Tag: Diocese of Madison

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer retires after 46 years in mission office

Fr. Delbert Schmelzer meets Pope John Paul II in 1981 at a meeting of diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies held in Rome, just two weeks before the Holy Father was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — Jesus told his disciples before he ascended into heaven, “As the Father has sent me, so I also send you” (John 20:21).

Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer believes all baptized Christians have that same mission. “We, too, are sent to bring good news to the poor to the ends of the earth,” he emphasizes.

Monsignor Schmelzer has been encouraging people in the Diocese of Madison to support the missionary work of the Church for over 46 years.

He retired in July from his position as diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Fr. Chad Droessler, pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Lodi and Dane, has assumed the position.

Vital work of the Church

In an interview, Monsignor Schmelzer discussed the vital missionary work of the Catholic Church led by the Holy Father. “The Holy See has the obligation to extend the Church to the whole world. We are doing the Holy Father’s work throughout the world in over 1,150 mission dioceses. They couldn’t exist without our support,” said Monsignor Schmelzer.

Began work in 1968

Back in 1968, Bishop Cletus F. O’Donnell asked then Father Schmelzer to assist Msgr. Edward Auchter with the Pontifical Mission Societies work in the diocese.

“I was his associate director for 13 years,” noted Monsignor Schmelzer. “In 1981, I became the director. It’s an honor to be given this job.”

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Bishop Morlino announces ‘news of great joy’: Diocesan offices to stay at Bishop O’Connor Center along with housing community

The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison, formerly Holy Name Seminary, will include a housing community while the diocesan offices will remain in the building. (Catholic Herald file photo)

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino announced “news of great joy” at a diocesan staff meeting on June 6: the Diocese of Madison would have its diocesan offices stay at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center (BOC) along with a housing community being developed there.

Bishop Morlino expressed his gratitude to Gorman & Company for their “very, very hard work” in putting together a plan for the BOC. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am,” said Bishop Morlino.

Msgr. Mike Burke, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison and a member of the Diocesan Finance Council, said about the decision, “Wow! This is wonderful news. I think the reaction to this plan will be overwhelmingly positive.”

‘Sacred space’

Monsignor Burke lived at Holy Name Seminary, the former BOC, for 19 years. He served as the seminary rector for 13 years. He considers the building “sacred space,” pointing out that the chapel is the central point of the building. “People were hoping and praying that the chapel could be saved,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more happy for the seminary alumni, parents, faculty, benefactors, and many priests who served here that we are able to keep the building, chapel, and grounds intact. There are so many people who identify with this building, Catholics and non-Catholics,” he said.

The spire of the center dominates the west side of Madison, and the regular ringing of the bells can be heard from miles away.

Monsignor Burke said he “can’t thank Gary Gorman enough” for everything he did to save the building. “It’s a great day for our diocese” as we approach the feast of Pentecost on June 8, he said.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Two inspiring saints: They encourage us to spread Christ’s message in the world

Our two newest saints — St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II — have been inspirations in my life and the lives of many people in the last 50+ years. Their canonizations should help bring more attention to their lives and their influence on the Church and the world.

Influence of St. John XXIII

Pope John XXIII (now St. John XXIII) died in 1963, the year I entered Aquinas High School in La Crosse.  Despite his death, he had a profound impact on my high school years. That’s because during my daily religion classes we talked about what was happening at the Second Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII. We also studied the documents of the council, hot off the presses.

The one I remember most is Gaudium et Spes (“Joy and Hope”), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. This document touches on many of the challenges facing people in the modern world which we continue to face today: rapid change, an abundance of wealth and resources, discoveries in science and technology, advances in biology and psychology . . . the list goes on. This document is available in its entirety on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va) and is certainly worth reading today.

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