Fr. Gary Wankerl, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has presented a portrait of Pope Francis he painted recently to Bishop Robert C. Morlino and the diocese.
Day: December 4, 2013
Celebrations on Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
SAUK CITY — All are invited to join in a grand celebration on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 at St. Aloysius Church, 115 Madison St., in Sauk City. On display will be a new life-sized framed canvas of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Be more than ‘nice’ during Advent
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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. |
Dear Friends,
Already Advent is upon us. We have concluded our Year of Faith with gusto, and now we are called to undertake, once again, the journey of a liturgical year.
This journey begins, as always, with our preparation for entering into the most pivotal moment of human history — the moment that God became man.
That the eternal Creator of the universe should have come amongst us, not only to dwell, but to call us to a life with and like Him, means a complete reordering of everything — every single thing.
The profound reality of the Incarnation and its implications for our lives is why we have a season of Advent each year; we take the time to consider how each of us responds to the presence of God in our lives, and what that means for us.
CMC teams up with Spanish Radio for event
MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) in Madison is getting ready to hold its second annual Radiothon fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 13, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Funds raised during the event will allow the CMC to continue its history of offering services to the Madison community.
Feast of Immaculate Conception points to Advent
Franz Werfel wrote a popular book called The Song of Bernadette. The reason he wrote this book goes back to World War II.
Shrine at Lourdes, France
As a controversial Jew in occupied France, he was on the Nazi hit list. He and Alma, his wife, fled from the Nazis who pursued them.
They sought shelter in Lourdes where the famous shrine of Mary is located. One night he went alone to the shrine.
In the darkness, he prayed, “God, I’m not a believer. I must be honest and say so. I am a Jew. But in my extreme need, on the chance that I could be wrong, I ask you to help me and my wife. If you see us safely to the United States, I promise to write a story of Lourdes for all the world to read.”
Thanks for donations for Jeremy Meinholz benefit
To the editor: […]
Papa Francesco’s words of wisdom: Share joy of God’s love with others, especially the poor
Papa Francesco. That’s the name on the PDF document of the apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), written by Pope Francis. I went to the Vatican website and downloaded my own copy to read (readers might do the same at www.vatican.va).
The name Papa Francesco seems like such an appropriate way to think of our Holy Father. He speaks to us as a devoted parent, sharing his words of wisdom, just like a loving father would talk with his children.
Noise of the world drowns out God’s voice
Even though this is an upbeat document, Pope Francis — like the Holy Father he is — shows us where we are falling short as disciples of Christ. He observes that we often don’t share the joy of the Gospel with others. He also chastises Christians for letting God’s voice be drowned out by the noise of the world.
He says, “The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.”
Pilgrimage to shrine in La Crosse offered
LA CROSSE — The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe wish to invite all Catholics to make a pilgrimage on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse.
The pilgrimage will also include a special prayer vigil remembering the victims of abortion at 10:30 a.m. outside the Memorial to the Unborn at the shrine. It will also be coordinating events with the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and concluding with a pro-life prayer vigil at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, where abortions are performed.
Saint Jude Hospice opens new state offices in Platteville and La Crosse
MADISON — Saint Jude Hospice now offers loving care for patients and families facing terminal illness from two new locations in Wisconsin: Platteville and La Crosse.
Saint Jude’s mission is to serve all patients, in the comfort of their own home, who are facing terminal illness by bringing healing to those when their hope has changed from cure to comfort.
Diocese posts synod information and resources webpage
In recent weeks, the Diocese of Madison has posted a page on its website to assist people in the diocese with understanding the much-discussed Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Pastoral Challenges to the Family, which begins next year.
The site contains a general explanation of the Synod of Bishops, some resources on the family, and pointers on what interested Catholics can do to support the synod.