Author: Chris Lee

On
Chris Lee

Infant memorial service at St. Mary’s

MADISON –Any loss is difficult, but the loss of life during pregnancy or shortly after birth can be particularly painful for families. On Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m., St. Mary’s Hospital will host a public infant loss memorial ceremony. This public memorial hopes to offer families the chance to honor those lives lost too soon, while finding fellowship with others who have experienced similar loss.

“I think the service provides closure and hope. Those are the two big things,” says Amy Helt, an RN on Birth Suites and this year’s Bereavement Committee chair. “We want to support these families in every way that we can. Not all families are willing or know how to have a service of their own. These parents are not expecting to have their child pass before them.”

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Jesus’ resurrection is at the heart of our faith

On Easter, we celebrate the feast of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is the heart of our faith.

In 1 Corinthians 15:14, St. Paul teaches, “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our preaching is in vain and our faith empty.”

Jesus’ kingdom

Like many Jews who suffered from messiah fever, on Holy Thursday, deep down, the apostles may still have had lingering hopes that Christ was a political messiah who would conquer the hated Roman occupiers and establish his earthly kingdom.

Despite three years of on-the-job training, the apostles often failed to fully understand that Christ’s kingdom was a kingdom of justice, love, and peace and not of power and violence.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Forgiveness — the heart of mercy
Robert Enright and Msgr. John Hebl

Seventh in a series of seven articles on forgiveness.

This final forgiveness essay is a collaboration of both writers. Previously we discussed what it means and what it does not mean to forgive others; how one goes about forgiving; how forgiveness is viewed within the Catholic faith; and how it appears within schools and families.

Today, in conclusion, we will examine how forgiving might be planted for good in our communities.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

A spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land through the Rosary

Editor’s Note: Lady Joy, LCHS, and Sr. William, KCHS, Exner are section representatives for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. in the Diocese of Madison. They are members of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, where they are both lectors and involved in marriage preparation. Bill is a parish trustee, Rosary leader, and sacristan.

Our pilgrimage to the Holy Land last year was truly a life-changing event. In fact, we continue to experience it especially when hearing Sacred Scripture read during Mass, in the various liturgies, and in reciting the Holy Rosary.

 

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Jackie and the priest in conversation

Somehow I managed to miss the film Jackie during the Christmas season, but I watched it, twice, on recent long flights to and from the east coast.

Like many others, I was struck by its moody, more “European” style, the high quality of the acting, especially on the part of Natalie Portman, and its historical verisimilitude, but what particularly impressed (and surprised) me were the scenes between Mrs. Kennedy and a sympathetic priest.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

From closed-in darkness into the open light
Marilyn Uselman

As a Catholic child, going to Confession was a scary and anxious time for me. It involved dark small spaces, dirty drapes, and talking to a stranger about things I did wrong — not a good experience!

As I grew up, going to Confession still was anxiety-provoking. I came to realize I do not like small spaces with closed doors, or talking personally with a stranger. I have a hard enough time going into doctors’ offices. Avoidance is certain.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Jack and Jill went up the hill . . .

Fonder Ponders column by Jackson Fonder

Later this fall, Catholic Charities will open the new Homeless Day Resource Center in Madison.

We have a lot of plans for the center, but right now I’m asking for your help because we are missing something . . . the center needs a name! I’m asking all of you to help by participating in our naming campaign!

Please give it some real thought. We need a good, strong, meaningful name that will stand the test of time.

Read More