News Briefs: Memorial to unborn WATERTOWN -- The Watertown Catholic Pro-Life Group, in cooperation with the Assembly of God Church, has erected a "Memorial to the Unborn." This memorial consists of 300 white crosses set in a cemetery setting. It is placed during the month of May on the church property along U.S. Hwy. 26. Many people have come to this memorial and have picked an individual cross to serve for the grave of their aborted child, including leaving flowers or a remembrance. Visits of this type are encouraged. For more information, call 920-261-5697. Pentecost Vigil Mass MADISON -- A Pentecost Vigil Mass and prayer for priests will be held at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center on Saturday, May 29, with prayer service beginning at 6:45 p.m. The Madison Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites everyone to join in prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all the priests and seminarians of the diocese, parishes, and families. Those attending will receive the name of a priest and will be asked to make a commitment to pray for that priest during the next year. With the shortage of priests and many demands placed on them, prayers are needed for their health, spirituality, and strength. Mass will be celebrated immediately following the prayer service at approximately 8 p.m. by Msgr. William DeBock. Following Mass, there will fellowship and refreshments. Support groups for divorced, separated MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship are open to all ages/faiths at two parishes. Friends on a Journey will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at Our Lady Queen of Peace nursery, 401 S. Owen Dr. For more information, call Paul at 608-862-3613. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For more information, call 608-821-3170. Alzheimer's information program MONONA -- Dale Bruhn, a local advocate for elderly issues, will speak about "Alzheimer's/Memory Loss" at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on Monday, June 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Marian Hall, 4913 Schofield St. in Monona. (Handicap accessible). For those who have Alzheimer's or know someone who does, this presentation will provide information on coping and caring. Questions will be addressed following the presentation. There is no charge. Call the parish rectory at 608-221-5121 for more information.
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'Ad Limina' Visit:
Local bishops, pilgrims travel to Rome

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino and Bishop George O. Wirz will be traveling to Rome this week for their "Ad Limina Apostolorum" (meaning "to the threshold of the apostles") visit.

Every five years bishops who are heads of dioceses are required to go to Rome to meet with the Holy Father and people in various Vatican offices. The meetings combine prayer, pastoral planning, and personal conversations.

Bishops Morlino and Wirz will join other bishops of Region VII (Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin) for the Ad Limina visit.

Said Bishop Morlino in a message to people of the Diocese of Madison, "Please keep myself and my brother Bishops in your good prayers for always deeper faith, health, and safety in these travels and know that you will have a special place in our prayers particularly when we are privileged to visit the holy places."

The bishops usually begin their visits with a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. The Mass at the tomb of St. Peter includes prayers to be strengthened, renewed, and consoled by the apostle that Jesus designated to head the church.

Bishops describe meetings with Pope John Paul II as "a very exciting moment" and meetings with Vatican officials provide an opportunity to share concerns.

A group of about 54 people from the Diocese of Madison will be joining the local bishops as part of an "Ad Limina Pilgrimage of Prayer and Praise to Rome" May 27 to June 3. The pilgrims will attend daily Mass in Rome's key basilicas. Of special note are Masses on the vigil of Pentecost in St. Peter's Square on Saturday, May 29, and Mass on Sunday, May 30, at St. John Lateran.

The pilgrims will participate in a rare evening rosary procession in the Vatican Gardens. The Madison contingent will join a similar group from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee led by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan for several events.

Dr. Patrick Gorman, director of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Worship, and a small Diocesan Schola will accompany the pilgrims.

Fr. Tait Schroeder, parochial vicar at St. Dennis Parish in Madison, will serve as spiritual adviser for the pilgrimage. He recently studied in Rome at the North American College.

All six current diocesan seminarians will also take part in the pilgrimage.

Madison Rosary March:
Held during 'Mary's Month'

By Sarah Baldwin
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- On May 2, at the beginning of Our Lady's Month, people from throughout the Diocese of Madison gathered for the 55th semi-annual Rosary March at St. Raphael Cathedral here.

Richard Blaney, coordinator of the event, listed the intentions of the day's rosary which included an increase in vocations and a new devotion to Eucharistic Adoration. The theme of the march was "In Reparation for All the Blasphemies Against the Motherhood of Mary, the Mother of God."

Praying the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the rosary, participants processed around the pews in St. Raphael Cathedral behind a statue of the Blessed Mother.

May crowning

As the rosary finished, those present sang "Bring Flowers of the Rarest" as children came forward and placed roses at the foot of the statue.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino gave the homily. He remarked on the importance of the children being there that day. "It's a really good catechesis," the bishop said. The children are "dependent on beautiful images of Our Lady, the flowers, the movement. They see people singing and happy and that's how the spot opens in their heart for love."

Luminous Mysteries

The bishop spoke on the new mysteries of the rosary added in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. "The Luminous Mysteries are an incredible gift of our Holy Father to the church. They are the public life of Jesus beginning with his baptism and ending with the introduction of the Eucharist right before the Sorrowful Mysteries start.

"The first mystery is the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan," Bishop Morlino said. "This is the first moment when the Trinity is first revealed in Holy Scripture. It's the first time we see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together. 'This is my beloved Son.' There is no other name given to people by which they can be saved.

"There is a similar scene in the fourth Luminous Mystery, the Transfiguration. We hear the voice of the Father as Jesus is transfigured. This time the Father adds, 'this is my beloved son, listen to him.' Listen is another word for 'be obedient.'"

The wedding feast at Cana is the second mystery. "The key phrase is the command that Mary gives to those in charge of the water: 'Do whatever he tells you.' Listen to him," said the bishop.

Change your life

The third mystery is the Preaching of the Kingdom, the bishop explained. The Lord tells us "'Change your life.' The Kingdom of God is at hand. Put new meaning in your life.

"How do we change our life? That's the fifth Luminous Mystery, the Institution of the Eucharist. 'This is my body broken for you, this is my blood poured out' so there might be mercy."

"Whenever we want to ponder the call we have through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, a very good way to do it is to pray the Luminous Mysteries," said Bishop Morlino. "Our hope is in the Lord and his mercy through the intercession of Mary the Mother of Mercy."

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed praying of the rosary.