Mary of Magdala Came to the Tomb Early in the Morning, While It Was Still Dark, and Saw

“Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.”

As Christians, we believe that Baptism immerses us into the very life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can never lose hope because we have been set free by the empty tomb of Jesus, which destroyed sin, death, and all of the obstacles to hope. We have to make a daily effort to let go of the stones that keep us locked in the “tombs” of life, which rob us of our peace. This Easter, may the risen Lord throw back the stones in our lives that keep us in the darkness of our self-made tombs. The tombs of life are opened by opening our hearts to Jesus Christ, who fills them with the very gift of Himself. He is Risen! Alleluia!

Lesser Known Virtues, The Virtue of Piety

When we speak of someone as “pious” or having a spirit of piety, we have in mind that they are of a devout nature . . . they are holy. Thus, this virtue often becomes associated with pious little old ladies, the “church ladies” who have time to pray and worship all day. In this busy world, who has time for that! So, few strive for piety or seek to understand its true nature, but little do they realize how important this virtue is for the well-being of the family and society. Without the virtue of piety, things fall apart.

Simply defined, the virtue of piety is a supernatural habit that inclines us to render to our parents, our country, and all those connected with them the reverence and service which is due to them. Of course, God first and foremost deserves our honor and reverence, which is the domain of the virtue of religion. But, as God has placed us in a particular family and in a particular country, we have to believe that this is an act of loving benevolence; it is an act of God’s providence. Family and country are indeed gifts from God and as with all divine gifts, we are grateful for them and treat them with great reverence and appreciation. Accordingly, the virtue of piety demands a certain indebtedness to our family and country, which is evidenced in our loving service to these essential building blocks of right order.

First, piety involves a respect for one’s entire family, both living and dead. We often don’t take the time to contemplate what our family members have done to promote or well-being and prosperity. Consider our immigrant grandparents; thank God for the leap of faith they took in coming to our country. What would be our lot in life today if they had not left everything behind so as to come the United States? You would likely not have me as your parish priest had my ancestors stayed in the Ukraine, where most of the Germans-from-Russia were starved to death by Josef Stalin; the “lucky” ones were sent to Siberia, where many died in forced labor camps.

But, of all of our relations, no one deserves piety more than our parents. Indeed, how many sacrifices they have made on our behalf because of their great love for us. In prayer some time, mentally list all of the blessings we have received from our parents: the gift of life; our Catholic Faith; our work ethic; our morals and beliefs system; our conviction to serve the less fortunate; our habit of prayer; etc. The list is endless! Ponder as well all the times our parents made personal sacrifices for us, rooted only in their love for us: how many sleepless nights on their part when we were babies (or teens!); the countless meals they prepared; the times they went without because we needed clothes, medicine, etc.; the long days of arduous work, because they had to provide for their families; the many hours spent in gyms and on outdoor bleachers, cheering us on in extra-curricular activities; the countless prayers they offered to the Lord on our behalf; etc. Indeed, we are indebted to our families, but especially our parents. As we contemplate what they have done for us, because of their love for us, we feel obligated, actually honored, to give back to them, especially as they age and need our loving assistance. God moves our hearts with the virtue of piety to care for our parents, whose passion in life was to care for us.

Second, the virtue of piety extends secondarily to our country, because our country furnishes us with so much that we often take for granted. At this time of year, people probably don’t want to speak of love for their country after they have just payed their taxes! But, have we ever contemplated the benefits and services our country provides? When’s the last time you thanked God for the highways and roads you drive upon daily; they sure beat the dirt roads (paths really) of most nations on earth? When you go to a state or national park, do you ever thank God that our country preserved these gems from private development and usage so that present and future generations of Americans can enjoy them? How about our great local schools, offering a sound intellectual and human formation to our kids? How about the armed forces of our country, keeping us safe from the terrorists and rogue despots who want to do us harm? The safety of our drugs, our food, and our water . . . a constant effort on our behalf, offered by our country. Yes, we know there is room for improvement in our country, but let’s be honest . . . we still have a great country. Why are there so many people who want to come here and share in the American Dream? In so many areas of our lives, our country provides for that which is necessary and helpful. In a spirit of piety, we in turn strive to contribute to the well-being of our country: we pray daily for our nation’s leaders, asking God to grant them His wisdom; we get involved in government, whatever level it may be; we vote and are well informed before we enter the voting booth; we speak out when we see abuses in our country and on the flip side of the coin, we build upon what is good and right; we encourage our family to serve in the military and we honor the members of our armed forces, both living and dead; we attend civic and patriotic events; we are honest and faithful in paying our taxes; and we are not afraid to show our patriotism. In sum, we are indebted to our nation for so much and in piety, we want to always give back to our country. Long may our land be bright, which demands our sacrifices in this great effort.

May God bless you as you seek to deepen the virtue of piety in your Christian lives. We are intimately united to our family (especially our parents) and to our nation and we owe them a great deal of gratitude. Piety makes this gratitude a daily reality, and patterns our lives accordingly. How blessed we are in the gifts of family and country; now, consider ways to be a blessing to them in return.

He is risen . . . Alleluia!

I wish you and your families a blessed Easter, as we glory in the Lord’s Resurrection from the dead . . . our solace and peace as we face the trials of earth and our promise of the glory to come in heaven. Where Christ has gone, we hope to follow. Alleluia!

Thank you to everyone who had a role in making our Holy Week liturgies both sacred and solemn: church environment coordinators; lectors; altar servers; readers; Eucharistic ministers; choir members; musicians; and canopy bearers. Your participation in these ministries shows great love for God; your Faith; the Mass; and for your fellow parishioners. May God reward you!

I do look forward to a slower pace of life after Holy Week, perhaps more time for visiting parishioners and helping them polish off their excess Easter candy (hint, hint). So many ears to nibble off chocolate Easter bunnies and so little time. Lord, give me strength!

A Child of God in our Midst

We offer our prayers and congratulations to Matthew & Abbey Ruland, on the baptism of their daughter, Cora Ann, last Sunday at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church. May God bless Cora Ann in the blessed gift of her Catholic faith, her greatest treasure on earth and the only gift she will take with her one day to the glory of heaven.

Celebrate the Joy of Easter

After forty days of the penitential season of Lent, with its great privations and sacrifices, thank God Easter is finally here! But, as you have prepared so faithfully for Easter, make it worth celebrating. The Church gives you fifty days to do so. Want an idea for each day of the Easter season? Consider the following from Piercedhands.com, with some modifications:

1) Figure out which Lenten resolutions shouldn’t stop just because it is Easter. Don’t stop praying the Rosary and going to Mass because Jesus rose. Don’t stop cursing or being uncharitable also. Easter shouldn’t be a time to relax our pursuit of Christ, but to rejoice in the effort we are making. You don’t have to fast as hardcore as you did for Lent, but don’t give up the spiritual progress you have made.

2) Change the background of your phone to some stunning piece of artwork celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus.

3) Buy Easter candy for half price this week. Make sure to buy enough to last for fifty days. Don’t forget that most parish priests love the Reese’s Peanut Butter Easter eggs (hint, hint).

4) Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

5) Check out Saint Maximus of Turin’s triumphant reflection of Easter, an easy Google search away.

6) Use the word “Alleluia” whenever possible. Try to replace all other positive exclamations with this one.

7) Read Pope Francis’ Easter message from the Vatican. Call upon your friend Google once again.

8) Read the moving Easter homily of Saint Ephrem the Syrian. By now, you should consider buying stock in Google.

9) Have dessert every night. Explain to your kids that they get to have cake because Jesus loves them.

10) Give someone a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and say, “Happy Easter!”

11) Read the New Testament’s Acts of the Apostles

12) Go to Mass on Ascension Thursday on the actual Thursday, even though our diocese has moved this celebration to Sundays.

13) Have an Easter party . . . in late spring. It’s a long season!

14) Greet everyone with “He is risen!”, even when you get a confused look or hostile stare.

15) Make a holy hour every week in the Easter season.

16) Pray some of the Easter hymns, especially The Strife is O’er, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, or Ye Sons and Daughters.

17) Change your Facebook cover picture to something celebrating the Resurrection---and not something cheesy or kitschy---but something that will cause people to gasp for the beauty.

18) Pray for persecuted Christians who are unable to publicly celebrate the joy of Easter.

19) Read Saint Peter Chrysologus’ Easter homilies. Google to the rescue again!

20) Any time you would have said, “I’ll pray for you”, instead ask, “Can I pray with you?” Then get comfortable praying out loud.

[To be continued]

Celebrate the Great Mercy of Our Lord

Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday and there are two great ways to praise Jesus for His gift of Divine Mercy: at 3:00 p.m., be present at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church for The Living Chaplet of Divine Mercy, offered by the high school youth and later that evening, come back to Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church at 7:00 p.m. for the Divine Mercy Prayer Service. This service includes the offering of the Sacrament of Penance until 9:00 p.m. to attain a plenary indulgence, the remission of all the temporal punishment of purgatory (for the living or for the dead).

We hope to see you at both celebrations, as we beg Jesus to bless our world with His gift of mercy. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

BridalShower

On Sunday, April 23rd there will be a Bridal Shower for Geena Leschisin @1 PM-3PM. It will be @Tesha Gustafson’s home. The address is 403 5th St. SE Stanley, ND 58784.

THE BETHEL HOME Cordially invites you, our volunteers, to Our ANNUAL VOLUNTEER TEAThursday, April 27th @ 2:30 PM in the Dining Room. Please join us in Honoring you our Volunteers! This is a great opportunity for fellowship & fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Exterior Nativity Set

Anyone wanting/needing an exterior Nativity set. It is located in the utility shed on the south side of St. Ann’s in Berthold. Any questions call Dan DeRouchey @ (701) 833-0804.

Deadline for the Rice Bowl collection is Sunday, April 16th.

Deadline for Lenten Tree (Kenya Mission) is April 21st. Thank you and God Bless.