The Badger Catholic

Cdl Dolan & Msgr. Malloy

Today, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee received with joy the news that Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. David Malloy, currently pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lake Geneva, as the new bishop of Rockford Ill. He will replace the retiring Bishop Thomas G. Doran.

Bishop-elect Malloy’s appointment is a tribute to his dedication and priestly service to the Church. After ordination to the priesthood, Bishop-elect Malloy was assigned to diplomatic service for the Vatican. He was stationed in Pakistan, Syria and, in addition, his assignments included the Papal Mission to the United Nations, and the Prefecture of the Papal Household in Rome. Most recently, he was the associate and then general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C.

Upon returning to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 2011, he was appointed administrator of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lake Geneva, and later became pastor. When I appointed him to that faith-filled congregation, I could sense the excitement in the parishioners and the parish staff, who couldn’t help but envision their congregation moving forward in partnership with this energetic priest. His mother and immediate family, present at the celebration, were happy to have their son, brother and uncle so close to home and enjoying his assignment.

I know that even with the joy of this announcement for Bishop-elect Malloy, there is sadness in a community which has so quickly embraced him and the direction he offered as their new pastor. Every time I would see Msgr. Malloy and ask how he was adjusting to parish life, he would respond without hesitancy that he couldn’t be happier, and was loving ever minute of parish life. Like a proud “father,” he would boast about his parishioners, telling me of their commitment to the parish and the depth of their faith.

Bishop-elect Malloy’s proficiency in Spanish helped to create a bridge to the growing Hispanic population at St. Francis de Sales Parish. His associate pastor, Fr. Angel Anaya, told me that he personally learned much from Bishop-elect Malloy’s leadership style and that they worked collaboratively to make sure that the Hispanic community was always included in all the activities, with the understanding that they worked as one parish.

I first met Bishop-elect Malloy when he was a theologian at the North American College. We shared a love for basketball and would play one-on-one. Eight years younger, he was quick and agile, with a good shot to offset his ability. I myself would depend upon the wisdom that comes with age, my cunning deception, physical intimidation and unlimited timeouts just to stay in the game!

Back then, neither of us at that time envisioned the episcopacy. Our discussions usually revolved around the priesthood and our love for the Church. Through these experiences and discussions of faith, a friendship developed which has managed to last for over 30 years.

Bishop-elect Malloy’s appointment is a tribute to the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. We serve Christ and his Church and Pope Benedict honors us by selecting one of our own to be a successor of the Apostles. As his friend and archbishop, I am proud of this appointment. However, I know that we in the archdiocese will be losing a talented pastor, who serves with the heart and mind of the Church. In spite of that, I also know that the Holy Spirit will challenge us to step forward to fill the leadership role, and assume our responsibility to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

In His Name,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

Almost 1,000 people attended the 15th Annual Lenten Symposium. Archbishop Vigneron graced us with his presence. His Eminence, Raymond L. Cardinal Burke opened the program with the Holy Mass. Fr. Lee Acervo closed the program with Benediction.

The Shrine Church has two levels. The main level of the Church contains shrines and first-class relics of Blesseds and Saints who would be meaningful to those who come to the Shrine in need. In the lower Narthex, there are two Venerables and one Servant-of-God who are honored. All three of these holy men have ties to Wisconsin; two of them particularly are known for their total self-giving to ministering to the spiritual needs of the people, particularly of the Native American, of what was then the Northwest Territory.

The portraits draw attention to what these three men have contributed to the history and the faith of this area of the United States. Artist Robert ‘Brett’ Edenton was commissioned by Cardinal Burke to paint portraits of Venerable Solanus Casey, Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, and Servant-of-God Bishop Frederic Baraga.

Brett is a strong believer in the realist traditions of the old masters, influenced by artists such as Bouguereau, DaVinci, and Caravaggio. In order to paint Casey, Mazzuchelli, and Baraga, he studied a series of extensive drawings, portraits, along with the life of each saint and then in his painting tried to portray the man, the deeds, the time period, and the place as accurately possible. As a result, Brett’s paintings can tell you a lot about the person portrayed.

Detectives hope new DNA analysis can help solve the 14-year-old murder of Father Alfred Kunz.

On March 4, 1998, a killer cut Kunz's throat in the hallway of St. Michael Church in the Town of Dane near Lodi. Although detectives have a series of leads and several suspects, they have never had enough information to make an arrest.

Now evidence from the case is being reprocessed at the state crime lab in Madison. DNA analysts sampled some evidence back in 1998, but now they can go a step further.

"We can in theory go down to as little as 5 cells and get a DNA profile," said Lab Manager Amy Beatty. "Anything that had a visible blood stain or a visible stain on it in the late 90's they were able to do that sort of analysis, the difference is we don't need a visible stain anymore."

Analysts can now process touch DNA. Anything the killer may have contacted could hold an identifiable sample. Detectives say their may have been a struggle between Kunz and the killer, increasing their optimism that there was a DNA transfer.

The new tests are expected to be completed in the next couple of months.

"If we're able to have the crime lab develop something where the killer touched something and now it will link that person to the crime it will be so huge for us," said Dane County Sheriff's Office Det. Linda Pederson-Honer, who worked the case its first year.

Officials credit new automation technology and more staff with the ability to take a closer look at older cases. A few years ago the DNA lab had a case backlog more than a year long, now cases are usually processed in about 60 days despite more than five times the caseload.

"We're processing right now some 450 cases per month," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who acknowledges even with a DNA breakthrough an old case could be tough to try.

"We have some people we may not be able to locate anymore who may be witnesses, people may be deceased already, of course peoples' memories fade," he said.

Packed and stored in ideal conditions, DNA evidence can last longer than 20 years.

If new DNA profiles are discovered, detectives plan to try and match them against samples they collected 14 years ago or a national database. They also hope people of interest are willing to submit samples to rule themselves out.

Detectives urge anyone with information to call (608) 284-6900.

"We believe there are people out there that know what happened to Father Kunz," said Det. Mary Butler.

Cdl. George & Msgr. Malloy

A Lake Geneva Catholic priest who spent most of his career in the Vatican diplomatic corps, has been tapped to lead the Diocese of Rockford, Ill., Pope Benedict XVI announced Tuesday morning.

Monsignor David Malloy, 56, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish and former general secretary of the Washington-based U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will succeed 76-year-old Bishop Thomas Doran.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee, which includes Lake Geneva, announced the appointment on its website Tuesday morning, with Archbishop Jerome Listecki calling it a loss for the archdiocese but “a gain for the faithful of Rockford.”

"Our prayers and good wishes go with him as he responds to his new call."

A Milwaukee native, Malloy graduated from Marquette University and studied at Milwaukee's St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee, and colleges in Rome. He holds degrees in canon law and theology. He served as a parish priest for two years, at St. John Nepomuk in Racine, and joined St. Francis de Sales in Lake Geneva as administrator last year.

The results from our design vote were announced. The Gothic design was selected by the parish for our facilities expansion. In a future newsletter we will present an overview of the Gothic design and its key design attributes.

Croagh Patrick pilgrims today, many make the climb barefoot

From time to time he withdrew from the spiritual duties of his apostolate to devote himself wholly to prayer and penance.  In the far west of Connaught there is a range of tall mountains, which, arrayed in rugged majesty, bid defiance to the waves and storms of the Atlantic. At the head of this range arises a stately cone in solitary grandeur, about 4000 feet in height, facing Clew Bay, and casting its shadow over the adjoining districts of Aghagower and Westport. This mountain was known in pagan times as the Eagle Mountain, but ever since Ireland was enlightened with the light of Faith it is known as Croagh Patrick, i.e. St. Patrick's mountain, and is honoured as the Holy Hill, the Mount Sinai, of Ireland. 

St. Patrick, in obedience to his guardian angel, made this mountain his hallowed place of retreat. In imitation of the great Jewish legislator on Sinai, he spent forty days on its summit in fasting and prayer, and other penitential exercises. His only shelter from the fury of the elements, the wind and rain, the hail and snow, was a cave, or recess, in the solid rock; and the flagstone on which he rested his weary limbs at night is still pointed out. The whole purpose of his prayer was to obtain special blessings and mercy for the Irish race, whom he evangelized. The demons that made Ireland their battlefield mustered all their strength to tempt the saint and disturb him in his solitude, and turn him away, if possible, from his pious purpose. They gathered around the hill in the form of vast flocks of hideous birds of prey. So dense were their ranks that they seemed to cover the whole mountain, like a cloud, and they so filled the air that Patrick could see neither sky nor earth nor ocean. St. Patrick besought God to scatter the demons, but for a time it would seem as if his prayers and tears were in vain. At length he rang his sweet-sounding bell, symbol of his preaching of the Divine truths. Its sound was heard all over the valleys and hills of Erin, everywhere bringing peace and joy. The flocks of demons began to scatter. He flung his bell among them; they took to precipitate flight, and cast themselves into the ocean. So complete was the saint's victory over them that, as the ancient narrative adds, "for seven years no evil thing was to be found in Ireland."

The saint, however, would not, as yet, descend from the mountain. He had vanquished the demons, but he would now wrestle with God Himself, like Jacob of old, to secure the spiritual interests of his people. The angel had announced to him that, to reward his fidelity in prayer and penance, as many of his people would be gathered into heaven as would cover the land and sea as far as his vision could reach. Far more ample, however, were the aspirations of the saint, and he resolved to persevere in fasting and prayer until the fullest measure of his petition was granted. Again and again the angel came to comfort him, announcing new concessions; but all these would not suffice. He would not relinquish his post on the mountain, or relax his penance, until all were granted. At length the message came that his prayers were heard:

    * many souls would be free from the pains of purgatory through his intercession;
    * whoever in the spirit of penance would recite his hymn before death would attain the heavenly reward;
    * barbarian hordes would never obtain sway in his Church;
    * seven years before the Judgement Day, the sea would spread over Ireland to save its people from the temptations and terrors of the Antichrist; and
    * greatest blessing of all, Patrick himself should be deputed to judge the whole Irish race on the last day.