Year: 2017

On
Bishop Robert Barron

Silence and the meaning of the Mass

Robert Cardinal Sarah’s recent book The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise explores a number of themes both theological and spiritual, all centering around the unhappy role that noise has come to play in our culture and more specifically in the Church.

His observations are most trenchant in regard to the liturgy, which should come as no great surprise, given his role as head of the Vatican Congregation devoted to liturgy and sacraments. As I read the sections of his book dealing with the importance of silence during Mass, I often found myself nodding vigorously.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

St. Mary School in Platteville will open in fall

PLATTEVILLE — St. Mary School in Platteville will open with grades 4K and kindergarten this fall. The current plan is to open one grade per year to grade eight.

St. Mary School will provide a faith-based education dedicated to helping children become the best versions of themselves. The school is open to both Catholic and non-Catholic students.

The principal will be Fr. John Blewett, who will become the new pastor of St. Mary Parish in July. Father Blewett is currently serving as pastor in Sauk City, where he has played an integral part in the success of St. Aloysius School there.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Area veteran takes part in Badger Honor Flight

Since its inception in 2010, the Badger Honor Flight has flown more than 2,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., on what is called the “trip of a lifetime.”

Badger Honor Flight is a regional affiliate of the national Honor Flight Network.

The purpose of the network is to ensure that World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and terminally ill veterans from any war have the opportunity to see the memorials that have been erected in their honor in the nation’s capital.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dorothy Bollant, 81, recently got her chance at said “trip of a lifetime.”

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Rosary Rallies for Religious Liberty at Christ the King Parish, McFarland

MCFARLAND — Religious liberty in America continues to be under attack. What is the Catholic response to hostilities, political agendas, and perhaps unjust laws?

The most important response is to pray, support one another, and reflect on how to bring love and peace to often-difficult and emotional situations.

For the sixth year, Christ the King Parish in McFarland will be holding weekly Rosary Rallies for Religious Liberty. At the kick-off on Tuesday, June 20, Fr. Steve Smith, pastor of Christ the King Parish, will briefly present how the Catholic tradition can promote the common good in a way that respects all people.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Sr. Alicia Torres to visit Watertown Catholic for dessert competition

WATERTOWN — Watertown Catholic invites people to participate in a dessert competition judged by Sr. Alicia Torres and other special judges. Sister Alicia will also share her story/testimony.

The event will take place on Monday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Henry Parish Center, 412 N. Fourth St.

Sr. Alicia Torres, FE, is a member of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. She studied theology at Loyola University and Mundelein Seminary. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in teaching at Dominican University in River Forest.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Summer seminarian assignments

Following are summer assignments for seminarians in the Diocese of Madison:

• Stephen Brunner — St. Francis Xavier, Cross Plains, and hospital chaplain ministry

• David Drefcinski — chaplain at Boy Scout Camp, Illinois

• Jose Flores-Ugalde — Cathedral Parish, Madison

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Protecting the truth throughout life

From Bishop Robert C. Morlino:

I was recently invited, as I am each year, to celebrate Mass for and take part in the graduation ceremony for the graduating seniors at St. Ambrose Academy, in Madison. I offer the following valedictory remarks from two outstanding young men who were recently graduated, as they exemplify their readiness for Catholic lay mission.

Justin Hineline, whose remarks are published here, will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, beginning this fall, and will be enrolled in the Army ROTC curriculum.

William Donohoe, whose remarks will be published in the next issue, will be attending the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md. reporting later this month.

Let us keep both Justin and William and all our recent graduates in our prayers as they enter this next phase of their lives and continue to discern God’s will for their future.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Please don’t weaken the safety net

Health care safety net providers are institutions that are critical in providing care and services in low-income, medically underserved, immigrant, and communities of color.

These institutions already serve a large percentage of patients who are underinsured or on Medicare. They have relied on help from the government. Yet, now Congress is considering changes to health care which could weaken that safety net.

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