“Verso l’alto!”
It was a phrase heard quite often around Chula Vista resort this past February 1 to 3. In English, it means “To the Heights,” and was a favorite saying of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, the patron of the newly named Diocesan High School Rally, Frassati Fest. The phrase speaks to different people in different ways, but is a universal call for each and every one of us to strive for greatness, ultimately leading us to the greatest height: heaven and eternal life.
Somerset Maugham, the famous British novelist, once remarked, “I have done things that I am unable to entirely forget. If I had been fortunate enough to be Catholic, I could have delivered myself of them at confession, received absolution, and put them out of my mind forever.”
His statement makes us realize how blessed we are to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
With the end of official state persecution, the Church was able to develop in a very different way — and this development was aided by the support of the Roman Emperor, beginning with Constantine I (306-337). This period saw a great deal of adaptation by the Church of religious and secular forms which had been part of Roman culture throughout its pagan history. Here are just two examples:
To the editor:
We are shocked to read in the Alliance Defending Freedom HHS Mandates Fact Sheet, page 2, (http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/content/docs/facts/ObamaCare-and-its-Mandates.pdf) that children ages 0-26 will receive contraception, sterilization, and abortion with no parental notification.
Please be aware that this provision will cause untold harm and death to all families under Obamacare.
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has issued a decree clarifying the status of the “community of faithful” constituting the “personal parish” at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison.
Bishop Morlino notes that in 1967, Bishop Cletus F. O’Donnell erected the personal parish of St. Paul, indicating who would be considered members of the parish and further stipulating that registration would be required for parish membership.
At his election in 2005, some thought of him as a papal place-keeper: a man who would keep the Chair of Peter warm for a few years until a younger papal candidate emerged.
In many other ways, and most recently by his remarkably self-effacing decision to abdicate, Joseph Ratzinger proved himself a man of surprises. What did he accomplish, and what was left undone, over a pontificate of almost eight years?
MADISON –Pope Benedict XVI invited all Catholics to take a fresh look at the documents of the Second Vatican Council during the Year of Faith. Join internationally known liturgist, Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, for a fresh look at what was called for by the Council and what still needs to be done.
To begin our reflections on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, it would be valuable to first look at the history of the celebration of this central sacrament of our Faith. Such an historical view will give perspective on the celebration in our time.
Recently, there have been changes in the translation of the texts of Holy Mass. A generation earlier, there were changes in a number of the elements that may have upset some people.
SUN PRAIRIE — Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast of the United States on October 29, 2012. People are still recovering from the effects of the storm.
Q: I have been caring for my mother for the past two years. She is in her late 80’s and has several health issues. The doctors told me she would probably not live beyond one year when I first brought her home. Lately she has been asking me, almost every day, “why am I still here?” I have given all of the cliché answers, such as “God’s not ready for you yet”, or “it’s not your time.” I have run out of things to say. What do you say or do when the person you are caring for is ready to go, and they simply seem to linger? (From a daughter in Middleton)
