(Video discussion)

What is holy water and how do I explain the reason that it is placed at the entrances of churches to my non-Catholic friends?

Holy water is a sacramental; a reminder of the life of the church expressed and celebrated through the sacraments. By blessing ourselves with holy water as we enter the church, we are reminded of our own baptism and our call to conversion. Much as we are baptized and then journey through life, we bless ourselves and move through the church, symbolizing again the guiding presence of the Lord, which comes to us through baptism. Remember, the church is sacramental, that is, God’s grace is mediated through word and gesture (the outward signs). This comes to us through Jesus (instituted by Christ) as he entrusts to the church his saving mission (to give grace). In turn, the church, through sacraments, shares that grace and mission with us.

We especially use holy water during Easter when the priest sprinkles the people. It serves to remind us that we are indeed on a journey of faith that makes us one with Christ. So blessing ourselves not only reminds us that we are baptized into a community of faith, but also helps us renew our own baptismal promises to reject sin and to believe in God. It is the heart of Christian belief to turn from sin and toward God. Holy water and baptism make it a visible sign for all of us to follow.

©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc
Used with permission

LIVE WEB CONFERENCE WITH THE HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF JAPAN FEATURING SURVIVORS OF THE HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMBINGS.

Paddy McLaughlin, President of the North Dakota Peace Coalition, has shared the following information about an exciting event taking place within the boundaries of our parish:

The North Dakota Peace Coalition is sponsoring In the Spirit of Hiroshima, a photo exhibit of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki tragedy along with a live web conference with survivors. The event takes place March 24, at Presentation Ministries, 3001 11th St. S. Fargo. The photo exhibit is open to the public from 1:00 to 9:00 PM with the live web conference beginning at 7:00 PM. The event is free.

With the opening of the exhibition in Fargo, ND, The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum of Japan will have reached a stated mission of delivering the important message of the need to abolish nuclear weapons and move towards the realization of genuine and lasting world peace to all 50 United States. The timing is imperative as May, 2010 sees a major world conference to review the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

For 26 years the North Dakota Peace Coalition has provided educational programs and sponsored events to eliminate weapons of mass destruction of any kind through out North Dakota.