“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
Today we remember Pope St. Pius X, who served as Successor of St. Peter from 1903-1914. Born in a poor Italian family in 1835, he maintained a sense of humility and concern for the poor while serving as a Priest, Bishop, Cardinal and Patriarch of Vencie.
His motto was “Restore all things in Christ.” To that end, among his initiatives were liturgical renewal and Canon Law reforms. He is especially noted for lowering the age for reception of Holy Communion (age seven) and encouraging its frequent, devout reception.
Our Catholic schools have the practice of weekly school Masses and some options for daily Mass as well. Thanks be to God for that great gift.
The Collect prayer from today’s Mass:
O God, Who to safeguard the Catholic faith
and to restore all things in Christ,
filled Pope Saint Pius the Tenth
with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude,
graciously grant
that, following his teaching and example,
we may gain an eternal prize.
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
New Religion Curriculum for Elementary Schools
On Wednesday morning, JPII Catholic Schools hosted representatives from the Augustine Institute (St. Louis) to train our Diocesan school teachers in the new K-8 religion curriculum, “Word of Life.”
https://www.augustineinstitute.org/program-and-resources/word-of-life
Diocesan school leaders spent last year reviewing multiple curriculums for a robust offering for our Catholic school students. “Word of Life” was ultimately chosen as the best fit and final approval was given by Bishop Folda.
We are grateful to start the school year with this new Religion curriculum and for the training provided by the Augustine Institute.
Welcome All Staff
All staff gather after Mass
Yesterday our entire staff gathered in preparation for the new school year.
Our morning together consisted of worship through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, fellowship, and welcome and messages in preparation for the school-year.
Bishop John T. Folda presided at the Mass and used the Gospel reading’s invitation to the Heavenly Banquet to serve as our invitation to service this year.
After some appreciation and recognition shout outs, my message to staff focused on our core value of Faith and encouragement to grow in that gift and task this year.
Vice President Mary Beth Traynor gave updates on our long-range planning process and our strategic plan (now entering year four).
To conclude our morning, Advancement Director Tony Hebert shared news from the Advancement department and thanked staff members for their essential role in accomplishing our mission.
Sr. Annella Zervas
Fargo Forum columnist Roxane Salonen recently recounted an August 8 observance for Servant of God Sr. Annella Zervas at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Moorhead. Crookston Diocese Bishop Andrew Cozzens blessed a Zervas family monument there and later presided at a Mass at St. Francis De Sales Church, noting the centennial of her death on August 14, 1926.
Sr. Annella attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Moorhead through 8th grade before attending Sacred Heart Academy (now Shanley High School) for a year prior to entering religious life as a Benedictine Sister in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where she is buried.
https://fargodiocese.net/news/from-our-backyard-meet-servant-of-god-annella-zervas
Pictured above after the Mass with Sister’s image are several of her Shanley alumni relatives (first cousins, once removed): Ann (Hall) Steinhouse ’67 and Hugh Hall ’58.
President’s Proverb
“Humility, humility, humility.”
– St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s reply when asked to name the three greatest virtues
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
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-3, 6, 8
- Responsorial Refrain: “Lord, Your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of Your hands.” (Ps 138:8bc)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 138
Psalm 138 and the seven Psalms which follow are all designated as Psalms “of David.” In this series, David praises the Lord for all His blessings and reasserts his confidence in the Lord, Who delivers us.
Verse eight—our refrain this week—employs a beautiful image in Hebrew, according to Professor Robert Alter. He notes that the Hebrew verb used by David means “to relax the muscles of the hand so that what it holds is dropped or released.”
Let’s recall that compelling imagery this week as we praise the depths of the Lord’s love and ask Him not to “drop” or “release” us from His benevolent hands: “Lord, Your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
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.
