Author Archive for: lhallstrom
Entries by Laurie Hallstrom
Evolution of a healing ministry
By Amy Julian In December, Carol Kling, the director of the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat of the Western Dakotas, needed to make a decision. The last two RV retreats had canceled due to a snowstorm, and then to Covid. “I was not going to let this retreat cancel,” she said. At a peak of Covid cases, […]
Chancellor Margaret Simonson retires
In the Fall of 1998, at her Office in the Douglas School District, Margaret Simonson was phoned by then-Vicar General, Msgr. Michael Woster. He shared with her that the chancellor position was open and asked if she was interested in being considered for it. After a long pause, she asked, “What is a chancellor?” He […]
His will, His way, My Faith
Update on diocesan Nicholas Black Elk Canonization process By Kathy Cordes, Diocesan Archivist and member of the Black Elk Working Group Currently, the Black Elk local working group is looking at the events surrounding a rambunctious 2-year-old little girl who was born prematurely, weighing 2.5 pounds. She had a heart valve issue and three holes […]
Relatives helped Dcn. Ben Black Bear, Jr. become a strong Catholic
Deacon Ben Black Bear and his wife Arlene By Laurie Hallstrom Deacon Ben Black Bear, Jr., will celebrate his 45th anniversary of ordination next month. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Harold J. Dimmerling in St. Charles Church at St. Francis Mission, June 19, 1976. He has been married to his wife, […]
Totus Tuus Vocations Camps — ‘I am totally yours’
Erin Lefluer (third from left) at Totus Tuus Girls Camp is 2004. (Courtesy photo) By Jacques Daniel Guest Columnist & Director of Youth and Youth Adults On an October day in 1978, the world held its breath, waiting. The Chair of St. Peter was vacant. Who would be the next to steer the bark of St. Peter? […]
‘God never leaves us without the graces’
The glory of Christ’s resurrection continues to shine on us as we complete the cycle of Easter feasts with the Solemnity of the Ascension and the Solemnity of Pentecost, the two great liturgical days that bring an end to our annual celebration of the Paschal Mystery. Of course, every Sunday is a “little Easter,” and […]
‘Mystery of the resurrection is rich and deep
In John’s Gospel Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb on Easter Sunday morning and finds it empty except for the linen burial cloths. The Lord had risen from the dead and would appear to her and his other disciples over the course of 40 days before ascending to the Father. What does it mean that he […]
