Month: February 2020

On
Kevin Wondrash

Ordination of Deacon Lawrence Oparaji February 22

Fr. Lawrence Oparaji
Deacon Lawrence Oparaji

MADISON — Bishop Donald J. Hying will ordain Deacon Lawrence Oparaji to the priesthood for the Diocese of Madison on Saturday, Feb. 22, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass in the Bishop O’Donnell Chapel at Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd.

Deacon Lawrence is the son of Kenneth and Calista Oparaji of Angwan Fadama, Orozo, FCT, in Nigeria.They are members of St. Andrew Kagwa Parish, Orozo Abuja.

Deacon Lawrence’s home parish in the Diocese of Madison is St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison.

He attended grade school in the Model Learning Center/Jikwoyi Phase II, and high school in the Federal government College/Keffi, Nasarawa.

His college studies were taken at the Dominican Institute Samonda Ibadan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies.

He studied at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, St. Paul, Minn., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

His intern experience took place at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison. His deacon placements were at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie.

His clinical pastoral experience was taken at Lakeview Hospital, Stillwater, Minn.

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On
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Christian girls and abortion

When Mother Teresa visited New Bedford, Mass., in June 1995, she told those of us gathered at St. Lawrence Martyr Church: “Abortion is the greatest evil of today.”

Never one to mince words, Mother Teresa’s courage, truthfulness, and charity were palpable. Parents today need similar fortitude, honesty, and love to be able to discuss the hard topic of unplanned pregnancies and abortion with their children.

Parents exercise influence

Parental input and advice are critical when these situations arise. Even as children profess independence, parents exercise influence over them, whether for good or for ill.

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On
Bishop Robert Barron

The maintenance of harmony in the Church

Some years ago, my friend Msgr. Francis Mannion wrote an article concerning the three essential features of the Eucharistic liturgy — namely, the priest, the rite, and the people.

When these elements are in proper balance, rightly ordered liturgy obtains.

Further, from these categories, he argued, we can discern the three typical distortions of the liturgy: clericalism (too much of the priest), ritualism (a fussy hyper-focus on the rite), and congregationalism (a disproportionate emphasis on the people).

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Bishop calls on men to be ‘St. Joseph Strong’

PINE BLUFF — “Now is the time for St. Joseph” says the new book Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC.

Each man who attended the Knights of Divine Mercy event at St. Mary Church in Pine Bluff on February 7 received a copy of this book to embark on their own journey to be “St. Joseph Strong”.

More than 300 men were in attendance and heard a talk by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Priest and Religious Recognition Day

MADISON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club will hold its annual Priest and Religious Recognition Day on Tuesday, March 10, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2116 Hollister Ave., Madison. All women of the diocese are invited to attend and are encouraged to bring their pastor, associate pastor, religious education director, and/or any other staff who serve to enrich the spiritual life of the parish community.

Rosary will be prayed at 10:40 a.m., Mass is at 11 a.m., followed by lunch in the Friary. The program at 1 p.m. in the auditorium features Kim Vercauteren, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference. She will give an inside look at the work of the conference, the public policy voice of the Wisconsin bishops.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

New series: Celebrating the Liturgical Year at home

MADISON — Have you ever wished that your Catholic faith could be more connected to your daily life?

The Office of Worship of the Diocese of Madison is starting a new series of workshops to help people do just that, starting with celebrating Sunday and the liturgical year, on Wednesday, March 18 (7 to 8:15 p.m.) at Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd. in Madison.

The liturgical year is one of the great gifts of the Catholic Church. Throughout the year, we follow Jesus Christ from his birth to his Ascension (and beyond). We even look forward to the day when he will come again at the end of time.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Throw off darkness, embrace the Eternal Day

Acedia is an uncommon word that defines a common experience. Its Latin and Greek antecedents mean “negligence” and “lack of care.”

The definition is “a state of listlessness or torpor, of not caring or not being concerned with one’s position or condition in the world. (Acedia) can lead to a state of being unable to perform one’s duties in life. Its spiritual overtones make it related to, but distinct from depression.”

Linked to boredom, lukewarmness, and apathy, acedia can particularly overwhelm us in our spiritual practice and pastoral ministry.

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