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News Briefs:
Spring Rosary March
to be held in Madison
on May 7
MADISON -- The Spring International Rosary March will be held on Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Parish, 120 W. Johnson St., in Madison.
Fr. Rick Heilman will deliver the homily. The intention for this Rosary March is "That the month of May helps us to appreciate Mary's motherhood in our lives and in the life of the church."
There will be a special presentation of flowers and a May crowning of the Blessed Mother's statue and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
A 15-decade rosary will be prayed while people process around the Holy Redeemer block carrying the Pilgrim Virgin statue. The rosary will also be prayed simultaneously inside the church.
Marian devotions
for protection
of traditional marriage
MADISON -- May Marian devotions for the protection of traditional marriage will be held at the Schoenstatt Marian Shrine, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd.
All are invited to participate in a Novena of Rosaries at the Schoenstatt Marian Shrine on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. beginning May 2.
In his homily at the Rite of Election on March 5, Bishop Robert C. Morlino said, "Satan has a plan to destroy family life . . . I believe that our mission to purify the culture in the United States is down the tubes if we cannot protect marriage . . . So we've got to pull out the stops, you and I together."
Childcare will be provided for children ages one to five at the playground when the temperature is above 50 degrees and it is dry.
Thank you, Kate Wiskus!
SUN PRAIRIE -- An open house to thank Kate Wiskus will be held Wednesday, May 24, at St. Albert the Great Parish, Sun Prairie. The open house with light refreshments begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by evening prayer and a blessing at 8 p.m.
Through the years, Wiskus has provided exceptional care to countless people in many capacities. During this joyful celebration, people will honor and thank her for her generous and faith-filled service to the people of God in the Diocese of Madison. This is an opportunity for all who have been touched by her presence to express their gratitude in person. The open house will conclude with evening prayer, blessing, and a short presentation of a gift.
This event is sponsored by the Madison Diocese Religious Educators' Organization and the Madison Diocese Pastoral Ministries Association. Those wishing to contribute to a gift certificate for a travel package for Kate and Kenneth Wiskus may send their gift, payable to MDPMA, to Erik Gyr at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, WI 53717.
Peer support groups
for separated and divorced persons
MADISON -- Two local parishes offer peer support groups that provide support to those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship.
The groups are open to all ages and faiths. People interested in attending do not need to be a member of the parishes. For information, call 608-824-0014.
"Friends on a Journey" meets on the west side from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, May 4, at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Dr.
"New Directions" meets on the east side from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 27 and May 11, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd.
Marian programs
on 'A Mother's Love'
held at Schoenstatt
MADISON -- Marian morning and evening programs on "A Mother's Love" will be held at Schoenstatt Heights, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd.
Speaker Barbara Brochtrup will give a presentation during the programs to be held on Monday, May 1, in the morning from 9 to 11 a.m. and in the evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
Those participating are invited to spend some time with the Blessed Mother in reflections and discussion along with rosary in the shrine. Refreshments and childcare will be provided.
Make reservations by phone to 608-222-7208.
Councils of Catholic women schedule spring deanery meetings
Madison Deanery
MADISON -- "Celebrate Life" is the theme of the Madison Deanery spring meeting Thursday, May 4, at St. Dennis Parish here.
A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 5:15 p.m. with
Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, Sun Prairie, diocesan moderator, as homilist. A
dinner will follow at 6:15. April Smith Swe, Elizabeth House director, will be
the guest speaker at 7:15.
Reservations are due April 29 to Donna Hellenbrand, 5750 Enchanted View Ln., Waunakee, WI 53597. Cost is $9.50.
Grant Deanery
PLATTEVILLE -- Tuesday, May 9, is the date of the Grant Deanery spring meeting at St. Mary Parish here. The theme is "Women United Making a Difference."
Registration is at 4 p.m., followed by the business meeting at 4:30. A concelebrated Mass will be offered with Fr. Loren Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator, as homilist, followed by dinner and installation of officers. The program will feature Sr. Mary Frost, Oregon, a Salvatorian nun, who will talk about human trafficking in the United States.
Reservations are due May 2 to Paula Gadke, 1450 S. Deborah Ct., Platteville, WI 53818. Cost is $7.
Rock Deanery
BELOIT -- St. Jude Parish here will host the Rock Deanery spring meeting Wednesday, May 10. The theme is "Women Walking with Christ and Mary."
Registration is at 8:30 a.m., followed by the business meeting at 9. A Day of Reflection will be offered at 10:15 by Fr. James McEnery, Madison. A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 11 with Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator, as homilist, followed by installation of newly elected officers. Luncheon will be served at noon.
The afternoon session will include a silent reflection and the Stations of the Cross.
Reservations are due May 3 to Kathy McDonald, 435 Grove St., Janesville, WI 53545. Cost is $12.
New graduate degree opportunity in diocese
JANESVILLE -- On Wednesday, May 3, at 7 p.m., a talk titled "John Paul the Great: Champion of Human Dignity" will be presented at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral
Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., in Madison. Afterwards, staff and faculty from Ave Maria University will discuss the new graduate degree program to be offered in the diocese this summer at St John Vianney Parish, Janesville.
Timothy Herrman and Douglas Bushman, both from the faculty of the Institute for Pastoral Theology (IPT), will present the evening, which will be repeated on Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at St. John Vianney Parish, in Janesville.
Pope John Paul II claimed "Holiness is, more than ever, an urgent pastoral task demanding a suitable training in holiness." Those looking for that "suitable training" in holiness, should know about the Institute for Pastoral Theology (IPT) at Ave Maria University.
The IPT offers a master's degree program that includes a full cycle of courses in Catholic theology guided by texts essential to the Catholic tradition and taught by nationally known theologians faithful to the Magisterium. Courses meet one weekend per month, from August to May. St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville will be the host site for classes beginning in July.
For a list of dates, more information, or an application call the IPT toll-free at 866-866-1100 or visit www.ipt.avemaria.edu
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The Resurrection: Was a 'quantum leap' for human life
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- It actually takes eight days to complete Easter Day, Bishop Robert C. Morlino reminded those attending the celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 23, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.
Easter begins on Easter Sunday and concludes on Divine Mercy Sunday, which is " a very special day," the bishop noted.
People from throughout the Diocese of Madison attended the Mass, which included blessing and veneration of the Divine Mercy image of Christ as he appeared to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska in Poland in 1931. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy followed the Mass.
Priests concelebrating included Msgr. Ken Fiedler and Fr. Todd Van Natta from the host parish; Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer, Madison, pastor emeritus and diocesan director of the Propagation of the Faith; Fr. Don Lange, Madison, pastor emeritus; Fr. Wilfred Schuster, Madison, pastor emeritus; Fr. Tait Schroeder, Barneveld/Ridgeway; and Fr. Eric Sternberg, Waunakee. Fr. Jim Bartylla, diocesan vocation director, was master of ceremonies.
A quantum leap
In his homily, Bishop Morlino discussed what happened at Easter. He said Pope Benedict explained that what happened at the Resurrection resembled a "quantum leap in the development of human life."
With the Resurrection, human life became capable of a "whole new level of existence. A human body was completely transformed in its evolutionary reality. Jesus raised that body up and made it possible for us to be taken by that hand and raised up," said the bishop.
This was a "whole new destiny that we couldn't even imagine" before, he said. This is the "destiny of a glorified body, the destiny of eternal life - a quantum leap for every human being."
Bishop Morlino emphasized that Jesus was "really raised up." The Resurrection wasn't "any kind of myth." It is not possible to find the human remains of Jesus. "He is not here. He was raised up," stressed the bishop.
Jesus' destiny is our destiny, too, the bishop pointed out. "We have to remember that the body we bury is destined for resurrection. God is not finished with it."
So while the Catholic Church allows cremation, "We prefer that we bury the body," said Bishop Morlino.
Doubting Thomas
The bishop also discussed the Gospel reading about "doubting Thomas." He said Thomas is "pretty full of himself."
Thomas is a skeptic and a realist. He is not going to believe Christ has risen from the dead until he can touch him and feel his wounds.
When Jesus appears with his glorified wounds, Thomas sees Jesus and hears him speak. He then gets down on his knees and says, "My Lord and my God."
Although Thomas only thought about himself before this, after he recognizes Jesus, "there is no room for that ego or that I," noted Bishop Morlino. "When somebody meets Jesus risen from the dead, there's no more ego. The ego is fulfilled by being absorbed into Jesus Christ."
Meeting Jesus today
How does this happen to us today? The bishop said, "It happens to us through the sacraments." This includes the sacraments of baptism and forgiveness and the Eucharist. "In all the sacraments of mercy we meet Jesus risen from the dead, hidden behind the sacramental signs. That's how what happens to Thomas happens to us," said Bishop Morlino.
"Those sacramental signs are just as real as the glorified body of Jesus," he emphasized. "The sacraments are not ceremonies, like graduation. The sacraments are the way we meet Jesus in his glorified body."
Just as Thomas met the mercy and love of Jesus, our world, too, needs the mercy of Jesus, said the bishop. "When you and I accept pain, hurt, suffering, and disappointment and let it be joined to the suffering of Christ," we help the world recognize the mercy of Jesus.
"We have to show mercy. There's no greater gift and Jesus wants to share it through you and me," said Bishop Morlino.
Legal profession: Called to build a just society, says bishop
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- The law is a teacher and people listen carefully to attorneys, Bishop Robert C. Morlino observed as he welcomed those in the legal profession to the Red Mass celebrated on Thursday, April 20, at St. Patrick Church.
Those attending the Mass included legislators, judges, lawyers, and government workers.
Concelebrants included Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, who was visiting the Madison area; Msgr. Paul Swain, vicar general and pastor of St. Raphael, St. Patrick, and Holy Redeemer Parishes; Msgr. Daniel Ganshert, Lodi/Dane; Msgr. Jim Gunn, Waunakee; Fr. Richard Heilman, Mt. Horeb/Pine Bluff; and Fr. Kevin Holmes, Sauk City. Fr. Jim Bartylla, diocesan vocation director, was master of ceremonies.
Bishop Morlino noted that both Monsignor Swain and Father Bartylla are civil attorneys. Monsignor Swain told those attending that the Diocese of Madison is incorporating the St. Thomas More Society in the Diocese of Madison for those in the legal profession. There will be more activities in addition to the Red Mass in the future, he said.
Light of the World
In his homily, Bishop Morlino talked about Christ as the "Light of the World." In the creation story in Genesis, we learn that God created light first. "The last creatures he created were human beings," the bishop noted. "He gave them dominion" over the rest of creation.
But, said the bishop, next to human beings, the most important thing created was light. "The human beings couldn't be responsible stewards of the earth if they couldn't see it," he noted.
Jesus brings new light
That original light was dimmed in its effects by original sin. "People couldn't see the beauty, wonder, and truth of creation," said Bishop Morlino. "The world stood in need of a new light, so every human being could see the beauty, wonder, and truth."
It was Jesus Christ who came into the world as the "one true light who enlightens the life of every human being," said the bishop. "Christ is our light."
Our great task
How is Jesus present in the world? "He wants to be present in the world visibly and concretely," emphasized Bishop Morlino. "He does that through you and me and the church. He wants to be as visible and concrete as ever. He places in our hands a great task."
What is that task? "Jesus wants this concrete, visible church to speak, to purify the culture. That's where your sacred legal profession comes in. The law is a teacher. It should protect everything that is noble in our culture."
What does it mean to be noble? Some say whatever is noble, true, or good is whatever it is for you. "If that's true, then Christ is not our light. I'm my own light and you're your own light and that makes no sense," said Bishop Morlino. "If there's no truth, there's no communion of minds - at least that lasts more than a day or two."
The voice of reason
He said it's "very difficult to live in a culture where reason is a cripple. We want to invite everyone to follow the voice of reason and natural law."
That means knowing that God exists by reason alone. "The law should not force anyone to believe in God, but it should favor and protect religion," he said, observing that Catholic students at the University of Wisconsin should not be denied funds. Other truths of reason are that "every life is sacred from conception to death and marriage is for one man and one woman."
The laity - as Pope Benedict recently reminded us in his encyclical, God Is Love - are called "to build a just state and a just society." This is the achievement of politics, not of the church, noted the pope.
"Direct action to build a just state and a just society is the proper contribution of lay people," emphasized Bishop Morlino. This includes those in the legal profession and elected and appointed officials. "Because Jesus Christ is risen, our victory is assured," he told them.
Sainthood case:
Mazzuchelli process continues
SINSINAWA -- On April 11, Sr. Toni Harris, prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, received word that the medical miracle needed to advance the cause of sainthood of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, the Dominican missionary priest, has been examined and confirmed by doctors in Rome.
The case was submitted by Dominicans Sr. Mary Paynter and Fr. David Wright, vice-postulators for the cause of Father Mazzuchelli.
The next step in the process will be for Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison to appoint a diocesan tribunal to further investigate the case. After the completion of the tribunal study, Bishop Morlino will issue his recommendation regarding whether or not the case can be considered miraculous. Then the bishop's recommendation will be sent to the Vatican for a final conclusion regarding beatification.
Movement toward possible beatification of Father Mazzuchelli has involved a long process, begun over 40 years ago by the first bishop of Madison, Bishop William P. O'Connor. In 1964, Bishop O'Connor established a Diocesan Historical Commission to determine if documents
available were sufficient for the church to proceed with initial steps required in the process of beatification.
Thus, during 1964, the centennial year of Father Mazzuchelli's death, the first official ecclesiastical action had been taken. This step eventually led to Father Mazzuchelli's being declared "Venerable" by Pope John Paul II in 1993.
Bishop O'Connor said of Father Mazzuchelli, "There are some who never die, men whose vital and vitalizing spirit survives their natural death and lives on. Father Samuel was not only a missionary par excellence, but he was also a scholar, a man of learning, who manifested the traits of a natural-born teacher."
Now Bishop Morlino, the fourth bishop of Madison, will direct further investigation into a possible miracle obtained from God through prayers for Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli's intercession - a key step that could lead to his being declared "Blessed."
Father Mazzuchelli is known throughout the Mississippi River valley in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois and the Great Lakes region for establishing more than 35 parish communities, designing and building more than 24 churches, founding the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, and designing civic buildings.
Father Mazzuchelli's life and example continue to have meaning for people today. His commitment to justice for the oppressed, education, and responsible civic participation are relevant values for our time.
To learn more about Father Mazzuchelli, visit Sinsinawa Mound and tour the "Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, Tracing a Journey" exhibit or visit the Web site at www.sinsinawa.org For groups larger than five, call 608-748-4411 to schedule a time to view the exhibit.
Samuel Mazzuchelli, American Dominican: Journeyman, Preacher, Pastor, Teacher,
a book about the life and times of Father Mazzuchelli by Sr. Mary Nona McGreal, is available from the Mound Bookshop. Order by calling 608-748-4411 or online at www.sinsinawa.org/Bookshop
Sinsinawa Mound, the Motherhouse for the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, is located in southwest Wisconsin on Cty. Rd. Z, off Hwy. 11, about five miles northeast of Dubuque, Iowa.
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