News Briefs: Death penalty symposium MADISON -- "Innocence and the Death Penalty," a free symposium open to the public, will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, at the Orpheum Theater, 216 State St. The debate over the death penalty is getting renewed attention in Wisconsin as legislation has been introduced to reinstate the death penalty. Presenters include: former Governor George Ryan of Illinois, who commuted the death sentences of all 167 people on death row; Professor Larry Marshall, legal director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law, a leader in the effort to exonerate the innocent; Christopher Ochoa, who spent 12 years in prison in Texas for a rape and murder he did not commit; and Jeanette Popp, mother of a woman murdered in the Ochoa case. The symposium is sponsored by the Wisconsin Innocence Project of the Frank J. Remington Center, U.W. Law School, and the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Upcoming deanery meetings Sauk Deanery REEDSBURG -- Sauk Deanery Council of Catholic Women meeting, "A Day of Inspiration," will be held Wednesday, April 30, at Sacred Heart Parish here. Registration is at 9 a.m. followed by business meeting; guest speaker Sr. Victoria Heiderscheidt, a Schoenstatt sister, on "Spirituality for Women and Prayer"; concelebrated Mass with Fr. Lorin Bowens as homilist; dinner; and afternoon program, "Grandma's Apron" by Kim Cornbin. Reservations are due April 24 to Teresa Bass, E6274 Bass Rd., Reedsburg, WI 53059. Cost is $7.50. Marquette-Green Lake KINGSTON -- "Come Within the Light" is the theme of the Marquette-Green Lake Deanery Council of Catholic Women meeting at St. Mary Parish here Thursday, May 1. Registration is at 3:30 p.m. followed by business meeting at 4:15; concelebrated Mass with Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt as homilist; dinner; and program with Sr. Victoria Heiderscheidt, a Schoenstatt sister, who will speak on the Rosary and the new Mysteries of Light. Reservations are due April 24 to Marlene Kohn, 505 Sherman Ave., Markesan, WI 53946. Cost is $7.50. Cholesterol assessments PORTAGE -- Divine Savior Healthcare will conduct cholesterol assessments on Thursday, May 1. Participants will receive a complete blood lipid analysis. Appointments take 10 minutes and are scheduled between 7 and 8:20 a.m. Participants receive a written report with recommendations. A $15 fee is charged to partially offset costs of the program. A 12-hour fast is required and pre-registration is mandatory. For more information and to obtain an appointment, call Divine Savior's Education Department at 608-745-6405 or 800-272-9355. Beloit parish marks 50th anniversary BELOIT -- JubOLAtion 2003 has been an on-going series of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. Highlighting JubOLAtion 2003 is the parish celebration on Sunday, May 18. Bishop William H. Bullock will preside and preach at the Celebration Mass at 10:30 a.m. Activities continue until 5 p.m. Following the Mass, a light lunch and refreshments will be served in the parish center.

Spring Day for disabled: Live 'life full of promise and hope'

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MONROE -- "Kindness is a language we all can speak. Even the deaf can hear it and the blind can see it."

This quote from Mother Teresa exemplifies the Apostolate to the Handicapped, said Msgr. Tom Campion, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped of the Diocese of Madison, during the annual Spring Day.

The theme of the day was "Life full of promise and hope."

"We can have a life full of promise and hope every day by living with kindness, a language we all can speak," said Campion.

Approximately 1,000 people gathered for the special day April 12 at Monroe High School. Hundreds of volunteers helped the disabled and handicapped, who were guests at the Spring Day.

Live for Christ

Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz presided at the Mass. Concelebrants included Msgr. Paul J. Swain, Daniel T. Ganshert, and Duane R. Moellenberndt; and Frs. Kevin F. Dooley, Mike E. Klarer, Kent A. Schmitt, and Bill J. Seipp.

"If we want to live life full of promise and hope, it can't be for money, not to be number one, not for pleasure nor freedom from pain and from days when our hopes are dashed," said Wirz in his homily. "The promise we live for is for the living God in Jesus Christ, our God and brother who didn't have a life of pleasure and ease but fulfilled a mission when he faced suffering and death on the cross."

Spread Christ's peace

Wirz said we must pray for the service men and women who are giving their lives for our country and for the Iraqi people who are in poverty and are suffering loss of life.

"When we pray, 'I give you peace, my peace I give you,' that's the time we give a sign of Christ's peace and give a peace that will last," he said.

Wirz pointed out the last paragraph in Campion's letter in the worship aid: "To be handicapped, to be a believer in today's world can be a lonely business. We need the help of community to resolve our doubts and sustain our faith. Community is an essential part of Christian witness, and the Apostolate to the Handicapped is an excellent community for all of us - for we are all givers and takers, helpers and being helped. We all have a role so that we can enjoy 'Life full of promise and hope.'"

The auxiliary bishop noted that it was St. Paul who said Jesus is our peace: peace in our world, in our nation, in our community, in our family, and in our hearts.

"On Easter Sunday, we are risen with him," said Wirz. "Thank you, Jesus, for a life full of promise and hope."

Members of the Apostolate to the Handicapped brought up the gifts of bread and wine.

Helping each other

Campion spoke after Communion, thanking everyone contributing and participating in the special day.

"One of you said, 'It's nice to be here,' and I asked, 'Why did you come?' She said, 'I came because I want to be happy.'

"We all came today with different reasons, but it's summed up in 'I want to be happy.' Those who help want to be happy, too, and the only way to be happy is to help others," he said.

The disabled are the teachers of the day, said Campion. "Our little problems are dwarfed when we see people survive every day with major problems," he said, noting that the disabled teach us faith, courage, and determination in overcoming obstacles. "Let us be good students."

Sharing enthusiasm

Guests and volunteers alike shared their enthusiasm for the Spring Day.

"I really enjoy it," said guest Ed O'Malley of St. Coletta, Jefferson.

"The Mass was very beautiful," said Julia Rossiter, also of St. Coletta, Jefferson.

Guests Tom Snell and Mary Fischer, both of Stoughton, indicated their enjoyment of the day as well, while Patrick Glaney of Madison summed up the day in one word: "Wonderful!"

Volunteer Mary Hedeman of St. Victor Parish, Monroe, said she looks forward to the Apostolate to the Handicapped days. "I get as much out of it volunteering for things and seeing everyone have a good time," she said.

"You get much more back than you give," agreed John Robertson, also from St. Victor Parish, Monroe.

For Ellen, Dick, and Amy Marti of St. Victor Parish, volunteering for the Apostolate to the Handicapped days is a family tradition that has been going on for nearly 30 years.

"We plan around this," said Ellen. "It's a required family day." She noted that when they bring other people who have never attended an Apostolate to the Handicapped event, "they are just amazed."

When asked what motivates her and her family to volunteer each year, she smiled and said simply, "T.C." (a common nickname for Campion).