Kevin Wondrash


	Caregivers push pilgrims in wheelchairs at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southwestern France. Lourdes is one of the places to be visited on a pilgrimage to France led by Bishop Donald Hying October 5 to 15, 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

MADISON — Bishop Donald J. Hying will be leading a pilgrimage to France October 5 to 15, 2020.

He invited people to join him on the 11-day pilgrimage.

“I joyfully invite everyone to join me on a pilgrimage to France this October. A sacred journey to discover the treasures of the French saints, this trip will unfold the lives and sanctity of Saints Bernadette, John Vianney, Francis de Sales, Jane Frances de Chantal, Margaret Mary, Joan of Arc, Thérèse of Lisieux, Vincent de Paul, Catherine Laboure, and Louise de Marillac.

“We will visit Lourdes, Paris, and the Normandy beaches. We will see the glory of cathedrals, the beauty of the French countryside, and the treasures of our Catholic Faith. We will celebrate Mass every day, pray the Rosary on the bus, enjoy impeccable food and lodgings.”

Highlights of the pilgrimage include a visit to the small town of Ars to see the incorrupt St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests. Pilgrims will visit the Basilica of Ars, the former home of the Curé, the underground church, and the St. John Vianney Wax Museum.

On January 15, 2020

Kevin Wondrash

Technology can help the pro-life movement

On January 22, 1973, the United Supreme Court gave our nation Roe v. Wade and its companion decision, Doe v. Bolton. In so doing, it effectively removed every legal protection from human beings prior to birth.

Since then, millions of lives have been destroyed before birth and even during the process of being born. Countless women have been traumatized so deeply by abortion that for years they struggle to find peace, healing, and reconciliation. Men grieve too because they could not “choose” to protect a child they helped bring into existence.

Society has increasingly been coarsened by toleration and acceptance of acts that purposely destroy human life.

On January 15, 2020

Kevin Wondrash

Diocese determines allegation against Rev. Patrick Doherty credible

MADISON — Agreeing with the findings of Diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board, Bishop Donald Hying has determined that an allegation of sexual abuse brought against Rev. Patrick Doherty has the semblance of truth. As such, Rev. Doherty (85), who has been out of ministry since 1993, will be placed on the diocese’s list of those priests (or former priests), determined to have been credibly accused of acts of sexual abuse against minors.

The allegation against Rev. Doherty arose after a full diocesan review of all clergy personnel files was announced last year. Rev. Doherty’s accuser, who does not wish to be named, asserts that the abuse occurred over forty years ago.

On January 15, 2020

Kevin Wondrash

New year, new me: the right way


	Journey with Faith Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

In November, I visited my uncle in Dallas, Texas, and while I was there, we went to a barbershop to get a haircut.

While waiting for my turn, I overheard a man say to the barber that he was moving to Las Vegas. The barber asked further why he was doing that, and the man simply said, “I want to start the new year and new decade in a new city. You know what I mean — a fresh start?”

Take concrete steps to change

On hearing this, I thought to myself, “sounds great, but it’s not sufficient.” It is a new year and new decade quite right, but what concrete steps are we taking to make whatever change we desire, other than just moving to a new city, like Las Vegas?

On January 15, 2020May 8, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Importance of reading and studying the Bible

Recently, Pope Francis designated the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, which falls on January 26 this year, as the Word of God Sunday, to honor the Scriptures and to lift up the importance of Divine Revelation given to us through the Bible.

St. Jerome, who dedicated his life to translating the entire Bible into Latin, famously said that “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” As Christians, we are grounded in the Word, confident that the Holy Spirit inspired the biblical authors to write what they did as the definitive and inerrant expression of God’s communication to His people.

On January 15, 2020

Kevin Wondrash

Equipping the family: Having critical conversations

We all know it’s there and probably have some idea of how we could access it. Pornography affects some of us more directly than others, but there’s no doubt that porn is a problem impacting all of us, and regrettably, it’s not going away anytime soon.

Porn has created a culture of its own, and this culture is influencing each one of us spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally to a greater or lesser extent depending on if we directly participate in the use of pornography. There are immense moral, social, and spiritual dangers for us and even for our children.

On January 15, 2020

Kevin Wondrash

Society of St. Vincent de Paul holds 28th annual Recycle the Warmth blanket drive

MADISON — For good health, school or work success, and general well-being, the warmth and comfort of a good night’s sleep matters to everyone.

But not everyone in our community has a clean, warm blanket to call his or her own this winter, so the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Madison is holding its 28th annual Recycle the Warmth blanket drive to collect thousands of donated new and gently used clean blankets and other bedding.

The blankets and bedding will be given away to families or individuals living in low-income households in Dane County.