Tag: Madison

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

Building a monastery of the heart

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Last week, I was blessed to lead the annual retreat for the Cistercian Nuns here in our diocese.

The Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac has been a sacred place of contemplative prayer, cloistered life, and beautiful peace since it was established in the 1950’s.

This community of Sisters radically dedicated to God through a life of prayer, silence, and work is a blessing for all of us. Being with them was a privilege and a grace.

Four degrees of love

St. Bernard of Clairveaux breathed new life into Cistercian monasticism in the Middle Ages during the 11th century and monasteries began all over Europe in a refreshing movement of spiritual fervor.

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Carolyn Averill, For the Catholic Herald

The Learning Atrium expands its vision

MADISON — Necessity is the mother of invention, and for one mother, the source of a life-changing mission that is impacting children throughout the Diocese of Madison.

When Deb Krebs noticed her youngest son was not faring well with reading, beginning in kindergarten, she searched for extra help.

Discovering the Barton System, designed to address spelling, reading, and writing struggles for students with dyslexia, was a game changer.

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

Pray the Liturgy of the Hours

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The Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the Church and serves as an enriching compliment to the daily Mass.

A compilation of psalms, Scripture, prayers, and writings of the saints, the Hours are divided into seven daily prayer times with morning and evening prayer as the pillars.

Priests, deacons, most Religious, and many lay faithful pray it on a daily basis and find its rhythm and cycle to be rich spiritual fruit.

Having prayed it myself for almost 40 years, the psalms and readings have become comforting and holy companions on my path to God.

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Kevin Wondrash, Catholic Herald Staff

Deacon Luke Powers ordained to the transitional diaconate

Deacon Luke Powers
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, center, lays hands on Transitional Deacon Luke Powers during his Ordination Mass on June 19 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Sun Prairie. He is assisted by Transitional Deacon Michael Wanta, left (Photo by Molly Sweeney)

SUN PRAIRIE — “Tonight is a perfect convergence,” said Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison on June 19, the evening of Deacon Luke Powers’ ordination to the transitional diaconate.

“We’re in Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish,” the bishop said and added that “Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and this is the parish that Luke Powers was baptized in, made his First Communion, made his first Confession, and was confirmed.”

“So, this is perfect. God planned it,” Bishop Hying said.

Deacon Powers was scheduled to be ordained in the fall in Rome — where he attends major seminary at the Pontifical North American College.

Those plans had to be changed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Hying remarked that having the ordination at the Sun Prairie parish was “second best”.

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Jane Lepeska Grinde, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Priest’s books for sale

MADISON — “Would I love to talk with Father Tom about books,” said Jonathan Grinde, a 2020 Carleton College graduate, when he learned that the over 3,000 books at the Good Shepherd Parish sale running through July at St. James School came from the priest’s library.

Grinde started kindergarten at St. James School when Msgr. Tom Baxter was the pastor and served Mass with him over the years. Known fondly as Father Tom, the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish is retiring this year after more than 40 years in the ministry and over 20 years at Good Shepherd.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Amy Yanzer enjoys working for diocesan Office of Worship as associate director

MADISON — Amy Yanzer has been enjoying her work as associate director of the Office of Worship in the Diocese of Madison.

“I’m thrilled to be here,” she said in an interview. “The working environment is positive, and the people are gracious.

Work in office

Patrick Gorman, director of the Office of Worship, said, “Amy has been a great colleague and helper here in the office. I can’t imagine getting through this pandemic without her! She brings great ideas and looks at things from a different perspective than I do.

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Nikki Pfleger, Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation

A Heart of Mercy in the Diocese of Madison

MADISON — Bishop Donald J. Hying reflects on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a way to encounter the fullness of God’s mercy.

Bishop Hying on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

“During the month of June, we celebrate the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” said Bishop Hying.

“This devotion is a way for us to encounter the fullness of God’s mercy poured out for us in Jesus Christ. We steep our souls and thoughts in the meditation of the fiery, divine Heart which showers the compassion and mercy of God on us through the teaching, healing, and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

The love of God compels us to evangelize

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Note: Bishop Donald J. Hying is serializing his Pastoral Letter on the new Evangelization Initiative being launched in the Diocese of Madison. This is the third part of that letter. For the complete letter, go to the Diocese of Madison and Catholic Herald websites.

As I have considered this effort of evangelization, I return often to the story of Pentecost. It is a portion of our story that is perfect for this effort, and also the starting point for my entire ministry as a bishop.

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