Author: Kevin Wondrash

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Kevin Wondrash

Sisters of Mary Morning Star begin construction of their new chapel

MONONA — Construction of a new chapel for the Sisters of Mary Morning Star in Monona began on November 9, and is set to be finished in June 2021.

Throughout this summer and fall, we have been working hard with our architect David Ferch and contractor Brad Crowley of 1848 Construction to carefully plan all the elements of the construction project of our new chapel and to ensure a smooth and successful completion.

Site blessing

On August 15 of this year, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison blessed the future chapel site.

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Kevin Wondrash

‘What else is going on?’

kevin-editorial

There are two major news stories going on right now: the election and the pandemic.

We have even reached a point where we don’t have to be specific about which election and which pandemic we are talking about. All we need is “the”.

Part of the goal of an editorial is to focus on some sort of current event.

So that means more words about the election and the pandemic, right? No, not this time.

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Kevin Wondrash

Wisconsin bishops announce new bishop reporting and accountability measures

MADISON — Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops have announced the implementation of a protocol and reporting system for misconduct allegations involving a bishop within the state.

The new protocol was developed and implemented over the past several months and adheres to the Holy Father’s apostolic letter Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the Light of the World”).

For many years, all five Wisconsin dioceses have had robust and effective systems in place for reporting and responding to allegations of misconduct by all Church personnel, but these new measures have been adopted to ensure even more careful oversight for allegations involving bishops.

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Kevin Wondrash

Always be thankful

Hying logo

I speak often of gratitude as a foundation of the spiritual life; giving thanks to God and others for the remarkable gifts we receive is a hallmark of our fundamental posture of humility before the Lord.

When we acknowledge everything as a gracious gift, an undeserved grace, we can live in wonder, awe, and generosity as we contemplate the astonishing miracle of our existence.

For many, this Thanksgiving will be difficult because of COVID.

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Kevin Wondrash

Letter to the editor (11-19-2020)

Understanding the meaning of ‘pre-eminent’

Editor Kevin Wondrash commented in last week’s editorial, that he received a plethora of letters to the editor from those who do not agree with the use of the word pre-eminent in regards to abortion.

Hopefully the logic in following quote from St. John Paul II can help them understand why abortion is the pre-eminent Catholic concern:

“Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights — for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture — is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination.”

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Kevin Wondrash

Cistercian Sisters thank supporters, welcome gifts

“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”

— 1 Chronicles 29:13

PRAIRIE DU SAC — November is the month when we celebrate all the saints, remember the deceased in our prayers in a particular way, and set apart a day to thank God for His many blessings.

Although it might not seem obvious at first, these practices are closely linked, especially in the monastic tradition.

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Kevin Wondrash

An autumn reflection

The bare tree outside my office, which only days ago was laden with fiery red leaves, reminds me that autumn is rapidly moving us towards the snow and cold of winter, as nature falls asleep.

This fallow period of dormancy, rest, and apparent lifelessness we know well, both because we live in Wisconsin, where our trees are leafless six months out of the year and because we have tasted the cycles of the Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising of Christ.

The poignancy of these colder and darker November days speaks of the golden summer now past, the brevity of life as we pray for the dead and the cycle of the seasons of the heart.

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Kevin Wondrash

‘Don’t wish your life away’

kevin-editorial

Not unlike millions of other people at various times in their lives, a few weeks ago, I was having somewhat of an undesirable day at work, and I wanted nothing more than to make the clock go faster and go home for the day.

Upon expressing this desire to a friend of mine, I was told, “Don’t wish your life away”.

Ever since my friend uttered that chiding, but necessary, comment it’s really stuck with me.

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Kevin Wondrash

Farmers invited to Rural Life Listening Sessions

Rural Life
Tom Nelson, far right, member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe, works in the St. Thomas Aquinas outreach garden in Madison. With him, from left, are St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners Neil Vassau, Paul Scheffelman, and Tom Hartberg.
(Photo by Jane Lepeska Grinde)
NOTE: The first Rural Life Listening Session scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, in Highland has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No decisions have been made yet on other scheduled sessions in November. A session in Iowa County will be rescheduled sometime after January 1.

MADISON — “Our bishop has planted the seeds, and now we must cultivate and tend the row so the harvest may be fruitful and sustaining across the heartland of our rural diocesan home,” said Tom Nelson, diocesan rural life coordinator in announcing three Rural Life Listening Sessions to be held this month.

The first session will be on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Ss. Anthony and Philip Church, 726 Main St. in Highland.

The next session will be on Monday, Nov. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Victor Church, 1760 14th St. in Monroe.

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