Diocese of Madison

Christmas decorations go up the day after Halloween, and by December 26, the tree is already in the ditch, just as the Church’s Christmas season is getting started. We live in a culture that doesn’t like to wait. But Bishop Hying says that's exactly what Advent teaches us: to be patient, to hope, and to prepare. And when we wait for something, we value it more when it finally arrives. That’s the spirit of "Fullness of Time," the Diocese of Madison's Advent study program, which explores Christ's coming in the past, present, and future. Each week focuses on the Sunday readings, with a short video, guided reflection questions, and more. Pray through it on your own, with your family, or with a small group at your parish. Find everything at madisondiocese.org/advent202… "Preparing for Advent and the Fullness of Time" is available now on Things Visible and Invisible. Subscribe through your favorite podcast player, or visit madisondiocese.org/podcast for show updates and past episodes. 🎧 Available on: Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/Mkmui Spotify: shorturl.at/G7PNu YouTube Music: shorturl.at/kSajU Amazon Music: shorturl.at/I8mRs iHeart Radio: shorturl.at/vfxME

Bishop Hying encourages the faithful of our diocese to support our sister diocese of Jacmel, Haiti through a gift to the Haiti Midwife Fund. This fund pays the salaries of two midwives at the Centre de Santé Sacré-Coeur de Thiotte (The Sacred Heart of Thiotte Healthcare Center or CSST). Since medical services in Haiti are sparse, these midwives fill a critical need in their community by providing essential care to expectant mothers so that other clinics and healthcare providers can focus their resources on other needs. In years past, our diocese supported these midwives through the Advent Midwife Challenge, and now the opportunity to support this worthy cause has been expanded to a year-round fund. You can make a gift to this fund by visiting madiosndiocese.org/haiti. Thank you for your generosity!

Do you have a high school senior with a heart for service, leadership, and their Catholic faith? They're invited to apply for a scholarship opportunity through our local Catholic Charities! The Mary Jeanne Kennedy Anderson Youth Faith in Action Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship given to two high school seniors in the Diocese of Madison who have shown a commitment to leadership, service in their parish and community, and putting their faith into action in the future. Applicants must be high school seniors during the current school year with at least a 3.0 GPA and plan to attend a college, university, or technical school in 2027. Applications are due December 11. Visit ccmadison.org/scholarship for more information and for instructions on how to apply!

A Moment with the Bishop: Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service All in the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend this year's Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service on Monday, November 23, 6:30 pm, at Asbury Church (6101 University Ave., Madison, WI). This service is an opportunity for Christians across Madison to gather in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings while supporting those in need. Those attending are encouraged to bring cash donations or non-perishable food items for area food pantries. Visit collaborationproject.us/than… to learn more about the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service.

Submissions for our Sacred Heart Art Contest for school students are open until December 1! Do you have a young artist in your family? Encourage them to submit a piece of original art of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Submissions must be hand-made (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.); AI-generated designs or other computer-made pieces will not be considered. Pieces can be submitted either to your school office, parish faith formation office, or directly to the diocese. Students must live within the Diocese of Madison and be in grades K-12. Visit madisondiocese.org/sacredhea… for full rules, prizes, and more!

National Vocation Awareness Week has come to a close, but you can continue the spirit of prayer for more vocations to the priesthood in our diocese by joining a new prayer society! Our Office of Vocations created the St. Raphael Prayer Society in response to Jesus' exhortation to "ask the Master of the Harvest to send out laborers for His harvest" (Luke 10:2). By joining the society, you commit to praying daily for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and for the intentions and needs of our bishop and of all our priests currently serving the Diocese of Madison. There is no cost to join the society and no meetings to attend, only the commitment to prayer. Visit madisonvocations.org/raphael to learn more and to enroll! Please join us in praying through the intercession of St. Raphael for vocations to the priesthood in our diocese: O God, who chose St. Raphael to be a faithful companion and intercessor for your people to foster adoration, bring healing, and protect from evil, raise up, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, St. Raphael, and all the angels and saints, faithful shepherds for your people in the Diocese of Madison, that the increase of holy vocations to the priesthood may lead to the salvation of many souls. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

We're closing out our Seminarian Spotlights with Deacon Michael Hess, who is finishing up his studies at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee and will be ordained to the priesthood in 2027! Where are you from/home parish? St. Cecilia - Wisconsin Dells (St. John Paul II Parish) If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? The Spiritual Direction of Saint Claude de la Colombière Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? All wisdom is contained in the virtues of humility and simplicity. Favorite Marian title or devotion? Title: Star of the Sea (Stella Maris); Devotion: The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? Prayer: Jesus Prayer; Sacramental: Brown Scapular with Miraculous Medal & Benedictine Cross sewn in Favorite sports team? Packers Favorite movie? The Cardinal (1963) Favorite Catholic podcast? Pints with Aquinas If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? St. Joseph Go-to Culver's order? Double Butterburger Deluxe Basket (but I love the limited time only features too - like the Roasted Garlic & Bacon Pub Burger) We hope you've enjoyed getting to know our seminarians! All of our Seminarian Spotlights can be found at madisonvocations.org/seminar…. If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

It's the last day of National Vocation Awareness Week and the last day of our Seminarian Spotlights! First up today, Todd Ashburn, Jr., studying at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish? Waterloo/Epiphany of the Lord Parish If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? True Devotion to Mary Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? Never allow bitterness to enter your heart, this is the greatest downfall to a vocation. Favorite Marian title or devotion? Our Lady of Sorrows What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? Rosary Favorite sports team? Packers Favorite movie? Lord of the Rings Favorite Catholic podcast? U.S. Grace Force If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? The Blessed Virgin Mary Go-to Culver's order? Bacon Cheeseburger If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

We're finishing up today's Seminarian Spotlights with Bastien Wolfe, who is attending St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish:  St. Therese of Lisieux Parish If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life. Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? Be available Favorite Marian title or devotion? Our Lady Undoer of Knots What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? The Rosary Favorite sports team? The (World Champion!) Milwaukee Brewers Favorite movie? Master and Commander If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be?  St. John Vianney Go-to Culver's order? Double Mushroom and Swiss Basket, with a strawberry malt. Our final few Seminarian Spotlights will drop tomorrow! You can also read more about our seminarians at madisonvocations.org/seminar…. If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

Four Last Things: Hell As Catholic Cemeteries Week concludes, we share Bishop Hying's reflection on the final of the Four Last Things. God, in His mercy, opened the gates of Heaven to us through the death and resurrection of His Son. But that doesn't mean that admission to Heaven is automatic. God does not force us to be in relationship with Him; we are free to love Him or to reject Him, and the reality of Hell reminds us that our rejection of God can have eternal consequences. How we live our earthly life matters for our eternal life; what we desired and strived for on Earth, whether life with God or without Him, will be given to us in eternity. The good news is that while Hell certainly points to the justice of God, He is always ready to forgive us, so long as we seek His mercy for our sins, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and try to follow after Him faithfully. On this last day of Catholic Cemeteries Week, may we renew our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ and continue to prepare our hearts and our souls for eternal life. Learn more about Catholic Cemeteries Week at madisondiocese.org/ccw.

National Vocation Awareness Week finishes tomorrow and we have a few more seminarians to spotlight! First up for today, David Marrone, who is at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish? Holy Cross Parish - Cross Plains If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? The Discernment of Spirits, Fr. Timothy Gallagher Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? Try your best to see all things as the unfolding of God's loving plan for you. Favorite Marian title or devotion? Praying the Memorarae What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? Rosary Favorite sports team? Milwaukee Bucks Favorite movie? It's A Wonderful Life Favorite Catholic podcast? Word on Fire If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? St. John Paul the Great Go-to Culver's order? Double Butterburger with Cheddar If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

Our next Seminarian Spotlight is Daniel Graber, who is studying at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish? Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? Ancient Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Carthusian Monks of the 14-17th centuries. Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? Everybody is feeling the same way you are, so don't stress out. Favorite Marian title or devotion? Rosary What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? The Miraculous Medal Favorite sports team? Green Bay Packers Favorite movie? Hoosiers If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? Padre Pio Go-to Culver's order? Double cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke We'll be back tomorrow with a few more Seminarian Spotlights! You can learn more about our seminarians at madisonvocations.org/seminar…. If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

Do you know a young man or woman who may be interested in the priesthood or consecrated life? Our Vocations Office has two upcoming events that you can share with them! For young men (middle school through college-age) who are open to considering the priesthood, our annual St. Andrew Dinner will be December 7 at St. Joseph Church in Fort Atkinson. The event includes Mass with Bishop Hying followed by dinner. Young men are encouraged to bring their father and their pastor! For young women (middle school through college-age) who are interested in discerning a call to consecrated life, our Santa Lucia Brunch is coming up on December 13 at St. Bernard Church in Middleton. Join us for Mass, followed by brunch and fellowship with consecrated women from our diocese and beyond. Young women are welcome to bring their mothers! Please see the graphics here for more information, or visit madisonvocations.org. Contact Melissa Ortiz in our Vocations Office with questions ([email protected]).

Just a few more days left in National Vocation Awareness Week, and a few more seminarians to spotlight! This morning we're meeting Dominick Brezinski, studying at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish? Mount Horeb, WI/St. Francis of Assisi Parish If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? The Baltimore Catechism Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? “If you ain't praying, you ain't staying.” Favorite Marian title or devotion? Our Lady of Częstochowa What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? Act of Spiritual Communion Favorite sports team? Notre Dame Football Favorite movie? Smokey and The Bandit Favorite Catholic podcast? Pints with Aquinas If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Go-to Culver's order? Family size cheese curd If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

Next week, Bishop Hying is offering two back-to-back Sacred Heart evenings of reflection! On Sunday, November 8, he'll be at St. Joseph Church in Dodgeville. And on Monday, November 9, he'll be at St. James Church in Madison. Both events begin at 7:00 pm and include Eucharistic Adoration and a reflection by Bishop Hying. Bring an image of the Sacred Heart for your home enthronement and Bishop will bless it after the event! (Please know that the event on November 9 at St. James Church will be English-language, but Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has scheduled a Spanish-language evening of reflection in February!) Can't make it to either of these? Bishop Hying is traveling the diocese this fall and winter to offer these evenings of reflection at many of our parishes! Visit madisondiocese.org/events?pa… for a full listing of events.

We're closing out today with another Seminarian Spotlight for National Vocation Awareness Week! Meet Andrew Glanville, a seminarian at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish? Oregon, WI, St. Cletus Parish If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? Pastoral Sermons by Msgr. Ronald Knox! I absolutely love his style of preaching as he connects the Mass for the day intimately to the rest of the spiritual life. My favorite is probably his sermon for Christ the King. Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? Persevere, persevere, persevere! -Fr. Simon Tipps Favorite Marian title or devotion? Our Lady, Destroyer of All Heresies is my favorite title. My favorite Marian devotion is the Rosary. I love how it allows me to meditate on the lives of Our Blessed Lord and Our Blessed Mother while using something tangible to keep my mind focused. What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? I love the breviary. The repetition of the Psalms in light of the whole liturgical calendar constantly reminds me of the great coherence between my private prayer life and the prayer life of the Church at large. Favorite sports team? Milwaukee Brewers Favorite movie? It's a Wonderful Life. It always reminds me of home. Favorite Catholic podcast? Pints With Aquinas If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? I would love to sit down to dinner with Cardinal Newman. I have grown very close to him, both inside and outside of seminary, and I would love to witness his profound prayer, thoughtfulness, and erudition in the flesh. Go-to Culver's order? Culver's Bacon Deluxe (no mayo) with a side of cheese curds and a root beer. We'll continue our Seminarian Spotlights tomorrow! You can also read more about our seminarians at madisonvocations.org/seminar…. If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

Four Last Things: Heaven As Catholic Cemeteries Week continues, we share Bishop Hying's reflection on the third of the Four Last Things. The limits of our human knowledge sometimes leads us to think that Heaven will simply be a magnification of the highest happiness that we've ever experienced on earth. But Bishop Hying reminds us that Heaven goes far beyond this; it is perfect union with God, forever. We get a small and imperfect glimpse of what awaits us in Heaven whenever we go to Mass, because at Mass, we join the saints and angels in their eternal worship of God at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. The Lord graciously opened Heaven to each one of us through the death and resurrection of His Son; let us live our earthly lives well so that we can attain this great gift. Learn more about Catholic Cemeteries Week at madisondiocese.org/ccw.

National Vocation Awareness Week continues, and so do our Seminarian Spotlights! First up for today: Cade Sullivan, studying at St. Francis de Sale Seminary in Milwaukee. Where are you from/home parish? Divine Mercy Parish If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one spiritual book (not the Bible) what would it be? Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux Best advice you've gotten in seminary so far? Your disposition isn't everything, but it almost is, from my rector, Fr. Jason Kern Favorite Marian title or devotion? Our Lady of Knock or Our Lady Undoer of Knots What is your favorite prayer or sacramental? Besides the Rosary, the Litany of Humility, or the Litany for Priests/Seminarians by the Sisters of Life Favorite sports team? Chicago Bears Favorite movie? Revenge of the Sith or The Dark Knight Favorite Catholic podcast? The Counsel of Trent If you could have dinner with a saint, who would it be? St. Philip Neri Go-to Culver's order? Blueberry Concrete Mixer If you are interested in discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit madisonvocations.org, or contact Fr. Jared Holzhuter, our Vocations Director, at [email protected].

Today is the 220th birthday of our dear Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli! Born on this day in 1806 to a wealthy and accomplished family in Milan, Samuel entered the Dominicans at age 17 and asked permission during his studies to serve in America after he heard the pleas of Bishop Edward Fenwick of Cincinnati for more priests to serve in the remote stretches of his diocese. Brother Samuel set sail for America and continued his studies in Ohio and Kentucky. He was ordained a priest in 1830 at age 23 and served for a few years in Mackinac Island/Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin, before moving to the Mississippi River Valley. In present-day Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, he started parish communities, built churches, and served the Irish Catholics who had settled in the farming and mining communities around the Mississippi River. He also began a teaching congregation of Dominican Sisters at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. His work laid the foundation of what is now the Diocese of Madison, roughly 100 years before our diocese was founded. He died in his rectory in Benton in February 1864 after a bout of pneumonia, and he is buried at St. Patrick Church Cemetery in Benton. His cause for canonization was introduced in 1964, and in 1993, St. John Paul II declared him "Venerable." We give thanks to God today for the witness of Fr. Mazzuchelli and for his courage, zeal, and joy in spreading the Gospel in the upper Midwest, including what is now our diocese! May his example guide us in our mission to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and to invite others into relationship with Him, too. Let us pray that he is beatified one day, and let us entrust our needs and intentions to him. Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, pray for us! Want to learn more about our local Venerable? Visit madisondiocese.org/mazzuchel…; there you can watch a short documentary on Fr. Mazzuchelli's life and legacy and learn more about sites associated with him in our diocese and beyond!