News Briefs: Concert, music workshop MADISON -- A concert and liturgical music workshop for those involved in Hispanic Ministry and bi-lingual liturgies will be held Friday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 12, at St. Joseph Parish, 1905 West Beltline Hwy. The event is sponsored by the Office of Worship and is coordinated by Toni Kellor, director of the Diocese of Madison Estudiantina and a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. Presenting the concert and leading the workshop is Lourdes Montgomery, music director at Mother of Christ Parish, Miami, Fla. She will be joined in the free 8 p.m. Oct. 11 concert by Estudiantina. The workshop will be held 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 12, followed by a pot-luck luncheon. For more information, call the Office of Worship, 608-821-3080, or e-mail worship@straphael.org. Parish mission MADISON -- Awakening our faith in changing times is the intent of a parish mission at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Dr., to be given by Fr. Dennis Koopman and Fr. Donald Blaeser, Franciscan friars from St. Gratian Friary, Countryside, Ill. The friars will preach at all weekend Masses Oct. 19 and 20 and at three 7 p.m. evening sessions: Oct. 20, "Embracing the God of Love"; Oct. 21, "Forgiveness: A Path to Peace" (Sacrament of Reconciliation available); Oct. 22, "Giving Witness to the Good News in our Lives." They will also preach at 8:15 a.m. Masses Oct. 21 and 22. There is no fee to attend. All are welcome. West Dane Deanery meeting MARTINSVILLE -- "Getting on the Grapevine" is the theme for the fall meeting of the West Dane Deanery Council of Catholic Women Thursday, Oct. 24, at St. Martin Parish here. Registration is at 8:15 a.m. followed by business meeting, speakers Rose Snorek and Mike Delaney from Catholic radio station WHFA, Mass, luncheon, speakers, and prayer service at 2:15 p.m. Offertory collection will go to the Multicultural Center. Those attending are asked to bring school supplies for homeless children in Madison. Items not needed are crayons, pencils, folders, and glue. Reservations are due Oct. 17 to Joan Meier, 8599 Cty. Trk. K, Cross Plains, WI 53528. The cost is $7. Rural Life Gathering SINSINAWA -- A day-long ecumenical Rural Life Gathering on Friday, Oct. 25, at Sinsinawa Mound Center will draw together a wide range of active people, churches, and organizations from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois to celebrate "Passion for Rural Life" and exchange ways of moving "From Heart to the Public Domain." A panel of organizational leaders will discuss how to build conviction and spirit through organizations: Denise O'Brien of Women, Food, and Agriculture Network; Robert Karp of Practical Farmers of Iowa; and LaDonna Redmond of the Institute for Community Resource Development. Keynote speaker John Nichols, writer for The Nation and associate editor of The Capital Times in Madison, will address the challenge of "Linking Heart with the World." Twenty facilitators active in the tri-states will lead workshops. A table fair will exhibit work of active groups. For information call 608-748-4411, ext. 805, or e-mail: cclp@mwci.net. Pre-registration is $20; couples and groups, $16; students $15. Support groups MADISON -- Peer support for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship is offered at two Madison parishes open to all ages/faiths. New Directions will meet 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 and 24, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. On Oct. 24, Donna Defoe, social worker, will speak on "The links between self-esteem and relationship choices." RSVP to 608-821-3170 option 2. Friends on a Journey will meet 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Dr. For information call 608-821-3170 option 3. Cancer screening BARABOO -- Coupons for breast cancer screening will be on sale at St. Clare Hospital here at a cost of $50 from Monday, Oct. 14, through Friday, Oct. 25. Women over age 35 will receive a mammogram with radiologist interpretation. Coupons may be purchased between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the outpatient registration area at the hospital. Call 608-356-1434. Anointing of sick WISCONSIN DELLS -- On Sunday, Oct. 13, St. Cecilia Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Liturgy. Fr. Felix Oehrlein, Fr. Arnie Reuter, and Msgr. Edward Erbe will perform the anointings, praying for healing in body, soul, and spirit. All are invited to attend.

Educators gather at institute:
Learn about teaching Catholic faith

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- When teaching the Catholic faith, we often try to do it in an academic way, but we should emphasize how to develop a relationship with God.

This was the message of Paul Ward, keynote speaker at the Diocese of Madison's 2002 Central Education Institute.

More than 600 Catholic school teachers, principals, and those involved in religious education in the Diocese of Madison gathered for the event that took place at the Marriott Madison West Hotel and Conference Center.

Impacting young lives

The day began with a Mass at which Bishop William H. Bullock presided.

"Whatever your special ministry, you have a part in the formation of children," as an educator, religious education coordinator or director, volunteer, or teacher, said Bullock in his homily. "Under your tutelage, prayer, teaching, and witness, you also will impact the lives of young people.

"It is a privilege to be instructors in the lives of young people," he said, pointing out that we, too, must become childlike. "God admires their humility and calls us to be childlike and humble."

We must grow in Catholic identity, the heart of who we are, he said. "We have to believe in all elements of who Christ is: God and man and that he came to redeem us." But Christ gave us the church, and "you and I are the extension of Christ," he said.

"Thank you for all the work you do," the bishop said, stressing that sometimes they need the patience of angels when working with children. "I stand in solidarity with you and prayerful attention with you."

Of all the things he is most proud of during his years as a priest, "I never do anything bigger or better than when I pray for you," he said. "I know you have a tough job."

May the angels accompany you in this day and in your ministry, he said.

Catholic perspective

The institute continued with a presentation by Ward, deputy superintendent for the Archdiocese of New York and adjunct instructor in Seton Hall's Catholic School Leadership Program. His address was titled "Seizing the Moment: Examining Life from the Catholic Perspective."

In teaching the sacred to children, we must have a total Catholic education approach that suffuses all activity, said Ward.

"We teach spirituality the same way we teach theme writing," he said, stressing that we should learn from seminaries and religious congregations, in which conversations take place with spiritual directors, goals are set, weak spots are identified.

Teachers and catechists must be spiritual people who are willing to share their own personal spiritual journeys with the children, said Ward.

"The effectiveness of religious education is tied with the witness of the teachers," he said.

"We are often reminded that other schools have bells and whistles, but those things are transitory," he said. "I want my kids marinating in the faith atmosphere that only a Catholic school can provide. Jesus is the ultimate bell and whistle. He is the way, the truth, and the life."

Workshops

Participants then attended workshops ranging in topics from everyday spirituality to insights into the Muslim faith, cultural sensitivity to increasing computation scores and students' self esteem, creative ideas for learning faith to differences between Catholicism and other Christian religions.

In one workshop, "Understanding Student Anger and Violence," Marriage and Family Therapist Paul Gasser discussed ways to help children correct aggressive behavior.

"When you have children who are frustrated and angry, that will yield misbehavior in the classroom," he said.

Defining violence

He first examined the definition of violence. "As a good Catholic, we can't step back and say a little violence is okay," he said.

Violence has a ripple effect on students and staff throughout the school. "A sad fact is that many students today aren't even aware of hurting others. Their verbal put-downs, their pushing and shoving, and even their destruction of property are 'no big deal.' They're doing what their peers and role models are doing," he said.

All violent acts hold in common the fact that they inflict harm, or threaten to inflict harm, upon a person or property. "The other person feels hurt, invaded, discounted, disrespected, with a diminished sense of security," he said.

Gasser presented a scenario in which an "outcast" student is ridiculed because she does not have the right clothes, for example. He pointed out that by tolerating the ridicule, the teacher and silent onlookers enable the mistreatment of the student.

Dealing with anger

"To succeed in eliminating violence from schools, we must understand the dynamics of bully/victim conflict," said Gasser. "Bullies have an outlook on life that's different from the way non-bullies approach the world. That's why violence prevention programs that work well for other students - such as peer mediation and practice in anger management and conflict resolution - do not work for bullies.

"In dealing with anger in children, we must be guided by the principle that all feelings are okay - it's what we do with those emotions that is important."

'Time for a Game Plan': Program on abstinence

PLATTEVILLE -- Scott Phelps of Project Reality from Glenview, Ill., will speak in schools in the Grant County area on abstinence until marriage as the safest, healthiest lifestyle.

"Time for a Game Plan" will be the topic of his presentation. The point is, "What is your plan?" says Phelps, pointing out that we all have dreams for our lives, but the pressures of society can get in the way. "We have to teach kids how to stay on track."

His schedule includes:

• Tuesday, Oct. 22, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at St. Mary Parish, Platteville, 345 N. Court (school cafeteria) Parents are invited to attend this event. Grades five through eight will hear the presentation. Contact person is Chris Cardin, 608-348-9735.

• Tuesday, Oct. 22, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (grades six through eight) and 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. (grades nine through 12), Potosi High School, 128 U.S. Hwy. 61 N. There will be a Parents Workshop also given by Phelps that evening at 7 p.m. at the Potosi High School cafeteria. This is open to the public. The workshop will help educators and parents effectively communicate "abstinence until marriage." Contact person is Aundrea Henkel-Kerkenbush, 608-763-2161.

• Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., St. Clement Parish, Lancaster, 135 S. Washington St. (church). This will be open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend. All teachers, students, parents, and grandparents, and all members of churches from surrounding communities are welcome to attend this event. There is no cost. For large groups, contact Kitty Mumm, 608-723-7474, or Ellen Conley, 608-822-3098.

Budgets and taxes are almost always key issues in election campaigns.

While tax laws can be complex and difficult for the average person to understand, tax policies represent a very basic judgment by citizens in a community as to what they value and how much they will ask of themselves to support those values.

"Speak Out!" writing contest for students MADISON -- The Catholic Herald is sponsoring a fall "Speak Out!" writing contest for students in grades five through 12 in the Diocese of Madison. Beginning with the Sept. 12, 2002 issue, The Catholic Herald will include voter education issues based on "Faithful Citizenship." Students are encouraged to write editorials in response to these articles. Topics include: 1) Faithful Citizenship in Election Year 2002 (introduction and overview); 2) Human Life and Dignity; 3) Help for Families; 4) Health Care; 5) Budget Shortfalls and Taxation; 6) Criminal Justice and Corrections; 7) Environment and Agriculture. Deadline is Nov. 8. For more information, interested students may contact their Catholic school teachers or principal, call The Catholic Herald at 608-821-3070, or e-mail info@madisoncatholicherald.org.

Budgets, while they are laden with numbers and graphs, represent very human judgments about those needs and priorities to which the community commits its resources. This year, the issues of tax policy are linked to the "structural deficit" in Wisconsin's state budget. Together, they present a critical issue in the contests for governor and the legislature.

Church on government, taxes

While no one likes to pay taxes, doing so is an obligation of citizenship. The Catechism affirms that paying taxes, like voting and defending one's country is "morally obligatory" (#2240).

Further, "it is the responsibility of all citizens, acting through their government, to assist and empower the poor, the disadvantaged, the handicapped, and the unemployed . . . Government may levy the taxes necessary to meet these responsibilities and citizens have the moral obligation to pay those taxes" (Economic Justice for All, #123).

However, citizens must do more than pay taxes. They must be vigilant in assessing whether tax policies are just and equitable. Fundamental to whether taxation policies are just and equitable is the question of whether taxes are assessed according to one's ability to pay (Mother and Teacher, #132).

But it does not follow that taxes are always the answer. The church also teaches that businesses have a right to "an institutional framework that does not penalize enterprises that act responsibly . . . Managers and stockholders should not be torn between their responsibilities to their organizations and their responsibilities toward society as a whole (Economic Justice for All, #118).

Taxes in Wisconsin

Taxes in Wisconsin are generally higher than those of other states. This in part reflects a tradition sustained over the last century by leaders of both major political parties that Wisconsin should "go the extra mile" in providing services to citizens of even modest financial means.

	Table 1: Where do the taxes come from? 2000-01 Fiscal Year Source Amount ($ millions) % Taxes collected Individual Income Tax $5,156.6 51.2% Sales and Use Tax 3,609.9 35.9% Corporate/Franchise Tax 537.2 5.3% Cigarette Tax 243.5 2.4% All other programs 516.3 5.1% Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Those who argue that taxes are too high express concern that they will inhibit economic development. They point to other states with lower taxes.

They point out that the income tax generates most of our state's revenue (see Table 1). They also cite data that indicates upper income tax payers pay a substantial part of the income taxes in Wisconsin (see Table 2). They go on to argue that tax cuts will not significantly change that distribution of tax burden.

Those who disagree with this analysis observe that focusing on state and local taxes fails to include user fees, other assessments on taxpayers, and federal support for state programs that rightly belong in any effort to measure the cost of government.

When these other sources are added, they point out, Wisconsin's ranking falls from third to 20th. Wisconsin's also ranks 20th when one measures not taxes, but actual government expenditures per $1,000 of personal income. They argue that comparisons with other states will produce different results depending on the point of reference.

Table 2: Who pays the Wisconsin income tax? Tax Year 2000 Data Gross Income Tax # of Filers % of Filers Amount Paid % of all Total Income $0-25,000 1,358,000 49.6% $243,000,000 5.0% $25,000-50,000 665,000 24.3% 977,350,000 20.0% $50,000-100,000 565,500 20.7% 1,869,100,000 38.2% $100,000-500,000 143,200 5.2% 1,282,550,000 26.2% $500,000 +         6,800     0.2%      522,550,000   10.7% TOTAL 2,738,500 100.0% $4,894,550,000 100.0% Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Others argue that Wisconsin's quality of life and tradition of a high level of services has benefited the state. They note that our state's tax burden is similar to that of Minnesota and that our tax rates did not prevent Minnesota and Wisconsin from growing in population at a faster rate than other midwestern states.

A budget shortfall in the general fund

Currently, Wisconsin taxpayers provide the state government with just over $10 billion a year in general tax revenues. At the same time, the state is committed to spending just over $11 billion annually on programs funded by these same general taxes. Clearly, addressing this $1 billion "structural deficit" between what the state spends and what it generates in revenue must be a priority for anyone committed to the common good.

This promises to be difficult. Nearly 85 percent of general tax dollars are concentrated in a handful of important but costly programs. Cutting large amounts of money from any creates a new set of problems.

Questions for candidates 1. Do you support policies that base a citizen's tax burden on his or her ability to pay? 2. What factors will you consider in judging the fairness of Wisconsin's tax system? 3. What factors will you consider in determining whether taxes are too high or government is spending too much? 4. What programs will you seek to protect from budget cuts if government services must be reduced to help resolve the state's budget deficit? 5. Will you work to maintain the tax-exempt status of churches and not for profit groups that serve the needy? Table 3: 10 Largest General Fund Programs for 2002-03 Program Amount % of total Elementary & secondary school aids $4,750,457,600 39.9% Shared revenues 1,029,415,800 8.7% Medical assistance 1,024,273,500 8.6% UW System 1,056,317,000 8.9% Correctional operations 734,106,300 6.2% School levy tax credit 469,305,000 3.9% Community & juvenile correctional services 299,679,500 2.5% Judicial and legal services 202,224,700 1.7% Public assistance 174,717,800 1.5% Technical college system aids     141,636,400  1.2% Subtotal $9,882,133,600 83.1% All other programs 2,009,659,400 16.9 GRAND TOTAL $11,891,793,000 100.0%

For example, nearly half of general tax revenue is returned to local governments to reduce their need to levy property taxes. Thus, cuts in spending on schools or shared revenues will increase pressure on local governments to raise property taxes. Cutting the corrections budget may lead to cuts in training programs that help prevent inmates from "re-offending" when they are released. Cuts in programs to the needy exacerbate the pain and hardship of the most vulnerable.

Related to this issue is the impact of tax policy on tax-exempt property such as that owned by churches and religious groups. To the extent that government support for programs targeted to the needy retrenches, more demand may be placed on faith-based groups to make up the difference.

Moreover, some have suggested that tax-exempt entities pay fees or taxes for certain local services. Thus it may become important to remind people that not for profit entities contribute a great deal to the community because they are able to operate and provide necessary services without meeting a tax burden.

Schools, hospitals, shelters, group homes, and other programs run by religious charities and others save Wisconsin taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Prepared by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, September 2002. Phone: 608-257-0004. Web site: www.wisconsincatholic.com