Category: News

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Kevin Wondrash

Compassionate services for divorced Catholics and those in irregular marriage situations

MADISON — In an effort to improve diocesan ministry to divorced Catholics and those in irregular marriage situations, the Diocese of Madison Tribunal has expanded its services to include a Pre-Petition Case Advisor.

A Pre-Petition Case Advisor accompanies an individual through the discernment process following a divorce by explaining the Church’s teaching on marriage, making a personal assessment of any moral and canonical remedies available, and providing assistance in petitioning for a declaration of nullity (commonly referred to as an annulment).

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Carolyn Averill, For the Catholic Herald

The Learning Atrium expands its vision

MADISON — Necessity is the mother of invention, and for one mother, the source of a life-changing mission that is impacting children throughout the Diocese of Madison.

When Deb Krebs noticed her youngest son was not faring well with reading, beginning in kindergarten, she searched for extra help.

Discovering the Barton System, designed to address spelling, reading, and writing struggles for students with dyslexia, was a game changer.

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Angela Curio, Catholic Herald Staff

Hospital chaplain reaches out to those who feel forgotten

MADISON — “One of the things right now, in terms of COVID, is people say to me something along the lines of ‘I think God has forgotten me.'” This is the observation of Fr. Pat Norris, OP, chaplain and ethicist at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

Father Norris wears many hats. He is the prior of the Dominican Community at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison, where he was pastor for nine years prior to taking on the chaplaincy eight years ago. Before starting his priestly ministry, he was a chemist working for the University of New Mexico.

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Parish livestreams series on prayer

St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Monroe began livestreaming a five-week series entitled “Questioning Prayer” on Thursday, July 16, and it runs through Thursday, Aug. 13. The series, led by Parochial Vicar Fr. Tim Mergen, focuses on how to grow a deeper interior prayer life. The series begins at 5:15 p.m. every Thursday. The talks last about 45 minutes and are followed by a short period for prayer. They can be watched live or after the event on the parish’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/c/StClareParishYoutube/

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Deacon Luke Powers ordained to the transitional diaconate

Deacon Luke Powers
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, center, lays hands on Transitional Deacon Luke Powers during his Ordination Mass on June 19 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Sun Prairie. He is assisted by Transitional Deacon Michael Wanta, left (Photo by Molly Sweeney)

SUN PRAIRIE — “Tonight is a perfect convergence,” said Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison on June 19, the evening of Deacon Luke Powers’ ordination to the transitional diaconate.

“We’re in Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish,” the bishop said and added that “Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and this is the parish that Luke Powers was baptized in, made his First Communion, made his first Confession, and was confirmed.”

“So, this is perfect. God planned it,” Bishop Hying said.

Deacon Powers was scheduled to be ordained in the fall in Rome — where he attends major seminary at the Pontifical North American College.

Those plans had to be changed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Hying remarked that having the ordination at the Sun Prairie parish was “second best”.

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