About Me

I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I attended eight years of Catholic grade school, followed by four years of high school at St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, WI.  While I had thought about a vocation from very early on in grade school, my vocation began to take shape through many different ministerial experiences with the Capuchin Friars.  After graduating from St. Lawrence in 1996, in enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, where I pursued a major in Religious Studies and a minor in Public Library Administration.  I remained active throughout my college years at the campus ministry center while working 30+ hours per week doing various jobs across the campus.  During that time, I met Fr. Delbert Klink, then-pastor at St. William Parish in Janesville.  He asked me if I had considered a priestly vocation, and if I would be willing to pursue studies in the Diocese of Madison.  I befriended the late Rev. John Auby, who was serving as Director of Vocations at the time.  He was immensely helpful in my discernment, as was Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop of the Diocese of Madison at the time.  In the fall of 2000, I entered the University of St. Mary of the Lake - Mundelein Seminary.  I obtained my Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) and was ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino on May 27, 2005 at St. Aloysius Parish in Sauk City, WI.  Earlier that year, we lost our beloved St. Raphael Cathedral to fire.  My classmate, Fr. Eric Sternberg, was from Sauk City; it was a joy to be ordained with him in his home town.  We were the first priests ordained by Bishop Morlino. 

About My Coat of Arms

My coat of arms is simple, but profoundly meaningful to me.  Inscribed at the bottom are the words "Domine, ad quem ibimus?"  It's taken from chapter six of the gospel of St. John.  After our Lord's Eucharistic discourse, many found His words challenging and quite unbelievable.  They began to leave Jesus and return to their old ways of life.  Turning to the apostles - His closest friends - He asked them, "Do you also want to leave?"  In response, Peter speaks these beautiful words, which, translated in to English, mean "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of everlasting life.  We believe and we are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."  Such words of force and strength to wipe out Peter's three-fold denial of Jesus during His passion and cross.  There is nothing and no one else but Christ, and throughout my priestly ministry, I have found myself uttering these words on so many occasions.  This motto sums up the foundation of my priesthood and they declare my faith and trust in the Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

In the upper left quadrant are the cross and keys, which come from Matthew 16:19.  It reveals the gift of apostolic succession, in which every ordained minister can trace their lineage back to St. Peter himself.  The gold key symbolizes heavenly authority, while the silver key symbolizes earthly governance.  It brings together a beautiful image of Church's role to teach, sanctify and govern.  I have been invited to share in this mission through obedience to and collaboration with the bishop.

To the right is the image of the Eucharist.  When I was ordained, the bishop presented the chalice and paten to me for the very first time.  As he did so, he spoke these words to me:  "Receive the oblation of the holy people, to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.”  Central to the life of every priest is the Most Blessed Sacrament - which we adore in our prayer, and which we make real and present by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

In the lower left is the letter "M", which symbolizes my great love and devotion to the Blessed Mother.  As a priest, we are bound to Mary most especially as she cares for her sons.  The letter "M" in Christian iconography is universally accepted as a Marion symbol, and it represents the phrase totos tuus, which means, "totally yours".  The crown above the letter "M" symbolizes our Lady's queenship as the Mother of Christ, our Mother and Mother of all the Church.

In the lower right is the Sacred Heart, and from it, emanating the rays of our Lord's Divine Mercy.  Our Lord's Sacred Heart is a reminder that we are to fashion our hearts after His image and likeness in all things.  The heart that was pierced for our offenses and crowned with thorns brought about our salvation through the greatest act of self-love.  I have a great devotion to the Divine Mercy, and the rays of light imitate the blood (red) and the water (blue/white) which flowed from our Lord's pierced side as He hung upon the cross.  Mercy is given through sacrifice, and mercy restores and purifies. 

Outside the shield is a black galero (hat) and two single tassels whcih are the traditional heraldric symbols of the priest.

About My Diocese

I am proud to participate in the ministry of Bishop Donald J. Hying and serve the faithful of the Diocese of Madison!  The Diocese comprises several counties in south-central Wisconsin.  The northern-most territory is Berlin, WI and the eastern-most territory is in the Sullivan/Palmyra area.  The Diocese of Madison extends west to the border and south to the border.  The Diocese was formed in 1947 from territory taken from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  Bishop William P. O'Connor was selected as first bishop of the Diocese.

About My Current and Past Assignments

CURRENT ROLES

July, 2013 to present - Pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Madison.  For 11 years, I had the joy of serving the faithful of St. Bernard as a parish church.  Bishop Hying asked the Holy See to elevate the parish to become the next cathedral parish for the Diocese to replace St. Raphael Cathedral, which burned the year I was ordained.  It was like coming full-circle!  I have had the great privilege and blessing of helping with the elevation of the church and rectory to become the next cathedral parish for the Diocese.  I have been so blessed to work with wonderful people to make this endeavor a reality.  The cathedral is set to be completed in fall, 2026.

Chaplain at Mendota Mental Health Institute - I have assisted with this ministry for a number of years.  Every other week, I make rounds with the full-time chaplains to bring the Eucharist to those who are Catholic.  It is a beautiful ministry and one which I enjoy very much.

Assistant to the Chancellor at the Diocese of Madison Archives - I serve as an assistant in the Office of the Chanceller in the Diocesan Archives.  My primary responsibility is the coordination and execution of a long-standing project to digitize all the Sacramental registers in the Diocese of Madison.  It's been a long and tedious project, and there is much more to go!  I also assist patrons and parish staff with questions and direct them to the appropriate resources.

PAST ROLES

June, 2005 to June, 2008 - Parochial Vicar at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie.  I served under Rev. Msgr. Duane R. Moellenberndt, pastor emeritus.

June, 2008 to May, 2009 - Pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Hollandale; Immaculate Conception Parish, Blanchardville; Holy Redeemer Parish in the township of Perry.  My first pastorate!  Though short, it brought great joy to serve our farming families in Dane, Lafayette and Iowa Counties.

June, 2009 to July, 2013 - Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Marshall; St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo.  During this time, I assisted with the merging of these parishes to form Holy Family Parish.  The parish had a mix of urban and rural farming families.

My Contact Information

Please feel free to reach out to me!

Mobile Phone:
(608) 381-3000 Voice | Text | WhatsApp

Email:
Michael.Radowicz@madisondiocese.org