A young woman walked through the first set of doors at Madison’s Planned Parenthood clinic to register. However, she kept looking back at a person praying on the sidewalk outside the building.
Category: Editorial
In aftermath of Tucson shooting: We must work for respect for life and civility in public discourse
We’ve all heard the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This saying was meant to convey the idea that people cannot really hurt you by what they say, only by what they do physically.
As we reflect this week on the mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that killed six people and wounded 14 others, we realize that both parts of that saying are true. Physical violence, of course, does cause harm. But words can also hurt people and perhaps lead to physical violence.
We don’t know the full story behind why the alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, decided to shoot U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords while she was meeting with some of her constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson.
A new Year’s resolution: Sharing our resources with others less fortunate
In the weeks before Christmas, we heard that there was renewed confidence in the economy in our country.
Let there be peace, especially in the Holy Land
During Advent and the Christmas season, our thoughts naturally turn towards the Holy Land as we contemplate the events leading to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
We know that there was unrest and conflict in the Holy Land at the time of Jesus’ birth. In fact, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because of a decree from the Roman occupiers that all people must register in a census.
Importance of marriage and family: Holy Family reminds us that we need to protect traditions
In this season before Christmas, we should be thinking about the Holy Family as we put up our holiday creches alongside our other decorations.
Bishop Wirz said the ‘romance of the priesthood’ never left him
Bishop George O. Wirz was in love — with the priesthood. When he celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1977, he told his parishioners at St. Bernard Parish in Madison, where he was the pastor, “The romance of the priesthood has never left me. I’m still in love.”
If I had asked him that question before he died, I’m sure he would have said the same thing. In fact, I did talk with him the week before he died. Since 2010 marked his 50th anniversary of being named a Monsignor and the 45th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, we discussed setting up an interview to talk about those occasions.
In his usual humble way, Bishop Wirz said we should wait until after the holidays, when things slowed down. Although we weren’t able to meet for that interview, I know from previous conversations what he might have said.
Thank God for life: Pope calls upon all Catholics to pray for all human life
Thanksgiving is a time when we give thanks for all the blessings we have received. First among those blessings is the gift of life. Without life, we could not enjoy everything else God has given us.
Thanksgiving also comes just before the beginning of the Church season of Advent, a time when we prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Christ, the son of God, took on the challenges of life — and eventually death on a cross — to bring us all the possibility of salvation.
Remembering Monsignor Campion: His ‘parishioners’ will carry on his legacy
It brought tears to my eyes the first time I saw it. And I probably had to rub my eyes on subsequent times. It always amazed me.
What I’m talking about is the Offertory procession at the Christmas and Easter Masses for the handicapped held for many years at Monroe High School. What happens is about two dozen young men — many of them large football and basketball players — each come up paired with a disabled or elderly person.
Campaign spending: Imagine what else we could do with $4 billion
The 2010 elections are over and most of us are breathing a sigh of relief. Even if we didn’t like the outcome of some races, we are probably happy to see the end of bitter campaigning, annoying phone calls, and repetitive radio and television ads.
What really upset me were reports on campaign spending in the 2010 elections. The Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) reported that more than $4 billion, or the annual GDP of Mongolia, was spent on this election.
Rescue of miners in Chile: Did God and his mother have a hand in it?
A woman I know in the Diocese of Madison e-mailed me a message after the rescue of the miners in Chile. She felt there were many religious aspects to this situation that couldn’t be ignored.
She pointed out these facts:
• Accident occurred: August 5 (feast of Our Lady of the Snows)
• Found they were alive: August 22 (feast of Queenship of Mary)
• Last miner rescued: October 13 (feast of Our Lady of Fatima)