MADISON — Many people in the Diocese of Madison are familiar with the Dead Theologians Society (DTS).
Eddie Cotter, Jr., founded DTS in 1997. DTS became a Private Association of the Faithful in March of 2015 and is headquartered in the Diocese of Madison.
Recently, Cotter provided updated information on what DTS has been doing.
As someone with Irish ancestors, I am proud to claim an Irish background, joining with over 34 million Americans who are apparently descended from Irish roots.
So celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 has a special significance for me and many others in our country. And in fact, we often say that everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!
However, it seems that with the wearing of the green, eating corned beef and cabbage, and singing Irish songs, many people don’t remember the religious significance of St. Patrick any longer.
This Friday, March 17, we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Although I am proud of my Irish heritage (I’m half Irish since my father was 100 percent Irish), this holiday is really for all of us. As they say, “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Why is that? Perhaps people in the United States in particular share a sense of camaraderie with the Irish people.
“We thank God in a special way today for all of your forefathers and foremothers on whose shoulders the faith of this parish stands,” said Bishop Robert C. Morlino at the start of Mass on August 20 at St. Mary of the Lake Church in Westport.
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| The original Dead Theologians Society (DTS) chapter in Ireland is pictured above. Several of the girls are now pursuing a religious vocation and the others are active in leading the DTS chapter. Also pictured are Eddie Cotter, third from left, and his son, Rory, right, who recently helped lead a Confirmation retreat in Ireland with the Antrim DTS Chapter. (Contributed photo) |
BLACK EARTH — In the fifth century, St. Patrick travelled throughout Ireland, where he established small communities of people of the Catholic faith which eventually spread across the country.
Today a Catholic apostolate is following the blueprint of St. Patrick in spreading the faith, not only in Ireland, but in the United States and other countries.
It is the Dead Theologians Society (DTS), a Catholic apostolate for high school teens and college-aged young adults. DTS has its headquarters in the Diocese of Madison in Black Earth.
As we prepare to observe St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, it is appropriate to reflect on how DTS uses a similar approach to St. Patrick, said Eddie Cotter, co-founder and executive director of DTS.
“Our DTS efforts in Ireland (as well as here in the U.S. and other countries) really do follow the blueprint of St. Patrick, who traveled many miles establishing and strengthening small faith communities that produced disciples who converted an island and a race of people,” said Cotter.
Of DTS, he said, “It isn’t flashy, but it is real, and thank God it is truly effective! Young people in DTS are literally following in the footsteps of the saints. They are spreading the Gospel by their lives wherever they are.”
To help support this apostolate, an evening of Irish music, food, and fun will be held on Saturday, March 15, at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison with proceeds to help sponsor the work of DTS in poorer parishes in the U.S. and Ireland.
MADISON — Dr. Robert Enright, founder of the International Forgiveness Institute (IFI) based in Madison, will be speaking at the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) to be held in Dublin, Ireland, from June 10 to 17.
MADISON — The Dead Theologians Society (DTS) now has an Irish connection. Leaders of the first DTS chapter in Ireland recently visited the Madison area for training in this Catholic apostolate for high school teens and college-aged young adults.
In some ways it doesn’t seem like 10 years since the events of 9/11. I can still remember September 11, 2001, when I was on vacation in Dublin, Ireland, with my mother-in-law and my daughter.
It was upsetting to be away from our country while it was being attacked, but the Irish people gave us their support during that time of tragedy. Ireland even held a day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of 9/11 on September 14, 2001.
John (Jack) Rogan has been selected as the Irish Person of the Year by the Dane County Shamrock Club.
This spring, from February 17 to March 28, Madison and surrounding communities are uniting with over 160 other large cities across America, as well as locations in Australia, Canada, and Ireland, for the largest coordinated spring pro-life mobilization in history — the nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign.
