DAKOTA CATHOLIC ACTION Volume 71, Number 5 The Catholic Voice for the Diocese of Bismarck May 2012 INDEX From the Bishop’s Desk ........................ 2 Liturgy of the Eucharist - Part 2 ............. 3 The Catholic Difference ......................... 4 Pastoral Appointments .......................... 5 ND Catholic Conference ........................ 6 No More, No Less ................................ 6 God’s Share Appeal 2012 ...................7-9 Ag Attitudes ....................................... 11 We Are Family .................................... 12 Stewardship ....................................... 12 Youth Page ........................................ 14 Calendar of Events ............................. 15 About Our Diocese Featured speaker, Reverend Chad Gion, pastor at Church of Spirit of Life, addresses the crowd during the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally at the capitol in Bismarck. Photo by Deacon Joe Krupinsky. In its most basic definition, a diocese is the territory or churches subject to the jurisdiction of a bishop (www.newadvent.org). In our state, we have two dioceses – the Diocese of Fargo How Will You Stand? and the Diocese of Bismarck. The Diocese of Bismarck serves the 23 counties of the western By Rebecca Lengenfelder and Kim Heilman tion stood in defense of our religious freedom. portion of our state, comprising over 61,000 The program began with North Dakota’s 4th Roman Catholic people. How It All Began degree Knights of Columbus processing in with Our diocese, and any diocese for that mat- Listening to Catholic radio (91.3 FM in flags, followed by the singing of “America the ter, exists to shepherd the flock of Christ. Christ Bismarck) while spreading peanut butter on Beautiful” and the recitation of the Pledge of himself sent the apostles out with the Great toast for her children, Kim Heilman heard of a Allegiance. Commission. It is the rally in another state being organized to oppose To show his support in this most noble Great Commission that the recent HHS mandate and a call to “Stand cause and in solidarity with all churches perse- echoes in the hearts of our Up for Religious Freedom,” by hosting a rally cuted by this mandate, Pastor Matt Thompson bishop and of our priests, in your own state. Kim immediately knew she of Holy Cross Lutheran Church opened the for they are ordained to had to do something. She called me (Rebecca program with a prayer. Following the prayer, teach, to sanctify, and to Lengenfelder), and asked if I wanted to work Msgr. Goering, Vicar General for the Diocese of govern the people of God. together and “make this happen.” I immedi- Fargo, read Bishop Aquila’s statement in sup- Their actions of leader- ately said, “yes,” and thus began our adventure. port of this rally. ship are carried out within We had seven days to pull this off. Featured speaker for the rally was Fr. Chad the diocese and resounded We began organizing our “to do” list, and Gion of Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Man- through the many programs and initiatives through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we dan. He began his address by reading Bishop taken on by particular offices within a diocese immediately knew we needed the blessing of Kagan’s statement, wherein Bishop Kagan of- – offices which we will delve into a bit further our Bishop. Kim got on the phone with the fered us his full support and prayers. Fr. Gion in forthcoming issues of the Dakota Catholic Bishop’s office, and with lightning speed, our then delivered a most compelling and inspiring Action. beloved Bishop and his staff began laying the talk amid frequent cheers from the crowd. Fr. Our diocese has a shield, considered part of foundation of support we needed to make this Gion so eloquently put it best, “The govern- ecclesiastical heraldry. Ecclesiastical heraldry all come together. ment does not give us our rights! We don’t is a rich tradition in our Church full of beauty We are two stay-at-home moms, usually with have freedom of religion or freedom of con- and significance. Ecclesiastical heraldry, devel- spitup in our hair and a mop in one hand, but science because the government says we do, but oped by Christian clergy, has its roots in me- we learned with God, nothing is impossible. because God says we do…the conscience of a dieval Europe whereby such things as shields With much prayer and the behind the scenes person is the voice of truth, which speaks in the served, among additional purposes, as identi- help of several individuals, within three days heart of individuals.” fication in the battlefield. Today, ecclesiastical everything began to fall into place. The program concluded with Pastor Pebbles heraldry has evolved to be a method by which Thompson, a minister in the Assemblies of God we identify dioceses and people. Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally Church in Fargo, leading the crowd in prayer. You will find our shield in many places where The First Amendments states, “Congress We closed with the singing of “Amazing Grace.” the words “Diocese of Bismarck” are found shall make no law respecting an establishment The intention of the rally was to set North – the front cover of the Dakota Catholic Action, of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof; Dakota on fire — on fire for Truth. Sadly, there the diocesan website, and in the sanctuary – di- or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the are too few people who recognize the impor- rectly behind the altar – at the Cathedral of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to tance of what is happening in our country right Holy Spirit. Perseverance in Faith, the centen- assemble and to petition the government for now. Our Church is under attack, and what are nial edition of our diocesan history book, talks redress of grievances.” It is apparent that this we as Catholics going to do about it? Now is about our diocesan shield: HHS mandate is one of the most blatant at- not the time to remain idle. The Shield…has a silver cross on a blue tempts to wipe away our religious freedom, and Educate yourself. If you are not aware of field which signifies Mary. In a circle in the in turn, undermine the structure of the family the recent threats against religious liberty, visit middle of the cross is the cross of St. Benedict, and our country; these same freedoms so many www.usccb.org. used because the Benedictine priests were brave men and woman, over many years have Look to our bishop, Bishop Kagan. He is pioneers in establishing the Church in the area. fought, bled, and died for. It was time to use calling all Catholics to pray and fast — to truly Bismarck’s first bishop was Benedictine… The the rights laid out in the First Amendment to commit to something. We need to offer prayers three oak leaves and acorns in the shield’s upper protect the First Amendment. every day and seriously give something up for left are taken from the crest of the Bismarck The “Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally” a reversal of this most offensive mandate. It is family of Germany and symbolize strength. The was held on March 23 at the capitol in Bis- the least we can do. tree foliage also is meant to signify the Holy marck. Over 700 men, women, and children We have been called upon to write letters to Trinity. participated. We were not, however, the only our elected officials. It is not a difficult thing Watch future issues of the Dakota Catholic city to voice opposition to the recently released to look up an address and write a letter or an Action for more “About Our Diocese.” HHS Mandate. Over 140 cities across the na- Continued on Page 3 • Dakota Catholic Action May 2012 BISHOP’S SCHEDULE FROM Bishop David D. Kagan, D.D., P.A., J.C.L. May 1-31, 2012 May 1 THE -Liturgy & Visitation, St. Benedict Health Center, Dickinson, 10:00 a.m. MT May 2 -Confirmation, Church of St. Bernard, Belfield, 7:00 p.m. MT ISHOP S May 3 B ’ -North Dakota Catholic Conference Board Meeting, Jamestown, 9:30 a.m. May 4 -Liturgy, Bishop Ryan High School, Minot, 1:30 p.m. -Presenter, Young Adults Group & Catholic Courage Group @ Cathedral of ESK the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, 7:30 p.m. D May 5 -Confirmation, Church of St. Patrick, Dickinson, 4:30 p.m. MT May 6 -Confirmation, Church of St. Henry, Regent, 10:00 a.m. MT Dedicate May to May 7 -Confirmation, Church of St. Wenceslaus, Dickinson, 7:00 p.m. MT May 8 Our Blessed Mother -Liturgy & Sending Ceremony to the African Mission, Kevin & Kristi Wanner, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, 7:00 p.m. May 9 My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, She stood by Him and followed Him in -Liturgy & Visitation, St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, 10:30 a.m. every moment of His life among us, she -Confirmation, Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, 7:00 p.m. t seems with every passing year will do the very same for you and for May 10 that the days and months move so me! -Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting, Center for Pastoral Ministry, Bismarck, rapidly from one event or celebra- 10:00 a.m. -Blue Mass for Law Enforcement and Firefighters, Cathedral of the Holy tion to another. I know that the I ask all of you to join me during this Spirit, Bismarck, 2:30 p.m. Imonth of May seems to move so rapidly month dedicated to Our Blessed Lady due to the many important events in the in praying for the men of our diocese May 11 -Board Meeting, Home on the Range, Sentinel Butte, 12:00 p.m.