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News Briefs:
Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15
MADISON -- The Second Sunday of Easter was given the additional title of "Divine Mercy Sunday" in the year 2000 by Pope John Paul II when he canonized St. Faustina. This year Divine Mercy Sunday is observed on April 15.
In years past, there has been a diocesan celebration on Divine Mercy Sunday. However, at the request of the group that normally plans this celebration, there will not be a diocesan celebration this year.
Instead, parishes in the Diocese of Madison are encouraged to promote the devotion on their own, either as an individual parish or by promoting celebrations in the area. It is hoped that this will help spread the devotion and the understanding of the importance of Divine Mercy throughout the entire diocese.
To facilitate this, the Diocese of Madison's Office of Worship will keep an updated list of parish activities on the diocesan Web page (www.madisondiocese.org). Parishes may submit information about devotions, novenas, or a Divine Mercy celebration in their parish by e-mail to the Office of Worship at worship@straphael.org or fax it to 608-821-3028.
Beyond sound bites: Hear full talks
by Bishop Morlino
The full texts of talks by Bishop Robert C. Morlino and other speakers are available on the Diocese of Madison's Web site.
Go to www.madisondiocese.org "Beyond sound bites" can be found on the home page on the Web site. Some of the current offerings include:
• Bishop Morlino at men's retreat
• Msgr. Donn Heiar at men's retreat
• Doug Bushman on Benedict XVI
• Bishop's White Mass homily
• Bishop's catechesis to diocesan staff
• Bishop on "The Bones of Jesus"
• Lenten greetings from Bishop Morlino
Other audio recordings are also featured.
Spring deanery meetings
Councils of Catholic Women in the Diocese of Madison have scheduled the following spring deanery meetings:
April 12 - Rock Deanery, St. William, Janesville
April 17 - Jefferson Deanery, St. Lawrence, Jefferson
April 19 - East Dane Deanery, Christ the King, McFarland
April 19 - Marquette/Green Lake Deanery, St. Mary, Kingston
April 25 - Grant Deanery, St. John, Patch Grove
April 26 - Lafayette Deanery, Holy Rosary, Darlington
May 1 - West Dane Deanery, St. Mary of Lourdes, Belleville
May 3 - Iowa Deanery, St. Thomas, Montfort
May 15 - Madison Deanery, St. Joseph, Madison
Rock Deanery
JANESVILLE -- Rock Deanery will meet Thursday, April 12, at St. William Parish here. Theme is "Respecting the Dignity of all People." Registration is at 3:30 p.m. followed by business meeting at 4. Concelebrated Mass with Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, diocesan moderator, as homilist, will be offered at 5. Dinner will be served at 6 followed by guest speaker, Santo Carfora, Janesville, speaking on the theme. Reservations are due April 6 to Meg Collins, 17 Highland Ave., Edgerton 53544. The cost is $7.
Adult Spirit Club
JANESVILLE -- Are you ready for God's beauty? Apiarist Jerry Wolf will present "From the Flower to You" at the Adult Catholic Spirit Club's Wednesday, April 11, meeting.
People are invited to come and enjoy a pot-luck lunch at 12 noon, followed by the program in St. John Vianney's Marian Hall. Bring a dish to share, table service, and friends. There are no dues, but a free will offering will be accepted.
Holy Week at Sinsinawa
SINSINAWA -- The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters invite the public to join them in prayer and celebration during Holy Week in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at the Sinsinawa Motherhouse. Services include: Holy Thursday, April 5, Mass of the Lord's Supper, 6:15 p.m.; Good Friday, April 6, celebration of the Lord's Passion, 2 p.m., and meditative Evening Prayer, 7 p.m.; Holy Saturday, April 7, Paschal Vigil, 7:30 p.m.; and Easter Sunday, April 8, Eucharist, 10:30 a.m., and Solemn Easter Vespers, 4:45 p.m. For more information go to the Web site www.sinsinawa.org
Birth Parent Group
MADISON -- A Birth Parent Support Group will meet Tuesday, April 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 5 Odana Ct. Sponsors are Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services. This ongoing support group for people who have placed their child/ren for adoption is free, safe, and confidential. It is held on the second Tuesday of every month. For registration, contact Alice at 608-270-6635 or apearson@lsswis.org or Trish at 608-833-4800, ext. 109, or pregnancy@tds.net
Bereavement series
MADISON -- Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish is sponsoring a Bereavement Ministry Series for those who have lost a loved one and are seeking support through the grief
process. The series will run for six weeks beginning Monday, April 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center at Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison. To register, contact the Pastoral Care Office at 608-231-4617 before Thursday, April 12. Advance registration is required. Leave your name, phone number, and a brief description of your loss. This information will help prepare materials.
Women's Health Fair
NEW GLARUS -- Monroe Clinic and the Bank of New Glarus are partnering to sponsor the Women's Health and Wealth Fair for women of all ages from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, at New Glarus High School. Cost is $10. Space is limited. Register by April 13 by calling Julie at 608-527-5275, ext. 251.
Jerusalem women
MADISON -- Partners for Peace, Washington, D.C., presents "Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision" on Sunday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m., in Anderson Auditorium, Predolin Hall, at Edgewood College, 1000 Edgewood College Dr. Huda Abu Arqoub, Tal Dor, and Amal Nassar - Muslim, Jewish, and Christian women touring the U.S. - offer perspectives on coping with war and building peace. The talk is part of an April 12 to May 3 series. Contact UW Middle East Studies at 608-265-6583, e-mail cmes@mailplus.wisc.edu, or go to www.mideast.wisc.edu
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First diocesan White Mass celebrated:
Bishop tells health care workers they have vital mission
By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF
MADISON -- Catholic health care workers have a vital mission to bring people to outward and inward health.
That's what Bishop Robert C. Morlino told those attending the first diocesan White Mass held on Laetare Sunday at St. Patrick Church in Madison.
The bishop had invited medical professionals from every discipline along with priests and religious in health care ministry to attend this Mass as a sign of the church's ongoing appreciation for their ministry and concern for those to whom they minister.
It is called a "White Mass" because health care personnel have traditionally worn white attire. In the church, white also symbolizes hope and comfort to the ill and hospitalized.
Health care mission
At the beginning of the Mass, Bishop Morlino welcomed the physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. "We thank God for the mission you have and rededicate ourselves to that mission. It's a joy to see so many of you."
The bishop mentioned that he has personally profited from the health care mission, alluding to his heart surgery in 2004. "Your mission is in my prayers every day and I hope we're together in prayer for the work Jesus calls us to do."
Mind-body split
In his homily, Bishop Morlino talked about the story of the prodigal son, which was really about two sons. The younger son - a typical adolescent in rebellion - demands his share of his inheritance early, leaves his father's house, and squanders his inheritance. He repents and comes home, where his father welcomed him back.
The older son stayed home and worked with his father. However, the bishop pointed out, "he lived with an attitude of deep ingratitude to the father."
Bishop Morlino said the older son had a "mind-body split." Outwardly he looked like a faithful son, but inwardly he wasn't.
While the younger son repented and was reconciled with his father, we never heard that the older son repented.
The bishop said sin that is outward has its consequences, but "sin that is hidden and buried inside is the real danger. There are no outward consequences if one conceals thoughts and desires. Nobody sees the evil thoughts and desires. Reality doesn't call that person to repentance."
Wholeness, holiness
As disciples of Jesus Christ, Catholic health care workers are called to bring people to wholeness in mind, body, and spirit, said Bishop Morlino. "Part of the definition of health means holiness, striving for salvation," he noted. "You are really called to bring people to health. Outward health will never suffice if inward health isn't there."
The bishop said the outward and inner health have to be "in sync," so that there isn't a mind-body split.
He said health care workers should care about the inner and outer health of all patients, even bishops and priests. "The bishop needs this, too. Priests need this, too. You really have a mission to help the inward and outward harmonize."
Catholic health professionals took part in the Mass as readers and gift bearers. They also attended a reception after the Mass, where Bishop Morlino spoke.
Urged to speak out
The bishop urged the health care workers to speak out on moral issues, especially in regard to the natural law on matters involving respect for life, the definition of marriage, and the existence of God.
Bishop Morlino especially singled out the issue of stem-cell research, saying that health care professionals should talk with legislators about the difference between adult and embryonic stem-cell research and therapy.
He reminded them that the Catholic Church supports adult stem-cell research and therapy. "We should spend our money on what works," said the bishop. "I need your help in getting the word out.
"This is the age of lay leadership in the world. We have to get out in the public arena. I hope we will stand together. This is a wonderful beginning," he said.
Child abuse prevention
MADISON -- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Through an initiative of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Catholics are being invited to join in common prayer each Friday during April. Prayer does make a difference.
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Pray for healing and forgiveness
Join people across the country as they pray:
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
you gave your only Son
to save us
by the blood of His cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering
the pain of all
who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust
placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done
to our brothers and sisters.
breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope
steady shaken spirits with faith:
show us the way
to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and
enfolded in your mercy.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people's wounds
and transform our brokenness.
grant us courage and wisdom,
humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice
and find peace in you.
we ask this through Christ,
our Lord. Amen.
©2004 USCCB.
All rights reserved
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
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Starting on Good Friday, April 6, and then each Friday in April, at 2 p.m. Central Time, people across the nation will together lift up their voices in petition to our merciful and gracious Lord Jesus and humbly pray for our Church, for those whom we are honored to serve, and for those who have broken sacred trust by abusing a child.
"Abuse pits person against person in violence that not only harms the bodies, but also the souls of vulnerable people. Our common prayer can counteract this rupture with renewed unity in the name of Christ. The evil of any form of abuse, but especially against children, is beyond just a human sinfulness. We need divine intervention to preserve the innocence and
safety of our children as well as to heal those already harmed," relates Sr. Marcia Vinje, director of the Office of Safe Environment for the Diocese of Madison.
"The Office of Child and Youth Protection, a department of the United States Catholic Bishops Conference, has taken the motto Promise to protect, pledge to heal as a description for their mission. By joining in this national prayer initiative we can do our share to be part of that healing process. We pray for healing for victims, but also for healing and conversion for perpetrators. May Easter remind us of the possibility of resurrection and new life for every person."
The Donut Man:
To perform at Bishop O'Connor Center
MADISON -- An hour of music, dancing, and storytelling with Rob Evans, the Donut Man, and his pal Duncan, will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 26 and 27, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd.
A public performance will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening, April 26. On Friday morning, April 27, a 9:30 a.m. concert for area Catholic school children will be held, followed by an 11 a.m. concert for the Catholic Home School networks. All performances will be held in the center auditorium.
Seats may be reserved for any of the performances by registering online (www.madisoncatholic.org/oec/DonutMan/) or calling 608-821-3160. There is no charge for tickets; a good will offering will be taken to help defray concert expenses. Seating is
limited to 325 per concert. The concerts are billed as a family event with parents and schools encouraged to bring their kindergarten through grade three children in particular.
For the past 20 years, Rob Evans has traveled the globe entertaining families and introducing young audiences to Jesus Christ.
Dressed in overalls, with his sidekick Duncan, The Donut Man connects with children bringing complex teachings about the Christian faith to a level they can understand. In April
2006, Rob and his wife Shelley were welcomed into the Catholic faith.
Duncan, the donut, sings, asks questions, and plays along with children helping to teach about Jesus. Duncan helps remind children and parents alike that "Life without Jesus is like a donut, cause there's a hole in the middle of your heart."
Questions may be directed to the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, 608-821-3160.
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