Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Friday, May 24, 2002 7:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, Michael E. Moon, Tait C. Schroeder, and David A. Wanish, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Saturday, May 25, 2002 4:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo Sunday, May 26, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville Monday, May 27, 2002 10:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Memorial Day, Resurrection Cemetery Chapel, Madison (Alternate rain location: Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison) Thursday, May 30, 2002 11:30 a.m. -- Host Luncheon in Honor of Retired Priests, Bishop's Residence, Madison 3:00 p.m. -- Preside at Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Friday, May 24, 2002 7:30 p.m. -- Concelebrate at Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, Michael E. Moon, Tait C. Schroeder, and David A. Wanish, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison Monday, May 27, 2002 9:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Memorial Day, Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Beloit Thursday, May 30, 2002 11:30 a.m. -- Attend Luncheon in Honor of Retired Priests, Bishop's Residence, Madison 3:00 p.m. -- Attend Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel, Madison

Some words on Pentecost

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

Inner solitude and silence help us become aware of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and throughout the whole universal Church.

On the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, we light 2,002 candles and see them burn brightly for all to see.

On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the first Easter, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles bringing gifts, easing fears, firing and purifying those assembled by lifting them to a new measure of life in God and personal holiness.

"It is into this world, darkened by poverty, dimmed by terrorism and conflict, that the Gospel, the good news of salvation, must be poured. Who better to do this than those who have been brought together in Christ's love, people of every nation, culture, and tongue - the mystical body of Christ, the Church."

I, me, thee, we

It occurs to this writer and bishop on Pentecost 2002 that the Holy Spirit is questioning our questions such as - "What will I do next?" "What do I want to accomplish in life here and now?" or "What should others think of me?" - to be better listeners to him that we might read the signs of our times in a more productive way.

Those "signs of the times" include terrorism begun in earnest on September 11, 2001, the scandal of sexual molestation of children and youth by priests, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the continuing war in Afghanistan, and worldwide poverty in Third and Fourth World countries.

How are we reading these signs of the times? They need to be addressed in order that we can share in the needs of all of humanity both in the grief and anguish, the joy and hope of all people throughout the world.

Read the signs

It is into this world, darkened by poverty, dimmed by terrorism and conflict, that the Gospel, the good news of salvation, must be poured. Who better to do this than those who have been brought together in Christ's love, people of every nation, culture, and tongue - the mystical body of Christ, the Church.

Reading the signs of the times is a constant need in our ever rapidly changing world.

It is into this Church that God breathed the power of the Holy Spirit. In inner solitude and silence we can enhance our awareness of what God wishes for his Church.

That Holy Spirit is a soft, gentle, small voice, a light breeze, whispering in our joy or shouting in our pain. The Holy Spirit tells us, "Do not be afraid."

But we cannot hear that if we remain resentful about: 1) things we wish had never happened, 2) relationships we wish had turned out differently and, 3) mistakes we wish we had never made.

The "if" questions

What happens is we keep a part of ourselves from God by clinging to the "if" questions, to the "well, maybe" situations, and thus the Holy Spirit is not able to activate fully his sevenfold gifts in us.

Do not be afraid

When we cannot hear God say, "Do not be afraid," we are led to another inevitable consequence: we cannot, as God asks of us, "seek first the Kingdom." It's high noon and time to break out of our prison of human entanglement holding us in frozen anger or resentment.

The days ahead

There is no way we as Church in the U.S. will be saved from humiliation or avoid what must be faced head on in the press and the media in the days ahead. We must go forth not being afraid, but seeking his Kingdom first and foremost.

We in the U.S. are but 60 million of the one billion Catholics, and I am sure that our fellow Catholics share our grief and anguish, and that we identify with their joy and hope.

I think it is truly wonderful to belong to a Church where perhaps sometimes we in the U.S. may bungle and seem to hinder the work of the Holy Spirit, while in other parts of the world the Church is helping mightily to advance God's Kingdom, preaching the Gospel, healing, bringing food and good news to impoverished nations, shining with new brightness in the fire of God's divine love. That is our Church, too.

The Holy Spirit still leads the Church, and he is still telling us "do not be afraid" and "seek first the Kingdom." Are we truly listening?

Official Appointments:

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

Reverend D. Stephen Smith reappointed as Diocesan Ecumenical Officer for a term ending March 31, 2005.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General

Bishop's Letter

Dear Friends in Christ:

Printed here are the newly approved Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America. These norms are in the process of publication, so I am providing this advance copy to you for your study.

While many people have spoken about this or that "change" in anticipation of this document, I would like to note that the publication of these norms provides a positive opportunity for us to preach and teach about the Communion Rite, the reverent reception of Holy Communion, and the role of the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion in our diocese. Some changes may need to be addressed, but these should be accomplished within the context of the entire Communion Rite.

I would like to make the following brief observations:

1. Communion under the forms of bread and wine should be offered at every Sunday (and Saturday evening) Mass, holy day of obligation Mass, and at other festive liturgies under both species in every parish of the Diocese of Madison. If this is not currently your practice, I encourage you to begin the appropriate catechesis at your earliest convenience. I also encourage you to offer Communion under both species at daily Masses, funerals, and other liturgies as well, if that is at all possible.

2. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) may assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when determined necessary by the pastor. This, of course, will mean that most parishes in the Diocese of Madison will regularly use EMHC. These extraordinary ministers should be properly trained and their names should be submitted (along with a letter from the pastor attesting to their faith and formation) to the Office of the Bishop for approval prior to commissioning. EMHC are Catholics in good standing who have celebrated the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; they are noted for the care for others and their love of the Eucharist.

3. According to these new norms (number 38), EMHC should not actually approach the altar for their own reception of communion until the priest receives communion. EMHC may still enter the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace, as is the custom in most parishes today.

4. At this time, EMHC may not assist with the fraction rite (distributing the consecrated hosts from one bowl to the smaller bowls or pouring the consecrated wine from one flagon to smaller vessels). The servers and/or EMHC may, of course, bring the empty vessels to the altar to facilitate the rite.

5. After receiving communion, the priest should distribute the Body and Blood of the Lord to the EMHC. They should receive communion at the beginning, rather than the end, of the communion procession.

6. The EMHC may purify the sacred vessels (if desired by the priest celebrant) and consume any additional eucharistic elements which remain after communion. There has been much confusion and discussion about this issue recently. However, the U.S. Bishops have received an indult to allow for purification, and paragraph 52 of the attached norms address the disposition of remaining eucharistic elements. Care should be taken to instruct the EMHC of the proper manner to purify and consume the species. In particular, the Precious Blood should never be poured into a sink or sacrarium for disposal.

I encourage you to incorporate the procedures of these norms as soon as it is practical for you to properly inform and train the ministers and the assembly.

I intend to develop diocesan norms and guidelines to ensure the full, active, and reverent celebration of the Communion Rite. It is important we remember that these norms are a means to an end. It is the intention of the USCCB that they help us celebrate with full hearts, minds, and voices, and that we do so with reverence and devotion.

If you have any questions, please contact our Diocesan Office of Worship at (608) 821-3080, worship@straphael.org.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace,

Most Reverend William H. Bullock
Bishop of Madison