Living Our Faith is a broad identity-building, awareness effort that serves as a large umbrella for other diocesan initiatives. Planning began in 2005 and focused on three key areas:1. Inspiring Catholics to recognize the power and effect of Jesus and His Church on their lives;
2. Encouraging more active participation in the life of the Church, especially the sacraments and Sunday Mass, as well as the parish community; and
3. Creating a sense of connectedness throughout the diocese and among our parishes.
Over the last five years, there has been a great deal of attention paid to a very negative aspect of the Catholic Church. Despite this, there are wonderful, meaningful things that happen each and every day within the Catholic community of southeastern Wisconsin. Living Our Faith allows Catholics to turn their focus to the positive and emphasize the joy of being Catholic.
I really enjoy the show. The format includes a guest, a feature segment, answers from the Archbishop to viewer e-mail, and the Archbishop's closing reflection.
There's a heavy dose of humor which makes the program entertaining as well as informative and inspirational.
For example, this week's episode started off with Bob Dolan and the Archbishop having a little conversation.
Bob commented that Midnight Mass at St. John's was beautiful.
The Archbishop replied, "I'm glad you were there. The snoring didn't come through the microphone I hope during the homily."
The topic for this week's segment was the New Year and resolutions.
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker was the guest.
Watch here.
Sticking with the idea of resolutions, Walker talked about goals for Milwaukee County in 2008.
He touched on the drop out rate in schools, teen pregnancy, and some of the horrific violent crime the county has seen, but he said there is a "tale of two cities out there." Although he acknowledged that there's a need to face those challenges head on, there is a lot of opportunity and reason for hope in the new year.
Walker noted the good things going on in the county. He spoke of the surge in new construction and the airport's record traffic as a barometer for business.
He said you can't just talk about despair. The Archbishop agreed that we need to accentuate the positive.
Walker made a Biblical reference, citing Paul's letter to the Romans and how he talked about suffering. Walker said that through the moments of suffering, along with character and perseverance, there's hope.
As an example of a positive accomplishment, Walker mentioned that the county and the city worked together to break ground for a new housing project for people with mental illness, providing housing as well as support and compassion for those suffering.
Saying that great minds think alike, the Archbishop noted that Pope Benedict XVI's new Encyclical will be on Hope. Archbishop Dolan stressed the importance of hope in people's lives.
He concluded, "Good homily, Scott. Not bad. You want to run for Archbishop?"
In closing, Bob said to Walker, "I guess I shouldn't ask you about a resolution for 2010. Should I? No, no... one that you may have two years from now."
Walker replied, "As my father always says, 'One day at a time.' In this case, one year at a time."
Though some may charge that Walker's appearance was political, the emphasis was really on the Church and the community working together to improve people's lives and provide hope for positive changes in 2008.
During the e-mail segment, one question was about the saints and praying to one's patron saint.
Archbishop Dolan told a story from when he was in second grade. The nun asked him which saint he was named after. The Archbishop replied, "St. Timothy." The nun asked which St. Timothy. He didn't know.
So, the Archbishop went home and asked his mother.
She told him, "You're named after your grandpa, and he's no saint."
I think that's what's so engaging about the program. The Archbishop connects so well with people. He makes faith accessible because he's accessible. He's a wonderful role model for how to live one's beliefs.
I highly recommend the program, and not just for Catholics.
Archbishop Dolan isn't just a Catholic leader. He also plays a role as a community leader. Southeastern Wisconsin is blessed to have him.
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