Columns – Page 112 – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

We begin November by celebrating the feast of All Saints.

On All Saints Day, we remember and we honor both the canonized and non-canonized saints of the Catholic Church. Both invite and inspire us to imitate their Christ-like lives.

In No. 2013 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.

“All are called to holiness: In order to reach this perfection, the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ’s gift so that doing the will of the Father in everything, they may whole heartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor.”

Heroes for Life

On October 3, 2013May 19, 2021

Lillian Quinones, for the Catholic Herald

The authority of reason in defense of marriage, pt 2

This article is the second in a four-part series offered as a primer for Catholics on the authority of reason in the defense of marriage. The series is based on author Lillian Quinones’ interviews with Professor Robert P. George of Princeton University.

Author’s note: The need for knowledgeable and articulate Catholics to defend the family as the foundation of society is dire. I am honored to feature Robert P. George, who is hailed by the New York Times as the “country’s most influential Christian thinker.” His clear and concise arguments motivate us to defend traditional marriage courageously and confidently for, as he demonstrates in this article, reason is our strongest weapon.

On His Time

On October 3, 2013May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

If I can do it, anyone can do it

For several weeks now, I have been reporting on various aspects of Vigil for Life and the now ongoing 40 Days for Life vigil to end abortion.

So often when I attend various events to write about them, I ask myself if I’m really doing enough. Does my job as reporter for the Catholic Herald give me a “free pass” from getting more involved in the efforts I write about? Is just telling people about it enough?

If I was going to try to convince other people to pray at 40 Days for Life, shouldn’t I do the same? I did, and so can you.

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes

On October 3, 2013August 31, 2023

Fr. Donald Lange

Human life is sacred from conception to death

Once when I visited a hospital, an urgent call came over the public address system: “If a Catholic priest is present, please come to the main desk immediately.” I hurried to the main desk. The receptionist asked me to talk to a lady who had just given birth to a still-born baby. She and her husband were grieving. I tried to console them.

Heroes for Life

On September 26, 2013May 19, 2021

Lillian Quinones, for the Catholic Herald

The authority of reason in defense of marriage, pt 1

This article is the first in a four-part series offered as a primer for Catholics on the authority of reason in the defense of marriage. The series is based on author Lillian Quinones’ interviews with Professor Robert P. George of Princeton University.

Author’s note: The need for knowledgeable and articulate Catholics to defend the family as the foundation of society is dire. I am honored to feature Robert P. George, who is hailed by the New York Times as the “country’s most influential Christian thinker.” His clear and concise arguments motivate us to defend traditional marriage courageously and confidently for, as he demonstrates in this article, reason is our strongest weapon.

Year of Faith

On September 26, 2013

Abbot Marcel Rooney

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

This article is part of an on-going series which examines the theology, history, and spirituality of the seven sacraments.

The Church’s teaching on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is deeply rooted in the teaching of sacred Scripture.

Ask Jean

On September 19, 2013

Jean Mueller

Keeping seniors safe in their homes

Q: I feel as though I am at an impasse with my parents. They are both in frail health — heart disease, arthritis, difficulty getting around, breathing problems — I could go on forever.

They live in a large two story home with the bedrooms and one bathroom upstairs. Neither one of them can climb stairs very well.

It is not the best setting for them in my opinion. I worry about them and try to check on them as often as possible but frankly I can’t get over there all the time. They are not asking for help — I just don’t want to walk in and find a disaster some day.

They will not spend any money on repairs or updates to make living there easier and they will not even consider moving to a more accessible or supportive living environment. Do I just let them stay and risk injury or is there a way I can force the subject? (From a son in Waunakee).

On His Time

On September 12, 2013May 20, 2021

Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

The most prayerful experience of my life

As I follow people on Twitter and help to put together the issue of the Catholic Herald each week, I read about a lot of Catholics taking pilgrimages to the three approved Marian Shines in Wisconsin: the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill, near Milwaukee; the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, in Champion, near Green Bay; and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near La Crosse.

I have been to two of the three sites, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe being the only one I have yet to visit. I would now like to reflect on the first time I visited one of these shrines.

A chance to go

Back in May of 2012, I went on a one-day bus trip with parishioners from St. Christopher Parish in Verona to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion (formally known as Robinsonville).

Guest column

On September 12, 2013

Fr. Frank Pavone

National Day of Remembrance

The National Day of Remembrance (AbortionMemorials.com) is an effort of prayer and education focused on the approximately 35 locations throughout the United States in which the bodies of children killed by abortion are buried.

By telling the stories of these burials and having memorial services at each of these sites, the public is brought to a deeper awareness of the humanity of the unborn and the inhumanity of abortion. Moreover, this occasion can lead those who have lost children to abortion to a greater measure of healing.

This initiative is sponsored by three national pro-life groups: Priests for Life, Pro-life Action League, and Citizens for a Pro-life Society.

Making a Difference

On September 5, 2013

Tony Magliano

Negotiating peace before the trains collide

“The Israelis and Palestinians are like two trains on the same track heading towards each other,” said Maryknoll Father Jack Sullivan.

Focusing on the issue of peace in Israel/Palestine for the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Father Sullivan added that the Palestinians are extremely frustrated living under Israeli occupation, and that their growing sense of hopelessness is “a disaster waiting to happen.”