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A friend of mine who is a nun and fellow journalist, asked me to write a column on civility. But my immediate response was that civility didn’t really apply to the social justice and peace theme of my column.
But then the obvious hit me.
Year: 2012
The vision will not disappoint
Visus Non Mentietur — “The vision will not disappoint”— is taken from the book of the prophet Habakkuk 2:3.
This scriptural text, which happens to be the Episcopal Motto of His Excellency the Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino, in a way captures his vision for priestly vocations in the Diocese of Madison.
To confused Catholic voters: What would Jesus do?
To the editor:
This letter is to confused Catholic voters.
This year, Election Day is a moment when the pen will be mightier than the sword, because we currently face life-and-death situations for the unborn and our religious freedom.
It was Jesus who criticized hypocrites for not practicing what they preached, and judged others by their good works, not good words.
The Rules of Engagement
Since 1945, the New York Archdiocese has hosted the Al Smith dinner, a black-tie event named in honor of Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic presidential candidate.
Millions have been raised through the dinner to support charities in New York City. Speakers have included Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, and, during election years, presidential candidates invited as the guests of honor.
It’s a break from debate. It’s not an endorsement and no awards are given. Candidates’ speeches take on a humorous tone. As described by the Al Smith Foundation Web site: “In the days before Saturday Night Live, the Al Smith dinner served as a kind of ‘proving ground for the candidate as entertainer,’ as one reporter described it.”
Reason for rejoicing: But our seminarians need our continued prayers and support
People in the Diocese of Madison have a reason to rejoice: our diocese is now blessed with 32 seminarians — men who will, God willing, become future priests to serve the Church in our diocese.
Just nine years ago, only six men were studying in seminaries for our diocese. Bishop Robert C. Morlino set a personal goal for the diocese to reach 30 seminarians by his 10th year as Bishop of Madison in 2013. That goal has been met a year earlier — and has been surpassed by two.
Promoting vocations a priority
The bishop himself has made promoting vocations a top priority. He speaks about the need for priests as he travels throughout the diocese, especially when he addresses young people at Confirmations and other events.
He also appointed a full-time diocesan vocation director, the position currently filled by Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze. Father Arinze’s enthusiasm and rapport with young people have been assets to our diocesan vocation program.
The Office of Vocations and the Serra Clubs of the diocese have also encouraged prayer for vocations in our parishes through the Traveling Chalice Program and through Adoration for vocations at the Bishop O’Connor Center and other locations.
The triumph of the Cross and our salvation
Dear Friends,
This past week we celebrated the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. There is no shortage of crosses in our lives, and we pray for one another and lift one another up as we encounter those crosses. It is through those crosses, which some of you experience right now, that can come the Resurrection victory. So engage the struggle to embrace your cross and do not forget the triumph which comes by way of our following the Lord.
Year focuses on faith renewal
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MADISON — Last October, Pope Benedict XVI released his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (“The Door of Faith”) announcing a Year of Faith to begin for the Universal Church this October 11, 2012, concluding on the Feast of Christ the King, November 24, 2013.
The primary aim Pope Benedict has for this special year is “to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.”
Importance of the Catechism
To facilitate such a renewal, the Holy Father invited the faithful to make “a concerted effort to rediscover and study the fundamental content of the faith that receives its systematic and organic synthesis in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”
Echoing Blessed John Paul II, Pope Benedict called the Catechism “one of the most important fruits” of the Second Vatican Council which “will make a very important contribution to that work of renewing the whole life of the Church.”
Encountering Christ
Within it, he tells us, “we find that what is presented here is no theory, but an encounter with a Person (Jesus Christ) who lives within the Church.”
Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who entered human history, is the fullness of revelation.
Parish Mobile Food Pantry reaches hundreds of clients
By 3 p.m., as the first Parish Mobile Food Pantry held at St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Pardeeville began, the queue of people holding their empty bags and boxes already snaked around the parking lot.
Afrontando el desafío de aprender tu fe
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Queridos amigos:
La semana del Día del Trabajo ya llegó y ya terminó, las escuelas en todos lados están comenzando a “todo vapor” y por eso es importante que recordemos rezar por todos nuestros estudiantes. También es una buena época para que los padres católicos recuerden aplicarse en la educación y formación en la fe de sus hijos, ¡y que todos nosotros los apoyemos! Es una gran tarea, pero es una que dará frutos para la eternidad.
La próxima semana tender la bendición de celebrar dos Misas con estudiantes: una con alumnos de la UW-Madison y otra en la que estarán alumnos de todas las escuelas católicas de nuestra diócesis. No puedo esperar a estar con todos estos jóvenes llenos de energía. La edición del Catholic Herald de la próxima semana también se concentrará en los 32 hombres que llamo “mis hijos” de manera particular. En recientes semanas también he visto a la mayoría de los seminaristas volviendo a clases. ¡Y ciertamente me identifico con aquellos padres que extrañan a sus hijos porque, como estudiantes, están de nuevo en los dormitorios universitarios!
Packers walking tour connects faith and football
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| St. Willebrord Church in downtown Green Bay, is known to many as the church where legendary football coach Vince Lombardi attended daily morning Mass. It is one of the sites on the Green Bay Packers Heritage Trail. Above is pictured the plaque as seen outside the church. (Compass photo/Sam Lucero) |
GREEN BAY — Green Bay Packers fans who check out the new Packers Heritage Trail will discover a number of Catholic sites that have ties to the team’s history.
The trail, designed as a self-guided walking tour, features 22 commemorative plaques located within a two-mile radius of downtown Green Bay. Seventeen plaques are part of a city walk. Five others are a part of self-guided bike tours.
St. Willebrord Church
One of the city’s sites is St. Willebrord Church, known to many as the church where former Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi attended Mass.
Cliff Christl, a Green Bay native and longtime sportswriter who developed the idea for the tour, said St. Willebrord was an easy choice for the trail but he didn’t know if placing a plaque on church property would be possible.
Norbertine Father Andy Cribben, pastor at St. Willebrord, said he was initially skeptical of the plaque but the text, which connects faith with the history of the Packers, convinced him it was worth it.