Day: July 30, 2009

On
Brent King, Office of Communications

Diocese to have four new priests serving its people

New since the print edition

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino joyfully announces the ordination of Deacons John Patrick Blewett, Osvaldo Briones Césped, and George Alexander Navarro Sáenz, all members of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, to the Sacred Order of Priests, this Friday, July 31, at 5:30 p.m., at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.

Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration these three men will be ontologically transformed into priests, called to attend no longer to their own concerns, but to those of Christ and to those of the people of God.

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On
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

The importance of moral absolutes

Making Sense out of Bioethics column by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in April of 2008, I had the chance to attend the opening ceremony at the White House South Lawn.

As I listened to President Bush’s welcoming remarks to the pope, I was caught off guard by one line in particular, a powerful statement that seemed almost too philosophical to be spoken by a United States president: “In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth.”

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On
Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Enjoying food, fun, and faith at the Diocesan Family Picnic

MADISON — Though many beat the heat by staying out of the sun under the trees and tents or in the pool or on the giant slip-and-slide, the fine weather July 26 drew about 370 people of all ages for fun and feasting at the fourth annual Diocesan Family Picnic at the Bishop O’Connor Center.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Knights of Divine Mercy, offered families from around the diocese a chance to come together for food and activities, games, music, and talks.

In addition to danceable songs performed by the Vandersheuren Family Band and, later, more sacred offerings from the Knights of Divine Mercy Schola, families enjoyed grilled offerings, sides, and desserts, and activities ranging from a pick-up game of baseball on the playing field to volleyball, Frisbee, and hula hooping.

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On
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

Heart-hitting service

Propagation of Faith by Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

Inspiring letters from mission seminaries tell of the growing number of young men in Asia and Africa responding to our Lord’s call to the priesthood.

One recent letter, from a seminary in Nigeria, included such facts and figures — and then one line that spoke to the heart.

Seminarians serve in Nigeria

St. Augustine’s Seminary in Jos, Nigeria, is filled to capacity, with some 300 students. The rector, Fr. Sylvester Dagin, offers particulars about their formation and of their work on the seminary’s small farm, growing potatoes and vegetables.

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On
Craig R. Vance, Madison

Center is beacon reaching throughout community

To the editor:

Reading the front page of the July 16 issue of the Catholic Herald reinvigorates the already acknowledged practice of the Catholic Church of serving thy neighbor.

As an occasional volunteer at the dinner serving this past summer at the Catholic Multicultural Center, I was particularly taken aback when I was informed that the center was to be closed. It struck me like the crack of a thunderbolt of lightning. I couldn’t believe it.

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On
Patrick Hardyman, Blanchardville

We cannot compromise with moral evil of abortion

To the editor:

On May 17 of this year, President Barack Obama gave the commencement address and received an honorary law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Fr. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, also gave President Obama a framed picture of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marching with the former long-time president of Notre Dame, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.

During his address, President Obama, a huge supporter of abortion rights, asked, “How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?”

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On
Mary C. Uhler, editor

Grandparents: what a gift!

editor's viewIf there would be a feastday for grandparents, it would probably be July 26. That is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of our Blessed Mother.

As a new grandparent myself with two granddaughters born last year, I was happy to hear Pope Benedict XVI mention the importance of grandparents July 26 during his Sunday Angelus talk in the mountains of Italy, where he is vacationing.

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