Columns – Page 115 – Madison Catholic Herald

A mother overheard Danny, her five-year-old son, talk with his friend Jeremy whose father recently died. “Where did your dad go when he died?” asked Danny. “Mom said that he went to Heaven,” replied Jeremy.

“What’s Heaven?” asked Danny.

Jeremy answered, “Mom said that Heaven is a place where we go after we die. Everyone will be happy. We’ll see Jesus, his mom, my grandma, grandpa, dad, and others we know who died. I can’t wait to go there!”

“Wow! Wow!’ said Danny, “But how did your dad get to Heaven? His car is still here.”

“I don’t know,” replied Jeremy. “I’ll ask mom. She knows everything!”

Cutting Edge

On March 28, 2013

Sr. Margie Lavonis

God brings good out of suffering and evil

Most people would find it difficult to get through a day without reading or hearing about some violent or painful situation.

It can be about people being beaten or killed for protesting an unjust situation in their countries, or about the threat of nuclear bombs being used by an unstable ruler.

There are stories about homes and lives being destroyed by natural disasters or of a company who has to lay off many of its employees due to the poor economy.

Eye on the Capitol

On March 21, 2013

John Huebscher

Here’s a chance to influence state policy

We can’t live out our vocation as faithful citizens unless we are also active between elections, when the hard work of making laws and policies is done.

Some of that hard work will take place in the next few weeks when the Joint Committee on Finance schedules its hearings on Governor Scott Walker’s state budget proposal. Those hearings will give Catholics and others a chance to influence the content of that budget. It is a chance we should exploit.

Guest column

On March 21, 2013

Gabi Lopez-Betanzos, For the Catholic Herald

Praying for the new pope and the world

Seminarian Gabriel Lopez-Betanzos in Rome is pictured with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background. (Contributed photo)

Editor’s note: This is the third of a series of reflections on recent events happening at the Vatican by Diocese of Madison seminarians studying in Rome.

It was a cool, rainy evening in Rome. I stood in St. Peter’s Square with a group of seminarians and student priests from the North American College. Along with thousands of others from all over the world we awaited the smoke from the little chimney above the Sistine Chapel.

Then, without warning, smoke started coming out of the chimney! At first it appeared dark, but then it was clearly not the deep black smoke we had seen earlier. We have a new pope! As the smoke continued to flow from the chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began to ring we made our way forward through the crowd. We reached a position centered in front of the now-famous balcony not far from the front of the crowd and waited anxiously to see the new pope.

Ask Jean

On March 21, 2013

Jean Mueller

Caregivers should seek outside help when needed

Q: After my mother suffered a massive heart attack I offered to have her move in with me so I could provide the necessary care. That was six months ago and in that time she has progressively gotten weaker and less able to care for herself. My care in the beginning consisted of making meals, doing her laundry and reminding her to take her medications. Now she is having trouble walking on her own; she definitely needs help with her personal hygiene and we have not talked about this level of care. I am extremely uncomfortable giving my mother a shower or helping her with other needs such as going to the bathroom. How can I convince her to accept some outside help? (From a daughter in Sun Prairie).

Year of Faith

On March 14, 2013March 17, 2023

Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part four

This is the final installment in a four-part series on the Eucharist.

In the last segment of this history of Holy Mass, we noted the rise of the “Liturgical Movement” in the 19th century — an effort to achieve genuine and deep renewal of the sacred liturgy. In the United States, certain monasteries led the movement in a particular way, much as had been the case in Europe.

Guest column

On March 12, 2013

Joe Baker, For the Catholic Herald

Experiencing the Church without a leader

Editor’s note: This is the second of a series of reflections on recent events happening at the Vatican by Diocese of Madison seminarians studying in Rome.

As a seminarian, it is impossible to escape the curiosity of others. There are always questions about what it is like living in a seminary, what you study, how often do you pray, what do you do for fun, etc.

The Catholic Difference

On March 6, 2013

George Weigel

Qualities needed for the unique papal office

At the point at which John Paul II began his papacy in the first volume of my biography of him, Witness to Hope, I borrowed some thoughts from Hans Urs von Balthasar and tried to explain a bit of the uniqueness of the papal office:

An impossible task

“To be pope is to take on a task that is, by precise theological definition, impossible. Like every other office in the Church, the papacy exists for the sake of holiness. The office, though, is a creature of time and space, and holiness is eternal. No one, not even a pope who is a saint, can fully satisfy the office’s demands.

Guest column

On March 6, 2013

Scott Emerson, For the Catholic Herald

Seminarian reflects on the final days of Benedict XVI

Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of reflections on recent events happening at the Vatican by Diocese of Madison seminarians studying in Rome.

As a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison, studying in Rome, the unexpected news of the pope’s resignation has dramatically impacted the life of the seminary and the spiritual life of each seminarian as we pray for His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman pontiff emeritus, and the cardinals as they prepare to enter conclave.

From the moment we heard the announcement, the North American College seminarians were in abuzz talking about the Holy Father’s decision while trying to concentrate on studying and completing final exams which we were in the midst of taking.

Year of Faith

On March 6, 2013

Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part three

This is the third of a four-part series on the Eucharist.

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

The Council of Trent was called not primarily to look at the liturgy, but rather to counter the attack on the doctrine and practice of the Church by the reformers. The Reformation in northern Europe had devastated the Church. The Council wanted to restore it to full theological orthodoxy in the face of attacks on Catholic beliefs, and to renew the vigor of the life of Catholics.