More than 125 catechumens and candidates were presented this year at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, held in the Diocese of Madison on February 17 at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
Day: February 27, 2013
‘Beauty’ film to be shown at parishes for appeal
Lent is a time for prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Catholics look at Lent as a time of beauty, a time when Jesus gave His life to save us. What a beautiful gift he gave.
Wisconsin Catholic Conference comments on state budget
MADISON — As the public policy voice of Wisconsin’s Roman Catholic bishops, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) supports and affirms many of the measures included in Governor Scott Walker’s 2013-15 state biennial budget proposal. However, the WCC has some concerns that may require further review and revision.
The WCC supports the promotion of innovative and quality education in the budget, including the expansion of parental choice programs and the creation of the Special Needs Scholarship Program. Both proposals are a step forward in empowering all parents with the ability to choose a school that best meets their child’s needs.
HHS mandates provide children with services without parental notification
To the editor:
We are shocked to read in the Alliance Defending Freedom HHS Mandates Fact Sheet, page 2, (http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/content/docs/facts/ObamaCare-and-its-Mandates.pdf) that children ages 0-26 will receive contraception, sterilization, and abortion with no parental notification.
Please be aware that this provision will cause untold harm and death to all families under Obamacare.
Annual Catholic Appeal: Why it’s vital to support diocesan ministries and services
This weekend, March 2 and 3, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison will be asked to contribute to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).
Members of parishes have already received a letter from Bishop Robert C. Morlino with information on the ACA. It was an opportunity to pledge support for the ACA even before the public process started. We have already sent in our family’s pledge to the ACA. People can pay in one lump sum or give a pledge to be paid over a five-month period.
I believe it is vital to support the ministries and services in our diocese funded by the ACA. (Please note that I am giving an objective opinion, since the Catholic Herald does not receive support from the appeal; our paper is supported only by subscriptions and advertising.)
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part two
Fourth through Seventh Centuries
With the end of official state persecution, the Church was able to develop in a very different way — and this development was aided by the support of the Roman Emperor, beginning with Constantine I (306-337). This period saw a great deal of adaptation by the Church of religious and secular forms which had been part of Roman culture throughout its pagan history. Here are just two examples:
Sacrament of Reconciliation prepares us to celebrate Easter
Somerset Maugham, the famous British novelist, once remarked, “I have done things that I am unable to entirely forget. If I had been fortunate enough to be Catholic, I could have delivered myself of them at confession, received absolution, and put them out of my mind forever.”
His statement makes us realize how blessed we are to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Pope Benedict leaves valuable witness
As Ash Wednesday approached, I was thinking that this was going to be a Lent like most others. And then came the news on February 11!