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| May 22, 2003 Edition | ||||
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Biographies of three to be ordained
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| Rev. Mr. Diego Otoniel Cuevas |
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Parents: Luz Mercida Rivera-Rivera (mother), José Rubén Cuevas-Martinez (father-deceased), and Luis Felipe Moya-Gonzalez (step-father), Hatillo, Puerto Rico
Educational background:
Grade school: P.S. 124, Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.; Escuela Intermedia Maria Libertad Gomez, Levittown, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
High school: Escuela Superior Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, Levittown, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S. degree in engineering mechanics
Seminary/theology: Master of Divinity degree, Mundelein Seminary, University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Ill.
Previous employment: Worked in the field of mechanical engineering
Clinical pastoral training: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
Pastoral internship: St. Bernard Parish, Madison
Deacon ordination: Aug. 23, 2002, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison
Deacon placement: St. Raphael Cathedral Parish and Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison
First public Mass of Thanksgiving:
Saturday, May 24: 5:15 p.m., St. James Church, Madison; Msgr. Douglas L. Dushack, pastor, homilist
Reflections:
I am grateful to my family for teaching me to love God. I am also grateful to them and all the kind and generous persons who through their prayers, time, counsel, and financial support have made possible the five years of Christian discipleship and priestly formation, for the service of God's Church, which I received at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
This season of my life has truly been a time to grow in my love for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and the people of God. I look forward to devoting my life to faithful priestly ministry.
James Matthew (Jay) Poster
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| Rev. Mr. James Matthew (Jay) Poster |
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Parents: Rosellen and Fred Poster, both deceased
Educational background:
Grade school: St. Raphael School, Madison
High school: Edgewood High School, Madison
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A. degree in journalism
Seminary/theology: Master of Divinity degree, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass.
Previous employment: Worked in the journalism field
Clinical pastoral training: St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Boston, Mass.
Pastoral internship: St. Patrick Manor, Boston, Mass.
Deacon ordination: Aug. 23, 2002, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison
Deacon placement: St. Ann Parish, Somerville, Mass.
First public Mass of Thanksgiving:
Sunday, May 25: 12:15 p.m., St. Mary of the Lake Church, Westport; Fr. Alfred McBride, homilist; Rev. Mr. Robert Gentile, deacon; concelebrants: Msgrs. Daniel Ganshert and James Kramer, Frs. Daniel Finnane, Alfred McBride, Jason Hesseling, and Brian Wilk; Poster's godchildren will be lectors, commentators, and gift bearers; Joe Lange, acolyte; reception following at St. Mary of the Lake School Hall.
Reflections:
As I approach my ordination to the priesthood, I would have to say that the three biggest reasons I am at this point are my family (father, mother, and two sisters), the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, and the priests of the Diocese of Madison who cycled through St. Raphael Cathedral Parish, where I grew up.
My family provided love and support that made me feel valued and that the things I could accomplish were worthwhile and important. The Sinsinawa Dominicans taught me for 12 years at St. Raphael School and Edgewood High School, and, besides the obvious classroom lessons, they demonstrated a joyful, selfless, caring dedication to the service of Christ and his people. As an altar boy from grade school to manhood, my interaction with the priests gave me insights into their world, which were always positive. They were almost always engaging and enjoyable to be around.
I thought fleetingly about the priesthood when I was in my teens and many of my friends were entering the seminary, but I always wanted to have about 100 kids. Now, 40 years later, my friends have 100 kids and I'm about to be ordained. I probably wouldn't have entered the seminary at age 55 if there were still four priests per rectory, as there were when I was a kid. But the need is great and I was in a position to help and the thought of being a priest was appealing.
As I approach ordination to the priesthood, I feel anxious, inadequate, humble . . . but with hope that the grace of the Holy Spirit will help me in my efforts to serve God's people.
Brian Joseph Wilk
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| Rev. Mr. Brian Joseph Wilk |
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Parents: Rita and John Wilk, South Milwaukee
Educational background:
Grade school: St. Mary School, South Milwaukee
High school: South Milwaukee High School
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A. in political science, M.A. in public policy and administration
Seminary/theology: Master of Divinity degree, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass.
Previous employment: Worked in the field of government and education administration
Clinical pastoral training: Metro West Medical Center, Framingham, Mass.
Pastoral internship: Wellesley College, Boston, Mass.
Deacon ordination: Aug. 23, 2002, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison
Deacon placement: St. Michael Parish, North Andover, Mass.
First public Mass of Thanksgiving:
Saturday, May 24: 5:15 p.m., St. Dennis Church, Madison; Fr. Randy Timmerman, homilist; Sr. Lucille Marie Frost and Gerald Wilk, lectors; concelebrants, priest friends; reception following Mass at St. Dennis
Reflections:
As I approach ordination, I am filled with feelings of both joy and anticipation. My four years at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., have gone quickly and I am eager to return to Madison.
In looking back over the past years, the support and encouragement I have received from the bishops, the priests, and all the faithful of the Diocese of Madison have been greatly appreciated. Knowing that others were praying for me was a source of strength throughout my seminary studies.
I am also indebted to those priests of the diocese who served as my supervisors while I was home for summer breaks: Msgr. Ken Fiedler, Msgr. Tom Baxter, and Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt. They, along with their parochial vicars - Fr. Todd Van Natta and Fr. Bart Timmerman - provided me with a real feel for parish life and were good examples of how to serve God's people.
As I prepare for ordination in just a few short days, I know that the task before me will be a challenge unlike any I have ever faced. I do know, however, that God has put me on this path and will sustain me in both times of sorrow and joy. As Psalm 27 so beautifully states, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom should I be afraid?"
I ask for your continued prayers as I begin this next chapter in my life.
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Waunakee parish:
Fund-raising campaign for church expansion begins
WAUNAKEE -- In 1874, a group of forward-thinking people founded St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee.
Those 19 families saw to the building of the present church at the South and Third Sts. site in 1886.
Today, more than a century later, there are about 1,765 families in the parish. Some 120 people are serving on committees as the parish begins a fundraising campaign for a major expansion of the present worship facility.
Growing parish
Members of the congregation have been discussing how to best accommodate the expanding parish since 1997, said Msgr. Jim Gunn, pastor. We're trying to look forward to meet the needs of the population of the Catholic community, he said.
While Waunakee and the outlying area has grown, the number of priests has not. Gunn expects to one day to share his time with other parishes, limiting the number of Masses at St. John.
In order to accommodate the parish, plans have been drawn for a larger worship space that could hold 1,040 people.
Feasibility study
A feasibility study done in 2000 showed that the congregation preferred to keep the present church and remain on the present site, Gunn said.
In accordance with that study, an initial design was drawn up for a campus approach to the church. While maintaining the present church as a daily chapel, current plans are to construct a new building next to the existing church. The new building will include a new church, expanded offices, and meeting rooms.
Meeting the challenge
Now the challenge is to raise about $10 million to acquire additional area properties, build the church, and create more parking.
Dick Pilsner, one of the campaign chairs for the fund-raiser, is surprised at the numbers of people helping out and often thinks of those 19 founding families. "What a wonderful faith they must have had," he said. "I think we have that same amount of faith."
Chairing the fundraising campaign is an educational experience for Pilsner. "I am learning about divine providence," he said.
Fundraising campaign
The fundraising campaign kicked off May 17 with a celebration for all parishioners. The family event featured a picnic buffet, music, and dancing, and a magician at St. John School.
On May 18 and 19, receptions were held for parishioners to study the building plans more closely and make monetary pledges.
The congregation has hired a professional fundraising firm, Kirby-Smith Associates, which works with churches on such building campaigns. Members of that firm will visit the homes of parishioners afterwards.
One of their tasks will be to strengthen the members' sense of stewardship, Pilsner said. In addition to funds, parishioners will be asked for their time, talent, and treasure, Pilsner said.
Building project
According to guidelines from the Diocese of Madison, St. John must have 50 percent of the $10 million collected with the other 50 percent pledged before breaking ground on the new building.
Gunn said the building could be completed in 18 months, but he expects the project to run from three to six years. Some phases could be begun earlier, he said.
The new building is designed at a lower height than the current church, allowing the steeple to remain a landmark in Waunakee's landscape. The new building will complement the current church's neo-gothic design.
The four phases of the plan include first building the 13,000-square-foot worship space with a sanctuary, seating for over 1,000, restrooms, and a gathering room. Phase two would add a lobby, meeting room, kitchen, and covered entrance from the parking lot.
The next phase would be a music room, fellowship area, and dining space. Phase four adds a nursery, additional meeting space, classroom and office space. A larger parking lot is also planned.
More service
As St. John Parish has grown, so has the service it offers. It now has a parish nurse, a business manager, a religious education director, and other positions.
Although St. John parishioners are looking ahead, they continue to cherish the work of those founding families. One of the upcoming projects will be to restore the bell tower; the parish is constantly working to make sure the 1800s church is cared for, Gunn said.
"The historic value of this - it's priceless," he noted.
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