VOL. 75 NO. 1 WWW.BISMARCKDIOCESE.COM JANUARY 2016 Dakota Catholic Action Reporting on Catholic action in western ND since 1941 Building for the future New high school to be built in Construction of new high north Bismarck school continues in Dickinson At an event that resembled Ruth, spoke more of a pep rally than a news on behalf of Dickinson way in a short time since then.” conference, representatives of the the family. Catholic Schools What was considered a tragic Light of Christ Catholic Schools Now residing is well on their event at the time has actually unveiled plans for a new home for in Fargo, way toward their blossomed into something St. Mary’s Central High School in he shared master plan of positive as Trinity High School Bismarck. memories of his a unifi ed campus is undergoing a makeover with With the pep band and the experiences while with construction ongoing construction. The entire student body on hand on attending St. Mary’s continuing on the new east wing, which was heavily Nov. 24, it was announced that Central High School. “This high school set to open next damaged by the fi re, was Bismarck residents, Ron and Ruth gift from our family is, in large fall. demolished and a new high Knutson, had donated 48 acres part, a huge thank you to the The damaging fi re, nearly school is being built around the of land (valued at $6 million) outstanding staff and faculty here two years ago, gave rise to this existing gym and auditorium. on north Washington Street at St. Mary’s,” he said. big step toward the future of “Next to our founding, this for the new campus. Light of Knutson explained that his Catholic schools in Dickinson. is the most historic time in Christ Catholic Schools (LOCCS) family, although not Catholic, The new high school is the Dickinson Catholic Schools President Gerald Vetter, said the realizes the importance of the fi rst phase in the plan that history. It’s very exciting,” fi rst major step was at hand to value of an education that is encompasses consolidating Msgr. Patrick Schumacher, move forward toward the future of beyond religious affi liation. its three schools—elementary pastor at St. Wenceslaus, said. a new high school to accommodate “The education at St. Mary’s schools Trinity East and “For those of us who didn’t the rapid growth. is centered on the principles of Trinity West, and Trinity High have a hand in that, this is our Vetter shared that LOCCS has Christ, and Catholic or not, that School—onto a single campus. time. It’s our turn to leave a seen an increase of enrollment is a very important aspect of “A couple weeks after the legacy for the future of Catholic by 20% in the last fi ve years. education in the world we live in fi re in March of 2014 we education.” Currently there are 1,271 students today,” Knutson said. “A St. Mary’s started with our master plan,” With plans to open in the fall in the Bismarck Catholic school that can better serve students is explained Dickinson Catholic of 2016, a two-story structure system made up of 760 families. a gift that keeps on giving for this Schools President Steve Continued on Page 9 “We are extremely grateful to community.” Glasser. “We’ve come a long Dr. Ron and Ruth Knutson, with Vetter concluded his comments their family, for their commitment to the crowd, “We’re all part of a and value of Catholic education tremendous legacy that has stood in this community,” Vetter said strong for 138 years and now during the news conference. another bold step forward into the “They have generously decided to next chapter of our future—a step support our plans by providing forward in expanding that legacy land for a new St. Mary’s Central that will call forth the saints for High School.” future generations,” Vetter added. Cam Knutson, son of Ron and Continued on Page 8 Submitted photo Father Tom Grafsgaard, Trinity High School chaplain, and Msgr. Patrick Schumacher, St. Wenceslaus pastor, monitor the progress of the project. A LOOK INSIDE Badlands Choice Clinic opens A visual prayer A pregnancy resource center has recently A new crucifi x sculpture welcomes opened in Dickinson off ering a refuge for worshipers at Corpus Christi in Bismarck life and hope ...........................PAGE 4 in honor of their 50th jubilee .....PAGE 7 | Catholic Action 2 Dakota Bishop David D. Kagan JANUARY 2016 New year is a chance to renew your faith BISHOP’S His generosity to those who love to the education of children and SCHEDULE FROM THE BISHOP Him. young people, we would be so We have just begun the great much less. JANUARY 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy, which is In addition to our excellent a true gift to the entire world Catholic schools, this week Jan. 1 • Mass for the Solemnity from Our Holy Father Francis. always gives us an opportunity of Mary, Mother of My daily prayer for all of us is to focus on the absolute God, Cathedral of the that we truly and fully enter necessity of a solid and complete Holy Spirit, Bismarck, into this year of God’s bountiful religious education for every 8:30 a.m. mercy and that we allow Him Catholic child, teenager and to transform us and our daily adult. To know our beautiful Jan. 9-15 • Region VIII Bishops’ lives so much so that we become Catholic faith is to love it; to His apostles of mercy to others. know the marvelous history of Retreat, Mater Every day as we hear the news, our Catholic Church makes all Dolorosa Retreat it becomes so clear that without of us better and more active Center, CA Him and His mercy darkness members of it, both in our advances, but with Him and parishes and in our diocese. Jan. 18 • Priest Personnel Board His mercy light destroys the While due to circumstances, Meeting, Chancery, darkness of war, hatred, jealousy some may not have the Bismarck, 1 p.m. and division. Please keep and opportunity to attend a Catholic Bishop David D. Kagan observe this Jubilee of Mercy; school; all have the opportunity Jan. 19 • Real Presence Radio and when this year closes, may to receive a solid Catholic interview, 9 a.m. all of us continue to beg of Him religious education through our ith this issue of our • Mass for March for Life Dakota Catholic for His mercy, and show mercy parishes. Our parish priests, and to others. so many dedicated lay men and Pilgrims, Cathedral Action, we usher in W As we look to the month women who assist the priests, of the Holy Spirit, the New Year of 2016. I would of January, one of the much- are to be commended to God for Bismarck, 1 p.m. like to not only wish each and anticipated events is always their goodness. Let us all see to every one of you a blessed and Catholic Schools Week. This it that our children come and Jan. 22 • Right to Life Mass, Happy New Year, but I want to occurs toward the end of participate in the classes and Church of St. Mary, thank you for your continued January and it is an opportunity other planned events so that Bismarck, 7 p.m. and generous support of our for us to be grateful for our they increase in their wisdom beloved Church with your daily parents, grandparents and and knowledge and remain close and fervent prayers, all of Jan. 24 • Confi rmation at Church great-grandparents who have to Christ Jesus. your good works of mercy and of Queen of Peace, sacrificed so much to provide Finally, if you are inclined your sacrifices, and for your Dickinson, 10 a.m. MT Catholic schools for so many of to make a resolution for this continued financial support of us. Without their sacrifices of New Year, make one that you all of the effective ministries of Jan. 29 • Seminarian time, treasure and talent and can keep and that will have a the Universal Church and of our without the wonderful religious good and enduring effect. Be Fundraising Banquet, diocese. Please know that all sisters and priests and the resolved to go to Mass one more Mandan, 6 p.m. you do is most pleasing to God dedicated lay men and women time during each week besides and He will never be outdone in who devoted themselves entirely Sunday, and go to confession Jan. 31 • Closing Mass for the once each month. You will Year of Consecrated experience God’s bountiful Life, Cathedral of the BISHOP IN ACTION mercy in such a way that you Holy Spirit, Bismarck, will not want to stop. 11:30 a.m. Happy New Year! Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for January: Universal: Interreligious Dialogue That sincere dialogue among men and women of diff erent faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice. Evangelization: Christian Unity That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions. SOCIAL MEDIA Submitted photo Search “Bismarck Diocese” on YouTube for On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Bishop Kagan stopped by the St. John Paul II videos from the Church in western N.D. Seminary to celebrate Mass with the diocesan seminarians that attend there. Pictured are Diocese of Bismarck seminarians Jake Markel and Jake Magnuson leading the procession; followed by the MC, Greg Portner, seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington; Bishop Kagan; and diocesan seminarian Nick Vetter.