Madison Catholic Herald

04/07/2025

Happy Independence Day! Today, let us give thanks and pray for our country, that we may truly be a nation where the rights of all are upheld, where religion and devotion are free to flourish, and where human dignity is protected.

"Father of all nations and ages, We recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." (the Collect for Independence Day, from the Roman Missal)

Have a safe, happy, and restful holiday!

02/07/2025

Bishop Donald J. Hying joins the bishops of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference in decrying the failure of the Wisconsin Supreme Court to protect the most vulnerable. Today’s Wisconsin State Supreme Court decision is a travesty of justice, a contortion of legal logic, and a tragic defeat for the dignity of human life in the womb.

The Catholic Church will not cease in its efforts to ensure that every human life is protected and respected. The intrinsic value and dignity of a human person can never be taken away, even by a court decision that defies logic. We must continue to defend life.

Read the press release from the Wisconsin Catholic Conference athttps://www.wisconsincatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/WCC-Decries-SCOWIS-Ruling-that-Legislature-Repealed-Abortion-Ban.pdf

13/06/2025

March for Life Wisconsin has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 26. This is due to the recently organized, national mass demonstrations this Saturday, June 14, which are expected to draw thousands marching up to and around the State Capitol. Streets around the Capitol will also be closed which will make movement very difficult. In the interest of ensuring the safety of attendees, including families with children, this joyful and peaceful march to protect every human life has been rescheduled to 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, on the State St.steps at the State Capitol in Madison.
For future updates, visit MarchforLifeWisconsin.org

12/06/2025

Sad news, this morning --

It is our sad duty to inform you of the death of Rev. Fr. D. Stephen Smith. Fr. Smith died yesterday, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg at the age of 79.

His funeral arrangements are pending and we will share them when they are finalized.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

20/05/2025

Congratulations, Bishop Hying!

Today, May 20, is the 36th anniversary of Bishop Hying's ordination to the priesthood! Please join us in praying for our bishop and giving thanks to God for his vocation to the priesthood. Thank you for your service to the Church, Bishop Hying!

17/05/2025

Congratulations to Transitional Deacons Barry Meinholz, Luis Reyes, Mark Wagner, and Casey Cooney, who were ordained by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona on May 16. You can read more about the ordinations in the May 22 issue of the Catholic Herald. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)

10/05/2025

Pray for our new pope!

09/05/2025

Some early words from our new Holy Father --

08/05/2025

Celebrations are going on around the diocese for the new pope.

If you hear the bells ringing at St Bernard, our own Fr David is ringing the bells in celebration of our new Pope!

Photo credit to our St Bernard and St Henry DRE, Mrs. Van Loenen!

08/05/2025

See the link below to learn more about our new pope, Pope Leo XIV, and pray for his pontificate.

It is with joy and prayers, united to those of the whole Church, that we welcome Pope Leo XIV as the 267th pope!

Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost, OSA), a former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, is a Chicago-born prelate who spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.

Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in 1977 and made his solemn vows in 1981.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and both a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His doctoral thesis was on “The role of the local prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.”

His career in the Church has been marked by significant roles and achievements. After his ordination as a priest in 1982, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985 and served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas from 1985 to 1986.

He spent the year 1987 to 1988 in the United States as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago before returning to Peru where he spent the next ten years heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and teaching canon law in the diocesan seminary, where he was also prefect of studies. He also served in other capacities there, including as a parish pastor, diocesan official, director of formation, seminary teacher, and judicial vicar.

In 1999, he returned to Chicago and was elected provincial prior of the “Mother of Good Counsel” province in the archdiocese. Two and a half years later he was elected prior general of the Augustinians and served two terms until 2013.

In 2014, he returned to Peru when Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo. He was elevated to Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015. While there, he also served as vice-president and member of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference from 2018 to 2023.

In 2020 and 2021, Prevost served as apostolic administrator of Callao, Peru.

Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023, a position responsible for selecting bishops, a position he held until Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025. On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis elevated Prevost to the rank of Cardinal. He was appointed the 266th Successor of Peter on May 8, 2025.

(Picture of the new Pope Leo XIV taken from YouTube. Bio source: Cardinalium Collegii Recensio.)

Visit madisondiocese.org/ournewpope for more information about Pope Leo XIV and the papacy. More content will be added in the coming days.

08/05/2025

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison speaks to local media about today's election of Pope Leo XIV. (Catholic Herald photos/Kevin Wondrash)

08/05/2025

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 8, 2025, following his election during the conclave. He is the first U.S.-born pope in history. (OSV News photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)