From Bishop Morlino: […]
Category: Bishop
Caring for the body — and the soul
Dear Friends,
I don’t know if it’s been your experience, but, of late, I’ve noticed a marked increase in the number of people who are very obvious for their display of unhappiness. I’ve been taken aback on a number of occasions by total strangers who, by way of their rude behavior, and shortness with others, indicate a real lack of joy in their lives.
Welcome to the Year of Faith
Dear Friends,
On Thursday of this past week we entered into a Year of Faith, which I marked with a beautiful evening of prayer, gathered together with representatives from throughout the diocese. The reflection I offered to those present was really intended for all in the diocese and so I share it with you here:
Gratitude for harvest time and our farmers
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| 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,
It really is a joy and a blessing to experience the change in seasons. It’s hard not to be thankful for creation in this time of so much color and in this time of harvest. This time of year should provide us with no end of seeds for reflection, but I’m always drawn to reflect upon the lives of our farmers in a particular way.
By nature of it’s being the “seat” of the diocese, the center of state government, the largest city, more-or-less the geographic center of these 11 counties, and the home of a world-class university, so much of our attention in the diocese is often focused upon Madison. And indeed, Madison is all of the things I just listed, but we should never fall into the trap of thinking that the Diocese of Madison is mostly Madison. To do so would not only mean missing out on some of the richest aspects of our diocese, but would also make for a very monotonous, hyper-political existence! And that’s the furthest thing from my mind or my heart.
As such, in addition to getting out of the gravitational pull of Madison as frequently as possible, I also cherish the opportunity I’ve had over the past few years to gather in a specific way with some of our farming communities to pray and to give thanks for the gift of “rural life.” I was able to do that recently in Footville. And as we are still in the harvest season, I’d like to share a few of the thoughts that I shared with those gathered.
Official Announcement
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Rev. Msgr. James Bartylla, Vicar General, on behalf of Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, announces the following, per canon 553, in regards to Vicariates Forane in the Diocese of Madison, effective immediately:
The following Vicariates Forane are hereby erected and all previously-existing Vicariates Forane (deaneries) are hereby suppressed:
- Columbia North Vicariate to include the parishes of All Saints (Berlin), St. Mary Help of Christians (Briggsville), Our Lady of the Lake (Green Lake), Holy Family (Kingston and Markesan), St. John the Baptist (Montello), St. James (Neshkoro), St. Mary (Portage), St. Thomas (Poynette), St. John the Baptist (Princeton), Blessed Trinity (Dane and Lodi), St. Andrew (Buffalo), St. Mary (Pardeeville), St. Jerome (Columbus), St. Patrick (Doylestown), St. Joseph (Rio), Good Shepherd (Westfield).
Sunday, Oct. 14 is Catholic Charities Sunday for the Diocese of Madison
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As Bishop of Madison, I am pleased to announce that I am designating Sunday, October 14 as Catholic Charities Sunday for the Diocese of Madison.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The mission of Catholic Charities is precisely that — to reach out in love from the solid foundation of our faith. Catholic Charities works daily to protect, preserve and promote the natural dignity of persons out of love and respect for them. Together, we provide help and create hope for our brothers and sisters each and every day.
On this occasion, we recognize the good works that Catholic Charities does to fulfill the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, caring services to all God’s people. Through Catholic Charities, we can strengthen and support the aging, children, individuals, families and communities, including:
The search for true beauty
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| 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,
Next week, on October 11, we enter into a Year of Faith which was declared by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in order to invite the Church, once again, through the door of faith which God has opened for us. It is an outstanding opportunity to renew our faith and to reach out to those around us, to invite them back into a life of faith in the Church. Each of your parishes, as well as our diocesan offices, will be offering many and varied activities for the Year of Faith, and I’d urge you to take part, in a full and active way, in this year which in a particular way com50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism.
For my part, I’ve been encouraging parish leaders in our diocese to approach this Year of Faith with an extra emphasis on encouraging evangelization through beauty. Let me briefly explain why.
The triumph of the Cross and our salvation
Dear Friends,
This past week we celebrated the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. There is no shortage of crosses in our lives, and we pray for one another and lift one another up as we encounter those crosses. It is through those crosses, which some of you experience right now, that can come the Resurrection victory. So engage the struggle to embrace your cross and do not forget the triumph which comes by way of our following the Lord.
Facing the challenge of learning your faith
Dear Friends,
The week of Labor Day now having come and gone, schools everywhere are kicking into “high gear,” and thus it’s important that we remember to pray for all of our students. It’s also a good time for Catholic parents to remember to reapply themselves to educating and forming their children in the faith, and for all of us to support them! It is a large task, but one which will bear fruit for all of eternity.
Facing the challenge of learning your faith
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| 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,
The week of Labor Day now having come and gone, schools everywhere are kicking into “high gear,” and thus it’s important that we remember to pray for all of our students. It’s also a good time for Catholic parents to remember to reapply themselves to educating and forming their children in the faith, and for all of us to support them! It is a large task, but one which will bear fruit for all of eternity.
Next week I’ll be blessed to celebrate two Masses with students, one with students at the UW-Madison, and another which will gather together students from all of the Catholic schools in our diocese. I can’t wait to be with all of these young, energetic young people. Next week’s issue of the Catholic Herald will also focus on the 32 men who I call “my sons” in a particular way. In recent weeks I’ve also seen almost all of the seminarians head back to school — and I can certainly identify with those parents who are missing students, who are back in the dorms!