Honors – Madison Catholic Herald


	Bishop Robert C. Morlino presents Msgr. Monte Robinson with the papal decree. At left, Msgr. Larry Bakke, who received the same honor, applauds. (Catholic Herald photos/Kevin Wondrash)

	Bishop Morlino honors Sir William Yallaly as a knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope Saint Sylvester.

MADISON — When Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison offered a reflection on the events of the evening of October 18, he called it, “an acknowledgment that the Church is alive here in Madison and very good things are happening.”

On that evening, at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison, Bishop Morlino presided over solemn vespers and the investiture of Msgr. Monte Robinson, Msgr. Larry Bakke, and Sir William Yallaly, as their papal honors were celebrated.

Papal honors

Earlier this year, Monsignor Bakke and Monsignor Robinson were both honored as Chaplains of His Holiness — an honor granted to priests recognizing their exceptional service to the Church – which allows them to be addressed as “Monsignor.” The chaplain becomes part of the “papal household.”

Sir Yallaly was honored with Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope St. Sylvester — honoring Catholic lay men and women who are actively involved in the Church and successful in the exercise of their professional duties.

Comments by bishop

Prior to the Presentation of the Candidates by Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the diocese, Bishop Morlino said of Monsignor Robinson, pastor of St. Philomena, Belmont, and the Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul, Mineral Point, “The Church is alive because we have a priest like Msgr. Monte Robinson who is giving us a wonderful example these days that if we live, we live in the Lord, and if we die, we die as his servants.”

Monsignor Robinson is currently battling a serious illness.

Papal awards conferred on Catholics in diocese

Dozens of lay and religious faithful of the Diocese of Madison were presented December 16 with the honors bestowed upon them by Pope Benedict XVI for their meritorious service to the Church.

Sister Bernita Hessling, OP, dies

SINSINAWA — Sister Bernita Hessling, (Mary Giovanni), died Feb. 22, 2011, at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Feb. 28, 2011, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.

Sister Bernita made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 5, 1953, and her final profession Aug. 5, 1956. She taught for 21 years; served as director of religious education (DRE) for seven years, and associate director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Okla., for three years. Sister Bernita ministered as pastoral administrator for 11 years; pastoral associate for nine years, four while serving as DRE; and as director of transportation for four years, interim Mound administrator for one year, and volunteer for one year at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. She served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as promoter of peace and justice for one year. She served in Illinois, Colorado, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska.