Chris Lee

As we approach the closing of the Year for Priests, the Diocese of Madison is blessed with two deacons, Rev. Mr. David Carrano and Rev. Mr. Greg Ihm, who will be called to the Order of Presbyters.

We are also blessed with the ordinations of Rev. Mr. Jorge Antonio Miramontes and Rev. Mr. Timothy Renz to the transitional diaconate in late May.

By God’s providence this coming October, at the American College of Immaculate Conception, in Leuven, Belgium, two more men, Mr. John Putzer and Mr. Chad Droessler, will be ordained transitional deacons.

On June 17, 2010

Chris Lee

Belleville Church marks 100 years

BELLEVILLE — The Belleville-area Catholic community is celebrating 100 years of existence this June.

In celebration, a potluck picnic for parishioners is planned following the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 27, at St. Francis of Assisi church.

On June 17, 2010

Chris Lee

Jefferson parish, priest celebrate anniversaries

JEFFERSON — St. John the Baptist Parish in Jefferson recently held a combined celebration of the 150th anniversary of the dedication of the original church and the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Thomas J. Coyle, pastor.

On June 17, 2010

Chris Lee

Catholics should be example in 2010 campaign

June 1 is the day on which candidates for the fall elections may begin to circulate nomination papers to secure a place on the primary election ballot. As such it marks the official beginning of the campaign season.

As this season begins, it is important to remember how we as Catholics can engage in faithful citizenship. The Wisconsin Catholic Conference’s (WCC) Guidelines for Church Involvement in Electoral Politics, first approved by the bishops in the early 1980s and periodically updated, share “dos and don’ts” for involvement by church organizations in election campaigns.

On June 17, 2010

Chris Lee

Honoring fathers for their special love, qualities

Mrs. Sonora Louise Smart Dodd is generally credited with organizing the first modern Father’s Day. It was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Wash. The idea of Father’s Day originated in Sonora’s mind as she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.

Sonora’s mother died while giving birth when Sonora was 16. William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised the newborn and five other children with caring love. Sonora, the eldest child, admired the endless sacrifices her dad made so his children could live better. Consequently she wanted a Father’s Day to honor her father and other fathers. We celebrate Father’s Day this year on June 20.

On June 17, 2010

Chris Lee

Why is Latin returning to the Mass?

To the editor:

As Latin is returning to our Mass, we are asking the question, why? Some of the parish members felt the Latin Mass was beautiful, although most everyone participating understood very little. Many participants prayed the Rosary during Mass and still do today.

I remember when the Mass went to English. I don’t recall anyone criticizing the change. It was beautiful to understand the prayers and hymns.

On June 11, 2010

Chris Lee

Bishop Callahan, auxiliary in Milwaukee, named bishop of La Crosse

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has named Auxiliary Bishop William P. Callahan of Milwaukee as bishop of La Crosse, Wis.

He succeeds Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, who was bishop of La Crosse from 2004 until he was named to the Milwaukee post in November.

The appointment was announced June 11 in Washington by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

On June 3, 2010

Chris Lee

Two new deacons ordained

MADISON — Deacons are all about service, “primarily the service of mercy,” Bishop Robert C. Morlino said in his homily at the Mass on Friday, May 28, at the Bishop O’Connor Center in which Jorge Miramontes and Tim Renz were ordained as transitional deacons for the Diocese of Madison.

On June 3, 2010

Chris Lee

Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute gets high marks

MADISON — In the fall of 2009, the Diocese of Madison’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) started the new Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute (SOWDI), a program of catechetical certification and adult faith formation.

On June 3, 2010

Chris Lee

Schools study implementation: Here we go!

After many months of hard work on the part of hundreds of the faithful throughout the diocese, Bishop Morlino has put forth a strategic plan for addressing the challenges that face our Catholic schools.

This plan forms a foundation or structure for planning our work over the next several years. The natural question that follows something like this is, “How are we going to do this?”