Local stories, events, and Catholic inspiration in northeast Wisconsin

News Briefs – Jan. 16

Kyle Rohan, third from left, is pictured on Jan. 12 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College in the Vatican City State during the procession for Mass to confer the Ministry of Lector to men studying for the priesthood. (Pontifical North American College Photo | Special to On Mission)

SEMINARIAN CONFERRED MINISTRY OF LECTOR: On Jan. 12, Archbishop John J. Kennedy, secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, conferred the Ministry of Lector in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City State to men studying for the priesthood. Kyle Rohan of the Diocese of Green Bay was one of 34 students to be conferred the Ministry of Lector. His home parish is St. Clare, Wrightstown/Greenleaf/Askeaton.

Addressing the new lectors in his homily, Archbishop Kennedy encouraged them to proclaim the word of God with faithfulness and joy. He said “by the faithfulness and commitment in your proclamation of the word of God, the faithful will come to know how strongly you yourself believe in the word that you proclaim.”

As part of the rite, Archbishop Kennedy placed the holy Scriptures in the hands of each candidate and said, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”

The seminarians, currently in their first year of theological formation for the priesthood, will have three additional years of theological, spiritual and pastoral formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses.

The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary in Rome. Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, the college has formed more than 5,000 priests for service in dioceses around the United States, Canada and Australia.

CALLS FOR PRAYER AND SUPPORT: Addressing the fires in the Los Angeles area that have impacted many throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Archbishop José H. Gomez has shared the following message:

“Please keep praying for all those suffering in the wildfires sweeping through Southern California. My heart goes out to our neighbors who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Let’s pray for them and let’s pray for our firefighters and first responders. May God keep all of our brothers and sisters safe and bring end to these fires!”

The archdiocese is currently in the process of assessing the damage and impact of the fires on Catholic parishes and schools. A special dedicated fund to be used directly to support parishes and schools impacted by the fires is being created by the archdiocese and will be available for all who wish to donate at California Fires | LA Catholics.

Due to evacuations and other factors affecting those in the fire areas, some Catholic school locations in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have closed.

LECTURE SERIES: The community is invited to the 2025 Great Decisions Lecture Series at St. Norbert College (SNC), De Pere. This annual series is designed to foster public dialogue on global challenges and opportunities through expert insights and discussion.

The series will feature six lectures beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 5, and concluding on Thursday, April 17. Lectures will be held in the Fort Howard Theater on campus with virtual options available for select events. The lecture series is free and open to the public.

Lecture Schedule:

Wednesday, Feb. 5: After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East
Speaker: Robert Kramer, Professor of History, St. Norbert College

Wednesday, Feb. 19, (Virtual): U.S. and China
Speaker: Joe Dennis, Professor of History, UW-Madison

Wednesday, March 5: AI and American National Security
Speaker: Paul Belanger, Senior Lecturer, UW-Green Bay

Wednesday, March 26: U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy
Speaker: Gratzia Villarroel, Director of International Studies, Associate Professor of Political Science, SNC

Wednesday, April 9: American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
Speaker: Wendy Scattergood, Professor of Political Science, St. Norbert College

Thursday, April 17 (Virtual): India: Between China, the West, and the Global South
Speaker: Rikhil R. Bhavnani, Professor of Comparative Politics & Political Methodology, UW-Madison

PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORT: Ember of Hope Ministry at St. John Nepomucene Parish, Little Chute, is offering a support group for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss at any time. Dates and times will be communicated with registered participants. To register or for more information, visit Support – St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community.

ONLINE EVENING PRAYER FOR YOUNG ADULTS: The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) invites young adults ages 18 and older to a monthly online evening prayer on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. (CST) via Zoom. Dates for evening prayer in the first half of 2025 are Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 22, May 27 and June 24. More information and registration for the Zoom links are available at Events – School Sisters of Notre Dame.  

The online prayer typically lasts about an hour. Participants experience evening prayer in the rhythm of the Liturgy of the Hours, with additional time for faith sharing in small groups.

“Since 2020, our online evening prayer has allowed us to connect regularly with sisters and young adults all across the U.S. and Canada,” said Sr. Bridget Waldorf of the NAVT. “We enjoy sharing our daily communal prayer with those who are seeking to better recognize and understand God’s presence in their lives.”

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