Chris and Carlene Martens' marriage nearly ended in May 2011 when Chris was fired from his job for viewing pornography on a work computer. His addiction to pornography started as child and he had hidden it from Carlene until "the ball came crashing down."continue at The Compass
When Carlene learned what happened, she put their four children in her minivan and moved in with her parents. The incident led the couple to a pornography recovery program based in Kaukauna.
RECLAiM Sexual Health is a Catholic-based online recovery program for people addicted to pornography and other unhealthy sexual behaviors. It was launched by Elizabeth Ministry International at the request of Bishop David Ricken.
"He was very excited about Elizabeth Ministry, but in that conversation he asked us to expand the ministry to what he referred to as the two bookends," Jeannie Hannemann told The Compass. "We were focused on child-bearing issues. He said he would like to pick up sexuality and relationships to kind of bring that all together."
continue at The CompassGREEN BAY — Bishop Thomas Paprocki chose to tackle a subject relevant to the upcoming election for his keynote address at the 2012 Red Mass Dinner, Sept. 20 at the Clarion Hotel. He presented the church's teaching regarding the work of the private sector and the role of government in managing the economy at the annual gathering sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Green Bay.
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In his talk, Bishop Paprocki, who was appointed the bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Ill., in 2010, stressed that, when applying Catholic social teaching, it's important to distinguish between those aspects of the teaching that are binding principles and those that are prudential judgments.
"Principles are binding insofar as they must be held by the faithful for the sake of salvation," he explained. "Prudential judgments involve the reasoned application of these principles that allow for considerable latitude and discretion.
"Statements of popes and bishops on policy, legislation and other situational applications or principles provide guidance to the faithful, but they are not binding," he added. "The distinctions between binding principles and prudential judgments are not always clear and absolute. Different legal and policy proposals are often compatible with a particular binding principle, but it is not always so."
Bishop Paprocki used the $2 million cut to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, as an example of a policy that may be looked at as a binding principle of Catholic social teaching, but actually involves a prudential judgment.
Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and the Committee on International Justice and Peace, told Congress that restoration of the funding is necessary in accordance with Catholic social teaching.
"They are simply making a prudential judgment that this program is a necessary, practical means for feeding the hungry," said Bishop Paprocki. "Reasonable minds can come to conclusions on more reasonable ways to feed the hungry."
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| Abp. Terrence Prendergast |
Join us for a series of panel discussions: “What the Future Looks Like if Marriage in Minnesota is Redefined – A Canadian Perspective” (PDF Flier)MN Catholic Conference
Monday, October 8th
9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
University of St. Thomas Law School
Atrium
1000 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Featured speakers will include The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, Archbishop of Ottawa, Ontario and other Canadians who will discuss the impact of redefining marriage in Canada, particularly for religious liberty and parental rights in education.
***You must RSVP for this important and informative event. Please send RSVPs and any questions to rhuray@mncc.org.
ORLANDO, September 24, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan gave the HHS mandate its execution date if he is elected: “Day one.”continue at LifeSite
The Wisconsin congressman said if he and Mitt Romney win the election in November, the requirement that religious employers, including many religious employers, to provide contraception, sterilization, and abortifacient drugs, “will be gone, I can guarantee you that.”
Responding to a question from one of more than two thousand people at a rally at the University of Central Florida, Ryan said the regulation constitutes “an assault on religious liberty.”
The phrase echoes a press release the self-described “pro-life Catholic” put out in February. “The Obama administration failed to recognize this mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right of religious freedom,” he wrote. “His decision disrespects not only the religious community, but it also disrespects the Constitution.”
The vice presidential nominee has increasingly attacked President Obama for his single-minded focus on abortion, which the president has made the centerpiece of his re-election campaign.
It's official! This 40 Days for Life campaign will be a record-setter! The campaign, from now through November 4, will be the largest and longest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history ... and you can help save lives by getting involved TODAY!continue at 40 Days
Here's a quick rundown:
- 316 locations -- the most ever!
- 49 US states -- plus Washington, DC
- 7 Canadian provinces
- Australia, England, Spain and -- for the first time -- Uganda
- Many NEW cities ... 46 first-time campaigns
The full list of locations for the 40 Days for Life campaign has just been posted. Click on the site that is closest to where you live. You will be redirected to the web page for that local 40 Days for Life campaign. On that local web page, sign up with your name and e-mail address to get involved and help save lives!
Take the leap of faith and get involved with 40 Days for LifeHave you been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet? You may ask, “What do I do?” or “What sign should I bring?” The answer is simple; the only sign you really need to bring is yourself, for you represent God’s love.
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St. Bernard's is a progressive, accepting Catholic parish, school and faith community in Watertown, Wisconsin.#WhyCatholicsDrinkSoMuch
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. --The Declaration of Independence
MADISON – Peace Corps. AmeriCorps. Greenpeace. Doctors Without Borders. While joining these humanitarian organizations are viable postgraduate alternatives to a well paying job with lots of perks and benefits, one graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) has made a counter cultural career move which, when it comes to helping fellow humans, trumps all these.Please pray for Steve and the work that Pro-Life Wisconsin is doing, and if possible support them and one of their many fantastic project financially.
Taking what he learned after four years as a double major in journalism and political science at UW (2002-2006), Steve Karlen eschewed an entry-level position at a newspaper or political think-tank for a bird’s eye view of Wisconsin’s pro-life movement.
As director of Development for Pro-Life Wisconsin, headquartered in Madison, Karlen has been putting his expertise to work for the rights of the unborn in and around Wisconsin since 2009. In the process, he’s learned a thing or two about the work he’s participating in while also being reminded that forgoing a fat paycheck and a cozy career is a small sacrifice compared to what the unborn are suffering daily since 1973 due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision to legalize abortion in the United States. Studied passion In considering his fields of study, Karlen said, he drew on his interest in politics, which began as a boy and continued through high school.
“I’d always been interested in politics,” he said. “According to my parents, when I was 4 years old, I watched the Republican National Convention from start to finish. That’s what they tell me, but I don’t know if that’s true.”
Fascinated by policy issues with a passion for writing, Karlen decided to combine these interests in a double major. Immediately after graduation, with only vague ideas of working in media or politics, Karlen took up work in the private sector. Two years later, in 2008, he became involved part-time with the Wisconsin chapter of 40 Days for Life, a national Catholic apostolate which emphasized prayer as an integral part of pro-life ministry. Eventually Karlen was heading up the Wisconsin chapter College graduate puts education to work for pro-life ministry and leading the fight on their behalf against the UW surgery center which eventually in 2011 canceled plans to offer late-term abortions on the premises. [Yes, that was Pro-Life Wisconsin despite claims to the contrary]
“It was at that time that I felt called to do pro-life work as a vocation both personally and professionally full time,” he said. “At that time I was up from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. doing prolife stuff while my family was sleeping. It was clear God was calling me to pro-life work.”
Searching around for work which both furthered the prolife cause and provided the means to support a family, Karlen wasn’t sure where to turn. “You don’t go to monster. com or Career Builder [two online job placement sites] to look at the pro-life jobs section,” he said, explaining that eventually Pro-Life Wisconsin was impressed enough by his work at 40 Days for Life, knowing he was looking for salaried employment employment, that the organization offered him a job.
Familiar work
At the time, Karlen and his wife Laura had only one child – they have since had another after suffering two miscarriages – but his family was in full support of his career decision.
“While I had a family when I started pro-life work, I wasn’t making big bucks I was giving up anyway,” he said. “But ultimately, the pro-life ministry was a passion my wife and I shared at the time – and still share.”
That familial support, Karlen said, makes his work – which often involves late nights and long-distance travel – that much easier.
“We don’t mind putting in time at night or on weekends,” he said, “because if I was working in the private sector, this is what we would be spending our free time on anyway, since we’re both so passionate about pro-life work anyway.”
Good from evil
Married shortly after graduation, the Karlens lived in Chicago briefly because, he said, without children the city was a fun place to live and work. It was while they worked in the Windy City that the urgency to end abortion came home to the Karlens in a painfully tragic way.
“My wife wasn’t necessarily pro-life when we were married,” he said. “My wife had a co-worker who got pregnant with a live-in ex-boyfriend and everyone was urging her to have an abortion at her workplace. Now, while my wife wasn’t prolife, she wasn’t necessarily proabortion either – she just didn’t think it was that important an issue.”
According to Karlen, his wife told the co-worker that the Karlen family would support her through the pregnancy – from giving her a place to live to paying for her medical bills to even adopting the child if it came to it.
“Laura put it all on the line,” he said. “We thought we were making a difference because the woman went from talking about abortion to talking about baby names.”
Hoping for the best, Karlen said, he and his wife invited the woman to dinner to discuss the practical details of their offer. “She never showed up,” he said. “It turned out the pressure from her ex-boyfriend, her parents and her doctor was too much. While we were waiting in a restaurant to have dinner with her, she was at that moment having an abortion. We found out two days later at Mass on a Sunday morning – and clear as day I remember that’s when I knew I couldn’t any longer just be pro-life, but I had to do something pro-life. My wife too at that point went from not caring about it to being passionate about it.”
Proud work
While the experience was harrowing, Karlen is grateful that it showed him the need among women and the unborn for vigilant action on their behalf and against purveyors of the abortion lie. “I’m not very good at quoting Scripture, but I’m a big fan of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans [8:28] where he says, ‘All things work for good for those who work for God,’” he said. “I think this experience allowed the Lord to use us as His tool to save other babies.” There’s no question in Karlen’s mind that he’s maximizing what he learned from his college education for the benefit of pro-life ministry.
“With a journalism degree I learned to write well, which is so important,” he said. “We need to find clever and intelligent ways to persuade those who aren’t pro-life. We have to look at it as part of the New Evangelization …which means using every tool that’s available to us, whether it’s the printed word, multimedia or advertising. Having that formal training at UW, I am able to be more effective at doing those things in the pro-life arena.”
Arch ChicagoWhat is a crowd? This week, the doctors told me to avoid crowds because there are periods in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy when the immune system is low. Even a common cold can become an uncommon danger. Avoid crowds.
Are three people a group and twelve people a crowd? No matter how the question is answered, my public schedule has been reduced. More than ever, one comes to appreciate the forms of presence that don’t depend on physical proximity. In faith, we believe that we are always surrounded by persons who are invisible: Jesus and his friends who are also ours, the angels and saints. A constant reminder of this invisible world we all inhabit is the promise of so many prayers that now sustain me. I am grateful that we are never alone.
Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
On Friday, September 21, 2012, the Illinois Court of Appeals upheld a trial court’s injunction against the State of Illinois that protects the right of pro-life pharmacy owners to refuse to stock and sell the morning-after pill and similar drugs that interfere with the development of human life at its earliest stages. In Morr-Fitz, Inc. et al., v. Pat Quinn, Governor, et al., the court held that the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act “protects plaintiffs’ decisions not to dispense emergency contraceptives due to their conscience beliefs.”continue at ACLJ
The plaintiffs, Luke Vander Bleek and Glenn Kosirog, owners of three pharmacies between them, have been fighting a state mandate that they stock and sell the “morning-after pill” since 2005. The ACLJ is co-counsel for the pharmacies and their owners, along with Mark Rienzi, Esq. of the Becket Fund.
In April, 2005, then Governor Rod Blagojevich issued an “Emergency Rule” mandating that pharmacies fill prescriptions for drugs, including emergency contraception, “without delay.” The Emergency Rule became a final administrative rule later that year. After the Rule was finalized, Kosirog and Vander Bleek sued the governor and other state officials claiming that the regulation violated their rights under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause, the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act, one of the country’s most comprehensive set of protections for the rights of conscience in the health care arena.
More at AOTM ClubOn October 7, 1571, in the Gulf of Lepanto the war galleys of the Holy League squared off against those of the Ottoman Turks, rowed by tens of thousands of Christian slaves. The battle decided the future of Europe, yet few Europeans (and even fewer Americans) know the story, much less how close Western Europe came to suffering an Islamic conquest.
Christopher Check, Director of Development for Catholic Answers and U.S. Marine Officer, believes that Europe and America without Christ are emptied of meaning and that Islam, is on the rise again.
As the political and religious conflicts of the 16th-Century tore Europe asunder, the Turk threatened to devour Christendom. She was saved only by the daring of Don John of Austria, the faith of Pope Saint Pius V, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. What will save the Christian West today?
Today with our own U.S. embassies in flames, we must never forget:
The Battle of Lepanto [ click to view image of ship used in this battle ]
- Join us for the Argument of the Month's national kick-off of its newest venue in Forest Lake, Minnesota
- Fathers, bring your sons! Let them hear this true story of Christian valor. Help them understand what it means to be a Soldier of Christ.
Argument of the Month Forest Lake1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025
For More Info: kent@aotmclub.com
the Catholic TimesLA CROSSE – Cincinnati architect Edward Schulte designed the La Crosse Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman at the peak of his career as a church architect of national prominence. The designer of four cathedrals and more than 80 churches across the nation, Schulte was recognized as the leading American architect for Catholic churches in the years from World War II to the early 1960s. With his unreserved commitment to both modern inventiveness and a deep sense of churchliness, he used traditional imagery, texts, materials and allied arts integrated into buildings recognizably of his age, making him a uniquely inventive and successful fi gure in ecclesiastical circles.
On Oct. 6, from 9-10:30 a.m., Dr. Denis McNamara, assistant director and faculty member at the Liturgical Institute of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and today’s foremost expert on Edward Schulte, will discuss his life and work, highlighting in a special way the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Come learn how our very own Cathedral – now celebrating its 50th anniversary – stands as one of the most significant designs of an architect of national prominence and plays a part in an important, but little-known movement, in liturgical architecture. [I believe called "End of the World" architecture, you know, before churches stopped looking like churches]
McNamara holds a bachelor’s degree in the History of Art from Yale University and a PhD in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, where he concentrated his research on the study of ecclesiastical architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. He makes a specialty of bridging the gap between the Church’s great artistic tradition and the documents of the Second Vatican Council. He has also done groundbreaking research on the sacramental meaning of the classical architectural tradition.
His 2009 book “Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy” (Hillenbrand Books), was honored in two categories by the Catholic Press Association, and his newest title, “How to Read Churches: A Crash Course In Christian Architecture” (Rizzoli, 2011) is published in English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French.
WASHINGTON—To honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of Faith, starting October 11 and ending November 24, 2013. The goal is to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example.continue for the whole list at USCCB
Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, offers “10 Ways Catholics Can Live the Year of Faith.” Rooted in guidelines from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, some of these suggestions are already requirements for Catholics; others can be embraced by Catholics at all times and especially during the Year of Faith:
1. Participate in Mass. The Year of Faith is meant to promote the personal encounter with Jesus. This occurs most immediately in the Eucharist. Regular Mass attendance strengthens one’s faith through the Scriptures, the Creed, other prayers, sacred music, the homily, receiving Communion and being part of a faith community.
Kristin Van Spankeren is Pro-Life Wisconsin’s college intern at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This week, she’ll bring us a reflection on her efforts to build a Culture of Life at a very pro-abortion campus.continue at Pro-Life Wisconsin
Today while doing homework at the UW’s Union South, I noticed a display table behind me for the registered student organization, Sex Out Loud. Although I knew I would disagree with their mission, I truly did not know what the organization does for students (other than give out free condoms to any passerby, that is). I decided to walk over and have a chat.
I was handed a brochure with a colorful presentation of condoms on the cover, and I asked what the group was all about. I learned that Sex Out Loud’s mission is “to promote healthy[aka dysfunctional] sexuality through sex-positive education and activism.” My peer also emphasized that sex is a “personal choice[like suicide],” and that students have the right to choose to be sexually active[and funded by taxpayers]. Once that choice is made, Sex Out Loud is there to walk them through the “safe sex” process[safe from what I wonder], such as choosing the “best” birth control option for each student. [birth? Why does birth have to be attached to sex? It's almost like somebody designed sex to be "inconvenient"]
“But what about abstinence?” I asked. “Isn’t that a choice? What do you teach about choosing to not have sex?”
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| Photo via Laetificat Madison |
This past week we celebrated the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. There is no shortage of crosses in our lives, and we pray for one another and lift one another up as we encounter those crosses. It is through those crosses, which some of you experience right now, that can come the Resurrection victory. So engage the struggle to embrace your cross and do not forget the triumph which comes by way of our following the Lord.continue at MadCatHerald
On the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, I had the opportunity to bless a new Way of the Cross path that has been created on the site of our once and future cathedral. As we look forward to the great day of the dedication of our new cathedral, some generous people have stepped forward and have created a prayer garden, with beautiful plantings and a path of paving stones which mark the sorrowful way of Our Lord’s suffering and death. We had beautiful weather for the blessing on the Feast of the Holy Cross, and a beautiful gathering of people to pray together. The stations, which are beautifully arranged, have been blessed and are there for our prayer, but one day there will be a very beautiful cathedral there.
It is necessary that we have a cathedral and that day will come. Our delay has a lot to do with our economy, but there cannot be a diocese without a cathedral. The Way of the Cross is a beautiful sign that the way we will get to a new cathedral in the same way that we get to every good thing; the way we get to every experience of resurrection, that is, the way of the cross.
The Feast Day of the Holy Cross is so very important to us because the cross is the sign of our salvation, the sign of Christ’s victory. As one of our young priests mentioned in his Mass on the feast day, there are many signs in our world, around which people rally — the Badgers have their big red and white “W,” and the Packers have their “G,” outlined in green and gold. These are easily identifiable ways of indicating the very “culture” that they embody.
Pro-life and Catholic groups are lauding the U.S. bishops’ new hire to head up their social justice initiatives, noting that he has shown a strong evangelistic approach to the Church’s charitable work and a devotion to the Magisterium [who'd a thunk it!] and authentic Catholic apostolates.continue at LifeSite
Dr. Jonathan Reyes, a father of seven and former professor at Christendom College, will take over as executive director of the U.S. Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, where he will also oversee the beleaguered Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
He replaces John Carr, who retired in August after 25 years [of strangling pro-life efforts], and was considered one of the most influential progressive voices at the USCCB.
Reyes’ hiring appears to be “emblematic of a sea change” at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops “that will very soon affect the way our bishops and priests address social and political issues,” said Dr. Jeff Mirus of CatholicCulture.org. “It is, in fact, emblematic of enormous spiritual and cultural growth.” “The reason this is astonishing is that the new appointment marks a significant change in ideological direction for what may be the last bastion of the liberal old guard in the bureaucracy of the American bishops,” he wrote Tuesday
continue at The CompassCHAMPION — With every pedal stroke of her 12-year-old Trek bicycle, Marge Van Heuklon of Kaukauna closed the gap between herself and a distant, towering metal cross marking the entrance to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help near this rural Brown County crossroads community.
One of 11 cyclists bearing down on the location, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Adele Brise in October of 1859, Van Heuklon said she felt the hand of God guiding the pilgrims on their nearly 50-mile journey from Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna.
"I've never been to the shrine, so I wanted to come here. We don't often feel God in our lives, but this (shrine) is a place where he has come a little bit closer to us," Van Heuklon said.
A mile down the road a line of two dozen walkers, clad in blaze orange safety vests not necessary in Adele Brise's time, approached the shrine.
At the same time, 11 motorcycles, some being piloted by priests and at least one deacon, turned down County Highway K toward the shrine.
Meanwhile, an aging former school bus decorated with a huge, hand-painted rosary, carried a dozen elderly passengers.
The travelers, about 65 in all, were participating in the second annual Holy Cross Parish pilgrimage to the nation's first and only Marian shrine that is on the site of an approved Marian apparition.
"It's incredible. It's so impressive they made their sacrifices to walk all this way so they could bring attention to Christ and the Blessed Mother," said Bishop David Ricken, whose Dec. 8, 2010, decree formally approved the apparitions and who presided over a special Mass at the shrine's chapel on Sept. 16.
Another vandalized sign picture emailed to Minnesota for Marriage. For simply understanding that marriage is the union between one man and one woman and that kids need a mom and a dad, these Amendment supporters were labeled "Fascists"--Minnesota For Marraige
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| Xavier High School Girls and Sister Mary Ann |
Today, September 20, 2012, the winners of the 2012-2013 Catholic High School Honor Roll competition were announced by The Cardinal Newman Society. Since 2004, the Honor Roll has recognized excellence in Catholic identity, academics and civic education at Catholic high schools across the United States.continue at Cardinal Newman Society(full list there)
The top 50 schools are recognized for overall excellence, and other schools receive honors for special recognition in particular categories. This year seven schools were recognized for excellence in Catholic identity, six schools for academics, five schools for civic education, and five schools for two of the three categories.
“Since competition began in 2004, the Honor Roll has been a helpful tool for administrators, families, and benefactors in recognizing the quality of a Catholic high school,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. “The Honor Roll schools are a reminder that Catholic education is getting better every day—not only academically, but in the renewal of Catholic identity—and we are delighted to see the increased level of competition among the schools that participated in the program this year.”
This year’s top 50 Honor Roll schools are diverse: large and small, new and long-established, both highly selective and open enrollment admissions policies, and high and low tuition rates. The common trait is an institutional commitment to providing a truly integrated and faithful Catholic education across all disciplines and in all areas of student activities.
After the 2010 – 2011 award cycle, the Acton Institute decided, based on the Institute’s Core Principles and the focus of the Institute’s current work, to transfer the CHS program to The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). CNS’s mission is to help renew and strengthen Catholic identity in Catholic higher education and its work includes helping parents and students find faithful Catholic colleges through its Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, makes it a natural home for this program. CNS thus provides the Acton Institute with the confidence that the program integrity will be maintained. CNS will continue the excellent tradition that Acton Institute established with the Honor Roll program and will maintain the high standards set by the founders.Three Minnesota High Schools were selected as well. I'll post on that later.
continue at Arch MilOn Sunday evening, September 9th, during a vesper service in Christ the King Chapel, I installed Rev. John Hemsing as the nineteenth rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary. Father Hemsing is a man who has a pastor’s heart and loves the Church. Faculty, staff and seminarians were present, along with board members, family, and distinguished visitors, representing the fact that the seminary is an integral part of the whole character of the archdiocese.
Photo via Anne Bender
As I traveled throughout the archdiocese at the beginning of my tenure as Archbishop of Milwaukee, many would tell me of their admiration for our newly ordained priests and seminarians. There was something special about these men that captured the religious imagination of our communities. Perhaps it was the witness of their vocation, or the hope that many envisioned in their willingness to serve, but in a real sense, I believe it was the formation of their spiritual life.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is privileged to have a seminary in order to form and fashion future priests to serve the needs of the faithful. St. Francis de Sales Seminary is the oldest seminary in the Midwest and one of the oldest seminaries in the entire country.
There is a bond which is created among those who discern a vocation to the priesthood. For years they pray, study and socialize together. I’m always amazed at the affection our priests have for the seminary. This is a tribute to those who assisted them in their formation as priests. The Archdiocese of Chicago was the beneficiary of the formation of one of the former priests and rectors of St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Albert Cardinal Meyer, former Archbishop of Chicago.
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| Fr. John Hemsing was officially installed as the 19th rector of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary on Sunday! Here, he and the formation faculty profess the Oath of Fidelity. |
Two cardinals made the news on the last days of August. To appropriate a scriptural question, "Which one of them, do you think, went home justified?" Or, to put it another way, "Can you tell which one died and which one remains vibrantly alive?"That reminds me, I need a professor in psychology to start writing here.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declined to take up a case challenging the state's domestic partnership law until an appeals court has heard the case.RRStar
The law created Wisconsin's Domestic Partnership Registry. A Dane County judge ruled last year that the law does not violate the Marriage Amendment to the state constitution.
In July, an appeals court asked the Supreme Court to determine whether the legislation violated the amendment by creating a legal status similar to marriage for unmarried people.
But the court declined the request, sending the case back to the appellate court for a hearing.
The court did not say why it refused to take the case.
The Legislature established the registry in 2009. Members of Wisconsin Family Action challenged it in court.
Do you know what Congressman Paul Ryan identifies as the single most dangerous problem the U.S. faces right now? If you guess “the economy” or “debt” you would be wrong. His answer might surprise you when you listen to this free audio download of an eye-opening interview he did last year with the Envoy Institute.Photo
A committed Catholic, Congressman Ryan is now the GOP candidate for vice president for the 2012 presidential election. Early last year, before he rose to his current prominence, he granted an interview with the Envoy Institute in which he explained candidly what he sees as America’s single greatest challenge today, and how he proposes to confront that challenge and, in so doing, begin the process of curing the country’s dire political, social, moral, and economic ills. You will probably never guess what he identifies as the hidden obstacle to true freedom and equitable prosperity. But you don’t have to guess, because you can download the interview right now free and start listening in moments.
Listening to this fact-filled, historic Envoy Institute interview with Congressman Paul Ryan, conducted by Dr. Ben Wiker, will be 25 minutes of your day well-spent.
There is no cost for this presentation, however pre-registration is essential. Seating is limited and will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. The presentation will be in the Mater Christi Chapel. Due to the overwhelming response for this program, additional seating will be in the Auditorium using closed circuit video viewing. Registration will be closed once we reach seating capacity.ArchMil
The Pallium Lecture will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's website shortly after the presentation.
“Proclaiming Christ to a Secular Culture” - click here to register
Presenter: Rev. Robert Barron
The Pallium Lecture will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's webpage shortly after the presentation.
The Pallium Lecture is a presentation selected by Archbishop Jerome Listecki to focus on catechetical formation and spiritual renewal. This year’s topic is “Proclaiming Christ to a Secular Culture.” The presenter is Rev. Robert Barron; the creator and host of CATHOLICISM, a 10-part documentary on the Catholic faith; founder of Word on Fire (www.WordOnFire.org) and Rector and President, University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.
Fr. Barron will challenge us, as Catholics to reflect on the reality that we need to step up to tell our story - the Catholic story – about a faith that is not a privilege, but one about the transformative power of Christianity that is meant to be share.
Archbishop Listecki will lead a prayer service to begin the evening. Fr. Barron’s lecture will be followed by a short question and answer period.
The evening is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with funding from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.
Individuals and groups can register online by clicking here.
Sign language interpreters will be provided.
Click here for a Pallium Lecture flyer.
Event Location
Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center
3501 South Lake Drive
Saint. Francis, WI 53235
Good Counsel Homes is a private Catholic agency whose primary mission is to help homeless pregnant women by providing a loving family environment in a safe and secure shelter. Begun in 1985 by Friar Benedict Groeschel and Christopher Bell, both leaders in the pro-life movement, Good Counsel has grown to five homes in the New York greater metropolitan area.Good Counsel Homes
Our Lumina ministry has developed an outstanding program for those suffering as a result of a past abortion, through retreats as well as educational and training outreach. Theresa Bonopartis, our director, and co-developer of the “Entering Canaan” post-abortion ministry with The Sisters of Life, has also, with The Franciscan Friars of Renewal, expanded the program with Lumina, to assist post-abortive men and siblings, and those who have aborted because of an adverse diagnosis.
While there is only one Virgin Mary, scholars have catalogued more than 1,100 distinct icons of the Mother of God. Spread out in front of us, it is difficult to understand why there are so many. In their variety, we wonder if they all could possibly represent the same historical individual? Every icon represents a different part of Our Lady, emphasizing specific facets of her life, personality, and intercession. Despite the multiplicity of her icons, no single image has captured her fullness or proven adequate.continue at Griswold Friars
Some icons are named for shrines and places where miraculous events occurred, like the Virgin of Vladimir, a city in Russia. Some are titled with words of praise, like the icon called “Life-Giving Spring” or “All Creation Rejoices in Thee”. Other icons are titled after our own needs, and testify to Our Lady’s intercession. We know of icons called “The Mother of God, Confidence of Sinners”, or “She Who Soothes My Sorrows”, or the very beautiful and famous icon called “Perpetual Help”.
This icon of the Mother of God is called “The Helper in Childbirth“. The first prototypes of this icon appeared in Western Russia, in the early 19th century. It was made for a very practical and urgent need – the difficulties in conceiving and giving birth.
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee's archbishop says he's eating healthier, following heart surgery last month.video at TJM (... I can't embed it... well I could but I'd have to hack it and grab the video file first and I don't have the time)
Sixty-three-year-old Archbishop Jerome Listecki spoke with Today's TMJ4'S Todd Hicks at Saturday's ordination of deacons, and says although our bodies are wonderfully engineered by God, things can happen.
Archbishop Listecki had a blocked artery leading to his heart and says doctors told him that he suffered a minor heart attack.
Weeks later, the archbishop says he feels good.
Roses for Our Lady FacebookHonor Our Blessed Mother by celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary with Roses for Our Lady
Join us for Mass and an outdoor Eucharistic rosary procession on Sunday, October 7th at 2 PM at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 3100 S. 41st St. Milwaukee, WI
Bishop Donald J. Hying, presider and homilist
Concelebrants:
Fr. Robert Turner, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish
Fr. Matthew Widder, Associate Pastor of St. Mary’s in Hales Corners
Sponsored by Roses for Our Lady
St. Bonaventure:continue at TLM Michiana(A nice photo of the Friars of the Immaculate as well)
Francis being indeed a faithful servant and minister of Christ, about the space of two years before he gave back his spirit to heaven, withdrew himself into an high mountain apart, even that mountain which is called Mount Alverno, and began to fast for forty days to the honour of the Archangel Michael. To think of the things above gave him sweeter comfort than beforetime he was wont, and the hot longing for heaven was kindled in him, so that he began to feel that the gifts from above were poured forth upon him in such fulness as he had never felt before. The burning of his desire made his heart rise towards God like the heart of a seraph, and his tender answering love yearned to be changed into the likeness of him who hath so loved us that he was content to bear the Cross. And it was so that one morning early, about the time of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, he was praying upon the side of the mountain, and there appeared to him as it had been one of the Seraphim, having six wings, glorious and fiery, flying to him from heaven. It came therefore very swiftly, and stood in the air, hard by the man of God. He beheld then the appearance thereof that it was not winged only, but crucified also. His hands and feet were stretched forth and nailed to a Cross. Twain of his wings were lifted up and joined one to the other over his head, and twain were stretched forth to fly withal, and with twain he wrapped around his body. When Francis saw it, he was sore amazed, and his soul was filled with sorrow and gladness, for the eyes of him that appeared were full of strange love and tenderness, so that he conceived great rejoicing thereat, but the nailing to the Cross was so exceedingly dreadful, that as he saw it, a sword of sorrow pierced his soul.
Jesus, Archbishop John Nienstedt, and almost 2,000 of the “greatest people in the world” were “stranded” on an island Sept. 15 for a day of worship, learning and celebration.continue at The Catholic Spirit
No, it wasn’t a new reality TV show — rather, it was the archbishop’s perfect description of the first annual Archdiocesan Youth Day at DeLaSalle High School, located on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis.
Archbishop Nienstedt welcomed the contingent of high school-aged Catholics from across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to rediscover and share their “reason for hope” — Jesus Christ.
Over the course of the seven-hour celebration of faith, young Catholics listened to several dynamic speakers, attended Mass with Archbishop Nienstedt, received the sacrament of reconciliation, enjoyed uplifting music by Sonar, and honored Jesus’ presence during a candlelit adoration procession.
The Midwest Catholic Marian Conference at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan is one of the longest running Catholic Conferences in the Midwest.
Started in 1991 by Barbara (d. 2003) and Robert Smith of Petoskey, Michigan under the spiritual direction of Fr. Andre Schludecker, FSO, the Midwest Catholic Marian Conference has hosted Catholic speakers from all over the United States and internationally with participants averaging in the hundreds and sometimes thousands. Those who attend this 3-day Catholic conference receive many blessings for putting their daily routine of life aside for the weekend. People come to renew, refresh and deepen their Christian faith lives. They never leave disappointed for one cannot help but to grow closer to Jesus and His Most Blessed Mother at the Marian Conference. Lives have been changed, vocations discovered and life-long friendships made.
Please join us this October 19-21, 2012 for the 21st Annual Midwest Catholic Marian Conference, one of the longest running Catholic Conferences in the Midwest!
