MCFARLAND — Christ the King Parish in McFarland hosted its kick-off Rosary Rally on Thursday, June 27, with Fr. Steve Smith, pastor, presiding.
Fifteen people, from three parishes came to pray at the outdoor Marian Garden.
Year: 2013
Morality and the Natural Law: The importance of being guided by a moral compass
People sometimes use the phrase “moral compass” to describe the innate sense of right and wrong that human beings have.
President Obama, for example, recently mentioned in one of his speeches how we need to, “keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.” Although he didn’t spell out what that true direction might be, his remark nevertheless highlighted something that all can agree upon, namely, the importance of being guided by a moral compass.
Healthy marriages:They need to be nurtured before and after the wedding day
It doesn’t seem possible that 40 years have passed so quickly. It was on July 21, 1973, that my husband John and I were married in the chapel of the Roncalli Newman Center at UW-La Crosse.
We both came from Catholic parishes in La Crosse, but during our college years we were active at the Newman Center parish. It kept us connected to our faith and helped us make friends with other young adults with similar values.
Preparing for marriage
At the time we were married, there were no marriage preparation programs done as a couple. Instead, individuals could complete a pre-cana course. John — always the planner — had his certificate in hand, ready to be married. He just had to find his future spouse! It happened to be me.
Mary’s Assumption gives us hope
The Renaissance painter Titian painted an inspiring picture of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven.
Mary is dressed no longer in blue, but in the flaming red of victory. Escorted by angels, she rises majestically in the heavens into the glory of God.
The apostles stand below gazing upward with wonder and joy. The picture is so vivid that it almost appears to be a photograph.
Heart’s desire is loving and being loved by God
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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,
This past Sunday, Our Holy Father addressed the precise topic on which I’ve been meditating over the past week, the topic of how our encounter with Jesus Christ affects our lives.
As you’ll recall, my previous column had reference to our Diocesan Mission, which is: “We serve to ensure that all individuals throughout the 11-county diocese are graciously invited every day to meet Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, face to face and be changed by Him.”
Pope Francis, in his remarks at the Sunday Angelus, began by asking all of us to consider where it is that our treasure can be found, “what is the most important reality for me, the reality that attracts my heart like a magnet?”
It should be, the Holy Father said, our love of God. He emphasized the reality that where our treasure is, there our heart is found, but that in order to receive true treasure, we need to actually have a heart that desires. “It’s the really poor man, who has no desires,” he said. We have to have hearts that are driven by desire, not ones that are dead or “anesthetized,” by all that we’ve filled our lives with. So, do you desire? And are you ready to seek that which will truly fulfill your desires?
Invitar a otros a conocer a Cristo de modo que la vida se transforme
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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:
Supongo (luego de toda la cobertura aquí, así como con el buen y justo artículo de Doug Erickson en el State Journal) que no es una sorpresa para ustedes que he cumplido 10 años como Obispo de Madison.
Estoy muy agradecido a Dios por haberme dado la bendición de estos 10 años de servicio en esta Iglesia local y estoy muy agradecido a todos ustedes. Gracias por sus oraciones, su fe, su aliento y, sí, su crítica constructiva durante estos años. Dios mediante, estaré otros diez años más con ustedes y espero que podemos seguir haciendo grandes cosas juntos: siempre con Su gracia y Su ayuda.
Comunicarse con la gente de la diócesis
En los últimos diez años muchas buenas personas –ya sea a través de cartas o en persona, en Misas o eventos en la diócesis– me han dicho, “Obispo, queremos ayudar, pero no estamos seguros de hacia dónde va usted. ¿Qué está tratando de hacer?”
Parece, veo al hablarles a ellos, que mucha de la confusión viene de mi forma de hablar distinta a aquella a la que estaban acostumbrados: hablo en voz alta y de manera directa, en una cultura que se ha obsesionado con la idea de la “tolerancia” (que significa nunca decir la Verdad) y nunca decir nada que haga que la gente se sienta incómoda.
Entonces, eso es algo que golpea a la gente. Además, creo, las tensiones en nuestro país han creado tal división que muchos buscan leer los comentarios o las declaraciones a través de un lente político. Creo que este es el caso en un Madison políticamente cargado. Combinado todo esto con nuestros medios de comunicación condicionados, con mis propias faltas y mi tendencia a hablar como el maestro de filosofía que vive en mí, y veo que ciertamente existe la confusión.
Bishop Morlino grateful for God’s blessings after 10 years in Madison
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| Encouraging vocations to the priesthood has been one of Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s priorities in his 10 years as Bishop of Madison. Here he greets Fr. David Johannes after ordaining him to the priesthood in 2012. Bishop Morlino has ordained 20 priests for the Diocese of Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner) |
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino is “grateful to God” for the many blessings he has experienced in his 10 years as Bishop of Madison.
In an interview, Bishop Morlino said “the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit get the credit” for whatever growth the Diocese of Madison has experienced in the past 10 years.
“I have invited people to grow in faith,” he said, pointing to an increase in such things as Eucharistic Adoration throughout the diocese.
Prayer, he said, is the “key” to more Church vocations. “We’re richly blessed with vocations — and with quality vocations — but we still need more.”
Encouraging more vocations to the priesthood — and to consecrated life and sacramental marriage — was one of his three priorities as Bishop of Madison. The others are strengthening liturgy and catechesis.
Increasing vocations
| Bishop Morlino comments about his 10 years in Madison in his column this week. He calls on Catholics to invite others to know Christ in a life-changing way. | |
Since he came to Madison in 2003, Bishop Morlino has been doing everything he can to increase the number of seminarians studying to become priests.
When he came here, there were six seminarians. His goal was to grow the number to 30.
In 2012, the diocese hit that mark with 32 seminarians. This fall there will be 34, with three men ordained to the priesthood in 2013.
Bishop Morlino considers the seminarians and priests he ordains “his spiritual sons.” With his past experiences living with college students, he feels he has a greater rapport with young men.
“They really are like my sons,” he said. “Our efforts are bearing fruit. The quality of our men is very evident.”
Having a full-time vocation director has also helped bring more attention to the efforts to recruit more seminarians.
24-hour confessional, app attracts penitents, worldwide attention
PINE BLUFF — On Sunday, Aug. 4, Catholics around the world celebrated the feast day of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests and tireless confessor. In Pine Bluff, just west of Madison, the day took on some extra meaning.
Fr. Rick Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, dedicated a 24-hour confessional and related smartphone app, asking for intercessory prayers from the saint.
Bishop to ordain four deacons
On Friday, Aug. 9, Bishop Robert C. Morlino will ordain four men to the transitional diaconate during a Mass at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.
Inviting others to know Christ in a life-changing way
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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,
I suppose (after all the coverage here, as well as a very fair and good piece by Doug Erickson in the State Journal) it will come as no surprise to you that this past week I marked 10 years as Bishop of Madison.
I’m so grateful to God for having given me the blessing of these 10 years of service to this local Church and I’m so very grateful to you all. Thank you for your prayers, your faith, your encouragement, and, yes, your constructive criticism through the past years. God willing, I’ll have almost 10 more with you, and I hope we can continue to do great things together — always with His grace and help.
Communicating with the people of the diocese
Over the past 10 years I’ve had many a good person come to me — whether through letters or in person, at Masses and events around the diocese — to say basically, “Bishop we want to help, but we’re not really sure where you’re going. What are you trying to do?”
It seems, from speaking to them, that much of the confusion comes from my taking a different style than that to which they may be accustomed — I speak rather loudly and in a straightforward manner, in a culture which has become obsessed with an idea of “tolerance” (which equates to never making Truth claims,) and never saying anything that may make people uncomfortable.