To the editor:
I rejoiced when Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year for Priests.” This special year begins on June 19th and ends a year later.
Year: 2009
On graduations and Catholic values
This is the season of graduations at all levels, from pre-school through graduate schools. We congratulate graduates on their accomplishments and wish them well, especially those entering the job market in challenging economic times.
Sister Marie Sean Sheehy, OP, dies
Sr. Marie Sean Sheehy died May 13, 2009, at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa. The Mass of Resurrection was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa May 18, 2009, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Hazel Robinson, mother of diocesan priest, dies
Hazel Ellen Robinson, mother of Fr. Monte Robinson, pastor of parishes in Belmont, Calamine, and Truman, died on May 9, 2009 at her home in Beloit.
Diócesis ofrece puntos de aclarar
Las oficinas de la diócesis han recibido un gran número de cartas y llamadas con respecto a la finalización del trabajo de Ruth Kolpack en la Parroquia St. Thomas the Apostle, en Beloit, que han generado una serie de legítimas preguntas y preocupaciones a las que se contesta en un FAQ (preguntas frecuentes) con respecto a Ruth Kolpack y la responsabilidad del obispo.
Papal honors for two diocesan priests
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced that Pope Benedict XVI has recognized the gifts of the priests and people of the Diocese of Madison by conferring papal honors on two Madison diocesan priests.
Msgr. Delbert L. Schmelzer, diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith of the Diocese of Madison, has been named a Protonotary Apostolic (Supranumerary), and Msgr. Wilfred Schuster has been named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.
“These appointments bring honor on our whole presbyterate and I renew my deep gratitude for all the good that our priests do each day,” Bishop Morlino said.
Society gains new transitional deacons
SAUK CITY — The Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, which has four priests currently in the Diocese of Madison, recently ordained three young men to the transitional diaconate.
The Transitional Diaconate Ordination took place April 17 at St. Aloysius Church with Bishop Robert C. Morlino presiding.
Retirees begin Traveling Chalice Program at All Saints Neighborhood
Many of the residents at the All Saints Retirement Neighborhood, Madison, are not be able at their age to hear the call to join a religious community. But, they can still do something important to promote the culture of vocations: they can pray.
Mom helped make our house a home
The storm’s thunder and lightning frightened Danny, a five-year-old boy. He fled to the safety of his parent’s bedroom.
”Mommy, Daddy,” Danny begged, “Can I sleep in your room tonight? I’m scared of the thunder and lightning.”
His mom hugged him. “Honey, don’t be afraid. God will protect you. Now go back to your room,” she gently ordered her son.
Danny cried, “Mommy, I know that God will protect me. But right now, I need someone whom I can see. I need someone who can hold me and pray for me like you do, so I won’t be afraid.”
The Obama stem cell darkness
President Obama, on March 9, 2009, signed an important executive order that vastly expanded federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research and crossed a significant and troubling ethical line.
This decision, and the rhetoric during the signing, encouraged scientists and researchers to enter the moral quagmire of taking some human lives in order to benefit others. During his signing speech, in order to support his decision, the president invoked the name of Christopher Reeve and other patients desperate to find cures for their ailments.
Desperation, however, rarely makes for good ethics.
I once heard a true story that brought this point home for me in a dramatic way. The story involved a father and his two young sons.