OND Nov A 2015 Vol. 69, No. 20

VOL. 69, NO. 20

WWW.CROOKSTON.ORG

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

Students ‘Spark a Reaction’, impact diocese, world Diocesan high school youth deepen faith through prayer and service

By Katrina Genereux Staff Writer, OND BEMIDJI, MINN. — As is tradition, high school students from around the Diocese of Crookston kicked off their MEA weekend at the High School Youth Rally. On Oct. 4, nearly 400 students gathered at Bemidji Middle School to pray, work on service projects, listen to an inspirational speaker and take part in a variety of fun activities.

The theme for this year’s rally was Spark a Reaction. According to Mark Hollcraft, the Associate Director of the Office of the New Evangelization and Coordinator of Catechesis and Youth Ministry, the Youth Rally Committee at St. Philip’s desired to give the teenagers opportunities of service. Hollcraft said the spark represents the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the rest of the theme refers to offering one’s self in service as a reaction to God’s love. The work of our hands and hearts should always flow from the fire of the Holy Spirit, he said.

Matt Fradd, a Catholic apologist and speaker, was the keynote presenter. He founded The Porn Effect, a website for teens and young adults fighting to break free of pornography addiction, and is the Executive Director of Integrity Restored, a site that provides resources for individuals, spouses and families impacted by pornography.

“Matt is addressing one of the greatest torments and epidemics of our time,” Hollcraft said. “This is not only a great act of mercy and service to our young people, but to our culture.”

Fradd delivered an energetic keynote presentation, and spent some time in a question and answer session with chaperones,

INSIDE

VOL. 69, NO. 20:

Father Chuck Huck of St. Philip’s, Bemidji, processes into the Bemidji Middle School gymnasium with the Blessed Sacrament for a time of Adoration during the High School Youth Rally on Oct. 4.

priests and youth ministers.

Fradd’s presentation to the youth detailed his experience as an agnostic searching for answers about the meaning of life and eventually being led to belief in God and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Fradd grew up in a Catholic family in Australia, but did not have a personal connection with Christ or the Church until 2000. As a senior in high school, Fradd’s mother suggested he go to World Youth Day in Rome.

“Up to this point in my life, let me be honest, I had never met a Christian my age that I didn’t find kind of weird,” Fradd said.

He said meeting other young people at World Youth Day who were full of joy caused him to begin asking questions about God’s existence and the lack of joy in his life.

“Throughout this trip, I be-

Matt Fradd speaks to a group of 40 youth ministers, priests and parents during a special session for adults at the High School Youth Rally. (Photos credit: Katrina Genereux/OND)

gan to pray that sort of skeptical prayer,” Fradd said. His prayer was: “God if you exist, would you show me you do in a way I would understand? That would be awesome, cheers.”

During the trip, Fradd said he encountered Christ. “I felt like I encountered another person

Pg. 3 - Special Series: Year of Consecrated Life Pg. 8 - Youth Rally Photo Spread Pg. 11 - Special Series: Year of Mercy

who loved me as I was, and too much to leave me that way ... and that changed my life,” he said.

He encouraged the youth to ask questions about the meaning and purpose of life and the Catholic faith. He also urged them to be persistent in seeking

answers to their questions.

Fradd spoke with the chaperones, youth ministers and priests in a short question and answer session as well. The focus of the session was raising children and ministering to young people in today’s “pornified” culture.

Fradd worked as a Catholic apologist for Catholic Answers for three years. He said whenever he spoke to groups about the Catholic faith, he was aware that a number of the young men and women in the audience were looking at hard-core pornography online.

“I thought if that is the case ... then the seed of the Gospel which I am throwing is unlikely to penetrate through that heart,” said Fradd.

The pornography epidemic grew as the Internet gained momentum. Fradd said it has spread because, through the Internet, pornography is accessible, anonymous and affordable.

His work is devoted to helping people fight against pornography.

He speaks to nearly 70,000 young people each year to offer encouragement and raise awareness of the problem. He said after every speaking engagement, he is approached by men and women who tell him they want to stop looking at porn, but cannot.

He said that parents should assume if their child has a smart phone, they have seen pornography, either intentionally or by accident. He added that often when children see a pornographic image or video for the first time, they do not know what to do and feel guilty and gross after viewing it.

He also said that if a child is older than 12, it is unusual if they have not seen pornogYOUTH RALLY: Continued on Page 6

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November 4, 2015

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COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Voice from the Valley

BY BISHOP MICHAEL J. HOEPPNER

VOCATIONS This year, National Vocations Week was celebrated Nov. 1-7.

A recent poll by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) of Georgetown University found that “families who have produced a vocation are more likely than other Catholic adults to say that their Catholic faith is the most important part of their daily life.”

Seminarians, priests and religious noted that, as they grew up, family life included a healthy prayer life, and daily prayer was the norm in the home. I hope your family prayer life is healthy.

Please include a prayer for vocations in your daily prayers.

Pray that our young people will take a look at the various vocations in the church. Parents, invite your young adults to consider or “try on” a vocation to the ministerial priesthood or to consecrated life. Help them listen to the voice of Jesus in their hearts.

In the last edition of Our Northland Diocese, you saw a beautiful page on vocations picturing the three young men currently enrolled in seminary formation: Matthew Schmitz, Nate Brunn and Michael Arey.

I ask you to pray for these men.

I look forward to ordaining each of them to the ministerial priesthood in the years to come.

'LAUDATO SI' We have two chapters left in our review of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care of our common

home. In Chapter 5, Pope Francis outlines a number of “major paths of dialogue” to help advance care for the environment.

The first is the International Path. “Humanity,” Pope Francis notes, “is one people living in a common home.” Therefore, progress will necessarily involve all of us together – all the countries of the world – and not simply a defense of the interests of a few countries.

Pope Francis says we need universal agreements. Such agreements, the Holy Father notes, will require enforceable laws to protect them and a common understanding that resources and costs must be shared.

The second path forward that Pope Francis mentions is dialogue for New National and Local Policies. Each nation must address its own responsibility for use of the environment. Coordination, planning, oversight and enforcement must be adequately handled by each country. The Holy Father insists that people need to be involved. In each country, both individuals and groups can make a real difference by modifying consumption, using less energy in buildings and transportation and with better organization of local or national markets.

All developments, business ventures and projects, Pope Francis urges, should move forward with dialogue and transparency – a third path. From beginning to end, projects should move forward in an en-

vironmental friendly way with openness and transparency, free from pressure and free of corruption. Pope Francis says that development of any project should always include study of its environmental impact as well as its impact on working conditions, people’s physical and mental health, the local economy and public safety.

When projects are concluded, consideration should be given to continued monitoring and follow-up activities to ensure ongoing care of our common home.

A fourth path involves redefining our notion of progress.

Pope Francis says, “There is an urgent need for politics and economics to enter into a frank dialogue in the service of life, especially human life.” Development, whether technological or economic, that, as he says, “does not leave in its wake a better world and an integrally higher quality of life cannot be considered progress.” Pope Francis says that the current principle of maximization of profits - frequently isolated from other considerations - reflects a misunderstanding of the very concept of the economy. Production is increased with little concern given to the cost of future resources or the health of the environment. An example Pope Francis gives is the deforestation going on in various places on earth. The land is cleared, production is increased, but no one calculates (or they are unconcerned

BISHOP’S CALENDAR

about) the losses entailed in the desertification of the land, the harm done to biodiversity or the increased pollution. Businesses profit by calculating and paying only a fraction of the costs involved. This, Pope Francis says, is not true economy. We must change our way of thinking. Our common home and humanity can no longer endure this model of “progress”.

Pope Francis notes that science does not, and cannot, provide the full picture of life. The insight provided by religions “opens new horizons” in every age. As so, a fifth path for progress in taking care of our common home involves an ongoing dialogue between science and religion. From “religious classics” we forge ethical principles and religious language, that as Pope Francis says, “gives us the great motivations that make it possible for us to live in harmony, to make sacrifices and to treat others well.” He adds, “Any technical solution that science claims to offer will be powerless to solve the serious problems of our world if

humanity loses its compass.”

Unfortunately it is true, Pope Francis notes, that at various times in human history, mistaken understandings of valid religious principles have led to all kinds of injustices and violence. And so, the Pope urges, the various religions should dialogue among themselves for the sake of understanding, for protecting nature, defending the poor and building networks of respect and fraternity. Dialogue among the various sciences is likewise needed since each tends to become enclosed in its own language.

Finally, Pope Francis adds, dialogue is also needed between the various ecological movements themselves, among which ideological conflicts are frequently encountered. Pope Francis concludes Chapter 5 by expressing the need for dialogue in all these areas, dialogue that demands patience, self-discipline, and generosity, dialogue needed if we are to further the cause of care for our common home.

(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.

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

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95th Anniversary Celebration, Catholic Daughters Court St. Mary, St. Joseph’s, Moorhead

November 16-20

VICTIM ASSISTANCE STATEMENT

USCCB Fall General Assembly, Baltimore

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.

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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: http://www.crookston.org/ond/

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

SPECIAL SERIES: YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

November 4, 2015

3

Priest of the diocese experiences consecrated life firsthand Submitted by Msgr. David Baumgartner Pastor – Sacred Heart, Frazee; Assumption, Callaway

Editor’s note: During the Year of Consecrated Life, Msgr. Baumgartner went on a retreat led by the Sisters of Life and offered the following reflections for publication.

From the presider’s chair I watched as the family entered the pews at a funeral Mass.

The deceased had known me from before my birth and I had known her for as long as I could know people. The procession of her grieving family slowly entered the pews of our hometown church. I knew that there was a granddaughter who had entered religious life. I was hoping she would be there and that I would be able to meet her again. I had met her several times previously. I remembered her as a 2-year-old with fine red hair and as a 7-year-old with startlingly red hair and as a 10-year-old with brilliant red hair. From the chair I saw her again, this time there was no red hair, but instead a long white veil.

Every time I visited her

grandmother, she told me about Sister Mary Pieta. Grandma didn’t know much about the details of her life since she entered the Sisters of Life; she only knew that Michaela was a sister and that her life was filled with all of the daily responsibilities that fill the lives of sisters.

I made a commitment to myself that one day I would visit the Sisters of Life and see for myself the charism that lured a young North Dakotan away from her family to New York City.

After the funeral Mass and burial were completed, I joined the family at the home of one of the sons. Sister Mary Pieta sat on the floor in a grouping of her family of origin, with her youngest blood sister, who looked to be about 6 years old.

I wondered how a 6-year-old processes having a sister who is a religious sister. I wondered how a religious sister processes having a sister so young.

I learned that Sister Mary Pieta was assigned to live at the community’s retreat center in Stamford, Conn. I thought then that I could meet the Sisters of

Life and experience their special gift to the world by participating in one of their retreats.

The next day, I easily found the website for Villa Maria Guadalupe Retreats. I was excited to see that they hosted retreats for men, but none of the men’s retreats fit my calendar.

I saw that my calendar could easily accommodate a retreat offered in Lent 2015. It was a spring break retreat for college students. I filled out the online application and sent it off.

I thought myself particularly clever in my response to the question: What gifts would you bring to this retreat experience?

I responded, “Holy Orders.”

Several weeks later, I received a call from Sister Bernadette of the Sisters of Life inviting me to join the spring break retreat!

At the end of the short conver-

Sister Mary Pieta of the Sisters of Life and Msgr. David Baumgartner snap a photo together. (Submitted photo)

sation I was bursting with joy and anticipation.

Villa Maria Guadalupe Retreat Center is an hour’s drive from the heart of New York City. I was surprised that the setting was rural. After arriving, I received a brief explanation of keys and an invitation to Morning Prayer and Mass the following morning.

It snowed during that first

night and the main building was a short walk from the carriage house where I was staying.

A path was shoveled so that I could make it from one house to the other without wading through snow. I knew that one of the sisters had done this for me – just for me – right before they expected me at the back SISTERS OF LIFE: Continued on Page 7

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November 4, 2015

COMMENTARY

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Of leaf piles, wet suckers and Hope Fifty years ago this December 9, what had been thought impossible for that time happened. A familiar and beloved cartoon strip was made accessible for televised animation.

The practical and technological obstacles then were considered insurmountable. As the deadline drew near, even Coca-Cola – the sponsor for the project – was getting nervous at what seemed to be an impending ratings disaster. But on December 9, 1965 at seven o’clock in the evening on CBS, the world saw their beloved Peanuts characters come to life. The Charlie Brown Christmas special was aired and became an instant, worldwide sensation.

If nothing else, the entertainment industry loves success. Thus, the word came to the Peanuts’ Gang creator (and Minnesota native), Charles Schultz: “Do another blockbluster!” But what? The creative team, somewhat intimidated by the expectations created by the Christmas special, were at a loss as to what the theme of the next project would be.

Then, when Mr. Schultz’ little son, Monte, walked in on the adults in their work session and simply stated they should write about “the Great Pumpkin,”

CREDO A NEW EVANGELIZATION WITNESS

By Father Robert Schreiner, S.T.L.

Director of the Office of the New Evangelization

“It’s about not giving up on the joy of a pile of leaves and the joy of a good sucker at the same time and hoping, one day, it can all work out.” they knew. On October 27, 1966, CBS aired “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” smashing the viewing records of the previous year’s triumph.

I can’t prove it, but my Mother testified to me that throughout my entire childhood I never missed a single year’s airing of the Charlie Brown Trilogy – which became a trilogy with the addition of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” in 1973. And to this day – I have not missed one single year watching these three classics – a feat made far easier to accomplish with first VCRs, then DVDs. Those who know me best know of my profound, child-

like love and wonder for the whole Peanuts Gang. But there is no secret: My heart melts at the mere sight of Snoopy.

Why? Who knows … but I’m certain it has to do with earliest memories, tied up with family and home, hearth and holidays.

It’s all of that. But it’s also just so … real. Real? Yes. Take for example the one scene/lesson first given from “It’s the Great Pumpkin” and later repeated in other shows and strips. There is a pile of fall leaves and Linus – ever the little boy – can’t help himself.

He takes a running leap into the pile with total abandon and joy. He emerges from the pile

with his sucker in hand and his mouth encircled with leaves stuck to his lips like feathers to a turkey. Ever the philosopher-child, Linus then says for the ages (I know you know the line!): “Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.” I love it! It’s so real!!

I think what I love about it most, though, is this: That after 49 years of declaring the wisdom of wet suckers and leaf piles, Linus did it again this year and he will do it again next year just as he has for 49 joyful years. And, just as after 42 years Lucy is again going to line up the football for Charlie Brown to kick this Thanksgiving, and Charlie Brown is going to try to kick it again, as he will again next year, like he has tried to kick it for four decades. And in exactly the same way that Charlie Brown and Linus are going to go Christmas tree shopping again this December and – yup – he’s going to pick that same old, helpless, little tree once again to the consternation of the whole gang and – thanks to (who?) Snoopy(!) – that tree will be transformed into something beautiful and wondrous … again. I simply love that.

If you’re Einstein, I suppose you’d say it’s a lesson in

madness, i.e., doing the same “failed” thing over and over again. But I don’t see this as a moral kind of lesson at all.

After 50 years of watching the same episodes over and over, it’s more of a kind of life lesson to me. It’s actually a Christianlife kind of life lesson to me. It’s a lesson about second chances and new beginnings. It’s an annual lesson about Hope springing eternal in childlike wonder.

It’s about never getting beaten down by failure but always returning to the beginning, anew.

It’s about not giving up on the joy of a pile of leaves and the joy of a good sucker at the same time and hoping, one day, it can all work out. It’s about the worldview of the little son of a creative genius walking into a room of adults with the answer to their worries and anxieties. It’s about the impossible, the improbable and the insurmountable being not so much any of those things when approached from the viewpoint of a child.

It’s about a leaf pile, a wet sucker and the virtue of Christian Hope. And, well, it’s really just some fairly old reflections of mine as we draw near to the beginning of the Year of Mercy.

A vision for masculine purity inspired by hunting I have a vivid memory of my first Elk hunt in Colorado.

The anticipation was high as we started out on a still October morning just before sunrise somewhere around 11,000 feet. I was the “newbie” of the group and it was the opening day of rifle season. We were walking along an east-facing ridge when we heard sounds of elk calling somewhere on the other side of the ridge, not too far off. Upon investigation, it appeared that elk had taken cover in a gulch of dense pine trees.

We split up, with a couple of our group going into the trees to see if they might flush something out. The others positioned themselves at another vantage point. As the men entered the trees they spooked out a small heard of elk including one very large bull. I watched in awe, but no shots were fired even though one of the men was likely within 150 to 200 yards of the large bull.

After regrouping, he reported

INTEGRITY HUMAN PERSON INSIGHTS

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

“We need examples of men who are able and willing to live out virtue, especially in a culture that encourages self-indulgence and values sex appeal.

Lust only diverts us as men from living out our role of service and leadership.” that he was too low in the valley and the bull was “sky lighted” above him, meaning that he did not have a good backstop for his shot. Not too far beyond that particular ridge was the town of Breckenridge, and it was not unreasonable that an unrestricted bullet could reach

nearby homes.

He was an experienced hunter. He chose not to shoot that morning and let the opportunity pass by. I have since realized how rare these moments are when a perfect hunting scenario comes together. His decision in the excitement of that mo-

ment modeled a simple but significant example of judgment and temperance. He was willing to forfeit the glory of a trophy elk for the potential safety of others.

As men, our resolve is certainly tested when we face moments where we could allow our passions or fears to dictate. We are often faced with the choice of indulging our lust or thinking and acting purely. However, when we indulge our lust, we usually have missed seeing the reality of these choices for what they are. In the heat of the moment, men can tend to react, and miss the possible impact of their behaviors on others and themselves.

This natural passion is a gift when directed toward the good of relationships or the protection of a loved one, but it is important to gain the ability to direct our passions in order to be virtuous. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The virtue of chastity comes under the cardinal virtue

of temperance, which seeks to permeate the passions and appetites of the senses with reason.” (CCC 2341) On our hunting trip, the man who chose not to shoot did not restrain himself because he lacked interest or was gripped by fear. He was, and is, a very passionate hunter who has a lifetime of experience and would love nothing better than to fill his freezer with meat. I believe that he chose to refrain from shooting because he had practiced lessons like this through years of experience and through learning from the example of other men with whom he hunted.

We need examples of men who are able and willing to live out virtue, especially in a culture that encourages self-indulgence and values sex appeal.

Lust only diverts us men from living out our role of service and leadership. Here we can look to Christ as our ultimate example of true manhood.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

November 4, 2015

5

All I want for Christmas is peace in the house!

Hear me out! Don’t prejudge me for mentioning Christmas before the Thanksgiving menu has even been decided! I know all the retailers from Home Depot to Toys R Us seem to have had their decorations out since the Fourth of July. I am writing in hope of easing some misery and putting the “Merry” back in “Merry Christmas!”

As a priest I see many sad things in the lives of the people I love and serve. I know it may seem strange but one of those “sad things” is watching the exhaustion, stress, anxiety, pressure, tension and downright misery some people put themselves through for Christmas.

I must give a disclaimer before I continue. As long as I can remember, my family has celebrated Christmas on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. There are 67 of us when we come together. This includes six older siblings (I am the bonus baby!), their spouses, their children and their children’s children. I was still in high school (if not earlier) when my parents made the move to Thanksgiving weekend to welcome Santa.

Mom and Dad saw the stress caused in the lives of my siblings when it came to making all the obligatory “stops” on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My siblings were eager to begin their own family traditions

LIFE FIRST

By Father Don Braukmann

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

“I pray we as individuals, as families, and as parishes remember the reason for the season. The Child Jesus came to bring peace, joy, hope, innocence and love to a world in desperate need of all five.” in their own homes. Whether it meant attending Christmas Mass in their home parishes or wanting to wake up early Christmas morning and enjoy the unrushed excitement of their children as they lazily celebrated the Birth of Christ; it was something they wanted for their own families.

To this day, I appreciate my parent’s wisdom as I watch the throngs of people stuff into our churches to celebrate the Birth of Christ with anything but being “merry” on their minds!

I know that is a bit harsh and judgmental but I know there are some out there who know

exactly what I am observing.

I hear it every Christmas: “We finish work on the 24th and have to be at my parent’s place in time for Mass at 4 p.m.

Then we go to their home, stuff ourselves silly and quickly open presents. At 7:30 p.m. we load up the sugar high kids, the boxes of gifts and force closed the van door as we race off to my husband’s parents. They are always a little miffed we get there so late, as the rest of his family arrived at noon and waited for us. We unload the kids who are way overdue on sleep, have another meal, open presents and then try to settle everybody down in their own little section

of the living room floor for the night. As we settle in, we realize we forgot our 5-year-old’s new Lego set at the other grandma’s.

The mistake is loudly broadcast with a full blown tantrum as the cousins were just dozing off! Christmas Day, we load up again and head to the greatgrandparent’s on both sides of the family who would be so hurt if we didn’t show up.” And on and on …

Remember the Christmas snow storm we had just a few years ago? It was a classic couple of days when everyone’s detailed Christmas traveling plans were ruined. Although I can laugh about it now, there were families ready to crawl through the snow on their knees to escape their relatives. Tensions were high, very high. A combination of too much sugar, too little sleep and an abundance of

toys the kids starting fighting over, all made for some pretty rough memories.

I do not mean to be a scrooge … well, maybe I do, if it means a little more peace on earth starting with our homes at Christmas!

Christmas is on a Friday this year. Maybe Christmas can be a four day event allowing for a bit more calm and a lot less dread.

I pray all the planning and commitments are made well in advance and with realistic expectations. I pray we as individuals, as families, and as parishes remember the reason for the season. The Child Jesus came to bring peace, joy, hope, innocence and love to a world in desperate need of all five.

Plan well. Keep Christ at the center of all things. And let there be a very MERRY Christmas!

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Find 2015-16 publishing dates and submission deadlines on the web: www.crookston.org/ond The next OND submission deadline is: Wednesday, November 11 by 12:00 p.m.

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

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November 4, 2015

DIOCESAN

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

YOUTH RALLY: Continued from Page 1 raphy. He stressed the importance of warning kids about pornography at a young age.

Fradd's oldest children are ages 5 and 6, and he has spoken to them about pornography. He described it to them as images that will hurt their brains, and encouraged them to speak to him or their mom if they ever see anything that scares them.

Fradd compared it to teaching kids about child abduction in a way they can understand so they can be safe.

He then answered some questions and provided resources for the parents and clergy present. He highly recommended Covenant Eyes filtering and accountability software, and the Victory App for smartphones and tablets as tools to help avoid pornography or fight an addiction to it.

In addition to hearing from Fradd, students took part in various service projects that will have an impact on people close to home and far away.

In the morning, youth and their leaders split into groups and completed four different acts of service.

One group sorted, folded and packed clothing that will be sent to people in need in Cuba.

The clothing was donated by attendees and their families. The group sorted the clothing into men’s, women’s and children’s sizes and then folded and packaged it. The donated clothing filled a trailer.

Another group cut and tied fleece blankets that will be handed out to mothers in need at the hospital. The blankets will provide a clean, warm place for babies to have tummy time, which is important for their development. Youth rally participants tied 68 fleece blankets.

A third group measured and packed 14,000 pounds of food for Kids Against Hunger. The food packages will be used to feed children in need in the local community and abroad.

The final group created yarn out of plastic shopping bags.

They cut the bags into strips and looped them together, forming long strings. A group of volunteers in the area crochets sleeping mats out of the plastic yarn. The mats are distributed to local agencies serving the homeless.

Each mat contains nearly 1,000 plastic bags. The youth made an estimated five miles of yarn. Having pre-made yarn will allow the group of women to focus solely on crocheting,

Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner and Deacon Kermit Erickson elevate the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass at the High School Youth Rally. Fifteen priests of the Diocese of Crookston concelebrated.

Turn to Pages 8-9 for more photos from the High School Youth Rally! said Ruth Walters of Sacred Heart, Wilton. She was one of the volunteers at the youth rally, and is also part of the crochet group.

Walters said she and her children were recently in Bemidji running errands and saw a homeless person carrying one of the plastic mats. She also saw someone along Highway 2 west of Fosston with a mat.

“Homelessness is a growing issue for so many reasons,” she said. “Hopefully this will make someone a little more comfortable.”

In the afternoon, all of the attendees were divided into small groups and stuffed 14,000 envelopes with Covenant Eyes materials that were recently mailed to Catholic households throughout the Diocese of Crookston.

While explaining the goal of this project, Cameron Fradd, Matt’s wife and emcee for the rally, spoke about the value of their work. She told them that putting together the Internet filtering and accountability packages could potentially prevent a small child from being exposed to pornography, or give someone who is addicted to porn a tool to begin healing.

In addition to service, rally

Cameron Fradd, the day's emcee, speaks to those gathered about Covenant Eyes and the importance of their large group service project. Because of the work of the youth rally participants, 14,000 homes in the Diocese of Crookston received a free 60-day trial of Covenant Eyes Internet filtering and accountability software. (Photo credit: Katrina Genereux/OND)

attendees celebrated Mass with Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner and 15 priests of the diocese.

They also spent time adoring the Blessed Sacrament and had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Since it was the feast of St.

Teresa of Avila, a religious sister and doctor of the Church, during his homily, Bishop Hoeppner tied her life into the events of the day. He shared something the saint said: “Don’t be careless about what you hear.” Bishop Hoeppner urged

everyone gathered to not be careless about what they look at, and to be especially careful to not view pornography.

“Society today says pornography is no big deal. They say it’s just entertainment …” Bishop Hoeppner said. “Don’t go there. It’s a distortion of God’s plan for real love and the real use of sexuality.”

He shared some figures, saying that 67 percent of young men and 49 percent of young women view pornography at least once a week and 13 billion dollars per year is spent on pornography in the United States.

He spoke about how priests frequently hear from people who have become addicted and cannot stop, or get away from viewing pornography.

Bishop Hoeppner pointed out the difference between the self-focused nature and sin of pornography and the selfgiving love to which Christ calls his followers. He urged all gathered to receive the love of Christ and astonish people with their generosity.

“Our theme today is Spark a Reaction … Do you know what is going to change the world?

Outstandingly generous people,” he said. “Jesus sends his friends out to bring the good news of God’s love and God’s plan to all people and the astonishingly generous love of the friends of Jesus will change the world.”

During Adoration, the band Sonar led everyone in praise and worship, and priests were available to hear confessions.

As usual, the youth had a few hours for recreation and fellowship. Inflatable games and a dance filled one of the gymnasiums, and a photo booth with props was opened in a hallway.

Students also spent time in the craft room and coffee shop, while parish teams took part in a 3x3 basketball competition.

The team from St. Peter the Apostle’s, Park Rapids, won the basketball tournament.

The youth rally concluded with an awards ceremony. Solomon Liebl from St. Joseph’s, Fertile, and Josh Cervenka of St. Philip’s, Bemidji, each received the St. Timothy Award.

The St. Timothy Award recognizes a high school senior from the Diocese of Crookston for leadership, service and commitment to their parish. “They offer us hope that we can be people after God’s own heart while still sinners,” Hollcraft said about the award winners.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

SPECIAL SERIES: YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

November 4, 2015

7

SISTERS OF LIFE: Continued from Page 3 door. I was escorted to the chapel where most of the 10 sisters were already in silent meditation. I sat in the chapel and was moved to tears. Simply to be in their presence was to experience an overwhelming sense of peace and joy. After we chanted the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer, I was brought to a vesting room to prepare for Mass. On the table was a vestment laid out, an alb correctly sized, the Roman Missal and an index card that explained what any presider needed to know to preside comfortably at Mass in their chapel. During this Mass I was brought to tears several times. I observed that they prayed well, welcomed me by their smiles, attentively listened and were expressive of their gratitude when the morning silence ended.

The sisters expected the college students to arrive that evening, so this was the final day of preparation for the retreat.

I found a home in the kitchen.

Food deliveries came, and there was a large food stock to move and manage. Sister Mary Joseph was responsible for the kitchen, and integrated me into her work crew. This was a wonderful gesture of hospitality because being included in the work of a home makes me feel at home. I moved boxes, arranged frozen foods, cut bread and washed apples, while interacting with the sisters and learning bits and pieces of their biographies and the charism of their religious life. By late afternoon, the preparations seemed to be handled. I noticed the sisters working hard, but none of them were outwardly stressed

ABOUT THE SISTERS OF LIFE • Cardinal John O'Connor founded the Sisters of Life in 1991.

• The Sisters of Life live out their charism of reverence for human life and seek “to lay down our lives that others might live.”

• They take the traditional religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as well as a fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.

• They provide support and help women in crisis pregnancies providing housing, connections to support services.

• The Sisters of Life also hold retreats and days of prayer and healing in various places for men and women suffering after an abortion.

• They also have a retreat house where they hold educational seminars and retreats.

• Prayer, especially Eucharistic Adoration, is central to the Sisters of Life. They spend four hours a day in common prayer and have weekly and monthly days of deeper prayer in silence with extended hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

• The Sisters of Life have five convents, four on the east coast and one in Denver. They have two Visitation Mission locations, one in Toronto, Ontario, and one in New York City.

Their retreat house is located in Stamford, Conn.

(Source: www.sistersoflife.org)

CONTACTING THE SISTERS OF LIFE: Annunciation Motherhouse, 38 Montebello Rd., Suffern, NY 10901 845-357-3547● www.sistersoflife.org

or anxious. It was as if they had learned long ago that the Lord provides laborers and time if they simply set their minds and hearts on doing his work while remaining faithful to the commitments of their vocation.

By noon the next day, 70 college students were moved in and ready for grace. The retreat was a carefully orchestrated movement of communal prayer, personal meditation, service projects, retreat talks, rest, art and recreational

activities. Each day honored the horarium of the sisters so that, in essence, we entered the rhythm of their usual daily life of prayer. This included the Liturgy of the Hours, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass and time for private meditation. We followed this rhythm even on the days we were in New York City for pilgrimages, prayer and service projects.

The sisters’ commitment to support life is at the core of their charism as a religious community. As with every Christian virtue and work, its authenticity can be measured most accurately when we are free to be ourselves and we believe that nobody is watching. Do I support life or do I just act like I support life in public?

Sister Mary Gabriel was the first sister to give a retreat conference. Her topic was the charism of the Sisters of Life.

Her talk was excellent! Even more excellent for me was watching her religious sisters watch her give the talk. How would I act if I had to sit through a talk by one of my brother priests which I had heard him give 30 times already? I would hide a crossword puzzle in my notebook or check my email on my smartphone under the table.

I would close my eyes and give the appearance of thoughtful listening while napping or com-

posing my next homily.

Not so with the Sisters of Life. They are committed to the support of life, even the life of one of their sisters giving a talk that each of them knows by heart. Her sisters gazed upon Sister Mary Gabriel with adoring eyes. They listened to her stories and were the first to laugh at her jokes, not out of obligation, but because some jokes are funny no matter how many times you hear them. By analogy, if a young couple is newly in love you can easily see it in their eyes. The Sisters of Life love their sisters not out of obligation or obedience, but because each of them embraces the Gospel call to love, to support life. To me, this represents a measure of personal conversion and commitment to the truth of the Gospel of life that many families and Christian communities never approach.

Their commitment to love is a witness to the world. On our day of service, the sisters brought us to an abortion clinic in the Bronx. The rate of abortion for conceptions in New York City is 37 percent; in the Bronx 47 percent of all conceptions end in abortion. In a single year more than 73,000 children are killed in New York City by abortion.

On the bus ride to the Bronx, the sisters gave us a seminar on peaceful protests and offered testimonies regarding the lives that have been saved. Dr. Emily Woman’s Health Center employs six medical doctors to perform abortions. According to their website, an abortion can be performed in two hours and the fees start at $360. The website also states that patients are anesthetized so that, “… they have no pain or recollection of the procedure.”

The clinic is in an impoverished industrial neighborhood.

Approximately 90 of us stood in a line three people deep and prayed the rosary. While we prayed, Sister Mary Karen walked the sidewalk and attempted to greet and counsel everyone who passed by.

During this peaceful, prayerful protest, I was afraid. I was afraid to be so near a place that kills babies. I was afraid for the mothers and fathers. I was terrified by the guard who sat in a Lexus SUV and watched us pray. Amidst all of this, I was heartened by the courage of Sister Mary Karen who loved every person who walked by the clinic. I was in awe of the

sisters who not only pray for an end to abortion, but offer housing and every type of material and human support to mothers and families who need help during and after a pregnancy. I was inspired by one of the college students, Peter, who stood on a garbage can in the middle of our lines and shouted the mysteries and prayers of the rosary so that we could pray together for the intercession of the Mother of the Lord of Life.

Our 10 days of retreat with the Sisters of Life were filled with many other activities, conferences and outings. On the evening of the ninth day, the retreatants were gathered together and invited to share a grace from their retreat experience. The sharing began at 8 p.m., and continued for three hours. Everyone highlighted the grace of being with the sisters. Joy, peace, love and faith were mentioned often. During the sharing, Sister Mary John addressed the students. She said, “I am having doubts that all of you know and understand the depth of God’s love for you.” Having admitted that she did not have a voice for singing, which I can confirm, she proceeded to sing them a poem that she composed: You are loved by God the Father He has called you by your name You are precious and glorious in his eyes.

You are sacred, You are holy, Unique and unrepeatable Made in the image and the likeness of God. You are loved for who you are; For simply being you; The person He created you to be You are a manifestation Of God in this world A sign of his presence and a trace of his glory.

You are loved!

You are loved!

You are loved!

The retreatants responded to this love song with a standing ovation.

I suspect that the Sisters of Life would fail to be impressed by a story written about them.

After all, their life as a religious community does not have an inward focus, it is about witnessing the sanctity of life to the world. If I have been inspired by them at all, it ought to show in my greater love for neighbor, especially the unborn, the elderly and the vulnerable. If we cannot see Jesus in them, we are blind. We need to be healed.

We need mercy.

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November 4, 2015

DIOCESAN

YOUTH RALLY: SPARK A REACTION

Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner speaks to High School Youth Rally participants during his homily in the Bemidji Middle School gymnasium. Fifteen priests of the Diocese of Crookston conce

THE FOLLOWING PARISHES WERE REPRESENTED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH RALLY:

Volunteers and students from the host parish, St. Philip’s, Bemidji, greet incoming rally attendees with giant sparklers.

Matt Fradd shares the story of his conversion with teens at the High School Youth Rally. (Photos credit: Katrina Genereux/OND)

St. Rose of Lima's, Argyle; Assumption, Barnesville; Sacred Heart, Baudette; St. Philip’s, Bemidji; St. Ann’s, Blackduck; St. Joseph's, Brooks; Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes; Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks; St. Joseph’s, Fertile; St. Mary’s, Fosston; Sacred Heart, Frazee; St. Peter’s, Gentilly St. Ann’s, Goodridge; Blessed Sacrament, Greenbush; St. Clement’s, Grygla; St. Patrick’s, Hallock; St. Edward’s, Karlstad; St. Patrick’s, Kelliher; St. Theodore of Tarsus', Laporte; St. Michael’s, Mahnomen; St. Lawrence’s, Mentor; St. Joseph’s, Middle River; St. Joseph’s, Moorhead; St. John’s, Nebish; Our Lady of the Pines, Nevis; St. Francis Xavier's, Oklee; St. Peter the Apostle's, Park Rapids; St. Joseph's, Red Lake Falls; Sacred Heart, Roseau; St. Cecilia’s, Sabin; St. Stephen’s, Stephen; St. Bernard’s, Thief River Falls; St. William’s, Twin Valley; St. Mary’s, Two Inlets; Sts. Peter and Paul’s, Warren; St. Mary’s, Warroad; St. Joseph’s, Williams Sacred Heart, Wilton

Students extend their hands over donated clothing as they pray for the people in Cuba who will receive the items.

Father basket

In addition to leading worship music for Mass and Adoration, Sonar spent time entertaining students while they took turns eating.

DIOCESAN

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

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SPARKING A REACTION THROUGH SERVICE SLEEPING MATS FOR THE HOMELESS One group of students made yarn by looping together strips cut from plastic shopping bags. The plastic yarn, or plarn, will be used by a group of Bemidji-area volunteers to crochet sleeping mats. The sleeping mats will be donated to local organizations that serve the homeless. It takes around 1,000 plastic bags to make one mat. The service group made an estimated five miles of yarn.

ton concelebrated Mass for almost 400 youth rally attendees on Oct. 4.

TUMMY TIES Another group spent time cutting and tying fleece baby blankets. The blankets will be taken to a hospital and will be distributed to mothers in need to provide a clean, warm place for their infant to have tummy time. Tummy time is important for early development, such as being able to roll over and sit up.

CLOTHING FOR CUBA Attendees of the High School Youth Rally were asked to bring clothing items their families no longer used to donate to people in need. A service group was tasked with sorting, folding, and packaging the items. There was enough clothing for men, women and children to fill an entire trailer. The donated items will be sent to Cuba to assist people in need.

Father Craig Vasek shows off his third place medal from last year’s 3x3 basketball tournament to youth rally attendees eating dinner.

KIDS AGAINST HUNGER A fourth group worked to put together food packages for the organization Kids Against Hunger. A percentage of the meals will stay in the local area and the rest will be shipped to people in need around the world.

The youth and volunteers portioned and packaged 14,000 pounds of food.

r spent

COVENANT EYES MAILING

Above: Father Todd Arends lunges forward on an inflatable bungee run game during recreation time.

Left: Students play inflatable games including a bungee run, iron man course and twister. Other entertainment included a dance with DJ John Young, 3x3 basketball tournament, coffee shop, craft area, photo booth and information table for TEC retreats.

The final project of the youth rally was a large-scale effort. All 400 participants put together the Covenant Eyes mailing that was sent to 14,000 households throughout the Diocese of Crookston.

The packages contain information about protecting families and individuals from pornography and a free 60-day trial of Internet filtering and accountability software.

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November 4, 2015

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Couple celebrates 70 years of marriage Milo and Lucille Winter of St. Ann’s, Waubun, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Oct. 17, with family, friends and community members at the Waubun Community Center. Father John Cox blessed the couple during Mass following the open house.

Nearly 300 family members and friends gathered to join Milo and Lucille in celebrating one of the many blessings that God has given them in Christ.

Milo and Lucille call their marriage of 70 years truly a testimony of God’s grace and love.

Their family is thankful for all God’s blessings and for all who continue to witness, celebrate and strengthen Milo and Lucille’s life. Their 13 children, 34 grandchildren and 15

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

St. Philip’s, Bemidji, seeks Director of Youth Ministry/ Middle School & High School Faith Formation The Director of Youth Ministry/Middle School & High School Faith Formation leads a program defining our faith community’s commitment to its youth. The youth program, adjusts to the changing needs of youth, and remains faith-centered, inviting and concerned with all aspects of youth life and the social, emotional and spiritual needs of young adolescents and teens.

The Director must be a person of faith, living out the teachings of the Catholic Church. He/she must also have a level of stability and maturity, which will encourage positive mentoring and friendship between the youth and the Director of Youth Ministry.

The Director of Youth Ministry is responsible for recruitment, training, and leadership of volunteers involved in Youth Ministry and Middle School & High School Faith Formation.

To receive a complete job description or to apply contact: Milo and Lucille Winter take a photograph with their 13 children during the celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary.

(Submitted photo)

great-grandchildren, and their families, are especially grateful to everyone who came to cel-

ebrate this milestone with Milo and Lucille.

Fr. Chuck Huck, St Philip's Catholic Church 702 Beltrami Ave NW Bemidji Minnesota 56601 Or 218-441-4901 This job posting is open until filled.

2015 Fall Dinners

For an up-to-date listing for the rest of the season visit: www.crookston.org/parishevents

SATURDAY, NOV. 7: ST. JOSEPH’S, MIDDLE RIVER Supper at American Legion 4:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

SATURDAY, NOV. 7: ST. CLEMENT’S, GRYGLA

Supper at Grygla Community Center 4:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

SATURDAY, NOV. 21: ST. PETER’S, PARK RAPIDS Dinner, Bazaar, Bake Sale 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Donate your car to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Did you know that the average vehicle donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul equals food for a family of four for three weeks, or one month’s rent for someone who is homeless?

Go to: www.svdpusacars.com, or call 1-800-322-8284

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

SPECIAL SERIES: YEAR OF MERCY

November 4, 2015

11

Catholic Church around the world preparing for Holy Year of Mercy OND Staff Reports

Last March, during a Lenten penance service, Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy to be celebrated from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2015, through the Feast of Christ the King, Nov. 20, 2016.

“I am confident that the whole Church, which is in such need of mercy for we are sinners, will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time,” Pope Francis said while making the announcement.

“Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Let us henceforth entrust this year to the Mother of Mercy, that she turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey: our penitential journey, our year-long journey with an open heart, to receive the indulgence of God, to receive the mercy of God.” At the start of the Year of Mercy, on Dec. 8, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. “On that day, the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons and instills hope,” Pope Francis wrote in the Bull of Indiction, a document officially proclaiming the Jubilee Year.

The Holy Door at St. Peter’s is a specially designated entrance that is usually sealed from the inside with bricks, and is only opened during Holy Years, specifically for pilgrims to enter the basilica. The Holy Door symbolizes the gate of a sheep pen through which pilgrims come to encounter Jesus, the Good Shepherd. It is also a sign of humanity’s redemption through Christ and the beginning of a new life, according to Vatican resources.

“We shall cross the threshold

JUBILEE YEARS IN THE CHURCH What is a Holy Year? In the Roman Catholic tradition, a Holy Year, or Jubilee is a great religious event. It is a year of forgiveness of sins and also the punishment due to sin. It is a year of reconciliation between adversaries, of conversion and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and consequently of solidarity, hope, justice and commitment to serve God with joy and in peace with our brothers and sisters. A Jubilee year is above all the year of Christ, who brings life and grace to humanity. …

The Jubilee is called a Holy Year not only because it begins with, is marked by and ends with solemn holy acts, but also because its purpose is to encourage holiness of life. It was actually convoked to strengthen faith, encourage works of charity and brotherly communion within the Church and in society and to call Christians to be more sincere and coherent in their faith in Christ, the only Savior.

Where did this tradition come from? The origin

The Holy Door is pictured in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During a March 13 penance service, the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016. The Holy Door was last opened by Pope St. John Paul II on Christmas Eve 1999 for the Jubilee Year in 2000. (Photo credit: CNS/Paul Haring)

YEAR OF MERCY RESOURCES Check out www.crookston.org/yearofmercy for resources and Year of Mercy events in the Diocese of Crookston of the Holy Door fully confident that the strength of the risen Lord, who constantly supports us on our pilgrim way, will sustain us,” Pope Francis said. “… By crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us.”

On Dec. 13, the Sunday after the opening of the Holy Door

at St. Peter’s, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome. He has invited every bishop in the world to open similar Doors of Mercy at the cathedrals in their dioceses on the same day.

These Doors of Mercy around the world will serve a similar purpose as the one at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Pilgrims enter through these

of the Christian Jubilee goes back to biblical times.

The Law of Moses prescribed a special year for the Jewish people: “You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim the liberty throughout the land, to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family. This fiftieth year is to be a jubilee year for you: you will not sow, you will not harvest the ungathered corn, you will not gather the untrimmed vine. The jubilee is to be a holy thing to you, you will eat what comes from the fields.”(Lv 25, 10-14) The trumpet with which this particular year was announced was a goat’s horn called Yobel in Hebrew, and the origin of the word jubilee. In the New Testament, Jesus presents himself as the one who brings the old Jubilee to completion, because he has come to “preach the year of the Lord’s favor” (Is 61: 1-2).

Why is it called an ‘Extraordinary’ Holy Year? A

Jubilee is “ordinary” if it falls after the set period of 25 years, and “extraordinary” when it is proclaimed for some outstanding event. There have been twenty-five “ordinary” Holy Years so far: the Year 2000 was the 26th. The custom of calling “extraordinary” Jubilees began in the 16th century.

(Source: www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/docs/documents/ju_documents_17-feb-1997_history_en.html)

doors marking in a special way their desire for the grace and mercy offered by the Church during this Holy Year of Mercy.

Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner will open a Door of Mercy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during the

9 a.m. Mass on Dec. 13. All members of the Diocese of Crookston are invited to join in this rite celebrated throughout the global Church. The Door of Mercy will remain open for pilgrims at the Cathedral until the close of the Holy Year.

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November 4, 2015

NATIONAL

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

Pennsylvania priest builds ministry one Lego at a time

By Chaz Muth Catholic News Service MOSCOW, PA. – Bob Simon fell in love with two things at the age of 5 – the Catholic Church and building with Legos.

Now, as a 51-year-old priest, Father Simon has discovered a way to merge both of these passions.

The pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Moscow finds that his Lego-building hobby not only provides him with a diversion from his ministry at a busy parish, but that it enriches his prayer life and offers him a tool for evangelization on a large stage.

Father Simon’s 14-by-6-foot self-described “Lego Vatican” is a featured display at the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia as part of its “Vatican Splendors” exhibit, which opened Sept. 19, in time for Pope Francis’ visit to the city, and will close Feb. 15.

He spoke with Catholic News Service at the museum in late

October. During the interview, a group of Catholic school students touring the museum stopped him and began to ask questions about his creation.

The questions shifted from the Lego construction and artistry to theology, Catholic history and the role of Pope Francis plays in the world.

The Lego Vatican was built as a piece for a Lego show in the summer of 2015. Word about the elaborately detailed Lego replica of St. Peter’s Basilica reached curators at the Franklin Institute, who asked to include it in their Vatican showcase honoring the pope’s first U.S. visit.

As a 5-year-old, father Simon pretended to be a priest, donning a cassock made by his mother. His resolve to become a man of the cloth continued through his time at Bishop Hoban High School in WilkesBarre, Pa. He entered seminary at the University of Scranton following his high school graduation,

finished up as a seminarian at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and was ordained a priest in 1990. Father Simon became pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish eight years ago.

Since his parish is a large and active community, he discovered that he needed a hobby to cope with his hectic calendar. At first, he picked up painting, but found that the setup and cleanup wasn’t well matched with the short sessions his schedule often allowed.

That’s when the Lego boxes started to be moved out of storage and into a spare room in the rectory.

The act of Lego-building has also become a prayerful experience, Father Simon said, because like prayer beads or rosaries, the assembly keeps his hands busy so his mind and spirit can be elsewhere.

The 10 months it took him to build his Lego Vatican offered him ample time for contemplation about his faith and ministry.

It also piqued the curios-

Visitors at Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia on Oct. 23 look at a Lego rendition of the Vatican's St. Peter’s Basilica, crafted by Father Bob Simon, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Moscow, Pa. (Photo credit: CNS/Chaz Muth)

ity of his parishioners, fellow clergy and even his bishop, all of whom frequently stopped by the rectory to check out the Lego-building progress.

While many seemed surprised the priest had taken on such an ambitious project, his mother saw it as a natural fit for her son.

Bishops to consider election document, USCCB priorities, sainthood causes

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON – The U.S. bishops will consider whether to approve a new introductory note and a limited revision of their quadrennial statement on political responsibility during their Nov. 16-19 fall general assembly in Baltimore.

The statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” is reissued every four years and takes into account the latest issues taking center stage in the political arena. The document, which in general calls for Catholic voters to consider the common good when going to the polls, has been released before every presidential election for almost four decades.

What a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) news release described as “a limited revision” and new introductory note for “Faithful Citizenship” was prepared by a working group led by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, vice president of the USCCB. The bishops also will discuss and vote on a proposed formal statement on pornography, “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornog-

raphy.” The bishops had given their approval a few years ago to craft a statement on the subject.

They are also scheduled to discuss and vote on a proposal to take up a one-time national collection to fund the completion of the Trinity Dome in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. No structural work is needed, but shrine officials have been in planning meetings about the ornamentation of the mosaics on the underside of the dome, visible from within the shrine.

The bishops will hear a report from the USCCB Subcommittee on the Church Latin America on the golden anniversary of the national Collection for the Church in Latin America.

Three canonization causes also will go before the bishops for the canonical consultation required to advance their causes: ● Father Aloysius Ellacuria was a 20th-century Claretian Missionary priest from Spain who spent much of his priestly ministry in the American Southwest, including Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix. He was regarded as a mystic and urged spreading the message of Our Lady of Fatima. ● Sister Ida Peterfy was the Slo-

vak-Hungarian born founder of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart. She endured the deprivations of World War II and the onset of Soviet domination of her homeland before she fled, first to Toronto and then to Los Angeles. She had a puppet show on local TV, “My Friend Pookie,” which was popular for several years and became nationally known by educators and families, then developed the “Sacred Heart Kids’ Club” series of half-hour video instruction on the Catholic faith. ● Antonio Cuipa, who along with more than 80 “companions,” was martyred for the faith in colonial Florida between 1549 and 1706. Cuipa, an Apalachee Indian converted by Franciscans, may have been studying for the priesthood when he was seized by another Indian band, nailed to a cross and set afire.

Witnesses said Cuipa had a vision of Mary while he was dying.

The bishops will discuss and vote on proposed revisions to strategic priorities for the next USCCB planning cycle, which covers 2017-2020, following up on input given in a draft version of these priorities during their June meeting in St. Louis.

They will vote on the inclu-

sion of “Excerpts From the Roman Missal: Book for Use at the Chair” in U.S. dioceses.

The bishops will see presentations by, among others, Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. Carolyn Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, will join with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, CRS chairman, in a presentation on how CRS programming is responding to Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si.” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn., will update his brother bishops on next year’s World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland.

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston will give an update on diocesan Project Rachel ministries for post-abortion healing.

Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, New York, chair of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, will report on marriage and family life ministry.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chair of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty, will introduce a trailer to a movie on “Dignitatis Humanae,” the Second Vatican Council’s decree on religious

freedom.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services will give a presentation on the need for an in crease of military chaplains.

The USCCB Working Group on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person will report on a communications research project and planning for a convocation. The bishops will also hear recommendations on implementing the Year of Mercy, which starts Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The bishops will choose a treasurer-elect for the USCCB as well as chairmen-elect for six standing committees: Divine Worship; Migration; Domestic Justice and Human Development; Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; and Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

Bishops also will be chosen for the boards of CRS, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

The bishops also are scheduled to vote on the 2016 USCCB budget and the 2017 diocesan assessment that helps fund USCCB operations.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

INTERNATIONAL

November 4, 2015

13

Final synod document backs Church teaching, beauty of family life

By Elise Harris Catholic News Agency

VATICAN CITY – With a twothirds majority vote, the more than 200 bishops gathered for the Vatican’s synod on the family supported Church teaching on hot-button issues such as homosexuality and Communion for divorced and remarried persons.

The Vatican’s synod on the family was opened by Pope Francis Oct. 4, and closed Oct. 25. This year’s event followed the theme “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the modern world,” and followed 2014’s extraordinary synod on the family, which focused on pastoral challenges involved in family life.

This year’s discussion tended to be reduced in Western secular media to two issues: Communion for divorced-and-civilly remarried, and Church teaching and pastoral care regarding homosexuality.

However, actual topics brought up during meetings were much broader, with synod fathers touching on themes such as domestic violence, violence against women, incest and abuse within families, marriage preparation and pornography.

A closing news conference at the Vatican Oct. 24 reported a sense of collegiality among the global bishops. Only two of the 94 paragraphs showed a disparity in the voting, both of them surrounding the topic of pastoral care for divorced and remarried persons.

Despite the calls by some for the Church to change its doctrine by allowing divorced and civilly remarried Catholics without an annulment to receive Communion, the synod’s final report upheld current Church teaching and practice on the issue.

“It’s therefore the responsibility of pastors to accompany the persons concerned on a path of discernment according

cal colonization in this regard “unacceptable in every case,” as well as the pressure local Churches often face to succumb to the secular push allowing for gay “marriage.”

The final document also backed Church teaching on life issues, such as abortion and contraception.

In paragraph 33, it is reiterated that all human life “is sacred because, since its beginning, it involves the creative action of God.” “The biotechnical revolution in the field of human procreation has introduced the ability to manipulate the generative act, rendering it independent of the sexual relationship between Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 25. a man and woman,” the document read.

(Photo credit: CNA/Daniel Ibanez) By undergoing this manipulato the teaching of the Church tered into crisis; if they were tion, “human life and parentand the guidelines of the bish- tempted to reconcile; what the hood have become modular situation is for the abandoned and separable realities, subject op,” paragraph 85 read.

While there was an over- partner; what consequences mainly to the wishes and deall support for the Church’s does the new relationship have sires of individuals or couples, teaching and current pastoral on the rest of the family and not necessarily heterosexual practice to remain in place, the the community of faithful; and in a regular marriage.” document also stressed that di- what example this offers to the Only God “is the Lord of life vorced and remarried couples youth who must prepare for from it’s beginning to it’s end,” are baptized persons who must marriage.” the document continued. “No Pastoral discernment and ac- one, under any circumstance, be “more integrated into the Christian community,” while companiment of such individu- can claim for themselves the “avoiding every occasion of als must direct them “to the right to directly destroy an inawareness of their situation be- nocent human being.” scandal.”

“The logic of integration is fore God.” Openness to life was also In paragraph 86, it was noted underlined as an “intrinsic rethe key to their pastoral accompaniment,” paragraph 84 said, that consulting with a priest quirement of married love.” explaining that their involve- helps form a correct judgement While an unfortunate mentalment in the Church “can be “on what hinders the possibility ity has diffused in society which expressed in different ecclesial of full participation in the life reduces procreation “to indiof the Church and on the steps vidual gratification or that of services.”

Synod fathers emphasized that can foster it and make it the couple,” the synod fathers a process of careful discern- grow.” stressed that children are always Also affirmed in the docu- a blessing, and are especially ment in considering which of the areas of exclusion in the lit- ment was the Church’s stance loved by Christ. urgy, pastoral, educational and on homosexuality, which was The beauty of marriage institutional framework of the one of the most contested is- and the family was expressed Church can be done away with sues of last year’s synod, par- throughout the document, with for divorced and remarried ticularly in the final document. strong references to marriage This year, however, the topic indissolubility from the beginCatholics.

In some countries, for ex- of homosexuality was almost ning to the end. ample, divorced and remarried completely removed, apart Quoting Pope Francis’ Oct. persons are not only asked to from one paragraph on the pas- 4 homily for the opening of abstain from Communion, but toral care of families who live the synod, paragraph one of also from teaching catechesis with persons that have homo- the document emphasized that sexual tendencies. and from being godparents.

“God didn’t create the human “A special attention” ought to being to live in sadness or to Divorced and remarried individuals were encouraged to be given to accompanying fam- be alone, but for happiness, to make an examination of con- ilies in such situations, para- share his path with another perscience, asking themselves graph 76 of the document said. son that is complimentary.”

It reiterated that “every per“how they behaved toward their “From the beginning of crechildren when the marriage en- son, independently of their sex- ation God made them male and ual tendency, must be respected female; because of this man in their dignity and welcomed will leave his father and mother with respect,” but clarified that and be joined to his wife, and “there is no foundation what- the two will become one flesh.” soever to assimilate or establish It recalls how “God united analogies, even remotely, be- the hearts of man and woman tween homosexual unions and who love each other and unites God’s design for marriage and them in unity and indissolubilthe family.” ity. This means that the goal of Synod fathers called ideologi- married life is not only to live

together forever, but to love each other forever!”

“In the freedom of the ‘yes’ exchanged between a man and woman in marriage, the love of God is experienced and made present,” the document continued, explaining that it is God who sustains this union through the Holy Spirit, even when it fails.

Emphasis was placed up front on the indispensable role families play in the Church, with paragraph 2 of the document recalling Pope Francis’ words to families Sept. 27 while at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

“So much was God’s love that he began to walk with humanity, he began to walk with his people, until it came time to mature and he gave the greatest sign of his love: his Son,” the document read.

“And where did he send his Son? To a palace? To a city? To make an impression? He sent him to a family. God entered the world in a family.”

In paragraph four, synod fathers said that the family, founded on the marriage of a man and woman, is the “magnificent and in-substitutable place” of love and the transmission of life.

Synod fathers said they are able to see the reality of families today across the globe with “renewed freshness and enthusiasm” when looking back with the gaze of Christ.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, pastors, in the knowledge that no family is perfect, can discern “the paths with which to renew the Church and society in their commitment for the family founded on the marriage between a man and woman.”

“The Christian announcement that concerns the family is truly a good news,” they said.

On Saturday a spokesman for Cardinal George Pell – head of the Vatican’s economy secretariat – said in a statement that the prelate was “very pleased with the document.”

“It expresses well what the current pastoral practice and teaching of the Church are on sexuality, marriage and families,” the statement read.

“No doctrinal developments, no doctrinal surprises, no doctrinal back flips. No changes in praxis or discipline,” but rather a “beautiful commendation of large families and of the witness of happily married spouses and their children as agents of evangelization.”

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‘Nostra Aetate’ at 50: The ‘Magna Carta’ of interreligious dialogue

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service ROME – Representatives of the world’s religions gathered in Rome to commemorate and reflect on the 50th anniversary of “Nostra Aetate,” the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on relations with other religions.

Although it is the shortest of the Second Vatican Council’s documents, its influence continues to be felt in the life of the church today, said speakers at an anniversary conference.

The Oct. 26-28 sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews.

Comboni Father Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, secretary of the interreligious dialogue office, said that while much has been done since the document’s publication, there is still much more to do in advancing relations between the Catholic Church and non-Christian religions.

“The path indicated by ‘Nostra Aetate’ is still of great relevance and, as it says in the declaration, still today we are exhorted to recognize, preserve and advance all the spiritual, moral and socio-cultural values found in religions,” Fa-

ther Ayuso said.

One of the fundamental achievements of “Nostra Aetate” (“In Our Time”), was the church’s recognition of what is true and holy in other religions, said Cardinal JeanLouis Tauran, president of the pontifical council. In the document, “for the first time, the magisterium recognized that holiness can be found also in other religions and that this can lead to a ‘ray of that truth that illuminates all mankind.’”

“It is interesting, 50 years later, to read this document and find that it has lost none of its relevance,” he said. “It has certainly inspired the members of the Catholic Church at different levels to promote relationships of respect and of dialogue with people of other religions, and continues to be a fixed point of reference for these relationships.”

Although promulgated by Blessed Paul VI on Oct. 28, 1965, the first draft of “Nostra Aetate” was commissioned by St. John XXIII under the direction of Cardinal Augustin Bea. The draft, originally entitled “Decretum de Iudaeis” (“Decree on the Jews”), “only addressed the issue of the responsibility of Christians” during the Holocaust, Cardinal Tauran said.

In the end, the final two

articles of the document addressed the Catholic Church’s relationship with the Jewish people while the initial articles of the declaration highlight the church’s relations with other world religions.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews, said the document’s discussion of Christianity’s relationship with Judaism was not only a starting point “but the hinge of the whole council declaration.”

“The fourth article of ‘Nostra Aetate’ should be considered the ‘Magna Carta’ of Judeo-Catholic dialogue,” he said. “For the first time in history, the ecumenical council expressed itself so explicitly and positively with regard to the relationship between the Catholic Church and Judaism.”

The Swiss cardinal also noted that “Nostra Aetate” placed the relationship between Catholicism and Judaism inside a “theological context” based on “solid biblical foundations.”

“Nostra Aetate” marked a decisive change in direction in relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism, Cardinal Koch said, and it “shows itself as a useful compass toward reconciliation between Christians and Jews, valid both for the present and for the future.”

Pope: God doesn’t condemn sinners; he weeps while waiting for their conversion

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – God loves his children so much that he does not condemn them – he weeps when they stray, commit evil or refuse his love, Pope Francis said at morning Mass.

God will wait until the final moments of a sinner’s life, like he did for the good thief on the cross, who mocked and derided Christ, but then repented and was saved, the pope said in his homily Oct. 29 during the Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

“The worst person, the worst blasphemer is loved by God with a fatherly tenderness,” he said.

The pope looked at the day’s

reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, in which Jesus laments the evil ways of Jerusalem, “you who kill the prophets,” and mourns his loving attempts “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” to gather and protect such an unwilling people.

But no matter how reluctant or defiant people are, God “waits, he does not condemn, he weeps. Why? Because he loves,” the pope said.

“In those tears is all of God’s love. God cries for me when I stray, God cries for each one of us. God cries for the evil ones, who do so many terrible things, hurt humanity so much,” he said.

In fact, God – who is all powerful – is helpless in that one thing: “He cannot tear

himself away from us,” the pope said; he is incapable of not loving.

It also is a love that cannot be explained, he said, because he still offers his love and gift of salvation even to those, who in their free will, refuse him and choose narcissism, pride and sin instead.

Those who unite themselves with Christ are victorious – not because the battle against evil is somehow over, but because there is nothing and no one who can take away God’s love, Pope Francis said.

“It’s not that we are victorious over our enemies, over sin.

No. We are so bound to God’s love that no person, no power, no thing will be able to eliminate this love,” he said.

People remove debris from their house a day after a magnitude-7.5 earthquake in Panjshir province in Afghanistan Oct. 27. (Photo credit: CNS/Jawad Jalali, EPA)

Pope calls for prayers, aid after quake hits Pakistan, Afghanistan

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – As the death toll from an earthquake in Pakistan and Afghanistan continued to rise, Pope Francis called for prayers and concrete aid for survivors.

The Oct. 26 magnitude-7.5 temblor left at least 380 people dead and thousands of homes and buildings badly damaged.

“Let us pray for the dead and their relatives, for all those who are wounded and the homeless,” he said at the end of his general audience in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 28. He asked that God offer consolation and courage to those who were suffering and struggling.

He asked that “these brothers and sisters not be lacking our concrete solidarity.”

Cardinal Parolin: Apostolic exhortation on the family could be released soon

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service ROME – Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said an apostolic exhortation on the family following the recently concluded Synod of Bishops could be released soon.

“I imagine that it won’t take long because usually these things should be done in a relatively short time, otherwise it loses its strength a bit, its impact,” Cardinal Parolin told Vatican Radio Oct. 28. “I think if the pope decides to do it, he will do it relatively quickly.”

The post-synodal apostolic

exhortation follows a request made by the synod fathers in their final report.

“We humbly ask the Holy Father to evaluate the opportunity of offering a document on the family, so that in it, the domestic church may ever more shine Christ, the light of the world,” the Oct. 24 report stated.

As in past synods, Cardinal Parolin said that the apostolic exhortation will be based on the synod’s final report. However, he said the release of the document has not been discussed yet.

“It is the pope who has to decide what to do,” he said.

OUR NORTHLAND DIOCESE

COMMENTARY

WORD to LIFE November 8

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 Kings 17:10-16 Psalm 146:7-10 Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 or Mark 12:41-44 By Jean Denton Catholic News Service Once when I was visiting the administrative offices of a large organization that serves the poor, a veteran staff fundraiser remarked, “Our experience has been that when it comes to actual donations, it is always the people who are only a step out of poverty themselves who are the most generous as a percentage of what they have.”

His comment would have us believe that today’s Gospel story, comparing the widow giving from her want with the wealthy giving from their surplus, is an example of something that happens all the time.

“It makes sense,” the staffer said, “because these are people who have experienced firsthand what it is like to be in poverty. They know the struggle, so naturally they want to help anyone who is in that situation.”

It’s fundamental solidarity.

I’ve witnessed it in my periodic visits to my church’s twin parish in Haiti: At the offertory during Mass, there’s no passing the plate. Instead, altar servers stand in the aisles holding small wooden boxes, each with a lock on the side and a money slot in the lid.

All at once (this is not an orderly procession), the people make their way to a box, crowding around to place coins and small bills – crumpled and grimy from the transactions typical of a poor, hardlabor economy – into the slot. The scene looks like a widow’s mite flash mob.

Here is a poor community’s members giving from their want out of their love for God and their ardent trust that he will care for them together as a body

Hebrews 9:24-28

November 4, 2015

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FOR FAITH-SHARING GROUPS

November 15

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16:5, 8-11 Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

By Jeff Hedglen Catholic News Service

of his people. Indeed, their shared life as a church community is what sustains them, both spiritually and materially, and gives them hope.

They exemplify this week’s Old Testament reading in which a widow and her son, themselves a step away from starvation, share their last bit of flour and oil with the hungry prophet Elijah. Drawn together by mutual trust in God, they survive.

We are all called to this kind of solidarity in which we join in our brothers’ and sisters’ struggles. Sharing the hardship, we learn by necessity to trust – and survive – in God’s care.

Questions: When has your trust in God come up short of offering all you have?

How can you be more “invested” in your faith community or the hardship of others?

"THEY HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED FROM THEIR SURPLUS WEALTH, BUT SHE, FROM HER POVERTY, HAS CONTRIBUTED ALL SHE HAD." – MARK 12:44

It is a 30-year tradition for my parish youth group’s annual weekend canoe trip: Before we leave the parking lot, I ask the group to keep their eyes open for signs of God throughout the trip.

Then, on the second night of the trip, sitting around the campfire after the melted marshmallow and chocolate have finally been licked off all our s’morestained hands, we tell the stories of how and where we saw God. Basking in the glow of the fire under a star-filled night, the wonder of the presence of God among us comes alive.

We have found God in the turtles sunning themselves on branches or in the way someone helped others who seemed to spend more time in the river than in their canoe.

Sometimes the sign of God has been just in getting away from the busyness of daily life and listening to the crickets sing us to sleep.

That night always has been one of my favorite nights of the year, and it exemplifies perfectly the gift of wonder and awe in the presence of God. The idea of a sign from God usually comes to us in two ways. Either something happens that causes us to feel a need for a sign from God, or something we see or experience confirms for us the presence of God in our lives.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus addresses these two aspects of God’s self-revelation when he says, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know

that he is near, at the gates.”

Through this example, Jesus teaches us to pay attention to the created world because it reveals truth. But also, he implores us to prayerfully watch the things happening around us, for through them he reminds us that he is always near.

So whether a canoe trip, a cup of coffee with a friend, a typical day at work or any of a million other experiences in your life, be on the lookout for signs of God in your life. You may be surprised where he shows up.

Questions: What is a recent “sign of God” in your life?

What is your favorite place to go to encounter God?

"LEARN A LESSON FROM THE FIG TREE." – MARK 13:28

Fall Dinners are now listed online!

- VISIT THE DIOCESE OF CROOKSTON’S PARISH EVENTS PAGE -

www.crookston.org/parishevents

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The CCHD Collection will take place at parishes in the Diocese of Crookston on November 21 and 22.