September New Earth 2013

New Earth

For Syria, prayers for peace Where is See page this 3

mystery steeple?

CATHOLIC DIOCESE

OF

FARGO

2011 September 2013 Vol. 34 No. 32 No. 88 Vol.

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

Page 4

www.FargoDiocese.org www.FargoDiocese.org here’s your invitation

What we did for life

Father Leo Patalinghung, left, the priest who bested celebrity chef Bobby Flay in a televised “throw down,” will offer a food demonstration and presentation on Eucharist and Family Faith at the Table at the Oct. 4 Year of Faith — life, faith and family dinner at Sts. Anne & Joachim Church in Fargo. The diocesan event will include Theresa Notare, assistant director of the Natural Family Planning program for the Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Notare will offer insights into the meaning and purpose of married love and how people can better communicate this teaching to children, friends and community.

Life, faith and family dinner will feature priest-chef Year of Faith program on Oct. 4 to include speaker on married love

File photos

L

ife, faith and family are a naturally intertwined theme for an Oct. 4 Year of Faith dinner event featuring Father Leo Patalinghung, founder of Grace Before Meals.

Centered on one fundamental concept, the simple act of creating and sharing a meal, the Grace Before Meals movement hopes to strengthen family relationships by bringing family members back to the dinner table.

Research has shown that the family that eats (and prays) together will stay together, so it is the mission of Father Patalinghung to give families the tools they need to come together at dinner time and be nourished — mind, body and soul.

The “tools” he provides are simply delicious and easy-to-make recipes, ideas for talking together and prayers to bring God to the table.

A priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Patalinghung is an internationally renowned conference speaker, author, TV host and radio contributor on a variety of relevant topics including the new evangelization and news media.

His broad experiences have captured the attention of diverse audiences including PBS, ABC, CBS and even the Food Network, on which he defeated a world famous chef in the surprise cooking completion show “Throw Down! With Bobby Flay.”

Father Patalinghung will offer a food demonstration and presentation on Eucharist and Family Faith at the Table at the Oct. 4 dinner event.

Theresa Notare, assistant director of the Natural

Family Planning program for the Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will also offer a presentation during the evening social hour on “Married Love and the Gift of Life.”

With increased intensity, the culture attempts to separate the naturally bound acts of conjugal love and procreation. And yet, this ageless teaching on love and life is foundational to fostering respect for unborn life, promotion of marriage between one man and woman, and furthering of healthy marriage relationships.

Notare will offer insights into the meaning and purpose of married love and how people can better comPlease turn to DINNER on page 2

also in this month’s new earth

News from around the diocese

Bishop’s Column

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Bishop’s Calendar

2

n St. Alphonsus in Langdon celebrates 125 years

Appointment 2

n Senior High Youth Rally planned for Oct. 17 n Putt 4 a Purpose benefits programs across the diocese

People of Prayer nP ilgrims prayed the rosary in the shade during the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies

n NDSU Newman forms first student advisory board

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9 w

Editorial 10 Commentary

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2 n September 2013

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Lumen Fidei: The Light of Faith in the Year of Faith

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nly two weeks after my ordianother, to see in the other nothing nation as Bishop of Fargo, our more than a transitory being that may Holy Father Pope Francis isor may not be of some use to us. This sued the first encyclical letter of his is the story of our modern era, where pontificate, entitled Lumen Fidei — the dignity of the human person has the Light of Faith. Continuing a sebeen so often denigrated and replaced ries of teachings on by mere utility or even the fundamentals of forgotten. Faith allows us our Christian lives, to see one another more begun by Pope Bendeeply, more charitably, edict XVI, Francis to recognize each other turns to that most as children of God, and basic foundation of therefore as brothers and all, faith itself. And sisters. Faith, in short, from the very first calls us to be more perwords of his encycfectly human, that is, to lical, from which be more like Christ, the its title is drawn, he incarnate Son of God. teaches us that faith is a light that illuFaith is a gift mines every dimenPope Francis reaffirms sion of our lives. what most of us learned The world carries as children: faith is a gift.

Bishop John Folda on “as if God does It is a grace given to us not exist,” and ofso that we might know ten declares faith in God to be against the truth, and know it more fully and human progress. Faith is equated by clearly. But faith can be diminished, or some with darkness, an unwillingness even lost, if it is ignored or smothered to step into the light of reason and sciby lesser goods. Faith must be actively entific truth. On the contrary, faith, in cultivated, and hence Pope Benedict reality, is a necessary path to truth. It XVI had declared a Year of Faith, a elevates our minds and our very lives time for deeper reflection on this gift to higher things, to the highest truth of faith that we have received, and a of all, to God himself. Faith moves us time for sharing that faith with others. to reach above and beyond ourselves Yes, faith is meant to be shared! As we toward the One who has made us. It have received the gift of faith, so we calls us to exceed the limits that we also have an obligation to share that have set for ourselves and to seek the gift with others. In our politeness, we highest truth, good and beauty that may at times be reluctant or too shy can be found in God alone. about professing the faith that has so Furthermore, faith in God impels us shaped our lives. But the current Holy to look at one another in a different Father, Francis, is also urging us to cast way. Without the gift of faith, indeed aside fear or hesitation and to give witwithout living the faith we have been ness with renewed vigor to our faith given, it is easy to look askance at one in Jesus Christ, the Son of God made

Bishop’s Message

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

Revelation 21:1

NewEarth (ISSN # 10676406)

Serving Catholic parishes as the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fargo, N.D. Member of the Catholic Press Association Bishop John Folda Bishop of Fargo Publisher Tanya Watterud Interim Editor news@fargodiocese.org Published monthly by The Cath­olic Spirit Publishing Company, a non-profit Minnesota corporation, 244 Dayton Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102. (651) 291-4444. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional post offices.

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

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man.

If we would be true and reliable witnesses of this faith, then we must know it and understand it well. How easy it is to settle for an elementary and simplistic faith, one that does not challenge or move us, a faith that does not permeate every moment of our lives. But Pope Francis, and Pope Benedict before him, is inviting us to a deeper faith, a more complete understanding of our faith.

By our celebration of the sacraments, especially Baptism, the Eucharist, and Reconciliation, we encounter the love of the Father as his children, and we enter into a love relationship with God that arouses and strengthens our faith.

And by regular and faithful reading and reflection on the Word of God in the Sacred Scriptures, the light of faith illuminates our lives and allows us to know God more intimately.

Catechism another blessing

How could we fail to mention one of the great blessings of our time, the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

The Catechism, and the Compendium of the Catechism that followed it, are wonderful resources not only for religious educators, but for all the faithful.

A steady and careful reading of one or the other of these volumes is bound to answer many questions and shed light on the many uncertainties that we face in daily life. No Catholic household should be without the Catechism or its Compendium, and if we read it alongside the Bible, our understanding of the faith will undoubtedly grow.

Pope Francis reminds us too that faith is not received in isolation but is given to us within the communion of the Church. A person of faith does not

Bishop Folda’s Calendar Sept. 8-20 Vatican’s Congregation for Bishop’s Conference for New Bishops, Rome Sept. 25

7 p.m.

Mortgage burning, Our Lady of Peace, Mayville

Sept. 27

8:30 a.m.

Holy Spirit School Mass, Fargo

Sept. 29

Mass at St. Michael’s, Grand Forks

Sept. 29 to Oct. 2

Presbyteral Days, Jamestown

Oct. 6 12 noon Mass and Walk with Christ for Life, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo Oct. 7

North Dakota Catholic Conference, Jamestown

Mass and Eucharistic Procession, St. Paul’s Newman Center

Oct. 9

Hour of Prayer

9 a.m.

Oct. 12 Society of St. Vincent de Paul Annual Renewal Mass, St. Anthony’s, Fargo

5 p.m.

White Mass with Catholic Medical Association, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo Oct. 13

9:30 a.m.

Mass and Fall Dinner, St. John’s, Grafton

Oct. 15 11:30 a.m. Catholic Charities Annual Luncheon, Holiday Inn, Fargo

lose his or her unique individuality, but faith welcomes each of us precisely as individuals into the Church, the Body of Christ. In our time of rugged individualism, it is fashionable to “go it alone,” or to be “a non-conformist.”

But any observer of our society and culture can see that people are more and more isolated from one another, even with the plethora of gadgets that claim to link us together. Faith draws us into the great family of believers that Jesus himself established, the Church. And it is within the Church that the truth of the Gospel is received, where the faith is fostered and nourished.

Last month I had the opportunity to present a talk for the Year of Faith in Valley City and Grand Forks on the topic of “Faith in the Middle Ages through the Reformation.” This is a vast topic, and a one-hour talk could hardly do justice to its scope. But this talk reminded me, and hopefully my listeners, that through the struggles and travails of history, faith endures and brings the light of Christ to every age and culture. Faith has been passed on in the Church over many generations by people of great holiness, by famous saints like Francis, Thomas Aquinas, and Ignatius Loyola, but also by ordinary believers like us.

The light of faith not only calls us together in unity, but it also sends us forth in charity to carry out the mission given to each of us by Christ. In this Year of Faith, may we rediscover the wonders of this gift, and with renewed appreciation for the faith in all its richness, may we live it and pass it on.

Diocese of Fargo

Official Appointment/ Announcement Most Rev. David D. Kagan, serving as Apostolic Administrator of Fargo at the time, made the following appointment, announcement, and/or decree: Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Pilon has been reappointed as Defender of the Bond for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fargo effective June 4, 2013. This is a three-year appointment and will expire on June 3, 2016.

Dinner Oct. 4 for Year of Faith will include speaker on married love Continued from page 1 municate this teaching to children, friends and community.

In addition to being a national speaker, Notare is responsible for supporting the U.S. Catholic dioceses in their effort to create or strengthen Natural Family Planning (NFP) ministry.

With expertise in Church teaching on human sexuality, marriage, conjugal

love and responsible parenthood, and the methods of NFP, Notare publishes and has appeared on EWTN and Catholic radio.

The Year of Faith — life, faith and family dinner event will be held at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo.

The social begins at 4:45 p.m. followed by Notare’s presentation at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will then be served and

Father Patalinghung’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

The cost is $25 per person and the event is for adults only. Registration is required with an Oct. 1 deadline. To register go to www.fargodiocese.org/lifefaith. For more information contact Jennie at (701) 356-7901. This event is sponsored by the Fargo Diocese Family Life and Respect Life offices.

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September 2013 n 3

For Syria, prayers for peace

At vigil in St. Peter’s Square with thousands, Pope Francis calls selfishness the cause of war Catholic News Service

Leading a crowd in prayer for peace in Syria, Pope Francis said that war is ultimately caused by selfishness, which can be overcome only though expressions of fraternity and never with violence.

“Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation,” the pope said Sept. 7 before an estimated 100,000 people in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope had called the prayer vigil less than a week earlier, as the central event of a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world.

The Vatican called the vigil an unprecedented papal gesture for peace, by virtue of its scale and prominence of location. It took place the same day that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with European leaders to make President Barack Obama’s case for a military strike on the government of Syria President Bashar Assad, as punishment for the alleged use of chemical weapons in the ongoing civil war there.

The pope’s homily, which took up about 15 minutes of the four-hour lit-

Walk with Christ for Life on Respect Life Sunday Oct. 6 will mark the 20th year that the faithful have been processing in the streets of Fargo to our state’s lone abortion facility.

The annual prayerful procession is one of thanksgiving; this year especially we give thanks to God for the powerful ways he has worked through our state’s legislative body to pass four significant pro-life bills that will protect the lives of unborn children as well as the health and safety of women.

We process in prayerful intercession for those involved with the abortion industry and their conversion of soul; for those contemplating an abortion; and for those who have been wounded by the abortion experience.

And we process in prayerful unity for the furthering of the culture of life in our nation.

Please join Bishop Folda as he leads the people of the Fargo Diocese in Eucharistic procession on Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 6.

The day’s events will begin with Holy Mass at noon at the Cathedral of St. Mary, 604 Broadway, Fargo. Mass will be followed by a prayerful, peaceful procession to the abortion facility, and conclude with Benediction at the Cathedral.

A lunch will be served by the Cardinal Muench Council Knights of Columbus in the church social hall after Benediction. Cost for the lunch is $5/ person. The Walk with Christ for Life is sponsored by the Diocese of Fargo Respect Life Office. For more information, call Rachelle Sauvageau at (701) 356-7910.

Diocese of Fargo participates in prayer for peace In union with Pope Francis, Bishop John Folda encouraged people in the Fargo Diocese to participate in fasting and prayer for peace in Syria. “In the face of further threats to peace and even greater suffering in Syria, I ask all Catholics in the Diocese of Fargo and all people of good will to join in prayer and fasting on Sept. 7. We join our spiritual sacrifices to those of Christ on the cross, and pray for peace in Syria and throughout the world,” he said in a press release.

CNS photo / Paul Haring

A crowd fills St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican as Pope Francis leads a vigil to pray for peace in Syria Sept 7.

urgy, did not refer to contemporary events but spoke in biblical terms about the nature of war, whose origins he traced to the fall of Adam and the first murder, by Cain of his brother Abel.

Answering Cain’s famous question to God — “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

— the pope replied: “Yes, you are your brother’s keeper! To be human means to care for one another.”

“We bring about the rebirth of Cain in every act of violence and in every war,” the pope said. “All of us!”

War’s ultimate source, Pope Francis said, is the original sin of disobedience.

“When man thinks only of himself, his own interests and places himself in the center, when he permits himself to be captivated by the idols of dominion and power, when he puts himself in

God’s place, then all relationships are broken and everything is ruined,” the pope said. “Then the door opens to violence, indifference and conflict.”

The pope concluded on a hopeful note, asking the crowd: “Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death?

Can we learn once again to walk and live in the ways of peace?”

“Yes, it is possible for everyone!” he said, drawing applause, and he then invoked the image of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice as the ultimate symbol of peace.

Nechiporenko new Catholic Charities executive director Brian Herding, chairman of the board of directors of Catholic Charities North Dakota, recently announced the hiring of Dianne Nechiporenko of West Fargo as the executive director of the agency.

Dianne grew up on a farm near Hillsboro with three brothers and three sisters. She earned a degree in occupational therapy from the University of North Dakota, Nechiporenko Grand Forks, then worked at St. Luke’s Hospital/MeritCare (now Sanford) for 30 years.

She began working in rehabilitation and eventually managed multiple areas including orthopedics, occupational, physical and speech therapy.

A goal of therapy, she said, is to help people reach the most independence possible. “Catholic Charities does the same thing,” she said. “You’re working with people to help improve the quality of their life.”

She also worked for four years for Cetero Research (later PRACS Institute)

as associate director. She assisted in overseeing the clinical practices there, including carrying out studies, supervising staff and working with study participants.

Dianne is currently president of the North Dakota Occupational Therapy Association. Her experience with state organizations, the hospital and research facilities provided her with experience with lobbyists, fundraising and grants, all of which will be helpful in her work with Catholic Charities North Dakota.

A lifelong Catholic, Dianne taught religious education classes to elementary students while she was in high school. In college at UND, she served as a peer minister at St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center. She later joined Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo, where she has been a religious education teacher, a volunteer for the fall dinner and annual bazaar, served on the parish council, trustee, and continues as a member of the finance council. She has also helped with cooking and serving meals at Churches United for the Homeless for 15 years.

She and her husband, Rick, who is a

Abuse in later life in Cass County is discussion topic Sept. 26 On Sept. 26, presenters from the National Coalition on Abuse in Later Life will hold an event to discuss elder abuse in Cass County at Dakota Medical Foundation, 4334 18th Ave. S., Fargo. The event is free and space is limited.

The goal of the event is to provide cross training to the various systems that may potentially be involved in elder abuse cases so participants can learn about services and local resources.

In addition, participants will be encouraged to address ways to more effectively prevent and respond to cases of elder abuse in the community.

To register, visit www.impactgiveback.org/events.

K9 officer with the City of Fargo, have two grown children, Cody who is in the restaurant busines in the Minneapolis area, and Katie who is with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.

“I’m really excited. It feels like a good match,” Dianne said of her new position. “It takes my personal life, my faith life and my career and blends them.”

The services Catholic Charities North Dakota provides are increasingly important as North Dakota grows in population due to the oil industry and other factors, Dianne said. “The needs continue to rise and the government continues to cut back on services,” she said. She looks forward to helping people through the programs of Catholic Charities North Dakota, including Guardianship Services, Counseling Services, Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Services, Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK) and Disaster Response.

Catholic Charities North Dakota has offices in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot. For more information, visit CatholicCharitiesND.org or call (701) 235-4457 or toll free (800) 450-4457.

Watch October issue for stories we missed Editor’s note: I was unable to get everything into this issue of New Earth due to work days lost as a result of the hospitalization of a family member. Please watch for these stories and photos in the October issue, coming out around Oct. 14: nD edication of stained glass windows at St. James Basilica in Jamestown. n1 0th anniversary Mass celebration for St. Gianna Maternity Home in Warsaw. n And much more.

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Sister Thomas Welder to receive CCND Caritas Award Oct. 15 Catholic Charities North Dakota recently announced the selection of Sister Thomas Welder as the 2013 Caritas Award Recipient.

Sister Thomas joined Mary College in 1963 and served as the president from 1979 until her retirement from University of Mary (formerly Mary College) in 2009. She is a member of the Sister Thomas Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.

This award, given annually in recog-

nition of those exemplifying faith, hope and love to the least of God’s people, will be presented to Sister Thomas at the Annual Celebration luncheon commemorating the 90th Anniversary of Catholic Charities North Dakota on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Fargo Holiday Inn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bishop John Folda will be the guest speaker.

Advance tickets are required. They may be purchased for $25 at www.

CatholicCharitiesND.org or by calling (701) 235-4457.

A history of helping Since 1923, when people with compassion were moved to action and established the Catholic Welfare Bureau, the forerunner of Catholic Charities North Dakota, hope has grown in the hearts and been reflected in the lives of the many people the agency has served. Today children, mothers, couples, families and individuals with special needs all benefit from the generosity and compassionate support given by others.

The agency has been known by three different names throughout its history:

DVDs of Bishop Folda’s ordination Mass available

1923 — Catholic Welfare Bureau 1961 — Catholic Family Service 2003 — Catholic Charities North Dakota

Photo courtesy Milestones Photography

DVD copies of the broadcast of Bishop John Folda’s Mass of ordination and installation, including the pre-ordination commentary with Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary, are now available. The DVDs, which have been professionally duplicated and packaged, will be wonderful keepsakes.

The cost per DVD is $10, and checks should be made payable to “Diocese of Fargo”. Please indicate “Ordination DVD” in the memo line. DVDs can be purchased in person at the diocesan Pastoral Center at the address below, online at www.fargodiocese.org/dvdorder, or through the mail at: DVD Order, Diocese of Fargo, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605. The online order form accommodates the use of a credit card for the purchase.

As well as being an historic record of the ordination of the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Fargo, the DVD will also be an educational tool for parish youth and adult education programs. Portions of it can be shown during classes as vocations, apostolic succession, the parts of the Mass, and other aspects of the Catholic faith are discussed.

For more information, visit the website address above or contact Katie Wise at (701) 356-7900.

Reflecting on Catholic social teachings Solidarity We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world.

At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

Questions to consider: n Does the way I spend my time reflect a genuine concern for others? n Is solidarity incorporated into my prayer and spirituality? Do I lift up vulnerable people throughout the world in my prayer, or is it reserved for only my personal concerns? n Am I attentive only to my local neighbors or also those across the globe? n Do I see all members of the human family as my brothers and sisters?

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

Congratulations to WDAY-TV on their 60th anniversary!

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

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

— Helen Bye, Fargo

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

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September 2013 n 5

Four celebrated the anniversaries of their religious professions June 9 Four Religious women — Sister Marie Leona Dostaler, Sister Ann Louise Kolhoff, Sister Therese Celine Craven and Sister Marlyss Dionne — were honored June 9 at a community celebration at Maryvale. Father Claude Seeberger, OSB, chaplain, celebrated the Mass.

Sister Marie Leona Dostaler

Celebrating their professions to religious life June 9 were, from left, Sister Marie Leona Dostaler, Sister Ann Louise Kolhoff, Sister Therese Celine Craven and Sister Marlyss Dionne.

Sister Marie Leona Dostaler celebrated 70 years of religious life.

Sister Marie Leona said, “There was no hesitation as to what order to join” when she made the decision to follow God’s call. Sister Marie Leona was struck by the “simplicity, humility and poverty” of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation who had taught her at Notre Dame Academy in Willow City.

Sister Marie Leona taught for 25 years in schools throughout North Dakota and for 25 years in schools in Illinois.

She also served as an organist and performed duties as a sacristan in some parishes. When she “retired” at Maryvale, she was part of the hospitality ministry.

Sister Ann Louise Kolhoff

Pictured from left are those who celebrated jubilees ini August: Sister Irene Schuster, Sister Frances O’Neil and Sister Gertrude Massine.

Trio marks 185 years of religious life Three members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated 185 years of service to the church recently.

Sister Gertrude Massine

Family and friends gathered on Aug. 16 to celebrate with Sister Gertrude Massine the golden jubilee of her religious profession. Father Duaine Cote was celebrant of the Mass and Father Leo Stelten preached the homily.

Other concelebrants were Msgr. Val Gross and Msgr. Wendelyn Vetter.

Mass and the dinner following were at Sacred Heart Convent, Fargo.

Born in Rugby, Sister Gertrude was a member of Mount Carmel Parish in Balta when she entered religious life.

She has served the people of God in food service at hospitals of the order and at Cardinal Muench Seminary as well as in nursing service at the Carrington and Park River Hospitals and at Villa Maria in Fargo. Since 1991 Sister Gertrude has been a licensed massage therapist at Riverview Place.

The previous day, Aug. 15, Sisters Irene Schuster (formerly Sister Loretta) and Frances O’Neil (formerly Sister Maria Goretti) observed, respectively, the 65th and 60th anniversaries of their professions with a community celebration at Sacred Heart Convent.

Sister Irene Schuster

Sister Irene was a member of Holy Trinity parish, Fingal, when she entered religious life.

She taught in parish schools in Fargo, Langdon and New Rockford from 1946 to 1981 with a two-year interruption when she served as a catechist at a mission in Mexico.

For the next 27 years she served as a pastoral minister and chaplain in Belfield, Langdon, Slayton, Minn., St. Thomas and Park River. Since 2008 she has provided hospitality to guests at Sacred Heart Convent and been a resident visitor at Riverview Place.

Sister Frances O’Neil

Sister Frances O’Neil was a member of the Parish of St. John, Limerick, Ireland, when she crossed the ocean to join the Presentation Sisters.

Sister Frances taught in grade schools in Fargo and at Shanley (Fargo), St. Alphonsus (Langdon), and St. Edmonds (Ft. Dodge, Iowa) high schools.

Following outreach work in Jellico, Tenn., she served as administrator of Riverview Place. After that she did pastoral work at Wild Rice, Harriman, Tenn., and Poplar Bluff, Mo. From 2005-2009 Sister Frances was president of the Sisters of the Presentation in Fargo. Currently she is a resident visitor at Riverview Place.

Sister Ann Louise Kolhoff celebrated 65 years of religious life. Sister Ann Louise credits her mother in making the decision to join the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation.

When Sister Ann Louise, who was living in Ohio, expressed a desire to be a religious, her mother’s request was that she “go back to North Dakota and join the Sisters who were so good to you kids when you were students at their school” (St. Aloysius School in Lisbon).

Sister Ann Louise’s ministry experiences are many and varied. She worked in nursing or administration at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Bottineau; St. Margaret’s Hospital, Spring Valley, Ill., and Presentation Medical Center in Rolla.

She also lived and ministered in Les Cotils, a retreat center, on the Guernsey Island. After returning from Europe, she went to work for the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organi-

zations (JCAHCO), a ministry that took her to almost every state in the union.

Currently Sister Ann Louis is retired at Maryvale.

Sister Therese Celine Craven

Sister Therese Celine Craven celebrated 60 years of religious life. She is originally from Spring Valley, Ill., and was attracted to religious life through the witness of the sisters who worked at St. Margaret’s Hospital. She witnessed their simplicity, kindness and humility and decided that the sisters were living the type of life that she wanted to live.

Sister Therese Celine taught for many years in schools in North Dakota and Illinois. She also directed CCD programs and did parish ministry in Spring Valley and Washington, Ill., and in Valley City. She also served in pastoral care ministry at St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey. Currently Sister Therese Celine is retired at Maryvale.

Sister Marlyss Dionne

Sister Marlyss Dionne celebrated 60 years of religious life. She is originally from Thorn and became acquainted with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation when she was a student at Notre Dame Academy in Willow City.

Sister Marlyss’ ministry included teaching in Catholic schools in North Dakota and Illinois. She was assistant principal at St. Catherine School in Valley City and was the principal at St. Louis School in Princeton, Ill. She worked in parish ministry in Wisconsin and North Dakota and served at St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey as the mission and ethics director and in the pastoral care department. She also taught adult religious education at St. Cecelia’s parish in Harvey.

She served for eight years as assistant provincial and for nine years as the provincial superior. Currently Sister Marlyss directs the hospitality ministry at Maryvale and serves on several health care ministry boards.

Trinity Youth Camp, Inc. Annual Board Meeting Sunday, October 13, 2013 3:30-5:30 p.m.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Steele, ND

Meeting is Open to All

1417 South University Drive, Fargo, ND 58103

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Courage Apostolate now available in the Fargo-Moorhead area

Submitted photo

Bishop John Folda, together with 17 priests, joined the faithful of St. Alphonsus in Langdon for the parish’s 125th anniversary celebration Aug. 1.

Langdon parish celebrates

Bishop Folda joins in reflecting on 125 years at St. Alphonsus, looking to future Aug. 1 was a special day for St. Alphonsus Parish in Langdon.

Not only was it the feast day of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the parish’s patron saint, but it also marked the 125th anniversary of the parish.

The new bishop of the Fargo Diocese, Bishop John T. Folda, 17 priests, two seminarians and one deacon joined Father William McDermott and approximately 300 members of the St. Alphonsus parish family to celebrate the occasion.

Festivities began appropriately with Mass, thanking God for his faithfulness to the Catholics of Langdon.

The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Honor Guard led the procession into the church to the accompaniment of

the St. Alphonsus Choir, led by Beth Kennedy.

Bishop Folda gave the homily with a reflection on all that the church has seen in the last 125 years and encouraged parishioners to be faithful and to carry on the ministry of St. Alphonsus into the future.

Before giving his blessing to the congregation, he also encouraged everyone to support the young people whom God is calling to his service in the priesthood or religious life.

Following Mass there was a meal at the new Parish Center. A program was presented that included music from several of the parish’s youth and a brief history of the church by Tracy Spenst.

Todd Gette gave a presentation on the St. Alphonsus 125th Club, a program to insure the future support of St. Alphonsus through a yearly gift of $125 by its members to the parish endowment fund.

One of the highlights for those attending was the opportunity to visit with several priests who have served St. Alphonsus in the past.

Overall, there was a real sense of community among those present as they reflected on the past and look forward with anticipation to the next 125 years.

Provided by Tracy Spenst, director of catechesis for St. Alphonsus Parish.

“Courage” is an international Catholic apostolic outreach to persons with same-sex attraction. There have always been persons with homosexual desires; however, until recent times, there has been little, if any, formal outreach from the Church in the way of support groups or information for such persons.

Most were left to work out their path on their own. As a result, they found themselves listening to and accepting the secular society’s perspective and opting to act on their same-sex desires.

Others are looking to the Church for guidance and support.

Being a family in the current age can be a challenge. To help address some of the issues that families face today, Courage is now available in the Fargo-Moorhead area to assist Catholics with same-sex attraction to live their life in accord with the Catholic teaching on the meaning of human sexuality and chastity.

The following five goals of Courage were created by the members themselves, when Courage was founded.

Members are called to practice them in their daily lives: 1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality (Chastity).

2. To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (Prayer and Dedication).

3. To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone (Fellowship).

4. To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a chaste Christian life; and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships (Support).

5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others (good example/role model).

If you or someone you know suffers with same-sex attraction and may be interested in participating in Courage in the Fargo-Moorhead area, additional information may be received by calling (701) 356-7960 or emailing fargomoorheadcourage@gmail.com.

All contacts are kept confidential.

Parishes to display 2000 years of Christian history A traveling art exhibit will be on display in parishes throughout the Diocese of Fargo. The 21 paintings by Gloria Thomas — each one representing 100 years in the life of the Catholic Church — highlight key moments and central figures in the history of the Catholic faith from the time of Christ until today. The exhibit includes a booklet explaining each painting.

There is also an activity for youth.

For a schedule of parishes where the exhibit will be on display, please visit www.fargodiocese.org/2000years. Pastors who would like to schedule the exhibit for their parishes should contact Katie Dubas, director of evangelization and catechesis, at the diocesan Pastoral Center.

NewEarth

September 2013 n 7

Endowment earnings from sale of Cardinal Meunch Seminary to benefit seminarians, clergy Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo celebrated its final graduation on May 12, 2011, marking the end of a 49year chapter in diocesan history. The closure of the minor seminary is a fate many larger and more populated dioceses in the United States encountered before Fargo. According to an unofficial Wikipedia list of closed seminaries in the United States, 16 other seminaries closed since 1990 and over 70 have closed overall.

Upon its closure, there was the need to address the question of what to do with the Cardinal Muench Seminary buildings and their contents. For the first semester of the 2011-2012 school year, Holy Spirit Elementary was relocated to the seminary site after heavy rains caused sewer backup and extensive damage at the Holy Spirit Church and Elementary School location in Fargo. Since January 2012, the facility has been empty and not in use.

The seminary’s furnishings were put to use at the many parishes throughout the diocese and the Diocesan Pastoral Center, with unclaimed items being sold via garage sale in 2011. All sacred articles were removed for use in other sacred places. The altars and ambo were removed and are now in storage awaiting unknown future use in a parish of the diocese. The seminary’s extensive library collection was donated to the University of Mary in Bismarck. The seminary chapel’s stained glass windows are very large structural components of the existing

building, which was purchased as is, so they were not removed.

On Aug. 2 the Cardinal Muench Seminary property was sold on a threeyear Contract for Deed, with final payments to be received on Aug. 1, 2016.

The buyer, Comstock Services, LLC of Fargo, has not determined or disclosed what they will do with the property.

This same group purchased the former Sullivan Middle School in 2003, which was previously the Interstate Business College location.

Funds received through the sale will be transferred to our foundation, Catholic Development Foundation, as endowments for seminarian and clergy education needs. With the escalating cost of seminary education, which is nearly $40,000 per year, endowment earnings will help us keep pace with those costs. This respects the intent of the many donors who supported Cardinal Muench Seminary through the years.

Those who wish to contribute to the endowment can donate online at www.cdfnd.org [select Donate Now — select Seminarian/Clergy — select name of fund] or mail contributions to: Catholic Development Foundation, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605 or contact Steve Schons, director of stewardship and development, at (701) 356-7926 or steve.schons@fargodiocese.org.

FirstChoice Clinic’s 11th annual Life Walk slated for Sept. 28 Zoo critters of many varieties will provide the backdrop for celebrating human life at FirstChoice Clinic’s 11th annual Life Walk, to take place at three sites across the state.

This year’s theme, “All Creatures Great and Small,” will bring animal and human life together to celebrate God’s most precious of all creations, human beings. The event will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and will be a non-athletic gathering comprising of an easy, leisurely walk of less than two miles.

Fargo walkers will converge at the Red River Zoo’s carousel, walk the grounds and then move on to the streets of Fargo before looping back; those in Bismarck will trek at Sertoma Park and stroll past the neighboring Dakota Zoo; and Devils Lake participants will meet and walk at Ruger Park.

This family-friendly event is intended for all ages. Young participants especially are encouraged to dress as their favorite zoo animal if they wish.

FirstChoice Clinic, a faith-based, non-profit, provides education and health services to empower individuals to make life-affirming choices through its three pregnancy-help medical clinics in Fargo, Bismarck and Devils Lake.

Money raised from these events will be used to support pregnancy-help programs for mothers and fathers so that their babies will have a strong start in life.

For more information or to donate, contact FirstChoice Clinic at (701) 2375902 or mona@firstchoiceclinic.com.

Walkers can set up their own sponsorship page at www.teamfirstchoice.com and recruit family members, friends and co-workers to support them.

Father Wilhelm to lead November pilgrimage Father Chad Wilhelm, along with the Knights of Columbus, is leading a pilgrimage Nov. 17 through 26 to Rome, Lourdes, Paris and Nevers.

The pilgrimage includes four nights in Rome with a papal audience, three days in Lourdes, four days in Paris, and a side trip to Nevers to see the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette. The pilgrimage is open to all for the price of $3,599 per person.

For more information, please contact George Lacher at (701) 793-5566 or georgelacher@msn.com, or Father Wilhelm at chad.wilhelm@fargodiocese. org. You may also call Catholic Tour at 1-888-465-9868.

Space is limited, so calling early is encouraged.

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(South of K-Mart)

8 n September 2013

NewEarth

People of prayer

Pilgrims prayed the rosary under the shade during the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies Provided by Carmel of Mary

“If Our Blessed Mother wants it, she will help us build.”

Mother Mary Rose of the Sacred Heart, O.Carm., the founding prioress of the Carmel of Mary in Wahpeton, spoke these words referring to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies, which she desired to erect outside the monastery enclosure near Wahpeton.

Her confidence in the Virgin Mary was rewarded.

Our Lady did help with the building of a shrine fit to house a 750-pound statue of Our Lady of the Prairies, the perfect patroness for the Catholic population of rural North Dakota.

The first pilgrimage at the new shrine took place on Aug. 15, 1957. In the mystery of God’s plan, Mother Rose spent this day in the hospital, suffering from the illness that would cause her death by the end of the year. With great joy, she listened over the telephone to the hundreds of pilgrims praying the Rosary.

How pleased Mother Rose must have been this year on Sunday, Aug. 11, as she looked down upon the 57th annual celebration of the pilgrimage on the grounds of Carmel of Mary.

Many of the 225 pilgrims joined Father Greg Haman, the host organizer, on the walking rosary. He stated that: “walking through the trees was a very nice way to engage people throughout the 20 mysteries and keep them cool.”

The pilgrims also prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father at the monastery shrine, a designated site, in order to receive a partial indulgence offered during this Year of Faith. The line for confessions was long as many pilgrims waited to receive the sacrament.

New bishop attends After over half a century, the event has not grown old. Each year has a freshness and uniqueness all its own. The 2013 pilgrimage was new in a particular way as it marked the first visit of the new Bishop of Fargo to the monastery.

Prior to the Mass, Bishop John Folda gave a warm and personal greeting to each of the Carmelite nuns.

Both Bishop Folda and the Sisters expressed a desire

that this first meeting would be the beginning of an ongoing spiritual friendship. Indeed, praying for priests and bishops is an integral part of the Carmelite vocation. It is a privilege which the nuns cherish and an obligation which they take most seriously.

During the homily, Bishop Folda reminded people that the Carmelites were listening in on the Mass from within the cloister. He gave thanks to God for the power and fruitfulness of contemplative life in the Church.

In the Gospel for this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus urges his disciples to seek “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy” (Luke 12:33).

Bishop Folda pointed out in his homily that a pilgrimage is a time to let go of what is unnecessary or harmful so as to be open to the one true and lasting treasure, Jesus Christ. The fruits of the harvest, as well as all of the most precious gifts and blessings that God has given us during this earthly life, will eventually fade away. What will remain is the treasure of heaven held out to us by Our Lord.

The pleasant weather complemented the beauty of the liturgy to give the afternoon an atmosphere of quiet restfulness. Bishop Folda captured the wonder of the moment by borrowing the words of St. Peter at the Transfiguration: “It is good to be here.”

Bishop Folda came to Wahpeton from Hankinson, where he had spent the earlier part of the day with the Sisters of St. Francis for their 100th anniversary. The coincidence of the two events turned out to be providential, and the Carmelites wish to convey both their congratulations to the Franciscans and their gratitude to Bishop Folda for so graciously being present at both celebrations.

St. John’s Parish in Wahpeton organized the Mass and led the liturgical music. A sizable group of altar servers did much to help everything flow smoothly.

The reverence and neatness of these young men were worthy of commendation.

After having been nourished and satisfied by the Bread of Life, the pilgrims lingered to share together a meal provided by the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Daughters and parishioners.

Photos by Therese Weber

A youngster adds a gift of wheat to the statue of the Blessed Mother at the shrine. Giving thanks for the fruits of the harvest is an important part of the annual pilgrimage.

NewEarth

Putt 4 a Purpose benefits programs across diocese

Pictured along with Bishop Folda is the winning team of the 2013 Putt 4 a Purpose fundraising event, from left, Father James Meyer, Jeff Johnson, Bishop John Folda, Matt Tharaldson and Rob Johnson.

Team from Holy Cross in West Fargo takes title One hundred twelve golfers participated in the seventh annual Putt 4 a Purpose Aug. 5 at the Rose Creek Golf Course in Fargo.

Proceeds from the event benefitted seminarian education and youth programs throughout the Diocese of Fargo, including March for Life, SEARCH and youth camps.

The afternoon of golfing was followed by a dinner banquet and awards ceremony.

First place gross team was from Holy Cross in West Fargo. It included Father James Meyer, Jeff Johnson, Matt Tharaldson and Rob Johnson.

Gross team second place went to Paul Jarvis, Jeremy Magelky, Josh Magelky and Scott Berg.

First place net team winners were Marc Shannon, Jim Heyer, Kevin Bartram and Mike Magelky. Second were Father Thaines Arulandu, Tyler Lamp, Stuart Lamp and Jeff Lamp.

Winners of contest games include: closest to the pin, Lowell Schweigert; longest drive, Dr. Henri Caoli; longest putt, Jess Helvik.

We would like to thank all the individuals who participated in the golf classic as well as our sponsors for their generous contributions: Eagle sponsors ($1,000) — Holy Cross Catho-

lic Church, Bell State Bank & Trust, Zerr Berg Architects/Obermiller Nelson Engineering, Napoleon Livestock and SMP Health System; Par sponsors ($400) — Steier Group, Brown Advisory, Villa Maria, Mellon Capital, Northern Technologies, Inc., Cap Trust, Catholic United Financial, National Investment Services, Inc., Rosewood on Broadway, Maryhill Manor, Northern Improvement Co., Sheyenne Care Center, St. Aloisius Medical Center and Titan Machinery; Wish I could, but I can’t sponsors ($500) — Catholic Mutual Group, Lunseth Plumbing and Heating Co., Eide Bailly and Norrell Law Office, P.C.; Hole sponsors ($100) — Scheels (2), JLG Architects, Ave Maria Village, Ed and Pat Shorma, Ed-Ventures, Gregory S. Jeffrey, Korsmo Funeral Service, St. John’s Church - Wahpeton, St. John’s School - Wahpeton, Business Essentials, Carol Widman’s Candy Company, First Class Mortgage, Expressway Suites of Fargo, Forum Communications, Hurley’s Religious Goods, National Investment Services, Inc., Laney’s, Moore Engineering, Inc., Petro Serve USA, Real Presence Radio, Reardon Office Equipment, Season’s at Rose Creek, Moorhead Subway, Schuck Charters and Tours, S&S Promotional Group and Boulger Funeral Home.

Photos by Katie Wise / New Earth

Dan Kenna and Tyler Rivard, members of Holy Spirit, Fargo, were among the participants in the seventh annual Putt 4 a Purpose golf tournament.

September 2013 n 9

Quotable “What irony that a society confronted with plastic bags filled with the remains of aborted babies should be more concerned about the problem of recycling the plastic.”

Winifred Egan

10 n September 2013

Editorial

NewEarth

40 Days for Life: Fasting, prayer and outreach If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Registration and sign up information

T

he first 40 Days for Life campaign began in 2004 in Bryan-College Station, Texas. With humble hearts, four pro-life people prayerfully begged our Lord to show them what they could do to stop the evil of abortion in their town. Within one hour the Lord answered their prayer with three simple steps; fasting, peaceful prayerful vigil outside their local abortion facility and community outreach (education) continuously for 40 days and 40 nights.

Communities quietly began to conduct the 40 Days for Life campaign one after another until the fall of 2007, when more than 80 communities — including Fargo — held 40 Days for Life campaigns simultaneously.

To date, 2,480 campaigns have been conducted in 401 cities across all 50 American states and seven provinces in Canada and events have been held in Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belize, Denmark, England, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Uganda and Wales. These national and international events have created extraordinary lifesaving results: n More than 575,000 people of faith and conscience have joined together to pray and fast for an end to abortion. n 7,536 children have been saved from abortion. n Hundreds of women and men have been spared the pain and regret of abortion. n Those with abortion experiences in their past have found healing. n 37 abortion facilities have gone out of business following 40 Days for Life campaigns. n 83 abortion workers have quit their jobs due to 40 Days for Life efforts and continue to come forth from the abortion industry across the nation. n Media outlets have given the pro-life position prominent coverage. n Churches have been activated and united for life. n New people have been recruited, educated and mobilized. n People have turned back to God with renewed hope.

(Statistics from the website: www.40daysforlife.com)

Success in North Dakota North Dakota was one of the first of over 80 cities that joined the national simultaneous event in 2007 with this 2013 fall campaign marking its seventh year.

In North Dakota alone there have been 55 confirmed lives saved from abortion since 2007. Mothers and fathers have brought their children, who have been saved from abortion, to the sidewalk encouraging us to continue to pray as lives are being saved.

A panel of Post Abortion Ladies (PALS) have made over 55 presentations across the state and into Minnesota speaking thus far to over 3,000 people since 2009. They have exposed the devastation of abortion to clergy and church members, college students, youth groups and the general public. Lives have been saved, hearts have been touched and post-abortive women have been brought to healing and restoration by their courageous stories.

Over 68 churches and organizations in North Dakota and Minnesota have participated in the prayer vigil, and others pray where they are in their homes, nursing homes and churches.

There is also a unique opportunity for those unable to stand on the sidewalk to pray in the Visitation Chapel on Wednesdays. The chapel is located next

The 2013 Fall 40 Days for Life North Dakota Campaign will be held Sept. 25 through Nov. 3 in front of the Red River Women’s Facility, 512 1st Ave. N., in downtown Fargo.

The opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on the sidewalk outside the facility. To register for the prayer vigil or sign up for the One Call Now prayer alert, visit www.

40daysforlifend.com, email phc@polarcomm.com or call (701) 356-7979 in Fargo or the Pregnancy Help Center in Park River at (701) 284-6601.

Prayer volunteers pray around the clock during the 40 Days for Life North Dakota campaign.

door to the east of the abortion facility.

Over 1,400 prayer volunteers receive weekly phone calls and/or emails from the One Call Now notification system encouraging them to pray and fast to end abortion in our state and nation.

Over 800 individuals have been personally contacted to join the peaceful vigil outside the abortion facility covering 960 continuous hours during these 40 days via phone, email and facebook.

250 DVDs of the documentary “180” were distributed in North Dakota with 74 mailed to northeastern North Dakota and pastors who attended the pastor’s luncheons in Fargo.

2,200 40 Days for Life yard signs have been placed across North Dakota creating discussion by their promotion of 40 Days for Life (and their theft in various locations).

4 super-sized billboards are displayed in Fargo and Grand Forks locations educating the public and even saving a life!

100 banners that “Celebrate Life” were displayed on the light posts in downtown Fargo for one week during the 40 Days for Life campaign by Citizens United to End Abortion in North Dakota.

3 sidewalk counseling sessions have been held by request with a guide manual produced.

Pastor’s luncheons and summits have been opportunities to bring in speakers such as Dr. Laurence White, David Bereit, Father Frank Pavone, Pastor Rusty Thomas, Sean Carney and Abby Johnson to promote the Gospel of Life in our state.

The 40 Days for Life Committee and prayer volunteers have been given media coverage with weekly updates on Real Presence Radio reaching a minimum of 10,000 listeners in six locations: Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Williston and Dickinson, as well as weekly interviews and updates with Scott Hennen at Freedom Force Communications.

25,000 bulletin inserts have been distributed to churches throughout North Dakota with 130 churches in the Fargo Diocese and approximately 100 churches in the Bismarck Diocese using the inserts.

New Earth newspaper and the Pregnancy Help Center newsletter reached over 26,500 people promoting the 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Strong partnerships We have been delighted to work with adoption agencies, Birthright, Citizens United to End Abortion in North Dakota, Concerned Women of America, maternity homes, North Dakota Family Alliance, North Dakota Right to Life and pregnancy centers, as well as other pro-life entities such as Collegians for Life, FOCUS, the Knights of Columbus, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, respect life committees, Teens for Life, churches and youth groups.

Each Wednesday throughout the year prayer volunteers continue to maintain a peaceful, prayerful witness outside the Red River Woman’s facility in Fargo as 15 to 30 children (the size of a kindergarten class) are killed by abortion resulting in approximately 1,300 lives lost per year.

As we prepare for our seventh 40 Days for Life fall campaign and join in prayer with thousands of people across the globe, let us intercede for mothers and fathers considering abortion, those working in the death industry, and those coerced and forced against their will to participate in this act of destruction. May our churches — the body of Christ — persevere in standing up for life. May our legislatures and judges advocate and promote life in our state and cooperate in making and keeping North Dakota abortion free.

The 40 Days for Life ND Committee would like to thank each of you for the personal sacrifices made in past years through the rain and cold and snow and night hours. It is thus that lives are saved and minds, hearts and souls changed!

We encourage you not to grow weary in doing good, but remain steadfast as we “seek to love justice, do mercy and walk humbly before our God” (Micah 6:8).

The 40 Days for Life ND Committee: Jody Clemens, Father Charles LaCroix, Pastor Dave Motta,Colleen Samson, Rachelle Sauvageau and Mary Thoelke.

Commentary

NewEarth

September 2013 n 11

Catechism assists in discussion of laws pertaining to animals

A

Father Manuel Salazar sprinkles a calf with holy water outside San Pablo Church in the Iztapalapa neighborhood of Mexico City.

Residents take their animals to churches to be blessed during the ceremony commemorating the feast of San Antonio Abad, the patron saint of domestic animals

nimal cruelty has made the to help man in his work and leisure. news recently. The North DaMedical and scientific experimentakota legislature passed a new tion on animals is a morally acceptable anti-animal cruelty law that went into practice if it remains within reasonable effect Aug. 1, following a failed ballimits and contributes to caring for or lot initiative for a more stringent law. saving human lives.

High profile cases in2418 — It is contrary volving animal neglect, to human dignity to intentional abuse and cause animals to suffer poor living conditions or die needlessly. It is have recently captured likewise unworthy to our attention. spend money on them At the same time, anthat should as a priorimal rights activists like ity go to the relief of People for the Ethical human misery. One Treatment of Animals can love animals; one continue to protest should not direct to common North Dakota them the affection due activities like raising only to persons. livestock, hunting and fishing.

What all this means What is the Catholic There is much packed to make of all this?

Christopher Dodson into these three paraWhat principles graphs. To begin with, should guide our perthey explain the relationship between sonal actions and the creation of laws God and animals. They are his creaabout animal care? tures, not ours. Their existence alone gives praise and glory to God. (Think The Catechism of the Catholic about that the next time your dog Church states: chews a new pair of shoes.)

Because they are God’s creatures, 2416 — Animals are God’s creatures. men owe them kindness. Note that the He surrounds them with his providenCatechism does not say that we owe tial care. By their mere existence they animals kindness because we are their bless him and give him glory. Thus stewards, in the same way we might men owe them kindness. We should show respect when borrowing somerecall the gentleness with which saints one’s car. Kindness is due because they like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip are God’s creatures. Failure to show Neri treated animals. kindness disrespects God. 2417 — God entrusted animals to The second section explains our rethe stewardship of those whom he lationship to animals. The kindness created in his own image. Hence it is due to animals stems from our relalegitimate to use animals for food and tionship to God, but certain additional clothing. They may be domesticated obligations flow from the stewardship

CNS photo / Henry Romero, Reuters

to which God entrusts us. The use of animals for food, clothing, work, leisure and science are permissible.

Because animals belong to God, the “right” to use animals for such purposes is a conditional gift, not an absolute right. No one has a right to use, misuse or to dispose of things as one pleases (Evangelium Vitae, 42). The same limitation applies to all forms of property, which the church teaches is tempered by the common good.

This limitation is summarized in the next sentence: “It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.”

The “why” is important.

It is wrong to cause needless suffering by animals not just because they are God’s creatures, but also because to do so is contrary to what it means to be human.

Kindness is owed to animals precisely because of the place of humans in created order, a position defined by the uniqueness of human dignity. Respect and care for animals is

Catholic Action

something that can only come from a higher order.

Animals and plants, by their nature, are incapable of respecting human persons (which is why their mere existence is enough to praise God). With that gift comes the responsibility to respect animals and ensure, through law and personal behavior, that they do not suffer needlessly.

This teaching about our humanity prevents us from going to the extreme and treating animals as equal to us.

They are not.

Genesis says that animals were created for Adam, but that they were unsuitable as a true companion. That emptiness could only be filled by another human, Eve. It is a reminder of the proper place of humans and animals and a guide for personal and legislative responses to animal care.

Dodson is executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. Its website is ndcatholic.org.

Perpetuity is a long time

“P

erpetuity” is one of those $5 words you don’t run across every day.

Chances are, you’ll never hear it on the six o’clock news or read it in the evening paper. It’s not something you’ll see on a theater marquee.

But perpetuity is a word we relish here at the Catholic Development Foundation.

We use it often because it describes our endowments.

According to Webster, perpetuity is “the state or quality of being perpetual.” The phrase “in perpetuity” means “forever or for an indefinite period.”

parish endowment to ensure that their annual giving to their parish would continue in perpetuity.

Visionary couple

They started giving rather modestly, but plan to enlarge it with a bequest from their estate. For now, they can at least see how the Wellspring Endowment works and what they can expect from it when they are gone.

At the Catholic Development Foundation, there are a number of endowments established to benefit a variety of Catholic entities and programs within the DiTrumpet sounds ocese of Fargo, and they are all managed pruIt is said that evdently by investment ery noise produced on professionals. The goal Steve Schons earth creates sound is to obtain both annual waves that expand income and long-term outward toward the growth. infinite reaches of space. The waves It is the policy of the Catholic Develextend unendingly. Or we might say, opment Foundation to preserve endowthe sound waves travel in perpetuity. ment principal.

Gifting to an endowment at the Only the earnings, or part of the earnCatholic Development Foundation is ings, are available to be used annually. similar to blowing a trumpet into the This means our endowment funds will air. Like the far-reaching waves of the last. They will continue in perpetuity. notes, the effects of your endowment will carry unendingly to future generWould you like to do something ations. lasting for your church, cemetery or George and Martha Wellspring, a hydiocesan program? You need look no pothetical couple, made a gift to their further than our endowment program.

Stewardship

For more information: _____ Please send me more information about making a gift to an endowment at the Catholic Development Foundation. _____ Please contact me about a personal visit. The best time to call

me is___________________.

Name_______________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________________________________ State__________ Zip_______________ Phone_____________________________ Mail this form to:

Catholic Development Foundation

Attention: Steve Schons

5201 Bishops Blvd, Suite A

Fargo, ND 58104 This is the ideal way to create a legacy for yourself and for your family.

To learn more about our endowments and how easily you can establish one, give me a call. I would be happy to help you.

You can get started now with a current endowment, or you can activate one later through a deferred gift. Or,

like the Wellsprings mentioned earlier, you can do both.

Please take a moment and let us hear from you. Complete and mail the response form that accompanies this column, or call me at (701) 356-7926.

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

12 n September 2013

NewEarth

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

Sept. 22 (Sunday): St. Mary’s annual turkey and ham dinner, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Medina School.

Sept. 22 (Sunday): St. Mary’s old fashioned chicken and meatball dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Grand Forks.

Sept. 22 (Sunday): St. Benedict’s annual fall dinner, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Horace.

Sept. 22 (Sunday): St. Helena’s fall dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ellendale.

Sept. 22 (Sunday): Holy Trinity’s turkey dinner, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Fingal.

Sept. 23-30 (Monday-Monday): Real Presence Radio offers eight-day motorcoach pilgrimage to EWTN. Call 877-795-0122 or email lisa@ yourcatholicradiostation.com.

Sept. 25-Nov. 3 (Wednesday-Sunday): The 40 Days for Life national campaign. Visit www.40daysforlifend. com. See page 10.

Sept. 28-29 (Saturday-Sunday): Sts. Anne & Joachim fall festival and car raffle, Fargo. Events run from 6 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 28, and from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Sept. 29 (Sunday): St. Lawrence’s

National pilgrim statue on tour in diocese Oct. 6-18 The Fargo Division of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA (Blue Army) is sponsoring the Oct. 6 through 18 tour of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue in the Fargo Diocese. The statue is a hand carved work of art that travels our country to make known the message of Our Lady of Fatima. The statue’s custodian, William Sockey, will give a talk on the message of Fatima. Below is the schedule where the statue and message will be presented.

Check the website www.waffargo.org for more details on time of presentations or call (701) 261-5259 or (701) 371-8409. The schedule where the statue and message will be presented includes: Oct. 6: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo; Oct. 7: St. Paul’s Newman Center, Fargo; Oct. 8: St. Anthony of Padua, Fargo; Oct. 9: St. Michael, Grand Forks; Oct. 10: Holy Family, Grand Forks; Oct. 11: St. Stanislaus, Warsaw; Oct. 12: St. Joseph’s, Tolna;

Oct. 13: St. Therese the Little Flower, Rugby; Oct. 14: St. Francis Xavier, Anamoose; Oct. 15: St. John the Evangelist, New Rockford; Oct. 16: St. Philip Neri, Napoleon; Oct. 17: St. Boniface, Lidgerwood; Oct. 18: St. John, Wahpeton.

At St. Therese the Little Flower Church in Rugby Oct. 13, the Rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. before Sockey’s talk. EWTN Radio Network and Real Presence Radio will broadcast the event live, and it will be heard on www.yourcatholicradiostation.com.

54-day novena begins Sept. 16

In support of Pope Francis’ plans to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Oct. 13, the World Apostolate of Fatima USA is planning a 54-day novena from Sept. 16 to Nov. 8. Members and friends are invited to participate. Details are available at www.bluearmy.com.

17th annual fall supper, 5 to 7 p.m., Jessie.

Sept. 29 (Sunday): St. Anthony of Padua’s fall bazaar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fargo.

Oct. 1 (Tuesday): Serra Club din-

Diocese of Fargo BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF ANNUNCIATION MONASTERY www.annunciationmonastery.org

Prayerful Presence on the Prairie Since 1878

ner, an opportunity to visit and pray with others who support vocations, 6 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua, Fargo.

Oct. 4 (Friday): Life, Faith and Family dinner featuring Father Leo Patilinghung, Sts. Anne & Joachim, Fargo. See page 1.

Oct. 6 (Sunday): Walk with Christ for Life on Respect Life Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, 604 Broadway, Fargo. Mass at noon followed by a prayerful, peaceful procession to the state’s only abortion facility.

Oct. 6 (Sunday): St. William’s turkey dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Argusville Community Center.

Oct. 6 (Sunday): St. Mary’s 34th annual bazaar, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Park River.

Oct. 6 (Sunday): St. Boniface’s fall supper, 2 to 6 p.m., Walhalla.

Oct. 6-18 (Sunday-Friday): The Fargo Division of the World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army) is sponsoring the tour of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue in the Fargo Diocese. See box on this page.

Oct. 13 (Sunday): The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. on the 96th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, St. Therese the Little Flower, Rugby.

See box on this page.

Oct. 13 (Sunday): St. John the Evangelist is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the new church, 9:30 a.m., Grafton. Fall dinner will follow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oct. 15 (Tuesday): St. Benedict’s will offer Mass to commemorate the 100th year of their present church Please turn to EVENTS on page 15

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NewEarth

September 2013 n 13

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Presentation Sister Helen Backes celebrates her 100th birthday

By Janet E. Schultz

Presentation Sister Helen Backes, who as a nurse once delivered a baby in a car, celebrated her 100th birthday Aug. 25, at Maryvale Convent in Valley City.

“I have been blessed beyond belief,” Sister Helen remarked. “I have good health and have never been sick; the Lord has been very good to me.”

Sister Helen was born Aug. 27, 1913, on a farm near Lansford, the youngest in a family of eight children — six boys and two girls.

Following her education in country schools, she attended Notre Dame Academy in Willow City before graduating from St. Catherine High School in Valley City. It was at Notre Dame Academy and St. Catherine’s that she became acquainted with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. Her older

sister, Sister Rose Gertrude, was also a member of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation.

Sister Helen joined the Presentation community in 1929 at the age of 16. She was drawn to consider religious Sister Helen life through the witness of her sister, who was 13 years older. “When Sister Rose Gertrude came home,” Sister Helen recalled, “I would see her and I was just attracted to the joy that she possessed.”

Sister Helen took her religious training at the motherhouse in Broons, France, and made her first vows on Sept. 31, 1931. She returned to the United States and earned a regis-

tered nurse degree from St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in Spring Valley, Ill. She later earned a post-graduate degree in obstetrics in Spring Valley.

She worked in the maternity ward of the hospital for many years. She worked in hospitals owned by the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation in North Dakota and Illinois for 40 years.

Sister Helen recalled the importance, while working in the maternity ward, of “getting the doctor there on time . . . but not too early . . . or too late. Doctors didn’t like to be kept waiting and some doctors lived 15 miles away.”

One time during an emergency she helped deliver a baby in a car at midnight as no doctor was available at that moment. She “liked her work” and knew “that the Lord was always with me.”

After retiring from full-time nursing work in the hospitals, Sister Helen

worked at Maryvale Convent in Valley City as a night nurse for the retired, elderly sisters. Now she enjoys working on puzzles, reading, playing cards, especially SkipBo, and spending time in the peaceful Maryvale Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament.

As she completes her 100th year of life, Sister Helen says she could not wish for a better place to live than Maryvale. “I have nothing to complain about. If you give yourself to the Lord, he is good. And the best is yet to come — all eternity.”

A special celebration was held on Aug. 25 for Sister Helen. The dining room walls were decorated with more than 100 cards that she received from Sisters, family and friends. Sisters also read 100-word messages, songs and poems that they had written to honor the life of Sister Helen.

Rosemary Miller marks 90 years of life Rosemary Miller, a member of St. Joseph parish in Devils Lake, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends.

She was born Aug. 26, 1923, in Loretto, Tenn., the oldest of 11 children. She married Ralph A. Miller of Lawton on June 4, 1949. They had 11 children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Through the years they lived in Lawton, Webster and Rosemary Miller Devils Lake, all in North Dakota.

Her husband, Ralph, passed away at age 96 in February 2008 and Rosemary lives in an apartment in Devils Lake.

She is thankful for all those years that God has given her.

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

Herbecks celebrate 60 years together Submitted photo

Attending their daughter’s silver jubilee as a Presentation Sister are, from left, Don and Mary Lange (parents of Sister Elaine), pictured with Sister Elaine Lange and Bishop John Folda.

Don and Mary Herbeck from Grand Forks recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

They were married on Aug. 22, 1953, at St. Elizabeth’s in Dilworth, Minn.

Sister Elaine Lange celebrates 25 years of profession On July 6, Maryvale in Valley City was the setting of a grand celebration: Sister Elaine Lange celebrated 25 years of religious profession in the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation.

The ceremony was officiated by the new bishop of Fargo, Bishop John Thomas Folda. It was with pride that the Presentation Sisters welcomed him to Maryvale as one of his first functions in the diocese.

Two priests who were past students of our Sisters, Father James Ermer of Casselton and Msgr. Dennis Skonseng of Valley City, concelebrated with Bishop Folda. The Master of Ceremonies was Father Luke Meyer.

Sister Elaine had planned her liturgy with songs and music that reflected her gratitude.

Many of Sister Elaine’s family were present, including her parents, two sis-

ters and two brothers with aunts and uncles, nephews, nieces and friends.

The service was followed by a brunch.

Sister Elaine was born the daughter of Donald and Mary Lange of Webster.

She lived on a farm with her eight siblings and attended grade school there and high school in Devils Lake.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Minot State College and a master’s degree in Christian spirituality at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. After entering religious life, she continued a teaching ministry at St. Patrick School in Washington, Ill., St. Joseph School in Red Lake Falls, Minn., and St. Louis School in Princeton, Ill. She will be moving to St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey. There she hopes to care for children in a day care for the employees of the health center.

Jubilee of St. Andrew’s Hospital, Bottineau”, according to Sister Kevin, FSM, hospital superior. Father Cleophas Joillet, Bottineau, was celebrant of the Mass. Bishop Leo Dworschak preached the sermon. Following the Mass, approximately 30 priests and 55 sisters from throughout North Dakota attended a dinner in St. Mark’s Church dining hall.

the St. Catherine’s Cares campaign.

The aim of the campaign is to raise a minimum of $450,000 in pledges payable over three to five years. The funds will go toward repair and renovation of St. Catherine’s Church and to the “Shepherds Care “ campaign — the Fargo diocesan effort to assist sick and elderly priests which is also now in progress.

20 years ago — 1993

10 years ago — 2003

The Church of St. Catherine in Valley City announced that it is launching an intensive fundraising effort called

The Diocese of Fargo’s restored bishop’s residence reflects the history of the Catholic Church in eastern North

Leiers to celebrate 60th anniversary Leonard and Theresa (Grensteiner) Leier, currently of Tappen, were married at St. Katherine’s in Braddock on Sept. 22, 1953.

They have been members of St. Paul’s in Tappen since October of 1954. They have seven children, 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. They recently retired from farming and ranching.

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

September 50 years ago — 1963 “To give thanks for the many blessings received through the years and ask God’s blessings on all future endeavors, a solemn high Mass was sung in St. Mark’s Church Sept. 2, as the Sisters of St. Mary of the Presentation began the celebration of the golden

Dakota. Bishop Samuel Aquila hosted an open house at the residence on Sept. 27. More than 300 guests toured the home which had been painstakingly restored. Construction of the residence began in 1899 and was completed in 1901. Every bishop of the diocese has resided in the home. The 12,000 square foot structure was renovated in 1938, with minor changes made to the kitchen in 1957. The restoration has been funded by private donations. No donations to God’s Gift Appeal have been used to fund this project. Bishop Aquila greeted guests throughout the six-hour open house.

Youth & Young Adults

14 n September 2013

NewEarth

Youth called to March for Life next January Youth in grades 9 through 12 from across the Diocese of Fargo are invited to participate in the 41st annual March for Life in Washington D.C., on Jan. 22. The pilgrimage will begin in Fargo on Jan. 18 and return Jan. 23.

Father Kurt Gunwall, vocation director for the Diocese of Fargo, will be the spiritual director.

In addition to participating in the March and the Vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, youth will also travel to Emmitsburg, Md., to visit the Mother Seton Shrine, and see the sights of Washington, D.C. The cost for the six-day pilgrimage is $830 and includes air and ground travel, lodging, meals and tour fees.

Registration forms can be found at www.fargodiocese.org/respectlife.

Deadline to register is Oct. 18.

Photo courtesy NDSU Newman Center

Members of the new student advisory board at the Newman Center on the campus of North Dakota State University include, front row from left, Erin Krieger, vice president of communications; Jenna Galegher, secretary; and Sarah Knopik, vice president; back row from left, David Mettler, president; Richard Stenger, treasurer, and Father James Cheney, pastor.

Newman forms first student advisory board

By Jenna Galegher

Fall 2013 will mark the advent of a newly formed Student Advisory Board at St. Paul’s Newman Center, which serves over 4,000 Catholics on the campus of North Dakota State University, Fargo.

The board is an effort on the part of the students to make the Newman Center and all bisonCatholic campus ministry programs more student owned and led.

The board includes an Executive Board which oversees Advisory Committee members. The board and committee members, in conjunction with the pastor, will coordinate the full spectrum of bisonCatholic campus ministry programs.

Campus ministry is thriving at

St. Paul’s Newman Center, where thousands of students have actively engaged and benefited from holistic Catholic formation — encouraging students in their pursuit of the virtues of chastity, sobriety and excellence.

As a “home-away-from-home,” the Newman Center not only tends to the daily spiritual needs of students but also provides a place for hundreds of students to form faith-based relationships every day.

Through its very successful campus ministry program, the Newman Center provides opportunities for youth to minister to youth — with more than 70 student-led Bible studies on campus, men’s and women’s groups and various social activities every week.

Without the presence of the New-

A third generation marriage Msgr. Allan Nilles, a retired priest of the Diocese of Fargo, recently officiated at what he calls a third generation wedding. The marriage involved his grandniece of Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to this, Msgr. Nilles had officiated at the weddings of her parents and her grandparents, Msgr. Nilles’ nephew and Msgr.

Nilles’ sister. The parties were all present for the third generation marriage which took place June 29 at Assumption Church in Chicago.

Commenting on the celebration Msgr. Nilles said, “What I like about this wedding is that the idea of having me as the celebrant of the wedding came from the parties themselves, and beautifully demonstrated the continuity of the faith from one generation to the next.”

Msgr. Nilles is now 89 years of age and in delicate health. He is not planning on a fourth generation marriage. However, the bride has a sister who could be planning a wedding.

Pictured left to right: Patrick and Kate Mitten, parents of the bride; Msgr. Allan Nilles; Maggie and Tanner Schapman, the bridal couple; and Peg and Jerry Mitten, grandparents of the bride.

man Center on campus, much would be lost. Future leaders would have no guidance in their pursuit of virtue, nor would they have a “home” to come to when an epidemic of moral problems such as pornography, pre-marital sex, co-habitation, drug and alcohol addictions and the moral relativism of tolerance push themselves upon the minds and hearts of our students.

The Newman Center serves the faith formation of thousands as they transition into what it means to be an adult.

To learn more about the Newman Center, which offers the best of faith and education during the collegiate experience, visit www.bisonCatholic.org.

Galegher is executive secretary for St. Paul’s Newman Center.

For more information, contact Rachelle at (701) 356-7910, or email rachelle.sauvageau@fargodiocese.org.

University student contact information requested The Newman Centers at North Dakota State University, Fargo, and University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, are ready to serve the spiritual needs of university students as they encounter the many formation challenges a secular university presents.

One obstacle to that service is identifying which Catholic students are attending the universities. If you know of someone from your parish who is attending UND or NDSU, or if your Director of Religious Education knows, please email the student’s contact information to Father Jason Lefor at UND (jason. lefor@fargodiocese.org) or Father James Cheney at NDSU (frcheney@ gmail.com). They will invite them to activities the Newman Centers offer.

Youth & Young Adults

15 n September 2013

NewEarth

Join us in Wahpeton for Senior High Youth Celebration The Catholic Youth Advisory Council invites you to attend the annual Senior High Youth Celebration Thursday, Oct. 17.

Held this year at St. John’s Catholic School in Wahpeton, we will attempt to scratch the surface of the theological mystery stated in the Gospel of John 1:14 — “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us.”

Chosen as the theme for this year in part to honor Bishop John Folda, whose motto is the first half of the verse, these compelling words remind us that Jesus continues to live with us in the Eucharist.

To help us along our spiritual journey, there will be workshops presented on various subjects pertaining to the theme.

In addition, Ennie Hickman will give the keynote address in the morning, bringing to us the talents that have drawn many to Steubenville over the past several years.

In the late afternoon we will have Nathan Sather, a wonderful speaker who challenges you to know why you believe what you believe. Full of energy, he’s always ready to help youth learn more about their faith.

The highlight of the day will be a Eucharistic procession leading into Mass.

Our very own Bishop Folda looks

Here are the details

When: Thursday, October 17 Where: St. John’s Catholic School, 115 N. 2nd St., Wahpeton Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cost: $35 per student, $15 per chaperone, $10 per T-shirt (requirement of one chaperone for every eight students) For more information, contact your parish youth minister. forward with great anticipation to celebrating the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist with us and can’t wait for the opportunity to meet as many of the youth of the diocese as he can.

Finally, to end the day in style, the one and only D.J. Bill Lage will lead one of his famous dances.

Renowned throughout the nation for his ability to energize a crowd, D.J. Bill gives you a chance to be wild and crazy after a long day, playing many hit songs and teaching you the Catholic Dance.

If you’re ready for a fun, holy time, sign up with your parish before Thursday, Sept. 26.

The parish that brings the largest group will be awarded a pizza party, so don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreat scheduled for Oct. 4-6 in Hankinson A word from Pope John Paul II to those suffering because of abortion: “Do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope . . . the Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and peace in the sacrament of Reconciliation.”

If you or someone you know has suffered from the physical, emotional and spiritual effects of a past abortion, there is hope for healing. Rachel’s Vineyard offers a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential weekend retreat

for anyone — women, men, grandparents and siblings — who struggle with the feelings of loss that can accompany an abortion experience.

The weekend begins on a Friday night and concludes on Sunday afternoon. A Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 4 through 6 in Hankinson. For more information, or to register, please call Ruth Ruch at (701) 219-3941 or email her at ruch@ i29.net. Calls are confidential.

Events around the diocese Continued from page 12 building, 7 p.m., Wild Rice.

Oct. 17 (Thursday): 28th annual Presentation Prayer Center fundraiser luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holiday Inn, Fargo. Please call Sister Andrea at (701) 237-4857 for tickets. Cost is $30.

Oct. 19 (Saturday): Faith through the Ages, 7 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua, Fargo. Visit www.fargodiocese.org/ faiththroughages.

Oct. 19 (Saturday): Presentation Prayer Center “Meet the author” event with Nancy Thurston, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 1101 32nd Ave. S., Fargo. Register with

Sister Andrea at (701) 237-4857.

Oct. 25-27 (Friday-Sunday): THIRST conference, Bismarck Civic Center.

Visit bismarckdiocese.com for more information.

Oct. 27 (Sunday): Holy Spirit fall festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fargo.

Oct. 27 (Sunday): Blessed Sacrament fall dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., West Fargo.

To submit events for New Earth and the diocesan website, mail them to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Blvd. S., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605 or email news@ fargodiocese.org. The deadline for the October New Earth is Sept. 25.

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, in­­ cluding sexual abuse, to civil authorities.

ocesan offices or other Catholic entity with­in the diocese, we ask that you also report the incident or suspected incident to Msgr. Joseph P. Goering at (701) 356-7945 or Larry Bernhardt at (701) 356-7965 or VictimAssistance@ fargodiocese.org.

If the situation involves a member of the clergy or a religious order, a seminarian, or an employee of a Cath­olic school, parish, the di-

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

Thank you Thank you to Ray Simon for your many years of service as advertising representative for New Earth.

You were a great asset to our team, Ray, and we appreciate the expertise you shared with us!

and welcome!

Please join us in welcoming Karla Schell, who is taking on the advertising representative position in addition to her current position at Sts. Anne & Joachim Church.

Advertisers can reach Karla at: NewEarthAds@fargodiocese.org.

(701) 367-0434

16 n September 2013

NewEarth

Blessed John Paul II Catholic Schools Network: Capital campaign for new elementary school to begin Editor’s note: The Blessed John Paul II Catholic Schools Network includes the parishes of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Cross in West Fargo, St. Benedict’s of Wild Rice near Horace, and Holy Spirit, St. Mary’s, St. Anthony of Padua, Nativity and Sts. Anne & Joachim in Fargo.

Following is a report regarding the capital campaign for a new elementary school.

During the months of June and July the Blessed John Paul II Catholic Schools Network conducted a feasibility study in regard to the capital needs of our schools.

Personal interviews were conducted and mail/email surveys were distributed to all parishioners in the network’s eight parishes to measure the level of interest in supporting needs previously identified in our strategic planning process.

The data from the study was presented to the JPII Board of Directors on July 31. Some of the key observations are: n 95% of personal interview respondents were in favor of a capital campaign. n 46 respondents indicated they would serve in a leadership position and assist with the appeal process. n Respondents also emphasized the need to communicate the rationale behind the project and the need to involve as many community members as possible in moving forward. n Our community feels this campaign is critical to the future of the Blessed John Paul II Catholic Schools Network.

First stage beginning Based on the results of the study, the data from our previous strategic planning process, and the direction of our leadership we are initiating the first stage of a capital campaign.

The second and more public appeal stage will be kicked off in early 2014, with the hopes of breaking ground on Trinity School in spring 2014. To complete this campaign we will continue to work to communicate the strategic importance of this project and enlist the leadership of our local community members, alumni and friends.

Immediately following our July 31 board meeting we started the process of identifying and soliciting the involvement of a leadership team of network parents, parish members from the eight network parishes and other stakeholders including alumni outside of the area. In addition to the support of our stakeholders as described above, Bishop John Folda has been and will be actively involved in this campaign.

His leadership in setting the vision for

Students started a new school year at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Schools on Aug. 22.

the campaign includes the following three points: n This is a Catholic Community Campaign: Our ultimate success as a network relies on our ability to transform the way we see ourselves.

Building Trinity School, paying off the Network debt, and completing the Shanley/Sullivan Building Project will be realized by unity in the eight network parishes. Parishioners from these parishes are being recruited for our campaign leadership team.

We believe our strength as a Catholic Community will be fully realized by our combined efforts. n Adding Capacity: One of the misconcep tions our community has is that there is abundant space in our Catholic Schools. In fact, we are currently unable to offer our full educational program. Though there are spaces available in current classrooms, we are unable to offer 3-year-old pre-kindergarten, 4-year-old pre-kindergarten and after-school programs.

The construction of Trinity will allow us to have these programs at each of our elementary schools. n Presence where Growth is Occurring: The current growth in our Catholic Community, especially with young families, is too far from Nativity and Holy Spirit elementary schools. The location of Trinity School at the site of the new Holy Cross Church will provide families from St. Benedict’s, Holy Cross, and Blessed Sacrament parishes a nearby Catholic school opportunity.

In turn, students attending Trinity will provide Shanley High School and Sullivan Middle School with additional students in the future to maximize the operation of those sites.

Off to a good start Thank you to everyone who participated in this critical campaign preparation process. Your input has been extremely beneficial and will help to ensure the success of our upcoming campaign and the long-term viability of the JPII Catholic Schools Network.

There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be accomplished for our schools to reach new levels of excellence. Judging from the enthusiastic response from our stakeholders in the first steps of the capital campaign we will have success.

In the next few weeks you will receive more information about the specific goals of the campaign.

JPII Catholic Schools — Touching eternity, one student at a time The JPII Catholic Schools in the Fargo area began classes on Aug. 23, welcoming over 1,020 students this year.

The teachers and staff had been busy preparing for the new school year all summer long. During the summer months there were many learning opportunities for the teachers; a threeday Writer’s Workshop where more than 20 of our elementary and middle school teachers attended, a Regional Professional Learning Community Conference in Minneapolis, five high school teachers participated in AP Course Training which allows Shanley to offer more college level courses, along with various technology learning as the JPII Schools made numerous technological upgrades.

Our students were also offered various learning opportunities over the summer as well; 15 middle school students participated in a Rocket Class, where they built and launched rockets, two separate groups of Shanley students spent a week at the Spirit Lake Mission to help run their summer school program, and 17 incoming seniors went to Rome for a two-week pilgrimage through the University of Mary.

There were numerous sports camps as well as close to 100 students who came four mornings a week for a

Strength and Condition camp run by a JPII staff member and some returning alumni.

These are a few examples of the commitment to excellence that we are striving to achieve at the JPII Catholic Schools.

Our mission, to inspire exceptional student achievement by teaching the total person and fostering the following of Christ in an environment guided by the Gospel spirit, as taught by the Catholic Church, is only attainable with the support and dedication of our families, churches, and teachers and engaged work of our students.

And to achieve that level of excellence we cannot just take action nine months out of the year but rather all 12 months.

We were blessed and honored that Bishop John Folda served as the celebrant for Mass on the first official day that staff returned from summer break.

In his homily he spoke of the importance of Catholic education and the role that the teachers and staff play in a student’s life. As he touched on many points, a couple that stood out were for the staff to remember that we are all touching eternity every day as we pass on our faith to the students and our co-workers and everything that we do should be done through the prism of our faith.