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| Msgr. Michael Burke |
The Reverend Monsignor Michael Laurence Burke entered eternal life on September 19, 2020 at the age of 72, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born on March 11, 1948 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, the oldest of eight siblings, and is predeceased by his parents, Laurence and Claribel (Gough) Burke, and by his sister, Maggie.
After attending Wardsville Community Grade School, Darlington, Wisconsin, Msgr. Burke attended the Darlington Public High School. He started his collegiate studies at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, continued studies at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with course work in theology and philosophy at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin. He then received a Masters of Divinity at St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary, Saint Francis, Wisconsin. Msgr. Burke was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend Cletus F. O’Donnell, Bishop of Madison, on May 24, 1974 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison. He received Papal Honors through Investiture as a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) on August 16, 2000.
Msgr. Burke began priestly service in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at St. Henry Parish, Watertown. He then became an instructor and Vocations Director for Holy Name Seminary, Madison. Msgr. Burke also served for many years as the Diocesan Vocations Director. Msgr. Burke was appointed Co-Rector and then Rector of Holy Name Seminary in 1982 and 1983, respectively, and continued to serve as Rector for thirteen years. After participating in a sabbatical program at the Pontifical North American College, Msgr. Burke was appointed Pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in 1996. He also served as the Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus Council #4527. After 21 years as pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish, Msgr. Burke retired from full-time active ministry in 2017 as Pastor Emeritus.
During his years of service to the diocese, Msgr. Burke served on numerous boards and councils, including the Diocesan Board of Education, the Priest Personnel Board, the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors, the Diocesan Finance Council, the board of the Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation, Inc., the board of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, the St. Vincent de Paul Advisory Board, the Madison Serra Club Board, the Madison Catholic Charities Board, the Vocations Screening Committee of the Diocese of Madison, and the St. Raphael Society Clergy Retirement Plan Board. Msgr. Burke received a Leadership Award from Madison Catholic Charities and an Alumni Appreciation Award from Edgewood High School. Msgr. Burke also served as the Region VII Director of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors, as a consulting member of the NCCB Committee on Vocations, as a member of the National Catholic Educational Association Seminary Board, and as a member of the St. Francis Seminary Board. Msgr. Burke was a member of the Mendota Gridiron Club and received the Captain’s Cup by the UW Football players and the Pat O’Dea Award from the Madison Sports Hall of Fame, based on his over 40 years of service to the University of Wisconsin football team.
Visitation for the public following public health guidelines will take place at St. Maria Goretti Parish Church, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday, September 24, 2020 from Noon to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Endowment Fund, 5405 Flad Ave., Madison, WI 53711; Catholic Charities of Madison, 702 S. High Point Rd., Suite 201, Madison, WI 53719; or, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 259686, Madison, WI 53725-9686.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, the Mass of Christian Burial will be private as requested by the family, and will be celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Parish Church, Madison, on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 10:30 am. The Mass will be livestreamed for viewing by the public on the parish website at https://stmariagoretti.org The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with The Reverend Father Domenic J. Roscioli, Senior Priest, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as the homilist. Burial will take place following the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Hope Church Cemetery, County Road O, Shullsburg, Wisconsin, 53586, and The Reverend Monsignor Daniel Ganshert, Pastor, Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, will preside at the private, family Rite of Committal at the cemetery.
The family encourages priests of the Diocese of Madison to watch the Mass of Christian Burial via livestream at the St. Maria Goretti Parish website (https://stmariagoretti.org). Please celebrate three Masses for the repose of his soul and offer intercessory prayers in your parish.