Tag: cross

On
Fr. Robert Barron

A message written in blood

Recently, the attention of the world was riveted to a deserted beach in northern Libya, where a group of 21 Coptic Christians were brutally beheaded by masked operatives of the ISIS movement.

In the wake of the executions, ISIS released a gruesome video entitled A Message in Blood to the Nation of the Cross. I suppose that for the ISIS murderers, the reference to “the Nation of the Cross” had little sense beyond a generic designation for Christianity.

Sadly for most Christians, too, the cross has become little more than a harmless symbol. I would like to take the awful event on that Libyan beach, as well as the ISIS message, as an occasion to reflect on the still startling distinctiveness of the cross.

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On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

The Cross as part of our faith

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,

This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

This Feast Day takes place each year on the 14th of September and so, while it is a major feast day for the Church, it is often missed by those who do not attend daily Mass, or at least Mass on major feasts.

This year, however, we were particularly blessed to have the feast fall on a Sunday, and so important is the feast that it actually “trumps” the typical Sunday readings.

It is indeed an important day — so much so that it used to be followed by three Ember Days of prayer and fasting.

Why is it so important? It is not the feast of the Crucifixion of our Lord; obviously we mark that on Good Friday. And, in fact, each time we approach the altar for Mass, we represent the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we recall His suffering, death, and resurrection; why have a special day just for the exaltation of the Holy Cross?

Because, in our Catholic faith symbols matter! We are a physical people, whose very bodies are destined to be glorified, and so the physical, tangible things of this world matter.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Stations of Cross Tour in Dodgeville

DODGEVILLE — Catholic Financial Life Chapter 296 Mount Horeb and 261 Cross Plains are holding a Stations of the Cross Tour on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 1p.m.

The outdoor Stations of the Cross is located at 4718 Chimney Rock Rd., Dodgeville. Cars may be parked near the Rosary garden, and visitors should walk to the stations from there. Be sure to wear good walking shoes.

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On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

By the Cross offers books by area author, items for children

MADISON — Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles — in fact anyone involved with children — should visit By The Cross Catholic Gift and Bookstore on Madison’s east side.

This store is filled with many wonderful religious items for children, from coloring and activity books to prayer books to stuffed animals. It’s literally a treasure trove of educational, faith-filled, and fun things for Catholic kids.

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On
Emily Seyfert

Finding life in infertility

We were one of those crazy couples. We wanted six or seven children (and still do!) when we were married.

Even though we didn’t have any money, we said “God will provide!” and did not use contraception or Natural Family Planning.

In fact, when we were dating, I remember having a conversation about children. Chris asked me, “How many children do you want? I was thinking six.”

“As many as God will give us!” I responded joyfully.

But, it has been almost 10 years, and we still do not have any children. I certainly did not think that when I said “as many as God will give us,” that that might be none.

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