MADISON — God has granted us many gifts throughout our lives, including the important gift of faith.
Good and hard-working priests across our diocese have played a significant role in making the sacraments available to us throughout a lifetime. The Bless Our Priests collection is our chance to thank them for their tireless effort to serve our parishes and families.
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Dear Friends in Christ,
The Year of Faith, begun in October, offers each of us a challenge to rediscover our faith and share it with others. It offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on the gift of faith we have been given and grow in that faith.
In reflecting on those who have influenced our lives in faith, most of us have our parents, grandparents, other family members, and great friends to thank. We certainly have great catechists and Catholic school teachers to thank, as well. Those of us of a certain age owe a great debt to the religious sisters who taught in our schools. But every single one of us has a number of priests to thank for the faith we have been given by God.
MADISON — Have you ever wondered how your retired parish priest is enjoying their retirement years? Are they able to live life without the worry of being able to pay for their general expenses?
Dear Friends in Christ,
A very happy and holy Advent to you! For the past two years, at this time, I have asked you and your families to consider what you might do to assist the retired and aging priests who have served at our parishes for so many years. As we come upon this Holy Season, I come to you once again.
This year, of course, with the beginning of Advent, it is impossible to ignore the recent changes we’ve experienced by way of the new translation of our Roman Missal. These changes certainly will take some time of adjustment, but at the same time, we’re faced with the opportunity for renewal and a reexamination of what it is that we are really doing at the Holy Mass. This is, likewise, a great opportunity for our priests, to contemplate and pray in a more reverent and always-deeper way. And so, as we continue to reflect on these changes and as we move together towards greater reverence, perhaps we could also take the opportunity to reflect on the rich heritage of our faith, from our parents and other forerunners to the ministers Christ has chosen to serve us, namely, our priests.
