Day: February 24, 2016

On
Kristen Beckett, For the Catholic Herald

2016 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Contemplating the Face of God’s Mercy’

annual catholic appeal

MADISON — While in the midst of this Year of Mercy, we are truly given a wonderful opportunity to “Contemplate the Face of God’s Mercy” and reflect upon the ways that God’s mercy will lead us to greater works of mercy in our families, parishes, communities, and throughout the diocese.

We can tangibly contemplate and live out God’s mercy through both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. One way to support many of those works is through giving to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).

Each year, for the ACA, each parishioner in the Diocese of Madison is asked to prayerfully consider what they are able to give back to the Church. Your pledge to the ACA goes to support many missions and works of mercy throughout the diocese. Some of these include:

• Support Services and Teacher Training in Catholic Schools — Do you know any children that attend a Catholic school in the diocese? The

ACA funds trainings for principals to assure schools are compliant with state and federal laws and accreditations and best practices. It also supports mentorship training, renewing of teachers licenses and trainings for diocesan catholic school teachers.

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On
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Why are objects kissed during Mass?

What's That All About column by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The fifth in a series by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf about the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

In this short series we are looking into what Bishop Robert C. Morlino is up to when you see reports that he has celebrated a “Pontifical Mass at the Throne in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite” (PMATTITEFOTRR).

So far, we’ve made distinctions about what the Roman Rite and the Extraordinary Form are, we’ve seen the different levels of solemnity with which Holy Mass can be offered in the older, traditional form, and we’ve touched one of the most obvious differences between how a bishop says Mass in the traditional Form and the Ordinary Form, that is, the additional vestments he uses and the different ministers he has to help him.

Objects kissed

Here is another thing which might make you scratch your head when you attend your first PMATTITEFOTRR.

In the older, traditional Form, when objects are handed to and taken from the priest celebrant or the bishop, they are kissed, along with Father’s hand. What’s up with that?

It’s a good question, given the fact that it is so out of keeping with the style of 99 precent of Masses you have seen in the last 50 years.

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On
Fr. Rick Heilman, For the Catholic Herald

Wisconsin’s Into the Breach Tour empowers men

This past September 29, on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix, Ariz., promulgated an Apostolic Exhortation calling men to step “Into the Breach.” Bishop Olmsted began his exhortation:

“I begin this letter with a clarion call and clear charge to you, my sons and brothers in Christ: Men, do not hesitate to engage in the battle that is raging around you, the battle that is wounding our children and families, the battle that is distorting the dignity of both women and men.

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

Confirmation and evangelization

Just a few days ago, I had the enormous privilege of performing my first Confirmation as a bishop.

It took place at Holy Cross Parish in Moor Park, Calif., a large, bustling, and bi-lingual parish in my pastoral region. I told the confirmandi — and I meant it — that I would keep them in my heart for the rest of my life, for we were connected by an unbreakable bond.

In preparation for this moment, I was, of course, obliged to craft a homily, and that exercise compelled me to do some serious studying and praying around the meaning of this great sacrament.

What is Confirmation?

It is sometimes said that Confirmation is a sacrament in search of a theology. It is indeed true that most Catholics could probably give at least a decent account of the significance of Baptism, Eucharist, Confession, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick, but they might balk when asked to explain the meaning of Confirmation.

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On
Jean Mueller

Dealing with grief is different for each individual

Q A family member passed recently and although it was after a long illness, I am surprised and a little disappointed with the reactions of some relatives.

This was a much loved individual and her loss leaves a great hole in our hearts.

Some relatives want to plan a vacation to “honor” her while others are encouraging her husband to get back out there and begin another relationship; because “that is what she would want.”

Maybe this is really old- fashioned, but I think after something like this happens, the person deserves a time of reflection and respect. Am I wrong?

(From a sister-in-law in Darlington).

A Everyone grieves in their own way. There is no recipe for a healthy method of adjusting to a loss.

Even if you grieve in a way that you feel honors the person, you may revisit those feelings frequently.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Opening doors and building bridges

When he opened the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome at the beginning of the Year of Mercy in December of 2015, Pope Francis declared that people of faith must welcome and experience God’s love and then go out into the world to be instruments of mercy.

The pope added that Christians must be “aware that we will be judged by this.” Being a Christian calls for a lifelong journey and a “more radical commitment” to be merciful like God the Father, Pope Francis said.

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On
M.A. Rakow

Prefers use of Novus Ordo Mass

To the editor:

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf’s recent columns on the Pontifical Mass create a very nervous Catholic here. It feels as though these columns are opening shots on banning the Novus Ordo Mass celebrations here in the Diocese of Madison. Or imposing the use of Latin.

I much prefer the Roman Rite Novus Ordo to the other. I do not hope in the least for any return to the other form. I recall the Mass before Vatican II and not with any joy. Mass then was cold and isolated people.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Food Fair & Farmers’ Market on March 5

REEDSBURG — In an effort to support local growers and to educate the public about sustainably-grown and locally produced foods, the Justice & Peace Commission of three parishes (Sacred Heart in Reedsburg, Holy Family in LaValle, St. Boniface in Lime Ridge) is holding its sixth annual Food Fair & Farmers‘ Market on Saturday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School gym in Reedsburg.

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