Saint John Paul II’s blessed monstrance to be at Minot area parishes

In November of 2004, then Pope John Paul II presented to each of the six inhabited continents a monstrance that he designed, commissioned and blessed for use during the Year of the Eucharist for people to pray for an increase for vocations to the ordained ministry and consecrated life. Pope John Paul II requested that the monstrance be used in local parishes so that all Catholics, far and wide, would come together to pray for vocations. Now, just over 20 years later, the Serra Club of North Central North Dakota has been entrusted with this monstrance to fulfill the pope's request. 
 
With the permission of Bishop David Kagan, the Serra Club of North Central North Dakota has arranged for the St. John Paul blessed monstrance, a second-class relic of St. John Paul the Great, to be at various parishes in the Minot area during December and January. Those who come to pray before Holy Eucharist when the monstrance is present are encouraged to offer special prayers for the increase of vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life.
 
All Catholics are invited to participate at any of the locations as each will be offering a different liturgy. The schedule is (in Minot unless otherwise noted): Dec. 13-15 at St. John the Apostle; Dec. 16-17 at St. Nicholas in Garrison; Dec. 18 at St. Therese, Church of the Little Flower; Dec. 19-20 at Bishop Ryan School; Dec. 22 at Our Lady of Grace (Serra Club anniversary); Dec. 26 at Our Lady of Grace (adoration); Dec. 29 at St. Agnes in Kenmare; Jan. 1-3 at St. Leo the Great. Check the parish bulletin for times and activity schedules.
 
At 1 p.m. on Dec. 22, Fr. Jordan Dosch, Director of Vocations for the Bismarck Diocese, will lead a holy hour for vocations at Our Lady of Grace Church in Minot. Following the service, the Serra Club of North Central North Dakota will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its chartering with cake and coffee in the church basement. All are invited to attend, enjoy the cake, coffee and fellowship. Club members will be available to answer questions.

The purpose of Serra International is to affirm, foster and promote vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life within the Catholic Church and to help one another grow in holiness. At the request of Bishop David Kagan, the Serra Club of North Central North Dakota was
Chartered by Serra International on Dec. 23, 2014, to serve the northeastern quarter of the Bismarck Diocese.
 
What is a relic
 
Relics are physical, tangible, concrete reminders that heaven is obtainable for us—so long as we recognize what made the saints holy and work to apply those qualities to our lives. First-class relics are physical remains of a saint, such as bone, blood or hair. Second-class relics are objects that a saint touched, such as clothing or a rosary. Third-class relics are objects that have touched a first- or second-class relic, such as a cloth that touched a saint's tomb.