OND Dec. 2014 AB Vol. 68 No. 20

WWW.CROOKSTON.ORG

DECEMBER 17, 2014

Mary and the child Jesus are depicted in a 15th-century painting by Pietro di Sano. (CNS/Bridgeman Art Library)

VOL. 68, NO. 20

INSIDE

VOL. 68, NO. 20:

Pg. 3 - Universal Year of Consecrated Life Intro Pg. 12 - 2014 Diocesan Year in Review Pg. 8 - Post-Abortive Mothers Visit Cathedral Youth Pg. 17 - Jan. Prayer Calendar & Scriptures Pg. 10 - Diocesan Staff Christmas Greeting Pg. 19 - IRS Year-End Giving Tips

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December 17, 2014

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COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Voice from the Valley

BY BISHOP MICHAEL J. HOEPPNER

CHRISTMAS 2014 “And Joseph too set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”

(Lk 2:5) A most blessed and joyous Christmas to each and every one of you, and to all your families!

May your Christmas celebrations fill you with love and joy as we delight in Emmanuel, God with us.

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. People travel great distances to get there. As the familiar carol puts it: “Although I know it’s a long road back, I promise you - I’ll be home for Christmas.” Travel arrangements are made well in advance. They are carefully planned with fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.

The biblical stories that tell us of the birth of God’s Son are filled with all kinds of travelers. Gabriel travels to earth to speak to Mary and returns with her “yes” to God. Mary travels to see Elizabeth. Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Angels travel to Earth to sing to shepherds, and shepherds hurry away to Bethlehem “to see this thing that has taken place which the Lord

has made known” to them. And too, the wise men travel far to see the newborn King.

Christmas is about one traveler in particular, one like no other: the very Son of God – God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father – who came down to Earth from heaven and by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. His name is Jesus because He comes to save us. God, the Son, leaves His place - His home in heaven - to come to our place - our home so that all people might one day join Him at home in heaven.

Pope Francis has reminded us that the Word was made Flesh and came to dwell among us so He could join us in the journey of our lives. Christmas means “a new journey of the people of God with Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us in history towards the completion of the Kingdom of God. … Let us rediscover the beauty of being together along the way: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and the whole of humanity, the people, the civilizations, the cultures, all together on the paths of time.” And, the Holy Father reminds us, the horizon toward which we journey with Jesus is the horizon of hope, “a hope that does not disappoint simply because

the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful.” (Angelus, Dec. 1, 2013) I pray that your celebration of Christmas fills you with joy and with hope. May this New Year be filled with the wonder and beauty of being together with Jesus along the way. Journeying with Jesus each day, may we help others be filled with joy and hope as we look together to the new horizon toward which Jesus guides us. Last year a tthe beginning of Advent, Pope Francis said, “For the great human family it is necessary to renew always the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope.

This is the horizon that makes a good journey.”

MINNESOTA IMMIGRATION SUNDAY Since 2009, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota have designated a Sunday in January as Immigration Sunday. Why do we feel this is an important initiative to keep supporting and encouraging throughout our own local Churches? Because at the center of our Catholic faith is a responsibility for each of us to honor and work for the objective good of others. This includes our brothers and sisters who come to our cities, towns and neighborhoods from other lands that may be foreign to us.

The Catechism of the Catholic

BISHOP’S CALENDAR

December 22 5:00 p.m.

Seminarian Cathering, Chancery December 23 7:45 a.m.

Mass, Cathedral, Crookston December 24 4:00 p.m.

Mass, Cathedral, Crookston December 24 10:00 p.m.

Mass, Cathedral, Crookston January 3-9 Bishop’s Retreat, Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, California January 13 7:45 a.m.

Mass, Cathedral, Crookston January 13 12:00 p.m.

Priests Assignment Committee, Chancery January 15 5:00 p.m.

DAA Kickoff Banquet, St. Mary’s, Fosston If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, your first call should be to law enforcement. If you have been abused by a Catholic priest or another person in Church ministry, the Diocese of Crookston Victim’s Assistance Coordinator is also available to offer you help and healing. Please contact Louann McGlynn at 218281-7895 (24-hour confidential number) or Lmcglynn@crookston.org.

Church expresses this responsibility as an obligation, and indeed it is! It is an obligation to protect the inherent and fundamental dignity of each person.

(CCC 1897-1948) The topic of immigration has been brought to public attention even more so in these days due to the Obama administration’s executive orders on immigration. In an advocacy guide created for Immigration Sunday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, while noting that the President’s executive order brings many immigrant families relief, more is needed. They state: “The relief is not permanent and the broader problems with the U.S. immigration system are still not fixed. Immigrant families continue to be torn apart by deportations, uncertainty about their status, and delays in the U.S. visa application process that can take years, even decades.

Many men and women who are immigrants continue to be exploited in the workplace.” More

work is urgently needed and so we continue to ask the President and Congress to create the needed long-lasting reforms.

Here in Minnesota, Immigration Sunday will be held Jan. 4, 2015, the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. I encourage you to use this day as an opportunity to educate yourselves and others and reflect on the foundations of Catholic teaching on migration and immigrants.

With a posture of justice and compassion, learn how you can support and advocate for migrant families. There are excellent advocacy materials that have been made available for us at http://www.mncc.org. Please continue to pray for our President and Congress and for the reform needed to help so many of our brothers and sisters.

EIGHTH WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES As I shared with you in a past column, the eighth World BISHOP: Continued on Page 8

(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 Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston.

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OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

DIOCESAN

December 17, 2014

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Universal Year of Consecrated Life has begun Religious invited to ‘Wake up the World’ to the presence of God

By Katrina Genereux Staff Writer, OND CROOKSTON, MINN. — “Wherever there are consecrated people, seminarians, men and women religious, young people, there is joy, there is always joy! It is the joy of freshness, the joy of following Jesus; the joy that the Holy Spirit gives us, not the joy of the world,” Pope Francis said in an address to seminarians and novices last summer.

In 2013, Pope Francis called for a universal Year of Consecrated Life. The actual time of celebration will be longer than a year – totaling 15 months – from Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016.

The year will close on the World Day for Consecrated Life.

The Year of Consecrated Life is an invitation for the Church on all levels, from Rome to home, to spend time focusing on consecrated life in all of its forms.

All people are invited to offer thanksgiving for the service of sisters, brothers, priests, nuns and other consecrated people, both past and present. It is also a time to invite young Catholics to consider whether or not they are called to religious life.

“The Diocese of Crookston has benefitted greatly from the fruits of consecrated life,” said Father Vincent Miller, Rector of the Cathedral and Director of the Diocesan Office of Vocations. “Currently there are many discerning religious life whose unique charisms are perpetually called upon by the diocesan church.”

The year is especially intended to serve as a time of renewal for the men and women living out vocations in consecrated life.

“It is wonderful to have the chance to reflect on your own vocation, what it means to you and what a gift it is,” Sister Lucille Schafer said. Sister Lucille is a Benedictine Sister at Mount Saint Benedict in Crookston.

“Our brothers and sisters in Christ living consecrated lives make great contributions to our society through a vast number of ministries,” said Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky. “They teach in our schools, take care of the poor and the sick and bring compassion and the love of Christ to those shunned by society; others lead lives of prayer in contemplation for the world.” Archbishop Kurtz is the

president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The theme selected for the Year of Consecrated Life is Wake up the World.

“Wake up the world! Be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living,” said Pope Francis during a meeting with the Union of Superiors General of religious men. “It is possible to live differently in this world. We are speaking … of the values of the Kingdom incarnated here on this earth. It is a question of leaving everything to follow the Lord. … Evangelical radicalness is not only for religious: it is demanded of all, but religious follow the Lord in a special way, in a prophetic way. It is this witness that I expect of you. Religious should be men and women who are able to wake up the world.”

On the national level, the USCCB has asked religious orders to consider participating in “Days with Religious” events throughout the year. These include a national open house day, which will be an opportunity for religious orders to invite people in to see how and where they live. The USCCB has suggested Feb. 8, 2015 since it is also the World Day for Consecrated Life.

They have also asked religious orders to host Days of Service in the summer of 2015, inviting lay people to join them in their work. They requested a Day of Prayer on Sept. 13, 2015 as a chance for people to join in prayer with their consecrated brothers and sisters.

“The ‘Days with Religious’ activities will represent great opportunities for families and adults to look at the many ways men and women serve Christ and the Church while answering the call to live in consecrated life,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., chairman of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

The Sisters of St. Joseph and the Benedictine Sisters are working on plans to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life. The Sisters of Mount St. Benedict plan to host an open house to invite people to see their monastery and share their history.

Throughout the Year of ConCONSECRATED: Continued on Page 4

CELEBRATING ALL TYPES OF CONSECRATED LIFE

Bishop Michael Burbidge, Diocese of Raleigh, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations describes the types of consecrated life in a video on the USCCB web site.

He said, “During the Year of Consecrated life, the Holy Father requests that we reflect on the different forms of consecrated life and the special gift they are to the Church … As we observe the special Year of Consecrated Life, let us give thanks to God for the many men and women who have dedicated themselves to the Church and the perfection of charity. Without them, our church just would not be the same.”

THE RELIGIOUS Religious sisters, brothers and priests are the consecrated people we are most likely to encounter in the Church. They live in communities formally recognized by the church, make public professions, evangelical councils, they live in common and are often committed to an intense life of prayer or some work in the apostolate.

SECULAR INSTITUTES This group of consecrated people take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, but remain living in the world, working for its sanctification. These men and women share in the Church’s task of evangelization in the world and from within the world where their presence acts as a leaven in the world. Their witness aims to order the temporal things according to God and inform the world with the power of the gospel.

CONSECRATED VIRGINS “From apostolic times, women have freely committed themselves to a state of virginity for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Consecrated virgins are women consecrated to God by their diocesan bishop.

They are mystical brides of Christ and, through their consecration, are signs of the Church’s love for Christ and the promise of the life to come. They work in the world and are dedicated to serving the church.

HERMITS Hermits are men and women who publicly profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and live lives of solitude, prayer and penance. They devote themselves to praising God and praying for the salvation of the world by maintaining a strict separation from the world.

SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE “Without religious vows, these men and women pursue particular apostolates, live in common, and strive for the perfection of charity by observance of their constitutions.” http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/year-of-consecrated-life/ index.cfm

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December 17, 2014

DIOCESAN

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

CONSECRATED: Continued from Page 3 secrated Life, Our Northland Diocese will run feature stories highlighting consecrated life in connection with the Diocese of Crookston. We will have articles about the religious orders present in the diocese and profiles of some of the people from the diocese who are living out religious vocations in other places. We will also include columns and other stories highlighting the themes of the Year of Consecrated Life.

Watch for the ‘Wake up the World’ logo; it will be run with each of these stories during the Year of Consecrated Life.

Cardinal Joao Braz De Aviz, the Prefect for the Congregation of Consecrated Life summed up the Year of Consecrated Life saying, “It’s a great time to grow and deepen the faith. Part of this is driven by the hope and the certainty that consecrated life will never disappear from the Church.”

“Our diocese has always benefited from the presence of religious orders,” said Father Miller.

“It is our great hope that this will continue through the next generation.”

Lay faithful are invited to reflect on the contributions of religious men and women, people discerning their vocations are asked to consider consecrated life and those living religious vocations are urged to reflect on and renew their vocations. The USCCB has provided the following prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life:

O God, throughout the ages you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

During this Year of Consecrated Life, we give you thanks for these courageous witnesses of Faith and models of inspiration.

Their pursuit of holy lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering of ourselves to you.

Continue to enrich your Church by calling forth sons and daughters who, having found the pearl of great price, treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above all things.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

USCCB SUGGESTIONS FOR DIOCESES AND PARISHES TO FOSTER VOCATIONS TO CONSECRATED LIFE

1. Invite a woman or a man (brother or priest) in consecrated life to be introduced to the congregation and to greet parishioners at the door of the church after Mass on days celebrating religious life such as the World Day for Consecrated Life or the World Day for Prayer for Vocations.

2. Suggest that parishioners visit a monastery of cloistered monks or nuns to join in prayer or perhaps to make a spiritual retreat.

3. Encourage members of the church to pray for vocations to religious life at the Prayer of the Faithful.

4. Urge the diocesan vocations office to promote vocations to religious life.

5. Commit resources for promotion of religious order sisters, brothers and priests.

6. Provide space in diocesan newspapers and on websites for regular columns by religious about their ministries.

7. Highlight religious profession of vows and jubilees in diocesan media.

8. Educate seminarians and priests about the history and development of religious life in the Church and integrate these programs into the seminary curricula, post ordination formation and other venues to assure education about the place of religious life within the life of the Church.

9. Sponsor diocesan adult education programs that teach about the role of religious in the Church.

10. Host annual gatherings of young religious within the diocese and/or region.

USCCB SUGGESTIONS FOR FAMILIES TO FOSTER VOCATIONS TO CONSECRATED LIFE 1. Pray for vocations to religious life as a family.

2. Talk with a religious about her/his vocation.

3. If your parish has a vocations committee, learn about their activities and participate in at least one program. If there is no vocation committee, work with other parishioners and the pastor to begin one.

4. Discover a ministry in your area that is sponsored by a religious community and talk with the Mission Director about what makes this ministry unique. If possible, volunteer at the ministry site as a family.

5. Suggest to a single person in your parish the possibility of considering a religious vocation.

6. Write a letter to your local bishop suggesting a Vocations Fair or Adoration Hour for vocations. Offer to help organize this.

7. Make 10 minutes for silent reading of Sacred Scripture. Offer this time for the intention of those considering Consecrated Life.

8. Pray in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament for the intention of vocations to the Consecrated Life.

9. At grace before meals, add the following: “We ask, O Lord, that you let more men and women hear the call to serve you as a priest, brother or sister. Amen.”

10. At supper some night, tell family members about a religious who has meant something to you, perhaps someone you met in school, in the hospital, in the parish or elsewhere.

Text from: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/year-of-consecrated-life/yearof-consecrated-life-activity-suggestions.cfm

PLEASE

pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

December 17, 2014

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What education choice really looks like

FAITH

In the last edition of this column, I shared a little about why education policy is a deeply personal issue for me, and why it was an important justice issue to promote authentic school choice for all kids, not just those who can afford it.

This column addresses why the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) will join with other Minnesota educational choice advocates in the 2015 legislative session to encourage legislators to establish educational savings accounts and opportunity scholarship tax credits for Minnesota families. These two policy solutions are shown to be some of the most powerful for providing families with more effective educational options.

specifically focuses on ESAs for children with special needs, allowing parents to direct their child’s educational and therapy dollars toward services that provide the best educational results for their child. Currently, ten states have programs that offer a type of ESA to families with special needs children.

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS Education savings accounts (ESAs) give parents the power to use their child’s state education dollars (also known as per pupil aid) on a variety of educational options, including tuition and fees, textbooks, tutoring, and other education related services.

ESAs provide families with a debit card containing funds available for approved education expenses. Families are able to use the card to select and pay for the best providers of needed educational services.

MCC supports legislation that

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDITS Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credits (OSTCs) give families a greater amount of access to high-quality nonpublic schools by providing tax incentives to businesses and individuals who choose to donate to an educational scholarship organization.

With OSTCs, companies and individual citizens receive tax credits for donating to qualified non-profit entities that provide scholarships for individual K-12 students, ultimately giving these children access to educational options that would have

IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE

By Mr. Shawn Peterson Associate Policy Director Minnesota Catholic Conference

been financially out of reach for them or their parents.

Here is how OSTCs could work: An individual or corporation has a tax liability (the amount of taxes they owe to the state) of $10,000. With an OSTC program, the company would be allowed to donate a certain percentage—80 percent, for example—to a qualified non-profit acting as a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). The SGO would then be able to use the monies collected to award scholarships directly to families who qualify under the legislation’s income guidelines. Those families would then be able to use the scholarship funds to attend the nonpublic school of their choice.

Currently, there are thirteen states that have opportunity scholarship laws or similar programs, and several other states that are considering creating or expanding their state education-

al choice opportunities. From 2013 to 2014, a combined $551 million was spent nationally on scholarship programs, with an average scholarship amount of $2,282 per child for those enrolled in the various scholarship programs. These programs are spreading across the country because of demand and their rate of success.

DATA SHOWS POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR KIDS; SAVINGS FOR STATES The data is showing that these programs are helping to increase graduation rates, college enrollment, and academic achievement, especially among those most affected by the achievement gap.

In addition to positive educational outcomes for children, states are seeing taxpayer savings. In Florida, one nonpartisan government office estimated that taxpayers saved $1.49 for every dollar lost in corporate income tax revenue due to corporate scholarship contributions. In other words, although a state may take in less tax revenue on the front end, the programs ultimately show a savings in funds spent on education, therefore reducing the overall state education budget expenditures.

Florida is not alone. In Wisconsin, the estimated taxpayer savings in 2010 was $46.7 mil-

lion, and the estimated net fiscal benefit in fiscal year 2011 is $51.9 million.

Educational choice programs like these have the power to transform the lives of children stuck in failing schools. They are giving hope and future opportunity to kids, and are allowing parents to decide what school is best for their child.

A recent Friedman Foundation survey shows that a majority of Americans favor school choice programs. In the poll conducted last year, 60 percent favored vouchers, 64 percent favored ESAs, and 66 percent were in favor of tax credit scholarships.

By enacting these pieces of legislation, Minnesota would put the power to direct a child’s educational needs where it most belongs, in the hands of his or her parents.

Making this important legislation a reality requires the persistent voices of all of us, including parents, teachers, students, and concerned citizens. As we near the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, contact your Minnesota state elected officials. Tell them why education choice is important to you—as a parent, student, or community member—and ask them to support legislation that can bring real education choice to Minnesota children and their families.

Nei Bottling Inc. P.O. Box 516 Bemidji, MN 56619 Phone: (218) 751-3847

wants your news and advertisements!

Find 2015 publishing dates and submission deadlines on the web: http://www.crookston.org/ond/ The next OND submission deadline is: Wednesday, January 7 by 12:00 p.m.

Email: Janelle C. Gergen, Associate Editor jgergen@crookston.org

6 December 17, 2014

COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Recovering the mundane through work As a boy visiting our family in New York City, I remember my aunt Nina having a very positive outlook, even while endeavoring to do the holiday dishes. She commented about how nice things will look when it is all finished. Somehow the task of doing dishes was aided by her vision of the end result.

I recall being curious with her type of mental toughness, but realize at the time that I was not particularly tuned into the importance of such things.

But the mundane can be important. Most of our life is dealing with common routines and the work of the day. They are so common; we rarely stop to think about their value at all.

Usually we push through these things to get them done so we can relax or take it easy. But then we realize that we will just start all over again tomorrow. Even the word “chore” rings with a negative tone. Many recovering from addiction can find it hard to maintain the routine tasks of life. They can easily habituate themselves toward a pattern of

INTEGRITY HUMAN PERSON INSIGHTS

By Dan Spadaro, MA, LPC Synidcated through The Colorado Catholic Herald

pressured work followed by relaxation or escape, relief from anxiety or stress. So it is not uncommon to procrastinate such things. Even if an addictive substance or behavior is not directly involved, the underlying modus can still exist.

I did not always value the challenge of the work-like tasks of life. It seems to me that this is something that we likely learn or experience in the home. Those recovering from addiction often did not learn this way of life. One of the so-called “neurological pathways” of addiction is to use an addiction to “numb” or satiate stress. So work can be viewed

as something to be endured, while comfort is the ideal to be pursued — not too unlike our American lifestyle.

Many describe a feeling of restless discontent that keeps them moving and on edge. A life of moderation or a routine of diligent effort were not the status quo; often it was an allor nothing approach. Addiction thrives on conflict and chaos, but within the mundane there are seeds of recovery.

In college, I read the book Hallowed Be This House, by Thomas Howard. In his simple but illuminating book, he uses the image of a home to reveal the sacredness of everyday life,

elevating the ordinary through the eyes of a sacramental system. In a phrase, the ordinary reveals God. So he saw that our devotion, worship, and sacrifice does not end when we leave the church on Sunday.

He writes, “it is nonetheless possible to see our ordinary routines as proceeding among the hallows.” It is also the story of who we are as people, both material and spiritual, ordinary but connected to the divine.

God made us for himself, so why wouldn’t everything we do potentially lead us toward Him? This is a pretty high view of life, but couldn’t there be redemptive beauty in the simple work of life? The rule of St. Benedict speaks of this rhythm within the ordinary with the phrase, “Ora et Labora” (prayer and work).

How then is this high view of the mundane to be fostered? It seems to me that most tasks are better when done with others.

We enjoy life more when we can share our work, prayer or recreation together. This type

of communal living can be foreign, so it requires that we learn how to better live with others, much like a family or a monastic community.

So relaxation can be a connection, rather than an escape.

A meal can be a supportive conversation rather than merely a comfort food. Service to others can be an act of gratitude, rather than a burden. It is interesting to me that all the real joys or satisfactions in life require some type of death.

Children, for example, require dying to my interest in the football game at times, my need for a little more sleep, or my annoyance of not being able to do the job faster or easier. Instead, the life of the family offers us the opportunity to redefine our efforts in the mundane and see the redemptive work of God at play.

Dan Spadaro, MA, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and a member of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. His website is www.imagodeicounseling.com.

Do Planned Parenthood offices have manger scenes?

I was working on a Christmas column for this issue of the OND and planning to encourage us to put lights on our hearts instead of on our trees this Christmas. But, I just received an article from California that made me wonder how and if Planned Parenthood celebrates Christmas. There were no lights to hang anywhere in the article, only darkness and the silent screams of children.

Over the past few months parents at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif., were kept in the dark to the fact employees of Planned Parenthood were teaching their 13 to 14-year-olds sex education. The parents did not have a clue.

Planned Parenthood employees shared with the students a checklist/survey to see if they were “ready for sex”. A second worksheet explained how to give and obtain consent for having sex.

A diagram that uses a “genderbread” person (did you get that? Gender-bread!) helps students discern their gender identity. The well-known Christmas cookie was being used as a symbol of sexual liberation and was clearly labeled as to the various identities, orientations, expres-

LIFE FIRST

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

sions and sexual distinctions now accepted in our society.

All the while, a blanket of secrecy covers their true agenda in their claim that this is all in the name of “justice for our children.”

For Planned Parenthood, it isn’t a matter of sincerely seeking what is best for the teens.

As usual, it is about their bottom line … Planned Parenthood gets more grants as a result of the promiscuity of children. The more sexually active kids are, the more the services of Planned Parenthood are needed, including abortion.

Contraception is promoted as the savior for teens who Planned Parenthood has decided are mere animals that have no other choice but to be sexually active at a younger age. No “choice” offered by an organi-

zation claiming to be all about choice!

The Acalanes Union School District officials admitted the classes were not taught by teachers but by staff from the local Planned Parenthood.

In the “Sex Check” material students are surveyed and asked if they have water-based lubricants and condoms available to them. It also teaches proper etiquette in obtaining sexual favors by suggesting the use of statements like “Do you want to go back to my place?” and “Is it OK if I take my pants off ?”

An opt-out form was offered to parents but did not provide the information needed for the parents to make an informed choice. They were not told Planned Parenthood and its agenda were front and center.

The request of parents to have the actual teachers who teach the course share a “pre-course” or review for parents has not been granted.

Amazingly, federal law is still in place holding that schools must acquire written parental consent before a student is required to participate in surveys, analysis, or evaluations. The law requires more than mere notification, it requires specific parental permission for the survey used in the Planned Parenthood sex education program.

When government funded organizations like Planned Parenthood give up on our kids, what can we do? First, of course, is to gather and pray outside Planned Parenthood offices as we do here in Bemidji. Second, learn the truth about Planned Parenthood. I just went on their national website and discovered their new slogan reads: “Planned Parenthood: Care. No matter what!”

Care? The killing of a child in the womb for any reason is care? Not telling women the truth about their pregnancy and about the life within them is care? Preferring women remain in ignorance instead of having knowledge is care? And yet, our

government writes the monthly, weekly, daily check payable to Planned Parenthood.

As the initial screen on the website faded away, a request for a “year-end, tax-deductible contribution” is made. Astounding in its arrogance.

Last but not least, I clicked on a tag that said “Get birth control at Planned Parenthood.”

Nowhere in the information that followed did they mention the availability of a condom for the heart. Such care for our teens is not their concern, instead destruction of hearts, lives and futures is. The media allows Planned Parenthood to continue the drumbeat of assertions that they are needed to meet “women’s health” needs not met elsewhere. Yet, on their website “women’s health” is FIFTH on their list of services.

What is first on their list of services? Yup, abortion.

So we head off to Christmas. Saturday, as we pray the Rosary outside the Bemidji office, I will peer in the window and see what Christmas decorations are up. I am sure the lights and tinsel will be there. There may even be a manger scene.

Of course, the manger will be empty …

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

December 17, 2014

7

“… And all Jerusalem with Him.”

The Gospel of Matthew (2:13) tells us that when the astrologers from the east arrived having followed the star, they went directly to King Herod and asked where the newborn king of the Jews was since they had come to pay him homage.

Oops. That was the wrong thing to say to this man. He, Herod, was King. Homage was to be paid to him and him alone. Herod surely could have reacted out of concern for the right order of things. But his reaction was not born of any concern for political right order. No, this was personal.

And it bestirred in Herod murderous rage. Matthew tells us something of the character of Herod when the next line of the Gospel is: “At this news, King Herod became greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem.”

Herod’s temperament was such that all his subjects feared his moods. If Herod was jealous – the people paid for it. If Herod was greatly disturbed –

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A NEW EVANGELIZATION WITNESS

By Rev. Robert Schreiner, S.T.L. Director of the Office of the New Evangelization

then it seemed it could make the very stones of Jerusalem quake. If Herod was in a murderous rage, then surely death would follow.

But something more is being told to us about Herod in this simple passage. What news was it that so stirred Herod’s ire?

Namely, that a star had risen to announce to the nations that a king had been born for them all. It was the announcement of something bigger than had even been conceived of before.

It was news of a unity among nations and peoples; it was the announcement of the promise of a prince of peace who

could bring an end to divisions and wars. And with this news, Herod raged. He immediately sought to murder that one child and in the process he slaughtered hundreds if not thousands of innocent children, in effect: “... all Jerusalem with him.”

Every year the Church renews her joy in the message which the star of Bethlehem first announced. The Christmas proclamation is made afresh for a world which, in large part, still awaits the awareness of its promise in the hearts of all people. But as of old, it seems to take just one heart, hardened

to the joy of the message, to affect “… all of Jerusalem with it.”

It seems that our culture lives like ancient Jerusalem under Herod’s grip. All it takes is one bad news report from one source to turn into a 24/7 cycle with all of the news outlets consumed by it. Or, all it takes is one negative nay-bob being negative for its own sake in a meeting to derail an otherwise great energy the group was experiencing around an idea or plan. Or, it can be the poisoned dart of a single, well-placed sarcastic remark sent our way which can ruin our mood and get passed on when we get home. Herod’s heart seems still to affect all of Jerusalem, even if that Jerusalem is now our workplace, our school classroom, our parish or our homes and families.

But it doesn’t have to. Your heart is your own and is beloved

by God and by His will is designed for glory. The Christmas star shines upon you, casting a

light of new understanding and seeing. This Holy Season teaches that you don’t have to act as like another person’s Herod ruining their day; and you surely don’t have to live in Herod’s Jerusalem.

Resolve this Christmas season to live by the light of Bethlehem’s star. Let your heart receive the Christmas message with joy and be permanently gladdened by it – even if that has to be in the darkness of our culture’s night. Live Christmas from the inside out and thus, become a light for others. The Holy Spirit can give you the strength to choose to not be affected by the hardened heart of any contemporary Herod and you can commit to not become one for others in your life.

Christ is born for us! A Savior has been given to us! My friends, Christmas has already changed the world. But it must shine brightly in our gladdened hearts if the world is ever to know it.

Prayerfully listening in silent adoration Submitted by Tom Morrissey St. Clement Parish, Grygla

It’s been almost three years now that I have been privileged to be with a small Fatima prayer group. We pray a 24-hour adoration novena on the 13th and 25th days of each month.

There are around 25 to 30 of us spread across five or six states.

Via email, we each volunteer one hour before the tabernacle from midnight to midnight until the 24 hour period is filled.

We can sign up for any hour that fits our schedules. Our Lord Jesus then has 24 consecutive hours with our small group of adorers on those two dates each month.

As a revert back to my Catholic faith, I, myself, did not fully understand why or how I ended up here for this lonely hour, often at 2 a.m. After a few months of boring myself with an endless list of petitions, I finally began having a desire to listen instead of presenting my growing list of wants. Gradually, I learned to listen as I sat in silent adoration.

For some reason I could feel

EXPOSITION PRAYER IN THE DIOCESE OF CROOKSTON

Ms. Bonnie Lee

Director of the Office of Worship Him speak to my heart. “I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for being with me.” Huh? Am I so arrogant I would think the God of all creation would thank me for anything? But I continued to feel Him speaking to my heart. “Because you are here, there are some things I would like to share with you. Oh if those who would adore the Blessed Sacrament and could feel the burning love I have for them, they would die. You are simply unprepared for how much I love you.”

I was confused about what I heard in my heart. But there was no question where it came from. Later, I came across a book about the three shepherd children of Fatima: Lucia, Jacinta and Francesco. I read

that they were given a prayer to recite by the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I offer thee the most precious body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He Himself is offended.

And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of thee the conversion of poor sinners.”

Even though on that list of sinners is myself, I now knew what He wanted me to pray for. The conversion of poor sinners. Each time we see the tabernacle, let us remember those three words by which He

Himself is offended. Outrages, sacrileges and indifference. I learned it in adoration. Let me never be “indifferent” before the tabernacle.

“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.”

You are invited to submit your testimonial of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to:

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

blee@crookston.org or P.O. Box 610 Crookston, MN 56716.

“Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I offer thee the most precious body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He Himself is offended.

And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of thee the conversion of poor sinners.”

- Prayer from Our Lady of Fatima

Photo credit: CNS

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Cathedral Life Teen hosts women of PALS Submitted by Mark Hollcraft Director of Life Teen Ministries, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

On Nov. 9, a group of women from Post Abortive Ladies (PALS) shared their experience of abortion and the affect it had on their lives with Cathedral high school youth. The women also spoke about the effects of legalized abortion in our country. What this panel shared was different from many other discussions about abortion.

Because they spoke the truth

with charity, and without condemnation, their sharing took out the pro-life vs. pro-choice argument that seems to split most other discussion about abortion.

I think of Pope Francis when he said, “Ask Jesus what he wants from you and be brave.” (“Regina Caeli” Address, April 21, 2013) In this case, a group of ladies were very brave in the sharing of their weakest moments.

Their vulnerability was accompanied with great truth, courage and charity. Truth and charity offer freedom, not condemnation.

For these ladies who witnessed to their experience of abortion, freedom and liberation from fear is what they experience now, without ever forgetting their decisions. Yes, they have remorse for their decisions to have had abortions, but it does not stifle their message or their courage to share so that others can learn of the gift of life. Through their testimonies, they shed light on how the father of lies seeks to extinguish the joy of life.

While the Life Teen Life Night was offered with the intention to

address a pro-life message, the roots of the message proposed by these women were much deeper. PALS facilitator, Jodi Clemens, recognized this by saying, “Young people, what we are sharing is not just about abortion, but so much more is out there trying to make us fearful and lost.”

While there is so much more out there, Mother Church calls out to us again through Pope Francis, saying: “Are we often weary, disheartened and sad? Do we feel weighed down by our

sins? Do we think that we won’t be able to cope? Let us not close our hearts, and let us not lose our confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no sin which we cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to him.”

(Pope Francis, Easter Vigil 2013) If a parish would like to host PALS, contact Rhonda Nygaard or Jodi Clemens. Nygaard can be reached at 701-371-6829 or rhondan@healinghearts.com, and Clemens at 701-367-7362 or jodiclem@hotmail.com.

BISHOP: Continued from Page 2 Bishops call for poverty Meeting of Families will be held in Philadelphia, Pa. in 2015. This will be the first time the World Meeting of Families will be held in the United States. Since my last communication with you about this, we have received confirmation that Pope Francis will visit the United States at the end of the meeting. This is very exciting, not only for us here in the United States, but also for all those from outside our country who will travel to Philadelphia. What a wonderful event this will be for the Universal Church.

The World Meeting of Families was started by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1994. Holding true to its initial mission, this international event continues to be held every three years in different locations, its purpose “to strengthen the sacred bonds of families across the globe.”

As you know, we have just finished a special Year of Marriage here in the Diocese

of Crookston. I am happy to invite you to be part of the eighth World Meeting of Families. To help make this wonderful event readily available, the Office of the New Evangelization of the Diocese of Crookston will lead a pilgrimage to the Philadelphia Meeting. The dates are: Sept. 22-27, 2015. The pilgrimage will include the opportunity to participate in the Sacraments, hear internationally known speakers, including Fr. Robert Barron, visit national Shrines, join me in the celebration of the Eucharist and in celebrating the Eucharist with our Holy Father, Pope Francis. What a wonderful and blessed pilgrimage this will be!

I hope you will come along. To learn more, please call (218) 281-4533, ext.

425. The registration deadline is June 15, 2015.

awareness in Jaunary January is Poverty Awareness Month.

During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and the Catholic Community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis’ challenge to live in solidarity with the poor.

Some facts and statistics regarding poverty in the United States: • In the United States, 2.8 million people work at full-time, year -round jobs and still live in poverty.

• The poverty rate for the state of Minnesota is 11.2 percent.

• One in seven American households were food insecure last year.

• In 2012, 13.6 percent of men

and 16.3 percent of women lived in poverty. The poverty rate for married couples in 2012 was only 6.3 percent – but the poverty rate for single-parent families with no wife present was up to 16.4 percent, and for single-parent families with no husband present over 30 percent.

• 45 million people live in poverty in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). The number of people in poverty in the United States is larger than the populations of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Nebraska … combined.

• 27.2 percent of the black population and 23.5 percent of the hispanic population live in poverty.

• The National School Lunch Program provides low or no-cost meals to impoverished children.

In 2012 alone, the program served subsidized lunches to more than 31.6 million children and has served 224 billion lunches since its founding in 1946.

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis said, “I want a Church which is poor and for the poor.” The U.S. Bishops have a website that contains resources, prayer reflections, and ways to help end poverty.

Go to http://www.usccb.org/about/ catholic-campaign-for-human-development/poverty-education/povertyawareness-month.cfm or http://povertyusa.org for more information.

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Knights donate for building repairs

On Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Goodridge, Grand Knight Dave Jones, a Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Lourdes Council #34619 member, presented a $1,000 check to St. Ann’s Treasurer, Carolyn Pittman. This money is to be used for maintenance on the church including windows & doors. This donation was requested by an associate member and one of St. Ann’s parishioners, Deputy Grand Knight Dennis Kainz. Also pictured: Choir Members Carol Eidelbes, Cathy Kainz & Gerri Rustan; Organist Audrey Rogalla and Fr. Rick Lambert. (Photo/text submitted by Patty [Mutnansky] Skibicki)

Confirmations celebrated

Blessed Sacrament, Greenbush; St. Edward’s, Karlstad, St. Joseph’s, Middle River. (Submitted photo)

St. Joseph’s, Red Lake Falls. (Submitted photo)

St. Joseph’s, Bagley.

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Diocesan Exchange Program continues to serve statewide Jean Burnett, Liaison for the MN Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, recently traveled from St. Cloud to Red Lake Falls and was able to find vestments and sacred vessels that will be used by their chaplain. The state Knights of Columbus were also helped in this way a few years ago. The charity of the Diocese of Crookston is known throughout Minnesota! Our priests are following the counsel of St. Sebastian who said, “The Church has gold, not to store up, but to lay out and to spend on those in need.” (Photo/text submitted by Carmen Harmoning)

TEC retreats scheduled

Agassiz Valley TEC weekends for the first part of 2015 have been scheduled. The three day retreat experience focuses on the death and resurrection of Christ.

TEC retreats are for anyone who is 16 years old and at least a sophomore in high school. College students, young adults and older adults are also welcome to attend.

The weekend is spent in small group discussion, large group activities and engaging liturgies and prayer experiences. Meals and

lodging for the weekend are included in the retreat fee of $100.

Retreats are scheduled as follows: Jan. 17-19 at Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks; Feb. 14-16 at St. Joseph’s, Moorhead; and March 14-16 at Sandhill Lake Bible Camp near Fosston.

For more information about TEC, email Terry Steen at avteccrookston@gmail.com.

To register for a TEC weekend online, go to www.avtec.catholiweb.com

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Highlights from 2014 In the Diocese of Crookston, the year 2014 was especially shaped by celebration of the Year of Marriage.

Bishop Michael Hoeppner reflected on the gifts of the Year of Marriage during his homily at the Closing Mass on Nov. 30. He said: “As we conclude our Year of Marriage, we join together in this Eucharist. We thank Almighty God for the gift of marriage, that unique love relationship – possible only between a man and a woman – in which God bonds a man and woman together, makes them one, and continually leads them into the depths of love. It is in this unique joining they join with him in the very creation of more human lives. … Here, in the liturgy of the Eucharist, more than any place else, Christ our King … draws us into the very intimate love-life of the Trinity. ... Here He saves, here He strengthens, here He holds us safe until He has put all His enemies under His feet and everything is subjected to Him and He is subjected to the one who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all.”

Listed below are some of the events that blessed 2014 in the Diocese of Crookston.

JANUARY St. Joseph’s, Bagley, hosted the Diocesan Annual Appeal dinner on Jan. 14. This year’s goal for the appeal was $840,000.

A local March for Life was held on Jan. 18. Sixty people walked through the streets of downtown Bemidji, beginning at the Beltrami County Courthouse, and ending at St. Philip’s.

Ownership of Villa St. Vincent/The Summit was transferred from the Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery to the Benedictine Health System of Duluth.

Bishop Hoeppner visited St. Bernard’s Catholic School, Thief River Falls. He visited each of the classrooms and also spent time with the students at lunch.

Benedictine Sister Caroline Liebl died Jan. 19. Her funeral was held Jan. 22 at the Sacred Heart Chapel of Mount St. Benedict Monastery. Sister Caroline was a beloved teacher, working in schools across the diocese and in Texas.

The Diocese of Crookston was represented in Washington, D.C. at the 41st annual March for Life. There were 48 youth and chaperones on pilgrimage.

Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens speaks at St. Philip’s Parish, Bemidji. (OND file photo)

Young people and chaperones from throughout the Diocese of Crookston in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, prior to the 41st annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. (OND file photo)

Bishop Michael Hoeppner is flanked by Msgr. Tim McGee, Pastor of Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes, and Peter Jacobson, president of St. Mary’s regional care center, as he prays and gives a blessing on the hospital’s new Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, a place of meditation for people of all faiths. (OND file photo)

FEBRUARY Joyce Wallace of St. Mary’s, Euclid, was presented with a Bishop’s Medal on Feb. 12.

Wallace has served in many capacities at St. Mary’s including involvement with religious education, being an ARISE coordinator and working with Ladies Aid. In mid-February, Bishop Hoeppner visited Cathedral School in Crookston. He explained the symbols of a bishop to the younger students and spoke to the older students about the symbolism of the Holy Family Icon created for the Year of Marriage.

On Feb. 14, Bishop Hoeppner blessed a new chapel area at Oak Crossing, the transitional and long-term care community at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes. The new meditation area is called Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel and Garden.

Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks, held A Celebration of Marriage event. Eighty couples gathered for dinner and listened to a presentation by Dr. Mark Krejci and his wife, Julie.

MARCH ARISE Together in Christ began its fourth season in the Diocese of Crookston on Ash

Wednesday. The theme for the six-week session was forgiveness.

The Rite of Election was held March 9. Six catechumens and 34 candidates from 10 parishes gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to enter into the final stages of their journey to full communion with the Catholic Church.

Carl Adolphson was named the first president of Sacred Heart School, East Grand Forks, as part of an administrative restructuring effort. Dave Andrys was named principal of the of the entire school, preschool through grade 12.

Fr. Eugene Wesely died March 14. His Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Mary of the Lakes, Lake Eunice Township on March 19. Fr. Wesely spent 57 years as a priest for the Diocese of Crookston.

Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis delivered a presentation on March 19 at St. Philip’s, Bemidji. His presentation, entitled “Paschal Suffering and the Sacrament of Marriage”, was part of the Year of Marriage events continuing throughout the year. More than 130 people attended the presentation.

Bishop Hoeppner visited the deaneries of the diocese for the Year of Marriage. He spoke on the topic of families as domestic church at Sacred Heart, Roseau, on March 23.

APRIL The Chrism Mass was held April 14. Bishop Hoeppner blessed and consecrated the sacred oils and distributed them to representatives of each church in the Diocese of Crookston.

Msgr. Roger Grundhaus led a pilgrimage to the shrines of Italy in April. The group of 30 pilgrims visited shrines in Rome, Florence, Assisi, and other places during their 10-day trip.

On April 16, the students of St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Moorhead, delivered 47 Easter baskets for children at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo.

Young patients received 28 of them that day and the rest were handed out as new patients entered the hospital over Easter weekend.

Dozens of couples married REVIEW: Continued on Page 13

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REVIEW: Continued from Page 12 more than 25 years renewed their marriage vows at Sacred Heart, Frazee, on April 27. The parish held a Marriage Celebration Day in conjunction with the Diocese of Crookston’s Year of Marriage.

The combined years of marriage for those present exceeded 1,500 years!

MAY Bishop Hoeppner made a visit to St. Michael’s Catholic School, Mahnomen, at the beginning of May. He celebrated Mass with them, then visited classrooms and blessed a mural of the Sermon on the Mount that was donated to the school. The mural was donated by Teresa and Roger Lehne, in memory of Robert London.

Construction started on a new monastery at Mount Saint Benedict. A handful of sisters and Msgr. Grundhaus participated in a groundbreaking ceremony.

Benedictine Sister, Lucille Adelman, died on May 12. Sr. Lucille was 80 years old and belonged to the Benedictine Community for 63 years. She served in many ways including as an organist, records librarian, spiritual director and pastoral associate.

Catholic Advocacy Network launched in the Diocese of Crookston the weekend of May 18, during the celebration of Life and Dignity Sunday. Parishioners across the diocese were invited to register for the network and to become more involved in the political process in order to “be a voice for life and dignity in Minnesota.”

An anniversary Mass and celebration were held May 18 at Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks, in honor of Msgr. Michael Foltz’s 25 years of priesthood.

Sacred Heart School’s class of 2014 graduated on May 25 in East Grand Forks; 24 students received their diplomas.

John Christianson and Bryan Kujawa were ordained as transitional deacons on May 31 at the Cathedral in Crookston. They are currently in their final year of study at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

JUNE Sister Maureen Suprenant, CSJ, died on June 6 at the age of 94.

She entered the Congregation of St. Joseph on Sept. 7, 1939 and spent the next 47 years teaching in many different schools.

Holy Trinity, Tabor, celebrated their 125th anniversary on June 14 with Mass concelebrated by Bishop Hoeppner, Fr. Duane Pribula, Msgr. Roger Grundhaus

Second graders sit on the carpet in Mrs. Kraft’s classroom, surrounded by books and living room furnishings, as they listen to Bishop Michael Hoeppner. (OND file photo)

During the Year of Marriage, couples married 25 years or more renew the vows they made to God and to one another at Sacred Heart Parish, Frazee, during a Marriage Day celebration in April. During Mass, Father Xavier Ilango witnessed a Renewal of Marriage Vows, thanking God for the gift of marriage, the gift of family and the gift of grace to walk life’s journey together. As a remembrance of the day of celebration, each couple received a framed copy of the Holy Family Icon. (OND file photo)

and Msgr. Mike Foltz.

The 2014 Bishop’s Cup Fishing Tournament was held on Blackduck Lake in Blackduck on June 14. The winning team, Captain Ahab, was from Our Lady of the Pines, Nevis. It consisted of Dan DeCrans, Sarah DeCrans, Bill Jones and Adam Debliek; their total fish weight was 9.1 pounds.

Richard Aleman, Executive Director of the American Chesterton Society, gave a presentation entitled “The Nucleus of Society: Marriage & the Family” at St. Peter’s, Park Rapids, on June 30. Aleman spoke about the connection between marriage and the New Evangelization during the annual Fortnight for Freedom celebration.

JULY The annual St. John Paul II Middle School Leadership Camp took place the week of July 6.

One hundred middle school students from around the diocese attended the five-day camp at Northen Pines Camp in Park Rapids. The theme was “Called to be Saints”.

The Love and Life Concert

Series kicked off with a performance by Karl Kohlhase on Saturday, July 12 at St. Mary’s, Warroad. Kohlhase is a contemporary Christian musician from the Iron Range area of Minnesota.

The Diocese of Crookston joined in the celebration of National Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week from July 20-26. Dave and Lynette Cudnik and Matthew and Sarah Effhauser shared their testimonies about NFP with diocesan priests and deacons. Dr. Theresa Notare, the Assistant Director of the NFP Program for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), gave presentations to different groups throughout the diocese.

Richard “Dick” Rude of St. Philip’s, Bemidji, died July 19, 2014. Rude was a consultant and member of the Diocesan Building and Planning Commission.

He served the diocese for 27 years, and had a hand in designing parishes in Benwood, Grygla, Halstad, Karlstad and Wilton.

Sister Cecilia Smith celebrated her 75th jubilee and Sister Agnes

A groundbreaking ceremony at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery ushers in a new phase of monastic life. (OND file photo)

Deacon Bryan Kujawa, Bishop Michael Hoeppner and Deacon John Christianson are all smiles following the Mass of Ordination on May 31. (OND file photo)

Kraft celebrated her 70th jubilee at a private ceremony held on July 29 at Mount St. Benedict.

AUGUST From Aug. 5-7, young men of the diocese gathered at Two Inlets for Esto Vir Camp. The Diocesan Office of Vocations and five seminarians hosted a group of 19 young men for a few days of praying, playing, and fraternity.

St. Joseph’s, Moorhead, held a Disabilities Mass on Aug. 9. Persons with disabilities participated as liturgical ministers for this Mass. The parish’s Committee for Children with Special Needs hosted a potluck meal following the Mass.

On Aug. 10, author Gregory Jeffrey shared his hope-filled message with families of the diocese through his presentation “Wealth, Worry and the Providence of God.” He spoke at St. Bernard’s, Thief River Falls, as part of the Year of Marriage.

On Aug. 13, Our Northland Diocese unveiled a new masthead

and began archiving past issues online.

More than 400 people attended the centennial celebration at St. Peter’s, Gentilly, on Aug. 17. The celebration began with Mass in the church, followed by a lunch served by the Knights of Columbus. The church building has gone through various stages of repair and restoration over the past three years, in preparation for the centennial.

The Office of Stewardship and Development hosted their annual Bishop’s Guild Summer Event on Aug. 17, with Bishop Hoeppner. The event included pontoon rides, dinner, and prayer at St. Lawrence, Mentor.

Area Youth ministers and adult youth ministry volunteers attended a Life Teen Empower Conference at St. Joseph’s, Moorhead, on Aug. 23. It was a day of training, prayer and fellowship meant to “empower” those in attendance to better serve the youth of their parishes.

On Aug. 24, a diocesan-wide REVIEW: Continued on Page 14

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XLT was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

XLT stands for “exalt”, and includes praise and worship music, adoration and a presentation.

The topic for this special XLT was the Sacrament of Marriage; it was presented by Katie Gray from the Life Teen national office, and her husband, Jason.

Sarah Hart, a Grammy-nominated musician, gave a prayerful concert at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Aug. 24. It was the second of three performances in the Love and Life Concert Series as part of the Year of Marriage. Approximately 225 people attended, and $537 was collected in free will offerings for the 40 Days for Life campaigns of Fargo and Bemidji.

Bishop Hoeppner baptized two members of the Hispanic community of St. Francis de Sales, Moorhead during a Mass for Hispanic members of the Guadalupe Ministry of St. Francis on Aug. 24.

The Diocese of Crookston participated in an annual audit of the Safe Environment Program and was given a letter of compliance in August. A total of 88 priests, deacons and seminarians received Safe Environment training; 2,544 educators, employees and volunteers also received training this year.

The Diocesan Catechetical Task Force started a three-year process of reviewing and making recommendations for faith formation across the diocese in every age range.

SEPTEMBER On Sept. 9, Joseph Hollcraft, Katie Arens and Cody Klamm were commissioned as missionaries for National Evangelization Teams (NET) Ministries in St. Paul.

Sister Margaret Thueringer, OSB, 86, died on Sept. 18. She entered the Mount Saint Benedict Community on Jan. 6, 1945, and made her final profession in 1949.

Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, Reathel Giannonatti, JD, and Lisa Hatlestad, Stewardship Manager, travelled to St. Paul to attend the Region VIII Stewardship Conference of the International Catholic Stewardship Council.

135 people gathered in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 19-21 for the Healing of Families seminar led by Father Yozefu Ssemakula.

They learned about sin and how it affects families and how to

break free from the damage it causes. This event was part of the Year of Marriage.

Father Frank Kulhawik celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 20. He was honored with a birthday party at his Villa St. Vincent residence in Crookston.

OCTOBER The Office of the New Evangelization hosted a Marriage Congress from Oct. 3-5 in Crookston. It was the culminating event of the Year of Marriage.

The three days were packed with presentations, music, prayer, and many grace-filled moments. Attendees learned more about the sacrament of marriage and forming holy families.

Danielle Rose performed a concert for at least 400 attendees at the Cathedral in Crookston on Oct. 4 as part of the Marriage Congress. It was also the third and final installment of the Love and Life Concert Series. Danielle was joined by members of her family, including her parents, husband, and 4-week-old daughter, Agnes.

The annual Marriage Celebration Mass was held on Oct. 5 and doubled as the closing Mass for the Marriage Congress. Bishop Hoeppner presided and Danielle Rose sang her song “Holy Family”, which had been used as the theme song throughout the Year of Marriage around the diocese.

Rite of Lector was celebrated with deacon candidates on Oct. 11 in Bishop’s Chapel at the Chancery.

Bishop Hoeppner led the Chancery Staff on a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston to venerate the Year of Marriage Holy Family Icon on Oct. 14.

The annual High School Youth Rally took place Oct. 16; 430 people travelled to the school in Greenbush. The theme was Designed for Greatness and was hosted by Blessed Sacrament Parish.

NOVEMBER National Vocations Awareness Week was celebrated from Nov. 2-9. The Diocese of Crookston currently has seven seminarians in formation.

On Nov. 8, Robert and Delphine Safranski celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and were awarded a Bishop’s Medal at St. Rose of Lima, Argyle.

The Year of Marriage officially concluded with the Closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Hoeppner on Nov. 22 at the Cathedral.

Bishop Michael Hoeppner preaches from the ambo to a packed congregation during St. Peter’s centennial Mass in Gentilly on Sunday, Aug. 17. (OND file photo)

Fr. Thomas Loya delivers his keynote address to a full room at the Crookston Inn on the second day of the Marriage Congress, the culminating event of the Year of Marriage. (OND file photo)

Bishop Hoeppner delivers his homily at the Closing Mass for the Year of Marriage on Nov. 22. (OND file photo)

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Horseback riders make traditional pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Illinois CHICAGO, ILL. (CNS) — In a tradition that hails from Mexico, more than 250 people rode their horses on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines Dec. 7 to pay homage to Mary.

The pilgrimage was held in advance of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is Dec. 12.

The group, mainly comprised of men, began their journey in the morning on forest preserve trails in Lincolnshire. It took four hours to arrive at the shrine. Once they arrived, riders were greeted with crowds and bands. As they passed by the outdoor shrine, many removed their hats, and all placed a rose in a basket for Mary.

In Mexico City, it’s a tradition for groups or clubs to make a pilgrimage to the Guadalupe shrine there on the feast day, which commemorates Mary’s appearance to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near modern-day Mexico City.

Mary appeared to Juan Diego for the first time at dawn Dec. 9, 1531, and said she wanted a church built in her honor on that hill. He went to the bishop to share this news, but was put off by the prelate. She appeared again, and Juan Diego -- who was called by name by the lady in the apparition -- again approached the bishop. The bishop asked for a sign from her and Mary produced enough roses in December to fill Juan Diego’s cloak, or tilma.

When he emptied them in front of the bishop, he found that she had left her image on the tilma, which remains today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. St. Juan Diego was canonized in 2002. His feast day is Dec. 9.

The local shrine in Des Plaines was established in the mid-1980s.

This is the third year for the riding pilgrimage, which is organized by Club Los Vaqueros Unidos (United Cowboys Club) in Wadsworth. Organizer Jesus Gonzalez said the pilgrimage is a way for families to spend time together and carry on traditions.

Not everyone who made the pilgrimage was Catholic, but “we’re all horse people,” Gonzalez told the Catholic News World, Chicago’s archdiocesan newspaper.

The group makes its journey in advance of the feast day because more than 120,000 pilgrims usually visit the shrine over Dec. 12 and 13 and accommodating the horses would be difficult.

On the evening of Dec. 7, a group of tractor trailer drivers drove to the Des Plaines shrine for their own pilgrimage.

Pilgrimages to holy places have a long tradition in the Catholic Church, said Father Marco Mercado, shrine director.

“It’s a reminder that we are a walking people -- walking to our final place in heaven,” Father Mercado said.

A member of Club Los Vaqueros Unidos (United Cowboy Club) of Wadsworth, Ill., prepares to place a rose at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Ill., Dec. 7 as part of a pre-celebration for her Dec. 12 feast day. More than 100,000 people make a pilgrimage to the shrine each year for the event. (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

CRS, nonprofits fight part of bill that may have cut food aid

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic Relief Services and a host of other nonprofit agencies that distribute food aid overseas were successful in getting lawmakers to purge a provision in a bill that could have cut the amount of food aid they would be able to distribute in the future.

The provision would have increased from 50 percent to 75 percent the amount of food aid that must be transported on privately owned, U.S.-flagged ships.

In 2012, Congress had lowered the requirement from 75 percent to 50 percent.

The Senate approved a twoyear Coast Guard funding reauthorization bill Dec. 10 af-

ter striking the provision. The House, which had passed a version of the legislation in April containing the increase to 75 percent, must now reconsider the bill before the lame-duck congressional session ends as expected in mid-December.

The issue is important to CRS, the U.S. church’s international relief and development agency, and others, because shipping goods on U.S. ships cost about 2.7 times as much as shipping them on foreign-flagged vessels, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

CRS and other aid groups have contracts with the federal government for fixed dollar figures on sending food aid to countries in need, said Eric Garduno, CRS’ senior legislative specialist

in Washington.

From that contract, all expenses must be paid, including the cost of shipping the food, Garduno said.

The House version also gives the federal secretary of transportation the right to impose cargo preferences “without the consultation of agencies or departments whose rules your agency will impact,” Garduno told Catholic News Service in a Dec. 8 interview. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development are the other two federal agencies that manage and implement international food aid programs.

In a joint statement, more than 30 nonprofits banded together to argue against raising the U.S.-

flag requirement.

“In April, the Department of Homeland Security warned that increasing cargo preference from 50 percent to 75 percent, as proposed under Sec. 318 (of the House bill), would increase transportation costs for U.S. international food aid programs by $75 million annually, and result in at least 2 million vulnerable people losing access to lifesaving food aid from the United States,” the statement said.

“Given the number of current food security emergencies and others on the horizon, we cannot afford to make U.S. food aid more costly,” it added. “With 805 million people around the world going hungry every day, we must make every food aid dollar count. It is both a respon-

sible use of taxpayer money and a moral imperative. We should allocate more of our resources to feed the poor and most vulnerable, not less.”

Joining CRS in signing the statement were the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, CARE, Bread for the World, Church World Service, Africare, Lutheran World Relief, The Presbyterian Church U.S.A., the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, Save the Children and American Jewish World Service.

Simply put, CRS’ Garduno told CNS, “the more transportation costs, the less money we have to buy food. It’s U.S. food that’s being bought and shipped over.”

16 December 17, 2014

INTERNATIONAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Announcing new series of talks about family, Pope Francis reviews synod

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – The October extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family was not the scene of “a clash between factions, but of a debate among bishops,” a work that will continue with the 2015 general synod “for the good of families, the church and society,” Pope Francis said.

Announcing a new series of Wednesday general audience talks about the family, the pope insisted Dec. 10 that no one at the extraordinary synod “called into question the fundamental truths about the sacrament of marriage: its indissolubility, unity, fidelity and openness to life.”

“Some of you might ask me, ‘But, father, didn’t some of the bishops fight?’ I wouldn’t say ‘fight,’ but they did speak strongly, that’s true. This is the freedom that exists in the church,” the pope said to the applause of the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“I asked the synod fathers to speak with frankness and courage and to listen with humility -- to say everything that was in their hearts with courage,” he said. “There was no pre-censorship at the synod. None. Everyone could, or better, had to say what was in his heart, what he really thought.”

Pope Francis told people at the audience that no one should be surprised or scandalized that the bishops at the synod had different opinions on certain issues; that is part of Christian history, he said.

The day’s audience began with a reading from the 15th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles describing how Jesus’ disciples wrestled with questions regarding the conditions placed on non-Jews who wanted to join the Christian community.

The disciples had a “strong debate,” the pope said, “they were shouting at each other. Yes, the apostles, because they were seeking the will of God about the pagans, whether they could enter the church or not. It was something new. Always when one seeks God’s will in a synodal assembly there will be different points of view and debates. That isn’t something bad as long as it is done with humility and with an attitude of service.”

Pope Francis thanked the news media for the “abundant” coverage of the synod, but he told the thousands of pilgrims and visitors at the audience that “frequently the view of the media was a bit in the style of sports or political coverage: There was much talk of two teams, for and against, conservatives and progressives, etc.”

Pope Francis speaks as he leads his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 10. In his talk, the pope reviewed the October extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Instead, he said, every bishop spoke from his heart and his experience; “it was edifying” to see how everyone listened.

The synod’s midterm report – which raised controversy for how it seemed to seek out positive values in the relationships of people living contrary to church teaching, for example, those cohabitating or in same-sex relationships – was just “a draft,” the pope said.

In small groups, the bishops worked on rewriting the draft – and their reports were published to ensure “transparency,” he

said. The reports were the basis for the final report, which kept the midterm report’s framework: “listening to reality, looking at the Gospel and making a pastoral commitment.”

The final report, the shorter message to the church and the pope’s own final speech, he said, were the only “official documents” from the synod.

The church’s reflection on the mission of families in the church and the world and the challenges facing the family today continue with the publication Dec. 9 of the preparatory document for

the 2015 general synod, he said.

In dioceses around the world, he said, the preparatory document with its 46 questions will be an instrument to ensure “the work of prayer, reflection and fraternal discussion continues with the aim of preparing for the next assembly.”

Pope Francis asked Catholics to join him in praying that “Mary would help us make the decisions necessary to provide more and better assistance to families.”

PLEASE pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

DIOCESAN

JAN 2 - STS. BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS, DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH Fr. Jerry Rogers JAN 3 - THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS Fr. Robert Schreiner JAN 4 - THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Fr. Luis Silva JAN 5 - ST. JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP Fr. Bob Stone (retired) JAN 6 - ST. ANDRE BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS Fr. Pat Sullivan JAN 7 - ST. RAYMOND OF

PENYAFORT, PRIEST Fr. Manuel Sundaram JAN 8 WEEKDAY Fr. David Super

CHRISTMAS

JAN 9 - CHRISTMAS WEEKDAY Fr. Emmanuel Sylvester JAN 10 WEEKDAY Fr. Craig Vasek

CHRISTMAS

Dcn. John seminarian)

Christianson

JAN 15 - WEEKDAY Dcn. Bryan Kujawa (seminarian) JAN 16 - WEEKDAY Matthew Regan (seminarian) JAN 17 - ST. ANTHONY, ABBOT Matt Schmitz (seminarian) JAN 18 - SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Nathin Voeller (seminarian)

JAN 11 - THE BAPTISM OF JAN 19 - WEEKDAY THE LORD Bishop Michael Hoeppner Father Larry Wieseler (retired) JAN 20 - ST. FABIAN, POPE, JAN 12 - ST. HILARY, BISHOP, MARTYR, ST. SEBASTIAN, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH MARTYR Michael Arey (seminarian) Bishop Victor Balke (retired) JAN 13 - WEEKDAY JAN 21 - ST. AGNES, VIRGIN, Nate Brunn (seminarian) MARTYR JAN 14 - WEEKDAY

17

JANUARY 2015

PRAYER CALENDAR JAN 1 - SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER Fr. Joe Richards

December 17, 2014

Fr. Todd Arends

JAN 22 - WEEKDAY Msgr. David Baumgartner

THE CHURCH Fr. Bill DeCrans

JAN 23 - ST. VINCENT, DEACON, JAN 29 - WEEKDAY MARTYR; ST. MARIANNE COPE, Fr. Joe DeCrans VIRGIN JAN 30 - WEEKDAY Fr. James Bernauer (retired) Fr. Larry Delaney JAN 24 - ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF JAN 31 - ST. JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST THE CHURCH Fr. Antony Fernando Fr. Don Braukmann JAN 25 - THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Fr. Luis Buitron JAN 26 - STS. TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS Fr. Tim Bushy JAN 27 - ST. ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN Fr. John Cox, OMI JAN 28 - ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF

VOCATION PRAYER OF POPE ST. 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

JANUARY 2015

JAN 1 - Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 JAN 2 - 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 JAN 3 - 1 Jn 2:29-3:6; Ps 98:1,3cd-4, 5-6; Jn 1:29-34 JAN 4 - Is 60:1-6; Ps 72: 1-2,7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:23a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 JAN 5 - 1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 JAN 6 - 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44 JAN 7 - 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52 JAN 8 - 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Ps 72:1-2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22a JAN 9 - 1 Jn 5:5-13;; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16 JAN 10 - 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:2230 JAN 11 - Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mk 1:7-11 JAN 12 - Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9; Mk 1:14-20 JAN 13 - Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5-9; Mk 1:21-28 JAN 14 - Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:4045 JAN 15 - Heb 3:7-14; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:2939

JAN 16 - Heb 4:1-5, 11; Psa 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12 JAN 17 - Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 JAN 18 - Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42 JAN 19 - Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 2:18-22 JAN 20 - Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c; Mk 2:23-28 JAN 21 - Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 3:1-6 JAN 22 - Heb 7:25-8:6; Ps 40:7-10, 17; Mk 3:7-12 JAN 23 - Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85:8, 10-14; Mk 3:13-19 JAN 24 - Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Mk 3:20-21 JAN 25 - Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 JAN 26 - 2 Tim 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7-8a, 10; Mk 3:22-30 JAN 27 - Heb 10:1-10; Ps 40:2, 4ab, 7-8a, 10-11; Mk 3:31-35 JAN 28 - Heb 10:11-18; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 4:1-20 JAN 29 - Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24:1-4b, 5-6; Mk 4:2125 JAN 30 - Heb 10:32-39; Ps 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40; Mk 4:26-34 JAN 31 - Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; (Ps) Lk 1:69-75; Mk 4:35-41

18 December 17, 2014

COMMENTARY

WORD to LIFE December 21 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Romans 16:25-27; By Catholic News Service I remember it as if it was yesterday. I was sitting on the floor, surrounded by my friends on a youth retreat when I was 17 years old.

A priest was reading us a story. I do not remember what the story was or who the priest was, but I do remember a warm feeling that started in the center of my chest and spread throughout my body. As I looked up at the priest, a thought ran through my mind, “I want to be the person up front helping others grow in faith.” This was the beginning of my call to serve in church ministry.

Over the years, I have heard many individuals’ “call stories.” Each is unique.

Some are really astounding, full of phenomenological signs and wonders, while others are soft and gentle with promptings from within.

I have yet to hear one quite like the one we hear in this week’s Gospel. No one has ever shared with me a story that involved an angel appearing or a message that they were going to be a mother though still a virgin. But most of the stories I have heard do have a few things in common with Mary’s call to be the mother of God. Many times people have told of questions they had when they felt called

by God, their own “how can this be?” query. And almost all of them have a very similar ending, though they do not always use the exact phrase: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Feeling that God is calling you, whatever the call is about – a move, a new job, your vocation in life or anything else

Psalm 89:2-5, 27-29; Gospel Luke 1:26-38

– can be overwhelming.

We do not know all the thoughts Mary had or exactly what she was feeling. I imagine that she was a bit overwhelmed, too.

We do know that in the end she said yes. We also know that this simple yes launched an amazing adventure full of joy, sorrow and, ultimately, eternal life with the one she was saying yes to. May this be true of all of our calls as well.

Mary, mother of God, pray for us.

Questions: Have you ever felt a special call by God in your life? How difficult was it for you to respond?

What has been the result of that call?

“BEHOLD, I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD. MAY IT BE DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.” -- LUKE 1:38

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

FOR FAITH-SHARING GROUPS

December 28

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Psalm 128:1-5 or Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9; Colossians 3:12-21 or Colossians 3:12-17 or Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 or Luke 2:22, 39-40

By Catholic News Service Like many of my contemporaries, I’m becoming part of the “sandwich generation” – adults caring for semiindependent children who still need parental support, while tending to the physical and emotional needs of aging parents. This can be a stressful situation for many, even in a society that offers the resources of professional child care and home health providers.

One’s time and resources are stretched thin and it’s difficult to fulfill one’s obligations without a great deal of guilt and anxiety. When I hear stories of these unsung caregivers I marvel at their heroic virtue.

Today’s Scripture readings paint a portrait of family life undergoing these same kinds of stresses. They depict parents struggling to patiently train their children, sons caring for aging parents whose minds are failing, wives and husbands persevering through challenges to marital harmony, and Mary and Joseph – parents of a newborn – making an arduous journey to fulfill the “prescriptions of the law of the Lord” despite their limited means. None of these readings reflect a perfect, hassle-free situation, and, yet, taken together, they reveal the image of a “holy family.”

What constitutes this sort of family holiness?

Sirach highlights the characteristics of honor and reverence for those whom God places in authority.

Walking in the fear of the Lord, according to the psalmist, is borne out by the examples of Joseph, Mary, Simeon

and Anna as they hold fast to the religious customs of prayer, worship, fasting and obedience to God’s revealed law.

Paul’s Letter to the Colossians tells us to “put on” those virtues that define God’s “chosen ones” and that are rooted in Christ’s example of selfless love and nourished by his word: compassion, kindness, patience, gratitude, humility, obedience and especially forgiveness of ourselves and others when we fall short.

The difficulties of family life are nothing new to our generation. Even so, many people become discouraged and overwhelmed by their trials, while still others elude hardship by avoiding the commitments of marriage and family life altogether. Yet, those families who cling to the Lord – the author of family life in all its complexities – have the opportunity and the call to be a heroic, fruitful and joyful sign of contradiction and a source of renewal in our world.

The “holy family” is us.

Questions:

What are the most challenging stresses in your family life right now?

What virtues of a holy family are already present, and for which ones can you pray?

“BLESSED IS EVERYONE WHO FEARS THE LORD, WHO WALKS IN HIS WAYS!” -- PSALM 128:1

THE OND IS NOW ONLINE!!

- ARCHIVED EDITIONS -

Vol. 68, No. 19 (November 19, 2014) can be viewed here: www.crookston.org/ond/

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

IRS tips for year-end charitable contributions In a news release, IRS has reminded individuals and businesses making year-end charitable contributions of several important tax law provisions and general substantiation requirements that they should keep in mind.

RULES FOR CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS To be deductible, clothing and household items donated to charity must be in good used condition or better. A clothing or household item (e.g., furniture, furnishings, electronics, appliances, and linens) for which a taxpayer claims a deduction of over $500 does not have to meet this standard if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with the return. Donors must get a written acknowledgment from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more, that includes, among other things, a description of the items contributed.

GUIDELINES FOR MONETARY DONATIONS To deduct any charitable donation of money, regardless of amount, a taxpayer must have a bank record or a written communication from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. Bank records include canceled checks, bank or credit union statements, and credit card statements. Bank or credit union statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the amount paid. Credit card statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the transaction posting date. Donations of money include those made in cash or by check, electronic funds transfer, credit card, and payroll deduction For payroll deductions, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement, or other document furnished by the employer showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.

These requirements for monetary donations do not change or alter the long-standing requirement that a taxpayer obtain an acknowledgment from a charity for each deductible donation (either money or property) of $250 or more. However, one statement containing all of the required information may meet the requirements of both provisions.

OTHER IRS CHARITABLE GIVING REMINDERS To help taxpayers plan their holiday-season and year-end giving, IRS offered these additional reminders: • Contributions are deductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to a credit card before the end of the year count for 2014 even if the credit card bill isn’t paid until next year, and checks count for 2014 as long as they are mailed before the end of the year.

• Only donations to qualified organizations are tax-deductible. IRS maintains a searchable online database (Exempt Organization Select Check, available at http://www.irs.gov by clicking “Tools”) listing most organizations that are eligible to receive deductible contributions. In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even though they often are not listed in the database.

• For individuals, only taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A can claim deductions for charitable contributions. Thus, individuals who choose the standard deduction, including anyone who files a short form (i.e., Form 1040A or 1040EZ), are ineligible to claim the deduction.

• For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, the taxpayer should get from the charity, if possible, a receipt that includes the name of the charity, date of the contribution, and a reasonably-detailed description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, the taxpayer should keep a written record of the donation that includes this information, as well as the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation and the method used to determine that value.

• The deduction for a car, boat or airplane donated to charity is usually limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value is more than $500. Form 1098-C, or a similar statement, must be provided to the donor by the organization and attached to the donor’s tax return.

• If the amount of a taxpayer’s deduction for all noncash contributions is over $500, a properly-completed Form 8283 must be submitted with the tax return.

References: For charitable contributions, see FTC 2d/FIN K-2800 et seq.; United States Tax Reporter 1704 et seq.; TaxDesk 330,200 et seq.; TG 18950 et seq.

DIOCESAN

December 17, 2014

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20 December 17, 2014

DIOCESAN

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE