News Briefs: Spring deanery meetings Deanery Councils of Catholic Women have scheduled the following spring deanery meetings: • April 4, Grant Deanery, p.m., St. Francis De Sales Parish, Hazel Green • April 11, West Dane Deanery, a.m., St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains • April 16, Madison Deanery, p.m., St. Peter Parish, Madison • April 18, East Dane Deanery, p.m., St. Olaf Parish, DeForest • April 23, Sauk Deanery, a.m., St. Luke Parish, Plain • April 23, Iowa Deanery, p.m., St. Patrick Parish, Hollandale • April 25, Columbia Deanery, p.m., St. Thomas Parish, Poynette • April 25, Marquette-Green Lake Deanery, p.m., St. Stanislaus Parish, Berlin • May 7, Jefferson Deanery, p.m., St. Henry Parish, Watertown Grant Deanery HAZEL GREEN -- "Women: Builders of Peace, Justice, and Hope" is the theme of the Grant Deanery Council of Catholic Women meeting Thursday, April 4. St. Francis de Sales Parish here will host the event. Registration is at 4 p.m. followed by business meeting at 4:30. A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 5:45 with Fr. Lorin Bowens, Lime Ridge, diocesan moderator, as homilist. Dinner will be served at 6:30. An evening program will follow. Reservations are due March 28 to Connie Berning, 7826 Illinois Rt. 84 North, Galena, IL 61036. Cost is $7. Living Stations scheduled DICKEYVILLE -- The Young Christian Players of Holy Ghost Parish here will present the "Living Stations" Wednesday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., in Queen of Rosary Chapel at the Sinsinawa Mound; Sunday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church, Mt. Horeb; and Saturday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church, McFarland. The Young Christian Players celebrate their 10th year of bringing this prayer experience to the area. They have grown from one local presentation during Holy Week to three or four presentations in a 100-mile radius. This year's presentation is dedicated to a former player, Brock Meyer, who died suddenly this year. He played the role of Jesus in 1997. All are invited to attend. A free-will offering will be accepted. Divine Mercy Sunday MADISON -- Divine Mercy Sunday will be observed on April 7 at St. Raphael Cathedral, 222 W. Main St. Confessions will be heard from 1 to 1:50 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. by Msgr. Daniel Ganshert, rector of the cathedral. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed after Communion with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass, followed by Benediction. The Novena to the Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday, March 29, and continues through Sunday, April 7. The Friends of Mercy invite all to participate in this novena to augment the most solemn season of the Catholic Church year. Cancer screening kits MONROE -- The Monroe Clinic will be offering Hemoccult II kits from March 25 to April 5. These kits are used to screen for cancer of the colon and cancer of the rectum. When detected and treated early, these cancers are considered to be curable. Colorectal cancer Hemoccult II stool blood test kits will be sold for $3 each at The Monroe Clinic Pharmacy (in the clinic building) and the Branch Clinics in Albany, New Glarus, Blanchardville, Brodhead, Freeport, Durand, and Lena. Patients take home the kit, which contains a pre-addressed envelope so the patient can easily mail the sample directly to The Monroe Clinic. A letter is then mailed back to the patient with the screening results. World Youth Day preparation MADISON -- Pilgrims must prepare themselves spiritually for their journey to Toronto for World Youth Day (WYD) this July. That was the message when young adults gathered for a pre-pilgrimage event with Bishop William H. Bullock and Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz March 10 at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. The day began with Mass at which Bullock presided. Concelebrating were Wirz; Fr. Jim Bartylla, priest secretary to the bishop; and Fr. Randy Timmerman, parochial vicar of St. Paul University Catholic Center, Madison. A reception took place after Mass. Then Ben Weisse, associate director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education, gave an overview of the pilgrimage that will take place July 22-29. Giving a talk, Wirz answered "What is a pilgrimage?" At a closing prayer with Bullock, St. Paul University Catholic Center Chaplain Faye Darnall, addressed "how to prepare for the pilgrimage." To register for World Youth Day, contact Ben Weisse of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Religious Education at 608-821-3164.

St. Patrick Parish:

(See also front page photo.)

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- The atmosphere was one of excitement as people toured the newly renovated parish center at St. Patrick Parish March 17 here.

After seven months of construction, the project, which also included a new 2,000 square-foot narthex where people can gather before and after Mass, was recently completed. With the renovation of the parish the center totaling 10,000 square feet, it was the largest renovation project at the parish since 1958.

Joining the parishioners in celebration was Bishop William H. Bullock, who presided at a Mass and dedication of the newly completed project.

Principal concelebrants were Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz and Fr. William J. Seipp, pastor. Concelebrants included Msgr. Daniel T. Ganshert, Frs. John R. Auby, David J. Flanagan, D. Stephen Smith, O. Charles Schluter, Kent A. Schmitt, Michael E. Klarer, Anthony Iheanacho, and Rupert Dorn. Master of ceremonies was Fr. James R. Bartylla.

Bullock offered his congratulations to current pastor Seipp and previous pastor Ganshert "in what is a beautiful outcome of a lot of effort and a lot of time."

Catholic way of life

In his homily, the bishop said that faith is the base of the journey of God's people.

"The behavioral implications of what we believe in enables us to follow in the footsteps of Christ," he said.

He said there are four topics that feed faith: 1) the truths we believe; 2) the sacraments we celebrate; 3) the Gospel principles on which we base our moral decisions; 4) the Catechism which gives us the prayer life of the church.

"Bringing together what we believe in and behave like enables us to be united with Christ," he said. "We call it being faithful to Christ."

Jesus never disappoints

Bullock said these past months since Sept. 11 have hurt and pained us as we hear about everything from warfare to pedophilia.

But, just as Jesus called to Lazarus to come forth, so does he call to us to leave our wrappings of war and hatred behind and walk as people of the resurrection, he said.

"Jesus never disappoints us in any way," said the bishop. "With God's love, in the end we shall triumph."

He said we must follow Christ and realize that our faith is not a crutch, but our Catholic way of life.

Dedication ceremony

At the end of Mass, Bullock blessed the new addition and renovated areas while the congregation stayed in their pews and listened to the prayers over the sound system.

"Let us pray to the Lord that all who enter the church to hear the word of God may heed the voice of Christ," Bullock said, blessing the new gathering space and elevator.

"May all who come here know the presence of Christ and grow in his love," said the bishop while blessing the renovated social hall.

Blessing the classrooms and offices, the bishop said, "Grant that those who come here may pursue truth and may all who conduct business in these offices come to right and just decisions."

Blessing the pastor's newly renovated living quarters, Bullock prayed, "Be close to your servant, Fr. Bill Seipp. Be his shelter, his companion, his welcome guest."

Expressing gratitude

Seipp thanked Nancy Cox, parish business manager, "for keeping on top of things for this project."

Cox called forward those who were instrumental in the project, including Ganshert, pastor of St. Patrick Parish when the project began; Tony Pawlowsky, architect who helped in the beginning stages; Paul Reislager of Strang (architect); Rich Lynch, Dan Cowell, and Tom Faust of Findorff (general contractor); Cory Schmoll of Encompass Electric; Larry Pickett of Strang; and Seipp, current pastor.

"It takes a team of many talented people to do this," Cox said, also noting the help of building committee members John Baggot, Joe Tisserand, and Phyllis Tschumper. "And thank you to all the parishioners for your support and patience through the dirt and turmoil."

Bullock said with a smile in closing, "The Irish have a saying: Now that you have something new, may you live long enough to enjoy it."

During the Mass, lectors were Nancy Cox and Sr. Jean Schuster. Acolytes were Bob Agasie, Mary Ahlstrom, and Jamie Rane. Cantor was Michelle Pletzer. Music was provided by St. Patrick's Choir, directed by organist Richard Horn. The Mad City Harpers and the Celtic Singers provided music before Mass.

People gathered afterward in the social hall for a reception.

Holy Week liturgies:

MADISON -- All people in the Diocese of Madison are invited to attend the liturgies of Holy Week at St. Raphael Cathedral, 222 W. Main St.

The schedule includes:

• Palm Sunday Mass, Saturday, March 23, 5 p.m., and Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Bishop William H. Bullock will preside at 10 a.m. Mass, which includes solemn procession with palms (aired on WHFA radio, 1240 AM).

• Chrism Mass, Tuesday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., Bishop William H. Bullock, presider; Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz and priests of the diocese, concelebrants.

• Holy Thursday, March 28, 5:30 p.m., Mass of the Lord's Supper; Bishop William H. Bullock, presider; collection of food and money taken for the poor.

• Good Friday, March 29, 3 p.m., Celebration of the Lord's Passion; Bishop William H. Bullock, presider; solemn chanting of the Passion according to St. John (aired on WHFA radio, 1240 AM).

• Holy Saturday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., Easter Vigil; Bishop William H. Bullock, presider; music provided by the Cathedral Triduum Choir, brass, and timpani.

• Easter Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Celebration of Mass; Bishop William H. Bullock, presider (10 a.m.); Msgr. Daniel T. Ganshert, cathedral rector, presider (5 p.m.); music for the 10 a.m. Mass provided by the Cathedral Triduum Choir, brass, and timpani (aired on WHFA radio, 1240 AM).

• Solemn Easter Vespers, Sunday, March 31, 7 p.m.; Msgr. Daniel T. Ganshert, cathedral rector, presider; followed by a reception.

Reunion for Queen of Apostles alumni:

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Queen of Apostles High School on Madison's east side was closed more than 20 years ago, but its memories are still very much alive.

It was June 3, 1979 when the last class to graduate from the high school walked through the doors. Now that the building will be torn down in April, those very students, other graduates, and would-have-been-graduates of Queen of Apostles High School are planning a reunion at the school April 6.

All alumni, faculty, staff, seminarians Queen of Apostles Seminary and High School alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to one last day in the school on Saturday, April 6, for an open house from 2 to 10 p.m. The school will be demolished the second week of April. • A minimum donation of $10 per person will help cover costs. You may pay at the door or send a check to: Karen Denu, 1613 Vondron Road, Madison, WI 53716. • Everyone is asked to bring an appetizer to this adult-only function. • Everyone is asked to pass the word, as no invitations will be sent. • Let us know your maiden name (if applicable) and the year you graduated. • For more information, visit http://www.expage.com/page/quahs. For registration or more information contact Karen at 608-222-3617 or QUAHS2002@yahoo.com. • Although walk-ins are welcome, registration by Sunday, March 31, is encouraged.

Brief history

The Queen of Apostles building, which was built between 1947 and 1949, served as a seminary in the 1950s and was run by the Pallottine Fathers.

After the Diocese of Madison built Holy Name Seminary, the building was turned into a day and resident school for boys in 1965. It became a coed school in 1971. Because the school was losing money, the Pallottine Fathers decided to close it in 1979, despite a community effort resulting in more than $75,000 to save the school.

"Two or three members resided at the school for about two years until the property was purchased by Astronautics to continue their space research for the University of Wisconsin," said Fr. Richard Gunderman, who was a teacher at Queen of Apostles from 1951-79.

Now the building has been sold and will be torn down for subdevelopment and affordable homes.

The reunion is the last chance for past students, teachers, seminarians, and parents to spend time in the building that holds memories for many.

"There are many people affiliated with Queen of Apostles who have fond memories," said Fr. John Hedrick, Portage, who attended Queen of Apostles Seminary from 1957-63 and later was on the staff for eight years there, serving as principal there from 1976-78. "It's fitting to mark this transition and also it gives alumni a chance to get together. More than anything, there is a sense of gratitude for the experience people have had there."

Touching many lives

Because the building was used as a seminary and then a school, it touched a lot of people's lives in this area, said Lisa Penny Hovel, '79 graduate and one of the reunion planners.

Others planning the reunion include Judi (Dwyer) Daggett ('79); Beth Zeier ('79); Karen (Hasenberg) Denu ('81); Jackie (Hasenberg) Burwell ('79); Lynn (Hasenberg) Kohrs ('78); Rob Hecimovich ('80); and Sue Heiser ('79).

"It's sad to see it go," said Daggett.

"It would have been good if it could've been converted to something else, but it's just the practicality of it," admitted Zeier. "After all, it is a building. We're the memories."

A special school

"It was such a different type of high school," said Denu. "There were not really any cliques. No one was an outcast. Everyone did everything together."

This was probably because it was such a small school, the alumni agreed. And the impact of the Catholic education they received there was not lost.

Taught by the Pallottine Fathers and Schoenstatt Sisters, "the spiritual influence touched me so much that I send my own kids to Catholic schools," said Daggett.

"Everyone there was so accepting, and the priests and nuns were so nurturing," said Hovel. "In the yearbooks, you will see pictures of parents and students at events accompanied by priests and nuns. They really knew you. We were their lives."