Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

Review completed of diocesan files on sexual abuse issues

MADISON — After a review of over 500 personnel files and tens of thousands of pages by an objective third-party review firm, the Diocese of Madison is confident that there are no known historical issues regarding the sexual abuse of minors left uninvestigated or undisclosed.

These are some of the key takeaways diocesan leadership is drawing from a now-concluded forensic file review of diocesan clergy personnel files.

The review, which was contracted through diocesan attorneys, was conducted by Defenbaugh & Associates, an investigative firm out of Texas, comprised mostly of retired agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Building trust and healing

With its announcement of the review in June, diocesan leadership said, “Through rereleasing names of known past offenders, and adding to that list any names of those previously found by the diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board to be credibly accused, and conducting a thorough investigation and review of any additional names, the diocese hopes to continue to build trust, to provide healing wherever possible, and to reassure the faithful of the Diocese of Madison that such matters have been and will continue to be dealt with appropriately.”

The review and investigations into related matters have resulted in the diocese adding one new name to the list previously published and announcing an additional investigation.

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Kevin Wondrash

Saint Mother Teresa Mercy Endowment Fund

September 5 marks the celebration of St. Mother Teresa’s feast day. We celebrate her as a saint and draw inspiration from her life committed to serving Christ and His people, especially the poor and suffering.

Mother Teresa was beatified on October 19, 2003, by Pope Saint John Paul II, and Pope Francis canonized her on September 4, 2016.

Mother Teresa set up homes for AIDS patients, prostitutes, battered women, and orphanages for poor children.

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Kevin Wondrash

Jesus urges us to cast away fear

Bishop Donald J. Hying's column

The Storm at Sea occurs in each of the Gospels, that perilous moment when the apostles are terrified by the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee until Jesus calms the tempest and encourages them to not be afraid.

In the Gospels, the apostles’ boat always symbolizes the Church. And so we think of all the times in the history of the Church that there have been storms, difficulties, and challenges, including persecutions, betrayals from within, epic struggles with political powers, global wars, theological divisions, and terrible instances of clergy sexual abuse.

We think of our own lives, the suffering we have gone through, the challenges we have faced, the changes that perhaps have intruded into our lives in an unwelcome way — all the things that frighten, overwhelm, or disturb us.

‘Do not be afraid’

The constant message of the Storm at Sea is Jesus’ refrain, “Do not be afraid. It is I. I am with you.” Throughout the Scriptures, this urging to cast away fear is God’s constant message to us.

Somebody went through all the hard work of counting how many times in the Bible God says, “Do not be afraid!” and it’s 366 — one for every day of the year plus Leap Year.

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Kevin Wondrash

40 Days for Life campaign to build on successes in Madison

MADISON — “On September 25, the highly successful 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Madison with 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach,” said Gwen Finnegan, who is coordinating the local campaign.

“We pray that these efforts will help mark the beginning of the end of abortion in Madison.”

Finnegan said, “We know 40 Days for Life has made a difference here. Our witnesses for LIFE have made extraordinary sacrifices to expose the abortion industry and to protect children and their mothers from abortion.”

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Kevin Wondrash

Parish offers Bible study on ‘Romans: The Gospel of Salvation’

MADISON — Paul’s letter to the Romans has been at the center of reflection, conversion, and controversy from the very beginning.

“Romans: The Gospel of Salvation” provides an authentically Catholic, comprehensive, and simple way to understand the overarching theme of Romans — salvation.

Theology professor Dr. Andrew Stafford and Jeff Cavins examine Paul’s letter to the Romans.

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Kevin Wondrash

No back to school fun for child laborers

It’s that special time of the year again for kids in the northern hemisphere as they start heading back to school. And for those who have discovered the fun of learning, school is an adventure!

But for millions of working children worldwide, the adventures of a new school year remain but a dream. Sadly, these children will never learn to read or write. They will not acquire computer skills. They will not experience singing in chorus, going on field trips, or playing at recess.

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Kevin Wondrash

Teaching children to know, love, and serve God

Bishop Donald J. Hying's column

As another school year begins and we lament the rapid passage of summer, I ponder the gift and blessing of our children and young people — the greatest treasure of the Church and the world.

Our Diocese pours significant resources into the formation of our children and youth, through our schools, religious education programs, and youth ministry.

And rightfully so. We want each child to know, love, and serve God. We want each young person to be a zealous disciple of the Lord Jesus. We want each person to grow up, flourishing in the abundant life of the Gospel, becoming the saint that God has called them to be.

Advocate of Catholic Schools

I have always been a big advocate of Catholic schools. Every study shows that graduates of parochial schools practice the Faith, support the Church, contribute to the poor, have a keener sense of social justice, and are more successful in their vocations than the average population.

A learning environment imbued in faith and love, permeated by prayer, and strong in Christian values becomes a blessed, formative experience that impacts the whole person — soul, body, mind, and heart.

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Kevin Wondrash

Young people volunteer to clean cemetery

MADISON — A group of young people from St. Peter Parish in Ashton and St. Martin Parish in Martinsville recently dedicated one of their last summer Saturday mornings to honoring the faithful departed buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison.

The group, mostly confirmandi, met bright and early on the Saturday morning. After visiting the crypt of Bishop Robert C. Morlino and praying for him together, they proceeded to weed flower beds and trim back turf that was encroaching onto the in-ground grave markers in the cemetery’s lawn crypt area.

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