OND August B 2014 VOL 68 NO 13

VOL. 68, NO. 13

WWW.CROOKSTON.ORG

AUGUST 27, 2014

Jesus alone is the fulfillment of all desires Music Missionary Danielle Rose to give keynote and concert at Year of Marriage Congress Story by Amanda Zurface, Coordinator of Justice, Marriage & Family Life, Office of the New Evangelization “O loving Father, make our home a Nazareth where you may reign a holy family of love where Jesus’ manger lays…” These are the opening words of the 2014 Year of Marriage theme song: Holy Family.

The song, discovered by Ms. Bonnie Lee, the Diocese of Crookston’s Director of the Office of Worship, was introduced to the faithful of the diocese at the Opening Mass for the Year of Marriage, celebrated by Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner on December 1, 2013. It has since been joyfully sung throughout the year at parishes at weekend Masses, weddings and at several diocesan sponsored events. During the past nine months you may have personally attended one of these events and while singing the song, you may have asked yourself: Who is the inspired writer?

Meet Danielle Rose, a 34 yearold wife, expectant mother, Catholic musician and songwriter who holds the extraordinary title of Music Missionary! Danielle will be the keynote speaker on Friday, October 3 at the upcoming Congress.

She will offer a presentation titled: May Our Marriage Be a Monstrance.

Danielle will also be giving a Year of Marriage “Love & Life” concert on Saturday, October 4 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston at 7:00 p.m.

Danielle recently offered an interview [written format] exchange with Amanda Zurface, Coordinator of Justice, Marriage & Family Life in the Diocesan Office of the New Evangelization. Danielle shared that music has been a part of her entire life’s journey – beginning with the violin at the age of seven, but with her actual music ministry beginning at the age of seventeen.

She stated: “When I was seventeen, I went to India to volunteer with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. It was after this experi-

The Lord’s Monstrance with Music Missionary Danielle Rose and Husband Mitchell (right) in wedding attire. (Photo Credit: Tasha Herrgott of Red Bird Hills Photography)

ence that I felt called to give the gift of music back to God to alleviate spiritual poverty because Mother Teresa said we were the poorest country in the world because we did not know God--we didn’t know His love. When I saw the profound material poverty of India and realized that our souls were poorer than their slums, I wanted to do something about it. So I began to offer my little tiny songs to God and asked that He might use them to help others know Him and know His love. In my heart, I knew that I was a “music missionary”

proclaiming the Gospel through the prayer song of my heart.”

As a music missionary, Danielle has released five CD’s to date: Defining Beauty: 2001 (recorded during her junior year of college at the University of Notre Dame), Mysteries: 2003 (a double CD and musical meditation on each of the 20 mysteries of the Holy Rosary), I Thirst: 2007 (a musical biography of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta), Pursue Me: 2007 (a musical testimony of the journey of discerning God’s will for vocation, recorded one week before

Danielle entered the convent) and then Culture of Life: 2013 (a musical reflection on the interrelated components of society that are necessary to build an authentic ‘Culture of Life’). “Each album has its own charism; each song is born out of prayer,” Danielle shared. When asked specifically what her inspiration was for the song: Holy Family, which was licensed to the Diocese of Crookston to use as the Year of Marriage theme song, she stated: “It is based on a prayer Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote for the family. It’s a part of the I Thirst al-

bum, because her understanding of the family was a crucial element of her interior relationship with Jesus and her service to the poorest of the poor around the world. All of her acts of charity were directed to the satiation of Jesus’ thirst upon the Cross and His desire to care for the entire family of God.” Danielle and her husband Mitchell, who were married on April 6, 2013, are expecting their firstborn child on August 27, which is the Feast of St. Monica (the patron saint of mothers)! Together they offer inspiration, direction and hope CONGRESS: Continued on page 10

INSIDE

VOL. 68, NO. 13:

Pg. 3 - Esto Vir Camp Pg. 4 - OSB Jubilarians Pg. 5 - St. Joseph’s (Moorhead) Disabilities Mass

Pg. 5 - St. Peter’s (Gentilly) Centennial Pg. 13 - Fall Dinners in the Diocese of Crookston Pg. 15 - Prayer Calendar/Daily Scripture

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August 27, 2014

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COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Voice from the Valley

BY BISHOP MICHAEL J. HOEPPNER

PARISH LIFE Hope: The Assumption of Mary The parish at Florian is named after the Assumption of Mary and this past Friday I had the delight of celebrating the Feast of the Assumption with the faithful of Assumption Parish, Florian. I have always liked this feast – the Assumption of Mary – as it is so uplifting and hope-inspiring. I began the homily at Mass with a quotation from St. Cyprian, who directed the faithful of his day to always remember with excitement the promises God has made to those who have faith in Jesus: “How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God…to delight in the joy of immortality in the kingdom of heaven with the righteous and friends of God.” So many people in our day are confused when it comes to thoughts of what happens after death. Some, like the “New Atheists” call belief in life after death “dangerous nonsense.”

Ernest Becker in his work The Denial of Death asserts that “The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else…yet more people than not want to hold to a belief that there is life after death.”

As followers of Jesus, how wonderful it is to know in com-

plete faith that life will continue on after we die and the life we will know then will be purely wonderful. We live “in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” (Titus 1:2) The Feast of the Assumption of Mary connects us in a wonderful way to Mary, our mother. She continues to draw us to her Son, helping us to do all that He tells us until the day of the resurrection of the dead when we, body and soul, will be one with God and united in blissful love with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and with all the saints.

And so, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it: “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of [all] other Christians.” (CCC 964-966) We need reminders like the Feast of the Assumption of Mary to help us keep our faith firm and our hope bright.

Then we can always do as we have been asked to do – to be always ready to offer people an explanation of this hope. The world certainly needs it. I hope your celebration of this great feast this year with your parish family was uplifting.

PARISH LIFE Memory: St. Peter’s Centennial On Sunday, August 17, 2014, I joined the parish family of St. Peter’s, Gentilly, in celebration

of their 100 years. Congratulations to all the faithful of St. Peter’s Parish for celebrating your centennial! As Paths of Light, the history of the Diocese of Crookston written for our diocesan centennial notes: “The French-Canadian traders here were cared for by Bishop L. LaFleche of Quebec. Fr. Pierre Champagne arrived from Quebec in October of 1879 and celebrated Gentilly’s first Mass in 1880.” A centennial celebration is a prayer of gratitude to Almighty God for all the blessings of the past, for all who served God’s people throughout the years, and for the great gift of faith transmitted from one generation to the next. A centennial celebration is also a prayer for the future, that we and those who come after us, may be people of strong faith and meet the challenges of our day and the days to come in fulfilling our mission of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to our world. Pope Francis invites us to do that work, to “re-enchant” the world, holding out the joy of the Gospel message to all.

SUMMER LIFE Parish Life: My friends, we live between memory and hope. As I mentioned in this column last month, the word “vacation” comes from the Latin vacare which means “to be free.” Webster’s Dictionary defines “vacation” as “a rest, a respite, a period of freedom from

BISHOP’S CALENDAR August 30-31 September 2 7:45 a.m.

September 6 6:00 p.m.

September 7 8:00 a.m.

September 7 10:15 a.m.

September 9 7:45 a.m.

September 9 10:00 a.m.

September 11 12:00 p.m.

September 13 6:00 p.m.

September 14 10:30 a.m.

University of St. Mary, Bismarck, ND Mass, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston Mass, St. John’s, Nebish Mass, St. Patrick’s, Kelliher Mass, St. Ann’s, Blackduck Mass, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston OND Board Meeting, Chancery Priest’s Council Meeting, Chancery Rite of Confirmation, St. Mary’s, Warroad Rite of Confirmation, Sacred Heart, Baudette

study and work, a time of recreation.” It’s good to remember that there is no “vacation” from our faith-life. A life enriched revolves around moments when we remember, we stop to celebrate, when we are filled once again with great joy and hope as we acknowledge all that God has promised. We worship a God who has built work and rest, feasting and celebrating, recreation and worship into our human DNA and into our “world calendar” too. As the Book of Ecclesiastes puts it: “There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven.”

(3:1) “Secular society, as it distances itself from God, is losing the ability to enjoy its leisure… apart from God, people easily lose their sense of what to do with their free time.” (Donald Cardinal Wuerl) That’s why days like the Feast of the Assumption of Mary are so important for us to celebrate. They remind us of what life is all about. And that is why they are called Holy Days of Obligation. That’s why

we do not stop joining with our parish family to remember and celebrate when summer comes.

We owe it to ourselves and we owe it to God to remember and hope. Holy Days of Obligation, like the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, should really be called “Days of Opportunity!”

They provide an opportunity to center ourselves, to make good use of our time, to rest in God’s good graces and to flow with the tide of life God has established within each of us and within our world. I hope that your summer days afford you some of all that some relaxing days to enjoy one another and God’s many beautiful blessings - some renewing days. But most of all I hope you make good use of your summer days keeping connected to your parish family (or visiting another parish family when gone from home) and the Church, centering every day on God’s presence and action in your life. Where did you celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary?

(USPS 414-940) Our Northland Diocese is a semi-monthly newspaper committed to publishing Good News for the purpose of strengthening and furthering the Reign of God in the Diocese of Crookston.

Subscriptions: $13.65 per year in the diocese, $14.90 per year outside the diocese.

Publisher: The Most Reverend Michael J. Hoeppner

Bishop of the Diocese of Crookston Editor: Rev. Robert Schreiner

Office of the New Evangelization, Director Assoc. Editor: Mrs. Janelle C. Gergen jgergen@crookston.org For questions about subscriptions or address changes, please contact: Renee Tate at rtate@crookston.org Periodical postage paid in Crookston, MN and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: send address changes to: Our Northland Diocese, PO Box 610, Crookston, MN 56716-0610 Phone: 218-281-4533 Publishing dates and submission deadlines for news and advertisements can be found online: http://www.crookston.org/ond/

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

DIOCESAN

August 27, 2014

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2014 Esto Vir Camp held in Two Inlets Story by Deacon Bryan Kujawa From August 5 to 7, five seminarians from the Diocese of Crookston hosted a group of 19 young men from around the diocese for the fourth annual Esto Vir camp at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets, Minnesota.

The camp is founded on the popular phrase of St. Josemaria Escriva: “Don’t say, ‘That’s the way I am – it’s my character.’ It’s your lack of character. Esto Vir! Be a man!” The camp, sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Vocations, was formed for young men to come together and be brothers in the Lord, both playing and praying together as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ, free from the cares of the world for a few days. Building this sense of fraternity allows us to be accountable to one another, to pray with and for each other. This allows us to form friendships with Catholic men who are striving to live lives of virtue. During the camp we ate great food, played great games, went to Itasca State Park for an afternoon, spent an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament each day, prayed together at Mass daily, prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, and finished each evening around

a campfire. One of the men commented how great it was to simply be away and enjoy himself at a retreat before the school year started.

It was very inspiring to see these young men come together and enjoy time with the Lord and with each other. It is important to encourage young men and women to strive for holiness. Let’s continue to pray for men and women to strive for sanctity around the world, certainly keeping in prayer the need for more priests and religious brothers and sisters in the universal Church, but also praying for holy husbands and wives to grow their domestic churches amidst a world that seeks to tear them down. As a community of disciples of Jesus Christ, we can transform the world and bring about the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

A special notes of “thanks” to Fr. Xavier Ilango, Assistant Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Crookston, who spent the entire time with us at camp. Thanks also to Fr. Craig Vasek and Msgr. David Baumgartner, who celebrated Mass with Fr. Ilango during camp.

Thank you to the parents of the young men, for raising them to pursue the ways of the Lord.

Msgr. David Baumgarther, Deacon Bryan Kujawa and Fr. Xavier Ilango with the Diocese of Crookston’s seminarians and participants of the 4th annual Esto Vir Camp, sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Vocations. (Photo Credit: Matt Regan)

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August 27, 2014

AROUND THE DIOCESE

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Two Benedictine sisters celebrate jubilees Story by Sr. Denise Schonhardt In a private ceremony on July 29, two Benedictine sisters celebrated their 70th and 75th jubilees of vows at a Mass celebrated by Monsignors Donald Krebs and Roger Grundhaus.

Sister Cecilia (formerly Sister Damian) Smith celebrated her 75th jubilee. She was born in 1921 in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, the first of eleven children of Pearl and Alex Smith.

She credits her interest in becoming a sister to the Grey Nuns who taught them. She recalled that she wanted to become a Grey Nun but Father Damian Priske, OSB, brought her to the Mount and it was there that she entered in August 1937. She became a novice in 1938, made first profession in 1942 and final profession in 1945. Sister Cecilia taught in elementary schools of the Crookston Diocese in Red Lake Falls, East Grand Forks, Barnesville, Bemidji and Crookston. In addition to that she taught in Lefor, North Dakota and Asherton, Texas. She taught mostly in primary grades. Sister Cecilia received a Bachelor of Science degree from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

In 1995, she began taking care of her mother.

She wrote, “My experience there was very different from being at the Mount or on mission.

I was responsible for everything: housework, cooking, ironing, outdoor work…I also took care of our spiritual life, such as saying our daily rosary, reciting the Office, going to Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday.”

While her mother was in a long-term care facility in Devils Lake, Sister Cecilia lived with the Mercy Sisters. During the time she visited her mother daily, she was asked to visit the Catholic residents. She was soon asked to also bring them Communion. After the death of her mother, Sister Cecilia returned to the Mount where she volunteers at the reception desk and uses her embroidery skills in creating sets of dishtow-

els depicting each day of the week. She cannot keep up with requests for her dishtowels.

Sister Agnes (formerly Sister Raphael) Kraft celebrated her 70th jubilee of monastic profession. Sister Agnes was born in Karlsruhe, North Dakota, the oldest of twelve children of Jennie (Merck) and Fred Kraft.

Influenced by the example of Sister Bonaventure Merck, Sister Agnes began thinking about being a sister in the fourth grade but she never spoke about it until she was 17 years of age.

Sister Agnes entered the community in 1942 and she made final profession on July 11, 1947.

Sister’s first assignment as a junior was to cook for the sisters who taught in the parish school in the tiny village of Rosen. She said one thing she learned was to bake something new for the sisters after school closed each day. Succeeding assignments as cook were in Mahnomen, Barnesville, Red Lake Falls, the Bishop’s House, Mount Saint Benedict, and Saint Francis Residence (activities and the kitchen). Sister Agnes was also a teacher’s aide in Red Lake Falls. After a second time as the manager of the kitchen at Mount Saint Benedict, Sister Agnes moved to Detroit Lakes where she volunteered as a dietary aide and she spent one day a week in the office. She currently manages the gift shop at Mount Saint Benedict and devotes herself to some hobbies, such as quilting and making jellies for the gift shop. Whatever Sister Agnes does is beautiful and well-thought through.

Sister Agnes is proud of her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Silver Lake College of the Holy Family in Manitowok, Wisconsin.

For 70 and 75 years these sisters have given themselves willingly and generously to the Benedictine mandate of “Ora et Labora” (prayer and work). They regularly pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the other sisters and are exemplary in ministry to others.

HEALING OF FAMILIES

A SEMINAR WITH FR. JOSEPH SSEMEKULA

SEPTEMBER 19 -21, 2014 5:15 p.m. Friday to 7:00 p.m Sunday

Holy Rosary Catholic Church Detroit Lakes, MN

ALL ARE WELCOME! REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

SEPT. 5TH, 2014 Contact: Anna Kliner at 218 281 4533 ext. 432 or akliner@crookston.org COST: $35.00*/person Sponsored by The Diocese of Crookston’s Office of the New Evangelization

Pictured (left to right): Sister Jennifer Kehrwald, Administrator, Sisters Cecilia Smith and Agnes Kraft and Sister Kathy Kuchar, Subprioress. (Submitted Photo)

Sisters Kathy Kuchar (subprioress) and Sisters Agnes Kraft and Cecilia Smith anticipate the renewal of monastic profession of the two jubilarians. (Submitted Photo)

YEAR OF MARRIAGE: Upcoming Events

September 19-21 “Healing of Families: A Seminar with Fr. Joseph Ssemakula” at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Detroit Lakes. Pre-registration is required.

September 26-28 Women’s (Widows) Diego House Retreat: “Til Death Do Us Part” with Father Chuck Huck.

October 3-5 The 2014 Year of Marriage Congress – “As Christ Loves: The Divine Beauty of Married Life & Love,” featuring Keynote Speakers: Danielle Rose, Fr. Thomas Loya & the Tabor Life Institute, David Rinaldi and Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner. Pre-registration is required at: http://www.crookston.org/congress/.

October 4 – 7:00 p.m. “Love & Life Concert” with Music Missionary: Danielle Rose at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston. Free and open to the public.

October 5 – 2:00 p.m. Closing Mass of the Congress and the 19th Annual Diocesan Marriage Celebration Day at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

October 21 – 7:00 p.m. The Final Deanery Gathering with Bishop Michael Hoeppner, “FAMILIES: The Domestic Church”, St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Bemidji.

October 24-26 Men’s (Widowers) Diego House Retreat: “Til Death Do Us Part” with Father Chuck Huck.

November 22 – 5:00 p.m. Closing Mass of the Diocese of Crookston’s 2014 “Year of Marriage” with Bishop Michael Hoeppner at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston.

Sponsored by the Office of the New Evangelization (218) 281-4533 ▪ www.crookston.org/YOM

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

AROUND THE DIOCESE

August 27, 2014

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Disabilities Mass held at St. Joseph’s, Moorhead Story by Joann Koble At first glance, the 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph’s in Moorhead on August 9 seemed like a regular anticipatory Sunday Mass. However, if one looked a little closer, it would be easy to notice that persons with disabilities were hospitality ministers, collection takers, and gift bearers.

St. Joseph’s Committee for Children with Special Needs planned to have more involvement from persons with disabilities at this Mass as a way of highlighting participation from persons with various abilities.

The liturgical ministers who participated in this Mass ranged in age from children to older adults.

One of the lectors had a vision impairment for many years, as well as another disability. Hospitality ministers, collection takers, and gift bearers included persons with developmental and/or physical disabilities.

“Our goal as a committee is full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of parish life,” remarked Mary Jane Rivard, committee chairperson. “This Mass was one way to celebrate that inclusion.”

Twenty years ago, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church and community, stating that “we are a single flock under the care of a single shepherd. There can be no separate Church for persons with disabilities. Parish liturgical celebrations and catechetical programs should be accessible to persons with disabilities and open to their full, active, and conscious participation according to their ability.”

Following Mass, the Committee for Children with Special Needs hosted a potluck to which all parishioners were invited.

Families and parishioners gathered to share a meal after the Disabilities Mass on August 9 at St. Joseph’s in Moorhead. (Submitted Photo)

St Peter’s Centennial Celebration – Honoring the Word of God Over 400 visit St. Peter’s Church to celebrate 100 years of worship

Story by Marlene Dufault Past and current parishioners packed St. Peter’s Church in Gentilly, Minnesota, on Sunday, August 17, to worship and marvel at the historic church and the renovations that had been done, with the overflow crowd having to be seated in the church basement.

Many in this faith-filled community spent the past three years working to get the Church ready for this day. Repair and sealing of the outside brick and steeple, repair of the interior walls of the

inside structure and complete repainting of the interior took over two years to complete. Additional efforts were spent on restoring the ornate artwork inside the Church, including the 10-foot stained glass windows. Countless hours were spent on the minutest details bringing out the historical beauty of the Church.

The morning began with Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael J. Hoeppner, Bishop of Crookston. Concelebrants included the Very Reverend Vincent Miller, current Pastor of St. Peter’s

and Fr. Bob Schreiner, former pastor of St. Peter’s. Deacon Dennis Bivens, Pastoral Associate of St. Peter’s, also served at the Mass.

The Knights of Columbus #1216 of Crookston, dressed in their official dress regalia, ushered in the Bishop and priests. Their colorful capes and chapeaux added dignity and pride to the Mass.

“It is a blessing that so many people are here, celebrating this marvelous occasion,” said Bishop Hoeppner. “This is a special event, celebrating 100 years of faith in this church.” He continued with the liturgy, encouraging the congregation to “love God and all the sacraments He has given us.”

Bishop Hoeppner blessed the church and also blessed the exquisitely hand-painted document received from the Holy Father, Pope Francis, which was sent to St. Peter’s, congratulating the congregation on its 100 year anniversary.

Deacon Bivens thanked the many people involved in the restoration.

He gave a special thank you to Dick Rude, Diocesan architect, who was instrumental in the restoration project.

“Dick guided us in the direction of getting this church

back to its original state as much as possible,” said Bivens. “He oversaw many details in our renovation and was insistent on using the correct materials to preserve the Church’s authenticity.” Sadly, Rude passed away in July 2014.

For those that attended the event, many came with fond memories of growing up at St Peter’s. Some individuals had past connection to the parish, while others came simply to participate. Many stories were shared and old photos were passed around. People came with old artifacts to view, with some donating them to the church. Dori (Delage) Palmer of Wahpeton, ND, who attended St. Peter’s in her youth, donated a 100 year old antique ‘Last Rites Kit’ to the parish.

The celebration continued after Mass with a lunch prepared and served by the Knights of Columbus. A long line of people formed around the building waiting for lunch and were seated under several large tents. The activities of the day included tours of the church, kids’ games, horse rides and volunteers who portrayed several historical people from Gentilly at the cemetery.

“We want to thank everyone for working hard to make this day special,” says Heather Dufault, St. Peter’s parishioner and coordinator of the day’s event. “A special thanks to the Knights of Columbus for donating the food they prepared and served. It was a wonderful day of fellowship and a chance to reflect on God and His blessings. It was a blessed day.”

Photos of St. Peter’s Centennial can be found on page 9 of this edition of the OND.

PLEASE

pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life

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August 27, 2014

COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Border children and a consistent ethic of life The humanitarian crisis on the Mexican border has become a major issue in the public discourse. It has generated a heated political debate that has sometimes obscured the human face of the problem and the actual needs of the unaccompanied minors.

Though unscrupulous smugglers and human traffickers use U.S. immigration policies such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to lure desperate children and families onto their caravans, the Obama Administration’s enforcement of federal immigration law is not fundamentally the problem or the cause of the surge in youth migrants. The “border children” are not an immigration issue but instead a refugee crisis.

The long-term migration policy questions must be addressed, but for now, the urgent needs of many young people from Central America fleeing to this country must be met. How will we respond?

Refugee Crisis The border children heading to the United States are primarily from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, and are fleeing countries that in many cases resemble failed states. In those countries, a breakdown in public authority and drug-fueled corruption has led to the rise in power of violent street gangs who impose a reign of terror all around them and wage what are essentially small

FAITH

ther and his contacts in the street gangs that have turned Honduras into the country with the highest murder rate in the world.”

IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE

By Jason Adkins

Executive Director Minnesota Catholic Conference civil wars for control of territory.

At times, the choice for many people is to flee or die on the streets.

A July 9 story in the London Guardian newspaper told the story of “Karla.” Karla arrived at the Texas border with her two very young children, her mother, and three siblings under the age of 15.

It had taken the family a month to make the 1,500 mile journey from their home in northern Honduras, travelling by bus through Guatemala and Mexico. They had sold everything they owned to pay a network of smugglers who bribed the way clear through checkpoints along the route.

The Guardian reported: Karla headed north partly because she had heard the United States had begun allowing children to enter legally. This is what the smugglers were saying, and the family knew others who had safely made it across the frontier.

“But the main motive for the journey was fear: Karla wanted to get beyond the reach of her fa-

Our Response In powerful testimony to Congress on June 25, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, speaking on behalf of the U.S. bishops, highlighted the human face of the border children and the need for an appropriate response in each of their cases.

Bishop Seitz testified that a “new paradigm regarding unaccompanied children is upon us— namely it is clear that unaccompanied children are facing new and increased dangers and insecurity and are fleeing in response. As a result, this phenomenon requires a regional and holistic solution rooted in humanitarian and child welfare principles.”

Bishop Seitz reminded Congress of Pope John Paul II’s exhortation that the dignity and rights of migrants and their families must be respected “even in cases of non-legal immigration.”

A Consistent Ethic of Life A common response to our bishops’ plea to protect these unaccompanied minors is that the United States “cannot afford” to take everyone in who wishes to come here. Sometimes, the people making these arguments, including some Catholics, consider themselves “pro-life.”

But what if we looked at this

issue not as a partisan “immigration/border control” issue but as a “life” issue? Many of us prolifers view the loss of one child to abortion as a major tragedy, and rightly so.

We lament that mothers often do not know that there is some support for her, or that there are others who would take the baby, and a tragedy could be avoided.

Most pro-lifers would contend that our country and our communities can, indeed, afford these unborn children.

Yet, at our border there are tens of thousands of children looking to be saved from poverty and, in many cases, violence and death.

The border children are children of God just like those unborn babies, and their lives are no less valuable or less worth saving.

Can we really not “afford” to review their cases and offer them help, if possible?

The question is not whether we can afford to address this crisis, for we can. The question is whether we as a nation are going to meet this humanitarian test and better prioritize our public spending to safeguard the dignity and life of every human person.

Meeting this test would show our commitment to a consistent ethic of life and the interconnected of issues across the life span, from womb to tomb.

According to Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., “the denial of respect or even the di-

Faithfulness: Day after day LIFE FIRST As a priest, one of the most vital and vibrant groups of people I encounter on a daily basis are those able to attend daily Mass. I know for most of our parishes in the Diocese of Crookston, daily Mass is not offered. It is simply not possible. Yet, for those parishes with such a gift, I want to encourage you to make the most of the miracle taking place on your altar each day.

Yes, many in this unique collection of folks are seasoned citizens. They may not have the daily commitments of career and family as in earlier days, yet there they stand (and kneel!) each day staring down the evil one eyeball to eyeball. They are on the front lines of the battles we all fight as individuals, parishes and communities. They pray for our struggling nation and our hurting world. They rise up strong casting light into the dark shadows of all that rejects the unconditional love of God. These are the people who have

By Father Don Braukmann Parochial Vicar - St. Philip’s Parish, Bemidji and St. Charles Parish, Pennington

a true pulse of the parish. They know who is hurting and who is healing. They keep tabs on those who may disappear from their number for a day or two making sure they are okay.

This is the group of prayer warriors who also keep tabs on their priests…encouraging and supporting them in the day to day living of a priest’s vocation.

They are most aware of the burdens a priest may be bearing and are the first to rejoice with him when the victories slip through some of the tough days.

I grew up attending a small country church for the first 18 years of my life near New York Mills, Minnesota. Until I was five our parish had a “live-in” priest who served only our little parish. Before I entered kindergarten, Mom would let me tag along as she drove the four miles to the church early in the morning everyday she could. Mom loved to tell the story how I once asked her at the end of a daily Mass, “Why do we keep coming here? We don’t get to see God anyway!” I guess that was prob-

ably the first sign of my religious vocation!

Now, after 28 years as a priest, the folks who come day after day, often regardless of the weather, still become like a second family.

While I served at St. Joseph’s Church in Ada 20 years ago, Bertha, a woman in her 90s, would come stumbling into the church (literally) after hiking through a foot of snow the three blocks to the church from her home. No matter what I said about how she could fall in the snow and not be found until spring, it did not make a dent in her determination to be there. I quickly learned not to bring it up again! I had planned on making it a policy if the school closed there would be no daily Mass. Ha! Bertha promptly put that young priest in his place. She made it clear such a policy was unacceptable and how could I argue with her when she would be there kicking the snow off her boots while I lived in an attached rectory five

minishment of respect for any one aspect of life [adversely leads] to a denial or diminishment of respect for life in other aspects of life due to the fact that they are all related.”

Living a “consistent ethic of life” does not mean every issue is of equal importance. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who pioneered the term, stated: “I know that some people on the left, if I may use that label, have used the consistent ethic to give the impression that the abortion issue is not all that important anymore, that you should just be against abortion in a general way but there are more important issues, so don’t hold anybody’s feet to the fire just on abortion. That’s a misuse of the consistent ethic, and I deplore it.”

Protecting the right to life “is the foundation of the house” as the U.S. bishops state in their document “Living the Gospel of Life” (1998). But being pro-life cannot stop with working to end abortion.

The border children cannot afford having Catholics sit on the sideline of this humanitarian crisis. A renewed emphasis on the dignity of the human person should help us overcome our own ideological blind spots and fashion more humane responses to all of the various social challenges of our day.

Jason Adkins is executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

feet away!?

The morning Mass crowd here in Bemidji regularly drops off the latest creation from their kitchen and/or gardens. Much to the concern of my doctor! Together we keep tabs on the Twins, the Vikings and each other. Daily, the gang sits in the same spots in the same pews scattered throughout the church. It is easy to see who is missing and, as I said earlier, calls and visits are made to make sure the absent prayer is safe and accounted for.

On weekends, at the Masses when the church is filled, there is something special about watching the daily Mass goers pass by amid the throng. They know I am busy with the rest of the flock and we exchange a wink or a wave instead of our usual banter. I know they are praying for me…and they know how I care for them.

Faithful people, day after day, scattered throughout the Diocese of Crookston, the nation and the world, on their knees for all of us. What an honor it is to be a priest among them…unworthy though I may be.

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COMMENTARY

August 27, 2014

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Be true to the Sacrament of Marriage BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.10 BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN PEOPLE REVILE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU AND UTTER ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY ON MY ACCOUNT.11 (MATTHEW 5:10-11) Be True To The Sacrament Of Marriage

These two Beatitudes warn Christians that following Christ will be difficult. Notice in Matthew 5:10 that the word righteousness is again used. You may remember that Matthew 5:6 says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed.

The ultimate righteousness is God; God is righteousness. Thus, Matthew 5:10 says that people who follow God, even if persecuted, will be blessed. But notice how Jesus changes his language in Matthew 5:11.

Up to this point, the Beatitudes have been spoken about groups of people, the peacemakers, the pure in heart, those who are poor in spirit. In contrast, Jesus uses the word “you” in Matthew 5:11 and one can imagine Jesus looking directly into the faces of his

CREDO

A NEW EVANGELIZATION WITNESS

By Dr. Mark Krejci, guest columnist Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of New Evangelization

apostles as he delivered this direct warning: you are facing persecution in your life because you believe. Jesus knew this would happen to them and we should also believe that Jesus is talking to us today.

I am not suggesting that we are going to face martyrdom in this day and age, although Christians in other parts of the world do. But Jesus is warning us that we may face persecution because we believe and follow the word of God. If we stay true to the Gospel message about marriage, others may “revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you…” I knew someone who was teased by his co-workers when he said he did not want to go out for drinks after work because he wanted to go home to his wife and children. His co-workers said

such things as “We only go out one night each week” and “I guess we know who wears the pants in that family.” While he did not say anything against others going out for drinks, he just wanted to go home to his family. He liked his co-workers, but he wanted to put his family first.

There are forces that will draw you away from your marriage. The two most common that couples report are work and children. Work, because most typically we work outside of the home for a significant period of time and children, because you have less time alone as a couple when children are in the home.

But these two things are both part of a sacramental marital union.

Your employment allows you to support your family although it is important to not allow work to

overwhelm your life. Children are a gift from God and are part of your vocation as a marital couple.

Every time you do things with and for your children you are keeping your marriage at the center. Yet some couples spend time with their children but never spend any time with each other.

There is something else that prevents us from keeping our marriage at the center of our life.

The couple, either together or separately, may place something else at the center of the marriage.

We may “persecute” our own marriage because we have decided that something else is the most important thing in our life. It may be employment, personal hobbies or interests, friends or the pursuit of money or attention. An increasing number of people do not see their marriage as the most important thing in their life and, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 40% think that marriage is “obsolete.” We live in a culture that increasingly believes that marriage is not important let alone something that is a sacred creation of God. Your decisions about how to live your life should keep coming back to the question: “Do I

follow God’s plan for marriage?”

Most couples, rightly so, get married to share in the life of their beloved. But we must all remember that God created the sacrament of marriage not merely for our personal pleasure but for the redemption of the world. Over the final two columns in this series, we will review God’s plan for marriage and why, by following God’s plan, we will “Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven…” (Matthew 5:12).

Let us pray: O God, we thank You for the time we have with each other.

You bless us with the gift of our marriage.

Grant us wisdom to use Your gift wisely.

For our marriage to continue, we must spend time with each other celebrating Your gift.

We must spend time with each other making our marriage stronger every day.

We pray that You will continue to guide us as we seek to keep marriage at the center of our lives.

Still, He loves me. He loves you too.

He loves me. He loves you too.

Come, let us adore Him.

Submitted by Steve Klocke St. Joseph’s Parish, Moorhead The claxon sounds loud and steady. Why in the world did I choose that particular sound for the alarm on my cell phone? I have got to remember to change that. A swipe of my finger on the face of the phone and I snooze for nine more minutes. When the alarm blares again, I silence it, and as I do every Saturday at 2:00 a.m. I begin giving thanks to God for seeing me through another week. I rise, dress, drag a comb across my head, grab my books and head to my Holy Hour of Adoration. It never fails to be the most meaningful hour of my week.

It is 2:25 a.m. as I enter the adoration chapel at St. Joseph’s Church in Moorhead. There is only one other person in the chapel and they will leave soon. At this hour of the night I know that the odds are very low that anyone else will be joining me in prayer.

Selfishly, I am pleased that I shall have Jesus all to myself. I can sing out His praises or cry out in joy or anger, fear or sadness. No

EXPOSITION PRAYER IN THE DIOCESE OF CROOKSTON

Ms. Bonnie Lee

Director of the Office of Worship one will be disturbed.

I have developed a rather loose routine for this hour, but it always begins by kneeling before Jesus and telling Him how much I love Him and how thankful I am for all of the different ways He shows his love for me.

Then, I ask Him to reveal to me that which will bring us, me and Jesus, into a closer communion with each other. Some nights are more remarkable than others. Some nights I am distracted by the stress of a difficult day.

Some nights we just sit together in silence…loving each other.

Always, I know that Jesus is with me.

In adoration, I have walked the shores of the Sea of Galilee

with Peter, James and Andrew. I have sat at the feet of Jesus as we rested on the road to Emmaus (I marveled at the simplicity of his sandals). I wept in anger as my Lord is savaged on HIS way to MY redemption. Desperately wondering why no one leaps to his defense. Wondering why I just sat and cried as he passed by me.

Through Eucharistic adoration, in the wee hours of the morning, Jesus has taught me about himself and how to be a little bit better of a person. Jesus has challenged me to look at my life with new eyes and perspective. He knows me for the person that I am with all of my faults and weaknesses and still,

Steve goes to Eucharistic Adoration every Saturday morning from 2:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. and recently added Tuesday morning from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to his schedule.

“Eucharistic adoration is an extension of our communion with Christ in Holy Communion and helps bring about within us a deeper longing for our next reception of Holy Communion.”

- Most Reverend Michael Hoeppner Bishop of Crookston Meeting Christ, Living Christ, (pg 4)

You are invited to submit your testimonial of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to: blee@crookston.org or P.O. Box 610, Crookston, MN 56716.

Come adore this wondrous presence, Bow to Christ the source of grace.

Here is kept the ancient promise of God’s earthly dwelling place.

Sight is blind before God’s glory, Faith alone may see his face.

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August 27, 2014

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OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Celebrating First Communion

St. Joseph’s, Moorhead (Photo Credit: Haney’s Photography, Moorhead)

St. Joseph’s, Moorhead (Photo Credit: Haney’s Photography, Moorhead)

St. Joseph’s, Moorhead (Photo Credit: Haney’s Photography, Moorhead)

St. Joseph’s, Moorhead (Photo Credit: Haney’s Photography, Moorhead)

Confirmation celebrated at Sacred Heart, Frazee

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Bishop Michael Hoeppner preaching from the ambo to a packed congregation during St. Peter’s parish centennial Mass in Gentilly on Sunday, August 17. (Photo Credit: Marlene Dufault)

The children from St. Joseph’s (Brooks), St. Joseph’s (Red Lake Falls) and St. Francis Xavier’s (Oklee) went to Camp Corbett August 10-12. A wonderful time was had by all! The kids learned that they have the power to change their lives at home, at school and at church through the power that Jesus gives all who believe in Him and love Him. We fished, canoed, went on nature walks, stayed up late laughing and talking, ate wonderful meals, played fun games, made cool crafts and had great times singing and eating around the camp fire. Camp Corbett is possible because of parents and staff who love God and want to share His love with children through experiencing nature. Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this happen. (Photo and caption submitted by: Carmen Harmoning)

Apostolic blessing from the Holy Father Pope Francis was received by St. Peter’s, Gentilly. (Photo Credit: Marlene Dufault)

Parishioners and guests of St. Peter’s Parish are served lunch by the Knights of Columbus. (Photo Credit: Marlene Dufault)

Red Lake County Catholic Vacation Bible School was held August 3-6 at St. Joseph’s (Red Lake Falls). Thirty children had a wonderful time meeting “Weird Animals” and learning that Jesus’ love is one-of-a kind for everyone. Tuition this year was for everyone to bring one item for the food shelf in Red Lake Falls every night. A wide variety of food was collected totaling 100 lbs. It was a great week!

(Photo and caption submitted by: Carmen Harmoning)

10 August 27, 2014

DIOCESAN

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

CONGRESS: Continued from page 1 for many around the world seeking to live holy marriages, to live faithfully to the call of the sacramental priesthood, diaconate, religious life and in a special way, those discerning their life’s vocation. When asked what her discernment looked like for the vocation of earthly marriage and motherhood, Danielle shared: “Put simply, I always longed to be a wife and mother but as I fell deeper and deeper in love with Jesus I wondered if He would call me to marry Himself and to belong to Him entirely in the consecrated life. There came a point in my prayer life where it was no longer a hypothetical question, but an interior knowledge that Jesus was inviting me to formally discern a religious vocation. I entered the convent and spent two and a half years in formation. This formation and discernment was critical for my full and peaceful understanding of God’s plan for my life; I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. It was necessary for me to know that Jesus alone is the fulfillment of all my desires. No human being--even the most amazing, beautiful, holy husband--can fulfill my heart’s desires; only Jesus can. I would have drowned any man’s heart with my desires if Jesus was not completely and utterly my number one love.

When I gave myself completely to Jesus, He then prepared my heart to be given as a gift to my husband Mitchell in marriage. He prepared me to lay down my life for God through the love and service of my spouse in marriage, knowing that my beautiful spouse Mitchell is indeed second place to Jesus and yet the very means by which I am called and chosen to give myself to God by loving and serving my spouse in the vocation of marriage.

I am very grateful that God led me down a long, emotional, tumultuous, blessed, adventurous process of discernment of my vocation because through that process, I came to a deep peace that this is what I desired and this is what God desired of me - to lay down my life for Jesus my Eternal Spouse by laying down my life for my earthly spouse, Mitchell, in marriage.”

When asked what she would say to young men and women who are discerning their vocation and specifically, if they are struggling with whether or not they are called to the Sacrament of Marriage, sacramental priesthood or to religious life, Danielle expressed: “To those struggling in their discernment: Don’t be afraid. Spend time daily with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Be honest with yourself and with Him. Tell him your desires.

Ask Him what He desires of you.

He will not hide His Will from you.

Don’t be afraid to give your entire life to God in the priesthood or religious life. It’s not a matter

Music Missionary Danielle Rose and Husband Mitchell in wedding attire, Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City. (Photo Credit: Tasha Herrgott of Red Bird Hills Photography)

of whether God is calling you to give your entire life to Him; it’s a matter of how. Each vocation is a gift; each is a total sacrifice of love.

He is the only one who will fulfill your desires. Don’t look towards marriage as the satiation of all your desires; look to Jesus. Ask Him to show you how He desires you to love and be loved. Ask Him to reveal the way that you were made to love and be loved, the way that you are meant to reveal His love in the Body of Christ. Don’t be afraid of the timing in which He reveals this to you. Each step of the journey is part of the total “yes” to Him. Mary’s fiat is a collection of every step preceding and following her Annunciation. A faithful “yes” to God. Keep being faithful to Him today and He will not hide His Will from you. Trust that He will not withhold anything from you that is necessary for your holiness at this time.”

Danielle’s songs meet people where they are in life. For example, Amanda Zurface expressed: “Your song The Saint That Is Just Me came to me at the most appropriate time in my own life. When I have talked with friends and colleagues about your music this has been the case for them too.” To follow Danielle’s encouragement to discerning

youth, Zurface said, “Your song Waiting for You is a prayer that brings hope to men and women patiently waiting to meet their helpmates.”

Danielle commented, “Waiting for You is the prayer song of my heart for my future spouse. It was written as an act of total faith in God, surrendering my desires to Him. Many, many tears fell upon the piano keys in the process. […] I would not trade a single step of the journey that led to the gift of our vocation. God’s wisdom is so much greater than we can imagine! Waiting is hard, but it is worth it! Stay chaste for your spouse - emotionally, spiritually and physically. Be a total self-gift in the vows that God desires for you to profess!”

Throughout the Year of Marriage, Bishop Hoeppner and the Office of the New Evangelization has sought with great effort through several offerings and opportunities to respond to the request of the Pastoral Letter, Meeting Christ - Living Christ, and articulate the truths and beauty of the very essence and reality of marriage and the life of the family, including the mystery of the marital embrace! When reflecting on this reality, Danielle’s song Make Love with God quickly came to mind, said Zurface. Amanda shared with Danielle: “Your recent

album Culture of Life is full of so much goodness and beauty! Can you share a little about the inspiration behind Make Love with God? I am not sure if anyone has ever articulated in a song, the mystery of the marital embrace with such truth, respect and boldness.” Danielle responded, “Make Love with God is the most ‘bold’ song I have ever felt God invite me to write. With my four most recent albums, God has directed me very specifically to write the songs on the album. […]

With the Culture of Life album, God clearly revealed that He wanted me to write a song about openness to life and God’s plan for sexuality.

We cannot speak about an authentic Culture of Life without speaking about how all life begins and the beauty of God’s plan for the marital union of husband and wife-His beautiful plan for how each soul is conceived! The purpose of this song is to present the beauty of what God desires for the sexual union of man and woman. The song is intended to be a catechesis through beauty and my prayer is that it can be used to assist in marriage preparation and in families to encourage and foster the countercultural embrace of God’s plan for marriage and family...which is a radical call to holiness, to trust and

to generosity in being open to life.”

When asked what people should anticipate from their time with her on October 3, 4 and 5, during the Year of Marriage Congress and the Love & Life concert, Danielle asserted, “It is going to be so beautiful to receive the graces God desires to pour out on all of us as we reflect upon the beauty of God’s plan for the sacrament of marriage! What to expect? Blessings from God! As for me, I’m a dorky, enthusiastic girl in love with Jesus and my husband Mitchell and I love to sing! God is not picky; He will use anyone willing to serve Him, so don’t expect me to be awesome; expect God to be awesome and to bless you! Plus, you will get to meet so many other wonderful people! Just think, it might end up being your neighbor in heaven who you will begin a relationship with on earth at the Congress!”

Registration for the Year of Marriage Congress is required by September 15! The Love & Life Concert is free and open to the public!

For more information, call (218) 281-4533, ext. 425 or visit www. crookston.org/Congress.

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DIOCESAN/NATIONAL

August 27, 2014

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12 August 27, 2014

COMMENTARY

WORD to LIFE August 31

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9; Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Romans 12:1-2

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

FOR FAITH-SHARING GROUPS

September 7

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Romans 13:8-10;

By Catholic News Service

By Catholic News Service When my younger son was in grade school he had a lazy approach to his homework assignments. Making sentences using his spelling words was a case in point.

Say the week’s list had the words “dancer,” “think” and “summer.” His sentences would be: “She is a dancer.” “I can think.”

“It is summer.”

This happened every week, and every week, exasperated, I’d admonish him, “Your sentences have to show you know what the word means.”

“It’s too hard,” he would whine. “It’ll take too long.”

Then I’d pull out the adage, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

This didn’t instantly stop the whining, but the idea eventually got through to him.

It’s a great adage about putting necessary effort into worthwhile tasks in order to achieve something of value.

The important matter at hand in this weekend’s Scriptures -- eternal life with God -- involves some worthwhile tasks. A certain amount of effort, including struggle and sacrifice, will be necessary.

In the Gospel, Peter, like a schoolboy disinclined toward anything too hard, balks at the idea that his beloved friend should have to suffer.

In response, Jesus seems somewhat annoyed by Peter’s desire for an easier way. He suggests that his task is too important not to be worth doing right: “You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Peter’s initial attitude reminds us of our own tendency to find an easy way.

The way to salvation isn’t easy. It involves conscientious effort. In the first reading, Jeremiah points out that following God’s

path resulted in his being mocked, derided and reproached, and he whines that he didn’t want the aggravation.

But then he admits that what he is striving for is too important to ignore. “It becomes like fire burning in my heart. ... I grow weary holding it in,” he says.

It is worth doing, and he is compelled to do it right.

God’s way is not easy, but it is more than worth our human effort. Jesus already has given all that is necessary for us to live with him in eternity, and he will strengthen us for our part -- following his example.

Questions: When have you felt that God’s call was too difficult?

What gives you the desire to make the necessary effort to follow Jesus?

“WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT.” -- MATTHEW 16:25

I have several relatives and friends who love a good fight. I don’t mean that they engage in physical violence, but if there’s an opportunity to debate a controversial topic (religion and politics come to mind), they’re in the middle of the fray.

Not so with me. When it comes to “flight or fight,” I’m content to leave the room or become an unobtrusive bystander so I can avoid getting involved.

But as I write this, I am aware of a number of places in the world where multitudes of people don’t have that luxury.

The United Nations reports that the number of citizens forced to flee their homes due to civil unrest and criminal activity has climbed to 50 million -- half of them children -- the highest number since World War II. As with the current refugee crisis at our own borders, there are no easy or perfect solutions, so the responses generally range from moral paralysis to rancorous argument. Today’s Gospel instructs us to treat recalcitrant, unrepentant brothers as one would treat a “gentile or a tax collector.”

The normal human response, and perfectly legal solution, would be to cast him out of the community altogether.

But throughout the Gospel, Jesus ate with tax collectors and healed gentiles, restoring their dignity through love and kindness.

Whatever one’s political leanings or opinions, it serves us well to view our current issues regarding refugees and immigration by asking the same questions implied in the Gospel -- remembering that Jesus has delegated to us both the power and the task of binding the evils of violence and persecution while loosening the burdens of oppression.

Who is my “neighbor”? What is my responsibility toward him or her? What does the law of love call for in this situation?

How can I contribute a voice of compassion and reason amid the insanity of public demonstrations, obnoxious blog posts and general misinformation? Is there some action I can and should take?

The first step, according to the psalmist, is to “harden not your hearts” to the Lord’s voice or toward those who are suffering.

Jesus does not give me the option of “unobtrusive bystander”; I am already involved by being a member of his body.

Questions: What has been your own attitude toward migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking?

How is the Lord calling you to act according to his law of love?

“LOVE DOES NO EVIL TO THE NEIGHBOR; HENCE, LOVE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW.” -- ROMANS 13:10

THE OND IS NOW ONLINE!!

- ARCHIVED EDITION -

Vol. 68, No. 12 (August 13, 2014) can be viewed here: www.crookston.org/ond/

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

Fall Dinners in the Diocese of Crookston

August 27, 2014

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SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 2014: ST. JOSEPH’S, FERTILE 5th Annual Hoedown

POLK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

1:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. (MIDNIGHT)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 7, 2014: ASSUMPTION, CALLAWAY Roast beef dinner & raffle CALLAWAY EVENT CENTER

10:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14, 2014: ST. JOHN’S, NEBISH Roast beef dinner 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

SUNDAY SEPT. 21, 2014: SACRED HEART, WILTON

Chicken and ham dinner, bazaar, and craft sale 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

SUNDAY SEPT. 21, 2014: SACRED HEART, ROSEAU Turkey and meatball supper 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

SUNDAY SEPT. 21, 2014: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, LAKE PARK Chicken dinner, craft & bake sale 11:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

SUNDAY SEPT. 21, 2014: ST. ANN’S, BLACKDUCK Pork loin dinner 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

SUNDAY SEPT. 21, 2014: ST. JOSEPH’S, BEAULIEU Roast beef and ham dinner, raffle, craft & bake sale 11:30 A.M.

SUNDAY SEPT. 28, 2014: ST. PHILIP’S, BEMIDJI Roast pork dinner & Fall Festival 10:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. SUNDAY SEPT. 28, 2014: ST. MARY’S, FOSSTON Turkey dinner & Fall Bazaar 11:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

SATURDAY OCT. 4, 2014: ST. MARY’S, TWO INLETS Roast beef and pork dinner & Silent Auction AMERICAN LEGION, PARK RAPIDS

4:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.

SUNDAY OCT. 5, 2014: ST. ANN’S, WAUBUN Meatball and ham dinner & Raffle WAUBUN COMMUNITY CENTER

11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

SUNDAY OCT. 12, 2014: ST. BENEDICT’S, WHITE EARTH Chicken and meatball dinner & Bazaar OGEMA COMMUNITY CENTER

11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

ATTENTION: Small Group Leaders, Parish Coordinators, Pastors, and Deacons

ARISE SEASON 5:

WE ARE THE GOOD NEWS

SEPTEMBER 4TH 6:30 P.M. ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, FOSSTON

Join us for this one and only workshop to share in the fruits of ARISE! Refreshments will be provided and no RSVP is needed.

For more information go to: www.crookston.org/arise

14 August 27, 2014

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The Family Fully Alive

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

The Order prepares to launch a yearlong program for families

By Andrew J. Matt Managing Editor, Columbia Beginning in October, the Knights of Columbus will launch a yearlong, multi-dimensional program designed to help families and councils prepare for the 8th World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia Sept.

22-27, 2015. Titled “Building the Domestic Church: The Family Fully Alive,” the new initiative also coincides with the upcoming synod of bishops on the family.

Announcing the program last month, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said that the purpose of the initiative is to strengthen “families so they can more fully realize their mission to be authentic domestic churches through daily prayer, catechesis and Scripture reading, as well as through monthly charitable and volunteer projects that they can do as a family.”

The program is modeled on a similar initiative called “Toward a Family Friendly Parish,” which was developed and implemented in 2013 by members of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a religious community based in Madrid, Spain, and the staff of St. Mary Parish in Littleton, Colo. Father

Luis Granados, who serves as parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, explained that the 12-month parish-based curriculum was inspired by St. John Paul II’s teaching on the vocation of the family and its “mission to guard, reveal and communicate love” (Familiaris Consortio, 17).

“The Church cannot be salt of the earth, cannot accomplish its mission, without the family,” said Father Granados, who is a member of Dr. Earl C. Bach Council 3340 in Littleton. “The domestic church is a place of salvation.”

Adapted for use by K of C families and councils, “Building the Domestic Church” is grounded in prayer and expressed through family- and council-oriented projects — all of which is explained in the program booklet.

The first step involves setting aside space in the home for a “prayer corner.” Families are encouraged to display a Bible, rosary, crucifix and religious images or icons, such as the image of the Holy Family that comes with the booklet. In addition to “A Family Prayer,” composed by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore

and printed on an included prayer card, the booklet features a selection of songs, psalms and other prayers.

Divided into 12 monthly themes, the program invites participating families to take part in three monthly events: a home-based family project, a council-wide volunteer project and a movie night.

For example, October’s theme is “Bringing Generations Together,” and projects include making a family tree volunteering at a Knights of Columbus Food for Families event. December’s theme is “The Family at Prayer,” and projects include designing a manger scene set in Bethlehem and participating in a Christmas Posada celebration.

Movie nights feature family-friendly films such as It’s a Wonderful Life, The Lion King and Toy Story, among others.

Father Granados, who helped in adapting the “Building the Domestic Church” initiative, described the program as a way for families to become more fully engaged in the new evangelization.

“For Knights, it is an ideal way to grow in faith as husbands and fathers with their families — as domestic churches — togeth-

Allen Tuncap, a member of Fort Belvoir (Va.) Council 11170, and his wife, Janell, are pictured at a park in Charleston, S.C., with their children in 2012. The family caught a ride on a military cargo flight to attend the World Meeting of Families that year in Milan. (CNS photo/Mic Smith)

er with their councils and parishes,” he said.

“When this happens, families come alive and the Church comes alive with them.”

Program materials will be mailed to local councils following the Supreme Convention in August. An online version of the program booklet will also be available.

This article appeared in the August 2014 issue of Columbia magazine and is reprinted with permission of the Knights of Columbus, New Haven, Conn.

Cardinal, patriarch call for international action to liberate Iraq

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis’ personal envoy to the suffering people of Iraq joined the Chaldean Catholic patriarch in launching an appeal to the international community Aug. 18, pleading for help to liberate villages controlled by the Islamic State terrorists and to provide the displaced with international protection.

Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who has been in Iraq since Aug. 13 at the pope’s request, and Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad said international action is necessary to provide the displaced with basic necessities like food and water, but also to guarantee the possibility of their survival in Iraq.

In their appeal, the cardinal and patriarch asked nations to “take their moral responsibility seriously” by helping to liberate villages in northeastern Iraq captured by the

Islamic State militants.

The Christians, Yezidis and other minorities forced out of their villages because they would not convert to the militants’ idea of Islam just want to return to their homes and live in peace, the cardinal and patriarch said.

“The hope of these people must not be allowed to die!”

During his Aug. 18 Mass for “peace and reconciliation” in Seoul, South Korea, Pope Francis offered special prayers for Cardinal Filoni and for Iraq. The cardinal, the pope told the congregation, “was supposed to be with us here,” but instead had been sent “to the suffering people of Iraq, to help the persecuted and displaced, and all religious minorities who are suffering in that land.

May the Lord be with him in his mission.”

Cardinal Filoni has been talking about his trip with Vatican Radio each day. He spent Aug. 15 with displaced Christians in a camp in Duhok and meeting Yezidi community leaders.

The Yezidi community is “suffering terribly because of the deaths they have had, the kidnapping of their women and their houses being stolen. They don’t know where to go,” the cardinal said.

Chaldean Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona of Mosul, Iraq, told Vatican Radio the Islamic State militants “think that anyone who is different from them does not deserve to live,” which is why, under the threat of violence, they tell Christians and Yezidis to convert or flee.

“They (militants) represent a great threat to humanity,” the archbishop said. “These groups don’t just want to conquer a piece of territory and stay there. Their objective is the whole world.”

Cardinal Filoni spent Aug. 16 in Manghes with displaced Christians and Yezidis from Qaraqosh and other villages in the Ninevah Plain. The question the people raised over and over, he said, was “What have we done to deserve death?”

A man kisses the ring of Cardinal Fernando Filoni during an Aug. 13 visit to Irbil, Iraq. Pope Francis met Cardinal Filoni Aug. 21, the morning after the cardinal returned to the Vatican following the Aug. 13-20 visit to Iraq as the pope’s envoy to besieged minorities. (CNS photo/Azad Lashkari, Reuters)

Special U.S. collection urged to help those suffering in Middle East

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. bishops’ conference Aug. 19 asked Catholic bishops across the country to take up a special collection for humanitarian needs and pastoral support for Christians and other victims of violence in the Middle East.

Amid the ongoing crisis in what is “the cradle of Christianity,” the Catholic Church “mourns the terrible suffering of Christians and other innocent victims of violence in Iraq, Syria and Gaza who are struggling to survive, protect their children and live with dignity in dire conditions,” said Archbishop

Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky.

Emphasizing “the extraordinary nature of this crisis,” he urged the bishops to have parishes in their dioceses hold the collection the weekend of Sept. 6-7 or Sept. 13-14 and to send the contributions as soon as possible to the Office of National Collections at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington.

Funds from the collection will be used by Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development organization, and other Catholic agencies “working in partnership with the local church” to meet

the most urgent humanitarian needs of people in the three countries, he said in a letter to his fellow bishops.

The agencies also will use the money to help refugees who have fled Iraq, Syria and Gaza to neighboring countries.

“Our Christian brothers and sisters and other innocent victims of the violence in the Middle East urgently need the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States,” Archbishop Kurtz said.

CRS and other agencies “have well-established partnerships with the Catholic Church in the region which allow them to respond

quickly and efficiently to victims in some of the hardest to reach areas,” he explained.

The collection money also will be used to support church programs, to aid persecuted Christians and “to respond to rebuilding needs of Catholic dioceses in the impacted areas,” he said and asked for continued prayers “for the victims of this crisis.”

Editor’s Note: Bishop Hoeppner has authorized a special collection in the Diocese of Crookston for humanitarian needs and pastoral support for Christians and other victims of violence in the Middle East on the weekend of September 6-7.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

PRAYER CALENDAR

SEPT 8 - THE NATIVITY OF THE

SEPT 15 - OUR LADY OF SORROWS Fr. David Super

SEPT 2 - WEEKDAY Fr. Ray Palcisko (retired)

SEPT 9 - ST. PETER CLAVER: PRIEST Fr. Jerry Rogers

SEPT 3 - ST. GREGORY THE GREAT: POPE, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Msgr. Mike Patnode

SEPT 10 - WEEKDAY Fr. Bob Schreiner

SEPT 16 STS. CORNELIUS: POPE, AND CYPRIAN: BISHOP; MARTYRS Fr. Emmanuel Sylvester

SEPT 4 - WEEKDAY Fr. Raul Perez-Cobo SEPT 5 - WEEKDAY Fr. Mario Prada (retired)

SEPT 11 - WEEKDAY Fr. Luis Silva SEPT 12 - MOST HOLY NAME OF THE BVM Fr. Bob Stone (retired)

SEPT 6 - WEEKDAY Fr. Duane Pribula (retired)

SEPT 13 ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM: BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Fr. Pat Sullivan

SEPT 7 23RD SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME Fr. Bob Pryor (retired)

SEPT 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS Fr. Manuel Sundaram

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SEPTEMBER 2014

SEPT 1 - WEEKDAY Msgr. Jerry Noesen (retired)

BVM Fr. Joe Richards

August 27, 2014

SEPT 17 - ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE: BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Fr. Luis Silva SEPT 18 - WEEKDAY Fr. Craig Vasek SEPT 19 - ST. JANUARIUS: BISHOP, MARTYR Fr. Larry Wieseler (retired) SEPT 20 - STS. ANDREW KIM TAE-GON: PRIEST AND PAUL CHONG HA-SANG AND COMPANIONS; MARTYRS Michael Arey (seminarian)

SEPT 21 25TH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME Nate Brunn (seminarian) SEPT 22 - WEEKDAY Deacon John Christianson (seminarian) SEPT 23 - ST. PIUS OF PIETRELCINA: PRIEST Deacon Bryan Kujawa (seminarian) SEPT 24 - WEEKDAY Matthew Regan (seminarian) SEPT 25 - WEEKDAY Matt Schmitz (seminarian) SEPT 26 - STS. COSMAS AND DAMIAN: MARTYRS Nathin Voeller (seminarian)

SEPT 27 - ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: PRIEST Bishop Michael Hoeppner SEPT 28 26TH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME Bishop Victor Balke (retired) SEPT 29 - STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL: ARCHANGELS Fr. Todd Arends SEPT 30 - ST. JEROME: PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Msgr. David Baumgartner

VOCATION PRAYER OF POPE JOHN PAUL II: Lord Jesus, as you once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come follow me! Give young men and women the grace of responding quickly to your voice. Support our bishops, priests, and consecrated people in their apostolic labor. Grant perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are carrying out the ideal of a life totally consecrated to your service. Awaken in our community a missionary eagerness. Lord, send workers to your harvest and do not allow humanity to be lost for the lack of pastors, missionaries, and people dedicated to the cause of the Gospel. Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help us to say “yes” to the Lord who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation. Amen.

DAILY SCRIPTURE

SEPTEMBER 2014

SEPT 1 - 1 Cor 2:1-5; Ps 110:97-102; Lk 4:1630 SEPT 2 - 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Ps 145:8-14; Lk 4:31-37 SEPT 3 - 1 Cor 3:1-9; Ps 33:12-15, 20-21; Lk 4:38-44 SEPT 4 - 1 Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Lk 5:1-11 SEPT 5 - 1 Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 3940; Lk 5:33-39 SEPT 6 - 1 Cor 4:6b-15; Ps 145:17-21; Lk 6:15 SEPT 7 - Ez 33:7-9; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; Rom 13:810; Mt 18:15-20 SEPT 8 - Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6abc; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23 SEPT 9 - 1 Cor 6:1-11; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 6:12-19 SEPT 10 - 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12, 14-17; Lk 6:20-26 SEPT 11 - 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14b, 23-24; Lk 6:27-38 SEPT 12 - 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27; Ps 83:3-6, 8, 12; Lk 6:39-42 SEPT 13 - 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13, 1718; Lk 6:43-49 SEPT 14 - Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1b-2, 34-38; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17 SEPT 15 - 1 Cor 11:17-26, 33; Ps 40:7-10, 17; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35

SEPT 16 - 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a; Ps 100:1b-5; Lk 7:11-17 SEPT 17 - 1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Ps 33:2-5, 12, 22; Lk 7:31-35 SEPT 18 - 1 Cor 15:1-11; Ps 118:1b-2, 16-17, 28; Lk 7:36-50 SEPT 19 - 1 Cor 15:12-20; Ps 17:1b-d, 6-7, 8b, 15; Lk 8:1-3 SEPT 20 - 1 Cor 15:35-37, 42-49; Ps 56:10c12, 13-14; Lk 8:4-15 SEPT 21 - Is 55:6-9; Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18; Phil 1:20c-24, 27a; Mt 20:1-16a SEPT 22 - Prv 3:27-34; Ps 15:2-4b, 5; Lk 8:16-18 SEPT 23 - Prv 21:1-6, 10-13; Ps 119:1,27, 30, 34-35, 44; Lk 8:19-21 SEPT 24 - Prv 30:5-9; Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163; Lk 9:1-6 SEPT 25 - Eccl 1:2-11; Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 17bc; Lk 9:7-9 SEPT 26 - Eccl 3:1-11; Ps 144:1b, 2abc, 3-4; Lk 9:18-22 SEPT 27 - Eccl 11:9-12:8; Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 17; Lk 9:43b-45 SEPT 28 - Ez 18:25-28; Ps 125:4-9; Phil 2:111 or 2:1-5; Mt 21:28-32 SEPT 29 - Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51 SEPT 30 - Jb 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Ps 88:2-8; Lk 9:51-56

16 August 27, 2014

DIOCESAN/NATIONAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE