News Briefs: Knights of Columbus elect officers MADISON -- The Wisconsin State Council Knights of Columbus at its 101st convention elected new officers for the fraternal year of 2002 and 2003. Richard Redman, Green Bay, was elected state deputy; Richard Ammon, Monroe, state secretary; Wayne Wood, Pulaski, state treasurer; Michael McCormick, Beaver Dam, state advocate; Daniel Hull, Thorp, state warden; and Carl Templin, immediate past state deputy. With the state's new motto, "Not for self, but for others," the officers intend to lead the 40,000 members in Wisconsin to greater involvement in community, youth, and church activities. Support groups for divorced, separated MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship are offered at two Madison parishes. Both groups are open to all ages and faiths: New Directions meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 505 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-835-2907. Friends on a Journey meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Center, 401 S. Owen Dr. For information, call 608-862-3613.

Bishop Wirz celebrates Golden Jubilee

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

Bishop George O. Wirz celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood most appropriately on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ, on Sunday, June 2.

Appropriate because the Eucharist is at the source of the life of every Christian and most especially the ordained priest.

Holy Eucharist

As Wirz said in his homily, "This Solemnity of Corpus Christi, of the Body and Blood of Christ, unites God's action and our action in the Holy Eucharist. The whole Paschal Mystery, the life, ministry, sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus come alive in us by the working of the Holy Spirit.

"Through Holy Orders, the real presence of the Risen Christ comes about through the ordained priest," he said, noting that both he and Bishop William H. Bullock - who is also marking his golden jubilee of ordination this year - have dedicated their anniversaries to increased prayer for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life.

"The purpose of the Eucharist is not to remain under the appearances of bread and wine, but to form us all as the Body of Christ," said Wirz. "We become what we receive."

Life of two priests

Wirz told the story of a young man who completed his seminary studies as a Maryknoll missioner and was preparing for his ordination to the priesthood. This was several years before Wirz was ordained in 1952.

His name was Robert Morse and his family were members of St. Agnes Parish, Milwaukee.

During the retreat before ordination, Morse became seriously ill. Top medics could not get a clear diagnosis. But a week before ordination, he rallied and was ordained. The day after the Mass of ordination, Morse celebrated the traditional Mass of Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. That night he suffered a massive seizure and died.

Wirz noted that on his modest tombstone in Maryknoll, N.Y., is an epitaph taken from the Letter to the Hebrews: Semel Seipsum Obtulit Deo. He offered himself up to God once and for all." (Heb. 7:26)

"Fr. Morse's short life story seems in dramatic contrast to mine," observed Wirz. "As a priest I have been blessed to celebrate Mass over 15,000 times. As a bishop, I have confirmed more than 27,000 young people in the diocese. One last statistic of which I am especially proud - over one half of the priests of the Diocese have been either my pupils or colleagues in ministry."

Once and for all

But Wirz noted that "God is no mathematician! Jesus offered Himself to God once and for all!"

Wirz explained, "At this Eucharist which we are about to celebrate (offer) we become one with the singular sacrifice of Jesus and the meal of his Last Supper. Sacrifice and Supper!"

Wirz said, "The divine mystery of the Mass overwhelms me and gives me hope. I have never experienced a divine vision, in the sense of an apparition. But in a greater sense, I have had a vision every day. When I hold up the host and chalice at the Consecration during the Institution Narrative, or at the Doxology, the great Amen concluding the Eucharistic Prayer - through my bifocals I see the host and cup, but through my regular vision I see the congregation, YOU. That vision is the secret of my life with you and the Lord today and forever.

"I can hardly wait to be with you, when Sacraments shall cease, and we are face to face with God and one another, one Communion, one People, one holy City of God 'once and for all.'"

Celebration for all

Wirz emphasized that the celebration of his golden jubilee was not "primarily mine, but yours," that is, a celebration for the bishops, priests, and all the People of God. "This shall be a day of celebration, healing and tribute to all of you," he told the congregation. "There is not one thing that can be said in praise of me which has not been a pure gift of God."

Briefly mentioning the present crisis in the church, Wirz called for prayers for the Holy Father, bishops and priests, and all who suffer. "Two weeks after Pentecost, perhaps fearful and discouraged like the first Christians, we remain confident that the Holy Spirit will purify the Church and our society once again. We are the bridge-people who will, by the grace of God, hold out for a second Springtime."

Wirz thanked Bullock and all those who helped make the Mass and jubilee dinner possible.

Liturgical ministers

Bishops in Wisconsin attended the Mass. Concelebrants included priests of the Diocese of Madison as well as classmates, students, and guests of Wirz. Deacon Timothy Reilly, Green Bay, a native of Madison, served as deacon. Fr. Nicholas Okere was master of ceremonies.

Readers were Sr. Joan Wirz, a Sister of St. Agnes and sister of Wirz, and William Emmenegger, a cousin.

The Madison Diocesan Choir directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman provided music; Glenn Schuster was organist; William Frederick was cantor. Violin, viola, cello, and trumpet music added to the festive nature of the jubilee Mass.

Allegation: In Diocese of Madison

By Bill Brophy
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

LODI -- Fr. Kenneth Klubertanz, pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Lodi, has been put on administrative leave following the allegations of an inappropriate incident with a minor 27 years ago, Bishop William H. Bullock announced in a statement read at weekend Masses in Lodi.

He also appointed Fr. Michael Richel, pastor at St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie, as the administrator of the parish in Lodi.

Klubertanz has denied the allegations.

Bullock said he was following the Diocese of Madison's policy on sexual abuse of minors by a priest in putting Klubertanz on leave, pending an investigation by the diocese. The man who made the allegation has asked not to be identified and thus the diocese has not turned his name over to civil authorities. He was 13 years old when the alleged incident occurred.

Klubertanz also released a written statement to his parishioners. It said: "It is with a heavy heart that I write this. I have met with the bishop who told me there have been allegations of sexual misconduct made against me stemming from 1975 when I was still in Janesville. I cannot believe the accusations and have told the bishop they are absolutely untrue.

"According to our diocesan policy, I have to take a leave of absence until this matter is settled. Naturally, I am devastated and ask your prayers so God will help me walk through this dark night. I hold all of you in my hearts and in my prayers. If this embarrasses anyone, I ask forgiveness."

It is the first time since Bullock instituted the diocese' sexual abuse policy in July, 1993, that the diocese has removed a priest's faculties because of a violation of the policy.

In his statement read at Mass, Bullock said: "I ask that you, the parishioners join me in prayer for Father Klubertanz, for the person who made this allegation, for the Church in these troubled times and for all victims of abuse."

The diocesan policy states that upon receiving word of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, the diocese should and will: 1) Remove the priest from his assignment upon learning of the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor and investigate thoroughly; 2) Identify the personal needs of the victim and victim's family in order to get them assistance, counseling, and other services that they need; 3) Find ways to heal the community where each scandal has hurt, alienated, or angered people.

Services held June 5 for Fr. Robert J. Brophy

MT. HOREB -- A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on June 5 at St. Ignatius Church, Mt. Horeb, for Fr. Robert J. Brophy, 75, who died June 1. Bishop William H. Bullock was the main celebrant and Msgr. Delbert L. Schmelzer, homilist.

Brophy was born in Lone Rock, Wis. on July 31, 1926 to James D. and Nona E. Brophy. He attended public schools in Lone Rock and studied philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison by Bishop William P. O'Connor.

He served as assistant pastor at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Portage; St. Bernard Parish, Madison; St. Patrick Parish, Lodi; and Holy Rosary Parish, Darlington. He served as pastor of St. Thomas Parish, Potosi and St. Ignatius Parish, Mt. Horeb, with the mission of Holy Redeemer Parish, Perry, from which he retired in 1996 after 28 years as pastor.

He also served the diocese as assistant director of Catholic Welfare and area vocation director for Iowa and Lafayette counties.

Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Avoca.

Sr. M. Villanova Schiller dies June 2

BALTIC, CONN. -- Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 4 at the Academy of the Holy Family Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church for Sr. M. Villanova Schiller, 95, who died June 2 at the motherhouse.

She was born in Wutenberg, Germany, on March 27, 1907. She was a former member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Austria before becoming a member of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church in 1974.

She made her first profession in 1931 and final profession in 1937 when she came to the United States. She was assigned to the episcopal residence in Madison, where she was housekeeper for the late Bishop Cletus F. O'Donnell until his death in 1992. She served at Holy Name Seminary, Madison, from 1963-92. She resided at St. Elizabeth Home in Janesville before coming to the motherhouse in Baltic in 2001.

Burial was in the sisters plot in St. Mary's Cemetery, Baltic.

Bishop William H. Bullock will offer a Mass of remembrance at the Bishop O'Connor Center in her memory.