News Briefs: Fr. Mc Enery celebrates golden jubilee MILTON/MADISON -- Fr. James Joseph "Jim" Mc Enery's 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood will be celebrated in both Milton and Madison. The first celebration is on Sunday, May 18, at St. Mary Parish in Milton. It will begin with a 10:30 a.m. liturgy at St. Mary Church followed by a buffet reception in St. Mary Center. On Sunday, May 25, there will be an 11 a.m. liturgy at St. Peter Church followed by a buffet reception in St. Peter Parish Hall. Fr. Roger Nilles, pastor of St. Peter, will be the homilist. Friends of the jubilarian are invited to attend either event. He was pastor at St. Mary, Milton, from which he retired in 1999. He is currently in residence at St. Peter Parish in Madison. Plant sale to be held at Sauk City parish SAUK CITY -- St. Aloysius is hosting the "Rite of Spring," a plant sale, on Saturday, May 10. This unique sale features the green thumbs of St. Aloysius School and Parish. Perennials, herbs, and wildflowers from Gloria's Flowers will be on sale along with annuals. Gardeners will have an opportunity to share their expertise and extra seedlings at this sale. Besides a variety of donated plants, cocoa bean hulls will also be on sale. The hulls, to be used as mulch, will be sold by the bagful. This is a way to control moisture and weed growth while adding a delightful chocolate aroma to one's garden. The sale will run on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the school gym. Proceeds from the sale will go to the School Endowment Fund. For more information, contact Julie Lamberty at 608-643-6868. Madison Deanery meeting MADISON -- The Madison Deanery Council of Catholic Women spring dinner meeting will be held Thursday, May 15, at St. Raphael Cathedral here. Theme is "Come Live in the Light." A concelebrated Mass will be offered at 5:30 p.m. with Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, Sun Prairie, diocesan moderator, as homilist. Dinner will be served at 6:30. Guest speaker is Joy Pfeffer, nurse and director of in-service training for Nazareth House, Stoughton. Reservations are to be sent to Patricia Fisher, 217 Buckingham Ln., Madison, WI 53714, by May 9. Cost is $8. Mothers of Preschoolers meet in Waunakee WAUNAKEE -- Mothers of Preschoolers will meet Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Arboretum Centre, 1004 Quinn Dr., for a night of food, conversation, and games. Bring a dish to pass for a potluck dinner. Sponsored by St. John the Baptist Parish, this ecumenical group meets the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, call Lisa Schuebel at 608-824-0984. Visiting professor to give lecture MADISON -- Professor Csaba Szalo, a visiting scholar from the Czech Republic, will give a public lecture on "A Sociological Perspective on Globalization" at Edgewood College May 7 at 6 p.m. in Room 313, DeRicci Hall.

Faithful citizenship:
Catholics put faith
into action at Capitol

By Julianne Nornberg and Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

(See also front page photo.)

MADISON -- Approximately 280 Catholics from throughout Wisconsin practiced "faithful citizenship" as they gathered in Madison April 29 for "Catholics at the Capitol," a day-long conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) and other Catholic organizations in Wisconsin.

The third biennial conference began at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center for a program of education and advocacy. It included a keynote speech by Fr. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities USA, and breakout sessions on current state public policy issues and Catholic social teaching.

At the end of the day, many of the participants walked or drove from the Monona Terrace to meet with legislators at the nearby State Capitol.

Faith into practice

The day began with a prayer service at which Bishop William H. Bullock of Madison presided and Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee gave the homily.

"All we're doing today is putting into practice the gospel mandate to be 'light to the world, salt to the earth,'" said Dolan. "Our Catholic faith is not some private personal possession, but a gift meant to be shared. It has implications for every moment of human life. Everything we say, do, think, plan, or dream is judged by the teaching of Jesus and his church."

Just as the apostles after Pentecost went into the temple square in Jerusalem to preach the message of Jesus, "so do we assemble in the 'public square' of Wisconsin today to reflect on pivotal issues, to draw conclusions from the teaching of Christ and his church, and to bring those values to bear on the political and legislative process in our state," he said.

"From war to welfare, from the environment to education, from death to death row, from the pre-born to the dying, from the family to the farm, Jesus and his church have something to say, and we thus have a lot to listen to, to learn, and to do. I welcome you, apostles, to this public square."

Showing gratitude

Before lunch, Dolan expressed gratitude to the WCC and all the speakers of the day. "For us, faithful citizenship is a duty and a call," he told participants.

"Today is about ministry assembled. In truth, we're not alone," said John Huebscher, executive director of the WCC, noting the support of Bullock, Dolan, diocesan offices of justice and peace and social concerns, Catholic Charities, Catholic Health Association, women religious, Councils of Catholic Women, Wisconsin Council of Children and Families, Wisconsin Association of Family and Children's Agencies, and Interfaith Hospitality Network.

He also thanked all who helped with the workshops; Pat Gorman and those involved with worship; and the WCC staff: Cathy Coyle-Kaufman, Barbara Sella, and Kathy Markeland.

Well-informed citizens

Bullock commented on how well-informed participants at the legislative day were. "They know about legislative action, how to affect change, and be respectful doing it. I found them well-informed; they'd done their homework."

The Madison bishop attended a workshop on access to health care. "It is alarming to learn about the lack of respect for the person in much health care," he said. "We want to be sure the government understands that every citizen and the personhood of every individual are respected. The level of health care should not be determined by who can pay."

Addressing participants at the end of the day, Huebscher said although changes have occurred over the past four years, "What has not changed is who we are," he said, noting Catholics' advocacy for the vulnerable, the embryo, the criminal, and those without health insurance, for example.

He pointed out that Dolan called for civility in his talk to the legislature in March. Huebscher encouraged participants to use civility when they meet with their legislators as well.

"You go with our support to the Capitol," said Huebscher. "Be not afraid."