Tag: Francis

On
Fr. Robert Barron

A lion of the American Church

First in a series of reflections by Fr. Robert Barron on the life of Cardinal Francis George.

Cardinal Francis George, who died April 17 at the age of 78, was obviously a man of enormous accomplishment and influence.

He was a cardinal of the Roman Church, a past president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the archbishop of one of the largest and most complicated archdioceses in the world, and the intellectual leader of the American Church.

A number of American bishops have told me that when Cardinal George spoke at the bishops’ meetings, the entire room would fall silent and everyone would listen.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Talk on Catholic response to global warming

MADISON — Pope Francis’ universal prayer intention for the month of April this year is “That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God.”

This summer the pope is expected to issue an encyclical on ecology.

In synch with the pope’s prayer intention and in anticipation of his encyclical, Steve Coleman, a parishioner of St. Dennis Parish in Madison and a retired mechanical engineer, will present “A Catholic Response to Global Warming” on Thursday, April 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 602 Everglade Dr.

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On
George Weigel

Nonsense on 60 Minutes

60 Minutes, the CBS News “magazine” that helped redefine television journalism, prides itself on challenging conventional wisdom, discomfiting the comfortable, kicking shibboleths in the shins, and opening new arguments.

No such challenge, alas, was evident in the program’s recent segment on Pope Francis.

The ‘Francis effect’

One of the principal interviewees in that piece was Robert Mickens, formerly of the London-based Tablet and currently of the National Catholic Reporter. Here’s a part of what Mickens had to say about the “Francis effect”:

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On
George Weigel

John XXIII and John Paul II: Canonizing the bookends

Pope Francis’ bold decisions to canonize Blessed John XXIII without the normal post-beatification miracle and to link good Pope John’s canonization ceremony to that of Blessed John Paul II just may help re-orient Catholic thinking about modern Catholic history.

For what Francis is suggesting, I think, is that John XXIII and John Paul II are the twin bookends of the Second Vatican Council — and thus should be canonized together.

Summoning an ecumenical council

On January 25, 1959, less than three months after his election, John XXIII surprised the Catholic world by announcing that he would summon the 21st ecumenical council in history.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Identity theft seminar to be held at Cross Plains parish

CROSS PLAINS — A free identity theft educational seminar will be held on Sunday, March 30, from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish in the Fellowship Hall, 2947 Thinnes St.

The seminar is hosted by Catholic Financial Life and will be led by Neil Purtell, a retired FBI agent who has been an identity theft consultant with Associated Bank for seven years.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

St. Francis Xavier to hold fifth annual Casino Night

CROSS PLAINS — The St. Francis Xavier Endowment Committee will be hosting the parish’s fifth annual Casino Night on Saturday, March 1, in the parish fellowship hall at 6 p.m.

This year’s Mardi Gras-style Casino Night is an opportunity for parishioners — and all friends of St. Francis Parish — to get together for a fun-filled evening that includes food, beverages, entertainment, and prizes galore.

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On
Stacey Eslinger, For the Catholic Herald

St. Francis students focus on true meaning of Christmas

CROSS PLAINS — Students at St. Francis Xavier School focused on the true meaning of Christmas through prayer, service projects, and spreading holiday cheer.

During Advent, the entire school came together on Monday mornings for a prayer service. Surrounding a large Advent wreath, the students looked on as candles were lit. Students then took turns leading the school in prayer and singing.

Students in kindergarten, first, and fourth grade classes spread holiday cheer by caroling at local nursing homes.

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