Author: Chris Lee

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Chris Lee

Diocese of Madison delegates attend National V Encuentro for Hispanic Ministry

encuentro
The three delegates from the Diocese of Madison pictured on registration day at the National V Encuentro are, from left: John Rojas, Fr. Jorge Miramontes, and Edgar Martinez. They are standing in front of the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. (Contributed photo)

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Delegates from the Diocese of Madison joined over 2,700 National Delegates who came from all regions of the United States in order to represent their respective dioceses at the National V Encuentro (Fifth National Gathering of Hispanic/Latino Ministry) sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was held in Grapevine, Texas, from September 20 to September 23.

With the full support of Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, Fr. Jorge Miramontes, Mr. Edgar Martinez, and Mr. John Rojas were able to be present during these four days of intense activity to represent the Diocese of Madison.

Four-year process

This event is the result of four years of intense planning and preparation focused on the theme “Discípulos Misionerios: Testigos del Amor de Dios” (“Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love”). Indeed, the goal of this process is to discover ways that the Catholic Church can be more responsive to the needs of Hispanic Catholics and to empower and encourage the Hispanic Catholics to be more involved in the Church’s work of evangelization.

The Encuentro event unfolded beautifully. Firstly, after the Welcome and the Opening Prayer, His Holiness Pope Francis surprised the attendees with an unexpected seven-minute recorded greeting with the following introduction

Pope Francis said, “Dear brother bishops and delegates to the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, I am overjoyed to speak to you on this occasion. It is a historic moment for the Church in the United States. Through this Fifth Encuentro, you seek to create a culture of encounter that rekindles hope. By gathering with people from different cultures, different ways of living, of thinking, of feeling — you encounter one another and walk together in hope.”

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Chris Lee

Fr. Bruce Hennington embraces life, retirement

Many people embrace their retirement years as a time to reflect and experience life as more free individuals. Some people travel, some take a nap every day. Still some golf and spend time with family and friends.

We all know people who keep working or explore new work as a second calling. But, what about priests? Are their experiences of retirement any different? Is it once a priest, always a priest?

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Chris Lee

Pray for underground bishops in China

To the editor:

In the September 27 edition of the Catholic Herald, you printed an article entitled, “Vatican signs agreement with China on naming bishops.” However, the article failed to mention some relevant information.

Beijing will acknowledge the pope as head of the Catholic Church in China, yet they will have the final say in the appointment of bishops. The Vatican has agreed to recognize, and consecrate, seven illegitimate “bishops” (previously rejected by the Holy See), installed by the communist-controlled Catholic Patriotic Church. The Vatican has requested that two bishops from the persecuted underground church step down in order to make room instead for the “bishops” from the Patriotic Church.

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Chris Lee

Delegados de la Diócesis de Madison asisten al V Encuentro Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano

Delegados de la Diócesis de Madison se unieron a más de 2,700 Delegados Nacionales que vinieron de todas las regiones de los Estados Unidos para representar a sus respectivas diócesis en el V Encuentro Nacional del Ministerio Hispano Latino patrocinado por la USCCB y que se llevó a cabo en Grapevine, Texas, del 20 al 23 de septiembre pasado.

Con el apoyo total del Reverendísimo Robert C. Morlino, Obispo de Madison, el Padre Jorge Miramontes, el Sr. Edgar Martínez y el Sr. John Rojas pudieron estar presentes durante estos cuatro días de intensa actividad en representación de la Diócesis de Madison.

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Chris Lee

Guiding young people into faith: An interview

In late July of 2018, Pope Francis ratified five members elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to represent the United States at the upcoming Synod of Bishops (October 3-28). The Synod will focus on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.”

One of the chosen delegates is Bishop Robert Barron, and he was interviewed about the Synod in the National Catholic Reporter.

Below is an edited reprinting of this interview. For full interview visit https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/bishop-barron-calls-evangelization-apologetics-upcoming-youth-synod

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Chris Lee

Bishop authorizes special collection for 2018 disasters

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino is encouraging parishes in the Diocese of Madison to hold a special collection for “2018 Disasters.”

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is asking the bishops of the United States to take the special collection, entitled “2018 Disasters,” not only for Hurricane Florence but also for anticipated further natural disasters in the United States.

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