Seventeenth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
Bishop Cletus F. O’Donnell established the Diocese of Madison’s Apostolate to the Handicapped on October 31, 1967, modeled after a similar program in Chicago.
Of the Apostolate, Bishop O’Donnell said, “We will try to the best of our ability to do whatever we can for this often neglected segment of the People of God in the hope that they in turn will offer their prayers, sacrifices, and good works for the welfare of our diocese.”
He asked a young priest, Fr. Thomas Campion, to undertake a new ministry: Outreach to persons with disabilities. Father Campion embraced this new challenge.
St. James Parish in Madison served as the first home of the Apostolate. Father Campion was associate pastor at St. James as well as diocesan director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and chaplain at Madison General Hospital.
Weekly television Mass
The first work of the Apostolate was to develop a weekly television Mass to help support and strengthen the spiritual lives of people of all faiths facing challenges related to disabilities.
Through the generosity of Mrs. Elizabeth Beck Murphy, then owner of WISC-TV, Channel 3, in Madison, the first television Mass was aired on the first Sunday of Advent in 1967.
After Mrs. Murphy’s death on August 16, 1982, her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy Burns, chose to continue their family’s loyal and generous tradition of support of the television Mass.
Over the years, the television Mass has aired at different times and was originally 45 minutes in length.
It is a lasting tribute to the Morgan-Burns family and the entire staff and management of WISC-TV, both past and present, that the television Mass continues to air every Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on WISC-TV and 7 a.m. on TVW and Direct TV 14.
Other services
Besides the televised Mass, the Apostolate has provided special days where disabled and elderly persons are brought together for renewal and celebration.
The days usually included a Mass, meal, and entertainment.
“Little Christmas with the Bishop” was the first such event. It took place at Holy Name Seminary in Madison on January 3, 1968, with Bishop O’Donnell.
This event developed into an annual Advent/Christmas Party and Mass held at Monroe High School for many years.
Other events have included a spring social and a summer day in Wisconsin Dells at the Tommy Bartlett Water Show site.
Other services provided by the Apostolate have included a monthly newsletter and a monthly missalette.
In the past, wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers were made available to anyone who needed them free of charge.
In 1971, Father Campion was assigned to serve as chaplain at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe. The Apostolate then moved to Monroe with him.
Over 1,000 guests attended the events held for the disabled and elderly in Monroe with dozens of volunteers — including many youth — assisting.
Father Campion could be seen mingling with the guests and volunteers, always with a welcoming smile on his face.
After 43 years of directing the Apostolate, Monsignor Campion died on November 12, 2010.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino said after his death, “For so many years, Monsignor Campion was the face of the Church’s outreach to those who are differently abled. With Monsignor’s passing, we certainly feel a tremendous loss, but we realize, perhaps more than ever, how he has inspired countless women and men to do their part in reaching out to see the tremendous dignity and worth of every human being.
“The good work which Monsignor Campion has overseen for so many years shall continue. Without Monsignor Campion, the Apostolate will look different in its public face, but it is the very same Jesus Christ who shines through.”
Msgr. Larry Bakke, pastor of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe, was appointed director of the Apostolate by Bishop Morlino in 2011.
More on the Apostolate since then will be included in a future article.
In reflecting on his 25 years as a bishop in 1985 with this writer, Bishop O’Donnell said he was especially proud of the Apostolate to the Handicapped.
He observed that the televised Mass and the days for the disabled “bring the community together in shared ministry with people of many faiths.” He also said he was amazed at the number of volunteers, especially young people, who were involved with the Apostolate.
Sources: Building Our Future in Faith: Commemorative History of the Catholic Diocese of Madison (1996); archives of the Catholic Herald newspaper; website of the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities (www.apdmadisondiocese.com).
Mary C. Uhler served on the staff of the Catholic Herald-Diocese of Madison for almost 47 years, the last 34 years as editor. She retired in July of 2020.