Sr. Joan Wirz, CSA, died on August 24, 2014.
Born in Monroe, Wis., on October 6, 1923, she was the first child of Otto and Ida Wirz, who named her Josephine Anna. A brother, George Otto, was born six years later.
Tag: Bishop George O. Wirz
Repealing laws you didn’t know existed
G.K. Chesterton once observed that journalism largely consists of saying “Lord Jones is dead” to people who never knew that Lord Jones was alive. Thankfully, this article is not an obituary, but its purpose is to explain that diocesan law has been repealed to readers who likely (and justifiably) never knew that diocesan law existed.
Through his priesthood, Bishop Wirz touched many
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.
Parishioners at St. Bernard’s enjoyed his sense of humor
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.
We were blessed to have him in our lives
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.
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.
Bishop George O. Wirz, retired auxiliary bishop, dies
MADISON — Bishop George O. Wirz, retired auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Madison and native of Monroe, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, at his residence at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
Easter Greeting
Dear brothers and sisters, rejoice!
In sadness we have come upon the tomb, only to find that the Lord has risen.