Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced the following appointment, effective September 24, 2009:
Category: Bishop
Thirty-five years a priest, 10 years a bishop
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Dear Friends,
2009 is a very special year for me personally, as, on June 1st I celebrated 35 years as a priest and, just this week, on September 21, I celebrate 10 years as a bishop. I was ordained the Bishop of Helena, Montana, in the Cathedral Church of St. Helena on September 21, 1999, the Feast of St. Matthew.
Appointments (Sept. 24, 2009 edition)
Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, wishes to announce the following appointments to the Presbyteral Council, effective September 20, 2009:
Speaking, hearing truth in health care reform
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Dear Friends,
Two weeks ago I was very fortunate to be back on campus at the University of Notre Dame. Once and a while I take advantage of returning to that campus, where I spent a few years teaching philosophy and serving on the staff at Moreau Seminary (I always recall so very fondly the 11 years I spent on the college campuses, at Notre Dame and elsewhere.)
The following are the words I chose for the occasion, in celebrating the 10 a.m. Liturgy at the Sacred Heart Basilica on campus:
Announcement (Sept. 3, 2009 edition)
Bishop Robert C. Morlino has accepted Fr. James Lins’ request to retire from pastor at St. Matthew Parish, Shullsburg; Our Lady of Hope Parish, Seymour; and St. Peter Parish, Elk Grove; to Pastor Emeritus, effective September 1, 2009.
God’s mercy and Senator Edward Kennedy
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Dear Friends,
As I complete my time of rest and recuperation, I found myself unpredictably (at least had I been able to predict six months ago) with time available to me to watch on the television most of the events surrounding the funeral and burial of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy. For myself, the time was prayerful and well spent because I knew a lot about Senator Kennedy when he was still fairly young and, of course, I was younger still.
Senator Kennedy and I, many years ago, were, according to the common understanding, not quite ready to get in line to go and meet our Judge. There was plenty of time available, we presumed, to prepare ourselves to take our place in that line, and to welcome that part of our humanity which is experiencing the mystery of suffering and death.
Seeking ethical health care reform
Dear Friends,
Bishop Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Iowa, has expressed very clearly our Church’s teaching on health care reform — his observations are offered below. It is urgent that you read this, remembering that no single proposed Bill from the U.S. Congress exists as yet.
The wisdom of God and 50 years of marriage
This column is taken from Bishop Morlino’s homily at the Diocesan 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Mass on August 16.
Dear Friends,
I have three points from the readings (Ex 16:2-4, 12-15; Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54; Eph 4:17, 20-24; Jn 6:24-35) and then a few closing observations. We heard a lot in the first two readings of this Sunday, about wisdom and foolishness.
It’s very interesting that the Scriptural author indicates that foolishness is the opposite of wisdom. He could have said ignorance is the opposite of wisdom or he could have said stupidity is the opposite of wisdom. Why did he say that it is foolishness that is the opposite of wisdom?
Many of us are ignorant of many things and many of us are stupid about a few things. But, it’s rare that we choose to be ignorant or choose to be stupid. We don’t usually say something like, “I know that’s stupid, but I want to stand by it anyway.” When people are unaware, or when people are stupid in some areas, they usually don’t choose it. But, you have to choose to be foolish. That’s why foolishness is the opposite of wisdom — you have to choose it and you have to take responsibility for it. For example, the Scriptures remind us, “the fool says in his heart, ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).
Solemnity of the Assumption
Dear Friends,
As I write this column we are preparing for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, when the Blessed Mother, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory,” as was written by Pope Pius XII in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus.
The Solemnity of the Assumption is a testament not only to the tremendous love which God has for the Blessed Mother, but also a powerful reminder of the love which Jesus Christ has demonstrated for all of us, in conquering death through His death.
Remember human dignity in health care reform
Dear Friends,
Thank God and thank you, my brother priests, deacons, our Sisters, and our whole diocesan family, for your prayerful support during these days. My period of rest and recovery from heart arrhythmia is almost complete.
I do expect to ordain our three new priests, from the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, for our diocese this coming Friday. As with all ordinations, that day will be a great joy for me and, please God, it will do my heart good. But I must say, I am especially happy to be back in this occasional form of communication, my column.