It was more than just the biggest night of their lives — it was a special night for their families, the Diocese of Madison, and the Church as a whole.
No moment symbolically externalized the work of the Holy Spirit more than the thunderous applause for six men who had just presented themselves to Bishop Robert C. Morlino to be ordained to the priesthood.
MADISON — Diocese of Madison officials were recently notified by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, in Rome, of the publication of the findings of the appellate tribunal court’s hearing of the appeal of Fr. Gerald Vosen, who was placed on administrative leave in 2004 and formally suspended since 2008.
With this release, we inform the faithful of the diocese and the general public of the appellate tribunal’s conclusions.
The appellate tribunal has confirmed the finding of the first-instance tribunal (Diocese of Madison’s — 2007) that Fr. Gerald Vosen is guilty of two offenses against the sixth commandment (sexual misconduct), with minors under the age of 16.
Likewise, the appellate tribunal confirmed the penalty issued by the first-instance tribunal, namely, Father Vosen’s permanent removal from all ecclesiastical ministry with the admonition to lead a life of prayer and penance. No further right to appeal exists.
The confirmation of this penalty means that Father Vosen is not to exercise any public ministry, whatsoever, nor is he to present himself publically as a minister of the Church, including by wearing clerical dress.
MIDDLETON — Just over 100 women representing 42 parishes attended the 61st annual Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) convention held at St. Bernard Church June 16 and 17.
MDCCW President Rosa Ropers, Waunakee, said the theme, “Lighting the Way: Faith in Action,” was chosen to focus on the New Evangelization which “calls us to increase our relationship with Jesus through prayer, study, and our own spiritual growth.
MONTELLO — The 2015 celebration of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist took on a special meaning at the church named for him in Montello.
During the Mass for its patron saint, Bishop Robert C. Morlino blessed the church’s altar and reredos, which were installed last December.
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Recently, I had the privilege of spending four hours in the Sistine Chapel with my Word on Fire team. Toward the end of our filming, the director of the Vatican Museums, who had accompanied us throughout the process, asked whether I wanted to see the “room of tears.”
This is the little antechamber, just off of the Sistine Chapel, where the newly-elected pope changes into his white cassock. Understandably, tears flow in that room, once the poor man realizes the weight of his office.
Inside, there were documents and other memorabilia, but what got my attention was a row of albs, chasubles, and copes worn by various popes.
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| Morgan Smith |
I am thinking now of my friend’s face. It is lit up with a mix of joy and surprise.
The other day, he was talking about his brother, whom he had seen the weekend before. His brother is in a program for recovering addicts which after years, he had finally wanted to enter. My friend was struck by his conversation with his changing brother. And so was I.
My friend said of his brother: “He shared in a way I’ve never witnessed him share before, about some changes in himself. He’s forming a new view on life; in particular he has an openness to being surprised, to novelty. He now takes his walks differently, open to beauty, and treats his interactions with people differently, wanting to learn about them and hear their story.”
Since he has been our Holy Father, Pope Francis has been spending time in prisons.
Not only does he visit prisoners in Rome, but he also puts visits to prisons on his itinerary for trips outside of Rome. When he comes to the United States in September, he will stop at a prison in Philadelphia.
When he was the archbishop of Buenos Aires, he made a point of spending time with prisoners. Even as pope, he continues to make a phone call every other Saturday to inmates he used to visit in Buenos Aires.
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Q My mother lives in a small community in northern Wisconsin. My dad died a few months ago and since his passing the children (three daughters) have noticed how much he did for mom.
We collectively have noticed some forgetfulness, lack of attention to housekeeping, and poor nutrition.
We all live in different communities. My oldest sister is the closest, about a one hour drive; my youngest sister is the farthest, a six hour drive; and I am in the middle, about four hours away. My older sister feels that in order to keep mom home where she wants to stay, we should each spend one week each month with her.
BARABOO — Monsignor O’Reilly Knights of Columbus Council 746 will hold a brat sale at Pierce’s Marketplace on Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All profits will be split equally between the Backpack Project and Coats for Kids.
The Backpack Project is a community project that provides school supplies and personal items to financially disadvantaged children in the Baraboo School District.
BARABOO — St. […]
