Kevin Wondrash

JEFFERSON — Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 15, and join Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison for a Mass and blessing for rural life and the upcoming planting season throughout the Diocese of Madison.

We’ll gather to celebrate the feast day of Ss. Isidore and Maria, the patron saints of farmers and producers of food, fuel, and fiber at St. Lawrence Church, W4926, Hwy. 18, Jefferson.

Mass will begin at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a blessing of farm implements and the soils of our gardens and fields throughout the Diocese of Madison.

On April 21, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

St Joseph’s 15th annual men’s retreat on May 15

REEDSBURG — On Saturday, May 15, men from throughout the Diocese of Madison are invited to an outdoor retreat at Camp Gray in Reedsburg.

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison and Fr. Jared Holzhuter, pastor of St Olaf Parish in DeForest, will be the featured speakers for this event.

This year’s theme is, “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled,” based on the scripture passage John 14:2.

On April 21, 2021May 8, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Bishop Cletus F. O’Donnell becomes the second Bishop of Madison

In February of 1967, Bishop Cletus F. O’Donnell was appointed by Pope Paul VI as the second Bishop of Madison succeeding Bishop William P. O’Connor.

On April 14, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Gains and losses

I’m thinking out loud as I write today. Maybe it’s just me, but life seems to be a constant cycle of gaining and losing. For every blessing or step forward in our lives, there can be an opposite loss or step backward.

Hypothetically speaking, every career advancement is coupled with an unforeseen home repair bill. Or, every great day spent with friends can be met with a challenging illness in the family.

Sometimes we only focus on the bad things and the losses and accept them as a reflection of our lives — “it’s always something.”

On April 13, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

‘Climate Change in the Americas’ event bridges borders to care for our common home

MADISON — In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls us to this vision: “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.”

In this vein, “Climate Change in the Americas” hosted by the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) used technology to bridge borders, highlight the voices of community advocates from all walks of life, and bring people together to talk about the greatest threat to our common home and all who share it.

Sharing experiences

“There is not a Planet B. Climate change is a reality for us here in Mexico,” said Antonio Diaz, a soon-to-be college graduate studying business with an emphasis in sustainable production and distribution.

On April 8, 2021May 12, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

The meaning of light

Last Wednesday evening, I experienced the beautiful prayer of Tenebrae, named after the Latin word for darkness.

Since the earliest centuries of the Church, believers gathered during the Easter Triduum to offer Scripture readings, texts from the Church Fathers, and hymns to honor the suffering, Passion, and death of the Lord.

On April 7, 2021June 25, 2024

Kevin Wondrash

Diocese of Madison celebrates Holy Week Masses in-person again in 2021

Catholics in the Diocese of Madison were reunited with Christ in the Holy Mass and with each other, in-person, at the holiest of celebrations during the Church year.

On April 7, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

All invited to high-level international event

The myriad ways Catholics serve our corners of the world and Church is a credit to the beauty and diversity of the gifts given to each of us by the Lord.

Throughout the years, a number of sons and daughters of the Diocese of Madison have taken roles within the Church that serve an international scope.

One such example is Fr. John Putzer, a priest of the diocese, who has served in the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 2016 after completing four years of advanced studies in Rome.

On April 7, 2021May 8, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Bishop Jerome Hastrich known for his work with the poor and minorities

Thirteenth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

As a priest and bishop, Bishop Jerome J. Hastrich will be remembered especially for his service to the poor and minorities.

He was asked in an interview for the Catholic Herald Citizen when he first became interested in helping the poor and minority groups. The native of Milwaukee answered, “About 1929 when I was in high school.” He added that it was during the Depression and his own family was poor.

Before he entered the seminary, he taught religion to the poor at Holy Cross summer school in Milwaukee and taught Sunday school at St. Benedict the Moor and St. Gabriel Parishes.

On April 7, 2021April 7, 2022

Kevin Wondrash

Divine Mercy Sunday: Do it right!

After Easter, Catholics and Christians of all backgrounds can argue and debate which is the second most important day on the calendar.

I’m not advocating for one over the other, but since we’re nearing it, I’m going to talk about a day that should be in consideration for the next best day — Divine Mercy Sunday.

It’s the Sunday that comes after Easter, the eighth day of the Easter Octave, and depending upon the parish or the parishioner, there have been many different ways to observe that day.

At minimum, it usually includes veneration of the Image of Divine Mercy and/or praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.