November 2017 New Earth

New November 2017 | Vol. 38 | No.10

Earth

The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo

Serving those who serve The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is vital to the spiritual well-being of U.S. troops and their families

PLUS

From Bishop Folda: A Catholic perspective on the Reformation

St. Vincent de Paul Society opens new thrift store in Fargo

Memoriam: A call to pray for those who have gone before us

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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November 2017 Vol. 38 | No. 10

ON THE COVER 12 Serving those who serve

A Veterans Day look at the Archdiocese for the Military

Services and its mission to nurture the faith of soldiers and their families at home and abroad.

FROM BISHOP FOLDA

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A Catholic perspective on the Reformation

FOCUS ON FAITH

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Pope Francis’ November prayer intentions

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Ask a priest: I’m confused about Holy Days of Obligation and Vigil Masses. How do I know that I fulfilled my obligation? How do I know which Mass “counts?”

AROUND THE DIOCESE

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St. Vincent de Paul Society opens new thrift store in Fargo

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Deacon David Eblen; a man of the earth

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Teacher, musician, and artist Dr. William J. Weiler passes away Aug. 27

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11 Pilgrims experience Fatima during 100-year

anniversary of Marian apparitions

NEXT GEN

16 Scouting religious awards help

youth to keep the faith

FAITH AND CULTURE

17 Tattered Pages

A review written by Father James Gross for “Fields of Battle” by Brian Curtis.

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

18 Stories of Faith

When giving to causes, have faith

19 Catholic Charities Corner

Lending a hand in Houston

20 Catholic Action

Moral concerns in the consumer world

21 Seminarian Life

Learning how to evangelize

22 Stewardship

St. Ann’s Mission – Year of Mercy project update

23 Making Sense of Bioethics

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Considering the options for infertile couples

ON THE COVER: U.S. soldiers attend Mass in Afghanistan. (Catholic News Agency)

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(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

Parish contributions make it possible for each registered Catholic household in the diocese to receive 11 issues per year. For those living outside the Diocese wanting a subscription, an annual $9/year rate is requested.

Postmaster

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

24 Events across the diocese 25 Life’s milestones 26 A glimpse of the past

SPECIAL SECTION - MEMORIAM

27 Memoriam: A call to pray for

those who have gone before us

U.S. AND WORLD NEWS 34 Groups settle in lawsuit against

HHS contraceptive mandate

SIDEWALK STORIES 35 To pray or not to pray, that is the question

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 December issue is November 22, 2017.

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.

Member of the Catholic Press Association NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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FROM BISHOP FOLDA

A Catholic perspective on the Reformation

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ive hundred years ago this past month, the Protestant Reformation was launched when Martin Luther published his 95 Theses, a list of grievances and propositions for reform of the Church. One must acknowledge that there were some serious abuses in the Church at the time of the Reformation, and Luther ’s “protest” was largely directed toward those issues. But over time, the protests of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and others were also directed toward the doctrine and pastoral practices of the Church, and a true separation from the Church took place. In a recent article, Bishop Robert Barron looks objectively at the discord of that era: “Sadly, things got out of hand: exaggerations, over-reactions, impugning of motives, awkward formulations, etc., on both sides.

The result was that a reform movement within the church gave rise to a divided church” (Christianity Today, March 17, 2017).

From the perspective of history, it seems proper to mark or observe this anniversary, but not to celebrate it. Any division of the Christian people is a tragedy, and one undeniable result of the Reformation has been the sad fracturing of the Christian community. Hundreds of different denominations have sprung up in the aftermath of the Reformation, which unfortunately diminishes the witness of Christianity to the world. It’s hard to imagine that Jesus would be content with this state of affairs.

And so, we should do what we can to restore unity and to heal the wounds of division that still remain. Pope Francis himself, in October 2016, traveled to Lund, Sweden to join leaders of the Lutheran World Federation in an ecumenical service of prayer, where he acknowledged the prayer of Jesus for his followers: “That they all may be one.” Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI participated in similar events during their pontificates. I too had the privilege of participating in a synodal assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church here in North Dakota, as well as a commemoration of the Reformation at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. The priests and deacons of our diocese have gathered in joint meetings with our Lutheran neighbors

to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the teachings of Pope Francis and the ecumenical path toward reunion. We have also worked closely with various Protestant groups in the prolife and pro-family causes that are so important in the current cultural situation. And, every January, many of our parishes join with our non-Catholic brethren to pray together during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The friendships that have developed between us have been a blessing and hopefully will make it possible for us, even in a small way, to move toward the unity that Jesus desires for his Church.

Ecumenical progress seems to move slowly, but Christian unity is feasible if we are open to this possibility and receptive to God’s grace. A good example of true progress is the 1999 Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, which was the fruit of an international Catholic-Lutheran dialogue that involved years of mutual listening, honesty, charity, and prayer. Not so long ago, such an agreement on the issue of justification would have been unthinkable. In recent years, the group “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” has also issued several statements of common belief, which bear witness to a greater spirit of cooperation among Catholics and Protestants. These statements are not complete or perfect, but they are a good start towards the unity we all hope for, the unity that is essential to God’s plan for his Church. And they also remind us that there is more that unites us than divides us. There is still much to be done, but after 500 years of separation, by the grace of God, the process of healing will continue. Even though we still find ourselves disagreeing about important issues of faith and morals, we do so as brothers and sisters, not as enemies.

Catholics should look upon this anniversary of the Reformation with equal measures of humility and hope. We must pray for unity among Christians, as Jesus did, and at the same time immerse ourselves in our Catholic faith by regular reading and prayer with the words of Sacred Scripture. We should study the Catechism of the Catholic Church in order to know and understand the truths of our faith more fully. There is also a need for self-examination. In a spirit of humility, each of us must repent for our own failures to follow Christ and to fully live out the gift of faith in the world and in the communion of the Church.

Authentic reform is always necessary in the lives of Christians.

From the very beginning, Jesus called his disciples to repentance.

And already in the fifth century, St. Augustine coined the phrase Ecclesia semper reformanda (“The Church must always be reformed”). He recognized that the Church must humbly and constantly strive to be what Jesus Christ founded her to be. In

“Any division of the Christian people is a tragedy, and one undeniable result of the Reformation has been the sad fracturing of the Christian community.” – Bishop John Folda, Diocese of Fargo 4

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the years immediately following Luther’s protest, the need for reform gave rise to a new movement within the Church – a Catholic Reformation – that began to address the problems and corruption of that time. Great saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola, Pope St. Pius V, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Francis de Sales worked tirelessly to renew the Church in unity and holiness, and that task continues for all of us today.

Certainly we must always cling to hope for a restoration of unity. Without question, real issues remain that divide us as Christians, and some ask whether Christianity can ever be reunited as a unified body of believers. From our human perspective this might seem impossible, but with God’s grace all things are possible. Jesus himself prayed that all of his followers might be one, and we must never underestimate the power of grace and Christ’s ability to form us as a united Church. Unity among the Christian faithful is a gift from God, and through prayer and humble effort we must dispose ourselves to be worthy of that gift.

Prayer Intention of Pope Francis November

Christians in Asia:

That Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.

Bishop Folda’s Calendar Nov. 6 | 8:30 a.m.

Mass at St. Patrick’s, Enderlin

10:30 a.m.

Mass at Holy Trinity, Fingal

Nov. 9 | 6 p.m.

bisonCatholic Banquet, Delta by Marriott, Fargo

Nov. 10 | 11:30 a.m.

Dialogue on Faith and Work, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.

5 p.m.

St. Catherine School 45th Annual Fall Auction, Eagle’s Club, Valley City

Nov. 12-16

USCCB Meeting, Baltimore, Md.

Nov. 19 | 5:30 p.m.

Operation Andrew Dinner, Bishop’s Residence, Fargo

Nov. 23-26

Thanksgiving Holiday, Pastoral Center closed

Nov. 29 | 3 p.m.

JPII Schools Board Meeting, Pastoral Center, Fargo

Dec. 2 | 6 p.m.

Noel Night, St. John School, Wahpeton

Dec. 6

North Dakota Catholic Conference, Jamestown

Dec. 8 | 12:10 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo Pastoral Center closed

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FOCUS ON FAITH

I’m confused about Holy Days of Obligation and Vigil Masses. How do I know that I fulfilled my obligation? How do I know which Mass “counts?”

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here is general confusion about what exactly ‘counts’ for fulfilling the requirement to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. This is understandable since it is, quite simply, confusing.

First of all, on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation the faithful find themselves at the intersection of Canon Law and Liturgical Law, and knowing where one ends and the other begins isn’t easy. Second, the Liturgical Law which governs the calendar is not simple because it regulates something with many variables and caveats. However, the purpose of the canonical element is simple: to make sure the faithful are getting to Mass. Moreover, the purpose of the liturgical element is likewise simple: to ensure the faithful are able to celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s life, and that the principle mystery, the Paschal Mystery, is not obscured.

The fulfillment of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days of obligation is a canonical judgment and is determined simply by what day and time a person goes to Mass. To fulfill one’s Sunday obligation, one must attend Mass either on Sunday itself or the evening before (Code of Canon Law 1248). The canonical day is from midnight to midnight, and canonical consensus indicates that the “evening” begins at 4 p.m. (Canon 202). To fulfill one’s Sunday obligation, one must attend Mass between 4 p.m. on Saturday and midnight on Sunday. The same is the case for Holy Days of Obligation: one must attend Mass on that day, or at 4 p.m. or later on the preceding day.

It is frequently said that so long as the readings are for the Sunday or Holy Day, the Mass “counts” to fulfill the obligation.

But that isn’t entirely true. The readings to be used are determined

by Liturgical Law. Generally, the readings for the Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation will be read at a Mass that fulfills one’s obligation. However, this is not always the case, so it is a poor determination of whether or not one’s obligation has been fulfilled. For instance, on a Sunday in Ordinary Time (or 4 p.m. or later on a Saturday afternoon in Ordinary Time), a wedding Mass with the readings and prayers for the ritual Mass for marriage may be used. In this case the readings would not be for the Sunday, but one’s Sunday obligation would still be fulfilled. So, the fulfillment of one’s obligation is not determined by what readings were read, but rather on what day and at what time one attends Mass.

Another point of confusion can arise when Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation fall on consecutive days, which will be the case this year, since Christmas falls on Monday. The 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas, which is a Holy Day of Obligation, are back-to-back. A person with a mind for efficiency might be tempted to try a two-for-one. Couldn’t the Christmas Vigil Mass, since it would be on Sunday evening, count for both the Sunday and Christmas obligations? The canonical answer is “no, it would not fulfill the law.” There are two obligations, and they need to be fulfilled with two Masses. The liturgical answer goes a little further: “no, but why would you even want to do that?”

We need to remember that the Christian life is so much more than mere legalism. The Church asks us to attend Mass on

these days because it is vital for our life in Christ.

St. Ireneus of Lyon once said that Ask a Priest “the Glory of God Father is man fully alive.”

Matthew Kraemer We receive supernatural life through the Mass. The same sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, whereby which he perfectly glorified the Father and gave life and holiness to man, is made present. He allows us to join him in giving glory to the Father, and we in return receive life, life in abundance.

Father Kraemer serves as the Secretary to the Bishop, Master of Ceremonies, Vice Chancellor, and Director of Liturgy for the Diocese of Fargo. He can be reached at matthew.kraemer@fargodiocese.org.

Editor’s Note: If you would like to submit a question for consideration in a future column, please send to news@fargodiocese.org or mail to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S, Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104, Attn: Ask a Priest.

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

St. Vincent de Paul Society opens new thrift store in Fargo

By Kristina Lahr

Volunteers at the new St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store from l to r: Terri Schwartz, Diana Russell, Marge Klinger, and Deb Boucher.

(Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

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n August, the St. Vincent de Paul Society opened a new thrift store in Fargo. The store is powered by volunteers who reach out beyond the store’s walls to help those in need.

But the thrift store is only part of what the St. Vincent de Paul Society does for the community.

“The St. Vincent de Paul Society serves the people today in 152 countries around the world,” said Marge Klinger. “We go to the poor. We meet with them in their homes. If they don’t have a home, we meet them at a park or a church office or their car.

Poverty is real in the Fargo/Moorhead area. And the tristate area for that matter.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization inspired by Gospel values. It leads lay-people to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are in need.

Organized locally, volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul witness to God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice.

The Society collaborates with people of good will in relieving poverty and addressing its causes, making no distinction of those served because, in them, they see the face of Christ.

“They are our masters; we serve them,” said Marge. “We sit down and have a conversation. We find out how they got into the situation they’re in and we find out what they need. Maybe they can’t pay the rent or the utilities or their baby need diapers.”

The thrift store supports St. Vincent de Paul Society’s efforts to combat poverty in the Fargo-Moorhead community. The Society has been active in the area since 1968.

The thrift store assists those in need through a voucher program connected to area Catholic churches. The voucher comes from the parish and explains what each person needs.

“When these people come with their vouchers, you can see 8

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a little bit of shame,” said Diana Russell. “but I talk to them like there is no voucher. Once they leave with what they need, they’re like a different person. They come in, no smile, but when they leave they have a smile.

“I’ve been in that spot way back. You don’t want to ask for help. You try to be strong enough so you don’t have to ask for help, but you know deep inside that the only way you can help yourself is to break down and ask. Once you get the help, it encourages you to try to do better and get going in your life again.”

“It feels good to know that there are people that care and aren’t judging,” said Terri Schwartz. “Many years ago I didn’t have money for food but somebody put my name in a Thanksgiving basket. I don’t know who did it. But I received this gift and now I want to give back, so other people have that feeling.”

The St. Vincent de Paul thrift store is located at 2796 5th Ave S Suite B, Fargo and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. You can assist their efforts by volunteering or donating items and funds to the store. Call (701) 364-9404 or email store@svdpfargo.org for more information.

Hurley’s Religious Goods Inc

Serving our faith community Since 1951

1417 S University Dr - Fargo ND 58103 1-800-437-4338 - info@hurleysrg.com

AROUND THE DIOCESE

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Deacon David Eblen; a man of the earth

eacon David Eblen of Fargo passed away Sept.

23 at Sanford Hospital surrounded by his family. He was 79.

David Wilbur Eblen was born Dec. 12, 1937 in Seattle, Wash. to Wilbur Eblen and Irene (Paschke) Eblen. He grew up on the family farm near Hillsboro and graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston in 1956.

He married Peggy Wiger on Dec. 27, 1963, in Hunter, and they farmed in the Hillsboro area for over 30 years. During that time, he served as Trail County Farmers Union President, North Dakota Farmers Union State Secretary, and on the Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Association Board of Directors.

He retired from farming in 1993 and was ordained a deacon on Dec. 11, 1993. He served in that capacity at St. Rose of Lima in Hillsboro. He was Director of Diaconate Formation and he developed and implemented the Education for Parish Service program for the Fargo Diocese. He was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

David and Peggy moved to Fargo in 2007, where he served

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as a deacon at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church. In 2011, he was honored with the Top Aggie award from the Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Association.

David enjoyed time spent with family, traveling, and trips to Tulaby and Ottertail Lakes. He had an avid interest in genealogy and spent much of his time researching family history. He was a true man of the earth and loved gardening during his retirement. David was also very proud of the fact that he had the privilege of officiating at the marriages of both of his children, and baptizing all five of his grandchildren.

David is survived by his wife, Peggy; son, Bob (Deb) Eblen of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Patrice (Kevin) Lahlum of Horace; and five grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings Cece (Ken) Cotton, Kathleen Heising, Sister Patrice Eblen, Tom (Deb) Eblen and many nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Mark Eblen, Glenn Eblen, Eileen Murdock and brother-in-law James Heising.

David’s funeral Mass was Sept. 28 at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo. His final resting place is St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Hillsboro.

Teacher, musician, and artist Dr. William J. Weiler passes away Aug. 27

r. William J. Weiler (Bill) died peacefully on Aug. 27 in the Palliative Care Unit at the Veterans Hospital in Fargo.

Bill was born on April 3, 1930 to Mary Agnes (Brown) and Leo Joseph Weiler in Fargo. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School, graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, and received his BA from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. Bill received his Master’s Degree in music in 1952 from Northwestern University after which he served in Military Intelligence with the U.S. Armed Services from 1953-55 in Salzburg, Austria.

Beginning in 1955, Bill began teaching at Shanley High School, served as the Director of Music for the Fargo Diocese, and directed the Schola Cantorum at St. Mary’s Cathedral. During this time, he received his PhD at Northwestern University in 1960, and in 1962, Bishop Dworschak invited Bill to be involved with Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo. Affectionately known as “Doc Weiler” to the seminarians, Bill was the Academic Dean, taught philosophy, and helped develop an inter-disciplinary course for North Dakota

State University (NDSU).

Bill’s main focus at the seminary was the chorus, sacred music history, and piano fundamentals. Bill was committed to the importance of good liturgies and taught his students the richness of music in the church. Bill retired from Cardinal Muench Seminary and NDSU in 2010 at the age of 80 after 55 years of service.

Bill was an active artist in the Fargo-Moorhead area and formed The Unicorn Guild in 1960 with Jerry Lamb. In 1964, The Unicorn Guild presented the musical “The Fantasticks” and he started a real-life romance with Mary LaBore, who played the female lead. Bill and Mary married and eight children followed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary; children, David (Paula), Kathleen, Michael (Sara), Daniel (Kilee), Sarah (James), Brenda (Derek), and Mark; eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Ann; parents, Agnes and Leo; and sister, Noella Rae. Bill’s funeral mass was Aug. 31 at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Fargo.

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The Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fargo, commemorated the 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries of vowed life for seven members of the community on Aug. 12-13. Those honored for 50 years of service were Sister Bernadette Trecker and Sister Katherine Fennell (pictured left). Sisters Consilia Duggan, Peggy Byrne, Maris Stella Korb and Mary Margaret Mooney celebrated 60 years of vowed life, and Sister Geraldine Krom celebrated her 70th anniversary (pictured right). The Presentation Sisters are known in the Fargo Diocese for serving and staffing the River Square Senior Apartments, Presentation Partners in Housing, Presentation Music Studio and the Presentation Prayer Center. (submitted photos) 10

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The Diocese of Fargo pilgrimage at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal for the 100-year anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children. (submitted photo)

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Pilgrims experience Fatima during 100-year anniversary of Marian apparitions

he Diocese of Fargo organized a pilgrimage to mark the conclusion of the “Year of Grace” in Fatima, Portugal, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children, and the “Miracle of the Sun” on Oct. 13, 1917. From Oct. 2-14, Father Peter Anderl, pastor of St. Anthony’s, Mooreton, and Sts. Peter and Paul, Mantador, as well as the Spiritual Director for the World Apostolate of Fatima, and Father Andrew Jasinski, Chancellor of the Diocese of Fargo, led 40 pilgrims to Rome, Assisi and Fatima on an incredible experience of grace.

The first five days were a whirlwind tour of Rome. The pilgrims visited the four Major Basilicas, and other historical churches and sites, including the Coliseum, the Catacombs of St. Callistus and San Clemente Basilica. They participated in a General Audience with Pope Francis and celebrated Mass in St. Sebastian’s chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope St. John Paul II is buried.

To unwind from the hectic pace of Rome and prepare for the celebrations in Fatima, they traveled to Assisi, where they spent three days visiting churches and places significant to St. Francis and the Franciscan Order. They visited the Basilica of St. Clare, in which hangs the San Damiano Cross—the cross from which Jesus said to Francis, “rebuild my church, which you see is in ruins”—and where St. Clare and St. Agnes, her sister, are buried.

The final days of the pilgrimage were in Fatima, where the pilgrims visited the homes of Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta, and Francisco Marto, and the apparition sites where an angel and

By Father Andrew Jasinski

the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the three shepherd children.

While visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the pilgrims prayed at the tombs of St. Jacinta and St. Francisco—canonized

by Pope Francis during his visit to Fatima in May—and Sister Lucia. They also had time to pray at the Chapel of the Apparition, where Mary appeared in 1917. Some of the pilgrims also had the privilege of visiting the Carmel in Coimbra, Portugal, where Sister Lucia spent over 55 years as a cloistered nun.

The pilgrimage culminated in two major celebrations at the Shrine. The first was in the evening of Oct. 12, which marked the beginning of the centenary celebration. The recitation of the rosary and a candlelight procession were followed by the celebration of Holy Mass. Bishop António dos Santos Marto, Bishop of Fatima, presided at the ceremony and at the centennial celebration the next day. On Oct. 13, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was taken in procession from the Chapel of the Apparition to the site of the outdoor Mass, where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered. After Mass, a period of Eucharistic Adoration was held, during which the sick and infirmed were blessed by the Blessed Sacrament. After this, a video message

by Pope Francis was shown, during which he pulled a rosary from his pocket and said, “Never leave your rosary aside.” The celebration concluded with a procession at the statue of Our Lady back to the Chapel of the Apparition.

Throughout the celebrations, the deep devotion of the people to Our Lady of Fatima and her motherly protection was clearly manifest. The beautiful songs and spirit-filled prayer truly made it a time of grace.

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AMS Archbishop Timothy Broglio with Rev. James Cheney, Pastor of St. Paul’s Newman Center in Fargo (submitted photo).

COVER STORY

Serving those who serve

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is vital to the spiritual well-being of U.S. troops and their families

By Paul Braun

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s Veteran’s Day approaches, I am reminded of a Sunday in my past. An otherwise normal activity that took place on that February day in 1984 turned into an extraordinary event that changed my life.

I had just arrived two days prior at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas to begin six weeks of Basic Training after being sworn into the United States Air Force. That Sunday morning all of us trainees were given the opportunity to either clean the barracks or go to church. Mind you, I had just dropped out of college and was not much of a churchgoer at that time in my life. However, the idea of cleaning the dayroom offered no appeal to me, so I decided to march off to Mass with some others in my flight. Needless to say, my heart just wasn’t in the right place for Mass.

Sitting in that base chapel, something wonderful happened.

I felt a warmth and comfort come over me like I had never felt before. It was as if God was whispering to me “Where have 12

NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

you been, my son?” I cried throughout Mass, and went to meet with an Air Force Catholic Chaplain afterwards, who listened to my story, heard my confession, and welcomed me back to the faith…which I have tried to uphold to the best of my ability ever since.

Had it not been for the United States Military’s commitment to the spiritual well-being of service members, I never would have had the opportunity to attend Mass. And, if not for the presence of a Catholic priest serving as a chaplain when I needed him the most, I don’t know where I’d be faith-wise to this day.

That priest was there for me and others thanks in large part to what is known as the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). Most parishioners across the Fargo Diocese have only heard about the AMS when a special collection at Mass is taken up every three years. But what is the AMS, and what is its role in spreading and nurturing the Catholic faith?

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, established by Pope

St. John Paul II in 1985 and based in Washington D.C., spans the globe and serves approximately 1.8 million people. They are Catholic men and women on active duty in all five branches of the US Armed Forces and their families, patients in any of the 153 Veterans’ Administration Medical Centers across the country, or Catholics serving the Federal Government outside of our national boundaries. The Archbishop charged with overseeing this vast diocesan mission is Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who was appointed in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. “The AMS’s mission is specifically to ‘serve those who serve’ wherever they are based or deployed, so it is truly a global archdiocese,” said Archbishop Broglio. “Pope Francis reminds us that the role of military chaplains is to ‘accompany and support’ those engaged in military service, ‘to be a comforting and brotherly presence for them all,’ to dedicate themselves, even at the risk of their own lives, and ‘to ensure that the faithful serving to defend your country might not be deprived of the spiritual food they need to survive.’ That’s what the AMS tries to do for the faithful in the U.S. Military.”

The Fargo Diocese has contributed to the Archdiocese over the years, both financially and in providing the opportunity for diocesan priests to serve in the military reserves as chaplains.

Among those priests are Father James Cheney, pastor of St. Paul’s Newman Center in Fargo, and Monsignor Brian Donahue, pastor of Holy Family in Grand Forks. Father Cheney currently serves with the 119th Wing of the North Dakota National Guard, and was recently stationed for a few months in Alaska.

“The opportunity to serve my country, and a tremendous need for priests in the military, helped form a desire in me to join the military chaplaincy as a Catholic priest,” said Father Cheney. “I remember as a child my dad telling stories about being on board a ship. Even though he only spent a little more than three years in the Navy, he kept telling those stories over and over again. Growing up I realized that his service in the military helped him transition into adulthood and into what it meant to be a man. Those stories created a desire in my own heart to serve.”

According to Father Cheney, the Chaplain is the one-person service members can go to and not have to worry about repercussions because of absolute confidentiality. It doesn’t matter what the issue is, the chaplain can never say or tell because the conversations are always confidential. Father Cheney says that’s a critical role.

“Military wisdom has carved out this department to give people a place to confide and to resolve conflict,” said Father Cheney.

“Much of my time on deployment in the Navy Reserves was spent resolving conflicts between enlisted persons or between enlisted personnel and the officer corps. The chaplain, medical, and legal components empower the command to help formulate military readiness. Sometimes that means standing by a sailor who needed to know the love of Jesus, but also needed to take responsibility before the Skipper at Captain’s Mast.” Captain’s Mast is a hearing to determine punishment when a sailor is in violation of military rules and law.

One can imagine the logistical challenges involved in serving the needs of Catholic service men and women, their families, and diplomats across the globe, especially in wartime. The Military Archdiocese is set up to function as any other archdiocese, provid-

Rev. James Cheney celebrates Mass on board a US Navy vessel while serving in the US Naval Reserves (submitted photo)

ing sacramental records for new baptisms, first communions and other sacraments. The AMS has a Marriage Tribunal that makes use of judges from various places across the country. In addition, it is responsible for the endorsement of priests who will serve in the military, at the VA, or as civilian contractors where no uniformed military priest is available. The priests come from archdioceses and dioceses all over the United States as well as from religious orders. The Bishops, priests, and staff of the AMS also try to contribute to the work of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“We administer confirmation and celebrate Mass with the community,” said Archbishop Broglio. “Where and when possible, we visit with those in command. Distances, the challenges of the longest-running war in our history, a severe shortage of priests to serve as military chaplains, and costs pose a challenge to many pastoral projects.”

Monsignor Donahue no longer serves as a military chaplain, but his experiences took him to Germany during the Gulf War, then to Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom.

“I started thinking of becoming a military chaplain my first year of major seminary,” said Monsignor Donahue. “My focus was on becoming an active duty Air Force chaplain. However, I had a dream that I was an Army chaplain on active duty during a time of war. I was in the desert and war was all around me.

I saw some terrible things in that dream. What surprised me was that I was an Army chaplain and not Air Force. Little did I know that 26 years later I would be an Army chaplain in the NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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COVER STORY desert during a time of war.”

Even though priests serving as military chaplains have similar duties to a parish priest, Monsignor Donahue says there are some major differences.

“The whole philosophy of life is different,” said Monsignor Donahue. “It’s much more structured, with daily interaction and ministry to and with people of all different faith groups. The level of accountability is higher than in parish life. For example, my immediate boss can be a military commander, and my immediate chaplain supervisor can be from any faith group.”

Thousands of men and women from the Fargo Diocese have served in war and peacetime. Many are currently serving either stateside or overseas. While the Military Archdiocese is working hard to meet their spiritual needs, families can be of assistance as well. Staying in touch, whether by mail, telephone, or by contemporary forms of communication, is vital to their well-being and morale. It’s also important for families, especially parents and spouses, to remind service members that their faith can see them through tough times.

“Encourage your children or spouses to commit to memory a couple of good prayers like the Our Father and the Hail Mary,” said Monsignor Donahue. “Especially have them learn and pray the rosary. As a Catholic soldier in combat, they will be grateful that they learned to pray the rosary. Also, if serving on a military base or post, they should get involved in the Catholic Community. It will save and strengthen their faith.”

“Deployments are hard on families,” said Father Cheney.

“Military families need special grace and strength to endure long periods of separation. In some ways this is a hidden sacrifice of the military that many willingly embrace for the security of our nation. That sacrifice, and most especially the supreme sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our country, will always have my undying respect. “As we read in scripture: there is no greater love than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Like other dioceses all across the world, the need for priests is great in the AMS as well. Archbishop Broglio asks that when the faithful pray for vocations, they also pray for some of those vocations to turn into a call to military service as well. Archbishop Broglio also has a message for the Fargo Diocese: “I am grateful to the faithful of Fargo who serve our country selflessly, and to the Diocese which has generously loaned priests to minister to them and to those of other dioceses. Secondly, I beg you to pray for a lasting and just peace, as well as for the safety of those who serve far from home. No one wants war— especially those who pay for it with their lives.”

This Veterans Day, take the time to remember and pray for those who have served and continue to serve. Pray especially for those priests who put themselves in harm’s way, so that God’s mercy and grace may be spread to all corners of the globe, wherever our best and bravest serve. God bless our troops.

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NEXT GEN

Scouting religious awards help youth keep the faith

By Kathy Loney

Eagle Scout Gabe Bartunek sports both the Light of Christ Cub Scout badge and the Boy Scout Ad Altari Dei award.

(Paul Braun | New Earth)

and abilities in light of a possible choice of lifestyle, vocation, or ministry. The program gives the candidate an opportunity to share faith and to practice his religion among peers, while receiving guidance and feedback.

Within the Girl Scouts of American and the American Heritage Girls, those that belong to the Roman Catholic Church, have several religious award opportunities as well, including:

Family of God for 2nd and 3rd graders helps girls discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish and to understand that they are special in their family’s eyes and, most importantly, in God’s eyes.

I Live My Faith, for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders helps girls appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily lives.

Mary, the First Disciple for 7th through 12th graders, to enable them to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.” It is also a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents, and the world around them. They will grow in an appreciation of Mary and in understanding of themselves.

A

Boy Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion. This is a part of the Boy Scout oath.

The Catholic Church and several denominations have developed wonderful religious award programs for those who are in the Boy Scouts. From the time a boy enters scouting as a Tiger Cub, he can be earning his religious awards. The boys can wear their emblems on their scout uniforms forever!

The different religious awards for Roman Catholic Boy Scouts are:

The Light of Christ for 1st and 2nd graders, Tiger Cubs and Wolf Cubs. This program helps scouts develop a personal relationship with Jesus, to see Jesus as a real person and as his friend with the active participation of his family.

Parvuli Dei for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts. The scout explores a wide range of activities designed to help him discover God in his daily lives. The activities in this program are simple and family oriented so that the success of the program depends upon the parents or other adults who act as advisors to the scout.

Ad Altari Dei is for those who have completed the 6th grade.

There must be a trained religious emblem counselor working with the scout to accomplish this religious award. The most important aspect of the program is that the scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church.

Pope Pius XII is for high school and college-level students. This program involves discussion and sharing in a group atmosphere.

The candidate examines how being a Christian affects daily life in the real world, and challenges his own personal talents 16

NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

Spirit Alive for high school students or mature 8th graders, assists them in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to a great participation in the church’s history.

These are just a few of the religious programs that girls who are in a scouting troop can master and earn patches when completed.

All of the religious award programs are a beautiful way to help scouts further their education of their faith and grow closer to Christ!

I had the opportunity to visit with a young man who began his scouting career at a young age. Gabe Bartunek earned the Light of Christ emblem, the Parvuli Dei emblem, the Ad Altari Dei emblem, and is currently working on the Pope Pius XII emblem. He mentioned he has enjoyed working on these religious emblems and has had several people help him recognize how important his faith really is.

“I enjoy the time my dad and I have spent working together on the Pope Pius XII religious emblem,” said Gabe. “It’s an opportunity to talk about my faith with my dad, and I truly learn from the good examples my dad has shown me through his faith.”

Charles (Chip) Bartunek, Gabe’s father, gives a parent’s perspective on working with his son on these religious awards.

“It is great to actually find the time to spend with my only son talking about our faith together, and it also allows us the opportunity to talk more about life in general and how faith helps us along our life journey, during good times and not so good times.”

If you have a son or daughter that is in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or American Heritage Girls, take a look into what religious emblem you can work together on to help your child along their spiritual journey.

Contact Kathy Loney at the Diocese of Fargo, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Department at (701) 356-7902 to purchase the books and emblems mentioned.

FAITH AND CULTURE

Fields of Battle: Pearl Harbor, the Rose Bowl, and the boys who went to war

By Father James Gross

About the Book: “Fields of Battle” by Brian Curtis.

Published by Flatiron Books.

320 pages.

TATTERED PAGES A review of Catholic books, movies, music

Oregon State becoming a de facto “Military Academy of the West”) and the honorable records of service of many of the young men who entered the war. Among the most notable of these was the head coach at Duke, Wallace Wade, a Tennessee hen looking for something to read for recreation, two of native who became a storied coach at Alabama before the era my favorite topics are sports and American history. If of Paul “Bear” Bryant, and who signed up on the cusp of his a book intertwines both of those subjects, I can’t resist. 50th birthday to fight as an artillery commander. At one point I first learned about Fields of Battle from a recommendation in Wade’s unit was only miles away from the unit in which his son, a Sports Illustrated article. In this moving story, college football Wallace Jr., served. Curtis quotes several former players who serves as the backdrop to the reality of the horrors of World commented that Wade’s tough-love demeanor and strenuous War II and the uncommon valor of soldiers, sailors, and airmen conditioning drills prepared them well for the rigors of basic whose prior ambitions revolved around academics, athletics, training. Visitors to Duke University will note that the football and wooing their sweethearts. Brian Curtis includes large venue is named Wallace Wade stadium. helpings of patriotism and nostalgia while not shying away Another striking story involves a standout Oregon State from the life-altering effects of combat in both the European and player named Chiaki (Jack) Yoshihara, a Japanese American Pacific theatres. who found himself a target of segregation, lived for a time in Duke University and Oregon State College (now University) an internment camp, and was barred from traveling to North met in the 1942 Rose Bowl, but the game that year did not take Carolina with his team. The modern reader may be shocked to place in Pasadena, Calif. The team from Oregon State enjoyed learn how difficult life was for many in the United States who one of its most successful seasons in their brief history, defeating were of Japanese and German descent, bearing no personal their archrival Oregon Ducks and capturing the Pacific Coast responsibility for the actions of the regimes in their homelands.

Conference title with an 8-2 record. The reward was an automatic Would our sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews display the bid to the Rose Bowl—a game affectionately nicknamed in our same level of valor as did the students of Duke and Oregon day “The Granddaddy of Them All.” Students and faculty alike State who fought and died 75 years ago for the preservation of on the Corvallis, Ore. campus were abuzz with excitement, day- our liberties? This book left me both admiring the sacrifice of dreaming of warm, sun-splashed California and its Hollywood our ancestors and praying that we never need to find out. stars. However, Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 brought the world of college sports to a standstill.

Due largely to pressure from military officials, the Tournament of Roses committee declared that Pasadena would not host a bowl game that season. However, that did not mean a game could not be played at all. Eventually Oregon State found an opponent in Duke University who would also host the contest.

For Baptisms, First Holy This meant a lengthy train trip from the Pacific Northwest to Communion, Confirmation, Durham, N.C., a destination that for many of the small-town weddings and special occasion Beaver teammates felt like halfway around the world. Providing gifts and books. a temporary diversion for a country’s sports fans embroiled in the buildup to war, the matchup remains one of the most tightly Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. contested and entertaining games of the series.

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STORIES OF FAITH

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When giving to causes, have faith

By Father Bert Miller

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s the hurricanes of 2017 blew through the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and other southern states, and as we wrestle with the staggering cost estimate of rebuilding and restoring people to their pre-hurricane lives, we often hear this lament: “How do I know my donation is getting where it needs to be?”

I hear this when funds are being raised for a concern other than the local church. People trust the local church leaders, but there is not as much trust for fund-drive leaders located farther from home.

At one of my parishes, I had a trustee who made a handsome six-figure salary and tithed it to the parish and city organizations.

One day, overwhelmed with too much church, parish, diocese, and city stuff, I collapsed on a comfortable chair in his office.

He looked up as I blurted out: “What do you think about the opulent building the XYZ Company is planning to build with our donations?”

He calmly told me the philosophy about how he makes donation decisions. “When people ask me for money and I have it, I give the amount they requested.” He went on to explain that most requests come from someone he knows sitting across the desk and giving him a pitch for how valuable his donation would be for a given project. “This allows me to ask questions about any concerns I have (including the morality of the group) in making an investment with the charity.”

And, of course, there are many charitable groups he has been giving to for years, who were vetted a long time ago, including God’s Gift, Catholic Relief Services, Red Cross, and Salvation Army.

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NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

“But,” I said, “doesn’t it bother you that the XYZ Company are going to build that big, oversized building? What are they going to use all that space for anyway?”

“No,” he said “it doesn’t. They can do what they want with the funds raised.”

He went on to explain that most organizations asking him for a donation do not also ask him to sit on the finance committee – the group that decides how money is spent or how a building is going to be built. He said if the group asked him to do that, he would whole-heartedly participate in the spending process.

“If they want my input, I will give it.”

He gave. He trusted. He had faith.

I went home and applied that philosophy of money management and donations to my life. If asked for a donation, I ask my questions and vet the charity, and give a gift, and I am happy!

Seldom do people ask me to sit on a committee to designate how the funds could be spent, and I am thankful! (One less headache in my life.)

Like my mentor, I trust that the system works: money is raised, money is dispatched, money is spent for the good of others, and the world is a better place.

It takes a leap of faith, but it is a good one! More happiness!

Less stress!

Father Bert Miller serves as pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Park River and St. Luke’s Catholic 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.

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

M

Lending a hand in Houston

any of us were glued to our TV sets in late August, horrified at what we saw as Hurricane Harvey blasted the Texas coastline. It just so happened that Catholic Charities USA’s Annual Conference was slated for Houston, Texas for the last week of September, less than a month after flood waters finally receded from the record-breaking storm.

information in order to send Catholic Charities Houston case workers back to assist with repair and recovery from Catholic donations received.

Charities Our second day of Corner deployment was to the Catholic Charities Dianne Nechiporenko Galveston-Houston distribution center.

At this site, there is a grocery store as well as a food bank, counseling site, offices, etc. There were many volunteer groups filling freezers with meat and fresh produce including bananas, potatoes, and tomatoes, as well as non-perishable goods and pallets of water.

Grocery carts were filled in the back room by volunteers, then Volunteers from Catholic Charities USA canvass neighborhoods brought to another room where volunteers would take the to assist low-income families devastated by Hurricane Harvey. cart to the cars of folks who had completed the paperwork for (submitted photo) supplies. When the doors opened there were people lined up as far as the eye could see waiting for assistance. This distribution Instead of canceling the long-scheduled convention, those of site was well organized and had processes in place. If a person us attending, including myself, were give the opportunity to qualified they would receive groceries two times per month for provide help and resources to those in need in the aftermath of six months, otherwise, it was a one-and-done delivery. the storm. Some scheduled convention events were held, how- Other opportunities allowed us to organize and stock wareever the majority of the conference was canceled, allowing us houses, and assist in mucking-out the homes of elderly flood to examine neighborhoods to distribute supplies, and to open victims, who had no one to assist in this process. The temperature social service cases for long-term management through Catholic was 94 degrees most days with anywhere from 84-92% humidity.

Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Most volunteer opportunities were not in air-conditioned Buses were provided to bring Catholic Charities volunteers environments and were not in pristine condition. However, to communities which were hardest hit. These communities everyone pitched in and truly felt like they were doing God’s were made up primarily of low to medium income families, work. Please keep all affected by this disaster, and the volunteers who had basically no savings to assist with damages. Many lost assisting them, in your prayers each and every day. the majority of their belongings, parts of their homes, and their Dianne Nechiporenko is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities North means of transportation, which prevented them from returning Dakota. For more than 90 years, Catholic Charities North Dakota and its to work. I personally went out to neighborhoods and knocked supporters have been putting their faith in action helping people, changing on doors to do some intake work – an experience that left me lives. You can reach Dianne at info@catholiccharitiesnd.org or (701) 235-4457. wondering what I ever really had to complain about. Most of the folks would say “I’m okay, but my neighbor down the street really needs the assistance.”

The majority of neighborhoods I canvassed were full of devastated trailer homes that were missing walls, roofs, insulation, etc.

It had been more than three weeks since Harvey hit and the smell of mold in the air was extremely strong. We examined the neighborhoods in pairs and thankfully, my partner spoke Spanish.

The majority of folks we visited with were undocumented and very nervous about communicating at all. Angry dogs of every size and shape guarded the trailers, letting us know we were not welcome. We did get one neighbor to walk with us to ease the fear among neighbors that we were with not the government. Most people we talked with were not FEMA eligible, were without a Social Security number, and had no means of getting assistance.

When our trucks of supplies showed up folks were more willing to exit their homes and accept cleaning supplies, children’s supplies, and non-perishable food items. We attempted to record NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Moral concerns in the consumer world

Catholic Action

Christoper Dodson

O

n the liturgical calendar we are entering a period of reflection, simplicity, and humility. On the secular calendar we are entering a period of dinners, parties, purchasing,

commercials, sales, and consumption.

Every year our spiritual leaders urge us to focus on giving thanks, preparation, and the Incarnation. Most of us, however, will also spend this time buying things for ourselves and others.

Because purchasing is something we cannot avoid, we should examine how we buy and sell in the marketplace and the role of government in regulating and shaping commercial activity.

Catholic social doctrine has much to say about how consumers — us — should act when it comes to buying and investing. St. John Paul II especially understood that in a world of free markets, consumers themselves have an important role to play in making sure that their activities conform to the common good.

Our challenge begins with rejecting a reductionist and materialist view of the world. Everything has its origin in God’s creation and everything that comes to us touches human hands through the community. Modern economists, so-called financial experts, and advertisers tell us to look at the “bottom line.” We are told that an item is just the item and that we should buy and sell according to what is the best deal economically.

What I have written elsewhere about food applies to all goods: “Just as work is not just work, food is not just food. Indeed, from the Catholic perspective, nothing is just its parts and the value of something is not just its utilitarian benefit. Food, because it originates in Creation and is the ‘fruit of human hands,’ it is one of the goods essential to human life that touches upon a multitude of Christian concerns. Indeed, food touches upon almost every principle of Catholic social doctrine. From the earth to the table, food passes through a multitude of activities that may or may not be just and proper according to Catholic doctrine. Was the original source appropriated in a manner respectful of Creation? Was the property owner’s rights respected?

Was its nurturing or acquisition done in a manner harmful to humans? Were laborers, processors, transporters, and preparers justly rewarded and given safe working conditions? Did they have the right to form worker associations? Was the food supply subject to a system of concentrated ownership that violated the universal destination of goods? Was the system consistent with the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity?”

North Dakota’s economy is based on commodity production, especially agriculture and energy production. There is a temptation, therefore, to view our economy as producing mere commodities. An economist may do that, but we should not.

We should be ever mindful that what we produce is more than 20

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an economic unit. Our government officials should do the same.

Just as food is not just food, a smart phone is not just a smart phone, a business investment is not just a business investment, a toy is not just a toy, and a turkey is not just a turkey.

Sections 358-360 of Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church summarize the Church’s teaching on consumer responsibilities and rights. In summary: (1) In addition to evaluating cost and return, we should make value judgments about what our actions would finance.

(2) The decision to invest and buy is always a moral choice.

(3) Purchasing power must be used in the context of the moral demands of justice and solidarity, including consideration of working conditions and impacts on the environment.

(4) Consumers can and should influence behavior of producers.

(5) Consumers have a right to know the information needed to make such decisions.

The last point raises several public policy issues. In recent decades laws have been enacted to give consumers better information, especially as it relates to health and safety questions.

That is good. Some powerful interests are pushing to keep additional information unavailable to consumers.

Consumers, knowingly or not, are following the Catholic Church’s call to ask more questions. Consumers are asking: Where was this made? Did the production involve child labor?

Is it a “fair trade” product? Were “sustainable methods” used?

Does the company support Planned Parenthood? Will my investments contribute to the scandalous arms trade? Are the owners local? Does the company treat women fairly?

The list of questions being asked could be lengthy. To the producer, they might seem irrelevant. We are witnessing that debate over labels about GMOs and the use of antibiotics in some livestock and poultry. Producers must remember, however, that the consumer should be able to ask and act on questions beyond health and safety issues. Policymakers must reject attempts to prevent advertising and labeling about such questions, even as they continue to protect truth in advertising.

Consumers, for their part, must remember that in this age of rapid and massive information transfer, “fake news” also exists.

The consumer has the primary responsibility to sift through the information, find the truth, and then act on it. Government’s role is to help create a system that aids the consumer in that task.

In one sense, advances in technology and globalization have given consumers new powers to make choices beyond mere cost and benefit. At the same time, forces to mislead consumers are stronger than ever. Our responsibility as Christians is to never become complacent consumers but to become moral agents for good.

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 general public about Catholic social doctrine. The conference website is ndcatholic.org.

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

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Learning how to evangelize

s I continue to grow in knowledge about the church and This summer I had a desire to serve, I grow in desire to evangelize. A lot of us spiritual experience seminarians here at Sacred Heart Major Seminary like to that made me ask evangelize on the streets of Detroit. We really desire to be bold myself, “What is it Seminarian enough to talk about God at any time to anybody. that drives saints to Life Evangelization is necessary, firstly because, as a priest, this die? What do they have that I don’t is a must-have skill. Secondly, because, as a Christian, Christ Corey Baumgartner himself has told us to go out to all the nations proclaiming that have?” he is Lord. I am convinced that we all have the call to evangelize. I really pondered It looks different in our everyday life, but if you are Christian, this because we are then you have a call to bring people to Christ. all called to be saints and, well, I love Jesus and so do they, but what is it that they have that I don’t?

The answer is complete surrender and complete love of Christ.

If you have ever met someone who loves Jesus and believes that he is everything, then you know that they cannot help but talk about him. They are so focused on Jesus that they do not want to do anything without him. It shines through their – Corey Baumgartner daily work and life. Jesus is there in every encounter they have I will be the first person to say that I am terrified when it comes during the day. Ultimately, this is what we should be striving to evangelizing. Why? Well because I have to talk about God in for – complete and utter abandonment to our Lord. public and I feel like I am bothering the person that I am talking This is our goal here at seminary. We desire that everything to and maybe they are not having a good day. What happens we do revolve around Christ. That means when we study if they don’t like me? What if I mess up? These are the actual philosophy, we study with Jesus. When we work out, we work thoughts that I have had while I am walking up to someone to out with Jesus. It doesn’t have to be a huge event to show that talk to them about Jesus. I have even had these thoughts right you are doing it with Jesus. All it takes is saying, “Jesus be with after I have had a successful encounter. There are so many ex- me as I perform this task,” or, “Jesus, where are you in my work?” cuses that we can make to not talk about the Gospel, but when When you carry Jesus with you everywhere you go, then it’s it comes down to it, it’s their soul that’s at stake, which is even easier to keep your eyes on him when you feel that next tug to evangelize. more terrifying! So how does one get over the fear?

The first thing is to remember that even the disciples were Baumgartner is a College IV seminarian at Sacred Heart Major Seminary fearful at the beginning. It took receiving the Power from on High in Detroit, Mich. in order to go out to the nations. This is why we need to pray and ask God to send us more of his Holy Spirit. We received it Editor’s Note: Seminarian Life is a column written by Diocese of at baptism and confirmation, but we still lack the boldness. So Fargo seminarians. Please continue to pray for them. we must pray for the Holy Spirit to pour into us more of himself, so we may love and be bold!

Something that I have learned about evangelizing is that it’s not about me, nor is it really about the other person. It’s about loving Jesus. It’s about putting him before yourself, and when you do that, the fear lessens. It’s like Peter in the boat. When Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, he becomes afraid and falls. Evangelizing is the same. If I’m thinking about messing up, or about the circumstances I’m in, I will most likely mess up or just not talk to anyone, because I was too afraid. But, if I have Christ as my focus, it is easier for me to love the other person. Which brings us to our next important topic: love.

Love is the driving force for all Christians. It drives us to do crazy things. It makes us act irrational at times. Love is what drove Christ to die for us. It’s what Christ calls us to do. Love is the most important part of any Christian life. It is then the most important part of evangelization. How do you keep yourself focused on the Lord? Prayer and loving Christ unconditionally.

“Ultimately, this is what we should be striving for – complete and utter abandonment to our Lord.”

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

St. Ann’s Mission – Year of Mercy project update

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his time last year, Bishop Folda announced that our diocesan-wide Stewardship Ye a r o f M e rc y Steve Schons project would be St. Ann’s Mission located in Belcourt.

This was in response to Pope Francis’ call for every Catholic Diocese throughout the world to adopt a “Year of Mercy” project to manifest mercy and support in an area of special need. Since I have been heavily involved in this project, I would like to dedicate this month’s column to providing a little history about St. Ann’s Mission, and provide an update on the progress that has been made since last year.

St. Ann’s Mission, located on the northeastern edge of the Turtle Mountains, has been home to our Native American brothers and sisters for centuries. Long before our diocese was even established, Catholicism for the Metis went back even beyond Father Belcourt, who visited them on mission tours from Walhalla back in the mid-1860s.

Today, St. Ann’s Mission provides a place of respite for those who live on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, where over 96% of the residents are Catholic and where hardship continues to exist in generous proportions.

Two years ago, it was becoming obvious that many of the buildings, including the school and St. Ann’s Church, needed some dire repairs. For one, it was becoming too costly to constantly use the “band-aid” approach to building maintenance. In other cases, mold was setting in and becoming a possible hazard to all those who use the facilities. Here are a few of the projects that needed to be addressed urgently: • Moving the school from a decrepit building to a newer building on the same property • Provide a new roof (multiple leaks in a variety of locations) over the school’s cafeteria and gymnasium • Mold mitigation in the Church • Demolish three buildings that have become a safety issue Something needed to be done, and it was not going to be done without the help of others.

A year ago, when Bishop Folda declared the Year of Mercy project, a letter was sent to each household inviting folks to financially participate in the project. We received an incredible response from all corners of our diocese and the results have been tremendous.

Since the announcement of the Year of Mercy project, here

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Contractors begin work on the roof of the St. Ann’s School gym. (submitted photo)

are some of the improvements that have helped the children and families at St. Ann’s Mission: • School has been moved to a more efficient and safer building.

• Two buildings have been disconnected. No need for continued care or heat.

• Cafeteria and gymnasium roof is currently being replaced and a new boiler system is being installed.

• Concrete replacement on south-side of school. Better drainage to eliminate water in basement and classrooms.

• Front entrance/vestibule is being replaced. Making a more energy efficient and safer entrance for the kids.

• Youth Center and office space roof is replaced. The Youth Center room is being remodeled.

• A vacated elevator shaft is being removed.

• Temporary improvements to the roof and heating system to St. Ann’s pastoral center and priest’s residence.

After hearing of the generous outpouring of support to St. Ann’s Mission and the “Year of Mercy” project, and of the additional work still to be done, The Catholic Church Extension Society based in Chicago has offered a $75,000 matching grant to help complete the parish facility repairs, including addressing the mold and mildew issues that significantly affect air quality in the church and connected parish office. In order to receive these funds, we must raise an additional $75,000 – every dollar is matched up to the $75,000 matching grant amount. All donations should be mailed to: Year of Mercy Project c/o Catholic Development Foundation 5201 Bishops Blvd, Suite A Fargo, ND 58104 Steve Schons is director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Fargo and president of the Catholic Development Foundation. He can be reached at steve.schons@fargodiocese.org or (701) 356-7926.

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Considering the options for infertile couples

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hen Catholic couples experience trouble getting woman’s ovaries to pregnant, they often seek medical help and begin to release eggs; Viagra research what options are available to them. A number or other approaches of moral considerations and questions generally emerge during to address erectile Making Sense this process: Why are techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF) dysfunction; correctof Bioethics considered immoral? What approaches will the Church allow us ing penile structurto try? What does our infertility mean, spiritually and personally, al defects such as Father Tad Pacholczyk in the face of our fervent but frustrated desire for a baby? hypospadias; adpremature “The ideal approach to resolving infertility dressing ejaculation; using involves identifying the underlying causes NFP (natural family and addressing those causes so that marital planning) to observe naturally occurring signs of fertility during the woman’s cycle intercourse can now result in a conception.” to time intercourse; using LTOT (low tubal ovum transfer), in – Father Tad Pacholczyk which eggs are retrieved and transplanted into the uterus or When a couple, after having non-contraceptive sexual inter- fallopian tube at a point likely to result in fertilization following course for a year or more, begins to investigate whether there the marital act; and surgical resolution of endometriosis. Dr. are issues related to infertility, some medical professionals Hilgers has formed and trained a number of other physicians simply encourage them to turn to the infertility industry and who work as independent NaProTechnology specialists in the try IVF or a related technique like artificial insemination. These U.S. and abroad. FEMM is building a similar network. approaches, however, raise a host of moral concerns, including On the other hand, a number of other widely-available that they substitute an act of “production” for the act of marital techniques, instead of assisting the marital act, end up replacing self-giving, allow a third party outside the marriage to become it with another kind of act altogether, namely, an act of “producing” the cause of the conception, often require masturbation, and or “manufacturing” children in laboratories. These techniques may result in significant “collateral damage,” including em- — like IVF; intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); artificial bryo destruction, embryo freezing and disruptive effects on a insemination; hiring a surrogate to carry a pregnancy; and woman’s physiology from the powerful super-ovulatory drugs cloning — obviously raise serious moral objections. used during the procedures.

In some cases, a couple’s infertility will end up being irresolvable.

It can be helpful to keep in mind a particular “rule of thumb” Even as a husband and wife face the grief and sorrow of not being for determining whether a procedure is morally acceptable: able naturally to conceive children of their own, they can still treatments that assist the marital act are permissible, while those realize their paternal and maternal desires in other meaningful, that replace, or substitute for, the marital act raise serious moral fruitful and loving ways. For example, they may discern a call objections. The ideal approach to resolving infertility involves to adopt a child, providing a mom and a dad to someone whose identifying the underlying causes (endometriosis? fallopian parents have died or felt that they could not care for the child. tube blockage? problems ovulating? etc.) and addressing those They might decide to become a camp counselor or a schoolteacher, causes so that marital intercourse can now result in a conception. or provide temporary foster care to a child in crisis, generously While this may seem sensible and even obvious, many taking on an authentic parenting role. They may become a “Big obstetricians and gynecologists today do not offer much more Brother/Big Sister” to youth in the community who yearn for a than a cursory workup or exam prior to recommending that father or mother figure in their lives. the couple approach a fertility clinic and employ their services Although these solutions do not take away all the grief, they to produce a baby via IVF. Couples ought instead to look into are a means by which God helps to draw good out of their situation. techniques that can methodically diagnose and heal the un- By these means, couples are challenged to “think outside the derlying reasons for infertility, like FEMM (Fertility Education box” and enter into the mysterious designs of God within their & Medical Management, https://femmhealth.org) pioneered marriage. By stepping away from a desire to conceive and raise

by Dr. Pilar Vigil, or NaProTechnology (Natural Procreative biological children of their own, couples facing irresolvable Technology, see http://www.naprotechnology.com), led by Dr. infertility can discover new and unexpected paths to marital Tom Hilgers. Both are Catholic ob/gyns with great track records fruitfulness, paths that bring great blessings to others, and that in helping to resolve underlying infertility issues and helping can lead to abiding joy and marital fulfillment. couples to conceive naturally.

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from NaPro has been around a little longer and employs a range Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of of approaches which may include, for example, hormonal Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National modulation of menstrual cycle irregularities; surgical correction Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org of fallopian tube damage or occlusions; fertility drugs to help a NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Events across the diocese Connect with parishes at fall festivals

Carmelite Nuns in need of new roof

Fargo: Sts. Anne and Joachim Church will host their Fall Festival Nov. 12 from 4-7 p.m. Menu includes pork roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert. Events include a country store, basket raffle, farmers market, children’s games, bingo and cake walk. Raffle to win a new 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage ES, one-week stay at a Mayan resort in Mexico or other amazing cash prizes! Contact the parish at (701) 235-5757.

West Fargo: Holy Cross Church will again host its annual Holiday Craft and Vendor Show at Holy Cross Church and Trinity Elementary School on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Many new and unique artisans have been added to this year’s show.

All admission proceeds ($1) will go to the Daily Bread Program, and all event proceeds will go towards purchasing a statue for the Walk of Saints garden. Contact the parish at (701) 282-7217.

Your gift to the Carmelite Nuns will help toward the much-needed repair of the leaky roof. The carpet in the sanctuary by the tabernacle and altar are ruined, not to mention the distraction of water dripping during the Sisters’ prayer time. Large areas of rotted wood were discovered and need to be replaced. Many hours are spent mopping Milnor: St. Arnold’s Church will hold their annual Christmas up the floor during rainstorms, thus taking up prayer and work Pantry on Dec. 6, from 5-7 p.m. Homemade candies, cookies, time. Your generosity and intentions will be remembered by the lefse and other holiday goodies will be for sale plus Christmas nuns forever. basket raffles. Contact the parish at (701) 427-9288.

The monastery was built in 1964. Throughout the years the roof was patched, but now needs to be completely redone. Construction on the roof is in progress, with the goal that it will be complete before the first major snowfall. The total cost of a new roof is $300,000.

Catholic United Financial is sponsoring a seminar titled “End- The Carmelite nuns continuously pray for the spiritual and of-Life Issues from a Catholic Perspective” in three locations in the physical needs of those in the Fargo Diocese. They live by divine Fargo area. Speaker John Tetzloff, Advanced Case Specialist for providence, meaning they have complete trust that their physical Catholic United Financial, will speak about the financial aspects needs will be provided for. of end-of-life decisions, including final expenses, estate plans, Donations can be sent to Mother Madonna and Nuns at Carmel charitable giving, power of attorney and more. This seminar will of Mary, 17765 78th Street SE, Wahpeton, ND 58075. You can also also address questions about end-of-life issues such as “Must reach them at (701) 642-2360. medical treatments always be continued? What is the Church teaching about cremation and living wills? What is the Church teaching about ‘Death with Dignity?’ How do I make my Catholic Get Connected health care directive?” The sponsoring parish priest will address these questions. Locations and times: Find more stories and information about the diocese at: St. Anthony of Padua Church, Fargo, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

End-of-Life issues from a Catholic perspective

Blessed Sacrament, West Fargo, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.

Holy Spirit Church, Fargo, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Women to Women event focuses on slowing down this Christmas

A Women to Women event will be held at Holy Cross Church in West Fargo on Dec. 11 from 6–8 p.m. The evening begins with a rosary, adoration and confession, followed by a meal for a free-will offering. Guest speakers will start at 7:15 p.m. with the theme of “All is Calm,” which will focus on slowing down during the hectic Christmas season. All women 16 years and older are invited to attend. Please RSVP by Dec. 7 to Margaret at Holy Cross Church at (701) 282-7217.

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www.fargodiocese.org

Job Opening

Full-time Director of Faith Formation

Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, is hiring a Director of Faith Formation.

This person is responsible for the development, coordination, and promotion of a comprehensive plan for the spiritual growth and faith development of 1st grade through adult parishioners. Must have a passion and creative energy to enable others to live out their baptismal call. Individual must be an active Catholic who is organized, committed, creative and has a degree with classes in theology, education and/or pastoral ministry. Experience teaching within a parish faith formation program is preferred. Possessing good communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively with pastor, parish staff, catechists, parents and students is vital. Submit a cover letter and resume to Beth Kathol, Church of the Ascension, 1905 South 3rd Street, Bismarck, ND 58504 or bkathol@ascensionbismarck.org.

Life’s milestones

Milton and Dorothy (Pfeifer) Bachmeier celebrated their 50th anniversary on Oct. 13 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Drake, where they were married. They raised their family in Anamoose, where they are parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church. They have seven children, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Te r r y a n d M a r y A n n McKenna, charter parishioners of Holy Family Church in Grand Forks, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Nov. 3. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Cando. They have five children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Elmer and Doris Batsch from Gackle will be married 60 years on Nov. 28. They were married Thanksgiving Day at St. Helena’s Church in Ellendale. They have three children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

They are parishioners of St. James Basilica in Jamestown.

Eva Heilman will celebrate her 97th birthday on Nov. 20.

She is blessed with nine children, 22 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Eva is formerly of Willow City and is now a parishioner at Little Flower Church in Rugby.

Jean and Alex Schlegel of Valley City celebrated their 60th anniversary on Nov. 6.

They were married at Holy Trinity Church in Fingal and are now parishioners of St. Catherine’s Church in Valley City. They have seven children and nine grandchildren.

Simon and Patricia Schwan will celebrate 70 years of marriage on Nov. 25. They are parishioners of St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Michigan and have seven children, six of whom are married and one who is a priest and the Abbot of New Clairvaux Cistercian Trappist Monastery in Vina, Calif. They have 19 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and one greatgreat grandchild.

Allyn and Ann Wald celebrated their 50th anniversary on Oct. 21 They were married at St. Boniface Church in rural Kintyre. The family lived in Strasburg, Bismarck and now live in Fargo where they are parishioners of Holy Cross Church in West Fargo. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

Rita Mauch, parishioner of St. John’s Church in Wahpeton, will celebrate her 98th birthday on Nov. 27. Rita is a mother of 11 children, 42 grandchildren and 71 great-grandchildren.

17 great-grandchildren.

Young for 64 years.

Raymond Novotny celebrated his 90th birthday on Sept.

14. Ray is a lifetime parishioner of St. Boniface Church in Lidgerwood. Ray lives on the family farm with his wife Helen. They are married 66 years. They have five children, 14 grandchildren and

Vivian Young celebrated her 94th birthday on Nov. 5. She is a parishioner of St. Boniface Church in Walhalla.

She is blessed with three daughters, 11 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Vivian was married to Ernest

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

A Glimpse of the Past - November

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

50 Years Ago....1967

Catholic laymen in Fargo have formed the Fargo Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. J.A. Lepine was elected president. Vice Presidents from the four Fargo parishes are Howard Erickson, St. Mary’s; Ray Gavin, St. Anthony’s; Dan Wicka, Holy Spirit and Richard Krupich, Nativity. The Fargo group will concentrate on family care.

All Masses Nov. 18-19 will gather a special collection for Black and Indian Missions. The Black and Indian Mission Collection exists to help local African American and Native American Diocesan Communities throughout the United States spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and respond to real and pressing needs.

20 Years Ago....1997

The Fargo diocesan worship office and liturgical commission will co-sponsor a workshop on cremation, according to a letter Bishop James Sullivan sent to priests and deacons in the diocese. The letter also contained Bishop Sullivan’s granting of permission for the presence of cremated remains of a body at a funeral liturgy, in accordance with the Vatican’s approval of rites accommodating such a practice.

10 Years ago....2007

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hurdsfield celebrated 100 years of existence on October 28 with a special Mass at 11 a.m.

A potluck dinner was served following the Mass. The parish was established in 1907 with the first Mass celebrated in the home of George Blaha. The church building was constructed in 1907 and was originally a mission parish of McClusky.

All Masses Dec. 9-10 will gather a special collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Across the United States, hundreds of religious communities lack financial resources sufficient to meet the retirement and health-care needs of aging members. This fund helps religious communities care for senior members—today and tomorrow.

Grand Forks, ND | normanfuneral.com | 701.746.4337

Diocesan policy: Reporting child abuse

The Diocese of Fargo is committed to the protection of youth.

Please report any incidents or suspected incidents of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to civil authorities. If the situation involves a member of the clergy or a religious order, a seminarian or 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) 3567965 or VictimAssistance@fargodiocese.org.

For additional information about victim assistance, visit www.fargodiocese.org/victimassistance.

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Warsaw (Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

We Remember A call to pray for those who have gone before us

Please remember in prayer the faithful departed from our parishes, our diocese and throughout the world.

Included are those who passed away between Oct. 15, 2016 and Oct. 15, 2017. If your loved one was not included in this list, we will include them in the Dec. 2017 issue.

DIOCESE OF FARGO

Clergy: Rev. Msgr. Wendelyn Vetter–Oct. 20, 2016; Msgr.

Joseph R. Huebsch–Mar. 24, 2017; Rev. James Jeffrey– May 28, 2017; Rev. Robert J. Cronin, SOLT–Aug. 11, 2017; Rev. Jack Cosentino–Oct. 14, 2017.

Deacons: Deacon Mathias Prom–Jan. 13, 2017; Deacon David Eblen–Sep. 23, 2017.

Religious: Sr. M. Genevieve Merrick, OSF–Nov. 6, 2016; Sr. Mary T. Fenton, PBVM–Apr. 7, 2017; Sr. Marguerite Guarneri, SMP–Apr. 22, 2017; Sr. Carol Jean Kuntz, SMP– May 3, 2017; Sr. M. Dianna Hell, OSF–May 6, 2017; Sr. Margaret Rose Pfeifer, SMP–Aug. 22, 2017.

ALCIDE - St. Anthony’s Catholic Church: Deborah McLeod–Oct. 19, 2016; Josephine “Lasedo” Poitra– Oct. 21, 2016; Robert T. DeCoteau–Nov. 16, 2016; Jean M. Natwick–Dec. 3, 2016; Vita Azure–Dec. 25, 2016; Dorothy J. Page–Jan. 1, 2017; Shelly Marie Gooden–Jan. 30, 2017; Doris M. DeCoteau–Apr. 1, 2017; Rebecca Lynn DuBois–Apr. 16, 2017; Chad A. Waren–May 13, 2017; Dennis P. LaFloe, Sr.–June 12, 2017; Daniel Short–July 18, 2017; Charles F. LaFloe Jr. –July 30, 2017; Robert Anatole–Aug. 19, 2017; Francis C. Vivier Jr.–Sep. 12, 2017; Richard M. Vivier–Sep. 21, 2017.

ANAMOOSE – St. Francis Xavier’s Church: Lawrence Reinowski–Nov. 5, 2016; Emanuel Kesler–Nov. 9, 2016; Rose Koble–Jan. 7, 2017; Greg Schwarze–Oct. 5, 2017.

ARGUSVILLE – St. William’s Church: Phyllis Fleserg–Mar. 3, 2017; Ruby Zimney–May 29, 2017; Florence Myers–Oct. 14, 2017.

BALTA – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church: John Scheet–Oct. 27, 2016; Irene Wolfe–Dec. 27, 2016; Magdalene “Lena” Mack–Jan. 18, 2017; Fred Mitzel, Jr.– Mar. 5, 2017; Kunigunda Koble–June 14, 2017.

BECHYNE – Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church: Robert J. Shirek–Apr. 2, 2017; Denise A. Kovarik–June 23, 2017.

BELCOURT – St. Ann’s Church: Deborah McLeod–Oct. 19, 2016; Cora Vivier–Oct. 21, 2016; Fabian L. Smith–Oct. 27, 2016; Margaret Decoteau–Oct. 27, 2016; Joseph S. Parisien–Oct. 28, 2016; Patrick Bercier–Oct. 28, 2016; Mildred H. Allery–Nov. 2, 2016; Margaret Hyde–Nov. 8, 2016; Alvin LaFontaine–Nov. 16, 2016; Patrick “Bum” LaFromboise–Nov. 17, 2016; Michael W. Laducer–Nov. 19, 2016; Joseph Houle–Dec. 1, 2016; Robert Desjarlais, Sr.–Dec. 8, 2016; Wanda J. Enno–Dec. 9, 2016; Jerome Delorme–Dec. 10, 2016; Lee M. Allard–Dec. 19, 2016; Dane R. Hyde–Dec. 20, 2016; Lyle G. Parisien–Dec. 29, 2016; Melvin Delong– Jan. 18, 2017; Margaret A. Gouneau–Jan. 19, 2017; Harlan Delorme –Feb. 11, 2017; Sandra S. Lujan–Feb. 11, 2017; Gloria Gourneau–Feb. 12, 2017; Richard “Chick” Frederick–Feb. 18, 2017; Melissa Reynolds–Feb. 23, 2017; Elizabeth M. Montriel –Feb. 27, 2017; Bernard Gardner–Feb. 27, 2017; Kenneth W. Gooden–Feb. 28, 2017; James “Jimmy” H. DeCoteau–Mar. 2, 2017; Shirley A. Morin–Mar. 6, 2017; Kay K. Bercier–Mar. 14, 2017; Yvonne M. Frederick–Mar. 15, 2017; Tori Brien– Mar. 17, 2017; Delima M. Baker–Mar. 17, 2017; Estelle M. Dauphinais–Mar. 19, 2017; Charlotte K. Fleetwood–Mar. 24, 2017; Patrick A. Azure–Mar. 24, 2017; Doris DeCoteau–Apr. 1, 2017; George Martell Jr.–Apr. 5, 2017; Keith LaFountain– Apr. 12, 2017; Albert “Ghandi” LaVallie Jr.–Apr. 12, 2017; NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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Sandra Thomas–Apr. 15, 2017; Gerald “Skullo” Demontigny–Apr. 30, 2017; Gerald W. Hoeger–May 3, 2017; Michael “Mike” Nelson, Sr.–May 13, 2017; Dorothy Trottier–May 14, 2017; Lyle Prouty, Jr.–May 20, 2017; Doris J. Wallette–May 21, 2017; Derrick A. Greco–May 22, 2017; Cheryl “Sherry” Parisien-Stewart–June 15, 2017; LaVerne E. DeCoteau–June 17, 2017; Dr. Janice L.Wallette–June 28, 2017; Blaine Brunelle Sr.–June 30, 2017; Theresa LeDoux–July 1, 2017; Donald L. Grandbois–July 11, 2017; Jon M. Patnaude–July 16, 2017; Cindy J. Zaste–July 29, 2017; Leona T. Olson–Aug. 3, 2017; Janell M. Davis–Aug. 14, 2017; Eugene M. LaFromboise–Aug. 15, 2017; Clifford Charette-Aug. 15, 2017; Kurt R. Morin –Aug. 28, 2017; Arlon L. Falcon–Sep. 8, 2017; Taitum R. Pearson–Sep. 9, 2017; Richard Enno–Sep. 15, 2017; Joseph N. Wilkie, Jr.–Sep. 16, 2017; Yvonne R. Murphy–Sep. 20, 2017; Louis “Cubby” F. Warren–Sep. 30, 2017; Lloyd J. Davis, Sr. –Oct. 1, 2017; Marissa K. Demery–Oct. 8, 2017.

Napoleon (Paul Braun | New Earth)

BISBEE – Holy Rosary Church: Kathleen Michels–Jan. 30, 2017; Gerald Geisen–Mar. 25, 2017.

BOTTINEAU – St. Mark’s Church: Wesley Counts–Jan. 12, 2017; Mary Pugh–Feb. 11, 2017; Joann Nelson–Mar. 24, 2017; Gerald Geisen–Mar. 25, 2017; Marlys J. Hummel–Apr. 20, 2017; Rosemarie “Bud” Cote–May 13, 2017; Loren L. Saville–May 30, 2017; Jeffrey B. Shriver–Oct. 6, 2017.

BUFFALO – St. Thomas Church: Clare Beilke–Mar. 5, 2017; Barbara G. Cole–Apr. 7, 2017.

CANDO – Sacred Heart Church: George T. Freund-Oct 16, 2016; Leroy D. Stebleton–Oct. 23, 2016; Lydia K. Eggl–Oct. 25, 2016; Deloris Geisen–Feb. 23, 2017.

CARRINGTON – Sacred Heart Church: Theresa Straley–Nov. 13, 2016; Cecelia Malinski–Nov. 15, 2016; Anna Miklas–Nov. 22, 2016; Frances “Fran” Hollingsworth –Nov. 25, 2016; Michael Carr–Apr. 1, 2017; Marvin Hoffman– Apr. 11, 2017; Elmer E. Kosse–Apr. 19, 2017; Russell M. Zink– Aug. 3, 2017; Rose A. Garland–Oct. 7, 2017.

CASSELTON – St. Leo’s Church: Harold “Tork” B. Holm–Nov. 4, 2016; Michael A. Brown– Nov. 21, 2016; Jeanne C. Bresnahan–Dec. 12, 2016; Marie M. Dooley–Jan. 14, 2017; Eleanore Langer–Mar. 26, 2017; Raymond J. Cramer–May 14, 2017; John J. Spiekermeier– July 6, 2017; Sherian A. Barnes–July 19, 2017; Myrtle Farrell– July 21, 2017; Inez E. Coster–Oct. 2, 2017.

CAVALIER – St. Brigid’s Church: Marvin Scholler–Nov. 14, 2016; Kathy Dalstad–Nov. 18, 2016; Laverne Miron–Nov. 19, 2016; Beatrice J. Trenbeath–Dec. 24, 2016; Mary Ellen Ault–Jan. 15, 2017; Neil W. Fleming–Feb. 14, 2017; Milt Gregoire–Feb. 20, 2017; Marilyn Denault–Feb. 21, 2017; Ray Robinson–Mar. 10, 2017; Hilliard Storey–Aug. 13, 2017; Joan M. Martindale–Aug. 21, 2017.

CAYUGA – Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church: Eileen M. Waldera–Oct. 31, 2016; John M. Harris–Dec. 28, 2016; Doug Ochalla–May 8, 2017; Edna E. Krohn–May 15, 2017; Don Hom–May 15, 2017; Arnold G. Banish–Sep. 19, 2017.

COOPERSTOWN-St. George Church: Olga Garonski–Apr. 15, 2017.

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NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

CRYSTAL – St. Patrick’s Church: James W. Cameron–Mar. 24, 2017.

DEVILS LAKE – St. Joseph’s Church: John W. Broden–Oct. 28, 2016; Rita L. Wagner–Nov. 8, 2016; Tatum T. Mitzel–Nov. 10, 2016; Joel A. Wee–Nov. 29, 2016; Marion Buckley–Dec. 2, 2016; Genevieve “Gen” Broden– Dec. 16, 2016; John “Jack” T. Kitsch–Dec. 26, 2016; Leonard P. Ziegler–Jan. 1, 2017; John P. Rutten–Jan. 17, 2017; Joseph B. Peters–Jan. 19, 2017; Shirley A. Stein–Jan. 25, 2017; Vicki E. Gellner-Hammond–Feb. 10, 2017; Loretta M. Buchmeier–Feb. 17, 2017; Leo H. Weber–Feb. 20, 2017; Melinda “Lindy” Pare–Feb. 28, 2017; Elouise F. Lauinger–Mar. 20, 2017; Ruth Bechard– Apr. 4, 2017; Herman D. Schwab–Apr. 13, 2017; Theodore “Ted” Hawn–Apr. 15, 2017; Abigail Tronson–Apr. 15, 2017; Nathan M. Weber–Apr. 26, 2017; Rosemary Miller–May 2, 2017; Timothy Kurtz, Sr.–May 8, 2017; Marcella M. Schuler– May 28, 2017; Delores M. Zahradka–June 9, 2017; Douglas A. Kurtz–June 15, 2017; John G. Kraft–June 19, 2017; Charles D. Schumacher–July 22, 2017; Rose B. Kraft–Aug. 10, 2017; Renil M. Hansen–Aug. 17, 2017; Irene Streifel–Aug. 19, 2017; Catherine “Katie” Steffan –Sep. 28, 2017; Charles W. Shipley– Oct. 7, 2017; Helen M. Schottenbauer–Oct. 9, 2017.

DRAKE – St. Margaret Mary’s Church: Lena Gange–Nov. 9, 2016; Adeline Ludwig–Nov. 26, 2016; Rose Martin–Jan. 5, 2017; Clara Hood–Mar. 26, 2017; Ed Gefroh–June 9, 2017; Joe Lemer–Sep. 16, 2017.

DRAYTON – St. Edward’s Church: Leo “Leroy” Woinarowicz–Feb. 4, 2017; Leonard Kasprowicz– May 5, 2017; Phoebe Anderson–July 5, 2017; Albert Wilson– Aug. 26, 2017.

DUNSEITH – St. Michael’s Church: Ruth Belgarde–Oct. 31, 2016; Betty Delorme–Nov. 24, 2016; Walter Morin–Feb. 4, 2017; George Demery–Mar. 18, 2017; Clarence Poitra–Mar. 20, 2017; Ruby Bruce–Mar. 29, 2017; Richard Morin–Apr. 8, 2017; Eugene D. Belgarde–May 9, 2017;

Gilbert S. Wilkie–May 10, 2017; Connie A. Dubois–May 15, 2017; Rose D. Roussin–June 29, 2017; Darrell J. DeLorme–Aug. 5, 2017; Ricanda D. Gunville–Aug. 16, 2017; Adam J. Peltier–Aug. 24, 2017; John Belgarde Sr.–Oct. 8, 2017.

ELLENDALE – St. Helena’s Church Earl Webster–Mar. 16, 2017; Mary Webster–Mar. 21, 2017; Mayme Linder–Aug. 2, 2017; Peter E. Flynn, Sr.–Sep. 17, 2017.

ENDERLIN – St. Patrick’s Church: Ronald H. Bartholomay–Oct. 22, 2016; Elden B. Langer– Feb. 8, 2017.

ESMOND – St. Boniface Church: Stanley E. Syverson–Dec. 18, 2016; Ludwena Syverson– Dec. 25, 2016; Marvin Grossman–Apr. 14, 2017; Regina Keller–Apr. 23, 2017; Dennis Leier–July 27, 2017; LeoRoy Reiger–Sep. 3, 2017; Delores Wolfe–Oct. 7, 2017.

FAIRMOUNT – St. Anthony’s Church: Agnes Kuntz–Nov. 16, 2016.

Napoleon (Paul Braun | New Earth)

FARGO – Sts. Anne and Joachim Church: Mary Patricia Kuchera–Nov. 23, 2016; Christine E. Meier– Dec. 5, 2016; Hazel R. Achter–Dec. 26, 2016; Cecelia Steidl– Jan. 8, 2017; Lucy Ann Wangler–Jan. 18, 2017; Lucile G. Zink– Jan. 28, 2017; Matthew Butler–Feb. 22, 2017; Richard Hentges– Mar. 9, 2017; Heidi Frie–Apr. 6, 2017; Elizabeth Johnson–Apr. 10, 2017; James Grant–June 5, 2017; Lorrayne McGuire–June 13, 2017; Elizabeth Berg–July 2, 2017; James Schmidt–July 13, 2017; Timothy Herzog–Aug. 11, 2017; Shirley Feeney–Aug. 14, 2017; Dorothy “Tok” Torok–Sep. 5, 2017.

FARGO – St. Anthony’s Church: Laurie A. McLaughlin–Dec. 3, 2016; Pauline Grandbois–Dec. 23, 2016; Verna Bashaw–Jan. 13, 2017; Deacon Mathias Prom– Jan. 13, 2017; Mildred Bolgrean–Jan. 20, 2017; Michele Mullen–Jan. 22, 2017; Alice Sirek–Feb. 7, 2017; Robert Battensborg– Feb. 13, 2017; Gail A. Kelly–Feb. 24, 2017; Orey Hansen–Mar. 11, 2017; Lorna Harris–Mar. 13, 2017; Michelle Grant–Mar. 23, 2017; Delphine Fornes–Mar. 23, 2017; Ronald Kiefer–Apr. 2, 2017; Henry J. Burgard–Apr. 4, 2017; Jeanette Hennen–Apr. 14, 2017; Patricia Deery–Apr. 17, 2017; Conrad Lauinger–Apr. 17, 2017; Alex R. Patnaude–Apr. 22, 2017; Peggy A. Weaver– May 14, 2017; Bernice Sims–May 31, 2017; Louis Bertrand– July 10, 2017; Jeanne Kelly–Aug. 12, 2017; John Holien–Aug. 20, 2017; Peggy Gregor–Aug. 27, 2017; Dr. William “Bill” Weiler–Aug. 27, 2017; Maurice Duval–Sep. 1, 2017.

FARGO – Holy Spirit Church: Paul A. Welu–Oct. 17, 2016; Hannah Jo Manthey–Oct. 18, 2016; David L. Leverson–Oct. 27, 2016; Lorraine Sundin–Oct. 30, 2016; Barbara Useldinger–Nov. 23, 2016; Margaret Jenny–Nov. 24, 2016; Rose Anne Millette–Dec. 6, 2016; Floyd Weist–Dec. 12, 2016; LeRoy G. Bernstein–Jan. 4, 2017; Paul M. Johnson –Jan. 6, 2017; Helen Wickenheiser–Jan. 17, 2017; Lila M. Olson–Jan. 21, 2017; Roy Montplaisir–Mar. 1, 2017; Robert F. Muscha–Mar. 7, 2017; Adeline Ahmann–Apr. 4, 2017; David Jenny–Apr. 15, 2017; Kenneth Shimofa–Apr. 18, 2017; Gloria Fortier–Apr. 19, 2017; Kim Whipple–Apr. 24, 2017; Richard Bernardy–June 21, 2017; Ruth Deitz–June 27, 2017; Jeanette Evert–July 2, 2017; Jeanne M. Kessel–July 25, 2017; Roger Hagen–Aug. 16, 2017; Florentine Rodriguez–Sep. 27, 2017; Kenneth Schwinden– Oct. 4, 2017.

FARGO – Cathedral of St. Mary: Sadie Thompson–Oct. 20, 2016; Margaret Jalbert–Oct. 24, 2016; Gregory S. Grooters–Nov. 14, 2016; Mildred “Pearlene” Sitter–Jan. 20, 2017; Janet Urlaub–Jan. 24, 2017; John A. Zuelow–Feb. 6, 2017; Ernestine Ostopawicz–Feb. 10, 2017; Jerome Fjeld–Feb. 16, 2017; Barbara Bruzelius–Mar. 16, 2017; John Nguyen–May 28, 2017; Gary Borud–July 7, 2017; Timothy F. Fox–Aug. 2, 2017; Ann Dochow–Aug. 18, 2017; Tom McNeese–Sep. 2, 2017; Florence A. Albrecht–Sep. 22, 2017; Gerard J. Hokenson II–Oct. 3, 2017.

FARGO – Nativity Church: Dawn Miller–Nov. 30, 2016; Ruby J. Rheault–Dec. 12, 2016; Boyden “Bud” Carlson–Jan. 20, 2017; Louayne O’Day–Feb. 5, 2017; Darlyne Dahl–Mar. 11, 2017; Janice Rodlund–Mar. 12, 2017; Maria Gleason–Mar. 14, 2017; Norman Przybilla–Mar. 28, 2017; James Wold–Apr. 19, 2017; Betty Schwab–June 20, 2017; Nancy McLaughlin–June 25, 2017; Irene Verbout–July 2, 2017; Joan Faeth–July 6, 2017; Mable Henning–July 9, 2017; Jenny Neumann–July 19, 2017; Andrew Pedersen–Aug. 6, 2017; Audrey Krupich–Aug. 15, 2017; Leonard Bachmeier–Aug. 23, 2017; Grace Smestad–Aug. 29, 2017; Joseph Laney–Sep. 10, 2017; Roland Cossette–Sep. 19, 2017; Henry “Hank” Leintz–Sep. 20, 2017; Catherine Grandbois –Oct. 6, 2017.

FINGAL – Holy Trinity Church: Alfred G. Price–Nov. 1, 2016; Coral J. Laufenberg–Nov. 25, 2016; Ambrose E. Steidl–Jan. 22, 2017; Herman “Skip” I. Morth –Apr. 21, 2017; William Ertelt–Apr. 28, 2017.

FINLEY-St. Olaf Church: Steven Gregor–Jan. 21, 2017; Joseph Dekker–Mar. 2, 2017.

FORMAN – St. Mary’s Church: John Schreiner, Jr.–Dec. 19, 2016; Roger W. Even–Jan. 16, 2017; William “Bill” Snider–Mar. 30, 2017; Doran A. Kersting– June 26, 2017.

FULLERTON – St. Patrick’s Church Rose Glynn–Sep. 23, 2017.

GENESEO – St. Martin’s Church: Theresa Siemieniewski–Nov. 25, 2016; Delores Kuemper– Oct. 6, 2017.

GRAND FORKS – Holy Family Church: Lucille Vasek–Dec. 22, 2016; Roger Korsmoe–Dec. 24, 2016; Jerome Mack–Jan. 13, 2017; William J. Couchigian–Feb. 13, 2017; Agraphine “Aggie” Rivard–Feb. 19, 2017; Mary M. Pratt–Feb. 23, 2017; Bonnita Michaelson–Apr. 12, 2017; Frances “Fran” NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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Kobe–June 2, 2017; Marion Newton–June 4, 2017; Rodney Fischer–July 27, 2017; Christopher P. Jacobs–Oct. 8, 2017; Audrey A. Schefter–Oct. 15, 2017.

GRAND FORKS – St. Michael’s Church: Charlotte M. Sperling–Nov. 2, 2016; Rodger Nienas–Nov. 2, 2016; Marcus A. Schneider–Nov. 4, 2016; Irene M. Bruski –Nov. 13, 2016; Elouise “Tootsie” Perreault–Nov. 20, 2016; Ron K. Bleth–Nov. 28, 2016; Kathleen M. Dyre–Nov. 30, 2016; Leo J. Lunski–Dec. 6, 2016; Florian “Smoky” Schultz–Dec. 11, 2016; Lillian M. Roufs-Volk–Jan. 8, 2017; Douglas Rerick–Feb. 2, 2017; Monica E. Larivee–Mar. 1, 2017; Vernis “Vern” C. Straus–May 26, 2017; Mary Ann Bushaw–May 29, 2017; Marie Zejdlik–June 25, 2017; Robert M. Burris–July 10, 2017; Christine B. Milford–July 15, 2017; Lucille M. Nikle–July 24, 2017; Arlis D. Burris–July 24, 2017; Rose Marie Kiefat–Aug. 3, 2017; Frances “Fran” Corbett–Aug. 31, 2017; Janice M. Jensen– Sep. 7, 2017.

GRAND FORKS – St. Mary’s Church: Ramona A. Minner–Oct. 6, 2016; Sylvia M. Norlin–Oct. 12, 2016; Lucille M. Bluemke–Dec. 10, 2016; Harris A. Bartlette– Jan. 29, 2017; Eleanor Durkin–Feb. 7, 2017; Thomas E. Burkett–Apr. 4, 2017; Jean Whitman–Apr. 18, 2017; Cynthia D. Gornowicz–June 27, 2017; Dennis O. Schjeldahl–July 16, 2017; Anthony R. Rabe–July 27, 2017; Rose M. Deziel–Sep. 2, 2017; Russell “Russ” R. LaDouceur–Oct. 3, 2017.

B. Donegan–Dec. 15, 2016; Magdalena Wentz–Dec. 18, 2016; Harold Mickelson–Jan. 17, 2017; Frank D. Stoppleworth– Jan. 29, 2017; Don Wilhelm–Feb. 11, 2017; Ann L. Stocking– Feb. 20, 2017; Robb G. Kaiser–Feb. 28, 2017; Terry L. Klabo –Mar. 9, 2017; Franklin D. Liegman–Mar. 14, 2017; Betty J. Hoye –Mar. 16, 2017; Donald D. Grenz–Mar. 17, 2017; Kathryn Richards–Apr. 16, 2017; Delphine Prodzinski–Apr. 28, 2017; Elaine E. Gusaas–May 4, 2017; Dolores M. Wanzek–May 10, 2017; Sharon M. Falk–May 19, 2017; Robert Nordine –May 23, 2017; Kevin Burckhard–May 24, 2017; Mary H. Fredricks–June 5, 2017; Agnes I. Wegner–June 6, 2017; Robert Moran–Aug. 13, 2017; Ramona Gruchalla–Sep. 20, 2017; Mary M. Kuhn–Sep. 24, 2017; Victoria “Vicki” R. Williams –Sep. 24, 2017; Annette M. Carlson–Sep. 26, 2017; Janet Kubenski–Oct. 3, 2017.

KARLSRUHE – Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church: Gloria Klein–Jan. 17, 2017; Joseph Feller–Apr. 8, 2017; Bennie Duchscherer–June 19, 2017.

KINDRED – St. Maurice Church: Jason Allison–May 1, 2017.

GRAFTON – St. John’s Church: Julian R. Lizakowski–Oct. 19, 2016; Leo G. Feltman–Oct. 22, 2016; Scott A. Machart–Oct. 31, 2016; Judy A. O’Toole –Nov. 5, 2016; Dale St. Claire, Jr.–Nov. 7, 2016; Rodney D. Nord–Dec. 22, 2016; Shaun D. Martin–Dec. 24, 2016; Sandra J. Estad– Dec. 29, 2016; Delores M. DeSautel–Jan. 26, 2017; Michael L. Staffne–Mar. 7, 2017; Robert F. Lunski–Mar. 14, 2017; Richard M. Deitz–Mar. 19, 2017; Leland M. Bailly–Mar. 29, 2017; Sondra A. Larson–Mar. 29, 2017; Alice Staskivige–June 22, 2017; Mary Ann Connor–June 26, 2017; Mona K. Szklarski– July 24, 2017.

HANKINSON – St. Philip’s Church: Serena M. Buckhaus–Oct. 23, 2016; Louise Kinn–Nov. 28, 2016; Barbara Bommersbach–Mar. 4, 2017; Patrick Kinn–Apr. 3, 2017; Margaret Schiltz–Sep. 9, 2017; Eugene Klein–Sep. 20, 2017.

HARVEY – St. Cecilia’s Church: Anthony Martian–Oct. 26, 2016; Alice D. Feist–Nov. 5, 2016; Marlys M. Piatz–Dec. 8, 2016; Eugenia Vetsch–Jan. 11, 2017; Mary Volk–Jan. 30, 2017; Willis Schmitt–Feb. 11, 2017; Lena C. Vetter–Feb. 24, 2017; Lillian M. Magee–Feb. 27, 2017; Edward Koble–Mar. 1, 2017; Raymond Heil–Mar. 9, 2017; Gerald Vetsch–Mar. 15, 2017; Jason Thomas–Apr. 28, 2017; Jeremiah R. Toomey–May 8, 2017; June C. Lemer–May 29, 2017; Helen Meier–June 12, 2017; Emanuel Hager–July 3, 2017; Robert Lorenz–July 29, 2017; Lena Eckman–Aug. 15, 2017; Joe P. Keller–Oct. 6, 2017.

HILLSBORO – St. Rose Catholic Church: Earl Ackerman–June 5, 2017.

JAMESTOWN – St. James Basilica: LaVonne Hodgson–Nov. 5, 2016; Agatha M. Marsolek– Nov. 7, 2016; Dorothy White–Nov. 30, 2016; Lorraine Hoffman– Dec. 10, 2016; Marguerite A. Cebula–Dec. 13, 2016; David 30

NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

Napoleon (Paul Braun | New Earth)

LAKOTA – St. Mary’s Catholic Church: Joe Bosh–Nov. 2, 2016; Blanche M. Maixner–Feb. 6, 2017; Rosemary E. Voss–Apr. 9, 2017; Clifford “Shine” Zimmer– Apr. 14, 2017; John Pesek–June 17, 2017; Steven Hensey– July 29, 2017; William M. Vasicek–Aug. 8, 2017; Donald Manasterski–Aug. 21, 2017.

LAMOURE – Holy Rosary Church: June A. Quinlan–Mar. 1, 2017; Marvin Anderson–Mar. 16, 2017; Lyle Storbeck–Mar. 19, 2017; Arline K. Lutgen–June 6, 2017.

LANGDON – St. Alphonsus Church: Richard Messner–Nov. 20, 2016; Thelma Howatt–Jan. 25, 2017; Elaine LaCoste-Turcotte–Mar. 31, 2017; Arnold Metzger– May 8, 2017; Corrine Clover –May 9, 2017; Lorraine Ballweg– May 13, 2017; Margaret Kertz –May 18, 2017; Selma Stevens– May 19, 2017; Betty Bata–June 2, 2017; Corey Slama–June 29, 2017; Mary Arendes–July 24, 2017; Robert “Bob” Nowatzki– July 27, 2017; Donald Borho–Aug. 11, 2017; Leona Johnson– Oct. 3, 2017; Kenneth Christl–Oct. 16, 2017.

LANKIN – St. Joseph’s Church: Henrietta Swartz–Aug. 18, 2017.

LARIMORE – St. Stephen’s Church: Charles “Jack” J. Liffrig–Mar. 11, 2017; Dorothy Holte–Apr. 10, 2017; Marijo L. Shide–May 22, 2017; Donna Mae Farrell– June 19, 2017; Eugene V. Purcell–July 8, 2017.

LEEDS – St. Vincent de Paul Church: Tami L. Kitzman–Feb. 21, 2017.

LIDGERWOOD – St. Boniface Church: Arthur J. Haase–Nov. 11, 2016; Frank R. Kordovsky–Jan. 27, 2017; Irene Hruza–Feb. 3, 2017; Morris Medenwaldt–Mar. 10, 2017; Paul Vaplon–Apr. 12, 2017; Marlys Heley–May 16, 2017; Catherine Fogarty–Aug. 22, 2017; Jeffrey S. Lehman–Sep. 24, 2017; Georgiana Maack–Oct. 6, 2017.

LIsbon – St. Aloysius Church: James Bearfield–Nov. 22, 2016; Glenn Weisenhaus–Dec. 9, 2016; William “Bill” Ames–Aug. 12, 2017; John “Jack” Reiger– Aug. 5, 2017; Lawrence Osman–Apr. 27, 2017.

MADDOCK – St. William’s Church: Delbert Bingham–Nov. 17, 2016; Anna Harmon–Jan. 19, 2017; August Axtman–Aug. 4, 2017; Rose Odden–Sep.19, 2017.

MANTADOR – Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church: Lois Gully–Jan. 25, 2017; Sun “Sue” Mitchell–Feb. 3, 2017; Arlin “Arlie” Schultz–July 15, 2017.

MANVEL – St. Timothy’s Church: Florence F. Briskie–Oct. 22, 2016; Rosemary “Rose” Brown– Oct. 23, 2016; Irene E. Chisholm–Nov. 20, 2016; John C. McDonald, Jr.–Dec 6, 2016; Regina “Reggie” Stadstad –Dec. 26, 2016; Sarah Devine–Dec. 29, 2016; Helen G. Schultz–Jan. 6, 2017; Joyce Devine–Feb. 27, 2017; Roy Brown–May 5, 2017; Duane Beck–Aug. 20, 2017.

MAYVILLE – Our Lady of Peace Church: Graham Delong–Jan. 22, 2017; Wilfrid Gapp–Jan. 23, 2017.

MCHENRY – Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church: Denver L. Larson–Oct. 17, 2016; Wesley Parson–Nov. 15, 2016; Alfred Frappier–Feb. 3, 2017; Marvin Miska–Oct. 20, 2017.

MEDINA – St. Mary’s Church: Marie M. Bohn–Apr. 19, 2017.

MICHIGAN – St. Lawrence’s Church: Dorothy Gilbertson–Nov. 29, 2016; Dorothy A. Haugen– Feb. 5, 2017.

MILNOR – St. Arnold’s Church: Lloyd R. Gibbon–Oct. 16, 2016; Gerald S. Schonhoff–Oct. 30, 2016; Dale R. Peterson–Nov 23, 2016; Loretta K. Harak–Jan. 4, 2017.

MINTO – Sacred Heart Church: Gertrude A. Hewitt–Nov. 27, 2016; Maximilian Nice–Dec. 13, 2016; Christine Purser–Dec. 19, 2016; Joyce M. Lutovsky–Dec. 24, 2016; Deborah Dunham–Feb. 11, 2017; Allan J. Babinski–Feb. 28, 2017; Shirley Durkin–Apr. 24, 2017; Daniel Stoltman–July 10, 2017; Brian P. Stoltman–July 14, 2017; Allan D. Sitzer–July 27, 2017; David J. Slominski–Aug. 31, 2017; Earl Mondry–Sep. 6, 2017.

MOORETON – St. Anthony’s Church: Eugene Erbes–Oct. 14, 2016; Ramona Cagley–Jan. 17, 2017; Marie Erbes–Feb. 8, 2017; Jerome Link–Mar. 6, 2017; David Heitkamp–July 3, 2017.

MUNICH – St. Mary’s Church: Ernest Goeser–Oct. 28, 2016; Rallan J. Beck–June 20, 2017; Regina R. Hoffman–July 31, 2017; John R. Finneseth–Sep. 4, 2017.

NAPOLEON – St. Philip’s Church: Alvin J. Scherr–Oct. 17, 2016; Dorothy Bitz–Oct. 24, 2016; Peter J. Horner–Dec. 3, 2016; Tony Sperle–Dec. 3, 2016; Joseph “Joey” Hilzendeger–Dec. 9, 2016; Anton “Tony” Aberle – Dec. 9, 2016; Agnes Gross–Dec. 19, 2016; Magdalena “Maggie” Weigel –Dec. 21, 2016; Mathilda “Tillie” Leier– Jan. 8, 2017; Duane C. Rodlund–Jan. 20, 2017; Alicia “Alice” Doll–Mar. 19, 2017; Katherine “Katie” Weigel–May 22, 2017; Anna Schatz–July 16, 2017; Lucille “Lucy” Schloss–July 25, 2017; Carolyn M. Sperle–July 29, 2017; Rita S. Wangler–Aug. 19, 2017.

NEKOMA – St. Edward’s Church: Raymond Kuchar–Oct. 21, 2016; Norbert Borho–Jan. 21, 2017; Richard Novacek–June 5, 2017.

NEW ROCKFORD – St. John’s Church: Jerry Engels–Oct. 21, 2016; Herb J. Engels–Nov. 13, 2016; Arlyss Lesmeister–Nov. 23, 2016; Greg Lesmeister–Nov. 30, 2016; Myron Birkeland–Jan. 26, 2017; Dorothy Thiel–Mar. 3, 2017; Gerard “Ardie” Allmaras–Mar. 5, 2017; Lillie M. Hartl–Mar. 12, 2017; Clemence G. Allmaras–Mar. 26, 2017; Audrey E. Nygaard–Apr. 8, 2017; Carol J. Bass–Apr. 28, 2017; Gary Nygaard–July 9, 2017; Mary Ann Laber–Sep. 6, 2017; Kevin Loux–Sep. 15, 2017; David W. Irmen–Oct. 5, 2017; OAKES – St. Charles Church: Robert Forward–Nov. 30, 2016; Greg Haring–Dec. 10, 2016; Howard Shelton–Dec. 28, 2016; Patricia Donovan–Jan. 12, 2017; Carson Roney–Feb. 11, 2017; Charles Heger–Mar. 2, 2017; Curtis Buske–Apr. 6, 2017; Onesimo Rivera–Aug. 5, 2017; Michael L. Kelly–Aug. 11, 2017; Joseph C. Dethlefsen–Aug. 26, 2017; Leon Ell–Aug. 27, 2017.

OAKWOOD – Sacred Heart Church: Gail M. Osowski–Nov. 5, 2016; William “Bill” G. Sevigny– Mar. 19, 2017; Frances Seeba–July 12, 2017.

PARK RIVER – St. Mary’s Church: Gladys M. Vigen–Dec. 8, 2016; George F. Jarus–Mar. 4, 2017; Joyce L. Ramsey–May 5, 2017; Priscilla Carlson–May 25, 2017; Dorothy Kosobud–June 24, 2017; Keith J. Simon–Sep. 8, 2017.

PEMBINA – Assumption Church: George F. Jarus–Mar. 4, 2017.

PINGREE – St. Michael’s Church: Faye Cumber–Oct. 21, 2016.

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SAINT JOHN – St. John’s Church: Justin D. Boyer–Jan. 16, 2017.

SYKESTON – St. Elizabeth’s Church: Frances K. Richter–Jan. 20, 2017; Donald Polries–Apr. 6, 2017; Rosella Richter–May 6, 2017; Irene Seil–July 31, 2017; Edward Suckut–Oct. 16, 2017.

TAPPEN – St. Paul’s Church: Doris Mack–Nov. 19, 2016.

THOMPSON – St. Jude’s Church: Pam West–Mar. 22, 2017; Margaret A. Meagher–July 12, 2017; Leona Eng–Aug. 23, 2017.

TOLNA – St. Joseph’s Church: Alice Stahl–Nov. 16, 2016; Raymond J. Hoffman–Sep. 3, 2017.

TOWNER – St. Cecilia’s Church: Jayne Albrecht–Jan. 25, 2017; Balcer “B.K.” Keller–Feb. 8, 2017; Elizabeth Burckhard–Mar. 13, 2017; Christ Burgard–May 16, 2017; Mary Voeller–May 30, 2017; Arenetta R. Voeller–July 4, 2017.

Warsaw (Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

PISEK – St. John’s Church: Rosemary A. Larson–Dec. 20, 2016; Nathan Zahradka–Feb. 8, 2017; Elana Woodward–Apr. 19, 2017.

REYNOLDS – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church: Pauline S. Argenziano–June 10, 2017; Jennifer A. White–Aug. 2, 2017; Eugene “Gene” Adams–Sep. 22, 2017.

ROLETTE – Sacred Heart Church: Stephen Mongeon–Dec. 17, 2016; Derek Thompson–Aug. 19, 2017.

ROLLA – St. Joachim’s Church: Patricia J. Gailfus–June 9, 2017; Corenne A. McAtee–June 27, 2017; Fred Schindler–July 21, 2017; John A. Grann–Aug. 7, 2017.

RUGBY – St. Therese Church: Regina Binfet–Oct. 20, 2016; Donald Olson–Nov. 5, 2016; Frances Sattler–Nov. 22, 2016; Regina Bertsch–Dec.13, 2016; Rose R. Voeller–Jan. 15, 2017; James C. Tuchscherer–Jan. 20, 2017; Rosemary Filler–Mar. 6, 2017; Richard Erickson–Mar. 7, 2017; Leo Vetter–Mar. 9, 2017; Irene Voeller–Mar. 26, 2017; Gerald Strand–Apr. 4, 2017; Nicholas “Nick” Fritel–May 13, 2017; Gary D. Voeller–July 18, 2017; John “Johnnie” Sander–Aug. 10, 2017; Timothy J. Bartsch Sr.–Sep. 5, 2017; Richard C. Schaan–Sep. 19, 2017; Alice C. Brossart–Oct. 9, 2017.

SHELDON – Our Lady of the Scapular Church: Corrine Anderson–Nov. 21, 2016; Darlene Offermann–July 27, 2017; Ardys Spiekermeier–Dec. 29, 2016.

STEELE – St. Francis Church: Terry Strand–Dec. 26, 2016; Bruce Kalmbach–Jan. 29, 2017; Alphonse Fitterer–Feb. 13, 2017; Mike Wolbaum–Feb. 17, 2017; Shirley Roemmich–Apr. 14, 2017; Endel Kent–June 9, 2017; Betty Rohrich–Sep. 20, 2017.

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VALLEY CITY – St. Catherine’s Church: Ann Hejtmanek–Oct. 28, 2016; Annie Pfeifer–Nov. 20, 2016; Evelyn Gartland–Nov. 20, 2016; Carl Krislan–Nov. 23, 2016; Jeannine C. Marcy–Nov. 30, 2016; Loretta Kaufman–Dec. 6, 2016; Arla Trucke–Dec. 27, 2016; Helen Sadek–Jan. 1, 2017; Marie Okestad–Jan. 28, 2017; Margaret Elm–Feb. 16, 2017; Bonnie Dosch–Mar. 1, 2017; Timothy Gassmann–Apr. 12, 2017; Raymond Cole–Apr. 15, 2017; John C. Klein–Apr. 16, 2017; Judith Winkler–May 3, 2017; Bernadine Mandy–May 5, 2017; Mary A. Johnson–June 8, 2017; Ruth Freund–June 21, 2017; Harold F. Nilles–July 15, 2017; Darrel Wavra–Aug. 19, 2017; Arnie Miller–Sep. 7, 2017; Catherine Blake–Oct. 1, 2017; Barbara A. Peterson–Oct. 10, 2017.

VELVA – St. Cecilia’s Church: Michael Duscherer–Oct. 6, 2016; Barbara Gerger–Oct. 24, 2016; Andrew Gustin–June 29, 2017; Brian Duchsherer–Sep. 6, 2017.

VESELEYVILLE – St. Luke’s Church: Lucy M. Sobolik–Feb. 15, 2017.

WAHPETON – St. John’s Church: Kathryn Meyer–Oct. 28, 2016; Dale V. Hinsverk–Nov. 6, 2016; Bernard T. Hilgers–Nov. 25, 2016; Gerald Rick–Dec. 17, 2016; Ronald Matthys–Dec. 27, 2016; Marie Schmidt–Dec. 29, 2016; Barbara A. Wacha–Jan. 19, 2017; Joyce Schneider–Feb. 3, 2017; Veronica Rode–Feb. 11, 2017; Nicholas J. Helgeson–Feb. 26, 2017; Sybilla Helland–Mar. 4, 2017; Kenneth Meyer–Mar. 6, 2017; Ellie Rezabek-Turner–Mar. 24, 2017; Barbara Schuler–Apr. 11, 2017; Genevieve Reubish–Apr. 21, 2017; Rita Ethier–Apr. 24, 2017; Mark Schmitt–May 3, 2017; Susan M. Gilles–May 12, 2017; Edna Mae Onchuck–May 17, 2017; Catherine Goggin–May 29, 2017; Lynn L. Comstock–July 12, 2017; Roger W. Tedrow–July 18, 2017; Isabelle “Liz” Herman–Aug. 7, 2017; Louis Lovcik–Aug. 22, 2017; Martha Berndt–Sep. 12, 2017; Gertrude A. Braun–Sep. 15, 2017; Helen F. Cimbura–Sep. 16, 2017; Kenneth P. Kuehn–Sep. 26, 2017; John V. Dietz–Oct. 2, 2017.

WALES – St. Michael’s Church: Mildred “Millie” Duciaume–Feb. 23, 2017; Jean Kram–Aug. 24, 2017.

WALHALLA – St. Boniface Church: Edward “Jiggs” Cluchie–Dec. 3, 2016; Clara Chaput–Dec. 11, 2016;

Gloria Jerome–Feb. 16, 2017; Avis Longtin–Mar. 19, 2017; Elmer Dearinger–Mar. 24, 2017; Kelly Kalis–June 10, 2017; James O. Mostad–July 12, 2017; Marcella Howell–July 23, 2017; Amelda Hornung–July 30, 2017; Elaine T. Swanson–Sep. 9, 2017.

WARSAW – St. Stanislaus Church: Marjorie “Marjie” Weber–Feb. 21, 2017; Martha D. Rudnik–Feb. 27, 2017; Wyatt A. Feltman–Mar. 9, 2017; Henrietta Gerszewski–May 28, 2017; Marcellene Zola–June 8, 2017; Ardell Slominski–July 3, 2017; Steven S. Riske–July 20, 2017.

WYNDMERE – St. John’s Church: Barbara Peplinski–June 13, 2017; John Goerger–June 29, 2017.

ZEELAND – St. Andrew’s Church: Katherine “Katie” Klein–Feb. 16, 2017; Leona Welinger–Feb. 20, 2017; Florence Engelhart–May 24, 2017; Sylvester “Syl” Wolf–Oct. 4, 2017.

“How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns?

And bears it for me!”

WESTHOPE – St. Andrew’s Church: Duane Lesmann–May 17, 2017.

WEST FARGO – Blessed Sacrament Church: Joanne Thoemke–Oct. 15, 2016; Delores Eisenzimmer–Oct. 26, 2016; Donald Groth–Nov. 9, 2016; MaryAnn Hockert–Nov. 13, 2016; Henry C. Wulff–Jan. 30, 2017; Helen Klein–Mar. 24, 2017; Allan Fandrick–Apr. 19, 2017; Anthony “Tony” Geary–May 7, 2017; Phyllis Jacobson–May 30, 2017; Clarence Pulkrabek–June 3, 2017; George Tuchscherer–July 29, 2017; Ted Brown–Sep. 11, 2017; Brian Iverson–Sep. 15, 2017; Pearl Schweitzer–Sep. 19, 2017; Bernice Schmidt–Sep. 20, 2017.

WEST FARGO – Holy Cross Church: Arnold Lefor–Nov. 10, 2016; LaVerne J. Fry–Dec. 11, 2016; Madelene Knutson–Dec. 27, 2016; Linus J. Wambach–Feb. 7, 2017; Eileen Laney–Feb. 21, 2017; James Tougas–Feb. 24, 2017; Darlene Schmidt–Mar. 16, 2017; Amanda S. Baukol–May 1, 2017; Gail Freeberg–June 9, 2017; Jerry Weyrauch–Sep. 21, 2017; Hilda Brooks–Sep. 24, 2017; Sharon McGrath–Sep. 27, 2017; Linda Rieniets–Oct. 4, 2017; Kathy Burkett–Oct. 4, 2017; Kim Birrenkott–Oct. 8, 2017.

WILD RICE – St. Benedict’s Church: Ernest Germanson–Nov. 9, 2016; Yvette Stalcup–Nov. 17, 2016; Leone Richard–Mar. 28, 2017; Stacey M. Miller–Apr. 15, 2017; Gloria Schmidt–May 16, 2017; Nate Olsby–July 26, 2017; Jeffrey Greenwood–Sep. 4, 2017; Julien Pronovost–Sep. 21, 2017.

WILLOW CITY – Notre Dame Church: Gayland Cote–Oct. 22, 2016; Bonnie Kraft–Oct. 21, 2017.

–St. Elizabeth of Hungary

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U.S. AND WORLD NEWS

Groups settle in lawsuit against HHS contraceptive mandate

By Carol Zimmermann - Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON – Dozens of Catholic groups that challenged the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act have reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, they announced late Oct. 16.

The groups, including the Archdiocese of Washington and the Pennsylvania dioceses of Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Erie, were represented by the Cleveland-based law firm Jones Day. Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl wrote an Oct. 16 letter to archdiocesan priests saying the “binding agreement” ends the litigation challenging the Health and Human Services’ mandate and provides a “level of assurance as we move into the future.”

The Washington Archdiocese was one of dozens of groups challenging the mandate, which went to the Supreme Court last year in the consolidated case of Zubik v. Burwell. Although it was most often described as the Little Sisters of the Poor fighting against the federal government, the case before the court involved seven plaintiffs and each of these combined cases represented a group of schools, churches or church-sponsored organizations.

Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik, whom the case is named for, said he was grateful for the settlement, which he described as an “agreement with the government that secures and reaffirms the constitutional right of religious freedom.”

In an Oct. 17 statement, the bishop said the diocese’s five-yearlong challenge to the mandate “has been resolved successfully” allowing Catholic Charities in the diocese and other religious organizations of different denominations to be exempt from “insurance coverage or practices that are morally unacceptable.”

He said the settlement follows the recent release of new federal regulations that provide religious organizations with a full exemption from covering items that violate their core beliefs.

On Oct. 6, the Trump administration issued interim rules expanding the exemption to the contraceptive mandate to include religious employers who object on moral grounds to covering contraceptive and abortion-inducing drugs and devices in their employee health insurance. The same day, the U.S. Department of Justice issued guidance to all administrative agencies and executive departments regarding religious liberty protections in federal law.

Cardinal Wuerl said in his letter to priests that the new guidelines and regulations were extremely helpful but that the

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“settlement of the Zubik litigation adds a leavening of certainty moving forward. It removes doubt where it might otherwise exist as it closes those cases.”

“The settlement adds additional assurances,” he added, “that we will not be subject to enforcement or imposition of similar regulations imposing such morally unacceptable mandates moving forward.”

The cardinal thanked the Jones Day law firm for its legal representation in the case and thanked Catholics for their prayers and support for the petitioners in the long legal fight.

Thomas Aquinas College of Santa Paula, California, one of the groups that fell under the Washington Archdiocese’s challenge of the HHS mandate to the Supreme Court, similarly thanked the law firm Jones Day for representing the school pro bono.

The school’s president, Michael McLean, said in an Oct. 16 statement that as part of the settlement, the government will pay a portion of the legal costs and fees incurred by the law firm.

He said the college welcomed the broadening of the exemption from the HHS mandate by the Trump administration in early October but he similarly said the settlement of the case provides “something even better: a permanent exemption from an onerous federal directive – and any similar future directive – that would require us to compromise our fundamental beliefs.”

“This is an extraordinary outcome for Thomas Aquinas College and for the cause of religious freedom,” he added.

The school’s statement said according to the terms of the settlement, the government concedes that the contraceptive mandate “imposes a substantial burden” on the plaintiffs’ exercise of religion and “cannot be legally enforced” under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The contraceptive mandate, in place since 2012, required all employers to provide contraceptive coverage in their employer insurance. Last year when opposition to this mandate came to the Supreme Court, the justices unanimously returned the case to the lower courts with instructions to determine if contraceptive insurance coverage could be obtained by employees through their insurance companies without directly involving religious employers who object to paying for such coverage.

Erie Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, representing one of the groups that challenged the mandate, said in an Oct. 17 statement that it has been “difficult for people to understand that this lawsuit was not just about contraceptives.

“The real issue,” he said, “was the government attempting to narrow the definition of freedom of religion, using the HHS mandate to exempt only a small subset of religious employers.

Churches were declared exempt, but their hospitals, Catholic Charities agencies, schools, and universities were not.”

The bishop said he was pleased with the settlement particularly because the church continues to assert that all of its ministries “are inextricably tied to the practice of our faith.”

Sidewalk Stories

By Roxane B. Salonen

I

To pray or not to pray, that is the question

n 1994, I attended a conference led by Catholic apologist Karl Keating. Though it fed us spiritually, lunch was on our own.

So, at midday break, a proliferation of hungry Catholics gathered at a nearby Hardee’s restaurant.

Among the diners were two women seated across from one another at a small table near a window. I watched as they quietly crossed themselves, and, bowing unobtrusively but purposefully, said grace before their ham sandwiches and curly fries.

I hadn’t grown up saying grace in public, so as though the moment quickly passed, this quiet, public witness became etched in my heart, even more deeply than Keating’s inspiring testimony. Their simple gestures, revealing a deep belief in God, made me crave a more uninhibited faith, too.

I learned that day how public prayer can impact those around us for the good.

But lately, I’ve been reminded how some misunderstand.

After the Las Vegas shooting massacre, several Facebook friends spoke admonishingly about prayer offerings made in public.

“Jesus didn’t run around talking about how much he was praying or telling people he would pray for them,” one wrote.

Another suggested reading Chapter 6 of Matthew’s Gospel, which advises against praying publicly, “like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray…on street corners so that others may see them.”

These reprimands troubled me for several reasons, including the timing, occurring during the recent 40 Days for Life campaign to end abortion, which emphasizes fasting and prayer on the sidewalks near abortion facilities.

The more I’ve prayed at our state’s only abortion facility, the more powerful I’ve found prayer to be, both public and private.

That initial reproach came from a fellow Christian expressing frustration over having seen so much talk about prayer, and so little about carrying out kind acts.

Though I understood her concern on its face, her indignance seemed misplaced. I also recognized my life in her words, since I’m one to commonly ask for and offer prayers, both on social media and in person.

I offered that prayer itself can be an act of compassion, and mentioned our sidewalk ministry. Another commenter, questioning my motives, suggested that rather than pray for the women, I ease their anxiety by accompanying them to the abortion-facility door.

I shuddered at what seemed to me – even if unintended – a sinister proposition. “Never!” I said aloud to myself.

Prayer has become a vital weapon to me in facing Wednesdays on the sidewalk. Over time, I’ve prayed more often, and more intently, before, during and after my time there.

I end my Wednesdays at Adoration, where I heap more prayers on top of those already spoken, recalling the faces of each scared woman I’ve seen, and thanking God whenever there is a “save.”

Sometimes, my prayers begin the day prior as I think of the women, already mothers forever, contemplating parting with their children, with no hope of earthly reunion.

So, the suggestion that prayer be eliminated from this public ministry left me cold.

To be clear, we pray on the sidewalk not so others will notice, but to cover the sidewalk in God’s grace, which we desperately need. We’re calling on the most holy God for heavenly help.

In moments my attention goes from rosary beads to the women approaching, to offer life-saving literature, and, yes, prayers.

The more purposefully I’ve turned to prayer concerning the sidewalk, the more resolved, courageous and peaceful I’ve become. I can only attribute my increased indifference regarding the mocking from the escorts to this “public prayer,” which we offer for them as well.

“What is most important about intercession,” writes Father Jacques Philippe, “is not always its material object, but rather the connection with God established and developed by means of it. That connection will always bear fruit, both for ourselves and for the people for whom we pray.”

Rather than discouraging one another from prayer, private or public, we need to encourage more of it.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood,” but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world, “and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Recently, the Reverend Jayson Miller led a group from our parish in a Fatima Rosary on the sidewalk. As we recited Hail Marys, music from the beer joint next door blared. And I couldn’t help but feel, as words from “Dirty Deeds” mingled with our petitions, that our public prayer witness is needed more than ever. As we continued praying, firmly, calmly, without reservation, I felt God’s victory near.

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.

NEW EARTH NOVEMBER 2017

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NEW

EARTH

Catholic Diocese of Fargo 5201 Bishops Blvd, Ste. A Fargo, ND 58104

Do you know this saint? Then do you know where we are in the diocese?

The answer will be revealed in the December New Earth.

Where in the diocese are we?

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Last month’s photo is of the statue of St. Leo outside of St. Leo’s Church in Casselton.