Four men — newly ordained priests — have started living out their calls to the priesthood.
They are Fr. Michael Johnson, Fr. Tim Mergen, Fr. Vincent Racanelli, and Fr. Enan Zelinski.
Category: Around the Diocese
News from around the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison.
Three permanent deacons to be ordained
MONONA — Three men are set to be ordained to the permanent diaconate later this month.
Jeffrey Bond, Todd Burud, and Roger Scholbrock will be ordained on Sunday, July 26, at 3 p.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.
This will be a ticketed event and not open to the public.
Hospital chaplain reaches out to those who feel forgotten
MADISON — “One of the things right now, in terms of COVID, is people say to me something along the lines of ‘I think God has forgotten me.'” This is the observation of Fr. Pat Norris, OP, chaplain and ethicist at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.
Father Norris wears many hats. He is the prior of the Dominican Community at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison, where he was pastor for nine years prior to taking on the chaplaincy eight years ago. Before starting his priestly ministry, he was a chemist working for the University of New Mexico.Financial support for protective masks available
MADISON — The […]
Outdoor Mass canceled at St. James, Vermont
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the St. James Vermont Catholic Church outdoor Mass scheduled for the first Sunday in August will be canceled this year.
Parish livestreams series on prayer
St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe began livestreaming a five-week series entitled “Questioning Prayer” on Thursday, July 16, and it runs through Thursday, Aug. 13. The series, led by Parochial Vicar Fr. Tim Mergen, focuses on how to grow a deeper interior prayer life. The series begins at 5:15 p.m. every Thursday. The talks last about 45 minutes and are followed by a short period for prayer. They can be watched live or after the event on the parish’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/c/StClareParishYoutube/
Deacon Luke Powers ordained to the transitional diaconate
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| Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, center, lays hands on Transitional Deacon Luke Powers during his Ordination Mass on June 19 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Sun Prairie. He is assisted by Transitional Deacon Michael Wanta, left (Photo by Molly Sweeney) |
SUN PRAIRIE — “Tonight is a perfect convergence,” said Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison on June 19, the evening of Deacon Luke Powers’ ordination to the transitional diaconate.
“We’re in Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish,” the bishop said and added that “Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and this is the parish that Luke Powers was baptized in, made his First Communion, made his first Confession, and was confirmed.”
“So, this is perfect. God planned it,” Bishop Hying said.
Deacon Powers was scheduled to be ordained in the fall in Rome — where he attends major seminary at the Pontifical North American College.
Those plans had to be changed following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bishop Hying remarked that having the ordination at the Sun Prairie parish was “second best”.Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald editor, to retire
After 47 years on the Catholic Herald staff, including 34 years as editor, Mary C. Uhler will be retiring as of July 6.
Shoe drive in Sun Prairie
SUN PRAIRIE — Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie is conducting a shoe collection drive.
Like many organizations, Sacred Hearts canceled its annual Rummage Sale fundraiser due to COVID-19. The shoe drive will help Sacred Hearts earn funds based on the number of pairs collected as Funds2Orgs will purchase all the donated goods.
Those dollars will benefit Sacred Hearts’ community outreach programs as well as parish ministries. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used, or new shoes. The campaign kick-off is Saturday, July 11, from 8 to 11:30 a.m., at the parish garage, 221 Columbus St. Anyone donating 10 pairs of gently used, worn, or new shoes (only one pair of shoes can be flip-flops) will receive a coupon for a FREE Culver’s sundae.
Priest’s books for sale
MADISON — “Would I love to talk with Father Tom about books,” said Jonathan Grinde, a 2020 Carleton College graduate, when he learned that the over 3,000 books at the Good Shepherd Parish sale running through July at St. James School came from the priest’s library.
Grinde started kindergarten at St. James School when Msgr. Tom Baxter was the pastor and served Mass with him over the years. Known fondly as Father Tom, the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish is retiring this year after more than 40 years in the ministry and over 20 years at Good Shepherd.