Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

Learning from the ‘Hound of Heaven’

One of my favorite poems is the “Hound of Heaven” by Francis Thompson, in which the poet experiences God as a hugely powerful dog who resolutely chases him down the pathways of his life.

Despite every attempt to escape, hide, or elude the mighty hound, Thompson cannot do so, ultimately surrendering to being caught, only to find that this creature, which he mightily feared, is actually his very salvation.

Difficult life

The poet speaks profoundly of his own difficult experience. Thompson was born in London in 1859, entered medical school at the behest of his father, but eventually dropped out of his studies and left home.

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Kevin Wondrash

Make this the best Lent of your life

Ash Wednesday, St. Bernard, Middleton
Fr. Brian Wilk, pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, distributes ashes to a parishioner during an Ash Wednesday Mass last year. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

Every Lent, the whole Church goes on a retreat together with Jesus in the desert for 40 days. Through increased attention to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we grow in virtue and holiness, more attentive to the grace and love of the Lord, more dynamic in the practice of our faith, more spiritually ready to celebrate the great Paschal Mystery, the death and resurrection of Christ.

The etymology of “religion” is “relationship,” so we deepen the relationships in our lives this Lent. Through prayer, we grow in our experience and attention to the Lord; through almsgiving, we serve and love others by sharing our time and treasure, especially with the needy and suffering; through fasting, we empty ourselves out, so the Lord can more truly reign on the throne of our hearts.

More Jesus. Less me. If I am especially faithful to fasting, there will literally be less of me, come Easter!

More about subtraction than addition

In a sense, Lent is more about subtraction than it is addition. By removing the noisy demands of my selfishness and the distracting clutter of my heart, God has greater freedom and capacity to live, move, and act within me.

This path of self-emptying is imitative of Jesus, who followed a trajectory of remarkable humility, in order to reach, heal, forgive, love, and save us. Jesus Christ was laser-focused on doing the will of the Father, radically directing every aspect of His life and personality to His mission.

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Kevin Wondrash

Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

WAUNAKEE — The Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.

Parishes from throughout the diocese will send those who will celebrate the sacraments of initiation this Easter, as well as their sponsors, family, and friends. About 500 people are expected to attend, with Bishop Donald J. Hying presiding.

‘Election’ means ‘chosen’

The word “election” is used in this liturgy to mean “chosen.”

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Kevin Wondrash

Power of prayer and healing ministry

JANESVILLE — St. William Parish in Janesville welcomed Fr. Patrick Gonyeau from Encounter Ministries (EM), and also a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit, on February 7 to 8 to provide knowledge and information on the power of prayer and the healing ministry.

Ninety-three people attended the training portion of the weekend. Following the Saturday 4 p.m. Mass, a healing service was held with an additional 180 people in attendance.

Participants were from Janesville parishes, other Wisconsin parishes, and parishes in Rockford and other parts of Illinois.

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Kevin Wondrash

Angela Curio, new Catholic Herald administrative coordinator

MADISON — Angela Curio, resident of Madison and member of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison, has joined the staff of the Catholic Herald as its new administrative coordinator.

“I’m looking forward to working for the diocese and working for the paper,” Curio said.

She added that she hopes to connect and meet people all throughout the Diocese of Madison.

Curio called her faith her “stronghold” in life and looks forward to bringing that to her work at the Catholic Herald.

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Kevin Wondrash

News in Brief in the Diocese of Madison

Lenten Mission

MADISON — Bishop Donald J. Hying will lead a Lenten Mission at St. Dennis Parish, 505 Dempsey Rd., on Sunday and Monday, March 1 and 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The mission will include prayer, reflection, music, and fellowship. Childcare will be provided for children over age two.

Parish Mission

MADISON — A Parish Mission will be held at St. Peter Parish, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., on “The Importance of the Liturgical Reforms of the Second Vatican Council” with Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB. An introduction to the mission and a Mass will be held on Sunday, March 1, at 10 a.m. The mission will continue Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 4, 5, and 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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Kevin Wondrash

Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli inspires us

Carlo Gaetano Samuel Mazzuchelli was born on November 4, 1806, in Milan, Italy. He died on February 23, 1864, at St. Patrick Parish in Benton, where he was pastor. Years later, when I became pastor of St. Patrick’s, my knowledge and admiration of him deepened.

Father Samuel accomplished so much that I get tired just thinking about it. One parishioner appropriately called him “our steam engine missionary.” It would take books to completely cover his many accomplishments and gifts, so I will focus on just a few areas.

A mysterious occurrence

On October of 1863, according to Sr. Nona McGreal, Father Samuel rode to St. Matthew Parish in Shullsburg to celebrate Confirmation conferred by Milwaukee Bishop John Henni.

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Kevin Wondrash

Ordination of Deacon Lawrence Oparaji February 22

Fr. Lawrence Oparaji
Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

MADISON — Bishop Donald J. Hying will ordain Deacon Lawrence Oparaji to the priesthood for the Diocese of Madison on Saturday, Feb. 22, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass in the Bishop O’Donnell Chapel at Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd.

Deacon Lawrence is the son of Kenneth and Calista Oparaji of Angwan Fadama, Orozo, FCT, in Nigeria.They are members of St. Andrew Kagwa Parish, Orozo Abuja.

Deacon Lawrence’s home parish in the Diocese of Madison is St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison.

He attended grade school in the Model Learning Center/Jikwoyi Phase II, and high school in the Federal government College/Keffi, Nasarawa.

His college studies were taken at the Dominican Institute Samonda Ibadan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies.

He studied at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, St. Paul, Minn., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

His intern experience took place at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison. His deacon placements were at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie.

His clinical pastoral experience was taken at Lakeview Hospital, Stillwater, Minn.

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Kevin Wondrash

Christian girls and abortion

When Mother Teresa visited New Bedford, Mass., in June 1995, she told those of us gathered at St. Lawrence Martyr Church: “Abortion is the greatest evil of today.”

Never one to mince words, Mother Teresa’s courage, truthfulness, and charity were palpable. Parents today need similar fortitude, honesty, and love to be able to discuss the hard topic of unplanned pregnancies and abortion with their children.

Parents exercise influence

Parental input and advice are critical when these situations arise. Even as children profess independence, parents exercise influence over them, whether for good or for ill.

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