MADISON — The Lumen Christi Society gathered in support of the Annual Catholic Appeal August 4 at the Bishop O’Connor Center, with about 120 society members, seminarians, priests, and Bishop Robert C. Morlino present.
The event featured an opportunity to meet and speak with the bishop, mingle among seminarians, and sample hors d’oeuvres. The bishop, after greeting people in the receiving line, spoke briefly about the importance of the Annual Catholic Appeal and the way in which the diocese, with the help of people such as those gathered, is trying to be responsible stewards.
“We’re all here because you have shown great generosity with the gifts God gave you,” Bishop Morlino said. “We pray that the numbers (of Lumen Christi Society members) will continue to grow. Thank you for all you’ve done and your presence today and your generosity in your prayers and support. We have hope for the future.”
The words “Lumen Christi,” which make up the name of the society, in Latin mean “light of Christ.” It symbolizes the way in which good stewardship can bear the light of Christ to others and bring about the mission of the Church.
Throughout the Annual Catholic Appeal, there has been a strong thread of hope in the future and in the fruits that are born through prayer and stewardship. The seminarians present at the gathering August 4 were one symbol of the hope in the future; a small keepsake bookmark given out at the end of the evening, as well, quoted a passage in the book of Jeremiah in which the Lord declares his plans for a future of hope for the people of God.
The hope referred to, the bishop said in his talk, is the hope referred to in his episcopal motto: Christ is the vision that will not disappoint. “And because he is the hope that never disappoints, he will give you the support you need to be supportive of the Church here in the Diocese of Madison,” he said.
Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze, the director of the Office of Vocations, also gave a brief talk explaining the presence of the seminarians and the good that the Annual Catholic Appeal and donations to the St. Joseph Fund can do to effectively train the priesthood of the future.
For more on how the Annual Catholic Appeal helps train and recruit seminarians, see Father Arinze’s article in the August 12 issue of the Catholic Herald, also available on the Web site.
For more information on the Lumen Christi Society, contact the Office of Stewardship and Development at 608-821-3040.