The Catholic Herald
Mission Statement:
The Catholic Herald is the official newspaper of the Diocese of Madison. Its purpose is to inform and educate people of the Diocese through communications that proclaim Gospel values, report the news, and comment on issues as they pertain to the mission of the Catholic Church, which is to bring all in Jesus Christ to the Father. |
Awards:
• Web edition: Catholic Press Association Best Web Site: Honorable Mention.
• Award of Distinction, The Communicator Awards 2002 Print Media competition.
• Print edition: Award winner, Catholic Press Association 2004 awards competition.
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Silent No More:
Women share stories of pain of abortion
By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
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Pro-life events
BARABOO -- The Sauk County Chapter of Wisconsin Right to Life will hold its annual "Rally For Life" on Sunday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. on the east steps of the historic Sauk County Courthouse in Baraboo. After keynote speeches by State Representative "Doc" Hines (R-42) and Pastor Christian McShaffrey of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church of Reedsburg, there will be a "silent walk" around the courthouse square. Refreshments will be provided afterward in the basement of St. Joseph Catholic rectory by the Daughters of Isabella.
JEFFERSON -- On Saturday, Jan. 22, Wisconsin Right to Life-Jefferson County Chapter is sponsoring a prayer vigil at St. John the Baptist Church located at 214 N. Sanborn Ave. The Prayer Vigil will begin immediately following the 7:30 a.m. Respect Life Mass celebrated by Fr. Thomas Coyle and continue until the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins at 7 a.m. There will also be audio-visual displays throughout the day in an adjoining classroom at St. John the Baptist School.
For more information, call coordinators Mira at 920-674-3225, Mary at 262-473-6163, or Patti at 920-723-6332. Those unable to attend the prayer vigil event are asked to consider setting aside a half hour during the day of Jan. 22 to pray for the unborn, their mothers, and the nation.
MADISON -- Thirty-two years ago, the laws of 46 states rejecting or limiting abortions were swept away by the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade. Public opinion rejected abortion at that time and still does. On Saturday, Jan. 22, the public is invited to join in a Time of Remembrance at the Wisconsin State Capitol, Room 411 South, from 1 to 3 p.m. The gathering will offer opportunities to become better informed about pro-life efforts in Dane County.
Help for those affected by abortion is a phone call away. The Diocese of Madison provides counseling and healing through Project Rachel and Rachel's Vineyard (608-821-3175) and Catholic Charities (608-833-4800). There are many other pro-life organizations providing assistance before, during, and after pregnancy and abortion. They can be found by looking in the Yellow Pages under "Abortion Alternatives."
For more information, contact Susanna Herro, president of Wisconsin Right to Life-Dane County, at 608-255-2020.
MIDDLETON -- A day of Eucharistic Adoration will be held at St. Bernard Church, 2015 Parmenter St., Middleton, on Saturday, Jan. 22, the 32nd year anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Adoration will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at which time there will be Benediction. All are welcome to participate at any time.
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MADISON -- Although the women's stories varied, their message was the same: "I regret my abortion."
This was the message eight women sent out loud and clear during the second annual Silent No More gathering at the State Capitol Jan. 13.
According to Leslie Graves, Spring Green, who helped coordinate the gathering, Silent No More is a national organization that began in 2003. Its goal is to break the silence of post-abortive women and raise awareness that abortion hurts women and that there are programs and services to help those affected by abortion, she said.
Some of the women who shared their stories became pregnant in their teens and felt abortion was their only choice. Others were married at the time of their abortion. All of them had been physically, emotionally, or spiritually scarred by abortion.
"I felt I had no choice," said Terri White, Beloit, who had an abortion in 1980. "Not only did my baby die that day, but deep down inside, so did I."
Deep down Mary Mead of Monona didn't want an abortion, but she, too, felt it was her only choice.
"Women deserve better than abortion," she said. "All the talk of 'choice' is a joke. Women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect." We need help to stay in college; we need better choices, she said.
"I do remember the sound of the suction machine and prayed for forgiveness," said Julie Berberich of Beloit. "They didn't tell me my soul would be frozen for years to come."
What resulted from the abortion were problems such as depression, guilt, shame, substance abuse, and two miscarriages, she said.
The most important thing for women to know is that abortion is not the easy way out that it seems, said Berberich, who eventually found help through Rachel's Vineyard, a retreat for those affected by abortion. The forgiveness she felt there could only come from God, she said.
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News & Features:
• Year of Eucharist: Pope authorizes special indulgences
• March for Life: College students among those gearing up for event
• St. Cecilia Parish: Volunteers help renovate new Parish Center
Columns:
• Question Corner
by Fr. John Dietzen --
Questions: Listening to music; offerings for Mass intentions
• The Pope Speaks
by Pope John Paul II --
Evening prayer liturgy: Good will triumph at the end of time
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Camp Gray: Taking measure of Catholic camp, where faith and fun meet
By Joe Van Tassel
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD
We can measure milk by the gallon, paper by the ream, and electricity by the kilowatt. But how do we measure the effect Camp Gray has on campers, parents, and staff?
What Camp Gray does
Camp Gray combines faith, friends, and fun in a safe environment. It is dedicated to teaching children the emotional and spiritual skills they need in order to mature, make good decisions, and grow closer to God. The best part about camp is that all this skill building and spiritual growth is achieved while the campers are having a blast.
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