Day: January 7, 2015

On
Sue Barry, For the Catholic Herald

Bishop dedicates new Adoration chapel in Sauk City

Incense rises in the air as Fr. John Blewett, pastor, incenses the altar in the Adoration chapel altar of the new Mary, Mother of God Chapel at St. Aloysius Church at Divine Mercy Parish in Sauk City on January 1. (Photo by Jim DeSchepper)

SAUK CITY — Bringing in the new year was a very special occasion at Divine Mercy Parish in Sauk City, where Bishop Robert C. Morlino held a dedication Mass and ceremony for the new Mary, Mother of God Adoration Chapel on January 1, fittingly the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

“Let Us Go Rejoicing to the House of the Lord” was the processional hymn sung as the bishop, Divine Mercy Pastor Fr. John Blewett, and Mass servers entered the chapel for the dedication.

Parishioners persevere

It was no small task getting to this day, but the perseverance and faith of many parishioners who have helped keep a successful Eucharistic Adoration (EA) program going for over 12 years at St. Aloysius Church at Divine Mercy Parish made this day a reality.

Until now, Eucharistic Adoration has been held in the church proper. The “new” chapel is actually a renovated chapel that was “hidden” in the old Sisters convent located between the church and the school, according to Father Blewett.

“It is almost like it was waiting there,” he said, to be discovered and brought out through Divine Providence.

According to Bishop Morlino, a dedication ceremony for an altar or for a church or chapel is somewhat like a consecration ceremony for a new priest: it is preparing a temple to be worthy of the sacrifice of Christ in the Eucharist, he said.

Bishop Morlino blessed Cristobal Padilla, a candidate for Holy Orders at the beginning of the dedication Mass to symbolize the similarity in the rites.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Men’s retreat at St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo

BARABOO — On Saturday, Jan. 24, St. Joseph Parish will host a one-day men’s retreat titled, “Living Supernaturally.”

Featured speakers include Fr. Rick Heilman and Scott Hackl. Father Heilman is the founder of the Catholic men’s apostolate Knights of Divine Mercy, founder of the Holy League, and regular on Relevant Radio.

Hackl is the father of six and advancement director working on a $24 million campaign to rebuild St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison.

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On
Ask IPS

How to cope with the seasonal blues

QUESTION: While everyone else seems joyful, I often feel depressed around the holidays. Could you suggest some ways to cope with the holiday blues?

RESPONSE: By William McKenna, M.S., clinical extern at the IPS Center for Psychological Services

We so often hear Christmas songs with lines such as, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” and “Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer!”

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On
Sr. Rosalia Bauer, FSPA

Thanks for work of volunteers who erected Nativity display at State Capitol

To the editor:

Thanks to Sr. Therese Wolf, FSPA, who receives the Catholic Herald and shares it with me, I keep abreast of the Madison area events.

I was delighted to read that the Nativity scene is now displayed at our State Capitol! Thank you, Geralyn Ketterman, a staunch pro-lifer with whom I’ve many memories of praying/witnesssing at the “former” Rockford Abortion Mill, distributing literature and many other human life promoting activities.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration has been growing in the Diocese of Madison with parishes having everything from a few hours of Adoration a week to perpetual Adoration at two sites — and a third close to providing Adoration every day.

The January 8 issue of the Catholic Herald features a story and photos from the blessing of the new Adoration chapel at Divine Mercy Parish (St. Aloysius Church) in Sauk City on January 1. The new chapel — the Mary, Mother of God Adoration Chapel — was appropriately dedicated by Bishop Robert C. Morlino on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Ridley Scott’s film misses the point

Ridley Scott’s new film Exodus: Gods and Kings features Moses, the Pharaoh, hundreds of thousands of slaves making their way across the floor of the Red Sea, all 10 plagues, the burning bush, and even the angel of Yahweh in the form of a petulant 11-year-old boy with a British accent.

And yet, the movie is spiritually flat, as though its makers had read the biblical story but understood precious little of its theological poetry.

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