Chris Lee

“Believe it all.” That was the “very best” preaching advice from our Dominican priest speaker at a clergy day on homiletics back in 2004.

This followed shortly my ordination to the permanent diaconate. “Do not pick and choose” from the Church’s teachings, Father said.

Don’t question it, he said, for to do so is to enter treacherous waters, that spiritual trap which whispers to us that our own personal wisdom is superior to the Church of Christ and its guarantee of doctrinal purity with guidance of the Holy Spirit.

On July 16, 2009

Chris Lee

State budget 2009 — History in the making

The state budget is a fixture of every legislative session. It holds “center stage” for the first several months of every odd-numbered year before it becomes law. Once it is adopted, the legislature turns its attention to other matters.

Every budget reflects the fiscal and political reality in which it is debated and enacted. The 2009 budget was shaped first and foremost by Wisconsin’s dire fiscal situation and the obligation of the governor and legislature to deal with a more than six billion-dollar gap between spending commitments and available revenues.

On July 16, 2009

Chris Lee

Likes Fr. Dietzen’s article about ‘authentic’ Catholics

To the editor:

Thanks much for including the excellent article by Fr. John Dietzen titled “Being an ‘authentic’ Catholic” (July 2 edition). In very few words, he expressed well that we have a large Church that is “at its best and most alive when there has been a whole rainbow of ways for people to pray, to think, to live out their faith, and grow in holiness.”

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

Catholic women learn about value of leadership

First in a series.

MADISON — In her keynote address at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s (MDCCW) annual convention June 17, M. Elizabeth Tardola of Beloit stated that she wanted to share some thoughts on women and leadership.

She began by saying that, at a recent, local, mixed-gender meeting of Catholics on the subject of social justice within the Church and community, one attendee, a woman, referring to the role of women within the paternal hierarchy of the Church, said that today’s Church of the 21st century could not function without all the work that women perform and contribute to its success. Then everyone, including men, nodded and openly agreed.

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

Annual baseball outing scheduled for Aug. 7

MADISON — Some say that the only prayers left unanswered are those interceding for sports and weather.

This August, prove them wrong by joining the seminarians for the Diocese of Madison at their annual Summer Seminarian Baseball Outing.

The annual event, sponsored by the Serra Clubs of Madison and Janesville, and the Southwest Vocations Club, will take place on Friday, Aug. 7, at Warner Park in Madison. The hometown Madison Mallards will take on their Northwood League rivals Eau Claire Express in a night game under the lights at the “Duck Pond.”

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

She’s passionate about faith, family, football, and Gilda’s Club

MADISON — For Cindy Alvarez, her passions in life have been faith, family, and football.

But in more recent years she’s also become passionate about Gilda’s Club, which offers social and emotional support for people affected by cancer.

Cindy, wife of University of Wisconsin-Madison athletic director and former football coach Barry Alvarez, talked about “Passions in My Life” at the Madison Catholic Woman’s Club’s 95th annual Spring Celebration held recently at Blackhawk Country Club.

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

A sad farewell to Brian Kelly and Relevant 2 U

MADISON — One of the casualties of the recent staff cutbacks in the Diocese of Madison was the elimination of the media specialist position in the diocesan Office of Communications.

That position was held by Brian Kelly for over three years. Prior to working for the diocese, Kelly was station manager at Relevant Radio 1240, the Catholic radio station in Madison.

Bishop will miss him

Bishop Robert C Morlino expressed his appreciation for Kelly’s work and lamented his departure. “Brian Kelly has been absolutely an invaluable coworker in my mission, as bishop, to preach the Gospel of Christ and to teach the people of the Diocese of Madison,” said Bishop Morlino.

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

Serra Club holds annual Bishop’s Dinner

MADISON — The Serra Club of Madison held its annual Bishop’s Dinner on May 22 at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.

All priests of the diocese were invited to join Serrans, their spouses, and guests at the annual dinner.

Msgr. James Bartylla, club chaplain and diocesan vocation director, introduced all the priests present, noting especially two golden jubilarians attending: Frs. Henry Kalscheuer and Roger Nilles.

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

Converting diocesan parishes to QuickBooks

Last in a two-part series

Part one of this article described the parish software conversion to ParishSOFT and related activity in the Office of Planning. This week finishes the series as I discuss our process of converting a parish to QuickBooks and some other activities involving that program.

QuickBooks

Just like with census data, parish financial data also needs to be cleaned so that it, too, is consistent and predictable; that is, each parish posts to the same accounts in the same circumstances. For this reason it’s important for all parishes to use our diocesan Chart of Accounts and to follow a common set of financial procedures.

On July 2, 2009

Chris Lee

Independence Day helps us to appreciate our blessings

Independence Day offers us an opportunity to thank God for our country’s blessings. Some visitors from poorer countries express amazement at the cornucopia of blessings that we Americans enjoy and sometimes take for granted.

We celebrate some of our blessings when we sing “America the Beautiful.” The words “God, mend thine every flaw” from this song can also invite us as responsible Catholics and citizens to try to help make America even more beautiful.

Independence Day is a federal holiday when we celebrate the anniversary of the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On this day we can also thank God for the brave men who risked their lives and fortunes to eventually sign this great document.