MADISON — Spring election day in Wisconsin served as an opportunity for Catholics to get involved in their government on two levels: to vote and to arm themselves with the skills necessary for making their voice heard in the public square.
Author: Chris Lee
Reconciliation shows us God’s boundless mercy
A college student wrote in her college newspaper that sometimes she wished that she were a Catholic. Then, like her Catholic friends, she could confess her sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Through the absolution of the priest, she would be assured of God’s forgiveness.
God’s merciful forgiveness is expressed in the words of absolution: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
El Estado necesita la “curación de Resurrección
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Queridos amigos:
En la cuarta semana de Cuaresma, hemos celebrado el domingo “Laetare”, que expresa por anticipado la alegría de la Pascua, una alegría que nos fortalece para ingresar en lo profundo del misterio de la Semana Santa, culminando en la gran celebración de la misma Resurrección.
En anticipación de la Pascua, veo necesario reflexionar en esta columna sobre la antigua antífona de la liturgia de la Iglesia Oriental: “Llamemos, incluso a los que nos odian, nuestros hermanos y hermanas, porque Cristo el Todopoderosos ha resucitado”.
No hay secreto, ni es una opinión personal, en el hecho que nuestro querido estado de Wisconsin necesita desesperadamente la curación de la Resurrección. Las divisiones existentes entre las facciones en cuanto al tema de la representación sindical y su actividad son verdaderamente profundas. Muchos han observado una “amargura sin precedentes” en los corazones de los ciudadanos. También soy consciente de las situaciones en donde los matrimonios son amenazados porque uno de los esposos está del “lado” de los sindicatos y el cónyuge está del “lado” del gobernador.
Green Bay Packers honor Tom Murphy
GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers recently honored Tom Murphy of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains with one of its annual Community Quarterback Awards.
Diocesan Choir presents spring concert
MADISON — Two weeks before Good Friday, the Madison Diocesan Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Gorman, will present a free, spring concert, an extraordinary Lenten retreat with guest soloists, full orchestra, and the music of Schubert and Mozart.
Other Knights of Columbus councils formed since 2000
To the editor:
I congratulate my brother knights in Cambridge for how quickly you formed a new Knights of Columbus council. Your church, council, and community will benefit greatly from your commitment to the Robert C. Timmerman Council of St. Pius X Parish. You will be proud of the results of your efforts in the coming years.
The article appearing in a recent issue of the Catholic Herald contained an excellent review of the history of the Knights of Columbus and the projects the knights get involved in. It must have been a thrill for Fr. David Timmerman to have the council named after his father.
Lent calls us to grow in our Easter faith
When Matt Hasselbeck, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback, was a Boston College junior, he volunteered to spend eight days in the missions of Jamaica during spring break.
The people’s poverty shocked him. But their faith, especially the faith of George McVee, a leper, inspired him.
George, a horribly disfigured leper, had no money, no nose, no feet or hands. Yet he daily thanked God for his blessings.
Criminal charges filed against priest removed from ministry
Editor’s Note: The following is an update on an ongoing situation with Fr. J. Gibbs Clauder, who has been removed from ministry since 1999. Brent King, spokesman for the Diocese of Madison, issued the following statement on March 30.
MADISON — There is no place in the priesthood for those who would abuse a child, regardless of when the crime was committed. We as a Church and as a diocese have promised appropriate recognition, precaution and reporting, with regard to sexual abuse of minors and we renew that promise. We, herein, offer the public some background and an update, regarding Fr. J. Gibbs Clauder and the charges being brought against him:
Rabbi to speak on pope and the Holocaust
MADISON — In December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI moved Pope Pius XII a step closer to sainthood. The process had been delayed for 40 years. Pius XII is now declared “venerable,” indicating that he lived a life of extraordinary holiness and heroic virtue.
This Lent: Helping hope live in the missions
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” is the familiar cry of Jesus on the cross.
In our own lives, we may also sometimes feel abandoned, with hope seeming to disappear. As we cope with the serious illness of someone close to us. As we face economic challenges, perhaps even the loss of our job. In the gray loneliness that follows the death of a beloved wife or husband.
God does not abandon us
And yet, in the midst of our darkness, we remember that God did not abandon His beloved Son and the suffering of Good Friday transformed into the hope of our Lord’s Resurrection. God does not abandon us.