Mothers observe their children from an early age. They watch how they grow and develop, seeing what gifts and talents each child possesses.
Year: 2011
Growing closer to the Mother of God during May
Our Lady is for us the ultimate example of somebody adhering herself fully to God’s will. She was surely scared and unsure of what might come next, but unknowingly said yes to God’s will, that she would bear His son.
We can use this as a model for our relationship with God, and invoke Mary’s kind whispers in Jesus’ ear to help us through a hard time and grow closer to Jesus.
Devotion through the Rosary
Obviously, a powerful devotion to Our Lady, the Rosary is a great way to strengthen your relationship with God’s mother. While many people my own age think of the Rosary as a chore to pray with family or a boring task, sometimes its true potential is never quite realized.
A special day honoring mothers
Mother’s Day offers us opportunities to show that we are as proud of our mother as she is of us.
Mother’s Day history
Anna Jarvis, (1864-1948) was so proud of her mother that she worked to establish a day on which she and others could honor their mother and all mothers. She is known as the mother of Mother’s Day.
Divine Mercy sums up the story of Lent, Easter
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
This past Sunday was a wonderful celebration in so many ways. And the Gospel from Sunday — the second Sunday of Easter — was simply spectacular.
In John 20:19-31 we see Jesus appearing to the Apostles in His risen body and using the greeting, “Peace be with you.” The peace Jesus means, of course, is the peace of heaven — that “Shalom,” that total well being, which is part of heavenly joy and heavenly rest. The peace that Jesus means is the peace of heaven itself.
Jesus died so that sins may be forgiven
And what does Jesus say after that? “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” An essential part of the heavenly peace and joy, and the whole point of Jesus’ death and resurrection, is the forgiveness of sins! Jesus’ body was broken and His blood was poured out so that sins might be forgiven, so that there might be mercy. Essential to the heavenly “Shalom,” contained in Jesus’ greeting, is that His mercy is poured out upon us, that sins are forgiven.
Holy Week, Chrism Mass remind us of heaven’s joy
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| Bishop Robert C. Morlino blesses the oil of the sick, oil of the catechumens, and sacred Chrism during the Chrism Mass on April 19 at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner) |
MADISON — On Tuesday of Holy Week, April 19, clergy, religious, and laity from around the diocese came to Madison to participate in the annual Chrism Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church.
The Mass, at which priests renew their vows and the oils for the sacraments are blessed, was an opportunity to celebrate those special gifts to the Church, Bishop Robert C. Morlino said. With an eye to the sleeting weather outside, he joked that we were celebrating Christmas in April.
The weather held back many people, particularly from the farther reaches of the 11 counties that make up the Diocese of Madison. Parishes which were not able to attend or send representatives were still able to receive the oils that will be used throughout the coming year in sacraments and several other Church rites.
Two men to be ordained May 6
With praise and thanksgiving to God, our Father, the Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, announces with joy the ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ of Rev. Mr. Jorge Antonio Miramontes-Medina and Rev. Mr. Timothy John Renz.
St. Luke, Plain, students help shut-ins
PLAIN — Five years ago, St. Luke Parish catechists Vicki and Chuck Fenske challenged their freshmen students to watch the movie, The Passion of The Christ.
John Paul II: A model for us all
The first time I saw Pope John Paul II in person was at Living History Farms near Des Moines, Iowa, in 1979. The Holy Father celebrated Mass and preached on a hillside altar.
In his homily, Pope John Paul II reminded us that the land is God’s gift entrusted to his people “as a means of sustaining the life he created.” He called on farmers to be generous with food to help feed the millions who are hungry.
St. Jude Marian Guild celebrates 100 years
BELOIT — In 1911, when St. Jude Parish was only three years old, the well-respected founding pastor, Fr. Joseph Hanz, organized the Senior Ladies Guild, one of three such organizations he formed within the parish.
One hundred years later, its name now changed to the Marian Guild Council of Catholic Women, the group continues to be a constant force offering dedicated service to the parish. It is one of the oldest continuously serving women’s groups in the diocese.
The Lord continues to call: ‘You shall be My witnesses’
Eritis mihi testes — You shall be My witnesses (Acts 1:8). These words addressed by our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples on the day of His Ascension sets the stage for the apostolic mission of the Church.