Tag: diocese

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John Joy, For the Catholic Herald

Equipping the family: Having critical conversations

We all know it’s there and probably have some idea of how we could access it. Pornography affects some of us more directly than others, but there’s no doubt that porn is a problem impacting all of us, and regrettably, it’s not going away anytime soon.

Porn has created a culture of its own, and this culture is influencing each one of us spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally to a greater or lesser extent depending on if we directly participate in the use of pornography. There are immense moral, social, and spiritual dangers for us and even for our children.

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the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

National Vocation Awareness Week is November 3-9

Seminarian Group
Seminarians from the Diocese of Madison are pictured with Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison and Fr. Gregory Ihm, vocations director for the diocese, right. For more on discerning and answering God’s call, see the special section on vocations in the October 31 issue of the Catholic Herald. (Contributed photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 3-9, 2019.

During this week, dioceses across the U.S. lead the effort in parishes and schools to uphold and encourage the fostering of vocations among the faithful, and to pray for those currently discerning a call to marriage, ordained ministry, or Consecrated Life.

In his message for the 2019 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that unlike a secular career, a vocation is a gift born from God’s own initiative: “The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God into our freedom; it is not a ‘cage’ or burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be a part of a great undertaking.”

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Kevin Wondrash

October observed as Month of the Rosary

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7 in the Catholic Church.

Also, in 1917, three Portuguese children were visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal, over a period of six months. The final visit was on October 13, when about 70,000 people witnessed the dancing sun, performed by Our Lady.

As a result, many people were converted, while non-practicing Catholics returned to the faith. Hence, praying in a public arena has the potential of converting people and making Catholics stronger in their belief.

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Kevin Wondrash

Diocese offers courses

MADISON — The Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute (SOWDI) announces new coursework for this year. In the fall, the institute will be offering a short series on the dignity of the human person with courses entitled, “The Human Person: Created and Graced”; “The Word of God Revealed Among Us”; and “A Study of the Theology of the Body.

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Kevin Wondrash

Office of Worship to host series on Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

MADISON — The Office of Worship of the Diocese of Madison is continuing a series of popular seminars called This Sacred Council: An In-Depth Study of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.

All sessions are led by renowned liturgical scholar Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB. His informative and enjoyable presentations make these sessions appropriate for anyone who participates in the Church’s liturgies.

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Kevin Wondrash

Priests of the diocese to gather for annual assembly

WISCONIN DELLS — Priests of the Diocese of Madison will be gathering Sunday through Wednesday, Sept. 15 through 18, at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells for their 39th annual Presbyteral Assembly.

The Presbyteral Assembly provides opportunities for prayer, education, and socializing for the priests. The theme for this year’s assembly is “The Sacrificial and Fatherly Heart of the Celibate Priest.”

Fr. Scott Jablonski, director of continuing formation for priests, said, “We are excited to welcome two excellent guest speakers: Fr. Carter Griffin and Dr. John Bergsma.”

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Catholic Herald Staff

Review completed of diocesan files on sexual abuse issues

MADISON — After a review of over 500 personnel files and tens of thousands of pages by an objective third-party review firm, the Diocese of Madison is confident that there are no known historical issues regarding the sexual abuse of minors left uninvestigated or undisclosed.

These are some of the key takeaways diocesan leadership is drawing from a now-concluded forensic file review of diocesan clergy personnel files.

The review, which was contracted through diocesan attorneys, was conducted by Defenbaugh & Associates, an investigative firm out of Texas, comprised mostly of retired agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Building trust and healing

With its announcement of the review in June, diocesan leadership said, “Through rereleasing names of known past offenders, and adding to that list any names of those previously found by the diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board to be credibly accused, and conducting a thorough investigation and review of any additional names, the diocese hopes to continue to build trust, to provide healing wherever possible, and to reassure the faithful of the Diocese of Madison that such matters have been and will continue to be dealt with appropriately.”

The review and investigations into related matters have resulted in the diocese adding one new name to the list previously published and announcing an additional investigation.

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