By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Ordinations, future plans made news in 2003

SUPERIOR -- Building and strengthening the church of God was a theme woven throughout 2003 in the Diocese of Superior. The year included plans to face the future, construction and renovation of churches and a school. It was marked with the celebration of ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate.

The year featured two women in the diocese who were presented with prestigious awards for efforts in building the kingdom of God.

It also was a time to reflect on past milestones and look toward future successes -- with celebration of anniversaries for two priests, a church building and the Superior Catholic Herald. The diocese also received a glimpse of its past when artifacts belonging to its founding bishop were returned.

Future challenges

It was back in 2001 that Bishop Raphael M. Fliss asked clergy, religious and the laity to join with him in responding to the Holy Father's challenge to prepare for a New Springtime of Christian Life within the Diocese of Superior. Since that challenge parish groups and deanery planning committees across the diocese have studied their communities and in 2003 prepared recommendations on ways their parish, deanery and diocese could respond to the call, in light of the increasing shortage of priests. Proposed changes include some new parish cluster arrangements

In 2003 the diocese also took several steps to implement the U. S. Bishop's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, issued in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis:

* Barbara Dickenson was appointed coordinator of assistance

* A diocesan review board, made up of five lay people was appointed. The members are not employees of the diocese.

* As part of the diocesan outreach effort, information about diocesan policies and about the procedures for reporting sexual abuse was published in the Catholic Herald and parish bulletins.

Building projects

On June 28 Fliss presided at the dedication of the new Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Balsam Lake. Among those at the altar with the bishop was Fr. Thomas Thompson, pastor. The new structure features a spacious gathering area, offices, kitchen and social hall. The stained glass windows used in the project came from the former church and from two closed churches, Holy Rosary in Georgetown and St. Patrick in Centuria. Above the entrance to the social hall is a mosaic that came from behind the altar at the Centuria church.

At the start of this school year the new parish social and education center and new school opened in Medford. The new structure replaced an outdated two-story building, constructed in 1927. The barrier-free complex, includes state of the art computer room, library, music room and gymnasium. Barbara Bugar, the school's principal said the entire $3.5 million for the school and the adjoining social and religious education center has been raised through donations or pledges -- including a $1 million donation from parish members Pep and Francis Simek.

Since October 2001, parishioners and visitors have watched the initial phases of Cathedral of Christ the King preservation and enhancement project take place. During an Oct. 6 ceremony Fliss chained and padlocked the cathedral's main doors. The building will be sealed off for the next 12 to 14 months in order to complete major work on the interior. With the closure, Mass and other liturgies will be held in the Cathedral School.

Besides numerous local contributions, actor, turned California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, donated $1,000 to the cathedral project. Schwarzenegger, who is Catholic and has prior connections to Superior, made the donation with the promise that when he returns to town he will tour the cathedral. Schwarzenegger earned a bachelor of arts degree through the University of Wisconsin - Superior's Extended Degree program in 1979. He made several visits to campus in order to complete the degree requirements.

Ordinations

Eugene Hornung was ordained to the priesthood by Fliss at his home parish of St. Anthony Abbot in Cumberland in July. Hornung, 73, entered the seminary after Dolores, his wife of 41 years, died. The retired Navy man has two sons, Mark and Gregg, and is a great grandfather. Following his ordination Hornung was given the new diocesan title of senior priest, because of his age, and was assigned to the Cumberland parish cluster.

In 2003, five men were ordained to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Superior: Craig Voldberg, from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Ladysmith; James Dennis from St. Boniface Parish in Chetek; Robert Jetto, from St. Francis de Sales Parish in Spooner; John Ramassini, from St. Mary Parish in Tomahawk; and Thomas Weiss from St. Bridget Parish, River Falls. Voldberg was ordained at his home parish in Ladysmith Jan 11. Dennis, Jetto, Ramassini and Weiss were ordained by Fliss at St. Joseph Church in Rice Lake on Oct. 19.

Milestones

Fr. James Dabruzzi and Fr. Irving Meyett celebrated their golden jubilees in 2003. Dabruzzi, a native of Hudson, marked his 50th anniversary on May 30. May 26 marked the anniversary date of Meyett's ordination. Now retired from active ministry, Meyett lives in Superior, next to the house in which he spent much of his youth.

On Oct. 12 Sacred Heart Church in Almena was filled with parishioners and well-wishers who came to celebrate the centennial of the building of this church.

Fliss presided at a Mass with Fr. Dennis Mullen, pastor, Fr. John Spanjers, a former pastor, Fr. Jerry Wilmsen, a retired Columban who helps out at the parish, as concelebrants. Deacon Greg Ricci assisted.

In January a number of historic artifacts belonging to Bishop Augustine Schinner, the first bishop of Superior, were returned to the diocese. Schinner served as bishop from 1905 until 1913. Among the items were vestments and Schinner's gold pectoral cross. The artifacts were returned to the diocese by the Sisters of the Divine Savior in Milwaukee. Schinner had spent the last five and a half years of his life in Milwaukee, serving as chaplain for the sisters.

Catholic Herald

The Superior Catholic Herald marked 50 years of publication in 2003. The paper was started by Bishop Albert G. Meyer and published its first issue Feb. 14, 1953. Fr. Irving Klister served as the paper's first editor.

With the departure of two staff members, the year also brought new faces to the office at the Catholic Herald. On Feb. 10 Marcy Kasper took over for Rita Mehtala, who retired at the end of 2002 after serving as office manager for nearly 29 years. On Nov. 10, Dan Sullivan assumed the duties of staff writer, replacing Kelley Kepler, who left in August to pursue a master's degree at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Awards

Rhinelander's Jackie Bushong-Martin was described in the May 1 issue of the Catholic Herald as "one of those 'can do' people." Bushong-Martin helped spearhead an effort to provide school uniforms for more than 1,000 children in Haiti. Because of her efforts, Bushong-Martin was selected as the Catholic Charities USA 2003 National Volunteer of the year.

For her dedication in serving the people of God for more than 50 years, Sr. Genevieve Schillo, CSJ, received a pontifical honor, being presented the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross. Schillo retired at the end of 2002, after 16 years as director of the diocesan Department of Christian Formation. Fliss obtained the award for Schillo and presented the medal to her March 17.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003