News Briefs: East Dane Deanery meeting DE FOREST -- St. Olaf Parish here will host the spring meeting of the East Dane Deanery Council of Catholic Women on Thursday, April 18. Theme is "Our God, With Us Always." Registration is at 5 p.m., followed by recitation of the rosary at 5:30. A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 5:45 with Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, Sun Prairie, diocesan moderator, as homilist. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. Fr. Todd McVey, community relations director for Hospice Care, will be the speaker at 7:30. A business meeting will follow. Those attending are asked to bring non-perishable food items or a cash donation for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Dane County. Reservations are due April 8 to Jo Anne Meinholz, 7502 Patton Rd., De Forest, WI 53532. Cost is $7. Lafayette Deanery meeting SINSINAWA -- The Lafayette Deanery Council of Catholic Women will hold its spring meeting at the Sinsinawa Mound Tuesday, April 23. Dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. Presentation and tour of the Mound will follow, given by staff member Diane Kieler. Closing prayer service will follow. Bus service will be offered from Holy Rosary Parish, Darlington, at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $4. Reservations for the bus and meeting are due April 5 to Chris Virtue, P.O. Box 36, Darlington, WI 53530. Cost of the dinner is $5. First aid training at Divine Savior PORTAGE -- On Thursday, April 11, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare will conduct an American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) basic first aid training program for citizen responders in Suite 100 at Divine Savior Medical Center, 128 Eastridge Dr., Portage. The class will cover recognizing signals of illnesses and injuries and understanding specific responses and behavior of citizen responders. The $25 program fee includes a 40-page handbook. An American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR class will take place on Saturday, May 18, also in Portage. Enrollment is limited and early registration is recommended. Phone the Community Health Education Department at 608-745-6405 or 1-800-272-9355, ext. 6405. Religious Appreciation Night WAUNAKEE -- On Sunday, April 21, Holy Trinity Tri-County Assembly and Bishop William P. O'Connor Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a Religious Appreciation Night at Rex's Innkeeper in Waunakee. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Priests and sisters in the assembly areas will be invited as honored guests. The menu includes chicken, pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, two salads, rolls, coffee, milk, and dessert. Cost per person is $16. Everyone is welcome to attend. For reservations, call Richard Schwartz at 608-831-1462 by April 14. Well Baby Fair MONROE -- The Green County Health Department and The Monroe Clinic are co-sponsoring a Well Baby Fair on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to noon in Founders Hall, located in the lower level of the clinic building. The purpose of this event is to promote healthy lifestyles and practices for pregnant moms and to educate parents of babies and young children about good nutrition and safety practices. The fair will feature educational materials, nutritional advice, car seat safety tips, and information about local services available for expectant mothers and parents. There will also be fun activities for children. Monroe Area Safe Kids will offer an on-site baby walker and car seat round-up as well. Talk on abstinence JEFFERSON -- Condoms don't protect the heart. Avoid pain . . . abstain. True love waits. These will be among the messages of Scott Phelps, of Project Reality, as he helps parents, educators, and community members to effectively communicate the message of abstinence to teens on Thursday, April 11, in Room M32 (the Choir Room) at the Jefferson High School (JHS) at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend Phelps' presentation. Refreshments will be served by JHS Teens4Life. For more information, contact Jennifer Ludtke at 920-674-5433 or Mary Ellen Taylor at 920-675-1041. Additional information on Project Reality is available at www.projectreality.org. Catholic Youth Day HUBERTUS -- Holy Hill, National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, announced that it will host the second annual St. John Bosco Catholic Youth Day on Saturday, April 27, from 8:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Catholic youth ages 13 through 23. Guest speakers for the day-long event will be Bishop Raymond L. Burke of the Diocese of La Crosse; Mary-Louise Kurey, Miss Wisconsin 1999; and Radix, a Catholic ministry group. Entertainment and music will be provided by singer-songwriter Erin Berghouse. Those planning to attend should register before April 15 by contacting Holy Hill at 262-628-1838 or 262-673-3540. Lunches are available for $6 per person. The evening cookout meal is free to attendees of the day-long event.

Chrism Mass:

(See also front page photo.)

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- It isn't often that cheers, whistles, and applause fill a church. We normally hear that kind of noise in sports arenas.

But that wasn't the case during the Chrism Mass celebrated March 26 at St. Raphael Cathedral. Hearty applause mixed with cheers and whistles filled the cathedral when Bishop William H. Bullock asked the congregation to show their appreciation for priests of the diocese.

Showing appreciation

The standing ovation came near the end of the Mass, following the bishop's homily message which touched on revelations of clergy sexual abuse involving some priests in the Catholic Church. "We promise to regain the trust of the people of Madison," said Bullock.

But it was obvious that those attending the Chrism Mass from parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison support their priests. And vice versa.

The priests sitting in the sanctuary stood, turned, and applauded the congregation as well.

Bullock also led more applause for those in consecrated life, seminarians, the Diocesan Choir and music ministers, all leaders and those in special ministries in parishes.

A special round of applause was also given to Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz, who will celebrate his 50th anniversary as a priest at the cathedral on June 2.

Msgr. Daniel Ganshert concluded the kudos by congratulating Bullock on his own upcoming golden jubilee of ordination, his remarks drowned out by further applause.

Blessing oils, priests renew commitment

The Chrism Mass celebrated during Holy Week brings together worshippers from throughout the diocese. They gather with their bishop as he blesses the oils used in parishes in the coming year for administration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders.

Near the end of the Mass, people from parishes throughout the diocese came forward to take the oils back to their areas. "Take them back to your parish as a visible sign of Christ in your midst," said the bishop.

It is also at this Mass that priests of the diocese publicly declared their willingness to serve God and the church by renewing their commitment to priestly service.

Liturgical ministers

Bullock presided at the Chrism Mass, with Wirz and members of the presbyterate of the diocese as concelebrants. Deacons were Reverend Mr. Michael Moon and Reverend Mr. David Wanish. Masters of ceremonies were Frs. Nicholas Okere and James Bartylla.

Servers were diocesan seminarians Diego Cuevas, James Poster, Michael Radowicz, Eric Sternberg, and Brian Wilk.

Readers were Isabel Bezerra of St. Raphael Cathedral Parish and Mary Uhler of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison. Interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing was Lisa Schlimgen of St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff.

Music ministers were the Madison Diocesan Choir with Patrick Gorman, director; Glenn Schuster, organist; Russell Champion, cantor; and special instrumentalists: Anna Nekola, oboe; David Magoon and Jim Browning, trumpet; Patty Schlafer, horn; Terry Sleister, trombone; and Jamie Ryan, timpani.

Prayers for year ahead

In his homily (published in its entirety in the March 28 issue of The Catholic Herald), the bishop observed, "This Holy Week, I pray that God may grant us pardon and peace, that He may strengthen us in Jesus, risen from the dead. With the Spirit of the Lord upon us, we use these oils for forgiveness, healing, and sanctification. He is our Savior and Redeemer lifted up that we might be saved.

"May our year ahead be a time of pardon and peace, a time of reconciliation. May we listen to Christ as faithful witnesses to His way and to His truth. May we walk faithfully and unfalteringly in His footsteps."

Two Nigerian priests:

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Two more Nigerian priests have arrived to serve in the Diocese of Madison as part of the ongoing relationship between the diocese and the the Archdiocese of Owerri, Nigeria.

The new arrivals are Fr. Peter Claver U. Anorue and Fr. Francis Xavier Ekwugha. They will minister in the Diocese of Madison for three years, joining five other Nigerian priests currently serving here.

"These priests are here to assist us, and we them, in a Solidarity Program with the Archdiocese of Owerri in Nigeria and in a special way their Archbishop, Anthony Obinna," commented Bishop William H. Bullock of Madison.

"I welcome our Nigerian brother priests in a special way. We wish to learn from each other and truly better our understanding of the different ways of being Church," said the bishop.

Fr. Peter Claver U. Anorue

It is Fr. Peter Claver U. Anorue's first time in the United States. He is "delighted to come" to the Diocese of Madison. "I come to serve God and the people of America," he said.

Born on Jan. 15, 1955, he is the first son among the six children of Sabina and Ben Anorue. His father is a school teacher and has been a catechist for many years.

The priest is a native of Umueze Amaimo in Ikeduru Local Government of Imo State, Nigeria. His minor seminary education was done at St. Peter Claver Seminary, where he obtained his West African School Certificate. After graduation, he did one year of pastoral work at a parish.

He then studied at Bigard Memorial Seminary for eight years, obtaining degrees in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest July 11, 1987. Since ordination he has served as a parish priest, chaplain, and member of the Imo State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

Fr. Francis Xavier Ekwugha

It is also Fr. Francix Xavier Ekwugha's first visit to the United States. He said he has heard good things about the Diocese of Madison, its bishop, clergy, and laity and "wanted to be part of this experience."

A native of Umuogbor-Ntu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, he was born into the Catholic family of the late Nze Thomas and Monica Ekwugha on Feb. 3, 1950, the second son of nine children. He received his primary education from the schools headed by his father, who was then a school head master.

He entered St. Mary's Minor Seminary and later transferred to St. Peter Seminary. He had his seminary studies interrupted by the Nigerian civil war until 1970, when he returned to St. Peter Claver Junior Seminary and later Bigard Memorial Major Seminary.

He was ordained a deacon in 1981. Following the pastoral visit by Pope John Paul II to Nigeria in 1982, he was selected among the deacons to be ordained to the priesthood by the Holy Father on Feb. 14, 1982. Since ordination he has served as a parish priest, chaplain, and member of local government committees on education, poverty alleviation, and social welfare.

Both priests will take part in an orientation program before they are assigned to positions in the Diocese of Madison.

Other Nigerian priests serving in diocese

The other five Nigerian priests currently serving in the Diocese of Madison are Frs. Nicholas Okere, priest secretary to the bishop; Basil Osuigwe, diocesan Tribunal and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Lake Mills, and St. Mary Magdelene Parish, Johnson Creek; Joseph Ononiwu, St. Aloysius Parish, Sauk City; Anthony Iheanacho, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison; and Casimir Chimeziri, St. Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa.

Celebration of Vocations:

By John Braunwarth
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

JANESVILLE -- The annual "Celebration of Vocations" sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club of Janesville was held March 21.

Dave Mumma, Serra Club president, was master of ceremonies. He introduced priests and religious guests and Catholic educators in the community. Mumma was assisted by Knights of Columbus Deputy, Bob Abb.

Fifty years a priest

The featured speaker was Bishop William H. Bullock, who talked about his eventful 50 years as a priest and 20 years as a bishop. He discussed the adventure with both light-hearted humor and religious zeal.

Bullock enlisted in the Navy during World War II partly to give more thought to the idea of a vocation to the priesthood. After his Navy discharge, he attended Notre Dame University with the help of his family and the G.I. Bill. Immediately upon graduation he entered St. Paul Seminary and in 1952, the year of the polio epidemic, he was ordained.

At first a parish associate priest, in 1957 he began teaching at St. Thomas Academy. He later became dean of resident students and during the Vietnam War he was named head master.

Kudos for sermon

A highlight of his vocational call occurred following a Mass at St. Olaf Church in downtown Minneapolis. Bullock recalled an excited lady, having just heard his homily, proclaim, "Bishop, that was the most superfluous sermon I've ever heard."

Not quite sure how to take that, he thanked her, thought a second and added, "I plan to publish it posthumously." Her reply, "The sooner the better!"

Diocesan vocations

"We have been able to get a fair number of new vocations while we've been here in Madison," noted Bullock. "I am proud we have several ordinations planned for this year.

"Seven priests from Nigeria are now helping us. With the return of two priests to civilian life who have served as Navy chaplains, we will be able to hold all our parishes together again this year," he said, observing, "we are the last diocese in Wisconsin to have priests in all our parishes."

A successor will have the hard work of closing parishes, he said.

Good years as priest

"The years I have been a priest have been good ones," Bullock commented. "There has been joy, sorrow, and an occasional doubt, but never did I have a doubt of priesthood. Whatever for, God was there to hold me."

Tragedy of pedophilia

In his closing remarks, Bullock expressed his deep concern over the tragedy that pedophilia has caused to its youthful victims who were betrayed.

Bullock cited Pope John Paul II, "Grave scandal is caused with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice."

The bishop continued, "Most importantly, the Church must continue to show concern for the victims of molestation and respond in truth and justice to these painful situations."

Face problem head on

"If any group of persons understands and is acquainted with sin, it is the priest," he said. "As confessors, as ministers of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as counselors, healers, and spiritual fathers, and our own sinful selves, we know and deal with sin, hurt, anger, and devastation.

"We wish to be neither angered nor undone but deal with the reality facing it head on with faith. We must not condemn the press for reporting, but we can question their sometimes generalizations because of a few priests. This will create the balance.

"As I told the priests this afternoon on this Day of Sanctification, and I again encourage you priests here tonight, please address these issues with your people in a parish setting or from the pulpit. Reassure the parishioners that Christ is still in charge of the Church."

A monetary grant was presented by the Serra Club to Bullock for recruiting and training future priests. Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz led the closing prayer.

The event was planned and coordinated by Serrans Joyce and Phil Reuter and Helen and Richard Schumacher.