News Briefs: Workshop on 'Spirituality at work' MADISON -- The Madison Diocese Religious Educators' Organization invites the public to their next gathering on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to hear Gregory Pierce. Pierce is co-publisher of ACTA Publications, former president of the National Center for the Laity, one of the founders of Business Executives for Economic Justice, recipient of the Hillenbrand Award for Social Justice from the Archdiocese of Chicago, and author of SPIRITUALITY @ WORK (Loyola Press, 2001). Using the language of the workplace, Pierce will invite participants to join him on a "search for the God who, bidden or unbidden, is always present in our work." This spirituality has "little to do with piety and much more to do with our becoming aware of the intrinsically spiritual nature of the work we are doing and then acting on that awareness." Topics include: What it means to be spiritual at work; how work can be spiritual; living with imperfection while assuring quality; building support and community; giving thanks and congratulations; balancing work, personal, family, church, and community responsibilities. The workshop will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 602 Everglade Dr. (off Old Sauk Rd.). It begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. and prayer at 9:45 a.m. Cost is $20 a person, which includes lunch. Contact Cindy Fischer at 608-271-8081 by Dec. 1. Thanksgiving dinners planned HIGHLAND -- All are welcome to attend the fourth annual Highland community Thanksgiving day meal served at 12 noon on Thanksgiving Day at SS. Anthony and Philip Parish Center Gym, 726 Main St., Highland. The dinner is sponsored by the Highland area churches. There is no cost. Rides are available. An ecumenical prayer service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Montfort. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Iowa County Food Pantry. There will be time for fellowship following the service. All are welcome. MADISON -- On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, expects to welcome over 300 guests for its traditional free holiday meal served in Fellowship Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for anyone alone or in need. Homebound persons may request home-delivered holiday dinners by phoning only on Wednesday, Nov. 27, between 3 and 5 p.m. to 608-256-4357. Individuals and families may donate 20 pound frozen turkeys, homemade pies or cakes, or their time to help prepare and serve the dinner. Delivery and clean-up volunteers are especially needed. To volunteer, call Judy Metz at 608-249-0540. Solemnity of Immaculate Conception MADISON -- The Office of Worship of the Diocese of Madison has reminded parishes that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, usually celebrated on Dec. 8, is transferred to Monday, Dec. 9, this year. Because the date of the feast is transferred to Monday, it is not a holy day of obligation. This is generally the only time that the Immaculate Conception is not a holy day of obligation. "It remains an important solemnity and festive parish liturgies are encouraged," said the announcement from the Office of Worship. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the readings and prayers for the Second Sunday in Advent will be used. St. Bernard Players present holiday show MADISON -- The St. Bernard Players will present "The Littlest Shepherd" with the one act play "The Christmas that Might Have Been" in dinner shows Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. Cocktails will be available at 5:45 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. There will be a family matinee Sunday, Dec. 8, with lunch at 11:15 a.m., and show at 11:45 a.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Ticket prices include pizza, soda, the show with caroling, and a visit from Santa. For reservations and tickets, call the parish office at 608-249-9256. The office and theater are located at 2438 Atwood Ave. Reserve tickets by Monday, Dec. 2. Ceremony of Lessons and Carols DE FOREST -- A Christmas Ceremony of Lessons and Carols will be presented at St. Olaf Parish, 623 Jefferson St., Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. by the adult choirs of St. Olaf and St. Peter Parishes. This ceremony of music and traditional Christmas scriptures features William Frederick and Stephen Johnson. Following the concert, there will be Christmas desserts in the newly renovated parish hall. A free-will offering will help fund the choirs' tour to Italy. Support groups for separated, divorced MADISON -- Peer support groups for those hurting from separation, divorce, or loss of a significant relationship are offered at two Madison parishes and are open to all ages/faiths. Friends on a Journey will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Our Lady Queen of Peace nursery, 401 S. Owen Drive. For information, call 608-821-3170, option 3. New Directions will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at St. Dennis Parish Center, 413 Dempsey Rd., top floor. For information, call 608-821-3170, option 2.

New Catholic Multicultural Center:
Home to offices serving people of various cultures

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- The Diocese of Madison's new Catholic Multicultural Center opened its doors to the staffs of St. Martin House and Centro Guadalupano on Nov. 25.

The new 25,000-square-foot building at 1862 Beld St. replaces the old building that housed St. Martin House, which runs a meal program, and Centro Guadalupano, which offers services and resources to Hispanic people. The new center will be an outreach to the Asian community as well.

Special blessing

Bishop William H. Bullock was there to offer a blessing of the center and those who will use it.

"After much work and prayer by so many members of the diocese and the community-at-large, we gather now to bless this Catholic Multicultural Center and all who work and volunteer here in Christ's mission of charity and love," said the bishop. "This will be a place where all may come to know one another and give witness to our faith in Christ."

In a prayer of blessing, Bullock said, "God of mercy and truth, you sent your only Son to be our Savior and Lord. He calls us together as his church to carry on the work of salvation. We ask you now to bless us and all who will use this center. May all who come here know the presence of Christ, experience the joy of his friendship, and grow in his love."

He blessed those attending and the chapel with holy water.

Bullock gave several gifts to the center that represent various cultures: a globe held up by three races (titled "One World"); a crucifix for the chapel (on which hangs Christ with an African face, carved from ebony); framed artwork of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (made by sisters in India and representing the Asian community); a cross made by an artist in El Salvador (representing the Hispanic community); and a plaster "Last Supper" that will hang in the dining room.

In gratitude

"We give a big thanks to God to those who have and who will assist us in providing the new center building but also help us maintain a level of service to Hispanic, African-Americans, and Asians," said Bullock.

"It is an exciting moment and my heart is filled with great joy and deep gratitude for this new facility; its staff; the newly appointed administrator, Mark Brinkmoeller; and the Board of Directors of the Catholic Multicultural Center. We have some exciting days and years ahead," he said.

A needed facility

The Catholic Multicultural Center is very needed, said Bullock. "Its size of three floors and many offices and meeting rooms gives us all a very clear signal that we wish to provide for those who are immigrants in our new millennium.

"Today our immigrants come from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As they arrive we now provide for them, our sisters and brothers, by assisting them with job opportunities, health resources, educational opportunities, and offer them the sacraments of the Church beginning with Baptism to final death and burial.

"We are committed not only to a new place for meetings and gatherings but we are truly committed to assist them in getting adjusted on all levels because for us as Americans in the land of the free, home of the brave, we want to be that land of opportunity and freedom.

"In welcoming the new millennium immigrants we realize we are also going to be enriched by their presence, their talent, love, and culture. We must never be so haughty that we think of giving and not receiving their goodness, their beautiful culture," said Bullock.

On Dec. 20 Bullock will bless the entire building at a prayer service and staff Christmas gathering. A grand opening celebration of the Catholic Multicultural Center will take place in spring of 2003.

Making a difference

"With great satisfaction we see the conclusion of many meetings, dreams, and thoughts about how to better serve the multicultural community," said Msgr. Paul J. Swain, who chaired the committee on the building of the Catholic Multicultural Center.

"It is a place we can serve people in a very dignified way," said Romilia Schlueter, pastoral minister of Centro Guadalupano.

"It's a great feeling" to be moving in, said Brinkmoeller.

"The new Catholic Multicultural Center will make a big difference in what we can do," said Steve Maurice, administrator of St. Martin House.

The offices have already been preparing for the programs in the new center. For example, volunteer cooks for the meal program at St. Martin House recently had a food safety training at the center.

Programs in the Catholic Multicultural Center will be operational by the first weekend in December. The St. Martin House meal program will resume at the new center starting Dec. 2.

The phone number for Centro Guadalupano is 608-255-8471; phone number for St. Martin House is 608-255-1287.

National award:
Won by SSM Health Care system

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- SSM Health Care (SSMHC), a St. Louis-based not-for-profit health system of hospitals and other health-related entities, has become the first health care organization in the country to be named a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) winner.

SSMHC was one of 17 health care institutions to apply for the MBNQA.

In Wisconsin, SSMHC sponsors St. Marys Hospital Medical Center and St. Marys Care Center in Madison and St. Clare Hospital and Health Services and St. Clare Meadows Care Center in Baraboo.

SSMHC of Wisconsin also manages Boscobel Area Health Care in Boscobel and is affiliated with Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus. SSMHC has limited affiliations with Upland Hills Health Center in Dodgeville and Stoughton Hospital in Stoughton.

The award, which is given by the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the top honor a U.S. company can receive for quality management and quality achievement. Each year, the Commerce Department selects up to three organizations in the categories of manufacturing, service, small business, education and health care for the award, which is traditionally presented by the President of the United States.

"SSM Health Care is a role model of world-class excellence and has achieved extraordinary results," Commerce Secretary Don Evans said in announcing the decision. "The men and women of this organization represent the highest ethical standards in public responsibility and corporate citizenship. I am particularly pleased to join the President in announcing a first-time winner in health care."

"This award," said Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM, president/CEO, SSM Health Care, "is a wonderful recognition of the excellent performance of our employees and physicians and of their strong commitment to their mission to reveal the healing presence of God through our exceptional health care services."

"The Baldrige model," said Mary Starmann-Harrison, regional president and CEO of SSMHC of Wisconsin, "has been instrumental in helping us achieve our mission, because we have been using it for seven and a half years to improve the care we provide to those we serve."

Congress established the MBNQA in 1987 to recognize U.S. organizations for their achievements in quality and business performance and to raise awareness about the importance of quality and performance excellence as a competitive edge. Winning organizations are considered world-class role models in their industry. The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) manages the Baldrige National Quality Program.

SSMHC applied for the award in May with a 50-page application and found out in September that it would receive a site visit the week of Oct. 28. The site visits included comprehensive visits to the corporate office in St. Louis and more than 17 facilities in the four states in which SSMHC operates.

The purpose of these visits, which took place at all hours of the day, was to verify and clarify information included in the application. Baldrige examiners spoke with more than 800 employees and physicians throughout the system.

Although the MBNQA is a significant milestone, the award is one component of SSMHC's 12-year continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts, which are ongoing across the system and in its individual entities.

Baldrige performance excellence criteria are widely accepted in the United States and around the world as the standard for performance excellence. Seven categories make up the criteria: leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information and analysis, human resource focus, process management, and business results. For many organizations, using the criteria results in better employee relations, higher productivity, greater customer satisfaction, increased market share, and improved operating performance.

Organizations receiving the Baldrige award have included: Boeing Airlift and Tanker Programs, Merrill Lynch Credit Corp., Xerox Business Services, AT&T Consumer Communications Services, Eastman Chemical Co., the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Federal Express Corp., Cadillac Motor Car Division, Motorola Inc., and Westinghouse Electric Corp.

For more information on SSMHC and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, go to the MBNQA media center on SSMHC's Web site at www.ssmhc.com or the NIST Web site at www.nist.gov.

Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary and based in St. Louis, MO, SSM Health Care (SSMHC) is one of the largest Catholic systems in the country. The system owns, manages, and is affiliated with 21 acute care hospitals and three nursing homes in four states: Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.

Nearly 5,000 affiliated physicians and 22,200 employees work together to provide a wide range of services that are compassionate, holistic, and of high quality.

SSMHC health-related businesses include information systems, home care management, and support services such as materiel management and clinical engineering. SSMHC also owns an interest in Premier Medical Insurance Group Inc., one of Wisconsin's largest health maintenance organizations.