To the editor:
Our retired auxiliary bishop of Madison, George O. Wirz, has passed into eternity.
Now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, he can intercede for us, the Church of Madison, as we strive to be Church in our daily lives. What an on-going gift from God, to us, the people of God, in the Diocese of Madison.
To the editor:
When he was pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Madison, we were often treated to Bishop George Wirz’s unique sense of humor in getting a point made. Our yearly “money talk” consisted of a three-minute egg timer and however much he could say until it ran out, even when he was stopped mid-sentence!
Always health conscious, he walked in our neighborhood until so many people were stopping him to talk that he had to resort to walking in circles in the church parking lot.
To the editor:
Having taken instructions and being baptized by then Father Wirz (1958), he always kept in touch.
In 1994 he came to the funeral parlor (unannounced) when our son was killed and led the prayers. Later that year he invited us to dinner with him and Sister Joan.
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.
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 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.
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.
To the editor:
The Diocese of Madison successfully completed an in-depth on-site audit for the 2009 to 2010 audit period. The Diocese of Madison is in full compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People.
Implementation of the Charter Norms can be a very labor-intensive endeavor for all of the parish and school communities within our diocese, and the diocesan offices that guide and support the various aspects of “creating safe environments.” Yet, ensuring that all those who have regular access to minors are properly cleared, trained, and supervised is without a doubt well worth the time and energy required to meet this goal to the best of our ability. In addition, educational opportunities and resources are provided to support parents, and help their children develop age-appropriate safety skills.
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.
To the editor:
I have read with dismay of the grand plans for the makeover of the St. Paul Center on the Madison UW campus.
While I can understand that it has been many years since the building has been updated, the present plans seem to be more than is necessary.
