MADISON — With construction almost completed at Holy Name Heights — formerly Holy Name Seminary and the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison — there are many new and exciting changes that have taken place throughout the building over the past two years.
One thing that remains the same though is the statue of Mary that resides in the south courtyard of the building.
In 1995, many of us in the Diocese of Madison were very sad when Holy Name Seminary closed its doors.
The seminary had been a focal point for the diocese, with the building housing seminarians and many diocesan events. It was even the site of a pre-season training camp for the University of Wisconsin Badger football team for many years.
The seminary’s spire towered over the west side of Madison, a sign of the Church for all to see and hear as the seminary’s bells pealed every 15 minutes.
It’s time to celebrate both continuity and new beginnings, said Bishop Robert C. Morlino as he presided at a Mass and groundbreaking ceremonies for the redevelopment of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center (BOC) on May 1.
In 2003, the Diocese of Madison had only six seminarians studying to be priests. With the number of ordinations decreasing and retirements of many active priests looming, the future didn’t look very promising.
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| The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison, formerly Holy Name Seminary, will include a housing community while the diocesan offices will remain in the building. (Catholic Herald file photo) |
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino announced “news of great joy” at a diocesan staff meeting on June 6: the Diocese of Madison would have its diocesan offices stay at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center (BOC) along with a housing community being developed there.
Bishop Morlino expressed his gratitude to Gorman & Company for their “very, very hard work” in putting together a plan for the BOC. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am,” said Bishop Morlino.
Msgr. Mike Burke, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison and a member of the Diocesan Finance Council, said about the decision, “Wow! This is wonderful news. I think the reaction to this plan will be overwhelmingly positive.”
Monsignor Burke lived at Holy Name Seminary, the former BOC, for 19 years. He served as the seminary rector for 13 years. He considers the building “sacred space,” pointing out that the chapel is the central point of the building. “People were hoping and praying that the chapel could be saved,” he said.
“I couldn’t be more happy for the seminary alumni, parents, faculty, benefactors, and many priests who served here that we are able to keep the building, chapel, and grounds intact. There are so many people who identify with this building, Catholics and non-Catholics,” he said.
The spire of the center dominates the west side of Madison, and the regular ringing of the bells can be heard from miles away.
Monsignor Burke said he “can’t thank Gary Gorman enough” for everything he did to save the building. “It’s a great day for our diocese” as we approach the feast of Pentecost on June 8, he said.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) received a boost and an influx of fresh perspective as Kevin Kelly, chairman of the DPC, introduced 13 new members at the council’s recent meeting held at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
It was a solemn yet joyful evening as Bishop Robert C. Morlino ordained Vincent Brewer and Garrett Kau to the Order of Deacons during a Mass celebrated on Friday, May 25, in the chapel of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.
Two events in the Diocese of Madison will celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday on May 1.
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Dr. Patrick Gorman and the Madison Diocesan Choir invite the public to sing joyfully with them at their free spring concert, “A Sacrifice of Praise,” Saturday, May 8, at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.
