“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. Boniface
Today we remember St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr. The “Apostle to Germany” gave his life for the faith along with 30 companions in 754 in Frisia (Friesland).
An English Benedictine monk, he became a missionary to pagan Germany by the commission of Pope Gregory II. He founded monasteries as seeds of the faith, and his courage was distilled in the famous episode of his cutting down the revered oak tree of the pagan people.
While preparing to bestow the Sacrament of Confirmation to 30 converts to the faith, he was martyred.
St. Boniface is the Patron Saint of Germany, and if, like me, you have some German-Catholic heritage, let us give thanks for his planting the faith all those centuries ago.
Here is the Collect for today’s Mass:
May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord,
that we may firmly hold the faith
he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood
and confidently profess it by our deeds.
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.
It's About Time
Pope Leo’s First Encyclical
Pope Leo at his May 27, 2026, Wednesday Audience
On Monday, May 25, Pope Leo XIV released the first encyclical of his pontificate, “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.”
Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Leo XIV Magnifica Humanitas (15 May 2026)
Recall at the time of his election on May 8, 2025, he hinted that the choice of “Leo” was an echo of Pope Leo XIII and his social concerns in a time of rapid revolutionary change, not unlike our time.
The Holy Father’s opening sentence declares what is at stake: “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.”
Note: The “Tower of Babel” didn’t end well. May all people of good will choose well in our time.
Shanley Girls Soccer – State Champs
Last Saturday, May 30, our Shanley Girls Soccer team completed an undefeated state championship season by blanking undefeated Mandan 3-0 in the championship game in Bismarck.
It was Shanley’s third state championship and first since 2019. Congratulations to Coach Ryan Christianson and the Shanley girls on an outstanding season. Thanks for your example of excellence and for the memories!
Ordination Weekend
It’s a weekend of rejoicing for the Diocese of Fargo as five young men are ordained for the priesthood, and one is ordained a transitional deacon.
Congratulations to Transitional Deacon Paul Zach and to our new priests: Fathers Garret Aberle, Brandon Schneibel, Patrick Sorels, Ritchie Stenger, and Taylor Ternes. All five priests will be assigned to parishes with a Catholic school, and I am grateful for that aspect of their priestly service as well.
Saturday’s ordinations will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Fargo webpage: Diocese of Fargo | Fargo, ND
President’s Proverb
“Jerusalem means city of peace.”
–St. Augustine on Psalm 147
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 24:22b
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
- Responsorial Refrain: “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.” (Ps 147:12)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) 2026, Psalm 147
Psalm 147 is set in the context of the return to and rebuilding of Jerusalem from the Babylonian Exile (c. 538 ff). It is also set in the context of praise for the Lord’s mighty deeds and faith in His power.
Fittingly, in this portion of it in today’s lectionary for Corpus Christi, there are Eucharistic overtones associated with Jerusalem: “He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat, He fills you” (Ps. 147:14). Just as Jerusalem is built again and restored, so, too, is the Church built again and restored by the Eucharist—as the New Jerusalem.
May we embrace that renewal this week as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, praising God for that sacramental grace as we sing, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.”
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.
