Author: Chris Lee

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Chris Lee

October invites us to respect the lives of the unborn

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes by Fr. Donald Lange

Gianna Jessen appreciates God’s precious gift of life more than most persons because she survived an abortion. A toxic saline solution was injected into the womb of her frightened 17-year-old mother in order to induce a chemical abortion intended to end Gianna’s life.

The abortion failed. Eighteen hours later, she was born. Gianna had severe injuries that led to cerebral palsy. But she was alive. A startled, compassionate nurse called an ambulance that sped her to a hospital. Since she weighed only two pounds, the hospital placed her in an incubator. Eventually Penny, the generous mother of 56 foster children, adopted her. Gianna credits Penny and Jesus with saving her life.

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Chris Lee

Princeton Catholic school pays tribute with a Night in New Orleans

PRINCETON — What does a Catholic school in the small town of Princeton, Wis., have in common with the large southern city of New Orleans, La.?

St. John the Baptist School in Princeton believes it shares with New Orleans “a great love for our way of life and a desire to preserve it for future generations,” says St. John School parent Mary Soda.

“St. John is a nurturing environment, based on Catholic values, respect for life, and serving others. We have small class sizes, high curriculum standards, and more spirit than you can pack into a Mardi Gras Parade,” she said.

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Chris Lee

White Mass held to honor those in medical fields

white mass
Bishop Robert C. Morlino receives the Offertory gifts from Dr. Elizabeth and Peter Larson and their children Anthony, Gianna, and Alexander (not shown), during the Diocesan White Mass, held September 19 at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner)

MADISON — When Jesus gave Pontius Pilate the testimony of the “noble confession,” that he is the Christ and son of God, Pontius Pilate gave us the symbol for how to reject truth: “What is Truth?”

“That’s our world — it’s a world very hostile to the noble profession Jesus made and very hostile to the noble confession you and I are going to make,” Bishop Robert C. Morlino said during his homily at the White Mass September 19 at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison.

But those in the health care profession should remember that the human person is a mind/body unity, he said, “and as you work to heal the body, with God’s help and those around you, you have to work to heal the spirit — the mind, the soul.”

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Chris Lee

Baraboo school marks 100 years of Catholic education

BARABOO — Over 1,200 invitations were sent to past graduates, staff, and faculty for a centennial celebration and reunion that will take place at St. Joseph School on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The festivities will begin with Mass at 4 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Larry Bakke. Following Mass, all are invited to the school for supper, an open house, and entertainment. Alumni can take time to tour the school, laugh over memorabilia, and enjoy connecting with past acquaintances.

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Chris Lee

Setting goals as part of planning

Trusting in the Spirit by Grant Emmel column logo

“It is up to the bishop with the help of the priests, deacons, religious, and lay people to implement a coordinated pastoral plan which is systematic and participatory involving all members of the church and awakening in them a missionary consciousness.” — Ecclesia in America, 36, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II (January 1999)

As mentioned previously, pastoral planning can be a vital part of an ongoing renewal, since it enables a group of parishes to find the ways and means to be better Church communities in our diocese in the most effective manner possible.

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Chris Lee

Hablar y oír la verdad sobre la reforma de salud

Bajo el libro del evangelio por Obispo Robert C. Morlino
Esta columna está dirigida a los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia transgrede la intención del Obispo.

Queridos amigos,

Hace dos semanas tuve la suerte de regresar al campus de la Universidad de Notre Dame. Mientras estuve allí saqué partido de este regreso al lugar en que pasé algunos años enseñando filosofía y sirviendo al personal del Seminario Moreau (siempre recuerdo con cariño los 11 años que pasé en campus universitarios, en Notre Dame y otros más).

Las siguientes son las palabras que escogí para esa ocasión, al celebrar la Liturgia de las 10:00 a.m. en la Basílica del Sagrado Corazón del campus:

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Chris Lee

‘40 Days’ vigil begins Sept. 23 in Madison

MADISON — The third 40 Days for Life prayer vigil to be held in Madison at the east side Planned Parenthood clinic will begin Wednesday, Sept. 23, but the annual event kicked off September 12 with a luncheon gathering at nearby Reindahl Park.

The 40 Days for Life ecumenical effort, echoed in more than 200 cities in-ternationally, draws at least two people each hour for nearly 2,000 volunteer-hours of around-the-clock prayer from September 23 to November 1 outside the abortion clinic on Orin Rd. in Madison.

Volunteers, many of whom sign up for multiple hours but also some who come as groups or only for the hour they can spare, spend the time praying for whose lives will be lost to abortion and those whose lives will be affected by it.

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Chris Lee

Parishes provide a ‘miracle’ for home in India

I had never met Fr. Joseph Isidore before he came to the Diocese of Madison.

The connection was with my wife’s aunt, Dot Talbot. It seems that she financially helped a seminarian from the Diocese of Tuticorin in India.

When that priest (Father Norbert) was ordained, he began to save the $20 bills she sent him every month with an eye toward helping the less fortunate. Father Joseph is Father Norbert’s friend.

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Chris Lee

Teachers are role models and should be appreciated

To the editor:

The beginning of another school year invites us to reflect upon the importance of teachers.

Though they may occasionally fall short like other human beings, teachers do influence youth, who are the hope of the future. For through their classes pass future doctors, farmers, secretaries, computer operators, scientists, lawyers, parents, priests, nuns, engineers, and other shapers of tomorrow’s world.

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