The December 9 observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was a special one for three men.
Day: December 18, 2013
Happy birthday, St. Ambrose Academy!
St. Ambrose Academy celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding on Saturday, Dec. 7, with the seventh annual Feast of St. Ambrose Benefit Dinner in honor of special guest Bishop Robert C. Morlino.
Let the joy of the Lord be our strength
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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 these last days of Advent, before our joy-filled celebration of Christ’s Incarnation and the Christmas Season, we are offered a taste of that joy (during this penitential season) on Gaudete Sunday.
In the book of Nehemiah, but also in the book of Chronicles, there is a prayer which goes simply: “Let the joy of the Lord be our strength” (Neh 8:10).
As a matter of fact, in many of the translations of the Mass (in both Spanish and Italian, for instance) that phrase is inserted at the time of the final dismissal. “The Mass is ended, let the joy of the Lord be our strength, and let us go in peace.”
Before the new English translation came out, I myself was known to use that dismissal. Blessed Pope John Paul II never left it out when he was celebrating Mass privately. “Let the joy of the Lord be our strength, and let us go in peace” — that is the perfect attitude with which we should leave Mass.
Advent: a call to patient waiting
When I was a campus minister at Saint Mary’s student parish at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, I heard something in an Advent homily that always comes back to me during this time of the Church year.
True meaning of Advent
The homilist shared what he was doing for Advent to help him appreciate the true meaning of the season.
May the Christ Child fill our hearts with love
I especially remember the Christmas when Donna taught me that Christmas is about love. We were a family of five children plus Mom and Dad.
Donna, my seven-year-old sister with a generous heart, wanted to buy a present for every member of our family. This was an ambitious undertaking for a little girl, because our family was poor.
Our Lady of Guadalupe points us all to her Son
Why is Our Lady of Guadalupe important? We have all seen her image — not only in churches, but on car windows, tattoos, flags, or at our favorite Mexican restaurant.
The Memorare: A special prayer to our Mother Mary
One of my favorite prayers has always been the Memorare. It was a prayer I learned as a child, and I’ve always continued to pray it regularly, especially at times when I’m praying for special needs for myself and other people.
This fall, Fr. Francis Hoffman — better known as Father Rocky to Relevant Radio listeners — spoke at a meeting of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre held in Green Bay. He talked about his book, For Immediate Assistance, Pray the Memorare. He also gave each of us a copy of his book.
It took me a few weeks to pick up the book and start to read it. I loved this book and discovered that this is the first book written by Father Rocky. I can imagine he hasn’t had much time to write with his busy life as executive director of Relevant Radio and a daily contributor on the Catholic radio network, along other duties.
Mary, our second mother
Why am I writing about this book at Christmas time? While Jesus is the main focus of Christmas, this time of the year also reminds us of His Mother Mary. She is our mother, too, and many of us can identify with her as “one of us.”
Frassati Fest for youth to be held Jan. 31 to Feb. 2
WISCONSIN DELLS — Ask an average high school student about the level of stress they face in their lives, and he or she would have a lot to say.
Teens may be stressed about finals approaching, drama with friends, problems within the family, or how much pressure there is to live up to the expectations of coaches, teachers, and the world.
Young people in their teenage years are supposed to be joyful, optimistic, full of plans for the future, and whether or not they appreciate hearing it, still kids.
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration, Spanish Masses offered in Darlington
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington held a Spanish Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.