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. |
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Positive reactions to archbishop's talk
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- A full house of about 1,000 people filled The Capital Theater at the Overture Center in downtown Madison on September 19 to hear a speech by Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Vatican agency, Cor Unum, which oversees the pope's ministry of charity.
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Archbishop Cordes was a close collaborator of Pope Benedict XVI in the preparation of his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love). The archbishop discussed the encyclical to encourage further study and reflection on what he called a "blueprint" or "inaugural address" for the Holy Father.
The address was the first of a three-city U.S. tour for the archbishop. He also spoke in Detroit, Mich., and Washington, D.C.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino introduced the archbishop and thanked all those who came to hear him. The audience included representatives from parishes and diocesan agencies and organizations from throughout the Diocese of Madison as well as priests, religious, deacons, and diocesan seminarians.
"What a great evening it is to be together in unity. It's a great moment in downtown Madison," said Bishop Morlino. He called Archbishop Cordes "one of the finest theologians in the world." He noted that he travels throughout the world to help victims of disasters.
Although the archbishop is from Germany and English is not his native language, he spoke fluently in English. After his talk, he participated in a brief question and answer session. One question focused on the roles of the deacon and the laity, the other on the difference between Muslim and Catholic concepts of charity. The archbishop said the Qur'an talks about a vision of God as a "legislator" but does not show God as a loving father. Full story ...
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News & Features:
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• Pope: Expresses respect for Muslims, will continue dialogue
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Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Help in relationship with Christ
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Charitable Gift Annuity:
First gift in diocesan program
By Kathleen Bushman
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
SUN PRAIRIE -- In fairy tales, it would be a mysterious bequest from a rich uncle or aunt.
But a Charitable Gift Annuity is more than the proverbial inheritance from an unknown benefactor. It embodies one of the characteristics of a good steward: sharing one's treasure.
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in Sun Prairie recently became the first organization in the diocese to benefit from the Diocesan Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) program. The money provided through a gift annuity set up by one of the founding members of the school endowment fund has now gone to that same fund.
"Through his good stewardship of resources, this gift will live on at Sacred Hearts," said Daun Maier, associate director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development.
The office operates the CGA program, which has established annuities of nearly $800,000. The diocese has secured over $350,000 in gifts to be distributed to diocesan parishes, schools, and Catholic entities.
"People realize that everything they've been given is a gift from God," said Maier. "When they realize this, it's a natural inclination to give back. This program provides a wonderful way to do just that while responsibly planning for the future."
Charitable gift annuity
The CGA program offers people a way to ensure they will leave a gift to their choice of Catholic institutions when they are gone while still receiving an income for the rest of their lifetime.
Using appreciated securities held for at least one year is one way to create a diocesan charitable gift annuity. By using such securities to fund the annuity, the donor will avoid significant capital gains tax and spread the remaining gains over several years. Combined with the charitable deduction opportunity, this provides an effective way to make a gift.
The donor - and others, if desired- then receives a fixed income for life, based on rates approved by the American Council of Gift Annuities. Including the tax savings this type of program will provide an even higher effective rate of return. Full story ...
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