Year: 2021

On
Bishop Donald J. Hying

The need for a renewed unity in Christ

Hying logo

The attacks, accusations, and demands fly in from every side. “You supported Trump in the election and are complicit in the attack on the Capitol.” “You are in the back pocket of the Democratic Party.” “You made abortion the only issue in the election.” “You were not vocal enough in defense of life.” “You need to help stop the steal.” “I demand that you publicly affirm that Biden is the legitimate president.” “I am leaving the Church because you are too (take your pick) . . . conservative, liberal, silent, vocal, weak, strong.”

These are all messages I and probably every bishop in the country have been inundated with these past months and it is actually getting worse.

The anger and vitriol is palpably toxic.

Our cultural, political, and social divisions, exacerbated by COVID; the elections; and the violence in our streets and cities have unfortunately entered into the Church and are seriously wounding our unity in Christ.

We now seem to have Biden Catholics and Trump Catholics, perhaps just the latest incarnation of traditional and progressive Catholics, but a division that is louder, angrier, and far less compromising than all the previous rifts in the Body of Christ.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

A look back: Bishop O’Connor chooses leaders to help run new Diocese of Madison

Fourth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

The Diocese of Madison grew rapidly after its founding in 1946.

To help Bishop William P. O’Connor run the new diocese, Msgr. Jerome J. Hastrich was named vicar general, chancellor, and director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Bishop Hastrich became auxiliary bishop of the diocese in 1963.

In 1969, he was named the bishop of Gallup, N.M.

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On
Julianne Nornberg

First spiritual steps: Humility, prayer, surrender

It’s a scene I’ll never forget: my one-year-old son taking his first steps, placing one foot uncertainly in front of the other, arms outstretched toward my hands, eyes wide open in wonder, and a big awe-struck smile on his upturned face.

As he closed the gap between us and finally grasped my hand, I swooped him up in a bear hug, and we all cheered for him. Amazingly, after months of crawling and pulling up and falling and getting up again, my baby had learned to walk.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

‘FAKE NEWS!!!’

kevin-editorial

Like the fellow once said, in song, (and yes, a line I’ve already used in a past editorial) “And you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?'”

The word “fake” feels as natural to put together with the word “news” like “peas and carrots” or “Forrest” and “Jenny.”

For the countless number of people whose livelihood it is to deliver the news — be it on-camera, at a microphone, behind a computer, in a control room, or at home (thanks, COVID) — it’s a troubling prospect to have a significant count of people tell you what you do is “fake,” especially when you’ve put so much effort into making sure it’s clear, concise, and accurate.

What is ‘fake’?

According to the dictionary by Merriam-Webster, fake means “not true, real, or genuine”.

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On
Catholic Herald Staff

Letter to the editor 2-4-2021

A Godless Nation

“If you don’t behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.” — Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

In my humble mind of seeing how the citizens of the United States are on “the slippery slope” of not believing in God and thus they believe in “nothing”.

The fatal decision by the United States Supreme Court on June 25, 1962, which declared school-sponsored prayers unconstitutional in the landmark case of Engel v. Vitale.

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On
Michael Lancaster

Recognizing Catholic school ‘heroes’

“Not all heroes wear capes.” I’m sure that you’ve heard that saying before.

Well, it’s true, and you don’t have to go to your local hospital, fire, or police station to find them. All you have to do is look as far as your local Catholic school.

Take a look at the teachers, principals, secretaries, aides, administrative assistants, custodians, cooks, and counselors.

In Catholic schools, the heroes are everywhere.

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On
Bishop Donald J. Hying

Celebrating Catholic schools

Hying logo

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I offer profound gratitude and praise to Michael Lancaster and our diocesan Office of Schools staff, our pastors and principals, our teachers and school staff, our parents, benefactors, religious education directors and catechists, and ultimately the students who offer the best of themselves to create Catholic communities of learning and formation, so that our precious young people grow to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ as disciples of the Gospel and as practicing Catholics in love with the Lord.

This year especially, in light of the enormous challenges of COVID, I especially applaud our school and parish leaders who have had to plan, implement, adjust, sacrifice, and give the best they have, in order to continue the formation of our young people.

Combining in-person and virtual learning as needed and possible, our teachers and catechists have striven to keep teaching Christ to our students.

I applaud the generosity, flexibility, and commitment required of all in this enormous effort.

Importance of Catholic education

Perhaps these increased difficulties shine a needed spotlight on the absolute importance of Catholic education; everyone could have easily given up this year or at least have put in just a minimum of effort, given all of the roadblocks, but, in nobly rising to the occasion, the Catholic community has generously demonstrated the high priority we place on the formation of the next generation.

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On
Fr. Joseph Baker

The Power of Attorney for Health Care

Death: Our Birth into Eternal life

Fr. Joseph Baker

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.

Last week, we began to explore the topic of advance health care planning.

This planning is necessary not only because of modern medical advancements, but most especially because we may find ourselves in a position when we are not able to express our wishes about the use of a particular treatment at the end of life.

That being said, not all forms of advance health care planning are equal.

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On
the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, District Council of Madison

Grants offer food pantry workers shelter

MADISON — The generosity of the Madison Community Foundation (MCF) and other major donors means that staff and volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Madison are finding shelter from the worst of what Wisconsin winter doles out, even as they continue to serve drive-through clients outdoors.

Helpful support

In November, the Madison Community Foundation awarded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul a $12,500 grant to support winter outdoor food distribution in order to meet pandemic safety requirements.

To protect all involved in distributing much-needed food, the St. Vincent de Paul Pantry has been operating on a drive-through basis since March 16.

“Madison Community Foundation is proud to support the critical work of St. Vincent de Paul and other major food pantries during this pandemic, explained Tom Linfield, Madison Community Foundation vice president.

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