Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, October 17, 2002 7:00 p.m. -- Preside at Evening Prayer, St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, October 19, 2002 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Andrew Parish, Verona Sunday, October 20, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. John Nepomucene Parish, Castle Rock Tuesday, October 22, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Day of Renewal, Madison Catholic Woman's Club, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Thursday, October 24, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Preside at Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, October 17, 2002 7:00 p.m. -- Attend Evening Prayer and St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Saturday, October 19, 2002 4:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Jerome Parish, Columbus Sunday, October 20, 2002 11:00 a.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Patrick Parish, Benton Thursday, October 24, 2002 3:00 p.m. -- Attend Midday Prayer for Vocations, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison

21 deacon candidates receive Ministry of Reader

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

On Friday, October 11th, the Church celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II.

This monumental ecumenical council has provided documents, constitutions and statements aimed at opening up new beauties and riches of the Church held back for many centuries.

"Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world."

Vatican II

Under the leadership of Blessed Pope John XXIII, elected at age 76, the council brought special and new hope to a waiting world. It set the Church in a direction of dialogue with the world.

In a very constant way we never tire quoting the council documents, appealing each time to learn anew the ancient truths of the Church. The first and longest of the constitutions was the one on Sacred Liturgy - how we worship and celebrate the sacraments. Two others are quoted often: The Church, Lumen Gentium, Light of the People; and Gaudium et Spes, Joy and Hope, The Church in the Modern World.

Bishop George Wirz discusses in a different section of The Catholic Herald his recollections as one who participated as an assistant to the late Bishop William P. O'Connor at Vatican II.

My reflection today is the gift of Vatican II in restoring the Permanent Diaconate to the Church. Married and single men can now be ordained as deacons of the Church. Many Dioceses in the U.S. have for many years encouraged and established programs leading to diaconate ordination.

In the Diocese we hung back for some years but after careful study and survey of need, we began our preparations by establishing our first class of candidates. What joy we have experienced thus far with 21 men from six counties of our 11 counties that make up the Diocese.

Formation for ministry

The course of studies is intense and it is back-to-the-books for in-depth study and long hours of classroom instruction. All of our candidates have welcomed this educational opportunity but also welcomed the intense spiritual and theological formation so necessary today.

We have built a solid theological faculty for the Diaconate Program from Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, using professors of theology and biblical studies as our primary teachers. Other qualified teachers come to us from our own ranks of priests and laity.

Our candidates receive a thorough grounding both academically and spiritually in theology, liturgy, and pastoral practice. This preparation is complemented by opportunities to grow strong in the spiritual life. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours is also used to enhance their spiritual lives.

Genuine faith, commitment

This past Sunday I conferred the Ministry of Reader on our 21 candidates. It was a wonderful joy to see these men with their families, men of genuine faith who wish to commit themselves to God by study, prayer, and formation.

The education and formation process takes four years. They are now two years into their preparation, with ordination scheduled for the spring of 2004.

The celebration of the Ministry of Reader follows their admission to Candidacy for Deacon and precedes their next ministry of Acolyte . . . then to the order of Deacon. It was once again another good solid step forward in our Diocese moving us into the new millennium.

Institution of readers

There was genuine joy and hope expressed in the Bishop O'Donnell Holy Name Memorial Chapel on Sunday as we celebrated the Most Holy Eucharist and Ministry of Reader. What follows is the Church's instruction on the celebration of the Ministry of Reader.

Cherish the Scriptures

"Dear sons in Christ, through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfillment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world.

"As readers and bearers of God's word, you will assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Christian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God.

"You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus with your help, men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.

"In proclaiming God's word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ."

Next week I will write about our 22nd Priests' Assembly at Chula Vista and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Bishop's Letter

Dear Friends in Christ:

World Mission Sunday is Oct. 20, when we will once again take the special collection to support the missionary activity of the church. In God's Church there are many different faces and thus unknown riches present within our culturally diverse communities.

We live in an age where the interconnectedness of all peoples is sadly underscored by acts of terrorism and other forms of violence. Rivalries, misunderstandings, centuries old grudges, and ignorance feed the evil impulses that lead to such tragic actions among and against peoples.

In these difficult early years of the Third Millennium, the proclamation of the Gospel message of respect for all persons gifted by God with life and the call to love one another as Christ has loved us is desperately needed. Missionaries have carried that message since Christ missioned the Church to proclaim the Good News to all the world. Those who risk their lives in public witness of the Catholic values need our prayers. They also need our support.

Your contributions assist priests, religious, and laity to touch the lives of children, elderly, refugees, the sick, and all who come their way. Your financial support also helps bring the sacraments and religious education to those who otherwise would be deprived of the spiritual nourishment we may take for granted.

These are difficult economic times; yet the need is great. Please continue your generous ways and support our missionary efforts. Please also pray for peace among nations, and in all our hearts.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace,

Most Reverend William H. Bullock
Bishop of Madison

Confirmation Schedule - Spring 2003

Official Appointment:

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

Rev. Stephen J. Umhoefer, as Chaplain, Knights of Columbus Msgr. Beck-Father Olson Council #10363, effective October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003.

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General