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The Catholic Herald: Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Madison

February 27, 2003 Edition   •   Volume 133, No. 8   •   Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

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Mission Statement:


The Catholic Herald is the official newspaper of the Diocese of Madison. Its purpose is to inform and educate people of the Diocese through communications that proclaim Gospel values, report the news, and comment on issues as they pertain to the mission of the Catholic Church, which is to bring all in Jesus Christ to the Father.
map showing Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin in gold-orange

The Catholic Herald awards:

• Web edition: Award of Distinction, The Communicator Awards 2002 Print Media competition.

• Print edition: Award winner, Catholic Press Association 2002 awards competition.

Only in the print edition ...
News & Features:

Special section: Financial report -
Diocese of Madison

Appeals for peace:
Opposition mounts against war

Pope's lenten message:
Acts of charity essential

On mission from God:
Young adult team shares faith
with middle, high school students

Dedicated to Catholic education: Beloit teachers recognized

Columns:

• Spirituality for Today
by Fr. John Catoir --
Dealing with Saddam Hussein:
Is war the answer?

• Our Turn
by Therese J. Borchard --
Learning about faith:
Web resources for young adults

• Question Corner
by Fr. John Dietzen -- Questions: Leavened bread at Mass; 'enneagram' retreats

• The Pope Speaks
by Pope John Paul II -- Canticle:
Praises God's transcendent glory

• Coming of Age
by Christopher Carstens --
Be on alert for war: Teens, this could be 'your war'

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photo of Sr. Teresa Ann Wolf receiving the mark of ashes

left arrow LENT BEGINS MARCH 5 -- This year, the penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Here, Sr. Teresa Ann Wolf of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Hispanic Ministry receives the mark of ashes at a previous year's Mass at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo)


Your bishop reflects
on Lent 2003

Lent is a time for all of us to refocus our lives in Jesus Christ.

As a Church we are invited to fast from food, abstain from meat, pray with special devotion, and give alms for the poor, the needy, and the marginalized.

Fasting, praying, and almsgiving constitute the required expressions of keeping the season of Lent. Some other aspects of Lent demand our attention.

First, I believe Lent is also a time when we pray that we never become hardened by evil. In our day with the prevalence of evil and serious disregard for life, our knowing God's laws and commandments can make us look pretty good.   Full Story ...


Lenten regulations

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Lenten regulations from the Diocese of Madison are as follows:

1. Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent, and Good Friday.

2. In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, until they celebrate their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may eat only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

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These minimal penitential practices should not be lightly excused.

Liturgical notes

1. Ritual Masses are prohibited on Ash Wednesday, during Holy Week, and on Sundays in Lent.

2. Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on Holy Thursday, during the Easter Triduum, or on Sundays in Lent.

3. When a marriage is celebrated during Lent, it is to reflect the special nature of the season.


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