ordination anniversary on Wimbledon, and Courtenay June 4. His first priestly asfrom 1996–98. He became signment was as parochial Father Chad Wilhelm pastor of St. Aloysius in vicar at St. Michael’s in Lisbon and St. Vincent’s Grand Forks in 1994. He in Gwinner from 1998–2002 and was pastor of St. Joseph’s in was administrator to St. Devils Lake from 2002–07 and of St. Benedict’s in Crary from Joseph’s in LeRoy, Our 2002–05. He was a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus from Lady of the Sacred Heart 2003–05 and 2009–14. He was rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in in Olga, and St. Boniface Father Gerald Myers Fargo from 2007–12 and administrator to St. Paul’s Newman in Walhalla from 1994–99 Center in Fargo from 2007–08. He is currently the pastor of St. and St. Anthony’s in Bathgate from 1994–99. He began serving Joseph’s in Devils Lake and Dean of Deanery 5. Bishop Folda outside the diocese in 2001 until his retirement in 2004. He now will celebrate Mass in Father Wilhelm’s honor on June 4 at 5:30 lives in Arizona. p.m. at St. Joseph’s in Devils Lake.

Bishop Folda mixes balsam into olive oil at the annual Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on April 16. These holy oils are distributed to each parish during Holy Week and is used for baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, anointing of the sick, and special blessings for the coming year. Those anointed with Sacred Chrism “share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off the ‘aroma of Christ’” (CCC 1294). (Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

Parishes invite community to chili cook-off and pie auction By Melissa Woinarowicz

ometimes it’s important to sit back and have a good time with the community. That is exactly what parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church in Enderlin decided to do with their chili cook-off and pie auction. We invited the whole community to join us for some chili, dancing, and a little competition. The Enderlin VFW hosted the event on March 30. Proceeds were donated to the youth groups at St. Patrick’s in Enderlin and Our Lady of the Scapular in Sheldon. Jonathon and Jessica Utke, Kaden Campbell, Cora and Ella Wagner, members of the youth group led by Ben and Cassie Kaspari, helped throughout the night. Joe and Josh Utke provided music and many people, young and old, made use of the dance floor. Pies donated brought in over $600 through a live pie auction. The first pie of the evening, baked by St. Patrick’s own Alice Dalos, sold for $50. The top pie of the night was a blueberry pie made by Father Chris Markman which sold for $350! The intense bidding war came down to Emily Kaspari (assisted by her grandpa, Chris Kaspari) and Sandi Bartholomay. In the end Emily took home the pie. The winner of the chili cook-off was Misty Lulay. There were nine entries for the cook-off, and very little leftover when everyone finished sampling. The event was a great success, and we look forward to doing it again next year. Melissa Woinarowicz is a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Enderlin.

Emily Kaspari, with the help of her grandfather Chris Kaspari, took home a blueberry pie baked by Father Chris Markman at a pie auction at the Enderlin VFW on March 30. (submitted photo)

“Tending Your Soul: God’s Spiritual Garden” was the theme of this year’s women’s retreat at Maryvale, Valley City from March 29–31. Thirty-six women participated in this rich spiritual encounter thirsting for God, the gardener of their souls. The imagery of a garden is used in various ways throughout scripture to speak of a relationship with God, spiritual growth, and conversion. The prophet Isaiah expresses the Word of God this way, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Sisters Dorothy and Anne Germaine led the women through personal reflections, group sharing, and prayer experiences using scripture as a call to personal conversion. The women also joined the Sisters at Maryvale for prayer and the Eucharistic celebration. This same women’s retreat will be offered July 19–21 at Maryvale. Contact Sister Dorothy Bunce, SMP at (701) 845-2864 or dorothy.bunce@fargodiocese.org for more information. (submitted photo)

NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

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Matrimony: A calling to forgive! “Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope.” Retrouvaille offers a welcoming and loving space to couples who have been living with the misery of a failing marriage. Retrouvaille offers hope: hope that it is not too late, hope of a different and better marriage. Retrouvaille helps couples to show each other mercy through the opportunities it provides to listen, to forgive, to be reconciled and to move into their futures believing that God loves them and with His help and their efforts, their marriages can be healed and restored. Retrouvaille provides help for marriage problems/difficulties/crises.

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Although not officially a Marian organization, members of Teams of Our Lady rely on the intercession of their patroness, Mary our Mother. (New Earth)

Teams of Our Lady

Catholic couples enrich their marriages through Mary’s example

By Paul Braun

ouples arrived at the home of their host couple at 6:30 p.m. They exchanged pleasantries, hung coats, and found a place at the table, where a light supper was served. Seven couples crowded around the table, filling the dining room with little room to move around. They didn’t mind the close-quarters. They’re all friends and are reveling in each other’s company. This could be the scene of any gathering of good friends, but this gathering was a monthly meeting of a team from the Teams of Our Lady (TOOLs) movement. These seven couples, along with their spiritual advisor, meet monthly to discuss scripture, life, family, and what it means to be married Catholics. Teams of Our Lady is an international lay movement designed to enrich marriages spiritually and make good marriages even better. The movement was formed over 80 years ago in Paris, France just before the beginning of World War II. It is an officially recognized movement within the Catholic Church, and spread internationally in the late 1950s. Father James Ermer, pastor of St. Leo’s Church in Casselton, first became involved in the movement as a spiritual advisor during his seminarian training. He brought the movement to the Diocese of Fargo in 2005. At first, there were only two active teams in the diocese, but that number has grown to 11, with each team consisting of six to seven couples and their spiritual advisor. “This is much more than a book club or a study-topic group,” said Father Ermer. “It’s really marriage and family enrichment and is built around the Word of God. These couples can become a support for others in their group. Their own marriages are encouraged, enriched, and they can become missionary disciples

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COVER STORY for the others in their group.” Each couple is tasked with certain endeavors to accomplish between monthly meetings. These include reading scripture, daily, personal, conjugal, and family prayer, a monthly sit-down with their spouse to talk and reflect, and meditation. The supper table gives couples a chance to talk about their progress in meeting these endeavors and what they’ve experienced. “The endeavors that we commit to each month help you to be a holier person and help to strengthen your marriage, especially with the conjugal prayer,” said April and Ed Mitchell, parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fargo. “Over time it helps you to grow closer with your spouse and with God. What TOOLs provides all of us as couples is a framework in which to work, creating a collective accountability with you and your spouse, but also as a member of a team or community of couples to stay true to your faith, and to strive and grow in your faith. You have this greater network of other couples that also wish to grow stronger in their faith, family, and marriage, and that’s the great impact of the teams.” After the meal, there’s time spent in prayer, reading, and meditating on scripture. Couples use the time for prayer intentions, and for what they call “deep-pooling,” an opportunity

for couples to ask the rest of the group for prayers for a special intention. The meetings end with a final prayer. “It’s really a community of married couples who are striving to grow in their marriages,” said Cori and Brian Walker of Nativity Church in Fargo, who are taking their turn as team leaders for the group. “We all grow closer to Christ, and it helps our families grow in faith as well. As we grow in community we’ll grow closer to God.” A big part of the evening is the scripture readings and discussions. Each couple is assigned a series of questions to ponder and then write down answers during the month leading up to the meeting. It is here those discussions bear fruit and is when the teams are fortunate to have a spiritual advisor on hand. Father Duane Pribula serves as this particular team’s advisor. He says his role is not one of a leader of the group but as a resource when needed. “We are all conscious of the presence of Christ Jesus in each other, and my presence as an ordained priest is to serve in some gentle way as a pastor in the sense of encouragement, and maybe in some ways I’m kind of a representation of Christ along with everybody else on the team.” The movement may be called Teams of Our Lady, but it is not

Mealtime kicks off a Teams of Our Lady meeting, where couples share what is happening in their lives. (Paul Braun | New Earth)

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COVER STORY really a Marian organization. Mary is the movement’s patroness. Our Lady’s gentle influence guides couples striving to live out in their marriages the examples set by the Holy Family. “We as couples can relate to Mary through the Holy Family,” said Jenny and Andrew Nielsen of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fargo. “Mary and Joseph are the example of what a family should be, and that’s what in TOOLs we are striving for. We’re not going to achieve perfection, but we can always do our best. What Mary does is return our focus to Jesus, and that’s what she does for our team.” “Mary is significant,” said Father Pribula. “We incorporate her example, in our own marriages in our roles as husbands and wives and families, this desire to live out the word of God as we hear it and come to know it.” Any couples interested in starting or joining a TOOLs group may call Father James Ermer at St. Leo’s Church in Casselton at (701) 347-4609 for more information.

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After mealtime, couples gather to talk about their endeavors the past month and to share any personal intentions. (Paul Braun | New Earth)

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NEXT GEN

St. John Paul II Catholic Schools awarded AdvancED school system accreditation By JPII Catholic Schools

t. John Paul II Catholic Schools president Mike Hagstrom announced that St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network was granted AdvancED School System Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement accreditation seal. This means that the system and all of its schools are accredited, and that St. John Paul II Catholic Schools is recognized across the nation as a quality school system. The St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Network is comprised of three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school: Holy Spirit Elementary located in north Fargo, Nativity Elementary in south Fargo, and Trinity Elementary in West Fargo. Sullivan Middle School and Shanley High School share a campus in south Fargo. The accreditation process involves three ongoing components: 1) meeting high quality standards; 2) implementing a continuous process of improvement; and 3) engaging in quality assurance through internal and external review. The system’s accreditation is for a five-year term with regular monitoring of progress and reporting occurring during the term. “School System Accreditation as conferred by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission provides St. John Paul II Catholic Schools a nationally-recognized mark of quality for our system and all the schools within our system,” shared Mike Hagstrom. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.” Dr. Mark Elgart, President/CEO of AdvancED, stated, “AdvancED School System Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners. St. John Paul II Catholic Schools system is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.” Parents and interested community members can learn more about the System Accreditation Process at www.advanc-ed.org.

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SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP Weekly May 28 - August 9

Fun filled activities, field trips, & learning in a faith centered environment Summer Adventure for grades K-5th St. John Paul II Catholic Schools Trinity Campus - West Fargo For registration information call 701.893.3271 or visit us online at jp2schools.org

NEXT GEN

Middle school kids told to keep coming to Jesus By Paul Braun | New Earth

The gym at St. Mary’s school was packed with 6-8 graders and their adult leaders for the Middle School Extravaganza, held April 6 in Grand Forks. (Paul Braun | New Earth)

ames, song, comedy, and inspirational messages were up their hearts, and in short be saved. That’s where everything all part of the Fargo Diocese’s 2019 Middle School starts, just like it did for the disciples and everyone else in Extravaganza, held at the St. Mary’s School gym in the scriptures.” Grand Forks on April 6. After a time reserved for reconciliation and adoration before About 230 middle school students from across the diocese and the Blessed Sacrament, the students and leaders processed with their adult leaders attended the all-day event, which featured the Blessed Sacrament for about five blocks and into St. Mary’s skits, workshops, Mass, adoration, reconciliation, prayer, and Church to attend Mass. A dance closed out the day. a dance. “I noticed people leaving with smiles on their faces, both “From the moment I walked into the gym, the students were young and old,” said Loney. “The day was good, it was very good!” definitely engaged in the games and all attendees were prepared to have a great day,” said Kathy Loney, Director of the Office Keynote speaker Paul J. Kim from California lent his beat-box, of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Diocese of Fargo, comedic and inspirational talents to the Extravaganza. (Paul and the organizer of the event. “The afternoon workshops Braun | New Earth) were packed with students and chaperones ready to hear the messages that our workshop providers offered. From learning about our vocations to experiencing prayer, why we have Lent, what makes great family life, is music a bad thing or a good thing, and how to help someone become Catholic if they were born into a Protestant faith.” The highlight of the day was two presentations by keynote speaker Paul J. Kim, who used his musical beat-box talents, comedy, and his ability to relate to kids on their level, to encourage them to open their hearts to Christ, who wants to have a relationship with them. “I feel like so often as Catholics we know things about our faith, but we don’t know about the one person who our faith is about,” said Kim. “My job is simple, to help facilitate an encounter with the person of Christ so that these young people will open

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FAITH AND CULTURE

An eye-opening account of 21st century martyrs By Father James Gross

of the world, grand Christian churches do not remain standing for long. Mosebach concludes that this dynamic has disposed Coptic Christians to attune themselves to the possibility of dying for Jesus but stresses that their disposition is not one they express flamboyantly. On the contrary, his travels revealed a modest village in Upper Egypt in which relatives described the martyrs as normal men who left home looking for construction work. Of course, there is now a great pride in their accomplishments, but A review of Catholic books, movies, music no one spoke of the men as spiritual prodigies from their youth. aybe you’ve seen the same statistics I have, which re- Once in Libya, it was not so much overt proselytizing that port that there had been more Christian martyrs in the endangered their lives as much as their steady and unabashed 20th century than in any previous century. There were practice of prayer. The Christians were kidnapped over a month no shortage of genocides and wars to account for that total but prior to their beheading and were tortured and beaten every is martyrdom something we suspect will occur in our time or day of their captivity, but legend holds that their wounds, no where we live? One readily conjures up examples from history matter how severe, healed by nightfall each day. of people (either clergy or laity) standing in the gladiatorial I found Martin Mosebach’s account to be an eye-opening arena and facing down a Roman prefect. German author and window into a part of the world that, on one hand, so little novelist Martin Mosebach reminds us with his book “The 21” resembles my own but nevertheless stirs up deep admiration. that we need not look so far in the past for a dramatic witness We as Roman Catholics can gain inspiration from the story of of those who shed their blood for Christ. the “21,” despite our differences. Many readers will remember the story of 21 men executed by Father James Gross is the pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Grand Forks. ISIS operatives near the city of Sirte in eastern Libya February 15, 2015. Few who saw it will ever forget the gruesome scene propagandists captured and disseminated by video to the world: black-clad, masked militants escorting the victims—one from Ghana and the rest from Egypt—wearing orange jumpsuits to “The 21: A Journey into the the place of their deaths along the Mediterranean seashore. Land of Coptic Martyrs” Mosebach was captivated by their story and sought to investigate both their act of heroism and their culture. His book by Martin Mosebach, 2019 provides a vivid study of the unique religious and sociological milieu of Coptic Christians. Theirs is a community that appears exotic in comparison to the American Church, as if transporting the reader to an ancient setting that seems rather out of place in the 21st century. Egyptian Christianity boasts several influential elements from the Church’s earliest times, including the Patriarchal city of Alexandria, its leading role in the refutation of the heresy of Arianism, and St. Anthony of the Desert and the planting of the seeds of monastic life. However, a doctrinal split from both Rome and Constantinople centuries before the Orthodox Schism of 1054 led to the Copts charting a separate course. The reader may initially be confused by the popular acclamation of “Pope” attributed to Tawadros II, the current Coptic For Baptisms, First Holy Orthodox Archbishop. Communion, Confirmation, The seventh century brought two distinct waves of invasions weddings, and special occasion (from Persian and Muslim Arab regimes) that overwhelmed the gifts and books. native inhabitants. Although the government conceals specific data, ethnic Copts now make up between 10-20% of the total Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. population. For a long time, persecution has become an inexorable To Know God... 1336 25th Ave. S., Fargo 58103 (south of K-Mart) fact of life, thrusting the Christians of Egypt into a persistent To Love God... (701) 241-7842 status of a political minority. Each generation can point to the To Serve God... destruction of many of their holy places and artifacts. In this part

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HOLY FAMILY BOOKSTORE

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Homebound evangelization: Letters provide a way to reach out with God’s love By Karen O’Leary

(Aaron Burden | Unsplash)

f you ask people about evangelization as Catholics, you may receive the response of “bible thumper.” I have heard this irreverent use of the greatest guide for Christianity many times in my walk as a cradle Catholic. Also, a common view is that sharing faith lessons is for the clergy and other religious ministers. Yet, Christ called all of us to share the light. That light is born of our faith. In Matthew Kelly’s book, The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic, he shares that 7% of Catholics are considered highly engaged. A segment of those were surveyed and asked, “Are you an evangelist? Less than 1% replied affirmatively.” When asked about Catholic books they read, many responded that they had given them to someone else. In addition, I think Catholics share the light in many ways but fail to see their efforts to share the faith as evangelization. Over the years, I treasured volunteering for various ministries that strengthened my faith. It was hard to give up those ministries as my health declined. One can’t rest in bed when one is ill and pack the vision of God’s plan in our lives off to others that are healthy. God blessed me with writing that has enabled me to connect with others all over the world. A writing friend shared with me that she wasn’t religious. I said, “I love you anyway.” She sent her first Christmas cards that she had “in years” in 2017. She was diagnosed with cancer

in 2018 and gave her life to God a few months before she died and shared with me that she was at peace. For five and half years, I published an online poetry journal called Whispers. It gave me the chance to reach out to people all over the world, hoping to spread Pope Francis’ “love without judgement.” My own motto of “walk in the light, be in the light, and share the light,” has helped me listen to God’s voice in this challenging season. I’ve helped others become more in touch with God’s journey for them—making cards, writing letters, sharing books, and encouraging people in a wide array of opportunities. Evangelization is a part of The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic. The other elements the author Matthew Kelly discusses are prayer, study, and generosity. I think all these areas are interlinked, enabling us to travel the road God has meant for us. One can’t evangelize if one is unwilling to study the faith. I don’t have all the answers as I’m just a humble gal from North Dakota. Yet, I feel God is using me as a vessel to share his gifts with others. Jesus was a model of acceptance of people where they were at and offering them a greater way. That greater way is a calling for all of us to listen to his voice. I’m a work in progress. May you find the path God has meant for you. Karen is a parishioner of Holy Cross Church in West Fargo. NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

STORIES OF FAITH

Belief in oneself can overcome any obstacle By Father Bert Miller

ueben was born into a middle class family. His father worked hard to clothe, educate, feed, shelter, and provide for his wife and three children. They lived a good life. When Rueben’s dyslexia became known, his dad worked harder to send him to a private school 12 months of the year for 10 years. Rueben didn’t like school because he couldn’t read. He liked his friends, sports, and the fun at school, but the homework was difficult. During high school, it became apparent that Rueben had a talent for working with blueprints and fabricating machines. After graduating from high school, he found a job drafting blueprints and working with engineers for a box making business. At first, he worked with a team of fabricators. As the years passed, he became division head. He was well respected in the company by the president as well as those who worked with and for him. One day an engineer brought Rueben a blueprint and asked him if he could build the machine. Rueben said there was a problem with the design, but the engineer rebuked him and said, “I draw them, you build them.” Rueben said, “Ok, we’ll build it to your specs.” Build it they did, except Rueben knew that the machine wouldn’t work. When the machine was ready, the company president announced that the whole crew would fly to their corporate headquarters to test the machine. It was shipped in parts. When the parts arrived, Rueben and his team put the machine together under the watchful eyes of the engineers. The corporate executives partied with the buyer while they waited. When it was completed, the moment arrived to test it. They turned it on. It worked perfectly for four seconds and then stopped. Again, they tried. The machine did the same thing. Over and over, they tried with the same result.

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Finally, Rueben was called “up front” as they say in business. He was asked why the machine didn’t work. Rueben lay the blueprints out for the corporate presidents to see. There were two pages. One page was calibrated 1/8 inch off from the other page. Rueben’s boss was upset. He asked Rueben if he noticed this before. “Yes,” Rueben said. “I tried to tell the engineer, but he said, ‘I am the engineer, and you are the builder. You, build it.’ So I built it.” The boss asked if Rueben could fix it. Rueben said, “Yes. Give us a day.” That afternoon, Rueben and his team took a semi to a local lumberyard and bought 1/8 inch plywood and brought the load back to the factory. They raised the part of the machine not working by putting the plywood under it. The next day, everyone assembled. They turned the machine on and it worked like a charm. The machine assembles boxes, bags cereal, and seals grocery store boxes for a nationally known cereal maker. At the end of the successful run, the president of the cereal company invited Rueben to his office. Rueben thought he would be fired. The president of the cereal company went behind his desk and invited Rueben to have a seat. They had a nice chat. The president of the cereal company told Rueben that if he was ever let go or fired from the fabricating company, he had a job at the cereal company. Those words close a great day for a man who cannot read and who has worked for the same company for 35 years. Father Bert Miller serves as pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Park River and St. Luke’s Church in Veseleyville. Editor’s note: Stories of Faith is a recurring feature in New Earth. If you have a faith story to tell, contact Father Bert Miller at bert.miller@fargodiocese.org.

Monday, August 5, 2019 Rose Creek Golf Course Fargo, North Dakota To register your team, contact: Brenda Hagemeier 701-356-7928 brenda.hagemeier@fargodiocese.org

11:00 AM - Registration 12:30 PM - Shotgun Start Followed by Social and Banquet

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Sponsored by: Catholic Development Foundation 5201 Bishops Blvd. S, Suite A, Fargo, ND Proceeds will benefit seminarian education and youth programs within the Diocese of Fargo. NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Reflections on discernment and seminary

hen I first conside r e d seminary, I had Seminarian some fears about Life giving my life over completely to the Taylor Ternes Lord. Could I do it? Would the Lord provide? Would I be happy? Despite the hesitations, the call to the seminary didn’t let up. Providentially, as I continued to pray about a possibility to a priestly vocation, my worries slowly faded to the shadows. One of the key moments in my discernment came at the Vianney Discernment Weekend hosted by the Vocations Office for young men discerning the priesthood. It was at this retreat that I truly realized and accepted my calling to the seminary. – Taylor Ternes I can specifically remember one holy hour on the retreat. We learned how to pray using Lectio Divina earlier that day, so I decided to give it a shot during adoration. I remember the verse I meditated on was Matthew 4:19-20. This particular passage concerns the calling of the twelve. It reads, “And he said to them: ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ And at once, leaving behind their nets, they followed Him.” The words “follow me,” and the immediacy of the disciples leaving their nets resonated with me for the remainder of the retreat. This, along with other assurances, helped confirm my decision to enter seminary. Later that year, I asked the vocations director for a seminarian application. After turning it in, I felt confident I had made the correct decision. Bishop Folda accepted my application and chose to send me to St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Neb. I was extremely excited about studying in Nebraska because the culture is very similar to North Dakota. The seminary itself is in a small town that closely resembles my hometown, Devils Lake. A lot of people ask me, “Was seminary everything you thought

“If you discover God is calling you down another path, that doesn’t mean the time you spent in seminary was wasted. The only thing you are risking when you enter seminary is becoming a better man and loving Jesus more.”

NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

it would be?” The simple answer is no… it’s more than anything I ever thought it could be. One of the things that shocked me the most was the strong fraternal bonds I formed with other seminarians. Coming from a public high school, bonding with others over the faith was extremely difficult. Being in the same place with 56 other men who hold the same beliefs I do has been really fulfilling. These are friendships that will last a lifetime. No matter where we will end up in the world, we will always have each other. The daily schedule for the seminary consists of Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer along with Mass, and classes. Some days can be busy, but other days you have a lot of free time to read, pray, or just hang out. The seminary has a perfect balance of good formation, with enough time to enjoy life and have fun with the other seminarians. My first year in seminary was truly a blessing. As in everything, there are days you just want to forget. However, the majority of days are good ones. I have learned so much about my faith and so much about myself. Thank you to everyone who is praying for me each and every day. Bishop Folda, the priests, deacons, and people of the Diocese of Fargo are in my daily prayers. Lastly, for all those who are on the fence about seminary, come get in the battle! Into the breach! When you enter seminary, it is always win-win. If you discover God is calling you down another path, that doesn’t mean the time you spent in seminary was wasted. The only thing you are risking when you enter seminary is becoming a better man and loving Jesus more. Ternes is a College I seminarian studying at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Neb. Editor’s Note: Seminarian Life is a column written by current Diocese of Fargo seminarians. Please continue to pray for them.

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Woman’s Right to Know law supports science and morality

his past winter North Dakota became one of the first states to require women considering an abortion be told about the possibility of abortion pill reversal. The new law is simple. North Dakota requires a set of printed materials be given to every woman considering an abortion. These materials contain information on pregnancy, fetaldevelopment, abortion, and abortion alternatives. The new law directs the Department of Health to update the materials to include information that “it may be possible to reverse the effects of an abortion-inducing drug but time is of the essence.” It also states that the materials “must include information directing the patient where to obtain further information and assistance in locating a medical professional who can aid in the reversal of abortion-inducing drugs, such as mifepristone and misoprostol.” In addition, the new law requires that the abortionist inform the woman that “it may be possible to reverse the effects of an abortion-inducing drug if she changes her mind, but time is of the essence, and information and assistance with reversing the effects of an abortion-inducing drug are available in the printed materials...” The legislation passed both chambers by large margins and was signed by Governor Burgum, but opponents of merely notifying women about this procedure continue to mislead people about it. Here are the facts. North Dakota law requires that abortion-inducing drugs be administered according to the protocol approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA approved protocol consists of mifepristone, followed by misoprostol taken 24 to 48 hours later. The mifepristone blocks the production of progesterone, which stabilizes the uterine lining, which in turn is necessary for the development of the unborn child. By blocking the production of progesterone, mifepristone cuts off blood and nourishment to the unborn child, usually causing he or she to die. The second drug, misoprostol, forces the body to expel the dead unborn child or in some cases a live child. We know this because some women who do not take misoprostol have their pregnancies continue. Since physicians know exactly how mifepristone works (i.e., by blocking progesterone), they also know that treating a woman with progesterone can “kick off” the mifepristone (i.e., displace mifepristone from the progesterone receptors). This allows the woman’s body to respond naturally to the progesterone and to effectively fight the effects of the mifepristone-induced blockage. Progesterone itself has been used safely in pregnancies for decades. Using progesterone to reverse the effects of mifepristone is a targeted medical response that is safe for the woman and the baby. We also know that use of mifepristone alone does not cause birth defects. Indeed, the rate of birth defects for children who survive just the mifepristone is the same as the general pop-

ulation. That means that even if, as some opponents claim, a dose of progesterCatholic one does “nothing” it clearly would not Action harm the woman or the child. Christoper Dodson The fact that the effects the abortion-inducing drug mifepristone can be reversed or blocked should not be disputed. Hundreds of babies among us attest to that fact. Those who oppose merely informing women about the possibility reversing the abortion drug process point to the absence of large-scale studies explaining how the process works. The number of women at issue, however, is so small that large-scale controlled studies are difficult to conduct. Nevertheless, even the opponents of informing women have noted that reversal makes “biological sense” and there is no evidence that abortion pill reversal does not work or is not safe. Indeed, initial studies show that without abortion pill reversal, the chances that an unborn child will survive mifepristone are around 15%. However, if the mother receives the progesterone-based rescue, then 65-70% of the unborn children will survive. An Ob-Gyn physician in Bismarck testified in support of the bill and other physicians wrote to the legislature indicating that they have or would be willing to provide this important service. Opponents did not cite any study showing that the procedures was dangerous to either the woman or the child. Nor could they point to any study indicating that the procedure does not work. The opposition, though sometimes couched in medical terminology, was mostly philosophical. They oppose anything that “interferes” with the abortionist’s trade. The Supreme Court has, however, repeatedly recognized that abortion is not like any other medical procedure, partly because it involves another human life and in part because of recognition that abortion can have greater consequences on a woman and the medical profession than other medical procedures. Thankfully, a majority of the legislature and the governor saw through the false concerns of the opponents and enacted this important update to North Dakota’s Woman’s Right to Know law. Christopher Dodson is executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. The NDCC acts on behalf of the Catholic bishops of North Dakota to respond to public policy issues of concern to the Catholic Church and to educate Catholics and the public about Catholic social doctrine. The conference website is ndcatholic.org.

NEW EARTH APRIL 2019

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Charitable Gift Annuities remains a popular “giving” option

magine making a gift to the Catholic Development Foundation and Stewardship then opening the Steve Schons mail a few months later and finding a check from the Catholic Development Foundation made out to you. If you didn’t know better, you might call the Catholic Development Foundation and say, “Hey, what’s going on here? I gave you people some money a while ago and now you’re giving money back to me. What’s wrong? Did my check bounce?” You wouldn’t call the Catholic Development Foundation because you would have in your possession a signed agreement with The Catholic Development Foundation entitling you to a specific amount of money every year for the rest of your life. This agreement is called a Charitable Gift Annuity, and it remains one of the most popular ways people support their favorite Catholic ministry or church.

Age Old Rate New Rate 65 70 75 80 90

4.7% 5.1% 5.8% 6.8% 9.0%

5.1% 5.6% 6.2% 7.3% 9.5%

***Last year gift annuity rates increased for most donors. This is the first time rates have changed since 2012. Here’s how it works. Mr. Sample is 75 years old. After reviewing the information provided by the Catholic Development Foundation and consulting with his advisor, he writes a check for $25,000 and informs the Catholic Development Foundation that he wants a gift annuity with payments on a quarterly basis. According to the gift annuity rates recommended by the American Council on Gift Annuities, Mr. Sample’s age entitles him to receive a quarterly check (every three months) in the amount of $387.50. This represents an annual annuity rate of 6.2 percent. In addition to receiving regular fixed payments (partially tax-free), Mr. Sample will also receive an income tax charitable deduction. With this example and based on today’s IRS schedules, the deduction would be greater than $11,000.

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How does the Catholic Development Foundation benefit from this arrangement? ABC takes the $25,000 and invests it in a special annuity fund, expecting not only to have enough to make the quarterly payments to Mr. Sample, but also to have enough left over after Mr. Sample is gone to benefit Mr. Samples favorite Catholic ministry or church. As a few examples: a Catholic parish, religious education ministry, seminarian education, or cemetery. The Catholic Development Foundation has been issuing gift annuities for many years, as have thousands of other charities. It is a wonderful way to benefit those who support these charities, as well as set funds aside for future use. Gift annuities can be obtained for the donor or by the donor for someone else. They can run for one-life or for two-lives. They can be funded with cash, IRAs, or marketable securities such as stock. Payments can begin soon after the gift is made, or years later. Besides the more obvious uses, gift annuities can be used to help fund a college education and by executives to supplement a retirement plan. They can be used by employers to benefit faithful employees, and they can help children provide added financial support for aging parents. To have a free illustration mailed to you, please contact Steve Schons at the Catholic Development Foundation, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104. (701) 356-7926 or steve. schons@fargodiocese.org

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

A note to women: We are all mothers!

uring the month of May, we thank God for our mothers and all we have received from them. It’s also good to remember the other women who have played an important role in our lives, from grandmothers and aunts to teachers, coaches, and mentors of all kinds. It’s also wonderful to rejoice that as women we all have a life-long vocation to motherhood, whether physical or spiritual. In his Letter to Women, Saint John Paul II praised women in their multiple roles: “Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail. Thank you, women who are wives! Thank you, women who are daughters and women who are sisters! Into the heart of the family, and then of all society, you bring the richness of your sensitivity, your intuitiveness, your generosity and fidelity.” John Paul II’s words inspired many women and encouraged greater awareness of their feminine genius. I’d like to encourage women of all ages—but especially those of us who are not so young anymore—to embrace the mission of being spiritual mothers to the younger generations. Evoking the image of a tree that lacks deep roots and falls in a storm, Pope Francis recently wrote that, “it is impossible for us to grow unless we have strong roots to support us and keep us firmly grounded.” We achieve groundedness, the pope said, by remaining close to our elders and discovering the living richness of the past, by treasuring its memory, and making use of it for our choices and opportunities. Helping young people to do this, the pope said, “is a genuine act of love.” He calls on elders to draw close to the young and journey with them, for the elders have much to teach them. The pope’s recent post-synodal exhortation, Christus Vivit, to young people, should inspire those of us who are not so young to be more aware of all that we have to share: “Realize that there is beauty in the laborer who returns home grimy and unkempt, but with the joy of having earned food for his family. There is extraordinary beauty in the fellowship of a family at table, generously sharing what food it has. There is beauty in the wife, slightly disheveled and no longer young, who continues to care for her sick husband despite her own failing health. Long after the springtime of their courtship has passed, there is beauty in the fidelity of those couples who still love one another in the autumn of life, those elderly people who still hold hands as they walk. There is also a beauty, unrelated to appearances or fashionable dress, in all those men and women who pursue their personal vocation with love, in selfless service of community or nation, in the hard work of building a happy family, in the selfless and demanding effort to advance social harmony. To find, to disclose, and to highlight this beauty, which is like that of Christ on the cross, is to lay the foundations of genuine social solidarity and the culture of encounter.” Fostering relationships—this culture of encounter, as Pope Francis calls it—is an integral part of the feminine genius.

Perhaps your children are grown and you feel that you have completed the job of motherLittle Sisters ing. Or perhaps, like of the Poor me, your personal vocation did not inSister Constance clude physical mothVeit, l.s.p. erhood. By virtue of being women, we are called to nurture others, and this vocation of spiritual maternity never ends. So, this Mother’s Day, look around and find the young people you encounter who are in special need of a mentor, an adopted grandmother, or a wise friend. Reach out and share life’s journey with them, for together we can learn from one another, warm hearts, and inspire minds with the light of the Gospel! Sister Constance Veit is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Following Christ by bringing new life

n the Christian journey, we often celebrate new life. Most recently, we celebrat Catholic ed new life through Charities the Passion and of North Dakota Resurrection Christ. At various Chad Prososki times in the year we celebrate baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and anointing of the sick. These sacraments are great examples to us of new life, but do we see and appreciate how those around us are also bringing new life to others in their own ways? At Catholic Charities North Dakota, each of our programs offer new life to the people we serve. Many of these people are struggling and looking for hope. In our pregnancy, parenting, and adoption (PPAS) program, women who are expecting a baby and seek help may have no place to stay, no food, or feel that they cannot care for their child. We help them connect with community providers and find housing and medical care, as well as other basic necessities to live and raise a child. When women reach a certain level of stability themselves, they are then able to better care for their growing baby and often achieve a whole new perspective on their life and the life of their child. –Chad Prososki Some expectant mothers and fathers who come to Catholic Charities choose the loving decision to make an adoption plan for their child. As this decision can be very difficult, the PPAS program supports these women and men throughout their pregnancy as they give their child the most wonderful gift that can be given, the gift of life. Adoption also provides new life for older children in foster care that may have experienced trauma or other challenges. Finding a forever home through Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK) after months or years of uncertainty can be a dream come true for these boys and girls. With adoption may come many more changes and new adventures. For instance, a child may move into a new home with a new school, new friends, and new activities and routines. Any and all of these changes are opportunities for a fresh start, and offer little ways to have

“Have the celebrations of new life lost some of their meaning over time to you? If so, make time to meditate upon the great miracles and mysteries of life.”

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new life after an AASK adoption. In much the same way, counseling offers new life to clients in the state of North Dakota. Whether it is being part of a new life together through marriage preparation classes, offering new life in an existing marriage through marital counseling, or offering healing during an annulment, our counselors help others find new life in the midst of some of their most important times. Giving others the tools to cope with mental health challenges such as clinical anxiety, anger, depression, and other struggles allows friends and neighbors to reclaim the life they were meant to have and to have it more abundantly. Guardianships for adults with intellectual disabilities can provide new life in many ways as well. For instance, helping someone find new living arrangements or find the medical care they need can make a tremendous difference in their lives. These supports can offer a brand new lease on life for individuals in need who may have been waiting a long time to become part of our programs. Likewise, our disaster relief helps flood, tornado, and wind victims with rebuilding not just their homes but their very lives and communities also. The possibility of flooding again in the Red River Valley this spring reminds us of past disasters in the Minot, Grand Forks, and Fargo areas. How quickly we can forget otherwise. The same can be true in our own lives. Have the celebrations of new life lost some of their meaning over time to you? If so, make time to meditate upon the great miracles and mysteries of life. I invite you also to pause and reflect on the times of new life in your own faith journey and also the many people who have received new life because someone chose to support Catholic Charities and its mission. Chad Prososki is the Director of Development and Community Relations for Catholic Charities North Dakota. For more than 90 years, Catholic Charities North Dakota and its supporters have been putting their faith in action helping people, changing lives. You can reach Chad at info@catholiccharitiesnd.org or (701) 235-4457

Life’s milestones Bill and Jeanine (Stroh) Altringer will celebrate their 50th anniversary June 27. They were married at St. Mathias Church in Windsor. They have 4 children, 11 grandchildren (1 deceased), and 1 great-granddaughter. They will celebrate with an open house on June 15.

Barb Foerster-Estad will celebrate her 90th birthday on May 23. Barb and her late husband Raymond were married 40 years, had 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. She married Gene Estad in 2000. Barb is a parishioner of St. John’s Church in Grafton.

Leo and Twyla Boyle, parishioners at St. Joseph’s Church in Devils Lake, celebrated their 50th anniversary on April 18. They were married at St. Joseph’s and their daughter and son were baptized there and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. They have two granddaughters.

Barbara Kuntz celebrated her 90th birthday on May 1. She is a parishioner of Little Flower Church in Rugby. She and her late husband Frank farmed and ranched in the Orrin area for many years. They have 13 children, 23 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Their daughter Sister Carol Jean Kuntz passed in 2017.

Tom and Mary (Machacek) Mann will celebrate their 70th anniversary on June 15. They were married in Holy Trinity Church in Dresden. They have 5 living children, 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Hiladore and Pauline Osowski celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Dec. 30. They were married at St. John the Evangelist Church in Grafton. They reside on a farm east of Grafton and are parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Oakwood. They have five children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Mary Cichos Deery, lifelong parishioner of St. James Basilica in Jamestown, celebrated her 102nd birthday on March 30. Mary and her late husband Clifford have 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Share life’s milestones

As a way to celebrate life and love, we encourage parishioners throughout the Diocese of Fargo to send a photo and news brief about golden anniversaries and anniversaries of 60 or more years or birthdays of 80 or more years to: New Earth, Diocese of Fargo, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104 or news@fargodiocese.org.

Theresa Lutovsky, parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church in Grafton, celebrated her 90th birthday on March 28. Many relatives and friends hosted a party in her honor in Minneapolis on March 30. Marietta Pellman celebrated her 80th birthday May 3. She was married to Leo Pellman for 57 years before he passed away May 9, 2018. They were both lifelong parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church in Mantador. She has six sons, nine grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. Colleen (Klein) Vannurden, Valley City, celebrated her 90th birthday on May 7. She is a graduate of St. Catherine High School, class of 1946. She has 8 children, 17 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Events across the diocese

West Fargo parish to feature Father James Kubicki

Father James Kubicki will be the presenter for a parish mission at Blessed Sacrament in West Fargo. The mission is entitled “The Eucharist,” and will take place May 12–15, beginning at 7 p.m. each night. Talks will be one hour with a social to follow. Adults, families, and youth ages 12 and older are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Blessed Sacrament at (701) 282-3321.

Christina at (701) 746-9401 or sr.christina@gmail.com.

Join over 20,000 high school students across the nation for NCYC!

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) invites high school students to encounter Christ, experience church, and be empowered for discipleship. Join over 20,000 students and chaperones in Indianapolis Nov. Nominations are now being re- 20–24 to encounter a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. There ceived for the 2019 Longest Mar- will be great entertainment on the main stage along with many ried Couple Project sponsored by opportunities for fellowship, workshops, live entertainment, Worldwide Marriage Encounter. prayer, Reconciliation, and Mass. The cost for this experience is The state winners, who are gen- $700/student or chaperone. If a parish registers eight students erally married 50, 60, or 70 plus for the conference, a chaperone can register for free. No cost for years, will be recognized for their clergy and religious to attend. The cost includes transportation, long-lasting marriages in June by housing, meals, and entrance fee. If interested, contact Kathy Worldwide Marriage Encounter Loney at (701) 356-7902. The first payment of $250 is due June 15. couples from their states. Winners of the Longest Married Couple project are selected solely from nominations submitted. Go to wwme.org and click on “Nominate Today” located at the upper right of the home page to make Beginning Experience weekyour nomination. Nominations will be accepted through May 14. ends will be held June 21–23 and Nov. 22–24. Beginning Experience is a support program offered by the Catholic Join the World Apostolate of Fatima for the Our Lady of Fatima Church and open to divorced, Conference Day on May 18 at Shanley High School in Fargo. The widowed, and separated perday begins at 8 a.m. and includes Mass, a rosary, and talks by sons of all faiths or no faith. Father Robert Altier, Father Peter Anderl, and Deacon George Grieving people are guided Loegering. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. Visit Contact through a transformational process to a new beginning in their waffargo@yahoo.com for more information or register at www. lives. Certified teams of peer ministers who have suffered similar fargodiocese.org/fatima. losses lead participants through a series of presentations followed by personal reflection and small group sharing. Beginning Experience of Eastern North Dakota currently offers weekly programs as well in Fargo and Fergus Falls, Minn., meeting once a week Join Bishop Folda for the ordination week holy hour at St. Mary’s for ten weeks. For more information, call (701) 277-8784. Please Cathedral, Fargo on Friday, May 31 from 7 to 8 p.m. This Holy leave a message and visit our website at www.beginningexpeHour is specifically to pray for our current priests in the diocese rience-easternnd.org.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter looking for longest married couple

Beginning Experience: Peer ministry for divorced, widowed, separated

Our Lady of Fatima Conference Day coming to Fargo

Pray for priests at the ordination week holy hour

and for those to be ordained to the traditional diaconate the following day.

Magnificat Mornings for Catholic women in Grand Forks area

Would you like to connect with other women of faith? All Catholic women from college students to young mothers to great-grandmothers are invited to Magnificat Mornings the first Saturday of each month starting at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Guest Home in Grand Forks. Mornings include Mass, a short talk, small groups, music, sharing, prayer, food, and fellowship. Childcare available upon prior request. Free-will offering. Contact Sister

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Head to Mother-Daughter Days with the Franciscan Sisters

Mothers and their daughters are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters in Hankinson for this annual event June 27–29 at St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson. The theme of this year’s retreat is “Come to my heart!” Register by June 20 by email at ndfranciscan@yahoo. com or text at (701) 208-1245.

Summer retreats available for youth

The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will be offering two retreats this summer for ages 13–17. These retreats will be planned and presented by young adults ages 19–39. These young adults will offer words of wisdom on the theme, “Who am I?” and lead crafts and outdoor activities. The young women’s retreat will be July 17–20, and the young men’s retreat will be July 21–24, both held at the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen convent in Hankinson. Cost is $160/person. Scholarships are available upon request. Contact Kathy Loney at (701) 356-7902.

Come and See retreat with the Franciscan Sisters

Single women, ages 16–26 are invited to come to meet the Sisters at St. Francis Convent in Hankinson to pray, hear inspiring talks, search their heart, and listen to God. This retreat, from Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. until Aug. 3 at 4 p.m., is a time to relax and enjoy some time discovering your vocation. For more information or to register, contact Sister Jean Louise at ndfranciscan@yahoo. com or text (701) 208-1245 by July 24.

Diocesan pilgrimage to Holy Land postponed Bishop John Folda will not be leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this October. The pilgrimage will be rescheduled for the fall of 2020. Keep watching for updates in New Earth as more information becomes available.

A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST

These news items, compiled by Danielle Thomas, were found in New Earth and its predecessor, Catholic Action News.

75 years ago — 1944

On May 14, the Jamestown unit of the Diocesan Catholic Nurses’ Confederation attended a High Mass celebrated for them at the Trinity Hospital chapel by Rev. Anthony Peschel, diocesan director of hospitals. Fr. Peschel gave a talk on “The Eucharist” and “Panem Vivum” was sung by the choir.

50 years ago — 1969

The biography, “American Nuncio: Cardinal Aloisius Muench” by Father Colman Barry, O.S.B., was published by the Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn. Cardinal Muench served as Bishop of Fargo from 1935–59 and was the first American to serve as cardinal-in-curia in Rome. For those 13 years beginning in 1946, he was entrusted as the messenger of the Holy Father to bring hope to the German people and aid in the efforts to rebuild the Church following the Second World War. He was named a cardinal by Pope John XXIII in 1959 and passed from this earthly life in 1962.

20 years ago — 1999

For 36 years, the Catholic community of Kindred has worked and prayed for a church of their own. Less than one week after the funeral Mass for their founding pastor, Father Maurice Mueller, Bishop Sullivan conducted a ground-breaking ceremony to kick off the construction of St. Maurice Church. Construction of the fellowship hall was completed the spring of 1994 and Mass was celebrated there. The focal point of the new church will be a stained glass window depicting the crucifixion and will be dedicated to Father Mueller. Construction is expected to be complete by January 2000.

Diocesan policy: Reporting child abuse

“The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it.” –St. Vincent de Paul

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 anemployee 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 Monsignor Joseph P. Goering at (701) 356-7945 or Larry Bernhardt at (701) 356-7965 or VictimAssistance@fargodiocese.org. For additional information about victim assistance, visit www.fargodiocese.org/victimassistance.

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US & WORLD NEWS

Pope names Archbishop Wilton Gregory as new archbishop of Washington By National Catholic Register

ope Francis has named the Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory as the new Archbishop of Washington. The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C., on April 4 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta. Nuncio to the United (CNA) States. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, 71, was born on Dec. 7, 1947 in Chicago, Ill. He attended the University of St. Mary at Mundelein Seminary, and completed his doctorate in sacred liturgy in 1980 at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome. He was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 9, 1973. On Dec. 13, 1983, he was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Chicago. He was then installed as bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. on Feb. 10, 1994. Pope John Paull II appointed

him as the sixth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He was installed on Jan. 17, 2005. Archbishop Gregory served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from Nov. 2001–04, following three years as USCCB vice president. Under his leadership, the USCCB implemented the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” He also previously served on other committees including the Committee on Doctrine, Liturgy, Administrative, and International Policy and also as Chairman of the Bishops’ Committees on Personnel and the Third Millennium/Jubilee Year 2000. On October 12, 2018, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, 78, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Washington. Cardinal Wuerl had presented his resignation almost three years ago, when he reached the retirement age for bishops of 75. Upon acceptance of his resignation, Pope Francis named Cardinal Wuerl as apostolic administrator to oversee the archdiocese until a successor was named. Cardinal Wuerl served as archbishop of Washington from 2006–18.

“Mary, dry our tears:” French priests respond to Notre-Dame blaze

By Courtney Grogan | Catholic News Agency

ather Pierre Amar was praying in Notre-Dame de Paris at 5 p.m. April 15 to prepare spiritually for the Easter Triduum. Hours later he was ringing the “funeral bells” at his parish to mourn the flames consuming the “mother of all the cathedrals in France.” “The Cathedral of Notre-Dame has a particular place in our hearts and in our history,” Father Amar told CNA April 16. “It is hard to find my words because the emotion is so great. This morning at Mass, we prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary ‘Mary, dry our tears.’ We are so sad; France is mourning its cathedral.” Father Joseph Koczera was having dinner in Paris with fellow priests when he heard the news. “We were all in shock,” he said. “We all felt a sense of despair, seeing images of the cathedral in flames and fearing that it would be completely destroyed.” “I walked down to the Île de la Cité to join the many Parisians who were there watching the cathedral burn. What struck me when I arrived was the atmosphere of prayer and reflection:

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many were singing the Ave Maria in French, and many were kneeling in prayer,” said Koczera, an American priest based in Paris. “Some were crying, but there was a palpable sense of Christian hope, a sense that this beloved church would be saved and would experience a kind of physical resurrection.” While greatly damaged, the main structure of Notre-Dame, including much of its interior vaulted ceiling remained intact as firefighters worked late into the night to put out the flames. Originally built between the 12th and 14th centuries, the cathedral is one of the most recognizable churches in the world, receiving more than 12 million visitors each year. “I think it’s difficult to sum up the importance of Notre-Dame de Paris in just a few words. It’s not just a tourist attraction; it’s a place of prayer, where ordinary people from all walks of life go each day for Mass or confession or simply to pray privately,” Father Koczera explained. Each of the priests commented that the Notre-Dame fire has encouraged a greater sense of unity throughout the country. “Notre-Dame de Paris remains a potent national symbol for many French people, whether they are religious believers or not. It is telling that, in the hours after the fire started, political leaders and public figures from left to right and across the ideological spectrum were unanimous in declaring that the cathedral should be rebuilt and that no expense should be spared to make that happen,” Father Koczera commented. “It seems

that Notre-Dame de Paris remains a symbol that the people of France can unite around, regardless of their personal beliefs.” Father Amar said that the event caused fellow countrymen to “discover our unity and human fraternity” at a time when the “climate in France is not so peaceful.” The French priest said that as he walked along streets in the local Church in his collar Tuesday, many strangers approached him and said things like, “Father, we are with you,” and “I am

not Catholic, but we are so touched for you, for France.” “It gave me a lot of joy,” Amar reflected. “We lost an edifice, but we have discovered, this morning, the unity of our country.” “Notre-Dame. It means ‘Our Lady,’ not ‘The Lady of France.’ Our Lady is for everybody—Christian people, believers, nonbelievers—everyone is welcome in the heart of Notre-Dame,” Amar said.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka Easter bombings By Courtney Grogan | Catholic News Agency Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, told EWTN that the local Catholic community has suffered tremendously because of the horrible massacre on Easter Sunday. “We lost so many valuable lives in both churches ... a huge amount of people,” Cardinal Ranjith told EWTN News Nightly April 22. The Sri Lankan cardinal said that he rushed to St. Anthony’s shrine as soon as he heard of the attack Sunday morning, but the police did not allow him to enter because they suspected that more bombs could be inside the church. “From the outside I saw a lot of devastation outside the church,” Ranjith said. “When I saw so many bodies, I was completely moved and disturbed.” (Catholic News Agency) The Knights of Columbus have pledged $100,000 in aid for he Islamic State claimed responsibility April 23 for the victims of the Sri Lankan attacks to help Cardinal Ranjith rebuild Easter bombings in Sri Lanka that killed at least 321 people and repair his Christian community. and left 500 injured. “Terrorist attacks like those on Easter Sunday are the acts of “The perpetrators of the attack that targeted nationals of the those who reject the sanctity of life, human rights and religious countries of the coalitions and Christians in Sri Lanka before freedom,” Carl Anderson, CEO and Supreme Knight of the yesterday are fighters from the Islamic State,” the Islamic State Knights of Columbus said April 22. said through its Aamaq news agency April 23. “Globally, it is well documented that Christians are the most Sri Lankan officials suspected the local Islamist group, the persecuted religious group today,” Anderson said. “Now is the National Thowheed Jamath, of carrying out the attacks, but time for every country to take concrete steps to protect their one government spokesman added that it was likely that an minority populations, including Christians, and to stop this persecution and slaughter.” international network also supported the attacks. Investigations into the Easter attacks on two Catholic churches, In the past, the Islamic State has claimed attacks perpetrated an evangelical church, three hotels, and a private residence are by others that support their ideology, however, the sophistication ongoing. According to some reports, as many as 24 arrests have of the seven coordinated suicide bombings in three Sri Lankan been made as Sri Lanka has declared a state of national emergency. cities points to the possibility of direct involvement. Sri Lanka’s minister of defense Ruwan Wijewardene claimed Pope Francis renewed his prayers for the victims in Sri Lanka April 23 that the church bombings in Sri Lanka were in retaliation and appealed for international support during his Regina Coeli for the mosque bombings in Christchurch New Zealand, AP address Monday. reported. The office of New Zealand’s prime minister responded “I pray for the many victims and wounded, and I ask everyto the claim by saying that they had not seen any intelligence one not to hesitate to offer this dear nation all the help that is to support the connection. necessary,” the pope said April 22. Funeral Masses were held April 23 for the victims of the “I also hope that everyone condemns these acts of terrorism, attacks on St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church in Negombo and St. inhuman acts, never justifiable,” he said.

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Sidewalk Stories By Roxane B. Salonen

“Black Hole” from Unplanned leaves mark

he Unplanned movie came out a little over a month ago, and reportedly, nearly 100 abortion workers have left the industry after seeing the film, and thousands more people have been indelibly impacted. I am still processing the takeaways from the story of ex-abortion worker Abby Johnson’s departure from the industry and how this dramatic event, portrayed cinematographically, has affected me. There’s one image, seen early in the film, that haunted me throughout my viewing and has continued to haunt me ever since. It’s a simple visual, not at all red and bloody, shown in basic black and white: the live ultrasound revealing a shockingly emptied-out womb—or what I call a “black hole” because of how it left me feeling: engulfed by emptiness at confronting a severe, senseless void. Something alive and vibrant—and obviously human—had vanished in a sickening flash. Certainly, other moments in the film gripped me as well, like a scene in which a mother begs her daughter not to go through with her scheduled abortion while grasping the fence that separates them, desperate and powerless, crying out for her to stop. But nothing moved me as deeply as that eerily vacant haven. For in the context of the vibrant life seen just moments before, its hollowed reality opened something unexpected inside me. Seeing the empty sanctuary where God’s icon—an unrepeatable child made in his very image and likeness—had been just seconds before stopped me cold. My friend Ramona Trevino, another former Planned Parenthood manager, told me recently that abortion won’t end until we’ve regained a sense of the sacred, and I think she’s right. Though even the irreligious can feel horror at innocent life ending—for there is never a just defense of such a death—ultimately, we cannot separate the exquisiteness of life from its creator. Without returning to this reality of the holiness of God, the lights of our world will remain perpetually dimmed. While I struggle to adequately describe the effect of this lifeless cavity juxtaposed next to the vibrancy of life in Unplanned—a scene that has been repeated millions of times in reality in our country alone since Roe vs. Wade—I can say that the visual changed me. I watched the film on a Tuesday, and by Wednesday had ventured out to pray on the sidewalk of our state’s only abortion facility. As I caught sight of the grimacing face of a longtime

escort, my heart softened, for I know, based on her own admission, that she lives with the reality of her own emptied womb, her own black hole. In her recently-released book, The Anti-Mary Exposed, author Carrie Gress says that as women, we are “made for motherhood, so our stewardship of life and the quality of our character can be judged on how we engage in it.” “Despite our contemporary misreading of human nature, there is simply no way for a woman to take herself out of motherhood,” she writes, adding that everything a woman is or does is, in essence, “somehow related to her embrace or rejection of (motherhood).” This is a stunning statement, one that makes me see the post-abortive woman in a new light. For each has explicitly rejected her motherhood. Even if she refuses to admit that, she still lives it with every breath she takes. A troubling prospect indeed. Having confronted the black hole in Unplanned so vividly, I now better understand the void that the unhealed post-abortive woman lives with each day. It has compelled me to pray for her even more,and with more fervency, desire her healing and freedom. Without this freedom, she carries death every day within her, without solace. “The abortion movement… is counting on men and woman who have been complicit in abortion to defend it,” Gress continues. “Intellectually and morally trapped, followers are stuck defending their own actions, wittingly or not, because they have been engaged in the destructive behavior that fuels their movement.” May God, in his mercy, help us bring a revival of this sense of lost motherhood—and fatherhood as well—to our collective consciousness. If anyone can be a fitting guide, it is Our Blessed Mother. She alone can help us most fully accomplish the task of, as Gress puts it, “…giving women their hearts back.” In this month in which we regard motherhood, we might try, beginning with “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” As we do, may we hold the Lord close each day, as tenderly as Mary did in her holy womb. Roxane B. Salonen, a wife and mother of five, is a local writer, and a speaker and radio host for Real Presence Radio. Roxane writes for The Forum newspaper and for CatholicMom.com. Reach her at roxanebsalonen@gmail.com.

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Catholic couples enrich their marriages through Mary's example