News Briefs: Rural Life Gathering SINSINAWA -- A day-long Rural Life Gathering on Friday, Oct. 26, here will draw a wide range of people from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois to consider agriculture, consumer choices, and food systems in relation to earth stewardship, community, spirituality, and justice. Keynoter Tim Kautza of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference will explore ethical implications that involve everyone: "Eating Is a Moral Act." Twenty-one workshop facilitators will lead discussion. The conference will be held at Sinsinawa Mound Center on County Z off Hwy. 11 in southwestern Wisconsin. For information call 608-748-4411, ext. 805, or e-mail: cclp@mwci.net. Pre-registration is $20. Couples, students, and groups have reduced fees. Jefferson Deanery PALMYRA -- The fall meeting of the Jefferson Deanery Council of Catholic Women will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, at St. Mary Parish here. Theme is "Fostering Vocations in Our Families." Guest speaker at 7:30 will be Msgr. Paul Swain, vicar general and director of vocations for the Madison Diocese. Reservations are due Oct. 16 to Carol O'Hern, P.O. Box 331, Palmyra, WI 53156. Cost is $7.50. Work of Human Hands MONROE -- St. Victor Parish will sponsor Work of Human Hands, featuring arts and crafts from over 25 countries. Hand-crafted gift items from around the world will be on public display and available for purchase on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. in St. Victor Parish School, 15th St. and 20th Ave. Mass of Healing & Hope MONTELLO -- A Mass of Healing and Hope will be celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 21, at St. John the Baptist Church, 277 E. Montello St., Montello, in Marquette County. Prayer and praise will begin at 2 p.m. and Mass at 2:30 p.m. Fr. Richard M. Heilman will be the celebrant. Heilman will also administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Volunteer in India LANCASTER -- Leah Stader of Lancaster, a recent University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate in nursing, was scheduled to leave for Calcutta, India, on Oct. 5. She plans to dedicate one year to work with the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. The KAIROS-TEC community, of which Stader is a member, held a special send-off for her on Sept. 23 at Christ the King Church in McFarland. A prayer service and dinner was held in her honor.

One month after terrorist attacks on U.S.

Pope John Paul II said the Vatican will take part in an International Day of Prayer on Thursday, Oct. 11, one month after the terrorist attacks on the United States.

The Holy Father has also called upon Catholics to pray the Rosary during the month of October for world peace.

Prince of Peace Crucifix located in front of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. (photo by Patrick Scullion)

In his homily for Respect Life Sunday, Bishop William H. Bullock of Madison asked Catholics in the Diocese of Madison to pray and work for respect for all human life.

Bishop's response: Urges prayer

Bishop William H. Bullock on Sunday, Oct. 7, commented on news of the American air strikes on Afghanistan:

"I finished the print version of my homily on Respect Life Sunday about 3:30 p.m. and now depart for our Priest Fall Assembly in Chula Vista. I am aware as I do that what has now begun by President Bush and other allies throughout the world will have world-shaking consequences.

"I urge all Americans to pray . . . to ask God to guide us, to give us His light and grace. I pray we all have courage and faith and that our President Bush will have the gift of right judgment in the war against terrorism.

"We should all continue to pray . . . to be available to help in whatever way we can . . . to pray that all Americans can and will do their best to assist world peace efforts.

"We have the weaponry, the strategy, the power . . . what we need now is to find a way to use everything diplomatically, politically that will truly end terrorism throughout the world.

"These events Oct. 7 began our observance of Respect Life Sunday and the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope John Paul II has asked that we use the prayer of the rosary during this month in behalf of World Peace. I think that an excellent idea and will do so myself and urge our people to do the same."

Update on diocesan donations to relief efforts

Catholics in the 135 parishes of the Diocese of Madison have donated $210,022 to Catholic Charities USA to use in the relief efforts on the east coast following the attacks in Washington and New York, Bishop William H. Bullock announced.

The bishop had asked pastors in the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison to take a special collection for Catholic Charities USA to use in the relief work following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Prayer for Peace

Christ, O Prince of Peace,
you were lifted up for our sake,
that all might look upon you and be saved.

We offer you our lives and hearts
in the new millennium.

May it be a time of reconciliation between people,
and of peace restored among nations,
a time when swords are beaten into ploughshares
and the clash of arms gives way to the songs of peace.

Father, may we live always docile to the voice of the Spirit,
faithful to the way of Christ,
diligent in listening to your Word.

Amen.

--From Pope John Paul II's Prayer for the Jubilee Year 2000

Education Institute: Oct. 19

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison's Central Education Institute will take place at the Alliant Energy Center here on Friday, Oct. 19. Those involved in parish ministry, Catholic schools, or religious education are encouraged to attend.

The schedule is as follows: 7:45 a.m., exhibits and registration; 8:30 a.m., welcome and Liturgy; 10 a.m., keynote speaker's presentation; 11 a.m., workshops, Round I; noon, lunch; 1:15 p.m., workshops, Round II; 2:30 p.m., workshops, Round III; 3:30 p.m., basic FOREM continued to 5 p.m.

Keynote speaker

The keynote presenter is John Carr, director of the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). His address is titled "Sharing the Secret of Catholic Social Teaching: Mission, Message, Directions, Dangers."

Workshop topics

Workshop topics include areas such as what it means to be a Catholic believer and an American citizen today; discipline strategies for challenging students; integrating social justice into curriculum; creating intelligent, caring classrooms and schools; middle schoolers; building curriculum around the liturgical seasons; real life problem-solving strategies; and improving student performance.

The institute is sponsored by the diocesan Office of Religious Education and Office of Catholic Schools.

Registration is necessary. The fee is $40. For more information, call the Office of Religious Education at 608-821-3180.