October New Earth 2012

Kibeho inspires Grafton man.

Page 11

New Earth CATHOLIC DIOCESE

OF

October 2012 Vol. 33

FARGO

No. 9

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

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha’s canonization:

‘We’ve been praying for this for a long time’

Spirit Lake native priest shares insight on new American saints

By Father John Cavanaugh

T

— North Dakota tribal members

housands of people from around the world will be converging on Rome this month for the canonization of seven saints, including two Americans.

The American saints to be proclaimed at the Vatican include Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai, Hawaii, and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

Mother Marianne led a group of sisters from New York to the Hawaiian Islands in 1883 to establish a system of nursing care for leprosy patients.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will become the first Native American to be canonized.

It’s been purported that, when she died at 3 p.m. on April 17, 1680, at the age of 24, Kateri uttered these words as her last: “Jesus, I love you.”

Smallpox had swept through her village as a child, and she was to suffer the consequence of this disease. It left her with facial scars and her eyesight impaired. A few minutes after her death, those around her bedside witnessed the ugly facial scars suddenly disappear.

Kateri Tekakwitha was declared venerable by the church on Jan. 3, 1943,

by Pope Pius XII. She was beatified in 1980 when John Paul II waived the formal process of the first miracle typically required.

Prayers seeking her intercession with the Lord are credited for the second Tekakwitha miracle — the full recovery of a six-year-old boy from

By Roxane B. Salonen

W

hen asked how she feels about the upcoming canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Mary Lou Davis, a parishioner of St. Ann’s in Belcourt, pauses while searching for the right words. “How do you explain wonderful, or glorious?” she begins.

“How do you explain the awe we feel, knowing how long we have been praying for this, and it’s finally happening?”

Davis, a member of the Karuk tribe of northern California, has been attending Tekakwitha conferences throughout the United States since 1989, when the event, which launched in Fargo in 1939, returned here, as it will again in 2014 for its 75th anniversary.

One of the gathering’s main purposes, especially in recent years, has been praying for the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

A young woman who lived in upstate New York in the late 1600s, Blessed Kateri survived a smallpox outbreak in childhood that killed most of her family. She discovered and embraced the love of Christ, living out her faith with great perseverance against many opposing forces, before her early death at age 24.

The daughter of an Algonquin mother and Mohawk father, Blessed Kateri has found a natural following of Catholic faithful within North Dakota, a state that claims four reservations within its borders.

For those who have dedicated so many petitions to heaven in her honor, her upcoming canonization is no small matter.

Mary Lou’s husband, Deacon Francis “Fattie” Davis, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, will be among a

Please turn to NEW SAINTS on page 8

Please turn to SAINTHOOD on page 8

ALSO IN THIS MONTH’S NEW EARTH Immaculee’s visit

News from around the diocese

Year of Faith

■ Editorial describes visit from Rwanda holocaust survivor

■ Father Stelten ponders former seminary’s library history

■ Dining with the Word events to enhance Year of Faith

10

4

■ Former Shanley student discovers expanding view of ‘pro-life’

20 13

■ Seminarian pens ballad after downpour hampers annual campout 18

Bishop’s Column

2

Appointments

2

Opinion

10

2 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Bishop Kagan says Year of Faith graced time, full of opportunities

DIOCESE OF FARGO

Dear Friends in Christ,

makes many very uncomfortable. Be they lukewarm Catholics who do not y the time you receive this issue practice our faith unless it is easy or of the New Earth, the formal convenient, or they may be those who opening of the great “Year of are not Catholic but ignorant and unFaith” will be but a few days away. It is informed about our faith, or they may my fervent hope that each of you will be those who just hate the Catholic participate in what has Church and want to been planned by the subvert and destroy diocese and by your it. parishes so as to For whatever the reastrengthen and inson, this Year of Faith crease your love for is a graced time and and knowledge of the opportunity for each of Catholic faith. us to fortify ourselves As you know, our and our faith with the Holy Father Pope Benewonderful seven sacradict XVI has asked us ments, with increased to mark the 50th anpersonal and communiversary of the opennal devotions, and ing of the Second Vatiwith a renewed apprecan Council and the ciation for those many 20th anniversary of the penitential practices publication of the Catwhich help us to purify echism of the Catholic our minds and hearts Church by a prayerful so that the Lord God Bishop David Kagan study of the symbol of is truly first in our the Catholic faith, the lives.

Apostles’ Creed. n last month’s issue you found my It is our Holy Father’s prayer for each pastoral letter on the Divine Friendof us that in so doing we will not only ship, which each of us has been offered profess our Catholic faith with greater by a merciful God. My purpose in writlove and assurance, but that each of ing it was to offer some reflections us will confess, that is, practice our which would hopefully spur you to Catholic faith with the same joy, love study our Catholic faith more closely and courage which gives good examso that your own friendship with the ple. In these present times, we know Lord would be nourished by him that our Catholic faith and Catholic through your prayer, good works and practice is not only under greater acts of self-mortification. scrutiny but, from some quarters, it is Let us be resolved to deepen and actually under attack. increase our joy in belonging to Jesus Why would this be so? Simply put, as his friend. Let us pray for each we Catholics profess the one true faith other! and we do so in such a way that it

B

Apostolic Administrator

I

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.”

Revelation 21:1

NewEarth (ISSN # 10676406)

SERVING CATHOLIC PARISHES AS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FARGO, ND. Member of the Catholic Press Association Bishop David Kagan Apostolic Administrator, Fargo Publisher news@fargodiocese.org Roxane B. Salonen Editor, Fargo news@fargodiocese.org Published monthly by The Catholic Spirit Publishing Company, a non-profit Minnesota corporation, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. (651) 291-4444. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional post offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Boulevard, Suite A, Fargo ND 58104-7605. (701) 356-7900; FAX (701) 356-7997.

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

OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS September 2012 Most Rev. David D. Kagan, Apostolic Administrator of Fargo and Bishop of Bismarck, has made the following appointments, announcements and/or decrees Very Reverend Paul Duchschere has been appointed as dean of Deanery II, effective Sept. 12 and continuing ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Alexander King, HGN, has been assigned as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Mary parish in Fargo. This appointment is effective Aug. 15 and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Very Reverend Ross Laframboise has been re-appointed as dean of Deanery VIII, effective Sept. 12 and continuing ad nutum episcopi.

Very Reverend Dale Lagodinski has been re-appointed as dean of Deanery I, effective Sept. 12 and continuing ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Thondappa Thomas Paulraj, HGN, has been assigned as parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua parish in Fargo. This appointment is effective Sept. 12 and continues ad nutum episcopi.

Reverend Msgr. Gregory Schlesselmann has been assigned to reside at Holy Spirit’s parish rectory as of Sept. 12. His appointments otherwise remain unchanged.

Very Reverend Chad F. Wilhelm has been appointed as dean of Deanery V, effective Sept. 12, and continuing ad nutum episcopi.

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 3

NEWEARTH

40 Days for Life 2012 campaign launched

Photos by Roxane B. Salonen

In 2007, Fargo hosted its first 40 Days for Life event with a prayer gathering in front of North Dakota’s only abortion facility downtown. On Sept. 26, over 100 faithful gathered on the same sidewalk to launch the sixth 40 Days event here. The gathering included prayer, songs and inspirational talks by various local clergy, both Catholic and non-Catholic. LEFT: Sister Alverna, sitting, has been coming to the facility’s sidewalk to pray for an end to abortion since 1987.

ABOVE: A group of students from Shanley High School were among those who took part, along with, front, children of Steve and Patty Laqua, Fargo. Also included in the mix, not pictured, were several protesters from the abortion facility, who held up signs; one saying “These protesters show no love,” and another, “Not all Christians are like this.” Janne Myrdal, director of the state chapter of Concerned Women for America, referenced the sentiments on the latter sign, saying, “That’s right, not all Christians are like this, but perhaps they should be. Thanks for that reminder.” Father Charles LaCroix gave the final blessing, saying that we will change hearts through “a four-letter word that rhymes with dove.”

Bishop Kagan’s calendar Oct. 26 Nov. 6 Nov. 11-15 Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m.

Administrative meetings, Pastoral Center, Fargo Administrative meetings, Pastoral Center, Fargo USCCB meeting, Baltimore Mass of Ordination to the permanent diaconate, Neal Schlosser and Thomas Vanorny, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Bishop encourages: ‘Ring the bells to launch Year of Faith’ Bishop David Kagan is encouraging all Catholics of the Fargo and Bismarck dioceses to ring in the Year of Faith across North Dakota in the following ways: ■ Ring your church bells at noon for three minutes to mark this important day on Thurs., Oct. 11.

■ Invite all the faithful in your community to take part by ringing any kind of bell for three minutes at noon.

■ Have the children in our Catholic schools bring a bell to school to take part.

All Saints Day, Nov. 1, is a holy day of obligation Nov. 1 marks All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation for Catholics.

All Saints Day arose from the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day to ensure that all martyrs were properly honored.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.”

There are currently 10 holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, each falling on a day other than Sunday.

4 â– OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Father Stelten shares history on books from former seminary

By Father Leo Stelten

T

he library at Cardinal Muench Seminary (CMS) may be a bit older than the seminary itself.

When CMS opened its doors in September of 1962 in the former Sacred Heart Convent and Academy building on north Broadway in Fargo, there was a small library in which the Presentation Sisters had left a few books, possibly some from their well-known chaplain and scholar, Father Patrick Rasmbottom.

A few more books were brought from the bishop’s house at 608 Broadway and added to the small personal library of Father Edward Arth, the first seminary rector. This was the nucleus of the CMS library, which grew over the years to almost 40,000 books.

M

sgr. Robert Laliberte likes to call himself the first CMS librarian.

While still a junior at Shanley High School (CMS functioned as a part of Shanley for the first few years of its existence), Bob was a seminarian at CMS, and through his own interest and with the approval of the rector, took charge of that small mixture of books.

In 1966, when the new high school and college seminary building was opened in northeast Fargo near Edgewood Golf Course, a library was included in the plans. Mrs. William Philps, a former librarian at Fargo Central High School, was hired as the first official CMS librarian.

Sister Armella Roehrich, OSF, was librarian from 1973 until 1994. John Nowatski became librarian at that time and remained in charge until the seminary closed in 2011.

In its earliest days the library grew more from the donation of books, both from clergy and laity, than from the actual purchase of books. However, as the school enrollment increased, and with the newly accredited arrangement with North Dakota State University, a library budget was planned and funds were made available especially for subscriptions to periodicals.

W

hen the diocesan chancery offices were moved from the bishop’s house at 608 Broadway to the Black

“With the help of some bookbinding equipment from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, which I acquired, I’ve also been able to help in the preservation of these books. Many books have been repaired, and numerous and various periodicals have been preserved in bound condition.

�

Father Leo Stelten Building in downtown Fargo in the middle 1960s, more books from the bishop’s residence were sent to the CMS library.

By the late 1980s, the CMS library was growing so rapidly that it became necessary to expand the library into a nearby classroom. When the high school closed, the chemistry lab was no longer needed and that room then became an annex to the library.

In 2002, Bishop Aquila began the remodeling project of the bishop’s house downtown; almost the entire chancery office library of some 2,000 volumes was then relocated to CMS. This also included some 3,000 or 4,000 other books that had been stored in the basement and on the third floor of the bishop’s residence.

Bishop Aquila wanted all the books to be located in one place. Many of these books have Bishop John Shanley’s name embossed on the spine in gold letters. Over the years all the former bishops and many clergy of the diocese, either by means of direct donations or through their wills, have contributed to the growth of the library.

Two priests in particular need to be mentioned for their significant contributions: former Vicar General Monsignor Allan Nilles and Father Robert Mullins, the latter a long time professor at the University of North Dakota in

Single le Premium Whole W Life One Premium emium Now - Protection Pro for Life $BTI WBMVF CVJMET UBY EFGFSSFE (VBSBOUFFE EFBUI CFOFǸU XPVME CF QBZBCMF UP ZPVS CFOFǸDJBSZ GSFF PG JODPNF UBY

Have ave a bank CD that’s about to mature?

Want to leave a legacy to your heirs?

Call all your local Sales Re Representative today! *If you apply for our Single Premium Whole Life insurance plan, please carefully read the Modified Endowment Contrac t Disclosure you will receive from your Sales Representative. Consult your personal tax or legal advisor for information about your specific situation.

Jayme Feakes

Becky King FIC

701-429-3046

218-841-4600

EAST GRAND FORKS AND SURROUNDING AREA

FERGUS FALLS, NEW YORK MILLS, PERHAM

Randy Naslund

Brian Zitzmann

701-566-2227

701-238-3643

GRAND FORKS, PORTLAND DEVILL’S LAKE, MAY VILLE

FARGO, WAHPETON, VALLE Y CIT Y

q q qq qq qq

Life insurance Annuities IRAss†IRA Member BeneďŹ ts

Home OďŹƒce: St. Paul, Minn.

1-800-568-6670

For orm 12SPWL-1 Š 2012 Catholic Unitteed Financ i ial Home Office: Stt. Paull, Minn. †Catholic Unitteed IRRAs A arre individual retir e rement e annuities.

Grand Forks.

D. J. Guerro is a layperson who also displayed tremendous interest in the CMS library by his contributions and very personal interest.

A

fter CMS closed in 2011, Monsignor Gregory Schlesselmann, director of the permanent diaconate program for the diocese, removed some 3,000 volumes from the collection and arranged for these books to become part of a library for the permanent diaconate program, to be located at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fargo. The seminary library contained a small number of rare books, these along with about 1,000 older books and books of special interest were moved to the diocesan pastoral center.

Bishop Aquila allowed the sisters from the Carmelite convent near Wahpeton to select some 300 to 400 hundred books for their library.

The Cardinal Muench memorabilia, mostly articles from the Cardinal’s years in Germany as papal nuncio which had been on display at the seminary, was labeled and boxed by the CMS staff and sent to the chancery. Before Cardinal Muench left Bonn, Germany, for Rome in 1959, he instructed Father Joseph Senger, his secretary, to send these articles to the Fargo diocesan secretary, where Miss Larry Boyle recorded and preserved them. There is hope that this material will again be on display in the diocesan pastoral center.

Also included in the boxes sent to the University of Mary was a collection of more than 1,500 classical music RCA long-playing phonograph records donated to CMS by Father Irwin Zirbes.

W

ith the help of some book-binding equipment from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, which I acquired, I’ve also been able to help in the preservation of these books. Many books have been repaired, and numerous and various periodicals have been preserved in bound condition.

Included among them are: America, The Pope Speaks, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, L’Osservatore Romano, Acta et Dicta, American Ecclesiastical Review, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Catholic Action News, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, New Earth, National Geographic, First Things, Homiletics and Pastoral Review, Origins, St. Anthony Messenger, Worship, etc.

Some work also was performed repairing and binding records for some of the parishes in the diocese. The CMS faculty

and library staff were able to prepare in bound condition, and index, all the periodicals pertaining to the history of the diocese, beginning with the Bulletin of the Diocese of Fargo published by Bishop Shanley in 1909; Catholic Bulletin of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, 1910-1939; Catholic Action News, 1939-1980; and New Earth, 19802005, the current diocesan publication.

It is reported that the books are now in climate-controlled storage in Bismarck. Since the books were put into unmarked boxes and are currently being sorted by the U of M library staff with the assistance of the faculty, the project of placing the books on the shelves in the U of M library will not be completed for a number of years.

Although the entire collection of the books and periodicals was donated to the U of M, only the items that the university library staff and faculty deem necessary for their academic program will be retained in the Welder Library at the U of M. The others are being given to those who want them, including faculty and/or students.

In the words of Monsignor Schlesselmann: “We hope that all in the university community will profit from them for many years to come.�

Father Leo Stelten is a retired priest and former faculty member of Cardinal Muench Seminary, which closed in May 2011.

CMS gift adds volumes to the library at University of Mary Special to New Earth

Thanks to a recent gift, the University of Mary Welder Library in Bismarck has even more to share with students and the community. During the 2011-2012 academic year, the scope and richness of the library’s offerings were expanded with the addition of the Cardinal Muench Seminary (CMS) Library collection.

The Cardinal Muench collection, totaling close to 35,000 items in a wide range of genres, was given to U-Mary following the Fargo seminary’s closing in May 2011. It joined 400 to 500 volumes previously moved to Mary by former CMS faculty member Father Leo Stelten.

Since early in 2012, U-Mary faculty from philosophy, theology, Catholic studies, and other disciplines have been assisting library staff in reviewing the new acquisitions for integration into the existing Welder collection. “It may be two years before all the materials have been evaluated and can be fully appreciated,� says Library Director Cheryl Bailey. “This is a historic collection of unique items that have potential value for faculty and students. It is sure to complement and enhance our programs.� “Seminaries’ libraries are valuable patrimonies of the Church, chronicling the wisdom of the ages in so many fields, especially that of culture, philosophy, and theology,� notes Monsignor Gregory Schlesselmann, former CMS rector. “It is a blessing that the Cardinal Muench Seminary library collection can continue to be a treasured resource for the Church under the Catholic auspices of the University of Mary. We hope that all in the university community will profit from it for many years to come.�

OCTOBER 2012 â– 5

NEWEARTH

Help us make New Earth even better In an ongoing effort to keep our diocesan paper, New Earth, fresh and relevant to the Diocese of Fargo faithful, we’d love your input. In the coming days, we’ll be meeting on what improvements we might make to achieve the above goal.

What’s working? What changes would you like to see?

Please send your suggestions by email to Roxane.Salonen@fargodiocese.org, or call (701) 356-7958, by Wed., Oct. 10.

‘Walk a mile in my shoes’ An invitation to step out to end poverty The local conferences of the Society St. Vincent de Paul invite Fargo-Moorhead area residents to become friends of the poor.

The Society will host the fifth annual Friends of the Poor “Walk a Mile in My Shoes� event on Sat., Oct. 13, at West Acres Mall, Fargo. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Sears wing.

Anyone can participate in the walk and walkers are encouraged to find sponsors or get pledges to raise funds.

Walkers and sponsors can sign up by going to www.svdpfriendsofthepoorwalk.org.

This year the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has three area conferences participating. They include St. Anthony’s and Lucian J. Arrell conferences of Fargo and St. Joseph’s conference of Moorhead.

The proceeds for the walk will assist families with various needs and to purchase gift cards from a local shoe store to give to needy school-age children in

the Fargo-Moorhead area. The gift cards will enable the parents of the children to purchase shoes for the 2013 school year. The funds allocated for shoes are distributed next fall prior to the beginning of the school year. Last year’s walk raised enough funds to purchase 275 pairs of shoes for area children in need.

Marge Klinger, chairman of the Friends of the Poor Walk committee, feels a special connection to the Society. “Seeing the face of Christ in the man in need of work boots, the mother of a little girl that has been going to school wearing her brother’s shoes that are way too big or the little boy that has the toe cut out of his sneakers because they are too small, has given me a great love for this organization and the poor that come to our door,� she says.

The Friends of the Poor Walk is a national event held each year in nearly all of the 50 states. For more information, call (701) 212-0392 or email svdpfargo@msn.com.

Submitted photo

Ashley Combs, second to left, claimed second place recently in an art contest sponsored by the National Catholic Daughters. She’s pictured here with, left to right, Angela Scheett, regent, Tracy Bergum and Father Larry Delaney.

Sacred Heart sixth-grader from Grand Forks honored through Catholic Daughters contest Ashley Combs, a sixth grade student at Sacred Heart Catholic School in East Grand Forks, was selected recently as a second-place national winner in Art Division One at the National Catholic Daughters Convention.

Ashley, the daughter of Colin and Kumi Combs of Grand Forks, was in fifth grade when she created the art. Her teacher at the time, Tracy Bergum, celebrated with her upon receipt of the $50 prize from the Catholic Daughters.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Marquette No. 677 of the Greater Grand Forks area, holds a contest each spring within the three Greater Grand Forks Catholic Schools, parish religious education programs, and others from the area interested in participating.

Each area has different divisions separated by age groups and grade levels. The divisions comprise essay, art, computer art, music, photography and poetry categories.

Winners of the local contest are entered at the North Dakota State Convention, and winners there move on to the national competition.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a fraternal organization serving Catholic women. Doris Zidon chairs the contest locally; Angela Scheett serves as regent.

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

"

)('&%$#"#!" "&

"

#''! ' ! (#' )('&%$( (!' " ) &#%$(( !"

General Agent, Fargo )('&%$ #! )('&%$ !((" (701) 356-6664 )('&%$ #'!'#('

robert.wolf@kofc.org

)('&%$" '!##' )('&%$ &! '&

"!

) &#%$ & !' " )('&%$ '!'( #

)('&%$#"#!''#' )('&%$# !" #

John Edwards Velva (701) 721-7689

6 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Ave Maria Village to handle ‘Coats for Kids’ this year

Prayer for Our New Bishop

Since KVLY-TV stopped running the “Coats for Kids” program this year, Ave Maria Village in Jamestown, along with the Salvation Army and One Hour Martinizing, have collaborated to continue the collection program for this area.

Tom Geffre, chaplain at Ave Maria Village, said, “When I called KVLY to ask when they would be beginning the ‘Coats for Kids’ drive this year, I was told that the television station decided to try a different public relations program this year and they were discontinuing the coats campaign for now.”

Geffre said he talked with Lieutenant Brecto at the Salvation Army and he, too, was surprised with KVLY’s decision. Brecto added that the Salvation Army has a great need for winter clothing and was glad something was being done to continue the collection of needed coats, gloves, winter caps, boots and snow suits of all sizes.

Approximately 80 items have been collected and distributed to date.

O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church of Eastern North Dakota who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.

May the bishop given to us by your holy Church govern with justice, sanctify your people by his example of holiness and be an instrument of your divine mercy.

Deacon Tom Geffre displays some of the items collected through “Coats for Kids.”

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

Submitted photo

who lives and reigns with you and the

Marian Eucharistic Congress “Do Not Abandon Me, Lord.”

Lk. 1:38

October 12, 13, 14, 2012 SPEAKERS: Bishop David D. Kagan • Fr. Joseph Christensen, FMI • Fr. Bill Halbing Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ • Msgr. Gregory Schlesselmann • Al Barbarino • Dr. Kelly Bowring Raymond DeSouza • Michael O’Brien • John Pridmore • Dr. Margarett Schlientz

Holy Mass, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, Speakers’ Forum, Sacred Relic Exhibit, Children’s Program,Vendor Area www.fargodiocese.org/marian Registration

The English translation of the Collect for the Election of a Pope or a Bishop (adapted) from The Roman Missal © 2010. International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Prayer intentions of Pope Benedict XVI General intention: New Evangelization. That the New Evangelization may progress in the oldest Christian countries.

Reflection: How may we make a new and enthusiastic proclamation of the Gospel in countries, like our own, that are falling away from the faith?

Mission intention: World Mission Day. That the celebration of World Mission Day may result in a renewed commitment to evangelization.

Duplicate this form as needed • Your pre-registration is greatly appreciated.

Name(s) _________________________________________________

Amen.

October

Fargo Civic Auditorium

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY YOUR COMPLETE NAME AS IT SHOULD APPEAR ON YOUR NAME BADGE.

Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

• No Assigned Seating • ■ I require special needs seating Adult ___ @ $50 (pre-registered) ($55 after October 1)

$__________

Children (under 18 Yrs.) ___ @ $15

$__________

College Student ___ @ $20

$__________

Priests and Religious (Registration is Required)

$__________ N/C

________________________________________________________

Reflection: How can I become a more authentic witness for Jesus Christ?

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

________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ____________________________________________ YOUR NAME BADGE WILL BE MAILED BEFORE OCTOBER 1st (U.S.); SEPTEMBER 15th (Canada) We strongly encourage that you register as early as possible. Seating is limited. If your registration is received after October 1st (U.S.), September 15th (Canada), your NAME BADGE must be picked up at the Registration Table the day you arrive.Your cancelled check is your receipt.

Please be advised that no food or beverages brought in from outside the Civic Memorial Auditorium will be allowed. Food concessions will be available for your lunches, snacks and beverages throughout the Congress weekend.

Total (Payable only in U.S. Funds): Make checks payable to:

MARIAN EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS Mail to:

Your NAME BADGE is the Only OFFICIAL CONGRESS ENTRY!

MARIAN EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS P.O. Box 1163, Fargo, ND 58107

Trinity Youth Camp, Inc. Annual Meeting

$__________

Sunday, Oct. 14 3:30 p.m.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Steele

Meeting is open to all

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 7

NEWEARTH

St. Cecilia through the years

Pictured above are three images of the Church of St. Cecilia in Towner during the parish’s 100-year history. At left is a photo of the church in 1905. No date is available for the photo in the center, but it shows the belltower, which was lost when the church burned down on Jan. 3, 1950. At right is an image of the brick church that was built in 1952. The photo is from 2007 and shows the present-day St. Cecilia’s.

St. Cecilia’s in Towner celebrates its centennial St. Cecilia’s parish, Towner, commemorated 100 years of existence with a fall supper and celebration on Sept.

9.

The history of the church began in 1888 when Father Wherle said the first Mass in the town’s railroad section car.

Not long after that, Father Campeau of Willow City began to make frequent trips to Towner to say Mass.

In 1905, Towner became a mission of Devils Lake and Mass became more regular. In that year, the first church was built under Father Burger, O.S.B., at the cost of $2,460.

The first recorded baptism took place July 25, 1908, when Father Siebfreid administered the rites to Frances Janiskowski. The first recorded marriage was performed on July 2, 1908, by Father Othmar of Fulda. The

church became a mission of Rugby in 1910 and was under the direction of Father Kern.

Two years later, in 1912, St. Cecilia’s became a parish in the Diocese of Fargo with Father Bierens the appointed pastor. In 1914, Father Eckhart became pastor, followed by Father M.J. Simon and Father LaChance.

In 1926, Father Matthew Hart was appointed pastor and the church was enlarged to accommodate the growing parish with the addition of a full basement and a bell tower. The bell was donated by Mrs. Adam Haman and was used until 1950 when lost in the church fire.

Father Hart was followed by Father George Fritz and Father Sylvester Cullen. Father Cloos arrived in 1931, and, under his direction, the rectory

was constructed in 1932. Father O’Neill took over as pastor. When he was transferred, Father Charles Eck came to Towner.

Due to poor health, Father Eck retired and Father Jerome Filteau began his service in 1949.

On Jan. 3, 1950, disaster struck when a fire broke out in the furnace room of the church and it was destroyed. That same summer of 1950, construction began on a new church.

The cost was $150,000; another $60,000 was needed to finish and furnish it.

The new church was dedicated on July 25, 1952, by Bishop Dworschak, and nine years later the final payment was made on the debt.

It was in April of 1961 that work began on a new rectory, the current one,

built by Balcer Keller Construction. It was completed that fall.

In 1979, the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Granville, was added to the religious community, but on Dec. 3, 2005, it was incorporated into St. Cecilia’s.

In 1990, Father Filteau retired from his pastorship of over 40 years. He was followed by Father Tim Bushy until 1993, when Father Ron Yee-Mon became pastor and was with the parish through 2003.

Father Vern was pastor from 2004 to 2005, followed by Father John Aerts, who led the parish from 2005 to 2008, and later, Father Wenceslaus Katanga.

In 2010, Father Michael Schommer arrived at Cecilia’s and continues to guide the parish to this day.

Two to be ordained permanent deacons Nov. 17 Neal Schlosser, Edgeley, and Thomas Vanorny, Oakes, will be ordained to the permanent diaconate at 10:30 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 17, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.

The faithful of the diocese are encouraged to attend this ordination Mass to be celebrated by Bishop David Kagan.

Overnight, silent retreat at Presentation Center Those longing to spend time in quiet prayer and relish the comforting words of Jesus from John 14:23, “Those who love me will be true to my word, and Abba God will love them and we will come to you and make our home in you,” can attend an overnight silent retreat directed by Sister Francine Janousek.

The retreat will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 26, and end at 4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 27.

Participants will have an opportunity to meet with the director and share with others. A minimum of four participants is required.

A suggested fee of $35 for commuters, $50 for Friday overnight accommodations, can be made payable to Presentation Prayer Center, 1101 32nd Ave. So., Fargo, ND 58103. Registration deadline is Oct. 19. For further information and to register, please email fjanousek@cableone.net or call (701) 237-4857, ext. 225.

Diocesan policy: Reporting child abuse The Diocese of Fargo is committed to the protection of youth. Please report any incidents or suspected incidents of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to civil authorities. If the situation involves a member of the clergy or a religious order, a seminarian, or an employee of a Catholic school, parish, the diocesan offices or other Catholic entity within the diocese, we ask that you also report the incident or suspected incident to Msgr. Joseph P. Goering at (701) 356-7945 or Larry Bernhardt, victim assistance coordinator, at (701) 356-7965 or VictimAssistance@ fargodiocese.org. For additional information about victim assistance, visit www. fargodiocese.org.

1417 South University Drive, Fargo, ND 58103

8 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha’s canonization:

Sainthood could mean native Catholics no longer ‘invisible’ Continued from page 1 group of clergy and lay people from the Fargo Diocese attending the Oct. 21 canonization ceremony on Rome, where Kateri will be named a saint with seven of her spiritual comrades.

Lifetime of prayers Father Charles “Chuck” Leute, pastor of Seven Dolors Catholic Mission in Fort Totten, also will be among the pilgrims. He hadn’t counted on going initially, he says, having already attended her 1980 beatification ceremony.

“I would have been okay not going to the canonization, but my family helped with a plane ticket,” he says, adding that his community also surprised him by taking up a collection for the rest of the funds.

“I’ve been praying for this almost all my life,” he says. “My whole ministry has been with the Native people.”

The seeds for Father Leute’s affinity toward this soon-to-be saint were planted in childhood. Born into a family of American Indian heritage on his father’s side, Father Leute was raised with a keen concern for the indigenous people.

Early in his priesthood, he worked with the Jesuits from the Pine Ridge Reservation for 18 years, and served the American Indian population in intercity Minneapolis and St. Paul for a year following a sabbatical, finally arriving at Fort Totten in 1987.

He views Blessed Kateri as someone with the potential to revive the faith of many, as well as bring American Indians, who have been “rather invisible in the scheme of things,” to the consciousness of others.

“Her canonization also will allow the Native community to recognize that one of its own is now honored by the Church, and bring them into awareness that they are part of the Church in another way,” he says.

Her example of maintaining her faith through tremendous opposition can inspire all Christians. “The steadfastness she showed, and in taking up the cross, it’s a challenge each person has but especially for our Native community.”

To prepare for the big event, he says, his parish has been saying special prayers composed and published specifically for Blessed Kateri’s canonization.

“Blessed Kateri is one who, though she didn’t face the dysfunction we have now, opened her heart to the message of the Gospel and gave herself wholeheartedly to following it,” he says.

Conferences ‘healing’ If not for health limitations, Deacon Tony McDonald of the Spirit Lake Nation says he, too, would be on the plane heading for Rome.

He first learned about Blessed Kateri through Benedictine Father Daniel Madlin, who used to talk about her frequently. Then, in 1982, he had a chance to attend his first Tekakwitha Conference in Spokane.

“They move it around every year and it’s been a great thing for our people,” he says. “I’ve really enjoyed coming together with 2,500 other Indians, all

showing our prayer life.”

Mary Lou still remembers the conference in Phoenix in 1987, which was attended by Pope John Paul II. “It was so thoroughly awesome to be seated in that stadium with him, and he said so many things to us Native Americans that were so healing for us,” she says.

Among his utterances that touched her: “God the Father gave you your culture and your traditions as a gift, and if you keep Jesus Christ in your center, you’ll never go wrong.”

Another memorable conference took place in 1989, when Father John Cavanaugh of the Spirit Lake Nation was ordained a deacon at the event, a year before his priestly ordination.

Father Cavanaugh, who grew up at St. Michael’s Indian Mission, says many consider the mission the reservation parish that started the conference because of its connection to the priests who staffed it in 1939. “(The conference) has evolved over time from a gathering of missionary priests to the present model of evangelization of the native cultures in the Americas as well as devotion and prayer for the canonization of Kateri,” he says.

Challenges today Deacon McDonald adds that it hasn’t always been easy for the American Indian people to find a balance between traditional and Christian approaches to life and faith.

“When I was growing up, we were 90 percent Catholic,” he notes. “It’s been in recent years here where Indians are making a preference to the old traditional ways. Which is okay — I respect that — but I’m ordained and I already got my Jesus.”

He maintains it’s possible to attach to both cultural tradition and Christianity without giving up either. “We’re praying for our people to convert, to come back to God.” Father Leute agrees. “God didn’t create any of us to be anything other than what we are,” he says. “We have to apply the faith and live it as a Dakota person, or whatever we are, so that it gives evidence of the fact that God is everywhere, providing the means of holiness to each one of us within our cultural framework.”

All who are endeared to her believe Blessed Kateri, as St. Kateri, could help inspire a transformation.

“I heard an old Indian talk one time, and he said God gave us everything we need to have a good life, but we choose to go outside of what he gave us, and that’s when our troubles start,” Deacon McDonald says. “Kateri stayed with what was given her, and when she died, even her smallpox went away. I hope I live long enough to see the change in our people (as a result of her canonization).”

Indeed, even before her forthcoming sainthood was made official, according to Mary Lou, Blessed Kateri was already bringing together the Native people and offering hope.

“There is so much pride for us Native Americans in saying, ‘You know, she’s one of us,’” she says. “We take real honor and pride in what’s happening, and feel a real gut-wrenching thanksgiving that this is really happening.”

Father John Cavanaugh displays a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, who will be named a saint on Oct. 21 in Rome. The statue, a gift from Lowell and Carol Sibels, is currently housed at one of two parishes he serves, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Reynolds, though he hopes to eventually bring it to St. Michael’s Indian Mission, where he attended grade school.

New saints equal new role models for people in America and around the world, priest says Continued from page 1 Washington state suffering from a flesheating disease.

Approximately 500 people will travel from all corners of this nation to honor this saint of Native American origin and see her raised to the altar of the Roman Catholic Church.

P

eople around the world are always seeking examples for new models of holiness. From these models we are able to see through their example evangelization in action.

Canonization identifies a particular person, but more importantly, it opens up examples, roads, insights and other means to reach out to the divine through the saints’ ways of living that may in turn show others the way so that we become evangelizers.

Lumen Gentium (one of the documents of Vatican II) affirms this: “It is not only through their example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; rather we seek, by devotion to them, to exercise that bond of fraternal charity which unites and strengthens the whole Church in the Spirit (cf. Eph 4:1-6). Just as Christian charity brings us closer to Christ on our earthly journey, so does the communion of saints join the People of God to Christ, the fountainhead of all grace and life, on their eternal journey.” (LG 50)

T

he other men and women to be raised by the Catholic Church as saints this month include: ■ Jesuit Father Jacques Berthieu, who was born in Polminhac, France, and was martyred June 8, 1896, in Ambiatibe, Madagascar.

■ Peter Calungsod, a lay catechist born in Cebu, Philippines, and martyred April 2, 1672, in Guam.

■ Father Giovanni Battista Piamarta, an Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth for men and the Humble Servants of the Lord for women. He died in 1913.

■ Carmen Salles y Barangueras, the Spanish founder of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. She worked with disadvantaged girls and prostitutes and saw that early education was essential for helping young women. She died in 1911.

■ Anna Schaffer, a lay German woman who wanted to be a missionary, but could not because of a succession of physical accidents and diseases. She accepted her infirmity as a way of sanctification. Her grave has been a pilgrimage site since her death in 1925.

Father John Cavanaugh was born at Fort Totten and raised as the oldest of nine children on the Spirit Lake Nation near Devils Lake. He currently serves at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Reynolds and St. Jude in Thompson and is the director of the 2014 Tekakwitha Conference that returns to the Fargo Diocese for its 75th anniversary.

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 9

NEWEARTH

Seminarian asks Jesus to ‘take the wheel’

By John Miller

I

t’s hard to believe my second year of seminary has already begun. Was it really already 365 days ago that I was fresh off the farm and learning how to do my own laundry?

Although I still don’t know how to tie a tie, it’s amazing how much a guy can learn in one year. My parents were gracious enough to drive with me to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and as I was driving with them down an expressway, my mom commented, “Johnny, you’re sure good at driving in the big city.”

Although being a good city driver has certainly never been on my bucket list, I guess it’s not a bad skill to have. After a year of driving in Detroit, I’ve learned how to change lanes without swearing.

My next goal is to learn how to change lanes without making other drivers swear, but one step at a time.

I remember well, as do my three passengers, my first time driving in Detroit.

Somehow I ended up going the wrong way down a one-way. Luckily there were four lanes and it wasn’t rush hour, so I was able to find an open lane so my passengers and I were safe. I figured they must have made that many lanes just in case someone from North Dakota drives through and needs an extra lane.

Obviously, I’ve survived my first year of driving in Detroit. This is yet another reason I know that God has a plan for my life.

A

ll joking aside, the year really has started out wonderfully for me. It amazes me how many different personSUNDAY

Northern Red River Valley’s first Ultreya slated for Oct. 27

“After a year of driving in Detroit, I’ve learned how to change lanes without swearing. My next goal is to learn how to change lanes without making other drivers swear, but one step at a time.

After many years of active evangelization by the Cursillo movement throughout the Diocese of Fargo, the fire of Cursillo has spread to many living in the northeast corner of North Dakota.

As a result, a group of “Cursillistas” have organized the first Ultreya in the northern Red River Valley, to take place on Saturday, Oct. 27.

”

An Ultreya is a large gathering of Cursillistas, spouses and anyone interested in learning more about the Cursillo movement. The upcoming event is intended for those who live in the Fargo Diocese and surrounding areas.

John Miller alities there are in the seminary. God really does call all sorts of young men to his altar.

For example, the mother of one young man just had her 14th child this summer. Another converted to Catholicism just two years ago after reading “Theology of the Body” by Pope John Paul II. He gave up his career as a family doctor to come to seminary to seek God’s call in his life.

It is very obvious here that God has a great plan for his Church. You can see it and sense it in the hearts of his future priests. Jesus is calling great men who already have the mission of the Gospel engraved into their hearts. It is certainly not a time to be discouraged as Catholics.

Coming back to seminary, I’ve had to dust off my philosophy books. Somehow they didn’t get read over the sum-

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Miller

mer. Philosophy is certainly not a major geared for an extroverted personality such as me, but as with many things in life, you can’t turn back to the shore just because the sand turns to mud.

So whether you’re studying philosophy, or driving down a one-way the wrong way, Jesus is always ready to take the wheel, as long as we’re willing to let go. For Jesus tells us in John 14:18, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

John Miller, Lawton, is a College III seminarian for the diocese, studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

The evening will begin with Mass at 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Minto, followed by a potluck meal, speaker and small group discussions.

The history of the event began with a vibrant and enthusiastic group of “Cursillistas” who began meeting monthly in the Minto area in April of 2011 after several of them attended a weekend retreat earlier that year. Since then, more attended a Cursillo in early 2012 and the reunions have grown to nearly 20 people.

All are invited to this time of prayer and fellowship.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

October 2012

Fr. Gary Luiten Park River - Veseleyville St. Giles

2

Fr. Timothy Johnson

1

Fr. Richard Fineo

2

Fr. Raymond Courtright

3

Fr. Leo Kinney

4

Dillingen Franciscan Sisters OSF

5

Msgr.

Wendelyn Vetter

6

Fr. Donald Leiphon

Oriska - Hope - Sanborn

Holy Apostles Seminary

Fargo - St. Anthony

Larimore

Hankinson

Retired

Retired

(Martyrs of September)

St. Therese of Lisieux

Guardian Angels

St. Theodore Guerin

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Faustina Kowalska

Bl. Marie Rose Durocher

7

Strong Marriages and Families

8

(Our Lady of the Rosary)

14

21

Fr. Joseph Barrett

15

Fr. John Cavanaugh

9

Fr. Bert Miller

10

Fr. Neil Pfeifer

11

Fr. Jack Davis

12

Fr. William McDermott

13

Fr. Scott Sautner

Reynolds - Thompson

West Fargo - Blessed Sacrament

Grand Forks - St. Michael

Retired

Langdon - Nekoma - Wales

Hankinson - Fairmount

St. John Leonardi

St. Denis

St. Francis Borgia

Bl. John XXIII

Our Lady of the Pillar

St. Edward the Confessor

Fr. Philip Chacko

16

Fr. Gerard Braun

17

Fr. William Gerlach

18

Fr. Luke Meyer

19

Fr. Brian Moen

20

Fr. Richard LaCorte

Jamestown - Buchanan Pingree - Windsor

Rolette - Bisbee - Willow City

Grand Forks - St. Michael

Oakes - Forman

Chancellor

St. Michael Indian Mission

Retired

(St. Callistus I)

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Gerard Majella

St. Ignatius of Antioch

St. Luke

Sts. Isaac Jogues & Comps.

St. Paul of the Cross

Fr. James Goodwin

22

Fr. Kevin Boucher

23

Fr. James Ermer

24

Fr. Anthony Hession

25

26 Riley Durkin

Fr. Frank Miller

27

Fr. Jake Miller

Fargo - Marriage Tribunal

Fargo - Nativity

Casselton - Buffalo

St. Michael Indian Mission

Seminarian - College II

Harvey - Selz

Rolla - Rock Lake

(Bl. Carlo of Austria)

Bl. John Paul II

St. John of Capistrano

St. Anthony Mary Claret

40 Martyrs of England/Wales

St. Evaristus

Bl. Emilina

28

Fr. Jude Okafor

29

Fr. Gerald McCarthy

30

Fr. Jim Tiu

Walhalla - Neche

Retired

Wahpeton Carmel of Mary Chplain

(Sts. Simon & Jude)

St. Gaetano Errico

St. Alonso Rodriguez

31

Fr. Louden-Hans Flisk Retired St. Wolfgang

Pray for Vocations “Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

— St. Gerard Majella

Quotable “My dad used to say that living with regrets was like driving a car that only moved in reverse.”

Jodi Picoult

Editorial

10 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Love now or live with regret, Immaculee Ilibagiza says

Editorial Roxane B. Salonen

F

or several years, my friend Mary had been pulling me aside at gatherings to share about a very special woman named Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan holocaust of 1994.

Through Immaculee’s bestselling books, I came to know her even more: how she’d hidden out for three months with seven other females in a tiny backroom bathroom, only to emerge to discover most of her family killed, and ultimately, her move toward forgiveness.

Even so, she still seemed so far away — at least as far as Rwanda, if not another world entirely.

And then I spotted her.

Graceful and poised, she wore a beautiful purple dress, raven-colored hair cascading to one side.

She was not only real but right here in North Dakota.

Of course, I’d been expecting it. Mary and I had been planning the excursion for months. But sometimes, reality surprises.

Photo by Roxane B. Salonen

Fresh from a trip to Rome, where she received a blessing from the Pope and some new, colorful rosary beads, Immaculee Ilibagiza, left, offers inspiring words to those gathered at St. John the Evangelist, Grafton, of how she found hope through faith after surviving the Rwanda holocaust of the mid-1990s; a massacre that claimed the lives of most of her family members. Above, Immaculee obliges a young North Dakota fan by signing one of her books, which he purchased at the event.

F

ittingly, it was Sept. 8, the birthday of Our Blessed Mother — someone with whom Immaculee has formed an especially close bond. The event at St. John the Evangelist Church in Grafton began with evening Mass and ended with a talk by Immaculee before an audience of more than 600.

The presentation itself had those in attendance captivated from beginning to end as we heard, firsthand, how God had commanded Immaculee’s attention and changed her life forever.

“I hid in this bathroom for 91 days,” Immaculee said. “(The killers) never found me, but I found myself.”

Though the details of Immaculee’s journey are striking, something else affected me even more profoundly that evening: the experience of worshiping with her.

During the homily, Father Tim Schroeder encouraged us to embrace life and each other like his three-year-old niece, who had declared recently in a spontaneous outburst, arms raised to heaven, “My heart is so happy!” then added, “I love my heart!”

I wondered then if the happiness I carry inside my heart shows on the outside.

As we sang “Healer of Our Every Ill,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “You Are Mine,” it occurred to me that Immac-

Photo at left by Steve Larson

D

uring her presentation, Immaculee ulee, far from being a character in a had brought forth numerous gems story, is a real person who’s been deof wisdom. “I started forgiving … when prived of that heart connection with I realized being free didn’t depend on her family. I sensed our songs were not the killers,” she explained. “It was beonly a heart offering to God but to her tween me and God.” as well; that we are her family.

She also talked Watching as Imabout cultivating a maculee filled I hid in this bathroom gentler approach. with what appeared to be gratecan for 91 days. (The killers) be“Kindness ful emotion, I quishown in etly thanked God something as never found me, but I for the chance small as a slight found myself. he’d given us to change in the tone wrap our collecof voice,” ImmacImmaculee Ilibagiza tive prairie hearts ulee said. “It’s that around her, letting simple and that her know through music, prayer and powerful.” community she is not alone.

Most importantly, perhaps, she reminded us how vital it is to live without Later, Immaculee told Mary and me regret. When her town was destroyed, she’d felt an incredible sense of peace she said, she missed everyone. Even the during her visit here. If our hearts mean boy down the street became preweren’t happy earlier, they certainly cious to her because he’d been someone were then.

“

”

with whom she’d formed memories.

“Sooner or later, you will regret not having loved someone enough,” she said.

Immaculee added that during her initial weeks of hiding, feelings of anger and vengeance left her physically tormented with headaches. Eventually, she realized she was no better than anyone else; that we all have the capacity to choose good or evil.

“When she visited Kibeho (site of an apparition of the Blessed Mother), Our Lady used to tell us that she came not just for Rwanda but the whole world,” Immaculee said, adding that “We are wasting our time if we’re not loving each other.”

Those final words presented a stark challenge — one that’s never too late to face.

Thanks, Immaculee, for the important reminder. God be with you.

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 11

NEWEARTH

From Grafton to Kibeho: North Dakotan Brian Herding joins Immaculee Ilibagiza on tour of Rwanda

By Sue Matcha

Visiting the site of an approved apparition was something Brian Herding of St. John the Evangelist church, Grafton, had always wanted to do. He said attending the Mass of the Assumption at the Shrine of our Lady of Kibeho, left, was an amazing experience.

Walsh County Record

The following article was first printed in the Sept. 5, 2012, issue of The Walsh County Record, Grafton. Reprinted with permission.

It was at a retreat in Buffalo, Minn., two years ago when Brian Herding first heard of Immaculee Ilibagiza. A priest speaking on forgiveness had read excerpts from her national bestselling book, “Left to Tell.”

The passages caught Herding’s attention, so he purchased the book and read it while at the retreat. What he read left a lasting impression.

“It really, really moved me,” Herding said. “I contemplated how to put everything into place that she talked about.

It’s one thing to read about something, it’s another to live it.”

Herding, pastoral minister at St. John the Evangelist in Grafton, purchased several copies of the book, which tells of Immaculee’s survival of the Rwandan genocide that killed all but one of her family members, and shared them with others. When he learned Immaculee would be speaking in Worthington, Minn., he gathered a group from the area to attend the event.

After hearing her speak, Herding began to explore the possibility of bringing Immaculee to Grafton to share her message. A parishioner connected him to Immaculee’s event coordinator, who in turn suggested he attend one of the pilgrimages she leads in her homeland twice a year.

Herding realized it was a trip he wanted to take and began making plans.

Chance of a lifetime Although Immaculee is most wellknown for her message of survival and forgiveness, Herding said she has another love she shares with people through the pilgrimage — the apparitions at the village of Kibeho and her belief that the visions of the Blessed Mother and the words she spoke to those who witnessed it were a forewarning of the coming genocide.

For that reason, Immaculee leads an annual pilgrimage to the site of the Shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho on the Feast of the Assumption.

“I have always had the desire to visit an apparition site and pray there and Immaculee’s story has always touched my heart, so everything seemed to pull together,” Herding said. “On another side, I have a hobby of nature photography and we had a chance to visit a national park in Rwanda. The trip was too good to pass up.”

The Rwandan pilgrimage took Herding and his fellow travelers to the village of Mataba, where Immaculee spent her childhood. The home where she grew up was destroyed by the Hutus during the genocide then rebuilt by her and her brother as a place of prayer for the people of Mataba and the surrounding area.

They also visited the home of the pastor who hid Immaculee and the seven other women in a small bathroom for three months to protect them from the Hutus. The home was the same as when she was hidden there, but the pastor who protected her has passed away and

Herding captured this quiet scene, below, of a woman visiting Our Lady of Kibeho at an outdoor shrine just before dusk.

Photos by Brian Herding

“The Shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho is the only approved apparition site in Africa.

More than 500,000 people visit the site every year . . . there were people who had walked for two days to get there.”

Brian Herding A novice wildlife photographer, Herding enjoyed the opportunity to take pictures at a national park during his trip to Rwanda, where he met up with a trio of giraffes, along with hippos, zebras, monkeys and various waterfowl.

is buried behind the house.

“Standing beside his grave was such an experience,” Herding said. “What an amazing man to put his life on the line many, many times to protect them. I look up to him as a very brave man.”

Missionary opportunity From Mataba they traveled to Kibeho to spend time teaching at a vacation Bible school attended by nearly 1,000 children, adding the aspect of mission work to the trip.

“It was an experience that blew my mind. There was one volleyball court, one soccer field and 1,000 kids,” Herding said. “We had two games going on and everyone else standing around watching and talking. Not speaking the language, there was little I could do but walk around smiling.”

As he walked, he saw a young child who was still holding a package containing a miraculous medal and string to make a necklace. While helping the child with the project, a large group of children gathered around him for assist-

ance with their necklaces.

The next day the group had a choice between traveling to a school started by a local priest for a tour or traveling to the shrine. Because visiting the site of an apparition was a focus of Herding’s trip, he chose to visit the shrine with Immaculee and other members of the group.

Apparition site During that visit, the choir was practicing for the Feast of Assumption Mass the next day. Herding said the energy and enthusiasm they put into their music was exhilarating.

Making the trip to the shrine that day allowed Herding to see the chapel and other sites before attending the special Mass the next day when nearly 20,000 people ascended on the site, where Immaculee’s guests were provided with special up-close accommodations.

The experience was like no other for Herding.

“The Shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho is the only approved apparition site in Africa,” he explained. “More than 500,000 people visit the site every year and on that day there were people who had walked for two days to get there.”

Herding said the beauty of the trip for him included being surrounded by the 20,000 other people praying at the Mass of the Assumption and sharing the Eucharist.

“When the priest broke the bread, the people broke into applause and that just grabbed me. I thought we should be doing this every week,” Herding remarked.

“The following Sunday when I was back at St. John’s and Father Tim broke the bread, I wanted to break into applause, but I wasn’t sure how that would go over.”

To learn more about Immaculee Ilibagiza, and possibly join one of her upcoming pilgrimages, click the “Pilgrimages” tab at www.immaculee.com.

Commentary

12 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Responsibility implicit in ‘right to vote’

T

he right to vote carries with it a to provide health insurance for their responsibility to study and know employees without violating the emthe candidates. As citizens of faith, ployer’s conscience or religious beliefs? we are led to question, according to our foundational beliefs, how each congresMarriage and family life sional candidate if elected will address our nation’s issues.

■ Preserving the unique and special role There are moral and of civil marriage as a lifeethical dimensions to long union between a every public policy. Howman and a woman? ever, issues carry different moral weight and ur■ Supporting pregnant gency. Some involve women in need and the matters of intrinsic evil centers that serve them? that can never be sup■ Respecting the freeported, such as the direct dom of parents to eduand intentional destruccate their children, espetion of innocent human cially in matters of moral life. Others involve an development? obligation to seek the ■ Expanding educacommon good. tional choice for all famTo obtain more inforilies? mation on your faith and ■ Treating all immiChristopher Dodson your vote go to www. grants with dignity and yourfaithyourvote.org. respect?

nesses, including religious organizations, to offer employee benefits and services to the public in accordance with their religious beliefs?

Marriage ■ Preserving the unique and special role of civil marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman?

Immigration ■ Legislation that ensures the integrity of our borders, fosters family reunification and provides a path to citizenship for the undocumented who have lived in the United States for a number of years, and do not have a criminal record?

Catholic Action

T

he following questions are offered to assist in discerning where to stand on issues concerning the protection of human life and the promotion of a just society.

Where does the candidate for state office stand on: The sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person ■ Protecting unborn human life from abortion and committing state resources to ending abortion?

■ Ensuring that state health care programs respect the human life and dignity?

■ Preserving the state bans on assisted suicide, euthanasia, the death penalty and embryonic research?

■ Prohibiting the intentional destruction of human embryos?

Religious freedom ■ The right to provide public services without violating faith and conscience?

■ The freedom of religious entities to provide services no matter what the recipient's faith or legal status?

■ Providing the highest level of legal protection for religious freedom without unduly infringing upon the legitimate and compelling interests of the state?

■ Protecting the right of employers

Economy ■ Budget policies with adequate revenues to put a circle of protection around programs that serve poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad?

Care for the poor and vulnerable ■ A safety net for families with children living in poverty?

■ The provision of social and community services for the stranger among us, including those with disabilities, mental illness, or addiction problems?

■ Ensuring safe and affordable housing?

■ A guardianship system that protects and serves the state’s vulnerable persons?

The economy ■ Policies that ensure a just wage?

■ Allowing workers to form associations to collectively represent their interests?

■ Policies to protect and foster family farms, rural communities, good stewardship of natural resources, and the right of local communities to regulate for the common good?

■ Economic development that respects families, the common good, creation, and the dignity of the human person?

Where does the candidate for federal office stand on:

Education

“There are moral and ethical dimensions to every public policy.

However, issues carry different moral weight and urgency.

”

■ Protecting unborn human life from abortion and committing federal resources to ending abortion?

■ Prohibiting the use of federal funds to pay for or provide insurance coverage for elective abortions?

■ Prohibiting the use of federal funds for research that relies upon destroying human embryos (i.e., embryonic stemcell research)?

Religious liberty

The sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person

■ Allowing individuals and busi-

■ Providing federal tax relief (i.e., income-tax credits or deductions) for education expenses incurred by families in choosing any K-12 school they deem best suited for the education of their children?

■ Reauthorizing the current provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure that all public and nonpublic schoolchildren receive equitable services?

Agriculture/rural development ■ Targeting income support and premium subsidies for crop insurance to small and moderate-sized, familyowned-and-operated farms and ranches?

Foreign policy ■ Linking decisions on U.S. military aid to a country’s record on religious freedom and other basic human rights?

■ Maintaining and increasing funding for poverty-focused development assistance to poor countries and communities?

Christopher Dodson is executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference.

Visit ndcatholic.org.

IRA: Treasure or delayed disappointment?

F

or many of us, our The good news is there greatest asset, apart are ways to plan for your from perhaps our IRA to deliver all its exhome, is our IRA or other pected benefits with as retirement plan. The IRA few taxes as possible. holds this distinction beWe can give you some cause Congress designed ideas to discuss with your it to encourage investaccountant, your finanment and future growth. cial advisor, and your atBut as the assets in torney. These will ensure your IRA grow, so do the that your family and taxes that will be owed your legacy benefit while in the future. When your minimizing taxes for children or grandchileveryone. dren receive the assets in As you provide for your IRA, they also reyour family in your estate Steve Schons ceive the burden of the plans, be sure to consider taxes due on them. This the smartest way to pass can seriously diminish their inheritance assets to your heirs. and result in disappointment for you Think about giving them something and for them. other than IRA assets. Also, you might

Stewardship

think about giving away your unused IRA assets so the assets will be passed with no tax due.

When you give your assets to a qualified tax-exempt organization like ours, we receive 100 percent of your IRA proceeds.

H

owever, we would never recommend giving your IRA to us without also emphasizing other assets and ways to provide for your family without negative tax consequences existing.

Some of the best assets to give your

children include your stocks or home.

These assets step-up to fair market value in your estate, and can be sold later with little or no tax due.

If you would like to learn more about the variety of ways you can pass on assets to your family and to the causes you love, including your parish or other diocesan program, call me at (701) 356-7926 or email steve.schons@fargodiocese.org.

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

Commentary

NEWEARTH

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 13

‘IN GOD WE TRUST?’ Father Apostoli calls for heightened prayer during election season

By Father Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R.

O

n Nov. 6, the United States of America will face one of the most crucial elections in her 236-year history. The outcome will profoundly shape our future. Either we will become a more secular, more atheistic and more socialist state with more government control, or we will become a more democratic state with respect for individual freedoms and a reassertion of our nation’s motto: Father Apostoli “In God We Trust.”

This struggle is not simply political in nature; at its deepest dimension, it is profoundly spiritual. Blessed Pope John Paul II said back in 1976 that the Roman Catholic Church is engaged in the greatest spiritual struggle of her 2,000-year history.

What is at stake is the entire Christian culture built up in the world for the past

should be “For God and Country.” It must be done with the necessary approval of your pastor or religious superior.

two millennia. That culture rests primarily on three important Catholic (and human) values: the sanctity of human life, the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman and the Godgiven right to freedom of religion.

We must pray that those elected will support these values. Since it is a spiritual battle, I propose the following:

What blessings and spiritual power would flow from these many Masses.

Where a special Mass is not possible, you can attend the regular Mass in your parish or another parish and make your intention be “For God and Country.”

Daily Rosary Beginning on Oct. 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, say the rosary faithfully each day until the election.

The Blessed Mother revealed herself during the apparition of the “Miracle of the Sun” on Oct. 13 as “Our Lady of the Rosary.” Oct. 7 was originally called “Our Lady of Victories,” established to thank Our Lady for obtaining a great victory for the Christian fleet over a militarily superior foe at the Battle of Lepanto on Oct. 7, 1571.

As that fierce battle raged, Pope St. Pius V had the people of Rome continuously offer the rosary for a victory that saved the Catholic faith in Europe.

Devotions

First Saturday Mass On Saturday, Nov. 3, the first Saturday of the month and only four days before the election, consider arranging for a Holy Mass to be offered through your World Apostolate of Family prayer cell in your local parish church or chapel.

If possible, the intention of the Mass

You could then conclude with the regular Five First Saturday devotion prayers: Confession any day of the month, Holy Communion, and pray a rosary to keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes, meditating on some of the other mysteries of the rosary.

All these should be done with the intention of offering reparation for offenses against Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.

Father Apostoli represents the World Apostolate of Fatima.

Shanley grad’s definition of ‘pro-life’ has expanded The original version of the following column appeared in the Aug. 20 edition of the Students for Life of Illinois website.

Reprinted with permission.

By Jessica Marks

F

or me, being pro-life is not simply about praying outside of an abortion clinic, putting a bumper sticker on your car, or voting for prolife candidates.

Being pro-life isn’t even just about opposing abortion. To be truly, thoroughly “pro-life,” one must embrace all stages and aspects of life.

I’m not saying I have it all figured out. I have a long ways to go. But over the past few years, I have caught brief glimpses of what pro-life living can be, and it’s beautiful and mysterious.

When I graduated from college in Jessica at her wedding with one of the babies born May 2011, I had no idea what I was go- during her time at Heather’s House. ing to do for the next year. I was enWithin a week of applying, I had had gaged to be married, so I didn’t want to an online interview and was hired as have to find and furnish my own place the first RA at Heather’s House by Aid for one year, only to consolidate everyfor Women. thing after we were married.

During the week before any of the I also wasn’t a big fan of the prospect residents showed up, I had some time of moving back to North Dakota/Minto think about what the next year would nesota to live with my parents for a year. be like. Once the babies were born, Then I learned that Aid for Women, would I ever sleep? Would the mothers one of Chicago’s pregnancy centers, was accept me as a friend, mentor, or confiopening a maternity home in Des dant? What had ultimately led these Plaines, Ill. They were looking for women to this place? young, single women to live and work there as residential assistants (RA). The Heather’s House is a constantly position was exactly what I wanted and changing environment. The mothers needed — non-profit, pro-life work, will usually move into the house when close to Chicago, and I wouldn’t have they are about six months pregnant, to buy any of my own furniture. though that varies depending on each

woman’s situation. They may stay for up to two years after their baby is born.

The goal is to build up self-sufficient women, capable of providing for themselves and their child(ren). The program includes life skills classes in areas such as cooking, nutrition, fitness, childcare, computer skills, Bible study and sexual integrity.

Most of the women also attend college. Heather’s House helps with tuition, transportation, childcare, and other needs that arise. Each mother has a mentor and receives counseling to establish goals within the program.

For most of the women who come to Heather’s House, this is their first pregnancy, and it’s amazing and terrifying.

The mothers sometimes just need a few hours of uninterrupted sleep, a shoulder to cry on or a friend to listen.

The residents and staff who live at Heather’s House very quickly become extended family. Cooking and other household chores are divided. Supper is eaten together every night (with reasonable exceptions such as school or work).

As in most families, there is not always perfect harmony, but there is always a sense of warm, loving community. It is beautiful to watch the women embrace motherhood and the children grow and develop.

My husband and I are both practicing Catholics, which included the decision to wait until we were married to have sex and embracing natural family planning as part of our relationship.

One thing I had not expected when I started working at Heather’s House is how often this decision would be reaf-

firmed — not by witnessing the struggles of single parenthood or broken relationships, but by the mothers them selves.

Some have said to me, “I’m so glad you’re getting married,” or “You’re doing things right.” At first it caught me off guard, but after months of hearing such statements, I would smile and reply, “Me too.”

The wisdom of someone who has walked down a difficult road should never be overlooked. These were not women saying, “I regret my decisions.”

They knew the challenges of raising a child alone. They all have good days and bad days, but none of them regrets the decision to keep her child. They love their children wholeheartedly, even though it’s incredibly difficult for them at times to juggle all the demands of life.

If you choose a truly pro-life mentality, it will permeate every aspect of your life. It will affect your relationships with other people. It will change the way you view the world. It will challenge you to put others before yourself.

Living out thoroughly pro-life values requires sacrifice, discipline, and diligence. Sometimes you can do nothing but weep for the ones you cannot help.

But I promise you, when you truly embrace pro-life living, you will also find unexpected joys in the triumphs of strangers.

Jessica Marks, a former intern for Students for Life of Illinois and founder of the Illinois Institute of Technology Students for Life, is a 2007 graduate of Shanley High School, Fargo.

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

October 50 years ago — 1962 As Bishop Leo F. Dworschak left for Rome and the Second Vatican Council,

he asked for “the prayers of every Catholic in the diocese.” The bishop left Fargo on Oct. 1, and from New York on Oct. 2. He plans to spend a few days in Germany before going on to Rome, to make preliminary arrangements for collecting source material for the biography of Aloisius Cardinal Muench. He will remain in Rome until Dec. 8, the expected close of the Council’s first session.

20 years ago — 1992

10 years ago — 2002

Bishop James S. Sullivan led a special public memorial service on Oct.10 at the gravesite of the aborted babies buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in north Fargo. Respect Life Sunday is the keystone of a year-round effort that is the primary educational vehicle for the bishops’ pro-life activities pastoral plan.

The Notre Dame Glee Club stopped in Fargo during its fall break tour and a local man was among its ranks. They performed Oct. 21 at the Festival Concert Hall at North Dakota State University. Holy Spirit parishioner and Shanley graduate Jacob Rodenbiker is a senior at Notre Dame and Glee Club president.

14 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

New evangelization: Agenda of this month’s World Synod of Bishops includes America

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

Photo courtesy of Ignatius Press

Alesandro Preziosi plays Augustine during his young- and mid-adult years in “Restless heart.” St. Augustine was among the first group of four Doctors of the Church proclaimed in 1295 by Pope Boniface VIII. St. Augustine’s writings remain today among the most respected and beloved in the Catholic Church.

Screening for movie about St. Augustine at Shanley Nov. 7, 8 What: Pre-release screenings of “Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine” Where: Shanley High School Auditorium (5600 25th Street South, Fargo) When: Wed., Nov. 7, and Thurs., Nov. 8 Time: 7 p.m.

Cost: $5 per ticket or 3 tickets for $10 Rating: No official rating — considered PG-13 (for teens) Tickets are available for free. Suggested donation of $5/ticket or $10/3 tickets can be given.

Carrie Abbott to speak at Moorhead parish on defining ‘pro-life’ In our modern day culture there is much confusion, sometimes even within Christian churches, about what it means to be pro-life.

To explore this topic further, FirstChoice Clinic is sponsoring its second annual Putting Life First Symposium: “Pro-Life? What does it really mean?”

Guest speaker will be Carrie Abbott, Legacy Institute president and founder.

Abbott is a popular national speaker with over 23 years of experience and one of the most sought-after communicators on the topic of relationships and human sexuality.

The free event will take place at 7 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 5, at St. Joseph’s church, 218 10th St. S., Moorhead, Minn. Refreshments will be served following Abbott’s talk.

FirstChoice Clinic sponsors the symposium each year in memory of Roberta Johnson, a local Catholic mother who was adamant about building a Culture of Life, which she lived out each day until her death in November 2010.

For more information contact FirstChoice Clinic, 1-888-237-6530 or www.teamfirstchoiceclinic.com.

When Blessed John Paul II launched the project he called the new evangelization, he made it clear that it was aimed above all at reviving the ancient faith of an increasingly faithless West: “countries and nations where religion and the Christian life were formerly flourishing,” now menaced by a “constant spreading of religious indifference, secularism and atheism.”

Those words are commonly taken to refer to Christianity’s traditional heartland, Europe. Yet Pope Benedict XVI, who has enthusiastically embraced his predecessor’s initiative, has made it clear that the new evangelization extends to other secular Western societies, including the United States.

In a series of speeches to visiting U.S. bishops last fall and earlier this year, Pope Benedict reflected on the “spiritual and cultural challenges of the new evangelization,” giving special emphasis to a “radical secularism” that he said has worn away America’s traditional moral consensus and threatened its religious freedom.

The world Synod of Bishops dedicated to the new evangelization, which meets at the Vatican Oct. 7-28, will include seven U.S. bishops as full members, and 10 other Americans as official experts or observers. Experts advise the bishops during the synod, and observers are allowed to address the entire assembly.

Looking ahead to that gathering, several of the U.S. participants spoke with Catholic News Service about the obstacles that the new evangelization faces in their country and some of the particular strengths that the church brings to the task.

“We seem to be approaching a tipping point in how we encounter an increasingly militant atheism and secularism in our society,” said Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, who will be attending the synod as an observer. “We have been able to avoid the downside of what has happened in Europe, but for how much longer is a continual question. This synod may be the best opportunity to answer that.”

Sister Sara Butler, a professor of theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., who will serve as a synod expert, said a common American understanding of “tolerance” views “any attempt to share the faith ... as a kind of ‘imperialism,’” and the U.S. media celebrate an idea of freedom defined as “freedom from restraints of any kind.”

This leaves many Catholics “shy about revealing their faith, much less sharing it with others,” said Sister Butler, a member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity who sits on the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. “They find the idea that they are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel to the world challenging and implausible.”

Changing that attitude will require more than improved instruction in the tenets of the faith, said synod expert Ralph Martin, president of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, Mich., and di-

CNS photo/Paul Haring

In this file photo from February, Pope Benedict XVI is seated next to then-Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, left, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, during opening prayer as the world’s cardinals meet in the synod hall at the Vatican. The Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization will begin Oct. 7 at the Vatican. Archbishop Dolan has since been named a cardinal.

rector of graduate programs in the new evangelization at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.

“Orthodoxy isn’t enough; we really need an infusion of God and the Holy Spirit,” said Martin, who has been a leader in the charismatic renewal movement since the 1970s. “You can’t have a new evangelization without a new Pentecost.”

Americans valued Edward N. Peters, a canon lawyer who teaches at Sacred Heart Seminary and who will serve as an expert during the synod, draws encouragement from what he calls the relatively “up-front” manner of American Catholics by comparison to their European counterparts.

“Conversations about the faith by rank-and-file Catholics, participation in the church’s public rites and devotions, reading Catholic literature, and so on, all of these seem to me much more common on this side of the Atlantic,” said Peters, author of the blog “In the Light of the Law.” Synod observer Peter Murphy, executive director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said an American culture capable of generating a fashion for “What Would Jesus Do” bracelets is also a natural environment for traditional expressions of Catholic identity, such as religious medals. He said ordinary Catholics can turn even mundane occasions such as a child’s soccer practice into opportunities for sharing their faith.

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said the church’s charitable activities are some of its most effective vehicles for the new evangelization.

“Works of charity and justice are one of the most powerful ways to inspire people to see what the church is and think about why they might want to reengage with it or ... meet the Lord for the first time,” said Bishop Kicanas, chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services, who will be attending the

synod instead of Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, who is undergoing chemotherapy.

For Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, the synod’s recording secretary, the primary mission field for the new evangelization in the U.S. will be its vast network of Catholic schools, colleges and universities, because the key to success lies in reviving faith among the young.

“The focus is truly on this generation that we’re dealing with right now, because what we’re looking to is the future of the church,” the cardinal told CNS earlier this year.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., is taking that principle to the ultimate level: the earliest stages of human life. In his presentation to the synod, the archbishop plans to highlight the rite of Blessing of a Child in the Womb, which he first proposed in 2008 and which the Vatican approved for use in the U.S. earlier this year.

“The blessing is a first evangelization of the child, and a re-evangelization or new evangelization of the family,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “It’s also a positive and hope-filled way to announce to society our wonderful teaching on the great gift of human life.”

As a sacramental celebration that emphasizes a widely contested ethical teaching, the blessing reflects the “creative tension” that another synod father, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, has said is inherent in the new evangelization, which seeks to be “embracing, understanding (and) conciliatory” toward disaffected Catholics without compromising on “certain clear moral truths” that they may reject.

As the cardinal told CNS late last year, Blessed John Paul offered a “graceful” resolution of that tension in his maxim that the church should “preach the truth, always with love.”

“Love would require that we never soft-pedal the truth,” Cardinal Dolan said. “Truth would require that we never forget compassion and patience.”

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 15

NEWEARTH

Former North Dakotan enters Brooklyn order as a postulant Editor’s note: Before entering the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a postulant last month, Mary Bushy was a parishioner of Sts. Anne and Joachim, Fargo. She recently took on her new name of Sister Mary Louise.

By Sister Mary Louise

I

was born and raised in the Seattle area and brought up in the Lutheran church. My parents were religious when I was young but when our church closed, we had to attend another Lutheran church in the area.

After that we did not attend church as often. But there was an Italian Catholic family living just behind us and they had a daughter my age and I got to know the family quite well.

Their devotion to Sister Mary Louise, formerly Mary Bushy their Catholic faith was evident in their behavior and in the physical appearance of their home. I started going to church with them and at some point, I knew I

wanted to become a Catholic myself. I was 11 at the time.

I entered the church at 19, while a student at Seattle University. I worked for a few years, and met my future husband at the company we both worked for. We married a few months later and moved to this area. We had four beautiful children, who attended Catholic schools.

My spouse and I each became busy with different things which resulted in our growing more apart as time went on. We divorced after 23 years of marriage. I had practiced my Catholic faith during this time, but like everything else I did, it was because I thought it was expected of me.

I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I didn’t think Catholics thought of it that way. I prayed, went to Mass and occasionally went to confession but my earlier experiences and devotion to my faith seemed to vanish beneath piles of laundry, chores, chauffeur duties for my four busy children, and being a student.

After my college graduation, I moved to California to begin a career as a special-education teacher. I thought this would bring me the fulfillment and fill the hole I felt inside my heart.

Catholic Charities ND gives Minot units $1 million flood recovery grant Catholic Charities North Dakota has presented a $1,025,000 grant to the Minot community to be used in ongoing flood-recovery efforts.

Specifically, the grant will be used to help fund the Souris River Basin Unmet Needs Committee, restock and provide building supplies through the Recovery Warehouse, purchase supplies for the Mennonites to bring homes to completion and to recognize and honor RAFT Volunteer Case Managers.

Catholic Charities is collaborating with other Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners, such as United Way, Lutheran Disaster Response, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Mennonite Disaster Service and others, to ensure the greatest impact.

“Catholic Charities North Dakota is proud to help Minot and the surrounding communities in their rebuilding process from the devastating floods of 2011,” said Larry Bernhardt, executive director. “We hope that our efforts will assist those in need in rebuilding their homes and their lives,” Catholic Charities North Dakota serves people in need and advocates for the common good of all. Programs of the agency include Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK), counseling services, guardianship services, pregnancy, parenting and adoption services, and response.

To learn more about Catholic Charities North Dakota, visit www.catholic charitiesnd.org or call 1 (800) 450-4457.

I had shame in my heart back then because I had failed at my marriage, and I had to leave part of my family behind to start my teaching career. I felt as though I had failed everyone, even myself, as I realized for the first time that my life contained a series of bungled priorities and it seemed too late to do much about most of it.

It was a lonely, difficult time. This emptiness led me to the realization that it was time to be open to the possibility that I could be healed. I missed going to Mass and I longed to return to the Church which had really been there for me when I was younger. So I started going to Mass again, and began the long journey of letting go of my desire to control my life.

I attended Beginning Experience for two years and this helped me to reconnect with God and others who had experienced a similar journey.

O

ne day, after attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist, I heard Jesus say to me, “Follow me and devote your whole life to me. I love you, and you are mine, no matter what has happened in the past. Then you will feel peace.” I felt a peace I’ve never experienced before.

Since then, I have learned to pray more, listening for his voice to tell me what I should do next and then follow through on it. There have been some difficult times, because I needed to change in order to be who he wants me to be for him and for others. As I keep praying for his guidance he shows me through events or other people in my life what His will is for me.

When I first read about the Sisters of the Visitation I was attracted to their spirituality of humility, gentleness, kindness toward neighbor and inner hidden virtue. I read about the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. I found that, for me, it’s about being gentle with everyone including myself and that God doesn’t expect us to be perfect all at once.

As of Sept. 8, I’ve entered an order in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a postulant. As I go through this discernment process, I realize more and more that it is just that — a process. I have much gratitude in my heart for the gifts and blessings God has given me, and the best thing about it is I have a personal ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ, which has filled the empty spot in my heart and life.

Deadline: Youth registration approaching for 2013 March for Life Students in grades 9 to 12 from across the diocese are invited to participate in the 40th annual March for Life in Washington D.C. on Jan. 25, 2013. The pilgrimage will begin in Fargo on Jan. 22 and return Jan. 27.

Father Kurt Gunwall, vocations director for the diocese, will be the spiritual director. In addition to participating in the March and the Vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, participants will travel to Emmitsburg, Md., to visit the Mother Seton Shrine and see the sights of Washington, D.C. The cost for the 6-day pilgrimage is $825 and includes air and ground travel, lodging, meals and tour fees. The registration deadline is Oct. 22.

Registration forms can be obtained at: www.fargodiocese.org/RespectLife or by calling Rachelle at (701) 356-7910, or emailing rachelle.sauvageau@fargo diocese.org.

Mass for God’s Children set for Nov. 28 A Mass to remember children who have died by miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant loss will be offered at 7 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 28, at St. Catherine’s Church, 540 3rd Ave. NE, Valley City.

A reception will follow and all are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Rachelle at (701) 356-7910 or email rachelle.sauvageau@fargodiocese.org.

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

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

— Helen Bye, Fargo

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

16 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Events across the Diocese For more fall dinners and other events throughout the diocese, visit www.fargo diocese.org/events.

Oct. 9 (Tuesday): Catholic Charities North Dakota annual Celebration Luncheon at the Ramada Plaza Inn and Suites, Fargo, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

See page 17.

Mary Anne and Deacon Conrad Schuster hold up a cake, a gift thanking them for their dedication to their former community of Willow City, at a recent goodbye event.

Submitted photo

Notre Dame community bids farewell to Schusters After 52 years living in Willow City, Deacon Conrad and Mary Anne Schuster moved out from the rural area recently and into the city of West Fargo.

A farewell dinner honoring the couple took place on Sept. 9 at the community hall of Willow City. Many from Willow City and the neighboring areas attended, including Father Tom Graner of Rugby and Father Paul Schuster of Bottineau.

The couple has nine children, all born in Willow City, including Father Paul Schuster, a pastor at Bottineau.

With a shrinking population in Willow City, community members said the couple’s absence has been deeply felt especially by parishioners of Notre Dame church, and that their presence in the community has been a great blessing for many decades.

Deacon Conrad’s spiritual leadership and helping hand to anyone in the community, as well as his carpentry skills, and Mary Anne’s homemade cooking and baking for community events have been especially appreciated and will be missed.

FALL FESTIVAL Holy Spirit Catholic Church Sunday, October 28th 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Join us for a day of family fun Traditional Turkey Dinner Take out Dinner Orders Cake Walk Kid’s Games Baked Goods & Cake Sale Farmer’s Market Bingo Raffle Drawing Silent Auction

1420 7th Street North Fargo, ND

Oct. 11 (Thursday): Pope Benedict XVI declared that a “Year of Faith” will be celebrated from Oct. 11, 2012, through Nov. 24, 2013, and desires it to be a time of reflection and rediscovery of the faith.

Oct. 11 (Thursday): A special diocesan Mass to celebrate the opening of the Year of Faith, 5:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Mary, 604 Broadway, Fargo. A meal will follow. See page 20.

Oct. 12-14 (Friday-Sunday): The Marian Eucharistic Congress, Fargo Civic Memorial Auditorium. For more information, contact Brad and Mary Kay Starry at starryjmj@aol.com or call (701) 2349019, or visit www.fargodiocese.org/ marian for more information.

Oct. 14 (Sunday): St. William’s church, turkey dinner, raffle and bake sale, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Argusville Community Center. Cost: adults $9, ages 5-10 $4, under 4 free. Take-out is available. Call (701) 484-5211.

Oct. 14 (Sunday): St. Agnes, annual turkey dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 102 1st St. E. in Hunter.

Oct. 15 (Monday): St. James Basilica Tabernacle Society Spiritual Appetizer, 7 p.m. presentation with Father Len Loegering on the healing memories, Basilica parish center, refreshments and fellowship to follow.

Oct. 18 (Thursday): Presentation Prayer Center 27th annual fundraiser lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fargo Holiday Inn. Rev. Tom Holtey, chaplain for Hospice of the Red River Valley, to talk on: “How Comfortable Is Your Hat?” Tickets, $30.

Call Sister Andrea at (701) 237-4857, ext. 211, for tickets.

Oct. 18 (Thursday): Dining with the Word of God, St. Anthony of Padua, Fargo. Msgr. Joseph Goering will explore the Gospel of John. Visit www.fargo diocese.org/wordofgod.

Oct. 26 (Friday): St. Anthony’s in Mooreton, fall fish fry, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mooreton Community Center, to include games and a bounce house for the kids, wine pull and raffles. Kids and adults are invited to come in costumes.

Oct. 27 (Saturday): St. Anne’s Guest Home, 524 N. 17th St., Grand Forks, Soup and Sandwich luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost of $7, to include three soup choices, ham or turkey sandwich, dessert and beverage. Craft and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (701) 7469401 or email info@stannesguest home.org.

To submit events for New Earth and the diocesan website, mail them to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605 or email news@ fargodiocese.org. The deadline for November’s New Earth is Oct. 31.

Oct. 28 (Sunday): Blessed Sacrament, West Fargo, annual fall dinner and bazaar featuring pork loin dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A free-will offering of $10 per adult plate, less for children, is suggested. Event will include silent auction, raffle, carnival games, jewelry store and bingo. Call (701) 282-3321.

Oct. 28 (Sunday): Holy Spirit, Fargo, annual fall festival from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring turkey dinner, a silent auction, baked goods and candy sale, bingo, kids’ games and more, dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $10 for adults, $4 for kids 4 to 12, $10 for takeout and delivered meals.

Nov. 3 (Sunday): St. Philip Neri, Napoleon, 20th anniversary celebration for the state of North Dakota from 1 to 4 p.m., to include door prizes and a silent auction. Hear and share the impact of Ministry of Mothers Sharing over the past 20 years. $10/person or register a friend for only $5 more. RSVP by Oct. 20 by contacting Jolene Fettig at jolene fettig@gmail.com or call (701) 754-2578.

Nov. 4 (Sunday): Nativity Church, Fargo, fall festival, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., pork loin dinner, apple-pie bars (10:30 to 1:30 p.m.), $1 turkey raffle, bake sale, heavenly baskets, cake walk, games for all ages. Cost, $9 adults, $6 ages 4-11, free 3 and under.

Nov. 5 (Monday): St. Joseph’s, Main Street, Tolna, annual harvest breakfast, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., pancakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, hash browns and beverages. $7 for adults, $4 ages 9 and under, free for preschool. Buy raffle tickets beforehand or at the door.

Nov. 9-11 (Friday-Sunday): Ignatian retreat, Maryvale Spiritual Life Center, Valley City, based on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and steeped in the gospels. This is a silent retreat where one is able to meet Jesus in the experiences of his own life. Conferences and individual direction with the retreat director are an important part of the retreat. Suggested donation is $60 and registration is due by Nov. 2. Contact Sister Dorothy Bunce at dorothy.bunce@ fargodiocese.org or call (701) 845-2864.

Nov. 15 (Thursday): Dining with the Word of God, Holy Cross, West Fargo.

Father James Ermer will explore the book of Romans. Visit www.fargo diocese.org/wordofgod.

WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY GIFTS AND BOOKS FOR ALL AGES HOLY FAMILY BOOKSTORE To Know God . . .

To Love God . . .

To Serve God . . .

mon-fri 10 am - 6 pm sat 10 am to 4 pm (701) 241-7842 toll free (888) 682-8033

1336 25th Ave. S, Fargo 58103

(South of K-Mart)

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 17

NEWEARTH

Miss North Dakota, Rosie Sauvageau, to speak at Catholic Charities event

New Rockford couple celebrates 70 years Frank and Vera (Tonn) Hilbert recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with their family.

The Hilberts were married on Oct. 6, 1942, at St. John’s in New Rockford.

They have four children: Diane Farris, Hutchinson, Kan.; Michael (Vicky), Bismarck; David (Patty), New Rockford; and Gary (Bonnie), New Rockford.

Frank and Vera also have 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Rugby couple to celebrate 60 years Frank and Kathryn Volk of Rugby will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a card shower organized by their children.

Cards may be mailed to 113 3rd St. NE, Apt. 3, Rugby, ND 58368.

Frank and Kathryn (Lesmeister) were married Oct. 14, 1952, at Little Flower Church in Rugby.

The couple has 10 children; six sons, Harry, Timothy, Rodney, Myron, Roger and Frank Jr.; and four daughters, Deborah Flyer, Renae Schmidt, Sheryl Mears and Sherry Halvorson.

The Volks also have been blessed with 27 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Walhalla pair celebrate 80th birthdays Von Banks mark 50 years of marriage Robert and Judith (Weshnezski) Von Bank celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August. They were married Aug. 25, 1962, at St. Bernard’s in Oriska.

The Von Banks have been parishioners at St. Thomas’ in Buffalo for the past 50 years. The couple has been very active in the liturgy.

Robert and Judith have one daughter, Sandra (Matthew) Gerdes and one granddaughter, Annastasia.

Leo and Lenore (Benoit) Beauchamp are celebrating their 80th birthdays; Leo on Oct. 10 and Lenore on Oct. 29.

On Oct. 21 they also will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary.

The couple was married at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church in Olga in 1953 and spent 43 years being active in the community and church of Olga before moving to Walhalla in 1996.

When Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church was closed in 2005, they joined St. Boniface parish in Walhalla.

The couple has six children and 11 grandchildren.

Share life’s milestones As a way to celebrate life and love, we encourage parishioners throughout the Diocese of Fargo to send photos of anniversaries of 60 or more years, or birthdays of 80 or more years, to New Earth, Diocese of Fargo, 5201 Bishops Blvd., Ste. A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605 or news@fargodiocese.org.

The annual Celebration Luncheon for Catholic Charities North Dakota will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Ramada Plaza Inn and Suites in Fargo.

The event will feature Rosie Sauvageau, Miss North Dakota, who will talk on the importance of adoption and perform a musical selection.

The 2012 Caritas award will also be presented to Mary Pat Jahner for her outstanding service in working with women who choose life for their unborn child through her work at St. Gianna’s Maternity Home in Warsaw.

Jahner has spent many years teaching in Catholic schools as well as on American Indian reservations before starting St. Gianna’s, which provides women a place for quiet reflection and redirection as they determine a plan for themselves and their Sauvageau baby.

The event also will celebrate the many accomplishments of Catholic Charities North Dakota throughout the state in the past year.

The services of Catholic Charities North Dakota include pregnancy, parenting and adoption, Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK), guardianship services for adults with developmental disabilities and counseling services.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.catholiccharitiesnd.org or by calling (701) 235-4457.

Sister Francine to offer online retreat experience Living in an electronic age provides an opportunity to participate in a retreat experience any day or time of day that suits your life situation.

Sister Francine Janousek is offering an online retreat using as a basis the words of Jesus in John 14:23: “Those who love me will be true to my word, and Abba God will love them and we will come to you and make our home in you.”

The retreat will run from Oct. 29 to Nov. 16. Each of the three weeks of the retreat, participants will receive two reflections on the passage. After praying over each reflection, they will be invited to share with Sister Francine and others making the retreat.

Registration is limited to 10 participants; registration deadline is Oct. 19. A suggested fee of $35 can be made payable to and sent to Presentation Prayer Center, 1101 32nd Ave. So., Fargo, ND 58103. For further information and to register, please email fjanousek@cableone.net.

18 ■ OCTOBER 2012

Youth & Young Adults

NEWEARTH

Camping catastrophe leads seminarians to pen ballad EDITOR’S NOTE: The following ballad was penned after a recent preseminary get-together for all the seminarians of the diocese.

As it goes, the gathering began with a camping experience at Fort Ransom. According to seminarian John Norberg, after two days of beautiful weather, the camp was rained out in the middle of the night and everyone involved had to “hightail it for St. Catherine’s in Valley City.”

“What with standing water, thunder and lightning, driving rain, and breaking camp in the middle of the downpour at 2 a.m., we decided it was such an epic experience that a ballad must be written to commemorate the occasion,” Norberg said.

“So, without further ado,” he added, “I give you ‘The Ballad of Job’s Misfortunes,’ sung to the tune of the ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’ by Gordon Lightfoot.”

The Ballad of Job’s Misfortunes

By John Norberg, author, and Eric Seitz, editor

All is bliss still as John Norberg, right, relaxes near the campfire recently with his comrades, Deacon Troy Simonsen, left, and William Slattery during an annual gathering of seminarians at Fort Ransom.

Seminarian Eric Seitz snoozes peacefully in the dying rays of the day, unaware of the watery deluge about to descend with a vengeance later that evening.

Eric Seitz and his fellow seminarians engage in a game at St. Catherine’s in Valley City, where they sought shelter and a good night’s rest.

‘Twas a fateful day, when we drove away, for our destination Fort Ransom.

In that beautiful valley, we stopped there to dally, but the fees that we paid they were handsome.

With PK as our captain, we knew nothing could happen, that he and the Prof couldn’t handle.

There was fly-slaying Will who went in for the kill with his weapon an open-toed sandal.

There was Chatterbox Rob and Eric the Gob who could eat three steaks in one sitting.

And though not along, to leave out of the song, the bar-baking Brenda’d be sinning.

There was John of the Klocke who liked to take walks, and those who brought goodies to munch on.

Had I time in my tale, to tell I wouldn’t fail, of those who here go without mention.

As for those that stayed back, we thought they did lack in the manly virtue of courage.

Had we known before of the things in store, we ourselves might have been quite discouraged.

When all were collected then next we elected to set up the tents for our shelter.

Not knowing of course Mother Nature’s force would soon have them c’llapsed helter-skelter.

Next day we did stop at a small pizza shop where for lunch the chancellor met us.

The weather was clear, and we hadn’t a fear of the tragedy soon to beset us.

We slept ’neath the stars, we could even see Mars, so clear were the skies up above us. ’Twas noonday bright in the clear moon’s light, ’tweren’t hard to know God did love us.

After clear morn’s dawn we decided on a journey into the city.

Having toured their shops, we thought they were tops, what a quaint little town, and how pretty.

That eve we had Mass, and then broke our fast, with a priest from across the

Red River.

What a dinner we had, and oh weren’t we glad that the chef had bought steaks, and not liver.

As our guest stood to go, the first threat of the blow soon to come sprinkled down from the heaven.

But as we went to our beds every thought in our heads was for peaceful sleep as a given. ’Twas close to midnight when flashes of light tore open the skies all around us.

Its quick escalation in our estimation meant a true Armageddon had found us.

The winds they did blow, it was fierce, touch and go, as we wondered if it would stop storming. ’Twas truly intense, as we shook in our tents, then our ears caught a shoutedout warning!

“Guys, pack up, let’s go!” The command was no foe. A man cannot sleep in a river!

We emerged in the rain, but the cold was our bane, and the work, it was done all a-shiver.

The lightning did flash, and the thunder did crash, as we strove to dismantle our dwelling.

The thunderous roar had us thinking that Thor, a sky-bounded forest was felling.

There were yells and shouts, and we had our doubts, that the night would see our survival.

You may think us afraid, the accusation was made, but three inches of water’s no trifle.

So we grabbed all the gear, including the beer, and threw it into a bundle.

Then trusting to luck it would fit in the truck, we tossed it in in a jumble.

So then making all haste, in a convoy we raced, to the city and the church of St. Catherine.

At the church we arrived, and thus we survived the first half of the seminarian gath’rin.’

At 3 in the morn, having weathered the storm, we surprised the adorers in the chapel.

We snuck down the stairs, and ’mongst tables and chairs, we unfolded our cots with a crackle.

As we hit the sheets, we were cold, dead and beat, but finally at last we were dry.

Our tents were all soaked, Eric’s lantern had croaked, but thank God at least we didn’t die!

OCTOBER 2012 ■ 19

NEWEARTH

God’s got plans for us all — you too

W

hen I was a senior in high who gives us life — and, because of this school, while at a SEARCH reshe was able to love me with God’s love. treat in Valley City, I met Beth, Five years later, I am following in the a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic Unifootsteps of Beth by serving as a FOCUS versity Students) missionary at the Unimissionary at James Madison University versity of North Dakota. in Harrisonburg, Va. Beth was a beautiful The story of how I bewoman who had a joy came a missionary is a that radiated through story for another time, her. I noticed something but the seeds were special about Beth. I planted through Beth couldn’t put my finger and through a growing on it exactly, but I commitment to our Lord wanted to find out what in prayer. made her so happy. Beth Only by receiving the shared with me the Lord’s healing love deep source of her peace: Jesus into my heart was I able Christ. to begin to love his peoBeth and I went on to ple with his love and, have several conversaeventually, to hear his intions during that retreat. vitation to me to become The one thing I remema FOCUS missionary. ber vividly was going for verything we do in a walk and asking her Jackie Mitzel life stands or falls on about her prayer life. She prayer. And what I have told me that she atlearned is that prayer isn’t just about tended Mass, prayed the rosary, and reciting a few Our Fathers and Hail spent an hour in prayer before the Marys here and there or just showing Blessed Sacrament every day. up to Mass on Sunday.

I was shocked. How did a normal perPrayer is about entering into a relason find the time to pray like that in tionship with the living God and disthe midst of all the hustle and bustle of covering he is really present in our lives, daily life? he knows each of us individually, and ooking back at that encounter with he desires to heal our hearts and to give Beth, I see how one person inspired us a deep and penetrating joy. me and gave me hope because of her No matter who you are or what your dedication and faithfulness to the Lord. occupation or age is, God is inviting you Beth knew what it meant to be loved to a deep relationship with him, and he

by God — by our heavenly Father, by longs to fill you and to use you to draw Our Savior and Lord, and by the Spirit others to himself.

FOCUS

E

L

“No matter who you are or what your occupation or age is, God is inviting you to a deep relationship with him, and he longs to fill you and to use you to draw others to himself.

”

Jackie Mitzel He has given you special gifts and talents that nobody else has. These gifts have been given to you so that you might help build up the Body of Christ on earth so that you might help to set the world ablaze with the love of Christ.

M

y hope and prayer for each of you is that you continue to experience Christ’s love for you and that you are able to do for another what Beth did for me.

Please pray for me and for all the missionaries from our diocese, and know that you are in our prayers as well. May God bless you abundantly!

Jackie Mitzel is a Fargo native and a 2007 graduate of Fargo South High School. She graduated from Ave Maria University in Florida in 2011 and spent the last year working as a youth minister at St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks.

Father Mitch Pacwa, a Catholic priest well-known by many for his frequent contributions to the Eternal World Television Network, will be a speaker at this year’s Marian Eucharistic Congress in Fargo.

The event, which takes place every other year in the Diocese of Fargo, will begin on Friday, Oct. 12, and run through Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Civic Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Fargo.

The theme of this year’s event, “Do Not Abandon Me, Lord,” will resound throughout this year’s gathering. The event traditionally draws together hundreds of people from throughout the region and beyond who are eager to learn more about and grow in their faith.

Other speakers for this year’s Congress include Bishop David Kagan; Father Joseph Christensen, FMI; Father Bill Halbing; Msgr. Gregory Schlesselmann; Al Barbarino; Dr. Kelly Bowring; Raymond DeSouza; Michael O’Brien; John Pridmore; and Dr. Margarett Schlientz.

Mass will be celebrated each day and opportunities for reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration will be available throughout the Congress.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. For vendor or individual registration forms, visit www.fargodiocese.org/marian. For more information, visit the site or call (701) 234-9019 or email StarryJMJ@aol.com.

Call Ray Simon at (701) 235-0272

Diocese of Fargo

Place your ad here and we’ll send targeted visitors directly to your site!

BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF ANNUNCIATION MONASTERY www.annunciationmonastery.org

Prayerful Presence on the Prairie Since 1878

oulger B FUNERAL

EWTN’s Father Pacwa at Marian Congress

HOME

www. fargodiocese.org /stewardship

•Pregnancy/Parenting/Adoption •AASK •Guardianship • Counseling

www.catholiccharitiesnd.org

www. riverview place .org

NAPOLEON LIVESTOCK

www. boulger funeral home. com

THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS! Call Ray Simon (701) 235-0272

www. fdjp2.k12.nd.us

1-800-932-8821 www.napoleonlivestock.com North Dakota’s Progressive Market

“Protected and Appreciated”

www.ihryinsurance.com 1-888-791-7055

BRANDT CONTRACTING, INC. (701) 284-7504 or (701) 331-0519 (cell) TOLL FREE 1-888-284-7504

www.steeplerepairs.com

20 ■ OCTOBER 2012

NEWEARTH

Year of Faith a time for all to ‘encounter the person of Jesus Christ,’ Pope says Oct. 11 marks the beginning of the Year of Faith, a universal event for all the faithful, proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI and extending through Nov. 24, 2013.

A special diocesan Mass to launch and celebrate the opening of the Year of Faith will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 11, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, 619 7 St. N., Fargo. A meal will immediately follow Mass. All the faithful of the diocese are invited to attend Our Holy Father has declared this “Year of Faith” for the universal Church to rediscover the need for the journey of faith that comes from an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.

He has called us and he is calling you. Now is the time to say “yes” to Jesus Christ.

Now is the time to deepen your encounter with Jesus Christ. Now is the time to understand the truths of the faith. Now is the time to live as an authentic witness of Jesus Christ. Will you answer this call?

The Holy Father specifically chose Oct. 11 to begin the Year of Faith because this date coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council on Oct. 11, 1962, and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Oct. 11, 1992.

As this Year of Faith progresses, we invite you to take part in the study groups forming at your parish. A list of study groups and other year of faith events across the diocese can be found at: www.fargodiocese.org/yearoffaith.

Also consider attending these Year of Faith events:

It is a moment of grace within the universal Church that wonderfully coincides with the anniversaries of these two great events, both gifts to us. The Holy Father asks us to reexamine these texts and reflect on them anew, seizing the opportunity to “shed clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ.”

■ Oct. 11, 2012 — Year of Faith launch: Opening Masses at parishes throughout the Diocese of Fargo, 5:30 p.m.

Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo ■ Jan. 28 to 31, 2013 — Workshops on the documents of the Second Vatican Council (locations to be announced) ■ June 2, 2013 — Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ: An hour of solemn adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in parishes throughout the world ■ Sept. 10 to 15, 2013 — Workshops on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (locations to be announced) ■ Nov. 24, 2013 — Closing of Year of Faith: Solemn renewal of Faith by all the faithful For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit www.fargodiocese. org/yearoffaith.

For additional ideas on how you can participate in the Year of Faith, call Katie Dubas at (701) 356-7908 or email: katie.dubas@fargodiocese.org.

Nurture your body and your soul Dining with the Word of God: One way to enter into the Year of Faith In this upcoming Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI encourages us to enter into a deeper friendship with Christ. Through a personal encounter with Christ, faith comes alive and one begins to hunger for God. When asked what parishioners want in adult faith education, a frequent response in most parishes is Scripture study. But oftentimes, getting started on mining this rich resource can be an intimidating prospect. Enter Dining with the Word of God, a collaborative effort of the Deanery 2 parishes and pastors.

The parishes in Fargo and West Fargo will rotate hosting a simple free-will offering meal followed by a talk given by one of the area pastors on a specific book of the Bible. This meal and presentation format allows participants to encounter God in the fellowship of the meal, and in his Living Word of Scripture.

Our speakers will focus on the main themes and characters in a specific book and reveal the connections in an Old Testament book to the New Testament, all with the hopes of providing a firm foundation in a particular biblical book and encouraging people to dust off that Bible and read it on their own.

Join us for one or all of these meals and talks. Meals are served from 6:15 to 6:50 p.m. with the presentations running from 7 to 8:15 p.m. and concluding with a brief question and answer period.

For a complete schedule, visit www.fargodiocese.org/wordofgod.

Shanley homecoming activities include spirit, service One of the first things freshman learn in religion class at Fargo’s Shanley High School is the meaning of the word “deacon,” which comes from the Greek word, “servant.”

This servant spirit is carried through all four years with Deacon Day during homecoming week, and quarterly service hour requirements and other outreach programs throughout the school year.

Deacon Day was first celebrated on Dec. 8, 1999, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, thanks to the encouragement of then-religion

ABOVE: Students from Fargo’s Shanley High School (SHS) freshman class show their school spirit atop a float Sept. 14 just before the Homecoming game against Kindred, which they later won 43-6. RIGHT: Four SHS students from the junior class take part in a Deacon Day service project through washing windows at Bethany Homes retirement facility in Fargo. Included, left to right, are Lexi Willoughby, Darian Slama, Hana Steidle and Hannah Ohm.

teacher Mary Pat Jahner. It was a day of worship and service and observing the Holy Day, Advent, the Jubilee Year 2000, and the Shanley Deacon heritage.

The second Deacon Day took place on All Saints Day in 2000. In 2001 it was moved to homecoming week, when there is a clearer connection with the school’s “Deacons” heritage.

The students and staff make the connection quickly that it’s not about us, but Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. It’s about serving him in the least of our brothers and sisters which is put into action on Deacon Day. Some of the locations visited through the years have included the F-M Emergency Food Pantry, Great Plains Food Bank, Children’s Museum, Fraser Hall, Bethany Homes, Nokomis Childcare, Rosewood on Broadway, Edgewood United Methodist Church, Fargo Senior Commission, MeritCare children’s unit, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald House, Friendship Inc., Red Cross and Churches United for the Homeless, along with various area elementary schools.