Collegiate members from Wisconsin Lambda chapter gather for a group photo after initiation.
Since being re-chartered in 2015, the Wisconsin Lambda chapter at the University of Wisconsin has initiated several bishops and priests. They recently continued this tradition by welcoming Bishop Donald J. Hying (Bishop of the Diocese of Madison).
Others who were initiated into the chapter since 2015, include the following:
Robert C. Morlino (Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin from 2003-2018)
Father Eric Nielsen (Current Pastor of Saint Paul's Newman Center and a Priest of the Diocese of Madison)
Father Luke Syse (Former Chaplain of the Wisconsin Lambda chapter)
Father Greg Ihm (Current Director of Vocations for Madison Diocese)
Father Gabriel López-Betanzos (Pastor, St. Peter Parish, Madison; Judicial Vicar)
Father Dave Carrano (Pastor, Good Shepherd Parish, Madison; Chaplain Catholic Charismatic Renewal)
Father Tim Mergen (Current priest of Madison Diocese and chaplain in the U.S. Air Force)
Luke La Salvia (Current FOCUS missionary)
Bishop Donald J. Hying (Current Bishop of Madison)
We interviewed Casey Clark (University of Wisconsin-Madison, ‘24) to discuss this exciting news. Read on to learn more about how Bishop Hying has made an impact on the brothers within the Wisconsin Lambda chapter.
Could you tell us more about how Bishop Hying was initiated into your chapter?
It started as a comment between us brothers that Bishop Hying should be initiated. After contemplating whether he would be interested, we decided to ask him at dinner one night.
The dinner conversation with Bishop Hying was very cool to witness. I noticed that even though he was the bishop, he wanted to listen to get to know us better. He made sure to ask us all about our schooling and interests. It shows how genuine he is and how much he truly cares about us.
At dinner, we told him that we would love to have him initiated and become part of the brotherhood. He said he would get back to us, and a few months later, he reached out and confirmed that he would come to the ceremony and be initiated into the Fraternity. Everyone was very excited.
What led Bishop Hying to join the chapter?
As a Fraternity, we have always valued our Catholic faith. We strive to bring every brother to holiness and live out the faith's fullness. Bishop Hying sees all these guys seeking virtue and wants to support that. I would say that was one of the reasons for joining the chapter.
What do you think others can learn from Bishop Hying within the chapter?
Bishop Hying is one of the most genuine, kind, and holy men I have known. You can tell he has an intimate relationship with Christ and is an excellent Shepard of the church. We are lucky to have him as a Bishop.
We can learn from him by pursuing a relationship with Christ, especially in the craziness of college. When he speaks, his presence and what he says hits you in the heart. It feels like Christ is talking through him, and you feel loved and appreciated. I think we should all strive to be a man of Christ-like Bishop Hying.
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