Celebrating 50 years of education in San Lucas In May, the mission in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala celebrated the 50th anniversary of Colegio Monseñor Gregorio Schaffer, the mission elementary school. Founded by Msgr. Greg Schaffer and a group of School Sisters of Notre Dame, it was the first school in the San Lucas area that made education a viable option for the local Maya children.

(Read more about the school’s anniversary on page 8) Minnesota’s Most Rural Diocese Diocese of New Ulm Vol. 32 No. 7 June 2018 Humanae Vitae articulates the Church’s teaching about human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood by Sr. Candace Fier Human Life) on July 25, 2018. contraception on the Church and This papal document focuses on society: lowered moral standards On July 25, 1968, Pope Paul God’s plan for married love and in society would result in an VI shocked the world when the transmission of human life. increase in marital infidelity; loss he defied the assumption of of respect for women reducing many that he would change “Dissent” quickly became a them to a mere instrument for the the Church’s teaching on buzzword associated with the satisfaction of another’s desires; contraception. Instead, his encyclical’s teachings and the very governments claiming the right encyclical re-affirmed the public nature of this dissent made to impose contraceptive methods/ Church’s traditional teaching this a historical moment for the technologies on everyone, and regarding family planning and Church. At the same time, Pope that human beings would claim responsible parenthood. “[T]here Paul VI’s invitation for assent unlimited dominion over their is an unbreakable connection by “all men and women of good own bodies. between the unitive meaning will” contained in the encyclical and the procreative meaning awakened in many not only Yes, couples today face [of the marital act] and both support, but a search for the truth difficult decisions if they wish are inherent in the marital act. that stood behind the Church’s to live according to God’s This connection was established teaching. plan for marriage and family by God and human beings are and counteract the effects of not permitted to break it. . .” The encyclical contraception in society. In his (Humanae Vitae, 12) Humanae Vitae prohibits artificial Jan. 29, 2018 address to the contraception, sterilization, and Roman Rota, Pope Francis calls The Church will celebrate the abortion as means of regulating on couples to follow God’s plan. 50th anniversary of the papal procreation. It emphasizes that “The conscience assumes a encyclical, Humanae Vitae (Of married love involves the total self- decisive role in the demanding gift of the spouses. In marriage, the This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s choices that couples must face to husband and wife are called to give important encyclical Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life). Written welcome and build the conjugal themselves unconditionally to one in 1968, the document provides beautiful and clear teaching union and hence the family another in a love that is free, total, about God’s plan for married love and the transmission of life. according to God’s plan. . . that faithful, exclusive, and fruitful. conjugal union open to the gift of children is great joy for God, for inside Pope Paul VI’s encyclical and contradicts both the natural this responsible parenthood the Church, for humanity.” demonstrates the unbreakable law – the law written into the before God. This is accomplished Pages 2-3 connection of the unitive and nature of man and woman – and by knowing the fertility and Let us ask the Holy Spirit to Annual Financial procreative aspects of love. “[T]he the eternal law of God. Artificial infertility of the woman’s cycle enlighten our consciences, to marital act, which unites husband contraception and sterilization through Natural Family Planning understand the things we struggle Report and wife with the closest bond, also lead to acts that by their nature (NFP) and then using that to comprehend, and make us makes them capable of bringing call forth new life, but yet deny knowledge to achieve or avoid or fully loving human beings that Page 4 forth new life . . . And if both God the possibility to create it. space a pregnancy. There is a key faithfully follow his plan for our Fr. Kenneth Irrgang essential meanings are preserved To be faithful to the Church’s distinction between this approach lives. remembered that of union and procreation, teaching, each marital act must and artificial contraception. With the marital act fully maintains be open to God bestowing the NFP the couple uses their natural Editor’s Note: Sr. Candace Fier, its capacity for [fostering] true gift of new life. capacity for infertility to avoid ISSM, is director of the Office of Page 10 mutual love and its ordination to or space children, while artificial Family Life for the Diocese of Diocese celebrates the highest mission of parenthood, The Church, in her love and contraception impedes the natural New Ulm. consecrated life to which human beings are called.” concern for each person, process of conception. (Humanae Vitae 12) recognizes the need for couples to perfect each other and their A prophetic encyclical Therefore, any act that has the marriage by following God’s plan As controversial as it was, Visit us online! potential to impair the capacity to for their family. The prayerful Humanae Vitae was also (Humanae Vitae 50th Anniversary transmit human life violates love in decision of when to add another prophetic. Pope Paul VI SPECIAL REPORT www.dnu.org its unitive and procreative meaning child to the family is central to accurately foresaw the effects of pages 6-7.)

The Prairie Catholic l Page 1 l June 2018 special report Marriage and accepting gifts from God Knowing and sharing God’s perfect ‘Covenant of Love’ 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae reminds us to trust by Claudia Broman “It had some years to germinate,” themselves for the good of the Prairie Catholic correspondent he said. “We started writing other, love is present, whether by Claudia Broman II) advised Pope Paul VI that probably in 1983, somewhere in that be in marriage, in the home, Prairie Catholic correspondent allowing contraception would be a At center of Bishop John LeVoir’s there.” in the workplace, or in society. huge mistake. book “Covenant of Love” is In perfecting this love people When a man and woman unite a struggle that “goes on in the They each purchased a computer become integrated: “there is in physical intimacy they must When Pope Paul VI issued human heart.” The struggle, and called each other on the phone, wholeness, there is no conflict realize that life could result, says Humanae Vitae the faithful were described in detail by Pope John transmitting their writing in a between the mind, the will, and Dr. Deborah Savage, a clinical surprised by the document, as Paul II in his writings about the way that the computers would the body,” Bishop LeVoir said. faculty member in philosophy were many priests, Savage said. Theology of the Body, is being then translate and type out line and pastoral ministry at the St. “I am absolutely convinced that true to oneself as an image of by line. By today’s standards of Love is only perfected with the Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Humanae Vitae is a prophetic God – loving as He does – in total communication it was a gruelingly assistance of God’s grace, as each To use contraception during sex, document,” she said. “Humanae self-surrender for the well-being of slow pace, but despite the time- person faces struggles between she continued, “is to deny God Vitae is fundamentally a pro-life others. It is a struggle between the consuming nature of the writing what the mind wants and what his rightful place,” and reduces document because it recognizes mind, the will, and the body: in the it was a project that both priests the body wants. God’s grace marital sex to using a spouse. that life is always a gift.” bedroom, at home with family, at saw as essential to their work in gives us the strength to act in an work, and in society. parishes. integrated way, whether that be “Sex is ordered toward both the Humanae Vitae condemns with having the self-possession to procreative dimension and the sterilization, abortion and birth Fr. Richard Hogan and now- “It was so important to be able not eat cake while on a diet, or to control; it says every time a to talk to couples preparing for truly give of oneself in marriage, unitive. The man and woman Bishop LeVoir were seminarians In 1985, then Fr. John LeVoir (right) and Fr. Richard Hogan obtained married man and woman have marriage,” Bishop LeVoir said, he explained. “The only way we become one through the marital at the St. Paul Seminary when front row tickets to one of the General Audiences outside St. Peter’s sex they should give their entire and to couples who were already can live our faith is with God’s act,” she said. It is not just Pope John Paul II was elected in Basilica in Vatican City where they presented their newly published selves to one another – to perfect married. The topics contained help and with his grace,” he said. about babies, it is not just about 1978; they entered in the fall of book “Covenant of Love” to Pope John Paul. The Holy Father was each other and to create life in in the book were also relevant intimacy, it is about marital sex 1977 before their ordination in under the impression that the two young priests were students and cooperation with God. to hearing confessions and It is not always easy to follow being both things every time. “In a word, the exercise of responsible parenthood requires that husband and May 1981. Prior to their entrance, asked where they were studying. When he heard they were parish providing advice to people having Church teachings with regard wife, keeping a right order of priorities, recognize their own duties toward God, Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical priests his eyes lit up as he smiled, saying “Ahhh, parish priests!” and Since the birth control pill was Love within marriage should Humanae Vitae. difficulties making decisions to marriage and sexuality, themselves, their families, and human society. – Pope Paul VI (Humanae Vitae, 10) he thanked them for writing the book. introduced in 1963 and legalized emulate God’s love, which is ” about contraception. The ideas especially when seen in light in 1965, the use of contraception creative and all-giving, Humanae In the 1960s and early 1970s there of sexuality and family pertained of alternatives available in our said Brenda and Dan Voracek, a they have noticed a difference in something that God wants to has been controversial. Pope Vitae explains, for only being like was a lot of controversy about to youth, as well, in the midst of LeVoir said. And in this creation, the person,” Bishop LeVoir said. society. But through prayer, couple from North Mankato. They their marriage, their relationship give,” Fr. Steffl said. Paul VI formed a commission to God’s love does the marriage itself marriage, sexuality and family forming their identities as human marriage, too, is a representation “The body is not like a coat we receiving the sacraments, and have been teaching other couples with one another, and their discuss the issue, which led to retain true love. Loving as God life, Bishop LeVoir said. Priests persons. of God’s love. take off and put in the closet; our obtaining support from the how to use NFP since 2001 and relationship with God. “We’ve Plus, this openness gives marriage the encyclical Humanae Vitae. loves is not easy, as it requires in seminary, including Hogan and bodies are part of us.” Marital Catholic community, “we have have been using the method been learning to surrender to more joy, he said. “The sacrament This summer marks the 50th mastery of self and emotion, the LeVoir, were considering: How In 1985 “Covenant of Love” was “We don’t have different words love is expressed bodily; our the strength to say the Church’s themselves since 1998. God,” Angela said. is to help us be open to the graces anniversary of the document, encyclical says. would we present these topics in first published by Doubleday, later for different kinds of love,” the bodies are signs of the souls teaching is ‘different’ but it can and to what God wants,” Fr. Steffl which was released by Pope Paul pastoral settings? Especially to to be re-issued by Ignatius Press in bishop said, “It’s a weakness in we have that make us people – be done,” Bishop LeVoir said. “It “It is green. There are no side “It’s given us more freedom to said. “So much of what love truly VI on July 25, 1968. Although the Catholic Church those preparing for marriage? 1992. our language. Sometimes it’s indications that we are alive and isn’t easy to live this,” he said, forbids artificial birth control, it effects. You’re not taking a drug love one another and deepen our is, is sacrifice. But you have to be difficult for people to know what made in God’s image. encouraging families living the or anything like that,” Dan said. commitment to each other,” Alex open to that.” People in the late 1960s expected does allow for Natural Family Bishop LeVoir said that Pope John Key to understanding St. John love is.” Love is a choice to do Catholic faith to gather for prayer “It’s simple to learn and there’s no said. It’s made the moments of that the commission would affirm Planning, a method of timing sex Paul II “had a solid theological Paul II’s writing is that “we are what is good for the other, he In loving one another maritally, and recreation “so we can support ongoing cost to keep using it.” intimacy the couple has more Sometimes married Catholic the use of birth control, Savage within marriage to coincide with – background,” as well as a technical living images of God; we are says. the book says, a man and woman one another.” meaningful, they say. couples will say they are said. At the time the commission or avoid – periods of fertility. philosophical background in representations of God,” Bishop create a communion of persons, When sex is not on the table following their conscience by was meeting, then–Bishop Karol phenomenology (the study of LeVoir said, adding that people as Married love differs from the where each person strives for the all the time it allows for more Unlike some couples who use using artificial birth control. Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul “We can vouch for its working,” lived human experience and persons are created in the image love people have for things, or good of the other. Essentially, courtship within the marriage, NFP to avoid pregnancy, Alex and “But there is such a thing as a consciousness). Strengthened and likeness of God, body and friends, or even family. Married when people are giving of Brenda added. Because the Angela used the method to better mis-formed conscience,” Fr. by his knowledge of theology soul. “To know ourselves, we love is unique from these other Voraceks are not actively trying to time the possibility of conception, Steffl said. “We need to have a and philosophy, and partnered need to know God. We come to kinds of love because it is have children, they reserve sex for as they had been struggling with well-formed conscience.” He with faith, Pope John Paul II know God through Christ.” This permanent, faithful, and open Reaping the fruits of the times of Brenda’s cycle when infertility issues. encourages couples who question prepared and delivered numerous knowledge of how to know God to life, just as God’s love is she is not fertile. Humanae Vitae to come to a fuller papal audiences in the late 1970s and self was key in answering the concurrently permanent, faithful, Humanae Vitae “After five months of using understanding, to pray, and to and early 1980s focused on the question raised in the late 1960s and open to life, Bishop LeVoir NEW ULM – In light of the in Natural Family Planning and “We leave ourselves open to the method we were able to consider “at what point is this me Theology of the Body. “It was and early 1970s: what is life all explained. Marriage itself is a 50th anniversary of Humanae women’s health, Theology of the God’s intention,” Dan said. If God conceive,” Angela said. being willful or prideful versus kind of like a serial,” Bishop about? By following Jesus – which sacrament that brings about what Vitae (Of Human Life), the Body and the Church’s teaching decides they should be pregnant, what the Lord really wants?” It LeVoir explained, where people is not an egotistical come and it signifies. “By living out their Diocese of New Ulm’s 2018 on human sexuality, and how to then they trust in Him. Being open to life and “accepting comes down to giving up control, were eagerly anticipating the next follow me, but an invitation to be marital love, married couples are Ethics Conference will focus respond to today’s challenges children as a gift from the Lord,” Fr. Steffl said. chapter. “He had great insight for like God, the bishop explained – a sign, or sacrament of God’s on God’s plan for married love as it relates to marriage, family, Angela and Alex Wanningman of is essential to marriage, said the modern age.” we can see how an image of God love,” he said. Love lived out and the transmission of human and the beauty of self-gift. Sleepy Eye have been married two Fr. Mark Steffl, pastor of St. “The anniversary of this chooses and acts. By choosing as well in marriage affects families, life. The conference will be held years and have been using NFP Catherine’s in Redwood Falls and document, Humanae Vitae, this Fr. Hogan (now deceased) wrote a Christ chooses and acting how societies, and friends, Bishop on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9:00 For detailed information for about a year. the judicial vicar for the Diocese teaching, is an opportunity to be commentary about the audiences Christ acts, we can be, and are, as LeVoir said. Loving the way a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Schoenstatt regarding the Ethics Conference of New Ulm. able to think about it in a concrete in the December 1981 issue of we were created to be. God loves is contagious. “It is on the Lake Retreat Center in visit the Diocese of New “It’s been working well for us,” way,” Fr. Steffl said. “It draws our Fidelity magazine. It inspired diffusive of itself,” he explained. Sleepy Eye. Ulm web site www.dnu.org/ said Angela. The Wanningmans Grace is provided through the attention to the good of life and Celebrate God’s gift of married love! the two priests to consider the “Covenant of Love” also works to “And we need more of that ethicsconference/ or contact Sr. say they want to live in a way that marriage sacrament, and that grace the good of children. They are material in book form, and so they explain how all things were created today.” Natural Family Planning Awareness Week The Ethics Conference is an Candace Fier, director of the is giving to each other, loving of helps a married couple to accept truly a gift, but the pressure of the decided to present the pope’s ideas through Christ. “He created man opportunity to explore how the Office of Family Life for the each other, and accepting of each children as God wants. Excluding outside world says the opposite in a “way that we thought would and woman, he created marriage. Love in marriage involves the fruits of Humanae Vitae have Diocese of New Ulm, cfier@ other and of God’s plan. Since children from marriage through today.” July 22-28, 2018 be appealing to people,” Bishop Through him all things were whole person, body and soul. been realized today, advances dnu.org, (507) 233-5328. they began using NFP they said contraception is “excluding LeVoir said. created and came to be,” Bishop “To touch the body is to touch www.usccb.org/nfp/awareness-week/index.cfm.

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