Category: Guest column

On
Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

Confirmation and taking ownership of our faith

Journey with Faith
Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

One of the most exciting things that happen in the fall is the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Donald Hying will travel to the corners of the diocese, imparting and strengthening the gifts of the Holy Spirit in many wonderful young people.

As part of these efforts and to help with preparations, recently Mary Kate Van Wagner and I were at the parish cluster of Patch Grove, Cassville, Bloomington, and Glen Haven, Wis., for a Confirmation retreat, which was amazing!

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On
Fr. Steve Grunow

God’s timing and the petitions of St. Monica

Word on Fire
Fr. Steve Grunow

St. Monica was likely born in the year A.D. 331 and died in the year A.D. 387 . Her husband was a Roman of minor nobility named Patricius, and with Patricius, Monica had three children, one of whom was named Augustine.

Augustine would become one of the premiere converts to the Catholic faith, and his works of theology and spirituality are among the greatest of the treasures of the Church.

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On
Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

Thoughts for high school grads going to college

Journey with Faith
Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

Hello, dear graduate, Congratulations on achieving such an important milestone! You have reached it because of your faith that God, who started this good work in you, will bring it to fulfillment.

In addition, your hard work, your dedication, and some very vital relationships — family and friends who have supported you and loved you and journeyed with you — have all helped you come to this moment in your life. Please know of my best wishes going forward.

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On
Linda Schoenmann

Healed by the relics of saints

Linda Schoenmann

In the spring of 2018, I was pretty sure I had breast cancer based on many signs God gave me while going through medical tests. But I also noticed God surrounded me with breast cancer survivors, so I felt I would be OK. I trusted God had a plan to bring good out of this situation.

I offered up my suffering for the conversion of sinners; for our bishop, priests, seminarians, and vocations; and for Valley of Our Lady Monastery, a community of Cistercian nuns who need a new facility. I turned to these beautiful brides of Christ knowing I could count on their pure prayers, which are amplified by the intercession of Our Lady and over 100 saints whose relics are entrusted to them!

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On
Rachel Dietzman and Amy Lachuk

Persons with Disabilities need Community and Connections

For adults with disabilities, becoming socially isolated is a major concern. To address this issue within Rock County, Catholic Charities of Madison operates two programs out of the Community Connections facility that give adults experiencing intellectual and physical disabilities opportunities to connect socially.

The purpose of these programs is for adults with disabilities to experience community integration activities, learn social skills, and develop friendships. In all, these two programs offer increased activity, which has a positive impact on clients’ physical and emotional health, as well as their ability to care for themselves.

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Rachel Dietzman and Amy Lachuk

The Beacon staff makes impact locally and statewide

Rachel Dietzman and Amy Lachuk

Staff at The Beacon Homeless Day Resource Center are making an impact on the homeless service sector both in Madison and statewide.

In May, The Beacon was awarded a Community Reinvestment Fund grant through the Willy Street Co-op in the amount of $2,500. The funding brings weekly scheduled trauma-informed yoga and art-based support groups for women. This educational project addresses how women experience homelessness differently than men.

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On
Fr. John Catoir

Communion is expression of God’s unchanging love

Spirituality for Today
Fr. John Catoir

Holy Communion is the most precious gift that Jesus gave us. It is the perfect expression of God’s unchanging love. The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ on all the altars throughout the world.

In 2005, Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote, “This teaching surrounding the Eucharist, remains as true and as normative today, as it did from the beginning. The Council of Trent described the real presence of Jesus with three adverbs: truly, really, and substantially.”

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On
Brandon Vogt

How to boldly go forth and make disciples

Brandon Vogt

Most parishes wish they were better at evangelizing and making disciples. They wish they could help parishioners become more ardent, committed followers of Christ who are excited to share their faith with others.

But how do we get there? Marcel LeJeune, president and founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples, has been dedicated to the task for many years.

In this interview from Word on Fire, Brandon Vogt sits down with Marcel to chat about how parishes can become disciple-making factories.

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