Last Wednesday evening, I experienced the beautiful prayer of Tenebrae, named after the Latin word for darkness.
Since the earliest centuries of the Church, believers gathered during the Easter Triduum to offer Scripture readings, texts from the Church Fathers, and hymns to honor the suffering, Passion, and death of the Lord.
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All masked up, my family and I sat 12 feet away from my elderly parents outside their apartment. Sitting side by side, my parents looked out at us from behind the screened porch.
They clasped hands, as always, embracing the odd state of the world — not knowing what the future would hold — but content to be facing it together, just as they had faced all things in their 63 years of married life.“It is in the Light of Faith that we are spiritually nourished, purified, sanctified, called to our vocation, and given the grace to share the light given to us at our baptism, through the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.”
FORT ATKINSON — St. Joseph Parish is hosting a Light of the World Retreat.
Ever wonder what you are living your life for? What gives your life meaning and purpose? Can you really know God’s plan for your life?
If you have asked yourself these and similar questions, the “Good News” message of the Gospel is that you are not alone. These are the questions of our hearts and souls and the Light of the World Process seeks to answer them.
FORT ATKINSON — St. Joseph Parish is hosting a Light of the World Retreat.
Ever wonder what you are living your life for? What gives your life meaning and purpose? Can you really know God’s plan for your life?
If you have asked yourself these and similar questions, the “Good News” message of the Gospel is that you are not alone. These are the questions of our hearts and souls and the Light of the World Process seeks to answer them.
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You are the light of the world. Don’t take my word for it, that’s Gospel truth from Jesus himself (Mt 5:14). And it’s a tall order, indeed.
Now on the other hand in John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” Now that at first glance makes far more sense. After all, Jesus — God in the flesh — is obviously “the light of the world.”
WATERLOO — The volunteer leaders at Holy Family Parish in Waterloo will lead the Light of the World Retreat (LOTW) November 13 to 16.
People throughout the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend the weekend program. Ideally, people will come for the four days: Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday, and Monday evening.
The LOTW Evangelization Process promotes parish outreach to welcome back those who have left the Church, while inviting all those who seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
WATERLOO — Holy Family Parish is hosting a parish-based Light of the World retreat.
It will be held on Friday, May 15, 7 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Monday, May 18, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
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| 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,
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! Let the whole world shine forth with joy! Alleluia!
In these days we recall the ultimate reality of our faith and the source of our joy and hope. Jesus Christ, in His victory over sin and death, has won the victory for each of us and for the whole world. The powers of sin and death are but passing things, which shall ultimately hold no power over the Creator of the world, and His Son, sent to redeem it.
As I mentioned in my homily at the Chrism Mass this past week, the realities of our Easter faith are essential to keep in mind, especially as we are living in the shadow of the horrible episode in the French Alps, wherein a plane was deliberately destroyed by one of the pilots. The man was sick, we pray for him and we pray for those whom he killed, 150 in total.
There is a great deal of effort being expended attempting to determine what led to this horror. And indeed, there seems to be some serious, clinically-diagnosed depression at play here.
BARABOO — The highly acclaimed movie God’s Not Dead will be showing at the historic Al Ringling Theatre, 136 4th Ave., on the square in downtown Baraboo, on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m.
It is being sponsored by the SALT (Salt and Light Together) Ministry of St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo and is open to the public.
