We celebrate Vocation Awareness week from January 10 to 16, 2010. I believe that priests, deacons, and religious can help Catholics to become more aware of vocations when they share their story. With this hope, I share these reflections on my journey to priesthood.
In this Year of the Priest, I thank God for calling me to serve as a priest for nearly 40 years. I believe that I am the luckiest person on the face of God’s good earth.
One of the major tasks of young adults is to discover God’s call. It is a process we all go through in one way or another.
Each of us has a unique call — one only we can answer. Discovering our call isn’t as easy as picking up the phone or texting a message to God or our pastor. It takes hard work to find out how God wants us to live our lives. We must take time for prayer and reflection that includes serious discernment.
To the editor:
Did you know that in this 21st century, with the latest modern medical technology, the majority of pre-born human babies are at “high risk?” At “high risk?” Yes, at “high risk.” It’s not from heart disease, diabetes, or any other treatable medical condition.
Many babies are at the “high risk” of never being born. I know this is hard to believe. Especially to each person who has held a newborn baby. Or who has seen the light in the eyes of the mother and father looking at their child/children.
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MADISON — Echoing the call made by Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has encouraged parishes and people in the 11 counties of the Madison Diocese to do all they could for the people currently suffering in Haiti. Regardless of the funds collected, the bishop has approved a disbursement of $25,000 to be sent immediately to Catholic Relief Services in advance of fundraising efforts.
The devastating earthquake, centered in Port-au-Prince, has left hundreds of thousands dead and has affected nearly everyone in the small island nation. In a letter to priests and faithful, Diocesan Vicar General, Msgr. James Bartylla, echoed Pope Benedict XVI’s assurance that “The Catholic Church will not fail to move immediately, through her charitable institutions, to meet the most immediate needs of the population.”
The Madison Diocese, which had already scheduled a special collection on January 16 and 17 to benefit the Church in Latin America and the Church’s evangelization and service efforts among Native American and African American communities in the United States, has encouraged all parishes to take up a special collection for the sole benefit of the people of Haiti, in the next two weeks.
MILWAUKEE — Frigid Wisconsin temperatures hovering near single digits were a sharp contrast to the warm, festive mood inside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on January 4, as the Milwaukee Archdiocese welcomed its 11th shepherd, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki.
Nearly 1,000 were on hand at the cathedral for the installation of the 60-year-old Chicago native, most recently bishop of La Crosse.
Pope Benedict XVI announced his appointment of Archbishop Listecki to lead the 10-county archdiocese and its 643,000 Catholics on November 14, 2009.
MILWAUKEE — Combining reflection on Jn 21:15-19 with a delineation of church teaching on the duties of the bishop, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki preached his first homily as Milwaukee’s 11th archbishop during his Mass of Installation, January 4.
MILWAUKEE — With rituals and celebrations dating to the early 16th century, Catholics will welcome a new archbishop beginning January 3, the feast of the Epiphany, and culminating with the installation Mass on January 4, as Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki becomes the 11th archbishop of Milwaukee.
ROXBURY — On Sunday, Nov. 29, Fr. Alfonso Galvez, a native of Spain and founder of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, had the occasion to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the Extraordinary Rite at St. Norbert Church in Roxbury.
To the editor:
Regarding Tony Magliano’s column on healthcare reform, “Health care: Yes! Abortion: No!,” in the December 10 issue of the Catholic Herald:
He is correct in stating that “universal access to quality medical care is part of the Church’s social doctrine.” On this, there can be no question. However, how that “universal access to quality medical care” is provided is a legitimate subject of debate for Catholics. No one way is the “right” way, endorsed by the Church.
MADISON — St. Ambrose Academy hosted its third annual Christmas benefit dinner and silent auction on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Bishop O’Connor Center. The evening’s success made the school’s supporters’ spirits bright.
