Chris Lee


	Fr. Michael Gaitley

MADISON — Men’s apostolates from across the state have joined together to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary. It is also their way of becoming “medics” for the Church after a recent interview with Pope Francis where he called the Church a “field hospital after battle.”

Groups such as the Knights of Divine Mercy in the Madison area, Esto Vir in Green Bay, Men of Christ in Milwaukee, and others are joining together and going through a “revision” of St. Louis de Montfort’s Preparation for Total Consecration.

The work the men are using is Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration. The 2011 book revises and simplifies St. Louis de Montfort’s consecration, which is ideal for “busy people,” according to Fr. Rick Heilman, founder of the Knights of Divine Mercy and pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Mt. Horeb and Perry.

They are using a parish program, based on the book, in the form of a six-week retreat.

Father Gaitley’s book uses the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, as well as St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Blessed Pope John Paul II.

All of them “had a great love for the Blessed Mother,” said Tim Virnig, national director of the Knights of Divine Mercy, who is participating in the retreat.

Catholic Charities of Madison’s Adult Day Center

MADISON — Some people driving to the Dane County Regional Airport on Madison’s east side might go right past it and not even realize it.

On the 2900 block of International Ln., there’s a place where dozens of adults come every day to have a great time with old and new friends.

Around the Diocese

On October 10, 2013

Chris Lee

Marian Day of Renewal features Nashville performer

MIDDLETON — The Madison Catholic Woman’s Club and the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invite all women of the diocese to participate in a day of prayer and song at St. Bernard Church in Middleton on Tuesday, Oct. 22, for the benefit of the Women’s Care Center-Madison.

Letters to the editor

On October 10, 2013

Chris Lee

Interview with Pope Francis offers much for reflection

To the editor:

To learn about Pope Francis’ extraordinary interview with the Jesuit magazine America, nobody needs to rely on reports from media outlets, secular or Catholic. The full interview can be found easily at America’s web site, and it rewards close reading by anyone interested in the pope’s view of the Church, and where he might lead it.

There is much to reflect on in the interview. Particularly striking are the pope’s harsh words for those who bring a spirit of pride and certainty to their faith and to their dealings with fellow Catholics:

Bishop Morlino's Letters

On October 10, 2013

Chris Lee

Catholic Charities Sunday

Dear Friends in Christ,

As Bishop of Madison, I am pleased to announce that I am designating Sunday, October 13, as Catholic Charities Sunday for the Diocese of Madison.

Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, caring services to all God’s people. It is important for us as Catholics to put our faith into action, where our Lord’s command to “Love our Neighbor” is carried out.

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes

On October 10, 2013

Chris Lee

November: time to reflect on communion of saints

We begin November by celebrating the feast of All Saints.

On All Saints Day, we remember and we honor both the canonized and non-canonized saints of the Catholic Church. Both invite and inspire us to imitate their Christ-like lives.

In No. 2013 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.

“All are called to holiness: In order to reach this perfection, the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ’s gift so that doing the will of the Father in everything, they may whole heartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor.”

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes

On October 10, 2013

Chris Lee

Retirement has its blessings, challenges

On July 22, 2013, during the flight to World Youth Day, Pope Francis said that “Youth are the future.” He quickly added that “the aged are also essential.”

He stated that he did not want World Youth Day to be a meeting with young people in isolation because when we isolate them, we do them an injustice.

Like us, he said, they belong to a family, a culture, a country, and faith. To know who we are, and where we are going, it’s helpful to know where we came from.

Appointments

On October 7, 2013

Chris Lee

Appointments (10-6-2013)

Msgr. James Bartylla, […]

Around the Diocese

On October 3, 2013

Chris Lee

A look at homeschooling families in the Diocese of Madison

MADISON — Almost 7,500 students attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Madison. That leads to a rough estimate of almost 100 students per school.

When you compare that number to the more than 300 students in more than 85 families who participate in the Holy Family Homeschoolers (HFH) program in the diocese, one can see it is a viable and growing option for families.

Around the Diocese

On October 3, 2013

Chris Lee

Catechetical leaders learn to respond to growing societal pressures redefining marriage

MADISON — Catechetical leaders from across the Diocese of Madison recently met to discuss and explore the topic of same sex marriage.

This event at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison was co-sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and Madison Diocese Religious Education Organization (MDREO). It was exclusive to parish catechetical leaders, Catholic school principals, and priests in the Diocese of Madison.