Columns – Page 153 – Madison Catholic Herald

Well, it’s been a little over a year and a half since the bishop started Trusting in the Spirit with the publication of his directives to clusters.

Trusting in the Spirit is a program created to increase collaboration and connectedness among and between parishes and the Diocese of Madison. It’s based on the planning done in Guided by the Spirit as one response to the declining number of priests in our diocese.

An important moment when planning, and we should always be planning, is our look back in time to measure how we did in comparison to our original plan. Consequently, it’s the annual time for parishes and clusters to evaluate their ministry progress (reports due May 15th!) so everyone can see how we’re doing to build up the Church in the Diocese of Madison.

On May 14, 2009

John Huebscher

Budget woes and ripple effects

Last fall, I mentioned that the principle of solidarity is one theme of Catholic social teaching that has special relevance in tough economic times.

Solidarity is the recognition that all human life is social and that we are connected to each other. Solidarity reminds us, as Pope John Paul II once wrote, “all are responsible for all.”

Just as people are connected, so too are the issues and public policies that reflect our way of life. A number of issues currently being discussed at the State Capitol drive this reality home.

On May 7, 2009

Fr. Donald Lange

Mom helped make our house a home

The storm’s thunder and lightning frightened Danny, a five-year-old boy. He fled to the safety of his parent’s bedroom.

”Mommy, Daddy,” Danny begged, “Can I sleep in your room tonight? I’m scared of the thunder and lightning.”

His mom hugged him. “Honey, don’t be afraid. God will protect you. Now go back to your room,” she gently ordered her son.

Danny cried, “Mommy, I know that God will protect me. But right now, I need someone whom I can see. I need someone who can hold me and pray for me like you do, so I won’t be afraid.”

On May 7, 2009May 20, 2021

Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

The Obama stem cell darkness

President Obama, on March 9, 2009, signed an important executive order that vastly expanded federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research and crossed a significant and troubling ethical line.

This decision, and the rhetoric during the signing, encouraged scientists and researchers to enter the moral quagmire of taking some human lives in order to benefit others. During his signing speech, in order to support his decision, the president invoked the name of Christopher Reeve and other patients desperate to find cures for their ailments.

Desperation, however, rarely makes for good ethics.

I once heard a true story that brought this point home for me in a dramatic way. The story involved a father and his two young sons.

On April 30, 2009May 19, 2021

Msgr. Daniel Ganshert

The flock of the Lord

World Day of Prayer for Vocations this weekend along with the Holy Father’s recent announcement of the Jubilee Year of the Priest to begin on June 19 both coincide nicely with ordination anniversaries this time of year.

As we priests reflect on the privilege and joy of our vocations, the countless people who have been Christ to us come to mind. Celebrating God’s love in our various parish communities is key for making us feel like we belong.

On April 30, 2009

Michael Lancaster

Catholic schools: Solutions for the future

“Why do Catholic schools exist?” “Why do we have Catholic schools?”

“Aren’t the public schools just as good academically?” “Don’t Catholic schools just teach more religion?”

“Why do we have a Catholic school when our parish already offers excellent religious education?”

These are questions that, over my short tenure as superintendent, I have heard uttered by parishioners, my colleagues in public schools, and many others. As a matter of course, I have discussed these questions with colleagues, parents, teachers, and, most recently, the many volunteers from throughout the diocese who served as members of Core Teams for Catholic Schools Planning.

On April 30, 2009

Fr. Brian Dulli

How Paul’s conversion is relevant today

Note from Bishop Morlino: Dear Friends, As we come to the close of this year of St. Paul, let us refocus our minds and hearts on the life and works of this great Apostle. One of our newly ordained priests, Fr. Brian Dulli, parochial vicar of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie, has been kind enough to offer some excellent reflections on St. Paul to help us along the way. — Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Third and last in a series

How is Paul’s conversion relevant to today? Paul was a religious zealot, whereas many of the people we would like to evangelize have a casual approach to religion.

The Lord intervened and saved Paul from egotism. God saved Paul from becoming a law unto himself as Saul.

On April 30, 2009

Fr. Donald Lange

St. Joseph, the Worker, inspires and helps workers

On May 1st, we Catholics celebrate the Feast of St Joseph, the Worker. St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers.

Throughout our diocese, statues of St. Joseph the Worker show him holding a saw, eager to give another day’s work to help support Jesus and Mary. His example reminds us of the graced work, sweat, and sacrifice that go into the building of our churches both physically and spiritually. He reminds us that honest work can be a grace or ladder to God.

On April 23, 2009

Fr. Brian Dulli

Paul discovered happiness in Jesus Christ

Note from Bishop Morlino: Dear Friends, As we come to the close of this year of St. Paul, let us refocus our minds and hearts on the life and works of this great Apostle. One of our newly ordained priests, Fr. Brian Dulli, parochial vicar of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie, has been kind enough to offer some excellent reflections on St. Paul to help us along the way. — Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Second in a series

Paul remains the most formidable thinker of apostolic times. While he could not have initiated Christianity, we owe to Paul profound thanks both for his human and spiritual gifts.

Much of what Paul writes flows from his very capable reflection on what happened to him as a human being and then as an apostle.

On April 16, 2009

Fr. Brian Dulli

St. Paul and the wisdom of the ages

Note from Bishop Morlino: Dear Friends, As we come to the close of this year of St. Paul, let us refocus our minds and hearts on the life and works of this great Apostle. One of our newly ordained priests, Fr. Brian Dulli, parochial vicar of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie, has been kind enough to offer some excellent reflections on St. Paul to help us along the way. — Bishop Robert C. Morlino

First in a series

According to the initiative of Pope Benedict XVI, we are now in the midst of a year of celebration in honor of the life of St. Paul, the Apostle to the Nations.

In our very time, all the nations of the world still greatly need the preaching and truth of the Gospel. Like Paul, a modern preacher must overcome real obstacles barring the delivery of Christ in his fullness.

Yet that is what Paul strove to do. He did not speak or write about Christ through vague intimations. He delivered the full reality of Christ to show that faith is never in vain.