Jesus sought out Peter and other disciples on the Sea of Galilee and made then”fishers of men.”
Likewise the Church has looked throughout the world for priests.
Author: Kevin Wondrash
Culinary Creations Catering participants with a criminal record face significant barriers to finding employment
MADISON — Culinary Creations Catering (CCC) serves individuals facing barriers to employment and offers them the tools they need to build a brighter future and success in the workplace.
These barriers can be anything from housing instability, physical or mental health issues, lack of meaningful educational or career opportunities, or even racial discrimination (one recent study in Milwaukee found that black men received significantly fewer interview callbacks than white men, even though the study subjects had equal qualifications).
Past criminal record
Here we explore one of these barriers, which is reported by one-third of Culinary Creations participants: a past criminal record.
St. John’s buries the ‘Alleluia’
JEFFERSON — Students and staff at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Jefferson have begun their Lenten journey to “Follow Me, the Lord”.
The school community has committed to walking with Jesus in daily prayer and reflection. On Thursday, Feb. 27, Coordinator of Religious Education Jodi El-Beri guided the students and staff through a prayer service to “bury the Alleluia” in preparation for Easter.
Bishop Hying suspends celebration of public Masses through April 3
From Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison
March 16, 2020
Dear Priests and Faithful of the Diocese of Madison,
Lenten blessings and prayers to you in this time of challenge for our diocese, the state, the country, and the entire world, in regards to COVID-19, a strain of the coronavirus.
After having conferred with the Most Reverend Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee and the provincial for the bishops of the State of Wisconsin, and, mindful of the latest restrictions and recommendations announced today from our national, state, and local health authorities, which require that public gatherings be limited to fewer than 50 people, I am providing you the latest directives with regard to the celebration of Mass and other sacraments in the Diocese of Madison.
Effective tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th, at 12:01 am, I am suspending the public celebration of Masses throughout the Diocese of Madison. This is effective through Friday, April 3rd. This includes both Sunday and weekday Masses at all parish churches, oratories, and chapels. I ask that priests still celebrate the Holy Mass in their parishes, but without an assembly (i.e., “privately”). This request for priests to celebrate private Masses especially includes the Sunday and holy day of obligation “pro populo” (i.e., “for the people”) Masses as required by canon law.
Bishop Donald Hying temporarily lifts obligation to attend Sunday Mass
To diminish the spread of the COVID-19 virus, or the Coronavirus, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison is issuing a decree, dispensing everyone in the Diocese of Madison from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation until further notice from the bishop.
This means that all Catholics are permitted to miss Mass on Sundays for the foreseeable future, without being concerned that they are neglecting their minimal duties to assist at Mass.
In a statement, Bishop Hying said, “This is not to say that the faithful are prohibited from attending Mass — no one is obligated to use this dispensation. However, it is encouraged that everyone takes seriously this dispensation and take liberal advantage of it, keeping in mind also the recommendation from the Wisconsin Department of Health to avoid large community gatherings — particularly large intergenerational gatherings — at this time. In a particular way, we encourage the elderly and those who are immunocompromised not to attend Mass.‘Great moment of joy in our Church,’ says Bishop Hying
WAUNAKEE — Bishop Donald J. Hying said it is a “great moment of joy in our Church” as he welcomed those attending the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion held on Sunday, March 1, at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
“We lift all catechumens and candidates up in prayer,” said Bishop Hying.
Catechumens, candidates
This year there are 36 catechumens (those seeking the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist) and 107 candidates (those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to be welcomed into the Catholic Church) in the Diocese of Madison, a total of 143.
International Vincentian leader visits Madison
MADISON — “Spirituality, friendship, and service,” the essential elements of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, clearly exuded from Renato Lima de Oliveira, the international president general of the society during an interview at the Middlecamp Center for Vincentian Charity here.
The first Brazilian to hold the high office was warm and friendly and full of gratitude for the work of the society volunteers in the Diocese of Madison.
Holding a copy of the February 6 Catholic Herald with Bishop Donald J. Hying’s column on the “Life and Legacy of Blessed Frederic Ozanam,” Lima de Oliveira said he was grateful to the bishop, who has been a Vincentian for 20 years and is advocating for the sainthood of the founder.
St. Ambrose Academy presents Singin’ in the Rain
MADISON — Producer Diane Marsland and Director Angela Hineline have earned reputations for making magic with St. Ambrose Academy’s musical productions by drawing greatness out of their student actors — nearly 40 percent of the entire student body — through a strong work ethic and an infectious enthusiasm.
Packed house crowds have roared with laughter and wiped away wistful tears, entirely delighted.
However, this year’s Singin’ in the Rain centers on 1920’s Hollywood stars Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont as silent films give way to “talkies.”
Essential to the musical are Hollywood sets for the footage of a silent film, a “talkie” flop, and a musical rewrite.
Coronavirus and the Liturgy
Following is a document sent out by the Diocese of Madison Office of Worship to priests of the diocese on March 3, 2020.
The Office of Worship has received calls expressing concern about the transmission of the Coronavirus at Mass. Please remind parishioners that there is no need to panic. Early indications show it is transmitted similar to influenza.
Below are mandatory requirements, effective immediately, within the Diocese of Madison:
1. Parishioners should refrain from touching others during the Mass (e.g., the Sign of Peace and the Our Father). The Sign of Peace may be: 1) omitted, or 2) retained if there is instruction in the use of non-contact gestures.
2. As is the current policy, the Precious Blood should not be distributed, with due exception for celiac communicants, who for medical reasons receive from an independent chalice.
Our Lady Queen of Peace students raise money for Australia in online art auction
MADISON — Third to eighth graders at Our Lady Queen of Peace School have been busy creating art in hopes of raising money to help the Australian community recover from the devastating bushfires.
For the past few months students have been painting, drawing, sketching, coloring, and creating art pieces that they will auction off in an online auction. Each class chose their favorite pieces to give to the auction.