MADISON — The Diocese of Madison is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the encyclical Humanae vitae (Of Human Life) written by Blessed Paul VI, with a special event on Saturday, July 21, featuring guest speaker Dr. Janet E. Smith, one of the world’s leading experts on Humanae vitae and related topics.
Author: Chris Lee
A reflection on the Irish referendum
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I will confess that as a person of Irish heritage on both sides of my family, I found the events in Ireland recently particularly dispiriting.
Not only did the nation vote, by a two-to-one margin, for the legal prerogative to kill their children in the womb, but they also welcomed and celebrated the vote with a frankly sickening note of gleeful triumph.
Sr. Leopold Kaufmann, OP, dies
SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sr. […]
Leading your child back to the Church
Word on FireBrandon […]
Historic Beloit church is renovated
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| St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Beloit recently completed a renovation of its historic church, which was dedicated in 1886. The renovation included cleaning and painting of all church walls and repainting of statues and the corpus on the crucifix (above). A stylized tree of life design was created as a background for the crucifix. The tabernacle, formerly on a side altar, was moved to the center of the altar area and placed on a custom-made table. (Catholic Herald photo/Pat Casucci) | ||
BELOIT — The rejoicing, joy, and peace of Easter Sunday was enhanced for St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners.
After a major $335,000 renovation of the church interior, it was the first time in almost three months that a Mass was celebrated by Pastor Fr. John Hedrick in the historic church built in 1885.
The church had been closed since January 8, 2018.
The regularly scheduled weekend Masses for St. Thomas were held at St. Jude Church. Father Hedrick is pastor of both parishes.
In a recent interview, Father Hedrick said, “We have had lots of positive comments about the renovation. On Easter Sunday, there was a sense of awe as parishioners looked around the church, seeing how beautiful it is.”
Necessary renovation
Father Hedrick said the renovation was necessary after significant plaster repair was needed on a church wall and part of the ceiling. “The church walls also looked in need of cleaning, and it was decided to not just paint them,” he said.
“After a couple pieces of plaster fell, we knew we had to take care of this 133-year-old building, not let it deteriorate,” he explained. The last time the walls were painted was in 1975.
Extensive planning for the project included a fund drive with parishioners contributing about $175,000. In addition, Father Hedrick said two memorial bequests and parish funds made the extensive renovation possible.
How St. Benedict reshaped the culture
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Word on Fire
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In the year 480 A.D., the last of the rulers of what remained of the western Roman Empire, a man by the name of Julius Nepos, died, leaving one Roman emperor in the far off eastern city of Constantinople (for the first time in 95 years), and the old Roman empire in Europe in the midst of a deleterious decline. In this era of ever diminishing expectations, St. Benedict was born.
A day to remember those who served
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. For some, Memorial Day means the beginning of summer. For others, it is a day off to go shopping.
The purpose of Memorial Day, however, is to honor military personnel who died while serving our country, particularly those who died in battle or from wounds received in battle.
On Veterans Day, we honor those who served honorably in military service during wartime or peacetime.
Sr. Carol Sutter, OP dies
SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sister […]
Diocese of Madison statement regarding retired priest’s arrest and court appearance; accusations of sexual abuse of a minor
For updates from the Diocese of Madison click here.Located under Press Releases |
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MADISON — The Diocese of Madison offers the following brief statement, regarding the recent arrest and initial appearance in court of a retired priest of the diocese, Fr. William Nolan:
The diocese recently learned that Fr. William Nolan (64) was arrested by the Fort Atkinson police, with charges pending. Today, we were informed that he has been charged with six counts of second-degree sexual assault of a minor (under the age of 16), as documented in the formal criminal complaint, filed today in Jefferson County Circuit Court.
Upon learning of his arrest and pending charges a diocesan representative contacted the Fort Atkinson police assuring them of our full cooperation.
Simultaneously, and although Father Nolan has been retired since 2007 and does not hold any ecclesiastical office or function, Bishop Robert C. Morlino placed him on what is commonly called “administrative leave,” as required by the Essential Norms in force in the dioceses of the USA. This includes a total exclusion from any exercise of priestly ministry while the matter is pending. The diocese also began its own canonical process of investigating these allegations, and the diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board was engaged.
Father Nolan retired from full-time ministry in the diocese in 2007, at his request. His last assignment was as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson, from 2002-2007. This is when and where the allegations being investigated are claimed to have taken place. They were brought directly to the civil authorities in Fort Atkinson and were only shared with Church officials as Father Nolan’s arrest was set in motion. This is the very first the diocese has heard of these accusations.
Blue Mass Celebrated in honor of first responders
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| Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, left, and UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman light memorial candles at the annual Blue Mass for first responders on May 10 at St. Bernard Church in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) | ||
MADISON — For the second straight year, St. Bernard Parish in Madison hosted the annual Blue Mass in honor of all first responders.
Fr. Michael Radowicz, pastor of St. Bernard, celebrated the Mass, along with several other priests from the Diocese of Madison.
In attendance were Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval, Madison Fire Department Chief Steven Davis, UW-Madison Police Chief Kristen Roman, members of their departments, and members of surrounding police, fire, and emergency worker agencies in Dane County.
Thanks for service
During his homily, Father Radowicz told those in attendance to “know there are a great many who appreciate the good work that you do, and we see that love and faithfulness in which you serve us every single day” and “the lord has endowed each of you with special gifts that allow you to be Christ for people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives”.
Later in the Mass, Chiefs Davis and Roman lit memorial candles in honor of those who have died in service to community.
Of special remembrance was Rick Garner, Jr., a 29-year-old Madison firefighter who recently died, shortly after finishing his shift.