With flute, harp, and grand organ, the Madison Diocesan Choir and director Dr. Patrick Gorman will celebrate Advent with a Lessons & Carols concert on Sunday, Dec. 16, always a joyful event as Christmas draws near, although a sad occasion for many this year.
Tag: Bishop Robert C. Morlino
Bishop Morlino had deep sense of gratitude
In the past 15 years that I’ve known Bishop Robert C. Morlino, one of the strongest memories of him is the deep sense of gratitude he showed to me and many others with whom he worked.
One of my last one-on-one conversations with him was marked by that gratitude. He thanked me for all I do as editor of the Catholic Herald and praised our paper as “one of the best” in the country. (He often told his staff at our monthly catechesis sessions that we were the best staff in the country.)
He then concluded our conversation by saying, “God love you.”
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, 4th bishop of Madison, dies at 71
MADISON — The Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, died Saturday, November 24th, at approximately 9:15 pm at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was 71 years old. Please pray for the repose of his soul, for his friends and coworkers, and for all of the faithful of the Diocese of Madison.
Statement on Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s health
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Robert Morlino was undergoing planned medical tests and had a cardiac event.
Ongoing vigilance against abuse takes the form of action in diocese
Faced as we are with the ongoing specter of sin and even crime on the part of some priests, religious, and bishops of the Church, Bishop Robert Morlino has given clear direction that in the Diocese of Madison we will do all we can to continue to strengthen our efforts in the protection of children and vulnerable persons, to expand our work in oversight and transparency, and to increase our focus on rooting out sin at every level.
To that end, the following additional actions have already gotten underway in the past several months, with a great deal still to come:
• Prayer, sacrifice, reparation — Prayer alone cannot suffice where there is clear need for concrete and decisive action. However, the grace of God is essential in achieving any good and our prayers do have an effect. The Church has been wounded through the terrible sins of her members and her ministers, and there must be spiritual as well as practical efforts made to repair the wounds.
To this end, the bishop himself has undertaken added prayer, sacrifice, and reparation for the purification of the Church and the healing of victims. He has also called for the faithful in the diocese to join with him in these prayers.
• Review of all files — As many dioceses are now doing, the Diocese of Madison is in the process of scheduling a full, independent review of all priest personnel files. This will serve to make absolutely certain that not only have past cases been properly handled, but that historical instances of abuse are identified, even where no current victims might be known.
• Added work hours devoted to Safe Environment and Victim Assistance — Responsibilities have been shifted among diocesan personnel and work hours have been added through the separation of the previously combined roles of “Director of Safe Environment” and “Victim Assistance Coordinator.” This separation of roles has already allowed for greater focus on both the constant improvement of safe environment processes and on caring for the needs of victims and accusers.
Bishop consecrates new St. Dennis altar
MADISON — In a six-month transformation, St. Dennis Parish is now more “Centered on Christ” — which was the name of its campaign to not only move the tabernacle to the middle of the sanctuary, but also to install a new altar, crucifix, and stained glass window, all centered together, on Christ.
“As pastor, I’m just so uplifted and elated and encouraged,” said St. Dennis Pastor Fr. Randy Timmerman, following the consecration Mass at the church on October 14.
Bishop consecrates new St. Dennis altar
MADISON — In a six-month transformation, St. Dennis Parish is now more “Centered on Christ” — which was the name of its campaign to not only move the tabernacle to the middle of the sanctuary, but also to install a new altar, crucifix, and stained glass window, all centered together, on Christ.
“As pastor, I’m just so uplifted and elated and encouraged,” said St. Dennis Pastor Fr. Randy Timmerman, following the consecration Mass at the church on October 14.
Bishop authorizes special collection for 2018 disasters
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino is encouraging parishes in the Diocese of Madison to hold a special collection for “2018 Disasters.”
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is asking the bishops of the United States to take the special collection, entitled “2018 Disasters,” not only for Hurricane Florence but also for anticipated further natural disasters in the United States.
Bishop Morlino officiates at blessing of new Abbess
Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison recently officiated at the blessing of Mother Cecilia Snell, OSB, as the new Abbess of the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles at the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus in Gower, Mo.
Bishop Morlino calls for prayer and fasting
MADISON — In a letter written by Bishop Robert C. Morlino to the people of the Diocese of Madison regarding the ongoing sexual abuse scandal in the Church, he called all within the diocese to intensify their prayer and fasting for purification from this heinous sin.
Masses of reparation are being held throughout the diocese on September 14, the Feast of the Holy Cross.
Bishop Morlino will preside at the 12 noon Mass on Friday, Sept. 14, in the chapel at Holy Name Heights.
The bishop also invited people to observe the Au- tumn Ember Days (September 19, 21, and 22) “as days of fasting and abstinence in reparation for the sins and outrages committed by members of the clergy and episcopacy.”
What is reparation?
Reparation occurs when one makes amends for a wrong done, especially through sin. One can see that the word “repair” is closely linked to “reparation.”
When Jesus died on the Cross, he “offered his life out of love for the Father to make reparation for our sinful disobedience” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 897).
His saving life, death, and resurrection repaired humanity’s relationship with God, lost by the sin of Adam and Eve.
When we offend God, we make amends by going to Confession and doing penance. We also can ask God fervently for mercy on others who may offend God.