News Briefs: 2002 Youth Awards MONROE -- The Monroe Clinic, in cooperation with Green County educators, will recognize the achievements that are accomplished by youth to improve and enhance the quality of life. Initiated in 2001, the Green County Youth Awards program is being held again this year. Students between the ages of 10 and 18 in a public, private, or home school setting in the Green County school districts are eligible for nomination. Nomination forms are available by calling The Monroe Clinic's Community Relations Department at 608-324-1307, www.themonroeclinic.org, or at school and chamber of commerce offices. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 15. An award will be presented to one student in each of the school levels (elementary, middle, and high school). Recipients will be chosen by a committee of representatives from Green County schools. Announcement of recipients and presentation of the awards will be held on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Brodhead High School auditorium. A reception will follow the presentation ceremony. The Monroe Clinic is sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as an integral part of the Catholic Church's healing ministry. International Day at St. James School MADISON -- On Friday, Nov. 15, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., St. James School will hold its second cultural fair. This year the theme is "International Day - Peace Among Nations." The purpose of the fair is to acquaint students, staff, and families with the wonderful traditions of many lands. The public is invited to attend. Exhibits will be displayed like that of a bazaar. Exhibitors will visit with students as they move from "country" to "country." Countries represented include Colombia, Russia, Finland, Cape Verde West Africa, Poland, Tibet, Ireland, Norway, Nigeria, Mexico, Sicily, Germany, Turkey, the Pacific Rim countries, Chile, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenya, Switzerland, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. Younger children will use "passports" to travel from country to country; older students will use a travel journal as they learn new facts about the countries they visit. Guest artists will give performances during the day as well. For more information, call St. James School at 608-256-3095. Habitat Holiday Fair JANESVILLE -- St. William Catholic and Faith Lutheran Parishes are holding a Habitat Holiday Fair on Friday, Nov. 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. in St. William Parish hall, 456 N. Arch St. The fair is a joint effort by both churches to help finish paying for the Habitat for Humanity house project nearing completion. Featured will be a spaghetti dinner, Grandma's Kitchen, a raffle, and a craft and arts center will feature many items for sale with a Christmas flair. Tickets for the spaghetti dinner may be purchased at the Faith Lutheran and St. William Parish offices or at the door. Adult tickets are $6.50 and children 10 and under are $4. The meal is free for those under three. 'Living with a sick heart' BARABOO -- A free community program, "Living with a Sick Heart," will be presented Friday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Clare Hospital and Health Services in the Ringling Room. The purpose of the program is to assist people who have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF), their friends, and family members to learn more about strategies for living with the disease. Call 608-356-1538 to register. Group for mothers WAUNAKEE -- All mothers of preschoolers, birth through kindergarten, are invited to experience support and friendship this year at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The topic of the Nov. 12 meeting will be "Building Family Traditions." Sponsored by St. John the Baptist Parish, this ecumenical group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Arboretum Center, 1004 Quinn Dr., Waunakee. For more information, call Lisa at 608-824-0984 or the parish nurse at the rectory, 608-849-5121. Beginning Experience MADISON -- Beginning Experience weekends are for those who have experienced divorce, death of a spouse, or loss of a relationship and believe that life must begin again. A Beginning Experience weekend will be held Nov. 15 to 17 at the Mt. Tabor Center in Menasha. Cost is $125. For a brochure or more information, call Paul at 608-862-3613 or Judy at 920-733-6718. Caregivers support MADISON -- The Caregivers Support Group will meet Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at East Madison/Monona Coalition of the Aging office, 4142 Monona Dr., Madison. Tamara Seeker, Adult Day Care Center manager for the East Madison Monona Coalition, will give an informational presentation on "Adult Day Centers." Call Judy at 608-223-3100 for further information.

Counting blessings:
Family with quadruplets grateful for faith, community

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

LIME RIDGE -- Changing babies, feeding babies, playing with them, and rocking them to sleep - this is the life of a new parent, and for Vikki and Gary Stingley, it is all this times four.

In their house nestled among the rolling hills of the western part of the Diocese of Madison, the couple looks at each other and at their newly born quadruplets with such love and dedication.

This is what family is all about.

And it is faith in God that has seen them through, said Vikki.

Vikki and Gary, parishioners at St. Boniface Parish for the past four years, have been married nearly 10 years. Catholic all their lives, Vikki comes from a family of two children and Gary is from a family of four children. In the close-knit family, the couple's parents and grandparents also are from St. Boniface Parish. Gary works in the maintenance department at Land's End in Reedsburg; Vikki worked at Land's End as well.

Blessed with quads

The couple never imagined that they would have four children of their own all at once, said Vikki. Gary said the quadruplets have two guardian angels in heaven: their two sisters, Rachel and Sarah, who were stillborn a few years ago.

When the couple found out they would have quadruplets, their reaction was: "Wow! You're kidding!" said Gary. "We both talked about it and prayed about it. God has steered us through a lot - we figured he'd do it again and he did."

Bed rest was required for Vikki from the end of January until the babies were born. On April 19 she went into the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. "There were certain things I had to do," she said. "But at that point I knew we were getting to a safe spot in the pregnancy. We were a good portion of the way there."

There were only three or four nights during which Gary did not stay at the hospital. "I looked forward to Gary coming," she said.

"Vikki was so dedicated. She just said this is the way it would be," said Gary. "She's a trooper. I'm proud of her. She's a good mom - You couldn't ask for anything better."

Four personalities

On June 10, after six months of bed rest, Vikki gave birth to two sons and two daughters: Josh, three pounds, 12 ounces; John, two pounds, 15 ounces; Samantha, three pounds, eight ounces; Elizabeth, three pounds, 10 ounces.

Born two months early, the quadruplets were hospitalized for one month. Now, besides being monitored for apnea, the nearly five-month-old babies are healthy, blond-haired, and beautiful.

John is the strong-willed boss, the ring leader who watches out for the rest of them, said Gary, pointing out that when Elizabeth got a shot, she cried out and John answered her cry with a cry of his own.

Josh is more laid back and likes to study what is going on, while "Samantha knows she's cute," he said. "Elizabeth has more patience and she's going to be very smart."

Lending a hand

Family members and people from St. Boniface Parish in Lime Ridge, Holy Family Parish in LaValle, Land's End, and the surrounding community have been helping the couple care for the new little ones.

"We've had a lot of support," said Vikki. "So many have helped us. And Fr. Bowens has been wonderful."

Between 25 to 30 volunteers help out, she said. "We try to keep someone here while Gary is at work. During two days, another parishioner does the feeding at 9 p.m. and 12 a.m. Now they are starting to sleep until 5 or 5:30 a.m. so we can get a block of sleep. My grandmother and another lady come whenever I need them to fill in the holes. Gary's parents come (and his mom stays over on Friday night to help)."

Some come over to clean the house, said Gary. "Her grandpa came to mow the lawn, for example. Our folks have been wonderful in working with the kids."

"Plus, we've had some complete strangers who felt they were just led to help," said Vikki.

"It's a big challenge to care for four babies," said Fr. Lorin Bowens, pastor of St. Boniface Parish. "I'm pleased that people are pitching in. I admire Vikki for her stamina, such as when she was worrying about them during her pregnancy. She did such a good job. When I visited her, she was very calm while she was bed ridden. I consider myself lucky to know them. We are blessed to have them in the parish."

Parishes and community organizations have been taking turns organizing meals for the family during each month, he said.

Others have been helping in other ways. For example, Tammy Koenecke of the Reedsburg hospital held a baby care training for those who wished to help with the quadruplets; Darcy Fry, coordinator of the community Interfaith Hospitality Network, works on getting meals and volunteers together; Jeanne Kast, nurse practitioner from St. Boniface Parish, helps two times a week. Knights of Columbus Council #3805 donated money to help the family, and now Gary is a member of the council as well. He pointed out that Land's End, a family-oriented business, has been very accommodating and strives to do everything they can to help.

St. Boniface parishioners Maggie and Jennifer McCluskey come every Tuesday to lend a hand, as does Marcia Siverling of Land's End.

"I like interacting with the little ones," said Jennifer.

Her mother agreed. "I love babies in general. They all have their own personalities and are as sweet as pie."

Helpers a blessing

How would it have been if people had not helped out?

"Rough," said Gary. "If it weren't for the blessing of the volunteers, it would be awfully hard. It's for our sake and the babies' too. It's been remarkable. It's a reassurance that there are good Christian people out there."

"It's been such a blessing," Vikki said when asked what they thought about having an instant family.

"The volunteers have made it so," said Gary. "And faith in God," added Vikki.

"It's a miracle," said Gary.

"You always think that two girls and two boys make the perfect family. Next time I'll have to pray more specifically," said Vikki with a laugh.

St. Coletta, Jefferson:
Bishop blesses renovated chapel

By Audrey Mettel Fixmer
CATHOLIC HERALD CORRESPONDENT

JEFFERSON -- "May all here today, and all those in days to come, who will celebrate your mysteries upon this altar be united at last in the holy city of your peace. Amen."

With these words Bishop William H. Bullock called down God's blessing upon the newly remodeled chapel of St. Coletta of Wisconsin. Anointing it with holy oils, he rededicated the altar, designed to comply with new liturgical guidelines, at a recent ceremony. It was the joyous culmination of a three-year project.

Renovation project

John Buscemi was the designer and liturgical consultant for the chapel. Steve Zwettler, St. Coletta director of mission effectiveness, chaired the committee which brought the project from the drawing board to the dedication ceremony.

The committee consisted of Bob Stearns, president and CEO; Andrea Speth, vice president of development; Fr. Tom Gillespie, chaplain; Sr. Johnice Flanagan, Sisters of St. Francis; Ted Hoffman, director of maintenance; and Andy Pohl, St. Coletta client.

Three-fold mission

Theirs was a threefold mission: to create a barrier-free space, repair damaged areas, and update the chapel liturgically. St. Coletta maintenance staff, donors, and clients played roles as well.

What began as a problem of a leaking ceiling grew to much greater proportions as new needs emerged. In the end, the renovation included not only the repair of the ceiling, but removal of the marble altar and reshaping it to a smaller size, removal of the marble communion rail and retooling it into decorative pieces, and extension of the sanctuary floor out into three quadrants with accessibility ramps placed at the end of the quadrants. This raised the floor of the worship space so that there are no barriers.

In addition, they removed half of the church's pews and the large brick pulpit, replacing it with a newly designed, more accessible pulpit. The tabernacle was removed and placed in the west quadrant of the chapel, providing a space for private eucharistic devotions. Lighting and tiling completed the project.

Praise, gratitude

Bullock praised their achievement his homily and presided at the Celebration of the Eucharist following the anointing and blessing of the altar. Stearns expressed words of gratitude to the congregation.

The Nova Choir, made up of St. Coletta clients under the direction of Christina Henes, provided a touching moment with their rendition of "We Remember." Although the words of the song refer to God's love, to the older sisters and clients it may have evoked memories of the first chapel dedication in 1954.

Keeping up with times

St. Coletta at one time was a thriving boarding school for the cognitively disabled, operated by the Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee. They earned a reputation worldwide as leaders in educating the mentally handicapped.

As scientific research progressed, American schools provided more local access to special education. Boarding schools were no longer necessary or as desirable.

St. Coletta of Wisconsin has kept up with the times. It is now devoted to providing support services for adults living and working in the community.

Today they provide residential and vocational support to 385 clients in eight cities, including Madison, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Waukesha, and Northern Illinois.

Employing over 450 staff members, St. Coletta continues the Franciscan tradition of fostering dignity, respect, compassion, and spiritual growth for its clients.