Author: Chris Lee

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Chris Lee

2017 Annual Catholic Appeal


MADISON — As I say it for the Diocese of Madison, I invite every priest to do so for his parish, and every individual to say it for their home, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This is Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s intent for the theme of this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).

We can serve the Lord in many different ways. This year, we are challenged to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in our households, in our parishes,­­ and throughout the diocese.

One way to encompass all three of these is to make a donation to this year’s ACA – your pledge will go to support many missions and works of mercy throughout the diocese. Below are just a few examples of some of the ministries supported by the ACA that allow you to Know, Love, and Serve the Lord.

To Know Him

Our increased love and service to the Lord begins with getting to know Him. The ACA helps support Catholic schools, religious education programs, and religious formation programs by educating disciples of all ages.

Your donations to the ACA allow the Diocese of Madison to provide funding for ministries that allow many in the diocese the ability to begin to know Him better and, in turn, to love Him more.

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Chris Lee

Touching lives — one bead at a time

MCFARLAND — To say “thank you for your support of our mission over the past 10 years,” Mary’s Rosary Assemblers of Christ the King Parish in McFarland invites everyone to celebrate together after the Masses at the parish on March 11, 12, 18, and 19.

Parishioners from Christ the King and other parishes in the Diocese of Madison have supported Mary’s Rosary Assemblers’ activities through prayer, praying the Rosary before Masses and at Rallies, and purchasing beautiful handmade Rosaries — more than 800 over the past 10 years.

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Chris Lee

‘Your sins are forgiven you . . .’

Msgr. John Hebl

Editor’s Note: During Lent, a series of articles on Forgiveness will be presented by Msgr. John Hebl, pastor emeritus and charter member of the International Forgiveness Institute (IFI), and Robert Enright, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, author, and founder of the IFI. This will help introduce the first ever International Conference on Forgiveness in July 2017 which IFI is sponsoring in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

A number of years ago, a priest friend, now deceased, shared a personal conversation he once had with a parishioner.

She stated she liked him as a confessor. Somewhat taken aback, he asked whether it was because of his education (he held two Master’s and a Doctorate degree), or his empathy, compassion, and understanding, or maybe even because he was elderly.

She said, “no it was none of these,” and then added, “It’s because you’re hard of hearing!”

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Chris Lee

Father Mazzuchelli’s example can help us live a fruitful Lent

We begin Lent on March 1 by receiving a cross of ashes on our forehead. The ashes remind us that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.

Receiving the ashes also reminds us that while we are still alive, we are to repent and believe the Good News so that at Easter we can renew our Baptismal promises with deepened faith.

Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli died on February 23, 1864, during Lent. Thanks especially to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, we know much about Father Samuel, who reflects many of Pope Francis’ virtues. Both can inspire us to live Lent in a Christ-like way that helps us continue our journey to heaven.

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Chris Lee

Evangelizing through the good

Anyone even vaguely acquainted with my work knows that I advocate vigorous argument on behalf of religious truth. I have long called for a revival in what is classically known as apologetics, the defense of the claims of faith against skeptical opponents. And I have repeatedly weighed in against a dumbed-down Catholicism.

Also, I have, for many years, emphasized the importance of beauty in service of evangelization. The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, the Sainte Chapelle, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets, and the Cathedral of Chartres all have an extraordinary convincing power, in many ways surpassing that of formal arguments.

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Chris Lee

Saving souls on the installment plan

Deacon Jack Fernan

As we approach Ash Wednesday and Lent, we are invited to look for our own penitential practices and the way for us to accomplish what God destined for our spiritual journey.

The most simple way, of course, is for us to first of all obey the 10 Commandments and to love God and our neighbor as we love ourself, and then to grow up spiritually.

Many years of haphazard spiritual practices have taught me to stop dilly-dallying around. If you too have not been very diligent about helping others grow spiritually, maybe we can get serious about improving our spiritual practices day by day and week by week.

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