VOL. 80 NO. 7 WWW.BISMARCKDIOCESE.COM AUGUST 2021 Dakota Catholic Action Reporting on Catholic action in western ND since 1941 Welcome to the priesthood Photos by Deacon Joe Krupinsky The newly-ordained priests are surrounded and congratulated by their brother priests on the front steps of the Cathedral. The diocese gains four new priests The sacred brotherhood of the feeling that lasts, but not dwelt any extreme emotions. Instead, was a man who couldn’t celebrate priesthood gained four more on upon since it’s soon time to move living the life of a priest just Mass or hear confessions, and a June 11 at the Cathedral of the forward on their mission. “From feels right. I’m doing what I was few moments later, I was able to Holy Spirit on (most-fi ttingly) a few days before even to the start made for. It has been humbling confect the Eucharist. God works the Solemnity of the Most Sacred of my assignment, I have stayed and beautiful to administer the so simply, and so beautifully at the Heart of Jesus. fairly busy, and I am continually sacraments, watching Jesus work same time. The faithful packed the telling myself that ‘This is real.’ It in extraordinary ways through The days were overwhelming in main sanctuary and overfl ow has been great though. I cannot me.” many ways as it was a full schedule gathering space to witness the imagine a better life for me than Father Vetter refl ected on the of celebrations, but Fr. Vetter transformation of the hearts the one I am living right now and signifi cance of his fi rst Mass. added that “it was a blessed day of Fathers Jacob Degele, Ben will live for the rest of my life,” he “The day after the ordination was to be able to celebrate the gift of Franchuk, Greg Hilzendeger and added. the Immaculate Heart of Mary. the priesthood with my family, Nicholas Vetter. When the men For Fr. Hilzendeger, the fi nal This was a special day for me to friends and the faithful of the were asked about their ordination piece of the puzzle to his vocation be able to celebrate my Mass of diocese. As I continue to adjust and fi rst Mass, each expressed a journey fell into place. “As I refl ect Thanksgiving. I was ordained to being a priest, I humbly ask sense of wonder and awe. on the day of ordination and the a deacon on the Assumption of for your prayers for me and my “After ordination and my fi rst brief time since, I keep coming Mary, so to be able to celebrate a classmates.” Mass, I felt overwhelmed with back to the analogy of fi tting a feast of Mary was no coincidence. For impressions of their fi rst joy and gratitude. Looking back, puzzle piece into its proper slot. It was surreal after being ordained assignment and a photo recap of almost everything was a blur!” It may take some time and work and saying Mass. As I have been the 2021 ordination, see pages 6 were Fr. Degele’s words to sum it to fi nd its place, but once it snaps telling people, at one moment I and 7. up. into place, it just fi ts. It is where Fr. Franchuk said his immediate it was meant to be, doing what reaction from ordination has been, it was made for. That’s how it A LOOK INSIDE “Wow! That just happened.” has felt for me since ordination. The sheer amazement is a There haven’t necessarily been Jesus in the streets BBQ vocations fundraiser Eucharistic procession involving Family, fun and food at four parishes evangelizes the city The Big Smoke bene t for of Minot by bringing Jesus to the seminarians and others seeking people ....................................Page 3 a religious vocation .......................Page 8 | AUGUST 2021 2 Dakota Catholic Action Bishop David D. Kagan Decision to write a teaching document on the Most Holy Eucharist is worth it, for your children and This was not a “spur of the the Most Holy Eucharist. It did FROM THE BISHOP for your entire family. moment” decision precipitated by encourage all of us bishops to Since we did not have an issue any single Catholic public offi cial; discuss it and reach a consensus of our newspaper in July, this is it has been planned for and will about the document which we my fi rst opportunity to give you be the foundation document for did at length. We reached an the correct information about our multi-year Eucharistic Revival overwhelming consensus to write what we bishops decided to do Project. Again, the bishops did not this document for all Catholics by at our spring meeting this last ban anyone from receiving Holy a 168 Yes, 55 No, and 6 Abstention June. Unfortunately for all of us, Communion nor did we make a vote. the secular media and even some national policy on withholding We bishops will continue to Catholic media announced that we Holy Communion from politicians. prayerfully discuss this and, at our would be voting to ban politicians To be very clear, the only person general meeting in November, we who support immoral practices who can ban any individual from will have ample time to address such as abortion and euthanasia receiving Holy Communion this matter in person. Please pray from receiving Holy Communion. publicly is that person’s own for all of us and please be faithful This was never even on our diocesan bishop. to your obligation as Catholics to agenda. Finally, the Vatican did not be properly disposed to receive What did we bishops decide prohibit the bishops from moving Our Lord worthily in Holy to do? First, we decided to forward with this document on Communion. Bishop David D. Kagan continue our eff orts to help all of the Catholic faithful understand As we enter the month of and live better the reality of the BISHOP’S SCHEDULE August, and the resumption Most Holy Eucharist which we AUGUST 2021 of classes in all of our Catholic receive. We will write a teaching schools in the diocese, I urge all Aug. 1 • Installation Mass for Fr. Gregory Luger at St. Jerome, Mohall, 11 a.m. document on the Most Holy Catholic parents to support and be Aug. 2 • Women’s Care Center Board Meeting, Chancery, Bismarck, 5 p.m. Eucharist having three parts: involved in the Catholic education Aug. 3 • Presbyteral Council, Center for Pastoral Ministry, Bismarck, 10 a.m. “The Eucharist, A Mystery to of our children. If you already Aug. 5 • Keynote Speaker at Legatus, Radisson, Bismarck, 7 p.m. be Believed,” “The Eucharist, A have your children enrolled in Aug. 6 • Serra Club Summer Gathering, Christ the King, Mandan, 5:30 p.m. Mystery to be Celebrated” and one of our excellent schools, I Aug. 7 • Champions Ride Fundraiser for Home on the Range, Sentinel Butte, “The Eucharist, A Mystery to be 1 p.m. MT thank you and encourage you Lived.” This document is both Aug. 8 • Installation Mass for Fr. Jarad Wolf at St. Charles, Bowman, to be involved in all aspects of broad and specifi c in scope: it will 10 a.m. MT their education, especially their apply to every single Catholic and Aug. 9 • Catholic Home Educators Mass, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, religious instruction. If you do it will apply the Church’s moral Bismarck, 5 p.m. not have your children enrolled in Aug. 11 • Real Presence Radio Interview, 9 a.m. and social teachings to each of us one of our schools, I urge you to Aug. 12 • Staff Meeting, Center for Pastoral Ministry, Bismarck, 10 a.m. in our vocations as we strive to live consider doing so. It is a sacrifi ce Aug. 13 • Cabinet Meeting, Chancery, Bismarck, 10 a.m. them faithfully every day. to be sure, but I can assure you it Aug. 15 • Installation Mass for Fr. Adam Maus at Our Lady of Grace, Minot, 10:30 a.m. Aug. 22 • Installation Mass for Fr. Stephen Folorunso at St. Pius, New Salem, BISHOP IN ACTION 10:30 a.m. Aug. 26-27 • Provincial Meeting, Archdiocese of St. Paul Aug. 28 • Mass at Holy Family Parish, Rockford, Ill., 4:30 p.m. Aug. 30 • Women’s Care Center Board Meeting, Chancery, Bismarck, 5 p.m. Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for August Intention for evangelization - The beauty of marriage Let us pray for young people who are preparing for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience. Photo by Deacon Joe Krupinsky The Town and Country Celebration was held July 11 at the Gumbo Flats Ranch near Fort Rice. The event, which included Mass with Bishop Kagan, blessing of land and animals, a SOCIAL MEDIA meal and entertainment, was hosted by the Matthew and Lisa Rebenitsch family, and the parishes of the Church of St. Martin in Huff and St. Anthony in St. Anthony. Follow the Diocese on Twitter @BisDiocese and follow Bishop Kagan @VescovoDDK Dakota Catholic Action Bishop David Kagan Following Reporting on Catholic action in western ND since 1941 @VescovoDDK Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Sunday: Jesus Publisher: Most Reverend David D. Kagan, D.D., P.A., J.C.L., gives to each bishop, priest and deacon the Bishop of Bismarck standard for our vocation - Himself. If we do not Editor: Sonia Mullally, [email protected] completely conform ourselves as shepherds of Center for Pastoral Ministry - Diocese of Bismarck USPS0011-5770 His people to Him, then we betray Him and His 520 N.