October 11, 2012 – Madison Catholic Herald


	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.

Dear Friends,

It really is a joy and a blessing to experience the change in seasons. It’s hard not to be thankful for creation in this time of so much color and in this time of harvest. This time of year should provide us with no end of seeds for reflection, but I’m always drawn to reflect upon the lives of our farmers in a particular way.

By nature of it’s being the “seat” of the diocese, the center of state government, the largest city, more-or-less the geographic center of these 11 counties, and the home of a world-class university, so much of our attention in the diocese is often focused upon Madison. And indeed, Madison is all of the things I just listed, but we should never fall into the trap of thinking that the Diocese of Madison is mostly Madison. To do so would not only mean missing out on some of the richest aspects of our diocese, but would also make for a very monotonous, hyper-political existence! And that’s the furthest thing from my mind or my heart.

As such, in addition to getting out of the gravitational pull of Madison as frequently as possible, I also cherish the opportunity I’ve had over the past few years to gather in a specific way with some of our farming communities to pray and to give thanks for the gift of “rural life.” I was able to do that recently in Footville. And as we are still in the harvest season, I’d like to share a few of the thoughts that I shared with those gathered.

Vicariates Forane created in the Madison Diocese

What is a Vicar Forane?

A vicar forane, sometimes called a dean, is a priest appointed by the bishop in order to promote a common pastoral activity in a region of the diocese and to provide spiritual and pastoral counsel to the other priests in that region.

History of Vicars Forane

The term “vicar forane” comes from Latin, meaning a representative (vicarius) who is outside (foras), because these priests were considered representatives of the bishop outside of the cathedral city. The office of vicar forane probably dates back to the fourth century when Christianity began to spread beyond the major cities to rural areas. Seeing the need to send representatives to these communities which had embraced the faith, bishops would send an “archpriest” with special delegation and responsibilities to act as a kind of overseer in the region who also was in charge of communication between the bishop and the local priests.

The 1917 Code of Canon Law mandated the establishment of vicars forane in every diocese. However, the understanding of this office experienced a pastoral renewal in the period following the Second Vatican Council. The fathers of the Second Vatican Council saw the vicar forane as a preeminently pastoral office, as a way to bring presbyters together in order to promote and direct a common pastoral activity in their territory. The 1973 directory for bishops likewise affirms the pastoral nature of the office and speaks of the vicar forane as one who animates and enlivens the local presbytery in pastoral action.

Fr. John Putzer talks about Vatican Diplomatic Corps training

MADISON — Despite his fatigue from the exhausting journey (his flights from Rome lasted over 17 hours and covered approximately 5,000 miles), Fr. John Putzer smiled broadly as he exited the terminal at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison on Thursday, Sept. 20. Descending the staircase with a noticeable spring in his step, he took in his surroundings and exclaimed, “It’s good to be back!”

On October 11, 2012

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

New physician brings Catholic values to her practice

COLUMBUS — Elizabeth A. Larson, MD, is a Catholic physician who will bring her beliefs into her work in Columbus. Dr. Larson will be opening her own independent practice in family medicine with a focus in obstetrics in Columbus starting on October 15.

On October 11, 2012

Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

World Mission Sunday has special meaning this year

World Mission Sunday, organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. In 2012, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on October 21.

Annually, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the next-to-last Sunday in October.

On October 11, 2012

Obispo Robert C. Morlino

Gratitud por el tiempo de cosecha y por nuestros granjeros

Queridos amigos:

Es realmente una alegría experimenta el cambio de estaciones. Es difícil no estar agradecido por la creación en este tiempo de tanto color y en este tiempo de cosecha. Esta época del año debe darnos infinitas semillas para la reflexión y siempre estoy dispuesto a reflexionar a partir de la vida de nuestros granjeros, de modo particular.

Por la naturaleza de ser la “sede” de la diócesis, el centro del gobierno estatal, la ciudad más grande, más o menos el centro geográfico de estos 11 condados, y la sede de una universidad de clase mundial, mucha de nuestra atención en la diócesis se concentra en Madison. Y, de hecho, Madison es todo lo que he mencionado, pero no debemos caer nunca en la trampa de que la diócesis de Madison es mayormente Madison. Hace eso no significaría sólo perder de vista algunos de los aspectos más ricos de la diócesis, ¡sino también nos llevaría a una existencia muy monótona e hiper-política! Y eso es lo más alejado que tengo en la mente y el corazón.

On October 11, 2012

Chris Lee

Sunday, Oct. 14 is Catholic Charities Sunday for the Diocese of Madison

As Bishop of Madison, I am pleased to announce that I am designating Sunday, October 14 as Catholic Charities Sunday for the Diocese of Madison.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The mission of Catholic Charities is precisely that — to reach out in love from the solid foundation of our faith. Catholic Charities works daily to protect, preserve and promote the natural dignity of persons out of love and respect for them. Together, we provide help and create hope for our brothers and sisters each and every day.

On this occasion, we recognize the good works that Catholic Charities does to fulfill the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, caring services to all God’s people. Through Catholic Charities, we can strengthen and support the aging, children, individuals, families and communities, including:

On October 11, 2012

Patrick Gorman

Taking a closer look at the council

Mother Church Rejoices! With his typically optimistic words, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962. Today, we share that same joy as we commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Council that Pope John frequently referred to as “a new Pentecost.”

The first document issued by the Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. It was one of only four Constitutions (which are of the highest rank of Church teachings) issued by the Council. The goals of the entire Council are laid out in the first paragraph: to increase the vigor of people’s Christian life, to adapt those things which may be changed to the needs of our own times, to promote Christian unity, and to help all people come to know Christ in the Church.

On October 11, 2012

Lindsay Becher

Witnessing to a wide web world

As the faithful enter this Year of Faith, they will be called to give witness to their faith more and more. In Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict wrote, “faith grows when it is lived as an experience of love received and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy.”

In a time when the virality of a message and success in communications is often measured by the number of views a video gets on YouTube and how many times an article is shared on Facebook, it makes sense that Catholics would feel like their message and witness is not easily or rapidly spread through the world today.

On October 11, 2012

Patrick Delaney

What is the year of faith all about?

On Thursday of this week (October 11), the Church will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th Anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s promulgation with the initiation of a very special Year of Faith.

In his apostolic letter Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI called for this special year —which will conclude on November 24, 2013 — with the primary aim “to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.” He also intends this year to be “a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist,” and to “intensify the witness of charity.”