MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino expressed gratitude to women and men in consecrated life at the second annual Valentine’s Sisters’ Appreciation Dinner sponsored by the Serra Club of Madison and hosted by Edgewood College.
Religious communities serving in the Diocese of Madison sent representatives to this event, which included a Mass celebrated by Bishop Morlino and Fr. Tony Schumacher in the Edgewood chapel, followed by a social and dinner. The diocesan Office of Vocations also assisted in planning the event to honor those in consecrated life.
In his talk at the dinner, Bishop Morlino emphasized that women and men in religious orders are the group that “takes the lead” in holiness, which is one of four tasks in the Church (the other three being pastoral governance, justice, and charity).
“Holiness is the most important one clearly,” said the bishop. “All of us have to do something in all of these areas, but the special duty of the witness to holiness is the responsibility of consecrated women and men. Dear Sisters and all religious, I say think you very much for all you do in being instruments of God’s grace for us.”
Father Schumacher, a chaplain at the college, gave the opening prayer at the dinner. He noted that the Serra Club and Edgewood College share a mission in promoting the education of young people and in guiding them to answer their calling, especially in choosing Church vocations.