"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth."
Revelation 21:1

Serving Catholic parishes as the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fargo

Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, Publisher
Tanya Watterud, Editor

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July/August 2010 New Earth Local News

God calls us to particular vocations, participation to ensure just society
Bishop Samuel Aquila

I hope that the months of June and July have been blessed for you and that you have been able to enjoy time with your family and friends. In my column for this issue of New Earth, I want to highlight three particular items.

The first is the prayer calendars on pages 12 and 13. This past June the Year for Priests was concluded. Pope Benedict in his homily at the closing Mass stated: “Together with the whole Church we wanted to make clear once again that we have to ask God for this vocation. We have to beg for workers for God’s harvest and this petition to God is, at the same time, his own way of knocking on the hearts of young people who consider themselves able to do what God considers them able to do.” 

Throughout the year the Church of Fargo prayed for their priests, seminarians, previous bishops and me. The blessings were great! I was edified to see the calendar posted on the refrigerators or bulletin boards in the homes of so many of the faithful, in the breviaries of priests and seminarians, and in the sacristies of many parishes. Many who shared in this intercessory prayer grew in faith and trust in God, who bestows vocations upon the Church.

Other stories in this New Earth

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Diocese of Fargo donates more than $275,000 to Haiti relief

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Official Appointments

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Marian Eucharistic Congress set for Oct. 1-3

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St. John's to host open houses and dedication

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Father Schneider joins fun at Hoffarth family reunion

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Father Didier Memorial Mass on Labor Day

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See Father Corapi with Real Presence Radio

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Friends of the Poor walk puts shoes on feet of area kids

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Resource officer for Fargo Catholic Schools Network is honored

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Catholic Charities ND board elects chair, adds two board members

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Missionaries to Peru gain much by giving to others

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Bishop Aquila blesses statue of the cross of Christ at Holy Cross Cemetery South

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Invite others to join Real Presence Radio and share their story

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Diocese blessed with view of Mother Theresa relics

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Where your treasure is, there will your heart be

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We have a P.L.A.N. to help with your retirement and giving

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Comprehensive immigration reform is needed on a national level

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Heirloom quilt auction raises $3000 for pregnancy, parenting, adoption services

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FirstChoice Clinic "Life Walk' expands to three sites in North Dakota

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Scholarship fund donations assist seminarians and priests

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Take time to consider what is it that God wants from you this fall

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Students from Langdon, Park River and Minto take 'trip of a lifetime'

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St. Charles Catholic youth attend Steubenville conference

I have asked that the calendar continue in New Earth and be posted on our Web site. You will notice that the intercessory prayer for vocations is expanded to include specific prayer days for deacons, religious orders and the married and single life. The Father has a definite vocation for every human being. In faith we recognize the vocation to which we are called is bestowed by God and it helps us to become the person he desires us to be. I encourage you to continue to go before the Father, “the harvest master,” each day and beg for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Please pray too that those with vocations to the married or single life be strong witnesses of Christ’s love for the world.  Click here to see Prayer Calendars.

Second, the last couple of months have seen much discussion on the matter of immigration because of the passage of the Arizona law. The bishops of the United States have long called for immigration laws that are just, grounded in Scripture and in the social teaching of the Church. While there are various approaches to handling current challenges with immigration, basic moral principles must be followed by Christians.

Christopher Dodson, executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference, has an excellent article on immigration, concerns with the Arizona law, and most importantly the fundamental principles for building a just law on immigration as outlined by the teaching of the Church. (Click here for Dodson column). On the matter of immigration we must always keep the Gospel before our eyes, the virtue of charity, and especially the words of Jesus, “as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25: 40). I encourage you to read the article and especially reflect upon the basic principles.

Finally, I came across an article by Father Tad Pacholczyk titled “Imposing our Beliefs on Others.” The article is excellent in light of all of the “hot button” issues that our society is facing today, such as abortion, same sex unions, embryonic stem cell research, immigration, health care and others. I believe it provides valuable insight for Catholic legislators and all of us who participate in the political process. I encourage you to read the article and let it speak to your heart and mind. It is my prayer that it will help you to see the relationship between reason and faith and how the two, together, can help us form laws that are “reasonable, just, and good for society and its members.” Click here to read Pacholczyk article.

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