New Earth Archives - November 2007

Features

National 40 Days for Life director visits Fargo
The prayers continue
40 Days for Life through the eyes of those praying
The walls are weepin’ 
Forty rosaries for 40 days
Artist transforms a stump into a statue
Cremation and the Catholic Church
It takes courage to survive, to forgive and to love
Thank you for your generosity and good works - Financial Statements

Columns

The Intercession of a Saint
Love of God put into action
Using your IRA for charitable giving by year end is a wise decision
Like St. Augustine, Catholic conferences address issues of church and state

NEWS briefs

Events across the Diocese of Fargo
Former military chaplain addresses ways to support military with MANNA
Bishop Samuel Aquila encourages faithful to see the film Bella
Local books make good Christmas gifts 
 “Sharing the Gift of Life” addressed at health care conference 
Presentation Sisters host Christmas Tea
Marriage Encounter weekend bonds spouses, rejuvenates marriage
Cathedral hosts Traditions of Christmas
Web site helps people combat pornography
The Golden Compass, a movie not to see
Adoption program focuses on “forever families”
Pilgrimage draws faithful back year after year
A glimpse of the past
KWTL increasing power to 12,000 watts
And the mystery church is..........

youth news

Discover the way, Jesus is the way
Shanley students to present “Godspell” 

from the bishop's office

Bishop's Column

We pray for our deceased, that God may bring them into the joy of heaven

Each November Catholics celebrate All Souls’ Day to remember the dead. The Church prays for the dead and offers Mass for them throughout the month of November. How did this pious custom start, and what is the reason for it?

A scriptural basis exists for praying for the dead. In the second book of Maccabees we hear of Judas discovering that men who have died in battle worshipped false gods (2 Mac. 12: 40-45). He then offers prayers for them, and the bible affirms this by saying, “In doing this he acted very well and honorably…Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin” (2 Mac. 12:43-45).

The tradition of having Masses prayed for the dead has beginnings in early Christianity. The bodies of martyrs were placed in the catacombs, which also contained altars where the Eucharist was celebrated. The martyrs, saints and other Christians were remembered on the dates of their deaths. St. Augustine in his Confessions remembers that, at the time of his mother’s death, Monica requested only one thing, that he remember her at the altar wherever he was (Confessions, Book 9, 11:27). In the early Eucharistic prayers there is the remembrance of the Blessed Mother, the saints, the living and the dead.

In Spain, Bishop Isidore of Seville (d. 636) had the monks of his diocese offer Mass for the souls of the deceased each year on the day after Pentecost. In the 800s the custom began in Germany and was celebrated in December. In 998 Abbot Odo of Cluny had all the monasteries under his authority celebrate All Souls’ Day in which Mass was offered for all the faithful departed. The custom then spread throughout Europe and reached Rome in the 1200s. The custom of priests offering three Masses for the deceased on All Souls’ Day was extended to all priests by Pope Benedict XV in 1915, and this custom continues today.

The reason for praying for the dead is the Church’s doctrine on Purgatory, which is best presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1030-1032). The Church teaches that those who die in “God’s grace and friendship” while not yet perfectly purified from all sin are “assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification” before entering into heaven (CCC 1030).

The doctrine was fully formulated during the Councils of Florence (1439-1445) and Trent (1545-1563). Earlier, Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) taught that before the Final Judgment there are certain lesser faults which are cleansed in a “purifying fire.” He based his teaching on the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 12:31 in which the Lord teaches that any blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be pardoned “either in this age or the age to come.” St. Gregory concludes: “From this sentence (in Matthew) we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age and the age to come” (CCC 1031, St. Gregory the Great Dialogues 4,39).

The Church therefore encourages prayers, almsgiving, works of penance, indulgences and most especially the Eucharistic sacrifice be offered for the dead to pray for their purification and eternal salvation (CCC 1032).

The prayers which the Church encourages us to offer are an acknowledgement of the reality of sin and its actual consequences. It is certainly true that God alone forgives sin, and his mercy is victorious. Yet the harmful effects of sin remain in us and in our world. In our prayer for persons who have died we should pray not only for the forgiveness of their sins but also for reparation for the sins they may have committed during their lifetime. We can place them in the chalice of the precious blood of Jesus asking Him to cleanse them with His blood and repair any damage their sins caused to others. Knowing that each one of us sins, we can do this with our own lives too while here on earth as we offer ourselves with Christ to the Father in the Eucharist.

Praying for the conversion of the living is as important as praying for the dead. Many today do not acknowledge the reality of sin, and the possibility that we may deny God’s love and mercy in our lives. This happens when they presume that everyone will go to heaven. This is a false presumption, especially when one looks at the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels when he speaks of hell or Gehenna. I remember one time a person asked me if I believed that a person who died had gone to heaven. I told the person I could not say with surety that any person went to heaven, purgatory or hell. God alone is the sole judge of a person’s salvation. The only thing that I could do, knowing the life the person had led and his strong resistance to God, was to offer prayers for the person and the salvation of his soul, placing him before the mercy of God.

During the month of November, I encourage all of us to pray for all who have died and most especially our family members and friends. Let us pray our prayers with confidence in the mercy of God, that He in His abyss of mercy and love will forgive the dead their sins, purify them, repair any damage they may have done by their sins, and bring them fully into the joy of heaven. Let us also pray for the living, that all of us may come to recognize our sins, repent of them and confidently bring them to Jesus for his forgiveness, mercy, and healing.

<signed>
Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila
Bishop of Fargo 

Bishop's Calendar

November 2007

December 2007

DIOCESE OF FARGO OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS   

Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of Fargo, has made the following appointments and/or decrees: 

REVEREND MATTHEW ATTANSEY was granted an administrative leave as of Sept. 17, 2007.

REVEREND MARIO FERNANDES, SJ, appointed as temporary administrator of St. Philip’s Parish in Hankinson, North Dakota, with residence in the parish rectory. This appointment is effective Sept. 17, 2007, and continues ad nutum episcopi. He will also serve as confessor for the Maryvale Convent in Valley City and the Carmel of Mary Monastery in Wahpeton, both in North Dakota.

REVEREND JUDE C. OKAFOR, appointed to assist in parishes that have a need for an additional priest or to substitute for another priest. He will continue to reside at Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo, N.D. This appointment is effective Sept. 21, 2007, and continues ad nutum episcopi.

DEACON JAMES HUNT, to serve as a permanent deacon at St. Philip’s Parish in Hankinson, N.D., effective Oct. 15, 2007, and continuing ad nutum episcopi.

Diocesan reporting policy regarding sexual abuse

The Diocese of Fargo is committed to the protection of youth. Please report any incidents or suspected incidents of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to civil authorities. If the situation involves a member of the clergy or a religious order, a seminarian, or an employee of a Catholic school, parish, the diocesan offices or other Catholic entity within the diocese, we ask that you also report the incident or suspected incident to Father Dennis Skonseng, Vicar General, at (701) 356-7945 or Briston Fernandes, Victims Assistance Coordinator, at (701) 356-7965 or VictimAssistance@fargodiocese.org.

For additional information about victim assistance, visit www.fargodiocese.org.

Features

Cremation and the Catholic Church

Prior to 1963, the Catholic Church forbade the cremation of the deceased. “Beginning with the early Christians, cremation was shunned because of its connection to pagan beliefs, which often denied the doctrine of the resurrection and saw death as the final end of one’s existence. The resurrection of Christ changed the Christian’s understanding of life and death,” Father Brian Moen, chancellor and director of the liturgy office for the Diocese of Fargo, said during an Oct. 27 presentation at Cardinal Muench Seminary, Fargo. The faithful proclaim in the Creed each Sunday, “…We believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” For Christians the body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit and, therefore, deserves a proper burial.

Although the Church has lifted its restriction on cremation, the burial of the body is still the preference. As the 1983 Code of Canon Law (CIC) states, “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching [on the resurrection of the body]” (CIC, 1176).

Even when cremation is chosen, “the Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites” (Order of Christian Funerals (OCF), 413). The body of the deceased helps us to recall the person’s life and aids our grieving, Father Moen said. “We are more easily filled with hope and expectation that we will see our loved ones again at the resurrection of the dead.”

Sometimes, however, extraordinary circumstances make cremation before the funeral Mass the only feasible choice. In 1997, the bishops in the United States received an indult to allow cremated remains to be present at the funeral Mass. Each diocesan bishop administers this permission in his own diocese. Permission is only needed for the cremated remains to be present at the funeral Mass. No permission is necessary if cremation occurs after the funeral. When these situations arise, it is the responsibility of the priest who is assisting with the funeral to seek this permission from the bishop.

For these funerals, the cremated remains are placed in a “worthy vessel” and rest on a stand that is located in the place usually occupied by the casket. Except for a few liturgical changes, the funeral rites are the same as when the body is present. Because of the substantial change that occurs to the body in cremation, the prayers of the funeral rite are altered to remove any express reference to the body. The pall, which is a white cloth that is usually placed over the body in the casket and recalls the white garment of baptism, is not used when cremated remains are present.

When the body of a Catholic is cremated, care must be taken that the remains are treated with the same respect that would be given to the body from which they came. During the funeral rites, this would include “the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition” (OCF, 417).

The cremated remains need to be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. “The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires” (OCF, 417). Therefore, in the Diocese of Fargo, all cremated remains must be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium.

The Catholic Church strives to adapt to the conditions of each time and place, but her encounter with Christ always demands the truth of God’s plan for humanity. While the Church continues to prefer and encourage the presence of the body at the funeral Mass and the bodily burial of our loved ones, she also affirms that cremation does not destroy the Church’s unwavering belief in the resurrection of the dead. When cremation before the funeral Mass is necessary, the Church desires to support the family and friends of the deceased by offering the faith-filled prayer of hope that those who die in Christ continue to live in Him. “One day we shall joyfully greet them again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself” (Prayer of Final Commendation, OCF).

Father Brian Moen and Cherylynn Fausel co-authored this article.

Cremation statistics

Cremation has become more common in the United States. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) released the 2005 statistics in August and states that, out of approximately 2,432,000 deaths in the U.S., there were 784,962 cremations (32.28 percent.) Currently North Dakota ranks second to last for the number of cremations performed in the U.S. with 1,209 cremations performed out of 6,143 deaths in 2005. South Dakota is ranked last. By the year 2010, CANA predicts the U.S. cremation percentage will rise to 39 percent.

The number of cremations is increasing for three primary reasons, according to CANA. First, it costs less. Second, it saves land, as there is a growing shortage of burial spaces in some sections of the country. Third, it is simpler, in our mobile society where many people move often, especially the elderly who winter in warmer climates, to transport cremated remains than the body.

Columns

The Intercession of a Saint
Joyce Riske

This September, my husband, John, was diagnosed with two large kidney stones in his left kidney:  one at 1 5/8 inch and one at 7/8 inch. For years, we had been told he had one large stone the size of a quarter in his left kidney and many smaller ones in his right kidney. The doctor said the stone wasn’t moving and to leave it alone. This year, a new doctor said John needed immediate surgery because a stone that large was a “kidney killer.” 

John had suffered for years with intense lower back pain. His discography said he had seven ruptured disks. The most severe pain was by one of his few good disks. It wasn’t until we were scheduled for kidney stone surgery that we considered the possibility of the severe back pain being connected to the large kidney stone. 

One night before surgery, I told John that we should ask Pope John Paul II to intercede for us, to pray that the kidney stone surgery would be successful and that the back pain would go away. He said, “I’m not asking a dead person to pray for me.” 

“That’s the beauty of it,” I said, “He’s not dead.” I placed my hand on John’s back over the kidney and asked John Paul to pray for us and take our prayers to the throne of the Father. John said, “Amen.” 

The surgery lasted almost four hours. At the third hour, I was moved to pray for John’s doctor. Thinking I was to pray for the surgery itself, I prayed that the kidney stones would be easily removed. In my mind’s eye, I saw the smaller stone explode into pieces and “poof” away. Knowing that was wishful thinking, I prayed for the doctor:  for skill, strength and endurance. 

When the doctor called, he said the surgery had gone well. The bigger stone was the size of a small chicken egg. The second stone was actually a cluster of gravel that was easily washed away. Later on, the doctor said the length of the surgery had worn him down, especially standing so long on his feet. I marveled at our good Lord, who reminded me to pray for the doctor during surgery. 

After several days of recovery, John said that his severe lower back pain was gone. He said, “I hope to God it’s gone for good.” I said, “I hope so too; it’s what we prayed for.” I thought of seeing the second stone poof away and hearing the doctor say it had easily washed away. I thought of our prayers to John Paul II and wondered how much John Paul’s intercession had played a part in John’s successful surgery, his being stone-free for the first time in almost 20 years, and the absence of severe back pain. 

At that moment, I looked up at the white board by John’s bed where the patient and nurse’s names were listed for each shift. The two names listed? John Paul 

Thank you, John Paul II. John Paul II, pray for us. 

Joyce and John Riske are members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Reynolds.

Love of God put into action
Colleen Samson

“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

This bible verse has been the theme of the 40 Days for Life campaign nationwide and specifically in North Dakota. We, as committee members of 40 Days for Life North Dakota, have been greatly humbled by what God has done, is doing and will continue to do in our land.

When we began to plan for this campaign, little did we know what would ensue. We were told that in previous campaigns throughout the United States: babies were saved, people’s hearts were transformed, new people were added to the pro-life ranks, post-abortive men and women received healing, workers in the abortion industry walked away from their jobs, and public awareness regarding the truth of abortion was revealed.

In North Dakota babies have been saved, educational public outreach from youth groups of various denominations was accomplished, and individuals and groups mobilized for prayerful and peaceful vigil outside the state’s only abortion facility. We have seen the faithfulness of God through the faithfulness of His people, the Body of Christ. We have seen perseverance, sacrifice, courage, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, self-control and fortitude of God poured out for 40 days and 40 nights beginning Sept. 26 and continuing through Nov. 4. We have seen the love of our God, put into action on the streets of Fargo, in our churches and in our homes across the entire state of North Dakota. David Bereit, the national director of the 40 Days for Life campaign, also blessed us with his surprise visit to Fargo.

We want to thank you, dear people, for coming forth to be the light of Christ in the darkness. Thank you for your many hours of sacrificial love and public witness for our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your faith in action has blessed all of us beyond measure. David Bereit was right, when one partakes in such an intense endeavor, we will never be the same!

We are deeply humbled by the statement made 25 years ago when Penny Lea from Pensacola, Fla., led us in Jericho marches around the three abortion facilities and proclaimed, “God has called you, North Dakota, to be the first abortion-free state in the nation.” What a privilege to partake in the beginning of the end of abortion in our state. I believe that God has truly heard the prayers of His people. I believe His people, who have been called by His name, have humbled themselves, prayed, fasted and sought His face. Now we trust that God will ‘hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land’.

Samson, from Park River, is chairperson of the 40 Days for Life North Dakota Committee. For more information about the North Dakota effort and plans for continued prayer, visit 40daysforlifend.com or call the Pregnancy Help Center in Park River at (701) 284-6601.

Using your IRA for charitable giving by year end is a wise decision

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7). 

Did you hear the great news? Truly this is an opportunity “knocking at the door.” If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and you are 70 ½ years of age or older you have a charitable opportunity of a lifetime! This is due to the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA2006). This law allows those 70 ½ or older to make a direct transfer to a charity up to $100,000 in one year. This law is in effect for 2006 and 2007 and is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2007. 

Under the law you can make a lifetime gift using IRA funds without tax implications. In other words, donors don’t get a tax deduction for the gift and they are not required to report the IRA withdrawal as income, resulting in a zero tax effect. 

Previously you would have had to report the IRA withdrawal(s) as taxable income, and then take a charitable deduction for the gift, but could only deduct up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. In some cases people have actually paid more income taxes on their IRA gains than if they didn’t make a gift at all. So, using your IRA for gifting is a prudent business and charitable decision. 

Here are some additional facts and benefits: 

1. To qualify, charitable gifts must be made from a traditional or Roth IRA. (Funds accumulated in a 401K, 403B plan or other types of retirement accounts do not qualify.)
2. While you are alive you have control of the IRA and can observe the benefits of your generosity.
3. To maximize the full benefit of this 2006 and 2007 law you must complete the transfer prior to December 31 of each year. Again, you must be 70 ½ years of age or older at the time the gift is made to take advantage of this gifting opportunity.

Let’s look at a couple of examples:  

Example 1:

Henry is 73. He has a taxable estate. Upon his death, it is estimated that his income and estate taxes may deplete most of his IRA. Henry has decided to make a $100,000 tax-free transfer in 2007. This allows Henry to take full advantage of the tax law plus make special gifts to the charities of his choice while he is still alive. Henry decides to split the gift equally between his Catholic parish, a pro-life cause and a local organization that supports the hungry and homeless.

Example 2:

Art and Harriet, 81 and 79, have been retired for nearly 20 years. They were blessed with prudent investments and rewarding employment for many years. They have lived modestly and have various sources of retirement income (savings, pensions, Social Security, annuities, rental income) including IRAs.  Their retirement income is significantly higher than their current needs and they’d like to leave a legacy to the Catholic Church.

The law requires that they take minimum annual IRA distributions, which are fully reportable as part of their adjusted gross income and could adversely affect their taxation level. Art and Harriet have met with their tax advisor. The advisor suggests that they take advantage of the PPA2006 Law by making charitable gifts with their IRA distributions. Their PPA2006 IRA charitable contribution would be tax free because it’s not reported as income. Art and Harriet each plan to make a $30,000 charitable contribution to their parish or Catholic Development Foundation. 

These are just two examples. There are many other scenarios. As with any charitable gift, we advise you to contact your professional tax advisor to take maximum advantage of charitable giving opportunities. Also, contact your IRA custodian if you are considering a gift under the PPA2006 law. Remember it must be a direct transfer. I can assist you with the details of a direct transfer. 

For further information please feel free to contact me at (701) 356-7926. As your Director of Stewardship and Development, I’m here to serve you and make your charitable giving “legacies” become reality.

As Frederick Faber stated, “There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God.”

May God continue to richly bless you.  

Let’s Hear It for………………
Paul Leier

 “ Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble” (1 Peter 3:8) .

Throughout the past few months I have heard and seen some heartwarming “stewardship in action” stories. I continue to meet wonderful Catholics throughout the Diocese who are humbly giving their time, talent and treasure to make their parishes a bit more like heaven on earth. The following are stewardship-in-action stories:

LET’S HEAR IT FOR Vince Bachmeier of Casselton. Vince is a fine gentleman. He and his lovely wife, Bea, moved to Casselton in 1966. They are natives of Rugby. Vince was a banker in Casselton nearly 30 years before retiring from banking. He received the 2007 Community Service Award from the Casselton Business Association.

Vince is very deserving of the award. He has served on numerous community boards. He assists the elderly with managing their finances. He helps organizations raise funds that provide scholarships for local students and help to preserve the local heritage center. And, Vince spends numerous hours each week doing handyman and maintenance work at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Casselton. Let’s hear it for Vince Bachmeier!

LET”S HEAR IT FOR a dear friend of mine who recently passed away. My friend stopped to help a man who was living in a box under a bridge. Many others had driven by this same box - daily - knowing someone lived in the box. One day my dear friend stopped to help the homeless man. He and his family took the man in, gave him a place to call his own, fed him and employed him for several years.

I didn’t know my friend had done this loving act until I attended his funeral services. He had done this many years ago when he was younger. His family member told us the story at his wake service and funeral. Isn’t it so true that we really don’t know how deeply someone has touched others until they have passed to eternal life? Let’s hear it for this fine man!

LET”S HEAR IT FOR the youth group of St. Charles Borromeo’s Catholic Church in Oakes. On the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 3, I was in Oakes to meet with clients. While I was at the church I noticed many youth at the church’s community center. Shortly thereafter one of the youth directors informed me that over 40 parish youth group participants were going out into the Oakes community to collect food for the Oakes Food Pantry.

As I watched the youth depart for their assigned collection routes it was apparent that they were excited and engaged, knowing they were doing a great deed. They knew they were making this world a better place. They were having fun doing it. Was this a noble stewardship act? Absolutely! The youth yearned to give of their time. The donors generously wanted to help their community. The youth group witnessed the beauty of a community pulling together to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Everyone - donors and recipients – are all winners in this gracious stewardship act. Let’s hear it for St. Charles Borromeo’s Youth Group, the youth leaders, Father Matthew Pamplaniyil, and the entire Oakes community! It is a beautiful community!

All of these wonderful acts of stewardship are truly building the kingdom of God. I know there are many other stories to be told. I’d love to share one of your stewardship stories with all the people in the Diocese of Fargo. Give me a call and together we can spread the “Good News”.

Thank you for all of your contributions of time, talents and treasure that are making your parishes and the Diocese of Fargo vibrant.    

“Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).

Leier is director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Fargo. He can be reached at (701) 356-7926 or paul.leier@fargodiocese.org.

Like St. Augustine, Catholic conferences address issues of church and state
Christopher Dodson 

Do state Catholic conferences have their roots in the work of Saint Augustine? Maybe not directly, but many parallels exist between the actions of the fourth century convert, bishop, and Doctor of the Church, and today's state Catholic conferences. 

As the Christian Church grew in both numbers and acceptance in the Roman Empire, questions arose concerning the relationship between the church and the state. Church leaders, with persecutions a still-recent memory, sometimes hesitated to publicly challenge affairs of state. Imperial leaders, meanwhile, went so far as to openly question whether the teachings of Christ were compatible with the realities of government. 

Saint Augustine, however, saw it as his obligation as a bishop to challenge injustices carried out by the government. Most scholars agree that Augustine did not consider such actions as engaging in politics. Rather, he viewed them simply as a response to the Gospel. To him, society should be just and Christ was the truly Just Man. 

For example, Augustine hated the slave trade and spoke against government policies that allowed slave traders to capture and enslave farmers. He actively intervened for the right of asylum and decried efforts to dehumanize enemies through rhetorical devices. Even enemies, he reminded others, are children of God. 

Some of the injustices Augustine took on are still with us today. He frequently appealed to government officials to grant mercy and justice to the poor. He even called upon the emperor to appoint a defender of the poor in judicial and administrative matters. He called for penal reform and, like today's bishops, he called on government officials to refrain from using capital punishment and torture. 

Also like today's bishops, Augustine received criticism from those who thought religion, and particularly clergy, should stay out of matters of state. Augustine, however, saw no choice in the matter. To him, such involvement was part of what it meant to be a bishop and a Christian. 

It is not, however, just Augustine's “political activism” that gives rise to the comparisons to state Catholic conferences. Saint Augustine often pursued these in collaboration with his fellow bishops from North Africa. Indeed, some church historians consider these councils of African bishops involving Augustine as the precursors to today's regional episcopal conferences. 

Today's bishop conferences, like the councils of North Africa, provide a way for bishops to work collaboratively, including in matters of public policy. The federal system of government in the United States gives states significant decision-making authority. This makes state bishop conferences uniquely suited to address public policy issues. This fact might explain why all but two of the states with more than one diocese have a state Catholic conference.  

The similarities between Augustine's work and today's state Catholic conferences gets even more interesting. At one of their councils, the North African bishops agreed to send representatives to Rome to petition officials on behalf of the church and the poor. The representatives were probably laymen. I like to think of these representatives as the first state Catholic conference directors. We do not know who they were, but if they are in Heaven with Saint Augustine, maybe they are praying for today's bishops and today's state Catholic conference directors. 

Dodson is executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. The NDCC Web site is at ndcatholic.org.

NEWS briefs

Events Across the Diocese

Nov. 17: The Sisters of St. Francis are hosting four related retreat days entitled Getting in Touch With God: Praying and Living the Psalms beginning Nov. 17 and ending May 3. The first of the four, Introduction and Overview of the Psalms, begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Holy Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation are offered at each retreat. Space is limited, register early. Deadline to register is the Wednesday before. Contact: Sister Mary Lousie Jundt or Sister Susan Marie Loeffen at 701-242-7195, or email smloe@rrt.net to register or for more information. An offering of $25 per retreat is suggested which includes all supplies and dinner with the Sisters. Note that you may attend any or all four retreats.

Nov. 17-18: The Life of a Presentation Sister is a retreat for single women, 18 years and older, to explore what it means to be a sister. Sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation, Fargo, the retreat begins Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. and ends Sunday, Nov. 18 around 12:30 or 1 p.m. at Presentation Center, 1101 32nd Ave S, Fargo. Included are opportunities for prayer, reflection, Eucharist with the Sisters, and sharing with other women. For more information, contact Sr. Shawna Foley or Sr. Andrea Arendt at 701-235-8246.

Nov. 23: The Sisters of Mary of the Presentation are sponsoring a Holly House Bazaar on Friday, November 23 at Maryvale Convent, 11550 River Road, Valley City (three miles northwest of Valley City.)  The Bazaar hours are from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. A lasagna and garlic toast luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Items available at the Bazaar include: Christmas decorations, cross stitch art, ornaments, baby gifts, afghans, knitted and crocheted items, raffle items, treasure chest shop, baked and canned goods, candy and attic treasures. Proceeds of the Holly House Bazaar will benefit the Sisters' Retirement Fund.

Nov. 30 – Dec. 2: Marriage Encounter weekend in Carrington. Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together, whether they have been married for only a short time, or for many years. The weekend starts at 8 p.m. on Friday and runs until about 5 p.m. on Sunday. Meals are provided. A non-refundable registration fee of $40 is required to confirm your reservation. There is limited capacity, so early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call Mark and Mary Jantzer at 1-800-795-5683 or email jantzer@ndak.net; or visit the Web site at http://www.ndwwme.org/index2.htm.

Dec. 6: The Fargo Diocese Division of the World Apostolate of Fatima (formerly the Blue Army) will meet at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall of St. Mary's Cathedral, 604 Broadway, Fargo. The meeting is open to everyone. WAF meets the first Thursday of every month. For more information call Father Paul Ruge at (701) 766-4151 or Cheryl Fausel at (701) 730-0249.

Dec. 7-9: Ignation Retreat at Maryvale in Valley City. This retreat during Advent is based on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and is a silent retreat experience. Along with the silent times, conferences and individual direction with a retreat director are included. The retreat begins on Friday at 7 p.m. and concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. Please register at least two days ahead of the beginning date. Suggested donation is $60. For more information contact Sister Dorothy Bunce, (701) 845-2864 or email at dorothy.bunce@fargodiocese.org.

Dec. 8-9: St. Mary’s Cathedral, 604 Broadway, Fargo, will host their annual Traditions of Christmas celebration with booths featuring quilts, baked goods, jewelry, religious items, Christmas crafts, children's raffle, Pik-a Package and a silent auction featuring Christmas baskets. Saturday night there will be entertainment by the “Three Pod-Rays”. Sunday there will be an Angel's Workshop for children, St. Nicholas will visit and the Angel Choir will sing. Good food on both days: Italian cuisine, homemade salads and desserts on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; cost is: adults $7, children six to 12 $4, children under six eat free.

January 11-13: Search for Christian Maturity weekend. Search is a peer to peer ministry, youth ministering to youth, for those who are single and age 16 and older. Hosted at Maryvale Convent, 11550 River Road, Valley City, the weekend helps participants grow in their faith and in their relationship with Christ. The cost for team members is $30. For the new Searcher, the fee is $50. Application deadline is December 15. For more information, contact Colleen or Tom Musgrave at (701) 845-5358 or tnc@daktelwb.com.

Feb. 10-12: Dr. Ray Guarendi will be speaking in the Grand Forks area during a shared Lenten Parish Mission. He will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, East Grand Forks, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., and present “Back to the Family”; he will be at Holy Family Parish, 1018 18^th Ave. S., Grand Forks, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., presenting “You’re a Better Parent Than You Think”; he will be at St. Michael’s, 520 6^th St. N., Grand Forks, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., talking on “Why be Catholic”. Each session is open to all; a free will offering will be taken. Dr. Guarendi is a clinical psychologist specializing in families, parenting and children. He has authored five books relating to his specialty, and is a radio talk-show host. Listen to him live on Real Presence Radio, KWTL AM 1370 at noon Tuesday through Thursday, and check out his website at www.drray.com. For more information, contact Sue at St. Michael’s, (701) 772-2624. 

To submit events for New Earth and the diocesan Web site, mail them to New Earth, 5201 Bishops Blvd., Suite A, Fargo, ND 58104-7605 or e-mail cheryl.fausel@fargodiocese.org. The December 2007 New Earth arrives in readers’ homes on or about December 15th. The deadline to submit information is November 27th.

Bishop Samuel Aquila encourages faithful to see the film Bella

"If you see only one film this year, see Bella.  Bella communicates the dignity of human life, life unseen by the movie audience and ignored by much of our society today – the life of the unborn child,” Bishop Samuel Aquila recently in an endorsement of the pro-life film.