SINSINAWA — Sr. […]
Author: Chris Lee
July 4 invites us to reflect on freedom
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Independence Day is an American federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Studying the Declaration of Independence can motivate us to reflect upon the meaning of freedom and independence.
Dependence on God
We Catholics believe that our independence and freedom are rooted in our dependence upon God. Our dependence upon God is clearly stated in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence.
Diocesan women meet; discuss leadership, service
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Members of the “M&Ms of Council” team appeared at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) annual convention held in Fort Atkinson on June 14. The group used the M&M theme to talk about mentoring other women and encouraging them to become active in the CCW councils in their own parishes. Pictured are, front, from left: Carol Brennan and Julie Ottoman, back, from left: Donna Schroeder, Jane Munro, Mary Stasek, and Louise Urmanski.(Catholic Herald photo/Fr. Peter Auer) |
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FORT ATKINSON — With the theme of “Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way,” Co-Presidents Ellen Martin, Westfield, and Sue Koch, Berlin, opened the 63rd annual convention of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) at St. Joseph Parish Hall here on June 14.
Interrupting their welcome, President-Elect Bernadette Shaefer, Lancaster, came running in with other MDCCW leaders and led a cheer which she wrote for the convention: “Here’s to the women we hold dear. We all come together year after year. Sharing ideas too many to mention. We learn and laugh at our annual convention . . .”
The fun mixed with the seriousness continued throughout the day.
In his opening comments, Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, pastor of Sacred Hearts Parish, Sun Prairie, and MDCCW spiritual advisor, gave thanks for the women of the council who provide services to the diocese.
“One of the tasks of this council is to help us support one another on our journey of faith. So, first of all, we are helping each other and then, second, we are working through the Catholic Church to share the Good News of the Gospel message of Jesus with others of our own faith and far beyond the borders of Catholicism . . . how blessed we are to be able to share in the ministry of the Lord which He has entrusted us.”
Looking at Luther with fresh eyes
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With great profit and pleasure I’m currently reading Alec Ryrie’s new book Protestants: The Faith that Made the Modern World. Among the many texts appearing in this year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Ryrie’s stands out for its verve, clarity, and historical sweep.
In some ways, it is an answer to Brad Gregory’s The Unintended Reformation, though it lacks the intellectual depth and thoroughness of Gregory’s magisterial study. What has so far intrigued me most of all in Ryrie’s book is his portrait of the undisputed father of the Reformation, Martin Luther.
Priest given ‘another chance’ to complete mission in life
FORT ATKINSON — Fr. John Tourangeau, O. Praem, began his keynote speech to the women at the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (MDCCW) convention held at St. Joseph Parish in Fort Atkinson, June 14, with a request to join him in reciting The Hail Mary.
“We humbly ask blessings from the Blessed Virgin Mary on our gathering,” prayed the Norbertine priest who spoke on “Heaven: Is it for Real?” He is the co-author with Travis Vanden Heuvel of To Heaven and Back: The Journey of a Roman Catholic Priest.
Summer youth programs underway in diocese
MADISON — Youth of all ages in the Diocese of Madison are busy spending time with old friends and new friends and growing in faith and fun.
Two programs now underway for the year, Love Begins Here — in its ninth year in the diocese– and Totus Tuus — in its fourth year — both promise to help grow kids’ hearts for Christ.
Love Begins Here
Love Begins Here (LBH) is an apostolate of the Diocese of Madison Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Fulfilling our potential, physically and spiritually
From Bishop Robert C. Morlino:
I was recently invited, as I am each year, to celebrate Mass for and take part in the graduation ceremony for the graduating seniors at St. Ambrose Academy, in Madison. I offer the following valedictory remarks from two outstanding young men who were recently graduated, as they exemplify their readiness for Catholic lay mission.
Justin Hineline, whose remarks were published in the June 15 issue, will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, beginning this fall, and will be enrolled in the Army ROTC curriculum.
William Donohoe, whose remarks are published here, will be attending the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md. reporting later this month.
Let us keep both Justin and William and all our recent graduates in our prayers as they enter this next phase of their lives and continue to discern God’s will for their future.
Our Lady has shown us what to do to save ourselves
To the editor:
Thank you for your pictorial report on the Fatima rallies attended on Saturday, May 13, in some diocesan parishes. Thank you to all the parishioners who attended these rallies.
How is it that we can spend money, large parts of our days on sports events, TV, and electronic devices, but only 50 or fewer individuals could find an hour or less to honor Our Lady on the 100th anniversary of her first apparition at Fatima?
Silence and the meaning of the Mass
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Robert Cardinal Sarah’s recent book The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise explores a number of themes both theological and spiritual, all centering around the unhappy role that noise has come to play in our culture and more specifically in the Church.
His observations are most trenchant in regard to the liturgy, which should come as no great surprise, given his role as head of the Vatican Congregation devoted to liturgy and sacraments. As I read the sections of his book dealing with the importance of silence during Mass, I often found myself nodding vigorously.
A message of love for the confirmandi
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One of the greatest privileges I have as a bishop is the opportunity to preside at the Sacrament of Confirmation. A drawback, however, is that I am obligated to conduct over 40 Confirmations in roughly a two month period — which means that I become tired, rather quickly, of my own homily!
As a result, I’m frequently shifting gears, trying out new ideas, looking at the complex phenomenon of Confirmation from a variety of angles. I want to share with you in this article some of the key ideas in the latest iteration of my Confirmation sermon.