Belmont parish: Celebrates 50th anniversary

By Kat Wagner
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

History • In 1836 Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli was requested to act as chaplain for the opening session of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature at the site which is today First Capitol Park. • According to newspaper accounts, more than four attempts were made to begin a Catholic parish, notably in 1894 and 1919, but none came to fruition. • In 1957 Bishop William P. O'Connor established a new parish in Belmont, a mission of then-100-year-old Immaculate Conception Parish, Truman. Fr. William Stack was pastor at the parishes of Truman and Calamine. • The first Mass was celebrated May 5, 1957, in a vacant store. • On September 22, 1957, ground was broken for a new church, and it was dedicated by Bishop O'Connor on June 4, 1958. The same church still stands, although new windows, statues, air-conditioning, a new altarpiece, a Johannus organ, and handicapped-accessible elements were added. • In 1969, pastor Fr. Joseph Schlaefer moved from Truman to Belmont when it became the Mother Church, and lived in a trailer house. A new rectory was built in 1978. • In 1959 St. Philomena's Resurrection Cemetery was founded. In 2006 a new crucifix was placed in the cemetery and new pillars and an archway were added. • According to a 2005 count, St. Philomena Parish has nearly 400 members from 164 families. It has more than doubled since it was founded in 1957.

BELMONT -- The town of Belmont is one of the oldest in the state, and in fact was its first capitol. But its Catholic church is, compared with some of the other parishes in the diocese celebrating their 100th and even 150th anniversaries, relatively new.

That youth did not prevent the parish from celebrating its 50-year milestone with plenty of enthusiasm, though. The small church was filled to overflowing for the Mass, celebrated by Bishop William H. Bullock. And for the reception afterward, the line extended all the way up the stairs and back into the church lobby, filling the space with the chatter of friends.

St. Philomena Parish, established in 1957, has more than doubled its size since its inception to nearly 400 parishioners in 164 families, according to 2005 statistics. This growth mirrors the expansion of the town itself, which estimates show has grown in population by four percent in the past seven years.

"Belmont has always stuck together - it's a great community," remarked Marjorie Rehmstedt, one of the parish's charter members.   Full story ...

Great joy: Training to propose 'God's Plan' to engaged couples

By Emily Seyfert
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- "This presentation is the most thorough and sensitive explanation of the Church's teachings on sexual morality. Because of Pope John Paul's vision of marriage as presented in this presentation, I have great hope for my marriage, for all those who have been hurt (in) sexual relationships, and for our culture that is obsessed about degrading God's amazing plan of marriage," remarked Brad Stuczynski, of St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo.

He and over 20 other individuals and married couples came together at the Bishop O'Connor Center during a recent weekend to hear that presentation, "God's Plan for a Joy Filled Marriage," with the goal of presenting it in turn to engaged couples during diocesan marriage preparation days.   Full story ...

New coordinator: Brings fresh voice to NFP

By Kat Wagner
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Just in time for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's (USCCB) Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, July 22 to 28, the Diocese of Madison's Office of Evangelization and Catechesis has hired a new full-time coordinator for Natural Family Planning (NFP).

	Related article: • Column by Jessica Smith -- Natural Family Planning: It's supernatural

Jessica Smith, formerly the director of stewardship and development at St. John the Baptist Parish, Waunakee, started as the Family Planning coordinator on July 2, which she said felt significant as the Feast of the Visitation on the church's pre-Vatican II calendar.

Smith fills a long-vacant position that will focus on bringing about a greater awareness of NFP, which she calls "super natural planning" because of its inherent naturalness. NFP relies on abstinence and an understanding of fertility to avoid or assist in conception.   Full story ...