To the editor:
After reading the Inside Cover piece in the September 6 issue titled “The Church’s teaching on the death penalty,” I recalled from long ago the quote “you can use Bible quotes to justify anything, including murder,” which, it seems to me, Mr. John Joy does.
In my almost 20 years of Franciscan and Dominican education, I never heard that the Church endorsed the death penalty.
MCFARLAND — In light of the command to be missionary disciples, and the challenges faced in doing so, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has established June 22-29 as Religious Freedom Week.
Christ the King Parish in McFarland has coordinated the start of its seventh year of Rosary Rallies during this week.
MCFARLAND — In Mark 4:35-39, Jesus calmed the storm by rebuking the wind and waves with His words, “Peace! Be Still!”
Today many people live in the storm of poverty, be it material or spiritual. They may be terrified. They may experience physical hardships. They may have lost all hope.
Who will be Jesus to these people? Who will be the voice that speaks “Peace! Be Still!” to their storm of poverty?
As Catholics, we are the Mystical Body of Christ. We are to be His hands and feet and voice to our underprivileged and hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.This past Sunday, I was able to offer Mass and spend some time with our young people gathered for Frassati Fest, which is organized by our diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, and put on for our high schoolers, with the help and cooperation of so many good people.
It was a terrific gathering. What I told them, I think, is a good message for all of us.
To the editor:
Regarding the article by Tony Magliano, “A world awash with weapons,” October 12 issue.
Very nice thought that we could stop manufacturing weapons and turn that production processing into producing humane products. Unfortunately, according to the Scriptures, that is not the age we live in. That age will come with the Messianic Kingdom when Christ rules (Isaiah 2:1-5, Micah 4:1-5).
MCFARLAND — Religious liberty in America continues to be under attack. What is the Catholic response to hostilities, political agendas, and perhaps unjust laws?
The most important response is to pray, support one another, and reflect on how to bring love and peace to often-difficult and emotional situations.
For the sixth year, Christ the King Parish in McFarland will be holding weekly Rosary Rallies for Religious Liberty. At the kick-off on Tuesday, June 20, Fr. Steve Smith, pastor of Christ the King Parish, will briefly present how the Catholic tradition can promote the common good in a way that respects all people.
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The Case for Christ is a film adaptation of Lee Strobel’s best-selling book of the same name, one that has made an enormous splash in Evangelical circles and beyond. It is the story of a young, ambitious (and atheist) reporter for the Chicago Tribune, who fell into a psychological and spiritual crisis when his wife became a Christian.
The scenes involving Lee and his spouse, which play out over many months of their married life, struck me as poignant and believable — and I say this with some authority, having worked with a number of couples in a similar situation.
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear friends,
Last weekend the anticipation of Easter joy certainly mingled with, and almost seemed to overcome, the more somber spirit of Lenten penance as we celebrated both the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Blessed Mother and Laetare Sunday, which captures in advance the joy of Easter and reminds us indeed of the destiny of Lent.
The Annunciation celebrates Jesus taking flesh in the womb of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the moment of His conception, free from Original Sin.
Mary, as she carried Jesus about in her physical body, became the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle of God the Most High.
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends,
How good it is for us to be here!
I’m hopeful that this sentiment was experienced at your own parishes this past Transfiguration Sunday.
I said it wholeheartedly as I offered the Mass and indeed, we should pray for the faith to proclaim, each and every blessed day, and especially when we stand at the foot of the altar, awaiting the Risen Lord, “How good it is for us to be here!”
The opening prayer of this past Sunday’s Mass tells us what the Transfiguration is all about. It says:
“O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory.”
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The massive rose windows of the medieval Gothic cathedrals were not only marvels of engineering and artistry; they were also symbols of the well-ordered soul.
The pilgrim coming to the cathedral for spiritual enlightenment would be encouraged to meditate upon the rose of light and color in order to be drawn into mystical conformity with it.
