SINSINAWA — Sinsinawa […]
Author: Kevin Wondrash
Catholic Medical Association to meet in Madison
MADISON — The […]
Christmas and the mystery of time
As we come upon Christmas, I’d like to take a moment to put on my old hat from my time as a philosophy professor — but I’ll try to do it in a way befitting this limited space and broad audience.
Beloit parish celebrates Lessons and Carols
BELOIT — Will you be tired after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Need some time to refocus?
Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish will be celebrating Lessons and Carols on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, beginning at 7 p.m. in the church, 2222 Shopiere Rd.
The 25-voice OLA Parish choir, under the direction of Randy Gracyalny, will be joined by instrumentalists from the parish and area to provide an uplifting prayer and musical experience.
‘Every Life Is Worth Living’ discussion series planned
MADISON — The Respect Life Committee of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish will host a two-part series, “Every Life is Worth Living.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, Fr. Pat Norris, OP, will present “Catholic Thought on End-of-Life Care.” Father Norris is priest chaplain and ethicist at St. Mary’s Hospital and the bishop’s coordinator for health care for the Diocese of Madison. He will explore Catholic ethical thought on assisted suicide/euthanasia and other end-of-life issues, including palliative care and hospice.
Stories about the birth of Jesus
The second grade class at St. John the Baptist School in Waunakee wrote stories about the birth of Jesus. Here are a few selections sent by Principal Conni Stark.
Rejoice during the Year of Mercy
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday — Gaudete or “Rejoice” Sunday — provided plenty of reason for rejoicing.
In addition to our celebration of the rapidly approaching Feast of Christmas (which celebrates not only the Incarnation of the Lord, but also our hope in the Second Coming) we marked, in a particular way, the beginning of the Year of Mercy in the Diocese of Madison.
Opening the Holy Doors
On this past Sunday we opened the Holy Doors, which are present at the two sites of the Cathedral Parish (St. Patrick Church and Holy Redeemer Church) and at the Schoenstatt Founder Shrine.
As I mentioned in my letter for the opening of the Year of Mercy, these doors should be a place of pilgrimage for us and they bear with them a plenary indulgence granted by Pope Francis.
It should be noted, however, that the indulgence does not simply come upon passing through the doors. There is spiritual conversion that is to be done. You need to grow in freedom from the attachment to sin.
A primary symbol of this Year of Mercy is the entrance through the Holy Doors. So, I encourage you to take the time and consider making several pilgrimages through one of the Holy Doors of Mercy.
In the second reading of this past Sunday (Phil 4:4-7) we have that wonderful admonition from the Lord. “Rejoice in the Lord always! Rejoice!”
Now, if you look around the world with all the violence, and at the collapse of the culture in our own country, and at the war against the Natural Law, against the law of human reason, which is being waged, there’s reason not to rejoice.
But St. Paul says to rejoice anyway — “Rejoice in the Lord always!” Nothing is so big that it can conquer the joy of Christ. Nothing.
Keeping Christ in the forefront
This Year of Mercy could also be called the “Big Picture Year,” where we keep the big picture in mind — Jesus Christ is still risen from the dead!
Diocese of Madison begins Year of Mercy
“Open the gates of justice; we shall enter and give thanks to the Lord.”
With those words by Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison and a knock, one of three Doors of Mercy were opened in the Diocese of Madison at St. Patrick Church in Madison, part of Cathedral Parish of St. Raphael.
A higher standard than for cats and dogs
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Sometimes people will point out: “We euthanize our pets when they suffer, and they are clearly creatures of God, so why can’t we euthanize a sick and suffering person who wants it? It seems like we treat our dogs and cats better than we treat our suffering family members.”
The way we treat animals, however, should not be the measure of how we treat fellow human beings. We keep animals as pets, but we don’t do the same with humans. We use animals to make clothing and food, but we don’t do the same with humans.
Differences between humans and animals
For all our similarities to the rest of the animal kingdom, we are aware of a fundamental difference in kind between ourselves and our furry friends. We are not meant to die just as animals do, or be euthanized as they are. The death of a human is a more complex event that has other important realities associated with it.
St. Mary’s Lights of Love honors loved ones, service members
MADISON — During this holiday season, St. Mary’s Hospital is inviting community members to remember and honor their loved ones, friends, and neighbors through the St. Mary’s Lights of Love Program.
The program allows people to purchase an LED light in honor of a special person or in memory of a loved one. As in years past, red lights indicate a living tribute and white lights honor the memory of a loved one. For the second year, blue lights will honor or remember those who serve our country.