“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
Candles lit for the Faithful Departed
We are all philosophers. I repeat: we are all philosophers.
That’s not an opinion.
Our Patron Saint, John Paul II, tells us “The first absolutely certain truth of our life, beyond the fact that we exist, is the inevitability of our death. Given this unsettling fact, the search for a full answer [to the meaning of life and what lies beyond] is inescapable…no one can avoid this questioning” (Fides et Ratio, 26-27).
So the reality of our death makes us all philosophers: What is the purpose of my life? What happens after my death?
Our schools, built on the firm foundation of the Catholic Faith, are uniquely and beautifully equipped to help all of us answer these fundamental questions. As such, we also owe it to our students, parents, and colleagues to give witness and reasons for our hope (1 Peter 3:15).
The month of November, commencing as it does with All Saints and All Souls, gives us a perfect opportunity. At Monday’s 54th Annual JPII Catholic Schools Memorial Mass, for example, we remembered and prayed for 372 Faithful Departed on All Souls’ Day.
Author Anthony Esolen advises us, “Remember that you are going somewhere. Its name, in one sense, is the grave. The whole world is in mad denial of that plain fact. It turns to the garish and obscene, lest it have to consider the quiet grassy mound and the stone with a few words on it. Be different. You are on the way. Take heart, and don the hat of the pilgrim. Do not be like those who have no hope. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place.”
It's About Time
Jerry Koosman, RIP
Miracle Mets: Jerry Koosman leaps to catcher Jerry Grote’s arms
Last Sunday afternoon, November 1, news broke of the passing of baseball legend Jerry Koosman at the age of 83. Koosman had been facing numerous illnesses and died in Osceola, Wisconsin, surrounded by his family. May his soul rest in peace.
The news took me back to my childhood, and this recounting of it in my staff newsletter column in October 2019:
“God is living in New York, and He’s a Mets fan.” –New York Mets ace pitcher Tom Seaver in 1969
Last night’s World Series Game One 5-4 victory by the Washington Nationals over the Houston Astros may be a sign of things to come, and that would be good news for the Nats and their fans.
A Game One victory, though, is no guarantee of a championship. That was certainly the case fifty years ago in the 1969 World Series. The heavily favored Baltimore Orioles, winners of 109 of 162 games (a .672 winning percentage) that summer, handily defeated Seaver and the Mets 4-0 in Game One.
But Minnesota native Jerry Koosman pitched for the Mets in Game Two, earning a 2-1 victory. After two more wins by the Mets, Koosman, the Minnesota farm boy, pitched a complete game 5-3 victory in the Game Five series-clincher, and the “Miracle Mets” were world champs.
The “Miracle Mets”? The Mets had been the joke of major league baseball since their founding in 1962; they had finished in ninth place the previous year; and they had trailed the Cubs by 9.5 games in mid-August of 1969!
Their resurrection from the dead to life as world champions led Tom Seaver to make his claim quoted above. There’s something in the human heart that loves the underdog, the upset, and the unexpected—the very possibility of the miraculous. There’s great Biblical warrant for that view. In fact, Jesus’ death and Resurrection is the heart of our faith and the miracle of miracles.
Fifty years ago yesterday, on Wednesday, October 22, 1969, Jerry Koosman’s hometown fans in Morris, Minnesota lined main street to applaud his role in one of baseball’s greatest upsets. For a wide-eyed fifth grade boy it was a sweet moment, for even we St. Mary’s Catholic School kids were dismissed early for the parade to cheer our hometown hero. I was very glad that God was a Mets fan then.
Now, God, about those Vikings…
Pope Leo's Apostolic Visit to South America
The Holy Father begins an Apostolic Journey to South America today through November 17. In spite of his recent surgery for lung cancer, he will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru and has more than fifty scheduled events on his itinerary.
Of particular interest will be his visit to Peru, where he served as a missionary priest and bishop for nearly twenty years. The Friends of Chimbote (Peru) organization with its Fargo Diocese ties also has a high level of anticipation for his visit.
Note the graphic above for the Peruvian visit and the prominent saints of that land.
Here is his full itinerary:
Apostolic Journey of the Holy Father to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru (6–17 November 2026)
Veteran's Day
On and around Veterans Day next week, we will remember and honor our Veterans in a variety of ways in our Catholic schools. Thanks to all staff members and parents who assist with those recognitions, celebrations, and traditions.
Deepest thanks to all Veterans, especially those connected to our schools as alumni or family members, for their selfless service to our country. Blessings to you and yours.
President’s Proverb
“Love for the Lord, then, is one with love for the poor.”
– Pope Leo XIV
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
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
- Lectionary Readings: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2-8
- Responsorial Refrain: “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.” (63:2b)
- Chris Brunelle’s YouTube Recording: R&A Psalm 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026, Psalm 63
Ten Sundays ago, we also sang Psalm 63, and I noted then that thirsting for God is not hard to imagine in desert visits or dry summer days. I concluded that Psalm 63 is King David’s candid confession (witness) of our deepest desire and need (God).
This Sunday’s readings, however, have keeping vigil as a central theme. Thus, the last verses of the Psalm can be an additional focal point for our meditation: “I will remember You upon my couch, and through the night-watches I will meditate on You: You are my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I shout for joy” (Ps. 63:7-8).
This week let us be vigilant in seeking the only One Who fulfills our deepest desire as we sing, “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.”
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.
