Rev. Msgr. James […]
Month: September 2013
Day at the Dells: Giving thanks, living the dream
An 80 degree day with clear skies was perfect atmosphere for the 2013 “Day at the Dells” for the Diocese of Madison Apostolate to the Handicapped.
Pray for teachers, students as school year begins
Dear Friends, Well already it’s “back to school” time for so many of our young people.
This has always been a time of tremendous hope and of excitement for me, personally.
It may come as no surprise that I always enjoyed going to school myself, and even wanted to make “school” my chief ministry as a university professor and then seminary faculty member.
Rachel’s Vineyard retreats offer hope, healing after abortion
MADISON — Rachel’s Vineyard will offer a weekend retreat — Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4 through 6 — that will give those who have experienced an abortion an opportunity away from the pressures of everyday living to focus on the pain in their life and to begin healing through a supportive and emotionally safe process.
Fr. Paul Fagan continues missionary work in Tanzania
WESTPORT — Many residents of southern Wisconsin will recognize the name of Fr. Paul Fagan.
Father Fagan was born near Prairie du Chien in 1932. After attending St. Francis Minor and Maryknoll Major Seminary, he was ordained in 1960. For the last 53 years, Father Fagan has served the people of Tanzania in Africa.
Sharing news of his work
Over those 53 years, Father Fagan has returned to Wisconsin and the Diocese of Madison every year to share news about his work in Tanzania.
Catholic schools educate the whole person
As we begin September, we prepare to engage in the wonderful task of teaching and learning in Catholic schools.
Some may wonder and question why this task is any different than similar tasks undertaken by tens of millions of students and hundreds of thousands of teachers at public schools?
After all, aren’t all schools in the business of teaching and learning? Don’t all parents want basically the same things for our children — to educate them so they gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to succeed economically and socially, to instill traits that will ensure that they understand and fulfill their social responsibilities and perform well the duties of national and global citizenship?
Negotiating peace before the trains collide
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“The Israelis and Palestinians are like two trains on the same track heading towards each other,” said Maryknoll Father Jack Sullivan.
Focusing on the issue of peace in Israel/Palestine for the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Father Sullivan added that the Palestinians are extremely frustrated living under Israeli occupation, and that their growing sense of hopelessness is “a disaster waiting to happen.”
Catholic Charities’ clients, volunteers enjoy Day of Caring
There were plenty of western hats atop smiling faces as volunteers from Deloitte Consulting’s Madison office joined with clients and staff of Catholic Charities’ Adult Day Center (ADC) for a western-themed event on August 23 as part of the 21st annual United Way of Dane County’s Days of Caring.
Haven’t we learned? Pursue negotiations before taking military action in Syria
In the September 12, 2002, issue of the Catholic Herald, I wrote an editorial called “Iraq war: President has not made the case.” At that time, I didn’t think President George W. Bush had succeeded in mounting a convincing argument in favor of invading Iraq.
I agreed that Saddam Hussein was a dangerous dictator who had sacrificed his own people’s well-being to become a military power. However, it wasn’t proven that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. Later, we learned here weren’t any such weapons in Iraq.
Committed to two wars for over 10 years
Yet on March 20, 2003, the United States led an invasion into Iraq. At the same time we were also committed to a war in Afghanistan.
It has been more than 10 years, and we’re still involved in both of those countries. Fortunately U.S. involvement is lessening, but we’ve spent a great deal of money and resources — and most importantly lost many lives — in these past 10 years.
Now we’re contemplating military action in Syria. Haven’t we learned our lesson yet?
Pope Francis calls for day of prayer and fasting on September 7
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| Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican September 1. (CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters) |
MADISON — At his Angelus address on Sunday, Sept. 1, Pope Francis called upon the faithful worldwide to join in a day of prayer and fasting on Saturday, Sept. 7, for peace, particularly in Syria, but also in the Middle East and throughout the world.
The pope also announced that the day of prayer and fasting will conclude with a vigil in St. Peter’s Square in Rome from 7 p.m. until midnight, local time. He asked local dioceses to arrange similar gatherings. The pope also called on fellow Christians, followers of other religions, and all men of good will to participate in whatever way they can in this initiative.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino has asked clergy in the Diocese of Madison to arrange for parish Holy Hours of Eucharistic Adoration for the particular intention of the Holy Father for this coming Saturday, Sept. 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., concluding appropriately a half hour before the typical anticipatory Mass at 5 p.m. (with applicable time modifications based on local parish Mass and Confession schedules).
“You are welcome to do additional items in conjunction with the Holy Father’s request, but this coordinated effort throughout parishes in the diocese at the direction of Bishop Morlino will show our solidarity with Pope Francis during the same time of the pope’s vigil prayer in Rome,” said Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, in notifying priests of the diocese about the day of prayer and fasting.