News - April 2026 RSS Feed

The public is invited to gather with the diocese and Bishop Kagan on Monday, May 11 for the anniversary Mass of the ordination of the holy priesthood. Priests celebrating anniversaries this year are: 5 years – Fr. Jacob Degele, Fr. Ben Franchuk, Fr. Greg Hilzendeger, Fr. Nicholas Vetter; 10 years – Fr. Doug Krebs; 15 years – Fr. Jason Signalness; 25 years – Fr. Shannon Lucht; 30 years – Msgr. Tom Richter; 35 years – Fr. Ken Phillips; 60 years – Fr. Marv Klemmer and 65 years – Fr. Paul Cervinski. The Mass will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck beginning at 11 a.m.

The annual Blue Mass will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck. Held during National Peace Officers Memorial Week, this special Mass with Bishop Kagan is an opportunity to pray for all active, retired and deceased law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

All are invited for Bismarck Diocese Armed Forces Mass celebrated by Bishop Kagan on Saturday, May 16 at 8 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck. All current and retired military families, parishioners and civilians are invited to attend to pray for all branches of the armed forces.

The 12th Annual Seminarian Scholarship Golf Tournament hosted by the Catholic Foundation of Western North Dakota is Monday, June 15 at the Prairie West Golf Course in Mandan. Check in and lunch begins at noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Lunch and dinner are provided. Cost is $520 per team or $130 per person. Register online at cfwnd.org/golf by June 12. The tournament fills up fast, so you are encouraged to register early. For more information contact Ron Schatz at 701-204-7202 or Mike Bichler at 701-471-0985.

The 2026 Big Smoke event at the Flickertail Garden on the ND State Fair Grounds in Minot is Sunday, June 21. Doors open at 3 p.m. Come and spend the day with priests and diocesan seminarians at this event held by the Serra Club of North Central North Dakota. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Take part in taste testing at competitor stations and stay for a BBQ dinner with all the fixings served by the seminarians. Proceeds of this event work to ensure the future of our Catholic Faith by supporting new priests, the priesthood and the consecrated life.

You are invited to the annual Town and Country Celebration on Sunday, July 19. The event will be held at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Crown Butte. The day will begin with Mass celebrated by Bishop Kagan inside the church at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow Mass. There will be a blessing upon rural communities, equipment, land and animals. Attendees are invited to bring a container of soil or seed from their field or garden to be blessed. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and umbrellas to enjoy the day outdoors. The event is hosted by Fr. Nick Schneider and the parishioners of the Church of St. Vincent de Paul. Register at bismarckdiocese.com/townandcountry or call Amanda at 701-204-7205. Registration is required for an accurate meal count. Note that although there is a simple ramp, the church is not handicapped accessible, especially for seating.

The Steubenville Conference trip provides an exciting opportunity for youth to become better equipped and empowered to live life to the fullest as joyful disciples of Christ. The conference features speakers, workshops, music, Eucharistic adoration and fellowship with other Catholic teens. The Bismarck Diocese group’s trip to St. Paul will take place July 23-26. Registration is now open at bismarckdiocese.com/steubenville-st-paul.

St. Catherine School is seeking a part-time Music Teacher for the 2026–2027 school year. Responsibilities include teaching K–6 music, leading Christmas and Spring programs, and coordinating music for school Masses. Candidates should hold (or be willing to pursue) North Dakota licensure and have a background in music or music education. Flexible scheduling available. To apply, send cover letter, resume, transcripts, and three references to Nicholas Lee, Principal, at [email protected].

All are invited to join the Knights of Columbus for a family-friendly community procession and walk on Friday, May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, in honor of St. Joseph, Patron of Workers and the Dignity of Work. Start time for the event is 6:30 p.m., and will begin with prayer in front of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at 520 Raymond Street. The procession distance will be approximately one mile, with stops for prayer at specific locations. After the procession and final prayer, there will be ice cream, snacks and an opportunity for kids to play and adults to socialize at the Cathedral Elementary School playground area. Saint Joseph, model of workers and pillar of families, pray for us!

A three-day retreat, Thursday, May 28, 10 a.m. - Saturday, May 30, 1 p.m., with the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery for girls completing 7th grade in the '25-'26 school year. RB 72 comes from Chapter 72 of the Rule of Saint Benedict, in which monastics are instructed to “prefer nothing whatever to Christ.” During the retreat, participants will join the sisters for prayer and Mass, complete a service project, have opportunities to hang out with friends, and learn more about what it means to prefer nothing above Christ. Click/tap on the title above for more information.

This is a collaborative effort by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, the St. Mary Sisters, and the Servants of the Children of Light for high-school aged women. This is a day of exploration of vocations with the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, the Servants of the Children of Light, and the St. Mary Sisters on Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Click/tap on the title above for more information.

The Bismarck Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society invites everyone to an informational session on Sunday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit cafeteria. Snacks and beverages will be served. Come and learn about the local conference and how becoming a Vincentian can help you grow in holiness by serving our Bismarck-Mandan parishioners and neighbors. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul brings men and women together to grow spiritually and in friendship by offering prayers and financial assistance to those in need. Vincentians are not professionally trained social workers. The most important qualification is simply the desire to serve as Jesus served.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Bismarck Immaculate Conception Court are hosting a tea party fundraiser on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mandan' sChrist the King parish Hall (use south side entrance between school and church). There will be a light finger food lunch, games and keynote speaker, Mother Chiara Therese of the Servants of the Children of Light. Cost is $5 for ages 17 under under, $15 for adults and $25 for families. Please RSVP to Rose Mayo by April 22 at 701-204-3285. Part of the proceeds to help Servants of the Children of Light.

Following a vocation and strengthening in faith

Step up to the plate at youth vocations day

Local chaplain had Pope Leo XIV as her spiritual director

Local filmmaker is part of the film industry’s new wave.

It is time for people to exercise common sense, resist social pressure and call a spade a spade.

Let’s live life in our human bodies in a way that leads us to eternal life in heaven.

To keep the discipline of Lent is to imitate Jesus.