A profile of one participant in the Lay Them to Rest free committal program.

On February 11, Wisconsin’s Catholic bishops issued a pastoral letter expressing support for immigrants and encouraging everyone to uphold human dignity, the common good, and the rule of law.

Very Rev. Tait Schroeder, Vicar General, publishes the decree uniting St. Dennis Parish in Madison and St. Peter Parish in Madison to become Queen of Apostles Parish as well as the decree modifying the parochial boundaries of the Cathedral Parish of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, as issued by Most Rev. Donald Hying, Bishop of Madison, and announces the following clergy appointments, all effective Saturday, February 22, 2025, and announced the same day.

From February 7-14, through the USCCB’s National Marriage Week, the Church is invited to focus especially on the Sacrament of Marriage and the irreplaceable role marriage has in shaping families and society.

Very Rev. Tait Schroeder, Vicar General, publishes the decree uniting Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope, to become Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, as issued by Most Rev. Donald Hying, Bishop of Madison, and announces the following priest appointments, all effective Saturday, February 1, 2025, and announced the same day.

Very Rev. Tait Schroeder, Vicar General, publishes the decree uniting St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton to become Holy Cross Parish, as issued by Most Rev. Donald Hying, Bishop of Madison, and announces the following priest appointments, all effective Saturday, February 1, 2025, and announced the same day.

Whether you travel to Rome or participate locally during the special celebration, God’s grace still flows to the faithful through his Church.

Jubilee, Holy Door, indulgence, bull of indiction, major basilica … Here’s a glossary of some of the key terms for the Great Jubilee of 2025.

The Vatican has detailed how to obtain plenary indulgences — removing temporal punishment for sin through Christ’s merits — during the 2025 Jubilee Year.

We are deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and mourn for the victims of this horrible act of violence. We stand united with the Abundant Life family and pray for healing for those who are injured and comfort for the families who are facing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. In these days leading up to Christmas, may the peace, love, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be an anchor for all those affected.

The universal Catholic Church is looking toward the Jubilee Year 2025 — the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord. The theme of the Jubilee Year is “Hope”.

When should you make your arrangements at the cemetery? The answer is different for each person. Here is one story.

In March 2023 the USCCB Committee on Doctrine responded to a question that has been popping up here and there about two new ways of treating human remains. One of these ways, alkaline hydrolysis, dissolves the flesh and flushes the liquid residue down the sewer, allowing bones to be pulverized as with cremation. The other, composting results in a cubic yard of dirt that bears no resemblance to a body, so there is nothing to bury. Neither alkaline hydrolysis nor composting respect the body in the way called for by the Catholic faith, according to the bishops. More and more states may legalize these practices – often touted as “green” – but Catholics should not take part in them.

Before he died, Bishop Robert Morlino asked Msgr. James Bartylla to preach his funeral homily. He gave these brief instructions: “Don’t canonize me!” No doubt this guidance was inspired by a profound faith as well as realistic self-knowledge, but maybe even more so by a familiarity with current tendencies at funerals.

Now we will look at five options Catholics might consider as they make their final arrangements.

Often, Catholics want a burial that is faithful, affordable, and environmentally responsible.

Jones lost a medallion containing some of his father’s ashes when it came loose from a chain he was wearing around his neck during a September 20 game against the Detroit Lions.