Bishop invites priests to Midday Prayer for Vocations Bishop William H. Bullock will continue monthly Midday Prayer for Vocations in the Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. Priests are encouraged to join him in this hour of prayer that will be held once every month from 3 to 4 p.m. The schedule for 2002 is: • Jan. 31 • Feb. 28 • March 21 • April 25 • May 30 • June 27 • July 18 • Aug. 29 • Sept. 26 • Oct. 24 • Nov. 21 • Dec. 26

2002 -- A Year of Grace and Strength

With humility, yet with confidence, Pope John Paul II seeks strength from God to do the work of being Pope in 2002. It behooves each one of us to make his prayer our own.

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

Having felt our own personal vulnerability, we may have fears of our future. How appropriate it is for each one of us to hear our Holy Father's words in the wake of the events of September 11th. Underneath it all we are provided with a new opportunity for hope, a new way in which to rely on God.

God turns evil into good

God is a God whose power turns evil into good and it is precisely that hope which sustains us as we embrace our future in 2002. Evil seemed a while to triumph in death, disappointment, and disillusionment.

For a moment we shook in the quake of terrorism, but soon the sounds of reason, of determination and hard work called us, and we came back to put our nation back under God, indivisible, in unity, with liberty and justice for all.

We must now live out that pledge by giving action to our words. As Pope John Paul II said in his message of peace in the new year, "Evil will in fact be transformed into a world in which the noblest aspirations of the human heart will triumph, a world in which true peace will prevail."

The tough path of forgiveness, of working for justice, of praying for peace must continue to combine in order that we be true advocates of lasting peace.

"God is a God whose power turns evil into good and it is precisely that hope which sustains us as we embrace our future in 2002."

Priest retirements

In late December I sent a letter to each of our priests who requested retirement from active priestly ministry in their parishes. Our diocesan policy for retirement is as follows: 1) a priest must (is expected to retire) at age 75 according to canon law; 2) a priest may retire at age 70 in the Diocese of Madison; 3) a priest may retire at an age less than age 70 with permission from the Bishop.

This year the following priests will retire: Reverend Kevin W. Cassidy, Reverend Monsignor Elmer J. Dietzel, Reverend Thomas R. Doheny, Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Higgins, Reverend Monsignor Raymond E. Klaas, P.A., Reverend Ronald G. Rank, Reverend David H. Runde, Reverend Anthony J. Schumacher, and Reverend Donald J. Wiecki.

The effective date of retirement is June 12, 2002. I will find opportunities on different occasions to speak and write words of appreciation for these nine priests.

They have served long and well and I know, like myself, go into retirement with a sense of satisfaction. I also know that where possible these same priests will be available for celebrations of Mass and sacraments in the parishes.

This year I will ordain our three transitional deacons as priests for service to the Diocese: Reverend Mr. Michael E. Moon, Reverend Mr. Tait C. Schroeder, and Reverend Mr. David A. Wanish.

Reverend Michael E. Klarer and Reverend Robert W. Hughes will return to the Diocese from the United States Navy. We will have two additional priests from the Archdiocese of Owerri in Nigeria, thanks to the permission of Archbishop Anthony J.V. Obinna.

Also this year I will celebrate my 75^th birthday on April 13, 2002, and will be expected to submit my resignation to our Holy Father on or near that date.

After this letter has been written and submitted, the Bishop remains Bishop of the Diocese until the resignation is formally accepted and announced through the Nunciature in Washington, D.C.

More frequently than not, the announcement of the accepted resignation and the appointment of the new Bishop occurs simultaneously.

In your goodness pray for all who will retire this year, for the Personnel Board, and for me that we can maximize the goodness of our priests for service in our great Diocese.

Decree:

On St. Paul Church building, Mineral Point

Catholic presence in Mineral Point began with a mission founded by Father Samuel Mazzachelli in 1839. First named St. Charles, it was later changed to St. Paul. A stone church was dedicated in 1845. Commonly called the "Mission Church" it is immediately adjacent to the St. Paul church building and is accessible on rare occasion.

In 1860 a second church building was dedicated which served the parish until 1910 when it was demolished. A third church building was dedicated in 1911, which is the building at issue. In 1870 St. Mary Parish was established. The two parishes served the community for over 100 years.

In 1978, at the direction of Bishop Cletus F. O'Donnell, the parishes of St. Paul and St. Mary were merged into the Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul. Masses were celebrated in both buildings. In the mid 1990s there was significant deterioration to the steeple and interior of St. Paul Church which was repaired.

About that time Masses at St. Paul were reduced to special occasions. Additional deterioration occurred within the last several years which has rendered the building potentially unsafe, and Masses were discontinued. St. Mary/St. Paul Parish considered these options: use parish funds for repair, seek outside funding for repairs and future maintenance, sell the building, or raze the building.

The finance council and parish council with the agreement of the pastor, Rev. James Hinnen, concluded that the parish did not have the funds for this repair and continued long term maintenance of two church buildings both over 90 years old. Therefore it was determined to seek outside contributions. The fund drive was unsuccessful. The council then recommended sale of the building.

Following the Procedures for Sale of Church Buildings in the Diocese of Madison, Msgr. Paul J. Swain, Vicar General, chaired a public forum in the parish to discuss this issue. In response to the expressions of some, the parish council decided to undertake a second fund drive to raise sufficient moneys for immediate repairs and for a maintenance endowment. That fund drive also was unsuccessful.

As a result the parish finance council, on a vote of 6-1, and the parish council, on a vote of 7-3 with one abstention, affirmed the decision to seek permission to sell the building. Both lay trustees and the pastor supported the resolution.

Pursuant to canons 1212 and 1222, Code of Canon Law, after consultation with the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Finance Council and the College of Consultors I hereby decree that St. Paul church building be converted to profane but not sordid use and that the property may be sold according to diocesan policy and canon law.

The Mission Church may not be sold, an access easement shall be established, and the parish shall continue its maintenance. Any deed of transfer shall be conditioned to restrict future use as a site of worship under the Roman Catholic Church or as a site for providing abortions or adult entertainment.

As a result of this decree, the church building loses its blessing, the Blessed Sacrament may no longer be reserved and the sacred furnishings are to be removed.

Given at Madison on this 13th day of December in the year of Our Lord 2001.

Bishop William H. Bullock
Bishop of Madison

Msgr. Joseph P. Higgins
Chancellor

Official Appointments:

Most Reverend William H. Bullock, Bishop of Madison, wishes to announce the following appointments:

Rev. David H. Runde as Dean, East Dane Deanery, for a term beginning September 1, 2001 and ending May 31, 2002.

Rev. Michael C. Richel as Dean, East Dane Deanery, for a term beginning June 1, 2002 and ending August 31, 2004.

Rev. O. Charles Schluter as Administrator, St. Philomena Parish, Belmont, St. Michael Parish, Calamine, and Immaculate Parish, Truman effective January 28, 2002 until April 22, 2002, while Rev. Monte E. Robinson, Pastor, is on sabbatical.

Rev. Sanctus K. Ibe, Jr., as Administrator, St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee, effective January 28, 2002 until April 22, 2002, while Rev. Msgr. James L. Gunn is on sabbatical.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General

Official Announcements:

The following pastors have submitted resignations and have had them accepted by Bishop William H. Bullock, effective June 12, 2002:

Reverend Kevin W. Cassidy
Reverend Monsignor Elmer J. Dietzel
Reverend Thomas R. Doheny
Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. Higgins
Reverend Monsignor Raymond E. Klaas, P.A.
Reverend Ronald G. Rank
Reverend David H. Runde
Reverend Anthony J. Schumacher
Reverend Donald J. Wiecki

The following priests are returning from active duty in the United States Navy:

Reverend Robert W. Hughes, CHC, USNR
Reverend Michael E. Klarer, U.S.N.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General