Day: September 20, 2018

On
Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Mass of reparation for sins of sexual abuse

mass of reparation
Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison kneels in prayer with Fr. Scott Emerson, left, priest secretary and master of ceremonies to the bishop, and Msgr. James Bartylla, right, vicar general for the Diocese of Madison, at the start of Mass on September 14. The Mass at the Bishop O’Donnell Holy Name Oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison was for the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and day of reparation for sins of sexual abuse by clergy and the episcopacy. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

MADISON — “I want to pray today with you for those who have committed terrible sins, sins of sacrilege, sins that cry to heaven for vengeance,” said Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison.

His words came during a Mass on September 14 for the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and day of reparation for sins of sexual abuse by clergy and the episcopacy.

The Mass was held in the Bishop O’Donnell Holy Name Oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison.

Repentance and reparation

After Bishop Morlino processed into Mass, he knelt before the altar, along with concelebrant Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general for the diocese; Fr. Scott Emerson, priest secretary and master of ceremonies to the bishop; and Deacon Jim Hoegemeier, who later read the Gospel.

Everyone at the Mass knelt in silent prayer with the bishop.

Following this silent prayer, the bishop acknowledged a similar tone to Good Friday, as he was without his episcopal ring and crosier.

He reminded everyone, along with the repentance and sorrow felt for the actions recently come to light committed by priests and bishops, to acknowledge “our sins, not someone else’s.”

The Cross and healing

During his homily, Bishop Morlino, referenced the Gospel reading — “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:17)” and said, “The very sight of the Cross brings healing.”

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Chris Lee

Catholic Charities Madison to distribute financial assistance to flood victims

MADISON — Catholic Charities Madison is leading the effort to financially assist recent flood impacted households with matching funding from Catholic Charities USA and The Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation’s Saint Mother Teresa Mercy Endowment Fund.

Each entity has contributed $10,000 for a combined $30,000 available to individuals and families who have experienced hardships from the August flooding.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Austin Steffen to be ordained in Rome

Austin Steffen
Austin Steffen

ROME, Italy — Austin Steffen, a Diocese of Madison seminarian, will be ordained as a transitional deacon on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The son of Colette and Tim Steffen of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Cuba City, he attended St. Rose Catholic Grade School and Cuba City High School in Cuba City; the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Platteville; Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona, Minn., where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy; the North American College and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.

He was involved as an altar server throughout grade school and went on mission trips through the Catholic Heart Work Camp in high school. He attended daily Mass throughout the summers off from school and while in college. He also helped with a youth group in Platteville while he was a student there.

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Kevin Wondrash

Island Church Foundation to honor St. Wenceslaus

WATERLOO — The Island Church Foundation invites the public to visit the historic St. Wenceslaus Church, commonly known to as the Island Church, for the annual St. Wenceslaus Day celebration on Sunday, Sept. 23.

The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include a Catholic Mass in the church at 2 p.m.

Featured events include a historic tractor display presented by neighbors of the church, and local historian Edward Langer will be on-hand to share ancestral history from his trips to Lanskroun.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

40 Days for Life leader brings message to Madison

MADISON — Dr. Haywood Robinson, former abortion provider and board director of the peaceful, prayerful, effective 40 Days for Life project, will tell the story of this groundbreaking effort in Madison on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Robinson will speak at the Madison 40 Days for Life Kick Off event, which is set for 11 a.m. on the sidewalks surrounding Planned Parenthood, 3706 Orin Rd., Madison.

“People in Madison and the surrounding area have made extraordinary sacrifices to expose the abortion industry and to protect pre-born children and their mothers from abortion,” Robinson said.

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