In this episode of Saints Replay, Fr. Paul continues the January series on magnanimity, focusing on the essential role of attentiveness in living a bold and virtuous life. He addresses the universal struggle of staying focused and provides spiritual encouragement for when our minds wander.

Episode Highlights:

• The Power of Attentiveness: Building on the story of the prophet Samuel, Fr. Paul explains that magnanimity—living a life of greatness and boldness—starts with the simple yet difficult act of being attentive to God's presence.
• The Difficulty of Focus: Fr. Paul acknowledges that humans are "distraction machines". Whether it's a fly in the room, a noise in the hallway, or our own internal thoughts, staying focused during prayer and Mass is a constant battle.
• A New Perspective on Distraction: Instead of feeling like a failure when you get distracted, Fr. Paul suggests viewing the act of returning your focus to God as a spiritual victory.
• Every time you notice you've wandered and choose to come back to the "here and now," you are strengthening your "attentiveness muscle".
• The goal isn't necessarily a perfect, 30-minute block of focus, but rather the repeated, humble choice to return to Christ.
• The "Victory" of the Return: Fr. Paul compares the moment of returning to prayer to a winning moment in a game. If you have to bring your mind back fifty times, that is fifty small victories for your soul.
• Living Magnanimously Now: By practicing attentiveness in the small moments of Mass and the classroom, you prepare your heart to respond boldly to the big calls God will place on your life in the future.

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In this week's homily, Fr. Paul introduces a powerful and challenging virtue for the new year: magnanimity. This "tongue-twister" of a word describes the bold and courageous pursuit of what is good.

Episode Highlights:

• Defining Magnanimity: While we often admire the boldness of daredevils, magnanimity is about using that same level of boldness for a much higher purpose—doing what is good. It's not about being reckless, but about living life with an adventurous spirit focused on holiness.
• The Dramatic Conversion of St. Genesius: Fr. Paul tells the incredible story of Genesius, a Roman playwright who loved to mock Christians.
  • During a play intended to ridicule the sacrament of baptism, Genesius experienced a sudden vision of heaven.
  • In a bold act of faith, he publicly declared his belief in Jesus Christ before the Emperor and the entire audience.
  • Despite torture and eventual martyrdom, Genesius remained steadfast in his bold proclamation of faith.
• The Importance of Boldness: Fr. Paul emphasizes that it's not enough to just "do churchy stuff". We are called to be bold in our faith because if we aren't, the powers of evil will be bolder in promoting what is wrong.
• Magnanimity in Youth: Using the example of the prophet Samuel, Fr. Paul explains that growing in magnanimity as a young person requires deep attentiveness. By listening closely to the Word of God and being fully present during Mass, the heart learns the boldness it needs to follow Jesus Christ.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

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In this uplifting episode of Saints Replay, Fr. Paul welcomes everyone back for the new year and introduces a special addition to the school's worship—a brand new hymnal specifically designed for St. Mary’s Academy.

Through a heartfelt story and a call to action, the message focuses on finding joy in faith and overcoming the fear of judgment.

Episode Highlights:

• The Kenya Connection: Fr. Paul shares a powerful memory from his time in Kenya, where he witnessed the profound devotion of people who, despite having very little, filled their churches with beautiful singing from memory, purely out of the joy of having God present with them.
• Joy vs. Sadness: Reflecting on the contrast between the vibrant faith he saw in Kenya and the often "sad" appearance of faith in America, Fr. Paul suggests that those in poverty often have a clearer understanding of what is most valuable: Jesus Christ.
• The New Hymnal: A special thanks is given to Mr. Ryan Shields, who spent hundreds of hours editing and perfecting the new school hymnal so that everyone can pray and sing together more easily.
• Singing as Heavenly Practice: Fr. Paul explains that we sing at Mass because Mass is a taste of heaven, and scripture describes heaven as a place of constant singing. To live in heaven later, we must practice praising God now.
• Overcoming Fear: Addressing the common fear of looking foolish or being judged by others, Fr. Paul identifies this as a tactic of the devil to distract from God's love. He encourages students to replace fear with "perfect love," which gives us the courage to be ourselves.
• A Call to Confidence: The episode ends with a practical exercise in responding and singing with confidence. Fr. Paul urges everyone to open their mouths and praise God out loud, which leads to true joy.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

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In this episode, Fr. Paul continues the Advent series on virtue, focusing on three practical and essential aspects of humility. This insightful homily challenges listeners to look inward, find strength in admitting faults, and persevere through failure.

Episode Highlights:

• Admitting Mistakes: A humble heart is willing to admit mistakes and understand that being at fault does not make a person worthless. Fr. Paul discusses how St. Peter and the notorious sinner in the Gospels are potent examples of how admitting faults can lead to immense holiness and love.
• Humility and Others: True humility isn't just about thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less. Fr. Paul reflects on a school project involving "badges of humility". He notes that the real sign of success is when people begin to notice and point out others' humble acts rather than focusing on their own recognition.
• Perseverance and Courage: Humility means not getting discouraged when you fail or make the same mistake repeatedly. Using a special, slow-moving guest, Shelly the turtle, as an example, Fr. Paul demonstrates that true humility is found in the courage to keep "climbing the rock" even after falling.
• The Ultimate Model: The homily concludes by pointing to the ultimate example of humility: Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, who was unafraid to humble himself by coming to earth as a small child born in a manger.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

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This special homily from Fr. Paul Gardner, delivered on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, explains why this holy day of obligation is so crucial and reflects on the Blessed Virgin Mary's perfection and humility.

Episode Highlights:

• The True Feast: The homily clarifies a common misconception, emphasizing that today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary—the moment she was conceived without original sin. This moment restored perfection to a fallen world.
• The Perfect Example: The speaker argues that the perfectibility of any endeavor (like basketball) is limited because no one is perfect. However, the Blessed Virgin Mary is the glorious exception, a perfect person for all humans to imitate.
  • Mary, though totally human, was perfect, proving that all people have somebody to imitate.
  • This reality gives our lives mind-blowing potential and a supreme, hardly imaginable glory, as seen in the miracles and incorrupt bodies of the Saints who followed her example.
• The Virtue of Humility: Mary's most admirable virtue is humility.
  • Humility means understanding who we truly are and living authentically, without becoming more or less critical.
  • St. John Vianney describes it as the chain that holds all other virtues together; without it, all other virtues are worthless and lead to pride.
• Humility in Practice: The homily discusses both the easy and hard parts of humility.
  • Easy Part: Mary didn't go around promoting herself; she quietly pondered profound things in her heart.
  • More challenging Part: Humility also means being confident when necessary—speaking up when you know the answer, or volunteering to sing if you have a good voice.
• A Sign of Humility: The speaker expresses profound admiration for non-Catholics and those who approach the altar with crossed arms to indicate they are not receiving Holy Communion. This humble act shows a focus on the Lord and a lack of concern for others' judgment.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

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This episode features a powerful homily by Father Paul that delves into the internal battle between faith and temptation, using two biblical stories to define the necessary Christian virtue of integrity.

Heroic Integrity in the Face of Death

Father Paul recounts the tragic, yet heroic, biblical story from the Book of Maccabees. A Greek king attempts to force a Jewish mother and her seven sons to abandon their God by compelling them to eat forbidden food (pork).

• The seven sons, and eventually the youngest, who was a teenager, are brutally tortured and killed in front of their mother for their faith.
• The youngest son, in a final moment of confidence, chooses to feed his mind ("what I know to be good and true") rather than his fear, knowing his body would be replaced by a "new and better one in the eternal life to come".
• This act of remaining faithful to God's commandments, even when faced with terrifying death, is held up as the supreme example of the virtue of integrity.

The Battle of the Two Wolves

To understand the daily nature of integrity, Father Paul shares the famous Cherokee legend about the two wolves:

• An elder tells his grandson there is a war inside him between two wolves: one representing what he knows to be true and good (his mind) and the other representing his emotions and feelings (the things he wants to do).
• The grandson asks which wolf will win.
• The elder replies: "Whichever wolf I feed."

Living with Integrity

Father Paul connects this image to the daily reality of the Christian life:

• Integrity is the choice to "choose what's good regardless of the circumstances".
• The constant fight within us is between what we know to be right (prayer, study, virtue) and the impulsive emotions that urge us toward immediate comfort or sin.
• We can choose to feed our minds by doing "repeated actions" of what we know to be true, making it easier to be strong each day.
• Our minds are strong enough to make the right choice every single day, so we must not become slaves to our emotions.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

Choose YOUR impact at lightofchristfoundation.org.

This episode captures the opening remarks and presentation for the St. Mary's Central High School (SMCHS) Band Concert, featuring a significant announcement and a reflection on the school's musical history.

Governor's Band Recognition

The evening begins with the proud announcement that the SMCHS Band has been named and selected as the North Dakota Governor's Official State Band for the 2025-2026 school year. The school welcomes North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong and her assistant, Madeline Kirchoffner (an SMCHS alumna, Class of 2016).

The band's official honors will include:

• Playing at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2nd at 6:00 PM.
• Selection by audition to play at the 2026 NDMEA Music Educators Conference in March.

The Legacy of William "Bill" J. Schmidt

The presentation shifts to celebrating the history of the Fine Arts at SMCHS and the dedication of the newly built auditorium, which is named after William J. Schmidt.

Impact and Pride: The speaker notes that Bill's legacy continues through his former students, including the current SMCHS Band Director, Anne Chambers (Class of 2007), and band directors at other local high schools like Mandan (Jon Baumann, '91), Legacy (Mark Herold, '97), and Century (Chris Dasovick, '98).

The episode concludes by welcoming the SMCHS Band to the stage for their performance, under the direction of Ann Chambers.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

Choose YOUR impact at lightofchristfoundation.org.

This special episode of Saints Replay features a homily delivered at Light of Christ Catholic Schools on Veterans Day, a day which also celebrates the feast of St. Martin of Tours, himself a veteran.

The message centers on gratitude and meaningful living in light of the sacrifices made by veterans.

Episode Highlights:

• Gratitude for Veterans: A special welcome and expression of thanks to all veterans and their families for their inspiring presence and service.
• The Price of Freedom: A reflection on the immense, often unpayable, cost of service, noting that those who fight in war put their whole lives on the line and are never paid adequately. The speaker contrasts this with a store offering a "30% discount" for those who gave "100".
• Worship and Liberty: The homily highlights that many wars in the Old Testament were fought for the freedom to worship God, which remains the most important freedom, alongside the many rights and privileges Americans enjoy.
• The Gift of Life: The talk draws parallels between the Israelites receiving unearned gifts upon entering the Promised Land—homes they didn't build and fruit from trees they didn't plant—and the unearned gifts and opportunities Christians receive. The very fact of existence is presented as proof of being loved.
• Living Ardently: Drawing inspiration from St. Martin of Tours, the episode challenges listeners, especially young people, to avoid slacking off or finding life meaningless. St. Martin was described as a man who was "neither afraid to die, nor did he refuse to live".
• A Call to Action: The most sincere way to thank a veteran is not just with words, but by living a meaningful life and ardently using the freedoms and opportunities they have won.

Tune in to revisit this powerful message on sacrifice, duty, and living a life full of purpose and gratitude.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

Choose YOUR impact at lightofchristfoundation.org.

This episode features a homily from Father Paul addressing an apparent contradiction in the day's readings: St. Paul summarizes all laws with "Love your neighbor as yourself," while Jesus states, "Unless you hate your father and mother... you cannot follow me".

The Love Hierarchy

Father Paul explains that Jesus is using an exaggerated statement to drive home a crucial point: If you love somebody more than you love God, you don't actually love that person at all.

• The most loving thing you can do for someone is to want them to be with God.
• He shares a story about a married couple whose parents prayed that they would find spouses who loved God more than they loved them, recognizing that this is the foundation for a truly loving marriage.
• This points to the ultimate rule: love God above all things.

The Virtue of Integrity

To help the faithful love God above all, Father Paul introduces the virtue of the month: Integrity.

• Definition: Integrity means being consistent in being good, regardless of the circumstances.
• He argues that if you are virtuous around some people (like parents) but not others (like friends), you don't have the virtue at all—you are actually making yourself worse at that virtue.
• He shares a personal, regretful story from his youth where a struggling teammate came to him for Godly advice, but Father Paul, out of insecurity and a desire to fit in, told him to retaliate instead of forgive. This illustrates the danger of lacking integrity.

Saints as Examples of Integrity

Father Paul gives two powerful examples of saints who chose integrity, even when it meant defying those they loved:

• St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Río: At a young age, this Mexican Cristero rebel refused to deny Christ, even when the government tortured him (cutting off the soles of his feet and forcing him to walk) and even when his own parents told him to cave in.
• St. Kateri Tekakwitha: This Native American convert made a vow of virginity at 14 and refused to marry, despite her parents trying to force her. She also refused to work on Sunday, leading her family to withhold food from her.

Conclusion:

Both saints loved their parents, but they loved God more. Their integrity means choosing the love of God, even when it is uncomfortable or works against the wishes of others, which in turn deepens the root of genuine love.


Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

Choose YOUR impact at lightofchristfoundation.org.

This episode features an address by Gerald Vetter, President of Light of Christ Catholic Schools, delivered at an appreciation event, highlighting the school system's tremendous growth, strong values, and future vision.

A Legacy of Faith and Growth

President Vetter begins by welcoming the community to the Our Lady of Victory Chapel and celebrating the foundation of Light of Christ Catholic Schools, noting that the system has grown to serve 1,542 students—a 44% increase in the last 12 years.

The community's support has been instrumental in:

• Unifying a dynamic school system.
• Building necessary additions, including a 6th and 7th Grade Academy and a new high school.

The Role of the Community

The core mission is to form students with strong moral character and who are intelligent, creative thinkers—qualities the world needs more of. President Vetter offers deep thanks to the key figures who support this mission:

• Parents: Thanked as the first teachers of faith and prayer, and for starting their children off on the right path, as echoed by the proverb: "Start children off on the way they should go".
• Teachers and Staff: Hailed as the guides on the journey who carry the mission forward daily, supported by the belief that "No Catholic school can be effective without dedicated teachers".
• Donors and Benefactors: Recognized as the builders of the future who quietly work behind the scenes to help every child find their voice and purpose.

Looking to the Future: The Next Bold Step

The address calls for continued momentum, emphasizing that the "work for now of building walls has been accomplished", but the mission must continue to focus on:

• What is happening between the walls: The spiritual and academic growth of the students.
• The New Initiative: The next bold step is the launch of the Light of Christ Catholic Schools Foundation. This initiative aims to plant "seeds today that will bear fruit in decades to come through endowed dollars" to ensure the future success of the schools.

The Endowed FoundationThe foundation is designed to create sustainability and allow the schools to say "yes" to supporting families who need financial aid, better supporting employees, and enhancing curriculum and religious activities.

The address concludes by reminding the community of their 75-year tradition of the annual St. Mary's Carnival (scheduled for January 30th-February 1st) and asking for God's continued blessing on the students and the mission.

Being a SAINT Changes Lives, and when you give a gift to support our SAINTS, it changes your life too.

Choose YOUR impact at lightofchristfoundation.org.