“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
Image of St. Benedict at Subiaco, Italy
Tomorrow (July 11) is the memorial of St. Benedict, Abbot. In the 6th Century, after fleeing Rome to a cave in Subiaco, he eventually established twelve monasteries, and his “Rule” guides followers to this day.
Benedictines and their co-workers taught me at Saint John’s University. Later, I worked with Benedictine monks and sisters at Holy Rosary Church and School in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. I brought that Benedictine way of life to my work at Shanley and St. John Paul II Catholic Schools.
I’m grateful for the Benedictine examples of hospitality, humility, community, listening, learning, labor, and prayer as well as the reminder to “Prefer nothing to the love of Christ” (Rule of St. Benedict, 4:21).
Happy Feast Day tomorrow to all followers of St. Benedict! St. Benedict: “Pray for us.”
It's About Time
Chi-town Conference
Last week (before the 4th), I was in Chicago for a Catholic school advancement summer institute with nearly 600 Catholic school leaders from across the nation. The annual gathering is hosted by the consulting group, Partners in Mission: Catholic School Consulting Services | Partners in Mission
Over the decades, our schools have benefited from the expertise, advice, and guidance of various partners and associates of the firm, through feasibility studies, campaign advice, strategic planning, board retreats, mentoring, etc. I am grateful for all the help they have provided for us.
Last week was another opportunity to learn, be inspired, and network with colleagues in our common work of advancing the mission of Catholic schools.
A certain highlight was Monday morning’s keynote address by North Dakota’s own Msgr. James Shea, President of the University of Mary, who, unsurprisingly, received a standing ovation from the attendees for his moving message in support of Catholic education.
Another highlight was evening explorations of Chicago, including a Lake Michigan harbor cruise Monday night and a Cubs game at Wrigley Field Tuesday night.
Sigrid Undset News
Sigrid Undset
On Wednesday of this week, the Bishop of Oslo, Norway announced that he will open the cause for canonization for the acclaimed Norwegian author, Sigrid Undset (1882-1949).
In 1928, she received the Nobel Prize for Literature—four years after her conversion to Catholicism in 1924. But more than that, Bishop Fredrik Hansen emphasized that, “For us, she is a model of Christian faith, a life lived in virtue, and of the pursuit of holiness.”
I have eight of her books and am also reading a new book on her by Dominican Father, Aidan Nichols (Sigrid Undset: Reader of Hearts). I especially prize her medieval multi-volume works, Kristin Lavransadtter and The Master of Hestviken, which portray the drama of following Christ in a fallen world.
Bishop Eric Varden of Trondheim, Norway wrote about the news on Wednesday, “I have been struck for years by signs emerging here and there, all over the world, of spontaneous devotion to Sigrid Undset, devotion sprung not only from love of her literary work but from a sense that she truly was, and remains, a friend of God. Her witness of unsentimental devotion and intelligent integrity is just what we need, I’d say, here and now.”
May this devotion grow and her cause bear even more fruit.
Bishop John Shanley
Next Thursday is the anniversary of the death of the Most Rev. John Shanley, the first Catholic Bishop of the then-new state of North Dakota in 1889. The pastor of St. Paul (Minnesota) Cathedral was consecrated on December 27, 1889. His original see city was Jamestown, but by 1891 the good bishop moved the see to Fargo, which offered better transportation as a railroad hub and larger general and Catholic populations.
On July 16, 1909, he passed away in his sleep in his residence at the relatively young age of 57. The beloved bishop’s funeral was the largest ever held in the state to that point in time with some 3,500 attendees in and around the cathedral which he built. Businesses closed. The citizens of Fargo wept. Stirring tributes to the good bishop occupied the spoken and written word for days.
“Shanley High School” was named in honor of Bishop John Shanley and dedicated on January 5, 1951. Shanley’s first graduating class was the Class of 1951 after the name change from the previous school, Sacred Heart Academy (1897-1950). The building at 705 13th Avenue North served as the Catholic high school in Fargo through the Class of 2002.
The “new” Shanley opened in August of 2002 at 5600 25th Street South in Fargo. The picture above hangs in the main stairwell of the academic wing there.
Thank you, Bishop Shanley. Prayers for the repose of your soul.
President’s Proverb
“Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.”
–St. Benedict
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
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 65:10-14
- Responsorial Refrain: “The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.” (Lk 8:8)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 65
Used at this point in mid-summer, Psalm 65 aligns with the growth and grandeur of pastures and crops, of fields and flocks. It anticipates an imminent, abundant harvest. The Psalmist celebrates God’s providence in visiting, preparing, and watering the land.
In our part of the world at this moment, we need not imagine this providential care for creation: recent, regular rains have led to a lush landscape.
What a beautiful preparation for this Sunday’s Parable of the Sower and the seeds (Mt 13:1-23). This week, let us sing the reminder of our call and task to be “good soil”—receptive and hospitable to the Word of the Lord: “The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.”
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.
