Those who are accustomed to praying for our seminarians on the vocations poster will notice a few small changes in next year’s poster.
Tag: seminary
Bishop Bullock encouraged evaluation of diocesan buildings and programs
In keeping with Bishop William H. Bullock’s goal to evaluate efficient use of buildings, programs, and agencies, the Diocese of Madison hired Meitler Consultants, Inc., a Milwaukee firm, to study all diocesan offices and Holy Name Seminary in Madison.
New Holy Name Seminary completed by 1965
Eleventh in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
Holy Name Seminary in Madison was completed by 1965. The $4 million structure was dedicated on June 10, 1965.
In its second full year in Madison, the student body included four years of high school and two years of college. The seminarians found a modern building with a special concept in learning.
Unit system
The building was planned on a unit system, a concept whereby the student body is broken up into small groups, each under the direct supervision of a priest or unit moderator who lives at the end of his unit’s corridor.
Seminarians study in Milwaukee while Holy Name Seminary is being built
Tenth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
While Holy Name Seminary was being built, 80 young men from 40 different parishes were accepted for the freshman year of the new Diocese of Madison minor seminary.
They actually studied in Milwaukee at a temporary location at the former De Sales Preparatory Seminary. Classes began on September 5, 1963.
A look back: Bishop O’Connor announces plans to build a seminary during golden jubilee as a priest
Ninth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
In 1949, the Pallottine Fathers opened Queen of Apostles Seminary on Madison’s east side. They made it available to diocesan seminarians.
The growth of the Diocese of Madison was reflected in an increase in vocations.
By 1962, Queen of Apostles Seminary was filled to capacity, and neighboring seminaries were overcrowded.
Priest is UW football team chaplain for 40 years
When the Wisconsin Badger football team travels to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game on December 2, they will take with them a perfect 12-0 record.
Bishop Morlino approves proceeding with Bishop O’Connor Center redevelopment project
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| The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison, formerly Holy Name Seminary, will be transformed into a multi-family housing community. (Catholic Herald file photo) |
MADISON — After consulting with diocesan boards, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has approved going forward with the proposed redevelopment project for the Bishop O’Connor Center (BOC).
Bishop Morlino met with the Diocesan Finance Council and College of Consultors (priests charged with advising the bishop) on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21, respectively. The attendees of each body unanimously consented under canon law to authorize Bishop Morlino to make a decision on whether to proceed with the redevelopment project as proposed by Gorman & Company.
After these meetings concluded, Bishop Morlino approved proceeding with the project for the Bishop O’Connor Center as a mixed-use project, including 53 market-rate residential apartments and commercial space that includes religious use by the Diocese of Madison, Catholic Charities, Catholic Herald, Relevant Radio, and Catholic Mutual.
Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the diocese, commented, “The redevelopment project for the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center allows the Diocese of Madison to reduce its occupancy costs as it remains at an historical site that maintains the legacy of Holy Name Seminary and preserves the Catholic identity of a beautiful campus on the west side of Madison that appeals to the community and the neighborhood.
“The project will offer its apartment residents a unique living environment in a historical building renewed with modern improvements and conveniences amidst a stunning park-like landscape with convenient access to the shops and amenities of the west side of Madison.”
Priests for Our Future capital campaign seeks $30 million to endow education and formation of future priests
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| There are now 33 seminarians in the Diocese of Madison, up from six in 2003. Six were missing for this photo, taken at the seminarian gathering in Madison in August. Also pictured are Bishop Robert C. Morlino and Fr. Greg Ihm, director of vocations. A capital campaign seeks to raise $30 million for the education and formation of priests. (Catholic Herald photo/Pam Payne) |
MADISON — Both by lay people and priests alike, it’s been talked about, studied, and identified as the top concern facing the Diocese of Madison for several years now: the vocations crisis.
With a continuous line of faithful senior priests reaching retirement and a decidedly thinner lineup of priests ordained in the 1980s and ’90s, it would be hard to deny a crisis brewing.
Number one priority
In fact, so serious was the concern in the mind of Bishop Robert C. Morlino, and so clear was the message that he received from around the diocese, that he made the fostering of vocations to the priesthood his number one priority upon arriving in Madison in August of 2003.
The bishop, priests, and faithful of the diocese together initiated a program of fostering a “culture of vocations,” of inviting young men to consider the call God might be making to them, and to prayer — especially in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — asking that more and more might answer the call of Jesus Christ.
Increasing numbers
And increasingly, men have been answering this need and God’s call with a profound “yes.” From six seminarians in 2003, the diocese has seen a near six-fold increase.
This year, the diocese is blessed to have 33 men studying for the priesthood, and the good news is that hopes remain high that (with continued prayers) growth in seminarian numbers will continue.
Fr. Gary Wankerl paints portrait of Pope Francis as part of series
Fr. Gary Wankerl, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has presented a portrait of Pope Francis he painted recently to Bishop Robert C. Morlino and the diocese.
Former seminary could be transformed into housing community
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| The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, formerly Holy Name Seminary, may be transformed into a multi-family housing community. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner) |
MADISON — A Madison icon, the former Holy Name Seminary, a neo-colonial revival landmark that welcomed its first students in 1964 and has served as the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center (BOC) since the seminary was closed in 1995, may be transformed into a multi-family housing community, officials at the Diocese of Madison announced September 25.
The diocese signed a letter of intent with Gorman & Company to enter exclusive negotiations for a development contract and 60-year lease agreement to renovate the building as a “certified historic rehabilitation” in compliance with historic preservation guidelines prescribed by the National Park Service.
According to the letter of intent, the Diocese of Madison would retain ownership of the BOC land to be leased, as well as determination over the future use of the approximately 72-acre Bishop O’Connor Center.
The landmark building that would be redeveloped by Gorman would revert to diocesan control at the end of the 60-year lease period. In the interim, the diocese would relocate its administrative offices, and those of Catholic Charities and its family of other tenants, on a mutually convenient date before construction starts.