Mark Miller is looking forward to being ordained to the transitional diaconate on October 6 in Rome.
Author: Mary C. Uhler
God calls: And more are answering in our diocese
God continues to call people to serve the Church as priests, deacons, and members of religious orders. In recent years, it seems as if more people are answering God’s call in the Diocese of Madison.
Good is coming out of the ashes of 9/11
In some ways it doesn’t seem like 10 years since the events of 9/11. I can still remember September 11, 2001, when I was on vacation in Dublin, Ireland, with my mother-in-law and my daughter.
It was upsetting to be away from our country while it was being attacked, but the Irish people gave us their support during that time of tragedy. Ireland even held a day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of 9/11 on September 14, 2001.
Bishop appreciates Serrans’ vocation efforts
Bishop Robert C. Morlino told members of the Serra Club of Madison that he appreciates their efforts in encouraging and supporting Church vocations.
Take action to support conscience rights
A new federal mandate on health care coverage is posing a threat to the religious freedom of Church-affiliated employers, including Catholic hospitals, universities, and charitable institutions.
Health insurance plans are being required to provide reproductive services for women including contraceptives and sterilization procedures, as well as for drugs that may cause an abortion both before and after implantation.
Safety first: Review behavior as students head back to school
Soon millions of students from pre-school through college will be heading back to school. Many of them will be walking, riding their bikes, or taking the bus to and from school.
I can still remember walking about eight blocks to Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse (we did get car rides in bad weather) when I was in grade school. When I was older, I was able to ride my bicycle.
Faith is strong in parishes in our diocese
Recently I had the privilege of attending the 150th anniversary Mass at Holy Redeemer Parish in Perry.
This is a small country parish located about 28 miles from my home in Madison. I especially enjoyed driving through the beautiful countryside to get to Holy Redeemer Church, which is located up a hill in the middle of a farming area. There is no town around this church, just fields of corn and other crops, mixed in with some cows and sheep.
WYD 2011: Pray for our youth and follow their pilgrimage in Spain
Nearly 80 young people from the Diocese of Madison are traveling this month to Spain for World Youth Day (WYD) 2011.
Pope John Paul II started World Youth Day in 1985 as a gathering of youth and young adults for prayer, worship, and celebration of the Catholic faith. The event is observed every three years at an international level.
For those who can’t attend WYD in person, there are other ways to participate and stay in touch with our pilgrims. One way is to join the Virtual Pilgrimage on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VirtualWorldYouthDay
Free birth control? Does not provide real health care or protect conscience rights
Several things have been bothering me since I heard about the recommendation that the government require coverage of contraceptives in all health plans in our country.
On July 19, the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Preventive Services for Women made public a list of recommendations to the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This department has the responsibility to decide which health services will be mandated under the new national health reform law.
The 16-member panel said that all women of reproductive age should have access to “the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling.” If approved by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, these practices would be mandated for all insurance plans — both public and private — without any co-pays.
In other words, birth control will be provided free of charge. This recommendation is ill-conceived (no pun intended) on so many fronts. It boggles the mind!
It’s time to remember some manners: By practicing cell phone etiquette
Cell phones are really beginning to annoy me. They ring loudly at the most inappropriate times (during Mass is the worst), they interrupt conversations, and they keep people from face-to-face communication.
I have to admit it’s not the cell phones’ fault — it’s their users who are the problem. Some people seem to be addicted to their cell phones. They can’t put them down, even while they’re driving a car or pushing a cart in the supermarket.
Yes, cell phones are a handy means of communication. I initially got mine primarily to use in emergencies. I do use it more often now, especially since I can access my e-mail from my iPhone. However, my cell phone is not tethered to my ear. It’s not a life-support system. I turn it off when I’m in church and at most meetings. I don’t use it during get-togethers with family and friends.