Two Wings No. 56

“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 about themselves.”
–St. John Paul II Preface to Fides et Ratio

Fides et Ratio Reflections

It was a blessing to visit the new St. Paul’s Newman Center at NDSU not once but twice this week for meetings, including an in-depth tour. What a beautiful building—reflecting well the splendor of the Newman mission and ministry.

The image above is on the wall of the atrium of the Newman Center and depicts St. John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890). It serves as a perfect reminder to all visitors of this namesake of Newman Centers throughout our land.

His classic “The Idea of a University” gives credence to his selection as namesake and why he is yet another example of the relation of the two wings of faith and reason.

Please consider regular prayers for the NDSU Newman Center and for all Newman Centers as they prepare for another year of forming college students in Christ. St. John Henry Cardinal Newman: “Pray for us.”

It’s About Time

Bl. Stanley Rother

On this day in 1981, Fr. Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma priest who was serving in his diocese’s mission in Guatemala was murdered in his rectory during an attempted kidnapping. His name had appeared on a “death list” earlier that year in the midst of social strife and authoritarian oppression. After that scare, Fr. Rother left for a time but returned to be with the people whom he loved and served. He was deemed a martyr by the Vatican and was beatified in 2017. A shrine, chapel, and museum are being built in Oklahoma City, where his body is—except for his heart, which remains in the Church of Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala.

For courage to confront injustice, to stand in solidarity with the least, and to take up our crosses, we pray, Bl. Stanley Rother: “Pray for us.”

Holy Spirit School Remodeling

After more than a year of good work, the remodeling project at Holy Spirit School is nearing completion. Thanks to Pastor Fr. Ross Laframboise, Principal Mr. Jason Kotrba, the parish staff, council, and finance committee for their leadership and to all the parishioners who have supported this project.

The Little Deacons will be moving back to the school next week and other teachers will soon begin preparing their classrooms for the new school year in the “like-new” facility. In the new cloakroom picture above, note the combination of the “new school” look and the “old school” coat racks and shelves. I love it.

Look for more information to come about open house tours of the school in August.

Summer Maintenance

While all our schools do not get the extreme make-over of Holy Spirit School, summer is the time for deep cleaning, repairs, and TLC in all our schools. Thanks to our dedicated custodians for all their good work in keeping our buildings clean, well-maintained, and ready for a new school year.

You know “school” is getting near when the custodial crew at Shanley-Sacred Heart begins its annual re-finishing work on the gym floors there. Summer camps and activities are over or on pause during that annual make-over. The re-finishing supplies and equipment are ready to go as indicated in today’s picture above.

President’s Proverb

“The key is not to predict the future but to prepare for it.”
–Pericles

Hagstrom’s Attempt At Humor (HAAH!)

Sunday Psalm Sampler

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

“Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
–Luke 24:44b

Lectionary Readings: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130

Responsorial Refrain: “Lord, I love Your commands.” (119:97a)

Chris Brunelle’s YouTube recording: R&A Psalm 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023, Psalm 119 – YouTube

Also used on the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and longest chapter of the 46 Old Testament books. The ultimate acrostic, it employs eight verses for each of the 22 Hebrew letters for a total of 176 verses. Every verse celebrates the Law of the Lord, and synonyms for the Law include commandments, decrees, ordinances, precepts, promises, statutes, ways, and words.

The Law of the Lord is an unparalleled treasure, and thus the Psalmist declares, “The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Ps 199: 72).

In Matthew’s Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus declares that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl of great price or a treasure buried in a field. That find is well worth the finder selling everything else to obtain its splendor. This week, let us be mindful of that endearing and enduring treasure as we sing joyfully, “Lord, I love your commands.”

mike.hagstrom@jp2schools.org

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 assumed office on July 1, 2016. When he applied for the position, he wrote that his “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, seeing that our schools not only merely survive, but also thrive. For they are designed for human flourishing, forming as we do the whole person, each and every student, made in God’s image and likeness, endowed with a transcendent dignity and destiny.” Prior to this role, he taught Religion and served in a number of other leadership capacities at Shanley High School for 31 years. There, he embraced St. Bede’s notion that “I have always found delight in learning, teaching, and writing.” Mike earned his B.A. in English and M.A. in Systematic Theology from Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. He and his wife, Shawn, have two children (Therese ’08 and Joseph ’16) and two grandchildren (James and Oliver).