News Briefs: Cancer program offered MADISON -- St. Marys Hospital Medical Center is offering the next eight-week program of "I CAN COPE" beginning on Monday, Jan. 28. The program runs for eight consecutive Mondays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., until Monday, March 18. "I CAN COPE" is an American Cancer Society program. This series will be held at St. Bernard Parish Center, corner of University Ave. and Parmenter St., Middleton. "I CAN COPE" is for the person with cancer and for anyone who in some way is touched by that disease such as a spouse, family, friends, or other supporting persons. The program offers information, support, and encouragement in order to deal with the disease. The class is free and open to the public. To sign up, call St. Marys Hospital Community Relations at 608-258-5065. Priests for Life at Watertown parish WATERTOWN -- Fr. Dennis Wilde of Priests for Life will be visiting St. Bernard Parish in Watertown from Jan. 11 through 13. On Friday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. there will be benediction, adoration, sermon, and rosary. On Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 a.m. there will be a Mass. After Mass people will go to Planned Parenthood in Johnson Creek and recite 15 decades of the rosary. Wilde will also be celebrating Mass at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, which will be preceded by confessions at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Jan. 13, Masses are at 8 and 10 a.m. Wilde's visit is sponsored by the Watertown Pro-Life Group and the Watertown Knights of Columbus Council 1478. Both are comprised of members of St. Bernard and St. Henry Parishes. For more information, contact Jim Holden at 920-206-1258 or Mike Ready at 920-261-3952. Gathering of Gifts Feb. 6 LAKE MILLS -- "Gathering of Gifts: A Regional Catechist Inservice" will take place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at St. Francis Xavier Parish here. The evening includes dinner and catechist sessions on "Connecting and Involving Parents in Religious Education," "Classroom Management," and "Active Learning Techniques." Participation fee is $10, payable to St. Henry Parish. Those registering must include their name, address, phone number, and first, second, and third choice for catechist sessions. Each participant will attend one session. Registration is due Jan. 23 and should be mailed to St. Henry Parish, c/o Todd Weissenborn, 412 N. 4th St., Watertown, WI 53094; e-mail: toddwe@execpc.com; phone: 920-261-7273. For more information, contact Caryl Getchell at 920-261-2584, ext. 18. Study tour to China MADISON -- The second informational meeting for the China Adventure Tour will take place at Edgewood College on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 114, Predolin Humanities Center. This guided, study tour experience is open to all interested persons. First class hotels, all meals, and all transportation to China and within China are included. For more information, contact Dr. Vernon Sell at 608-663-2285 or e-mail to sell@edgewood.edu. Knights of Columbus recognized DARLINGTON -- Knights of Columbus Monsignor Bernard Doyle Council 1080, Darlington, received international recognition for placing third in the Knights' Supreme Council Service Award for their work on church restoration at Holy Rosary Church in Darlington. The award was presented at a recent Sunday Mass at Holy Rosary.

State schedules hearing:

MADISON -- The state Assembly Health Committee has scheduled a hearing on Friday, Jan. 25, on two legislative proposals designed to protect human embryos from destructive research and prohibit human cloning in the state.

The "Human Embryo Protection Act" is sponsored by Representative Steve Freese and Senator Mary Lazich. Assembly Bill 699 dealing with cloning is authored by Representative Steve Kestell.

Two proposals

The "Human Embryo Protection Act" would regulate both current embryonic research activities in the state as well as guard against any future attempts to engage in human cloning by prohibiting the creation, destruction, sale, or transfer of human embryos for research purposes. In addition the act proposes creation of a study committee to examine promotion of adoption as an option for "excess" embryos created through in vitro fertilization efforts.

Assembly Bill 699 focuses solely on the issue of human cloning. Under AB 699 human cloning would be completely prohibited. The bill does not distinguish between therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning.

Viable alternatives

"Wisconsin is touting itself as a leader in embryonic stem cell research and this research as indispensable to curing disease and saving lives," stated John Huebscher, Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) executive director. "We believe that the hearings will reveal that there are viable alternatives.

"Given Wisconsin's high profile in the area of embryonic stem cell research, it is even more critical that we educate ourselves about the ethical implications of current activities, turn away from practices that destroy human life, and prevent the introduction of human cloning," he said.

Setting limits

Prior to the hearing, the WCC will be co-sponsoring a forum with Wisconsin Right to Life on Thursday, Jan. 24, featuring leading experts in the ethics and science of stem cell technology.

"Scientists make an extremely valuable contribution to society. But so do religion and philosophy and government and they all have something to contribute to this discussion," said Huebscher. "In the past, society has set limits on research and determined that certain experiments and methods should not be permitted. We believe that research dependent upon the destruction of human life or the creation of life through illicit means should be off limits.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our legislature to truly commit Wisconsin to leadership in the arena of biotechnology by advancing ethical standards that respect the dignity of all human life," said Huebscher.

MADISON -- "Celebrating Heroes for Life!" is the theme of an event that will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Inn on the Park, 22 S. Carroll St.

Participants are invited to attend a prayer service at the State Capitol afterward.

The event is sponsored by Wisconsin Right to Life-Dane County (WRL-Dane County), which strives to protect the unborn, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Respect for life

"So many aspects of respect for life encounter the sadness of abortion, infanticide, or euthanasia," said Susanna Herro, president of Wisconsin Right to Life-Dane County.

"This day focuses on the joys of taking positive steps to promote life through foster parenting and adoption of children, including those who are differently-abled."

According to a survey in October 2001 by Wirthlin Worldwide, 67 percent of adults statewide say they oppose abortion, except in the most extreme circumstances.

"This educational morning reinforces that belief while stressing that foster care and adoption are loving options to abortion," said Herro.

Speakers of the day

Speakers of the day will include Mistress of Ceremonies Maria Burgos de Lopez, former Mrs. Wisconsin and a business woman who will share her increasing commitment to the pro-life cause.

"The Hispanic community is heavily targeted by Planned Parenthood in many areas of the country," said Herro. "WRL-Dane County provides educational information in Spanish."

Amanda and Brian Friedl of Mount Horeb will share their story of love and commitment to changing the world one child at a time. After foster parent training, this couple chose to adopt a sibling group of four, then added one more sibling, and the story continues.

Anne Margaret and Ronny Wright, both doctors of psychology and licensed in Wisconsin, will share how their family prayed to adopt a Down's Syndrome child. Their journey is one that sets stereotypes aside and shows every child is truly a wanted child.

Promoting beliefs

"Being pro-life currently puts you in the majority in Wisconsin," said Herro. "This educational day will also give you an opportunity to peacefully and legally promote your beliefs."

Herro said she especially encourages teens to attend.

No registration is necessary. The event is free, although donations will be accepted.

For more information, call 608-251-LIFE (251-5433).