Weekly Happenings at St. John Paul II Catholic Schools!
JPII Catholic Schools Weekly Newsletter | October 5, 2026
As followers of Christ, the mission of St. John Paul II Catholic Schools is to teach the total person by inspiring virtue and excellence, as taught by the Catholic Church.
St. John Paul II
Catholic Schools
2026-2027 Happenings
JPII SCHOOLS
NEWS NUGGET
Last Thursday, October 1 was the 65th anniversary of New York Yankee Roger Maris (Shanley Class of 1952) hitting homerun number 61, breaking Babe Ruth's legendary record of 60 home runs in a single season.
CALENDAR
October 5 - Feast of St. Faustina Kowalska
October 7 - Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
October 12 - Columbus Day
October 15 - Feast of St. Teresa of Avila
October 17 - Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch
NEW FAMILY FORUM
Parents/guardians new to JPII Catholic Schools for the 2026-27 school year are invited to an informal discussion that provides an opportunity to meet President Mike Hagstrom, ask questions, and meet other new families. The New Family Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, at 6:30pm in the Shanley/Sacred Heart Library, located at 5600 25th Street South, Fargo. Please enter through the Main Office Entrance, Door #1. Questions, please contact Lori Hager at lori.hager@jp2schools.org or 701-893-3271.
RAISERIGHT NEWS
Low Denomination cards are back for a limited time. Contact RaiseRight Coordinator to order. $10.00 cards: Amazon, Applebee’s, Darden Restaurants(Olive Garden & Longhorn Steakhouse), Gap brands (Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy), The Home Depot, IHop, Lowe’s, Pizza Ranch, Target, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls, Wal-Mart $5.00 cards: Barnes & Noble, Cold Stone Creamery, Dunkin, Panera, Starbucks, Taco Bell
Fall Bonus Fest runs every weekend through October 25. Every weekend will feature 25 plus new gift card bonuses plus online shopping bonuses as well.
Set up a RaiseRight account and start earning those tuition saving dollars by using physical or e-cards for your everyday shopping needs. Go to raiseright.com click Join a Program. Contact RaiseRight coordinator for enrollment code
You may purchase RAISERIGHT physical cards at Hurley’s Religious Goods, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, and Saturdays 9 to 1. Orders may be also dropped off at your student’s specific school, and they will be filled and sent home.
In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. Bishop John Folda celebrated Mass yesterday at St. Mary's Cathedral followed by a Holy Hour.
40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful, focused, 40-day, non-stop, round-the-clock prayer vigil outside an abortion business. It takes place from September 23 to November 1. Please volunteer to pray for an hour outside the Red River Women's Clinic located at 302 Hwy 75 N, in Moorhead. Click the button below to sign up.
To support Respect Life Monthin your parish, school, or community, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials that are designed to be brought to life. To learn more and to download, print, and reproduce the materials from the USCCB's website, please click the button below.
Lux Verbi (Latin for "the light of the Word") is a discussion group for adults who seek to grow in faith through meaningful conversation. Lux Verbi is currently studying The Platonic Tradition by Peter Kreeft. The discussion focuses on how classical philosophy helped shape Christian thought and continues to speak to modern questions about meaning and human nature. New participants are always welcome. No prior reading required. Contact St. Mary's Parish Office at: 701-235-4289 with any questions and to ask for the code to enter the Wanzek Center.
Date: Mondays
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Wanzek Center, 619 7th St. N, Fargo, behind St. Mary's Cathedral
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES
October Dedicated to the Holy Rosary
Pope St. Pius V attributes the defeat of the Ottoman Empire's fleet in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571 to the fact that there were Rosary processions taking place at the same time in Rome and elsewhere. He commanded that a commemoration of the Rosary be on the same day as the miraculous victory. Spend time praying the Rosary with and for your families and dear ones this month and all year long! Inquire at your parish's office what time prayer groups meet to pray the Rosary together!
Divine Mercy Prayer Group
Every Friday at 5:15 PM, a group prays the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. All are welcome! In her Diary, St. Faustina records the words of Jesus, who said: "Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you (1541). ... Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death" (687). The St. Anthony's prayer group would be absolutely thrilled if new people joined them!
Date: Every Friday
Time: 5:15 PM
Location: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church - 710 10th St. S, Fargo
FUN SOCIAL AND RELATIONSHIP EVENTS
Diocese of Fargo Youth Day 2026: More than Happiness
All middle school youth are invited to participate in the Diocese of Fargo Youth Day on Saturday, October 10, in Jamestown. Happiness can depend on what's happening around us, but joy goes deeper. At More Than Happiness, we'll discover what it means to have a joy that isn't shaken by our circumstances, because it comes from knowing and trusting God. Through Philippians 4:4-7, we'll learn how to rejoice, bring our worries to God, and experience the peace that only He can give. Ask if your parish is organizing a group. If your parish is not organizing a group, then please fill out the individual registration link provided below or contact Brady Borslien at: 701-356-7902.
Date: October 10
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM (lunch and dinner provided)
Location: Jamestown High School, Jamestown
Oktoberfest - Holy Cross Catholic Church
Date: October 3 - 18
Location: Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2711 7th St. E, West Fargo
