April 2021 Gazing on the face of Christ: The freedom and love of the cross
01Apr 2021
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Living your faith doesn’t have to mean having no friends
01Apr 2021
By Makenzee Gooley If I’m serious about my faith, will I fit in? This is one of the biggest questions young people seem to be facing today. It’s a common fear that many have as they go through high school, and even college. Students and young people are afraid they will lose friends. They want to have connections as they get older and be part of a bigger picture. They want to feel loved and accepted by the world around them. Chris Uhler, campus minister at Roncalli High School in Aberdeen, says this question of being serious about faith and what will happen is a lived reality of some of his students. “That fear is quite real,” Chris said. “I’ve seen it quite a bit in my three years here…
God asks us: Whom are you looking for?
01Apr 2021
By Father James Zimmer When you “come up empty,” pay attention. You may bump into someone so real, they could be divine—in fact, the Risen Christ. On the day of resurrection, Mary Magdalene came up empty. Peter, John, Thomas—the guards, chief priests and elders, for that matter—came up empty. That emptiness ushered some into a new, unimaginably beautiful life. Others missed the chance and went on with the “same old, same old.” This is what I mean by “coming up empty”: What you wanted didn’t happen. Better, what you thought you wanted didn’t happen. You wanted something good; it didn’t happen. You wanted something virtuous, holy; it didn’t happen. Maybe you wanted something unvirtuous, unholy, downright evil; it still didn’t happen. In fact, you can’t make it happen. Or, you…
New assignments support healthy priestly life
01Apr 2021
There is a great saying “As the shepherd goes so too the parishioners.” It has been on my heart and in my prayer to find ways to help our clergy be as healthy, happy and holy as possible so they can help each of you be healthy, happy and holy. After listening to insights from clergy, laity and members of the Clergy Personnel Committee, as well as discerning the gifts of priests and insights in prayer, I am changing our approach to priestly assignments for a variety of reasons: To promote healthy, happy and holy priestly life and ministry, I asked for input at our Clergy Days last October on what they would find helpful. I then surveyed our priests to see which ones would be open to living with…
Gazing on the face of Christ: the freedom and love of the cross
01Apr 2021
By Renae Kranz [caption id="attachment_5775" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo by Ellen Keena[/caption] When you look at the face of Jesus on the cross, do you see only the face of the God who set us free? Or maybe you see the face of a man in excruciating pain, his head hanging low in agony. It’s hard to imagine the pain, emotions and thoughts our Lord had while he hung on the cross, dying for each one of us. We do know from the Gospels that he did several important things in his last moments. Some seem somewhat random or unimportant, but each word he says from the cross is carefully chosen to open the door to our salvation and establish the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Father James Morgan, rector…
Does the Church allow me to think for myself?
01Apr 2021
Question I have relatives who are Catholic but don’t go to Church anymore because they claim that they want to be able to think for themselves. How can I respond to them? Answer Unfortunately, this is a very common objection many people raise against the Catholic Church; you’ll hear it from inactive Catholics, other Christians and atheists. As is so often the case, however, the reality is very different from the perception. [caption id="attachment_5751" align="alignright" width="300"] The Catholic Church doesn’t shrink from critical thinking. Just ask the Belgian priest Monsignor Georges Lemaitre who was a professor of physics and the first to propose the Big Bang theory.[/caption] One thing that must be noted up front is that the stated desire of this objection is sound: it’s a good thing to…
Overcoming fear is key to being an effective missionary disciple
01Apr 2021
By Laurie Stiegelmeier Bishop DeGrood’s vision for the diocese, Lifelong Catholic Missionary Discipleship Through God’s Love, is meant for everyone to play a part in. But it’s hard to imagine what missionary discipleship looks like and how it’s carried out. Even more, this is a scary concept for many of us. How do we overcome our fear of sharing God’s love with others? Even the Apostles hid in fear until the Holy Spirit filled them at Pentecost. We need to remember that same Holy Spirit is still alive in the Church and in us, especially through baptism and confirmation. We can also look to the witness of the saints who walked before us and learn from those who daily walk with us. Their example can guide us on our own…
Vocations Q&A with Sister Mary Thomas
01Apr 2021
[caption id="attachment_5758" align="alignright" width="300"] Sister Mary Thomas with Collin Block[/caption] Sister Mary Thomas, a Presentation Sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been a religious sister since September 2, 1978. She is currently the senior vice president of mission at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Q. Tell us a bit about your family and where you grew up. A. I am the youngest of eight children. I grew up on a farm north of Bowdle. I loved living on the farm and how we all worked together to get big projects accomplished. All my siblings lived in the area so we were able to gather frequently as an extended family. Q. How did you get your call to the religious life? A. A call matures and begins with noticing.…
Events planned for those in need of healing
01Apr 2021
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month, the Diocese of Sioux Falls will hold two events at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. A rosary for healing and protection will be livestreamed on April 13 at 10 a.m. and led by Deacon John Devlin. This rosary is being offered for all those who need healing and protection. Pray with us live from your location or at your convenience on YouTube at SFDiocese. On April 24 at 4 p.m., Bishop Donald DeGrood will celebrate Mass to pray for healing for all those impacted by abuse. If you cannot attend this Mass, it is televised on Keloland Sunday at 10 a.m. and livestreamed on YouTube at SFDiocese. Please join the bishop for this time of healing and prayer. Every year in South Dakota,…
The Church has a critical role in protecting children
01Mar 2021
By Renae Kranz In April each year, we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month nationally. The Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages every diocese to use this month to bring greater awareness and focus to the protection of children. In our own diocese, the Office of Safe Environment takes this month to collaborate with mental health practices and school systems to promote child abuse awareness and to highlight ways they currently provide safer environments for children throughout the diocese. Alison Conemac, safe environment coordinator for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, oversees the training implemented by the diocese within all programs related to children, minors and the vulnerable. The training highlights signs and symptoms of abuse, predator behavior and ways to respond to disclosures of abuse. The training equips people with…