OND Mar. A Vol. 71 No. 5

VOL. 71, NO. 5

WWW.CROOKSTON.ORG

MARCH 8, 2017

A promise to God that changed everything Blake Quick was raised nominally Lutheran and did not feel the need to make faith a priority.

However, circumstances surrounding the birth of his first child led him to make a promise to God. This promise was the beginning of an intense search for truth.

TURN TO PAGE 3 TO READ ABOUT THE IMPACT OF HIS CONVERSION ON HIS FAMILY. Blake Quick, the Coordinator of Campus Ministry and Adult Faith Formation at St. Philip’s, Bemidji, stands next to an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual help, his favorite place in St. Philip’s Church. (Photo credit: Katrina Genereux, OND)

Experience the gift of God’s mercy Turn to Page 16 for a list of opportunities for Confession submitted by parishes throughout the Diocese of Crookston.

INSIDE VOL. 71. NO. 5:

Pg. 14 - Ash Wednesday at the Vatican Pg. 15 - Word to Life Scripture Commentary Pg. 16 - Lenten Confession Opportunities

2

March 8, 2017

A

COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Voice from the Valley

BY BISHOP MICHAEL J. HOEPPNER

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DISPENSATION “May God sleep on your pillow; may he hold you in the hollow of his hand; may the roads rise with you, fair weather to your heels; may the wind be ever at your back, and may you be a long time in heaven before the devil knows you’re gone.”

You may be familiar with this Old Irish Blessing. My dear mother was 100 percent Irish and St. Patrick’s Day was a great day of celebration in our home. We honored St. Patrick for his zealous evangelization of Ireland and thanked God for the great gift of our Catholic faith. An important long-standing Lenten practice for us is our abstaining from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent. However, this Lent – St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 – falls on a Friday of Lent. So that all the faithful may fully join in celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day in

their parishes and communities, I grant a dispensation from our Lenten abstinence from meat for Friday, March 17, 2017.

This dispensation applies to all Catholic faithful who live in the Diocese of Crookston, whether they be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in or outside the territory of the diocese. This dispensation also applies to any and all Catholics who do not live in the Diocese of Crookston but find themselves within the territory of the Diocese of Crookston on March 17, 2017. I encourage those who do eat meat on St. Patrick’s Day to do some other act of penance.

YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FAITH AND VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT The last weekend of February, I had the delight of bringing the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation to eight outstanding young people at St. Stephen Parish in Stephen. After Holy

Communion and the prayer, at Confirmations, I say a few words about vocations. I encourage all to pray for vocations and encourage the young people to “try on” becoming a religious sister, brother, or a priest. Pope Francis has decided that the next Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will treat the topic: Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.

The last two Synods of Bishops, the Ordinary and the Extraordinary, both dealt with marriage and family. In the resulting apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia”, Pope Francis gave us wonderful instruction on God’s great gift of marriage and family. The 15th Ordinary Synod is scheduled for October 2018. The Secretary General of the Synod has already sent a preparatory document to bishops throughout the world, “in order to foster a widespread consultation of the people of

BISHOP’S CALENDAR March 11

God on Young People, the Faith and Vocations.” At the Deans’ Meeting on March 1, I gave each dean a copy of the preparatory document and asked them to disseminate it so that, at this local level, we can gather the requested input.

When gathered, the information from each diocese in the United States will be forwarded to the Holy See through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In addition, noting that young people themselves should be encouraged to participate in the synod process, the General Secretariat, in the months to come, will be developing a webpage so that young people from around the world, can participate in the synod process through a series of questions, the answers to which will be directly received by the General Secretariat. What a blessing these Synods are. We all can look forward with excitement to what the Church will discern about young people, the faith and vo-

cational discernment.

LENT Speaking of the Holy Spirit, I hope your Lenten journey is off to a good start. The Ceremonial of Bishops states, “Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery …

The faithful, listening more intently to the Word of God and devoting themselves to prayer, are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.”

At Easter, we will once again repeat our baptismal promises, recalling and celebrating the forgiveness of sins and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we received at Baptism. Jesus himself associated the gift of the Holy Spirit with the image of flowing water.

On the Third Sunday of Lent we hear the Gospel story of JeVOICE/VALLEY: Continued on Page 7

Dinner Dance Auction, St. Joseph’s, Moorhead

March 12

8:00 a.m.

Mass, St. John’s, Georgetown

March 14

7:45 a.m.

Mass, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston

March 14

12:00 p.m.

Diocesan Finance Council Meeting, Chancery, Crookston

March 16

12:00 p.m.

Priests’ Council Meeting, Chancery, Crookston

March 17

12:00 p.m.

Day of Reflection, Diocese of Fargo Staff Retreat

March 18

10:00 a.m.

Mass, St. Mary’s, Fosston

March 19

4:30 p.m.

Middle School Youth Rally Mass, St. Bernard’s, Thief River Falls

Associate Editor: Mrs. Janelle C. Gergen

jgergen@crookston.org

March 21

7:45 a.m.

Mass, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston

Editorial Assistant: Mrs. Katrina Genereux

kgenereux@crookston.org

(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.

Subscriptions: $16.34 per year in the diocese, $17.88 per year outside the diocese.

Publisher:

The Most Reverend Michael J. Hoeppner Bishop of the Diocese of Crookston

Editor:

Dr. Mark Krejci

Proofreader:

NATIONAL COLLECTION UPDATE The faithful of the Diocese of Crookston generously supported the USCCB World Mission Sunday Collection with a donation of $31,074.84.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE STATEMENT

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 218-281-7895 (24-hour confidential number) or Lmcglynn@ crookston.org.

Deacon Dan Hannig

For questions about subscriptions or address changes, please contact: Mrs. Renee Tate at rtate@crookston.org Periodical postage paid in Crookston, MN and additional mailing offices.

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

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

LOCAL

March 8, 2017

3

An unexpected journey to the Catholic Church The Quick family’s six-year conversion began with a promise to God, searching

By Katrina Genereux Staff Writer, OND

Blake Quick is the coordinator of Campus Ministry and Adult Faith Formation at St. Philip’s, Bemidji. Nine years ago, he and his wife, Marcy, a School Aide at St. Philip’s School, never would have guessed their family would be part of the Catholic Church.

THEIR BEGINNING Blake was born in the Twin Cities area, but moved to Hackensack when his parents purchased a resort there. He describes his family as nominally Lutheran. He wasn’t baptized, but attended church on Easter, Christmas, and whenever his grandma coerced him into it.

Blake and his family spent a lot of time outdoors taking in the beauty of creation.

“I grew up learning about God from the nature that I spent so much of my time in,” he said. He prayed before dinner, at bedtime, and if he needed something.

“I knew there was a God, and I knew Jesus was God, but that was really the extent of my knowledge in the area,” he said.

Marcy had a similar experience. She was baptized Presbyterian, and also only attended church at Easter and Christmas, and occasionally with her grandparents. She chose not to be confirmed or to pursue her faith further.

Marcy and Blake met in high school, and will celebrate their

“Knowing Blake as long as I have, I never thought this is the path that he wanted to take.

But as his wife, I fully supported him in whatever he felt he needed to do,” – Marcy Quick 10th wedding anniversary this year.

Blake enlisted in the Navy after high school graduation, and was eventually stationed on a guided missile destroyer out of Pearl Harbor. The couple lived there – with Blake completing three deployments in three years – until a few weeks before their first son, Logan, was born.

They moved to Brainerd to be nearer to family.

Logan’s birth changed everything. They were at St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital in Brainerd, hoping to deliver their son soon, when a complication arose that required an emergency cesarean section.

While Marcy was being prepped for surgery, Blake was given scrubs and brought to a small room with nothing but a chair, a small table and a Bible.

He remembers praying fierce-

Marcy and Blake Quick take a photo together after Blake was received into the Church during the 2011 Easter Vigil Mass at St. Andrew’s, Brainerd. (Submitted photo)

ly, calling out to God on behalf of his wife and child.

“Save my wife, save my kid and I’ll do whatever you want me to do,” Blake promised as he prayed.

Logan spent a week in the NICU before going home.

“As any new parent will tell you, he kept us pretty busy, but I never forgot my promise,” Blake said.

BLAKE’S SEARCH When Logan was four or five

months old, Blake began to fulfill his promise to God through intense study and searching for a church.

“Knowing Blake as long as I have, I never thought this is the path that he wanted to take. But as his wife, I fully supported him in whatever he felt he needed to do,” Marcy said. “I had my reservations, especially when he had to be away from his family.

I was working and he was going to school and I was just concerned that he wasn’t going to

be there for us like we needed him to be. But like Blake always does, he found a way to make it work.”

Blake first looked at the Lutheran Church because of his family’s background. As he read through Luther’s 95 Theses and dug deeply into other writings, he was bothered by the lack of uniformity and felt it was not where he belonged.

He always loved the architecture of ornate Catholic Churches and vividly remembers visiting the Jesuit Church of the Holy Trinity in Innsbruck, Austria, during a high school German class trip. He also appreciated sacred artwork and the use of incense in liturgies. He began looking for a church that had these elements.

“I started looking into Anglicanism, but they’re more all over the board than Lutherans are,” he said. “There’s no way you could have this much division within a denomination.”

Blake wondered which church to research next.

“I never had anything against the Church, it was just not on my radar,” he said. “Growing up Lutheran, it’s not like they had anything against it, they just didn’t talk about it … especially not at Christmas and Easter, the two times a year that I decided to go to church.”

As a military man, he said he understands the importance of authority, and that without a QUICK FAMILY: Continued on Page 6

Staff Accountant The Diocese of Crookston is seeking a full-time staff accountant.

We are seeking a candidate with at least a two-year accounting degree and a few years of experience. The qualifying candidate needs to be a practicing Catholic.

Send resume and references to: Diocese of Crookston, Attn: Chad Ryan, PO Box 610, Crookston MN 56716; or email cryan@crookston.org.

4

March 8, 2017

COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Developing intentional discipleship during Lent The season of Lent can be a beautiful journey towards our Lord if we allow it to be. Lent can be a purposeful, intentional time to not merely give up chocolate, alcohol, etc., but to more radically encounter Jesus Christ. If we allow it, Lent can be a training ground for lifelong, intentional discipleship.

Discipleship may be considered a buzzword in current Church jargon so I want to explain what is meant by the words intentional discipleship.

First, discipleship: We hear this word and may think of the disciples as we know them in the Gospel and this is a good association. However, what does it mean for each of us on a personal level? Can anyone be a disciple of Christ?

To be a disciple of Christ, first and foremost, one must have an authentic, lived relationship with Jesus Christ.

What does this mean? Do you have friends? Think about what you do with them to communicate your friendship. You probably spend time with them, think about them, share hobbies, make sacrifices and share experiences that are both good and bad. In the most authentic of relationships, these moments are shared face-to-face, or in close proximity to one

EVERYDAY

DISCIPLESHIP

By AJ Garcia

Director of the Office of New Evangelization and Justice

About The New Evangelization Summit The New Evangelization Summit is a two-day conference held in Ottawa, Canada, and broadcast at satellite locations throughout the world, including locally, at St. Philip’s, Bemidji.

Leaders in the New Evangelization will provide participants with inspiration, encouragement and training in effective evangelization.

Visit www.newevangelization.ca for more information. another. We are willing to go to great lengths to show our affection for our friends, but what about our Lord?

Jesus gives us ways to communicate with him through the sacraments. We are given opportunities to encounter Jesus’ love, friendship, and presence in seven sacraments. Jesus

communicates His love for us in seven unique ways! How are you communicating with Jesus?

Are you merely a passerby to what Jesus is offering – taking because of a rule – or by receiving, are you giving yourself to Jesus and engaging in authentic friendship?

In “Forming Intentional

Disciples”, Sherry Weddell says discipleship begins when “adult persons at last have the occasion to hear the kerygma, renew their own baptism, consciously choose Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior, and commit themselves actively in the life of their Church.”

Kerygma is another word we have in many ways let fall by the wayside. Kerygma is a Greek word referring to the proclamation of the essential parts of the Gospel message: God became man born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was Crucified, died and was buried, He rose again and by doing so defeated death forever. This is a message that can awaken faith in anyone. St. John Paul II described kerygma as, “the initial ardent proclamation by which a person is one day overwhelmed and brought to the decision to entrust himself to Jesus Christ by faith.”

Discipleship is not merely hearing the kerygma and going through the motions. Intentional discipleship is responding to this message and taking action to further the Kingdom of God on Earth. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles once said, “Jesus Christ did not come to suffer and die so that he could make

‘cultural Catholics’.” St. Peter entered the realm of intentional discipleship the instant he decided to drop his nets and follow Jesus. As we continue our Lenten journey, let’s consider the following questions: Are we intentionally dropping our nets to get through 40 days? Are we making an intentional step toward becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives?

Looking ahead, I would like to draw your attention to an event that can help us grow as intentional disciples. In fact, we can grow as intentional disciples together. On May 1213, St. Philip’s in Bemidji is currently one of 30 host sites worldwide for the New Evangelization Summit. It is an international event that will inspire Catholics to be engaged in the New Evangelization. Speakers will include Bishop Robert Barron; Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT; Peter Herbeck and many more! These holy men and women will provide inspiration, encouragement, training and resources on how Catholics can effectively evangelize. All are welcome to join this monumental event and more information will be shared soon. How will the Lord use you if you allow Him?

A lamentation for Catholics who have left the faith I imagine that many (or, sadly, perhaps most) families can pray the following lamentation about at least one beloved member: Our hearts are heavy O Lord, because a beloved family member has left your Church.

We are troubled by guilt as we wonder if perhaps we did something wrong or that we did not do enough.

Forgive us O Lord for any of our shortcomings in witnessing your love to them.

We are troubled by the contemporary idolatry to which they have been attracted, be it the belief that they do not need the Body of Christ – the Church, that human reason is the source of all truth, even that you do not exist.

O Lord, we have tried everything to lead them back to the faith. We have begged and bribed, chased and chastised, pleaded and prayed.

We pray that they open their hearts to the intercession of the saints and your most Holy Mother to whom we appeal, so that through the grace of the Holy Spirit they return to your everlasting love.

It is reasonable to guess that

PRAYING WITH THE FAMILY

By Dr. Mark Krejci

Director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Life

“During this holy season of Lent, I invite you to dedicate your prayer and Lenten penance for the sake of those who have left the Church.”

everyone who is reading this column has a family member or knows of a family where one or more people have left the Catholic faith. Some of these Catholics have migrated to another religious denomination, some have belief in God but not life in the Church, while others have rejected their faith in God. Even before I was in my current position with the diocese, I knew of these stories. One person told me that

she was the “last Catholic” in her immediate or extended family. Another person who deeply loves God and experiences that love in the Catholic Church is at wits ends because none of his children are practicing Catholics. Other parents and grandparents or brothers and sisters describe the numbers in their family who do not go to Church, do not raise their children in the faith and do not get married within the Church.

Some parents even worry that their children will not hold a funeral Mass in their memory after they die. What are we to do as a Church to help the heartache of those in lamentation and to address the questions of those who have left the faith?

Let us always remember that one of the most (perhaps THE most) important things we can do is to pray. You have perhaps tried to reason with them or politely ask them to come to Mass only to be told that they are no longer interested in the Catholic Church or God. They can reject your invitations, but they can never reject your prayers.

We can pray that they return to the Church, return to God, return to the Way, the Truth and the Life. We can pray that they set aside whatever is blocking them from God. If you wish to ask for the intercession of a saint, let me suggest St. Peter. Think about how Peter, when other early followers of Jesus had left him, states, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of

eternal life.” (Jn 6:68) Perhaps your straying family member was equally alive in his or her faith as a youth and just like Peter proclaimed total faith in Jesus. But remember where Peter finds himself on the night of Jesus’ arrest? Peter denied Jesus, saying, “I don’t know the man.” (Mt 26:47) Just as our beloved family members have denied Jesus, so too did Peter. But take heart, for Peter was filled by the Holy Spirit and the same Peter who rejected our Lord truly became the rock upon whom Jesus built his Church.

During this holy season of Lent, I invite you to dedicate your prayer and Lenten penance for the sake of those who have left the Church. Let us pray that our beloved family members who have left the faith open their hearts to the Holy Spirit and experience the glory of the risen Lord. Let us also pray that we will have the wisdom to lovingly welcome them home to the Church, the Body of Christ.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

March 8, 2017

5

Taking the “porn problem” to the public square The Catholic faith has long drawn attention to the serious consequences of pornography on the human soul. In 2016, the USCCB released “Create in Me a Clean Heart,” a pastoral letter describing pornography’s ability to distort one’s understanding of human sexuality and stunt his or her capacity for self-giving love. The bishops condemned pornography as part of the “throwaway” culture and warned that its harms “include physiological, financial, emotional, mental, and spiritual effects.” But for too long, the Church’s warnings about pornography were considered unnecessary and prudish moralizing from an institution that had long-ago grown out of touch with the realities of human life.

In the last decade, science has begun recognizing what faith and morals have held true for years – pornography has significant harmful effects to both the individual and the broader community, not just on the soul but on the human psyche.

To address this reality, a bipartisan group of state legislators is proposing a resolution to declare pornography a public health crisis in Minnesota.

HARM TO SELF The “porn problem” has

FAITH IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

By Ryan Wilson

Law Clerk Minnesota Catholic Conference

reached epidemic proportions.

Over 77 percent of households contain pornographic material or have accessed it online in the last month. Nearly half of families report that pornography is a problem in their home.

The average age of first exposure to pornography is 1112 years old, and 93 percent of male teens have viewed pornography at least once. This is not surprising when a simple Google search on an iPad brings a child to an unending, unrestricted, free supply of vile sexual images and videos.

Early exposure leads to lifelong consequences. Multiple medical studies using imaging testing found that viewing pornography causes neurobiological changes in children’s and teen’s brains. These brain images show the same pattern

researchers observe in those suffering from serious drug addiction.

As a result, physicians and psychologists are seeing an increase in patients seeking treatment for pornography addiction and its effects. The harms are not isolated to the individual, but become a problem for families. In her testimony before the U.S. Senate, Dr. Jill Manning shared her findings that 56 percent of divorce cases involve one party having an obsessive interest in pornography.

HARM TO OTHERS In addition to harming individuals and families, this crisis has led to normalization and tolerance of violent sexual activities. An analysis of the most-viewed pornographic videos found that 88 percent of

scenes include physical violence toward women, 95 percent of which portray the women accepting or enjoying the abuse.

The violent tendencies associated with pornography don’t end when the browser window closes; they spill over into the lives of those who absorb these images.

After examining 40 different studies on the connection between porn and violence against women, a team of researchers concluded that there is a “clear and consistent” connection between viewing pornography and higher probabilities of committing a sexual offense.

This was seen more clearly in a recent study of collegiate males which found overwhelmingly that viewing pornography increased the likelihood of having attitudes that support violence against women.

The normalization of violent sexual acts toward women is both kindling and fuel for a growing culture of rape and exploitation that is infecting college campuses and society at large.

STEMMING THE EPIDEMIC Several states have passed resolutions declaring pornography a public health crisis, calling for renewed efforts to weed it out of homes and schools,

and for further study of it’s effects. Minnesota may be the next state to join this growing national consensus.

The impact of such a resolution should not be overlooked.

When scientists discovered the negative impact of cigarettes, policy makers declared a public health crisis and took action.

They substantially reduced the number of people harmed by smoking through public education campaigns and increased restrictions on children’s access to cigarettes.

Cigarettes were once thought to be benign and in some cases marketed by physicians as beneficial. Science told us otherwise.

Although by faith and reason we have always known of the harms caused by pornography, our legislators should follow the research and do the responsible thing, by declaring porn a public health crisis.

Urge your lawmakers to do the responsible thing by joining the push to declare pornography a public health crisis in Minnesota. Ask your state representative to support HF 1788, and your state senator to support SF 1605.

To find contact information for your state senator and state representative call 651-2968338 or visit http://www.gis. leg.mn/iMaps/districts/

Noah Wall, Adam and Eve and that dark day in the Garden of Eden Noah Wall was born five years ago in Cumbria, in the United Kingdom. After three months in his mother’s womb, doctors shared with Noah’s parents that Noah had spina bifida (the spinal cord does not develop properly), chromosomal abnormalities, and hydrocephalus (build up of fluid deep inside the brain).

Only two percent of Noah’s brain tissue was present and doctors said he would die before birth or very soon thereafter. Five times doctors recommended that Noah be aborted but his parents refused. They made it clear abortion was not an option.

As the final weeks of the pregnancy went by, Noah’s parents planned his funeral and prepared to say goodbye if he should die moments after birth.

If he did survive, he was expected to be severely mentally and physically disabled.

When Noah arrived he shocked everyone in the delivery room, including his parents,

LIFE FIRST

By Father Don Braukmann

Parochial Vicar - St. Philip’s Parish, Bemidji and St. Charles Parish, Pennington

when he let out a strong cry.

His Mom said, “The first thing we heard when he was born was him taking a breath and then crying, it was unbelievable!”

Mom and Dad had to watch as Noah endured several surgeries, including one to place a drain into his head to clear out fluid. Just when the doctors declared Noah had reached his potential and would not progress further, he shattered their predictions.

At age two, he was sitting up straight, singing, and even playing computer games.

At the age of three, his brain was 80 percent of a normal brain. Spina bifida had left Noah paralyzed from the chest down and he was strapped into a wheelchair but that did not slow him down! He attends school, and each day he is ready with his pencils, books, reading bag and lunch bag all laid out ready to go. He can count to 10, talk and read. He has told his parents he hopes to play soccer one day.

In a documentary called “The Boy Who Grew a New Brain,” Noah is active, happy, and fully

engaged with his surroundings.

One scene shows Mom putting braces on Noah’s legs, and she is crying. Noah looks at his Mom and asks if she is all right.

In spite of his own wounds he had a heart filled with compassion.

In the words of his Mom, “I was planning his funeral while I was pregnant. I could never have imagined this incredible day would come.”

Noah is surely going to change the lives of many people dealing with disabilities.

I pray he will also change the hearts of those who trust in their medical “expertise” without letting God be God. In the end, even if Noah’s life ended at his birth, his life was just as precious as any other.

Thanks be to God his parents saw the dignity he held within him as a child of God. They did not judge Noah for what he could do, they judged him for who he was, a child of God who carried within his broken body the very image of

that same God! As I have said before, I often wonder who the truly “normal” people are in this world.

Some of the happiest people in the world are those we call “disabled.” They are quick to love, to forgive, to reach out with compassion and understanding. They know God is God and they are not. Remind you of anyone?

Adam and Eve, before they tried to be God, embraced their humanity and with it, their total dependency upon God. God so profoundly loved them he gave them free will so they could choose him or not. You can’t force someone to love you and God was not about to force us.

Adam and Eve made their choice that dark day in the Garden of Eden. To this day the devil roars his approval until children like Noah slip into the world and remind us all of what we have lost. We are the disabled ones, not Noah.

6

March 8, 2017

LOCAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

QUICK FAMILY: Continued from Page 3 chain of command things fall apart quickly. He started reading about the Catholic Church, specifically focusing on the topic of authority and the roles bishops and the pope play in leading the Church.

“At this point in time, we had the basic cable package in Brainerd and when you turn it on, it would go to a low channel,” he said. “Our starting channel was EWTN … so I would ‘sneak’ watching Mass and Mother Angelica.”

He and Marcy had talked about their desire to have some sort of faith tradition for their children. As Blake continued searching, Marcy was supportive, but not ready to consider the Catholic Church.

In the fall of 2010, after a year of searching, Blake decided it was time to make a move.

“I finally got up the courage and said, ‘Ok, I’m going to go to Mass’,” he said.

He sat in the back, left pew at St. Andrew’s, Brainerd. Thanks to the Masses he viewed on EWTN, he had an idea of what to expect. He said the motions of the liturgy itself are not so different from his experience of liturgy in the Lutheran Church.

“I had the grace of that first Mass, I felt that peace. I felt like this is where I’m supposed to be,” Blake said.

After Mass, Blake headed to the social hall for donuts and coffee and found Father Steven Laflamme. Blake told the pastor about his wish to become Catholic and signed up for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

Blake dived into the RCIA classes, soaking up as much information about the Church as he could.

After learning about the Eucharist, Blake remembers feeling very impatient to receive Holy Communion. He said watching a group of second grade students receive their First Holy Communion drove him nuts because he still had a few months before he could join them.

Impatience was Blake’s only stumbling blocks as he went through RCIA. “Because I didn’t go to church, I didn’t have any preconceived notions,” he said.

“I have to credit Father Steve, Father Tony and the deacons that taught the RCIA class because they broke it down and explained it very well.”

Blake was baptized, con-

Father Don Braukmann anoints Marcy Quick during a Confirmation ceremony held at St. Philip’s, Bemidji, on Feb. 21. Her husband, and sponsor, Blake Quick, places his hand on her shoulder in prayer while holding their youngest child, Liam. (Submitted photo)

firmed and received his First Communion at the Easter Vigil in 2011.

Their son, Logan was baptized shortly after. Their daughter Maleia, who was born in 2012 and son Liam, born in 2014, have also been baptized in the Catholic Church.

Blake graduated from Central Lakes College in 2012 and the family moved to Bemidji so Blake could work on his degree at Bemidji State University.

Eventually he saw a job opening at St. Philip’s and applied for it, and has been working there for nearly a year.

“Blake, in his conversion story and his examples of faith, clearly strives to center his decisions around God,” said Father Chuck Huck, Pastor of St. Philip’s Bemidji. “Having God present though prayer, liturgical celebrations and interactions with others is an important part of his life. Blake has a deep inter-

est in the history of the Church and the lives of the saints. This shows in his daily postings to the St. Philip’s website. He’s introduced me to saints I was not familiar with.”

Father Huck said he often sees Marcy in the morning welcoming students to school.

“Her faith and trust in God can be seen in how she interacts with the children,” he said.

“Marcy’s conversion I believe is deep, but I also think that a lot of it came from the prayer with, and for her and the consistent showing of faith by Blake.”

MARCY’S JOURNEY As Blake went through his conversion process, Marcy had mixed emotions. She was proud of him and happy that he was happy, but they sometimes had disagreements about their different religious views.

“He wanted me to convert and kept almost pressuring me.

I kept telling him maybe someday [I would] but I hadn’t felt that pull that he did,” Marcy said.

Blake said he tried really hard to give Marcy space to have her own journey.

“I want her to make sure she’s doing this for her and not just to make me happy,” he said.

Things began to change for Marcy in October when her grandfather passed away.

“I’ve thought about it a bit before all that happened, but it wasn’t until that moment that I was 100 percent sure that this is something I had to do,” Marcy said.

She considered entering RCIA, but between working two jobs and balancing family life, she couldn’t commit to attending the classes.

Marcy spoke with Father Huck, and arranged to receive private instruction in the faith.

Marcy was confirmed and wel-

comed into the Catholic Church during a private ceremony held the evening of Feb. 21.

ADVICE FOR FELLOW SEEKERS Blake had a few words of encouragement for anyone else that is searching.

“Look into it … take what you’re feeling and look into it.

If it is where God wants you to be, it’s where you’ll go. There is absolutely no harm in looking into it,” he said.

He encourages people to go to Mass if they are curious about it, and to bring their questions to a priest, or study Church teaching to find the answers they are looking for.

“I understand people can be nervous when it comes to that, but follow your heart and really look into that tug, because it’s there for a reason.”

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

March 8, 2017

7

Evangelizing through the good: Our need for modern day saints Anyone even vaguely acquainted with my work knows that I advocate vigorous argument on behalf of religious truth. I have long called for a revival in what is classically known as apologetics, the defense of the claims of faith against skeptical opponents.

And I have repeatedly weighed in against a dumbed-down Catholicism. Also, I have, for many years, emphasized the importance of beauty in service of evangelization. The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, the Sainte Chapelle, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets, and the Cathedral of Chartres all have an extraordinary convincing power, in many ways surpassing that of formal arguments. So I affirm the path of truth and the path of beauty.

But I also recommend, as a means of propagating the faith, the third of the transcendentals, namely, the good. Moral rectitude, the concrete living out of the Christian way, especially when it is done in an heroic manner, can move even the most hardened unbeliever to faith, and the truth of this

WORD ON FIRE

By Bishop Robert Barron

Founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

principle has been proven again and again over the centuries.

In the earliest days of the Christian movement, when both Jews and Greeks looked upon the nascent faith as either scandalous or irrational, it was the moral goodness of the followers of Jesus that brought many to belief. The Church father Tertullian conveyed the wondering pagan reaction to the early Church in his famous adage: “How these Christians love one another!” At a time when the exposure of malformed infants was commonplace, when the poor and the sick were often left to their own devices, and when murderous

Parish Secretary/Office Manager Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks, MN is looking for a full-time parish secretary/office manager. Duties include, but are not limited to greeting parishioners, routing phone calls, maintenance of parish database, Sacramental record keeping, editing parish bulletin, managing master calendar and basic office managing duties.

Applicants must possess strong sense of Catholicism, people skills, time-management skills, and strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Please submit resume to Len Vonasek

by March 20.

Sacred Heart Church, 200 3rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721.

revenge was a matter of course, the early Christians cared for unwanted babies, gave succor to the sick and the dying, and endeavored to forgive the persecutors of the faith. And this goodness extended, not simply to their own brothers and sisters, but, astonishingly, to outsiders and to enemies. This peculiarly excessive form of moral decency convinced many people that something strange was afoot among these disciples of Jesus, something splendid and rare. It compelled them to take a deeper look.

During the cultural and political chaos following the collapse of the Roman Empire, certain spiritual athletes took to the caves, deserts, and hills in order to live a radical form of the Christian life. From these early ascetics, monasticism emerged, a spiritual movement that led, in time, to the re-civilization of Europe. What so many found fascinating was the

sheer intensity of the monks’ commitment, their embrace of poverty, and their blithe trust in divine providence. Once again, it was the living out of the Gospel ideal that proved convincing. Something similar unfolded in the thirteenth century, a time of significant corruption in the Church, especially among the clergy. Francis, Dominic, and their confreres inaugurated the mendicant orders, which is just a fancy way of saying the begging orders.

The trust, simplicity, service to the poor, and moral innocence of the Dominicans and Franciscans produced a revolution in the Church and effectively re-evangelized armies of Christians who had grown slack and indifferent in their faith.

And we find the same dynamic in our time. Pope St. John Paul II was the second most powerful evangelist of the twentieth century, but unquestionably the first was a woman who never wrote a major work of theology or apologetics, who never engaged skeptics in public debate, and who never produced a beautiful work of religious art.

I’m speaking, of course, of St. Teresa of Kolkata. No one in the last 100 years propagated the Christian faith more effectively than a simple nun who lived in utter poverty and who dedicated herself to the service of the most neglected people in our society.

There is a wonderful story told of a young man named Gregory, who came to the great

Origen of Alexandria in order to learn the fundamentals of Christian doctrine. Origen said to him, “First come and share the life of our community and then you will understand our dogma.” The youthful Gregory took that advice, came in time to embrace the Christian faith in its fullness, and is now known to history as St. Gregory the Wonderworker. Something of the same impulse lay behind Gerard Manley Hopkins’s word to a confrere who was struggling to accept the truths of Christianity. The Jesuit poet did not instruct his colleague to read a book or consult an argument but rather, “Give alms.”

The living of the Christian thing has persuasive power.

We have been passing through one of the darkest chapters in recent Church history. The clerical sex abuse scandals have chased countless people away from Catholicism, and a secularist tide continues to rise, especially among the young. My mentor, the late, great Cardinal George, surveying this scene, used to say, “I’m looking for the orders; I’m looking for the movements.” He meant, I think, that in times of crisis, the Holy Spirit tends to raise up men and women outstanding in holiness who endeavor to live out the Gospel in a radical and public way. Once again, I’m convinced that, at this moment, we need good arguments, but I’m even more convinced that we need saints.

VOICE/VALLEY: Cont. from Page 2 sus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Jesus says to her: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” Not long afterward, to a crowd in Jerusalem, Jesus says: “He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” The Gospel narrator adds, “Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believe in him were to receive.”

Only God is holy but God shares his holiness with us as we are plunged into the waters of Baptism. After Baptism, we live divine life in the Spirit of

God. In the Lenten journey leading up to the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, death, and resurrection, we pray that the Holy Spirit might flood our souls, our hearts, our whole lives even more. We pray for help to live more fully the life God shares with us. During these days of Lent, by our acts of fasting and abstinence, penance, sacrifice and charity, we dispose ourselves to be flooded by the Holy Spirit. We also ask the Lord Jesus for that drink, that living water of which he spoke: “Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit, purify our hearts, strengthen us in love.” (Intercessions, Morning Prayer, Ash Wednesday)

8

March 8, 2017

LOCAL

Worldwide Fertility Care Week will be celebrated March 19-25 Worldwide Fertility Care Week is sponsored by FertilityCare Centers of America Inc., a nonprofit organization established to promote the Creighton Model FertilityCare System and NaPro Technology.

The system is one of several Church-approved methods of Natural Family Planning.

This year’s theme for Worldwide Fertility Care Week is The Creighton Model FertilityCare System: Experience REAL Solutions with Fertility Care: Transforming Women's Health.

Led by Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, research on the Creighton Model began at St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1976 and eventually moved to Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. The model was first fully introduced in 1980.

Dr. Hilgers and his wife, Sue, opened Pope Paul VI Insti-

tute in Omaha, in 1985. The Creighton Model is scientifically based and teaches how to identify a woman’s fertile and infertile days through the observation and tracking of physical markers. When used correctly, it has a 99.5 percent degree of accuracy in avoiding pregnancy and a high degree in achieving pregnancy. Data from the Pope Paul VI Institute shows that NaPro Technology success rates for infertility are 1.5 to 3 times better than in vitro fertilization).

Hilgers also developed NaPro Technology, an emerging science that tracks a woman’s signs of fertility and infertility to assist in identifying physiological and hormonal problems. The method addresses common gynecological issues, including hormonal abnormalities such as low progesterone, polycystic ovar-

ian disease, premenstrual syndrome, repetitive miscarriage, postpartum depression and chronic discharges, among other health issues.

The system is helpful for single women, too, to know their body’s language of health and fertility. It affirms them in their dignity and equips them with the necessary tools to monitor their health throughout their reproductive lives. Understanding the integrity of their fertility empowers single women in their true feminity.

To learn more about the Creighton Model FeriltiyCare System and NaPro Technology, please contact local Practitioners: Katie Zubrod (Grand Forks area), CFCP-I, at 719482-6270, or Mary Johnson (Moorhead area) at 218-2336103 or visit www.fertilitycare. org.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Confirmation

Sts. Peter and Paul, Warren. (Submitted photo)

St. Bernard’s hosts women’s prayer breakfast as way to prepare for Lent

St. Stephen, Stephen. (Submitted photo)

On Feb. 25, more than 40 women gathered at St. Bernard’s, Thief River Falls, for a pre-Lenten prayer breakfast. The event was sponsored by the prayer group. It included a meal, presentations, and music.

The women took time for faith sharing and prayer. (Submitted photos)

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

NATIONAL

March 8, 2017

9

USCCB committee chairmen applaud transgender directive decision

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON – The chairmen of two U.S. bishops’ committees Feb. 24 praised President Donald Trump’s repeal of the Obama administration’s directive on transgender access to bathrooms.

The guidance, issued last May by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education, “indicated that public pre-K through 12 schools, as well as all colleges and universities, should treat ‘a student’s gender identity as the student’s sex,’” said the bishops’ joint statement.

The document “sought to impose a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with sensitive issues involving individual students,” said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, and Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Catholic Education.

“Such issues are best handled with care and compassion at the local level, respecting the privacy and safety concerns of all students,” they said.

In rescinding the directive, the Trump administration said that addressing of transgender access to bathrooms is best left to the states and local school districts, not the federal government.

The Obama administration said it applied to all public schools as well as colleges and universities that received federal funding. The directive “summarizes a school’s Title IX obligations regarding transgender students,” administration officials said, and that it also explained how the Education and Justice departments will “evaluate a school’s compliance with these obligations.”

The federal Title IX statute prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities, like sports. Some months before issuing the directive, Obama administration had warned schools that deny-

ing transgender students access to the facilities and activities of their choice was illegal under its interpretation of federal sex discrimination laws.

Officials at the Justice and Education departments in the Trump administration rejected the previous administration’s position that nondiscrimination laws require schools to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice.

That directive, they said, was arbitrary and devised “without due regard for the primary role of the states and local school districts in establishing educational policy.”

“Pope Francis has taught that ‘biological sex and the sociocultural role of sex (gender) can be distinguished but not separated,” said Archbishop Chaput and Bishop Murry, quoting from “Amoris Laetitia,” the papal document on marriage and family.

“The Catholic Church consistently affirms the inherent dignity of each and every human person and advocates for the

well-being of all people, particularly the most vulnerable,” the two prelates said. “Children, youth and parents in these difficult situations deserve compassion sensitivity, and respect.

All of these can be expressed without infringing on legitimate concerns about privacy and security on the part of all young students and parents.”

A new poll shows that a majority of U.S. adults, 56 percent to 38 percent, disagree with allowing transgender individuals to use whatever public school bathroom that they want to use. When asked if that choice should extend to use of a public school shower or locker room, 66 percent overall disagreed, 27 percent agreed.

The Marist Poll partnered with Crux, an online news site specializing in coverage of the Vatican and the Catholic Church, to conduct a survey of 545 adults selected at random and ranging in age from 18 to 60 or older and living in the contiguous 48 states. The margin of error for the total sample

was plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. Respondents were surveyed by land line or cellphone Dec. 12-13.

Broken down by political party affiliation, 36 percent of those who self-identified as Democrats said they disagreed with transgender individuals being allowed to use the public school bathroom of their choosing, while 56 percent agreed. Of those who said they were Republicans, 81 percent disagreed, while 16 percent agreed. Among Independents, 52 percent disagreed, 41 agreed.

Among white respondents, 55 percent disagreed, while 39 percent agreed. Of Latino respondents, 63 percent disagreed and 35 percent agreed. Fortynine percent of all those under 45 disagreed, 47 percent agreed; of those 45 and older, 63 percent disagreed, and 30 percent agreed. For those 60 and older, 59 percent disagreed, 33 percent agreed. In the 18 to 29 age group, 45 percent disagreed, 49 percent agreed.

Archbishop’s pastoral letter calls on Catholics to ‘show forth image of God’

By J.D. Long-Garcia Catholic News Service LOS ANGELES – The answer to society’s dysfunctions can be found in one person: Jesus Christ.

That message is at the core of a new pastoral letter by Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez – “For Greater Things You Were Born” – released March 1, Ash Wednesday.

The letter is a 16,000-word meditation on human nature, which the archbishop maintains can only be understood in relation to God. “Jesus Christ alone knows who we are and he is the one teacher of life,” he writes. “He alone shows us the way to live

in order to lead a truly human life.”

The elections revealed rifts in American society. The archbishop notes in particular “the persistence of racist thinking,” class divisions, “cruel indifference to the sufferings of immigrants” and efforts to “normalize” abortion and euthanasia.

“In place of a coherent national spirit and ethos, we see in our society new expressions of radical individualism and new forms of domination by the strong against the weak,” he writes.

The “divisions and dysfunctions” in American society expose unanswered questions about the meaning of life, Archbishop Gomez writes. By

forgetting God, society has lost a common foundation on which to build, he says.

“So many of our neighbors seem to be not really living but only existing,” the archbishop writes. But, recalling that human beings are created in the image of God, he writes “God made us for greater things!”

The title of the pastoral letter is from Mother Maria Luisa Josefa, who founded the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. As the archbishop mentioned in his first homily in Los Angeles, she would “tell everyone: ‘For greater things you were born!’”

Mother Maria Luisa Josefa is a candidate for sainthood. She has been given the title “venerable,” the official recognition by the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes of a sainthood candidate’s heroic virtues.

Archbishop Gomez’s letter – broken into 40 sections – covers the vast implications of a Christian anthropology: the duty to be stewards of creation, love for others as brothers and sisters, the beauty of marriage and the call to saintly life in imitation of Christ. The archbishop also outlines a “plan of life,” including reading the Gospels, going to Mass and confession and carrying out acts of service.

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez delivers the homily before thousands of young Catholics during a youth day celebration Feb. 23, part of the annual Religious Education Congress at the Anaheim Convention. (Photo credit: CNS/Victor Aleman, Angelus News)

The letter relies heavily on Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the teachings of the saints and sainthood candidates, like St. Junipero Serra, Blessed Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day, who was cofounder of the Catholic Worker Movement.

Day has been named a servant of God by the church and the diocesan phase of her canonization cause has been underway in the Archdiocese of New York since 2000.

Archbishop Gomez also

quotes Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. “We are made out of love, a thing of beauty in God’s eyes and the glory of his creation,” the archbishop writes. “We are made to share in his divine nature as his beloved children.

We are made to be holy, to be saints!”

The entire letter is available online at www.archbishopgomez.org/planoflove and hard copies are available at no cost at www.archla.org/planoflove.

10

March 8, 2017

Minnesota diocese files to reorganize under U.S. Bankruptcy Code

By Catholic News Service NEW ULM, MINN. – A third Minnesota diocese has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Bishop John M. LeVoir of New Ulm said March 3 he asked diocesan attorneys to take the action in response to the enactment of the 2013 Minnesota Child Victims Act, which temporarily lifted the civil statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims for three years.

That three-year window ended May 25, 2016.

The legal step was “the fairest way to resolve sexual abuse claims while allowing the church to continue its essential work of serving people in our local communities,” Bishop LeVoir said in a statement.

Under the three-year window, 101 lawsuits were filed against the New Ulm Diocese and some of its parishes, the statement said.

“I again extend my deepest apologies on behalf of the Diocese of New Ulm to victims and survivors of clergy sexual abuse as minors,” Bishop LeVoir said.

“Victims and survivors have shown incredible courage by stepping forward to help prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. Victims and survivors must be treated with dignity and just compensation is owed them, as well as our daily prayers. These are integral to the healing process.”

Parishes, Catholic schools and other Catholics organizations in the diocese, which cov-

ers south and west-central parts of the state, are not part of the reorganization because they are separate corporations under Minnesota law. The diocese has 75 parishes and a Catholic population of about 56,000 out of a total population of just over 280,000.

The Duluth Diocese and the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese filed under Chapter 11 in 2015. The cases are pending.

Nationwide, 11 other diocese and two religious orders have filed for reorganization.

Statewide, the law resulted in the filing of more than 800 claims of child sexual abuse by priests before the deadline.

Other cases include more than 400 in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 125 in both the Duluth and Winona dioceses, about 75 in the St. Cloud Diocese and about 20 in the Crookston Diocese, Mike Finnegan, an attorney representing abuse victims, told the Star Tribune in Minneapolis.

NATIONAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Trump signs new executive order on refugees, excludes Iraq from ban

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s new executive order temporarily banning refugees from certain majority-Muslim countries, signed March 6, now excludes Iraq from the ban.

Iraq was one of seven nations in the original order, issued Jan. 27, which was blocked in the courts. The new order will take effect March 16. Citizens of four of the countries still part of the ban – Iran, Libya, Somalia and Syria – will be subject to a 90-day suspension of visa processing. The other two countries that remain part of the ban are Sudan and Yemen.

Lawful permanent residents – green card holders – are excluded from any travel ban.

While the revised executive order is intended to survive judicial scrutiny, those opposed to it have declared plans to mobilize their constituencies to block it. Church World Service and the National Council of

Churches announced March 2, that they will unveil a new grass-roots ecumenical initiative in support of refugees.

Catholic immigration advocates were on tenterhooks waiting for the revised executive order, the issuance of which had been long promised but slow in coming.

Bill O’Keefe, vice president for government relations and advocacy at Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international aid agency, told Catholic News Service that the halt of refugee admissions to “determine additional security vetting procedures” would stay in place, he added, and the number of refugee admissions would be cut for the 2017 fiscal year, which runs through Sept.

30, from 110,000 to 50,000; an estimated 35,000 have already been admitted since October, according to O’Keefe.

“Some will argue that simply sectioning out the seven Muslim-majority countries is a form of religious discrimination,” O’Keefe said. “What is

clear here is that’s it’s within the prerogative of the president to lower the threshold of refugee admissions.”

One effect of the order would be to further strain the refugee-processing system at its biggest point. “The bulk of the system and the biggest part of it are those countries like Lebanon, Turkey, which are taking in hundreds of thousands of refugees,” O’Keefe said. “When we don’t do our part, it’s tough for us to tell other countries to make the sacrifices we need to play their part. The risk of the system collapsing and of governments that are already strained not being willing to keep their doors open is very serious, and we’re very worried about that.”

In Syria, he added, “some people have been (refugees there) for five, six years.

They’ve had the hope of resettlement in the United States as one of the things that keeps them going.”

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

INTERNATIONAL

Greed, selfishness corrupt beauty of God’s creation, pope says

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY – Humanity’s greed and selfishness can turn creation into a sad and desolate world instead of the sign of God’s love that it was meant to be, Pope Francis said.

Human beings are often tempted to view creation as “a possession we can exploit as we please and for which we do not have to answer to anyone,” the pope said Feb. 22 at his weekly general audience.

“When carried away by selfishness, human beings end up ruining even the most beautiful things that have been entrusted to them,” the pope said.

As an early sign of spring, the audience was held in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since November. Despite the chilly morning temperatures, the pope made the rounds in his popemobile, greeting pilgrims and kissing bundled-up infants.

Continuing his series of talks on Christian hope, the pope reflected on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, which expresses the hope “that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption.”

St. Paul, the pope said, reminds Christians that creation is a “marvelous gift that God has placed in our hands.”

Through this gift, he said, “we can enter into a relationship with him and recognize the imprint of his loving plan, which we are all called to achieve together.”

Sin, however, breaks communion not only with God but with his creation, “thus making it a slave, submissive to our frailty,” the pope said.

“Think about water. Water is a beautiful thing; it is so important. Water gives us life and it helps us in everything. But

VATICAN CITY – People who pretend to be Christians publicly, but follow their own selfish passions privately, destroy themselves and cause scandal to those around them, said Pope Francis.

Jesus is severe with those who “lead double lives,” because they cause others to see Christianity in a bad light, the pope said Feb. 23 during morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

“So many Catholics are like this and they scandalize. How many times have we heard – all of us, in our neighborhood and in other places – ‘But to be a Catholic like that one, it would be better to be an atheist.’ That is the scandal. It destroys you, it throws you down,” he said.

The pope focused his homily on the day’s Gospel reading from St. Mark (9:41-50) in which Jesus gives a warning about anyone who “causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin.”

“This is the content of our hope. A Christian does not live outside of the world; he knows how to recognize the signs of evil, selfishness and sin in his own life and in what surrounds him. But at the same time, a Christian has learned to read all of this with the eyes of Easter, with the eyes of the risen Christ.”

– Pope Francis

when minerals are exploited, water is contaminated and creation is destroyed and dirtied.

This is just one example; there are many,” he said, departing from his prepared remarks.

When people break their relationship with creation, they not only lose their original beauty, he said, but they also “disfigure everything surrounding them,” causing a reminder of God’s love to become a bleak sign of pride and greed.

St. Paul tells believers that hope comes from knowing that God in his mercy wants to heal the “wounded and humbled hearts” of all men and women and, through them, “regener-

ate a new world and a new humanity, reconciled in his love,” Pope Francis said.

“The Holy Spirit sees beyond the negative appearances for us and reveals to us the new heavens and the new earth that the Lord is preparing for humanity,” the pope said.

“This is the content of our hope. A Christian does not live outside of the world; he knows how to recognize the signs of evil, selfishness and sin in his own life and in what surrounds him,” he said. “But at the same time, a Christian has learned to read all of this with the eyes of Easter, with the eyes of the risen Christ.”

11

Pope: Leading double life destroys through scandal

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Feb. 22. (Photo credit: CNS/Paul Haring)

March 8, 2017

Some people who go to Mass and belong to church groups still fail to live a Christian life, the pope said. “This happens every day; all you have to do is watch the news or read the newspapers.”

On judgment day, he continued, those who lead double lives will present themselves before Jesus saying, “’Don’t you remember? I went to church, I was close to you, I belonged to that association. Don’t you remember all the offerings I made?’” “‘Yes, I remember, that I remember: All of it was dirty. All of it stolen from the poor. I do not know you.’ That will be Jesus’ response to those scandalous ones who live a double life,” the pope said.

Christians should ask themselves if they are leading a double life or are “excessively confident” that they have plenty of time to convert, he said. “Let us think about this. And let us take advantage of the word of the Lord and remember that on this the Lord is very severe. Scandal destroys.”

Pope: Jesus guided by mercy, not ‘one size fits all’ mentality

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – Jesus was motivated by truth and mercy, not blanket judgments that lead to deceit and hypocritical ways of skirting around God’s law, Pope Francis said.

Christians are called to be “just in mercy” rather than following the letter of the law but not the heart of the law, the pope said Feb. 23 during morning Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae.

The day’s Gospel reading told of the Pharisees attempting to trap Jesus by asking his thoughts on Moses granting permission for men to divorce their wives.

“Jesus doesn’t answer saying whether it is lawful or not lawful; he does not enter into their case-based reasoning. Because they thought about faith only in terms of ‘you can’ or ‘you can’t’” do this or that, he said.

However, the pope noted, Jesus uses the truth to trap them, calling them out on their “hardhearted” nature, which is precisely what they used to justify

their actions.

Instead of being “deceitful” and “hypocritical” like the Pharisees, he continued, Jesus focuses on truth and mercy. Although Jesus confirms that leaving one spouse for another is adultery, he doesn’t reject those who are considered adulterous.

Several times in the Gospels, Jesus speaks to adulterers and says, “’I do not condemn you.

Go and sin no more.’ How is this possible?’” the pope asked.

“The path of Jesus – it is clearly seen – is the path from case-based reasoning to truth and mercy,” he said.

Christians need the grace of God in order to pass from a hypocritical mentality of casebased reasoning that views justice and mercy as two separate entities, he said.

“They are not two: it is only one, one thing,” Pope Francis said. “In God, justice is mercy and mercy is justice. May the Lord help us to understand this path, which isn’t easy but it will make us happy and it will make many people happy.”

12

March 8, 2017

INTERNATIONAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Promote life by protecting, sharing clean water, pope says

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and a key component in protecting human life, Pope Francis said.

“The right to water is essential for the survival of persons and decisive for the future of humanity,” the pope said Feb. 24 during a meeting with 90 international experts participating in a “Dialogue on Water” at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Looking at all the conflicts around the globe, Pope Francis said, “I ask myself if we are not moving toward a great world war over water.”

Access to water is a basic and urgent matter, he said. “Basic, because where there is water there is life, making it pos-

Pope Francis signs a document as he takes part in a “Dialogue on Water” Feb. 24 at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right and a key component in protecting human life, Pope Francis said. (Photo credit: CNS/ L’Osservatore Romano)

sible for societies to arise and advance. Urgent, because our

common home needs to be protected.”

Citing “troubling” statistics from the United Nations, the pope said, “each day – each day!

– a thousand children die from water-related illnesses and millions of persons consume polluted water.”

While the situation is urgent, it is not insurmountable, he said. “Our commitment to giving water its proper place calls for developing a culture of care – that may sound poetic, but that is fine because creation is a poem.”

Scientists, business leaders, religious believers and politicians must work together to educate people on the need to protect water resources and to find more ways to ensure greater access to clean water “so that others can live,” he said.

A lack of clean and safe drinking water “is a source of

great suffering in our common home,” the pope said. “It also cries out for practical solutions capable of surmounting the selfish concerns that prevent everyone from exercising this fundamental right.”

“We need to unite our voices in a single cause; then it will no longer be a case of hearing individual or isolated voices, but rather the plea of our brothers and sisters echoed in our own, and the cry of the earth for respect and responsible sharing in a treasure belonging to all,” he said.

If each person contributes, he said, “we will be helping to make our common home a more livable and fraternal place, where none are rejected or excluded, but all enjoy the goods needed to live and to grow in dignity.”

Pope Francis, top Curia officials launch new style of ‘ad limina’ visit

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – For decades, the visits bishops are required to make to the Vatican were known for their formality and routine style, but Pope Francis launched “a whole new style of ‘ad limina’ visits,” a Chilean bishop said.

The bishops were expecting “to have a long meeting with a speech and then individual meetings,” as in the past, Auxiliary Bishop Fernando Ramos of Santiago, secretary of the Chilean bishops’ conference, told Catholic News Service Feb. 24.

Instead, the Vatican informed the prelates before their departure from Chile that they were going to have a group meeting with the pope and the prefects of several Vatican congregations and offices.

“We were told that this was going to be a new way of doing things that was beginning with us, that looks for a more fruitful, more incisive dialogue between the representatives of the local churches and the pope with his main collaborators,” Bishop Ramos said.

After spending three hours with the pope Feb. 20, the Chilean bishops met again with Pope Francis Feb. 23. At the second meeting, the pope and Chilean bishops were joined by several top officials, including: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state; Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Bish-

Pope Francis meets with bishops from Chile during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican Feb. 20. (Photo credit: CNS/L'Osservatore Romano)

ops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America; and Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Also present at the meeting were: Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life; Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education; Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy; and Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Bishop Ramos told CNS

that Cardinal Ouellet began the discussions, which focused on four principal themes: communion and collegiality within the church; the mission of the church in Chile; how to help clergy, religious men and women as well as the laity “in their Christian lives and in their pastoral service”; and pastoral guidelines for the future.

“It wasn’t about speaking about little things or a little problem over here,” he said.

“This was more of a way of looking at everything together, for them to listen to our opinions and (we to listen to theirs) on these principal themes.”

“It was something completely

different,” Bishop Juan Ignacio Gonzalez of San Bernardo, member of the permanent committee of the Chilean bishops’ conference, told CNS. “It was truly something wonderful from the perspective of collegiality, of synodality, of the church walking together. This doesn’t just respond to the realities in Chile, it’s a whole new (approach) that begins now.”

Bishop Ramos told CNS that although the bishops knew about the meeting with the pope and Vatican officials before they left Chile, they found out only when they arrived in Rome that Pope Francis wanted to meet with them privately as well.

After celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Peter Feb. 20, the bishops were welcomed to the library in the Apostolic Palace by the pope.

“As we were seated around him,” Bishop Gonzalez said, “the pope -- in his Argentine manner of speaking -- told us: ‘Well, the soccer ball is in the center. Whoever wants to and is brave enough, give it a kick.”

(The Argentine phrase is: “El que quiera y que tiene la cara mas dura, que le pegue una patada.”)

Bishop Ramos added that several bishops would speak and the pope would respond.

“It was like talking after dinner while drinking some Bacardi, in a manner of speaking,” he said.

Bishop Gonzalez said at a certain point, a bishop said, “’Holy Father, it’s a little bit hot in here, can we open a window?’ The pope said, ‘Yes, of course’ and stood up. The bishop said, ‘No, no don’t worry, Holy Father, I’ll open it.”

Bishop Ramos and Bishop Gonzalez said that the sincere discussion was “a turning point” that led to a more open dialogue at their second meeting with the pope and Vatican officials.

“It’s like that Scripture reading. Paul, after preaching, went to Jerusalem to speak with Peter and tell him what he had done. This is the same. We come to Jerusalem to tell Peter this is what happened and he guides us to see what else we can do,” Bishop Gonzalez said.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

INTERNATIONAL

March 8, 2017

13

Ecumenism is a common journey, not a lab experiment, pope says

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – The path toward Christian unity can’t be found isolated in a laboratory hashing out theological differences, but rather by walking together on a common journey, Pope Francis said.

While theological dialogue is necessary, Catholics and Anglicans can continue to “help each other in our needs, in our lives and help each other spiritually,” the pope said Feb. 26 while answering questions from parishioners of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome.

The pope made history as the first pontiff to visit the Anglican parish, which was celebrating the 200th anniversary of its establishment in Rome.

Invited by the Anglican community, Pope Francis took part in an evening liturgy and blessed an icon of Christ the Savior to commemorate the occasion.

The prayer service included a “twinning” pledge between All Saints’ Anglican Church and the Catholic parish that shares its name in Rome. As Pope Francis looked on, the pastors of both parishes signed a pledge to collaborate in joint retreats, works of charity and sharing meals with each other.

Rev. Jonathan Boardman, chaplain of the Anglican church in Rome, presented the pope with several gifts that highlight his concern for the poor and the marginalized, including a promise to serve meals to the homeless once a week in his name.

He also said 50 English Bibles will be given in the pope’s name to Anglican nuns in Rome who minister to the city’s prostitutes.

The Anglican community also presented Pope Francis with a basket of homemade jams and chutneys as well as a Simnel cake, a traditional fruitcake typi-

Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus from his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square Feb. 26 at the Vatican. (Photo credit: CNS/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters) Pope Francis is flanked by Anglican Bishop Robert Innes of the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe, as he blesses the congregation with holy water during his visit to All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome Feb. 26. (Photo credit: CNS/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters)

cally served on the fourth Sunday of Lent and adorned with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles, minus Judas.

After welcoming the pope to the parish, Rev. Boardman noted that when divisions first began, the title “Bishop of Rome” was once used by Anglicans as an insult “or an attempt to belittle it.”

“Today for us recognizing your unique role in witnessing to the Gospel and leading Christ’s church, it is ironic that what we once used in a cruel attempt to ‘put you in your place’ has become the key to your pastoral kindness in being alongside us and so many other Christians around the world,” Rev. Boardman said.

The pope thanked the congregation and acknowledged that much has changed between Anglicans and Catholics.

“Today, with gratitude to God, we recognize one another as we truly are: brothers and sisters in Christ, through our common baptism. As friends and pilgrims, we wish to walk the path together, to follow our Lord Jesus Christ together,” he

wants your news and advertisements!

Find 2017 publishing dates and submission deadlines on the web: www.crookston.org/ond The next OND submission deadline is: Wednesday, March 15 by 12:00 p.m.

E-mail: Janelle C. Gergen, Associate Editor jgergen@crookston.org

said.

He also emphasized the need for Catholics and Anglicans to work together to help those in need in order to build “true, solid communion” through a “united witness to charity.”

Following the prayer service, the pope took some moments to answer questions from several members of the Anglican church.

Asked what was his take on current relations between Catholics and Anglicans, the pope said that while relations between the two communities have been at times “two steps forward, half step back,” they are still good and “we care for each other like brothers and sisters.”

Ernest, an Anglican seminarian, also asked the pope whether Anglicans and Catholics in Europe can learn from the example of churches in Asia, Africa and the Pacific whose “ecumenical relations are better and more creative.”

Pope Francis said the younger churches “have a different vitality” and have a “stronger need” to collaborate.

An example of this, he added, was a request made by Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian bishops of South Sudan for him to visit the country along with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury.

“This creativity came from them, the young church. And we are thinking about whether it can be done, if the situation is too difficult down there. But we must do it because they – the three (bishops) – together want peace and they are working together for peace,” the pope said.

Bravely tackle hardship knowing God will never let you down, pope says

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – When life gets difficult, trust in God and don’t worry unnecessarily about tomorrow, Pope Francis said.

“Trusting in him doesn’t magically solve problems, but it allows for facing them with the right spirit – courageously,” he said before praying the Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 26.

“I am brave because I trust in my father who cares for everything and loves me very much.”

The pope’s reflection looked at the day’s Gospel reading (Mt 6:24-34) in which Jesus tells his disciples to “not worry about your life,” what to wear and what to eat. Instead, look at how God provides for the wild flowers and animals, and learn from them that worrying will not “add a single moment to your life-span,” the passage reads.

Too much worrying “risks taking serenity and balance away” from one’s life, the pope said. “Often this anxiety is pointless because it is unable to change the course of events.”

God “is our shelter, the source of our serenity and our peace. He is the rock of our salvation,” he said.

“Whoever holds onto God never falls. He is our defense against evil that always lies in ambush,” the pope added.

Many people do not realize or they deny that God is a “great friend, ally, father,”

“I am brave because I trust in my father who cares for everything and loves me very much.”

– Pope Francis

making this a world of “orphans” who would rather seek security in or show “an excessive love” for earthly goods and wealth, he said.

Jesus said people must make a clear choice -- either God or tantalizing idols -- all the time “because the temptations to boil everything down to money, pleasure and power are persistent,” he said.

While worldly pursuits bring “tangible results, even if fleeting,” choosing God and his kingdom do not always reap immediate fruits, he said.

That is why one must leave it to God to carry his plan to fulfillment, he said.

People are to utilize carefully the goods on this earth “but without going overboard as if everything, even our salvation, were to depend just on us,” the pope added.

God never lets his children down, he explained, and it is this awareness that helps people overcome “the torment, the adversity in life, even persecution, like so many of our brothers and sisters show us.”

14

March 8, 2017

INTERNATIONAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Pope says Lent breathes life into world asphyxiated by sin

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – Lent is a time to receive God’s breath of life, a breath that saves humanity from suffocating under the weight of selfishness, indifference and piety devoid of sincerity, Pope Francis said.

“Lent is the time to say no to the asphyxia born of relationships that exclude, that try to find God while avoiding the wounds of Christ present in the wounds of his brothers and sisters,” the pope said March 1 during an Ash Wednesday Mass.

Pope Francis celebrated the Mass after making the traditional Ash Wednesday procession from the Benedictine monastery of St. Anselm to the Dominican-run Basilica of Santa Sabina on Rome’s Aventine Hill.

Cardinal Jozef Tomko places ashes on the head of Pope Francis during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 1. (Photo credit: CNS)

After receiving ashes on top of his head from Cardinal Jozef Tomko, titular cardinal of the basilica, the pope distributed ashes to the cardinals, his closest aides, some Benedictines and Dominicans.

He also distributed ashes to a family and to two members of the Pontifical Academy for Martyrs, which promotes the traditional Lenten “station church” pilgrimage in Rome.

The church’s Lenten jour-

Lent is time to relive exodus from slavery to freedom, pope says Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – Like the people of Israel freed from the bondage of slavery, Christians are called to experience the path toward hope and new life during the Lenten season, Pope Francis said.

Through his passion, death and resurrection, Jesus “has opened up for us a way that leads to a full, eternal and blessed life,” the pope said at his weekly general audience March 1, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent for Latin-rite Catholics.

“Lent lives within this dynamic: Christ precedes us with his exodus and we cross the desert, thanks to him and behind him,” he said.

On a warm and sunny morning, the pope held his audience in St. Peter’s Square. Arriving in the popemobile, he immediately spotted a group of children and signaled several of them to come aboard for a ride. One by one, the three girls and one boy climbed into the popemobile and warmly embraced the pope.

In his main audience talk, the pope said that while Lent is a time of “penance and even mortification,” it is also “a time of hope” for Christians awaiting Christ’s resurrection to “renew our baptismal identity.”

The story of the Israelites’ journey toward the Promised

A woman waits for the start of Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square March 1. (Photo credit: CNS/Paul Haring)

Land and God’s faithfulness during times of trial and suffering helps Christians “better understand” the Lenten experience, he said.

“This whole path is fulfilled in hope, the hope of reaching the (Promised) Land and precisely in this sense it is an ‘exodus,’ a way out from slavery to freedom,” the pope said. “Every step, every effort, every trial, every fall and every renewal has meaning only within the saving plan of God, who wants for his people life and not death, joy and not sorrow.”

To open this path toward the freedom of eternal life, he continued, Jesus gave up the trappings of his glory, choosing humility and obedience.

However, the pope said that

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross doesn’t mean “he has done everything” and “we go to heaven in a carriage.”

“It isn’t like that. Our salvation is surely his gift, but because it is a love story, it requires our ‘yes’ and our participation, as shown to us by our mother Mary and after her, all the saints,” he said.

Lent, he added, is lived through the dynamic that “Christ precedes us through his exodus,” and that through his victory Christians are called to “nourish this small flame that was entrusted to us on the day of our baptism.”

“It is certainly a challenging path as it should be, because love is challenging, but it is a path full of hope,” Pope Francis said.

ney toward the celebration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection is made on a road “leading from slavery to freedom” and “from suffering to joy,” he said. “Lent is a path: It leads to the triumph of mercy over all that would crush us or reduce us to something unworthy of our dignity as God’s children.”

The ashes, while a symbol of humanity’s origin from the earth, the pope said, is also a reminder that God breathes new life into people in order to save them from the suffocation of “petty ambition” and “silent indifference.”

“The breath of God’s life sets us free from the asphyxia that so often we fail to notice or become so used to that it seems normal, even when its effects are felt,” the pope said.

The Lenten season, he continued, is a “time for saying no” to the asphyxia caused by superficial and simplistic analyses that “fail to grasp the complexity of problems” of those who suffer most.

“Lent is the time to say no to the asphyxia of a prayer that soothes our conscience, of an almsgiving that leaves us selfsatisfied, of a fasting that makes us feel good,” the pope said.

Instead, Pope Francis said, Lent is a time for Christians to remember God’s mercy and “make room in our life for the good we are able to do.”

“Lent is the time to start breathing again. It is the time to open our hearts to the breath of the one capable of turning our dust into humanity,” the pope said.

Pope furthers the sainthood causes of eight men, women

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause of two medical doctors and six religious -- many of whom died just a generation ago.

The pope approved the decrees during an audience Feb. 27 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

The pope recognized the martyrdom of Salesian Father Titus Zeman, who secretly shuttled Salesians to Italy out of communist-controlled Czechoslovakia when religious orders were banned in the 1950s and members were sent to concentration camps.

He eventually was arrested and jailed. Although he was released from prison in 1964, he suffered ill health because of his imprisonment and died in 1969.

The pope recognized the heroic virtues of five other men and two women including: –Bishop Octavio Ortiz Arrieta, a Salesian, born in Peru in 1878. Known for his closeness to clergy and lay people of his diocese, he declined an appointment as archbishop of Lima, preferring to stay with people of his diocese. He died in 1958.

–Mexican Jesuit Father Antonio Repiso Martinez de Orbe, founder of the Sisters

of the Divine Shepherd. He died in 1929.

–Maria de la Mercedes Cabezas Terrero, born in Spain in 1911. She founded the Missionary Workers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She died in 1993.

–Pedro Herrero Rubio, a Spanish layman and pediatrician who dedicated his life to the medical and spiritual needs of his young patients and their parents. He died in Spain in 1978.

–Vittorio Trancanelli was a married layman and surgeon, who was known as “the saint of the operating room.” Born in Italy in 1944, he wanted to go on mission as a doctor but the birth of his first child with special needs meant he stayed in his home city. He soon saw the need to evangelize the hospital he worked at, that put the patient first. He and his wife adopted many children and formed an association of families who adopted disadvantaged kids. He died in 1998.

–Father Antonio Provolo, born in 1801, who was a pioneer in bringing education to the deaf in Italy. He founded the Society of Mary for the education of the deaf and mute and died in 1842.

–Sister Lucia of the Immaculate, a member of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Charity.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

WORD to LIFE March 12

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Genesis 12:1-4a; Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Psalm 33:4-5,18-20, 22;

2 Timothy 1:8b-10

By Jean Denton Catholic News Service The “mountain” where I recently experienced Jesus transfigured was actually a kitchen table.

My women’s faith sharing group meets only once a month and sometimes not even that often. But we’ve committed to stay together because we love each other and have a deep spiritual connection in which Jesus is always present.

Our last gathering began typically, sitting around Nancy’s kitchen table as women do, eating snacks and chatting about the latest happenings in our lives – catching up on each other’s families and situations.

Topics ranged from light to serious and even contentious: a son joining Cub Scouts, a child finishing an internship overseas, a joyful new marriage, a mother transitioning to assisted living, a prodigal daughter returning home – with a baby, a disabled granddaughter.

Since we hadn’t seen each other in a while, we had a lot to talk about, and we did talk – for nearly two hours. Finally, Nancy took out her Bible and said, “Well, shall we read something?”

Even for a group that was formed specifically to share and encourage each other in our Christian faith, it’s strange how hard it can be to change gears from superficial conversation to prayerful reflection and discernment.

But once we began reading aloud and listening to God’s word together, Jesus showed himself in a different, more powerful way. There was no shining light as Peter, James and John experienced

March 8, 2017

15

FOR FAITH-SHARING GROUPS

March 19 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Exodus 17:3-7; Gospel: John 4:5-42

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9;

Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

By Jeff Hedglen Catholic News Service

in today’s Gospel. But we sensed Jesus speaking to us and realized that, just as God’s voice commanded the disciples, we must “listen to him.”

In Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, he explains that we are called to a holy life, not by our own works, but through God’s design that will be fulfilled when we trust in his saving grace. Our group recognized this as we listened to Jesus’ words.

Now, all the goodness and concerns of our earlier conversations came back to us with deeper meaning as we reminded each other we must look to God’s grace to strengthen and enlighten us at every turn.

We finished our session in prayer. After the amen, someone commented on the brownies and the discussion lightened up. But Jesus had been transfigured there at the kitchen table and our hearts were newly alive with his grace.

Questions: When have you experienced Christ in a new and different way?

How was your relationship with him changed?

"HE SAVED US AND CALLED US TO A HOLY LIFE … (ACCORDING TO) THE GRACE BESTOWED ON US … NOW MADE MANIFEST THROUGH THE APPEARANCE OF OUR SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS." – 2 TIMOTHY 1:9-10

Why are you a Christian? What is it that has causes you to follow a man who walked the earth about 2,000 years ago, never traveled too far from his home and died a criminal’s death? Why do you go to church on Sundays and, for that matter, why are you reading this column?

My guess is that a big part of the answer to those questions is connected to a number of people in your life. Maybe the main people who influenced your faith are your parents. Maybe it was one of your relatives, a friend, a priest or youth minister. I do not think there are many disciples of Jesus who got to that faith totally on their own.

In my own case, I can point to my parents, many priests, my youth minister and a number of friends. Each of them in some way witnessed to me about what Jesus had done for them. Their stories had such an effect on me that I decided to surrender my heart to him as well.

Soon after this surrender, I began to encounter Jesus in a more personal way and before I knew it, my faith in Jesus was not based on the words of others but on my own experience of the living God. This same story plays out in this week’s Gospel. The woman at the well encountered Jesus in such a powerful way that she went back home and told about her experience. Not long afterward, the people of the town say this: “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

This is how the Christian faith spreads.

We first hear about God from others, but for faith to have its deepest impact we must believe based on our own experience of the God who, as St. Paul puts it, “proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, (he) died for us.”

It is one thing to stand on the shoulders of others, but it is even more important to stand on your own experience of God and his saving love.

Questions: Who are the people who have shaped your faith life?

What are some reasons you continue to follow Jesus?

"WE HAVE HEARD FOR OURSELVES." – JOHN 4:42

16

March 8, 2017

LOCAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

LENTEN RECONCILIATION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DIOCESE OF CROOKSTON The following parishes submitted their Lenten Reconciliation schedules to OND: ST. JOSEPH’S, ADA Sunday, March 12, 4 p.m.

ST. ROSE OF LIMA’S, ARGYLE March: Saturdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m.

(Before 5:00 p.m. Mass) April: Sundays, 7:45-8:15 a.m.

(Before 8:30 a.m. Mass) ASSUMPTION, BARNESVILLE Wednesday, March 22, 7 p.m.

ST. JOSEPH’S, BEAULIEU Sundays after 8:30 a.m. Mass.

Saturday April 1, 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 11, 7 p.m.

ST. PHILIP’S, BEMIDJI Individual Confessions: Fridays, 6 p.m.

Saturdays (Except April 15) at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Sundays, before Masses.

Friday, March 31 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Also by appointment.

ST. ELIZABETH’S, DILWORTH Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

(Following 6:30 p.m. Mass) Penance Service: Wednesday, April 5, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

ST. MARY’S, EUCLID Friday, March 24, 7 p.m.

ASSUMPTION, FLORIAN March: Sundays, 7:45 – 8:15 a.m.

(Before 8:30 a.m. Mass) ST. MARY’S, FOSSTON Wednesday, April 5, 7 p.m.

BLESSED SACRAMENT, GREENBUSH Saturdays, 4 – 5 p.m.

Also by appointment.

ST. ANDREW’S, HAWLEY Lenten Reconciliation Service with Individual Confessions: Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.

ST. EDWARD’S, KARLSTAD Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Also by appointment.

ST. MICHAEL’S, MAHNOMEN Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.

After weekend Masses.

Penance Service: Wednesday, April 5, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

ST. JOSEPH’S, MIDDLE RIVER Thursday, March 9, 7 – 8 p.m.

Also by appointment.

ST. JOSEPH’S, MOORHEAD Tuesday, April 4, 7 p.m.

ST. JOSEPH’S, OSLO Saturday, April 1, 5 p.m.

ST. JOSEPH’S, RED LAKE FALLS Penance Service: Sunday, March 12, 7 p.m.

Half hour before any Mass.

Monday – Friday of Holy Week: 12 – 1 p.m.

ST. STEPHEN’S, STEPHEN Penance Service: Wednesday, April 5, 7 p.m.

April: Saturdays 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

(Before 5 p.m. Mass) STS. PETER AND PAUL, WARREN Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 4, 5:30 p.m.

A Brief Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD: YOU SHALL NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME. Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God?

joy for the Lord’s Day, and proper relaxation of mind and body? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service on Sunday?

YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN. Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church, or people?

HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER. Do I show my parents due respect?

Do I seek to maintain good communication with my parents where possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have?

REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY THE LORD’S DAY. Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and on Holy Days of Obligation? Do I avoid, when possible, work that impedes worship to God,

YOU SHALL NOT KILL. Have I harmed another through physical, verbal, or emotional means,

including gossip or manipulation of any kind?

YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself ?

YOU SHALL NOT STEAL. Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?

YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR. Have I gossiped, told lies, or embellished stories at the expense of another?

This examination of conscience and others provided by the USCCB can be found at: www.usccb.org

YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S SPOUSE. Have I honored my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love?

YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GOODS. Am I content with my own means and needs, or do I compare myself to others unnecessarily?