Tag: Madison

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

The need for a renewed unity in Christ

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The attacks, accusations, and demands fly in from every side. “You supported Trump in the election and are complicit in the attack on the Capitol.” “You are in the back pocket of the Democratic Party.” “You made abortion the only issue in the election.” “You were not vocal enough in defense of life.” “You need to help stop the steal.” “I demand that you publicly affirm that Biden is the legitimate president.” “I am leaving the Church because you are too (take your pick) . . . conservative, liberal, silent, vocal, weak, strong.”

These are all messages I and probably every bishop in the country have been inundated with these past months and it is actually getting worse.

The anger and vitriol is palpably toxic.

Our cultural, political, and social divisions, exacerbated by COVID; the elections; and the violence in our streets and cities have unfortunately entered into the Church and are seriously wounding our unity in Christ.

We now seem to have Biden Catholics and Trump Catholics, perhaps just the latest incarnation of traditional and progressive Catholics, but a division that is louder, angrier, and far less compromising than all the previous rifts in the Body of Christ.

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Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

A look back: Bishop O’Connor chooses leaders to help run new Diocese of Madison

Fourth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

The Diocese of Madison grew rapidly after its founding in 1946.

To help Bishop William P. O’Connor run the new diocese, Msgr. Jerome J. Hastrich was named vicar general, chancellor, and director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Bishop Hastrich became auxiliary bishop of the diocese in 1963.

In 1969, he was named the bishop of Gallup, N.M.

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

Celebrating Catholic schools

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As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I offer profound gratitude and praise to Michael Lancaster and our diocesan Office of Schools staff, our pastors and principals, our teachers and school staff, our parents, benefactors, religious education directors and catechists, and ultimately the students who offer the best of themselves to create Catholic communities of learning and formation, so that our precious young people grow to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ as disciples of the Gospel and as practicing Catholics in love with the Lord.

This year especially, in light of the enormous challenges of COVID, I especially applaud our school and parish leaders who have had to plan, implement, adjust, sacrifice, and give the best they have, in order to continue the formation of our young people.

Combining in-person and virtual learning as needed and possible, our teachers and catechists have striven to keep teaching Christ to our students.

I applaud the generosity, flexibility, and commitment required of all in this enormous effort.

Importance of Catholic education

Perhaps these increased difficulties shine a needed spotlight on the absolute importance of Catholic education; everyone could have easily given up this year or at least have put in just a minimum of effort, given all of the roadblocks, but, in nobly rising to the occasion, the Catholic community has generously demonstrated the high priority we place on the formation of the next generation.

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the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, District Council of Madison

Grants offer food pantry workers shelter

MADISON — The generosity of the Madison Community Foundation (MCF) and other major donors means that staff and volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Madison are finding shelter from the worst of what Wisconsin winter doles out, even as they continue to serve drive-through clients outdoors.

Helpful support

In November, the Madison Community Foundation awarded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul a $12,500 grant to support winter outdoor food distribution in order to meet pandemic safety requirements.

To protect all involved in distributing much-needed food, the St. Vincent de Paul Pantry has been operating on a drive-through basis since March 16.

“Madison Community Foundation is proud to support the critical work of St. Vincent de Paul and other major food pantries during this pandemic, explained Tom Linfield, Madison Community Foundation vice president.

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Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Communication initiatives in new diocese

Third in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

The Milwaukee Catholic Herald Citizen had been published for many years and often included news from southwestern Wisconsin and the Madison area.

However, Bishop William P. O’Connor wanted a diocesan newspaper for the new Diocese of Madison. In the fall of 1947, the Madison edition of the Catholic Herald Citizen made its debut.

Priest named editor

Bishop O’Connor asked Fr. Andrew R. Breines (later Msgr.), a diocesan priest, to take journalism courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then became editor of the Madison paper in 1948. The paper’s name was changed to the Catholic Herald in 1982.

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Laura Karlen, For the Catholic Herald

Former Planned Parenthood manager to kick-off Madison 40 Days for Life campaign

MADISON — Abortion facilities are dark, desolate places. Former Planned Parenthood Manager Sue Thayer knows this personally from her 17 years on the job at the Storm Lake, Iowa, Planned Parenthood.

Something happens, though, when peaceful volunteers show up to pray on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. “With just one person out there, you bring the light of Christ,” said Thayer.

But, “chaos reigns inside,” she added.

According to Thayer, staff are already stressed out to meet the quotas that Planned Parenthood sets for each service, including abortion.

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Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Education was a priority for Bishop O’Connor in new Diocese of Madison

Second in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

It was not surprising that as a former seminary professor of philosophy, Bishop William P. O’Connor made education a priority in the newly established Diocese of Madison.

Established CCD in every parish

He established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in every parish as a goal of great importance in the new diocese. CCD initially provided religious instruction for those Catholic children not enrolled in Catholic schools.

A diocesan-wide CCD Congress was held September 17-18, 1949. Those attending included lay people, Sisters, and priests.

Under the direction of the CCD, a Diocesan Information Center for Catholics and non-Catholics was established in a storefront on State St. in Madison between the Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin campus. It attracted close to 30,000 visitors in its years of operation from 1954 to 1963.

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Mary C. Uhler, For the Catholic Herald

Growth of Catholic population led to new Diocese of Madison in 1946

First in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison

MADISON — In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Catholic population had been expanding in the southwestern region of Wisconsin, leading to the formation of the Diocese of Madison in 1946.

Work of missionary priests

The faith had grown thanks to the work of missionary priests, including Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, who built 25 churches and established nine schools in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois in the 1800s.

He also founded the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Sinsinawa. Their work has kept his legacy alive to this day.

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Erek Gilbertson, For the Catholic Herald

Blessed Sacrament hosting diaper drive

MADISON — The annual Blessed Sacrament Diaper Drive is scheduled for this month, and it could be the most successful drive yet.

The diaper drive has been an important part of my life for the past three years.

Each year, my mother and I co-coordinate the month-long drive in mid-January benefiting Pregnancy Helpline, which is a non-profit organization that serves Madison-area families requiring assistance with pregnancy or infant related needs.

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