Pope Francis’ choice of shoes is not just about his preference of accessories. It’s a statement about the direction he’ll be taking his papacy. There’s a powerful witness in that direction.
That said, lest we get the wrong message (and I think many are), this new direction should not be perceived as a condemnation of his predecessors, nor of the rich symbolism that has always surrounded the papacy.
My husband and I chose to send our children to Catholic schools. We were able to afford the tuition to make that choice, while at the same time paying taxes to support public school education.
We were fortunate to be able to choose the schools we wanted for our children, but not everyone has the financial resources to make that choice. Although Catholic schools provide much financial aid, there are still families that can’t afford to send their children to a Catholic school.
Twenty-three years ago, Wisconsin did something about that problem by starting the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. This program provides state-paid tuition vouchers to enable low-income students to enroll in private schools in the City of Milwaukee. The program, which has survived legal challenges in the Wisconsin and U.S. Supreme Courts, began operation in 1990 with about 340 students.
At first the Milwaukee program only provided vouchers for students attending private nonsectarian schools. However, in 1995 it was expanded to allow vouchers for children attending religious schools. It was stipulated that a school must excuse a student from participation in any religious instruction or activity at the request of the child’s parent or guardian (very few people have taken this option).
Rev. Msgr. James […]
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| A packed St. Joseph Church in Baraboo witnessed Scott Jablonski ordained to the diaconate on Sunday, April 14. To view more photos from the diaconate, visit St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo Facebook page here. (Contributed photo/Bryan Thompson) |
BARABOO — Scott Jablonski was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Robert C. Morlino during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church in Baraboo on Sunday, April 14. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Madison next year.
In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Morlino spoke about the “beauty” of the Office of Deacon, and how a deacon is called to “testify” and proclaim the Gospel at the liturgy and in their daily life.
“Our new Deacon Scott is a very great witness — he loves to testify, and he’s one of the most pleasant testifiers I’ve ever met,” said Bishop Morlino. “The Lord has given him such marvelous gifts, that he’s now put at the Lord’s disposal.”
You can read more on the bishop’s message in his column here.
Deacon Jablonski, originally from Appleton, returned to Catholicism after years searching for answers and learning about different religions. He received first Communion as a youth, but says his family members did not practice the faith. He was recently interviewed by EWTN for The Journey Home series telling the story of his personal journey getting to know Christ more fully.
In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Church . . . cannot and should not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. She has to play her part through rational argument and she has to reawaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper.”
The recent papal interregnum and conclave underscored the importance of re-forming, and reforming, the College of Cardinals.
As configured on February 28, 2013 (when Benedict XVI’s abdication took effect), the College was a somewhat strange electorate, albeit one that produced a striking result. Almost 20 percent of its members were retired. Only eight cardinal-electors were under 65 (and half of the youngsters were Americans — Cardinals Burke, DiNardo, Dolan, and Harvey).
MADISON — It’s a “tale as old as time,” as the song goes.
With an opening night of Thursday, April 25, students at St. Ambrose Academy in Madison will present their production of Beauty and the Beast.
It will be the first time the school will produce a full-length musical production with full orchestra. In past years, the musicals have been so-called “junior” versions, with piano accompaniment only.
Parents of children killed in the December 14, 2012, Newtown, Conn., massacre have been giving powerful testimony to legislators on proposed tougher gun laws at public hearings in their own state and elsewhere.
At a hearing in Connecticut, Veronique Pozner said of her son, “Noah was our six-year-old force of nature.” Noah was one of 20 first-graders killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
“He lies forever motionless in the earth. He will never get to attend middle school or high school, kiss a girl, attend college, pick a career path, fall in love, marry, have children, or travel the world,” his mother said.
It is indeed sad that these children were killed by a man who obtained a gun from his own home. The lives of these 20 children and so many other people in our country have been snuffed out by people wielding guns.
How can we deal with this situation? There are many issues involved, including our Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. In my mind, this refers more to the military defense of our country, but, of course, it can also apply to self-defense. However, I don’t believe that ordinary citizens need assault weapons to protect themselves.
Q: A recent visit to a relative in a nursing home left me feeling very frustrated. My mother-in-law only wanted to complain about everything. This included everything from “I’m sure I have cancer,” to “my roommate leaves her television on all day,” and ending with “I think that infection is coming back.” You get the picture. It doesn’t make for a pleasant visit and I end up feeling as though my visits are an opportunity for a complaint session. I leave feeling less motivated to visit. Any suggestions? (From a daughter-in-law in Madison)
With his calling for a Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI issued a direct challenge to each of us stating, “To rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived, and prayed, and to reflect on the act of faith, is a task that every believer must make his own, especially in the course of this Year.”
What exactly is “the content of the faith,” where does it come from, and how does it relate to the “act of faith”?
