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Perit inci et, vel utpatum san- dio commy nit lore digna con eugueri urerosThe essi ea facil delismodiat, vel et augait Roman ut Catholic wismod mod eliscilismod tion velis eugait augiat.Diocese Ut lut erae- of Helena NEWSLETTER strud mod molorercing ea con- sendre estrud. October, 2017 In This Issue We are also learning of The Dreamers encouraging developments In 1899, poet William Butler Yeats wrote a power- taking place behind closed Bishop Thomas’ Column ful and plaintive poem that helps to capture an doors. Early reports urgent challenge that we are now facing as a na- tion. “But I, being poor,” he wrote, “have only my New Principal at St. Jo- dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet. say that the President seph in Missoula Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” is open to resolving the DACA crisis without Bp. George Leo Thomas tethering a resolution to the 10th Bishop of the September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Ses- Diocese of Helena Women Religious sions announced the end of the Deferred Action deal-breaking building of a border wall. Jubilarians for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the signature immigration program of President Barack Obama. DACA allowed undocumented young adults, called If we take our President at face value, then we must Speakers Coming to Dreamers, to emerge from the shadows, seek shift our attention to members of Congress and ask temporary employment authorization and a reprieve them to seize the moment. Carroll College from the ever-present fear of deportation. What can you do? With the stroke of a pen, some 787,580 young New Catholic Cemeteries adults who came to the United States as the I strongly urge our people to ask Congress to work Approach infants and children of undocumented immigrants with the Administration in creating a permanent were plunged into a maelstrom of fear and legal and compassionate legislative solution to the uncertainty. These people are contributors to our DACA crisis. Diocese Pastoral Council economy, veterans of our military, academic stand- As people of faith, we say to the DACA youth – Member Perspectives outs in our universities, and leaders in our churches and communities. regardless of your immigration status – you are children of God and welcome in the Catholic Junior High Rally Coming The United States Conference of Bishops had Church. We support you, pray for you, and will hoped for a different path to address the legal vaga- walk with you as your advocate and friend in your to Helena Nov. 4 ries associated with the DACA program. time of need. You are not alone. In July, the Bishops’ Conference urged Congress to Finally, we prayerfully reflect on the challenge St. Francis Xavier Parish continue administering the DACA program while issued by Pope Francis during his 2015 address Celebrates 125th working in an expeditious and bipartisan manner to the U.S. Congress: “Let us treat others with the to find a compassionate and permanent legislative same passion and compassion with which we want solution for DACA youth. to be treated. Let us seek for others the same pos- FDOH Funds Bible Study sibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help Upon learning that President Trump had rescinded others to grow, as we would like to be helped our- DACA with termination of the program after six selves. In a word, if we want security, let us give Montana Catholic months, the usually restrained USCCB called his security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want decision “reprehensible.” opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The Schools’ Teacher Days yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick At least 20 State Attorneys General filed lawsuits which time will use for us.” Nurturing Vocations challenging the President’s decision. In a word, I appeal to our Catholic community to On the bright side, President Trump is on record open your hearts to the young Dreamer now living Centennial for St. Ann as having said, “We will resolve the DACA issue in fear. Parish in Butte with heart and compassion – but through the lawful Democratic process – while at the same time ensur- Congress holds the key to their future. ing that any immigration reform we adopt provides enduring benefits for the American citizens we Please do not tread on their dreams. Until Congress Next Issue acts, dreams are all they have. December 2017 were elected to serve.” Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, P.O. Box 1729 Helena, MT 59624 Phone: (406) 442-5820 Fax: (406) 442- 5191 Website: www.diocesehelena.org 5th, Nov. 9th and Feb. 1st. from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Hogan spent time between the three locations and Vierra-McGill New Principal retired for health reasons in 2008. She lives in Helena Along with open house gatherings McGill cited the with her biological sister, Sr. Donna Lynn Casey, SCL. St. Joseph’s School Companion Program that aids in tuition costs for fam- ilies as a help for enrollment. She said, “Over 50% of Sr. Gretchen Wagner, CSJ, entered the Congrega- Dan Bartleson families get some form of tuition assistance through tion of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1977. “It all began Christina Vierra-Mcgill began July 1st as principal at the work of the (Loyola Sacred Heart) foundation. at a pool table,” Sr. Wag- St. Joseph Elementary and Middle School in Missoula. It’s where our priorities should be. When I attended ner joked, “he asked me Her 29 years in education include 11 as an adminis- Catholic School, parishes helped my mom with tu- if I would marry him and trator, most recently as Principal at Assumption St. ition. It’s nice to be part of a system with that same I said no, I’m going in the Bridget Elementary (K-8) in Seattle, Wash. Prior to priority. By marketing the Companions Program we’ll convent.” Originally from that as teacher and then Principal at Madeleine Choir help squash the myth that it’s too expensive.” Green Bay, Wis., Sr. Wag- ner holds Master’s De- School (K-8) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her oldest Malorie, a Gonzaga graduate, attends the grees in Secondary Edu- University of Washington School of Law while young- Christina, and husband David, already had hopes to cation Administration Sr. Gretchen Wagner, CSJ est, Abbie, is at St. Mary’s College of California. A move to Montana when she saw the position open- from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Min. and in Pas- product of, advocate for, and catalyst within Catholic ing in June. Their ties to Big Sky Country include toral Studies from the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Education, she contends, “Catholic school is the best David’s parents hailing from Havre and Chinook and Mo. Like the other Jubilarians, she began as a teacher, investment we ever made.” their son, Elliott, play- teaching Music and Religion. She also worked as a ing Football at Carroll high school, and then grade school principal in Mis- College before starting Women Religious Celebrate souri. Sr. Wagner transitioned to assisted living and at Alexander Blewett nursing care with 14 years at Nazareth Living Center. III School of Law at the Jubilarians University of Montana. Following her time there she began looking for a new The opening at St. Jo- Dan Bartleson assignment and settled on St. Margaret Parish in Cut seph prompted David Bank. Her work as pastoral assistant at St. Margaret to inquire and find Women Religious in the diocese gathered with Bish- continues with responsibility to St. William Parish in work locally even be- op Thomas in the Brondel Center at the Cathedral of Shelby, St. Francis in Valier and St. Thomas Aquinas Christina Vierra McGill fore Christina was hired St. Helena on Sept. 11. After a luncheon and Midday Mission in Sunburst. Her duties run the gamut from as Principal. “We knew Prayer, the group took time to honor Jubilarians, or RCIA and Religious Formation to Bible Studies and we wanted to move to Montana for the past 5 years Sisters celebrating over 25 years of religious life and sharing groups. Sr. Wagner travels an average 26,000 and when I saw the job opening in the one Catholic service. Celebrating 60 years are Sr. Mary Agnes Ho- miles each year between locations and enjoys each School (in Missoula), I went for it,” she said. “It wasn’t gan, SCL, and Sr. Dorothy Jean (DD) Casey, SCL, while community. “What I love about them is that each par- really our time table, but we’re definitely excited.” Sr. Gretchen Wagner, CSJ, celebrates 40. ish is so different, I love the rural areas.” She takes op- Transitioning from Seattle to Missoula for her is a Originally from Anaconda, portunities to enjoy fishing and photography when welcome change. “We have some acreage and some Sr. Mary Agnes Hogan, she can, and is enjoying her work, “I just love the dio- animals. We’re embracing it. We love the outdoors SCL, began teaching el- cese, and we have the best Bishop. The people are and the pace is healthier for us, we call it a quality of ementary school in 1959 in lucky to have him.” life move.” Chicago immediately after The Sisters also took time to say a grateful farewell to Of St. Joseph School, she said, “We are blessed to college. Work in education the following Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth who be part of such a rich legacy, celebrating 144 years took her to Oklahoma and are returning to the Mother House in Kansas: Sr. Ma- Kansas before she transi- rie Michael Mollis, Sr.