Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

Knights of Columbus ‘Culture of Life’ essay contest calls for entries

MADISON — Many of us know that life is becoming increasingly chaotic in America, and there is a growing opinion that elements of our culture and even our government no longer regards life as valued or sacred.

Many people who are pro-life consider it very difficult or even impossible to change our culture and our government on their own.

Importance of the Eucharist

The Most Holy Eucharist — as the source and summit of the Christian life — separates us from sin, strengthens us, and unites us more closely to Christ. We receive sacramental graces from the Eucharist that help us work with God in the salvation of other people for the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. As members of the Church, strengthened by grace, we are able to call people to conversion on developing a culture of life in America.

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Kevin Wondrash

The most prayerful experience of my life

As I follow people on Twitter and help to put together the issue of the Catholic Herald each week, I read about a lot of Catholics taking pilgrimages to the three approved Marian Shines in Wisconsin: the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill, near Milwaukee; the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, in Champion, near Green Bay; and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near La Crosse.

I have been to two of the three sites, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe being the only one I have yet to visit. I would now like to reflect on the first time I visited one of these shrines.

A chance to go

Back in May of 2012, I went on a one-day bus trip with parishioners from St. Christopher Parish in Verona to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion (formally known as Robinsonville).

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Kevin Wondrash

Al Ringling Theatre, Baraboo, announces Lively Arts Series

BARABOO — The historic Al Ringling Theatre, 136 4th Ave., Baraboo, announces its lineup of shows for the 2013-14 Lively Arts Series. The series features a variety of artists in different performance genres, including some regional favorites.

  • The series opens on Friday, Oct. 4, with the down-home sounds and sweet harmonies of Robin and Linda Williams and their group.
  • Singer and playwright Lisa Rock and her six-piece band are keeping the Carpenters’ holiday traditions alive with spot-on renditions of the unforgettable Christmas tunes on Friday, Dec. 13.
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Kevin Wondrash

Fr. Paul Fagan continues missionary work in Tanzania

WESTPORT — Many residents of southern Wisconsin will recognize the name of Fr. Paul Fagan.

Father Fagan was born near Prairie du Chien in 1932. After attending St. Francis Minor and Maryknoll Major Seminary, he was ordained in 1960. For the last 53 years, Father Fagan has served the people of Tanzania in Africa.

Sharing news of his work

Over those 53 years, Father Fagan has returned to Wisconsin and the Diocese of Madison every year to share news about his work in Tanzania.

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Kevin Wondrash

Adult faith formation Bible studies offered at Blessed Sacrament

MADISON — Pope Francis has captivated the attention of many people around the globe with his simplicity, humility, directness, and outreach to the marginalized.

He calls us to be in dialogue with the world reaching out to build a culture of “solidarity” or “encounter” in which a society shares and includes. This desire to love flows from the love we have received from Christ.

To help us better experience God’s love in the Scriptures and thus grow in loving, the Blessed Sacrament Parish Adult Faith Formation Committee will be offering various Bible studies this year:

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Kevin Wondrash

Marriage is built on mercy and forgiveness

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.
On Sunday, August 19, I was honored and privileged to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for those in the diocese marking 50 years of marriage.

It was a joyful moment, gathering about 60 couples from throughout the diocese and, in a particular way, I felt called by the Lord to point out that the durability and the steadfastness of their married lives is a “school of forgiveness,” from which all can learn.

I could see the twinkle in their eyes as I recalled that beneath the marriage covenant of each and every couple present there was a mountain of forgiveness built on 50 years of forgiveness and mercy, with and through the Lord.

It is no small feat to have built that mountain, and it is a tremendous sign for the whole world. In fact, it is one of my most cherished occasions of the whole year when I am in the company of those who, with Mary, have said their “fiat” — their, “let it be” — and continue to mean it.

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