Mary C. Uhler

Since October 11, 2012, the Catholic Church throughout the world has been observing a special Year of Faith. In his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (“The Door of Faith”), Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics to experience a conversion — to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.

The pope noted that the “door of faith” is opened at Baptism, but during this Year of Faith Catholics were asked to open it again, to walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

The first day of the Year of Faith coincided with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publishing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict asked Catholics to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism to deepen their knowledge of the faith.

Diocesan Pastoral Council welcomes new members

Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) received a boost and an influx of fresh perspective as Kevin Kelly, chairman of the DPC, introduced 13 new members at the council’s recent meeting held at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.

Editorial

On November 13, 2013February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler

A shrinking pie: Put poor and hungry people first in the new farm bill

In his message for World Food Day, which was observed on October 16, Pope Francis said that “it is a scandal that there is still hunger and malnutrition in the world.”

The Holy Father emphasized, “It is not just a question of responding to immediate emergencies, but of addressing together, in all areas, a problem that challenges our personal and social conscience, to achieve a just and lasting solution.”

Cuts in food assistance benefits

In the United States, there are increasing numbers of hungry people. Many of them rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. As of November 1, the benefits to individuals and families were cut for the first time since 1964. That’s because an increase in food aid approved in 2009 expired, and Congress hasn’t been able to pass a new farm bill for over a year (the farm bill includes provisions to fund food assistance programs in our country).

Unsung heroes: Catholic chaplains in armed services deserve our support

As we prepare to mark Veterans Day on November 11, we should take time to remember and thank all those who have served our country in the armed services.

Some of us have relatives, friends, and neighbors who faithfully served their country. Many of them did so quietly with little fanfare. I can still remember that my father-in-law, who served on many bombing missions in World War II, was very reluctant to talk about his service to his country. It was just something he did.

Chaplains: unsung heroes

Perhaps the most unsung of our heroes in the armed services are the chaplains. These are priests who have dedicated all or part of their ordained ministry to serving in all branches of our armed forces.

Sun Prairie parish celebrates 150 years

As the bells rang out from the church’s bell tower, people filled Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church for a special Mass culminating the parish’s year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Editorial

On October 31, 2013February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler

Care for the dying: We must resist efforts to legalize physician-assisted suicide

Often when we speak of respecting all human life, we talk about the full spectrum of life from “womb to tomb.” However, it seems as if more of our energy and attention seem to focus on the beginning of life rather than the end of it.

That’s probably because most people don’t like to think about death and dying. Even though we will all die sometime, we usually prefer to put off any discussions about dying until we’re forced into it.

Physician-assisted suicide

However, we should be concerned about issues involving care of the sick and dying, particularly in light of increased efforts to pass laws legalizing physician-assisted suicide.

Oppose the death penalty: Join Pope Francis in supporting abolition of capital punishment

As we continue our observance of October as Respect Life Month, perhaps one of the most difficult issues for many Catholics is opposing the death penalty. Yet it is an issue that should be remembered as we consider respect for all human life.

Many people still seem to have the “eye for an eye” mentality when it comes to crime and punishment. They want to see criminals punished by death, especially for heinous crimes. They believe that society is better off without these hardened criminals in our midst.

However, as followers of Christ, we believe that God will show mercy to all sinners if they repent. We should allow everyone the opportunity for forgiveness.

Around the Diocese

On October 17, 2013October 25, 2023

Mary C. Uhler

Founder of Pro Labore Dei visits Madison

For the past 10 years, members of Pro Labore Dei (PLD) — wearing bright orange aprons — have fed the hungry in downtown Madison every Friday since September 26, 2003. They began feeding people each Saturday a few months later.

Editorial

On October 17, 2013February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler

Respect life: Help keep families safe from violence

Besides being Respect Life Month, October is also designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States.

In respecting all life, our Catholic faith encourages us to treat all persons with love and dignity. Blessed Pope John Paul II wrote about this in his encyclical, The Gospel of Life, warning against violence against others. He also outlined the importance of the family as the primary community of life and love in which children are nurtured.

Loving our neighbor: Following in the footsteps of St. Francis and Pope Francis

When Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio received the 77 votes to become pope during the conclave on March 13, his friend, Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil, told him, “Don’t forget the poor.”

Pope Francis took the words of his friend to heart and chose to be named after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.”

Respect for all human life

Time and time again, Pope Francis has emphasized the need for respect for all human life at all its stages, but especially for children (pre-born and born), the poor, the disabled, the sick, and the elderly.

In his October 4 visit to Assisi, the home of his namesake, Pope Francis — as he often does — took time to meet personally with sick and disabled persons. Man of them reached out to him, clasped his hand, and talked with him.

I couldn’t help think that St. Francis would have been so happy to see Pope Francis — the Vicar of Christ on earth — living out the Gospel message he preached in Assisi.