MADISON — Theology […]
Month: August 2013
Living the dream: We still have a ways to go in our country
Today, most of us take for granted that people of all races will worship in church together, eat in the same parts of restaurants, and use the same public restrooms.
But that wasn’t true in many parts of our country just 50 years ago. People of color didn’t have the freedom to do many of the things white people did.
Progress in 50 years?
As we observe the 50th anniversary of the famous March on Washington, D.C., on August 28, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on how much progress we’ve made in guaranteeing civil rights for all people who live in our country.
In Wisconsin, I think that the rights of people of all races have been respected better than in some other parts of the country. Our churches, restaurants, and schools have been integrated ever since I can remember.
However, statistics show that non-white people are put in jails and prisons in our state at a higher number than white people. It seems as if minorities have higher rates of unemployment and have a greater chance of living in poverty.
Pastoral ministers support each other through association
MADISON — Pastoral ministers who are part of a parish staff may have any number and variety of responsibilities.
Many of us coordinate outreach to the homebound, visits to people in care facilities, and ministry to the bereaved.
Others are deacons, liturgists, pastoral musicians, social justice coordinators, directors of communications, or have adult faith formation responsibilities.
Pastor’s family pitches in to raise funds for Clinton church
CLINTON — When the need arose for a new heating and air conditioning system in the 41-year-old St. Stephen Church in Clinton, Fr. Bill Connell, pastor, enlisted his large family to help raise the money.
Four generations will be present at a Labor Day weekend fundraiser, but not all will be working since the youngest is only six months old.
On Saturday, Aug. 31, about 40 of Father Connell’s siblings, nieces, and nephews are going to prepare and serve a public chicken and ham dinner. This will be preceded by a “polka Mass” with Beloit big band leader Jack Farina providing the music.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development grants
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced the distribution of three local grants from the diocesan portion of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection.
CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities.
Four men ordained to the diaconate
Filipe Alvial, James Leeser, Vincente Salas, and Jerry Zhanay were ordained to the Order of Deacons Friday, August 9, at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Planning for ‘40 Days’ in Madison
MADISON — The volunteer meeting for Madison’s 40 Days for Life vigil was highlighted with the news of an abortion clinic ceasing operations in Green Bay. That development is serving as motivation to help the same thing happen here.
The next 40 Days for Life is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 3. The effort calls for people to come out and pray near abortion clinics to help end abortion.
Encouraging a culture of vocations
“We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Pt. 1:16-19).
This is my prayer for each of you who are reading this article and especially for each of the seminarians for the Diocese of Madison.
How beautiful it is when we hear the voice of God speak to us personally and we respond by following him, like SS. Peter, James, and John at the Transfiguration.
Seminarians thank Lumen Christi Society members for support
While they were in Madison for their annual gathering, seminarians for the Diocese of Madison met with members of the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) Lumen Christi Society to show their appreciation for their support of the ACA. Bishop Robert C. Morlino hosted the reception held at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
El deseo del corazón es amar y ser amados por Dios
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| Esta columna es la comunicación del Obispo con los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia va más allá de la intención del Obispo. |
Queridos amigos:
El domingo pasado, nuestro Santo Padre se refirió al tema preciso en el que he estado meditando la semana pasada, el hecho de que cómo el encuentro con Jesucristo afecta nuestras vidas.
Como recordarán, en mi columna previa hice referencia a nuestra misión diocesana, que es “servimos para asegurar que todos los individuos en esta diócesis de 11 condados sean amablemente invitados todos los días a encontrarse cara a cara con Jesucristo, resucitado de entre los muertos, y que sean transformados por Él”.
El Papa Francisco, en sus palabras antes del Ángelus, comenzó preguntando dónde es que se encuentra nuestro tesoro, “¿cuál es la realidad más importante para mí, la realidad que atrae mi corazón como a un magneto?”
Debe ser, dijo el Santo Padre, nuestro amor por Dios. Enfatizó la realidad de que donde está nuestro tesoro allí está nuestro corazón, pero que para recibir el verdadero tesoro, necesitamos realmente tener un corazón que desee. “Realmente es un hombre pobre, quien no tiene deseos”, dijo. Debemos tener corazones que sean guiados por el deseo, no corazones que estén muertos o “anestesiados” por todo aquello con lo que hemos llenado nuestras vidas. ¿Entonces, deseas? ¿Y estás listo para buscar aquello que verdaderamente responderá a tus deseos?