MADISON — One of the corporal works of mercy — part of the Catholic teaching of the virtues of showing compassion for and alleviating the misfortune of others — is to visit the sick.
Month: December 2010
The sacramental grace, joy of the priesthood
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends in Christ,
It has been a while since I’ve been able to write down here my thoughts for you in the form of a column. Know that you’ve been very much in my thoughts and prayers, especially as we come upon Christmas.
This week I’d like to share with you my homily from the wonderful Priestly Ordination we were fortunate to celebrate this past week. At this ordination the Lord blessed us with two great young men as priests and blessed me in a special way with two new sons.
I address my homily to Fr. John Putzer and Fr. Chad Droessler, but I think the words are a good reflection for all of us on the priesthood and on the great Grace with which the Lord blesses all of us:
La gracia sacramental y alegría del sacerdocio
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Queridos amigos en Cristo:
Hace ya un tiempo que no escribo mis reflexiones en forma de columna. Pese a ello sepan que han estado siempre en mis pensamientos y oraciones, especialmente ahora que se acerca Navidad.
Esta semana me gustaría compartir con ustedes mi homilía en la maravillosa ordenación sacerdotal que tuvimos la fortuna de celebrar la semana pasada. En esta ordenación el Señor nos bendijo con dos grandes y jóvenes sacerdotes que ahora son dos nuevos hijos.
Dirigí esta homilía a los sacerdotes P. John Putzer y P. Chad Droessler, pero creo que estas palabras son una buena reflexión para todos nosotros sobre el sacerdocio y la gran Gracia con la que el Señor nos bendice a todos.
Let there be peace, especially in the Holy Land
During Advent and the Christmas season, our thoughts naturally turn towards the Holy Land as we contemplate the events leading to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
We know that there was unrest and conflict in the Holy Land at the time of Jesus’ birth. In fact, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because of a decree from the Roman occupiers that all people must register in a census.
Humans in ‘frozen orphanages’ need protection
A key argument in the embryonic stem cell debate — widely invoked by scientists, patient advocacy groups, and politicians —
involves the fate of frozen embryos.
Barack Obama put it this way in 2008: “If we are going to discard those embryos, and we know there is potential research that could lead to curing debilitating diseases — Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease — if that possibility presents itself, then I think that we should, in a careful way, go ahead and pursue that research.”
The head of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, embraced this same line of reasoning by
UW officially drops second-trimester abortion plan
UW Health released a statement December 13 confirming that the Madison Surgery Center (MSC) will not be involved in second-trimester abortions.
A Christmas gift: civility in public discourse
Anyone familiar with the recent election campaign or with the “reader comments” that accompany editorials and news articles knows that civility is often the first casualty in debates today.
Nearly anyone who makes a public argument finds his intelligence questioned, his motives impugned, or his basic decency assaulted. Some critics will even doubt the patriotism or Americanism of their opponents. Others call their opponents bigots or racists.
Bob’s last Christmas: a holiday to remember
When I look at the pictures taken last year on Christmas Eve, they bring tears to my eyes and a smile on my lips.
Our family gathered as usual: eight of the 10 children and 12 grandchildren and great-grands who live in the area, not in Grandma’s house or Aunt Krissy’s, but at Countryside Nursing Home in Jefferson. Since Grandpa couldn’t join us, we joined him in the beautiful parlor with its huge fireplace and Christmas tree.
Two men to be ordained to the priesthood
With praise and thanksgiving to God, our Father, the Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, announces with joy the ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ of Rev. Mr. Chad Droessler and Rev. Mr. John Putzer.
Bishops, priests celebrate Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Wirz
MADISON — Over 77 priests and nine bishops joined hundreds of people from throughout the Diocese of Madison and beyond to pray for Bishop George O. Wirz, retired auxiliary bishop, at his Mass of Christian Burial on November 30 at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison.