Tag: Fr

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Kevin Wondrash

‘It was worth the wait’: Diocesan priest meets Pope Francis

Fr. McEnery and Pope Francis
Fr. Jim McEnery, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, gives Pope Francis music for an “Ave Maria” that he wrote. Father McEnery is observing 65 years as a priest this year. (Contributed photo)

A far-fetched idea of offering Holy Mass with Pope Francis ended up a reality for a Diocese of Madison priest — plus getting a hug from the Holy Father.

The occasion: Fr. Jim McEnery, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, and his classmate, Fr. Richard Kuhn of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, are observing their 65th year of ordination to the priesthood this year.

A special invitation

After receiving “how-to” advice from some higher-ups in Rome, and a mailing address provided by Msgr. James Bartylla, then vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, and after waiting months and pretty much giving up on the idea, an email from Pope Francis’ personal secretary finally arrived. It invited them to celebrate “at the Holy Father’s Mass in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae on Monday 12 November next, promptly at 7:00 a.m.”

Father Jim could hardly believe his eye. Not much time to prepare meant scrambling for tickets, but soon he and his classmate were on their way, non-stop Miami-to-Rome on Alitalia, economy class.

Arriving in Rome

On Saturday, their driver picked them up at Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Their small hotel, the Residenze Poalo VI, was about 50 feet from the famous Bernini columns, and not much farther from the Cancello de San’Ufficio, where they were to check in on Monday morning.

Many a cardinal and archbishop had signed the guest register of this hotel, including names like Dolan and Listecki, so it seemed to be “the” place to be. (The restaurant is open until 1 a.m. to accommodate concert goers.)

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Fr. Donald Lange

Earth Day invites us to care for our home on Earth

I gratefully recall the evening when Dad and I sat on our front lawn and studied the farmer’s green field across the road.

The sun like a beautiful orange-red host sank slowly into the chalice of God’s good earth. It was a heavenly moment of harmony between God, nature, Dad, and me.

The Earth is God’s

Dad broke the sacred silence by saying, “You know, we don’t really own anything!”

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Kevin Wondrash

St. Thérèse of Lisieux lecture features Fr. Jacques Philippe

MADISON — The Diocese of Madison’s St. Thérèse of Lisieux lecture series will present Fr. Jacques Philippe speaking on “Interior Peace: How to Find and Communicate Peace” on Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bishop O’Donnell Chapel in Holy Name Heights.

With over 500,000 copies sold in 18 languages, Father Philippe’s writings on themes such as prayer, interior freedom, and peace of heart have become classics of modern Catholic spirituality.

There is no cost and no registration necessary.

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Kevin Wondrash

Talk in Janesville on Carmelite spirituality

JANESVILLE — Fr. Thomas Otanga, OCD, will talk about Carmelite spirituality on Sunday, March 11, at 11 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 1250 E. Racine St.

He will discuss the spirituality of such Carmelite saints as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

The Order of Carmelite Discalced Seculars (OCDS) in Janesville is the only one in the Diocese of Madison. OCDS members are men, women, married, and single from all walks of life.

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Kevin Wondrash

Mass commemorates death of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP

BENTON — The annual Mass to commemorate the death of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, will be held at St. Patrick Church, Benton, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.

The Mazzuchelli Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus invite everyone to attend and join them for a social in the parish hall afterward.

Father Mazzuchelli died in the house near the church on February 23, 1864, and is buried in the parish cemetery. The house is open for tours during warm-weather months.

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Fr. Rick Heilman, For the Catholic Herald

Satan’s tactic for Christian America

On Friday evening, Feb. 9, Matt Walsh will be speaking at St. Mary of Pine Bluff Church.

Walsh is a nationally recognized Christian writer, blogger, and speaker with a large national following. His provocative writings on political and cultural subjects are read by millions of people a month.

Through his enormous social media following, he engages with hundreds of thousands of people every day. Walsh is known through his writing and his speeches as a fierce and articulate defender of truth, moral values, and the Christian faith. Walsh lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

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