Taking part in the groundbreaking ceremonies are, from left: Dick Keintz, Linda Gorchels, and Msgr. Paul J. Swain, members of the Catholic Charities (CC) Board of Directors; Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz; Jerry Ring, CC Board; Charles V. Heath, Horizon; John Morris and Stan Kitson, CC Board; Brian Cain, CC executive director; Bishop George O. Wirz, auxiliary bishop of Madison; Perry Armstrong, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority; Joe Tissserand and Diane Ballweg, CC Board. (Catholic Herald photo by Pam Payne)

All Saints:
Groundbreaking for new senior neighborhood

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on Halloween, Oct. 31, for the All Saints senior neighborhood on Madison's west side.

Blessing of All Saints Retirement Center Msgr. Paul J. Swain, vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, gave this blessing at the groundbreaking ceremonies for All Saints Retirement Center: "We come together on this eve of All Saints Day with humility and appreciation. We humbly recognize that in the midst of plenty there is such great need for safe and affordable housing. We appreciate the cooperative venture of business, community, government, and church to help address this need in this modest way. "May All Saints Retirement Center be a continuing reminder to all of our many blessings, of our respect for those seniors in whose legacy we live, and of our responsibility to share what we have with those most vulnerable or in need."

"It's so appropriate that we have the groundbreaking on All Hallow's Eve," noted Bishop George O. Wirz. "We build on the heritage of our ancestors, the saints."

Related articles ... This week's issue: • Faith in action: All Saints Retirement Center (editorial) October 30, 2003 issue: • Catholic Charities: To break ground for All Saints Retirement Center in Madison • Illustration of how completed project will look

He was one of many speakers at a program preceding the groundbreaking ceremonies at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. The new All Saints community will be built adjacent to the center.

The nine-acre neighborhood is near the intersection of Watts Rd. and Commerce Dr. All Saints is owned by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison and being development by the Horizon Development Group of Verona.

'Faith in action'

Two themes were repeated by the speakers: putting "faith into action" and "private-public sector partnerships." Close behind was the virtue of patience, since this housing project took about seven years to come to fruition.

"All Saints is a wonderful example of faith in action," said Brian Cain, executive director of Catholic Charities.   Full story ...

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By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- They came from Catholic parishes, Jewish synagogues, Mennonite churches. They came from labor unions, education organizations, neighborhood planning councils. It was a diverse group united in one cause - the birth of Dane County United.

At a founding assembly at the Alliant Energy Center Nov. 2, nearly 1,500 citizens of Dane County together showed their support for Dane County United, a way to address common concerns.

Related articles ... October 30, 2003 issue: • Dane County United: Catholics encouraged to participate October 23, 2003 issue: • Dane County United: To hold founding assembly Nov. 2 • Sidebar: Proposed Purpose Statement

Reaching across religious, racial, and geographic lines, shared concerns include issues such as housing choice and availability; health care access and affordability; quality education for all; economic security and disparity; services for vulnerable populations; immigration and integration; and environment, development, and transportation.

Since summer 2001, leaders from more than 40 different congregations and organizations have been forming relationships to identify shared concerns and develop a vehicle through which these needs for the common good can be voiced. That vehicle is Dane County United.

Full story ...