ST. JA M E S
ST. ANDRE W
ST. J OS E PH
Holy Family Area CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
Honoring and Understanding the Gift of Fertilit y
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ver 50 years ago, Pope Paul VI released an encyclical letter called Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life), addressing the topic of contraception. In this letter, he anticipated several outcomes that would result in the popularization of birth control, an increase in marital infidelity, a general moral decline, and a loss of respect for women, among other things. Today, we see that many of those projections have come true. But, for many who have only known a world where contraception is readily available and accepted, it can be hard to grasp the Church’s rejection of something that, on the surface, seems to bring convenience and control. It is important to understand that, at the heart of the Church’s teachings against contraception, is
the dignity of the human person. The Church has always believed and taught that a person is worthy of love, and never to be used by another. In separating the unitive — uniting, bonding — and procreative aspects of the sexual act, through birth control, it becomes easy to view the other person as an object to be used, rather than a person to be loved. So, what is the answer? If not birth control, what is the answer for couples who have prayerfully decided that they want to postpone a pregnancy, for the time being, or even indefinitely? The Church, which calls people to “responsible parenthood,” understands the need for spacing and delaying pregnancy for various reasons, and hopes to give couples the resources they need
Austin and Morgan Hiepler took NFP classes through the Zoom conferencing platform as part of their preparation for marriage.
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MARCH 2021
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NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING continued from front cover
to respect the dignity of their spouse and marriage during those times. Natural Family Planning, or NFP, is designed to help couples understand the gift of their fertility, and honor it, even when they are planning to avoid a pregnancy. St. Joseph’s parishioners Morgan and Austin Hiepler are high school sweethearts who were married last summer. The couple took NFP classes through the Zoom conferencing platform as part of their marriage preparation. “I was not aware of NFP until we started marriage counseling with Fr. Paul,” Morgan says. “I knew that contraception was against the Catholic Church, and going to these courses made me realize how to go about avoiding pregnancy and accomplishing pregnancy in the Catholic Church.” “We learned about starting a family, in a natural and Christian-appropriate way,” Austin adds. Natural Family Planning is designed to teach women to understand and track the natural cycles of their body, however simple or complex they may be. With this knowledge, couples are then able to identify the specific times when the woman is fertile and to abstain if they are choosing to avoid a pregnancy. This knowledge allows spouses to truly accept and embrace all aspects of each other, including fertility. “There are so many things about a woman’s fertility that I had no idea about,” Morgan says. “We both learned so much together, that will help us down to the road to starting a family.” Natural Family Planning also beneficial to women’s health overall, avoiding artificial hormones and other devices that often lead to various health issues and complications. NFP can also help with the diagnosis and treatment of many women’s health problems, including infertility. “I would encourage couples to consider NFP whether they are trying to avoid or accomplish pregnancy,” Morgan says. “You think you know a lot, but I learned so much about my own body that I had no idea about. It is fascinating and gives me more confidence in knowing my body more.” 2
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Austin and Morgan Hiepler learned the practice of Natural Family Planning while preparing for their wedding.
If you would like more information on Natural Family Planning, or to connect with an NFP instructor, please contact St. Joseph parishioner, Beth Gilb, MSW, FCP at 307-202-2322, bethgilb@gmail.com.
A Letter From Our Pastor
A MONTH AND YEAR TO HONOR My Dear Friends in Christ,
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St. Joseph
ur Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chose to enter the world through the human family. He came as an infant born into the marriage and home of the two holiest human creatures who ever lived — Joseph and Mary. At a time when our world and our Church needs family and faithful disciples now more than ever, could there be a more fitting time to venerate the man who gave his life and his love to the Blessed Mother and the Son of God? Pope Francis has declared 2021 the Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. Our pope said he established the year so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.” As Christians, we are blessed to have Mary as our spiritual mother and Joseph as our spiritual father. Just as Mary guides us from heaven with loving devotion, St. Joseph also diligently provides for the needs of the family of God, the Holy Catholic Church. Because of his special role as foster-father of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph has merited singular privileges in heaven unmatched by any saint aside from the Blessed Virgin Mary. To give some modern-day perspective to the significance of this special year, Pope Francis has said the coronavirus pandemic heightened his desire to reflect on St. Joseph, as so many people during the pandemic have made hidden sacrifices to protect others, just as St. Joseph quietly protected and cared for Mary and Jesus. “Each of us can discover in Joseph — the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence — an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” the pope wrote. At the end of the First Vatican Council in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron of the Universal Church. He is also the patron of carpenters, workers, fathers, and a happy death because he died in the presence of Mary and Jesus. The title of Joseph’s March 19 feast day is “Husband of Mary.” Pope Pius XII later declared May 1 to be the feast of St. Joseph the Worker to counteract the Communist May Day holiday. As Catholics pray and reflect on the life of St. Joseph this year, they also have opportunities to gain a plenary indulgence or remission of all temporal punishment due to sin. An indulgence can be applied to oneself or to a soul in purgatory. An indulgence requires a specific act, defined by the Church, as well as sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayer for the pope’s intentions, and full detachment from sin.
Special indulgences during the Year of St. Joseph can be received through various prayers and actions, including praying for the unemployed, entrusting one’s daily work to St. Joseph, performing a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, or meditating for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer. As we devote 2021 to St. Joseph’s honor, we will undoubtedly unlock many special graces — not only for our parishes, but for each of the faithful who increase their devotion to him during this special year. There is no greater model than St. Joseph from whom we can learn how to live virtuously in imitation of Jesus and Mary. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Paul Timmerman, Pastor
To read more about Pope Francis’ declaration on the Church granting plenary indulgences for the Year of St. Joseph, visit www.bit.ly/StJoseph2021 Pope Francis’ Prayer to St. Joseph Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted His only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.
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R EF L EC T I N G O N G OD’S PA R IS H I O N ER
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f you had told Ingrid Larson 40 years ago that she would someday become a Catholic and have a daughter preparing to take religious vows in the Church, she scarcely could have believed you — yet, the Lord works in mysterious ways! Ingrid, who was raised in the Lutheran faith, became a confirmed member of the Catholic Church 10 years ago, and her daughter is currently a novice with the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, N.M. While God’s path for her life is not something she could have predicted, Ingrid is thankful for the many blessings found along the way. Ingrid grew up in the Lutheran church with parents who provided great examples of an active faith life. She remembers her mother in particular as a great “giver” who was always serving others. And as anyone who knows Ingrid can attest, this trait of open hospitality was certainly inherited! “I was a special ed teacher, so I guess I have always had an attraction to helping others,” Ingrid says. “I guess it is one of my gifts. I love to write cards to people, buy little gifts, or do little things for people. My husband says that I must have a sign on, because people will just come up to me in the store or anywhere and want to talk.” Ingrid and Gary have been married for 34 years. At the beginning of their marriage, the couple attended Ingrid’s Lutheran church in addition to Gary’s parish at St. James. Once they had children — son, Brent, and daughter, Sonja — they decided to raise them in the Catholic faith, and the family began attending Catholic Mass exclusively. Then one day, their son asked Ingrid what she thought about becoming Catholic herself. Ingrid enrolled in the RCIA process at St. James and was confirmed in the Catholic Church 10 years ago. While Ingrid had long been active in parish life at St. James — she and Gary have taught Religious Education classes for years — entering fully into the Church increased her love of the sacraments and the Mass. “The Eucharist has just been so special in the Catholic Church, and the liturgy is so meaningful and traditional,” Ingrid says. In addition to continuing to serve as catechists in our Religious Education program, Ingrid and Gary have
Ingrid Larson
The Larson family — Brent, Sonja, Ingrid and Gary
also led Lenten Bible studies for the last few years. Ingrid participates in the Music Ministry as a flutist and is a member of the new Holy Family Area Stewardship Committee. As she continues to become more involved in parish life, Ingrid enjoys the opportunity to connect with more parishioners at St. James and the other Holy Family Area parishes. Of course, one of the greatest blessings that the Larsons’ commitment to the faith has brought them is the joy they receive in watching their children live out intentional discipleship. Their son, Brent, first met his wife, Alyssa, while leading a Bible study. Today, Brent serves as a lector at St. James, where he, Alyssa, and their two young sons typically share a pew with Ingrid and Gary at the weekend Mass. The Larsons’ daughter, Sonja, is now known as Sister Karolina as she begins her second novitiate year with the Poor Clare Monastery in New Mexico. Sonja first began talking about a possible vocation to religious life when she was a vocal performance student at Viterbo University. Following her graduation, she continued her music studies as a Fulbright Scholar in Poland, where she fell even more deeply in love with her Catholic faith. As she was exploring a possible call to vows, Sonja suffered a serious concussion. Feeling that her recovery was a second chance at the one earth-
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ly life we all have to live, she decided to commit herself fully to the Lord. Over the last year, the Larsons have adjusted to their daughter pursuing the cloistered contemplative life. Though there are still times when it is difficult not to be able to pick up the phone and call to check in on Sister Karolina, Ingrid feels blessed by their daughter’s religious vocation. “The [Poor Clares] are very separate from the world, but they pray for the world, which we need,” Ingrid says. “It is a gift, and Sonja feels called by Jesus and is where she is supposed to be. When I look back on it, I can see how the Lord has moved. Through her, we have learned and grown and become more committed to our Church and faith. Really, both our children have
“My daughter had written something that I put in our Christmas card. “She wrote, ‘We are especially praying that this trial will bring moral and spiritual healing to our world and ultimately inspire a discovery and re-prioritization of God, prayer, and family in each human heart.’ So that is my hope, too — that people will appreciate our church and come back.”— Ingrid Larson
brought us to be stronger in faith, and we’ve learned from them. We’re just really blessed.” Thankful for the loving community of our Holy Family Area — and confident in God’s plans for the future — Ingrid prays that 2021 will bring many more blessings to the faithful as we continue to navigate life amid a pandemic. “My daughter had written something that I put in our Christmas card,” Ingrid says. “She wrote, ‘We are especially praying that this trial will bring moral and spiritual healing to our world and ultimately inspire a discovery and re-prioritization of God, prayer, and family in each human heart.’ So that is my hope, too — that people will appreciate our church and come back.”
Ingrid and Gary Larson’s daughter, Sonja (Sister Maria Karolina) with Mother Angela, on the occasion of moving to the novitiate stage as a Poor Clare Nun in Roswell, N.M.
Gary and Ingrid Larson (left) at the Baptism of their grandson, Damien, son of Brent and Alyssa Larson, with Damien’s brother, Ambrose, and Fr. Craig Timmerman
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From the Catechism
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WHAT IS ALMSGIVING? iving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2462).
During the seasons of Advent and Lent, it is not uncommon to hear about fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Most of us are familiar with at least two of the three penitential practices — prayer and fasting. We engage in prayer each day, while fasting becomes a regular part of our Lenten routines. But what is almsgiving? It is simply giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. This can be through donations of canned goods to the local food pantry, spare change to the Salvation Army during the Christmas season, or even through person-to-person contact with the poor. This Lent, if your family has not regularly engaged in almsgiving, consider making a change. Search for opportunities to serve the poor and vulnerable, making their lives easier — even if in a small way. Things to do with your family: • Place a coffee can in a prominent place in your home, and commit to filling it with loose change throughout the week. Then, donate the money to a local charity. • The next time you shop for groceries, buy a few extra canned goods and donate them to a food pantry or food bank. • Research a charity that works with the poor, and make a commitment to regularly give to that organization. • Resolve to never judge those who are less fortunate, and teach your children the same.
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THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:
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Worthy of God’s Love, We Receive God’s Grace
ne of the most asked about — yet, perhaps one of the most difficult to explain — concepts in the Catholic faith is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In Reconciliation, we tell our sins directly to God, through a priest. Part of the reason we tell a priest is to receive verbal confirmation that the sins are forgiven. As Catholics, we don’t need to assume God has forgiven us. The priest says “your sins are forgiven” and gives a penance, which may be a series of prayers or an act to perform. Holy Family Area Secretary Nancy Lonneman says Reconciliation is a particularly important and beautiful way to prepare for Easter. While we must make Confession as often as possible, Lent and Advent are both important seasons to seek the sacrament. “I have found so much love and forgiveness from
going to Confession, more than I ever expected,” Nancy says. “I look at life and people, in general, in a whole new perspective. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I find it much easier to love and forgive others.” Our parishes often hold a penance service, during which there is a series of prayers, time for an examination of conscience, and an opportunity for private Confession with several priests. There is no obligation to go to a priest whom you know; some people prefer seeing a priest they do not know. Nancy realizes that Reconciliation may be scary or intimidating for many people. She was in that same boat herself, years ago. But in watching a series of videos that helped her learn more, and through prayer, Nancy returned to Confession. It has changed her life, and she wants the same for others, so that we may all approach
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One video that Nancy Lonneman utilized as part of her formation during her journey back to Reconciliation was “Why Confess My Sins to a Priest” by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Press. To view the video, go to www.bit.ly/WhyConfess2021 7 7
512 Black Oak Ave. Montevideo, MN 56265
www.holyfamilyarea.org
MASS TIMES: Sunday 8:30 a.m. — St. James, Dawson 10:30 a.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo Tuesday 5 p.m. - St. Andrew, Granite Falls Wednesday 5 p.m. — St. James, Dawson
Thursday 5:30 p.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo Friday 10 a.m. — St. Andrew, Granite Falls
Saturday 5 p.m. — St. Andrew, Granite Falls 7 p.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo in Spanish
CONFESSION TIMES: 30 minutes before daily Mass Sunday 8 a.m. — St. James, Dawson
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Saturday 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo 4:15 p.m. —St. Andrew, Granite Falls
The Sacrament of Reconciliation continued from page 7
the Eucharist free from sin. “The more you go to Confession, the closer you grow to Jesus and the more you become aware of what may be causing your hurts,” Nancy says. Nancy emphasizes that although we are all sinners, God is there waiting for us to ask for forgiveness. He gives grace freely to us — we just need to ask. “We are all worthy of God’s love, but it is our responsibility to ask for forgiveness and repent,” she says. One particular video that Nancy used during her journey back to Reconciliation was Why Confess My Sins to a Priest from Fr. Mike Schmitz, which can be found on YouTube hosted by Ascension Presents. She hopes others will return to this life-changing sacrament. “God just does not want just a little bit of us — God wants our best,” Nancy says. “Confession provides forgiveness, hope, trust, peace, and love. Despite all our sinfulness, God still loves us.”
If you would like to attend Confession, please refer to the bulletin for Lenten penance service and Reconciliation times.
MARCH 2021