“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. Frances Xavier Cabrini (pictured at North American College, Rome)
Today, we remember St. Francis Xavier Cabrini (d. 1917), Patroness of Immigrants and Migrants and the first U.S. citizen to be named a saint. The Italian native formed a missionary order of sisters to serve the needs of immigrants in the Americas, establishing 67 institutions to do so.
The Collect prayer from today’s Mass summarizes the significance of her witness:
“God our Father, Who called Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini to serve the immigrants of America, by her example, teach us to have concern for the stranger, the sick, and all those in need, and by her prayers help us to see Christ in all the men and women we meet. 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.”
It's About Time
Veterans Day
Nativity School’s Veterans Day Flag Ceremony
Throughout this week, each of our schools remembered, honored, and celebrated our nation’s Veterans—including displays, art work, Mass, prayers, programs, etc.
Holy Spirit and Trinity Schools held afternoon programs on Veterans Day. Nativity’s Veterans Day schedule included Mass, a flag ceremony, and an art crawl.
Shanley and Sacred Heart had Mass on Veterans Day and also paused for school-wide prayer and reflection at the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Thanks to all veterans for their self-giving service to our country.
In the Communion of Saints, we ask for the prayers of the Patron Sain of Soldiers:
St. Martin of Tours, you shared your cloak with a stranger in the cold and found that you had clothed Christ himself. Teach us to see Jesus in everyone in need. Pray for soldiers and veterans, for their families, and for all who serve and protect others. Pray that we may be generous, brave, and faithful to the end. Amen.
Annual Report
Last night at the annual President’s Dinner, I thanked the gathering of supporters of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools, shared our 2025-2026 Annual Report, and gave them updates about this school year.
Shanley Principal Fr. Kyle Metzger led our meal prayer and highlighted some Shanley High School initiatives. Advancement Director Tony Hebert gave Advancement updates and shared his gratitude for all the support of stakeholders and for the Advancement team members. Bishop John Folda offered his summary remarks and a final blessing to conclude our evening together.
We also honored some members (both long-term and relatively new) of our “Deacon Honor Society” for their generous support for our schools.
The 2025-2026 Annual Report is now available on-line. It contains our board-approved, audited financials as well as information about and highlights of last school year. In it, we also recognize our many generous donors who support us and help us better accomplish our mission.
https://jp2schools.org/annual-report-2025-26/
My heart-felt thanks to all stakeholders of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools, “a community inspiring excellence through faith, learning, and service.”
World Day of the Poor
The 10th Annual World Day of the Poor is this Sunday, and Pope Leo has chosen the theme, “The Lord is the refuge of the poor” (cf. Ps. 14:6).
He notes, “Once again, we must return to the Word of God to reaffirm the importance of the poor in the life of the Church. The words of the Psalm serve as a standard for Christian living because they reveal the face of God and acknowledge human poverty.”
The current Fill the Dome food drive is but one example of many in the school year to learn, to pray, and to respond to our brothers and sisters in need.
The Holy Father’s full message can be found at this link:
President’s Proverb
“Give me a heart as big as the universe.”
– St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
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
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-5
- Responsorial Refrain: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” (cf. 128:1a)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 128
With its imagery of the blessings that bloom for those “who walk in His ways” and the joys inherent in family life built in that foundation on the Lord, Psalm 128 aligns well with the theme of wisdom woven in this Sunday’s readings. The “fruitful vine” and “olive plants” are living signs of those who fear the Lord.
The appealing descriptions of domestic tranquility also make Psalm 128 the perfect choice for Holy Family Sunday in the Christmas season.
This week, let us pray to abound in obedience to the Lord as we sing, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”
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.
