I haven’t written one of these columns in a while. In between the busyness of the job, the holidays, and a struggle to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, I’ll be honest), my still-developing “On His Time” series has not appeared in the Catholic Herald since October.
Month: February 2014
‘Fabulous Bingo Night’ returns at St. Mary of the Lake Parish
WESTPORT — Share […]
‘Breakfast of Champions’ serves up food and fellowship
MADISON — Although […]
Eleanor Ryan Curtin dies
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| Eleanor Ryan Curtin |
MADISON — Papal award recipient Eleanor Ryan Curtin, 93, of Madison died on Monday, Feb. 3, at home, surrounded by her family.
She was awarded the Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope John Paul II in 1997 in recognition of service to the Church in the Diocese of Madison.
Eleanor was born May 13, 1920, the daughter of Dr. Frank and Loretto (Carbery) Ryan in Chicago, Ill.
She attended high school at Loretta Academy in Chicago and went on to Chicago Teachers College and received her teaching degree in 1942.
She was a kindergarten teacher in Chicago until her marriage to William J. Curtin II in 1944 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Chicago.
She and her husband settled in Madison. They had seven children.
New hope for the Catholic press: Circulating the joy of the Gospel
Most people think of February as the month of Groundhog Day, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day. Sometimes Lent begins in February, although this year it starts later with Ash Wednesday on March 5.
However, those of us involved in Catholic newspapers observe February as Catholic Press Month. …
Presentation examines mystical phenomena
Science Tests Faith is a presentation which includes videos of the testimony and reports of three professionals — an attorney, a scientist, and a journalist — who have examined certain mystical phenomena that have occurred in the Catholic Church in modern times.
Their work, Signs from God, Science Tests Faith, investigates Eucharistic miracles, the phenomenon of a statue of Jesus that weeps tears and blood, the stigmata in a current day mystic, and more.
Gimme Shelter is moving, realistic film
NEW YORK (CNS) — Perhaps the best moment in the fact-based drama Gimme Shelter (Roadside) comes when its beleaguered, deeply sympathetic protagonist, played by Vanessa Hudgens, wonderingly recites a passage from the Book of Psalms that tells of God’s promises to those who trust in him.
It’s a moving scene precisely because such faith-based optimism seems so far removed from all that Hudgens’ character, teenager Agnes “Apple” Bailey, has previously endured.
Our suffering brings us closer to Christ
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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,
You’ve been right at the heart of my prayers in the recent days and weeks. In addition to my usual prayers for your growth in the virtues of faith, hope, and love have been prayers for your warmth and safety, as well as for your joy in these frigid days!
I have been very fortunate to take some time for rest and renewal in warmer climes, as I’m blessed most always to do in January. (There are a number of things for which I am grateful to my predecessor, Bishop Bullock, but on a personal level, I’ll always remain grateful for his wise advice — and precedent — that I take my time for vacation in January, and not in the summer!)
I don’t take for granted for a moment the blessings that I’ve received. I’m grateful and I’m hopeful that such moments of leisure can prepare me all the more for my service.
And so it is with only the slightest sense of irony that the Lord has drawn to my mind the following three words and phrases from our readings this past Sunday: purification, suffering, and a sign of contradiction. And each of those words accompanies the readings, in order. Purification is spoken of in the first reading — Mal 3:1-4; suffering in the second reading — Heb 2:14-18, and a “sign of contradiction” in the Gospel reading — Lk 2:22-40.
Nuestro sufrimiento nos acerca a Cristo
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| Esta columna es la comunicación del Obispo con los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia va más allá de la intención del Obispo. |
Queridos amigos:
Han estado en el corazón de mis oraciones en los días y semanas recientes. Además de mis oraciones habituales por su crecimiento en las virtudes de la fe, la esperanza y el amor, he rezado por su seguridad y calor, ¡así como por su alegría en estos días frígidos!
He sido muy afortunado al tener un tiempo de descanso y renovación en climas más cálidos, como casi siempre que recibo esta bendición en enero. (Hay muchas cosas por las que estoy agradecido a mi predecesor, el Obispo Bullock, pero a nivel persona, ¡siempre le agradeceré sus sabios consejos como el hecho de que tome mis vacaciones en enero y no en el verano!) No doy por descontado por un minuto las bendiciones que he recibido. Estoy agradecido y esperanzado porque esos momentos de descanso me preparan más para mi servicio.
Y así creo que es con algo de ironía que el Señor ha fijado mi atención en las siguientes tres palabras o frases de nuestras lecturas del domingo pasado: purificación, sufrimiento y signo de contradicción. Y cada una de esas palabras acompañan las lecturas, en orden. Sobre la purificación se habla en la primera lectura, Mal 3,1-4; del sufrimiento en la segunda lectura, Hb 2,14-18; y sobre ser “signo de contradicción” habla la lectura del Evangelio: Lc 2, 22-40.
Health care law helps those with pre-existing conditions
To the editor:
In response to the letter concerning “big government” and the Affordable Care Act in the December 26 issue of the Catholic Herald, I would like to express support for the new health care law.
For decades, we, as a country, have let the insurance companies deny health care to those with pre-existing conditions.