Chris Lee

Queridos amigos,

Gracias a Dios y gracias a ustedes, mis hermanos sacerdotes, diáconos, a nuestras hermanas religiosas y a toda nuestra familia diocesana por su apoyo y oraciones durante estos días. Mi periodo de descanso por la arritmia cardiaca casi llega a su término. Espero con ansias ordenar a nuestros tres nuevos sacerdotes de la Sociedad de Jesucristo Sacerdote, para nuestra diócesis, este viernes. Con las ordenaciones, este día será de gran alegría para mí y, Dios mediante, le hará bien a mi corazón. Sin embargo, debo decir, estoy especialmente contento por estar de vuelta con esta ocasional forma de comunicación.

Around the Diocese

On July 30, 2009

Chris Lee

Diocese to have four new priests serving its people

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino joyfully announces the ordination of Deacons John Patrick Blewett, Osvaldo Briones Césped, and George Alexander Navarro Sáenz, all members of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, to the Sacred Order of Priests, this Friday, July 31, at 5:30 p.m., at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.

Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration these three men will be ontologically transformed into priests, called to attend no longer to their own concerns, but to those of Christ and to those of the people of God.

Around the Diocese

On July 30, 2009

Chris Lee

Enjoying food, fun, and faith at the Diocesan Family Picnic

MADISON — Though many beat the heat by staying out of the sun under the trees and tents or in the pool or on the giant slip-and-slide, the fine weather July 26 drew about 370 people of all ages for fun and feasting at the fourth annual Diocesan Family Picnic at the Bishop O’Connor Center.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Knights of Divine Mercy, offered families from around the diocese a chance to come together for food and activities, games, music, and talks.

In addition to danceable songs performed by the Vandersheuren Family Band and, later, more sacred offerings from the Knights of Divine Mercy Schola, families enjoyed grilled offerings, sides, and desserts, and activities ranging from a pick-up game of baseball on the playing field to volleyball, Frisbee, and hula hooping.

Propagation of Faith

On July 30, 2009

Chris Lee

Heart-hitting service

Inspiring letters from mission seminaries tell of the growing number of young men in Asia and Africa responding to our Lord’s call to the priesthood.

One recent letter, from a seminary in Nigeria, included such facts and figures — and then one line that spoke to the heart.

Seminarians serve in Nigeria

St. Augustine’s Seminary in Jos, Nigeria, is filled to capacity, with some 300 students. The rector, Fr. Sylvester Dagin, offers particulars about their formation and of their work on the seminary’s small farm, growing potatoes and vegetables.

Letters to the editor

On July 30, 2009

Chris Lee

We cannot compromise with moral evil of abortion

To the editor:

On May 17 of this year, President Barack Obama gave the commencement address and received an honorary law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Fr. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, also gave President Obama a framed picture of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marching with the former long-time president of Notre Dame, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.

During his address, President Obama, a huge supporter of abortion rights, asked, “How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?”

Letters to the editor

On July 30, 2009

Chris Lee

Center is beacon reaching throughout community

To the editor:

Reading the front page of the July 16 issue of the Catholic Herald reinvigorates the already acknowledged practice of the Catholic Church of serving thy neighbor.

As an occasional volunteer at the dinner serving this past summer at the Catholic Multicultural Center, I was particularly taken aback when I was informed that the center was to be closed. It struck me like the crack of a thunderbolt of lightning. I couldn’t believe it.

Around the Diocese

On July 23, 2009

Chris Lee

Service camp teaches the true meaning of ‘love your neighbor’

MADISON — The Love Begins Here service camp, held recently at various locations around the diocese, was not just paying lip service to the phrase “love your neighbor.”

It was teaching the youth who attended that even in a place as seemingly affluent as the United States there can be many people in need of help.

“It opens your eyes about how much people need help here,” said Sarah Garcia, a participant from Baraboo who had heard about the camp through her Confirmation class. “An hour away, there are people who need food, clothing, schools that need walls painted; there’s just a lot of stuff to be done here before we look other places.”

Youth from around the diocese attended the youth mission project Love Begins Here this summer, averaging 22 participants a session. The project, inspired by a similar program in the Diocese of Salina, Kan., and sponsored by the Diocese of Madison Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, combines service and spirituality to help youth see the connection between the faith and the works it should inspire to love and serve others.

Around the Diocese

On July 23, 2009

Chris Lee

Consecrated women to serve in diocese

MADISON — Five consecrated women from the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest have arrived in the Diocese of Madison.

They are the first group of a total of 14 consecrated women coming from the society to serve in the diocese.

In welcoming them to the diocese, Bishop Robert C. Morlino said that the “women will reside in the Sauk City area and will serve the surrounding parishes and the diocese in various capacities. Financial support for the women will continue to be provided by the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, which currently maintains their support.”

Around the Diocese

On July 23, 2009

Chris Lee

Parish cluster to sponsor and build home

MADISON — For the first time, a cluster of Madison area Catholic parishes is sponsoring and building a home with Habitat for Humanity of Dane County.

The parishes of St. Bernard, Middleton; St. Martin of Tours, Martinsville; St. Peter, Ashton; and St. Thomas Aquinas, Madison, will sponsor the project. Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2010.

“While many Catholics have been involved in Habitat for Humanity projects, this will be the first all-Catholic build in the state of Wisconsin,” noted building co-chair Wendy Hansen.

“With the leadership of St. Bernard’s Church, our cluster will make history. Thankfully, we have the good will of the people, the energy, and the God-given talent and treasure to do this wonderful project.”

Around the Diocese

On July 16, 2009

Chris Lee

Multicultural Center to re-open in August with community help

MADISON — An outpouring of support from the local community, parishes, and the diocese has given the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) new life and a chance to serve the poor and those in need in the Madison area after only a two-month closure.

“Jubilation” was M. Goddard-Pezêt’s response to the news. She and 12 to 14 others had been regulars at the daily Mass at the center, but with its closing many had gone to their own parishes, breaking up the closeness of their group. The center’s proximity to her house and the difficulty of walking from the bus to her parish church, especially during winter, had made the CMC an ideal location for her. Its re-opening has given a ray of hope that Mass may begin again there.

“I’m very happy, as there are a lot of people who need this,” Goddard-Pezêt said. “And some personally depend on this for their livelihoods.”

Goddard-Pezêt was one of the more than 200 people who came to the CMC’s open house July 12 to learn more about its work, reconnect with other center volunteers and regulars, and to meet people who are influenced by its services. Both Bishop George O. Wirz, retired auxiliary bishop, and Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus, who had the center built at its current location in 2002, were able to attend the open house.