New Earth September 2019

New September 2019 | Vol. 40 | No. 8

Earth The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo

Holistic health for women NaPro Technology gives patients moral, natural, and effective ways to achieve their goals

PLUS

From Bishop Folda: St. John Henry Newman and conscience

Sacred art in the home keeps love of Christ close

Sister’s Perspective: Every life finds its fulfillment in love NEW EARTH SEPTEMBER 2019

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Catholic Charities North Dakota Sunday Coming to your parish on September 28-29

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With your help we can continue to serve more communities and people all across North Dakota by bringing awareness and support to the services we provide.

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ON THE COVER: (Rowan Chestnut | Unsplash)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Publisher

Most Rev. John T. Folda Bishop of Fargo

Editor Paul Braun Assistant editor Kristina Lahr

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Designer Stephanie Drietz - Drietz Designs Subscriptions

FROM BISHOP FOLDA 4 St. John Henry Newman and conscience

ASK A PRIEST 6 How can I teach my children to pray?

AROUND THE DIOCESE

10 24 18

10 Putt 4 a (critical) Purpose

COVER STORY 12 Holistic health for women

NaPro Technology gives patients moral, natural, and effective ways to achieve their goals

FAITH AND CULTURE 16 Sacred art in the home keeps love of Christ close

NEXT GEN 18 My pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountains

US/WORLD NEWS 32 Diocese of Rapid City defends the cause for sainthood of one of their own

SIDEWALK STORIES

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35 Girl I knew as a blonde baby aborts her baby

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Use the following contact information to contact the New Earth staff: news@fargodiocese.org (701) 356-7900 Deadline to submit articles, story ideas, advertisements and announcements for the October issue is Sept. 18, 2019.

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FROM BISHOP FOLDA

St. John Henry Newman and conscience

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n the summer of 2018, I had the opportunity to visit England and made an excursion to the university city of Oxford. Just on the outskirts of that town is a small residence called Littlemore, a stone house where John Henry Newman lived with a group of his associates. Newman had been the Anglican chaplain at Oxford and was a wellknown scholar in England.

But through his study of the Christian faith, and especially through studying Scripture and the ancient fathers of the Church, Newman came to understand that the fullness of Christian faith was to be found not in his own Church of England, but in the Catholic Church. He resigned his prestigious post at Oxford, and retired to Littlemore, where he stayed and was eventually received into the Catholic Church.

Newman’s decision had consequences. He lost his high standing in academic and social circles, and most of his friends abandoned him. Even his family, including his closest sister, turned their backs on him, and Newman was left with only a few new Catholic friends. Many tried to steer him away from his Catholic course but to no avail. Newman knew what the truth was, and he had to act on that truth.

Newman’s conversion was a response to grace, and it was also a decision of conscience. He is now acknowledged as one of the greatest Catholic thinkers of the last two centuries, and his spiritual and intellectual influence is widely felt throughout the Church even today. Perhaps we know him best for the many campus Newman Centers that bear his name, where university students can still deepen their relationship with Christ and form bonds of Christian friendship with their fellow students.

Certainly one of his greatest contributions is his reflection on the nature of conscience. Through his own conversion experience, he came to understand that one must seek the truth in light of the Gospel and Christian tradition and then act accordingly.

This sounds simple, doesn’t it? But it becomes more difficult when the surrounding culture tells us there is no such thing as truth, or that the truth cannot be known, or that truth can contradict itself, or that truth is only a matter of personal opinion that varies from one person to the next. All of those theories were in play during Newman’s time, and they are even more prevalent today. Newman reminds us that we as Christians can know the truth, and that it has been revealed definitively in the person of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Jesus chose to pass along that truth through the Church that he had founded, and through the very human instruments that he chose to lead it.

In our time, conscience has been reduced to a personal choice that is often disconnected from objective truth. You might sometimes hear people claim that they acted in a way that was contrary to the moral truths of the Gospel, but that they had followed their conscience, so their action was rendered just and moral. Newman himself is often used to justify this way of thinking, since he persuasively taught on the primacy of conscience throughout his life. But Newman would never propose conscience as a justification for an act contrary to the moral teaching of the Church. In fact, he vigorously affirmed the necessity of forming one’s conscience in accord with the truth that is passed along to us through the Gospel and the Church’s tradition. A so-called decision of conscience can never render an evil act good or change a sinful decision into one that is righteous.

Newman affirmed that we must act according to our conscience, which is the primordial voice of God in our souls. But he also insisted that conscience must be adequately formed and informed by truths of faith and reason. If we do not, we will be operating with a deformed conscience that will lead us away from truth and goodness. The individual conscience is not infallible; it depends on sound formation in the truths that God himself has made known to us. When we are tempted to do evil, a wellformed conscience will tell us to stop, but an overly subjective conscience will not. In a recent address, Cardinal Thomas Collins said, “The voice it hears will only be the echo of our own desires; it is the counterfeit of conscience, the right of self-will.”

Cardinal Collins continued: “When conscience is seen as a free pass to go along with our own desires and the Spirit of the Age, then the flame of faith flickers and dies, and the Church shrivels away; when conscience is seen, as it is seen by Newman and Thomas Aquinas and all the great teachers of Catholic faith, as a stern monitor that challenges us to repentance and to

“Newman reminds us that we as Christians can know the truth, and that it has been revealed definitively in the person of Jesus Christ.” – Bishop John Folda 4

NEW EARTH SEPTEMBER 2019

holiness…then the Church flourishes and, filled with the Holy Spirit we set out with joyful boldness on our mission to bring Christ to the world.”

I was privileged to celebrate Mass in the tiny chapel at Littlemore where John Henry Newman was received into the Church in 1845. It was a humbling experience to pray where this great man of faith had joined in the communion of all the Catholic faithful, and now Pope Francis has announced that he will canonize John Henry Newman as a saint on Oct. 13. At that time, his holiness of life and the integrity of his teaching will gain even greater prominence, and I hope many of the faithful in our diocese will come to know and appreciate the important place he still holds in the life of the Church. Above all, Newman was a teacher of the faith, and we can all learn from his clear teaching on the correct role of conscience in the Christian life.

He was a man of humility and integrity, who understood the true meaning of conscience and had the courage to follow it.

Prayer Intention of Pope Francis

The Protection of the Oceans

That politicians, scientists, and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans.

BISHOP FOLDA’S CALENDAR Sept. 17 |

9 a.m.

Diocesan School Pastor/Principal Meeting, Pastoral Center, Fargo

3 p.m.

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting, Pastoral Center, Fargo

Sept. 18–20

Bishops Conference on Evangelizing Dioceses, Steubenville, Ohio

Sept. 20–23

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Des Moines, Iowa

Sept. 25 |

3 p.m.

St. JPII Schools Board of Directors Meeting, Pastoral Center, Fargo

Sept. 29 |

10 a.m.

Mass to conclude Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Sept. 29–Oct. 2

Presbyterate Days, Jamestown

Oct. 6 |

12 p.m.

Mass for Walk with Christ for Life, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

1 p.m.

Walk with Christ for Life, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Oct. 12 |

3 p.m.

Oct. 13 |

10 a.m.

Oct. 14 |

6 p.m.

Senior High Extravaganza, St. Catherine Church, Valley City Mass to close Diocesan Rosary Congress, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo Women’s Care Center Banquet, Holiday Inn, Fargo

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FOCUS ON FAITH

How can I teach my children to pray?

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here is a country song, currently playing on the radio that captures the answer to Ask A Priest this question. The Father William artist Rodney Atkins, Slattery in his song Watching You, tells a story about the relationship between a father and son. The father is continually amazed at how the son is growing and picking up all of his own habits, and asks the son where he learned them.

Here is a snippet of the song that touches on our question: “Then this side of bedtime later that night Turning on my son’s Scooby Doo night light He crawled out of bed, and he got down on his knees He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend And I said, ‘Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?’

He said, “I’ve been watching you, dad, ain’t that cool?

I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you.”

In a very simple way this song captures the essential factor of personal witness and its importance in the formation and education of children. Parents, and those who work with children, know that a child’s mind is a sponge, which soaks up everything it sees and encounters. Particularly within the relationship between a child and their parent, the role of the parent as a model cannot be undervalued. The child looks to their mother and father for an example of how to encounter the world, they see you at your best and at your worst, and every action makes an impression on them.

– Father William Slattery

One cannot say there is an art to teaching children to pray.

Prayer is something deeply personal and is meant to encompass the totality of our life. Prayer at its heart is the encounter with God, who calls us by name. This relationship can be fostered but never fully captured in a method or practice. Because of this personal nature of prayer, the role of example or witness becomes so essential. In many ways, it is not about the instruction or even the content, but the consistent example of a parent praying that helps a child to acquire their own habit of prayer.

As a priest, I have been invited into many people’s homes, and with this I have seen many great examples of parents teaching their children to pray. Some use rhyme, some use rote prayers, some sing, some focus on petitions, but the most effective are those parents who take time each day to do prayer as a family.

Families who take time to pray, no matter how stressful or busy

“Prayer at its heart is the encounter with God, who calls us by name.”

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their day is, no matter who is crying or throwing a tantrum, will find that their children will see their example and put into practice what they see.

Father Slattery serves as the Chaplain for Sullivan and Shanley Catholic Schools in Fargo.

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

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St. John Vianney, pray for us.

Father Kurtis Gunwall, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul in Mantador, enjoys refreshments and conversation with a young family from the parish in the parish house on July 28.

Sts. Peter and Paul parish, along with its sister parish, St. Anthony’s in Mooreton, have reinstated once-a-month socials after Mass to help build community within the parish in an effort to prepare to better evangelize outside the parishes. The idea came after Father Gunwall met with leaders from the two parishes who attended the Convocation of Parish Leaders in Fargo in Dec. 2018. (Paul Braun | New Earth)

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(From l to r): PJ Poland, National Representative; Deb Johnson, state treasurer; Bonita Erickson, 2nd vice regent; Laurel Ann Dukart, state regent; Mary Baer, 1st vice regent; Sue Judd, state secretary; Father Franklin Miller, state chaplain. (submitted photo)

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North Dakota Catholic Daughters of the Americas meet in Devils Lake

By Laurel Ann Dukart, State Regent

n May 3–5, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas held their 51st Biennial Convention at St. Joseph’s Church in Devils Lake. The theme of the convention was “Gentle Mother, Teach us Wisdom, Teach Us Love.” Many Catholic Daughters came together to pray, learn, listen, and plan.

The North Dakota Court is connected to the national organization The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, headquartered in New York City. Formed over 115 years ago, the Catholic Daughters is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. Its membership holds over 63,000 members in 1,250 courts (local chapters) in 45 states across the country, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Kenya, and Peru.

Catholic Daughters enjoy each other’s company at meetings and work hard for their parishes and communities. Deeply spiritual, they share faith, love of God and a distinctly feminine spirituality alluded to by Pope John Paul II when he spoke of the necessity of “feminine genius” in today’s world.

Catholic Daughters donate to charities, administer scholarship programs and strive “to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow, or sickness.” The CDA motto is “Unity and Charity.” Blessed Mother Mary is their patroness.

Girls and young women ages 6–18 can join the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Young college women can become members of Campus Courts at some universities.

For more information about the national organization, visit www.catholicdaughters.org; email Martha Hamboussi at Cdofanatl1@aol.com; or call (212) 877-3041. Locally, you can visit us at www.northdakotacatholicdaughters.org.

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

North Dakota Knights play golf to aid seminarians

By Paul Braun

Standing with North Dakota Knights of Columbus Foundation President Brian Kingsley (left) is the winning team from St. James K of C in Jamestown. Pictured left to right are David Barnick, Lisa Barnick, Lisa Blaskowski, and Randy Blaskowski. (Paul Braun | New Earth)

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hey left early in the morning Aug. 9 from all corners of North Dakota to come together in Carrington to help educate seminarians…and to have fun playing golf.

The 17th annual North Dakota Knights of Columbus Foundation

golf tournament, held each year in Carrington on the second Friday of August, brings in golfers from all over North Dakota, representing Knights of Columbus councils and assemblies in Dickinson, Minot, Fargo, Devils Lake, Belcourt, Jamestown, Bismarck/Mandan, and many others cities.

Brian Kingsley of Holy Cross Church in West Fargo, and the president of the North Dakota Knights of Columbus Foundation, says the tournament raises anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 each year to support seminarian education in both North Dakota dioceses. Kingsley says last year the foundation split $22,500 between the Fargo and Bismarck Diocese, and it is hoped the foundation will be able to give even more this year.

The North Dakota Knights of Columbus Foundation is a charitable arm of the Knights of Columbus that was formed to support seminarians, religious, and educational organizations.

The yearly donations by the foundation are the result of the interest earned from the endowment fund. That fund grows each year with money received through the golf tournament and other donations.

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Putt 4 a (critical) Purpose

Diocesan golf tournament raises money for two vital programs

By Paul Braun

Participants gather for a group photo before the start of the Putt 4 A Purpose golf tournament at Rose Creek Golf Course in Fargo.

(Kristina Lahr / New earth)

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ain and thunderstorms early in the morning of Aug. 5 in Fargo couldn’t dampen the spirits of those waiting to take part in a popular event put on by the Diocese of Fargo. In fact, by start time, the sun was shining through for the 13th annual Putt 4 A Purpose golf tournament, sponsored by the Catholic Development Foundation to raise money for two critical programs for the Fargo diocese.

“We get to connect with our constituents and engage in fellowship,” said Steve Schons, Director of Stewardship and Development for the Fargo diocese. “It’s a way for Bishop Folda to have an opportunity to connect with some of his flock as well. Those who take part enjoy golf, and it’s a great way to bring people together in fellowship in an effort to raise some money for youth education in our diocese and the education of our seminarians.”

The tournament started 13 years ago with eight teams initially, and took in about $1,500 for the two programs. The event has since grown to 30 teams, who compete for both net low score champion and the traveling parish trophy, which goes to the team with the lowest score that is representing a parish. The event has grown to the point where it raises anywhere from $13,000 to $14,000 annually. The proceeds, about $118,000 to date, are placed in an endowment fund that pays out each year to youth and seminarian needs.

“Those are two really big needs in our diocese,” said Schons.

“For youth who want to participate in various activities like weekend retreats, trips abroad, the Pro Life March in Washington, this allows us to provide some help so that finances aren’t an obstacle.”

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“Educating a seminarian is a very costly enterprise,” said Bishop Folda. “It’s basically a private college education that these men have to receive, and the costs are high and the diocese has to pick that cost up, but it’s worth every penny. It has so much to do with the future of our diocese and the day-to-day life of our church as someday these young men will be the pastors in our churches. What we’re doing in support of our seminarians and youth activities has a very direct bearing on the life and future of our Church and the diocese.”

Although the yearly God’s Gift Appeal raises the vast majority of the funds needed for programs like these, the Putt 4 A Purpose golf tournament is a way for those who regularly give to God’s Gift Appeal a chance to do a little more, network with friends, and take time to get to know clergy in a more relaxed setting.

“It gives me a chance to really get to know the priests I’m playing with,” said golfer Pat Weber during a live interview on Real Presence Radio the morning of the tournament. “It just seems like in church everything is so formal, but it’s also really nice to see the person behind the collar. I remember when I first started taking part in this tournament I thought it was Putt for a Priest, but it’s the same thing, it’s Putt for a Purpose and we really want to help these seminarians go through their formation, so it’s our way to contribute.”

Golfer Shirley Kondelis agreed. “It’s fun to see the priests interact with each other. There’s always a lot of teasing and a little bit of rivalry going on. That competitive spirit is alive, but it’s also fun to meet the new priests and to talk with them, and to visit with others when it’s all over.”

Weber also said she appreciates the opportunity to maybe

AROUND THE DIOCESE do a little more for seminarians and youth programs.

“We have such a shortage of priests, and we lay people need to do everything we can to support the young men in their formation, said Weber. “We need them so desperately, and what’s more fun than coming out and playing golf? God is truly good to give us opportunities like this. When you talk about the youth programs and the education we give them, before we get seminarians we have to do something for our kids to plant that seed. Anything we can do, through classes and activities, to put those positive seeds into fertile soil is important.”

The tournament is held each year on the first Monday of August, and includes a full meal afterwards with opportunities to win door prizes. This year two 50-inch TVs were given away!

If you want to take part next year, sign up early as team slots fill up fast.

Bishop Folda meets with golfers during the Putt 4 A Purpose tournament.

(Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

The winning net-score team from Brookstone Property pose with Bishop Folda. Pictured left to right are Pat McShane, David Schultz, Brian Smith and Matt Hauff. (Kristina Lahr | New Earth)

The winning parish team from St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks hold the traveling trophy. Pictured left to right are Henri Caoili, Scott Schreiner, Lowell Schweigert, and Jeff Barta. (Father Gerard Braun)

Give a Gift to Help Keep the TV Mass on the Air

Your support is treasured by all those who are unable to join in our greatest form of prayer, the Mass. Watch Sundays 10:30 a.m. – Fargo, WDAY, Ch 6 or Grand Forks, WDAZ, Ch 8.

Name_________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ City/State/Zip_________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________________ IN MEMORY OF: Name_________________________________________________ Or, A GIFT FOR: Name_________________________________________________

“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

I would like this listed on the following date(s): ______________________________________________________ MAIL TO: Diocese of Fargo - TV Mass 5201 Bishops Blvd. S, Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104

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(Allef Vinicius | Unsplash)

Holistic health for women

NaPro Technology gives patients moral, natural, and effective ways to achieve their goals

By Kristina Lahr

T

wo and a half years ago, Mary Johnson, a practitioner who teaches the Creighton Model FertilityCare System to women and couples, attended a course to refresh her knowledge on the system through the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Neb. Johnson has been teaching the method for 14 years, equipping women and couples to understand the women’s menstrual cycle.

Since 2003, Johnson has been referring couples needing specialized care for related health problems to Dr. Richard Vetter, a Family Practice physician at Essentia in Fargo, who has received training in NaPro Technology. Recently however, he has taken on a more administrative role with limited clinic hours.

“When I returned, I prayed for someone locally to go to for

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NaPro Technology training so I would have another local person to refer patients to for NaPro,” said Johnson. “I soon met with Dr. Jed Perkerewicz and explained to him the need—that many women and couples are often given birth control pills as their only option for treatment for women’s health issues.”

According to their website, NaPro Technology (Natural Procreative Technology) is “a new women’s health science that monitors and maintains a woman’s reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system. It is a fertility-care based medical approach rather than a fertility-control approach to family planning and gynecological health.”

In April, Dr. Perkerewicz, an OB/GYN with Sanford in Fargo,

completed his training on NaPro Technology through the Saint Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Neb. “There is a different way of thinking in the Institute in Omaha,” he said. “They aren’t using contraceptive means to control gynecologic problems. NaPro isn’t just to achieve pregnancy—I know that’s mostly what people think—but you can use this technology to solve a lot of gynecologic issues.”

NaPro Technology has been effective in treating not only infertility but also menstrual cramps, abnormal bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, ovarian cysts, repetitive miscarriages, postpartum depression, hormonal abnormalities, chronic discharges, and other related health problems by cooperating with a women’s menstrual and fertility cycle.

NaPro Technology uses the Creighton Model FertilityCare System to help women recognize various hormonal events daily throughout her cycle. By indicating fertile and infertile days, a woman can provide valid information to physicians trained to interpret the information in their diagnosis and treatments. Dr. Perkerewicz is now such a physician.

“My role as a Certified Creighton Model FertilityCare Practitioner is to teach women and couples to understand, appreciate, and embrace their fertility as a gift from God,” said Johnson. “The Creighton Model uses standardized observations and charting of biological markers that tell a couple when they are naturally fertile or infertile so they may use this information to achieve or avoid pregnancy. These biomarkers are also essential in revealing abnormalities in a woman’s health. I teach good charting and observations, and from there, any issues that need attention, I refer them to someone like Dr. Perkerewicz who is trained in NaPro Technology and knows how to read the charts and when to time medical testing based on the woman’s chart. I also refer clients to Saint Paul VI in Omaha for more advanced issues.”

“Unfortunately many gynecologists will say they can treat symptoms with birth control pills,” said Dr. Perkerewicz. “You can do things another way.”

God’s plan for marriage and family

With 30 years of research, NaPro Technology has proven to be as, if not more, effective than artificial technologies such as birth control and In vitro fertilization (IVF) for women and couples to achieve their health and fertility goals. IVF requires multiple eggs to be fertilized, forcing couples to make the choice to either freeze the leftover embryos or have them destroyed.

“There are countless ways in which the Creighton Model and NaPro Technology have impacted my clients over the past 14 years,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen many couples able to identify risks for miscarriage and treat them before they even try to achieve a pregnancy. I’ve also enjoyed helping single and married women learn about their bodies so they may properly time medical testing to assist with health issues they are struggling with. It is always a joy to see the enlightenment people receive when they learn about how awesome God made their bodies and the miracle that life truly is. Many couples can now maintain a pregnancy after a history of miscarriage. Couples suffering from infertility often can receive help identifying the cause of infertility and achieve a pregnancy. Others who bear the cross of infertility, even though not able to achieve a pregnancy, can

Dr. Jed Perkerewicz, OB/GYN is a Catholic physician at Sanford in Fargo. (submitted photo)

move forward with peace of mind when they learn the underlying cause of infertility. Most women/couples want to know and understand the underlying cause of health issues/infertility, rather than mask the symptoms.”

For women and couples with serious health concerns, the transition from artificial treatments to NaPro can be a scary one. NaPro is little known in the wider medical world, and physicians who aren’t trained in it won’t give the same guidance as someone who is.

Brad Gray, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Fargo, referenced 1 Corinthians 10:13 when it comes to this issue. “God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”

“It’s the last part of that verse that often gets forgotten or ignored,” said Gray. “It’s the most important part. It’s not just about dealing with our misery and suffering but knowing that God actually has a solution that is fully in keeping with his design. He doesn’t ever give us an impossible task.

“For some people there could be very real health conditions where it would be dangerous for a woman to get pregnant. In this case, people might think that Natural Family Planning (NFP) is not for them because if the woman gets pregnant, something serious could happen. This thinking has the presumption that God is not faithful and that science has to fill the gap where God can’t quite respond to a particular situation. The Lord is present in it all. What we see in Creighton and NaPro and NFP is an expression of God’s fidelity in the challenges that couples may face in terms of their fertility and family planning. NaPro is yet another testimony that God is with us.”

“The Creighton Model and NaPro Technology work handin-hand and fit solidly with the teachings of Saint Pope Paul VI and his Encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which teaches that each and every marital act be open to life,” said Johnson. “Interesting enough, the founder of the Creighton Model, Dr. Thomas Hilgers, purchased this prophetic document in 1968 for 25 cents, and

NEW EARTH SEPTEMBER 2019

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COVER STORY

(Diocese of Fargo)

this is what sparked his interest in accepting the challenge of Saint Paul VI to develop a good method to achieve and avoid pregnancy naturally and in the process developed the medical practice of NaPro Technology.”

“The science of NaPro and NFP came right around the time the pill did and the publishing of Humane Vitae,” said Gray.

(Kelly Sikkema | Unsplash)

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“The science has been here since the creation of mankind, but we didn’t see it as concretely until the mindset of the times demanded it. The science of NFP and NaPro respond to the problems of today that people are grappling with, and it does so effectively.”

Fertility care invites all women, whether married or celibate, to know how their bodies function and thereby receive adequate health care based on their personalized observations and assessments. Artificial birth control is often times a “band-aid solution” to health problems rather than solving the underlying issue.

“What’s nice about this training,” said Dr. Perkerewicz, “is that I now have the tools to help patients control these things.

It’s not just Catholics who want this. There are others in the area looking for these service as well. The need is here. It’s refreshed me in that I can follow the tenants of our faith more closely and offer therapies that coincide with our faith. I feel like I’m helping patients in a more healthy way, physically and spiritually.

“I’m very willing to help anyone achieve their goals, whether that’s achieving pregnancy or treating any other needs.”

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Catholic Culture e m o H e in th Sacred art in the home keeps love of Christ close

By Kristie Unterseher

T

hey say a picture is worth a thousand words. I wonder why? It probably has to do with the fact that we experience the world through our senses. Pictures engage our hearts, as well as our minds; they trigger our memory and stimulate our emotions. If that is the case, then I would venture to say that a piece of sacred art is worth far more.

The things we see in our churches, whether a statue, stained glass window, symbol, or carving, are not just there to look nice.

Of course, their beauty helps us to feel God’s glory, but more than that they actually communicate thousands of truths. They surround us with a faith that is living and active, engaging our minds and our hearts. When we sit among statues of the saints, we are physically and spiritually “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). When we look up at a blue ceiling speckled with stars we hear God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky” (Gen. 22:17). If we see the winged man, lion, ox, and eagle (Ez. 1:10, 10:14, and Rev. 4:7), we recognize the four evangelists whose “winged words” are the message of salvation.

Sacred art provides depth and insight into the teachings of the Church. It is rooted in history and is an invaluable aspect of handing on the faith. Because we know our children soak up everything they see, my husband and I have made an effort to introduce our family to sacred art, both at home and at church.

In our home, we have created a “sacred space,” where we bring images into focus for our family. We have a small table covered with a white cloth and adorned with religious items such as a crucifix, Bible, or candles. Our sacred space looks different at different times of the year. During Advent, it has a violet sash and holds an empty nativity scene. We slowly add pieces to it as we approach the coming of Christ. During Easter, as we rejoice in the Resurrection, it has an empty tomb surrounded by lilies.

We also have a number of sacred art images downloaded from Wikimedia, which we printed and framed to use throughout the year. Around March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, we put up Fra Angelico’s painting of the Annunciation. At Pentecost, we put up a red sash and a Pentecost icon.

Our children love changing the images, so it gives us an opportunity to talk about what we are using and why. I try to allow them to guide the discussion by asking what they see. As 16

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they point to or ask questions about the piece, I explain more about the images. Sometimes we talk about many different things and sometimes we stay focused on one aspect. When I do not know an answer to their question, I am honest! I tell them I don’t know, but we can look it up. Their response is “ask Google!” It’s true! There are many online resources about sacred art.

I also ask questions that teach them how to look at sacred art. Can you find symbols of the Blessed Trinity? Where do you see light and darkness? Light focuses us on God’s glory as opposed to the darkness of sin and death. Where is the land barren and where is it fruitful? What colors do you see? Red represents Jesus’ mercy and his blood poured out for us. Blue was an expensive color, so it was reserved for the most important places. Jesus is often pale and white, reminding us of Holy Communion. Most sacred art is scriptural, so reading the story from the Bible engages them even more.

When we go to church, we try to discuss the religious images and symbols we see. My husband loves to explain how each thing we see relates to the Scriptures and to the Mass. Even if we don’t know all the details of a certain image, we try to instill in our children that everything is there for a reason.

We have found a number of other resources to bring sacred art into our home. Our church offers free calendars that include sacred art. We often cut out the images to laminate and keep for later.

Two of our favorite Catholic books use sacred art to teach the faith: The Saving Name of God the Son and God the Father’s Loving Plan (Bethlehem Books). We also like a number of Tomie DePaola’s Catholic books. Although he does not use sacred art, he uses many of the same symbols, which adds another element to understanding art.

Bringing sacred art into our family has truly helped us grow in knowledge and love of the Lord. He has spoken thousands of words to us through these images and they are “the words of everlasting life” (John 6:68)!

Kristie Unterseher is a wife and mother of four. She has served in catechesis and evangelization for over 15 years and loves engaging children in the faith. She is a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Reynolds.

FAITH AND CULTURE

Bishop Barron’s new book speaks on sexual abuse crisis

By Ashley Grunhovd

In the first half, Barron gives a brief biblical and historical overview of sin within human history and within the Church in particular. Deception and corruption are not foreign to the history of the Church and while the Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, it is made up of people who sin. By touching upon darker passages of Scripture and giving a swift overview of troublesome pontifical eras, he illustrates that the need for purification within the Church is not a new situation. It is always lamentable, yet it should inspire us towards greater personal A review of Catholic books, movies, music and institutional conversion.

The second half of the book addresses the question, “Why ast fall, a new wave of sexual abuse scandal reports in the should we stay?” Studies show that the sexual abuse scandals Catholic Church surfaced. I remember sitting at my desk, have played a significant factor in many people’s reasons to already disheartened by the reports about then-Cardinal abandon the practice of the Catholic faith. If such grievous acts Theodore McCarrick, when I saw a link to the Pennsylvania can be committed by those entrusted with the care of souls, why Grand Jury report. I began reading it, but admittedly only made should a person remain a practicing Catholic? it through about a hundred of the almost 900-page report. I sat at my desk with tears in my eyes, nauseous and stunned from Barron offers a brief yet compelling overview of the beauty, the accounts. Getting up from my desk, I made the short trek goodness, and holiness found within the Catholic Church and to the chapel, and knelt behind the back pew. Looking at the aspects that make it distinct from any other institution. He tabernacle, I prayed, “Jesus, how could anyone do this? Please notes that, “[t]he vessels are all fragile and many of them are Lord, purify your Church. Cleanse us from our sins and heal downright broken; but we don’t stay because of the vessels. We stay because of the treasure.” these wounds.”

I know I’m not the only one who felt this way. Many are The final section lays out ideas of what the Church can do as wounded and have heavy hearts because of it. The question is: a whole and what we can do personally to bring about reform and purification, while moving forward in hope, becoming the Where do we go from here?

In the months following the break of the scandals, various saints we are called to be. priests and bishops, including our own Bishop Folda, have Copies of Bishop Barron’s book can be purchased for as low as addressed the sexual abuse crisis within our Church. Another $1/copy at www.sufferingchurchbook.com. See the website for such leader is Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of Los other free parish resources such as group study guides, parish Angeles and founder of Word on Fire. In light of the scandals, announcements, and FAQ sheets. he released a short book called Letter to a Suffering Church: A Ashley Grunhovd is the Director of Evangelization for the Diocese Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis. of Fargo.

Barron said that he wrote this book, “for my fellow Catholics who feel, understandably, demoralized, scandalized, angry beyond words, and ready to quit. What I finally urge my brothers and sisters in the Church to do is to stay and fight—and to do so “Letter to a Suffering on behalf of themselves and their families, but especially on Church: A Bishop Speaks behalf of those who have suffered so grievously at the hands of wicked men.” on the Sexual Abuse Crisis” Barron presses into the issues of the sexual abuse scandals by in the Church with clarity and sometimes unflinching bluntness. He acknowledges the hurt and disillusionment people Bishop Robert Barron, understandably feel from the sins of the certain clergy within the 2019.

Church. However, instead of despairing, he calls for a renewed hope and perseverance.

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17

My pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountains

By Drew Frolek

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n June the youth group from St. Boniface in Lidgerwood had the opportunity to attend the Steubenville of the Rockies conference in Denver, Colorado. Not only did the experience strengthen my relationship with God, but it allowed me to understand God’s merciful love in an easy and familiar way.

The idea of “belonging” to the body of Christ was reiterated throughout the conference and was discussed in multiple songs, prayers, and speeches over the three days.

Speakers such as Mary Beloski and Sister Miriam James touched on friend and family life, belonging to the body of Christ, knowing God’s love, and continuing your spiritual journey with love and perseverance. We also had the opportunity to receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confession as well as adoration and Mass. Steubenville of the Rockies was a truly life altering experience and allowed teens, such as myself, to understand the mystery of belonging to the body of Christ.

As for my own personal experience, it was a weekend filled with emotional and spiritual growth. The conference gave me a chance to take a break from my busy schedule and spend time in communion with the Holy Spirit. The Steubenville conference theme of belonging to Christ allowed me to see who I was in the eyes of God rather than the eyes of the world.

Along with the Steubenville conference, we were able to make a few stops along the way to Denver. Sioux City, Iowa was our first designated stop of the pilgrimage. There we visited Trinity Heights and were fortunate enough to celebrate Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel. The Holy Family Shrine in Lincoln, Neb. was our second location and we prayed in the beautiful chapel as well as admired the scenic nature around the area. We were reminded of the importance of our baptism into the church and our own church family. Along with the places visited, we were also able to meet the School Sisters of Christ the King in Nebraska and the Sister-Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration in Colorado, otherwise known as the “Pink Sisters.”

During our time with each order, we learned how each sister loves and serves God in their everyday life, contemplative prayer, and interactions with others.

Lastly we were able to tour the Cathedral Basilica of the 18

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Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colo., the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colo., and the Chapel on the Rock located on the St. Malo Spiritual Center in Allenspark, Colo.

Spending time in prayer at each site allowed me to praise and thank God in a new setting as well as learn each place’s historical background, the lives of the saints active there, and how each place has bore great testaments of God’s love. The pilgrimage altogether allowed me to grow a deeper relationship with all three persons of the Holy Trinity, understand my belonging to God, and to observe how others show God’s love through their everyday lives. Steubenville of the Rockies was an amazing experience for me, and I wish every teen could experience the same weekend.

Drew Frolek is a parishioner and part of the youth group at St. Boniface Church in Lidgerwood.

“No sacrifice is more acceptable to God than zeal for souls.”

–St. Gregory the Great

(Kirsty TG | Unsplash)

STORIES OF FAITH

Where healing takes place

A

By Father Bert Miller

pastor arrived at his new assignment in the country. He met the people. He could remember many of them, even their names, because it was a small place. The next week he greeted them all by name as they arrived.

On the fourth, fifth, and sixth weekends, he noticed that Edward and Henrietta were missing. He thought about inquiring to others if Edward and Henrietta were on vacation or sick. It was summer and most farmers were haying. Why would they be gone now?

As the pastor was cleaning up the sanctuary, he noticed five or six men of the parish gathered in a cluster at the back of the church. Once in a while, one of them would turn around and make eye contact with the pastor. A rather sharp eye actually.

The pastor decided to approach the group as he was leaving the church. He asked them if there was something wrong. Ken said, “My uncle and aunt, Edward and Henrietta, have not been in church for three weeks.” The pastor admitted that he had noticed and asked what he could do. Ken said, “I know Edward’s upset with you. So, call him. They will ask you to dinner. Accept and show up!”

The pastor wondered what Edward could be upset about.

He stewed about this for a day and then called Edward and Henrietta. Henrietta answered. She said Edward was there and called him to the phone.

Edward seemed surprised that it was the pastor on the phone.

He was cordial, admitted nothing was the matter, and asked the pastor to dinner Thursday evening. The pastor accepted.

Thursday came. The pastor took a left into the farmyard of Edward and Henrietta. Edward, who had been cutting the lawn, jumped off the mower and ran beside the pastor’s until he parked his car near the house. Edward was a great runner for being in his 70s.

Edward led him into the house and to his seat at the table.

There was talk and laughter all the way. Henrietta had been cooking all day. They ate, drank, and had a merry time together.

During dessert, the pastor asked Edward if there was a problem.

The pastor noted that he had not seen Edward or Henrietta in church for three weeks. They were missed.

Henrietta smiled and hung her head. Edward, took a deep breath, and said, “I am upset with the way you pick on Henry and his wife before Mass.”

“Oh,” the pastor said a bit relieved. “Edward, I mean no harm. You see, I had pancakes with Henry and his wife at the July 4 celebration. We visited about farming, family, and life and laughed together. It was at that time that I asked Henry why he sits in the back row of the church.” He smiled that big smile and said, “This is where I always sit, and I am not moving to another pew.”

The pastor said that he then made an agreement with Henry that he, the pastor, would tease Henry every week about moving to the front pew. Henry was just supposed to shake his head, smile, and wink at the pastor. “It is just the little fun thing we do,” said the pastor. “I remind Henry of the fun we had at pancakes, and he reminds me that he is not moving up front.”

“So Edward, now you know the rest of the story. There is no reason for you to be upset. Will you come back to church?”

Edward admitted that this was none of his business. He would be back to church Sunday and every week thereafter. And the pastor could make fun with Henry anytime he wanted.

The pastor had many good times with Edward, Henry, and the others in the congregation during the next 22 months until his transfer. About 19 months later, the pastor had the opportunity to celebrate Edward’s life at his funeral and burial.

Do you have a problem with your pastor? Schedule a dinner.

Healing regularly takes place over dinner, drinks, and dessert!

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

Celebrate Catholic Charities Sunday on September 28–29

A

t the end of Septemb e r, w e celebrate Catholic Charities North Catholic Dakota Sunday.

This year, the event Charities is set for the week North Dakota end of September 28–29 in parishes Chad Prososki throughout North Dakota, including both the Bismarck and Fargo Dioceses. Our theme this year is “Strength in Community” because in working together we can accomplish much more than any of us could on our own. Please join us at Mass in your church to raise awareness and support for those in need.

As the “social arm” of the Catholic Church, we serve those in need and advocate for the common good of all, but what does this mean? First, I want to stress that Catholic Charities North Dakota is local. We help people in your community, and this past year we served clients in 50 of the 53 counties in North Dakota. Due to confidentiality we can’t tell you names of people in your parish or community, but the odds are that we have helped someone you know.

“Our theme this year is “Strength in

Community” because in working together

we can accomplish much more than any of us could on our own.” –Chad Prososki

Second, Catholic Charities North Dakota helps build and strengthen families. This past year you helped us provide 229 total adoptions through our Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Services (PPAS) and Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK) programs.

Thanks in part to your support, these children received the greatest gift they could imagine, a forever family. Some of the families who adopt may not have been able to have children on their own, while many others simply remained open to life.

In addition, we have a growing counseling program that just added a new location in Valley City this year. Expanding this program takes a lot of investment and support from the churches, dioceses, donors, and community. The reason we offer counseling however is because we see so many families that are hurting and people who are struggling, and we feel called to help them.

Third, Catholic Charities especially helps moms and children.

We offer free pregnancy and parenting information to anyone

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who is expecting, and our dedicated and kind licensed staff will come visit women anywhere in North Dakota so that no one has to go through pregnancy alone. Each year about half our pregnancy clients choose to parent, and roughly half choose to make an adoption plan. PPAS also provides adoption searches that can help reunite birthparents and adult children if they both wish to meet. Can you imagine the joy of meeting a birthparent or discovering unknown brothers or sisters and other family years later? Still, there are many more waiting families that wish to adopt an infant, and we currently have 17 children in foster care that our AASK program is seeking forever homes for. Is the Lord perhaps calling you or someone you know to adoption?

Fourth, we assist victims of natural disasters in North Dakota and others in need. Through our connection with Catholic Charities USA we can provide financial assistance to communities that have been affected by winds, floods, and tornadoes. Everyone remembers the terrible flooding in Minot and Bismarck or Grand Forks and Fargo, but we have also helped victims of straightline wind storms and smaller floods and tornadoes in recent times. We also receive tens of thousands of dollars in requests from the poor for financial assistance each year. While for most of these people we can only offer information and referrals or have to turn away, we are able to directly help make a difference in limited circumstances with small payments toward utilities, transportation, emergency phones, food, and other items. We just wish we could do more, and so we humbly ask again for your support during Catholic Charities Sunday on September 28–29.

Chad Prososki is the Director of Development and Community Relations for Catholic Charities North Dakota.

OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

The danger of eugenics Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series of articles from Christopher Dodson on the subject of Eugenics. Part two will be published in the October edition of New Earth.

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HEREAS, heredity plays a most important part in the transmission of crime, insanity, idiocy, and imbecility, and our institutions for degenerates are overcrowded on account of the lack of adequate means of checking the ever-increasing numbers of this class; and whereas, there is now no provision in law authorizing an operation for the sterilization of defective persons, this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval.

With that “emergency” language, North Dakota became one of the first states in the nation to authorize forced sterilizations.

Eugenics is the erroneous idea that humans and society can be made better by encouraging birth of individuals with “good” genes and preventing the conception of persons with “bad”genes.

It was the rage in scientific, medical, and legal circles from the beginning of the twentieth century to the end of World War II, though it manifests itself in other ways even today. North Dakota embraced eugenics early, becoming among the first states to adopt laws expressly for the purpose of eugenics, including the sterilization law.

Purposely destroying a normal functioning healthy organ so as to prevent future conception is always wrong, no matter what the reason and even if done with consent. Forced or coerced eugenic sterilization by the state is wrong because it (1) violates the dignity of the individual by not obtaining consent and (2) furthers a eugenic purpose. Pope Pius XI made the latter clear in 1930 with his encyclical Casti Connubii.

Many North Dakotans, however, enthusiastically embraced eugenic sterilization in the last century. In the early weeks of the 1913 legislative session, Dr. E.P. Quain gave a lecture promoting eugenics, including the “sterilization of all defectives” by the state who were considered “incurable mentally, morally, or physically, and therefore unfit for procreation.” Quain was a well-respected surgeon in the state and one of the founders the Q & R Clinic (now Sanford) and the Bismarck Hospital (also now part of Sanford). The legislature overwhelming passed the new law a few months later. Only four senators opposed its final passage.

Under the law if an administrator of the state hospital, the “state school for the feeble-minded” in Grafton, the reform school, or the state prison believed that procreation by a resident or patient would “likely . . . result in defective or feeble-minded children with criminal tendencies” not “desirable or beneficial to the community,” the person could be sterilized. In addition, all states attorneys were obligated to refer for possible sterilization the names of any felons who had two or more prior convictions.

To broaden the reach of the law, another statute stated that a person did not have to be “properly classified” as “feeble minded” to be considered for sterilization. It was enough if the person was thought to be “offensive to the public peace or to good morals.” Not stopping there, the 1915 legislature added those persons “whose defects prevent them from receiving proper training in the public schools.” Epileptics were added in 1927.

The law had no procedure for a hearing from the impacted individual, Catholic the family, judicial review, or appeal.

Action Parents were, however, sometimes Christoper Dodson consulted in order to bypass the requirements of the law. In 1918, the superintendent of the facility in Grafton, Dr. A. R. T. Wylie, reported that the Grafton institution had not performed sterilizations “strictly under the law” because a member of his medical board opposed them “from moral standpoints.”

Nevertheless, Wylie was able to conduct sterilizations on residents by getting consent from the parents. Later, the Grafton facility required sterilization before a resident could be discharged.

The superintendent of the state hospital at the time, Dr. William Hotchkiss, was a strong supporter of eugenic sterilization. He reported in 1918: “The statute is of inestimable eugenical value, because of its possibilities in eliminating defective hereditary influences.” He lamented, however, that he could not do more.

“Since the law has been in effect we have sterilized thirty males and two females; but we have done much less than contemplated, because the lack of finance prevented the hiring of surgical nurses. We have eleven cases of females who are to be operated on when possible.”

The law was revised in 1927 to allow an appeal process, but that did not hinder the state’s eugenic agenda. In fact, the number of forced sterilizations in the state skyrocketed in the 1930s and did not drop to their pre-1927 levels until the 1960s. We will visit that history and how Native Americans were subjected to forced sterilization in a future column.

Christopher Dodson is executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. The NDCC acts on behalf of the Catholic bishops of North Dakota to respond to public policy issues of concern to the Catholic Church. The conference website is ndcatholic.org.

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

First parish assignment foreshadows priesthood

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ver the past several summers, Seminarian I have enjoyed many formative Life experiences on my journey toward the Matt Kensok priesthood. During my first three summers as a seminarian, I served on the Young Disciples teams, worked in Fargo while living at Bishop Folda’s house, and participated in a nine-week intensive program on priestly spiritually and prayer in Omaha, Neb.

“One of my responsibilities was to lock

up the Basilica at night. I would often pray during my walkthrough, especially before the tabernacle. ‘Lord, this could be me as

a pastor someday.’” – Matt Kensok

This past summer I spent some time in a parish under the mentorship of a pastor—my first “parish assignment.” In general, this is the norm for seminarians in major seminary studying theology. After spending the academic year at Mount St. Mary’s in Maryland, I returned to the Diocese of Fargo to learn from Monsignor Wald at St. James Basilica in Jamestown.

You can think of a parish assignment for a seminarian as a sort of apprenticeship, where a seminarian learns from a priest one-on-one.

Monsignor Wald gave me simple instructions. He wanted me by his side to witness how he lived out his priesthood. I served at every Mass he celebrated. I served at baptisms, funerals, burials, and benediction after Eucharistic adoration. I went with him to visit the sick and elderly, bringing them communion and watching him administer the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. When he had meetings with the parish staff, parishioners, or couples preparing for marriage, I would listen in and learn.

There are many things the seminary can teach in a classroom, but there are some things that can only be learned through first-hand experience.

One grace from my summer came in a rather unexpected way and involved what I was wearing. Seminarians in their last four years are to wear the black clerical attire with white collar typical of a parish priest. You can see this from our seminarian photos.

Basically I dressed and looked like a priest. Consequently, people would meet me and assume I was a priest. “Hello, Father” was a common greeting from the people of Jamestown when I first met them. As Jamestown was transitioning between associate priests, another common but understandable mistake involved people mistaking me for the incoming priest, Father Paul Kuhn: “Hello, Father. You must be the new priest.” I would often be able to gently correct them: “Actually I am the summer seminarian.”

But sometimes I would not have time to explain, and I would 22

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simply greet them in return.

I was doing the things a priest does. I was wearing what a priest wears. People were greeting me like I was a priest. People were treating me like I was a priest. And the result? I felt like a priest. It was both humbling and consoling. For a while I have been telling people that I want to be a priest. This summer it seemed a more real possibility than ever before. I could see myself in the near future being a priest. One of my responsibilities was to lock up the Basilica at night. I would often pray during my walkthrough, especially before the tabernacle. “Lord, this could be me as a pastor someday.”

I want to conclude on a slightly different note by talking about the small town of Windsor and my grandfather. St. Mathias in Windsor is a mission parish of Jamestown. It is also my grandpa’s first parish. Linus Kensok was born in 1925 in Jamestown and his family lived in Windsor until he was 13 years old. He received the gift of his Catholic faith at St. Mathias—the same faith he passed on to my dad and my dad passed on to me. The first Sunday that I served Mass with Monsignor Wald there, he made a good point: the roots of my Catholic faith and perhaps my vocation can be traced to Grandpa Kensok and St. Mathias in Windsor. When the parishioners of St. Mathias pray for vocations to come from their parish, I believe that my vocation to the priesthood could be one of them. Perhaps one day I could come back to Windsor and celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving as a priest. I am grateful for their prayers, the prayers of the faithful in Jamestown, and for all of your prayers.

Matt Kensok is a Theology I seminarian studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. Editor’s Note: Seminarian Life is a column written by current Diocese of Fargo seminarians. Please continue to pray for them.

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

V

Every life finds its fulfillment in love

irginity is not seen as a gift by our culture today. Sometimes it is rather assumed that virginity happens to a person because there is something wrong with them: lacking social integration, extremism, etc. Personally, I’ve also gotten my share of comments about, “what, you’ll never get married?” (to which the polite response is: “I am married, honey, to Jesus!”) or, “they couldn’t get married, so they became sisters” (which is just insulting).

to God. I also like to think about the early virgin martyrs of the Sister’s Church: St. Agnes, St. Philomena, St. Perspective Agatha, St. Lucy.

Sister Mary The choice also was Rachel, SOLT theirs. They could “Those called to virginity, those called have married those to the single life, and those called to the noblemen who were marriage; married life are all united in this goal, to offering they could have even continued in their heart to have the same give their life away completely! Whether degree of pure love of the Lord. But they refused! They again to give their whole selves to the Lord, in perfect integration. that is a gift to the Lord, or whether that wanted For them, it was all or nothing. is a gift given to a spouse, every life finds In my own life, I know that I feel blessed by this gift also to its fulfillment in love: “Greater love than give to the Lord. In my high school days, my family lived just the street from our parish, and during the day, I would this no man hath, that a man lay down his down feel the Lord calling me to be spiritually in his presence. I started life for his friends” (John 15:13). praying the Liturgy of the Hours on my own, and started taking time for silence, starting small with ten minutes every day— –Sister Mary Rachel, SOLT sometimes hiding in my room or our back porch to do that! I On the contrary, the founder of our SOLT community, Father realize now that this was how the Lord was calling me to be all James Flanagan, used to always see everyone and every- his. I am so blessed that I am able to respond to his invitation thing as a gift from the Father. That is what I will attempt to “dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life” (Ps. to do in this article, so that we may all simply rediscover this 27:4), giving the complete gift of self to him and his Church. beautiful gift from the Father that he calls some to, without This is the goal of virginity, the same goal as every life: the detracting from the other gifts he gives, including the sacrament complete gift of self. As Gaudium et Spes #24 says, “man, who of matrimony. is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot I also want to say that this article is speaking of the conscious fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.” Those perpetual vow or promise of chastity “for the sake of the called to virginity, those called to the single life, and those called Kingdom of Heaven” of all consecrated persons. For there to the married life are all united in this goal, to give their life is physical virginity and there is spiritual virginity. A person away completely! Whether that is a gift to the Lord, or whether can be a physical virgin without being a spiritual virgin. For that is a gift given to a spouse, every life finds its fulfillment in Christ himself said, “everyone who looks at a woman lustfully love: “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. his life for his friends” (John 15:13). May we all respond to this 5:28). A person can also be a spiritual virgin without being a challenge with the “yes!” of our life! Ave Maria! physical virgin, for the Lord can re-create virginity in the heart of someone who wishes to belong completely to him.

So what is the gift of virginity in the consecrated life? Let’s “Togetherness in the Retreat Seminar on our Carmelite Charism” look at Mary. I always love to think about our mother and how she always remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of her son Jesus. Why couldn’t she have had Jesus first, and then have had some more children with Joseph? No, her choice to remain always a virgin for the Lord is shown from her response at the Annunciation: “I know not man,” which, when looked at in the original language, is more like, “I do not know man,” as someone today could say, “I do not smoke cigarettes.” Why? The answer is this. She belonged to God, so completely, so utterly, “ ....why are you here?... (IN CARMEL) that she could not and would not express her relationship to God in “With zeal I am zealous for the Lord God of Hosts!” (1 Kings 19: 13-14) any other way than to also consecrate her virginity to him. Her body CARMEL OF MARY followed her heart, mind, and soul, in belonging completely to 17765 78TH ST. S.E., WAHPETON, ND • 701-642-2360 • CARMELOFMARY@GMAIL.COM the Most High: to the Other. Virginity is all about integration: the whole complete person being handed over in a unified gift NEW EARTH SEPTEMBER 2019

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

North Dakota offers new tax credits for donations to non-public schools

T

he 2019 North Dakota Legislature expanded t a x c re d i t s f o r Stewardship non-public schools, Steve Schons which means charitable gifts to Catholic schools in ND are now eligible for a ND tax credit.

This is big news to those who make annual or regular contributions to their favorite Catholic School.

ND resident taxpayers (individuals, corporations, or fiduciaries) are allowed a non-refundable credit equal to 50% of the amount of the contribution, but limited to 25% of the taxpayer’s total income tax or $2,500, whichever is less (ND Century Code 57-38-01.7). There is no carry forward of these credits when filing returns, so taxpayers will likely want to apply these credits before applying other available credits. The credits for non-public schools are divided into three difference buckets, so to speak. For those who donate to various education levels of Catholic education, this new law provides for more tax credit opportunities.

Endowment Contributions

Additionally, tax credits are still available for contributions to qualified ND endowment funds. Gifts of $5,000 or more to one of the many qualified endowment or scholarship funds (school related or not) are eligible for a tax credit equal to 40% of the charitable gift. The maximum credit is $10,000 for an individual; $20,000 for married individuals filing a joint return; and $10,000 for corporations and pass-through entities. Any unused portion of the is credit can be carried forward for up to three taxable years, so this credit can be applied after the non-public school credits (ND Century Code 57-38-01.21).

As usual, for your own unique tax situation, please consult a professional tax advisor. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Steve Schons at steve.schons@ fargodiocese.org or (701) 356-7926 Schons is director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Fargo.

What’s the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit?

You might think the two are interchangeable but they aren’t.

A tax deduction is something that reduces how much taxable income you claim.A tax credit is something that directly reduces how much tax you owe.

3 Ways to Receive and Benefit from the Tax Credit in the same year Bucket 1

ND Catholic Elementery / Middle School(K-8)

Bucket 2

ND Catholic High School

Bucket 3

ND Catholic University

Example: John and Mary figure they will owe $1000 income tax to North Dakota for the year 2019. With some clever planning, they make 3 donations to various Catholic Schools (Elementary, High School and University). They make 3 checks out for $500 to each school. Because of these donation, they will now earn a $250 ND Tax Credit for each gift.

They are now able to reduce their tax bill by $750 (3 x $250), and only have to pay the remaining $250 in income tax.

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OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

F

Lessons in virtue from Apollo 11

ifty years ago in the months of July and August, the crew of similar maneuver in Apollo 11, the world’s latest heroes, were doing decidedly lunar orbit. unheroic things: napping, drinking beer, playing cards, Was it possible to reading magazines, and otherwise killing time in the Manned build and program The Catholic Spacecraft Center’s “Lunar Receiving Facility,” where they were a computer light quarantined to ensure that no lethal bugs had been brought enough to install Difference back from the Moon’s surface by Neil Armstrong (who saved on a spacecraft but the mission to taking personal control of Eagle and landing powerful enough George Weigel it safely after overflying a vast field of lunar boulders), Buzz to do the necessary Aldrin (who memorably described the moonscape as one of navigational calcula“magnificent desolation”), and Michael Collins (who, orbiting tions and guaranteed the Moon in Columbia while Armstrong and Aldrin were on its to get everything surface, was more alone than any human being since Genesis right every time (the consequence of slight computer failure 2:22). The Lab was perhaps the least glamorous (and, as things often being mission catastrophe)? No one knew, because no turned out, least necessary) of NASA’s Apollonian inventions. one had ever done it before.

For as Charles Fishman vividly illustrates in One Giant Leap: Nor did anyone know exactly what the Moon was like: Would The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon (Simon and a lander sink into the lunar dust? And if not (as soon became Schuster), just about everything involved in effecting that “one fairly clear), how many legs should a lunar lander have: Five small step…[and] one giant leap” had to be imagined, and then for optimal balance? Would four do? (Four would.) fabricated, from scratch.

What about the rockets necessary for launch from Earth, for course-adjustment in flight, and from the Moon’s surface? In “There were great virtues involved in this 1961, American rockets had a disconcerting tendency to blow remarkable adventure, and without those up on the launch pad or explode shortly after ignition. Could virtues there wouldn’t be six American booster rockets and spacecraft engines be built that would work all the time: here, in space, and in the Moon’s environment? flags planted on the Moon by a dozen Yet in less than eight years, NASA and its academic and American citizens.” –George Weigel industry associates resolved every one of these questions—and solved some 10,000 more conceptual and technical problems.

When President John F. Kennedy verbally committed the It was an extraordinary exercise in creativity and cooperation country in April 1961 to “landing a man on the Moon and re- involving some 400,000 people. How did it happen? Answering turning him safely to Earth” before the decade was out, no one that question, as Mr. Fishman does with panache, tells us a lot knew how to do that. No one. NASA chief James Webb, who about what genuine national greatness involves: commitment hadn’t been given advance warning of Kennedy’s pledge, asked to a grand goal; a willingness to think outside the conventions; his senior staff whether we can “do this.” An uncomfortable the courage to face failure, examine its causes without prejudice, silence followed. No one knew for sure. and change what needs changing to get things right; self-sacrifice About what? About everything. to the common good; solidarity, expressed as esprit de corps; No one knew the appropriate mission architecture: One and no cutting the corners of excellence for the sake of identity enormous spacecraft that would go out and back? Or a “stack” politics, political correctness, or partisan advantage. of different spacecraft that would do different jobs—en route The tendency to remember Project Apollo as mere technological to the Moon, while there, and on the way home? wizardry, albeit of a very high order, should be resisted. There No one knew how to maneuver in space: Orbital mechanics were great virtues involved in this remarkable adventure, and weren’t entirely understood and orbital navigation was there- without those virtues there wouldn’t be six American flags fore in its infancy. Nor were there computers capable of making planted on the Moon by a dozen American citizens. Whether the instant calculations necessary to rendezvous two spacecraft those virtues exist in sufficient measure today is an important in orbit (around the Earth or the Moon)—which was essential question to ponder on this golden anniversary. when the “stack” scheme was adopted as the basic mission architecture, with a command module and a lunar module (itself George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public consisting of two parts) having different functions but requiring Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Weigel’s column is distributed assembly by “rendezvous and docking” in Earth orbit, and a later, by the Denver Catholic Register, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Events across the diocese 40 Days for Life North Dakota starts Sept. 25

Mark your calendars for the start of the National 40 Days for Life campaign that will take place Sept. 25 to Nov. 3. You are called to be part of this important prayer effort to bring an end to abortion across our nation and world. The North Dakota 40 Days for Life effort begins at 8 a.m. on Sept. 25 in front of the abortion facility, 512 1st Ave. No., Fargo. Our campaign will provide a peaceful, prayerful presence in front of the abortion facility 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Persons can sign up for an hour of prayer by contacting the Pregnancy Help Center at (701) 284-6601, in Fargo (701) 356-7979, or phc@polarcomm.com, or by visiting www.40daysforlifend.com.

Women’s retreat on the dignity and vocation of women

Immaculee Ilibagiza coming to Valley City

Immaculée Ilibagiza is a Rwandan American author and motivational speaker. Her first book, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, details how she survived the Rwandan genocide. Immaculee will lead a retreat with a message of forgiveness, healing, and hope at St. Catherine’s Church in Valley City on Oct. 4–5. This retreat includes Immaculée’s witness of the power of prayer, miracles of the rosary, and inspirational music.

To register, visit www.immaculee.com.

Traveling Diocesan Rosary Congress

Bishop Folda asks the faithful of the Diocese of Fargo to participate in a Traveling Diocesan Rosary Congress from Oct. 6-13. Along with other Dioceses across our nation, the Diocese of Fargo will spend a week in intensified prayer for the pressing needs of our time. This prayer will include the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, extended hours of Eucharistic Adoration, expanded hours of Confession, and praying the Rosary. The Rosary Congress will begin at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Mass at noon followed by the annual Walk with Christ for Life at 1 p.m. on Oct. 6. It will then move from deanery to deanery each day, with various parishes hosting it. Visit www.fargodiocese.

Host and producer of EWTN Pro- org/rosarycongress for the list of host parishes and the specific life Weekly Catherine Hadro will schedule for each day of the congress. keynote the North Dakota Right to Life banquet at the Fargo Holiday Inn on Sept. 29. EWTN Pro-life Weekly is High schools students are invited to attend listed first under “Anti-Choice Methe next High School Extravaganza, Oct. dia” by NARAL (National Abortion 12 at St. Catherine’s School in Valley City.

Rights Action League). The evening This year’s theme is “Be a Witness’” which is free and open to the public. Someans we are, through Christ’s rising, all cial begins at 5 p.m., followed by a witnesses to Him. Activities will include 2:32 dinner and presentation at 6 p.m. Register at ND Right to Life workshops, Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, at 1-800-247-0343. a Eucharistic procession and an evening Nurture your spiritual life, learn more about your feminine dignity, and grow with other women of faith on Sept. 27–29 at St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson. Cost is $120. Speaker Gina Bauer is a dynamic presenter serving the Church as a youth director and religious educator. All women welcome. Contact Sister Christina at (701) 746-9401 or sr.christinaosf@gmail.com.

Host Catherine Hadro of EWTN Pro-life Weekly to keynote Fargo event

Register now for High School Extravaganza

Presentation Prayer Center co-sponsors Finding My Place religious studies

Touchmark at Harwood Groves co-sponsors and hosts this threeweek course to help participants deepen their understanding of other religions and, in the process, appreciate their own tradition.

The event will be held on Oct. 1, 8, and 15 beginning at 7 p.m. at Touchmark at Harwood Groves in Fargo. Suggested fee is $40, $30 for senior citizens, and $20 for Touchmark residents.

Instructor Vern Goodin has previously taught classes on spirituality at the Prayer Center and for FM Communiversity. Students will need to purchase a copy of HOLY ENVY: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. RSVP to Scott at presentationprayercenter@gmail.com

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dance. Cost is $40 per student and $20 per chaperone. Register through your parish by Sept. 27.

Hear about a pilgrimage to the Camino

The St. James Tabernacle Society will host a program featuring the pilgrimage of Chris and Rosalie Dodson. They will share their experiences walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a network of paths leading to the resting place of St. James the Greater in Spain. Hear about St. James, the pilgrimage route, and a spiritual journey on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

the March for Life and Mass for Life at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, youth will also see the sights in D.C., Emmitsburg, Md, and Gettysburg, Pa. The cost for the 7-day The Basilica of St. James in Jamestown will be hosting an pilgrimage is $860 and includes air and ground transportation, Ultreya event on Oct. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. An Ultreya is a lodging, meals, and tour fees. Spaces go fast, so register today! gathering to share faith and love of Jesus and encourage others To obtain a registration form call (701) 356-7910, or visit www. to do the same. Even if you have not attended a Cursillo retreat, fargodiocese.org/respectlife. you are welcome to come. Bring a potluck dish to share.

All invited to an Ultreya event in Jamestown

St. John’s Church in Wahpeton to host mini retreat

St. John’s Church in Wahpeton is hosting a mini retreat titled Prayer, the Great Spiritual Battle on Oct. 20 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

The day will include guest speaker Father Chris Markman, pastor of St. Patrick’s, Enderlin; Holy Trinity, Fingal; and Our Lady of the Scapular, Sheldon as well as adoration and Reconciliation.

Free will offering. To register contact the parish at (701) 642-6982 or brandtacb@702com.net.

Hurley’s Religious Goods Inc

Serving our faith community Since 1951

Catholic Man night in Hankinson

The Sisters of St. Francis Convent in Hankinson are sponsoring a Catholic Man night on Oct. 23. The presenter will be Bishop John Folda. Adoration and opportunities for confession from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by dinner and a short discussion. All Catholic men 18 years of age and older are invited to attend.

Relics of St. Padre Pio come to Cathedral of St. Mary

Relics of St. Padre Pio will be available for public veneration on Oct. 23 from 1 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. A Mass in honor of St. Pio will be celebrated at noon by Bishop John Folda. Contact the cathedral at (701) 235-4289 or cathedral@ fargodiocese.org.

Ministering to faith communities affected by suicide

It’s estimated that one out of every two people has personally been affected by suicide. Soul Shop trains faith community leaders to offer support, hope, and connection to those in their congregations. Join Soul Shop on Oct. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minn. Register at afsp.org/soulshopnd.

Youth invited to March for Life

Youth in grades 9–12 from the Diocese of Fargo are invited to a pilgrimage to the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. that will take place on Jan. 24, 2020. The trip will begin in Fargo on Jan. 20 and return Jan. 26. Father Greg Haman will be the spiritual director. In addition to participating in

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

Diocesan policy: Reporting child abuse

The Diocese of Fargo is committed to the protection of youth. Please report any incidents or suspected incidents of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to civil authorities. If the situation involves a member of the clergy or a religious order, a seminarian or anemployee of a Catholic school, parish, the diocesan offices or other Catholic entity within the diocese, we ask that you also report the incident or suspected incident to Monsignor Joseph P. Goering at (701) 356-7945 or Larry Bernhardt at (701) 356-7965 or VictimAssistance@fargodiocese.org.

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

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Life’s milestones Dennis and Rebecca (Burckhard) Cargo celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 25.

They were married at St. Cecilia’s Church in Towner.

They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

John and Anita (Hommerding) Dobbs celebrated their 60th anniversary on Aug. 1.

Their children are Joe (Dana), Jim (Teri), Barbara (deceased), Jason (infant deceased), and Dennis (Kate). They have 7 grandchildren. John and Anita are parishioners of Holy Spirit Church in Fargo.

Linus and Gladys Hager will celebrate their 60th anniversary on Sept. 29. They are parishioners of St. Anthony’s in Selz.

They were married by Father Ulric Proeller at St. Cecilia’s in Harvey. They lived and farmed west of Selz until they retired in 2005 and moved to Harvey.

Dennis and Elaine Lovcik will celebrate their 60th anniversary on Sept. 22. They live on the family farm northwest of Pisek and have been parishioners of St. John Nepomucene Church their entire married life. They have 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Barb and Ralph Nelson celebrated their 65th anniversary on Aug. 12. They were married at St. Leo’s Church in Casselton

by Father Anthony Peschel.

They have 7 children (1 deceased), 19 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Share life’s milestones

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

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Ed and Eunice Pecka, parishioners of St. Joseph in Lankin, celebrated their 60th anniversary with family.

They were married July 18 at St. John Nepomucene Church in Pisek. They have 5 children (1 deceased), 9 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

great-grandchildren.

Mark and Luella Wangler, parishioners of St. Philip Neri Church in Napoleon, celebrated their 60th anniversary on July 16. They are blessed with 6 children, 10 grandchildren, and 3

Marie Halvorson celebrated her 92nd birthday with family and friends on June 8. Marie and her husband Art of 68 years are parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Lakota. They have 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren.

Mary T. Herbeck, of St. Mary’s Church in Grand Forks, celebrated her 90th birthday on Aug. 1. Mary and her late husband, Don, have 8 children, 20 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Sister Petronilla Metzger, PBVM, will celebrate her 100th birthday on Sept. 29 with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Presentation Center, 1101 32nd Avenue South, Fargo. She has been a Sister for 78 years in elementary/secondary, religion education, pastoral care, and spiritual direction in the Fargo Diocese.

Marjorie Sweeney, parishioner of St. Timothy’s Church in Manvel, celebrated her 94th birthday on July 29. The parish held a birthday card campaign with the goal to total 94 cards. Marjorie has 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST 75 years ago — 1944

The Silver Star was awarded to Chaplain (Captain) Denis Mary Keating for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States at Pont Scorff, France. Chaplain Keating, severely wounded by shrapnel while under heavy enemy artillery fire, calmly continued to administer the last rites to the dying and render first aid to those in need. Chaplain Keating refused to take cover and with dominant, spirited self-control, courageously dragged himself from flaming vehicle to vehicle, many of which were exploding, removing wounded and assisting in their evacuation. He continued in his work of mercy until those seriously wounded were cared for. His steadfast, resolute and determined actions reflect the highest credit on himself and the military forces of the United States. Father Keating was born and raised in Easby and was a member of St. Alphonsus parish in Langdon.

50 years ago — 1969

North Dakota’s two bishops, Bishop Leo F. Dworschak and Bishop Hilary Hacker, have announced the formation of a

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

non-profit corporation to represent the Church on public policy questions and to act as a forum for ideas. The North Dakota Catholic Conference is the result of a series of meetings.

Policy of the conference will be set by a five man board that includes both bishops and three laymen. The conference will act as a forum for exchange and coordination of ideas leading to common research, program planning and representing the Catholic Church in North Dakota on public policy questions.

20 years ago — 1999

Upon the urging of Father Jim Flannigan, Father Dale Craig and Ray Parisien dedicated themselves with the reopening of St. Ann’s Catholic School in Belcourt. The school first opened in 1936 with 100 students but closed in 1974 due to a lack of teachers. The challenge again was finding people willing to teach with little or no salary. They credit God’s grace with being able to open the doors again after 25 years. The teachers did come, as did 26 students enrolled in kindergarten, first, second and third grades. Co-principals are Zelma Peltier and Ray Parisien. Teachers are Jeff Showalter, Greg Felkamp and Rev. Gerald Myers.

Home is here at Riverview!

Riverview offers exceptional senior living with a strong community spirit, lively social gatherings and mission-based spirituality.

Call Kelly today at 701.237.4700 to learn more about our community.

Schedule a tour toda y and take advantag of our spec e ial pricing!

Independent Living Assisted Living 5300 12th Street South Fargo, North Dakota 701.237.4700 homeishere.org

NEW EARTH SEPTEMBER 2019

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Connect with parishes at annual fall celebration

Fall festivals are great opportunities to connect with parish communities. The following is a list of fall dinners and festivals submitted to New Earth.

Horace: St. Benedict’s Church will host its annual fall dinner Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ham dinner, silent auction, bake sale, country store, and kids’ activities.

Wimbledon: St. Boniface Church will host its annual fall

supper and bazaar Sept. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. Serving turkey and all the fixings.

on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Turkey dinner, bingo, raffle, kids’ games, crafts, baked goods, jewelry, plants, and used books.

Milnor: St. Arnold’s Church will host their annual chili and pie supper on Oct. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. Takeout meals available.

Langdon: St. Alphonsus Church will host a fall supper Oct. 13

from 4 to 7 p.m. Serving turkey, ham, all the trimmings, and dessert. Cake walk and cash raffle.

Hunter: St. Agnes Church will serve a turkey dinner Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Takeout meals available.

Grand Forks: St. Mary’s Altar Society will host an Old Fash- West Fargo: Holy Cross Church will serve a stuffed pork ioned Sunday Chicken and Meatball Dinner on Sept. 22 from

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church.

Medina: St. Mary’s Church will be hosting their Chicken Dinner

and Country Store at the Medina Legion Hall on Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fargo: St. Anthony of Padua Church will host their fall bazaar

loin dinner on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids games, raffle, silent auction, bingo, Yards of Cards, country store, cake walk, jewelry, and more.

Manvel: St. Timothy’s Church is unable to host their annual fall dinner this year. Their fall dinner will return in 2020.

Fall dinner tradition in St. Mary’s Church, Dazey 70 years strong

By St. Mary’s Church, Dazey

S

unday, October 6 marks St. Mary’s Church in Dazey’s 70th year of making turkey dinner with a side of homemade German sauerkraut as part of their annual fall festival. This will be Father Sean Mulligan’s second year helping to make sauerkraut, and after draining the onions and cooking the cabbage last year, he is getting the hang of it! Folks have been making the scenic drive for many years and enjoy seeing friends and neighbors at this annual event. The largest crowd was 700 people in 2012, and since then it has ranged between 500 and 600. The takeout meals have become very popular as seen in 2016 when there were 230 orders to go. The addition of the Basket Blitz and the quilt raffle has been fun for guests. Thanks to the creativity of the Altar Society, there are many unique gift baskets to buy as well as pumpkins and gourds for fall decorations. The income from this annual fundraiser is used for the upkeep of the church and more recently the installation of a chair lift, a new steel roof, and funds for the CCD Program. The parishioners of St. Mary’s would like to thank everyone for coming out to support the supper and making it a success. See you on Oct. 6!

Father Mulligan strains onions to prepare for the celebration at St. Mary’s Church in Dazey in 2018. (submitted photo)

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US & WORLD NEWS

Diocese of Rapid City defends the cause for sainthood of one of their own Compiled from West River Catholic

Teresa Spiess, notary for the Diocese of Rapid City, Bishop Robert Gruss, and Father Luis Escalantes, postulator of the cause in Rome, seal the final papers for the cause for canonization of Nicholas Black Elk at a Mass on June 25. (West River Catholic)

O

n June 25, the cause for canonization of a Native American man from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota took a giant step forward. Bishop Robert Gruss of Rapid City, S.D., presided at a Mass celebrating the successful completion of the diocesan phase of the Cause for Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk at St. Agnes Church in Manderson, S.D. At the end of Mass, the final letters were signed, and all of the documents were sealed and bound with a red cord to send to the Congregation for Causes of Saints in Rome. Father Louis Escalante, the Roman Postulator for the Cause, will be dispatched with the final documents.

“I would have never envisioned in my life that this would be something that’s happening as part of my episcopal ministry,” Bishop Gruss said at the closing Mass. “I’m deeply grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to recognize the holiness of this man. I thank the Lord that I’ve been able to be a part of this process to the very end of the diocesan phase.”

Bishop Gruss expects to take the canonization cause with him as he is installed as Bishop of Saginaw, Mich., where a large bronze statue of Black Elk stands on a local college campus there.

In Rome, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints will review all the evidence submitted and carry out further investigations

Nicholas Black Elk ministers to children on a South Dakota reservation.

(West River Catholic)

if needed. Eventually, if the Congregation approves, they will send a recommendation to Pope Francis. If he approves, the pope would declare Nicholas Black Elk Venerable. That means Black Elk would have certainly lived a life of holiness and is worthy of veneration. The Roman phase of the cause could last a year or more. If he is eventually canonized, Black Elk would be the first male Native American saint from the U.S. Nicholas Black Elk was born in the Dakota Territory in 1866. In 1904, he met a Jesuit priest who invited him to study Christianity at Holy Rosary Mission, near Pine Ridge, S.D. He did so, and on the feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6, he was baptized Nicholas William. Believing that Wakantanka, the Great Spirit, called him to greater service, he became a Christian and practiced his Lakota ways as well as the Catholic religion.

In 1907, the Jesuits appointed him a catechist because of his love of Christ, his enthusiasm, and excellent memory for learning scripture and Church teachings. Like St. Paul, he traveled widely to various reservations, preaching, sharing stories, and teaching the Catholic faith with his “Two Roads Model” of catechism.

He is attributed to having over 400 native people baptized, and since then his books and model lifestyle have inspired countless others in their spiritual journeys.

Pope Francis: Discover the beauty of prayer in adoration

By Courtney Grogan | Catholic News Agency

P

ope Francis said Aug. 18 that prayer in adoration of God and service to others spreads the fire of God’s love, changing the world one heart at a time.

“I invite everyone to discover the beauty of the prayer of adoration and to exercise it often,” Pope Francis said.

Adoration of God in prayer is necessary to allow the fire of love that Jesus brought to the earth to envelop our entire existence, the pope explained.

In his Angelus address, the pope reflected upon the Sunday’s

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Gospel from Luke in which Jesus says to his disciples, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

“These words are intended to help the disciples to abandon any attitude of laziness, apathy, indifference and closure to welcome the fire of God’s love; that love which, as St. Paul reminds us, ‘has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,’” Pope Francis said.

“Jesus reveals to his friends, and also to us, his most ardent desire: to bring to earth the fire of the Father’s love, which kin-

Pope Francis celebrates Corpus Christi in Ostia June 3, 2018. (Daniel Ibanez | Catholic News Agency)

dles life and through which man is saved,” he said.

The Gospel is a limitless fire that saves and changes the world beginning with a change inside the heart of each person, Francis said.

For this, he explained, it is necessary to adore God and serve others.

“It is a question of not

living in a hypocritical way, but of being willing to pay the price for coherent choices — this is the attitude that each of us should look for in life: consistency — paying the price to be consistent with the Gospel,” Pope Francis said.

“It is good to say that we are Christians, but above all we must be Christians in concrete situations, bearing witness to the Gospel which is essentially love for God and for our brothers,” he said.

Title X: Protect Life Rule comes in as Planned Parenthood walks out

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lanned Parenthood will no longer receive Title X funds and has withdrawn from the program entirely. The decision took effect Aug. 19, as the deadline passed for compliance with new program rules.

The organization, the nation’s largest chain of abortion providers, confirmed their withdrawal from Title X after a court refused to grant an emergency injunction against the Protect Life Rule, which bars fund recipients from referring women for abortions, prevents participating groups from co-locating with abortion clinics, and requires financial separation of government-funded programs from those that carry out abortions.

August 19 was the last day for the group to file a “good faith” undertaking to comply with the new rule.

The decision means Planned Parenthood will lose about $60 million in federal funding, about one-fifth of total Title X funds, and approximately 15% of its annual federal funding.

The organization’s acting president Alexis McGill Johnson said Aug. 19 that “The Trump administration has forced Planned Parenthood grantees out of Title X.” Johnson had previously called the Protect Life Rule an attempt by the president to “bully us into withholding abortion information from our patients.”

Calling the Protect Life Rule a “gag on health care providers,” Johnson said in a previous statement, issued last week, that the rule is “a blatant assault on our health and rights, and we will not stand for it.”

Doreen Denny, Senior Director of Government Relations at Concerned Women for America, said it was “a day of reckoning” for the abortion provider.

“Planned Parenthood has no entitlement to federal funding, and they apparently have no plans to comply with federal rules either,” Denny said. “For years, Planned Parenthood has skirted Closed and abandoned Planned Parenthood building. (Barbara Kalbfleisch | Shutterstock)

By Catholic News Agency

federal law to promote its abortion business on the backs of the American taxpayer.

“If Planned Parenthood truly cared about promoting health, it would stop peddling abortion and start supporting women.

Planned Parenthood’s threat to withdraw from the Title X program proves one thing: health care is not their primary business; abortion is,” said Denny.

The abortion provider’s departure from the program altogether is a change from their initial response to the rule. Previously, the organization had intended to remain in the program, but refuse funding. HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Diane Foley called this arrangement “inconsistent” in a letter to the organization.

In guidance issued by HHS on Aug. 8, the department responded directly to Planned Parenthood’s objections to the rule, noting that the organization operated less than 10% of participating sites nationwide.

“To the extent that Planned Parenthood claims that it must make burdensome changes to comply with the Final Rule, it is actually choosing to place a higher priority on the ability to refer for abortion instead of continuing to receive federal funds to provide a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and services to clients in need of these services.”

Despite operating less than 10% of the Title X fund recipient clinics, Planned Parenthood received about 15% of the country’s total Title X funds.

Title X is a federal program created in 1965 that subsidizes family-planning and preventative health services, including contraception, for low-income families. It has been frequently updated and subject to new regulations.

The administration previously said in June that it would delay enforcement of the rule, provided that fund recipients submitted a compliance plan and made a “good faith” undertaking to comply with most of the rule’s requirements as soon as possible.

Facilities are required to end co-location with abortion sites by March 2020.

NEW EARTH SEPTEMBER 2019

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Sidewalk Stories

By Roxane B. Salonen

I

Girl I knew as a blonde baby aborts her baby

was a young mother, all those years ago, there in the pool with my infant daughter for a mother-child swimming class. I wanted her to be comfortable in the water yet also appropriately cautious. I cherished the idea of spending this precious time with her, buoyant and free.

As we bounced along that first day, her little hand splashing with glee along the water’s surface, we made our way toward the side of the pool where another mom and baby glided gently through the warm water. Soon we moms began talking and discovered our daughters had the same name.

How fun. Two little blonde cuties in the water, and we, their mothers, at the beginning of our journeys only realizing partially just what our motherhood would come to mean.

After the class concluded, we dried off our little ones and said goodbye. It would be a decade or more before we’d meet again; this time in dance class. Our daughters now pre-teens, I marveled at how much they’d each grown. My girl’s hair had turned more sandy-colored, and the other’s remained near-white shimmering like flax. Together, they glided on stage with the others, this time through creative dance moves that made us beam with pride.

For a while, I lost track of the blonde beauty who shared my daughter’s name and interests. Though living in the same area, they attended different schools and activities.

Which is why I felt so pained in our third meeting. Standing with the rest of the sidewalk prayer advocates, resources ready, I had to look twice to make sure it was her—the girl, now young lady, I’d first met in the heated pool several decades earlier, nearing the door of the abortion facility.

My stomach in a knot, I called her name. She was alone—all alone—and looking down. I called it again, feeling more desperate and anguished each step she took. My body felt heavy as it filled with heartache. How could this be? Only once before had I recognized one of the clients, but this one felt so personal, as if I were watching my own child.

She never did meet my gaze, and before I knew it, she was being pulled inside by a barrage of escorts in blue vests, swallowed into the hell that awaited. I remained frozen on the sidewalk, feeling helpless.

I waited for longer than usual, hoping to see her on the other side of her procedure. I didn’t know what I would say but knew I had to try. When another commitment called me away before she reappeared, I had to hand my worry fully to God, praying that she’d somehow find life beyond this tragedy.

A week later, I walked into an eatery I frequent Wednesdays

for my customary bowl of soup. Looking ahead at the order line, I caught sight of the light-colored wisps. It was her, the blonde “baby” from the pool, the stage, and sadly now, the sidewalk.

Her downcast eyes were upbeat now as she laughed with a boy, seemingly carefree. They sat on the opposite end of the room but within view. Soon, another young lady and her mother and friend sat near them, and I watched as they placed a baby in a car seat upon their table, just inches from the blonde girl who’d just aborted her own child days earlier.

Sipping my soup, I glanced over and saw her turn her body away from the car seat and stare into the distance for a moment or two. My heart sank as I wondered, how many more reminders will she have? How many more visuals will nudge her to recall her own child who will never breathe this sweet earthly air?

Did her mother, the one I’d talked to in the water and then in the auditorium, know? Did her boyfriend? Was she carrying this all alone?

I can only offer my prayers that this dear child—the one I first met with chubby fingers, a sweet little smile and sparkling blue eyes—will be held; that somehow, this horrible wooing of the world that snared her will not destroy her.

Dear Lord, I beg you, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And please, let us help spread your salve of love upon their wounded souls somehow.

Roxane B. Salonen, a wife and mother of five, is a local writer, and a speaker and radio host for Real Presence Radio. Roxane writes for The Forum newspaper and for CatholicMom.com. Reach her at roxanebsalonen@gmail.com.

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NEW

EARTH

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

Do you know where we are?

The answer will be revealed in the October New Earth.

Where in the diocese are we?

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Last month’s photo is from the chapel in Ava Maria Village in Jamestown.