Author: Chris Lee

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Chris Lee

Local woman reflects on Fr. Solanus Casey

solanus casey casket
Audrey Lukes from Sun Prairie prays at the tomb of Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap,  at his final resting place in Detroit. The Capuchin priest and Wisconsin native will be beatified on Saturday, Nov. 18, at a Mass at Ford Field in Detroit. (Contributed photo/Audrey Lukes)

SUN PRAIRIE — If you mention the name “Shorty” to anyone who has lived in Sun Prairie for the past several decades, they’ll probably know exactly who you are talking about.

His wife, Audrey, will talk about the man who was more than six feet tall, “very athletic,” worked for the county, was a war veteran, went dancing with her all the time, and ran to work every day.

He and his young family met a big challenge when in 1955, at age 31, he was stricken with polio and was paralyzed from the chest down.

Audrey said they had to “change our whole lifestyle”.

This world lost Shorty, also known as Norman Lukes, nearly six years ago at the age of 87.

At the time of his passing, his life, and that of his family, served as an example of faith in God and walking with the Lord, facing life’s challenges.

More than 300 miles away, on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Detroit’s Ford Field, another man, who lived to roughly the same age of 86, will be taking the next step toward canonized sainthood.

More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the beatification Mass for Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap, in a venue more commonly known as the home to the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

What is the connection between Shorty and Father Casey?

The connection is faith in the Lord and a brief encounter with each other toward the end of Venerable Father Casey’s life.

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Chris Lee

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital seeks to revitalize chapel

MADISON — SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison is making plans to undergo a spiritual beautification in its chapel.

“The more beautiful, the more inviting a space can be, the easier it is for us to come in contact with the living God,” said Fr. Pat Norris, OP, hospital ethicist. “It facilitates people worshipping God.”

The hospital, through the work of the St. Mary’s Foundation, is looking to upgrade the current hospital chapel, which hasn’t seen any major modifications in the last 30 years.

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Chris Lee

In Christ, we are baptized to become saints

Word on Fire
Fr. Steve Grunow

Each November the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. The saints are the great heroes of our faith. The Church describes a saint as a person of “heroic virtue.”

This means that while many Christians might be willing to settle for lackluster accomplishments as disciples, the saints engage their relationship with the Lord Jesus with vigorous creativity and absolute dedication. Most often, the work of the saints will go unnoticed and unseen.

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Chris Lee

Ralph Middlecamp installed as president of U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

ralph middlecamp
Ralph Middlecamp joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vicentian Family” for a recent gathering in Rome. He is the new national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Contributed photo)

MADISON — This story has a dateline of Madison, but Ralph Middlecamp will be traveling throughout the United States and the world in his new position as national president of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP).

Middlecamp has worked with the local SVdP for almost 30 years and will remain based in Madison during his six-year term as the society’s national president.

Gathering in Rome

In October, he joined more than 10,000 members of the “Vincentian family” for a gathering in Rome to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the men’s Congregation of the Mission.

The gathering included an audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis venerated a reliquary containing the heart of St. Vincent de Paul.

Middlecamp said the incorrupt heart is usually kept in Paris in a reliquary at the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity.

He noted that over 200 Vincentian organizations were present in Rome. There are SVdP societies in 150 countries.

The worldwide Church

“My new position allows me to see the worldwide Church at work,” he said.

Besides Rome, he has also visited Paris and will be going soon to Quito, Ecuador, for a meeting of SVdP leaders from the Western Hemisphere.

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Chris Lee

Lutheran-Catholic service held in Madison

MADISON — St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ELCA have been neighbors and partners in the Madison community for over 60 years.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, they came together for the first time in a joint evening prayer service on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Fr. Robert Evenson, pastor of St. Maria Goretti, and Pastor Chris Enstad of Good Shepherd were the worship leaders.

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Chris Lee

Barron book released with faith and fire

Bishop Robert Barron’s latest exploration into the life and truth of the Catholic faith, To Light a Fire on the Earth, was released recently.

To Light a Fire on the Earth is Bishop Barron’s anticipated follow-up to his book Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith, which was released in 2011. This book differs from the first as it is written in partnership with Vatican journalist, John L. Allen, Jr.

The WordonFire website offers the synopsis shared below.

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Chris Lee

Giving gifts to others on his birthday

MADISON — When someone “very special” turns 50 and makes that occasion all about giving to others, it’s time to have a party.

Edgewood High School in Madison kitchen staff member Richard Hare recently celebrated that milestone birthday.

In addition to a birthday cake and singing, Hare usually celebrates his special day at the school by making others around him happy.

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