Day: September 26, 2013

On
Brent King, Communications Director, Diocese of Madison

Former seminary could be transformed into housing community

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.

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On
Joan Carey, For the Catholic Herald

Helping university students see life in Jesus Christ

MADISON — “Without St. Paul’s,” University of Wisconsin-Madison student Jamie Wheeler reflects, “without the guidance it offers . . . ” She pauses. Then she smiles. “We would be missing the Big Picture.”

Jamie is a chemistry Ph.D. student from Texas. Three years ago, she made the big move north to study at the University of Wisconsin.

The “Big Picture” Jamie refers to is, of course, life in Jesus Christ. Students like Jamie can’t even imagine what their years of formation as young adults would be like without the grounding they receive at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

Young adults coming out of the shelter of home and into a world-class campus like the University of Wisconsin face what too often becomes a subconscious decision to the Big Question: now that my parents aren’t around to drag me to Mass on Sunday, am I going to keep the faith or leave it behind?

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Pope’s message: Build unity of minds and hearts

Dear Friends,

By now you’ve surely heard the startling (if not shocking) news of last week — the mass media, celebrities, bloggers, and even pro-abortion groups have reported their decision to aid the Church in our evangelization of the world and in preaching Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God!

Of course, that’s not actually what happened, not even in the slightest. However, I can be left to hope, and here’s why:

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On
Lillian Quinones, for the Catholic Herald

The authority of reason in defense of marriage, pt 1

This article is the first in a four-part series offered as a primer for Catholics on the authority of reason in the defense of marriage. The series is based on author Lillian Quinones’ interviews with Professor Robert P. George of Princeton University.

Author’s note: The need for knowledgeable and articulate Catholics to defend the family as the foundation of society is dire. I am honored to feature Robert P. George, who is hailed by the New York Times as the “country’s most influential Christian thinker.” His clear and concise arguments motivate us to defend traditional marriage courageously and confidently for, as he demonstrates in this article, reason is our strongest weapon.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Church as ‘field hospital’: Pope Francis encourages Church to heal wounds, proclaim God’s love

People everywhere are talking about the interview with Pope Francis published in the Italian Jesuit journal, La Civiltà Cattolica, and reprinted in other Jesuit publications.

Rather than relying on media reports about the article, I printed a copy of the article from America magazine and read it myself. It is a wonderful article and gave me much more insight into Pope Francis — not only as our Holy Father, but as a person.

Pope’s humility and the need for God’s mercy

What struck me most was his humility. Here he is, the worldwide leader of the  Catholic Church, the successor of St. Peter. Yet at the beginning of the article, Fr. Antonio Spadaro, S.J., who conducted the interview, asks Pope Francis, “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” His answer is, “I am a sinner.”

The pope goes on to say, “I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.” Pope Francis then talks about his motto, Miserando atque Eligendo (By Having Mercy and By Choosing Him). This motto refers to the Gospel story when Jesus called St. Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

West Dane Vicariate meeting October 8

MARTINSVLLE — The West Dane Council of Catholic Women (CCW) will meet Tuesday, Oct. 8, at St. Martin Parish Center, 5959 St. Martin Cir., Cross Plains. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed by business meeting. The theme is “Made in God’s Image.”

Rona Neri-Bergmann and Genna Eaton from the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection (WNC) will speak at 10, focusing on “seeing God in everyone we meet and treating everyone with respect.”

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On
Kevin Wondrash

West Dane Vicariate meeting October 8

MARTINSVLLE — The West Dane Council of Catholic Women (CCW) will meet Tuesday, Oct. 8, at St. Martin Parish Center, 5959 St. Martin Cir., Cross Plains. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed by business meeting. The theme is “Made in God’s Image.”

Rona Neri-Bergmann and Genna Eaton from the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection (WNC) will speak at 10, focusing on “seeing God in everyone we meet and treating everyone with respect.”

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Catholic library conference

PLOVER — The Wisconsin Chapter of the Catholic Library Association (WCLA) will hold its annual fall conference on Friday, Oct.18, in Plover.

All elementary, middle, and high school librarians, as well as those from universities, colleges, and public and parish libraries, are welcome. The conference will be held at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Plover from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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