On a warm fall day, on the Feast of All Souls, dozens of people gathered together with Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison before a new statue and columbarium now adorning the grounds of Resurrection Cemetery.
Year: 2020
Cistercian Sisters thank supporters, welcome gifts
“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”
— 1 Chronicles 29:13
PRAIRIE DU SAC — November is the month when we celebrate all the saints, remember the deceased in our prayers in a particular way, and set apart a day to thank God for His many blessings.
Although it might not seem obvious at first, these practices are closely linked, especially in the monastic tradition.
An autumn reflection
The bare tree outside my office, which only days ago was laden with fiery red leaves, reminds me that autumn is rapidly moving us towards the snow and cold of winter, as nature falls asleep.
This fallow period of dormancy, rest, and apparent lifelessness we know well, both because we live in Wisconsin, where our trees are leafless six months out of the year and because we have tasted the cycles of the Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising of Christ.
The poignancy of these colder and darker November days speaks of the golden summer now past, the brevity of life as we pray for the dead and the cycle of the seasons of the heart.
‘Don’t wish your life away’
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Not unlike millions of other people at various times in their lives, a few weeks ago, I was having somewhat of an undesirable day at work, and I wanted nothing more than to make the clock go faster and go home for the day.
Upon expressing this desire to a friend of mine, I was told, “Don’t wish your life away”.
Ever since my friend uttered that chiding, but necessary, comment it’s really stuck with me.The Order of Christian Funerals: Life is changed, not ended
The following article is the next installment in a series that will appear in the Catholic Herald to offer catechesis and formation concerning end of life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from the Catholic perspective.
Sr. Estelle Wiltz, OP, dies
Sister Estelle Wiltz, OP, died Oct. 21, 2020, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Mary Cabrini. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Oct. 29, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sr. Michelle Germanson, OP, has died
Sister Michelle Germanson, OP, died Oct. 21, 2020, at MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, Ill. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Nov. 6, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
A month to pray for all souls
The following article is the next installment in a series that will appear in the Catholic Herald to offer catechesis and formation concerning end of life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from the Catholic perspective.
Farmers invited to Rural Life Listening Sessions
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| Tom Nelson, far right, member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe, works in the St. Thomas Aquinas outreach garden in Madison. With him, from left, are St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners Neil Vassau, Paul Scheffelman, and Tom Hartberg. (Photo by Jane Lepeska Grinde) |
NOTE: The first Rural Life Listening Session scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, in Highland has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No decisions have been made yet on other scheduled sessions in November. A session in Iowa County will be rescheduled sometime after January 1.
MADISON — “Our bishop has planted the seeds, and now we must cultivate and tend the row so the harvest may be fruitful and sustaining across the heartland of our rural diocesan home,” said Tom Nelson, diocesan rural life coordinator in announcing three Rural Life Listening Sessions to be held this month.
The first session will be on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Ss. Anthony and Philip Church, 726 Main St. in Highland.
The next session will be on Monday, Nov. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Victor Church, 1760 14th St. in Monroe.
Lord, deliver us from sour-faced saints
When I was a pastor, I was invited by the parish’s women’s group to a parish lunch. After lunch, the group gave me a Christmas present.