“Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know Himself— so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth and themselves.”
-St. John Paul II Preface to Fides et Ratio
Fides et Ratio Reflections
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Today we remember St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690). The Ordo for the Diocese of Fargo describes her important legacy this way:
“French Visitandine mystic who promoted devotion to the Scared Heart of Jesus, a feast which helped free the Church from the spirit of Jansenism; promoted First Friday devotion.”
Let us invoke her prayers for the freedom to abide in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: “Pray for us.”
It's About Time
Ron Noesen
Ronald Walter Noesen passed away on September 28, 2026, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. A Detroit Lakes, Minnesota native and stellar high school and college athlete, Ron served as a teacher, coach, dean of students, and athletic director at Shanley High School for thirty-some years.
His obituary states, “In 2019, he received the Deacon Award for exemplifying the ideals of a Deacon (servant) through extensive gifts of time, talent, and treasure. His proudest accomplishment was starting the Roger Maris Honorary Golf Tournament in 1983.”
He was preceded in death by his wife Laura and is survived by his Shanley alumni daughters Susan, Theresa, Brenda, Rebecca and their families.
Ronald Walter Noesen Obituary Sep 28, 2026 – Pagenkopf Funeral Home
Ron made me feel welcome and advised me as a new teacher at Shanley in the mid-80s. I appreciated his largesse and Deacon spirit. Thank you, Ron, for the gift of self you gave to so many students and staff members at Shanley over the decades. Well-done, good and faithful servant.
Pope Leo
In fast moving news in the past week, we have learned that a small growth was discovered in Pope Leo’s lung in a recent routine check-up. He underwent surgery in Rome on Tuesday, and a portion of his lung was removed due to the diagnosis of a cancerous nodule.
He is expected to remain in the hospital for a week and still plans to visit South America, where he served as an Augustinian missionary, in November.
Meanwhile, the faithful worldwide are offering their prayers for his healing and recovery.
The Vatican provided this prayer:
- Let us pray for Leo XIV, our Pope.
- May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the
earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
Our Father. Hail Mary.
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on Your servant Leo XIV,
whom You have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
World Mission Sunday
This Sunday, October 18, is the 100th Annual “World Mission Sunday”— “One Sunday for the whole world” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website:
This year’s theme chosen by Pope Leo is “One in Christ, united in mission.”
The theme and the observance are good reminders of the Lord’s command to His followers to pray and work to share the Good News of the Gospel.
President’s Proverb
“May faith be the torch which illuminates, animates, and sustains you.”
– St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Hagstrom’s Attempt at Humor (HAAH!)
Sunday Psalm Sampler
“Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
-Luke 24:44b
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10
- Responsorial Refrain: “Give the Lord glory and honor.” (Ps 96:7b)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 96
Do you remember the allusion to King David in the movie, “Footloose”?
It referenced 1 Chronicles 16 and King David dancing with abandon before the Ark of the Lord as it was about to be enthroned in the new tabernacle David had built in Jerusalem. That passage also includes a song of praise, which Psalm 96 echoes closely.
Psalm 96 was used in the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after returning from the Babylonian Exile. That aligns perfectly with the first reading today, which acknowledges the victory over Babylon by the Lord’s anointed, “Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred” (Is. 45:1).
God’s Kingship over all the nations and the mediation of His “Anointed One” foreshadow Christ the King’s coming in Salvation History. For that, we give credit where credit is due this week as we sing, “Give the Lord glory and honor.”
Our President
Mike Hagstrom
Mike Hagstrom was named President of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools and Director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fargo on March 15, 2016, and officially assumed the role on July 1, 2016. In his application for the position, he described his leadership philosophy as one of stewardship, writing:
“My approach would be that of stewardship of the great gift of Catholic Schools. With the help of God’s grace and all our stakeholders, we can be good stewards together, ensuring that our schools not only survive, but thrive. They are designed for human flourishing, forming the whole person, each and every student made in God’s image and likeness, endowed with a transcendent dignity and destiny.”
Before stepping into diocesan leadership, Mike dedicated 31 years to Shanley High School, where he taught Religion and served in a variety of leadership roles. During his time there, he embodied the spirit of St. Bede’s words: “I have always found delight in learning, teaching, and writing.”
Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He and his wife, Shawn, are the proud parents of two Shanley graduates, Therese (’08) and Joseph (’16), and grandparents to James and Oliver.
