The Catholic Herald
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. |
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.
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Fr. Mick Moon to enhance ministry
and service to Hispanics
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- Bishop William H. Bullock has announced that Fr. Michael E. "Mick" Moon will enhance ministry and service to Hispanic people in the Diocese of Madison.
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| Fr. Michael E. "Mick" Moon |
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Effective June 11, Moon will go from fulltime parochial vicar at St. Bernard Parish in Middleton to halftime Diocese of Madison Hispanic ministry and halftime parochial vicar at St. Bernard.
"Consistent with efforts to care for Hispanics, I have designated Fr. Mick Moon to assist in special ways with Latinos," said Bullock. "They are a growing number in our diocese and I am very pleased to help meet their needs."
The bishop said he remains grateful to Fr. George W. Fox and Msgr. George M. Hastrich for their service to Hispanics in past years. Both are now retired. "Fr. Moon will be charged with the responsibility and privilege of this ministry," said the bishop.
Moon has already been involved in ministry with Hispanics since his ordination to the priesthood in May of 2002. He offered Mass with migrant workers last summer at Cambria and Markesan. He started a bilingual Mass in English and Spanish at St. Bernard, Middleton, in February. It is offered every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. "Plans are to continue that Mass," Moon said.
He has provided other services in Spanish, including confessions, anointing of the sick, burials, hospital visits, marriage preparation, weddings, and Masses at the Dane County jail (usually in English with a homily in both English and Spanish). He will continue and expand his ministry in all these areas.
"It's important for me to be a bridge to people," said Moon. "I see my role and identity as a priest to call all people closer to God."
He said his emphasis in Hispanic ministry is on "being genuinely concerned and providing an atmosphere of hospitality." He noted that one of his favorite sayings in Spanish is "seguir adelante juntos" - to keep moving forward together.
"It's an exciting opportunity and my own impression is that there are tremendous numbers of people who yearn to access the sacraments and participate in spiritual direction in Spanish," said the priest.
Moon majored in Spanish while in college. He graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. He had jobs as an interpreter after college. While studying to become a priest at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois, he took classes on presiding in Spanish.
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Sexual abuse:
Madison Diocese seeks to protect children
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Diocese of Madison
Steps to Address Sexual abuse of Children and Young People
by Clergy
1. Make commitment to fully implement Charter and Norms as approved by the United States Bishops and Holy See. Done
2. Provide pastoral outreach to victims, their families, and affected faith communities by:
a. Appointing and supporting a coordinator for pastoral care. Done
b. Making resources available for counseling and other assistance. In process
c. Meeting with victims by bishop. In process
3. Assure safety and protection for children and young people by:
a. Appointing and supporting a Sexual Abuse Review Board of at least five members in full communion with the Catholic Church, including a priest and one expert in treatment of sexual abuse of minors, with the responsibility to assess allegations, to offer counsel regarding suitability of clergy for ministry, and to periodically review diocesan policies. Done
b. Providing and making readily available written reporting form. Done
c. Establishing policy that any person who has committed even a single instance of abuse will never function in ministry again. Done
d. Offering formation and educational programs for clergy, religious, lay ministers including teachers, religious education and youth ministers, parents and children on ways to prevent, detect and deal with sexual abuse. In process
e. Assuring appropriate and effective screening and selection procedures for clergy, diocesan and parish staffs, and volunteers. In process
4. Assure accountability and transparency for diocesan actions by:
a. Establishing policy to report to district attorney of appropriate county new allegations. Done
b. Reporting to district attorney of Dane County names and details of past credible allegations. Done
c. Establishing policy to encourage victims to report allegations to police and diocese. Done
d. Establishing policy to enter no settlement agreements that contain confidentiality provisions. Done
e. Establishing policy to have the diocesan Finance Council review terms of all settlements. Done
f. Releasing amounts of previous settlements. Done
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By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- Protecting young people from sexual abuse and working with victims of past abuse are among goals of the Diocese of Madison's program to implement the U.S. Bishops' Charter and Norms.
In an interview, Bishop William H. Bullock admitted that some bishops made grave mistakes in the past in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse.
"We have apologized for our mistakes," he said emphatically. "We are now dedicated to the protection of young people."
Bullock himself has been meeting with victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Madison. It has been an eye-opening experience for him. "There is no way to understand the damage done until you visit with the victims," he said.
Problem for everyone
But he also said everyone in the church - priests, religious, and lay people - must also join with the bishops in promising to protect all young people in the future.
"This is not just the bishops' problem," he said. "It's a problem for the universal church."
Priests, too, must be responsible for moving forward and complying with the diocesan efforts to implement the Charter and Norms for the protection of young people.
Training program
The Diocese of Madison is negotiating with a firm to do background checks, advocacy, and education. The program will train clergy, church staff members, volunteers, and parents on how to prevent child sexual abuse.
"We will work hard to advance our awareness, be compassionate with victims, and see that perpetrators get the care they need," said Bullock.
He said the Diocesan Review Board of six members includes a psychiatrist, a sex therapist, a former police officer, a chief justice, an attorney, and a priest. Full Story ...
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News & Features:
• Fighting abortion: 'Truth is on our side,' pro-lifer tells activists
• Special section: Vacation guide
• Pope's trip to Spain:
Shows interest in youth, saints
• Catholic chaplains: Serve as voice of faith for military, church
Columns:
• Making a Difference
by Tony Magliano -- Pacem
in Terris: A timely anniversary
• Question Corner
by Fr. John Dietzen --
Questions: Cross or crucifix; marriage cause excommunication?
• The Pope Speaks
by Pope John Paul II --
Jesus Christ has risen from the dead: 'Peace be with you'
• Your Family
by Monica and Bill Dodds --
Gardening: With young children
• Coming of Age
by Amy Welborn --
Expect the unexpected: Your life won't always go as planned
• Subscribe to print edition
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Plans for Catholic retirement center
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison is working with Catholic Charities to provide a new Catholic retirement center in Madison, said Bishop William H. Bullock.
The proposed center will be called All Saints Catholic Retirement Center. It will be built on land adjacent to the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center on Madison's far west side.
"I feel very hopeful that we will have the word Catholic in the title of the center and in its operation," said the bishop. He said the center will have full Catholic identity and follow U.S. bishops' health care standards.
The bishop has asked the Sisters of Nazareth in Stoughton and the Sisters of Charity in Janesville - who both operate Catholic nursing homes - to help with developing the center's Catholic identity.
There will be opportunities for Mass and other Catholic services provided, although the center will be open to people of all faiths.
The center will provide affordable housing. There will also be a continuum of care on the campus to allow people to "age in place." Full Story ...
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