News Briefs: All Souls Day Mass MADISON -- Bishop William H. Bullock will preside and preach at an All Souls Day Mass on Friday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Resurrection Cemetery Chapel in Madison. Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Madison invite all the faithful to attend the annual Mass of Prayer and Remembrance. Rural life day MONROE -- Rural Life, Faith Life, Your Life on Sunday, Nov. 4, is an afternoon dedicated to farmers and everyone connected with agriculture. People of all faith traditions are welcome. The event will be held in Nilles Hall in the lower level of St. Victor Church, 1760 14th St. here. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with health screenings, followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. There is no charge for the meal. At 1:15 p.m., Midge Miles will present "Sacred Story: Sacred Work . . . Finding God down on the Farm." The afternoon will end with a prayer service. No reservations are needed. For more information, call 608-325-9506. Meeting of Catholics with Disabilities MADISON -- Catholics with Disabilities will meet Sunday, Nov. 4, at St. Raphael Cathedral undercroft. Advent Bible Study will kick off with Fr. Michael Himes' video on the Gospel of Matthew. The meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. and adjourn for the 5 p.m. Mass. For more information, write to Peggy Rakow, 422 Presidential Ln., Madison, WI 53711. Panel on death, dying MADISON -- Forming a positive Christian attitude toward death and dying will be the focus of a panel presentation at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Dr., at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the parish center meeting room. The discussion will include ways to be helpful to the sick, "do's and don'ts" about visiting the sick, facing the reality of suffering, family dynamics, and a personal perspective. Prayer groups gather MADISON -- Madison Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal prayer groups are gathering together on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center to hear a talk given by Fr. Emmanuel Famiyeh from St. Mary Parish in Richland Center on "Holiness." There will be music and refreshments. All are welcome. Alzheimer's Disease Conference REEDSBURG -- Area health care providers will host an Alzheimer's Disease Conference on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Voyager Inn here. The event, planned in conjunction with Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, is intended for the families and professional and volunteer caregivers of those afflicted by Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. Education contact hours are available for professionals. To register in advance, call Cori Marsh at 608-355-1809 or Carol Olson at 608-355-0435. All Souls Day remembrance MADISON -- St. Bernard Parish is celebrating an All Souls Day and Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Remembrance prayer service on Friday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. The service will be in both English and Spanish. Everyone is invited to bring a picture of their loved one(s) to be placed on the altar. The rituals surrounding the Hispanic community's Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) come from a blending of the Spanish Catholic traditions with the indigenous cultures found throughout Latin America. This special service will be offered as part of St. Bernard's Taize Prayer Community. En memoria del Día de todos los Difuntos MADISON -- La parroquia San Bernardo (St. Bernard) tendrá una celebración en memoria del Día de los Difuntos y de los Muertos este Viernes 2 de noviembre a las 7 p.m. El servicio se hará en español e inglés y todos estamos invitados a traer una foto de nuestros familiares o amigos difuntos para colocarla en el altar. Las costumbres que rodean a la comunidad hispana en la celebración del Día de los Muertos vienen de la mezcla de las tradiciones Católicas Españolas con las culturas indígenas encontradas por toda Latinoamérica. Este servicio especial será ofrecido como parte de la comunidad de oración Taize de San Bernardo (St. Bernard).

Catholic educators:

MADISON -- "At a time of fear, Catholic educators bring hope."

That was one of the messages of keynote speaker John Carr at the Diocese of Madison's Central Education Institute held Oct. 19 at the Alliant Energy Center here.

	John Carr (Patrick Scullion photo)

Catholic school teachers, principals, and those involved in religious education in the Diocese of Madison gathered for the event that was sponsored by the diocesan Office of Religious Education and Office of Catholic Schools.

A beatitude people

The day began with a Mass at which Vicar General Msgr. Paul J. Swain presided.

"It's appropriate that we open with the image of Jesus teaching his disciples," said Swain in his homily, noting that if we are a beatitude people, we will make consistent choices. "Our choices depend on our values," he said.

We need to trust God, he said.

He said Jesus identifies a way of living that provides characteristics for peace: when we are poor in spirit, we are more open to receiving grace; when we hunger, we are more open to seeking justice; when we are merciful, we are more open to avoiding anger; when we are clean of heart, we are more open to seeing God's presence.

These are the characteristics of a beatitude people and these are lessons we should teach to children, said Swain. "The children are watching us."

Role of religion

The institute continued with a presentation by Carr, director of the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"These events last month have raised new questions about the role of religion," said Carr, explaining that he had been tested for anthrax and would later in the day call in to find out the results.

"What we've learned is that fear is more contagious than anthrax," he said. "That's where you come in. At a time of fear, Catholic educators bring hope."

In the face of the terrorism aftermath, we have to seek justice; in a time of military conflict, we have to pray for peace, Carr said.

"Our faith lifts us up and sustains us. It's not just our children who ask 'why.' It's not just the theologians who ask what's right. At times like this, the values, commitment, faith, and hope that is Catholic education is clear. The response we have is deeper."

Catholic education

Carr thanked those in attendance for their commitment to children, the church, and the country.

As parents, we try to raise our children with Christian values, said Carr, so we look to those in Catholic education as partners for help.

"Catholic education is the greatest investment we can make," he said. "We invest in Catholic education because of what it means for our community and nation."

Two of the greatest gifts are commitment to Catholic education and commitment to Catholic social teaching. "If we put them together, we could change the world," he said.

Catholic education is important because of what you teach and how you teach it, he said. "We share the mission of Christ every day."

"Our faith is social," he said. "We can't call ourselves Catholic unless we share the Catholic teaching on human life."

Catholic social teaching

Carr talked about the seven themes of Catholic social teaching emphasized by the U.S. bishops:

1) Life and dignity of the human person: Catholics believe every person and every life is precious.

2) Call to family, community, and participation: The person is not only sacred, but also social. People have a right and duty to participate in society, seeking the common good and well being of all.

3) Rights and responsibilities: We have a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency, and we have a responsibility to secure those rights for others.

4) Option for the poor and vulnerable: We must put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

5) Dignity of work and the rights of workers: The economy must serve people, not the other way around, and the basic rights of workers must be respected.

6) Solidarity: We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.

7) Care for God's creation: We are called to protect people and the planet and show respect for God by our stewardship of creation.

"We have to share these ideas," said Carr, pointing out that we should integrate, not isolate, Catholic social teaching. "It needs to be woven into everything we do."

He also said we should teach by example, put service in a broader context, and "prepare students to be salt of the earth."

"We're in this together," he said.

Workshops

Various workshops were offered during the day to participants.

In one workshop, "Creating Intelligent, Caring Classrooms and Schools," Dr. Robert Marciante, former director of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Evaluation for the Archdiocese of Chicago, suggested maintaining a personal inspiration wall that kids put up themselves.

He said bringing joy, celebration, and laughter into the classroom is important.

"Celebrate learning by focusing on the learning," he said.

In another workshop entitled "Ideas for Integrating Justice into Curriculum," Lee Nagel, secretary of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Green Bay, stressed that we are called to act with justice and to serve one another.

"You look with your heart rather than your eyes," he said.

In "Building Curriculum Around the Liturgical Seasons," Sandy Dunn, director of religious education at St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, shared ideas for focusing on the liturgical seasons for religious education.

For example, to share the Christmas story in a new way, type it out and cut apart the paragraphs, turning them upside down on a table, Dunn said.

"Ask the students and families to put it together," she said. "Little by little they will help each other."

Stem cell conference:

First in a series

MILWAUKEE -- "We aren't going to get all the answers, but some real progress can be made while we listen, learn, and ask questions."

That's how Fr. Robert A. Wild, a Jesuit priest who is president of Marquette University, introduced a recent conference on "Stem Cell Research: New Frontiers in Science & Ethics," held Oct. 17-20 in Milwaukee.

Unique group

The conference -- sponsored by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, Marquette, and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee -- brought together a unique group of people to discuss many complex issues facing society today. Among those attending were most of the state's Catholic bishops (including Bishop William H. Bullock and Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz of Madison), scientists, ethicists, theologians, and university faculty members.

Papers were presented on a variety of topics. What was special about this conference was that most speakers stayed throughout the gathering to ask questions of each other and comment on issues raised. There was a lively "give and take" throughout the day, continuing into breaks and mealtimes. As an observer at the conference, I was able not only to listen but also to talk with conference participants.

While many of the presentations were "heavy" and often scientific in nature, the speakers made an effort to communicate clearly, define terms, and make their ideas understandable to "lay" people not in their field.

Change: keeping pace

I came away from the conference with one overriding impression: biotechnology and medicine are experiencing such rapid advances that it is very difficult for ethicists and theologians to keep pace with the changes.

However, the Catholic Church can be proud of its clear, consistent teachings which can be applied to these changes. One of the ethicists from another faith tradition at the conference -- Dr. Karen Lebacqz from Berkeley -- said she "envies" the Catholic Church for its consistency on life issues.

Catholic theology

Catholic theologian Dr. M. Therese Lysaught, associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton, discussed one argument used to persuade politicians and the public to support human embryonic stem cell research.

This argument often takes the form of justification of violence in defense of the innocent (similar to the just war theory). Lives are at stake, they argue; therefore, sacrifices must be made, even at the cost of human life.

Human lives on both sides of equation

Lysaught said the central moral question in the controversy over embryonic stem cell research is: what value should we place on embryos and how do we balance that with saving many people. "Human lives are on both sides of the equation," she noted.

Those in favor of using human embryos in research often use stories of children whose suffering may be alleviated through stem cell research, she observed. This paints the controversy as "defense of the innocent," with the aggressor being the disease.

The moral criteria to justify giving a human life to save a life is based on Thomas Aquinas' just war theory, that is, self-defense and defense of family against an attacker. In that theory, the taking of human life may be justified to serve the common good.

Images of war used

Lysaught noted that images of war are often used in the stem cell debate: we're "fighting a war" against disease and suffering; a disease is compared to a "dictator"; those who suffer are "survivors."

So, does the just war theory make it morally lawful to destroy human embryonic stem cells in the name of self-defense and the common good?

Lysaught said the Catholic Church would say violence may be necessary to save one's life. But it is not necessary to use embryonic stem cells when there are "promising alternatives" (including adult stem cells). The intention to save a life "doesn't render an act lawful."

She challenged the view that "millions of people will suffer and die unless embryonic stem cell research is used." Instead, Lysaught said this dismisses a "wide range of other endeavors" and fails to recognize that so much research "bears little practical fruit."

"No middle ground is being found," she observed, similar to many war situations. But as in the just war theory, she said "all peaceful alternatives must be exhausted" and destruction of human embryos should be the "last resort."

She mentioned that frozen embryos in fertility clinics should be treated like "non-combatants" and be given immunity from destruction. "Their loss of life isn't accidental or unintended," she said.

Lysaught suggested redefining terms and emphasizing healing which is so much a part of the Catholic tradition. "Healing is not an end in itself. Healing must be anchored in God's work in the world, in compassion (suffering with those who suffer)," she said.