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Inside WeST RIVeR Getting the Nation Back on Track, page 2 Advent Reconciliation, page 3 Handling Ashes Following Cremation, page 5 Priority Plan Moves Forward, pages 12-13 Diocesan Necrology, pages 16-17 Informing Catholics in Western South Dakota since May 1973 Oglala Centennial, page 21 Diocese of Rapid City Volume 45 Number 7 www.rapidcitydiocese.org CNovemberatholic 2016 South Dakota “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thes 5:16-19). Though there are many challenges in our his countless blessings and pray for a new world to face, we can be assured the Lord is outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. with us in every moment. This is the greatest Know that my Thanksgiving Mass will of blessings. The celebration of Thanksgiving be offered for you and your intentions. As reminds us of the importance to stop and we give the Lord thanks, may he continue reflect upon our many blessings, the great to bless you abundantly this day and abundance around us and the One who always. Wishing you peace and joy in provides it all. On this Thanksgiving Day, we Christ. turn to the Lord in prayer and gratitude for + Bishop Robert Gruss Coming together as faithful citizens for the common good representatives, would do well to to working with President-elect ment to domestic religious liberty, ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH E. KURTZ remember the words of Pope Trump to protect human life from ensuring people of faith remain PRESIDENT, USCCB Francis when he addressed the its most vulnerable beginning to free to proclaim and shape our WASHINGTON — The United States Congress last year, its natural end. We will advocate lives around the truth about man American people have made their “all political activity must serve for policies that offer opportuni- and woman, and the unique bond decision on the next President of and promote the good of the ties to all people, of all faiths, in all of marriage that they can form. the United States, members of human person walks of Every election brings a new be- Congress as well as state and local and be based on ‘Let us pray for leaders in life. We ginning. Some may wonder officials. I congratulate President- respect for his or public life that they may rise to the are firm in whether the country can reconcile, elect Donald Trump and everyone her dignity.” responsibilities entrusted to them our re- work together and fulfill the elected. Now is the moment to On Novem- with grace and courage.’ solve that promise of a more perfect union. move toward the responsibility of ber 7, millions of Americans who our brothers and sisters who are Through the hope Christ offers, I Mailing Label Mailing governing for the common good are struggling to find economic migrants and refugees can be hu- believe God will give us the of all citizens. Let us not see each opportunity for their families manely welcomed without sacri- strength to heal and unite. other in the divisive light of De- voted to be heard. Our response ficing our security. We will call Let us pray for leaders in public mocrat or Republican or any other should be simple: we hear you. attention to the violent persecu- life that they may rise to the re- political party, but rather, let us see The responsibility to help tion threatening our fellow Chris- sponsibilities entrusted to them the face of Christ in our neigh- strengthen families belongs to tians and people of other faiths with grace and courage. And may bors, especially the suffering or each of us. around the world, especially in the all of us as Catholics help each those with whom we may dis- The United States Conference Middle East. And we will look for other be faithful and joyful wit- agree. of Catholic Bishops looks forward the new administration’s commit- nesses to the healing love of Jesus. We, as citizens and our elected 2 WRC How do we get theNo nation Greater Love back on the right track?November 2016 By the time most of to live as Jesus’ disciples and become the you will have read this, people whom God created us to be, our true the Jubilee Year of authentic selves. This call leads to seeking Mercy will have come our personal vocation and mission in and to an end and the 2016 for the world. We can’t transform the cul- Presidential Election ture if we’ve accepted the secular world’s will be over. Now Bishop distorted world view. Unless we receive and what? Where do we go Robert Gruss accept all that has been given us through from here? What is the church, we cannot be powerful wit- next? nesses in the world. There is no doctrine re- Diocese of What a wonderful Rapid City vealed that is not part of the Gospel Jubilee of Mercy it has message. We have a duty to live it all and been. I recall the words share it. of Pope Francis when Many Catholics received religious for- he first informed the world of the Year of mation in years past but have gone no fur- Mercy: “It is indeed my wish that the Ju- ther in the faith formation process and bilee be a living experience of the closeness brace our true identity. the Biblical world view — the world seen therefore have an elementary understanding of the Father, whose tenderness is almost As I write this monthly column the through the lens of divine revelation, the and knowledge of the Catholic faith. This is tangible, so that the faith of every believer presidential election is pending and I find divine and living Word of God. why Forming Disciples is our second pas- may be strengthened and thus testimony to myself still quite concerned about our Many people today have a world view toral priority. As written in the Diocesan be ever more effective.” It is my hope and country regardless of which candidate wins. that is informed by things other than our Pastoral Priority Plan: “We are called to a prayer that the Holy Father’s wish has be- The threats to human life and religious lib- Catholic faith, i.e. by secularism, by a cul- deep union with Christ — a relationship of come a reality all across the world. It is the erty remain, here and around the world. The ture that is profoundly un-Christian and love. We will work together for formation experience of mercy, both received and threats to traditional marriage and family becoming even anti-Christian. Intention- in the human, spiritual, intellectual and pas- given away, that will bring true peace and values are on the rise. The number of people ally or unintentionally, many Catholics have toral areas. This formation will empower us harmony. So where do we go from here as living in poverty remains. Immigration is- rejected the world view given to us by to grow as faithful stewards of God’s gifts, the Jubilee of Mercy ends? sues, healthcare issues, the national debt God’s revelation. living a Catholic way of life through hospi- This Jubilee has raised awareness for us issue all remain. The threat of violence from Catholics make up the largest Christian tality, faith and discipleship.” of mercy being at the heart of the church’s terrorism remains. The rise of secularism denomination in the world. Therefore, one According to the Priority Plan, renewed mission. Proclaiming and living the mercy continues. A new face in the White House would think that Catholics in numbers efforts in religious formation for all ages lay of God is at the heart of the church’s iden- doesn’t change these realities. could have a profound impact in helping to a firm foundation for Catholics to grow in tity and where she is most credible and au- So where do we go from here? Recent shape and transform our culture. There their union with Christ, to obtain adequate thentic. Therefore, though the official polls show that more than 70 percent of the would be great power to change the world knowledge of the Catholic world view and Jubilee of Mercy has ended, the clarion call people surveyed believe our nation is on the if Catholics wholeheartedly embraced the to develop the necessary skills to be able to to continue the works of mercy continues wrong track. How do we get the nation revelation given us by Christ in his church. carry on the work of Christ in the world, because it is at the heart of Catholic iden- back on the right track? What is the right Dr. Ralph Martin in a talk entitled “The each in one’s own way. tity. This is the reason why both mercy and track? There are probably as many different Attack on Religious Liberty and the Pope Francis in the “Joy of the Gospel” solidarity were specifically included as core answers as the number of people polled. I Catholic Church: The Spiritual Dynamics wrote: “To believe that the Holy Spirit is at values in the Diocesan Priority Plan. We would propose that the right track is a and Our Role” quoted noted scripture work in everyone means realizing that he will always be called to “be merciful, just as our Catholic world view. What is it? scholar Father Francis Martin: “The root seeks to penetrate every human situation (Lk 6:36). As I wrote in Father is merciful” The world view when this country was sin of the world is the refusal to believe in and all social bonds: ‘The Holy Spirit can ,’ “To Through Him, With Him, and In Him founded was from Judeo-Christian values Jesus and the place he holds next to the Fa- be said to possess an infinite creativity, be in solidarity with others is to see them brought from a Christian Europe.