Bishop Robert C. Morlino gathers with priests, seminarians, deacons, religious, and representatives from parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison for a Mass closing the Year of the Eucharist at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona. (Catholic Herald photo by Julianne Nornberg)

Closing Mass:
Diocese gathers to end Year of Eucharist

By Kathleen Bushman
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MONONA -- The Year of the Eucharist, which began in October 2004, was concluded in the Diocese of Madison with a closing Mass and Eucharistic procession Sunday, Oct. 16, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.

Bishop Robert C. Morlino celebrated the Mass, with concelebrants Bishop William H. Bullock, bishop emeritus; Bishop George O. Wirz, retired auxiliary bishop; Msgr. Paul J. Swain, vicar general; Fr. John Meinholz, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; and over 40 other priests of the diocese.

Deacon Joseph Stafford of St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie and Deacon Gregory Gehred of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Atkinson served as deacons of the Mass. Seminarians and other men discerning vocations were servers.   Full story ...

	Hurricane relief donations MADISON -- To date $513,720.64 has been received by the Diocese of Madison for the Katrina hurricane/Stoughton tornado relief efforts. Of this amount, $499,257.49 has been forwarded to Catholic Charities USA for hurricane relief, $7,963.15 specifically designated by donors has been forwarded to St. Ann Parish in Stoughton for the tornado victims, and $6,500.00 will be used to help defray the expense of delivering mattresses to the hurricane disaster area. "This is the highest collection on record for the Diocese of Madison. The above figures do not include parish and individual donations that did not come through the chancery office," said Gregory Keller, director of finance for the Diocese of Madison. "On behalf of the disaster victims, thank you for your generous contributions and spiritual support in this time of great need."
	News & Features: • Education Institute: Educators gather for day of workshops and presentations • Synod reports: Dealing with priest shortage, divorce, Eucharist • Volunteers in Mexico: Work affected by Hurricane Emily • Bishop Wycislo: Retired bishop of Green Bay dies Columns: • The Human Side by Fr. Eugene Hemrick -- Opportunity: To practice Christian virtues • Question Corner by Fr. John Dietzen -- Holy Orders, Matrimony: Sacramental theology differs • The Pope Speaks by Pope Benedict XVI -- Psalm 122: Jerusalem, city of holiness, justice • Subscribe to print edition Future special sections: Respect Life: Sept. 29 to Oct. 27, 2005 All Souls Day -- Grief and Hospice: Oct. 27, 2005 Holiday Gift Guide: Nov. 3, 2005 Diocesan Directory: Nov. 10, 2005 Call 608-821-3070 to advertise or subscribe.

Rachel's Vineyard retreat MADISON -- A Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held in Madison November 11 to 13. The confidential, supportive retreat is for anyone hurting after abortion. For more information, call the Office of Family Ministry at 608-821-3175 or e-mail Leslie at LBGraves@aol.com. You can also visit www.rachelsvineyard.org or call a toll-free hotline at 1-877-HOPE-4-ME.

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Jody had two abortions, one when she was 22 and one when she was 26. She chose both abortions out of fear and confusion. Never before had she felt so angry and alone.

"In my heart of hearts, I knew what I was doing was wrong. But I justified it, buried it, saying: 'it's legal, it must be okay,'" she said.

"I don't remember much after the (first) abortion, except a sense of relief at being over the crisis," she said. "My mom recently told me that in the car on the way home I had cried and said that I felt like the life had been sucked out of me. I attempted suicide a couple months later and ended up in drug and alcohol treatment."   Full story ...

Eric Schiedermayer:
Named executive secretary
for religious education

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

	Eric Schiedermayer

MADISON -- Eric Schiedermayer has been hired as the executive secretary for Religious Education in the Diocese of Madison, which means implementing the will of Bishop Robert C. Morlino as chief catechist.

He began the new position October 3.

Schiedermayer has a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Montana. He served as executive director of the Montana Catholic Conference in Helena, Mont., since December 2004 and worked as the director of communications for the Diocese of Helena from 2002 to 2004.

He has been involved in high school youth ministry for 20 years, serving 17 years as parish youth minister and catechist and several years as parish director of religious education and youth ministry. He also owned software companies in Montana and Georgia.   Full story ...