Mazzuchelli investigation completed
in diocese

-- Posted 7/31/2008, 9:45 a.m. CDT

	The Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP (File photo)

SINSINAWA -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino and the Madison Diocesan Tribunal along with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters invite the public to the closing session of the diocesan process regarding the beatification of the Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, a Dominican priest, on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in Queen of the Rosary Chapel, Sinsinawa Mound.

After this closing session, all documentation will be sent to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome for further study before any recommendation is made to Pope Benedict XVI.

Those wishing to attend the closing session should RSVP by August 11 to Sir. Jane Boland via e-mail at jboland@sinsinawa.org or via phone at 608-748-4411, ext. 162. 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.

This diocesan process began with a request from the Roman Postulator in July of 2006 to the bishop of Madison, asking him to investigate a presumed miracle obtained from God through the intercession of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli.

The bishop appointed a tribunal to study the documentation and receive the testimony of witnesses; the first session of the diocesan process was opened in Madison in February of 2007, one of the many steps that could lead eventually to Father Mazzuchelli’s being declared “blessed” by the pope.

 Movement toward possible beatification of Father Mazzuchelli has involved a longer process, begun over 40 years ago by the first bishop of Madison, 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, in 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 once 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.”

Father Mazzuchelli (1806-1864) is known throughout the Mississippi River valley in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois and in the Great Lakes region for establishing more than 35 parish communities, designing and building more than 25 churches and civic buildings, and founding the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters.

Madison parish to host political
action series

-- Posted 7/31/2008, 9:45 a.m. CDT

MADISON -- Catholics have a moral obligation to participate in the political life of our nation. As the United States approach the elections, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is hosting a speaker series that provides an opportunity to learn more about some of the key issues in this year's election, helping Catholics to name the principles involved and explore the applicable insights provided by Church teaching. This information will help provide the background adults need in order to discern for whom to cast their vote. Make the wisdom of the Church part of the political decision-making process.

All presentations take place in the St. Thomas Aquinas gathering area from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Jennifer Ludtke, coordinator of Adult Faith Formation, at 608-833-2600 or jennifer@stamadison.org

• Tuesday, Aug. 12 -- "Basic Assumptions: Conscience Formation and Catholic Social Teachings" Presenter: John Huebscher, executive director, Wisconsin Catholic Conference

• Tuesday, Aug. 19 -- "Topic 1: Life Issues . . . The 'Seamless Garment'" Presenter: Barbara Sella, associate director for respect life and social concerns, Wisconsin Catholic Conference

• Tuesday, Sept. 9 -- "Topic 3: Immigration Issues"  Presenter: Andy Russell, administrator, Catholic Multicultural Center

• Tuesday, Sept. 16 -- "Topic 4: Environmental Issues" Presenter: Tom Nelson, rural life coordinator, Diocese of Madison

Evangelization, RCIA subjects
at upcoming day of reflection

-- Posted 7/31/2008, 12:00 p.m. CDT

MADISON -- The Office of Worship is hosting a Day of Prayer, Reflection, and Learning for RCIA Directors and Team Members on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Bishop O'Connor Center. The topic, chosen as part of the programming for the year of St. Paul, is "Evangelization -- An Encounter with Christ."

Fr. Ron Lewinski, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former director of their Office for Divine Worship will be the presenter for the day. He currently serves as pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Mundelein. He has taught Liturgy and the Sacraments at Mundelein Seminary and has been both an author and a frequent speaker on the liturgy, the RCIA, and pastoral life throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Southeast Asia.

He has served on ad hoc commissions for the United States Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy and on the advisory board of Notre Dame's Center for Pastoral Liturgy. He is the author of Welcoming the New Catholic and A Guide for Sponsors.

The day will be begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 2:30 p.m. The cost for early registration (prior to August 11) is $18 per person ($15 per person for three or more from the same parish). Regular registration (after August 11) is $20 per person ($17 per person for three or more from the same parish). The registration fee includes refreshments, lunch, and materials.

For registration material or more information, go to www.madisondiocese.org or contact the Office of Worship at worship@straphael.org or 608-821-3080.