Month: October 2012

On
Bill and Joy Exner

Article found ambiguous

To the editor:

We find the “Forming Consciences” article (Catholic Herald, September 27, 2012) to be both ambiguous and confusing. Stating that Catholics are to vote using a well-formed conscience is correct; however, our consciences have not been well-formed for the past 40 years or so. This close to the election it is essential that we speak plainly and clearly about what is at stake and disregard “nice platitudes and political correctness.”

Certain issues trump all other issues. The most significant issues trumping all others have to do with religious freedom, abortion, same-sex marriage, contraception, and other “culture of death” issues.

Read More
On
Fr. Donald Lange

Fostering vocations

To the editor:

During the Year of Faith we recall the Second Vatican Council. I respect the priests who persevered, held things together, and helped to implement the council. Many of these outstanding priests have died. We remember them each year at the Priests Assembly. Others are retired while some are still in active ministry.

The years after the council were challenging, yet graced times. However, priestly and religious vocations gradually decreased. Since 2000 in our diocese, ordinations have increased. In my opinion this happened because the Holy Spirit helped more Catholics to see and respond to the truth that “vocations are everyone’s business.”

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Welcoming the Year of Faith: Rediscover the faith you received at Baptism. Share it with others.

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Those of us who are “cradle Catholics” — baptized as babies, raised in Catholic homes, educated in Catholic schools — may wonder why we should participate in the Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI.

We’re already believers, so this Year of Faith must be for other people, right?

Wrong!

Experiencing a new conversion

In announcing the Year of Faith, the Holy Father said it is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei, 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for all Catholics — even cradle Catholics — to experience a new conversion. It’s an opportunity to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.

The pope has described this conversion as opening the “door of faith.” This door was originally opened at our Baptism, but many of us weren’t aware of what was happening at that time.

During the Year of Faith we’re called to open it again, walk through it, and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ and his Church.

Read More
On
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

Followers of Christ are all called to be missionaries

Propagation of Faith by Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

“Go teach all nations all things that I have commanded you.” These words of Our Divine Savior remind us of the share that all Christians have in the mission of Jesus.

When Our Lord read from the prophecy of Isaiah at his first public appearance in the synagogue at Nazareth, He quoted: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, release of captives, recovering of sight for the blind, and to announce a year of favor from the Lord.”

Then He said, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your midst.”

Read More
On
Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Join the worldwide prayer for an end to abortion

Coordinators discuss the “rules of the road” for the Madison 40 Days for Life vigil at the kick-off celebration in Pine Bluff on September 26. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner)

PINE BLUFF — On September 26 in cities across the globe, people began to pray earnestly for an end to abortion. This prayer, along with fasting and community outreach, will be constant for the next 40 days.

At 316 locations in 49 states and the District of Columbia, in seven Canadian provinces, and in four countries including Uganda, people will hold vigil for the 40 Days for Life through November 4. Forty-six of these campaigns are being held for the first time.

Here in the Diocese of Madison, a kickoff celebration was held at St. Mary Church in Pine Bluff, nine hours after the campaign officially began at the Planned Parenthood location on Madison’s east side.

The local campaign, organized by Madison Vigil for Life, has been ongoing since 2005. This year is the first in the leadership role for volunteer president Bette Weisshaar, but she said that though there have been worries and concerns, volunteers are coming forward, more parishes are getting involved, and hours are getting filled, even if they are filled sometimes last-minute.

Read More
On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

The search for true beauty

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,

Next week, on October 11, we enter into a Year of Faith which was declared by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in order to invite the Church, once again, through the door of faith which God has opened for us. It is an outstanding opportunity to renew our faith and to reach out to those around us, to invite them back into a life of faith in the Church. Each of your parishes, as well as our diocesan offices, will be offering many and varied activities for the Year of Faith, and I’d urge you to take part, in a full and active way, in this year which in a particular way com50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism.

For my part, I’ve been encouraging parish leaders in our diocese to approach this Year of Faith with an extra emphasis on encouraging evangelization through beauty. Let me briefly explain why.

 

Read More