“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
“In the company of angels I will sing praises to You, my God.” –Psalm 138:1b
Today is the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels.
Archangels are mentioned by name in the Bible and the Lord Jesus Himself refers to the angels numerous times as a matter of fact—not fancy or fiction.
“Angel” literally means “messenger” and these servants of God are sent to watch over, guide, protect, defend, and heal us. The “message” they bring is quite clearly a message of God’s loving care down to the smallest of details in our lives.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of students and nicknamed “The Angelic Doctor” for his lofty and soaring teaching, saw two other roles for angels in addition to the role of messenger. He noted that they also worship God and implement His Will on earth (clearly the testimony of Sacred Scripture as well).
Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the existence of angels “is a truth of the faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition” (CCC 328).
With the weight of that unanimous teaching, may we increasingly invoke and trust in these messengers who indeed prove that “God is for us” in all the daily challenges we face.
To that end, the opening prayer of today’s Mass for the Holy Guardian Angels is a good start:
“O God, Who in Your unfathomable providence are pleased to send Your holy Angels to guard us, hear our supplication as we cry to you, that we may always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who loves and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
It's About Time
St. Francis of Assisi – 800th Jubilee
San Damiano Crucifix of St. Francis of Assisi
(Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi, Italy)
On October 4, we remember St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most famous and beloved of all the saints.
Pope Francis explained after his election in 2013 why he was the first pope to choose the name “Francis.” The Holy Father said then that St. Francis of Assisi “is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.” He added, “How I would like a church that is poor and for the poor.”
St. Francis’ embrace of the Cross of Christ and his imitation of the Lord’s poverty in the Incarnation was so great that in 1224 he was the first to receive the “Stigmata” (the “marks,” the wounds of Christ).
He died two years later the evening of October 3, and Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Jubilee Year for the 800th anniversary of his “transition” to the next life:
St. Francis of Assisi, conformed to Christ: “Pray for us.”
Blessing of the Pets
Each year, on or near the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, some of our schools encourage our families to bring a pet for blessing. The beloved tradition was observed today in our elementary schools.
Here is a typical blessing of pets:
“Blessed are You, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of Your love, enable it to live according to Your plan. May we always praise You for all Your beauty in creation. Blessed are You, Lord our God, in all Your creatures! Amen.”
Deacon Awards and Hall of Fame Induction
Maurice & Kathy ’61 Godon Receiving Their Deacon Award
Last Saturday, we concluded Homecoming Week festivities with induction of new members in our Hall of Fame and bestowal of Deacon Awards at the 19th Annual Hall of Fame and Mike and Karen Hofer Deacon Awards brunch at the Avalon Events Center.
The Mike & Karen Hofer Deacon Award honors graduates, parents, staff, and friends who exemplify the ideals of a Deacon (servant) through extensive service and outstanding contributions of time, talent, and/or treasure to the St. John Paul II Catholic Schools and who reflect honorably on the JPII Catholic Schools and its mission.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Maurice & Kathy (’61) Godon, Deacon Bruce & Terri Dahl (Terri posthumously), and Paul Kochmann.
The Hall of Fame honors Sacred Heart Academy or Shanley High School alumni, teams, faculty or staff who during or after their time at SHA/SHS achieved a level of excellence deserving of recognition and who reflect honorably on the JPII Catholic Schools and its mission. Their accomplishments can be in athletics, fine arts, leadership, service, career, or professional endeavors.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients: Charlie Hanish ’66 and the unbeaten 1975 State Championship Deacon football team.
Congratulations one and all! Go Deacons!
President’s Proverb
“Thou art our hope.”
– St. Francis of Assisi on “the good, very good, the supreme good, Lord, God, living and true.”
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-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
- Responsorial Refrain: “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.” (Is 5:7a)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 80
Psalm 80 begins with a pastoral appeal to God, “O Shepherd of Israel,” Who “leads Joseph like a flock” (80:1). That pastoral-shepherd imagery is common in Sacred Scripture.
This Sunday’s portion of Psalm 80, however, focuses upon another common theme of the Scriptures: Israel as the vine and the vineyard, transplanted and protected by the Lord, Who guards and nurtures its growth.
Here recall Jesus’ clarity: “I Am the vine, and my Father is the vinedresser” (Jn 15:1). He repeats and calls us to remain in Him: “I Am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).
This week, let us remember that it is the Lord alone Who guards, restores, and nurtures the new Israel—His Church—as we sing, “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”
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.
