8 n March 2014
NewEarth
Holy Spirit parish mission shines a spotlight on Our Lady Untier of Knots By Kristina Lahr
Our Lady Untier of Knots was one of the highlights of the parish mission at Holy Spirit in Fargo, Feb. 9-12. This devotion of Mary reminds us that Mary lovingly unties the knots in our lives caused by sin through her “yes” to Christ.
Holy Spirit Church in Fargo welcomed Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary, Bismarck, as part of its parish mission Feb. 9-12. Monsignor Shea was inaugurated in 2009 as the sixth president of the university and, at the age of 34, became the youngest college or university president in the United States. This was the first parish mission for the parish in 12 years, since the first year Monsignor Wald was pastor of Holy Spirit. A parish mission is a spiritual boost for a parish as it brings a guest pastor through their doors. It’s a way for people outside the parish to come in and a way for parishioners to see the perspective of another priest. Its primary purpose is to revitalize the parish to be the mission it needs to be. The theme of the mission was “Living the Faith with Joy.” Monsignor Shea’s display of joy in his words and total donation of his time brought authenticity of his message home. One hundred percent of the free will offering of the mission went to the University of Mary. “Joy is the most infallible marker of the presence of God,” said Monsignor Shea, “Joy comes to us in the measure that we forget about ourselves and look to others in love. Doing this is hard but not complicated. Our existence is a result of God’s joy.” Each night of the mission, parishioners were given different topics pertaining to the theme.
Special title
Julie Knodel shakes hands with Monsignor James Shea who joined Holy Spirit Church for its parish mission.
Topics included: learning how to be salt and light for the world and Pope Francis and the way he encourages us to live as servants and evangelizers. One night also discussed the many titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary including Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadelupe and Our Lady Untier of Knots. Our Lady Untier of Knots was a popular idea discussed by parishioners and guests socializing after the evening since few had heard of that title previously. Pope Francis started promoting Our Lady Untier of Knots when he, then Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was studying in Germany. He came across a Bavarian painting of Our Lady Untier of Knots and acquired
a copy of the painting. He brought it to Argentina and promoted devotion to Mary under this title as a way for Mary to carefully untie each of the knots in our lives caused by sin. The theology of Mary untying knots goes back to the second century when St. Irenaeus of Lyons wrote, “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith” (Adversus haereses, 3, 22). When we do not follow God’s will, we demonstrate our lack of trust in him through sin. This forms a knot within us, which only gets harder to untie the more knots that are tangled and tightened around it. These knots take away our peace and serenity, but even the most tangled knots are loosened by God’s grace. Mary’s “yes” opened the door for God to undo the knot of disobedience. It is the Mother who patiently and lovingly brings us to God, so that he can untangle the knots of our soul by his fatherly mercy. The painting also shows a snake tied in a knot under Mary’s feet. Over the four-day mission, Monsignor Shea preached in the context of the Mass or the Blessed Sacrament each night. He also met with the children grades three through five at Holy Spirit Elementary, made a special presentation for Nativity and Holy Spirit parish staff and heard confessions Monday-Thursday. Monsignor Shea also reminded everyone present and all parishes that, “The church doesn’t have a mission; the church is the mission.” Monsignor Shea challenged the parish not to be afraid to share our faith because fear is the opposite of love. “Fear comes from the subtle conviction that I’m in charge of my life,” he said. Although this mission was focused in one parish, Pope Francis has continually reminded us that we as the universal church are called to the New Evangelization. “It is true that going out on to the street implies the risk of accidents happening, as they would to any ordinary man or woman,” said Pope Francis. “But if the church stays wrapped up in itself, it will age. If I had to choose between a wounded church that goes out on to the streets and a sick, withdrawn church, I would definitely choose the first one.”
A glimpse of the past These news items, compiled by Dorothy Duchschere, were found in issues of the Diocese of Fargo newspaper, New Earth, and its predecessor, Catholic Action News.
March 50 years ago — 1964 The sixth annual campaign for the Diocesan Development will get underway this month with a series of meetings that will be attended by all priests serving in the diocese. The meetings will take place the week of March 9 at seven regional centers and will be presided over by Bishop Leo Dworschak. The major beneficiary of the 1964
campaign will again be Cardinal Muench Seminary. Now in its second year, the seminary houses 70 young men studying for the diocesan priesthood. To learn about religious vocations and the life of a sister, 94 young women made a retreat at Sacred Heart Convent, Fargo, on March 7-8. During the two days the young ladies lived at the convent where they had an opportunity to talk with the postulants and novices and to observe the Sister’s routines.
20 years ago — 1994 “Maris,” an original musical based
on the life of Roger Maris, a Fargo native who became a famous New York Yankee when he hit 61 home runs in 1961, will premiere Thursday, Saturday, March 17-19, in the auditorium at Shanley High School in Fargo. The Shanley Drama Department is presenting the musical. Maris graduated from Shanley in 1952.
10 years ago — 2004 When Bert Miller, Sr. decided at age 93 he’d better not drive anymore, he knew exactly where he wanted his car to go. Miller, from Harvey, donated the car to the Catholic Church and request-
ed that it be used in Grafton by those who take care of the migrant workers. Miller and his wife Gladys, used the 2000 Mercury Sable for a couple of years. After he recovered from a serious illness he decided he had to do something good for somebody. His youngest son, Father Bert Miller, Jr., pastor of St. John’s in Grafton, and Miller decided that donating the car would be a good deal for both of them. Miller loved to jokingly remind people that because he is “Bert F. Miller, Sr.” and his son is “Bert F. Miller, Jr.” – “I’m the real Father Bert, not him!”