Prayer is not always high on the list of priorities for many young people today, but it should be — especially if they want God’s help in deciding the future direction of their lives.
Tag: Eucharistic Adoration
The Eucharist — Believe it: We truly encounter Jesus’ presence
During this Year of Faith, the Catholic Church is asking all of us to reflect on various aspects of our faith and its meaning in our daily lives.
When Pope Benedict XVI talked about the reasons for calling for a Year of Faith, he said that one of his considerations was that it would provide an opportunity “to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed and also the source from which all its power flows” (Porta Fidei).
Pope Benedict’s words are actually taken from a document of the Second Vatican Council called Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, which calls the Eucharist “the source and summit of Christian life.”
Christ is really present in the Eucharist
Our Catholic faith teaches us that Jesus Christ is really present in the Eucharist. At the Last Supper Jesus changed bread and wine into his body and blood. This is a key doctrine of our faith.
What is sad is that surveys have shown that many Catholics do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Some only believe that the bread and wine are symbols, not the real body and blood of Christ.
Bring Lent to life: Look for opportunities to nourish your faith by praying, fasting, and giving
Lent is a special time set aside by the Church to prepare for Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection through 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
There are many ways we can observe the Lenten season. In his message for Lent this year, Pope Benedict XVI asked us, especially in the context of this Year of Faith, to “meditate on the relationship between faith and charity: between believing in God — the God of Jesus Christ — and love, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and which guides us on the path of devotion to God and others.”
Pope Benedict emphasizes that faith and charity are linked together. “Everything begins from the humble acceptance of faith (‘knowing that one is loved by God’), but has to arrive at the truth of charity (‘knowing how to love God and neighbour’), which remains for ever, as the fulfilment of all the virtues (cf. 1 Cor 13:13).”
Reason for rejoicing: But our seminarians need our continued prayers and support
People in the Diocese of Madison have a reason to rejoice: our diocese is now blessed with 32 seminarians — men who will, God willing, become future priests to serve the Church in our diocese.
Just nine years ago, only six men were studying in seminaries for our diocese. Bishop Robert C. Morlino set a personal goal for the diocese to reach 30 seminarians by his 10th year as Bishop of Madison in 2013. That goal has been met a year earlier — and has been surpassed by two.
Promoting vocations a priority
The bishop himself has made promoting vocations a top priority. He speaks about the need for priests as he travels throughout the diocese, especially when he addresses young people at Confirmations and other events.
He also appointed a full-time diocesan vocation director, the position currently filled by Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze. Father Arinze’s enthusiasm and rapport with young people have been assets to our diocesan vocation program.
The Office of Vocations and the Serra Clubs of the diocese have also encouraged prayer for vocations in our parishes through the Traveling Chalice Program and through Adoration for vocations at the Bishop O’Connor Center and other locations.
Additional day of Adoration offered in Sauk City
Adoration of Our Lord is experiencing bountiful growth at Divine Mercy Parish in Sauk City.
Less than a month after proposing the idea of adding an additional day of Eucharistic Adoration, parishioners responded with enthusiasm …
Observe pope’s 60th anniversary: And pray for all priestly vocations
This is the time of year when new priests and deacons are normally ordained. It naturally follows that many priests and deacons also celebrate their anniversaries of ordination.
We know many married couples, too, who are observing wedding anniversaries. Isn’t it wonderful to see couples married 25, 40, 50, and even 60 years or more who are still happy and in love with each other?
It’s just as nice to see priests and deacons who continue to be happy in their service to the Church. We are so fortunate to have these happy, holy men willing to give their lives to follow Christ and serve His people.
Divine Mercy events planned
Two events in the Diocese of Madison will celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy on Sunday on May 1.
Youth 2000 canceled for Nov. 2010
The Diocese of Madison has postponed the Youth 2000 Retreat initially scheduled for November.
Adoration Chapel renovation premiered at event
On September 7, nearly 200 Catholics from parishes across the diocese gathered at the Bishop O’Connor Center to listen to a presentation about the upcoming renovation of the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at Holy Redeemer Church in Madison.
Divine Mercy event held in Sauk City
Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on April 11 at St. Aloysius Church, 115 Madison St., in Sauk City. The festivities will begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude with the holy sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert C. Morlino at 4 p.m.