I have just received word that, after voting to remove a large statue of St. Junípero Serra that stands in front of their City Hall, the government of Ventura, Calif, (which is in my pastoral region) is now considering removing the image of Padre Serra from the city seal and from the badges of the Ventura police officers.
Tag: serra
Why Serra matters today
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The upcoming canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra in Washington, D.C. — the first ever to take place on American soil — has generated, as I’m sure you know, a good deal of controversy.
For his defenders, Padre Serra was an intrepid evangelist and a model of Gospel living, while for his detractors, he was a shameless advocate of an oppressive colonial system that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Indians.
Even many who typically back Pope Francis see this canonization as a rare faux pas for the Argentine pontiff. What should we make of all this?
Quo Vadis Vocations Club will support diocesan vocation efforts
The Priests for Our Future: The Church Is Alive! campaign has been very successful in raising funds to support the education and formation of future priests.
Keep Serra statue in U.S. Capitol
Just when Pope Francis plans to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra on September 23 during his visit to the United States this year, the California Senate voted April 12 to replace Serra’s statue in the U.S. Capitol with a statue of the astronaut Sally Ride.
The vote must still be approved by the California Assembly and by Governor Jerry Brown.
Statue in Capitol since 1934
Each state can place two statues of its important citizens in the U.S. Capitol. The statue of Serra has been in the Capitol since 1934. The other California statue is of former President Ronald Reagan.
Serra Club and Worldwide Marriage Encounter join efforts to celebrate priests
MADISON — Worldwide Marriage Encounter in the Diocese of Madison and the Madison Serra Club are joining efforts to celebrate priests on Sunday, Oct. 26, observed as Priesthood Sunday.
In cooperation with the diocesan Office of Vocations, volunteers with Marriage Encounter and the Serra Club are sending cards to all priests in the diocese.
Affirming priests
For 11 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has proclaimed a World Priest Day to honor the men who have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Experiences serving in Afghanistan
Recently, area priests, Religious, and catechetical leaders joined with members of the Janesville Serra Club for their annual Celebration of Vocations luncheon.
Invited to speak at this year’s gathering was Msgr. Donald J. Heiar, Jr., pastor of St. John Vianney Catholic Parish in Janesville. Having recently returned from his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Monsignor Heiar spoke about his experience as a military chaplain with the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.
Prayer is the key: To developing a vocation to the consecrated life
Prayer is not always high on the list of priorities for many young people today, but it should be — especially if they want God’s help in deciding the future direction of their lives.
Bishop appreciates Serrans’ vocation efforts
Bishop Robert C. Morlino told members of the Serra Club of Madison that he appreciates their efforts in encouraging and supporting Church vocations.
They make us proud!
This week two men will be ordained as deacons and in June, two others will be ordained as new priests for the Diocese of Madison.
Having met all four of these fine men, I can tell people that we are indeed fortunate to have such fine men willing to serve our diocese as priests. They make us proud!
On Friday, May 28, Bishop Robert C. Morlino will ordain Jorge Miramontes and Timothy Renz to the Order of Deacon. They will be ordained as transitional deacons, meaning that they plan to be ordained to the priesthood in the following year. On June 25, Deacons David Carrano and Gregory Ihm will be ordained to the priesthood.