Year: 2014

On
Fr. Robert Barron

Film looks at sin and salvation

There were a number of reasons why I liked World War Z, the film based on Max Brooks’ book of the same name.

First, it was a competently made thriller and not simply a stringing together of whiz-bang CGI effects. Secondly, it presented a positive image of a father.

In a time when Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin are the norm for fatherhood in the popular culture, Brad Pitt’s character, Gerry Lane, is actually a man of intelligence, deep compassion, and self-sacrificing courage.

About sin and salvation

But what intrigued me the most about World War Z is how it provides a template for thinking seriously about sin and salvation.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Bishop Morlino announces ‘news of great joy’: Diocesan offices to stay at Bishop O’Connor Center along with housing community

The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison, formerly Holy Name Seminary, will include a housing community while the diocesan offices will remain in the building. (Catholic Herald file photo)

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino announced “news of great joy” at a diocesan staff meeting on June 6: the Diocese of Madison would have its diocesan offices stay at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center (BOC) along with a housing community being developed there.

Bishop Morlino expressed his gratitude to Gorman & Company for their “very, very hard work” in putting together a plan for the BOC. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am,” said Bishop Morlino.

Msgr. Mike Burke, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison and a member of the Diocesan Finance Council, said about the decision, “Wow! This is wonderful news. I think the reaction to this plan will be overwhelmingly positive.”

‘Sacred space’

Monsignor Burke lived at Holy Name Seminary, the former BOC, for 19 years. He served as the seminary rector for 13 years. He considers the building “sacred space,” pointing out that the chapel is the central point of the building. “People were hoping and praying that the chapel could be saved,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more happy for the seminary alumni, parents, faculty, benefactors, and many priests who served here that we are able to keep the building, chapel, and grounds intact. There are so many people who identify with this building, Catholics and non-Catholics,” he said.

The spire of the center dominates the west side of Madison, and the regular ringing of the bells can be heard from miles away.

Monsignor Burke said he “can’t thank Gary Gorman enough” for everything he did to save the building. “It’s a great day for our diocese” as we approach the feast of Pentecost on June 8, he said.

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On
Obispo Robert C. Morlino

La importancia de la Ascensión

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:

El domingo pasado celebramos la Solemnidad de la Ascensión del Señor. Como un hermano obispo bromea, celebramos este misterio glorioso exactamente de acuerdo a los Hechos de los Apóstoles . . . 44 días después de la Pascua.

Sin importar la precisión de la fecha, sin embargo, es una fiesta tremendamente importante para nosotros . . . una de las más importantes.

Lo que significa el Misterio Pascual

En todo el tiempo de Pascua, especialmente en las oraciones iniciales de la Misa y en los prefacios, hemos escuchado la referencia una y otra vez al Misterio Pascual.

Repetimos eso muchas veces y me pregunto si es claro en nuestras mentes lo que eso significa. Estos 50 días de Pascua son la celebración del Misterio Pascual.

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On
Chris Lee

Statement from Bishop Robert C. Morlino, regarding a federal judge’s ruling on marriage

Statement from Bishop Robert C. Morlino, regarding a federal judge’s ruling on marriage /Article XIII, Section 13 of Wisconsin’s Constitution:

First, it bears repeating that, we must respect, love, and care for every individual we encounter, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they define themselves. This will never change. It is at the core of who we are as members of Christ’s Church. Christ, Himself, invites each individual to know and love Him and live a life in response to His love. His love and mercy can heal all divisions that separate us; however, we must acknowledge the divisions that exist — notably those we choose through our actions. All are invited to this love and these graces offered by Christ, through His Church. This applies to all who sincerely seek the Truth.

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On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Witness of Faith: Bonnie Miller

COLUMBUS — “I’m kind of like a go-to person for the liturgy. I’m not listed on the bulletin or anything, but if Father’s got any questions it’s, ‘talk to Bonnie, call Bonnie.'”

If you’ve attended a Mass at St. Jerome Parish in Columbus any time in the past 30 years, you’ve seen the results of Bonnie Miller’s work.

In addition to her day job in which she puts in 30 hours a week, Miller serves as the parish’s unofficial “liturgist.”

Parish duties

If you ask her what that all entails, she’ll say, with humility, preparing a liturgical outline for the cantor, lector, organist, and celebrating priest for each Sunday’s Mass; selecting the music; preparing the church for Holy Week and other liturgical seasons; training new cantors and lectors — and that’s just a small summary. She also participates as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion herself.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Fr. Mike Klarer will celebrate 35th anniversary

MONROE — Fr. Mike Klarer, pastor emeritus of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe, will celebrate the 35th anniversary of his ordination on Sunday, June 15, at St. Victor Church, Monroe, with a 3 p.m. liturgy. All are invited to the celebration.

Father Klarer will be the celebrant of the Mass with concelebrants Fr. Larry Bakke, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish and director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, Diocese of Madison; Msgr. Michael E. Hippee, retired pastor, Milwaukee; Fr. Steve J. Kortendick, pastor of St. Jerome Parish, Columbus; Fr. Gary L. Krahenbuhl, priest son of St. Victor Parish, Monroe, and pastor of St. Mary Parish, Portage; Fr. William Nolan, retired pastor, Madison; Fr. Michael A. Resop, classmate and pastor of St. Luke Parish, Plain; Fr. Bernard Rott, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville; Fr. Kent Schmitt, retired pastor, Monroe; Fr. William J. Seipp, retired pastor, Cassville; Fr. Gary A. Wankerl, pastor of Holy Mother of Consolation Parish, Oregon; and other priests of the Diocese of Madison.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

‘Ocean to Ocean Campaign in Defense of Life’ pilgrimage to visit Madison

MADISON — After traveling 40,000 miles through 24 European nations, the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, already viewed by millions and venerated by hundreds of thousands of Christians, landed on the shores of America in August 2013 for the next leg of an historic pilgrimage in the movement to build a Culture of Life.

The Black Madonna, a replica of the original in Jasna Gora Monastery in Poland, was received at a ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, on St. Clement’s Island, Md. — the exact site of the first landing of Catholic pilgrims in the American British colonies of the 17th century. Tradition holds that the original icon of the Black Madonna was painted by St. Luke on a cypress table used by the Holy Family.

The Human Life International-sponsored “Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in Defense of Life” will visit Madison on Thursday, June 19, 2014. The Black Madonna will be on the sidewalk outside of Planned Parenthood on Orin Rd. for a 3 p.m. prayer vigil, and at 7 p.m., there will be Mass with Fr. Peter West of Human Life International as celebrant at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monona.

Details and a short video about the pilgrimage can be found at www.hli.org/oceantoocean

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