Diocesan Services Appeal:

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- This week, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison will be receiving a personal letter from Bishop William H. Bullock.

For the first time, the bishop will be communicating directly with over 66,000 households in the diocese about the annual Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA).

Along with the letter is a brochure describing diocesan ministries that the DSA helps to fund, along with the budget for the diocese.

"Acting individually, or as a single parish, we cannot meet the depth of needs," Bullock says in his letter. "Together, through our DSA 2002, we can make a difference. Please reflect upon God's many blessings in your life, and make a sacrificial commitment."

Promoting the DSA

Jay Conzemius, director of the diocesan Office for Stewardship and Development, noted that parishes in the diocese are still responsible for sending out DSA envelopes, receiving and recording amounts contributed, and thanking contributors.   Full Story ...

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison will host its annual Natural Family Planning (NFP) Enrichment Day on Sunday, March 10.

The conference, held at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, will begin with a welcome at 1 p.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.

Keynote address

In her keynote address, Donna Dausman, director of the Office of Family and Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Springfield, Ill., will discuss how to "Make Mine a Holy Family: Living the Church's Teaching on Life and Love."

Looking to the Holy Family for inspiration, Dausman will explore the calling of families, especially spouses, to be ministers of God's life and love.

Dausman will discuss ideas for finding the sacred in ordinary moments of family life and for using family prayer and rituals to enhance family faith.

Dausman's current position includes overseeing marriage preparation and enrichment, family spirituality, divorce ministry, bereavement ministry, NFP, and chastity education.

She has been a member of the national advisory board to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Diocesan Development Program for Natural Family Planning since its inception in the early 1990s.   Full Story ...