Bishop – Page 63 – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

Under the Gospel Book by Bishop Robert C. Morlino

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we celebrated the theme “Laetare,” which expresses our anticipation of Easter joy, a joy which strengthens us to enter into the depth of each mystery of Holy Week, culminating in the great celebration of the Resurrection itself.

In anticipation of Easter, I find it necessary in this column to reflect on one of the ancient Antiphons from the Eastern Church liturgy: “Let us call even those who hate us our sisters and our brothers, for Christ the Almighty is risen.”

Bishop

On March 24, 2011

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Diocesan staff changes announced

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced several diocesan staff changes effective immediately.

Eric Schiedermayer, executive secretary of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, has been named vice chancellor and director of the Office of Planning for the Diocese of Madison.

Grant Emmel, former director of the Office of Planning, has been named assistant to the Office of the Vicar General for special projects.

Patrick Delaney, associate director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, has been named acting director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On March 10, 2011May 10, 2021

Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Obedience is a wonderful recipe for a holy Lent

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

This week we begin Lent and the readings of this past Sunday lead us perfectly to Ash Wednesday.

The First Reading (Deut 11:18, 26-28, 32) said clearly that we are to obey God’s statutes and commandments and decrees. We’re to be an obedient people — a hard word for our culture. Authority is always under fire, whether it’s civil authority in the government or whether it’s the Sacred authority of the Apostles. Even in the Church, authority is always under fire. And so it is that bishops are used to dodging the various arrows that are slung our way — and it is all in a day’s work.

But, authority is simply given out of love by God Our Father, so as to lead His people to their salvation. That’s all it is — it’s a service, and it’s a humble service. Sometimes when people in the Church have to exercise that authority they do it humbly, but then afterward they really get humbled. But, that’s okay, because authority and humility should be tied together.

Appointments

On March 10, 2011March 16, 2023

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Appointments (March 10, 2011 issue)

Rev. Msgr. James Bartylla, Vicar General, announces the following appointments made by Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison:

Rev. Msgr. James Gunn …

Bishop

On March 3, 2011

Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Theological reflection regarding the pastoral letter

Following is a Theological Reflection Regarding the Pastoral Letter of The Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino on the Practice of the Commemoration of the Departed In the Sacred Liturgy of the Church (25 February 2011).

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins, so that we may be found worthy of the Eternal Life prepared for us. This is the unwavering doctrine of the Catholic Church, and it only follows that the Funeral Mass, given the circumstances of its celebration, carries with it a uniquely intense focus on the mystery of God’s endless Mercy.

The Funeral Mass celebrates the mystery of the Divine Mercy of God, infinitely Just and infinitely Merciful. The greatest act of charity that can be given to Catholics who pass from this life, within the confines of the Church, is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is the ultimate supplication of mercy to Almighty God for the soul of one who has departed from our midst. It only follows in reason that everything about the offering of this Most Precious Sacrifice must be in accord with this petition of His Mercy.

	Pastoral Letter
	Click here to read Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s Pastoral Letter regarding the Practice of the Commemoration of the Departed in the Sacred Liturgy of the Church (PDF)

The Church urges the maximum participation of the faithful in the Holy Mass, which unmistakably calls for their uniting themselves with the Sacrifice being offered on the Altar for the deceased person. It is to the greater benefit of the faithful to be able to do so with undistracted attention and utmost focus. Anything, therefore, that distracts from this focus is a grievance to those present as well as a grave injustice toward the deceased for whom the Mass, Mystery of God’s Mercy, is being offered.

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On March 3, 2011May 10, 2021

Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Our top priority and the common good

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear friends,

The Gospel of this past Sunday is addressed to those who are too worried about tomorrow. That’s why Jesus addresses them as “you of little faith.” If they were where He wanted them to be in their relation to His Father and Himself, He wouldn’t have said, “you of little faith.” Because of our human weakness and frailty, whatever faith we have, from God’s point of view, is certainly always “little,” but for Jesus to address it as such indicates a moment of challenge to growth.

One of the measures of our faith is: “how much do you and I worry about tomorrow?” Why is it not a good thing to make worrying about tomorrow my top priority? Certainly it is among our priorities, for obviously we have to be concerned with putting food on the table of our family, and clothing on their backs, and shelter over their heads. It is the sacred responsibility of parents to “worry” about such things. Jesus’ point is not offering some kind of recipe for a care-free life, where one’s responsibilities are just forgotten and put aside. But, our top priority can never be worrying about tomorrow, if we have met Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

The more worrying about tomorrow is our top priority, the more we need to place Jesus Christ ahead of that priority, so that He is our top priority.

Appointments

On March 3, 2011June 27, 2023

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Appointments (March 3, 2011 issue)

Rev. Msgr. James Bartylla, Vicar General, announces the following appointments made by Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison:

Rev. John Joseph Sasse, L.C. …

Rev. George Horath …

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On February 24, 2011May 19, 2021

Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Clarifying the fairness issue

Dear Friends,
Believe it or not, I frequently try to avoid weighing in-on certain situations. However, the recent happenings in our state capital with regard to legislation about labor union practices beg for a comment. In this column, I simply want to point out how a well-informed conscience might work through the dilemma which the situation poses.

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On February 10, 2011May 10, 2021

Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

To God be the Glory, indeed!

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

Like so many of you, I hope, I enjoyed an excellent Sunday this past week — with time for prayer and with some time for leisure.

In the first place, I was very happy to have the opportunity to say two of the Sunday Masses in Platteville, first at the local Parish of St. Mary’s, and then at the University Parish of St. Augustine’s. It was great to be at prayer with all of those good people, and I was very encouraged to see the new things happening for the Catholic community on the campus of the UW-Platteville.

Together with some generous donations, and some hard work by students and priests alike, the church at St. Augustine’s is looking more beautiful than ever, and the pieces are in place for continued growth in the faith activities of those students.

Bishop Morlino's Columns

On February 3, 2011May 10, 2021

Bishop Robert C. Morlino

What the future really means

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

It is wonderful to be back in Wisconsin, though I am very grateful to have had a bit of time for vacation — where the weather was a bit different from our weather here and now. Nevertheless, it is good to be home!

I’d like to bring up here a very interesting phrase that has come to the fore in recent weeks in our national life.