With the closing of Holy Name Seminary in 1995, Bishop William H. Bullock encouraged the Diocese of Madison to broaden its vocation efforts.
The diocesan Vocation Office continued to work to promote and encourage vocations to the priesthood, but it also recruited and supported men and women considering the Religious Life. The diocese also started a training program for the permanent diaconate and lay ministry.
Life Directions Weekend, Project Andrew
In broadening its focus, the office developed several new programs, including Life Directions Weekend, a program co-sponsored by the Serra Clubs of the diocese to encourage Church vocations. Priests and Religious spoke about their vocations at the first Life Directions Weekend held in November of 1996 in Madison.
Project Andrew was another vocation effort. Priests in the diocese recommended men who might have an interest in the priesthood. The men gathered with the bishop, their sponsoring priest, and the vocation director for dinner, discussion on the priesthood, and evening prayer.
Welcoming those from outside the diocese
Seminarians and priests from outside the Diocese of Madison were welcomed to the diocese. In 1995, Paul Ugochukwu (Ugo) Arinze arrived in Madison from Nigeria in August and resided at St. Raphael Cathedral.
In September, on the recommendation of Bishop Bullock, he entered the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, in Illinois to begin his studies for the priesthood for the Diocese of Madison. Arinze had already obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Nigeria.
At the time Arinze came to Madison, Nigeria was experiencing a “vocation boom,” he told this writer. There were 214 seminarians in the college and theology level in his diocese in Nigeria.
Arinze felt that the United States, with its growing need for priests, seemed to be a place to consider. He contacted the Diocese of Madison and Bishop Bullock and others gave him a warm welcome.
Fr. Paul Arinze was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1999, by Bishop Bullock at St. Raphael Cathedral in Madison.
Fr. Sanctus Ibe, currently pastor of Holy Family Parish in La Valle, Lime Ridge, and Loreto, also came to the Diocese of Madison from Nigeria as a seminarian and was ordained on May 26, 2000.
Priests from Nigeria, India, Spain, and other countries came to serve in the Diocese of Madison, some for several years and others for extended periods of time. Several priests have been incardinated into the diocese.
Fr. Paul Arinze is proud to call Diocese of Madison his home
Very Rev. Paul U. Arinze says he is “happy and proud to call the Diocese of Madison home.”
After coming to the Diocese of Madison from Nigeria in 1995 and studying to become a priest, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1999. “I still remember the excitement and feeling of celebration at St. Raphael Cathedral the night of my ordination,” he recalled.
“As I look back to these past years, I am filled with wonder and awe for the blessings. I have always felt at home in the diocese since joining the diocese in 1995.”
After ordination, Father Arinze has served in a number of positions. His first pastorate was at St. Ignatius Parish in Mount Horeb and Holy Redeemer Parish in Perry.
“Being a young priest in my first pastor assignment, the people of Mount Horeb and Perry helped me get my feet wet by showing great love, patience, and support to me,” he said.
Serving as director of vocations for the diocese was a special position. “Being vocations director was the greatest honor of my life,” he said. “It was a job that I accepted and embraced for both the challenges and the joys.”
He added, “Helping young people decipher their calling and guiding them through formation was a most rewarding experience for me. As vocation director, I saw the importance that parish priests and parents — especially mothers — play in nurturing priestly and Religious vocations. Please continue to pray for an increase in vocations for our diocese.”
In 2016 he took his current assignment as pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville. “It is truly a great place for me,” he said. “We have a vibrant school and a very supportive parish. It has been a most positive and affirming experience for me as pastor. The kindness and generosity of the people are most amazing.”
Father Arinze is also currently serving as Vicar Forane for the Rock-Green Vicariate and is a member of the Priest Personnel Board, Presbyteral Council, Vocation Screening Committee, and SSM St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital Board.
“In all, my experience in the Diocese of Madison has thus far been very positive,” he said.
Sources: Building Our Future in Faith: Commemorative History of the Catholic Diocese of Madison (1996); archives of the Catholic Herald newspaper.
Mary C. Uhler served on the staff of the Catholic Herald-Diocese of Madison for almost 47 years, the last 34 years as editor. She retired in July of 2020.