CLINTON — Fr. Bill Connell, who was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1975, will be retiring because of health reasons from St. Stephen Parish, Clinton.
He will have a farewell Mass and reception on Sunday, Sept. 17. This will include the usual 9 a.m. Sunday Mass, followed by a light brunch and reception until 12 noon provided by his parish and large family. All are welcome.
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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,
Last weekend the anticipation of Easter joy certainly mingled with, and almost seemed to overcome, the more somber spirit of Lenten penance as we celebrated both the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Blessed Mother and Laetare Sunday, which captures in advance the joy of Easter and reminds us indeed of the destiny of Lent.
The Annunciation celebrates Jesus taking flesh in the womb of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the moment of His conception, free from Original Sin.
Mary, as she carried Jesus about in her physical body, became the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle of God the Most High.
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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,
How good it is for us to be here!
I’m hopeful that this sentiment was experienced at your own parishes this past Transfiguration Sunday.
I said it wholeheartedly as I offered the Mass and indeed, we should pray for the faith to proclaim, each and every blessed day, and especially when we stand at the foot of the altar, awaiting the Risen Lord, “How good it is for us to be here!”
The opening prayer of this past Sunday’s Mass tells us what the Transfiguration is all about. It says:
“O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory.”
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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,
The readings for the first Sunday of Lent give all of us a general principle for evaluating our own lives and determining areas for growth during the holy Lenten season.
The First Reading reminds us of Satan’s successful deception of Adam and Eve, convincing them that pride, that is, disobedience of God, will enable them to be like God.
In fact, Adam and Eve are left in the Garden for the first time experiencing shame as they learn the hard way that the wages of sin never amounts to being like God, but rather the wages of sin is death.
The Second Reading makes clear that disobedience and death really are the very same choice.
Disobedience and that assertion that “I know better than God!” leads me to place God and Heaven at a lower priority in my own life. Once this happens, it becomes progressively easier to make my goal something less-than-God, something less-than-Heaven.
But God and Heaven alone are the fullness of life, and ultimately to choose what is less-than-God or -Heaven as my top priority is to choose death.
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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,
The readings for the first Sunday of Lent give all of us a general principle for evaluating our own lives and determining areas for growth during the holy Lenten season.
The First Reading reminds us of Satan’s successful deception of Adam and Eve, convincing them that pride, that is, disobedience of God, will enable them to be like God.
In fact, Adam and Eve are left in the Garden for the first time experiencing shame as they learn the hard way that the wages of sin never amounts to being like God, but rather the wages of sin is death.
The Second Reading makes clear that disobedience and death really are the very same choice.
Disobedience and that assertion that “I know better than God!” leads me to place God and Heaven at a lower priority in my own life. Once this happens, it becomes progressively easier to make my goal something less-than-God, something less-than-Heaven.
But God and Heaven alone are the fullness of life, and ultimately to choose what is less-than-God or -Heaven as my top priority is to choose death.
The Rite of Election of Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion for Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church will be celebrated by the parishes of the Diocese of Madison on Sunday, March 5, at 3 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Waunakee.
“Lord, please help us all to have a great day. Open to the Lord, open to making new friends, and just open to have some fun.”
Imagine another sleepless night, shivering in a cold bed without a clean, warm blanket.
Some people in the community will go to bed tonight without the basic warmth and comfort of a blanket and it will affect their ability to work, learn, and stay healthy.
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| Members of the Mariachi Juvenil del Sur include Miguel Juarez, Fabian Mercado, Miguel Juarez, Jr., Fabian Mercado, Jr., Rodrigo Mercado, Rego Raul, and Goel Escovar. (Catholic Herald photos/Pat Casucci) |
BELOIT — A joyous celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day, December 12, attracted hundreds of area residents, including families with children, to a solemn Mass offered in the Spanish language, a Mariachi band concert, and a festive Mexican meal.
Held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church (OLA), the event was sponsored by the Hispanic Ministry of the three Beloit Catholic parishes: St. Jude, St. Thomas, and OLA. Araceli Montoya, director of Hispanic ministry for the Beloit parishes, coordinated the event.
Prior to Mass, a half hour concert of traditional Mexican songs was presented by Mariachi Juvenil del Sur from Harvard, Ill. They stood in a semicircle at the foot of the altar before a framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Among the songs was a cheery “Las Mananitas,” which means “Happy Birthday to Our Lady.” The group, led by Miguel Juarez and Fabian Mercodo, also provided music during the Mass.
Celebrating Mass in the Spanish language, St. Jude Pastor Fr. John Hedrick commented, “I feel that I am only beginning to understand the faith of the Mexican people.”
He has studied the Spanish language in order to offer Mass on the third Sunday of each month for area Hispanic people.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2016, took on a special meaning for two men, as they were ordained to the priesthood.
