“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 the Ordo recommends the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice. Here is the Collect prayer from that Mass:
O God, who show a father’s care for all,
grant, in Your mercy,
that the members of the human race,
to whom You have given a single origin,
may form in peace a single family
and always be united by a fraternal spirit.
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
9/11/01 25th Anniversary
“Never Forget”
Today is the 25th Anniversary of the deadly 9/11 terror attacks on our nation. Let’s not forget. Let’s share the stories and memories. Let’s pray for 2,977 immediate victims and for those who have suffered and died as a result since as well as for those who mourn. Let’s work for unity. Let’s be selfless by being there for others. Let’s do an act of kindness today.
Chimbote News: Sr. Peggy and Bishop Ernesto
The funeral for Presentation Sister Peggy Byrne, Shanley alumna (Class of 1956), former teacher in our schools (St. Anthony’s, Holy Spirit, and Nativity), and long-time missionary in Chimbote, Peru (1982-2015) was held at 10:30 this morning at Nativity Church. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery North followed. She passed away on August 30, 2026.
How beautiful her life of selfless service and her witness as a follower of Christ and daughter of Nano Nagle!
Eternal rest grant unto Sr. Peggy, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of all the faithful departed, Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AMEN.
Providentially, the Bishop of Chimbote, the Most Rev. Eernesto Bances is visiting Fargo at this time as guest of Bishop John Folda, whom he hosted in Chimbote in early 2025.
The bishops have a full schedule with a number of events in the Fargo Diocese, including the coin toss for tonight’s Shanley Deacon football game versus the Bismarck Demons and a Mass at 5:00 pm on Monday, September 14, at Holy Cross Church in West Fargo. See the poster below for more information.
Andrew Nelson Metro Classic Cross Country Meet
Shanley Senior Ethan Erickson leads the pack in the Boys Varsity 5k
Yesterday, I attended our home Cross Country Meet—the Andrew Nelson Metro Classic. The annual meet is held on or near September 11 in memory of Army Staff Sargeant Andrew Nelson ’03, who was killed in Iraq on August 29, 2007, on his third tour of duty.
An Eagle Scout, a plaque at Shanley’s activities entrance honors him with these words:
“Adhering to the mission of Shanley High School, Staff Sargeant Andrew P. Nelson embodied what it means to teach the total person by way of fostering the following of Christ. Andrew exemplified the values of honor, integrity, and dedication. Thank you for your service, Andrew. The Class of 2003.”
Andrew ran Cross Country and Track, so the annual meet is a fitting tradition and memorial. It was great to see his mother, Suzanne Nelson, and his uncle, Fr. Duane Pribula there yesterday and to visit with them.
The team colors, the flags, the music, the pageantry, the earnest young athletes, the races—six in all! —made for a great late afternoon, and the weather was lovely for a fall meet—with a comforting breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
May the souls of all the Faithful Departed, especially Andrew Nelson’s, Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AMEN.
President’s Proverb
“Never forget.”
– 9/11 Memorial
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-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-4,9-12
- Responsorial Refrain: “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.” (Ps 103:8)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 103
Psalm 103 is one of the acrostic Psalms, and each of its twenty-two verses begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from “Aleph” to “Taw.” Thus, the structure of the poetry is itself a teaching point: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name” (103:1). The Psalm’s comprehensive structure reinforces the Psalmist’s desire to bless God with “all my being.” What better way to do so than the use of every letter of the alphabet?
Psalm 103 a vivid foreshadowing of the power of the Paschal Mystery—the Death and Resurrection of the Lord—for “He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion” (Psalm 103:3-4).
With the theme of the Lord’s rich mercy prominent in this Sunday’s readings, may we gratefully recall that Divine Mercy and strive to extend forgiveness to others this week as we sing, “The Lord is kind and merciful.”
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.
