Kevin Wondrash

I went on a guilt trip the other day. The store was only 20 miles away, and my partner in crime was a daughter-in-law with a flair for decorating.

I had been grumbling about my lower back pain whenever I sat for awhile in Bob’s chair or Bob’s sofa in my living room. (And these days sitting is my favorite activity.) Even though Bob had never lived in our condo, the furniture had been selected with his weekend visits in mind.

It’s been more than a year since he was in our house and six months since he moved into his heavenly splendor. I thought it was time to take care of my back.

Grand Mom

On September 16, 2010May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Adapting to widowhood

I went on a guilt trip the other day. The store was only 20 miles away, and my partner in crime was a daughter-in-law with a flair for decorating.

I had been grumbling about my lower back pain whenever I sat for awhile in Bob’s chair or Bob’s sofa in my living room. (And these days sitting is my favorite activity.) Even though Bob had never lived in our condo, the furniture had been selected with his weekend visits in mind.

It’s been more than a year since he was in our house and six months since he moved into his heavenly splendor. I thought it was time to take care of my back.

Live Greater

On September 2, 2010May 19, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Holiness: most important form of evangelization

“Holiness, whether ascribed to popes well-known to history or to humble lay and religious figures, from one continent to another of the globe, has emerged more clearly as the dimension which expresses best the mystery of the Church. Holiness, a message that convinces without the need for words, is the living reflection of the face of Christ.” (Pope John Paul II)

The quote speaks for itself, eh? Holiness, as John Paul II reflected, is the way in which we bring the living Christ to the world.

Making Sense of Bioethics

On August 26, 2010May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

When kids grow up and find out about the test tubes

When I do presentations on in vitro fertilization, audience members sometimes ask whether test tube babies experience psychological problems as they grow up.

Although they clearly face elevated health risks for a number of diseases and physical disorders, the psychological effects on these children have not been thoroughly studied.

Grand Mom

On August 19, 2010May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Story behind the story

If you have ever experienced your children at play and shuddered when their speech sounds like a close imitation of your own, you will understand my story. (e.g. “Don’t make me tell you again!”) All parents recognize this as a red flag, warning them that “little pitchers have big ears.”

But what happens when they grow up and write books based on the family, and you are forced to come face to face with the imperfect parent-in-training that you were?

Making Sense of Bioethics

On July 22, 2010May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Overselling the synthetic cell

In a recent article entitled “How We Created the First Synthetic Cell,” Dr. J. Craig Venter waxes broadly about how his research team succeeded in constructing a bacterial cell out of its component parts.

The story, which has captured the imagination of the media, appears to be a jaw-dropping breakthrough: “Scientists have created artificial life in a laboratory!” Such headlines evoke images of a Frankenstein creation, a Jurassic Park monster, or an alien life form. But in the final analysis, the scientific achievement of Venter and his team, although notable, is considerably less dramatic.

Grand Mom

On July 15, 2010May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

That old-timers’ religion

If anyone were to evaluate our parish by the attendance at daily Mass, they might get the impression that ours was an “old timers’ religion.” It’s mostly a collection of gray heads with a few colors sprinkled in.

In my lifetime, I have witnessed that the biggest population change in our parish, however, is in committee members. This struck me most recently while attending our parish library committee meeting.

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On July 1, 2010May 10, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Reflections on ordination

Under the Gospel Book by Bishop Robert C. Morlino

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Editor’s note: The following is an adapted reflection given by Bishop Robert C. Morlino on Friday, June 25, at the ordination of Fr. Gregory Ihm and Fr. David Carrano.

The ritual book tells the bishop to address the candidates for priesthood as my sons. And what an unbelievable gift and privilege it was for me to call Gregory and David, in light of the bond of priesthood, my sons.

Lest anyone be disappointed, I have three points that have to do with Rome, because this was the first time I have had the ordination of two men who have come back from Rome. And I thought it good to remind all of us what these new priests got out of Rome.

Around the Diocese

On June 17, 2010May 19, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Catholic Herald wins national awards

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Catholic Herald, official newspaper of the Diocese of Madison, won four awards in the 2010 Catholic Press Awards competition sponsored by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.

Grand Mom

On June 17, 2010May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash

Let the kids finish it

As we age, we try not to focus on all of the “unfinished” projects and all of the “unrealized” dreams we are leaving behind. When we have children, however, they just might finish some of those projects and achieve some of those dreams. If we are lucky, it may even happen in our lifetime.

My husband, Bob, dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but when the babies were in such a hurry to arrive, he had to give up that dream. Before he died, however, he had the thrill of seeing our grandson, Craig, graduate with honors from a top law school.