Author: Chris Lee

On
Chris Lee

The reality of abortion and the hope of change

We stand at a pivotal point in the great moral debate over abortion in our country — not because new arguments have emerged, but rather because laws so breathtaking in their barbarism have been passed, and a film so visceral in its presentation of the reality of abortion has found a wide audience.

As John Henry Newman reminded us, assent to a proposition is rarely a matter of acquiescing to rational demonstration alone; instead, it often has to do with the accumulation of argument, image, impression, experience, and witness.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Communion is expression of God’s unchanging love

Spirituality for Today
Fr. John Catoir

Holy Communion is the most precious gift that Jesus gave us. It is the perfect expression of God’s unchanging love. The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ on all the altars throughout the world.

In 2005, Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote, “This teaching surrounding the Eucharist, remains as true and as normative today, as it did from the beginning. The Council of Trent described the real presence of Jesus with three adverbs: truly, really, and substantially.”

Read More
On
Chris Lee

How to boldly go forth and make disciples

Brandon Vogt

Most parishes wish they were better at evangelizing and making disciples. They wish they could help parishioners become more ardent, committed followers of Christ who are excited to share their faith with others.

But how do we get there? Marcel LeJeune, president and founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples, has been dedicated to the task for many years.

In this interview from Word on Fire, Brandon Vogt sits down with Marcel to chat about how parishes can become disciple-making factories.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Earth Day seeks to protect and save all species

The theme of Earth Day 2019 is to protect and save all the species.

Earth day was founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. He witnessed the devastation caused by an enormous oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif., which hurt the environment.

In 1969, he proposed the idea to celebrate Earth Day. As always, this year’s Earth Day occurs on April 22, the day after we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Do we serve Jesus or do we use him?

Fr. Steve Grunow

In the days of Holy Week, the Church presents select passages from the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. These particular passages are known as the “servant” texts, and in these texts the prophet Isaiah foresees the work of the Messiah and how the Messiah will effect the transformation of Israel.

Remember, the Messiah is a person of extraordinary power, whom the prophets believed would effect the restoration of the Israelites, elevating them to a glory that surpassed the glory of their greatest kings.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

The Parable of Brotherly Envy

From the Diocesan Administrator column

Following is a homily given by Msgr. James Bartylla, diocesan administrator, for the fourth Sunday of Lent.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son on the fourth Sunday of Lent is a parable well known to most of us. I’ve often thought of it as the New Testament version of the Book of Job in its impact.

If the Book of Job might be conveniently subtitled, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, the Parable of the Prodigal Son might be subtitled, “Why do good to bad people?” (i.e., to the prodigal son), and “Are good people really so good?” (i.e., the older son’s behavior).

Read More
On
Chris Lee

The high-priced spread (university style), revisited

Readers of a certain vintage (say, over 60) will remember the Imperial Margarine TV ad that dismissed butter as “the high-priced spread.”

That image came to mind rather unexpectedly when I was addressing the parents’ associations of two prestigious Catholic prep schools several years ago.

Parents favor ‘elite’  secular universities

No, no one threw a margarine-smeared dinner roll at me during my talk. The Q&A, however, was full of contention when I said that a first-class liberal arts education at a college or university with a strong Catholic identity would prepare their sons and daughters for anything.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

Important Wisconsin Supreme Court election to be held on April 2

To the editor:

There will be an election on April 2 in which Wisconsinites will choose a new member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Of the two candidates, there is only one who has respect for the God-given and constitutional right to life at all stages, and the right to worship without persecution.

As most people know, abortion advocates in many states are quickly moving to have abortion legal until after the birth of the child — that is infanticide! Cases have occurred where babies born alive due to a failed abortion are denied basic care and left to die.

Read More
On
Chris Lee

The artistry of loving your enemies

From the Diocesan Administrator column

Following is the homily Msgr. James Bartylla preached on Sunday, Feb. 24, for the Cistercian Sisters, Prairie du Sac .

The message of Christ in the Gospel for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, to love one’s enemies and bless those who curse you, is as challenging and mysterious to us today as it was in Jesus’ time. That challenge and mystery stems from both divine and human elements.

Read More